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A little bit about my life in Maine- past in Reno, Nevada- a bit on Indiana and now
my ADVENTURE in bonnie Scotland.
Time to update, eh? Alright alright-- I'll give you an update.
I played "Mom" for the gang Monday night at the ice skating rink. How romantic is it to be ice skating at the base of a lit up castle? Had myself a nice warm cup of mulled wine and relaxed. After, I had myself a humus felafel and met up with a great group at Frankensteins!
Tuesday: shopping day. Also, I had my last bagpipe lesson-- sadly, I didn't have a go on the pipes. I simply continued my chanter practicing.
I drove Emily's Smart car on Wednesday around the car park. We gave the yellow beaut a bath. At night I went to Sarah's in Pollock to celebrate her last exam with my 'traveling buddies'. After finishing her malted whisky from Isle of Arran, Sarah and I ventured off to Lava Ignite to dance the night away.
Thursday- o Thursday. Last night of Bandaoke for everyone-- enjoyed the evening to the fullest-- probably a little TOO much. Met a dashing Scottish surveyor-- got his business card and have been e-mailing him since. Hopefully I'll be able to see him again before I head back to the states Sunday.
Sarah and I hopped on the bus to St. Andrews Friday morn. Checked out the cathedral and bumped into my Argentinian mate in the cemetery. We join him and his friend to an acappella concert at the University of St. Andrews. The old golf course was exciting; along with the beach where Chariots of Fire was filmed! When I returned to Edinburgh, Emily picked me up at the bus station to head to a bagpipe concert....well....she surprised me with a bagpipe concert put on by me! It was a bagpipe lesson at the Leith community centre where the instructor, Louise, let me have a go on the pipes! YES YES YES. I PLAYED THE BAGPIPES!! Thank you Em!
Saturday, I climbed up Authors Seat with Lara and Emily to catch the sunrise. Then, Emily and I took a road trip west to Loch Lomond, the loch my parents went to 20 years ago. It was absolutely beautiful. We swung on swings with little kids, walked alongside the loch, and even got to Helensbough to see the Firth of Clyde (the west coast). At night, I went to say goodbye to Dave and Jake (the Aussies). They're leaving Monday to continue their travels. Dave might be up in the northeast of North America, probably Montreal, the third week of January so I might go up to Canada to visit him. Who knows.
Today! Traditional fried English breakfast for lunch- thanks to my lovely English flatmates. Most importantly, we put on a pudding party tonight! Sweet puddings, cookies, mince pies, ice cream, chocolate truffles, chocolate and pear pie....needless to say, I have a killer belly ache at the moment. groan! It was a great time...besides the fact I had to say goodbye to my dear friends who are heading out early this week. I hate goodbyes.
So I have my one and only exam Thursday morn. I really wish it was last week so I could relax for my last 7 days. My time in Edinburgh was simply amazing. I love this city. I can't get over the fact I'm leaving a week from today. Tomorrow will be my last Monday, Tuesday my last Tuesday, and so on and so on. It's going to be extremely difficult to say goodbye. Everyone in my flat is leaving Saturday so I'll be alone my last night. Luckily Kendra will still be around to keep me sane during my last hours. Sigh. Edinburgh, my wee bonnie button, I love you.
(I must admit-- this Journal of the Week announcement is a bit intimidating!-- but nice!)
It has been a rough couple weeks...5,000 cups of coffee and 2 all-nighters later--> I have successfully handed in my 4 essays and am finally relaxing.
God, it's been so long since my last update. What have you missed? Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving was different, that's for sure. My first Thanksgiving away from my family. I went to a dinner at a posh hotel put on by my exchange program. The food was delicious but not at all traditional Thanksgiving dishes. After the dinner a group of us met up at the Walkabout...I sang my first karaoke song! It was suppose to be We Will Rock You by Queen but for some reason the guitarist made me sing 500 Miles. A good song- but really- all I knew was the "ba da da" part. So I tried, I smiled, I danced, I blew kisses, I had a hell of a time. The following day Becca's parents who were visiting from Tennessee put on a traditional Thanksgiving meal in the flat they were renting out. The food was just like home, but the highlight was lounging in the living room drinking fresh brewed coffee (not instant!).
My flatmates and I purchased a Christmas tree today. It is cute, cute, cute...can a tree be cute? Yes, and ours is the prime example.
I went to a Greek concert put on by the Greek Society tonight...very very good! The dancing was different but great-- somehow I managed to give Emily a dead-arm- whoops! The Greek men were gorgeous...I swear I was born in the wrong country.
Talking about that. I spent Tuesday night studying with my Argentinian friend. He was breathtakingly polite, considerate, sweet, funny, handsome...and luckily just a friend. No need for me to get wrapped up in a man when I'm leaving in 2 weeks! sigh...that night was heavenly, though all we did was write 4,000 words on UK investment trusts. Still. sigh......! Perhaps there IS hope for the right man out there...somewhere
Here I am, laying in bed at 2AM, waiting to get sleepy. I am officially a night owl now. What should I do? I guess I'll just listen to some of the Romanian music my friend Boghi from Satu Mare, Romania sent me...
