Day: 7
Like many of you who know me personally know, I am not as outgoing as I like to think myself. Yes, despite my inability to stop chatting rubbish (oh, I did) when I am with those I feel comfortable around, the darker (less convenient) side of the sword is that with those I am intimidated by or unfamiliar, I tend to clam up. Awesome, thanks whichever family gene in which this is responsible. Therefore, I have found it a little harder than I thought to gain TRUE friends in the week I have been here. Putting aside my roommate who has become my closest awesome friend here(!) (besides erin.. obviously), I haven’t passed the “meeting people & then subsequently just saying hi every time I pass them” stage. My roommate & I have decided that we are going to make proactive movements to change this, and try to press/stalk ourselves on others in attempts to get to know SOMEONE a little closer. Its exhausting, but it must be done. I’ll keep you posted on the progress (;
On another note, not to rag on or stereotype those within St. Andrews, but from those I have encountered I have found it appropriate to make a broad assumption that those who walk the street do NOT know how to follow the rules of pedestrianism! Let me educate you: when the sidewalk is only so big as ridiculously old sidewalks permit, and you & your strolling-buddy are taking up the entire sidewalk, you move TO THE SIDE (or atleast make it look as though you are attempting to be courteous) & try to allow the individual walking toward you a little bit of room on the same sidewalk. But NO! Very few are aware of this. Within a normal St. Andrews foot traffic situation, those taking up the sidewalk merely walk straight toward you, expecting to either run into you, or force you to jump out of the way (commonly into the street) to let their royal princes walk by, unaffected. I am sorry to update you St. Andrews pedestrians, but there has only been ONE prince in St. Andrews, and he is long gone & nearly hitched somewhere in England. So, please be a little courteous next time and let a little girl have a bit of pavement without hurling herself in front of a car!
Lastly, Mr. Scottish professor… you’re turn. Simply, discover the wonders of powerpoint presentations. I don’t know if I was simply spoiled at the University of Michigan, but most of the professors contextualize their lectures with a few bullet points, photos, or at least a little INFLECTION! An hour of you jumping around random information on EACH Scottish author in the history of Scottish authors, does NOT specify (in my mind) between what I need to be taking notes on and what is merely tickling your fancy to talk about. Simply, please advise me what I will be tested on via a simple and eye catching powerpoint J
Am I asking too much of you Scotland? ;)
Current Conundrum: WHAT to do this weekend: Glasgow, or St. Andrews Union?