Pre-Scotland Haggis!

I am off to Scotland tomorrow! In preparation for my trip my housemate insisted on cooking me haggis, serving me a fine single malt whiskey, and playing a cassette tape of bagpipes to make it all authentic! Along with his son the three of us enjoyed a traditional haggis meal served with mashed potatoes and mashed turnip. Hear it from the the horse's mouth folks, haggis ain't bad! Honestly, my stomach was in my throat for most of the day knowing what was coming in the evening, but when it came down to it, it's actually really tasty! I think the mash and turnip are necessary accompaniments, however.  The next delicacy I've been told to watch out for is a deep fried mars bar! Apparently some northern town in Scotland has the lowest life expectancy rate in the UK at about 45 years or something like that...well, more than one deep fried mars bar will do that to you I think! 

As some of you know, my older sister Erin is expecting her second child in less than a month now! Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks to being in England, and not being able to see my new niece or nephew when she or he is born is definitely one of them! If it is a girl, which I think it will be, I will let you all know now in case her ranting has not gotten through, Erin hates pink. A lot of people buy pink for little girls. Please do not do this! There Erin, I've stood on my soapbox for you! 

Good news about my class - I was supposed to start something new after I got back from Scotland, but the school I was at has requested me back and they are trying to make sure I get a full time position for the remainder of the school year. I will let you know what happens, but as for the rest of the term - I am set! Woohoo! 

Today I had the day off - it has been wonderful! I spent the day down on Oxford St. as I am on the lookout for a new camera - the one I have just decided to stop working altogether. GREAT timing - right before my trip! Diana has already said we can share hers so thankfully I will be able to have some pictures! As I decided to give up on my search and head back home via Oxford Circus Tube Station I was met by ambulances, police cars, the British Transport Police, and a "get the hell out of the way!!" to all who were attempting to access the station alongside me. I ended up having to walk to a different station and tube line, but all for good reason. I heard an announcement that said "service between Liverpool St. and Oxford Circus has been suspended due to a person under the train". Eek. I guess it's a popular way to go around here... instantaneous one would hope? Awful for that tube driver, however. 

I will often turn my tv on just for some extra noise, but don't typically spend enough time at home to actually watch a program, however, the other day I had a flashback from something I remembered on my visit to the National Gallery that I had meant to share a long while ago! If you have seen the Mr. Bean movie where Bean is some sort of gallery attendee and gets sent to the US as a representative of National Gallery - you will appreciate this! There is a scene near the beginning of the film where Bean is sitting on the chair in the gallery and starts to nod off, falls completely asleep, and slips right out of his chair... WELL - it's true - that ACTUALLY happens!!! I witnessed an attendee slumped over in the corner, breathing heavily, head down, shoulders slowly rising, and feet slipping out from underneath him! "YA RIGHT!!!! WAKE UP!!!!" I thought! It kept me laughing for the majority of the day! 

Alright well I wont be posting again until after my trip so I will have lots to tell you! I hope you all enjoy your week! 

Lotsa love!

~amy