What a Difference a Year Makes

Roughly a year ago, we moved my parents in their new home, I accepted my place to study sustainable energy in Scotland and I also broke my ankle snowboarding, ending an insane winter season. Thinking back to those events, they mark the beginning of a transition that brought us to where we are today. It's safe to say though that Spring 2020 looks nothing like how we expected.

Even though I was loving snowboarding (almost every weekend) in California, my 2019 season came to an abrupt end after catching an unexpected toe edge and I shifted towards healing and recovery with the help of friends and family. Similar to working as a project engineer in the San Joaquin Valley, even though I had learned so much, made a positive impact and formed great relationships, it was finally time to acknowledge another side of my professional and personal interests and calling to explore a new part of the world and of myself.

Many already know how hard of a decision it was for me to forge a new path, branching off of my original engineering track that I started during my time at Purdue. After being accepted to the University of Edinburgh, I considered delaying another year in order to progress/finish a few more facilities projects, but seeing now how 2020 plans have been interrupted or changed, I am so thankful to have made the leap when I did.

Incredible that I've now been on this side of the pond for over 7 months already... I've truly found a home away from home, although Edinburgh started feeling like home after just a couple weeks. It is powerful to have the opportunity to acknowledge parts of your being that you knew existed, but had not really explored until you are in the right environment to do so. Breathing refreshing Scottish air, biking and walking around Edinburgh, eating healthier (the "whisky diet" and no fast food), getting stronger (thank you, MPC!), exploring a welcoming culture and hiking whenever possible.  Classes from the first semester opened my eyes into the relationship between engineering and policy where this semester has strengthened my understanding in wind, solar and marine technologies while further illustrating how the multi-faceted elements of society, policy and STEM affect energy on a global scale.

This year began with a wild Hogmanay celebration - there is nae doubt that the Scots truly can throw a great party.  I flew back from wonderful time with family in California for Christmas to find Edinburgh's Old Town taken over by the Torchlight Procession which lead to music and fireworks at Holyrood Park before the Street Party to officially ring in the new year. Fireworks over the castle, bagpipes playing "Auld Lang Syne" and dancing with international friends was a complete blast - definitely earned the raging headache the next day...

2020 Pre-Quarantine Highlights -

• Post-Hogmanay Euro2020 Train and Road Trip with dear college friends through Belgium, Amsterdam and France (separate post coming on that)
• Glasgow's Celtic Connections Festival
• Hosting a Rabbie Burns Night and Mardi Gras Dinners
• Day Trip to Oban with stops at Rest and Be Thankful, Kilchurn Castle and Loch Lomond
• Celebrating the Chinese Lantern Festival with a dumpling party
• Day Trips to Newcastle, North Queensferry, Stonehaven, Abroath, Berwickshire
• Scotland v. England Rugby and American Football Superbowl Fun
• SES Class Trip to the Whiteley Wind and Cruachan Hydro Facilities
• SIX musical and Riverdance 25 performances
• Hiking Braid Hill, the Melrose/Galashiels Three Brethren, Ben Vrackie and most of the Pap of Glencoe (Hillwalking Outing)
• Planning and hosting a STEM + Climate Psychology Workshop
• The most intense ceilidh yet, courtesy of the Edinburgh Tri Team
• Outlander Day Trip with Peaker friends to Culross and Falkland

Coming back to Edinburgh in January felt like a homecoming and it was fantastic to feel established here while making the most of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.  The quarantine, chaos, stress and uncertainty of the COVID-19 virus has taught me to make the most of every moment... I'll next be posting about the January Euro2020 adventure and quarantine life (so far).  More soon!

Becoming an Edinburgh "Local"

I had every intention of writing in this blog more regularly, but the semester picked up quite suddenly about a month ago and now here we are... halfway through November.  When you're in a country that doesn't officially celebrate Thanksgiving, you move from Samhuinn / Samhain festivities straight to Christmas with a slight detour for Guy Fawkes / Bonfire Night and a few Friendsgiving feasts.  The famous Edinburgh Christmas Market has just opened up this weekend (the first of many mulled wines this season...) and it was fun to experience the "Castle of Light" event at the Edinburgh Castle - lots to do and a few more essays to write before final exams.

