Exciting New Firsts!

So I went to Glasgow this past weekend to see Ian and had lots of fun! There is a train that runs between the two cities, and only takes about 45 min which was not bad at all! We explored some of the city centre, and they have really festive lights hung near the art museum, so we had to take a picture. Ian ordered an Irn Bru at dinner, which is a well known soda here, that is florescent orange and tastes like bubble guy that is getting electricuted or something. Needless to say, I wasn't a big fan!

The on Saturday he took me over to his campus, which is only a few blocks from the city centre. We attempted to take some jumping pictures (which always take a bunch or tries) and then came around the
corner to find all these crazy kids doing this crazy thing calles Freestyle Walking (if you haven't heard of it, I suggest checking it out on youtube, but not to be confused with aggressive walking, which is what I looked up at first). Anyway, one guy was trying to jump from a railing to a cement wall, and a couple other people were running up a wall and grabbing the top to pull themselves up. It was insane. They said they're there every Saturday, so I am sure I'll be seeing them again!

Next was the Robert Burns Dinner. Robbie Burns was a poet who's 250th birthday was on Sunday. Typically people eat haggis (kind of like sausage), neeps (turnips), and tatties (potatoes) so that's what Ian and I set out to do. I really enjoyed the neeps and tatties, but the haggis tasted more like cat food to me than anything else. I tried it tough, and that's what counts. With our meal we also got a glass of whisky, and Ian took a picture of me taking a sip. No need explaining.

Today was also exciting! I had my first genealogy class (I goofed and thought it started last week) and I think it's going to be super interesting! And I was right about the people in the class, in that I'm the only one without gray hair! I sat next to a super nice lady though named Marie, and I am looking forward to going back next week!

Then this afternoon I went up to a place called Colinton Community Compost, which is a place about 2 miles from my house that does environmental projects with people who have developmental disabilities. They have a day program with activities such as arts and crafts, bu then they also provide composting services to the community, and have a gardening program with all kinds of fruits and veggies. I am going to be volunteering there twice a week, and think it will also be a great place to meet some more like-minded people. I put the link here incase you want to check it out.

Whew, this turned into a super long post! I better go get ready to pick Carra up from school.

Cheers!

Yahoo!!!

Today is the day!!!

am i retired?

So just a quick update.

numero uno - cut a lot of hair off. The lady straightened it, so I look like my mother now. I'll take more pictures when it's curly (when I decide to actually wash it) but until then, here's me.

number two - I am starting some classes this week. And by classes I don't mean ones with exams and lectures and all of that. I mean ones that people who are retired take at community centers. Who else would have time in the middle of the day to study Genealogy and Pottery in the middle of the week? ME!

I had a great weekend and found an African dance that was SO much fun, so I intend to go every Saturday I'm in town.

Ian gets here Wednesday!!! Yippie! I am going to Glasgow this coming weekend to see him and explore his new city a little bit.

That's all for now!
~H2os

Putting it all together

Note to self: do not try to fix electrical appliances with duct tape and then plug them into a converter and then plug it into an outlet in another country. a) you blow the fuse in the house and b) you look crazy when you show someone what it was that blew the fuse, and it's held together with duct tape. Also, your room might smell like smoke for the next 24 hours and you'll cause quite a "kafuffle". Just a little reminder.

Today went a little smoother than yesterday. I drove to Carra's school (accompanied by Al) twice today, there and back, with only 2 stalls the entire day! Yippie! Al was doing his version of "cheerleading" in the car to celebrate!

I finally got a bank account kind of set up, which means I have to wait for all the stuff to come in the mail, and then I can set up a bus pass and cell phone and everything. I am hoping to have all that figured out by next week sometime.

I am really loving it here! I have the bus system kind of figured out, and it's just beautiful in the City Center. The castle is absolutely enormous, and it's at the top of this rocky hill, and across the street from all the main shops and restaurants. You can walk out of the Gap, and all the sudden you're looking straight at the Castle, parts of which date back to 1130. Wow! I'll have to take a tour. (p.s. I have actually not gone into the Gap, as I avoided all the American chains in town, including Starbucks, to try and find something new :)

Well I think that's about all for now. I am hoping to explore a different side of town tomorrow, and maybe try out a yoga class while I'm at it!

Best!
Amanda

oh, and to the 13 year old whiplash causer... I think you're neat.

Finding my way...

Well today was quite eventful, compared to the last week or so since I arrived.

First of all, Al took me driving for the first time, which went alright. A friend told me that the first time she drove stick she "gave everyone whiplash," and I don't think it was quite that bad, but I did manage to stall a good number of times. I was having flashbacks of being 15, trying to learn to drive with my parents, which I think was about as stressful for them as it was for me. Luckily Al was very patient, but has said we will go a few more times before he sends me out to do the school runs!

Then I went off to try and get things set up in town (bank account, cell phone, etc.) There is a bus stop about 5 min walk from here, and I managed to successfully take the bus into town, find all the right shops, and get home without a problem. (For those of you who know my sense of direction... you will know I was a bit nervous about this whole operation!) I also found a nice little vegetarian restaurant and got myself some yummy soup!

A couple days ago I went on a 2 hour walk around Loch Leven and got a couple pictures of the swans. p.s. I found out that all the swans here are owned by the Queen! I was advised to keep my distance :)

I also took a couple pictures of the castle from my window. Although it's only light from about 7:30 am - 4:30 pm right now, the sky has been nice and clear!

Well, I'll be sure to write more later. The kids all start back to school on Wednesday, so I'll be getting into the routine soon!

Cheers (that means Thanks!)
Amanda

Arrival and New Years in Scotland

Well I have never written a blog before, but it seems that there are so many people wondering what in the world I have been doing since I have been here, that I think it's the best way to keep everyone updated. I got here on Dec 30th, and have been having an absolutely amazing time! I couldn't have chosen a more welcoming and friendly family. I know that these next 6 months are going to absolutely fly by!

Let me start by introducing the family to you. Rhona and Al are the parents, and have both been very easy to get to know. They have answered about a million of my questions and tomorrow Al is taking me out in the car so I can figure out how to drive stick-shift on the left side of the road!

Then they have 3 kids, Kelly (19), Scott (14), and Carra (10). Kelly is away at school most of the time up in Aberdeen, but has been home hanging out with friends and studying for exams. Scott is 14, and I am pretty sure he grew taller over the night last night. He is playing his Guitar Hero videogame every second he can, and jokingly told me today that the "bullying has only begun." I think he might be a little ahead of himself, but I guess that's how 14 year old boys are supposed to act. Cool. Carra is a real sweetheart. Last night we sat in the "lounge" as they call is (aka living room) and played Heart 'n Soul together on the piano.

On New Years Even I went with Al and Rhona and some of their family up a hill near their house. We watched some fireworks and I took a few pictures of the Edinburgh Castle (which I can also see from my bedroom window!)


Today I also had a chance to go to the coast and walk along the beach with Al and Rhona and took a couple pictures.I start my first official day of work on Monday, so I'll be sure to post more as it happens! Take care and thanks for keepin up with me!!!

Amanda