A Moment of Reflection

After a quite Victorian morning of Darwin, Antiques, Violet Petal Black Tea, a Braeburn Apple & Jasmine Tart and American & French Jazz music of Old, I decided to collect my thoughts on this bright blue, crisp day.

My time in this country is closing quickly. In less than a month my period of exile from American soil, and essentially from American culture, will cease. I realize that I should have many more blog entries than the three here, but I consider my lack of online writing a testament to my "carpe diem" attitude of this adventure. The majority of the memories not captured in blogs are firmly etched in my quaint little journal that I adore, pictures, memories and that wonderful tool known as Facebook.

Studying for exams and cardio are essentially my daily routine these days. I am hoping that the way I am studying will be enough for good grades on my exams. It is my best attempt without driving my health and mental state insane. But at the very least, it is helping to erase that initial panic that was similar to that horrible night before the AP English Literature test.

It's odd that a lot of things from my past are emerging again to help me in the moment. I keep thinking of my Victorian Literature class and Darwin's choice of words as I read for Environmental Senstivity and Change. Art History is helping me as I re-hash  French Gothic and Italian Renaissance in my mind, though not for British Architecture, made even more interesting as a first-time quasi-UK citizen!

Going to an International Day Ball on Wednesday! Though I do not exactly like how I look, I really do think that the daily running I am doing helps me feel mentally and physically better and is starting to show! And then Belgium, Brussels, Amsterdam and Manchester from Thursday to Wednesday evening! The difficult task of packing lays ahead of me. I am expecting a really interesting and enjoyable time; its a part of the world I for some reason have placed low on the list of travel priorities.

Yesterday, my fitness attempts were derailed as I first set sight on the Christmas Market on Princes' Street. It is a bit over-priced but it is so picturesque I am going to take a day and indulge a bit. Roasted chestnuts, mulled wine, my favorite swing carnival ride (made even better by Edinburgh winds!) and window shopping in the high-priced and beautiful shops nearby. Capping it off with the candy shop down the street - Rhubard Creams mandatory!

Sending love and thinking of the family and home wherever they may be :)

This writing exercise, tainted with Victorian prose, may have been an unwise choice in the pre-exam atmosphere of a university. It also may be in need of refining and downsizing (aka ego-diminishing).

But I am in a writers' city, and Darwin's undergraduate stomping grounds, so I have to start somewhere!

The Highlands and the Flatlands

I have some days to report in between but I'll get back to them ...

Came back today from the wonderful weekend in the Highlands that Dereen treated me to. She did so much driving! Basically we went North of Edinburgh across the bay, through the highlands along a mountain range called the Grampian Mountain Range and a ski area. I think I don't have that name right. Anyways, once we got through we went to the west where we followed the line along the borderlands South to a village called St. Agustus along the banks of the Loch Ness :) The Highlands are magical! Much different than I thought. I couldn't really get all the pictures I wanted, but imagine this:

High, steep green hills, covered in mist and purple heather and yellow wildflowers, with white running water carving lines through them or flowing over black granite rock outcroppings. Or big hills with tons and tons of green spruce and pine trees. Or the Lochs- surrounded by banks of mountains and greenery, and ferny, moist dense,  forests and secluded, hidden waterfalls! :)

 Gorgeous and kinda spooky! There was an air of something refreshing and majestic and different about the place. Hope I can get back there one more time on this trip.

St. Augustus was an adorable little village, located where Loch Ness and the Caldoninan Canal. One of those cool canals that use multiple water levels to assist ships. Just looked up the town on the web- there is alot more history and natural beauty there than what we got to see. Maybe later :) Had dinner at a wonderful place called the Boathouse with stunning views. I had really yummy Scottish salmon and apple pie (mom yours was better) we split a bottle of red wine too. Walked around a bit and tucked in laughably early at about 9pm at our B&B which was in the grounds of what used to be the Abbey! Apparently the town was used by the English as a stopping post in battles. Learned a lot about Scottish history from Dereen on the drive and it was inspiring! I wanna pick up a book and read more about it. And I may have to watch Braveheart with them because the way Dereen talked about it, it was such a moment for their country! Though I will remain firmly intact of my dislike for Mel Gibson

woah I am going way off track here! haha Sorry...

Watched the finale of Celebrity Big Brother. Started watching the new season today, and I do have to say it is interesting, I guess.

Got up to a wonderful hearty breakfeast of a perfectly cooked egg, mushrooms, hashbrowns, roasted tomatoes, brown toast, tea and OJ. We ate in the dining room, which was like a greenhouse, all on pretty white plateware.

Hit the road and drove on the other side of the mountains which was totally different from the first side. Passed the gorgeous waterfalls (that my camera missed) and marshes and old battlelands. And the Stirling castle and monument to William Wallace before getting back to Musselburgh. Got out a bunch of times to take photos, hopefully they will come out good despite the fog and rain of the day.

I had no idea Scotland was so big and interesting, or that it had such a cool history.

