Stay in School

Last spring, I decided to stay in school.  I had just finished the courses to complete my MFA in Creative Writing when, suddenly, two more years of school sounded like a good idea.  And so, I applied to the PhD program, was accepted, and now, fall finds me once again here, wandering amongst the cloisters of the University of Glasgow.

I'm three weeks back into classes, and so far so good.  Most of my time is spent writing and reading, but I do have class on Mondays and then there are various optional seminars, trainings and guest lecturers I can attend during the rest of the week if I need inspiration or, you know, just to get out of the flat.  I'll also have a few study breaks this year by participating once again on the ultimate frisbee team.  Because school and sport just go together in my mind....

So, that's my third September in Glasgow.  It's actually kind of historic for me 'cause it's the first time I've stayed longer than two years in the same city since my college days.  I lived four years in Salem, Oregon, and then, during the next 11 years, proceeded to move to 7 different places: 3 cities in China, Florida, California, Colorado and then here to Scotland.

(A Glasgow park in fall)

(Downtown Glasgow)

So, yeah...this is new for me.  This whole not-moving-after-this-long-in-one-place thing.  I'm sure I'll get antsy (I already kind of am - yikes!), BUT I think it'll be good, too.  For one thing, all that energy I'm saving on apartment-hunting or finding the best grocery store or figuring out where the post office is can now be spent on weekend day trips outside the city.  It turns out, there really is still lots to see around here!  :)

(A train ride to the historic village of New Lanark - an hour SE of Glasgow)

(Countryside en route to New Lanark) 

(A walking trail around New Lanark)

(The Falls of Clyde - near New Lanark)

(A roadtrip to Wigtown - two hours down the coast from Glasgow)

(The owls of Wigtown...including this awesome little pygmy owl)

(Nature!  In Galoway National Forest - south of Glasgow)

So, here's to whatever newness and oldness Year 3 in Glasgow brings.  Any year that starts with pygmy owls looks pretty promising.  :) 

Comments

[Aunt Jane]

It's really great that you take the time to make expeditions around the country - and that you share the experience with us. We're still enjoying sunshine every day, but know the rain will come soon enough! Jarred got his license - oh yeah there's no stopping him now!
Love you much, Aunt Jane