This is My Domain

I absolutely love what I'm doing! Don't get me wrong, I am really overwhelmed, at times frustrated, because this stuff is hard. Most days I don't know what I know...and I don't know what I don't know, but everyday I know that I am 100% certain that this is where I want to be.

I have met some amazing people here, and I really feel like I'm surrounded by the best of the best. In my program there are about 45 people, from every corner of the world. There are about 15-20 American and Canadian students, a handful of Germans, Dutch and Brits, a few Chinese and Japanese, while Australia, South Africa, Mexico, Norway, Ireland are all represented as well. There are more girls than guys, maybe a 60/40 split. Some have backgrounds in the European Union, political science, or history, while others studied English literature (yay!), business, or even music.

But I love trying to absorb all the information on theories, institutions of the European Union, and European law. Just on Friday, I went to a transatlantic seminar on "Obama and Multilateralism," which was very interesting about how the President has gone about making foreign policy thus far and what his biggest challenges are going to be in the future.

By the way, the picture is taken from Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano, which overlooks the city. In the distance, right of center, you can see Edinburgh Castle, which is actually also built on a volcano. The tall buildings in the center are where I have some of my classes. (Click on the picture to make it bigger)

In my next entry, I have got to tell you about the international relations simulation that our class did at Edinburgh Castle, in a private room no less! Inevitably, the simulation turned into a war game! And guess who was representing the good ol' USA....

Our Flat Party

Here is a picture from the kitchen of our flat of all my flatmates. We got together last week and each made a dish from our countries (except for a few of us--so we bought the beer!). I almost went out and bought fried chicken from this Indian-owned, chicken sandwich place. I doubt it would have tasted like home because along with buckets of fried chicken, chicken sandwiches, and burgers, they sell Indian dishes, including Indian-spiced pizzas!

From the front right, going counter-clockwise around the table, is Sergei from Russia, me, Arthur from China, Jack from China, Yuan from China, Jairam from India, Can from China, Choi from Hong Kong, and Ho from South Korea.

It was a very fun and interesting night we had, sharing stories about each other's cultures and backgrounds!

What I've Learned Thus Far

So I've been in Edinburgh for just over a week now and I've made quite a few discoveries. Also, I'm not wandering around the University of Edinburgh as much because I finally feel like things are a little more clear than last Saturday. I've met all my flatmates now, which has been really interesting. We are all international postgraduates in this building (I think there are only one or two Brits living here). So far only 9 of 10 have moved into my flat, but here is the break down of the nationalities:

5 Chinese guys

1 Russian

1 Indian

1 Korean

1 American (me, of course)

So it is quite the interesting conversation! Some speak good English and some not so much! But the mix of cultures is really good. I've made friends with a North American crew, as well, but they live throughout the building. Each flat has about 10 people and there are about 12 flats in the complex. The only disappointing thing is I live about a 3o minute walk from my classes--and thus, a 30 minute walk from where the exciting part of town! It's okay, though. I've gotten used to the walk and there are some buses I can take too.

Now, about my course--this is going to be really hard! For the first time in my life, I was told I cannot "think outside the box." British academia is completely different from American, most especially in how essays are composed. So I've now got to learn a new style of writing! Also, my reading list is insane....

The weather has been chilly, as it has been in the low 60s during the day and in the high 40s at night. But I can't believe that it hasn't rained yet! It sprinkled a couple times, but I think the rain is going to return early next week.

Finally, I just want to mention my distaste for London Heathrow Airport. These are the most unfriendly, unhelpful people you could imagine. Not to mention you feel as if they look down upon you because you're American. I couldn't wait to get to Edinburgh to get away from the nasty, stuck-up English in London! No wonder our forefathers left!!

My Introduction

You may ask why I chose "The Endless Quester" as the title for my blog. I guess it comes from a name I was given by a professor of mine in college. I had him sign a book that he co-authored and in his note referred to me as a "quester." I never thought of myself as this, but it was evident to him that I was on some sort of adventure. Since then, it has become clear to me that I am not merely on an adventure, but finding myself in a greater story.

I scarcely believe that this path I've traveled is a normal one. In the last seven years, I've been:

• naval officer in training, with law school and JAG Corps aspirations,
• an English major, dabbling in pre-1800 literature,
• a Communications major, determined to master the art of persuasion,
• a bank teller,
• a world traveler,
• and most-recently, a grants accountant.

Now, I find myself returning to the land of Academia, this time as a student of international relations.

This road has been a winding one--both with its share of challenges and rewards. Perhaps the greatest (and most agonizing) aspect has been that I haven't been able to see the next step beyond which I stand. Yet, I press on toward the next marker on the road. J.R.R. Tolkien, author of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, described this road:

"The Road goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

And I must follow, if I can,

Pursuing it with eager feet,

Until it joins some larger way."

Let's see where it goes next....