I have acquired a new motto for life “doing what I have to do, so I can do what I want to do.” You might say well you said previously that it’s not up to you, and it’s not, but understand that when I say this I mean that in order to be successful I need an education and diverse experiences. I have dreams and aspirations and while I didn’t want to move thousands of miles away from my family, moving to Scotland was out of my control because there is a calling on my life.
I deiced to leave my job September 3, 2010 and move home to two weeks to spend time with my family before the big move to Scotland September 20, 2010. I have 9 nieces and nephews and all I could think about was how to tell them Uncle is moving to Scotland. I can’t call you and see how you are performing in school. I can’t attend basketball, football, or cheerleading events. I won’t be home for any birthdays or Sunday dinners. How am I going to deal with not talking to my brother and sister trying to keep them in line? I find it funny I am the baby of the family but the one who they call when they need advice. How can I go from talking to my mom and dad regularly to not talking to them but maybe once a week (because they are not that technologically advanced)? There answer was simply trust God!
It’s true that when God has his hand on your life, the devil is there to test you, but I know that the devil asked God to let him try me. The devil went to God just like he did when he wanted to tempt Job. God removed to hedge because He knew I would be faithful. My VISA to leave the country didn’t come until 4 hours before I was supposed to leave the country. My grandmother was placed in the hospital and my father couldn’t travel to Europe with me. I had to leave certain items behind because my bags were too heavy at the airport. The phone company didn’t want to program my phone for international service. There was trouble everywhere I looked. I knew that it was nothing but the devil.
I left Little Rock Arkansas September 20th, 2010 at 1:50pm headed to Chicago. Once I arrived in Chicago I arrived at the terminal for London. The attendant came over the loud speaker and said “we will be delayed due to mechanical concerns with the plan”. That devil was busy again! Once the plan finally departed for London it was a very smooth flight. I arrived in London (the largest airport I have ever been in) and the security/immigration check points were long. I hadn’t made it through security and they were closing the boarding for my plane. Once I made it through security I made a mad dash to the terminal. I’m glad I lost that weight. I wasn’t tried after running to the terminal. I finally arrived in Scotland Tuesday Morning September 21st, 2010 despite all the road blocks the devil tried to put in my way. I was safe, but very tired.
Once I arrived at baggage claim I asked an airport attendant what was the cheapest way to get to campus. It was by bus, but with my 2 oversized bags it was better to take a taxi that didn’t take US currency. As I approached the American Express counter to exchange US currency for the British Pound, the exchange rate and the commission fee was ridiculous (supply and demand at its finest). I walked the long stretch to the taxi and this nice gentleman loaded my belongings in the car. While we were riding he asked me where I was from and I responded the USA, Arkansas to be exact, and he said “Bill Clinton Country.” Once we arrived on campus the taxi driver walked with me inside to get my dorm keys and then took me to my dorm which was about 5 blocks from the main building. Let me add that he didn’t charge me for waiting and helping me. He only charged me the fair from the airport to the school. I shouldn’t have to tell you to shout; by this point I hope you are seeing the favor!
Once I arrived in my room I looked around and tried to wrap my head around the fact that I was thousands of miles away from home. I decided to walk around campus for a while and grab lunch from the Microbyte, which is a café on campus. I didn’t want to go to sleep just yet, because I didn’t want to jetlag to truly set in. After lunch I went back to the room to unpack when I then realized how much stuff I truly left at home. I had the essentials, but there were a few things I didn’t bring. After I unpacked I realized my batteries on all of my electronic devices were low and I needed to charge them, but in case you didn’t know the sockets are not the same as they are in the US. The voltage is much higher in the United Kingdom. I walked down to the student shop to buy an adaptor and when I returned back to my room I blew a circuit in my wall and shorted out my power strip all because I didn’t read the directions. Frustrated and tired I finally charged my equipment and then decided to walk over to the business school and introduced myself. I walked in and it seemed like everyone already knew me. I guess that’s because I was required to send a few million photos before I arrived. I decided after all the introductions I would find a lecture room and read a little before dinner.
After dinner I slept like a baby! I woke up the next morning and needed to register at the health center. In Scotland there is free healthcare for everyone. If you are a visiting student you also receive this benefit, but you must register when you arrive on campus. After I left the health center I went to open a bank account with the Royal Bank of Scotland and when the man saw I was from the U.S.A. He wouldn’t stop talking. He had so many questions about the culture, food, and politics to name a few. Once we completed all the paperwork I exchanged more money so I could go grocery shopping. I went to the Scottish version of Wal-Mart called ASDA. How did I get there you may ask? I rode the bus for the 3rd time in my life. It was great experience considering this is how majority of the people in Scotland travel. The bus goes everywhere and it’s relatively inexpensive to ride. It cost approximately $5 U.S. to ride the bus all day. I could only buy a few things because I had to carry it back, definitely helps your budget. You only get the necessities, which will help me with the diet.
The weather in Scotland is very predictable. It’s cold and rainy every day. Most days you have overcast skies and a high around 50. It may not rain all day but it will rain at the oddest moments even if the sun is shining bright in the sky. So don’t leave home with your umbrella or you will be walking in the rain.
Majority of the students are international and sometimes they can be very inconsiderate, but I don’t think they mean harm it’s just a different culture. I am on a hall with 3 other students. 1 guy is from Iran. He told me that he came to the UK because he wanted to see what freedom was like. He went into detail about how wants the ability to make decisions for himself and I realized at that point we have it made in the U.S., but we take it for granted.
The dorms are very safe. You have to have your key to get anywhere. Doors automatically lock behind you and there are certain places only the people on your hall can go due to the exclusive access.
Lastly, I attended bible study at the campus chapel. Every Wednesday they provide a free meal, and following the meal they have bible study. Man can’t live by bread alone. Before bible study I met the Chaplin as I told him my name and he said I remember you. I sent you an email. He has a good memory. I responded to a letter regarding the chapel which I received in my registration packet. During our conversation we discussed how he was attempting to reach the unsaved and those who doubt the work of Jesus Christ. He told me “there is a lot of work to do, and I can tell you are a believer by the way you talk”. He fist told me about the other churches in the community because of my Baptist affiliation, but He stressed that he would like for me to visit with him on Sunday during the non-denominational service. I have learned that when God is speaking it doesn’t matter what denomination or who it comes from, you can hear His voice.
This weekend I plan on going to town to see the wonderful city of Edinburgh. There have an event where all of the public offices and historical buildings are open to the public for free. I will take pictures and write about this next. I would like to apologize in advance for the length. I am not sure what this biography will turn in to but I need to capture it all and from there I will delete or make edits.
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