Last First Sunday

Today we went to our church for the last time. It was so sad to leave it! But they gave us a wonderful send off.

Destiny bought a new building on the other side of town and yesterday we went to go look at it. I hope to return someday to see how it looks when it is completed. Tyler was there to help with the refurbishment, while us girls were just there to look at it. We had to wear hard hats to walk in the building. They put Tyler to work right away demolishing a wall with a sledge hammer. I suspect all my other guy friends would love such a project. I mean who wouldn't love demolishing things all while helping a church out? It really is going to be a nice building when it is finished.

Peter Anderson the pastor of the church came in to help, so Tyler told us later of how they worked together. Tyler and I had also been able to talk with him the weekend before after church. He is probably one of the nicest people I have ever met. He is always grinning from ear to ear, and has a lot of wisdom.

There was several people who knew it was our last Sunday at church. After worship the pastor asked, "Where are my friends from Cincinnati? Could you raise your hands?" He asked it several times and I looked around to see what other Americans were in the building.
"Is there no people from Cincinnati?" he asked again. Nancy in front of us leaned over and said, "I think he is talking about you."
"Oh!" I exclaimed, "We are from Minneapolis not Cincinnati." We were only a few rows back from the front so she told the pastor we were from Minneapolis.
"Oh they are from Minneapolis!" he exclaimed and everyone in the church burst out laughing. He then changed the question, "Is there anyone from America here today?" We then shot our hands up in the air. It was hilarious.

He asked us to stand and explained to the congregation that it was our last day with them. He then asked if we had anything to share. Ali raised her hand right away. I was surprised because she is somewhat afraid of talking in front of people. He then motioned us to come up. Tyler almost stayed behind but I motioned him to follow. Peter handed the mic to Ali and she started to share her heart and how much Destiny Church has blessed her. She really is a changed person and it was so touching hearing her share as she tried not to cry.

I then took the mic and thanked everyone for welcoming us into their church and also how nice it was to have a place to come to and feel like home. Tyler didn't want to share but the pastor told how Tyler and him had worked together the day before. He then had the entire congregation pray for us. It was so nice to have prayer for a safe trip home.

We had many people say goodbye to us, some who we haven't even met yet. It was so nice and made me sad that I was leaving them all. Peter was outside greeting people when we left, we hung back until he stopped talking with someone. He smiled and thanked us for coming and for what we had shared in the service. He kept wishing us well and I had a feeling he wanted us to stay and talk as much as we wanted to. But we had to go eat and then head home. He raised his arms and waved to us as we walked away from the building. I think it will be one of those memories I always have. Peter standing outside waving to us and grinning from ear to ear.

There have been many speakers whose messages have touched and changed me over the years. But I believe Peter Anderson is right up there in my top ten. He is a man who loves his God, wife, family, church, community and city. His messages are always simple enough for the unbeliever, yet deep enough to make me think and to spur me on to be better than I am now. And he always talks about Jesus. I love that.

Anyways, I was sitting alone against our couch in Whetherspoons while Al and Tyler went to order our food. I was praying and telling God that I didn't want to leave this place. Tears came to my eyes as I realized that next week I would be 6000 miles away from here and I didn't know when I would return. It really did feel as though I was leaving another home, not that it made my home in the U.S any less dear to me, but it did make me very sad.

For a split second I could see myself living here in Scotland and going to this church. For a minute I thought about the possibilities. But soon the moment passed and I realized that this is how life will be as I continue to get older. I will meet people and go to new places that will feel like home to me. But eventually I will have to leave, I will have to say goodbye. I realized life is full of goodbyes, and I can now use my goodbyes to help me appreciate my hellos even more.

I feel very torn as I prepare to go home. Scotland has become very dear to my heart, and Dalkeith has become very dear to me as well. I love the people here and the land. I love how I could drive three hours one way and reach the mountains, one hour or less the other way would reach the sea. I love how it is so different than in the U.S. and yet still there is so much the same.

Five more days, that is all I have. I hope to make the most of it.



Ali, Tyler and I. Ali and I went shopping the day before and I got a new kilt and she bought a new dress that I picked out. We told Tyler that he had to dress up so he looked very nice as well. We were thankful that we did when they called us up front! This is us standing in front of our house.