"we are all fools in love"- pride and prejudice
love. I want to be in love. I want to know what love is. I want to feel love. I want to be loved. I want to be swallowed up in love. I want to play with my love and dance with my love. My love will be one of a kind; amazing. I want to look at love. I want to see love look at me. Am I in love to the point that love has blinded me? Is love not blind? Yes, love is said to blind you from the rest of the world but what about love blinding you from love itself? I want love but do I need love? Are you to need love? want love? Or does love just happen? Which it does. But when? I never know if the next man I pass on the street is my future love or if my world is always shifting to meet that of my future love. They say love comes when you least expect it; when you're not looking for it. (Who is THEY anyway?) I try to not expect it and I try to not look-- it's so hard not to though. Patience. Yes yes I know- love will come in due time. Yes yes I know- I'm young- enjoy being single. Yes yes I know- freedom is a good thing. Single for such a long time? A bit bothersome to me. Some how it sinks into my skin that there is something, maybe a little something if anything, in me that love doesn't like. Maybe something needs to change in me for love to come. What is my rush right now for love? Is it for selfish reasons? Probably. Yes, selfish reasons. Wrong time for love. Good thing love hasn't arrived- it would be selfish love. Nothing is more unsettling than wrong love. So be it. I'm in no position to be in love- so maybe someday I will be-- happy, delightful, fun, adventurous love. Pure love. One of a kind love. Amazing love. Yes, that's what love I want. I want the best love- and for that I guess I have to be patient because it will, for damn sure, be worth the wait.
Quick trip indeed.
We hopped on the caoch- made it to Thistle Hotel in Irvine around 7PM- had a nice Scottish dinner (including haggis and tatties, roast beef, and cranachan w/berries)- then lounged around taking a quick walk outside on the golf course to hit around the football...aka soccer ball- and then passed out on blankets of clouds, the bedding was amazing.
Saturday morn we awoke to a fantastic continental breakfast and then took a ferry ride to Brodick on the Isle of Arran. Enjoyed a guided bus tour of the island- took a break to visit the Isle of Arran Distillery (wisky distillery #2 for me)- finished up the bus tour and then departed at sunset. We returned to the hotel where I jumped into the lagoon area jacuzzi and then ate another tasty Scottish (but this time buffet-style) dinner.
We woke up this morning and headed home. Like I said, quick trip.
The Isle of Arran is absolutely gorgeous though. It's nickname is "Scotland in Miniature"- no surprise there. The mountainous north on Arran is comparable to the Scottish highlands with the lowlands in the south. Wildlife is abundant on Arran- I saw deer, seals, and...sheep. [Did you know there are 2.5 sheep to every human in Scotland?] And of course the mist streaming in and out of the glens makes the experience even that much more perfect. O yes, I even got to see my first standing stones- not as impressive as those in the Orkney Isles or anything like Stonehenge- but still- a great historic moment.
Time to get back to these essays....less than 2 weeks until all my essays are handed in and life will be heavenly again....until then- aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
It feels like it was just last Friday that I was packing for Ireland instead of the reality of 2 weeks. Here I am, procrastinating. I should be packing for my weekend to Isle of Arran. Bus leaves at 5. I should get ready but sitting here typing my thoughts is just so much more appealing.
Do you ever get the feeling you're getting stupider as you get older? I'm serious. Instead of focusing on my life and being Miss Successful, I'm finding more and more and more ways to distract myself. Maybe I'm a 14 year-old stuck in a growing body? I just want to play. If anything I'm just getting older and learning more ways to have fun. Fun fun fun. Play play play. Adventure! Distractions from work! yes! yippie skippie! hurray! Sounds like a great life doesn't it? Until you see that everyone around you are getting promotions, great marks on essays, or becoming strong political figures. I feel like a giant...butterfly?...that will do. Butterfly: floating around, doing it's own thing, landing down every now and then, always moving, beautiful and strong. Did I actually just compare myself to a butterfly? I told you I'm getting stupider. Wait a tic, if I'm getting stupider that means that my 14 year-old mentality should be declining? Or what if I'm not actually getting stupider but it's the people around me that are growing and becoming smarter. Yes, that's it. So I'm at the conclusion that I am the same corky girl as I was in middle school. That sounds about right. What does that leave for my future then? I'm going to be turning gray and still having trouble talking to boys or still confused about the two mounds on my chest, ect. sigh. Well, if anything, hopefully I'll find someone that will appreciate my youthful ways and lack of drive to succeed. Maybe that someone will take me out to the movies and buy me popcorn? Or enjoy my cooking because God knows if I'll ever be able to cook. 14 years old. Sounds like a good year. I'll be okay. Just whatever you do, don't forget about little old me because I'll still probably be living with my parents when I'm at least 50 until I finally understand this concept of mortgages, oh, and salaries too.
there are the two drunkards who roam the streets together
the old woman feeding the few pigeons half a loaf of bread
and a man who lets his dog do his business on the pavement
there is the local pub always tossing out the trash
the fish 'n chips vendor staring aimlessly out the window
and beggar woman placed conveniently near the ATMs
then there is little me, not much of a sight to see
living life so, and wandering quite endlessly
and simply watching others become my home; my Scotland.
