Smashing Pumpkins!

Several in the graduate corner have been contemplating a roadtrip. Next weekend is a long weekend thanks to AVS Sports Weekend. AVS is the Association of Veterinary Students and the sports weekend is a giant pow-wow where all the UK vet schools converge in one city and debauchery ensues. The schools compete against each other in rugby, netball, hockey, football and silly Scottish games. This year, everyone is coming to Edinburgh, it rotates every year. It's reportedly the best weekend of the year. So much so that the university gives us the following Monday and Tuesday off to recuperate. Although I've already bought my ticket, a roadtrip into the depths of Scotland is sooo much better. Gathering in the common room, we dumped out Cristina's bag of brochures. There is a company that does Highland tours and we're thinking of combining several together. I really don't know where any of these places are...but I look forward to joining them!

For lunch, we stopped in a cafe called Beanscene. I got strange looks for ordering a milkshake when it was freezy outside. They had some fantastic Mexican chili. It's nice to try something other than Miller's and start exploring the city's food offerings.

The day got better with a quick rugby practice. Most of the girls had gone home for Halloween weekend. We played a 6-on-6 scrimage with silly rules about tackling. Such as, when you tackle, run back to the sideline or drop to your knees and wait for the turnover. Exhausting!

Deanna, a GEP student and Tyler's roommate, Maria and I attempted to run back to her flat to begin pumpkin carving. Being poor vet students and in a city lacking typcial Halloween things, we were forced to carve pumpkins with steak knives. And just because we will handle a scapel with precision and grace years from now, our hand-eye coordination currently blows. We should not be allowed to use knives for anything other then their intended purpose. Especially when hot chocolate with Bailey's was added to the party. Despite this, nobody bled out and we produced beautiful pieces of art. Ok, Tyler's cow came out a little wonky. But Maria who went to Rutgers where the mascot is a goat carved a wonderful goat! I, of course, did zebra stripes. Wrapped up the night with a viewing of "Young Frankenstein"!