St. Andrew’s Day
So many beautiful fireplaces remaining.
This past Sunday was St. Andrew’s Day in Scotland. To celebrate, Historic Scotland gave the public an opportunity to visit a certain number of their sites for free over the weekend. Of course, I jumped at this amazing deal and on Saturday, along with one of my best mates, Mairi, went to the Dumfries and Galloway region of Scotland.
Mairi looking at the destroyed great south curtain.
I have only traveled through this region on the train and was excited to explore. After a late start and some wrong turns, Mairi and I found ourselves driving through pictoresque countryside on a small secondary road. We eventually arrived in Dumfries and drove to our first destination, Caerlaverock Castle. Built in 1220, it is a unique castle in that it’s built in a triangular shape. It was originally built as a defensive castle but in the 1600s it was upgraded to a palatial home.
RB 1776
Although the sun was quickly fading (yes, at 2:30 in the afternoon) and the stones had 1000 years of cold that seeped into my boots, Caerlaverock was powerful. The stories and people who were apart of its history has allowed it to live on. That day, many children, dressed up in medieval clothing, were running around the ruined halls and rooms, climbing up circular stairs and staring through windows that looked onto a carcass of a building. I could say “a once-great building”, but it is still great.
For an hour and a half I was immersed in another time. I experienced the strife that came from being on the border of England and Scotland, as well as the lives of the Maxwell’s after they repaired and renovated the castle, until a decade later, the castle was destroyed for good due to the religious upheaval in the region. And it was enchanting.
Caerlaverock Castle
To learn more about Caerlaverock Castle, visit the Historic Scotland site here.
Happy Thanksgiving!
As many Americans are doing today, I am going to write what I am thankful for.
I’m thankful for my family. Here in Scotland, as I’m anticipating my Friendsgiving at my fellow American’s apartment, I am missing them more than ever.
I am thankful for all the opportunities my parents gave me. Give a loud shout-out to my mom, who, for many years, drove hours out of her way for me to be able to go to a good school and participate in amazing events. I sometimes wasn’t as grateful as I should have been, but I will never forget your sacrifice. To both my dad and my mom, for taking my brother and I on so many trips when we were younger. You sparked my interest in travel and heritage, and let me see more of my country than many other Americans. Brent, hmmm. nothing’s coming to m…haha just kidding. Nah, you toughened me up. And you’re my best buddy.
There are many reasons for me to be thankful. Friends and families; opportunities for travel. I just want to thank my mother, father and brother for being the best. Lots of love and eat spectacularly!
A Certain Magic
Today, I want to focus on how much I love stone circles.The first time I saw a standing stone, I was overjoyed. The feeling I get when I see the evidence of prehistoric occupation has not ceased, even though some people might say, “if you see an upright stone once, you’ve seen them all”.
Honister Slate Mine
When I researched the Lake District, I discovered that before St. Patrick arrived and the Victorians flocked to the area, ancient tribes called it home. On my first day, I learned from my tour guide that a Neolithic ax mine had been found on one of the mountains. I loved seeing the historic houses and towns, and beautiful landscapes, but I was anxious to view sacred sites.
I got my chance the next day, when I started my full day tour in a downpour. No matter the weather, the Lake District is beautiful. Rain and fog just made it more atmospheric. After a couple hours, the rain cleared up and the sun came out. The moment I was waiting for came later in the day, after a late lunch. We went to Castlerigg Stone Circle.
The rectangular part inside the circle
At this time of year, the sun goes down early. So when we arrived, there was a glorious color washing over everything. The circle was on the top of a mountain with a 360 degree view. Although the reasons these were built are unknown, I was not surprised they chose this spot. I felt so powerful in that location, with the stunning views and the energy coming from the stones themselves.
The sun going down behind Castlerigg Stone circle
So as I watched the sun go down over the hills, I remembered how I felt each time I had the opportunity to be in such a place. No matter why they were built, these sites of such importance and age will always effect me more than any other.
William Wordsworth’s “summer house”.
