Week 31- Scotland

Monday, 28 December, 2009 1:18PM Aberfeldy, Scotland

Hey everyone. Can't believe tour is over, and I'm in Scotland. The last few days with the kids were excellent. We had our second birthday party. I was in charge of the scavenger hunt, they loved it. We had lots of junk food, games and dancing. The children also performed their Christmas plays, each team had a different part of the Christmas story, they were very well done.

Our choir Christmas day was the 21st. We already had presents wrapped under our tree, the kids went to breakfast and we set up stockings on the stairs by their rooms. They came back upstairs and were shocked. They all got a new watch, CD player (they were donated by the Dublin Zoo) socks, trucks, pencils, bookmarks, toys, and some chocolate. We left the big gift for the 22nd. The suitcases FULL of new clothes and things to bring back to the school. They were all so so excited to try on their clothes and shoes. It's so hard to describe how it makes you feel to be able to give the children things you know they need, and to see how appreciative they are. I am so proud of everything they have learned. They worked really hard, and rarely complained. The night of the 22nd I had made a DVD for the kids with videos and photos of them from tour, we all really enjoyed it.

Going to bed for them that night wasn't easy, especially for the girls. They were a mess, more than half were crying and just not ready to leave us. It was very hard to see them in that state. I have decided to sponsor Nompie. I got closest with her on tour, and just couldn't not. So I let her know that evening as she sat next to me telling me she wanted me to sleep next to her and wasn't going to sleep if I didn't. How hard is that to hear from a girl you love so much? So I told her I would write her letters and will try to come and see everyone in South Africa as soon as I can.

Anyway, they eventually all got to sleep, and we stayed up late trying to pack everything up. All the extra things donated to the choir got put in any space we could find, it was all so heavy, but we didn't want to have to pay to send it later on because it was free with the flight.

On the morning of the 23rd we spent out last few hours together with the kids, just quality "choir family" time. Then we packed up the coach and headed off. We arrived quite early at the airport, so we spent almost 2 hours waiting, we played games with the kids, sang songs, laughed, and just enjoyed each other. I took a few last minute photos and videos. Just as the children were heading to security the water works started for the children. It was not easy. I knew I had to hold it together because it only makes it harder for them if you are a mess. So I held it in, didn't think I would but I did. We gave them each a hug, told them we loved them very much and we wanted to come and visit them again at home. They left quite sad, and so did we. It hit me as they went out of sight, but I mostly held it in. Probably one of the hardest things to do. I almost couldn't breathe. A lot of it was just the memory of their sad face as we said goodbye. It was like they didn't understand why we weren't all going with them, they just felt as if we were abandoning them. So many of them had said they wanted to stay or us to come with them. Johan had told me to pack him in my suitcase and take him with me to Canada, although he admitted he was very excited to be seeing his family again. Amazing told me to cut off his leg so I could keep it to remember him. Kids say the darnest things. I assured him I would never ever forget him and I had lots and lots of photos to remember him.

Gosh I even miss them typing this up. I will admit that it is nice to just relax and not have to always be watching them or checking to see if they are ok. But it's so nice at the same time to know that you are responsible for them.

Jenny and I had a flight to Edinburgh at 5:45PM, the kids left at 2PM or so. We ate lunch with the other chaperones, said our goodbyes, which also weren't easy. We really became a team and family, I will miss everyone so much.

Earlier in the day we heard the Edinburgh airport had been shut down due to a heavy snow fall. We were really surprised, especially after hearing from so many people that it doesn't really snow there.

Our flight didn't get cancelled :) We sat next to a guy from Vancouver on the flight, he overheard us talking and had lots of questions about who we were and about the choir. So we educated him a bit.

Elizabeth picked us up at the airport with her cousin and his 4X4. She was a bit nervous we might get stuck with her car. So we headed to Carstairs. Everything was white and beautiful. I almost wanted to cry. I stayed in Carstairs in June, and had kept in contact with Elizabeth during the tour and her family had invited me back anytime. It was really amazing to see the difference in everything from summer to winter. She lives in a lovely little village. It was nice to have Jenny with me to be able to talk to about how I felt with end of tour things. She has toured before, so none of it was new for her. I feel so blessed to have her around, she is so helpful in so many ways.

I didn't sleep really, maybe an hour. I wasn't really upset, I was just processing everything, and thinking about tour and all the things we had done with the kids, the things we taught them, and the things we all learned. It was similar to leaving high school if that makes sense. Like closing a chapter of your life. It's not an easy thing.

We headed up to Aberfeldy (where I am now) to meet Iona and her family in the morning, so it wouldn't be dark for Elizabeth to get back. It gets dark around 4 or so here. The drive was about 3 hours, and was long, but very scenic, and reminded me of winter at home so much. Especially driving through the rocky mountains, seeing snow on all the trees, it made me miss home a lot.

