Vincible Difficulties: Tis' Been A Productive Week!

Hello to all in Vancouver.

Note - take a good chunk of time to skim this because it's a long post!

I guess I haven't updated this weekend but it's been kind of busy. For starters we moved Monday (yesterday) from our old flat to the new one which was fast but exhausting. Wait, wait, wait... let me start at Saturday.

So Saturday, Erin was supposed to go to the ballet, Sleeping Beauty showing at the Festival Theater downtown with four of her friends, BUT THEN one got sick so guess who got to go? Me! I lamented at the other friend being sick of course but I quickly accepted the invite. I can't even express how excited I was not only to see a ballet, but to see one of my most favored movies of all-time - Sleeping Beauty. Before getting this exciting news, Erin, Kurtis and I went up to Calton Hill, which is about a 10 minute walk from our flat and from the top, you can get up high enough to see a panoramic view of Edinburgh. So we made our way up to the top and the subsequent photos below are of what you can see up there, and it was brilliant. The day was dry and pretty much clear which was perfect for pictures, and there were tourists up there but not too many that it felt overwhelming. At the top, you could see the Crags across from Calton Hill - pretty much the Crags is a huge inclined mountain that looks like you're walking into the sky as you walk up, and then it abruptly stops and the drop is quite significant. While we were up there, I took a multitude of pictures of the City Observatory, and the views overlooking Old Town and New Town, and towards Northern Ireland and across to the water.

After we left, Erin found out they had an extra ticket to the ballet so I got to go! After finishing dinner, I hadn't realized how little time I had to get ready and as per usual, frantically put together something fancy to wear to my first ballet. We made our way up the Royal Mile to the theater and met up with Iya, Jackie and Rachel of whom are Erin's friends, and they're all really nice and I happily joined in the excited glee we all shared knowing we were going to see a ballet of Sleeping Beauty. Little did we know that the original Sleeping Beauty story is not what Disney made it out to be... and needless to say we should have read up on the real story before going because I was so confused during the second act I had to just forget about what was going on plot-wise, and enjoy the dancing. And, was the dancing ever amazing. I have never been so taken aback by dancing, probably ever. We all huddled into our seats which were not fit for adults, I kid you not, they were the size of child seats and the leg space was non-existent, but, that didn't deter my excitement. There was a kid behind Erin, to my right, who constantly would swing her feet and sometimes kick the back of our chairs, but no, that too did not deter me. Then, it started - the orchestra engulfed the room with this glorious sound and uptempo familiarity I knew from the movie, and my heart leaped with anticipation, and I'm pretty sure I had the stupidest grin imaginable plastered on my face. I was in awe of the clothing which reflected the choice to set the story in the early 1800s I think. The colors were bright and vivid, and the faces were expressive and the movement of their bodies, even the men, was just simply brilliant. Their hands were delicate, and the men would move the women across maybe 10 feet of the stage and make it seem like the women were just floating in midair. Of course in ballet there would be no talking but the hand movements and facial expressions, the music and the choreography just told the story without even saying a word, and if I would have read about the original story before, it would have made sense as I watched it. There were some funny bits and also some interesting sexual connotations but nonetheless it was so good and all of us gushed about which for many of us was our first ballet experience. Then Erin and I walked home and said our goodnights, and I laid in bed anticipating church the next day.

Alright, for those who go to church, this next paragraph will just delight you. Erin and Kurtis go to a church just a block from our old flat, now just across the street from our new one, called St. Margarets, a Scottish Episcopal church. From the outside, which I will take a picture of tomorrow, is this castle type structure, though it is very small, with beautiful stained glass windows. Before heading over, Kurtis let me know what would happen during the service -

1. We keep to a liturgy book during the whole service and there's no real ad-libbing involved

2. The congregation is comprised of about 15 retired elderly people (and one guy in his 30s)

3. The communion is served with everyone kneeling before the alter area on these long cushioned pillows, and the communion bread is a wafer-thin crisp placed in your hands, and everyone drinks from the same cup but it is poured into your mouth so you don't actually hold it to drink from it

4. The songs are old and I probably won't know any

So, I thought, should be interesting. I was nervous because having someone serve you a drink poured into your mouth was not something I come across very often, and I was not sure how that would work - you know, if I had to angle my head or something ridiculous. Also, if there are only 15 people, most likely including the three of us, how the heck do you sing songs you don't know without anyone hearing you?!?? But thought I'd give it a go anyway and see if I would make St. Margarets my home church.