P.S. I really am excited about going home, don't worry!

Clocks - Red Hot Chilli Pipers

A new band my roommate introduced me to. I enjoy the mix of bagpipes and other music.

The Top of the Devil's Staircase

Hillary is almost broke.... nuts.

I had a 19 pound return from my highland trip, but today found out that they had a down payment on a hotel they forgot about. Therefore I have to give 10 pounds back. I was looking forward to buying a sweatshirt for myself, but am not sure if I will be able to do that now.

nuts... peanuts, pecans and yes even cashews!

A Dissectible... I Mean Delectable Stew

I am not sure even how to begin this blog. The event that happened last week is just too funny.
It was the day Henry had first called in sick. I don't know any other way how it could have happened.

That night we had a delicious stew with large chunks of meat in it for dinner. We usually have soup for lunch, but apparently there is a large difference between soup and stew. Or so I have learned in my cooking class. Henry explained that soups are usually without any type of chunks in it, but stews on the other hand are thicker and have chunks of meat and vegetables in them.

Our biology teacher Lou Miller has quite a reputation in our house. Everyone agrees that he is a wonderful person, but they don't think the same about his teaching abilities. He is one of those people that has so much knowledge that they can't quite explain it all in a way that the student will understand. Anyways, the biology class that had a lab had a project Wednesday morning. They were going to dissect kidneys. However, when they went to the main refrigerator to get the kidneys, they were no where to be found. After a short conference with the cook, the mystery was solved.

Part of the problem was that the kidneys were not labeled correctly and they should not have been put in the refrigerator with all of our food. The other problem was that we had a different cook that day, who we all thought was a little odd anyways. I am not fully sure how it happened but the delicious stew we had the night before was actually cooked with the biology lab's kidneys.

No, I am not making it up, it indeed happened. I found out about it a few days later. When I heard I put my hand on my stomach and tried to remember what the stew tasted like, but all I could remember was that it tasted very good. I guess I now know that it doesn't matter exactly what kind of meat you use, you can still make it taste delicious.

A Quick Story

I had taken a nice hot bath in the King's House Hotel. My muscles were aching and I thought it would help. I was trying to get the water hot enough, but it was taking too long.

I decided to use our hot water heater that is used for making tea. It looks sort of like a Brita water filter, but you plug it in and it heats up the water you put in it to boiling. Well, I used it twice and on the third time it stopped heating up the water. I was frustrated and a little worried that I broke it. But the water was hot enough so I took a bath.

Later, Meghann and I wanted some tea. The kettle still wouldn't heat up. We decided to go knock on Wade and Bob's door as ask to use their's. Our room was at the end of a corridor. I was sure that their room was next to ours but I wasn't positive. I thought I heard one of their voices through the door. Meghann and I knocked very softly. So softly that I did not think anyone would even hear it.

Suddenly, we heard voices- they were not American accents. We looked at each other and did what anyone would do in this situation... we ran.

We ran back to our room and collapsed on our beds laughing. It was a hilarious moment. We went to the girls' room later to borrow their kettle, and were finally able to drink our tea.

King's House Hotel

We are leaving soon to continue on our hike. We are staying at one of the most beautiful hotels I have been in before. It has so much character and charm! King's House is a hotel dedicated just to the hikers that walk along the Highland Way trail. So sometimes people may never see a car in the parking lot but the hotel might be jammed full.

I am having a great trip, a little sore but it will be okay. Our first climb today is up the Devil's Staircase. Yes, it may be a hard climb.

Weekend Highland Hike

I am leaving in a half and hour to go on the highland hike this weekend West Highland Way. The hike is led by Bob Hendricks who is the academic director for our program here.

http://www.west-highland-way.co.uk/home.asp

Here is our itinerary-


Thursday-

2:00pm Depart Dalkeith House

Drive approximately 3-4 hours to the Bridge of Orchy

Bob and Wade (the other driver), will drive one of the cars down to our final destination.

Stay the night


Friday-

8:30am- Hike to King's House Hotel

There is no town around King's House Hotel. It is basically just a hotel. But it will show up on the map if you type the name in.