this is my second monthly report.
uni: wow- slow down- all of a sudden there are 5 weeks left until my semester is over. I must admit being here is a tad bit distracting from my studies but c'est la vie- I expected that before I even started lectures. I've handed in 1 essay and still have 4 more to produce over the next 3 weeks; call me a coffee addict because I'm drinking it like my own saliva. Bagpipe lessons are going well- though I'm still not on the bag yet only the chanter.
the flatmates: All 5 of us girls are still getting along very well. There's even more bonding between us than I ever expected. Sunday night dinners are still the weekly hit- I'm cooking again tomorrow. We still have an occasional day where dirty dishes are sprawled on the counter and into the sink but really, it could be so much worse. I love that we are all so comfortable with one another. Yay for 3/4 Hermits Croft! I'm going to drag them all to Bandaoke some Thursday-- hopefully soon.
Edinburgh: It's getting cold. Layers are a GOOD thing- though annoying when I go for a night out and I'm carrying a PILE of clothing with me. There hasn't been too much rain lately- only extreme 80 MPH winds. It's the norm now to have my umbrella pop in and out at least 6 times from my flat to the uni in a shower-- honestly. I still haven't purchased a thick coat or blanket-- instead I walk faster and pump up my heater at night.
my health: not bad. The past week or so I've been battling a runny nose- but that's typical in the cold conditions. I've been eating a bit better- there was a week I ate salad straight. I felt like a queen because I hardly have greens here. (When Aurelie's grandmother took us out for lunch I ordered a salad and was like "YAY!! THANK YOU!!") I give myself a 7.5 out of 10.
money: Not bad at all. I found over 12 quid on the ground this month-- though I did travel to Ireland and that took a bit out of my wallet. Money isn't too much of an issue right now since I've been living the bare minimum the entire time I've been here.
misc: My two weekend getaways (Inverness and Ireland) in the past month were amazing. I've exploded into a social butterfly and have met LOADS of people. Number of Aussie encounters: 7. One more weekend trip to the Isle of Aaron this coming weekend. I'm trying to plan a trip down into South America, one to Australia, and another to France--> the travel bug is getting the best of me. Still have a traffic cone for a kitchen doorstop. Experiencing anticipation for Thanksgiving.
Blue lights
Reflecting off the microwave
German floating
In and out of seriousness
Why must we talk
And pretend to love each other?
Orange cake
Tea- milk- and sore muscles
Clothing spread
All over in a collage
Light headed
Anxious for the future
Birds and clouds
Building me a palace
Pop up boxes
Annoy me: alwaysthesame
Monsters arise
To save me from the truth
Guardians come
To hide me from the wicked
Sirens fading
Into the city rumbling
Sitting- admiring
Changes having come over me
Where is she?
The girl who used to fall
Where is she?
The girl- up on the wall
A tear slips
Down onto the satin
Rice aroma
With chocolate dreams
Another day
To live and discover
A world
That is mine indeed
My flight over was a success- and only an hour long! I hopped onto a shuttle- made it in the city centre- got a little lost- stumbled upon my hostel at 1 in the morn---- my hostel. Let's just say there weren't enough blankets so I got shafted with only a top sheet (yes, it got cold) and the idea of sleeping with 15 other people is a lot worse than it sounds. Imagine 6 people snoring at the same time. Imagine a man in the bunk next to you breathing heavy. Imagine being balled up with a sheet doubled over you seeking warmth. Yeah- enough said. The next morning I popped right out of bed, took a shower, and hit the road. Gorgeous day- bright sun and happy people. I walked the streets- found a mall- found COFFEE- and sat down on a bench where I started a conversation with Myung Ho SEO, a lad from South Korea. Great conversation- mostly because he was such an interesting person. He received his undergraduate in political science, worked for the South Korean Army as a commander of some sort, and now has dreams of being high up in the government food chain so he's studying English in Dublin. He inspired me to take a bus trip since I had all day before meeting my uncle at 8PM. I went straight to the station and took the bus that would go farthest away and still fit my time schedule-->Limerick. Perfect. I went right through the heart of Ireland-- such beautiful countryside. Limerick was a flash though- I had less than an hour before I had to catch the bus back to Dublin. I walked- found a gorgeous cathedral- admired the small narrow streets- shops- people- (I stopped at an ATM where a jolly man started a conversation with me where I could hardly understand a word-- his accent was very thick-- I only made out that he was talking about work and having too many pints the night before? I think? haha)- so like I was saying- time was short- I popped into a pub called The Black Swan right when a rugby match started. I plopped my little self on a bar stool right in the middle of a bunch of big, old Irish men and had a pint-- perfect environment. I ended up being 15 minutes late meeting my uncle- whoops!- but it wasn't a problem- he was happy to hear I ventured out of the city for the day. He then treated me to a fab dinner at a Mongolian restaurant where we chatted until closing time.
