taste old foods etc etc etc.  Some part of me was expecting something like fireworks when I got back, but that kind of stuff only happens in the movies. As much as I wish my life was a movie, I know that that's not true. And  Anyway, reality is a lot deeper and more fulfilling than fiction. 

Running into my Dad's arms at the airport was amazing. I didn't think I was going to cry, but my eyes filled with tears before I knew it.

Then there were the silly little things that I missed; like cars stopping for me when I needed to cross the street and having toilet seat covers.  I obviously missed my Mummy's cooking, but  soon after I landed I had cravings for all the places that I'd ever eaten at in Davis: Redrum Burger, Chipotle, Thai 2K and Fuji's Sushi.

My brother seems to have grown a further few inches and watching him at his graduation was amazing. It's hard to believe that he's so big now, almost 18!

But being back, I know now that I've left a little piece of my heart in the UK. I'll always tear up at scenes and sights of St Andrews and of London as well. I'll always remember the friends I've made there and will keep in touch with them, because even though I've lived in three different countries, I still haven't met two people who're alike. Each person is different and valuable and that is why I will hold dear every friend that I've made. Each of them, each of you, add something special to my life, and for that I thank you all. 

 

Museum in Kinburn Park. One that I passed by every single day of my being in St Andrews, but I never actually went inside until the last day. It was nice. It had pictures and stories of St Andrews in times gone by and it was lovely to look at all that history. There was a photograph I'd heard about that I wanted to see. It was one of Wardlaw when it was just built. It looked beautiful. The windows looked lovely with their white shades half drawn. And there were no trees or any other buildings in front of it or behind it to block the view. The path up to the front door was pristine and behind the building lay fields all the way up to the sea. I could see my window in the picture. It was so surreal to think that I was living there and this building had been around for ages. It made me that much more sad to have to leave.

I walked back to Wardlaw and kept picturing the photograph in my head. Then the sepia tones turned to colours and I could see the modern day Wardlaw before me, with curtains flapping out my open window at the top. It looked different, but still the same. They were still flapping when I went up to my room. I stumbled over my mostly packed suitcases and I looked out the windows and surveyed their breathtaking views. One of the last times I would get the chance to. All the rainbows and sunrises I'd seen from them, all the snow and all the rain, the warm sunshine and the silvery moonlight. *sigh*

Us with Dunnottar Castle in the background

The weather decided that it really didn't like us and it started to rain again. The train to Aberdeen was fairly quick and uneventful.

 When we got to Aberdeen, we decided to scrap visiting the two other castles that were scheduled for the day and just find our hostel before we had dinner. But since we had no itinerary we had to first figure out the address of the hostel. I ended up misreading address and maps and we got well acquainted with Aberdeen's Union Street. We ended up having dinner at a McDonald's on Union Street.  At half nine ish we found our hostel finally. It was too late do much so we just settled into bed. We made ourselves a cooked breakfast the next morning and set off for Inverness by bus.  We were intending to stop off on the way and see Huntly Castle, but we were too tired. After the 4 hour bus journey, we finally made it to Inverness.

Inverness and the River Ness

Urquhart Castle with Loch Ness behind it

The next day, we had another high table. This one was and uber formal one, kind of similar to Christmas dinner and it was for the valedictorians (graduating seniors). At the end of the dinner, those who had served on the hall committee, this year or in the past, gave speeches. It was nice to hear how those who had been in St Andrews for all four years feel about their time here. I'd say it's sad to see them leave, but then I remember that I'm leaving too. There were funny speeches, crazy speeches, speeches that made people cry and ones that made everyone laugh and reminisce about life in Uni Hall. It was a great evening.

I went to this pub called the  Westport with a few friends for drinks afterwards. We went there in our  dresses/ suits and our red gowns. It was good.


The day after that, we had brunch. For brunch they serve us all the breakfast foods that we have over the entire three week rotation at a single meal, and they also throw in some extras like individually wrapped muffins. That afternoon, there was a garden party. The Garden Party is traditionally thrown by the newly elected senior students for the following year. We had had elections in hall a few weeks prior to this to elect next year's senior students, treasurer, secretary and computer rep. This new committee hosts the party.

I was tired from the antics of the previous night so I slept though most of it. When I went out, I saw people walking around in the deceiving sunshine, it was actually quite cold and windy. There was an inflatable pool filled with water  in the middle of the grassy quad and people were getting thrown into it intermittently. There were others walking around with water guns. There was a raffle going on and a BBQ as well. It was fun, but I had to leave soon because I was too cold in the dress I was wearing to stay for much longer. To end the day, there was a firework show for us at 10 pm. It was  fantastic.

A lot more has been happening. Classes are now over and it's revision week. Last night my academic dad took us out for drinks, which was nice. He's a fourth year as well, so I asked him about his experiences in hall and in St Andrews and what he feels about leaving. 

There so much more that I could talk about, but it's getting late now. And tomorrow, I'm off on a trip visiting castles in the north of Scotland for the next three days. Should be fun!