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