Wow, this year has been busy even without the studies! Near the start of the year we had a girl's night out at a restaurant called Salsa which actually had decent Mexican food! It was a great time to catch up after the summer holidays. I also made it to my first Ceilidh (kind of like a square dance in the US) and had a blast! They teach you the steps before each dance so even beginners can have fun. No need to go with a partner as many of the dances are for 4 or 6 people. Lots of good foot stomping celtic music and dizzy spinning - can't wait for the next ceilidh!

Thanksgiving was a quiet affair this year as my flatmate's and I had three people over to our house for a nice dinner and movie. So much food!

Concerts this year started with Delirious, a contemporary Christian group from the UK, but very popular in the States as well (samples). I had wanted to see them while I was over here so when I heard they were coming to Glasgow I talked my flatmates into going with me. There was a bit of excitement when the fire alarm went off and we all had to file out and wait in the cold for half and hour, but as it was standing only in the theatre we managed to get even better spots when we went back in so all was well.

I've also attended several Celtic Connections concerts this year. First was Session A9, an awesome group from the highland with fiddles, piano, accordion, drums, and guitar (samples). Great music! Their warm up group was the Duhks (pronounced ducks), a fold/country group from Winnipeg, Canada (music samples). They were enjoyable as well, but definitely not as good. I guess the Duhks have a Grammy nomination this year and a music video on CMT. The second Celtic Connections concert was Showcase Scotland and had quite a few different groups, each performing one piece.

Finally, I managed to see a Highland Games in Scotland. I've always enjoyed the Highland Games back home and wanted despiratly to see one here. Such fun watching the athletic events where the contestants really had the right to wear kilts.