For the last month I have been, so to speak, "unemployed". I say this because I consider myself a student, yet I haven't been busy with the traditional activities that occupy students: attending classes, studying, thinking intellectual thoughts etc. Yes, my extended holiday ended on Tuesday at 10 a.m. A stimulating two hour lecture for MB three double-"O" five (MB3005) jolted me from my non-studious hibernation back to the bustling world of lectures, classes, and essays. And I must say, it's good to be back.
Scottish Word of the Week: Boot: n, the area of a car in which large quantities of luggage are able to be stored; a.k.a. a trunk
Picture(s) of the Week:
A picture story: The tale of the Yankee and the Green Loch
Picture 1: "Oh me oh my! A pristine and crisp and clean green loch! What to do? Well, I'm probably only going to see this lake one time in my life...and it's a balmy, windy, cloudy, forty-five degree day...so...."
Picture 2: "IN I GO!"
Picture 3: "SPLASH!!!"
Picture 4: "BRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!"
Picture 5: "Hoorah! I've proved how foolish I am by swimming in a freezing cold lake on a freezing cold day, yet oddly, somehow, it was worth it!"
What I've been up to - in bullet points
MONDAY
- Attending my first class
- Practicing the piano
- Family dinner with friends from the program - hamburger, peppers, onion, salt, garlic salt, pepper in one pan=delicious
- Nearly developing writers cramp due to scribbling notes out in MB3005
- Practicing the piano
- Reading the Two Towers
- My first culinary success: noodles and pasta!
- My first MB3006 lecture
- Practicing the piano
- Enjoying leftovers of my culinary success
- No class!
- Dinner with other Americans at Hillhead (where I am staying). My appetizers, potato wedges, were an even more ambitious culinary success!
- Spending time with the roommates
- Finding out that I was not as clueless about the material as I thought I was in the MB3006 workshop
- Finding a piano teacher!
- Setting out for New Life International Church, where I was to meet friends for a weekend trip with members of the church
- Getting lost in Aberdeen trying to find the church
- Discovering that my cell phone did not have any minutes left
- Trying three payphones before finally getting a hold of someone that could come and pick me up
- Enjoying the scenery of Scotland on a drive up to Cairngorn National Park
- Enduring a never ending card game: Cucumber
- Taking a wonderful hike up to the Green Loch
- Taking a brisk swim in the Green Loch
- Savoring a jumbo hot chocolate from Cafe Mambo in Aviemore
- Discussing the Parable of the Ten Virgins during Bible Study. (If you're not familiar, I'd recommend ruminating on it for a while.)
- Relaxing at Cafe Joe (Joe, the brother of a church member, Erin, came and played acoustic guitar for us)
- Eating far too much at Sunday Dinner
- Throwing my first-ever Yahtzee!
- Shooting a retreat-best at Adventure/Crazy Golf (mini-golf to us) at 5 under par
- Enjoying a scenic return to Aberdeen
- Booking a trip to Amsterdam! (Oct. 16-18)
HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
This may sound rather lame, but, the highlight of my week was getting a 30 minute lesson with Barbara Payne, a piano teacher here at the university. While "coming up for air" one afternoon after practicing the piano for a couple of hours I wandered into the Music Information room. On a bulletin board on the wall there is a listing of piano tutors, and there was a note from Barbara saying that there was to be a meeting on Friday at noon in the downstairs cafe for scheduling lessons.
Conveniently I happened to be in the cafe at noon on Friday. After about thirty minutes of waiting the majority of her studio had left the cafe and I seized my opportunity to put in my plug. I walked up to the table where she was sitting with three students, stood rather awkwardly for roughly twenty seconds, cleared my throat and said confidently,
"Hi! My name is John Donkersloot and I'd like to take piano lessons from you this semester!"
After explaining my situation to her, the first thing that I heard back from a rather surprised Ms. Payne was, "You really want to take lessons from me, don't you?"
I replied, "Why, yes.."
So, this Thursday at 6:30 I've got a lesson with Ms. Payne!
RANDOM SECTION OF THE WEEK: THOUGHTS ON THE BODY OF CHRIST
This past weekend I was fortunate enough to be welcomed into a community of believers on an "over 18's weekend" held at the gateway of Cairngorn National Park. Yet, "welcomed" is an odd word to use, as I never really felt like a stranger. From the moment I was picked up by Jeff on the corner of Union and Broad after being lost in Aberdeen to being dropped off at Hillhead today, I felt that I had already known the members at the weekend for quite some time.
This is what the body of Christ means to me: that a person can share fellowship, learn from, worship alongside, pray with (etc.) another person who lives thousands of miles away, has grown up in a different culture solely because of a shared belief in Jesus Christ as Lord. What a blessing!
Anyways, that's all for now.
Cheers!
Dearest Johnny,
ReplyDeleteSo glad that you're whistling and working! I have NO IDEA what type of "work" MB3005 is, but it truly sounds impressive! You'll have to give Gramma and me a tutorial when you get home. HA HA. And, just how high was that whistle AFTER your brisk jump into the frigid waters???? You're braver and heartier than I am!!
Congratulation on your FIRST EVER Yahtzee. I guess it took a trip to bonny ol' Scotland for that to occur. I've had a game with a TRIPLE Yahtzee right here in ol' Zeeland. Is that prophetic that I'm to stay here without exotic travels in my future??? Please ruminate on this for a while.
It's exciting to hear how your faith is growing. Loved your thoughts on feeling so at home with the believers you've met. That's the beauty of the body of Christ. I'm so thankful you're being blessed, but I am equally sure that YOU are a BLESSING, too.
Love you precious nephew,
aunt patricia
DEAR JOHN- ATTEMPT NO 3 - FORGOT WHAT 'HANDLE " I USED LAst time . trying something else now. love you and your blogs. g and g
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