Sunday was a repeat of Saturday's weather- beautiful sun. (I really lucked out!) Wayne and I toured the city by foot- walking the liffey- checking out the Temple Bar- seeing Trinity College and the Book of Kells- Grifton Street- St. Stephens Square (beautiful!)- having a cappuccinos at a cappuccino bar- tea in the afternoon- yada yada- it was fantastic. On Grafton Street there were many, many street entertainers-- one was a marionette performer. I was squatting down trying to get a good photo (which failed to happen) when he brought the doll right over to me- it hopped up on my knee and on to my shoulder- I looked up at it right when it was slowly turning it's creepy wooden head at me...shiver. haha. nah, it was really cute. Kissed by an Irish marionette. I made it back to the airport on time and was lucky enough to share the plane with the Edinburgh Rugby team (big thing here- I didn't realize it at the time- but when I told my flatmates their response was "NO WAY!!"). While waiting for the shuttle bus back into Edinburgh I met fellow from Sydney who I invited to sit with me. His name was Matt and he was touring Europe on his own for a few weeks. I walked Matt to his hostel and he insisted on treating me to a drink for all my trouble. Call me Miss Social Butterfly.
Monday and Tuesday are a blur now- my head was racing about the essay I needed to finish by Wednesday afternoon. Tuesday night I stayed up late into the night and finished the beast- turned out to be 11 pages long. This Uni is going to be the death of me.
Yesterday, Wednesday, was a day to celebrate. I handed in my essay and napped for 3 hours- and had plans to meet up with Matt at the castle gates. While I was waiting for him I met a fabulous woman, Nancy, from Chicago. Since I had visited the good o windy city twice over the summer it was easy to converse. She had also visited Maine and commented on the 90 degree weather. There were so many connections- I spent the summer in northern Indiana right in the parts where she went to Uni at Notre Dame and we both were in Dublin last weekend so we chit chatted about that. Matt showed up and I almost invited Nancy along with us for pasta at my flat but I thought Matt would be put off by that. (For some reason I've been very open and welcoming to everyone I've been meeting) My dinner was tasty though- pasta w/tomato and basil sauce and sweetcorn. Luckily I bought 2 loaves of bread since I burnt one to a crisp and had to launch it out the window. (Sorry, mindless details) Well, the night continued to The Three Sisters where I met Matt's mates he had met on a tour of Scotland and he met my mates- Kendra, Dave, Eirena, Cat, etc. Being too buggered from my late night of studying,Matt walked me to my flat-- I hate goodbyes but we parted ways because I was just too tired to even stay up and talk. He headed off to Amsterdam this morning.
So here I am today- phew- what an update. Nothing really planned for this weekend. Aurelie's other grandparents are coming up to visit-- I'm thinking of hitting up Bandaoke with Kendra-- but besides that I think I'm just going to camp out in the library and get some studying done. The last week of November is HELL WEEK for me. I have 4 papers due in one week. One 15 pager, two 5 pagers, and I don't even know how long the 4th has to be yet...! Mercy! I can't get over how fast time is flying by. Does this mean I'm getting old? Months feel like weeks. Days feel like seconds. Heavens to Betsy. Where's the emergency break on this thing??.. O! I need to do my second month update...I'll work on that. [ For all you noble readers out there- I don't know who you are but I'm honored to have you reading this. From the depth of my heart, thank you.]
well...today's the day I fly off to Dublin. It's a night flight and I should be arriving there around 11:20PM. I'm pumped. I really don't know much about the city but I bet the airport will have a free map somewhere- shrug- no worries.
I milked cows on Wednesday afternoon- A LOT of cows. We (Emily, Lara, Frasier, and I) milked at least 150+ cows...over 1,300 liters of milk. A LOT of milk! haha. It was great fun-- dirty-- REALLY dirty- but worth it. Tough work too- I can't imagine doing that everyday. *phew*!
Favorite quote: Emily: "LOOK! She's calving!!!!....ewwwwwwwwwww...false alarm."
(Don't be surprised if I update this entry before I fly out tonight...energy seems to be lacking)
TA DA! Hours later... @ 3PM
I've thought up a great adventure-- a road trip down into Central America and into South America. It sounds too amazing to pass up. I never realized how I'm so close (yet so far, being from Maine) to so many countries. Goodness- I'm talking about a month trip here...maybe in the summer? How incredible.
So my father told me I have the travel bug. I denied it. BUT now I understand what he sees and I have this sudden fear I'll never get enough. Wait a tic- I've always felt that way. I don't know-- I only know that I'm leaving for Dublin in mere hours and I can't wait! As soon as I make my way into the city centre I'm going to find a cozy pub with live Irish music...! YES!! Maybe I'll make some great company in the hostel that would join me! Who knows! Exciting....!!
Side note: I have a google image. How's that for a pick up line? but really...I do...creepy.
So another thought-- I really feel unsettled about my future. I want to change the world- sounds lame- but really- I do. I feel I have something to offer- even if it's just energy and enthusiasm-- what does my future hold?? Something amazing- I'll tell you that much. There's just too much to look forward to- why look back?
Halloween 2005--- one to remember so I'm going to write it down...