There are many things that could, and have, been said about the English Lake District. Before my quick decision to visit, I imagined the region to be rolling hills and lakes. To be honest, I had no idea what to expect, other than it was popularized by great English authors, and the place where Eliza Bennett (of Pride and Prejudice) was to travel to with her aunt and uncle, before a situation arose and they stayed closer to home, resulting in the consequential visit to Pemberley.
The Honister Pass
I have to say, I was surprised. I had to rely on tour services to introduce me to the wonders of the district. But, when I was sitting in the front seat with a panoramic view of the surroundings and a close proximity to the driver (essential for curious people like me), I discovered the magic that drove so many people to the Lake District, from Victorians up to present day. I could also see what inspired authors like Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth, from a garden, the perfect home for Peter Rabbit, to the lake shores that, in the spring, was covered in daffodils.
The most spectacular part of the trip was how many times I forgot I was in England. Much of the landscape, rugged and lonely, often made me feel as if it was just me (and the sheep). I came back to reality in the villages, quintessentially English, from the architecture to the traditions. The Lake District has often been compared to the Scottish Highlands. However, there is something unique in the scenery, the history, and the enchantment that makes up Lakeland.
One of the many cottages owned by Beatrix Potter
I leave you with a quote by Beatrix Potter:
“One of my pleasantest memories of Esthwaite is sitting on Oatmeal Crag on a Sunday afternoon,
with the lane and fields and oak copse like in a trough
below my feet and all the tiny little fungus people singing and bobbing and dancing in the grass”
Welcome back
I have returned to this blog, started before I went to Scotland to keep my friends and family updated with my adventures and studies. Unfortunately, I had to defer my studies in Scotland, due to a lack of money and the fact that I did not want to take out more loans than necessary. I soon found myself ceasing to write.
Perhaps it was because I felt my life was unadventurous. I lived in a rural town, one I love, but I was finding it difficult to find a job which allowed me to use my studies. Out of desperation, I became a server at my local Applebee’s Grill and Bar. While it was not my dream job, I made good friends and I learned much from it.
In preparation for the next year and my long-awaited departure, I worked as hard as I could, taking multiple shifts every day in order to save as much as possible. I became almost obsessive about saving money. I did not spend anything on myself and hated when I had to buy gas to get to and from work. However, my hard work paid off and I left for Glasgow for 14 months of excitement, adventure, fun and sometimes, study.
I am back in Glasgow and here I am, hoping to revisit this blog and start it up again.
Til next time (though not for long),
Me
Resurgence
I know I haven’t been keeping up with this blog. My work schedule has been hectic recently and, honestly, I just never got around to it. However, at this moment, I am not as “busy” as I usually am and have been thinking very long and hard about a lot of things. This post is not going to be about my travels or about different things I have done. It is going to be more reflective upon myself than anything else.
For example, I realized that I can look back on my life and realize I’ve lived in stages. I had my life in Greenwood (not pleasant), then my life in Corning and high school there and in Bath. Then, thank goodness, I went to college. My life changed drastically when I arrived in Alfred, NY for my sophomore year of school. I met the most wonderful girls and a really great guy. I spent a good part of a year with that person only to realize that he wasn’t who I thought he was. Thus ends that stage, however I always kept my best friends in the world. Then began my years of saying F U to everything, but mostly men. I was the ultimate single lady, not taking a lot of people’s feelings into account. During those years, I was lucky enough to spend four wonderful months abroad where I learned so much about myself.
Coming back from that time, I once again slipped into who I was before I left. I had my girls but I was also someone whom I didn’t like. Looking back at it now, yes, it was a way of escape but I do not agree with how I did it. Then, I easily fell into another stage. At the end of my college career, I met an absolutely wonderful guy. We were amazing together but after awhile, the stress and anxiety I had about not finding a job and he had over school and social life, took its toll. I wasn’t taking not being in school very well, I missed my friends and the social aspect, as well as the classes. I am writing this now because that glorious stage of my life has ended and I have no clue what the next one will be.
