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!