I'm very happy to be in Scotland again, and extra happy that it's snowy and white. I was told I may not see snow while staying here because it usually comes in January, but knew there may be a chance in Aberfeldy and Inverness because they are much more north.

I slept fine the next night, and woke up on a mountain with a view of the white valley and nearby mountains. It's so incredible. Jenny and I both slept in, which was really nice. We got up, opened presents, and then dressed up to go out sledding (called sledging here.) We walked along the path in front of their house, past some cows, to the side of the mountain that we could slide down. Iona had her younger brother and mom visiting for Christmas so they joined us, along with her husband Colin and 2 daughters. They are 8 and 10, and really enjoyed having the choir girls stay with them. I was here in late July and Iona had me and 4 girls staying for 4 nights. It was a ton of fun having a house with 6 girls. I wrote about it then.

It was lots of fun sledding , but it's a big mountain and a good work out to climb back up. We borrowed a snow surf board that made us go really far, it was pretty crazy. Jenny even scared the sheep at the bottom she went so close to them. Can you tell I'm in the country? I am. There's nothing for miles. Normally I feel strange or unsafe in a place like this, but I feel quite calm and at peace here. I've got everything I need.

My toes were frozen after about 2 hours outside, and we all worked up quite an appetite. I'm trying to remember what else we did. We played games, watched part of a movie, and just spent time together. It was nice to be with a family during Christmas, I didn't feel uncomfortable at all. I stayed with them because when I was here before, I had felt so comfortable.

Boxing day Jenny and I went to Glasgow to meet up with Kyle for the day. He toured with us part time. So we went to a movie and out for lunch and just walked around. I have been trying to find waterproof warm boots that look nice. Not so easy to do, especially in a country that doesn't carry large sizes like mine. I found a temporary pair. I've been borrowing Colin's old rubber boots, which is why my toes were frozen. They are called Wellies here. It's a cute name I think. They are called Gum Boots in South Africa.

Yesterday we spent the morning outside building snow seats, a snow man and an igloo because it had snowed a foot overnight. It was so much fun to play in the snow again. I didn't get to do it much last year, I really missed it. We were exhausted after building the igloo, but it turned out to be quite nice. I remember building one years ago with my brothers. I missed them a lot. (still do) We spent the rest of the day relaxing and playing games with the girls. Iona's brother and mom have gone to their homes now, and Iona and Colin had a surprise birthday party to go to last night so we watched the girls for them. It reminded me of being with the kids again, I really enjoyed it. I'm going to have to do some sort of child care when I come home, I miss taking care of kids. We shall see though....

Today we slept in again and then after a 12PM breakfast headed into the town of Aberfeldy to do a bit of shopping. It's a very small place with not many shops. It's cute though. We found some nice things. We were meant to go to a Cailigh (Scottish dancing) but because of all the snow, there would have been no where to park. Also, some of Colin's family came over for dinner, so we were busy spending time with them. They were a nice family with 2 boys, they may come to Vancouver for a ski vacation, that would be cool.

Tomorrow is Jenny's last day in Scotland. Shame. I'm really sad to see her go, but she is off to London to meet up with a friend there and also get some alone time before she flies to SA to see the kids again. She will be spending a year working there, helping with administration duties and such. I'm really hoping to go there while she is still there, and she can show me around the area. So we are going to spend the day in Edinburgh tomorrow, we are both very excited. Have a few things planned. I'm hoping it's not too cold. It didn't snow today, but it was -6C so it was quite cold.

I'm leaving here on the 31st to go north to Inverness until the 4th. I will be meeting Anna and Robin, my hosts from Edinburgh, to visit with Anna's family for New Year. I'm looking forward to it, but it's going to be very cold up there, and I'm not sure I have all the clothing for it, I've got some, but it's hard to have warm clothes when you are limited to space and weight in a suitcase. I will then go back to Edinburgh and stay with them until I fly back home!

I've got about 7 hours to sleep, good night!

Thursday, 31 December, 2009 6:25PM Inverness, Scotland

So I made it. Wasn't easy, I left sunny Aberfeldy at 2 degrees, went through a snow storm and am now pretty much snowed in at -8 at Anna and Robin's parents house in Inverness. But it's lovely. I'm sad today is the last day of 2009. It's be a super crazy year for me, one I won't ever forget.