I will try to keep up with this blog. I have no idea where I am heading, but I will let you know when it happens.
Early Christmas!
So today, I was surprised when my dad came home from work saying I had a package.
Earlier the mailman scared me half to death delivering a package for my mother, but it really was a package for me! From my dear girl, Rachel Gorman! She is living in the Czech Republic and experienced the christmas markets in Prague and sent me some lovely gifts. I opened the box and I found a shot glass (so us) and a Kinder surprise chocolate along with a letter. However, when I was repacking the box, I noticed that there were things wrapped in the paper towels that were also being used as cushioning. There were the cutest little wicker ornaments that I am going to hang on my Christmas tree. 
The three cute ornaments, the characteristic shot glass, and the “surprise” from the Kinder Surprise chocolate, a ninja mouse!
Thank you so much, Rachel, for helping to get me in the mood for the holidays. It’s been really difficult considering the fact that it has snowed only once or twice.
Monotony and confusion
Two words with negative connotations.
While I am not saying that my life is solely this, it does have some elements of it. I am loving my job as a server at Applebee’s, despite the letdowns with seldom unfriendly guests and unsubstantial tips. However, two drawbacks are the few amount of hours and that I do not work every day. While when I work, I get an average of 15 dollars an hour, I only work for, at most, 4 hours at a time. Also, on the days that I don’t work, it is the same old routine. I watch lots of Netflix and take naps. Oh, and eat.
There’s more and believe me when I say I’m not complaining, I’m just letting out my frustrations. I have this strange thing that when I get my heart set on something, it is so strong and it consumes me. In my current situation, it’s Scotland. I was planning on going and I told everyone, and then when I couldn’t, my heart was broken. I have been really stressed recently because I am starting to think that I will not have enough money to go this year, even. My family has been trying to get me to look at grad schools in the US as a back-up plan. But I’m stubborn and my dream is at stake. However, I have been taking their advice, because I want to be able to see sense and reality (although I am trying my hardest to make Scotland my reality). I have been looking at Catholic University and New York University, along with some others.
A real, live waitress!
So. The first week of my server training at Applebee’s has gone off, I cannot say without a hitch, but without any real damage.
Starting on Monday, I worked a grand total of 18 grueling, long hours, learning the ropes and watching orientation videos and taking quizzes. There is actually a lot to learn and a lot of information that I have to process in order to succeed. However, even though it has been long, I enjoy it very much and I am making mad bank.
Unfortunately, during training, I was not allowed to take home my tip money so I worked my magic and then had to give my tips to my trainer. On Wednesday I made 75 dollars in tips and on Friday I made 85. It is really depressing having to hand that over to someone else.
But starting on Tuesday, I will be on my own, earning 5 dollars and hour and keeping all my tip money. So, if you are in the neighborhood (haha get it?), stop by and visit Applebee’s and ask for Alyssa!
Allegany Artisan’s Studio Tour
Yesterday, Aaron, my mom and I spent our day traveling around going to acquaintances studios. This Saturday and Sunday, the Allegany Artisan’s Studio Tour allows the public to come in and look at the artists at work and see their space. Also, Aaron’s favorite part, they have treats like home-made doughnuts, cake and apple cider.
First, we went to Fred Beckhorn’s natural form furniture.
Then we traveled down the road to Marsha Van Vlack’s porcelain tile studio.
My mother spent at least 45 minutes at each one talking to the artist and their family, that it was already getting late when she decided to travel a half an hour to see Spike Jones’ metalworking studio. That was a lot of fun because Spike, a friend of the family’s, offered to help Aaron create something out of iron. So, after a lot of pounding and working the metal, he was left with an iron leaf.
We finished the day by stopping in Andover, NY to visit Walker Metalsmiths, one of my favorite jewelry store, featuring handmade celtic jewelry. As I was looking around, I was captured by the beauty and the artisanship that goes into making the beautiful designs. I have been going to Walker’s for many years, and have quite a number of their pieces. Check out his designs and his story.
La Vagabonde 