<!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} p {mso-margin-top-alt:auto; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:965476538; mso-list-template-ids:556677952;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> Today I am sitting waiting for the IT people to show up so they can help me with my internet issues. Its 9am and I have an hour to waste but I'm going to sit outside their door anyway just to make sure I get in and get this stuff done.. I don't have anything to do until 2pm so I need to get this done before the weekend starts... I sure as hell don't want to try to find these people on the weekend because I don't know if they will be in the same spot or not..

Anyhow, yesterday I didn't have a chance to write because i went on a field trip all day. it was really awesome! it was more like getting to know each other and stuff like that field trip.. it was educational but not in the sense that it was an educational field trip.. I took pictures except i couldn't get a picture of the fish jumping! :(

So yesterday, I got up early and walked over to the Zoology building (its right down the street from me.. I will try to take video soon on how I get around) and I met with some people who are from my college. I met Bo and Emma who are both from China and are doing Ph.D.'s in Petroleum Hydrocarbons. I also met Jennifer, who I thought was Samoan, but she's really Swedish. But she's a mix of Swedish and Pilipino so I that's why I thought that maybe she was Samoan.

The field trip was awesome! We traveled to both sides of Aberdeenshire's rivers. First we went down to the harbor and talked about dredging of the materials in the port. they have to dredge every year because of the sediment and the deepness of the thalwag needs to stay at a constant measure because they bring in big fishing and oil vessels into the harbor. So while we were down there I thought I would take a look at the prices of "Petrol" or gas. and I was very surprised to see that gas was only like 1 pound which is about $1.63! but then I realized its because Aberdeen is the oil capital of the north sea and northwest Europe.

From there we went to the Falls of Feugh (pronounced phew) and watched Atlantic Salmon jump and try to get up stream. also there was a heron that was trying to catch the little salmon fishies. then we went to DeeSide where we spent some time in the Cairngorms National Park. It was amazing! we went into a key hole canyon where there were huge rocks and the area had been carved out by a river that used to run through there. there were also cascades and a lot of lichen that was different looking from what we have at home.. I didn't ask to see what it was though. I should have :(

From DeeSide we went and had lunch in Aboyne. Aboyne is a small little town and is full of life! Some of the girls I met (Jennifer and Suzy) and I went to the Bazzarr that had stuff from Nepal. Suzy bought a pair of trousers, and from the sounds of it she always buys at leat one thing on a field trip. I didn't buy anything because I wanted to save my money for other things that were possibly more important.We all had lunch in the park that was infront of the Aboyne Hotel. I had brought my left over subway (by the by the beef is SO much better here than in the states!) and I brought ready salted potato crips, a clementine, a moonpie and water. It was all tastey and one of the girls offered me a candy and I had to ask her what it was and what was her reply? "oh you're so cute!!" hahahah I was serious I didn't know what she said lol. They were Malt Teasers.. they were good! Its the equivelant of a Whopper but much better. the chocolate is real.. lol

From Aboyne we went to DonSide. We then treked up this huge hilll that should have been a mountain. I had an asthma attack on the way up but I account it to being that I have jet lag, it was above sea level, and I am completely unfit. lol oh well. when I got up there it was completely worth it! There was an old fort up there from the Iron and Dark Ages! it was really awesome and I have posted an album on it. There was an obvious population of bunnies too.. I didn't see any but there were bunny pellets everywhere! and the grass was so soft and spongy.. the earth was spongy.. I just wanted to take off my shoes and frolic! :) I thought it was amazing that the fort can be seen for miles around. it was just too awesome.. and not to mention I showed how much of an uncouth american I am to my teachers.. when I got up from taking a break I said to my friend Jennifer that I needed to get up and see this Massive Erection. Well... my teachers heard and then started dying of laughter.. All while trying to tell me that erection ment something different in the UK.. and I was all like... yeah I know exactly what it means.. lol

That was the end of the trip :( but that's ok I was sore and still in shock and awe of what we did yesterday. I then went to this place called Spar.. its like a convenience store but its more like a mini market. I got strawberries and bananas there! oh and whole garlic! I think that constitutes as much more than a convenience store! But I think I'm really geting a hang of this walking around Aberdeen thing by myself. This weekend I'm going to try to see if I can get my bank account set up.. if not I will have to do it next week. I'm not in a hurry for money so thats a good thing. Oh but here are some things that I need from the US.. because they dont sell it here...

1. Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix.. in the packet so I can mix it myself
2. Maruchan Ramen
3. Super Sticky Post Its

I think thats all for now! I did go grocery shopping the other day at Morrisons.. that was quite an experience.. to get a shopping cart or trolley, you have to put a pound in the handle to release it.. it makes sure people dont steal them or dont leave them hanging about.. I had to ask a 12 year old polish girl to help me though.. lol I didn't understand!

For the rest of the day, I think I'm just going to go to my library induction at 2pm and then maybe walk around campus to find things or photo ops. Tomorrow, I tackle the laundry.. Its 2 pounds to wash and 1.50 to dry. ick.. but I dont have a wash basin yet and when I do I will set up a line or something..

I'm off for now!