Back and White

 

The world isn’t black and white… it’s a myriad expanse in shades of grey.

Wallace Monument

Myles and I decided to take a trip to Wallace Monument on Saturday. I've been here since September and have hardly taken any pictures so I've decided to start using my blog to post pictures from my adventure in Scotland. 

The Banned Books Advent Calendar

     When you think of an advent calendar, the first thing that comes to mind Is Christmas (and possibly chocolate). Banned books are definitely something that is not generally associated with this holiday tradition. However, the International Federation of Library Associations as created the worlds fist video Banned Book Advent Calendar.

     This unique advent calendar works exactly the same way a traditional advent calendar works. Each day a new video is posted on sites like youtube and vimeo around the world, and highlighting a book that has once been banned in different parts of the world. The books in question have so far been very different and banned for different reasons. There have been obvious titles such as Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler and more surprising titles like Charlie and the Chocolate Factor by Roald Dahl. Many of the books in the calendar were banned because they were deemed too obscene or too graphic for readers. Others such as Mein Kampf were feared and hated because of what they represented.

      It doesn’t matter why the books were banned. The fact that they were banned highlights censorship throughout history as well as in our modern world. This video calendar is overthrowing that stigma and celebrating the right of freedom of speech. The first half of December has showcased books that have certainly left their mark on history. The second half of the month is sure to be equally as captivating. 

Cabin Fever!

Oh dear! I'm getting a slight case of cabin fever. I am staying with my boyfriend and his family until I can move into my flat. I am so thankful that they have let me stay with them, but I really need to get out and do something. They all work/ go to school so most of the day I'm here alone. Yesterday I went for a run. It was really nice to get outside (today its just a little to rainy for running). Here is a re-cap of my day so far.... 8am: wake up eat breakfast. 9am take a shower. 9:30am: get dressed dry hair. 10am: look up junk on internet. 11am: mattress delivered must sign paper work. 11:30am: put on makeup/ skype mom. 12pm: lunch/ paint nails. 2pm: blog/ complain about being able to do nothing all day. You see..... I really should be basking in having no responsibilities and nothing that I have to do. Alas, no I am really looking forward to having a schedule. I really want to start classes and get settled. I'm going to email my professor today and see when out program induction is set to take place. Can't wait! Can't wait! Can't wait! 

New Day

So today is the first official day that I have been in Scotland to "live". I'm here, I've made it! Grad school seems so surreal. I move into my flat on Saturday and  classes start a few days after that. I can't believe its finally time. I'm a little anxious about moving in. When I packed, I only packed what was essential since I am staying for an extended period of time. I'm having packages shipped from home once I'm settled. Until then however, my room is going to be bare and uninviting. I suppose I could buy things to decorate, but I really want to have some of my own things to make it feel like home. I tried to sneak a few nick knacks into my luggage but my bags were already over weight. :( The first time I packed my suitcase was around 80 pounds.... I'm only allowed 50. Needles to say I ended up taking another bag. Even then here just wasn't enough room for anything non essential. Besides that though I am so excited to meet the people I'll be living with and the people I'll be studying with! The University of Stirling, from what I understand, has a very diverse student body with people from all over the world. I've already been in contact with three other post graduate students, two of whom are in my program, and they are all international. This is honestly the most exciting think I have ever done. I can't wait for it to all begin. 

HELP!!!

Ok so I've gotten into grad school at the University of Stirling in Scotland. I'm so excited about starting the program and moving to Scotland, but I seriously need some help finding the funds. I've applied to a few scholarships already, however, I'm having a really hard time finding ones that are for graduate students. I've found loads for undergrad.... If worse comes to worse I'll just have to take out loans. Those have to be repaid though, and considering I'm paying for it myself and I work part time as a server that doesn't look to appealing. It would be amazing if I could find enough scholarships to cover at least half. I'll looking at something between $20,000 and $25,000. I honestly can not wait for September when the program starts. I'm going to be studying International Publishing. I think that who ever created this program could see into the future and knew that I would find it and apply. Its like its was tailor made for me! What could be better than books? If for some terrible reason I wouldn't be able to attend I seriously think I would just completely break down. Publishing is all I want to do I have absolutely no idea what I would do as a back up plan. Soooo... I'm kinda freaking out about the finances. If anybody has any suggestions or knows of any scholarships for American students studying in the UK or any kind of graduate scholarships for that matter please please pleas leave me a comment. It would be much appreciated! Any little bit will help. <3

Puppies!

