What’s included in this update: June/July in St Andrews
– Garden Party
– Wimbledon
– Isle of May
– General Life in St Andrews

Garden Party

Just a few days after I returned from Switzerland, another great adventure geared up. Caroline, Rebecca, Katherine, and Rebecca’s roommate, Sophie, arrived in St Andrews. Despite the Bobby-mobile needing some repairs, the Saint Sport rental car sufficed for Leuchars pickup – nothing swaggier than visiting St Andrews in one of the athlete vehicles 😎 Sophie and Rebecca arrived first, so we had just enough time to stop by Kinkell Byre to visit the Highland cows and to pop over to Crail for refreshments by the sea. They got to experience semi-formal fridays and special medieval hat-making workshop, followed by a pint at the Central, and rounds of tequila and baby Guinness at the Vic. 

After I worked until 5am Friday night/Saturday morning, there was no time for dillydallying. We fueled with bagels and eggs, and began the Medieval Garden party pres. Nothing sets the tone like a highly competitive game of Egyptian Ratscrew (a Martin family favorite, rings off!). Hosted by Deans Court, the garden party included a live ceilidh band and dancing (instructions included), practically bottomless aperol/Hugo spritz and beer, a pub quiz, and vote for Deans King and Queen. We passed around film cameras and paraded around the beautiful garden. By the time the pub quiz came around, our team (well, maybe just Courtney and I – Lucas and Philip were locked in) was liquored too much to keep our answers secret, so we’re telling ourselves that our meager 4th or 5th place effort was due to our own downfall. Lucas should probably choose better teammates next time.

Our temporarily dampened spirits were restored upon learning that Lucas and I were voted Deans King and Queen. Crowns were placed upon our heads and then we were subjected to a public humiliation stunt wherein we had to karaoke Dancing Queen. I hadn’t remembered the song being that long…

The afternoon turned into Boat races and teaching our international counterparts how to shotgun. We ordered thai/indian food, retreated to the penthouse, and chowed down. At somepoint, I fell asleep in my bed, Rebecca and Sophie (heels still on) passed out on my floor, and Lucas guarded the door. Caroline managed bang out a few kilometers … in my shower shoes?! If any of you have been subjected to my morning/post-snooze self (I know the nuclear Martin family knows), you will know that an evil spirit takes over my body. It’s only goal: sleep. It will shoo away, donkey kick, lie about having work, convince you that ‘just 15 more minutes’ will suffice. This is the villain we were dealing with. Courtney tustled with my alter ego, “the lizard,” eventually being successful in waking me up for my 8-hour barshift. The Vic then proceeded to have the busiest night in two years, so a redbull and white monster tied me over. By the time I got home, it was almost 6am. Good news – that meant it was 1am Boston time! Dora and I chatted on the phone, and I pulled another all nighter before dropping off all “the minis” (Rebecca, Caroline, Katherine, and Sophie) off at the train station. What a wonderful whirlwind of a weekend! Definitely one for the family books. 

Mini Trip to Edinburgh

Auntie Ginger returned to Edinburgh and our schedules aligned perfectly. The day she arrived, I popped down on the train. That night, she fought off the jetlack and enjoyed M&S delicacies while I ran off across town to visit (Wellesley) St Andrews’ very own Margaret! The itenerary for St. Andrews’ pilgrimage to Scotland and England also managed to align with my schedule, so I was grateful Margaret shared her time with me. There’s an egregious lack of good ramen in St Andrews (town), so Margaret indulged me in a delicious dinner. Moments where busy schedules in foreign places serendipitously align I am grateful for. Dinner with Margaret was a breath of fresh air: travel reflections, future aspirations, exchanges of educational experiences… My St Andrews involvements/meetups now extend from North and Central America to Europe! And soon, because of the generosity of the St Andrews Outreach committee and St Andrews parish community at-large, come-September, it will expand to Northeast Africa, too! 

Aunt Ginger and I had a slumber party for the flat’s very first night in-use! The next morning, I assembled the coffee-maker, while Ginger talked shop with Amy. After, we walked to the Holyroodhouse compound. Ginger is a well-versed Holyroodhouse visitor, but I had never visited AND a new exhibit had just opened up earlier in the month. The first floor state apartments have been open for public tours for awhile, but we had the pleasure of being some of the first public groups to tour Queen Elizabeth II’s residence. As reflected in the paintings, the second floor residences have more of a modern twist, well, modern being that female painters are heavily features alongside many of Price Philip’s own artwork (he signed his work with black sharpie). We walked through Prince Philip’s room – his desk, ovelooking the gardens, hosts a clock, cloak of arms, and speechwriting tools. I also learned of Prince Philip’s love for sailing – he was the youngest to hold second command of the HMS Wallace. Next, we visited the Queen’s dressing room where three outfits stand on display. My favorite of the three was a silk dress inspired by her time in Thailand, adorned with fans. My close second was an isle of Skye purple and green tartan. Another fun fact, Queen Elizabeth II was often seen at events with clear umbrellas in order to remain visible to guests while fending off the UK’s hallmark weather systems. 

