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It’s been a while since I’ve posted an update, so here’s a brief summary of what I’ve been up to in the past few days.

Yes, that is a picture of the Mathematics Building, where I’ve been spending much of my time lately. I’m sorry to report that it is the least attractive edifice in St. Andrews. Still, I love the quasi-futuristic logo:

I’m taking four courses this semester: Forecasting, Measure and Ergodic Theory, GLM and Data Analysis, and Statistical Methods. So far they all seem quite reasonable; it seems that William and Mary has prepared me well. My professors are a bit eccentric, but in a charming sort of way. No complaints here.

In contrast to the views of the Mathematical Institute, the views from it are quite nice. Far in the background you can just make out St. Andrews Bay and the Old Course:

I’ve also spent some time out on the links, which are conveniently located to the Institute. First an obligatory shot of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club:

Isn’t that nice? If you’re interested in playing the Old Course, it will run you around $250 this time of year. And don’t forget to watch where you walk:

Fortunately, the Links Trust offers fantastic student discounts. So fantastic are they that even I have signed up for golf lessons. If there was ever a time and a place to take up golf, this has to be it. Here’s what I can see when I look back towards town on my walk to the driving range:

Besides school and golf, I’m trying to decide which societies to join. The short list includes: Debating, Hill Walking, Gilbert and Sullivan, and Fly Fishing to name a few. I think that Debating and G&S will make the cut, but I’m still feeling things out at the moment.

I’ve also been hanging about the music department. I played a scholarship audition the other day, and am hoping to start a piano trio. In case Meg is reading this, I would like to inform her that St. Andrews has a female a Capella group called “The Accidentals.”

I could go on, but I think it’s time for tea…

I had my first taste of golf in St. Andrews yesterday when I went down to the driving range to hit a few balls. I’m an absolutely terrible golfer, but the scenery was wonderful. Even without much background in the sport it is easy to appreciate the grandeur and tradition of the old course. Here I am teeing off:

Far from discouraging me, my poor performance only strengthened my resolve to take golf lessons, which are incredibly cheap for students. Once I’d run out of balls, a few of us from Deans Court decided to take a closer look at the Cathedral and St. Rules. We couldn’t have picked a better afternoon. Here we are squinting into the sun at the very top of St. Rules tower. From left to right are Charlie from Sydney Australia, Pete from Long Island, Kamaren from Rochester by way of UVA, and of course yours truly:

Just to give you a taste of the atmosphere here’s what St. Rules looks like from the ground:

And here’s a view of the Cathedral from the very top of St. Rules:

Am I making you jealous yet? Don’t forget that in three months time I’ll only see the sun for around three hours a day.

In my first official act of stupidity, I locked myself out of my room and building today. In my own defense, the doors are incredibly tricky: they lock whenever you shut them. Still, I don’t think that my warden was too pleased to have his afternoon run disturbed. I’m not sure if corporal punishment is practiced in Scottish postgraduate residence halls, but he is called a warden after all.

Crisis averted, I tried to attend the Fresher’s Debate, “This House Believes That a Women’s Place is in the Home,” only to find it filled a full 20 minutes before the start. Clearly these Brits enjoy a good argument. It’s all very fancy apparently: white tie, red robes, lots of grumbling and a song in latin–my kind of evening.
On a related note, St. Andrews Ale is surprisingly good.

Here’s what I can see when I walk out of my residence hall every morning:

The spire belongs St. Andrews ruined cathedral, overlooking the bay. Moving in a bit closer you can see St. Rules tower in the background. I have yet to climb to the top; I imagine you must be able to see for miles on a clear day.

Finally, a view of South Street with the ruins in the background. My front door is just our of sight in the left foreground.

It’s impossible not to be in awe of this place.

Without a doubt, the highlight of last night watching a lass from Yorkshire and a lad from Edinburgh be hyponotized by a man from Devon.  The girl was particularly amusing, but then I’ve read too many James Herriot books…

More pictures later, I promise.

On Saturday I moved into a modestly appointed study bedroom in Deans Court, one of St. Andrews’ few postgraduate residences. From the inside, it’s not much to look at: the typical prison-style accomodation familiar to students the world over. I was actually relatively lucky in the room allocation, having been awarded both a wardrobe and a closet stocked with an impressive collection of discarded hangers. Yet just outside my spartan study-hovel are the most impressive ruins I’ve ever seen, overlooking the majestic North Sea. Dean’s Court itself is charming 16th century edifice with a beautiful garden. Our dining room clearly inspired Hogwarts, and the common room is equipped with an old Broadwood Piano. Thanks to British Airways’ weight limit, unpacking was mostly a matter of choosing which drawer to put my socks in. (I chose drawer number two). This left me plenty of time to explore the ruins and wander along the beach. The scenery here is absolutely overwhelming. I’ll post some pictures in the next few days. Though my window doesn’t overlook the ruins directly, the view is none too shabby as you can see below. More to come…