Stay the night


Saturday-

8:30am- Hike to Kinlochleven

Stay the night


Sunday-

Bob and Wade will drive back to get the car we left.

We will leave Kinlochleven and drive back to Dalkeith House.




I am very excited about this hike. Since being here in Scotland I have found immense satisfaction in walking and hiking in the countryside. I am looking forward to the mountains and waterfalls. There is a group of I think eleven people going on the trip. It should be a great time.

At Last...

My roommate is headed to the Orkney Islands this weekend. I had heard that she, and two others, were going to drive a car up there. Ali, Tyler, Meredith and I were in my room talking, and Novia came in. She was so excited, and was talking about how cute the car she had was. Then she commented on the key chain and how it wasn't really a key. It looked like the automatic car door opener, but it fit into the Mini like a key. She then went on about how much fun they had cruising around tonight.

I was lounging on my bed and then sat up suddenly.
"Hold on a second!" I said interrupting her, "Did you say a Mini?"
She laughed and said yes, it was a Mini.
"You mean a Mini Cooper?" I asked again.
"Yes." she said again.
"That is my favorite car and I always have wanted to ride in one!"

(I apparently needed it to be clear that it indeed was the same car before I got excited.)

We both laughed and I couldn't believe it. She was going to have it for five days. I asked her if I could have a ride in it sometime. She said, "of course!" I had a feeling that she was excited, that I was so excited about it. Then I realized that I was leaving the next day at 1:30pm for my hiking trip through the highlands. I said as much, and then she said, "Well, I can take you right now?"

I was so happy.

"I have to change my pants." I said while looking down at the lounge pants I had on.
"You are fine just as you are."
"I can't ride in a Mini Cooper looking like this!" I told her very firmly. I had burgundy pants on with a turquoise shirt and checkered socks. She laughed and of course agreed with me completely.

After putting some jeans on we headed out. She was borrowing the car from a good friend in Dalkeith. I was amazed. I sort of wished that I knew how to drive a stick better than I do. Perhaps I could have driven it around the park.

We had a good drive, she took me around Dalkeith. I enjoyed the ride fully, and like the car's get up and go attitude. If that makes any sense at all.


It has now happened, I finally was able to ride in my favorite car. The next step is to drive one, but I don't think that will happen here in Scotland. I will have enough trouble with driving a stick, without having to the whole driving on the other side of the road thing thrown in.

Thank you Novia for taking me for a drive, you made my night.
P.S. I know it looks like I am in the driver's seat, but really that is the passenger's seat.

Stirling Castle With the Girls

The day started off rainy, but changed. Imagine that, Scotland weather changing. I have determined now to always dress exactly the opposite of what I think it is going to be like. I checked the weather today and it said it was going to be raining. To prepare for this I dressed in many layers and Ali brought the large house umbrella. We only needed these things for about 2 hours of the day.

But we are used to the change by now and have almost ceased complaining about it. When we think it is sunny- it rains. When we think it is going to rain, it is sunny. We did not complain about the sunshine though. It made our experience all the more enjoyable. My outer two shells were shed as we walked through the town of Stirling from the bus stop.

It was an upward hike to our destination."Why do they always put the castles on top of hills?" Ali asked as we trudged up through the town. "Defense?" I suggested to her, and then asked, "Why do they put the bus station on the opposite end of town from the castle?" I didn't receive any comments, just laughter.



This weekend was an Historic Scotland free weekend, which meant that most of the castles had free admission. I had always wanted to go in Stirling Castle ever since my brother and I went there for a tour, but decided not to pay the admission.

Ali, Mere and I arrived and were excited about exploring. We went directly to the Great Hall. Meredith said that they had filmed some of Harry Potter there. (It seems as though they have films parts of Harry Potter in every historic place in Scotland.)

It was a beautiful room. I loved the windows near the throne area.

I was not fully prepared for my first encounter with the
royal banquet hall. It was a grand place. As I sat down in the royal throne at the long table I felt right at home, as though I belonged there... okay not really. I mostly was just trying to smile quick so the little kids in line could have their turn.

(Sorry, the pictures is a little washed out from the window lighting above.)