In the Queen’s breakfast room, our tour guide vividly transported us back in time, encouraging us to think about the Queen’s only solo meal of the day. In the mornings she always consumed The Scotsman, Radio Times, and, of course because of her love of horses, the Racing Post. Her breakfast room alter features a gorgeous overlook into the Gardens and Arthur’s seat. The room held one rather unexpected secret. Tucked inside a cabinet, normally used to display china or drinks, was a hidden chamber pot, conveniently positions for any gentleman who couldn’t bear to leave the room and miss out on the hot gossip. Apparently, the nearest loo was just next door, but why risk missing a good conversation? Our guide assured us that the chamber pot is no longer operation and has been thoroughly cleaned.  

The last of the rooms, Queen Elizabeth II’s sitting room reminded me of Nana and Moose’s living room. The bright pink walls, the peacock-shaped fireguard, comfy carpet, well loved and slightly stained, horse figurines, Paddington stuffies. Here, the tour guide offered touching words of remembrance, giving insight into the adoration the staff at Holyroodhouse had for Queen Elizabeth II. After the tour over cappuccinos and crisps, Aunt Ginger and I absorbed the wealth of information and reflected. 

The theme of this mini-Edinburgh trip was serendipity. In accordance, Aunt Ginger and I had happened to overlap on Nana and Moose’s 60th wedding anniversary. In memory of her life and to commemorate their enduring, loving relationship, all which made our lives possible, we celebrated in a way we like to think Nana would have approved. We went to High Tea at The Bonham Hotel. There, we sat and chatted over scones, tea, and mini sandwiches for hours on end. The clotted cream remains my favourite item. 

This trip opened my eyes to the beauty of Edinburgh. Before, I’d spent briefer periods of time at restaurants, balls, pubs, or Bobby Jones events, usually taking the train to and from in the same day. I spent more time on this mini-trip walking around the city, beyond Princes Street. I found myself appreciating the Georgian-era developments, Victorian tenements, and Neo-gothic buildings;¹ I admired the elegant crescents, enjoyed the wide sidewalks and surprisingly uncontested streets. I stopped to enjoy the pockets of green space, nicely landscaped across the city. Edinburgh felt less like a transient city I only visited for events and more like a city I was getting to know and love. 

Wimbledon

As if my UK year couldn’t get any more spectacular… I had the absolute pleasure and privilege to attend Wimbledon during the second week of play. It was time to whip out my tretorn sneakers once again… last year for the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, GA, this year for Wimbledon! Courtney and I took the train down to London and had a homebase in Tooting for a few days. We had grounds passes for three days, and took full advantage! We cheered on our hopeful South African prospect, Connor Doig. Being unseeded, he made it to the third round only to lose to his current doubles partner, Dimitar Kisimov. Tough arc. On Court 3 we saw defending men’s doubles champions Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool dominate. I tried the famous Strawberries and Cream (delicious, refreshing, totally appropriated rated, if not underrated). We perused the shops, one of which included a ‘build-your-own Ralph Lauren polo or hat’ kiosk. The Bryan brothers, Fabio Fognini, Caroline Wozniacki, and Agnieszka Radwanska, all returned for upbeat, celebratory legacy matches. 

Julian Cash & Lloyd Glasspool on Court 3

Bob and Mike Bryan vs Fabio Fognini and Lleyton Hewitt

Despite entering the queue for Court 1 and Centre Court tickets, we didn’t get entry. We did, however, peer in through the stadium entrances to catch a glimpse of the legendary courts. The ticket queue not working out didn’t surprise us given that Great Britain’s Wildcard Arthur Fery was making a historic run all the way to the semi-finals, and heavy-hitters like Gauff, Sinner, Djokovic, and Zverev were all competing. Nonetheless, we had plenty of tennis to watch from the ground courts, Henman Hill, and various AMEX pavilions. Long days on the grounds in the blazing sun depleted our energy reserves, so evenings post-Wimbledon were beautifully simple – grab a bite to eat, say hello to local friends at the pubs, and enjoy the World Cup. Our Airbnb neighbour seemed to be an avid Brazil fan –  despite the language gap and the fact that we weren’t listening to the broadcast, her exclamations and expletives were more than enough to keep us informed when Norway defeated Brazil. 

On our last afternoon, we went to cheer on the wheelchair doubles team from South Africa/Great Britain, Kgothatso Montjane and Lucy Shuker. We sat poised watching, when a gurgle erupted behind us, followed by a projective vomit assault. The liquid dribbled down our necks and backs. Speechless, all I could do was glue my eyes towards the tennis and gingerly tie back my hair. A few kind women hurriedly passed us napkins, attempting to remedy the situation. A few minutes later, after confirming that the man was conscious and somewhat able to walk, a medical staff member escorted him out. The same women earnestly applauded Courtney and I for keeping our cool, saying if it had been them, they would’ve bartered for at least a hair appointment😂. We later found out they were friends and relatives of Lucy Shuker. Because of this, we learned more about the types of tennis wheelchairs, ones designed for people who have full leg paralysis versus the ones designed for people who still have a degree of feeling in their lower extremities. 

