Two Weeks and a Vow to make this a more regular thing.

The funny thing is that I have been writing every day--journaling when I wake up, writing down thoughts at the cafe or in class--whatever, and have so failed to keep this blog something I regularly update.

SO! Here's what you've missed if you're just tuning in, or have not been around to hear my excitement through all of the many posts I've made (just kidding).

So classes began On June 30, a day after everyone was to arrive at Cambridge. I am taking a Creative Writing course by a very qualified, Ms. Emma Sweeney, who has written a few books herself and has great things to add to our lectures and discussions. I am also currently taking a Natural Philosophy course taught by Dr. Richard Jennings, a professor whose brilliance can only be matched by one other man I know, Dr. Joseph P. Byrne. The first bit of the class is actually somewhat of a review for me because we talked in depth about many of the subjects in Dr. Byrne's class, but as the class progresses, we will be getting into the newer stuff in much depth. It's great. In the first week, we've already gone on three field trips to places all around Cambridge, visiting museums, galleries and taking the grand tour, seeing places such as Charles Darwin's old residence and Issac Newton's old office. It's amazing to know that you're in a place where some of History's greatest minds made their mark on society.

So after classes on that Monday, everyone got ready and we had a formal dinner in King's college--a full three course meal with free wine that could rival any high class steakhouse. I thought the food was fantastic. We learned a bit about the history of King's college and got to walk on the grass, something only allowed for Fellows of the college.

Class was pretty standard on Tuesday and Wednesday, but unfortunately, I was really starting to feel the jet lag, and had to work quite hard to keep awake in class.

Thursday (July 3), most of the students and myself got on a bus for Edinburgh, Scotland and took a long vacation for celebrating U.S. Independence. Scotland was absolutely beautiful. It was incredible seeing the land where my ancestors fought for freedom from England, as well as getting to see some of the most incredible views I've seen in a while.

Day one was hiking the Trossachs, the miniature highlands. My shoes got so muddy and wet that I was sure they wouldn't ever recover, but the hike was good and the pictures were better (see above). And yes, I did manage to get my shoes looking good again, but it took them three days to completely dry... And then we went on a scotch whiskey tasting experience, and I wasn't so bothered by the soggy shoes anymore.

Day two in Scotland was the Magnificent Mile. I got the chance to see the place where J.K. Rowling came up with the ideas for Harry Potter (left), scribbling them on a napkin, and also got to play in a pub quiz, where the Scottish announcer could barely be understood. Scottish beer is incredible!

And that was Scotland in a very brief, two minute blurb.

Coming up next.... Week Two and London.... Stay Tuned!