Emily hooked Aurelie, Lara, and me with tickets to a vet Halloween party at Drop Kick Murphy's, an Irish pub. Emily: The Pumpkin; Aurelie: The Witch; Lara: The Cat; Me: The Police Woman. We met up with Mira from Norway: Puss 'n Boots. My squad and I enjoyed ourselves and were joined by Kendra: The Schoolgirl and Dave and Jack: Girls- wigs, tights, painted nails and all. Danced danced danced. I got a photo taken with the ghost busters and met two other female cops. Good times.
On the walk home, around 1AM, Jake wanted to give me a tour of Grayfriers Cemetery. I was a little apprehensive but I agreed. The gate was closed but with a pull of a lever it crept open. As we entered a tour was just ending. The cemetery, I found out later, is in city centre right near the castle and is said to be VERY haunted. It was a prefect night- creepy clouds hanging around- gray sky- big bare trees- and the illuminated castle sitting in the distance. Jake took me around telling me spooky tales and trying to shake me up. By time we made it around the huge lot my feet were killing me (giant black heels) and I was ready to leave...little did I know I wouldn't be taking them off anytime soon...when we made it back to the front gate it wouldn't open-- it was padlocked shut! We stood there- me believing Jake was pulling my leg and Jake looking dumbfounded- me in my police uniform and Jake in his dress, wig, and cowgirl hat. There was a flash--! The cemetery security system was on and was taking periodic photos of the grounds...were we getting caught on tape? The whole situation was unbelievable. There we were in the centre of the city but the cemetery walls were so high that it felt like we were miles away from anyone. So our hunt began for a reasonably sized wall to climb or fence to jump. In the back far corner of the grounds we were in "luck"- I slid of my heels- climbed up over a fence- landed on a ledge- and skimmed down a 11 foot wall onto a staircase. The two of us were confused...where were we? University of Edinburgh Art School. It was a well lit courtyard-- the main gate which was locked with an enormous padlock-- we were stuck again! Jake tried to squeeze through the bars of the front gate but failed. We started to seek out anything to climb up on to or over when over the loud speaker (yes, loud speaker) came a booming Scottish voice <blah blah blah something something GATE something>! Jake and I looked at each other, "WHAT??? GATE??" Everything was silent-- then after we tried all the doors into the buildings locking us in the courtyard the voice returned: <blah blah F**KING something something>! The man was mad, really mad! What were we to do? We had NO IDEA where he was and how much he could see us. Then I heard a phone in the distance. Ringing. Ringing. It was faint. The voice came back: <something something> "WHAT!?!" we yelled "WHAT DO YOU WANT??" <ANSWER THE PHONE!>!! Phone?? Phone? We looked all around and then noticed an Emergency Phone box on the side of a building. We rushed over to it, opened it, RING RING- yup- found it! In a number of minutes, after Jake talked to the mystery man about our situation of getting locked in the cemetery, a car came whipping up to the gate- a man got out- "GO TO THE SIDE DOOR" Side door??? He opened a door- we rushed to it- and then he got into the car and drove off. That was it-- left us speechless on the curb, until a guy in a blow up sumo wrestler costume came up and said, "woah, sexy cop...sexy girl thing...sexy cop...sexy girl thing" So that was my adventure for Halloween 2005- Getting locked in the most haunted cemetery in Edinburgh with a "sexy girl thing" and having a creepy Big Brother experience.
After parting ways with Jake I met two guys from Argentina-- the 3 of us talked economics and will hopefully do it again soon. (okay I'm a geek, but really-- one was a cutie..)
Wow- what a night.
Went to Aurelie's French friend Stephanie and German friend Natalie's Halloween shindig tonight. Chatted with two young men from Prague. Talked to a German who studies geography. Met another guy from the Czech Republic who's girlfriend is up visiting. He questioned me knowing where Budapest is, as if I were what he called "a typical American who didn't know where anything was"-- that gets old. I grew angry and replied, "Hungary- what do you take me as?" Honestly- it makes me mad. Everyone seems to question me all the time about world geography and politics. All testing me- seeing how smart the American is. It's both annoying and a lot of pressure. "Do you know WHEN the Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia? 10 years ago- duh." "You know where Berlin is but not Heidelberg?? Why?" "You don't know North Rhine-Westphalia but you know Bavaria?? Why?" and so on and so on. I ask why they assume things so stupid like I didn't know that Czech had no seaside or that I didn't know how large Poland is. They just figure that Americans don't know such things. Blah. I'm tired and probably just rambling-- I better stop now and put a sock in it.
Good night Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and India. Good night Nepal- snuggled in the Himalayas. Good night islands of Indonesia. Good night Azerbaijan. Good night Turkey, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Estonia. Good night Andorra and cute little Malta. Good night Tunisia, Chad, Ghana, and beautiful Kenya. Good night North America forever connected by the Rocky Mountains. Good night Belize, Costa Rica, and important Panama. Good night Ecuador, Peru, and Paraguay. Good night amazing Brazil. Good night World- see you in my dreams.
cell phones--
it's hard for people to register the fact that I don't own a cell phone and even harder for them to register that I've never owned one. I think the classic reaction is when a bloke may ask for my number and I respond with "I don't have a phone"-- they automatically think I'm lying and that I'm not interested. "Really?" They always say- as if I had just told them I have chimpanzees for brothers- it's like they almost believe but it's too crazy to be true. A lot of people get mad at me because I don't have one. I mean like really mad. One time a friend was 15 minutes late to a date we had and (get this!) he blamed ME because I didn't have a phone for him to call and tell me he was running late. It's also common for people to respond with, "You don't have a phone? Is that even safe??"