Eager to shower, we said goodbye to Wimbledon and headed back home. 

Isle of May

The day after, Courtney and I took a 50-minute ferry to the Isle of May. We were the only people under 30, but puffin-loving does not discriminate by age! You can walk around the perimeter of the Isle of May in 90ish minutes, and it hosts about 200,000 birds! 104,000 of which are puffins, making it the 3rd largest colony in the United Kingdom. Puffins mate for life and return to the same burrow every year to lay one egg. The egg incubates for 40 days, the parents feed the puffins for another 40 days, then, under the safety of the darkness, the puffling emerges from the burrow and takes a plunge into the North Sea. Young pufflings spend 3-4 consecutive years in the North Sea or North Atlantic before touching land again. At around age 6 or 7, the puffin will pick their partner and the cycle continues. 

Photos with the black circular border were taken through a pair of binoculars!

The island also hosts Kittywakes, Guillemots, Razorbills, Shags, and several types of Gulls. You can see the birds’ age hierarchy in the way they post up on the rocky cliffs. Older birds lay higher up, while the youngins start lower to the sea. On the island stands ‘The Beacon,’ Scotland’s oldest lighthouse dating back to 1646. The island also holds two towering red foghorns, which are no longer in use because of advanced GPS systems. 

If you look closely at the photograph on the right, you can see the birds in their stratified order.

Whether or not you are a bird-watcher, if you spend a week in Scotland, I’d recommend the Isle of May. From the lovely ferry ride, to the scenic environment, to the adorable puffins, it’s a wonderful half-day experience. 

Life in St Andrews & Academics

To anyone who has conversed with me in recent months, you’ve heard me say it, but it’s worth repeating – I cannot believe that most undergraduate students go their four years never spending a summer in St Andrews. They really grind out the worst months of the year only to go home when the best months begin. On the longest summer days, I could start work with daylight still at 11pm and see the sun peaking out starting at 3am… The longer days and milder weather mean more bonfires, outdoor activities, and joy. Sure, it’s a bit disorienting rarely seeing darkness, but I much prefer this to the dark, gloomy, wet, and frigid coastal winters. 

One of my more cherished memories was a dinner my friend Julia invited me to last-minute. She and one of her best friends started a tradition of rotating dinners where they’d each invite a friend or two to join them at a themed dinner. The food and beginning conversation topics revolving around their topic of choice. I had the privilege to attend a “traditions” dinner. Everyone brought something special: an item of clothing with a family tie, Port bottles, piece of jewellery, or photos from a trip.

Beyond the more ‘glorious’ experiences like Wimbledon and the Isle of May, one of the most formative commitments I made this summer was bartending at The Vic, a restaurant/bar/club located on Market Street in St Andrews. Since my gap year in between high school and college, I’d dreamed of learning the ropes of bartending. I liked the combination of service work, the food industry, and the opportunity to meet people living near St Andrews and visiting. Our ecosystem in the summer is primarily comprised of locals, lingering Masters students, and golf tourists, which made for a range of conversations over the counter. The World Cup games made this job particularly fun. Sure, there were a few Wednesday nights, I could barely drag my feet home to get into bed at 5:30, 6am. But there were many more fond memories of football super fans, camaraderie about Scotland’s first World Cup appearance since 1998, local rivalries, and the appreciation of sport. I adored getting to know my coworkers, some of whom were students like me, and others who were from Scotland and found work here. I loved getting to know a different cohort of individuals outside the University ecosystem, and I can make a mean espresso martini 🙂

Inside The Vic! Left and right: Main Bar, decorated with World Cup flags. Center: booths in front of the Club bar – not pictured: DJ Booth and dance floor.

Over the past month, I’ve continued to conduct my masters psychology research – participants are guided through an hour-long experiment testing mood, attitudes, self-compassion, self-discrepancy, and memory recall. Participants who score below a certain threshold on the classic Depression Diagnostic test, PHQ-8, have their data entered into the master set. Recruiting participants over the summer has proven more difficult over the summer with more students gone, but I’ve finally collected enough data to analyse in my dissertation! Other than time in the lab, I’ve spend a lot of time sifting through journals and reading related research. Unlike my undergraduate thesis, which followed Tara Westover’s memoir chronologically while folding in relevant scholarship, this dissertation follows traditional scientific methods and structure. The majority of my time has been dedicated to crafting my literature review which seeks to recap the existing information out there about depression, autobiographical memory, cognitive schemata, and self-compassion. Given that I’ve spent so much time and energy on the theoretical orientation of the project, I’m eager to jump into the statistical analysis section. Since I’m a bit backlogged, in my next update, I’ll recap what finishing the dissertation was like!

Wee Coda
Gillian had film developed from our Italy trip – here are some of my favourites:

1. https://www.edinburghexpert.com/blog/architecture-of-edinburgh-georgian-style-in-the-medieval-old-town ↩︎