This week has been incredibly busy at work, partly as mentioned before, because of the number of events coming up and partly because we had to get the Tartan Times out this week, a quarterly newspaper style update about everything CHICAGO SCOTS related sent to the some 5000 people on their mailing list.
Coming up to the deadline for the newspaper we were proof reading, rewriting and chasing up articles like crazy. It gave me a tiny glimpse into the kind of lives journalists must live. I think I am now better prepared and more understanding about approaching journalists with any press releases or articles I want them to print (which will all be part of the amazing marketing job I am going to get when I graduate, of course!)
One of the articles in the paper was about me being here in Chicago and what I was up to, so when I was at the Scottish Picnic on Saturday, people kept coming up to me and saying you’re Kirsty from Scotland, I was reading about you! It was a little surreal being a celebrity for the day.
The Scottish picnic is an annual event held as a fundraiser for the Scottish Home, the retirement home, which is supported by the Illinois Saint Andrew Society and CHICAGO SCOTS. At the picnic there are all sorts of stalls and events going on. In terms of food there were bridies and sausage rolls being sold alongside hot dogs and corn-on-the-cob – I felt that was integration of culture at its best! There were also craft sales and jumble/rummage sales as well as childrens games and pie eating contests. It was a lovely event but sitting in my membership tent all day saw me eaten alive by mosquitos and since my pale Scottish skin is not used to this mistreatment the bites are ridiculously oversized and very very itchy! I think overall, I have seen a lot more patriotism from American Scots than most Scottish Scots, even if they do celebrate the stereotypes, its lovely to be involved in something which really recognises Scotland's achievements.
The Pie Eating Contest at the Scottish Home Picnic
I also had a night out in one of the suburbs in Chicago with Megan, a girl who was interning for the Scottish Home this summer. She had me round for a BBQ or 'gril out' as they call it here then got all her friends round who had endless fun with asking me to say things in ‘Scottish’ then trying to copy me. They also found it far too exciting that I liked and listened to almost all of the same music as them. One of my favourite conversations however was this:
Me – where are we heading out tonight?
Megan – drink
Me – yeah but where?
Megan – to ‘Drink’ the nightclub!
I guess that’s the Glasgow coming out in me, thinking that drink was a typical reply to this question. I still maintain it’s a silly name for a nightclub!
I have to mention once again the weather here in Chicago. I got caught outside in three of the thunderstorms this week, the first time I have been unfortunate enough to be outside when they struck. The first one I was on my way to the pub with two friends from my building. They still wanted to go, I was having none of it. I have never been so soaked in my entire life, ironically, we don’t know what real rain is in Scotland, this is crazy, after 20 seconds its as if you went for a bath with all your clothes on. The second time I was on the beach when it struck, sunbathing happily till it started to get dark pretty quickly then all of a sudden a huge gust of wind lifted what seemed like the entire beach into the air throwing sand into everyones eyes as they ran for indoors. Crazy weather! Even as I type now there is yet another storm going on, I barely even jump at the claps of thunder anymore!
In other news, my cousin Hazel got married in Rome this weekend and all my family headed there for the wedding and a holiday after. Congratulations to Hazel and Alan and sorry I missed it to all my family, this opportunity was too good to miss!
It is also getting close to all the deadlines for my honours applications which is bringing me back to reality and a harsh reminder that I am soon heading home to tackle the mountain that is honours year.
As always, love reading everyone’s blogs and seeing how all our experiences differ. We really are a lucky bunch!