My Neverland

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened"-Dr. Seuss

This blog post is dedicated to my many friends that I made abroad. Especially my family (Cal, Calum, Bram, Julie, Eve, Sorcha, Stuart, Lily, Reece, and John)

"Auld Lang Syne" ie Remembering "Times gone by"

The next week I had exams. It was a pretty uneventful week because I studied for all my tests. My Celtic Civilization exam was ok because it was pretty much what i thought it would be. Then on Saturday I had my education final. That was exactly what I thought it would be. Unfortunately that I got really sick (there was a cold going around in my flat). My friends were going McDonalds and I asked them to bring me back a Mcflurry. Unfortunately the Mcflurry machine was broken but I was able to feel better thanks to my flatmate Julie for giving me a heating pad and checking up on me. I felt so bad though because she got really sick the next day.

On Sunday Ivan and David had their Christmas party. It was so fun. I finally was given my first British popper! There was good company and great food. Even if I was sick, it was a good party.

Ivan's Christmas Party

On Monday I had my history exam. It was very unusual because it was after dark. The exam was probably hardest but nevertheless it was my last exam and I was done! That night my DU friends and I tried to go ice skating at the city center but it was sold out! We ended up going the next day. It was awesome because they had a Christmas fair.

Ice Skating Memories

The next couple of days were really relaxed because everyone still had exams. On thursday night Cal, John, and Sarah took me out for my first last night out. It was fun. We went for drinks at the Orn Mor and then we went to the club ABC downtown. It was fun, especially with the friends I was with, but by the end of the night I was ready to go home.

Night out with John and Cal

The next day Cal, John, and I went out for a "hipster day" full of art galleries. We went to the Modern Museum of Art and the Kelvingrove museum. The modern museum of art was very interesting. I didn't understand it though. After the modern museum of art we went to the Willow Tea Room and felt very posh. We had tea, scones, sandwhiches, and dessert (I had a pecan caramel as cheesecake and it amazing!). Next we went to the Kelvingrove museum. It didn't know such a big museum existed right next to where I lived! The museum is a natural museum and an art gallery. They even had a Salvador Dali painting (which we got to see). On our way home I had to say goodbye to my favorite sandwich shop, Smile Cafe.

Room of Heads

Dali

The Best Cafe in Glasgow

That night, Ivan came over for coffee and to say goodbye. It was hard to pack and be able to spend time with him but I am glad he came over and that I was able to say so long for now (because it's not goodbye). I also gave him my favorite blanket because there was no space for it in my carry on.

Later that night, my flat and I had Christmas dinner and secret Santa. Dinner was so delicious. Eve's parents made AMAZING soup as an appetizer. For our main course we had turkey, yorkshire pudding, potatoes, and sausage and bacon. Then we had secret santa. We had two secret santa's, one for dutch Christmas (December 5th) and one for Christmas. For regular Christmas we bought things but for Dutch Christmas we made people things. Julie got eye shadow, Reece got a beer hat and meggings, John got tequila, Cal got an Amazing Race mug with sweets and a Wales flag cake, Calum got a dog calender (because he just loves dogs), games, and a letter (like the sorority letters-from me), Bram got chocolate and the Amazing Race game, Gordon got gold rocks, Rowan got a hat clip, and Eve got Despicable Me. But I got the best present of all. From Sorcha I got a book and a Shamrock key necklace. The necklace was perfect, I will wear it everyday and think of my perfect friends abroad. Julie had me for Dutch secret Santa. She had exams all week so she said she didn't make anything but she heard a song and dedicated it for me. It was really the sweetest present anyone has every given me. I don't need anything else.

That night I decided not to go to sleep so I decided to go out with my flatmates and friends. We went to the QMU Christmas party. We saw S club 7 (only two members) and danced all night. Then we went to go get chips and kebabs. Then I went to get ready to leave but I couldn't. I couldn't stop crying. They were all even sweeter when the helped me get lock up and see me off in the cab. I know that it isn't goodbye but I know it will never be the same. I know that eventually we will all go our separate ways. That's why it was so hard to say goodbye.

