Dreaming about: Graduation.

photo credit: Aston University via photopin cc

It's graduation time right now here in the UK and it makes me so SUPER excited for my own graduation next year!

Germany sadly has no tradition in this sense whatsoever, there is no proper graduation ceremony for most courses and everyone just sort of ...leaves and that's it.

Sometimes when I'm asked why I came to the UK to study I say it's because of the graduation ceremony that includes the gown and the hat and all of that traditional fun stuff. Obviously I came for other reasons as well, but (to be honest) I am really glad that graduation is a big deal here.

Probably still not as big as in the US, but still.

What I am not excited about (not yet at least) is the time after graduation- where to go, what to do. Too much to figure out! I don't want to move out of this lovely flat, I am sad to (probably) leave Edinburgh, make a new start ... all so terrifying.

ANYWAYS, the actual graduation day is something I am SO excited for. My parents and my sister coming here, taking a lot of fun pictures with everyone, going out for dinner/lunch after...  needless to say I am super jealous that my friends had this super sunny day on their graduation this year.

ONLY 360 days left until it's gonna be ME!

EIFF Closing Gala Impressions

The Closing Gala for the 86th Edinburgh International Film Festival took place yesterday and was a full success. A beautiful venue in the Edinburgh College of Art with various rooms with beautiful decor and all a little French themed, hand in hand with the closing film, We'll Never Have Paris. (Go watch it if you have the chance!)
I absolutely loved the film, it is hilarious and well written by Simon Helberg himself (or probably better known as Howard Wolowitz). He and his wife attended the party as well and he even joined the jazz band in an impromptu session on the piano. I have the most respect for this guy, let me tell ya.

So here just a few pictures of the evening.

(see me in the coral dress?)

Thinking about Texas and all.

Right now, everywhere I go is Texas. Or Austin.
Either in the location of the films I watched (Something, Anything or We gotta get out of this place), when talking about SXSW with Film Festival delegates, or in the TV show that was recommended to me (Friday Night Lights) or when Elijah Wood mentioned that he recently bought a house in Austin because he loves that city so much.
It makes my heart feel heavy and tight.

I love Austin. I love Texas.

Before going there, I was not really sure what to expect of Texas. Yes I know all the stereotypes, good and bad. Yes I was worried about crazy gun people, rednecks and those right wing conservatives I definitely cannot empathize with. And on top of that I am at a catholic school, where I am anything but religious.

But all of this does not matter.

It doesn't change the fact that the people there are by far the nicest I have EVER met. This so called Southern Hospitality is something I really really miss.

Let aside the politics and all that stuff, Texas is really such a fun place. It has crazy weather where you experience all 4 season within one day, but at its best, it has the bluest skies and warmest days that will just warm your heart and make you so so happy. I have no clue how I survived the long Scottish winter, with no sun for such a long time.

Austin is an amazing city, so healthy and so fit, trying to be environmentally friendly, so beautiful, loads of things to do in warm weather, great bars, restaurants, FOOD TRUCKS, a huge student city... it feels exciting and new to walk these streets but also like home.

Oh Scotland, I forgot how much I love you.

To be honest, ever since I got of the plane here in Edinburgh I have been a bit taken aback at first. I had Scotland put down as this place with very nice and helpful people. When I got here, I was reminded what it actually is. The people here are polite. But real friendliness, in my opinion, is something very different. Something that I experienced in Texas to an extent that blew my mind. So coming back here was different than I expected, but after over a week I have fallen back in love with Scotland.

Ceilidh.

It's traditional Scottish dancing to the best folk music, at best played live obviously.

I will definitely have one at my wedding, no matter what.

Like last year, the Edinburgh film festival put one on and it was a blast. Such a good crowd, you literally felt it in the air how much fun everyone was having.

(btw the right video actually shows me dancing, haha. pink dress and ponytail.)