I wonder when I'll get a phone- I really don't see the need for one really- sure people can get in touch with me easier but while I'm going to the bathroom? eating dinner? while I'm out with company? [I'm still stuck in the old phase where talking on the phone with company is rude-- I know if I were a cell (or moblie as they're called here) owner that would change.] God, it's such a cellphone world. It seems like every form you fill out now says cell phone number before home number. I joke to my friends about setting bets to when I'll get one. I'm saying 2 years. Do you think that is possible, esp. with the way cellphones are booming right now? I have no idea really- I'm just waiting for stable paychecks and a roof above my head before I can pour money into more communication devices.
Side note: I'm really digging Coldplay's album X&Y
Wowie Powie-- this afternoon was full of surprises...
1st: Realized a 3,000 word essay is 10 pages in length, not the mere 4 I expected. Yikes- I definitely need to start getting my thoughts together because the paper is due in less than 2 weeks and I'm spending next weekend in Dublin! Time to get crackin!
2nd: Answered the door and two 12 year-old boys scared me to a scream in cheap ugly Halloween masks. They demanded money- and quite frankly creeped the hell out of me- a) they didn't ask for sweets b) it's 3 days until Halloween.... bloody kids!
and surprise #3: I just saw a naked man in the building next to mine while I was talking with Kendra on the phone! Being night time with the curtain open and the light on...it was quite the show! He walked by the window and I thought, 'nah, it couldn't have been...' but then...POW! he strolled by again- I just screamed into the reciever "NAKED SCOTTISH MAN!!!"
(Side note: Did I ever write about my lucky night last Friday? I went out dancing and did not spend 1 penny on entry fees, foods, drinks, nothing and had a great time...the even greater part is that I came home with a profit! I found 2.07 pounds on the dance floor! What did I do with that money? Made my flatmates coooooOookies! YAY!!)
YESTERDAY WAS ABSOLUTELY GLORIOUS! <and also another pink top day!> It was 66 degrees Fahrenheit and sunny (hehee I looked on weather.com and saw it was below 30 degrees in Lovell, Maine!!)-- after all the rain last weekend yesterday felt like a hot summer day! I took such an enjoyable stroll up Calton hill- sat on the ledge and reflected. O so glorious!
Last night a large group of us went out to Bandaoke (karaoke with a live band every Thursday night at the Walkabout). I had a smashing time- such great company! Kendra even got up and rocked the stage while I snuck away to talk with J, a friend of Kendra's Dave, (I've talked about him before!! See entry the entry from Sept. 30!!), who is...an Aussie! I know I know...HAVE I LEARNED ANYTHING? Yes, I'm stupidly attracted to Australians! Someone help me! Anywho-- I MAY be having coffee with him Tuesday-- we'll see what happens there. (And no I never did call him-- because he was seeing a girl from Minnesota...long story...and he told me last night that I should have. shrug.)
Sunny day today- windy but good windy- warm wind- I love warm wind! (haha- I'm listening to Aurelie struggle to keep her window open...slam slam ..oo! slam! hehee) I think we're all going to stay in the flat tonight and watch a DVD w/some sweet delicious popcorn action. Sounds heavenly.
Side note: So I had a long weekend and knew I didn't have class on Monday and Tuesday-- BUT I went to all of my classes Wednesday, Thursday, and today AND no one was there?! Apparently it was "Reading Week" for business studies...WHAT? And why didn't I know? I could have flown to Switzerland or heck, RUSSIA. groan. A whole week off. Well at least I've been studying. Go me.
Another side note: I need to lay off the sweets--- blah...! Too much too much too much!
But yet...so scrumptious! .... munch munch munch....
break from reading World Investment Reports....legs tingling from sleep...mouth gritty with sugar...water glass empty...numb bottom...yes- I definitely need a break...
I received a parcel (package) today! My first, and probably only, parcel in Edinburgh! A wee heavy box of candies and Halloween decorations from Mark and Faith. They are too great- esp. since it cost almost $20 to send $5 worth of sweets. Very appreciated...though I already pawed through the box and downed a quarter of my treats already....groan....can't stop...eating the sweets...I miss those two love birds. I used to spend nights at their apartment in Portland- staying up late watching movies and eating popcorn then just pass out on the futon. Good times.
