Wow it's been a while since the last post but I haven't forgotten, I've just been busy. I wish I could say busy because of a job... but no.
Alrighty so Wednesday, Lora made us a Burns Supper (Vegetarian of course) for our shared dinner after Pause. She put this amazing amount of effort in finding out about the traditions because she herself is from England. Actually we don't have one authentic Scot in our group - Canadians, Irishmen, and some English. Which meant that when everyone participated in the Ode to a Haggis, we butchered the entire thing and couldn't pronounce half the words BUT nevertheless the haggis was presented and we all shared in the delicious meal accompanied by tatties of course.
Thursday... hm. Don't think I did anything of merit. WHOA WAIT. I decided I was going to walk South of our flat, just to see what was there and everything with the intention on getting lost for a while. Well "awhile" turned into two hours and I wasn't wearing the proper shoes for that kind of lost-ness. But eventually I made my way back to Leith and stopped in on a bookstore that I thought looked amazing from the outside. Inside was even better. I found a book based in Scotland and decided to buy it. But... by the time I got home I realized how severe the pain I had was when I took off my shoes and realized I had 6 blisters - one of which was on my baby toe and had grown to the size of my entire toe. It was like having two toes on one toe - TRY AND FIT THAT IN ANY SHOE! Also it was full of blood. Probably didn't need to share that bit but you know. I'm stuck in my wellies for the next couple days.
Friday! Went out for coffee with Erin and Cassie who is a new mother. We sat in the same coffee shop JK Rowling was supposed to have imagined the Harry Potter books, The Elephant House. The coffee was superb, and I bought an elephant shortbread in support of an elephant charity. We sat and talked about life in Edinburgh and about other things. When it was time to leave, Erin went to meet up with Kurt for a date which was lunch and a tour of the museum, so I trekked on home and reviewed some points I'd like to make about the book we read for book club this month. Oh yea! Joined a book club with Erin, Cassie (but apparently she never can make it), Aya, Jackie, Chelsea, and Donna. These are all wonderfully pleasant women who have accompanied their husbands on their educational endeavours. We went to this place called "Under the Stairs" I think in downtown Edinburgh. The place was packed, it was ridiculous. And my darn chair was on board that gave way a bit when people would step on it so every time someone went by my chair would dip and then lift with their steps, but because there was so many people I couldn't find enough space to actually move my chair off the board. Goodness me, that annoyed the heck out of my for the first 20 minutes. Anyway, so we got down to discussing the book The Paris Wife which was a fictional account of the first wife of Ernest Hemingway. I absolutely hated the book - at first I was allured by Ernest and the possible romance that they would have, but then all throughout the book Hadley, his wife in the story, would foreshadow impending doom and gloom after every happy sequence and finally I just gave up enjoying the book and forced myself to read through to discuss it fairly. The descriptions were flat and unexciting and the characters seemed one dimensional, and the relationships were appalling BUT it did give some insight to the promiscuity of the 1920s. We chatted for a hour and a bit and I enjoyed a Duvel, and then we headed back to Aya's flat on the rich side of Edinburgh to pick up Kurt and Josh who were playing a game of Catan with Kengo.
So we walked there, took about a half hour and there was a crisp, cool air at that time of night. I really liked walking with Erin and Aya and sharing some of my childhood stories, seeing as both Aya and myself moved a lot when we were young. It was nice to hear someone else had securities about making friends, and better yet, didn't fully get over those insecurities until later. She's in her late 20s now and has been married to Kengo for less than a year. They're both from Japan but grew up in America. Anyway so once we got to her flat, you could tell there was a difference right away between this side of Edinburgh, and ours. First off - no graffiti, at least that I could see, and pristinely clean cobblestone roads. Also her flat was pretty big and they had a decent sized bathroom (having a normal sized sink is a luxury). So we hung out in her lounge and chatted more while sipping on some whiskey while Kurt, Josh, Kengo and three Japanese students played a game of Cities and Knights.
While talking, as it always does, my past relationship came up (I'm seriously wondering with all the very poignant questions Erin's friends ask... it's like they've been briefed or something!), and well, Aya offered some very insightful wisdom to me, which made me feel more comfortable with her and also I felt like she was offering both Erin and myself more of an emotional response, because generally she's very flat or inhibitory with her feelings. Then I gracefully suggested taking the convo back to the games room and we all watched Kurt win (again...) and then we stood around getting to know each other better and telling stories. Then Josh, Kurt, Erin and I all walked home through the winding roads and I felt like I could just keep walking forever. Sometimes that mood hits me and I just can't help but feel like walking, wondering, discovering. It's one of my most favourite feelings - I feel slightly invincible, if that's the right word, like I can walk wherever I want just because I can. But we were home all-too-soon, but my feet were happy to get a rest.
