Life: a precious gift we are privileged to have and enjoy!

I took a huge leap of faith in coming to Glasgow, with high expectations of what my time here might look like. But, as life happens so does change. Change is guaranteed to come, often when we least expect it. We can enjoy the ride that life brings, but is there more to life than sitting on a ride and waiting for the next turn or bump? 

I appreciate where I am in life right now and I am able to enjoy it with those around me and with others who are a bit further away. My course load is manageable and I enjoy learning about the world around me, while still having the ability to see it for myself. So much of the world has already been uncovered with a spark of curiosity and patience, both of which I seem to have been gifted. 
 

The world we live in is amazing and full of wonderful surprises, but we are satisfied by the simplest of things, like smartphones or tv, that generally occupy our minds with nonsense. I believe that there is more to life than busying our minds and bodies, that we are all able to seek something greater. Our lives have so much more value than we ever could understand and we must appreciate all that we have. 

Consider your life, are you satisfied with where you are now or are you seeking something more? 

The biggest challenge I face is not knowing what I will be doing in the future. For a lot of people university is the time in life when they "find themselves" and determine what they will do upon graduation. But I am fully reassured that I am still undecided, with less than a year until I finish my degree. I know who I am and as a follower of Jesus I have complete faith that all of my challenges will be overcome in some way, but they may not be the way I think is best (it's often far better!). 

This life is very short and to spend our precious time worrying and planning is often a way to pass the time here on earth that is already so limited.
 

My challenge to you is to stop being busy and worrying, to seek God, to let go of your challenges, and engage in the ride God takes you on! 

Don't let life pass you by, it is far to short and you are worth it. 

Discovering Glasgow

The city I saw from the plane is now coming to life as I explore and discover its wonders. I still cant grasp just how big it is! (compared to small-town Chester and Halifax) 

To get around I have been walking, which can be tiring, but it allows me to navigate (and see) the city a lot better than with public transportation (I know where I am, where I'm going, and where I came from!). 

The Clyde (and Kelvin) river is a central part to the city and is a great navigational aid. I have discovered a walking path that takes me from residence to the city, close to campus, in about an hour. It is a beautiful walk with sounds of the birds chirping and the river flowing alongside. 

The end point to the walk is the Botanic Gardens where many plants, trees, and flowers are kept and displayed from around the world. 

If you are looking for people the best place to go is the city center where the shops are! Whether its for food, clothes, gadgets, or just about anything else the streets always seem to be crowed with people shopping. 

Other common spaces are the museums, mostly along the Clyde. My first stop was the Tall Ship, Glenlee. A ship with a lot of history (survived 4 circumnavigations, many rough seas, wear-and-tear as a training vessel, and finally abandonment) has finally come to rest alongside the Riverside Museum of transport. 

With all of the sights in and around the city there are still lots of places to be discovered!  

Day Trip to the Highlands

With a half eaten breakfast, too many layers on, and a new friend I was off to the North of Scotland. Traveling through the highlands, around the lochs (lakes), and into small towns we occupied our time with many glorious sites. 

Loch Lomond

A beautiful lake situated among the highlands is a site viewed best through rain drops. My layers paid off here! 

Oban 

The "little bay" is a quaint town, reminded me a bit of Chester, and is the only way through to the islands. The fishing and tourist town contains many shops and restaurants as well as McCaig's Tower and remains of Donnulie Castle. The tower is the only completed section of the envisioned museum/memorial by John Stuart McCaig. This hilltop tower is best used now as a viewing point of the town and bay. 

The views from the castle, or what remains of it, was much the same. The castle was home to the MacDougal clan until the battle with Robert the Bruce. On the way from the castle ruins is the Dogstone (a conglomerate sea-stack! formed by volcanic activity), a mythical explanation for the grove at the base of the stone. 

Isle of Seil 

The Atlantic Bridge was our way to the island after a short drive from Oban. This bridge is very picturesque, situated over the Atlantic ocean and surrounded by highlands of the mainland and the island. A quick photo stop was in order to make our travels. 

It was on Isle of Seil that I was able to go in the Atlantic Ocean (hand only...too cold and stormy for a swim) on this side of the world. I also collected a few free souvenirs that are spectacular and show the complex geology of Scotland: metamorphosed sedimentary rocks containing pyrite crystals. (I also ended up getting soaked in a hail storm while on the beach).

Wow! This trip was amazing, so much to see, do and feel. We (members of the international student society) enjoyed many natural and historical sites that are renowned and/or significant in some way.