Christmas Party

Never Alone

I had the same flight with one of DU friends and one of my friends that I met while I was there. We were also  able to wait for our plane with another one of my university friends. Our plane was delayed but I still thought I was going to be able to make my connection. But the layover was only forty minutes and I could not make my plane. When I am flying and things don't go my way I go insane (because I hate flying). I just wanted to see my family because it was hard to be alone when I was missing my friends so much! Some people were kind to me, like the guy that let me go in front of me in line or the flight attendant that gave me a phone to call my mom, but some people were not so nice. Thankfully I was put on a one o'clock plane. That plane ride was so good. I sat at a window seat and sat next to a really nice girl that was studying abroad in Madrid for a year.

I got in at around 7 that day. The customs line was not that bad. Marley and my dad picked me up at the airport. I was so happy to see them. When I came home Leah was having her sweet sixteen party but my friends and family were there too. It was the perfect way to welcome me home.

So why is this blog post titled "My Neverland"? Because that what Glasgow was to me, my Neverland.  It was my bliss. There, time stopped and reality ceased to exist. I was able to be myself and create new friends and family. But like Wendy, I had to leave Neverland and come back to my life in the United States.

I learned so much when I was in Scotland. Most of all, I learned that the title of my blog is wrong. Although Scotland is a part of Great Britain, it's its own territory. I am not advocating or fighting against independence. But going abroad has shown me that appreciate Scotland and Glasgow as its own area. Now I can understand why William and Kate went to study there. It's a great place for lovely people. I am proud to call it one of my many homes.

Julie's song

My "Roman Holiday"

The next week was pretty average except that I found out that  I could go to Italy with my friends! They had been planning on going for a couple of months but they were coming back on Monday so I thought that I wouldn’t be able to come. However, they were coming back at the beginning of reading week so I found a ticket and was off to Italy.

Our flight left early in the morning , so we left our flat around five in the morning. We tried to take the Subway to the airport, but it was closed. Thankfully, a cab saw us and was able to take us to the airport. He was so nice that he even gave us a discount!

Amsterdam Airport Christmas Tree

Our flight was nice but we had to connect in Amsterdam. At least now I can say that I have been to the Netherlands. Our layover wasn’t bad at all but we had to go through very strict security. Our flight to Italy wasn’t bad but we didn’t have seats together. I ironically sat next to someone from California though. The flight was gorgeous. We flew over the Alps and saw the sunset over the Ocean. It was a great flight.

Alps!

Sunset

We arrived in Italy around four. We took a taxi to our friends flat but our friends (the same ones that visited us for Halloween) thought they were picking us up and taking the train back with us. Thankfully, their flat mate was home. We chatted with her while we waited for our friends. When they got there, they made us spaghetti and meatballs. It tasted so good! Then we went to get Gelato My sorority sister from France also came to visit a friend. It was good to see her. It was a great first night.

The next day, we had a full day of sightseeing. First, we went to get Cappacinos. They were so amazing. You’ve never tasted coffee until you’ve tried Italian coffee. Our first sight seeing stop was where Julius Caesar was murdered. Hilariously, now it is a cat sanctuary. The cats just chill outside. It was so funny. Then we went to a Christmas fair. It was awesome but pouring down rain though so we went inside an amazing Cathedral. It was beautifully carved with many stained glass windows.

Where Julius Caesar was murdered

A cat

The Christmas Fair

Next we went to the Pantheon. It is very pretty but the ceiling was the most amazing part. It was dome shaped but so intricate. Next we went to the Trevi Fountain. It is magnificent! Again, the marble is so intricate that it looks life like. Apparently, it was built to remind the Romans of their wonderful aquifers. (Fun fact: You can drink straight from the fountains in Rome because it comes from their aquifers). After the fountain we made our way to the Spanish steps. They were fun but not amazing. We stopped to get gelato and that was amazing.