Saturday was good and bad. Saturday I wanted to straighten my hair and for some reason, even though I'm sure I had the straightener on the right setting... it crapped out halfway through my hair. For those who don't straighten, the only way to fix what you have now perched on your head is to completely wash with soap because getting it wet will just make it look gross, or getting another straightener. I figured I'd use it again so I just bit the bullet and walked out to get one. When I got back, Mel had come over to knit and Simon and Jonny were just leaving. All these people are from Pause btw. So I sat in the lounge and knit with Erin and Mel for a while. Then we got ready to go to a Burns Supper at the church of Tom and Hannah (also from Pause). It was so great! I still ate Veggie haggis (back to a vegetarian btw) and neeps and tatties and wine. Then had some ambrosia which was made with whiskey and raspberries. Then the church held a talent show were people spoke poems or sang songs or played an instrument - which the bagpipes were the best part for me! Then we skedaddled out from there to head over to the pub. My first pub outing. I loved every second of it! I hung out with the Pause people and talked to Lora about going to some dance classes once I get a job! It felt like time passed really fast and we were all packing up to leave. When we got home there was a pretty out of control party going on at the "party pad" across the hall. I've self-dubbed it this because there are smells coming from that flat at all hours and countless people in and out of the place. Anyway I'd had a few beers and Kurt told me if the noise was bothering me, I should tell them. So I opened the door and I did not expect to see a lad standing there. He seemed on a substance or two, and in a semi-panick attack. Apparently his friends weren't letting him in and they were upset. So exnay my plan to knock on their door to tell them to shut it. I asked the lad outside if he didn't mind letting them know that they would have to quiet down because it was 2:30am and he said okay. And then he asked for a hug but was already in the process of embracing me. I moved backwards but he caught me and told me I smelt nice and Josh came to the door and asked if everything was okay. The lad was harmless because he barely even touched me but he was embarrassed and locked his eyes on his phone pretending to text as Josh appeared. Thank goodness for 6 foot 4 Josh! Then I thanked Josh and went to bed.
Sunday we went to church and Kurt preached. He did a fine job, though much more informative about Biblical geography and history then I think the folks were used to. They were polite and told him it was good, though offering no comment after. Then Josh moved out. We all said our goodbyes and it was lovely. Now I have the lounge room again to do yoga! It was my first thought. Oh man, so selfish! The rest of the day was nice and we ended with Kurt, Erin and I going out for fish and chips! It was the most delicious fish and chips ever. I even ate the tartar sauce! I thoroughly enjoyed it and we went home, hung up photos and the pennant flags in the lounge then sat down and watched Kurt dominate at Catan again. Erin and I were only 5 points behind when he won but it was obvious throughout the game he would win. Then on Monday we had a semi-knitting club congregate in our flat and I learned how to purl properly. Erin taught Jackie and Aya how to knit from scratch and they were doing fantastic after a couple rows. Then I had to make supper and I decided on a thai-inspired dish which Erin helped chop veggies with. I've never been so happy with the way an inventive sauce turned out! Jackie even made me write down the recipe and everyone was saying how good it was during supper. Yay! Then we played two games of Bonanza with everyone and honestly, Americans are ruthless. Once they knew how to play there were no free trades, everyone owed and it didn't matter if the trade was practically even, they'd want something in return. Kurt and I looked like saints when we purposed our trades which helped us claim first and second place respectively.
Tuesday I was sick all day and so didn't feel up for the OT class with Kurt, and I went to bed extremely early.
Wednesday, went to Pause and ate Dal made by Simon. Also Wendy was away so Kurt and I set up her flat for Pause by lighting the candles to illuminate the room and starting the fire to keep us nice and toasty. After a while I left the main room so I could help wash dishes because I was so tired.
Thursday I went to the Office Angels employment agency on George Street and got partially set up with them. I didn't have my NIN so I couldn't get my bank account and so they can't actually place me until I have those two pieces of information. Carol, my job-finder-lady was really nice and helpful with any questions I had during my consultation. Then Kurt made dinner for himself and I and we all tucked it in pretty early.
Friday Erin and Kurt left for Rome and they'll be back on Monday at midnight. I have the flat to myself and it is so big when there's just one person in it that it feels very lonely, especially at night.
Today, Saturday, I went out and got a haircut and well, she took of 4 inches off. I felt my hair was really dead and so I figured I'd start fresh. No split ends now!
So now it is 11:52pm and I need to sleep.
Reminds me of how short it was in 2009 for Graduation.
Oh yes, I'm also learning Russian and Japanese via Rosetta Stone.
I'm taking Environmental Politics and Law, Abnormal Psychology and a Old Testament Introduction class via online courses.
All these things are so stimulating and I'm enjoying it so much I've neglected to do much else on my computer, like update my blog or respond to comments, so I apologize!
Tomorrow I'll get back to everyone.
Love
Thanks for the Update.
ReplyDeleteLike your haircut!
-TD