Scotland: A Climate Change

Something I really appreciate about New England in autumn is the temperature change. During the day, you have these crisp, but sunny and warm-ish hours, which slowly fade into brisk, windy nights. You start to be able to see your breath when you walk outside. You grab hot cider and wrap a scarf around your neck. And I love it so much. And when I went abroad, I was honestly really upset that i'd miss that time.

Now Scotland did have a bit of fall. I walked up the path to my flat one day and looked at the trees on either side of the concrete: they were fantastic colors and blazing like flames in the afternoon sun. Then we were hit with several rainstorms day-after-day, and those leaves all fell. And it got cold. Fast.

Scotland has a tremendous change in temperature when it comes to fall into winter. And I never appreciated that for what it was. Think about all the things in your life that you've seen go from hot and blazing to cold and smoking. Like when you dump pool-water on a bonfire. All at once, the light goes out. You can't see so clearly anymore. the Shadows disappear. The darkness moves in.

You have to learn to accept that moment when your senses must adjust. It may hurt, and it may be scary. Light makes things clear, makes it easier. but the darkness doesn't have to be scary.The fall turning into winter doesn't have to be so cold. If you're bundled up enough, you can get through it.

I'm learning to bundle myself better in Scotland. You have to. No point in wishing the leaves would go back to the tops of the trees. You have to learn to appreciate being able to see your breath again. You have to kick up the crunching leaves, and zip up the jacket a little tighter.
Be okay with being alone. Be okay with knowing how to move forward. Be okay with being alone with your thoughts.

Here's the breakdown:
-Scottish folks really know how to put on a party
-A fancy dinner means you wear a suit.
-You have to be okay with asking your flatmate to borrow his suit
-A bowtie can make you look so much more formal. Plus, it's classy.
-You can't run away from your past. Even if there's an ocean between you.
-I have learned to greatly appreciate a routine. There is so much comfort in the habitual.
-60 years. Wow.
-Thank god the Cecilian Society exists.

Until later,