DZ at the Pantheon

Pantheon Ceiling
 

Make a wish!

Trevi Fountain

Gelato!

As the afternoon wore on, we went to the Wedding Cake aka The Denchers aka the Urinal in commemeration of Italy’s first King. Many Italians don’t like it because the architects tried to make it in the ancient style and they felt it hypocritical. It is an amazing building though. From there, we made our way to the Colleseum. It was so amazing and looked just like the pictures. We didn’t actually go inside but it was still amazing that it was still standing. After that we went to the Forum. I had to go to the forum because I build it for a 7th grade history project. Exactly like the forum now, my forum crumbled the day before it was due Again, it was amazing because it is still there after all these years! 

The Wedding Cake

The Coleseum

The Forum

After our day of sight seeing we made our way back to the flat and then went out to dinner. Like I have at Momo’s I had Amatritricana. It was amazing of course. Olivia, our friends’ flat mate made us crepes for dessert. They were amazing.

Stephanie, my sorority sister left the next day, but my abroad friends’ friend had come in late that night. That day we went to Vatican City. We meant to get there for the Pope’s blessing but we had just missed him! Still, we were able to see the Vatican. The church is so grand. I can’t give it justice so I will just post pictures.

Vatican City

One of the Amazing Ceilings

My fuzzy picture of the main altar

The Pieta!

After the Vatican we got gelato and just walked around. Rome is such a cultural city so it is amazing to just walk around. We also went to the Christmas fair again and ate a huge donut. It was funny.  For dinner, we went to Fat Cat and I had Margarita Pizza and Tiramisu. The food was good but the company was better.

The next day we had to leave early again. We took the train this time, thought, it was easier to use than I thought. Our flight was good to Amsterdam but our flight to Glasgow was delayed because one of the back windows came lose. They kept us on the run way for about an hour though and it took another hour to go back through security (why, I don’t know) and get on our new plane. It was fine though because we were able to get seats together on the flight.

It was an amazing trip. I would like to thank Aspen, Olivia, Julie, and Cheyenne for letting us stay with them. I would also like to thank Cheyenne for being an amazing tour guide. Lastly, I would like to thank Aspen for being a great sister and friend. Greatest trip abroad!

My blog wouldnt be complete without an ode to Lizzie Mcguire

Chapter 4: "When I grow up"-Tribute to Matilda

That night I met my family at the train station to leave for London again. Unfortunately it was terribly flooded and our train was delayed about an hour. That would have been ok, but that meant that we would get to London at around twelve. It was all ok by me though because we had bought first class seats and I didn't have to write a paper this time. The train ride wasn't actually that bad. I got to spend quality time with my family for five hours (for me this is a good thing :D). 

For some reason, we did not get into London until one in the morning. The train company was willing to compensate us for our loss though which I thought was very professional. However, their taxi qeue was so disorganized! My brother was furious. We made it safely to our hotel (which even had a cute Thanksgiving sign). 

The next morning Leah and I took a taxi to Speedy's, where Sherlock is filmed. The food was ok but Leah loved it (I think it's because she is obsessed with the show). From there we took the subway (I felt so street smart figuring it out) to Oxford Street and spent the whole day shopping. We went to Hamley's, H&M, and Topshop. The street was decorated to look like a winter wonderland. It was perfect. 

Calm and Cool

Where's Benedict Cumberbatch?

If only

I finally met the Queen...

We were supposed to go to dinner together but Leah and I didn't know what the plans were so we just went to she our show Matilda. It was an amazing show. I love the movie, so I was sad when she couldn't levitate for most of the play, but I loved her story telling in the musical. They are just too different to compare. It was amazing though. Leah also thought she saw the boy from The Boy in the Striped Pajamas there and so she was freaking out. Maybe that added a little more fun to the evening.

My House-Ms. Honey

My favorite scene from the movie, Always!

