Wee Robby Burns

Today is Burns night, the 2nd most popular night in Scotland, right behind Hogmaanay (New Year's) (ironically, still bigger than Christmas here) (because Scots liked to celebrate the new year as a new beginning in respect to Jesus' coming, and not on top of a pagan holiday). It's the night that Scots get together, eat haggis (surprisingly tasty if you don't think of what's in it), neeps and tatties (mashed turnips and mashed potatoes) and perhaps with a ceilidh and wearing of kilts. It's quite wonderful. Robby Burns is amazing, although you may actually need a translator for a lot of his Scottish slang. But in the end, it's well worth it. Well.

Today I went into this sweet antiquarian bookstore in Inverness called Leaky's. It's absolutely my favourite place. Inside I found an old book full of Burns' poems, a rich treasure trove of sentimentalism at its best. One interesting thing I discovered was that a lot of his poems were put to the tunes of old Scottish tunes so they'd actually be sung. How cool is that?!

Beyond all others, this is still my favourite. Yes, the first one I was introduced to, but still my favourite.

O MY LUVE'S LIKE A RED, RED ROSE

, MY Luve's like a red, red rose,

That's newly sprung in June.

O, my Luve's like the melodie,

That's sweetly play'd in tune.




As fair art thou, my bonie lass,

So deep in luve am I,

And I will luve thee still, my dear,

Till a' the seas gang dry.




Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,

And the rocks melt wi' the sun!

And I will luve thee still, my dear,

While the sands o' life shall run.




And fare thee weel, my only luve,

And fare thee weel a while!

And I will come again, my luve,

Tho' it were ten thousand mile!

Truly wonderful, isn't it? Yes. Yes, indeed. And exactly what every girl should hold out for. Well, at least this one will...

The 08

So, right now I'm in Cambridge having spent 8 lovely and restoring days with my dear momma. It's amazing how one can become so homesick for a person and a feeling. Nothing quite compares to being able to bare your soul with tears and have warm arms embrace you. It's comfort like I haven't known in 6 months.

I'm sitting here like a scared little girl. At the beginning of each year I generally have a feeling about what's to come. 2007 was so amazing I didn't get a chance to step back and prepare for the future. I arrived in Cambridge not really knowing what day it was and became shocked when Becca mentioned New Year's Eve plans. I was jolted awake, I suppose. 2006 was not a fun year save my first venture outside of the U.S. and the odd independence granted me through house sitting every now and again. I looked forward to 2007 so much. When the clock struck midnight amongst our little group fleeing the sulfuric smells of a natural hot water pool in Aspen, I felt different already. I was amongst friends and a general excitement filled the air. I couldn't wait for the next. Last night I was shocked that the year was over. It was full of so many firsts: graduation, England, Scotland, Germany, Switzerland, new friends, learning to make true cups of tea, eating haggis and black pudding, fish and chips, new worlds explored, cultural immersion, everything. I spent the last hours lamenting the end of such a good year and wandering what could be in store for the next. I spent the last few minutes praising God for who He is, for his many blessing, and praying fervently for the Holy Spirit to descend on this spiritual dead and dry land. In Cambridge. With Becca and Tom Green, two people I least expected but love dearly. But still, I find myself unenthusiastic. Maybe it's because of the decisions that will have to be made soon. Maybe it's because I'm so emotionally stretched I can't think of anything. Maybe it's because I'm being superstitious and loony. But whatever it is, I'm giving it to God. Being independent is a hard step. And I'm truly realizing what it means.