Today, My Heart Swings

Today I remember Jon Krist and Tommy Myers

I'm listening to Interpol and it reminds me so much of the time that I spent living with them. 5 guys in a 4 man room. Who could forget that? Interpol also poses the question, "How are things on the West Coast?" So for this I will divert to Jon Ryan, presuming he reads this. Go ahead Jon.

Jon: Apparently it's on fire again.

Ian: Well that bring me to a new point. Why build houses in a wildfire area. The earth has a remarkable way of renewing itself. Take the four seasons for instance. a constant renewal. Different places renew differently. Florida renews itself through constant rain in the summer time. California just happens to renew itself by burning. I mentioned to Jon Ryan (former roommate who is from the Monterey area) one day that there was this huge fire in Southern California. He spoke to me with shoulders shrugged and said, "So what, happens every year" and never even turned away from the telly. Which made me think why people are so up in arms about it this time. They problem with last year (which is the first one I remember) is that people's houses were burning because they had built them where there are fires. So people's houses were getting destroyed. Go figure. I hear you can get some cheap real estate on the banks of the Nile too.

Also, in just a little poke. I wanna mention that Nevada cancelled their delegate meeting because Ron Paul had an overwhelming "Super Majority," and they just cancelled it. That sure doesn't sound right. Get on it, Cliff.

Oh, so I truly need your prayers at the moment. I just applied to University of Edinburgh and I'm really hoping to get in. Also, the more I think into the future. The more I don't see myself staying in the US. I think I would come back to Edinburgh regardless of whether I got into the school. I just think it would be a cop-out for me to stay in the States. I know this might make some people sad, but I must follow God's little breadcrumb path. So at this point, I think that going back to the States is a waste of money, if I'm just going to fly back. I could get housing here and work my butt off for the pound, since the dollar seems to be sucking wind now anyway. So pray for that. I miss my family. I do miss Florida though. I miss my friends there. I would love to buy a house with my mate, Cliff, since now seems to be the time. I just can't see myself still in Florida in 5 years. I can't see myself in Scotland either, but I don't think I'd be satisfied if I stayed put.

So that is my big dilemma.

So tonight, is the Barcelona v. Manchester United football match. I'm going to go watch is with some mates from work. I just don't know who to cheer for. Well, I don't really like Man U. because they are Man U. and they are also English, which a good Scotsman won't cheer for, but at least they are British and they are the favourites. Barcelona is NOT English and I can speak their language. (Barcelona is in Spain) and they are also the underdogs. So I think that I might go for them, but I don't wanna be the only one in there. Maybe I'll find some nice Spanish folks.

Probably not, everyone here is either Polish or Italian.

Oh, I wore short-sleeves today!!! Woo Hoo.

I'm goina go enjoy that beautiful Scottish sun before it goes away. Even though, it'll be out until 10 or so. Remember what I've told you.

Ian

Sheep

The great inspiration of this Northern Country.

Scotland is a relatively small place. It's about the size of one of our mid-sized states. I would look up all the facts, but I'm on a train with no internet. About 5 million people live in Scotland. The funny thing about this fact is that about 50% - 60% of the people live in a belt that goes from the West of Scotland (Around Glasgow and the Clyde River) to Edinburgh (in the East). The rest of the country is relatively uninhabited. This information is meaningless.

So please pray for me. I'm applying to the University of Edinburgh tomorrow. I've got the application done and I'm sending it in tomorrow. Well I'm actually turning it in by hand. If this works, it'll mean that I'll be in Scotland for another year, which I a very excited about. I want to do things here, but it doesn't seem like there is enough time, and I'm not sure there is. What is the point of starting something to leave before it even gets off the ground. That might cause more harm than good, which is not what I intend to leave in my wake.

More than ever, nowadays, I believe in the sovereignty of God. This means that I believe that God is in control. Actually in control. Not in control of what we humans decide in our free will, but really. It gives me such a peace to think that God is in control. Because above all, I believe that God is love. Therefore, what he controls He controls in love, with love being his main focus of what he does. So I trust, and it makes me feel at peace. I actually feel peace when I think about it. It's a great thing. I get scared when I think of man having complete free will. Because what kind of mess would we make. There is no way the world would still be held together.

I wrestled with God yesterday, and it made my heart hurt. Things are happening. As Paul said in Galatians 4:19, "I am again in deep pains until Christ is formed within you." I rode the bus home from Gordon's house and really felt God twisting me on the inside. Or either, my insides were twisting because of the presence of God. I don't mean to make it sound like I had a holy moment, but it was certainly special.

A song that recently has really made me aware of the depravity of man is Matthew Good Band - The Fall of Man. It is certainly not a nice song, but it makes me think of the mind. the mind of the man and how foul it is. A line says, " you keep begging me to stop, but I was never that nice." and another that says, "stick to the plan, the fall of man."

Well this is my stop. Same time next week.

Ian

Everyone Shed Your Jumpers, Oh, And Your Sweaters

It's hot today, as a sweater was too much to wear for the walk across the castle terrace. Of course, you don't see the castle on this walk. It is hidden by cameras raised high by tourist from every part of the world. Oh course, i cannae say anything against tourist because I myself am one. I don't really understand why people would get upset at tourist. it's kinda like someone is saying, "hey, your city's great." otherwise, I'd be at home in my own. But people seem to.

The weather is changing here in Scotland. And I'm so glad. When I arrived here, the sun set at about 6 or so. Now, it goes down at about 9. and when I finally leave it is supposed to be up until around midnight. How cool is that.

Peeking Around The Corner Into May

Hello world,

You wouldn't believe me if I told you how busy I've been recently. So I won't even try, except that is the reason that you are here so I will explain it.

I've been doing a tremendous amount of work. Whether it is contacting language schools, internship meetings, or church and community meetings. Sometimes I have very early days and late nights. Not getting to bed until way past when I need to. Which is odd, because I never work later than 8.30, but I have engagements with other people or with church. So I might not get in until late.

I was worried the first few weeks when I was here that I wasn't going to have many friends and that I never had anything to do. Now that is different. I always have somewhere to go or somebody inviting me somewhere. Or inviting myself places. This is a great city. It's also great big, so I have to spend a considerable amount of time traveling or waiting to travel. The bus system here is the best I've ever seen though. Much better than Wilson's.

I must say I'm happy to be here now, because I hear about all of the economic crisis in the States and I'm happy to not have to pay for gas and I'm also happy to not to be working in dollars. I have begun to think in pounds and it creates a whole different world because it is so powerful. So when I do think about gas. I think about it as £1.50 and that's not that bad. Can't wait to get home though right.

Speaking of that, the ministry to internationals is finally getting underway, but I hate to leave it. Some parts of me really don't wanna come home and want to continue to help out the work here. Which, by the way, is going very well.

The church I'm with in Edinburgh has started a congregation out in Bathgate (Suburbia) and it has grown to about half the size of the Edinburgh one with over 40 people attending. God is really working out there in that community. I'm really excited to hear about how they do it and their strategy. Because I am interested in planting churches as well.

On the language front, I have had a great breakthrough. Two different schools are going to allow me to come in and observe classes. I'm super stoked about that. Also there is a course here in practical teaching of English as a second language that last 4 weeks, but it's pretty hands on the whole time and costs. $1,900. So I can't do that right now, but I am looking into such a course for the future. So I'm super excited about languages and the future.

The cold really got to me the other day and I wanted to come home, but I've been miraculously encouraged over the past day through talks with people and I have renewed my love for this country and my desire to be with God here and to be used by God here.

So now I have to go to work, but maybe I'll write again soon. I would love to hear some comments. because they make me feel not-so-alone.

I do want to say a big CONGRATULATIONS to Rich and Kelly who got married over the weekend. Best of luck to you guys and Godspeed all the way.

So until the earth makes another rotation on it's axis as if it were a basketball on God's finger, God bless all of you and cause you to sleep the most peaceful sleep of your lives.

Cheers

Ian

cześć

Well here is a little update on what I've been doing.

I'm super tired so this won't be very long.

I've been doing a lot of work recently at the church and Starbucks with not a lot of rest. So tomorrow will be my relaxing day although I need to make some connections.

They've opened up a French Market on the street that I work on. They are selling all kinds of stuff from France that's a little tasty.

I had some great conversations today with some of my workmates.

I've learned tons about theology in the past few weeks that has been very intriguing as far as my view of God goes. I have truly been tested in my spirituality even to the point of having to give up what sounds right to me for what God says is true. The two seem to be farther apart then I thought. So take that for what it's worth.

I really like it here.


ian

OH NO!!!

I just saw a picture of video of the Golden Gate Bridge and I thought the cars were on the wrong side of the road!!!!

Dandelion and Burdock during Cinco de Mayo!!!!

Hello western world, (unless you are actually reading this in the eastern world, I welcome you also)

So my days journeys are over and I'm on the train back to Edinburgh via Haymarket and the number 26 bus. It's so crazy trying to get around here. It's great and I enjoy it much more than having a car here. A car in America is great, but a car here is not so much. I think I would get along fine with a bicycle. But if I have 3 things to do and they all are in different parts of the city I have to walk and bus it and maybe hire a rickshaw. So life in the big city can be tough, but everyone needs a challenge right?

I have nothing new to report other than the usual stuff. I just want to take a minute and say that I'm looking at a beautifully horrible sky. It is semi-cloudy above me, but it looks like a fleece blanket of darkness is headed my way. Oh the beauty in the grotesque. I imagine you could get sick of the weather here, but the beauty of just weather itself is uncomprehendable. Just try to imagine if there were no such thing as weather. Go ahead, I'll wait.........

See. You can't.

What would be in the air then?

I did take up learning Polish (or Polski) the other day. I'm not yet past the "hey, how are you" stage, but you have to start there, right? I have a new challenge in my life and it is super cool.

Here is a picture of a little dog that I found on a walk yesterday tied to a pole. People do that all the time around here. My mom is afraid that it might get stolen, but that doesn't happen here. This poor guy was cold though. You can see that he's a small critter, but he was shivering to beat the band.

On Friday night we (the Starbuck's crew) threw a party for a girl named Monika, who is transferring stores. So I got a chance to hang out with some of the crew after-hours. That is one of the things that I have seen that is different than at home. Your co-workers are just there at work and it never really goes farther than that unless you were already friends. Here though, they have a more community mindset about them. Your workmates here are instantly your friends and you are instantly invited to every function that happens. Especially if there is a match on (football or rugby). People just go and hang out after work and do things together. I like that a lot. The weather may be cold, but the people are warm.

That also brings up an interesting issue. Because Scots aren't warm all the time. They aren't warm like southerners when you are out to walk the dog. But if they have a reason to know you, then they are.

In the pictures shown all over the place are my workmates. The first picture is Edgar's Roommate who is from Portugal and Barry who is from the deepest part of Glasgow. Expect to ask him to repeat himself. He gives me a hard time at work, but he's a really great guy and very funny as well. He got married in Vegas at the end of last year and loves to talk about America.

The next photo is Edgar who is from Portugal as well and Monika who is from Poland. This is her party. Edgar is a funny guy as well who speaks the best English I've ever heard from someone who didn't learn English as a child.

I'm in the last one, from America, of course and pictured with me is Annie who is from Australia. See what I mean by the fact there are no Scots here.

In the last one is Edgar again with Emma who, believe it or not is from Edinburgh, but just got back from living in Australia for 7 years. Jon is on the left and he's gotta be one of the best guys I've ever met. He also just got engaged so congratulations to him.

So I'm doing some studies on Calvinism and Pre-destination. Very interesting stuff which is so tough to get my head around that I won't even attempt to type it. So there.

Sleep well all 3 of you who read this. (this is an attempt to illicit a response.)

Cheers.

Taps and Cinematic Experiences

Taps = Faucets.

Apparently in Scotland they have the best cold water in the world. So they try to keep the hot and cold water separated in the water lines. Because when you run hot water in a line it picks up some of the metal from the tap. I don't think they have thought that the hot and cold water mixes when it goes down the drain.

Here's the problem with that.

Washing your hands

Here is the scenario as it actually happens. You put soap on your hands and turn on the hot water and you have a very limited time to get the soap off because the water gets hot quicker than a dog would sit for a biscuit. So your hands are underneath very frigid water because it is very cold outside, you understand. So when the water starts to get warm it's like a warning. This mean you better finish up quick because it goes from freezing cold to "fantastically hot." This isn't just regular hot. This is I'm trying to get a stain out of a hardwood floor hot. So you draw your hands away very quickly. If you are lucky you have finished getting the soap off your hands. If not, you have two options. Go for the cold water tap and freeze your hands again. Or endure the hot water for a wee bit longer which is almost a non-option. Because the water is not going to cool down for at least a half-hour. So you freeze your hands only to realise that they only way to dry them is to put them under a cool air dryer because Britain thinks the world is going to melt away if we don't save it.

On to the cinema.

I finally got my passport application sent off today. YAY!!! But I traveled numerous times to the post office to get it done. I took it originally and my photos weren't there, so I had to take a day to go get those done. I went back today and the date was wrong on one of the photos. It started raining on my way back, so I put on my rain coat to take back the corrected photo only to be told that I don't have my American passport with me. I had to trudge back home. It rained harder. I told myself if anything else was wrong, I was going to give up on this country. Encouraged by David's property management staff. I went back out into the cold and the wet. (I thought it was April) It rained even more on the way there as my spirits were dampened. I arrived to a smiling post office person face who said that it looked like I had everything I needed. Just then the sun came out. I wished the man a good evening and walked out into the sunshine and shed my jacket with a grin of accomplishment. Sun washed over me as the rain had just done. I was dry and happy. I loved Scotland. So I planted this garden in memorial to the event. I just checked it and it sprang up quite quickly. I'm rather impressed, you?

So I think I confirmed my ticket back home for the 27th of May, but to tell you the truth, I really don't want to come home. Sure I miss people and I will quote a recent question I was asked.

"If you could be doing anything, what would it be"
"What I would do:
I would be sitting with my buddy Cliff in my old apartment in Florida. It would be late evening with the sun still tickling the tips of the apartments with colors spread all over the clouds and a nice cool breeze coming in through the apartment windows. It would be heaven. I feel high just thinking about it. I know it's not something crazy great, but it's what I want right now. Man, I miss Florida. " I hope you're out there Cliff.

I was actually told today that the church here would love for me to stay. This was far from a job offer, but it was really encouraging to hear that I must be doing something good, and that I must be useful in some sense. Or maybe it's my sense of humour. So I would love to stay, but it seems like I must go home right now. phooey. So that's me for the time being. I'm expecting some great adventures coming up. God sure is great. He's shown himself so much while I've been here. People said Scotland was dead.

No, it's just sleeping.

Cheers

Ian

p.s. Happy Birthday Jesse. (I don't think she reads this so someone tell her.)

Poor Little Doggy and Taps.

I'm sitting next to Jim, who is very sad and you can see why. Jock bloodied his ear and now we have to keep it in a plastic hoop. No good huh? We should make Jock wear it as well for what he did to Jim, but I don't think that he will enjoy that. So today, about today. Well we should probably start with yesterday first. And I only start with yesterday because it came first. Fair enough? I was a busy little bundle of baby burgundy bath towels yesterday. I was running to and fro to get things done for my internship.

I didn't have any actual meetings that I had to be at, but I still had plenty to do. I went by a second language school to offer my services. It was called Regent Language School. I met a nice bloke their named Rupert and between them and the people at BasilPaterson, I should be able to get some experience in a classroom setting as far as languages go. I'm excited about that.

Here is a little wee (redundant) trinket for you. Errands take all day here. I only had like 3 things to do all day long, but it took me all day because of trying to get places. I spent 1.5 hours walking and sometime on the bus as well. I got paid yesterday and had it deposited in the bank, which is exciting. I want to say thanks again to all who have been amazing enough to give to my work here. It really has been great and God is doing a lot here.

I do want to bring your attention to a small creature of certain wonder. I have seen this little dog a few times now and I always see people gawking over it and snapping photos. Even someone standing with the dog. I thought how odd, and chalked it up to European curiosity. There is a little gig near here that I like to hang out in during the day. So you can imagine my surprise when I am waiting patiently in Regent language school and I see a picture of this dog on the wall. I knew immediately that I must photograph it. I figured it must be special so I took the long hike out there to hang out in my spot and read my Bible and decided to take a shot of it. Still don't know what the big deal is. It's a cute dog, but still. It's not even that impressive of a statue. We may never know the mystery behind this little guy. He has a sign, but it makes no sense at all. You know, even there was an answer, sometimes enigmas are better and easier to wrap your head around.

Oh right, I promised you taps, but that will have to wait until after my meeting at Starbucks. Cheers


Ian

Music Winding it's Way Through the Stravers of the Word

Tonight, I miss music, and I like lime.

I'm looking forward to Cinco de Mayo.

I miss my ability to manipulate music at the moment. Like a young child misses a toy that he knows he should've brought along with him. Kicking the back of his parents car seat in his own pure, innocent anger. I miss my guitar. I have no way to play music at the moment. No way to express myself through something other than thought. Except words. So as I try to paint a picture of perpetual perceptions of my trip, I can only use unheard, yet understood utterances.

I have a plan. It must be made by tomorrow, but I cannae tell anyone of my plan. Though most would be upset with it like sunflowers on a cloudy day.

Hari ini, saya kerja di Starbucks semua hari. Setelah saya pergi ke sekolah bahasa, mencoba tolong mereka dengan orang-orang siapa tak bisa bicara di inggris. Sehari dengan banyak tapi di waktu sama, tak apa

(Today, I worked at starbucks for most of the day then afterwards i headed to a language school here in the City Centre to ask if I could help with the students there. They are getting back to me. Today was a day full, yet full with nothing. Truly special)

I love it all the more with the scripture that implores us to live quiet simple lives. and I did today, and it was great.

Back to my main point of expression though, I have discovered great new music here, but I long to sit and make my own. To create masterpieces of audio, but that no one else will ever hear. I miss writing songs for God, that I never write down. That are strictly for Him alone.

I'm not sure what else to say today. I am including a picture for Kelly Gaita. she has been pining for a photograph of the Starbucks where I work, so there it is. (at the top)

Are there any great wisdoms from the British culture to share for today? Ah, Here's one. I'll miss the food greatly when I go home. I just get a strong desire sometimes for a pie. Steak pie that is. I would like to mention my dear Granny at this point and would like to say thank you for all the steak pies she has made me over the years which were more than delicious. (that is her on the left, my papa is in the foreground.)

I also have come to believe that I am a severely adaptable person. This can be good and bad. It is not something of which I wish to boast, for me to boast in anything but Christ would be folly, but here it is. My mind and body are in different spots right now. I'll say it simply. Scotland feels like home to me. I don't think about going home really. My mind has rolled into a state where I now live here, regardless of where it is. My life and friends are here now. (this is not to discount my friends stateside because I miss you dearly)but I feel like I'm here now and this is where I am. When it comes time to board the plane home; I will cry. I will miss Scotland, but they a few days later I will be happy where I am. and that will be home. Cathy used to always say that I had the funniest way of calling wherever I was going to sleep that night, "home." So you'll have to excuse me, but to me, my life now is settled in Edinburgh. I will surely come home, so don't worry, but I don't feel like I'm just on a visit. I hope you can understand what I mean.

I'm learning so much about myself, while I'm here. It's almost scary. I have learned more in these 5 weeks than a good portion of my college career, but then again, Life is a great teacher. I think I'll close it for tonight. I want to hear some comments on my end times post, but do as you will. Sleep good America for I am already in bed.


Cheers.

Ian

The Future inflences the Present just as much as the Past

This statement is written on the sidewalk near my house and fits in perfectly with what I am about to talk about.

I had a chat with one of the pastors here over extremely thin pizza about eschatology (end times study.) And he said that there were about 5 views on the end times. The one that is most predominate in America is the view called

PRE-MILLENIALISM
This is the main view to where Jesus will come back at anytime after the gospel has reached the end of the world and he will sweep the saved away while bringing terrible plagues on those left on earth for seven years. Then Jesus will come back for a second second coming and start a 1,000 year reign. This view has been around for only about 200 years according to Perry. It was started in Britain, but didn't really catch on so it was taken to America where it was adopted. The problem with this view is that it has caused the Church to withdraw from society and wait for Jesus to come back. This is fueled by beliefs that everything will continue to get worse and worse until Jesus comes. This belief was popularized during and around the World Wars. It also leads to a defeatism. I have experienced this with my environmentalism and politics (Ron Paul) it's the whole "why even bother, it's just supposed to get worse" Can you see the negative effect that can have on the Church?

POST-MILLENIALISM
This is the view to wear things keep getting better. People continue to get saved and Christians gain influence in the world until we become so many in number that we usher in a 1,000 year period where the Jesus is in charge because of the Church being so influential. Afterwards, Jesus will appear for the ultimate end. Doesn't this one make you hopeful? My only argument against this is that people could somewhat judge when Jesus would be back. it would just be 1,000 years from when everything started going really great. and Jesus said we wouldn't know.

AMILLENIALISM
This is the view where things continue to get better and better, but Jesus will come back at anytime for only one second coming and institute a 1,000 year reign. In this one, you don't know when Jesus will come.

There are two others, but they are mixtures of the above. I would describe myself as an amillennialist right now. I like to think that things don't have to get worse and that Jesus is a conqueror more than he is a sit back and wait for the right time. The Church has hidden because of a view that is not really that old. What if it's our job to usher in Jesus' kingdom. Doesn't that sound similar to what Jesus told us anyway. I would like to think that Jesus would be happier and better glorified if we were excited about the future and were very active in changing it for the better rather than saying, "it's gotta get worse" and not fighting the enemy. The way we are used to sounds too much like evil wins the thing, at least for now.

Let me hear your feedback

But as for me, I am now very hopeful about the future.

Ian

A Beautiful Crappy Day

Well today was great.

At first it was super cold and rainy and well it stayed like that all day long. I showed up in the office this morning and it was freezing. it stayed that way all day long. It was an awful day outside, but inside of the buildings I was in there was plenty of warm conversation. Good instruction, and laughs. There is not much else to say. I spent the first half of the day with Adam, Tom, and Perry. The latter half of the day I spent with Natasha and her friend from Sweden named Sanna.

Through my conversations with people, I'm learning tons about myself, and who I am. This Scotland trip is really changing me more than anything by letting me know who I really am. Who God made me to be in the first place and teaching me to work in what I am comfortable and fitted to do more than struggling. It's a short post, but today was good. That is all.

Oh, How the Lonely Tumble

Titles come easy. It's the writing that is much more difficult, if you will. Edinburgh is a lairy city. Edinburgh is like a unknown character written in a familiar book.

It snowed this morning, HARD.

More snow came down this morning than I think I've ever seen fall. Of course, it could have been that I was standing in front of a panoramic window that was about 20 yards tall and 50 yards wide. I've never taken in so much snow. There was snow dashing and dancing off of other snowflakes in the presumed attempt to stay in the air for as long as it could, but that's just them showing off, right?