The next day my family flew back to the United States while I jumped on a train back to Glasgow. Although it was a quick trip, I am so grateful that they could make it to the United Kingdom and see what I have been up to all this time. Being two days away from my flight back to Texas, I can't wait to see them again.

Interlude: Glasgow

Although we got back to Glasgow around eight, we did not make it back to our hotel until about nine because we kept getting lost. Even though we kept driving by the right exit, our GPS would tell us some weird way to go. It was the most frustrating thing in the world! So we did not go out that night but ate at the hotel. Since I had to turn in my paper the next day, I then went back to my flat to sleep.

I met up around four in the afternoon with my sister and my mom to show them around campus. Because it was already dark, they didn't get to see much but they did get to see where I lived. They were surprised at how big Glasgow was and how far I had to walk from campus to my flat everyday. They enjoyed seeing my actual flat and meeting my flatmates. For dinner, the whole family went to a fun Indian food restaurant. Then I headed back to my flat because I had classes the next day as well.

The next morning my family went to Edinburgh to drop off the car and do some shopping while I stayed her to go to class. Although they were not in Glasgow very long. I was glad that they got to see where I have been for the past three and a half months.

Chapter 3: "Where are you Nessie?"

Although we arrived to Stirling around three, the sun was already setting. We were anxious to make it to the Wallace Monument, but that didn't stop us from getting caught in a round about (Imagine the Griswalds on European Vacation). We didn't have time to go to the Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle, so we ended up just taking pictures of the monument. Then we drove to Stirling Castle.

We only went around about three time but it's still the same effect

Stirling Castle was recently (in about the past five years) renovated by Queen Elizabeth II. Therefore, it is an ancient castle but with modern styles. The old parts of the castle were amazing but the renovated parts were just too new. The castle grounds were still fun to just wander around. Leah is convinced that Merida's castle in Brave was based off of Stirling Castle. Who knows...It was fun though to be in the great historic city of Stirling, especially with my dad who is obsessed with Braveheart. We didn't stay in the city very long but it was a perfect outing.

The Wallace Monument

Stirling 

One Angle of the castle 

Inside the castle

Next, we headed to Inverness. I know I should have been miserable in the four hour car ride, but it was one of my favorite parts of the trip. Leah talked all the way to Inverness about things only she liked. It was hilarious. My favorite part, though, had to be when we went to the gas station to pick up some snacks and Leah kept asking what everything was (as if things in the UK are foreign). She even went up to an orange Fanta and asked what it was called. "Leah it's a Fanta, Nothing special". Leah replied, "ohh, ok. What's this?" It was hilarious.

We got to our hotel around nine and ate dinner. The dinner was formal so I felt a little out of place but it was so good! The next morning we checked out of the hotel and went to the Jacobite Cruises to look for Nessie and visit the ruins of Urquhart Castle. However, in true Rosenthal fashion, we were late and were unable to go to the castle (My mom had left her credit card at the hotel). We did, however, look for Nessie. Lochness was so pretty! The lake was surrounded by hills covered in forest. It was definitely one of my favorite trips.

I found her!

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Good one Ben :D

After the cruise ended, we decided to drive to the castle and tour it ourselves. It was really cool to see a the ruins of an ancient castle. When we got there we watched a very short video on the history of the castle. Urquhart Castle belonged to a specific clan (I can't remember which one) and unfortunately was blown up in an attempt to stop the intruding clan from laying siege to the structure. After the video we got to walk around the old castle grounds. My favorite part was the tiny and steep staircase in one of the towers. It was just so weird--I couldn't picture the old servants rushing up and down those stairs without falling! At the castle, I also learned that it was fashionable for clans to have more than one castle! All in all the castle was fun.

Urquhart Castle

Sunset at 3:30!

Sunset take 2

On our way back to Glasgow we drove through Ben Nevis and Glencoe (where a lot of Harry Potter scenes were filmed). Unfortunately, the sunsets so early here and so we only saw the top of Ben Nevis for a second but it was gorgeous. It was a great way to end our highlands trip.