The more time I've spent here, the more I've been feeling like a local which has been a really exciting transformation.  However, I seem to straddle two cultures.  It has been interesting to see America from the outside perspective (Trump and "the good ol' US of A" come up regularly when comparing politics and energy strategies) as I learn more about the UK / European systems, but I am something of an outlander to both cultures.  Adjusting to university life provides more time to reflect on life, society, personal identity and more which has been eye-opening.  Perhaps with time things will become more clear as my personal identity further incorporates elements of both places.

While it can be hard to be away from friends and family back home, I'm so thankful for technology that makes it easy to keep in touch.  Skype, Google Voice, WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram - makes the distance seem smaller.  Thank you to everyone for continuing to support me on this adventure!!  I wouldn't be here without you.

Catching you up on happenings from this semester...

• 1st Edinburgh guest - wonderful to catch up with a long-lost TWCP Literary Club connection (now a published illustrator!) my first week of classes.  Calton Hill sunset, delicious Turkish food at Ada and the stunning Royal Botanic Gardens provided the perfect backdrop to catch up after 10 years.
• Fumbling through rugby - watched University of Edinburgh thoroughly trounce St. Andrew's at the annual Varsity Rugby Match-up.  Leveraging my American football knowledge, I was mostly able to understand... no forward passes and five points instead of six on a "touchdown", but will definitely need to watch more rugby to better understand the scrum and two-point try strategies...  was surprised to see the amazing two-story sideline passes.
• Stumbling through the Highlands - my "waterproof" hiking boots from the states were no match for Crainlarich's stunning An Caisteal and Beinn a'Chroin munros.  Led by the Hillwalking Society, slogging through bogs and scrambling up peaty hillsides was a grand adventure.  After investing in waterproof hiking boots, I've explored most of Edinburgh's 7 hills (Blackford, Arthur's Seat, Calton and the Pentlands), but still have a few to go.  Not to mention 280 munros await!
• London - An unexpected reunion with NOLA friends in London was a great surprise.  First experience with an overnight bus (9.5 hours, but not so bad) and we ran into both Extinction Rebellion protesters in Trafalgar Square and Carolina Panthers fans at Leicester Square.  Favorites include Chinatown, Camden Market (home to Amy Winehouse), Museum of London and a twilight Thames photography walk.  Busy London made me glad to live in Edinburgh.
• Edinburgh reunion with college friends (BOILER UP!) - Unexpected reunion #3 was with a college friend and his wife which was great fun.  We shared a fun couple days together with whisky and hillwalking - the perfect combination.  
• Stirling day trip - Stirling is the place where William Wallace become famous.  It is also home to Stirling Castle and the Church of the Holy Rude where King James VI was crowned.  A day of no classes led to exploring the town, cemetery, Mote Hill with its Beheading Stone and the William Wallace Monument (home to his massive broadsword).  Highly recommend the Curly Coo Bar where Mandy, the barkeep, has over 220 whiskies!  
• Leith Walk and Dean's Village - most of my time has been in New / Old Town and around the university, but the Stockbridge Farmer's Market and surroundings are becoming a favorite - local farmers, artists and food vendors with everything from duck eggs to dumplings, ginger curd, Scotch eggs and more.  The charming Dean's Village was historically home to an 800-year old grain milling industry, is now a little oasis from the Royal Mile and Prince's Street.  I  recently found a tartan skirt (Ancient Stewart Hunting Tartan) so I'm officially ceilidh-ready!
• Samhain / Samhuinn ("sow-win") - No falling through the stones that night, but it was rather supernatural to see Calton Hill transformed into fire circles and ritualistic performances.  Definitely entertaining and a fun way to officially welcome fall.  Of course, we topped off the night with a dram at my favorite Holyrood 9A pub.
• Roslyn Chapel and Castle - Nearby Roslin is a tiny suburb a few miles south of Edinburgh city centre and home to the ornate Roslyn Chapel (Knights Templar and Da Vinci Code), the ruins of the Roslyn Castle and Dolly's Tea Room, a quaint cafe paying tribute to the cloned "Dolly the Sheep" from the nearby Roslin Institute.  I spent almost two hours exploring the chapel... chock-full of little hand-caved historical and religious details in the sandstone.  
• Guy Fawkes Night - "Remember, remember, the 5th of November."  It hadn't occurred to me that this was an actual holiday.  Rather like July 4th with sporadic fireworks around the city and Calton Hill was a great viewpoint.  No bonfires up there, but definitely some good craic.
• Brother visits! - It's truly been a treat to share this semester with my brother and it's made adjusting to Europe easier.  He's been studying in Barcelona and off every weekend exploring new countries while I've been living vicariously through him.  It was fantastic to show him my take on Edinburgh this past weekend complete with pub crawl, Arthur's Seat and Holyrood Park, farmer's market and Dean's Village.  Excited to visit him in Barcelona this weekend!
• SES cultural days - earlier this semester we hosted a Chinese-themed group lunch then we followed up with Middle-Eastern / Mediterranean - so fun to share each other's cultures while working together on a feast that we can then enjoy.  Brings back fond memories of SJTU "dumpling parties"...