So I've decided I'm not the prettiest bird on the branch and I'm not the ugliest dog on the curb-- and I think I'm fine with being average. Average- such a boring word-- it's got such a rotten reputation. Average looks, average brain, average style. But really with average no one expects too much or too little. Did anyone know that I was voted "Most Average Eighth Grader?" (Rather funny because you all know I have my "moments" of craziness...!) I still don't know though...average= me? More like uniquely average? I don't think my laugh is very average, more like wicked loud. And my smile being average? More like annoyingly large and in-your-face. My body shape? Yes, average. My level of intelligence? Yes, average. My passion for adventure? NOT average (though I wish it was-- then everyone would be so much more fun!) My outlook on life? I'm not sure. My family? Better than average. My truth? My morals? My my my...average? average? average? O piss it all- I'm not average. Average? What the heck is average? Wow- I'm mad right now. Typing so fast. Can't slow down.....need to...smoke rising from the keyboard. My - key is broken from typing -ver-ge so much. I need -ir. I'm off to e-t something to nibble on or m-ybe cook some hotc-kes....
Wallace and Gromit-- I love you so. You have my heart wrapped so tight- will you ever let it go?...! The new film, The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, is a treat! The claymation is incredible. Go see it!
Went to the National Gallery of Scotland today- there is something very peaceful about enjoying an art museum by yourself. No rush- no concern about time. Seeing Monet makes me stand straight in awe- then comes Van Gogh-- Seurat-- Cézanne-- Scottish artist Raeburn...splendid.
Done with lectures for the week-- start of my fall break--! No class until Wednesday. That's it- 2 days off. This whole semester I think I get a total of 3 days of holiday. No thanksgiving break like in the states. All of my flatmates are going away besides Aurélie; her grandmother is visiting.
On her way out the door this morning at 5:30AM, heading to the airport for her flight to France, Emily came across a hedgehog by the curb. She hurried back- woke me up- but by the time I threw on a jumper and grabbed my camera the critter had already rolled off. Wild hedgehogs!! I've been anticipating the moment I actually see one, hence why Emily woke me up. Now I need to set up a humane trap in order to catch one- or maybe invest in a flashlight and go tromping around seeking the little spiky balls at night...Miss L, the hedgehog huntress. *shrug*- who knows!
Animal side note: Saw highland coos last weekend-- adorable...so hairy, so fuzzy...so Scottish.
Maltings- the local pub- just added a pool table this week!
Cute music video--- Daniel Powter's Bay Day, which is currently #8 on UK top-40...watch it at www.danielpowter.com Tell me what you think...remember, he is Canadian. Is he known in the US right now?
Okay dokay-- off to vacuum for the arrival of la grand-mère de Aurélie!! Cheers!
I got back from my Inverness weekend tonight...amazing. That's all I can say at the moment. Lost for words. The itinerary was packed- the people were great- the weather was HEAVENLY! It was the best time yet here in Scotland....and I've had some good times! I could bore you with details but really- just check out the photos at my Yahoo! site and tell me what you think...
God, I feel so refreshed- so fab- as if I've floating on big puffy clouds sweeping across the sky...or maybe I'm just sitting on a sheep...
Side note: Loch Ness is sexy. Sexy. The water is so dark and mysterious. Similar to black oil, the waves move along like black satin....amazing. Did I really see Nessie?.... you may never know.
I can't wait to go up into the highlands again- if not in the next 2 months (only 2 months left!!!) then in the next couple years...amazing. Simply amazing.
after 2 days of straight rain-- the sun has never been so beautiful!
Sunday was my turn to cook Sunday Night Dinner for the flat. I made my mum's famous Chinese Glob with a fresh batch of almond cookies! Such a hit!
What a monstrous earthquake in Pakistan! 7.6-magnitude quake! Over 35,000 deaths and tens of thousands injured!? Unbelievable. It's moments like this I wish I was able to help and be there- but no I'm being selfish, or so I feel. For now, all I can do is send money with the Red Cross.
Aurelie, Emily, and I went to the diving society ceilidh Tuesday night...my brazier decided to fall apart during the first tune- luckily a knot kept it in place for the rest of the dance! Also- I was dancing with a true, burly Scot in a kilt one song when his sporran loosened and socked me right on the thigh. To make matters worse- the metal sporran flew off onto the dance floor. Picture this- a big man in a kilt running after his pouch in embarrassment. Too cute.
Emily invited me to accompany her to the dairy farm to see hove clippers in action. (Remember: she's studying to be a vet) I couldn't pass it up. We spent hours in the frigid barn watching workers sculpt cow hooves like an art.
I made the girls pancakes last night! I even flipped them up off the skillet as everyone Ooooo'd and Ahhhh'd me. Cooking is actually fun. Me cook? Ha. "Let's eat them like Americans!" one flatmate yelled out. "Yes! In big stacks with forks and knives!" yelled another! Sadly I didn't have syrup to make the experience complete but it was a blast, no doubt.
Fryeburg Academy (my high school) gymnasium burnt down yesterday morning. I've already looked at numerous photographs of the building ablaze. My first reaction: This must be a joke. No way. My second reaction: So many memories burned away. My third reaction: Old building, basically an embarrassment to the Academy- this means a better one is on the way! My fourth reaction: Good god- it's really gone. I remember all the doodles and hearts I put up on those walls- all the performances on the stage- all the concerts- graduations- laughs- tears-- so many memories in that pile of rubble.