Edinburgh went well although our train got delayed because of the freezing temps and we arrived and walked into a snow storm. Very unexpected. It was -17 when we left Aberfeldy (I was frozen within minutes.) It was difficult to walk because the snow was everywhere in our faces, we got into a shop and spent a good amount of time there, and the snow had stopped. Everything turned into slush. It was like pellet snow, small tiny tiny balls, but not hail. I've never seen it before, it looked so fluffy on the ground, almost artificial. Edinburgh looks amazing covered in snow, I couldn't really get a nice photo because it was foggy and when it stopped, it melted immediately.

The last few days have been full of social gatherings, meeting friends of Colin and Iona and it's been really great. Aberfeldy has grown on me a bit. I actually really like it. I recommend it to a couple who is retiring or one who is wanting to raise children in the small countryside. Everyone knows each other here, and it's just really comfortable and everyone is really friendly, and it's incredibly safe.

I am missing Jenny a lot, but she is enjoying herself in London. I feel quite alone now. This is the longest I've been without my "choir family." It's starting to sink in a little. I'm really looking forward to being home with people I know. It's taken a lot out of me to have to talk to everyone, although I love telling people about what I've done, I just need a break, because it's all I'm going to be doing when I get home.

Anna and Robin said I can have as much alone time as I want, so that's really comforting. It's so cold here. Seriously my hands are like ice.

So I've been looking for Wellies, which are rubber boots. Everyone in Aberfeldy wears them, it's a country thing, that's become very popular now in the city. But they keep your feet dry. I didn't bring boots on tour because they are heavy and I was hoping to miss most of the snow. No such story. So I've been borrowing Colin's steel toed ones. Steel toed rubber boots. What do you think happened to my feet? Yup. They froze. Even with 3 pairs of socks (including ski socks) But at least they aren't wet. Actually it's funny. When I went into Edinburgh I didn't wear them, cuz well they aren't the most fashionable things, and my feet got soaked, but they felt warmer than cold toes in the Wellies. They have Wellie warmer socks that you wear with them, so I'll have to get those. I haven't found any in my size anywhere, so I'm hoping I will find them here. My feet are going to freeze tonight if we go out into the town centre.

Anna's parents are really nice, good first impression :) I might take a nap, I'm feeling very tired, and it's going to be a late night. I wish the kids were here, i'd love to see their faces for New Year. Maybe next year.

Friday, 1 January, 2010 10:48PM same location as previous

Happy New Year Everyone!!! Hope you all enjoyed your evening. So the big question is: Do you say "two thousand ten" or " twenty ten?" They called it nineteen before so shouldn't it be twenty now? I have a feeling we are going to get a mixture, I just wonder if people will eventually settle on one way...

I spent Hogmanay (Scottish New Year) snowed in. All the celebrations got cancelled because of the weather, it was a shame. A lot of people traveled quite far to be here. We can't get the car out even if we wanted to. It was nice, quiet and calm. I can't really complain, it could have been much worse. I might just have to come back another year. Not next though.

I'm feeling good about this year. It's going to be different for me. I have no plans for this year. It's quite scary, but also very exciting. No job, not much money, no home, (although I do have a place to stay) I'm just waiting for God to lead me where I'm supposed to go next. I have faith, and that's all I need. There are some things I'd really like to do, but I'm not sure if they will happen yet.

I've failed to tell anyone that ever since I left Ireland I've been sick with a cold. Just a stuffy drippy nose. But it hasn't gone away the whole time I've been in Scotland. I've got through a lot of tissues. It's really annoying. I thought it might go away after a few days. I think it's a combo of the cold temperatures and the food I've been eating.

My diet has been full of chocolate. It's horrible. I've eaten more chocolate in this past 6 months (possibly the past month) than I have in my whole entire life. It's the whole truth. I'm so tired of it, my body is. But, it's just there and I eat it. Also, I've discovered that I am quite sure I am allergic to caffeine. I thought I was before, and sort of stayed away from it, but I've had a huge amount lately because Colin and Iona got a fancy coffee machine for Christmas and I was trying all the different coffees and was getting massive headaches from drinking it. I normally don't drink coffee because I get headaches. It happens when I eat too much chocolate as well. So, I have come to the conclusion that I'm allergic. FYI: I'm also mildly allergic to menthol. It makes me sneeze. Strange, I know. My cousin is the same way, I'm not the only one.

We tried to get the car out today and no success. It got further than I expected, but there's about 2 feet of snow, and Robin and Anna's car is quite low to the ground. We pretty much have to shovel the whole road to turn it around to get it on the tracks to get on the main road. It'll be interesting that's for sure.

Tomorrow if we don't get it out (which it doesn't look like we will) we are just going to take the bus into the city centre. We went for a walk today, and my boots just soaked up with water, I am hoping they will be dry in the morning, they are by the fire now.

I slept in until 11:15 this morning. It's the longest I've slept in in the last 6 months. Felt nice, but I feel so tired, and have to stay up to talk to a friend.