HECK YES! This church is so cute, it just warms your heart. I walked in and there were about 10 aisles of maybe 6 red chairs each aisle, perfectly aligned, and plants on the windowsills next to little knickknacks. There were all old people who I assume had an unspoken assigned seat agreement because they didn't clump together but were spaced out pretty evenly. And then the priest was in a full robe as was his lady friend-helper (I don't know what she would be called) and the organ player was a very old man with this confused expression on his face, clothed in a robe as well. So we took our seats and the service began. The music was none I'd ever heard before but luckily it was repetitive enough that I caught on. Also, they sing ALL the verses in each hymn... even when there are 6. Oh my goodness. The best part came next when everyone passes the peace of Christ, but because the church is so small, everyone makes a point of passing the peace to everyone there. These people were just adorable, they all smiled warmly at me and shook my hand. Then the "sermon" which was about 10 minutes long began and the priest is this man who seems a bit socially awkward but he was so funny. He took the text read and "told it like it is" so to speak with respect to our modern times. We then were uplifted by another hymn... and then headed to the front for communion. I knelt down and prayed to God I wouldn't knock the cup somehow and spill all of Christ's blood all over the neat little kneeling pads. Then it was my turn to drink from the cup - and it took half a second. Really not a big deal, as with all the things I make a big deal in my head. We returned to our seats, finished the service and then everyone heads upstairs to crowd around this one table and tea and coffee is served to you, along with some biscuits. I sat next to this lovely couple who talked about Edinburgh and their favorite things to do, which was mostly just enjoy being retired at home with each other which I thought was cute. I also chatted with the priest who, as I had guessed, was a bit awkward but really sweet and nice, so our small talk wasn't so bad. Then Erin and Kurt went over to a couple of the church's home for lunch and I was invited but declined because I really had to get a darn yoga mat and the stores close early on Sundays. Anyway, got my mat and went home but Erin and Kurt's lunch turned into a 4 hour venture. The couple kept them with a four course lunch complete with an entire bottle of wine for just Erin and Kurt to share. I really missed out! But I think they'll invite us over again and this time, I will definitely go!

We spent the rest of Sunday packing because on Monday... it was our moving day! Though it was a little scary at first when the landlord was surprised I wasn't mentioned on their application for the flat, but there wasn't a part to indicate they had a person living with them so what the heck, but... after 15 minutes of intense fear we weren't going to get the flat, they called back and said it was a go! So Kurtis' friend Tom and Erin's friend Jackie helped us move the entire contents of our other flat one block down and a half block up Easter Road to our new flat! I will be taking pictures tomorrow because I have nothing to do in the daytime and also because this place is so picture-worthy! There are 12 foot ceilings and the lounge is just massive - it has enough space for two couches and a huge chair as well as a wee fireplace and computer desk area AND a dining room placement. The hallway is equipped with a pulley-system for laundry so you can hang them on these four racks then hoist them up so that they are out of the way and dry nicely because there's a heater in the hallway. The bathroom is a bit small but the shower is better and the kitchen is pretty new and we have a gas stove (hallelujah!), but the fridge is standard Euro size which means it's a mini-bar fridge size back home with no freezer. Erin and Kurt's room is a luxurious suite complete with a little spot to read under their window and my room... well, it's like a baby's room. I had a wee heart-attack when I saw the room and the single-sized bunk beds... as well as the suffocating lack of general space because of the desk and there was no closet, nor was there a heater. So I went for a walk. I walked all the way down to the end of Easter Road and went to the mega-sized Tesco. My comfort place - a food store. I bought some crisps and some other things like bread and toiletries and then made my way back home feeling much better about my predicament. I figured I'd make it work instead of wallowing, so I dismantled the top bunk, took out the desk and grabbed a chair from another room as well as a small sized table and well, I have to say the room looks pretty good. Can't wait to show you all pictures! Erin and I finished organizing the rest of the flat and then we all shared dinner together at our new dining table. We later celebrated a successful move with a bit of whiskey and Carcassonne. My room was quite chilly last night but the bed was great and I slept through the night until around 6am and then when I tried to go back to sleep, I was successful! I slept until around 12pm today which was so nice. I got up though because my tummy was so angry at the lack of food in it and I made breakfast, did yoga then headed out to do some errands. I got my keys cut, got my phone unlocked (0798 101 8281), picked up some Blonde, Original and Rum cask Innis and Gunn (so excited to try the different flavors!) and walked up the Royal Mile to meet Kurtis in his office to go to his class he's teaching every Tuesday for 6 classes. I actually went into the Starbucks near the school and they have such a rotten selection of drinks, just basic ones really but the food looked SO GOOD. There was a croissant with cheddar and mushrooms and pesto I think... mmmm. I just got a white chocolate mocha and continued onward to meet Kurt. I sat in his office space with him and his two mates before leaving to meet up with Julia, whom will be sharing the teaching responsibility with Kurt. She was... lively. Nice girl. Anyway, Kurt's class was great and yet again I was surrounded by about 10 older people who most of them knew quite a bit about the Old Testament, which is what the class is on. I sat by this real nice lady and this gentleman from our church actually and they were great. Kurt did an amazing job and I made a couple new friends for next time. We got a lift home from one of the ladies in the class and Erin, Kurt and I hung out in the kitchen eating Boursin and cheddar cheese crackers while sippin' on some wine. They're off to sleep now but I'm finally typing this post up.

Please note - I want to email so many of you and I will tomorrow... hopefully! Also, I will get those pictures of our flat tomorrow! Also, I'm going to Pause finally and I'm helping make supper for the people there and I get to meet all of Erin and Kurt's other cool friends!

Visual Stimulation from our Saturday outing: