Less than 12 hours until departure!

These past 3 months have gone by faster than I could have ever expected. I've done so many things with my time here, and I took advantage of every moment. I traveled to different places, met new people and tried new things. After all these experiences, I feel like I've become a better person. I've learned to appreciate the chances I'm offered, because you never know when you'll be offered it again. So many people told me before I left that this was a once in a lifetime experience, and while I know I'll never study abroad again, I hope this isn't my last time in Scotland. This country has become a part of me, and I feel like this is my second home. Anyone and everyone who has he chance to study abroad...DO IT!! I can promise you won't regret it. Although the time goes by quickly, the memories last forever.
As I write this, I'm sitting on a bed without sheets, in a bare room. I've checked into my flight and out of the house. I'm truly looking forward to coming home and seeing all my friends and family that I haven't seen in 3 months, but I know I'll miss Scotland like crazy. I head out at 3:30 tomorrow morning, and my first flight from Edinburgh to Amsterdam leaves at 6AM. From there I have a 2 hour layover, head out to Detroit, another 2 hour layover, and finally Madison! For anyone who wants to check on my flight status, they are (respectively, and all Delta) 9354, 620, 5094.
I can't wait to see you all again!!

Things I'll Miss, Updated Version

Remember back in week 3 of my trip when I posted about old things I missed and new things I loved? I figured now would be a good time to update that post with things I'll miss about Scotland after arriving back into the US.

• Prices
• In the UK, the price on the tag is the price you pay. Tax is already added in, so you don't have to guesstimate the price you're going to pay.
• Cars
• Manuals, diesels and Volkswagen are my three favorite car traits, and that's all this country has! Volkswagen Auto Group rules the road with Audi, Seat, Skoda, Porsche and obviously Volkswagen. Diesel is sold everywhere while petrol is sold only at select stations. 
• Style
• People here seem to dress up as compared to people in the US. Boys and girls both put effort into their apperance and look great because of it!
• Palace
• If you didn't already know, I live in a palace. Although it may seem like this is typical in such an old country with an abundance of castles, it's not! I feel like a princess every day I wake up and remember where I am.
• Travel
• If I want to go to another country, I just have to take a train for a few hours and viola! I'm there. It's very similar to state hopping in the US, although you don't get the culture difference that you do here in the UK.
• Public Transportation
• To get to Dalkeith to Edinburgh, I take a bus for about 45 minutes, which is free to me since I have a bus pass. Bus stops are everywhere, and they can take you all over!
• Although not in Dalkeith, the tube in London was also a great experience! Although it did get quite packed at times, it was still much more efficient than driving.
• Because I didn't drive or own a car, I didn't have to worry about parking or gas! My money seems to last a little longer (notice I say little...this extra money went straight to shopping) when I'm not paying for a full tank of gas every other week.
• Meals
• On the weekdays, our lunches and dinners are prepared for us, and we just have to help out every once in a while. If you don't have lunch or dinner duty, all you have to do is show up, eat, then put your dishes on a tray. A lot like college dining plans, but with Scottish food.

Studying abroad in Scotland has been such an amazing experience. I've been introduced to so many different things. My mind has been opened up to new ways of thinking. And most importantly, I've learned to interact with people from all over the world. I have bettered myself as a person in ways I didn't think were possible. As I've said before, I've become independent. I'm taking inventory of all the new qualities within myself I've learned about, and I'm going to take advantage of them at every opportunity going forward.

So here's to you, Scotland. Thanks for being such a great host.

One week until touchdown

I officially have one week left in Scotland. 7 days. That's it. It's hard to believe that this much time has passed by so quickly. I've lived in Dalkeith for over three months now. How have I survived this long without cheese curds I'll never know. But seriously. I miss those things. Tomorrow we have our first re-entry to the United States session. This is where we talk about what we expect when we go home. From what I've heard, the culture shock coming back into the United States is surprisingly apparent. I'm sure there will be a few things about Scotland that I'll miss, but I'm definitely looking forward to cheese curds! Ahem!! I mean, my friends and family! I come home a few days before Thanksgiving, so I'm lucky enough to get to see my family right away! I can't wait to share my stories with all of you. After Thanksgiving with both sides of the family, I'm off to Stout to say hello to my campus (and friends!) before I have to go back to work at a real job.
If anyone wants anything brought back from Scotland, let me know before it's too late!! (Unfortunately, a sheep won't fit in my carry on, so that's out of the question.)

On an unrelated note, I have a new car! (For those of you counting, this is my fifth.) I bought a 1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet in nugget yellow, with tan cloth interior. I stayed up until 3AM bidding on eBay. (No, this isn't the first time I've bought a car off eBay.) After I won the car, I PlayBook chatted my dad and we spent about an hour looking at pictures and talking about everything I can (and can't) do with it! (Can: look cute, make everyone jealous, have convertible hair Can't: put more than one bag in the trunk, put tall people in the backseat, use CDs) I promise to take everyone for a joyride in it as soon as I get it! It's currently in New Jersey, so we're working on how to get it home to Baraboo. I'm following in my grandpa's footsteps...he has a yellow manual Volkswagen Ghia convertible as well! They'll look great cruising down the back roads of Baraboo together come summer.

November already?!

I can't believe I'm already in the month that I come home. When I look back at everything I've done; all the trips I've taken, the places I've gone, and wonderful experiences I've had, it feels like I've been here for a year. The thought that I've only been here 2 1/2 months is crazy. I have lived in Scotland. I keep saying it, but it doesn't get any less true...I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to study abroad.
In honor of my return to the States, I decided to make this spoof movie trailer. Enjoy, and let me know what you think!

P.S. For everyone who might be a little shocked to see "Drinking" as a topic in this video, keep in mind that I'm of legal drinking age here! Also, drinking is a big part of Scottish culture. :)