Cleaned up a bit and then went to the University just to check out my flat key. The guy liked that I was from California; he sang it. lol. My building is kinda plain on the outside but it has a great location! Five minutes walk from "the Craggs" and Queens park = free outdoor gym! The main thoroughfare with all its shops and restaurants is two blocks away and Prince's street is only a 15 minute walk. As I discovered after I failed to find the location of the free dinner that housing arranged. Whoops I will get this eventually.

My room and the flat is actually pretty spacious. Right off the entrance to the building so it will probably be noisy but whatever. And my room is kinda isolated and at the end. There is a nice view of the Craggs (and a not so nice view of industrial rooftops and graffiti lol) Right across the street from two of the restaurants I liked earlier and a market which is nice.

Tomorrow its out early to attend the International Centre Open House and finally get some money out of an ATM and buy a belt at the charity shop that helps pets get vet appointments across the street. Then its back here for a final lunch with the Masons,  a last minute shopping trip for food and some pants that actually fit!! (something went wrong when I packed) and then move- in! And one of the first things once I move in is the gym finally!!

Last night in this room. Ahh man it was really nice!!

I guess I am ready for "school mode." Just wish this cold would go away!!

Livin' Away from the Nest

Well here I am in Scotland!

Edinburgh is a wonderful mix of the old and exotic! Its so picture-esque with tons of little restaurants/cafes that I can't believe I get to live here :)

And Dereen Mason and her family are so wonderful! I am so well fed and taken care!

Things I learned (or re-learned) today:
1. Scottish and Canadian people are the sweetest!!
2. When all electronic trappings fail you, you get a lot closer to the world.
3. I am so happy that I ended up in a country where people speak English!
4. I can figure my way around a city pretty well.
5. The public transit system here is almost too good.
6. I have to devote an hour or two to brainstorm ways to lose weight and tone here.
7. It will be expensive; I will try my best but will also just have to accept it.
8. Go with the Flow :)


I'l start from the beginning. The flight went pretty well. My checked bag didn't make it here the same time I did but it came along in the afternoon so it's all good.

Got my first taste of Scottish speech right out of the terminal. At the Costa coffee bar I ordered a white coffee (not really sure what it was) and a Sticky Toffee Pudding muffin. The coffee was good; the muffin was not to sweet and kinda tasted like anise. It was all right but I couldn't finish it.

Spotted Dereen (fortunately) and drove with her to Musselburgh. I went to the right-hand passanger side without thinking. Rolling hills of green and orange, with rolls of haye and stony hills. Kinda reminded me of Seattle and Central California.

Her house is small and quaint with lots of nice wallpaper. lol I have my own really nice room! First day basically just took a nap, waited for luggage, watched Kallamity Jane (shout out to Grandma Kitty) and dereen took me to a store (kinda like Wal-mart but muucch nicer) and then on the way out through the town :)

And then we went to the restaurant where Sam works. It was called the Birdcage and housed in an old mill that they updated. how cool is that! had something simple cuz my stomach still felt weird from the airline food. I had lemon and oregano chicken with a spring potato, green bean and olive salad. Had some really good looking things on their menu- too bad I wasn't really hungry.

Later we went to the Mason's family friend (I met more Scottish people!) and watched some weird game show while Dereen and the mom walked their 3 huge huskies and an even huger dog- a Paranian Mountain Dog named Holly :)

And then we went to Princes' Street and saw the most unbelievable fireworks show over the castle. Mom yExcept that my enthusiasm was too much for my camera apparently. Decided to record it because it would come out better than photos. Now....my camera says the battery is exhausted and it is charging super slowly. Thought I charged it last night; apparently somehow I didn't :(  So I thought o well I will use my phone camera. Till that died and the memory filled up. haha so the sights from today will be just for me. I think I will explore Musselburgh tomorrow (with a working camera) and then re-trace my steps once school (and all the school tours start).

Today, basically walked around and up and down (hoping somehow someway it will burn significant calories) settled on a scone with butter and jam and a ginger beer at Wellington's on Hanover Street (would have taken a picture if I could) chased buses across streets until I finally got on the right bus back to Musselburgh.

Came back from the bus stop to grab my new phone house, opened the front door and noticed the wall of wallpaper in front of me, and the scent of cigarettes. Then realized I went to the wrong house! whoops :)

Came home to another warm meal of beef stew :) Now I am being lazy (see #8) and watching TV and finally chatting with people back home.

Tomorrow's challenge: Spend max of $5 and explore musselburgh, work in some jogging,  then tea in the afternoon with Dereen!

You Only Live Once

I sit at my desk and open up my blog with only 9 weeks of my third year left and see the first post. And then I write this :)

You Only Live Once

Stop wondering what you could have done . . .
     There is a blue and brilliant sky outside
Stop wondering what you would have done . . .
     There are a bunch of loud and happy people downstairs
Stop wondering what you should have done . . .
    There is a place for you out there

Stop thinking about those memories not made . . .
   No one is perfect
Stop thinking about those moments not seen . . .
   No one has it all

Start taking light of where you are, and what you are . . .
   Kick the concern in the crotch
Start not caring where "not caring" is due
   And feel the relief spread across your face at the phrase
Start looking out for you . . .
  And ignore that voice that says you should put yourself in the shadows

Carpe diem

Empty sella