Wow, have not been on in years!

Okay, so the other day I figured I would sit down and review the major scale in all positions. While playing the C major scale (natural notes) from E, it thought "am I playing the C major scale or am I playing a mode of it?" and "If I am playing a mode of it (E/phrygian), would I still be playing the mode if I resolve to a note other than E even though I started it on it?"

Any insight would be appreciated.