That
is me finally hit reality again with rain being a welcoming gesture back to
bonny Scotland. Eight weeks has come and gone and we have all said our final
goodbyes to America (even though I was close to extending my stay). According
to my mother the time has taken really long to pass however I have to disagree.
Being back in the Houston and Newark airport drove back home how quick this
trip has passed. To be honest, I do not think the trip has gone slow or quick; maybe
veering onto the slow side.
Talking
about slow let me introduce the American Airports. I will start off with a
“Gaaahhhhhhhhh”. Now that is off my chest I will skip to my main boiling point
in telling you that the Newark to EDINBURGH (yes that will come up later) is
one of the most uncomfortable trips I have ever been on. I am so tired it’s not
even funny; I guess the design engineers at Boeing have never come across the
word 'ergonomics'. Although you will be pleased to read that I am using the time
constructively to write what is probably going to be my final blog whilst on
route. Quickly reverting back to the Edinburgh destination disaster, we were
stranded in Houston for a good few hours with plane problems – quite disconcerting
stuff on your last day in the USA. Thus time had come and gone in making our
original Glasgow connection. Constantly promised updates with regards to the
plane every fifteen minutes I sat back thinking it was a simple inconvenience
which would soon correct itself – WRONG!!! Seated in the engine – it just had
to be due to the excruciating heat where I was seating – the so called minor
inconvenience stretched a good two hours. Again let me give a “Gaaahhhhhhhhh”.
Ok
let me get the placement out the way. Overall, in my honest opinion, the
placement was not what I expected or what I had hoped for. I think i will leave it there with the work side of the placement. The positive from
the placement was the vast amount of great people I met and had the chance to
get to know. I feel I have made a lot of friends which is always good
especially incase I decide one day to take a cheeky wee holiday to Houston ha-ha!
I can't be thankful enough to some of the employees at Wood Group for the hospitality;
it was a pleasure to get to know you all or y’all, which is a bit more
appropriate.
Now
to the nitty gritty; the dirt; the bad stuff; the unmentionables; the news you
all logged on to read! Well I will give you a sample after all I did sign up to
the “What happens in Houston stays in Houston” treaty 2008. I haven't updated
the blog in quite a while so probably a great deal has happened which I could
have ranted about in my usual fashion but has unfortunately escaped my mind as
I free up brain cells for the impending 4th year of EEE (which I am
scarily looking forward to).
Let
me see ... I managed at last to get myself downtown for a peak at the big
buildings. First impression whilst downtown, where is everybody? For a city
that is 40 something miles wide which is probably five times the size of
Scotland not many Houstonians like to visit Downtown. Do not get me wrong,
there was a plentiful supply of cars just not many people roaming the streets
(oh well, more space for me I thought as I began to take Michael Flatley
riverdance steps down the 'sidewalk'). Again like a true tourist I was snapping
away at the big buildings which have only gone to clutter my memory card. I did
not get to see the whole of downtown – that would be quite a feat on foot.
Instead I think I captured all the business buildings which are probably the
most non-exciting part of Downtown but at least I have my photos.
Aside
from that I actually do not have much to report which is quite disappointing.
In my last two weeks I kind of fell ill to a wee bug that definitely hindered
my last weekend in H-town. I had a friend visit me in the last weekend as well
so on that front I was disappointed to have the illness hanging over me. Oh
well, it was still great fun and I have many embarrassing pictures just begging
to be uploaded onto facebook (to accompany the other embarrassing pictures I have
of everyone).
Now
that I am back in Scotland I have to warm up my Uni ‘hat’. I have two vital
years ahead of me which I really have to put a whole hearted effort into. Then
who knows what will happen; I might see my American friends quicker than they
anticipated!
Thanks
for reading and until next time, Goodbye!!
Shane
p.s.
Who would have thought that they have curry in America?! Not only do they have
curry they have enjoyable curry! A big thank you to Mr Blackwood and Mrs
Holland for that one.
