But yes, actually starting to get really excited for Christmas this year - and its only the start of December! I think there's something about the fact that its winter so it feels more Christmassy... Which I know is a little ridiculous as I have never experienced a winter christmas in my life! I blame the Christmas carols and retailers (snowmen, snowflakes, reindeer etc..). The only downside is that I won't be with most of my family for Christmas, but Grace is coming over and we'll be staying at the lovely Jo's place for Christmas and then heading to Dub and Dee's place for Boxing Day so it promises to be fun nonetheless!
Quick summary of events since my last blog, before I go on to more Christmas stuff! From where I left off I have since made it through the terrible week of assessments, which I ended on a good note with a trip to St Andrews with the history society (picture below - see Facebook for more photos).
I finally made it to St Andrews, and it was as lovely as everyone has said :) We went to the castle and cathedral (both ruins) before going to a pub quiz with the St Andrews uni history society. Have to say the best part of the castle was the old mine and countermine - where people outside the walls tried to tunnel in, and the people inside the walls built their own tunnel to meet up with the one from the outside. It was a little creepy cos it was very small and obviously dark, but definitely the most adventurous part of the trip :P Got lucky with the weather - although it was freezing the whole time, at least for the start of the trip there was a nice bit of sun. Enough for me to optimistically wear my sunnies for maybe an hour anyway! Am planning on going back there for a bit more of a look around probably tomorrow with Jo - despite the fact that I should be studying, I have a whole week between exams which also happens to be my last week in Dundee, so I'm not inclined to waste the entire time studying! Had my first exam yesterday, so it's one down one to go now.
But back to what I've done, the other exciting thing I've done, which incidentally ties in with my Christmas theme, was the Christmas dinner on Saturday night put on by Beth and Maria in their flat downstairs. Although I had to leave kinda early to study for my exam, it was an awesome party. I was so impressed with all the effort that went into it! There were lots of decorations - a wall of paper snowflakes for starters, and Christmas stockings pinned to the notice board, a big snowman to take pictures with, a little Christmas tree with presents, a piece of mistletoe hanging in the corner, Christmas crackers and even reindeer poo in the hallway! We also had a visit from Santa, who had all the presents everyone brought in a big sack, and everyone had to go sit on his knee to receive one :P
I also got to try two new delicious desserts that I will definitely have to remember in future. Namely peppermint bark and oreo truffles. Thank you Morgan for introducing me to those! Also thanks to the party I am now the proud owner of a 46p santa hat from Tesco! Altogether it was a great party, with great company, great atmosphere, and great food. Definitely put me in the right mood to be getting super excited about Christmas!
Which leads me to my future Christmas plans. Firstly, and what will be the official beginning of my Christmas markets tour, is the last Stammtisch at the Edinburgh German Christmas market this Friday. While it will be bittersweet, cos I have loved going to Stammtisch this semester and getting to know a great group of people and this will be the last time I get to hang out with them, it'll still be lots of fun :) I shall also finish my Scottish souvenir shopping while in Edinburgh - mainly the tartan kilted skirt I am still determined to get!
Next week I will bid a fond farewell to Dundee, ending with a Christmas dinner at Jenna's house which will be my first real 'traditional' Christmas dinner. Looking forward to that! Then I'll be off to get the sleeper train to London with Jo (which will be an adventure in itself - sleepover on a train! There will definitely be pictures!), where I'll stay with Dub and Dee until I fly to Germany on the 17th to meet Grace in Frankfurt. Then we have a cute little apartment in Mainz for 4 nights and the Christmas market tour will really take place! We have 3 full days in which I plan to attempt to go to the Christmas markets in Wiesbaden, Mainz, Ruedesheim, and Frankfurt. Am also on a mission to find a cinema that will be showing The Hobbit in original version (i.e. English!). And of course the highlight of the trip will be seeing Jasmina!! :) Can't wait to explore a Christmas market or two together.
All of this ending of course with Christmas in London - first at Jo's, then heading to Dub and Dee's for Boxing Day :) Can't wait! Basically, I am blessed to have a lot to look forward to this month, and it promises to be awesome! Having so many other plans this month is also making me forget the sad fact that I'm leaving Dundee in a week's time - I don't know where the semester has gone?! But even though its been short it has been awesome, and I have met lots of lovely people while here. But more on that later - I'm sure in my procrastination I will write another blog entry soon :)
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