Another ceilidh tonight. Then I'm off to my weekend getaway to Inverness tomorrow morn at 7:45AM. Finally- Highlands and Loch Ness...Scotland has so much mysterious beauty...extremely intriguing- pulls me right in. I love it.
Now the question is: Get back to my Dickens or read some Investment and Securites handouts? Hard call.
1st: Piss off to all AUSSIE men
2nd: Piss off to ALL men
3rd: Those readers that are offended, please if you don't mind...piss off.
4th: i need a hug.
5th: and a bubble bath.
October 20, 2005--- REFLECTION
Obviously I wrote this entry when I was a) mad b) rejected and c) tired....I had gone out dancing with a bloke I met at Bandaoke and he went after my friend- even asked for contact information in front of me. Big blow to my self-esteem. When I woke up the next morning I realized...he was such a washout. That was the end of that.
this is my monthly report.
uni: Classes are going well- there are a lot of essays due in November so I need to get on that before I end up kicking myself later. (Let's see if that actually happens!) Being here is turning me into the reader I've always wanted to be. The system here is based strongly on independent learning. You don't even want to see the reading lists that the lecturers put in our course books...gulp. It's refreshing wanting to read the text to fully understand the topics. You can't rely on asking questions in class- it just doesn't really happen here unless you are in a tutorial which consists of less than 20 people.
the flatmates: 3/4 Hermits Croft is still a happening place. All of us are getting along perfectly. Dishing are accumulating faster then before but it's bearable. We're still holding flat meals Sunday nights- it's my turn this weekend! Everyone has become more open and the kitchen has turned into a sharing paradise. We're all so friendly with each other that it's extremely comfortable for all of us girls to go out together.
Edinburgh: The weather is descent. I have been wearing jumpers, my vest, and my scarf. Only when it looks like rain or I'm on a day trip do I need my Adidas rain slicker. I'm wondering if I'll ever end up buying a thicker jacket or another blanket. I thought since the first night in my flat I would be purchasing another blanket but I realized I can successful survive the night with my room heater up just a bit more. Tourist season is officially over- prices are going down in the shops and there are less crowds. And of course, the city is as beautiful as the first day I arrived.
my health: There was a time there in the past 4 weeks I was afraid malnutrition was going to get the best of me. My diet is basically the same as the beginning- I'm getting a little more creative though- bought some pasta sauce and added tuna to jazz up my pasta. Also, from baking cookies I have butter- which adds pizazz to my dry toast. I've been keeping up with my daily vitamins which I think has been protecting me from all the fall illnesses here. On average, I've been walking 2 miles (if not more) a day. I love how it is nothing to have to walk 45 minutes to get somewhere- no way I'm going to pay for a taxi or even a bus! Not this girl! ha. There were a good 5 days where my wisdom teeth (the 2 that are still remaining) ached and were doing the cha cha but they've calmed down now. Overall- I give myself a 7 out of 10 in the health department...after taking the pints and dancing into consideration.
money: I still have some. My budget was dented by my tickets for Dublin that I ordered but it was a must. If only I had enough to touch down in Germany, France, or Switzerland...or Prague! BUT I know some day I'll backpack around and take care of my travel Europe craving. Eating simple has helped immensely- along with shopping at the warehouse-like grocery store Lidl.
Misc: Haven't been homesick a bit this past month. Haven't experience "culture shock". The number of Aussies I've met: 5. I'm still attending bagpipe lessons- learning a tune but still on the chanter. I found a passion for cooking. I finished a book. I made www.worldnews.com my homepage. I'm on a search to find a job for when I graduate that will allow me to travel. The only music I have is on my computer. I loaded a number of CDs before I left but it's starting to get old so I've begun a search for a radio station online worth listening to. I love dancing.
Dearest Aurelie,
Thank you for not putting enough oil in with your frying courgettes (zucchini) tonight. The night air was quite refreshing along with the fire alarm blaring through the neighborhood, like church bells...church bells from hell. You had to admit your fault in front of all the Hermit Croft residents and sadly your cute French accent couldn't hide you from their looks. I must say the Scottish fireman was quite a riot, esp. after he lectured the 4 of us- like an angry father disciplining his 4 rebellious teenage daughters. The most ridiculous part must have been when the kindhearted RA, Steven, came to if we were all right. "You all look a bit shaken up. Who needs a hug?" No response. "You need one." Coming right at me. I tried to look away, but no, he gives me a friendly Scottish hug awkwardly across the dinner table. O dearest Aurelie, thank you for sending that smoke billowing up to the smoke detector- you have made my night unforgettable.
Cheers. L.
Lovely day in Glasgow, Scotland's largest city! Emily, Aurelie, and I hopped on the bus and next thing I knew- we were there! The cathedral was sensational. Picniced in the park. Went to the dodgy Gallery of Modern Art. Observed the Stock Exchange architecture in the city centre. Chatted by the Clyde River. And to end- another art museum and a shoe store. A good day was had by all.
AYE! I forgot to add: I finally rode on a double decker bus--! I know, I'm such a child- I get excited about the silliest things! But really- double decker and I got front row seating on the second level...so fun, esp. since the buses are flat nosed...such a trippy experience....though I slept through most of it... heehehe
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