Random Musings

So I decided to make this blog post about some random things that have caught my interest and wouldn't fit into one of the "here's a post about my trip to blah-blah-blah".

First up: My name!!!
I guess it never really occurred to me, but Whitney is a thoroughly American name. No one here, or anywhere other than America I am assuming, has the name. I have some thoughts as to where the name Whitney gained popularity... more times than I can count, I've been endearingly called "Whitney Houston". In fact, when I received a package in the mail, the smart-ass mail man said, "Package for Whitney Houston". As much as I love to think that these people are simply referring to my wonderful singing prowess, I don't think my vocal talent is quite up to par with that other (slightly more famous) Whitney... This led me to search out the history of my name. I've learned that Whitney was/is a surname that came from a place-name meaning "White Island" in Olde English. It's use as a female first name was popularized first by actress Whitney Blake (1925-2002), and then boosted even further by none other than (you've guessed it!) Whitney Houston (1963-hopefully forever). (source: http://www.behindthename.com/name/whitney)

Second: the list
I know, ambiguous title. After a month or so living at Glasgow, I started a list. This list has been posted on my bulletin board, and I don't think it will ever be complete. The title of the list reads simply: "Words people say wrong", and then there's a nice little arrow to clarify that these people are "Scottish/British". (Heaven forbid I refer to a Scotsman as British). There are odd pronunciations (aluminum, tomato, etc), to words that the other simply don't use (hen, chum, lad, squint, etc), to words that take on different meanings (pants, chips, fanny pack, etc), to words that mean the same thing but not used in the US (pavement=sidewalk, crossroads=intersection, porridge=oatmeal etc).

Third: Differences between Glasgow Uni and OU
There is quite a bit of difference between the way classes operate here, and the way they do at home. First, each class has quite a few different lecturers. Each lecturer will cover a different topic. For example, in psychology we have one lecturer for memory, another for language, yet another for the experimentation techniques, etc. Second, there appears a lot less of a reason to show up to classes. There aren't pop quizzes, no clicker questions, and no blanks on slides that need to be filled in. This makes it incredibly easy for me to convince myself that it's okay to skip class (sorry again mother). Third, the structure of most classes involves assignments (typically including an essay) that will make up about 25% of your grade, and then a final exam (both MCQ and free response essays) that will make up 75% (or at least half). This is an incredible amount of pressure to do well on that final exam! And an incredible lack of pressure to actually study throughout the semester! I can imagine that it will be much harder for me to learn all of the information because I will not have studied any of it until that final exam... Ack!!! And finally, there seems to be more of an emphasis on learning and studying by one's self, aka much less hand holding. All-in-all I can't say I prefer one system to the other... they're just different.

Fourth: Day-to-day differences

• the sun has been rising at around 8 am and setting around 4 pm. As I write this (4:04 pm), the sun is below the horizon
• fewer people own cars, have drivers licences. Perhaps because petrol (another to add to the list!) is so expensive
• which leads to this point: public transportation is SO much better! Buses go, literally, everywhere. There is a metro. Also, more people walk places.
• everything comes in generally smaller sizes/portions. From things at the grocery stores (deli meat, loafs of bread, sodas) to food when out to eat. I kinda like this. 
• people's sense of style is much.... better. I don't know if I notice this because I go to University in Oklahoma or what. But even older people just seem to have more of a fashion sense... Makes me feel left out! ;) And Americans who are my parent's age and older are SO easy to pick out of a crowd.
• Nobody wears backpacks. See above. Also note: this causes me to stand out.

This is all I can think of, off the top of my head. I'm sure there's plenty more.


Adios for now! I must say I will miss family this Thursday (Thanksgiving!!!) and Pumpkin Pie.

Still haven't forgotten about my promised "here's a post about my trip to blah-blah-blah" posts, with Aberdeen and Skye needing to be covered.

Love (quintessentially-American-in-name-only),
Whitney