Myth Busters, Episode I: Scotland Weather

I've decided to start another periodic theme post: Myth Busters. Some of the things that we discussed in our program orientation when we first got to Scotland were the preconceived notions that we had had before arriving, but as I learned from that discussion and continue to discover day by day, rumored reputations are not always correct. Of course, this is all just my opinion, but as an educated resident here, I feel that I am beginning to get a handle on how things work. For our first edition:

MYTH: Scotland is FREEZING!/It rains constantly in the British Isles!

Well, in simple terms, this is just untrue. Actually, the temperature, at least for the months that I've been here, has stayed at a pretty steady 40ºF, with variances of only a few degrees, usually staying above freezing even at night. The thing is that it doesn't get much warmer, either - 50º a couple of weeks ago felt like a heat wave! - so many of my fellow classmates, who are from the South, are constantly cold. (You'd think that they would get used to it by now...?)

It definitely doesn't rain all of the time, either. Edinburgh's location on a river rather than sea and on the West as opposed to East coast of Scotland actually keeps it drier than many cities in the Isles. That said, there is apparently a saying in Scotland that, "You can experience all four seasons in one day," and especially these past few days, I have found that to be true!

For instance, when I woke up to get ready for work Thursday, I saw horizontal rain outside my window (because the wind was blowing that hard.) By the time I'd gotten ready to make my then-dreaded walk, though, it was sunny outside - to the point that, as I left the house, I considered turning around and getting my sunglasses. I'm glad that I decided against it, though, as on my less-than-20-minute journey, I experienced both crippling wind and pouring rain. Luckily, I was getting inside just as the drizzle was turning to heavy rain - and when I looked out the window a few hours later, it was literally HAILING! I then hustled to the bus stop to go to class in fair weather, but when I got to class, there was a whole new palette of weather patterns on the plate: not only rain but snow, sleet, and sunshine. Phew.

In conclusion, Edinburgh weather is generally pretty calm and steady - but when it rains, it pours. HAHA - that is to say, when it gets crazy, it gets CRAZY! Anyway, I have learned whilst living here that there is no such thing as "bad weather" - only poor clothing choices or ill-preparedness!

MYTH: BUSTED

Cool Breeze and Autumn Leaves

I think that fall has arrived in Suzhou - but I don’t want to speak too soon. The temperatures have cooled down this week to highs in the low 70s. (It feels cold, alright?!) Days are often breezy. Students have broken out jackets. However, beyond this, fall in China is...anticlimactic.

It doesn’t smell the same as back home. The leaves are not changing. There are no apples, pumpkins, or bonfires - or at least, no more than usual. There are no Halloween decorations, no leaves to rake, no back-to-school clothes. I miss these things! This week is Homecoming/Spirit Week at both my high school and college back in the States, and those both carry happy memories for me. There is no such celebration that I know of here at SuDa.

As much as I don’t look forward to autumn each year (because I know that it means that winter is coming, and I do not particularly care for winter’s cold, barren, dry months), I find myself really missing home during this time when the only reaction that I see to the change in weather here is people wearing more clothes.

Oh, I believe in Yesterday

I was having a lot of...feelings...yesterday, but am just now getting around to posting them.

Yesterday was a strange kind of day; it left me wanting to do everything and nothing all at once, to be surrounded by people yet alone. I think that it had something to do with the weather.

It was absolutely perfect outside: sunny, about 70 degrees, low humidity...blue skies, white clouds, green grass, blossoming flowers, tall trees - you know the deal. I mean, it’s Furman. I had initially been apprehensive about the day’s weather - not that I had had anything planned, but the day before had been very out-of-character for May in Greenville: chilly, overcast, and windy.

Anyway, it was nice. After class, I ate lunch with Melissa - outside, at my suggestion, and then went to visit the other Melissa. She had to go to class, so I came back to my room. I then took some packages to mail after stopping by the library; after that, I trekked to North Village to retrieve my purchased bike.

The entire bike escapade was just awkward: at first, I couldn’t find it, and then, I was barely tall enough to get on the seat. In addition, I was wearing a skirt and a tote bag. When I finally got going, though, and had a few odd seconds to enjoy the ride, is when that above-mentioned feeling came over me.

I was by myself, but I wasn’t lonely. That in itself wasn’t odd, because I’ve felt that way before. However, I all at once wanted to do so much yet just be. I ended up doing a mix of things: talking to the maintenance guy, taking a receipt to Andrew and sitting in his office for a bit, taking a nap, watching the news, etc.

It wasn’t a strange day, really. Sure, a little less happened than what I would usually have on my plate, but that’s not out of the ordinary for this term, from what I’ve seen thus far. I just can’t forget that feeling.