Let’s Welcome the…Dinosaurs?

Dearest Readers,

One of the things I love about Glasgow is that there’s always something new happening. A restaurant closes to be quickly replaced by another one. A patch of grass is set up on an open concrete space, and people are invited to hang out there. Sometimes there is, seemingly randomly, a DJ or musicians performing with speakers and a stage because of some festival I didn’t know what happening.

Last week, however, was the best sudden happening yet.

DINOSAURS!

I walk through the Botanics almost every day. Imagine my surprise when one slightly-cloudy morning, there was a large truck and a forklift unloading dinosaurs right outside one of the gates. And some dinosaurs just inside the gates.

I quickly saw the posters announcing Jurassic Kingdom, a family-friendly dinosaur attraction, beginning August 26 and ending September 10. It will be set up in the Botanics, or at least parts of the Botanics, and I have the pleasure of walking passed the ever-moving dinosaurs and dinosaur parts until it opens, and I’ll probably have to walk around.

And yes, I did say dinosaur parts.

There’s a tail and a head on the left there.

I’m really looking forward to seeing all the dinosaurs fully-assembled and in-action once Jurassic Kingdom opens. Visiting such majesty will be a nice break from working on the final days of my dissertation.

Until then, I will play spot-the-difference on my way to and from the library.

Your Bonnie Celtophile,

Dani

The Next Phase of Life

Dearest Readers,

My masters program is coming to an end, with my dissertation being due August 31 and my housing contract ending on September 7. That means the next phase of my life is rapidly approaching, and it’s about time I know what exactly that will be.

And I do!

Last week, I accepted an offer from the University of Glasgow to enter the Celtic and Gaelic PhD program, which means another 3-4 years of studying in this amazing city/country and having more time to get to the know the lovely people I’ve met here.

Is this terrifying? Sure. It’s a big commitment. It’ll be a lot of work. It will be overwhelmingly stressful at times. I’ll be spending a lot of time looking at manuscripts and struggling with Gaelic and comparing texts.

But it’s also exciting. It’s a big commitment that I’ve worked to be able to do. It’ll be a lot of work, but I’m looking forward to starting it. It will be super fun at times. And I’ll be spending a lot of times looking at manuscripts and and getting better at Gaelic and comparing texts.

Staying here allows me to continue dancing, continue exploring, and learn more of what it means to be a Scot.

Your Bonnie Celtophile,

Dani

Kelvingrove Park in the Summertime

Dearest Readers,

There’s something wonderful about Kelvingrove Park in the summertime. First, there’s all the animals and flowers that just aren’t around during the winter. It makes the park absolutely beautiful.

However, the wonderful thing I’m thinking of has to do with the Kelvingrove Bandstand. Over the summer, at least on many Fridays and I’m sure at other times, there’s live entertainment there.

And sure, you can get a ticket in order to actually see the show with all the lights and such.

The wonderful thing, though, is that you don’t need to get a ticket to enjoy the music. All you have to do is find a place in the park nearby, sit on a bench, and let the music and the cheering wash over you.

I was there on Friday night with a friend. We had a picnic, and then we sat and listened to the music and chatted until the show was over. It was a bit chilly for the summer, but it was also a very fun and relaxing time.

So, if you happen to be in Glasgow over the summer, see what’s happening in Kelvingrove. You might just be able to listen to some decent music last-minute with some takeout to fill your tummy. There are worse ways to spend a night.

Your Bonnie Celtophile,

Dani