It's going to be an interesting ride...

Howdy all you guys and gals out there!

Today was my first day of uni. I had research skills class, which is training on how to write your dissertation. The lecturer hit us with, "Tell us your name, and what topics you're thinking of for your dissertation proposal, or some areas of interest that could be applied to the paper" right off the bat. Feeling very unprepared, I quickly thought up some areas of interest and thankfully didn't look like a fool when it was my go. She then went into great detail about supervision for your dissertation and also mentioned that we had to write a rough draft of a proposal for next week's class. Having never written one of those for undergrad (UK students have to write a thesis and proposal during their fourth year of undergrad), I felt a little like a fish out of water. I stayed after class to talk to the lecturer, just to let her know that I may ask questions that most people that are used to the UK system would know, and she assured me that it would be fine. I think it's definitely doable, but it will take a lot of grit and studying to accomplish. Jesus, take the wheel! And while you're at it, could you take the wheel of the First bus drivers as well? Some of them drive like crazies!

To back track a bit, this past weekend was fab. We had an Uncut barbecue for all new students to the various unis. around glasgow, and many people came round! It was great to chat to a lot of new people, and also met two girls from NC--one from UNC-Chapel Hill, and one from ECU; they were both on exchange. We lamented on the lack of real bbq food, but it was still a fun night, filled with acoustic delight provided by Sam Gallager and Alex MacDonald. I would be displaying photos of the night, but unfortunately, I dropped my digi camera onto the hard pavement. RIP canon. Looking to buy a new one, and one of the guys in my research class works at Jessops, so he said he might be able to get me a discount! After the bbq, some of us went out for my friend Carly's b-day! We danced the night away, and had a great time (although someone needs to give the dj at Campus some lessons)!

Saturday was brill, as I met up with a fellow Masters student from the states, and we met Jess and Rachael Stridge for lunch and a mosey around the West End. After a Beanscene visit for my daily coffee fix, Rach was off to work and Heather was back to town, as Jess and I scavenged around for some food before one of our legendary sleepovers. Actually pretty knackered, it was a low-key night filled with a gnocchi/mushroom/tomato sauce dish and the film Eagle Vs. Shark, a cute indie flick with Jermaine from Flight of the Conchords.

Sunday was amazing. It puts a smile on my face to see people, young and old, want to hang around church all day. Many people attend more than one service during the day. It's especially cool to see kids high school to university level, wanting to be around the church as well as serve in various areas. It's really a community. :) Andrew Owen continued his series on 'Astronomical Grace', and discussed having strength to do what God has called you to do. He never gives you more than you can handle. At the time it may seem impossible, but He takes you through it and you are strengthened as a result.

I met heaps of people on Sunday, and we all chilled out before and after service. Then some of us went to a pub after service. A fab day.

Monday was a bank hol, and after reading pretty much all morning and afternoon, my new friend Jenny came over and we hunted down supplies to make brownies for a wee get-together. That night, fun ensued over curry and brownie soup, a UK logo game (I was complete rubbish at it!), and some music provided by the very talented Owen and Jossy. I'm thinking that we should have a battle of the bands: their duo vs. the girl band that Lydia, Jess and I are forming. I'll keep you posted.

So I know I wrote a lot. But you know you love it.

Speak soon!!

-Church x

The Week in Review

Well, I've been here exactly a week. Wow! It seems like I've been here ages in some ways, but in others it feels like I just stepped off the plane. I feel right at home with all my old mates...I just wish the bus system and I were on as good terms. I have managed to get lost a 'few' times. Hah! So what's been going on...
Last Wednesday, I moved into my old flat and got a few things settled before I headed into the city centre for Uncut (the student and young adult Destiny Church ministry). It was a powerful time of prayer and a great word about extending our faith. Andrew Owen, pastor of Destiny Glasgow, actually gave many people words over their lives. Mine was spot-on; the pastor at my church in Rocky Mount, when he prayed over me before leaving, mentioned that I would be like an 'arrow hitting the target', and Andrew prayed the  EXACT SAME THING over me on Wednesday. Chills, eh?

The rest of the week has consisted of unpacking and tidying, catching up with friends, working with the Destiny GO team on Strathclyde's campus--helped students move in on Saturday, and chatted with students at the Fresher's fair on Monday--and trying to register. I'll leave you with a story about Strathclyde's, er, interesting, registration process, and some photos of the week...

Since I'm an international student, I can't register online. S-clyde has a 2-part reg. system; first, you register to put yourself in the actual system, then you go online and sign up for classes. I queued up on Monday, and long story short, didn't get the chance to register because there were too many people. I arrived pretty shortly after the reg. hall opened on Tuesday, and the queue was already round the block. Finally, I got to the front of the outside queue (there was another one inside), and had some questions about my form, which didn't have an adviser listed. No one knew the answers, so a student ambassador grabbed the head of registrations, and she moved me to the very FRONT of the entire second queue. I was thinking, 'Thank you, God!' at this point, as I had already been waiting 45 min and would have surely waited another hour to even be seen. It was quite funny as she took me down a back corridor and told me several times that she was 'only doing this because something was wrong with my form'. The security guards made sure to tell me to 'keep quiet and don't tell anyone about this preferential treatment' with a laugh. I got registered yet still haven't gotten my actual classes straight yet. They redirected me to another building to see the English Studies department. I wandered around various floors because they had moved the dept. to another floor, yet hadn't changed the signs, and then, once I had reached the right floor, realised that no one was there. Oh well. We have a postgraduate reception tomorrow, and I'm sure I'll figure it out then.  I'll be sure to keep you updated!
Love,
C  x

My flat! 

View out my window

  

Jack, who my flatmate and I are cat-sitting.  Amiably called 'Pirate Jack', especially when he nips at your feet and tries to bite your shoelaces. Going to miss him when he goes...but not going to miss his moaning at my door at half 4 a.m. so he can jump onto my windowsill.






 

Glasgow is where the heart is...

Hiya! You've found your way to my blog, where I'll be chronicling my adventures as an international postgraduate student at Strathclyde University in Glasgow, Scotland. I hope to give you a lens into my life as I make my way through the 'Literature, Culture and Place' course at uni., as well as share with you the amazing things going on through Destiny Church Glasgow, my home away from home. I'm sure there will be some crazy, awesome stories to tell, considering I'm a North Carolinian sussing my way through a Glaswegian atmosphere. I'm just here to enjoy the ride--and hope you'll find my blog a fun way to connect with what's going down in Glasgow, whether you're 5000 miles away or just round the corner. Cheers!

-Church