Last week my little Pippen gave birth the four tiny little puppies. She only had one girl who is named Molly. Her brothers are named Jasper, Charlie, and Fritz. They are growing so fast! Their eyes aren't open yet and they aren't able to walk, but they are so funny to watch. Their little heads are to heavy for them to hold up for long periods of time, so they end up bobbling all over the place. They look like they are drunk :D Silly puppies don't they know they aren't old enough for that yet.

MY NEW ETSY SHOP!!!!

So I have finally made my etsy shop! I was starting to get all piled up with all the things that I have made. Plus Myles told my I wasn't allowed to get more yarn until I got rid of some of the stuff that I have already. ;) Here are a few of the things that I have added so far. I will add some more soon.

Back From Scotland

I've been back from Scotland for a few weeks now and I have to say that I was really sad to leave. I'm afraid that Brevard just doesn't ct it compared to the UK. It was so much fun. I have never had so much fun in my whole life. I have always wanted to go to the UK and new I would some day I just figured that I would end up going myself. It was so much better to be going with someone that actually lives there. Doing it that way I got to see so much more stuff, besides the things that all the tourist see. I got to meed loads local people and made bunches of new friends. I'm really thinking about going over there to get my master's. I think it would be amazing, especially since I'm studying history and the is just so much more history for me to learn over there. And what better place could I go to learn something than where it happened.

Almost Christmas Time

It is the final week of the semester for me and it has been absolutely the longest week in history!!! I have exactly one more exam and I will be finished. I haven't even attempted to study for it and can't really bring myself to. I'm just to excited! I'm flying out for Scotland on Saturday morning with my boyfriend to visit his family for Christmas and New Years. He hasn't been home in whole year and he is so excited. Its all we have been talking about for the last month. I've secretly been keeping a count down (secret because he laughs at me every time I tell him how many more days it is until we leave). I've never been outside the continental U.S. so this is a really big step for me. I think I might just get lost and not come back. :D He promised to take me to The Elephant House Coffee Shop in Edinburgh (its where J.K. Rowling started writing Harry Potter, yes I'm a total geek but I have to go!!). Its so exciting though to go to a place with so much history when I'm coming from a place that is so young, especially when History is half my major. I'll probably take pictures of absolutely everything and look like a complete and total tourist but I don't care I'm too excited to care. Its going to be so much fun I can't wait!

Newest Creation

Hello all! I just wanted to share my latest project. I just finished a lovely slouchy beanie. Its really warm and cozy and will be perfect for keeping me warm when its chilly out. I've been working on scarves, wrist woolies, leg warmers and all sorts of other warm and cozies. Its been really cold where I am and I was in desperate need of stuff to keep me warm so this was just a good excuse to crochet, not that I really need one. But its nice to have a reason. I'll post my next project when I'm finished. Feel free to tell me what you think!

This is chalk?!?!

I was absolutely amazed when I saw this photograph. It is incredible to me that someone can create something with so much perspective with chalk! The artist is Julian Beever. Here is a link to some of his other work. http://www.cravingtech.com/julian-beever-3d-chalk-drawings.html

Eyes

The eyes tell so much about a person. I they tell more than any other part of the body. I read once that the eyes are the gateway to the soul. To look into another's eyes is like opeing a book full of knowlege and wisdom. And there are so many different types of eyes. There are happy eyes, sad eyes, scared eyes, brave eyes, funny eyes, somber eyes, wise eyes, and unfortunately there are many of the times ignorant eyes. Everyone posses each of these types of eyes at least once in the course of their lives. My only wish is that one day my eyes show a deep and concentrated wisdom that this man's possesses. Though he is old and worn with the effects of time, he is beautiful. His eyes give him this great sence of wisdom and power that only a person who is well experienced with tribulations as well as ecstasy that is life.

Crayons

When I first read this I couldn't help but laugh. Its really true though. I never would have thought of compairing somone's personality to a box of crayons but its a really good analogy. :)

First Post Ever!

Ok so this is my first ever post on my first ever blog. I'm so excited to learn how it all works. I love looking at other people's blogs and now I finally have made one of my own. If anyone has any tips please let me know :)