November/December Newsletter - Crystal in Scotland

November Newsletter…
October has come and gone in a blink of an eye. It ends on some sorrow as my Canadian roommate, Erin, is leaving to go home. Erin has been my rock over the last couple of months listening to my gripes and reassuring me or telling me to wake up and smell the roses when I needed it. There has been many a night that the two of us have stayed up way too late talking about religion and God, boys and life in general. I would love to tell you we have come to some profound conclusion, but in some ways I am just as confused. Erin is 4’11” on a good day but that little package has such a lively spirit. She constantly has a smile on her face even after our late night chats and the kids just adore her. So, I am really sad to see her leave since in two months she has made such an indelible impression on my life. It is funny how God sometimes places people in your lives at just the right moment.
This month has allowed me to do some more touristy things. I spent a weekend in Edinburgh visiting other ELCA YAGM’s, Anna and celebrate Matt’s Birthday. We had perfect weather to walk around and explore everything from the Royal Mile to Calton Field. We saw everything from William Wallace, to a young girl being knighted and a bike race. Another weekend, I stayed closer to home but still had a grand adventure by taking the day to see Scone Palace (YES… we even had scones and tea…). Scone plays an important part in Scottish history since it was where most of the Scottish Kings were crowned including Macbeth and Robert the Bruce. However, the best part was when Erin and I missed the bus and we started walking home. It was splendid since the trees have begun to change color to intense yellows, reds and oranges. The day had been pretty misty and grey but cleared up enough for a gorgeous dusty pink sunset.
Scars have been a plenty this month. Joe (one of the instructors) turned 21 early this month so we had a massive ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee). Imagine the wildest country line dancing with boys swinging girls around and lifting you off of you feet before you even know what is happening and you might have a ceilidh. The dancing is so energetic I broke my sandals and ended up with bruises on my arms from my shoulder to my elbow. However, it was the best time of my life and I can’t wait to try it again at the Glen Ball (the social event of the season in Glenshee where I live). However, I am not so excited about having to cover up my new scar that I got for trying to learn how to play rugby with the boys. I was going up for the catch, however the ball went long and knocked into a tree branch which fell directly on my forehead leaving a golf ball size lump and a nice little scratch. Even, more disappointing England lost to France. A couple of day later, I went out for a run in a t-shirt and a guy pulled over and asked me if I was okay since I look liked I had been mauled between my head and arms.
WoW! It is hard to believe that November is at a close as well. November was a time of many firsts. I missed my first American Thanksgiving and my Compass friends tried to help me overcome my homesickness with some champagne, cheese, crackers, and chocolate and a movie. However, it was the snow on Thanksgiving that gave me the most pleasure. Living in Florida, we don’t have many snowy Thanksgivings. We have had a number of days that is has snowed; however, the snow had not been sticking to the ground except for on the highest mountain tops. It is so nice to wake up to a winter wonderland with snow glistening on tree branches and the fence line separating our property from the cattle and sheep next door. The entire Glen is hoping for a good snow this year since the economy of the Glen is supported by our little ski slopes. The saying in Scotland is that if you can ski Scotland than you can ski anywhere. Well, I am looking forward to hopefully giving it a try. A lot of the instructors are certified as ski and or snowboard instructors and I have had a number of offers for lessons so I am hoping to have a chance to take them up on the offer.
The beginning of November started with a bang with the Glen Ball and a trip to London for an ELCA YAGM Retreat. The Glen Ball is the social event of the year. Everyone comes together to raise money for the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service at the local Restaurant and Hotel, The Spittal. They auctioned off a year supply of wood and little things such as whiskey (Scots don’t call it scotch… it is whiskey), chocolates, stuffed animals, amongst other things. We were treated to the best food. We tasted oysters, salmon, prawns, various pates (chicken, salmon, liver), pasta salad and salad for a starter then it was onto traditional Scottish main courses like venison, beef with haggis, mashed potatoes, carrots and cauliflower. You then spent the rest of the night dancing off all the food you had just consumed. Since this is no small affair the boys are decked out in kilts and girls in ball gowns. I have to say that the boys looked absolutely magnificent and out shone us girls in their regalry. Then with less than 2 hours of sleep, it was a 2 hour drive to Glasgow to catch a flight to London to join all the other UK Young Adults in Global Mission at Conference. The weekend in London was a whirlwind of catching up with all the other YAGMs and how they were doing at their placements. We went ice skating at Alexandra Palace and talked about our experience so far. A lot of it was spent talking about the differences between the Lutherans beliefs and our experiences here. I have not had the chance to attend a lot of churches since we work on weekends a lot of time, however the few times that I have it has been a completely new experience. I have witnessed a baptism by submersion in Glasgow (we are talking a full dunking-head to toe dripping wet and all the baptism recipients were at least 20 years of age) and in Perth a service that allowed people to direct the service with their divine inspirations from the bible or a song that relates to the scriptures. I have enjoyed listening and witnessing differences between various denominations because I relish the fact that deep down we all believe the same thing. I have also enjoyed listening to the other opinions about what they believe to be the interpretation of the bible. Sometimes, I am taken aback such as when we got to a discussion of tai chi, yoga, and pilates and also, the Freemason and the belief that Eastern arts can have a negative influence on Christians and that the Freemasons were an evil secret society that was basically a cult. While I don’t concur with the opinions, I could respect their beliefs; however I will not personally be giving up my yoga or pilates classes anytime soon.
The beginning of November has ushered in a new season at the centre with most of our guest coming on weekends, it allows for everyone to have the same days off. So, the girls have gone on shopping and haircut excursion to Dundee. It also means that we get a different variety of work. I am now an expert painter, sander, and climber of scaffolding. I am now certified in First Aid, specializing in outdoor situations and a Food Hygiene Awardee meaning that I can now cook for our guests and staff. I am hoping to get through all my days without having to put my First Aid skills to use, however, I don’t think I will be so lucky with my Food Hygiene. I have already cooked twice for staff and some guests, though they were not exactly the works of a Cordon Bleu chef, they were edible and enjoyed. Considering I spent my university years avoiding cooking and younger years enjoying the fine dining my Mother had to offer, it was a nice surprise that I received some compliments on my food. November also gave me the opportunity to meet staff from other outdoor centers in Scotland at the annual SCOC (Scottish Christian Outdoor Conference) held at our home. It meant a couple of days of fun and laughter especially when we did a photo scavenger hunt around the Glen. This was where we had a list of 50 things to take pictures of our group doing various things or at various places. My favorite was climbing a tree, being mannequins in a store window (we were mannequin in a liqueur store in Pitlochry), and bribing a poor man to let some cute girls sit in his BMW sports car so that we could get 5 points. While, my group didn’t win we gave everyone a run for their money, which considering none of us had ever done a Photo scavenger hunt in the Glen and some of our competition had, coming in 4th was not bad.
Well, I must retire…I am being called to away for a Game of Settlers of Catan (a favorite among the staff for wasting the night away with friendly competition is bring out with its monopoly and risk like characteristics.) Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! Treasure all the moments with your loved ones!
God Bless from Scotland!
Crystal