I didn't feel right ending that last sentence in a question mark. Just didn't feel right because most of the sentence was a statement and just that one word tipped the scales at the end.

Sorry.

I did spend the later portion of the day out in the beautiful sunshine with temperatures in the 50's. Don't be shocked though, because that is kind of warm and I was wearing short sleeves.

News on the Language front:

I had a good talk with a man who taught ESL in Italy for 5 years. I told him what my project was and he said that it was a tall order. Not to mention that there are numerous places in the city that offer it for free anyway. So I would basically be fighting against a well ordered system that actually has professionals doing it. So I'm going to go see them tomorrow and see about sitting in on their courses.

So that's what's going on with me.

Ian

More on the HIghlands to come, but for now, Dr. Illbit.

Hiya folks, (they say "hiya" here, and that means "hello, how are you?")

More on the highlands to come, but it's such a pressure to blog everyday and catching up is even tougher. Soooooooo. Today I went around the city and realised that I'm already taking it for granted. The amazing monuments are becoming just something that I see everyday. I hope that changes, or at least that I'm renewed in my respect of such monuments. I once described it as "a sight that no mortal should behold" and they are like that until you see them everyday.

So today was a day of correspondence between someone who has done this teaching English thing. We will have a proper chat time soon enough. I'm excited about learning about how it is actually done by a professional.

Today I did a good missionary work, I sent postcards to those who have sent me money. Don't tell them because I hope that it will be a surprise. I'm excited about all of these people who have said that they will support me in what I want to do. What a gracious thing; to give away money to allow someone to do something that you can't. I can't help but think that these people would love to go to Scotland and do what I'm doing, but simply can't because of business or family or other things. So they send me in the their stead with their money. Which is interesting because not only will they receive an award for the work I'm doing, but also for graciousness in giving. So they are better off (rewards wise) than myself, if you believe in all that jazz.

So I'm very thankful for all of those supporters, not just monetarily, but spiritually and in prayer, if those things are different. I am very thankful to all of those who are in prayer for me at home because sometimes I feel I need every bit of it.

Today was nothing more than a housekeeping day. I found a nice, quiet pub to write my postcards in, sent them to the States, and then headed out to go see Drillbit Taylor. It was a better than okay movie that had a nice and suspenseful time to it. at points. I have been yearning to see a film in a cinema for a long time, so tonight was a very nice payoff. They wouldn't accept my student card though, so I had to pay full price. No Dice. I do wanna hear a shout from my #33 mates. I miss you guys.

that's all for today. I will also be trying to post everyday or more than that. So check back often. Thanks for all the prayers and support from everybody

Cheers mate.


Ian

In The Twinkling of an Eye

So it turns out that the rapture, as we conceive it, is bogus.


Details to come..............

Highlands Day 2 - Thursday

I'm not sure why these are posted as a link, but anyway. This day started much later than it should have, but we were on holiday. Something I might say that you work very hard for in the States that is more or less just handed to you here. A full time employee gets 5 weeks paid holiday right off the bat.

So we swung back by La Sandwicherie for some more rolls and typed in Inverness on the GPS (called a Sat Nav here) and we were off. Took us about 3 hours to get from Glasgow to Inverness. Truth be told we actually drove through Inverness and onto Loch Ness. Here is the picture tour because words aren't good enough.






The photos to the left here are of my father and I at the famous Loch Ness. If you look in the background you can clearly see Nessie in the water. I actually saw her twice. I don't understand why people think she's so scarce. I think the bigger secret than Nessie's existance is really that she's here all the time, and it's how can they keep so many people quiet. So that is for what it's worth. I don't get it though.

