Winter Activities

Greetings Friends!

Hope all of you had a wonderful weekend back in Texas! The “spring tour” of Aberdeen Rotary clubs has been going really well, and I had the pleasure of speaking at two Rotary clubs last Wednesday. Most of my Rotary visits last semester were to rural/suburban clubs, and it’s been a neat experience to begin visiting clubs within the city. It’s fascinating to meet and chat with Scottish Rotarians from so many different backgrounds. Amazing times!

Here’s a fun picture of me presenting Colin Reid with a Kilgore Rotary banner at the Rotary Club of Bon Accord:

Thought you also might enjoy some pictures from a recent Saturday trip to Edinburgh, Scotland. The Edinburgh Art Museum had an excellent expressionism exhibit (I absolutely adore the works of Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Cézanne, and Degas):

Standing on a bridge with Edinburgh in the background:

Exploring a monument overlooking the city:

The inscription of a monument constructed in honour of Admiral Lord Nelson:

Tomorrow, my colleagues and I will receive our final grades from last semester’s studies. Am looking forward to some pleasant results, so hopefully there won’t be any unexpected surprises! :) The spring semester is now ¼ of the way complete, so am looking forward to seeing you all in less than four months!

Take care and have a wonderful week -

Nick

The New Semester Begins

Greetings Friends!

It’s been quite a while since the last post, and I look forward posting more frequently now that school has calmed down a bit. Final exams took place throughout January, and although they were quite difficult I look forward to finding out the results. Rotary visits throughout January served as a pleasant break from studying, and it was great to make presentations at the Westhill and Banchory-Ternan Rotary Clubs.

Over the next three weeks, I’ll speak at the Aberdeen Rotary Club, the Bon Accord Rotary Club, the Rotary Club of Aberdeen – St. Fittick, and the Rotary Club of Aberdeen – St. Machar. It should be quite a fun tour, and two of the visits will actually take place during the same day! I accidentally left my camera at home during both January visits, so I’ll be sure to take lots of pictures at these upcoming Rotary events.

Activities with the Aberdeen Rotaract Club have also been going well this semester, and we’re hosting a “Pub Quiz” this Tuesday to raise money for the Foundation for Orphaned Children in Nairobi, Kenya. Should be fun! The club has attracted several new members this semester, so we’re looking forward to accomplishing some exciting goals in 2008. Back in December, I gave a presentation over the ambassadorial scholarship that interested several Rotaract members. Building upon this interest, Stephen Chorley from District 1010 has graciously agreed to visit us in March and will speak about opportunities for young people through the Rotary Foundation.

Looking back, it’s surprising to realize that almost five months have passed since I hopped onto a plane and headed for Scotland. This really is the experience of a lifetime, and can't wait to share even more of it with you all when I return to East Texas in June!

Talk with you soon, and God Bless!

- Nick