We walked all around the castle and enjoyed it thoroughly. The girls got hungry and wanted to go eat in town. I asked if I could stay and look around. There was one place I wanted to find, and it wasn't in the castle.

I had come to Scotland six years ago with my brother Colin. That trip really was the reason I came back to Scotland. We had gone on a day tour while we were here. The tour bus stopped at Stirling, but because of lack of funds we did not go into the castle. That is why I was determined on this trip to visit it.

Instead of touring the castle, Colin and I walked around on the paths near the castle. I was looking while in the castle for a small hill that Colin and I climbed up on and took a picture. It was my favorite picture during our trip in Scotland. There is a church next to the castle, that has a beautiful cemetery. It was there that I found the place Colin and I had gone. I still remember us eating our lunch there, and how Colin set up his camera and timer in order for both of us to be in the picture. In order to commemorate the moment I took another picture of myself in that place.

The Royal Botanical Gardens

A Great Finding

Ah, I had been worried for the longest time about being able to pay the rest of my tuition. The people at financial aid had told me last year that I should have all my expenses covered. I found out a week before I left that that was not the case. I was actually a couple thousand dollars short. I was a little worried to say the least.

My last payment was due yesterday and I called the school on Friday to tell them that I could not pay it. They were very friendly and asked what I could pay and when. Then they set me up on a payment plan. I was so thankful! I was going to get a few hundred from my friend Katy to reimburse me for the train tickets we bought. I told them when I received that money I would make a payment online. I also found out that my $100 tuition deposit could go towards my tuition costs as well! I can start working as soon as I get home, so it won't be too hard to finish paying the rest

I am not completely sure if I have enough money left to live on for the next five weeks. But I figure I can be careful, it will just mean I will have to find things around here to do.

I was afraid that if I didn't pay the tuition right away I wouldn't be able to get my transcripts sent over to MCTC. I plan on graduating next month with the Associate of Arts Degree. But I found out that I can still graduate, they will just give me a blank piece of paper. I just have to finish pulling everything together and then they will send me the official paper. I am so excited! I will finally graduate from Minneapolis Community and Technical College! I really wanted to finish what I started there.

So on May 15th I will officially be done! I have never had a cap and gown ceremony before, having home schooled through high school, so this will be a new thing for me. I am so excited!

Snail Mail

Hello friends! I thought I would send my address out to everyone in case you get an inkling to send a letter or card.

Since I have kept up on communication so well that perhaps no one saw the need to send me anything. But I would love to receive something if people would like to send me something!

I have been missing people more and more after my spring break. I would especially like it if anyone has some photos to send me. I have a nice little photo collage next to my bed of family and friends.

My address is:

Hillary Walker
Wisconsin in Scotland
Dalkeith House
Dalkeith, Midlothian
EH22 2NA
Scotland

I hope you are all doing well! I will be home in 5 weeks.

Interesting Things About Italy

Their Hot Chocolate in Italy is wonderful. I first had some at a little cafe in San Lorenzo. It was extremely thick and tasted like warm chocolate pudding. The consistency was similar. We went to Perdonone Wednesday afternoon and went to a place that was famous for its chocolate. The window display was beautiful, and there were all sorts of items carved from chocolate.

There was a chocolate fountain near the sitting area. Raia was fascinated, and I thought it was pretty cool too. We ordered hot chocolate. It arrived in a beautiful glass cup and we both dipped our spoons into it. It was basically like eating melted chocolate. It was dark chocolate, which I don't normally like, but it was not as bitter and I loved it.



You can buy your train tickets very easily. There is automatic teller, and then there are human tellers. It is very simple and the automatic ones have a touch screen and you can pick English.
Once you get your ticket it will say where you are going on it but not any other information. So when you buy the ticket you have to make sure you look at the schedule in case you have to switch trains. Long train rides have assigned seating, short ones don't.

I didn't know this until I sat in someone else's seat on the way to Milano from Venezia. I then tried to find my own seat, but sat in the wrong car. But the men who were supposed to sit in my seat motioned to me that it was okay. They just sat next to me. It was very confusing and I couldn't really relax because I thought that someone would come to their seat and then where would they be?