We hoped back in the car and took another 3 hour journey up to John O'Groats, the most Northern point of Scotland. I actually got to drive for about an hour when we got near the place. There is absolutely nothing there except the end of the world. The place had some toilets and a chippie (fish and chips shop) all of which was closed down by the time we got there. We arrived just in time to watch the last bit of the sun go down. The entire next blog will be devoted to pictures of John O'Groats. I want to do it without words to create a silence similar to what is was like there. There was NOTHING there. The neat thing about going into the highlands (which aren't really that high, it's more like what "the bush" is to Africa. You really go back in time. You can see farmers tending sheep and farmland. and little light burning in houses made completely of stone. so now, an Ode to St. John O'Groats.

But before I do that let me finish our trip. John O'Groats was the highlight, but from there we drove back down to Inverness and spent the night at Premier Inn, which was anything but. We took the next day to drive around the west coast of the island and swing down through Dundee and Fife and St. Andrews where we stopped to see the Old Course. We continued on past Edinburgh to Glasgow again where we saw another football match and got to see some family. I'm really tired after this whole trip, but it's been super great.

The Highlands Day 1 - Wednesday Part 2

I'm back from the Sea. David and I take the dogs out most nights to the River Almond (pronounced Amman) to let them stretch their legs since they are rather large dogs.

Now were off to Celtic Park, or Parkhead. Scotland hosts a number of football clubs, but two of them stand above the rest. Celtic and Rangers. They come in first and second every year in the league since it began. They are both based in Glasgow, Scotland and Celtic is a Catholic team and Rangers is the protestant team. Dad and I are Celtic fans because that's how he grew up. We got to tour the park and see the locker room and the pitch (or the field). The tour was great and it was very neat seeing all of this stuff in real life. We were almost a part of an international scandal as my Dad puts it because while we were in the locker room someone had taken a jersey from one of the players named Nakamura. Turned out it was just a photographer.

During this journey to Parkhead, we got to see where my Granny grew up and lived. it was very surreal being in such as place. I never knew where my Granny had grown up before. We took pictures in front of the house, which I don't have for you now.

Afterwards we left off for the hotel and got ready for the match. The line-up was Scotland vs. Croatia. It was a neat experience with all of the fans, but the game was nothing special to me and the fans had nothing on the Old Firm Match (Celtic vs. Rangers) that I saw on Saturday, but we'll get to that. There is a thing called the Hampden Roar. It is said to have been heard from MILES away. Flower of Scotland is the anthem of Scotland. anyway, that was the game. and after that was sleep. I felt so Scottish.

Onward. So sorry you are receiving these in reverse, but it builds character.

Highlands Day 1 - Wednesday

Now you'll have to forgive me, but I will attempt to write about all that My father and I did during our 4 day trip around Scotland. I will try and put up pictures. Like this one:See. Arthur Conan Doyle. He's a writer. Short sentence.

Wednesday started early with a trip to the passport office in Glasgow. Map. I am enclosing a link to this map so you can follow our travels. Right click it and open it in a new window so you can switch between the map and the blog. Continuing. We were in and out of the passport office for Dad's passport renewal even before our appointed time. It was incredibly fast. Where are told to come back 4 hours later to pick it up. Imagine that.....a passport in 4 hours. We also recieved news that we would need my parents marriage certificate to get mine. That will take the normal 4-6 weeks and may require an interview. I breathe a sigh of relief as normalcy was achieved.

I have gained a new affection for a breakfast that rivals America's biscuits. (but not your's, Mom.) The Bacon Egg Roll. It's basically a piece of bacon, which is closer to country ham than our bacon and an egg. (thats a real egg too. they make it to order.) basically on a roll. Its delicious. I had my share during this trip. A true Scottish delicacy. I really like the food over here. There is nothing like a good pie (unless you serve it with Bovril, but that comes later.)

From La Sandwicherie, we went over to the Glasgow city centre where I got a new battery for my mac, which I am very excited about. My battery power went from 1.25 hours to 4 hours. anywho, that's not that interesting. Father and I had lunch at the Filling Station, an American restaurant. We were not impressed.

After that we were headed to Parkhead, Home of my Granny and the greatest football (soccer) team in all of Scotland. But first I must walk the dogs.

See ya soon.

CLIFFHANGER............................