My Daily Jaunt

As I have mentioned in previous posts, if there is anything particular you want to know just let me know via comment and I will do my best to oblige. My father requested pictures of the campus. Today while going to the sports fair and getting my classes finalized I carried my camera and took pictures. This included pictures of my flat, my room, the park I walk through to get to campus (Seaton Park), the campus itself, and the fair. There are a variety. I have not edited or deleted any yet. Have fun with them. Also, the University is located in what is called Old Aberdeen. This is why you might notice a lot of old buildings and cobblestone walkways. This is not quite as common in the rest of Aberdeen. Oh by the way, today was a great day to take pictures. It is actually sunny and probably like 60 degrees out. I was told the last two days were some of the wettest in the last year and today is one of the warmer September days in a while. It is like playing a game of chess you can not win. Always have jacket, t-shirt, and umbrella with you at all times. The link to the pictures is http://www.flickr.com/photos/12609321@N03/sets/72157602083704499/

Social Norms?

Okay, when ever you go abroad I am sure there are those little things that just strike you as different than in your home country. These last two weeks there have been a few. First let me tell you that the people of the UK are small and look really young. I am not kidding. I had a conversation with a kid from Finland today. He is 20 and looks my age, minus the facial hair. However, he totally agreed with me. I have an 18 year old from Scotland in my flat who looks like he is a freshman in high school, not college. Part of it has to do with the fact they start College a year earlier than in the US. That is, all of the freshmen are 17 or 18, instead of 18 or 19.
The second obvious difference is the way they walk and drive on the streets. First, everything is switched. I mean if it should be on the right, it is on the left. I even stood in a line today that was divided alphabetically with Z on the left and A on the right. In addition they like to keep to themselves when they walk. No one makes eye contact or smiles as they pass you. I guess they will just have to get use to me.
Registering for classes here is a nightmare. Everyone registers within a two day period. They have over hundred professors doing it all at once in three rooms. They go through 400 kids an hour. It is pure mayhem. Despite the craziness, I think I am now registered for classes. Let’s just say it has not been the highlight of the trip.
Finally, Wabash has nothing on Aberdeen when it comes to parties and drunkenness. In fact no American school can top Aberdeen (sorry IU). The two major sponsors for all of freshers' week (that is what they call it) are the university student union and liquid. Liquid is the major night club and drunk bar. Upon arrival the first thing every student gets is wrist bands that give them discount alcohol all over the city for a week. You have to understand the drinking age here is 18, but wow. The Dean even suggested in an assembly that lectures are optional if you are drinking; just make sure you attend all tutorials.
Well, that is all the abnormalities I can think of at the present time. I am sure some more will cross my path and I will be sure to give you the update. I start class on Monday and anything could happen at that point. The picture is in the words of one of my friends "Rob Giving the state of the castle address." Maybe one day I will redesign the white house to look like a castle.