While it truly has been a fantastic semester so far with interesting, thought-provoking courses and fun adventures "oot'n'aboot" Scotland, perhaps the most rewarding is simply living as a local.  Haggis + wholegrain mustard or black pudding + honey on toast is a regular snack / breakfast, perfecting the milk/tea ratio with my favorite Scottish Blend, discovering Mackie's amazing honeycomb ice cream (almost rivals Bluebell), learning celidh dances and wearing tartan scarves and getting to know the comedic genius who is Sir Billy Connolly (highly recommend his book, "Made in Scotland" and here's are a couple fun interviews).  "Dreich", "wee", "craic" and "boggin" are among my favorite Scots words and I'm slowly becoming better at understanding it (still a very long way to go).

In just over a month, my first semester will be over and I'll be home for Christmas.  Very excited to spend time with family and then more adventures await.  Just have 2 essays and 3 exams to go.  More soon!

My First Week (and a half) in Scotland

Edinburgh... my new city.  What?  That doesn't even sound real.

I've been here just over a week now and still walk around with a silly grin, taking it all in... Scotland is my new home for the coming year.  It has been very refreshing (and rather exhausting) stepping back into university life, and it is truly amazing to join such a global learning community.  In my flat of 6, my roommates and I represent China, Japan, India, Austria and the US.  In my Sustainable Energy Systems Program of 57 students, we have Scotland, Indonesia, Nigeria, India, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Germany, UAE, Spain, Jordan, Colombia, Bolivia, Senegal, Malaysia and so many others...  just walking across campus you can hear at least four different languages along the way.

Spending time with Aberdeenshire friends before taking the train to Edinburgh last week and visiting Scotland last year really has helped me to get my bearings.  There are certainly plenty of things that I haven't done yet - big differences between good ol' West Lafayette (BOILER UP!!) and Scotland's capital - but it has been great fun finding my favorite Tidelines music played on the Royal Mile, eating Stornoway black pudding and enjoying my sherry-cask whiskies.

Here are some highlights since my arrival in Scotland -

• Seeing the Queen and members of the Royal Family at the Braemar Highland Games
• Celebrating Harper's 1st birthday with the Doig family (very special after meeting her this time last year)
• Enjoying Aberdeenshire's clean air, blue skies and beautiful hills
• Navigating the administrative processes to claim my UK student residence
• Meeting fantastic, supportive new roommates, classmates and faculty
• Watching Trainspotting (intense and eye-opening, SO serious)
• Finding Vin Diesel filming Fast & Furious 9 near the Edinburgh Meadows
• Immersing myself into the University of Edinburgh 
• Joining the Hillwalking and Country Dance Societies
• Exploring nearby Pentland Hills Regional Park (disregard my public transport struggles)
• Participating in the Edinburgh's largest ceilidh dance (video below) as part of the 2019 Riding of the Marches

... and the adventure is only just beginning.  We will see how things change once classes really pick up.  More soon!

Stay left! A Road Trip Through Ireland's West Coast

Next stop on my Irish adventure was to explore Ireland's west coast.  After picking up my rental car, I earned some honks in a couple roundabouts before getting my bearings.  Thankfully, adjusting to driving on the other side of the road didn't take too much time and soon I was truly appreciating the efficiency of the roundabouts and infrequent traffic lights / stop signs.

Multiple reminders to stay on the left side of the road

My first stop on the way to Killarney brought me to the Rock of Cashel also known as St. Patrick's Rock.  An early royal site, the Cashel of Kings saw St. Patrick "apparently" baptize King Aengus who was Ireland's first Christian ruler then Brian Boru who was crowned High King in 1002.  Brian Boru's grandson, Muircheartach Ua Brian King of Munster, gave the Rock to the Catholic Church.  The intertwined royal and religious history gave context to this beautiful location with its 13th-century Gothic cathedral.

