Scotland Cried When I Said Goodbye

It hit me for the first time this morning: I'm going home tomorrow. I've been telling myself that for about two weeks now, and wishing for the day to come faster all term, but now that it's here, the moment has become bittersweet. I walked West Sands for the last time today, enjoyed one more coffee with friends. I played my last game of golf yesterday, enjoying having the short course to ourselves. We listened to Scottish music in the pub one final time, sat with friends for the last meal in hall. A bunch of lasts.
It started out as a bunch of firsts. The first friends we met, the first Ceilidh, first walk into town, first golf lesson...the list goes on. And now suddenly I'm saying, 'That's the last time I'll buy a piece of shortbread.' Or something along those lines.

Our final days in St Andrews were well spent. Saturday proved to be the most beautiful day we had the entire term, and Kate and I enjoyed a long afternoon on the beach. I should have been studying. But I wasn't. We got our first light sunburn, dipped in the North Sea (to cool off, of all things!) and enjoyed the rare moment we got to wear a bathing suit in Scotland. We went to church for the last time on Sunday, and were left with some excellent worship and a meaningful message. I took my one and only final on Monday, and then prepared to return to the beautiful USA. We made sure we got in everything we wanted to do before we left: music at the Whey Pat Tavern, practicing our chipping skills on the short course, coffee at Northpoint, and so on.

It seems only right that it should storm the last day we are here. We haven't had a good rain in some time, and Scotland was overdue. The wind is picking up, and the rain drops are getting bigger and heavier. Last night we even had some excellent thunder and lightning storms. Katelyn is finishing up her final day of work, and we will be enjoying a little jazz tonight before lugging my suitcase to her dorm and ceremoniously burying her tattered shoes.

Tomorrow is an early morning. We are being picked up at 5:30 am, and will have some time to get breakfast before our flight to London. Here's hoping that travel goes smoothly tomorrow. It will be a long day, long overdue.

Many lessons have been learned over the months spent here in St Andrews:
We've learned that when you eat in the pubs, order at the bar, because they won't serve you from your table.
We've learned that haggis isn't really as bad as some think; as long as you ignore the ingredients, it really just tastes like corned beef hash.
I've learned that there are some seriously harsh rules in golf, especially if you land in a bunker, so note: don't hit it into the bunker.
I've also learned the the most famous pirates in literature were created by Scots. Peter Pan and Treasure Island's inspiration for their pirates can all be traced back to Daniel Defoe's General History of the Pirates.
If you think someone is staring at you because you look funny...you're right. But then just stare right back because they're probably in some ridiculous ensemble that looks like the Big Bang of fashion failure.
When in Scotland, ALWAYS carry an umbrella.
NEVER trust BBC Weather. They're always wrong. Even when you look up the current weather.
Some of the nicest people you will ever meet are in Scotland. And some of the weirdest.
You make friends from all over the world when you come to Scotland. Germany, France, England, Russia, the Philippines, and of course the lovely USA.

There is no end to the memories that have been made here, and the friendships that have been formed. There were highs and lows to all of it, but it is all a part of the experience of studying abroad, and this is one that I have enjoyed immensely. Everything for the academics to the golf, to the people, has made this semester one of the most memorable of them all.

Thank you to all who helped to get me here, and thanks to all who made this term so fantastic. I will never forget you. And with a final wave, I say goodbye to this home away from home, and hello to the family and friends waiting for me in California! See you all tomorrow! YAY!!!!