You also have to make sure that you validate your ticket before you leave the station. There are some bright yellow boxes. This is to make sure that you don't reuse your ticket. The time and date and location get printed on the top of the ticket.



Also the Italians drive on the right side of the road. The correct side that is, which just happens to be the right. I was able to ride in the front seat of a car and it felt so good because it was so normal! When I ride in the front seat here in Scotland it makes me feel like I should be driving!

The Italians always eat dinner around 7:00-7:30pm. They thought it was crazy that we ate dinner as early as 5:30pm here. Raia asked me if we got hungry before bed. I thought about it and I guess sometimes we do, but not often. It was an interesting thought to me. I get hungry at 5:00pm usually, so I don't think I could wait that long. Unless of course we have a late dinner. But I don't need to rattle on about dinner times...

Toilets in Italy were unique in that they all had different ways to flush them. Sometimes there were buttons on the floor. I never did see one that looked similar to the ones we have in the U.S.

First Official Day of Spring Break- Saturday 22nd

This weekend has been pretty crazy, and quite amazing at the same time. I left early on Saturday to meet Ali and her parents in Edinburgh. We then went to church in the street. In honor of Easter our church was doing a evangelistic type event on top of Princes Street Mall. It is the most crowded area of Edinburgh. After that we went back to get my bag at their B & B and I was off.

I took the bus to Glasgow. It was about an hour drive. When I arrived I then tried to find the train station. It actually was very close to the bus station but every person I asked sent me a different way, so it took me a while to get there. I was able to see some of downtown Glasgow and I realized that I liked the city very much. It was pretty much packed with people on Saturday, along one stretch I could barely get by because there were so many people.
I got to the train and headed to Dumbarton. I was gonig to stay at Bob and Melissa Hill's house, Katy's sister Kim's in-laws. If that make any sense. They were very hospitable and I enjoyed staying with them. Did I mention they live in a castle? Yes it is called the Overton House and it is being rehabilitated (I know that isn't quite the right word but I couldn't think of it.) It is going to be a house of healing where people can come and rest and learn more about God on a deeper level.

The Hill's have groups of people come and stay there to help with the redoing of the place, that is actualy where Kim met Josh their son. She was with a group of people that can over to help rebuild.

The atmosphere of the house was completely different than that of my house. It was so peaceful and I could tell that God's presence was there. Where my house has ghost stories associated with it, and 20 years of partying students, this house had a feel of God's presence and of people coming together for the good. They have a tea room open Saturdays that serves food, tea and other beverages. The earnings go to help the house as well as to help the Hill's and their daughter Esther. The often have youth groups come in to help serve on Saturdays. I was there after they counted up for the day and laughed when they exclaimed jokingly- "great we can eat this week!" It was funny.

I ate dinner with Bob and Melissa and another lady that was staying there. I forgot her name, that stinks. Well we had a lovely time and it felt good to be in the Christian enviroment again.
I went to bed before 11pm, which is early for me, but I knew the next day would be crazy... and it was.

Heading Out Tomorrow

Ah! Tomorrow I am heading out on my journey. I have figured out what I am doing and hoping that all will go as planned. Here is the itinerary.

Saturday

Bus- Edinburgh to Glasgow
Train- Glasgow to Dumbarton

Staying overnight with the Hill's, Katy's sister's in-laws.



Sunday the 23rd

Train- Dumbarton to Glasgow Prestwick
Plane- Glasgow to Milan
Train-Milan to Venice
I will need some prayer for that night, I have to get to my hostel from the train station. Which will take a bus and possibly a cab.


Monday the 24th

I will take a bus to the center of Venice and meet Raia Ilova, my cousin Jaison's fiance. We will tour the city together for a few hours and she will show me where he proposed to her. I will then stay one night more in my hostel.



Tuesday the 25th

I will tour some of the city again by myself. Then in the evening I will take a train to Udine where Raia works at a Bible school. I will stay two nights there.



Thursday the 27th

Train- from the school to Raia's sister's home.

We will stay the night there.


Friday the 28th

Train- To Venice, then to Bergamo

Plane- Bergamo to London or to Bristol


The rest will be figured out later. Or will be similar to my other itinerary.




