Grampian Hotel Aberdeen

... way in the future, and found a particular little gem - the opportunity to spend 2 weeks in and around any major city in Australia, doing whatever they need me to do, for just under £450 with food and accomodation. I mean yeah, relatively fixed tour-type thing, ew. But most of my friends know that going down under has been a big dream for me since I was half the age I am now, the country as a whole has always fascinated me. It's so far away ...

... not really a good time of year up in the Highlands to go aimlessly romping around :P<br><br>In December I'll be heading home quickly, nothing special - but then I have 2 big breaks coming up.. So many choices!<br><br>So no, I haven't died.. I'm just at university!<br><br>[also - having some problems with java because my university internet doesn't like me. sooo pics will come. eventually.]<br>

... all taken care of the adventuring will begin. I'm starting to think Ill hop over to Dublin for a day or two before I start traveling south because I am dying to taste their Guinness! Ill write as soon as I know, but I think Ill be lounging around Scotland for two weeks while I get my ducks in a line. Obviously there isn't much to log yet but i promise it will get interesting soon!!!!

... in a 30 ltr something backpack. The photo here is what I've settled on so far plus the camera (minus the router of course). One really important item i realized i've forgotten till today is toilet paper.Thats in the red and white plastic bag so easy for me to find in case of emergency. The string if you're wondering is in case I need to wash my own clothes so at least I have something to hang the clothes from. Also a mini french dictionary for Syria ...

I made it back to Stonehaven today. Amazingly, the sun was out in full force, a complete contrast from yesterday. I walked along the North Sea for a bit, enjoying a Cornish pasty, and then made the roughly three-mile hike up to Dunnottar Castle, also overlooking the sea. The hike was amazing, but largely uneventful. The photos say more than I could hope to.<br><br>I leave for the U.S. tomorrow morning around 8:30 a.m ...

... example of a vice business operating inside what used to be a cathedral. It's really unusual.<br><br>I returned to the house, and Heather and Hannah (Heather's friend) explained to me that a typical Scottish Saturday involves going to the pub and socializing, watching sports, etc. We went to a pub and spent the afternoon doing The Times crossword puzzle. Not ...

Flew over a couple of the interesting houses (Haddo House, ?) a little further north.<br><br>Now the real fun starts - laundry!<br><br>Looks like I will be home for 2 weeks. My work trip to Sweden was postponed - they want a date that I won't be available, so it is off my calendar now.<br>

... Cathedral and the castle. Its a fresh sunny morning. Chub by now in his customary perch on the back, and we set off on the dirt roads, by a narrow path beside chbe vegetated ridge, up a steep road to rajpooth tandoor and then right on a street flanked on oth sides by shops on to the city centre where there are festive crowds gathered.. its the Miners Gala, complete with delegations for each mine district and several fullfledged brass bands. Durham county and the ...

... me. It's been hard. But I've done it. I can do it again in Dublin. And again in Seattle. I keep going, keep moving and it's all going to turn out alright. Ireland is going to allow me to express my interests in research. It's going to open some closed doors. I'm going to have every opportunity to make my life into what I want it to be. I'm going to be privileged enough to help with something larger than my world. I am so thankful for it.

... about safety on this ship, started with a lecture and then an actual drill from cabins to marshalling, cross off lists, and into lifeboats (not life rafts) with engines started. Not much room in there, I can tell you. Dinner was served and afterwards there were additional briefings about wildlife and neolithic civilisations in the lecture room. We went to bed as the boat continued northwards overnight. The sea was calm, the food was good. All well so far .... :)