Nearby Hore Abbey, a ruined Cistercian monastery

View of the Rock with one of its neighbors

After Cashel, I journeyed on to Killarney for a two-nights stay at Neptunes Hostel.  I then discovered the Carragh Restaurant (incredible fish and caring wait staff) which led to a fantastic night out with some wonderful Canadian and Californian fellow travelers!

The next day I explored the amazing Ring of Kerry, taking in many of the sights along the way.  Meanwhile I switched between two Irish music CDs and the All-Ireland Kerry / Dublin Gaelic Football game... spoiler, they ended in a draw and have a re-match on 14th September.  Ciarraí abú!!

Next stop on my road trip brought me to the Dingle Peninsula for a two-night stay at the Hideout Hostel (highly recommend!!).  Stunning landscapes, historical sites (Dunbeg, the Beehives and Famine Cottages), fantastic entertainment (found a Britain's Got Talent Star in The Dingle Pub) and unique bars (Foxy John's was a highlight) and some Star Wars fun (Last Jedi set).  A big highlight was finding a kindred spirit in a German fellow hosteler.  It is motivating when you find someone with a similar perspective on adventure!

Continuing on from Dingle, I walked from the town of Doolin down to the Cliffs of Moher.  Part of a UNESCO Geopark, this area is amazing.  I lucked out with the weather and had mostly clear skies on my hike.  I did not expect the sheer power of the Atlantic waves as they forced waterfalls to flow backward, creating ocean spray "rain" as I walked along the coast.  Photos simply don't do this area justice...

After exploring the Doolin area (and passing the Pence motorcade on the highway), I got to Galway.  Honestly by this time, I was exhausted and done with planning - I was thankful that my hostel (City Hostel, fantastic!) offered dinner and then a bar crawl.  Galway is an incredible city.  I walked The Salthill Prom (pretending to be a "Galway Girl"), briefly explored NUI's campus (definitely see some Hogwarts vibes), drove past Galways's beautiful cathedral (which unfortunately was closed) then joined in the hostel-planned activities, introducing me to Galway's nightlife and a great group of international travelers.  You definitely need more than a night to take in everything that this city offers... gotta save something for the next visit!

In a week, I have developed an appreciation for Ireland and its people - an amazing place with troubled history filled with great people.  With the Brexit mess looming, Ireland's delicate balance is threatened.  Here's hoping that things get sorted out in a way that can preserve the peace brought by the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

Next, onto SCOTLAND.

Dublin by Foot

Dublin - the very name conjures images of drunken Irish people wearing green as they insult each other and yell at the Gaelic football game. 

As you might guess, there is more to the story.  Originally home to ecclesiastical monks with a penchant for brewing beer on the River Liffey, the modern city of Dublin was founded by Vikings at the Black Pool.  The city is filled with churches that date back to 1030 (building of the orignal Christchurch cathedral), took the brunt of the 1840s Potato Famine which saw Ireland's population drop from 8.5 million down to 3.5 in a span of 50 years (Ireland is the only developed country to have a smaller population in the 21st century than it did in the 20th), hosted the bloody, but short-lived 1916 Irish revolution and subsequent 1922 independence struggle, Ireland's WWII neutrality followed by the Troubles (with the the 1966 destruction of the Nelson Tower) which all eventually led to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and the delicate peace that followed.

 

After spending a couple days here, I have a whole new respect for the Irish who have suffered so much... poor for so long, lost many people through famine and emigration, the British stomped on them and then civil war didn't make things easy.  In general, a very friendly people but definitely quieter than expected.  The crazy St Patty's day participants are the tourists... not the locals.  It was great fun to see Dublin through a local's eyes (by way of Belfast and Aberdeen) - thank you, Peter, for the connection!

I found an amazing free walking tour (Generation Tours, HIGHLY recommend!) which took me all over the city.  Extremely walkable and filled with interesting streets, Dublin has elements of many cities I've visited.  Grafton felt a bit like Edinburgh's Princes Street, Trinity College and Houston's Rice University are cousins, New Orleans and Dublin share windy streets and alleys while London has a similar buried history.  Unfortunately I didn't have time to visit the Kilmainham Gaol (book early for your visit) which inspired the song, "Grace", my new favorite.

Look out for my next post about my Irish road trip which followed my Dublin visit.