"What I've learned this year" by Garrick

Hey, everyone, it's Garrick. I don't write much on this blog because Andrea is so good at it and because I'm always tempted to write about scribal habits reflected in the reuse of scriptural texts in Second Temple Judaism and early Christianity. This topic would make for a rather sexy blog post, but not really sexy in a sexy sort of way. Therefore, I leave the chronicling of our fairly mundane existence to Andrea. But, because it's the first sunny weekend here in forever and she has better things to do, Andrea has asked my to reflect on my first year in St Andrews. I don't have anything too inspirational or important to say, but this experience has taught me much. Academically and personally I have grown a great deal. So I will share with you some things I have learned:

• I've learned that giving it my best go is important. For the past 12 months I consigned myself to my desk for a 8 hours per day and 5-6 days per week. I've earned decent marks, began learning three languages, and completed a 16,000 word dissertation. I've been able to do these things not because I'm a gifted student (I am not) or have a photographic memory (I do not) but because I sat in desk and went for it even at the risk of giving it my best go and still failing. I was certainly an athletic disappointment in high school, but one thing I learned from my cross-country and baseball coaches was that the fear of failure can be debilitating.
• I like the slow pace of life in Scotland. Meals run longer, parties wander into the wee hours, and few people are rushed. 
• I like haggis and blood pudding. 
• Few Scot's appreciate good coffee.
• Most Scot's appreciate good whiskey.
• Baseball is truly an American phenomenon.
• I'm happy to be able to enjoy this experience with Andrea. Without her love, honesty, and financial income this would be an empty and literally impossible endeavour.

Thanks very much for reading our blog over the last year and you can look forward to more since we'll be abroad for four more years. Also, a few brave and apparently bored people have asked to flip through a copy of my thesis. If you want some free bedtime reading, leave your email and I'll send you a copy. Signed copies are 50 pounds.