I am tired right now and still have quite a bit to do. Ciao my friends!

A New Day

Last night I dreamed of an Italian home and rainbows in the skies- interesting.

I decided to still go to Italy. Plans are in the making as I write this. I have been on the computer all day it seems, but I have almost finished. I will report what I figure out later.

Thanks for the prayers, I am feeling better.

Today is Good Friday! Praise Jesus for coming to the earth and dying for us, so that we could live!

Another Walk Through the Estate

Reflection of the Montague Bridge on the Esk River.








Open Field.




Ancient Oak

Spring Break!

I realized today that I have not really told anyone at home my plans for next week. March 20-30 is our Spring break here at school. The Palace now is abuzz with people talking of all the places they will be going: Ireland, Switzerland, Mediterranean Cruise, Amsterdam, London, Paris, Germany and Italy. That list is not even a complete one.

My friend Katy is arriving Saturday afternoon. We will spend the night at her sister's in-laws and then on Easter Sunday we will be flying to... pause for dramatic effect... Italy!

After much planning this is the final itinerary of our trip.

Saturday 22^nd

Bus- Edinburgh to Glasgow Airport, Katy arrives at 3:45pm

Car- Katy’s sister’s family will pick us up and take us to their house/castle.

Home- Staying with the fam.

Sunday 23rd
Plane-Glasgow Scotland to Milan Italy
Train-Milan to Venice
Hostel- Stay overnight in Venice

Monday 24th
Bus- Leave early morning to city center and see the sites.
Train- Late afternoon, Venice to Florence
Hostel- Stay overnight in Florence, two nights.

Tuesday 25th
Feet-We are going to be in Florence the entire day. Our feet will be our primary mode of transportation. The hostel was very inexpensive so we decided to stay there two nights.
Hostel- Same

Wednesday 26th
Train- Early morning train to Rome
Bed and Breakfast- A little more expensive but I thought it would feel safer than a hostel in such a big city. It is a beautiful little place with rooms that have themes. We should check in around 9am.
Feet- We do not have a schedule for what we are seeing each day yet. That is yet to be determined. I have heard though that even if you spend weeks there a person will never see all of it.

Thursday 27th
Feet- Seeing the sites around Rome

Friday 28th
Feet- If there is anything else to see we will do it early morning. We will then check out of the guest house.
Train- Rome to Pisa, we will jump off to see the tower and then get back on the train. Everyone has told us that there is nothing else really to see in the city. But we HAVE to see the leaning tower.
Train- Pisa to Milan, depending on the time, and money for the museum, we will stop in Milan to see the Last Supper, the famous mural painted by Leonardo da Vinci.
Plane- Milan to London, very late flight, we will arrive close to midnight.
Hostel- Stay overnight in London

Saturday 29th
Feet/Tube- Katy and I have both been to London before. We will therefore be very selective about what we see. We were going to see Emily's roommate Sarah, but were unable to meet here there. We might see a play, and I want to see the Chinese Terracotta Soldier exhibit at the British Museum.

Bus- Overnight bus to Edinburg, it leaves at 11:30 pm and arrives in Edinburgh at 8:30am. Thankfully there are no changes so we can just sleep.

Sunday 30th

We will be pretty tired after all of that, therefore I am planning a relaxing day at the Dalkeith Palace. I have lots of food in the freezer from my cooking class with Henry so we will have free meals. I am probably most excited about this part of the trip because I can't wait to show someone from home where I live. It is exciting. We may go to church but I am not sure yet.

Bus- Ali, Tyler and I will escort Katy to the Edinburgh bus station. She will be heading back to the Glasgow International Airport. It will be late so I didn't want her to have to get there by herself of course.


Well that is the long extensive itinerary for my trip. I have a very meticulous budget, since I do not have a lot of funds for the trip, so I am afraid there won't be many souvenirs or presents to show off. I will probably just have enough to get into a couple museums after all the traveling is done!

Yikes! I was talking with my friend Brianna today, telling her that I still didn't quite believe that I am going to Italy. I probably wouldn't have considered it at the beginning of my trip. But it seems as though my world has expanded quite a bit and since Scotland is feeling more and more like home- Italy doesn't seem as far away as it used to.