Sunday 20 September 2009

A Real Update this time.

So, here's the update that I'm sure you have all been just waiting by your computers for.  Just a couple of stories and info about life to catch  everyone up.

This week, Bailey registered for all her classes, and her internship.  She put her top six choices (each museum or gallery only has a few, or one, spots available).  She was the first to request the Stills Gallery in Edinburgh, a gallery of photography.  It is relatively new, comparatively, but would be great for her photography background.  From talking to her advisor, it seems pretty clear that she is far more qualified for photography-related work than anyone else in the programme.  She'll know by the end of the week, but if she doesn't end up there, she might just have to work for the National Gallery of Scotland or Holyrood Palace (the one where the Queen lives).  Life is rough right now.
Classes are only two days a week, but there's a lot of writing and out of class work, plus the internship.  She's also looking for a part-time job somewhere, for some extra income, and she found a big camera store (think Ritz, only bigger and better), so she's drooling a bit.

We went to Holyrood Abbey Church of Scotland last week, since it is within sight from the end of our street.  It is a bit different from what we're used to, but was pleasant, and the Church of Scotland is, expectedly, the most prevalent here.  The service was nothing spectacular, but the people were extremely friendly, offering tours of the building, getting contact information and just chatting.  We felt very welcomed.  We returned this week again, though the service was about the same, we felt very welcomed, and were even invited to lunch.  Lunch ended up starting just after the 11 am service and lasted until 6 o'clock.  We met some other students, and a retired Irish couple who now live in the area.  The meal was excellent and talk was a lot of fun.  They enjoyed hearing about the US, and teasing us about the US, but were also happy to explain themselves to us, when all the Scots there understood.  We felt very at home and welcomed.  It is such a joy to have found a welcoming church family with our first church visit.  We are still debating visiting some other churches in the area, but that might have to wait, we also have a lunch invite for next Sunday.

Also this week, we received a tea and dessert invite from another American couple at the church.  He is studying for his PhD in Bible at Edinburgh Uni, and is in his second year.  They were quite happy to visit with fellow Americans, while offering their insights on Edinburgh and Scotland for us.  We really enjoyed visiting with them, and will hopefully spend more time with them soon.

Our adventures have not taken us very far in the city, but we have at least learned the area right around us fairly well.  We ventured Saturday to the Edinburgh Zoo, which is said to be one of the best the world.  It wasn't a sprawling landscape because of the hills, but had a great selection of animals, including some that are found at almost no other zoo in the world.  They are also very keen on educating people about them, and doing conservation work as well.  For a very reasonable price, we spent all day there, and enjoyed talking with some of the workers and seeing the animals.  We were even treated to feeding birds from our hands and a parade of penguins about the grounds (Bailey was particularly happy).  We also saw a hyperactive, summersaulting wolverine...hah, bet you didn't expect to read that, but it's true!

We had a nice dinner, and then came back to our home.  We are slowly making it more like home, and getting used to the quirks.  The appliances are considerably smaller than American ones, so we've had to adjust schedules and habits, especially grocery shopping.  But, we've had several successful cooking ventures so far, and we are really starting to feel at home here.  The rest of our stuff hasn't arrived yet, so we are a bit short and sparse for now, but are looking forward to that ending in a few weeks.

Monday is a Bank Holiday here, which basically means that things are closed or limited hours for no particular reason (that's the Scots' definition).  Bailey has a meeting tomorrow, and then starts classes officially later this week.  She is really getting excited to be back in school!

I think about covers everything.  Again, we'll have full internet installed Friday, so we can then upload photos easily and quickly.  We have plenty to show so look for them soon!

We miss everyone, but are making new friends, so that is exciting.  We look forward to having chats and visits from people in the future! 

Best wishes to everyone,
Matt and Bailey

Saturday 19 September 2009

Update coming soon!

So, sorry to all who are checking for the delays. We promise that we haven't forgotten you. It is taking some time to get reliable internet. We do have a confirmed installation date of Friday the 25th for installing broadband, TV, and phone, so after that, you can expect photos and more stories then.

We are off to the zoo today, Sat, to explore. I think it should be exciting, provided the weather holds out. We haven't seen a drop of rain yet here (knock on wood), which even we recognise is strange. Still, we are going to just go and have fun for a while.

Otherwise, things are going well, and Bailey is about ready to start classes! I'm still looking for a job, but trusting that the right thing will come at the right time. We really miss everyone, but are starting to make new friends here.

Best wishes to everyone,
Matt and Bailey

Friday 11 September 2009

We've made it!!!

Well, we’ve made it. I typed this yesterday in a Burger King, but it wouldn't let me post. This is a copy of the post, with an update at the bottom. It’s going to take about two weeks to get broadband installed at home, so for now, it’s intermittent web access. We're in an internet cafe right now.

But, enough of that! Things are great! The flat is pretty much what we expected in the pics below, but the tree in the front garden is gone, except for a stump. The weeds will come up soon, and then it will be quite nice. We are an easy ten minute walk from Princes Street and the Royal Mile. We found that out after dropping off the rental car, and realising that (a) the bus system is FAR to confusing to figure out without a map, and (b), we didn’t have exact change anyway. So, we fired up the GPS in walking mode, and made it back pretty quick. Our second outing to Princes Street (shopping centre of the city), we got mobile phones and signed up for internet, TV, and all that jazz. It’s taking some time to settle in. We made it to the supermarket today for some basics, and got strange looks because our debit cards are still the swipe kind without a chip! How archaic! Also, the lady at the internet/mobile shop was a lot of fun, and everyone was excited to hear that Bailey’s name was…Bailey! Apparently, they love Party of Five, with Bailey, in it, but the name strangely just isn’t common here! She was an instant celebrity in the shop.

Weather here is pretty nice. Sunny, can you believe it!, with a light wind and about 60-65.

In not so great news, I managed to get food poisoning on the way here, and spent all yesterday in bed! Poor Bailey had to make her first venture alone to the market to get me some crackers and soup, and she’s been playing good nurse on the first day in Scotland. I love her. I’m feeling better today, but still not 100%. Hopefully, the next day or two will see me up to full battery once again.

We made a quick detour to Calton Hill on the way back this afternoon. This is a smaller hill to the northeast of the Royal Mile and along the journey from our apartment to downtown. The views here were AMAZING!!! From various places, you can see the entire city, from the Firth of Forth, to Edinburgh Castle and Arthur’s Seat (the big mountain in the middle of the city)! We can’t wait to get pics online from there, as well as have a nice picnic and photo shoot (for Bailey) one afternoon or evening! For those coming to visit, it is a definite stop on the tour!

Well, I think that about covers it for now. Once we get internet at home, we’ll bring these updates a lot more often (and hopefully shorter). Thanks again to all who are praying for us! We really needed them, and still do. Adjusting will take time. Sometimes, it seems that the language is the only thing we have in common with the people here, and sometimes that’s even in question. We also really miss being able to just pop into Kristie’s whenever we felt like it, and to see friends and family daily. I think that will be the hardest adjustment, at least for me. That and not having weekly time at church with everyone! Please, please comment, and stay in touch via email and/or facebook. We may not be able to answer immediately or all of them, but we love hearing from you.

Love and cheers,
Matt and Bailey

UPDATE: So today, was some more roaming. We now have some artwork for the flat, and a fuller kitchen. We also got some flowers to spruce up the place. It's starting to feel like home. We found Bailey's main building today, and the Elephant House pub just around the corner. For you that don't recognise the title, that's where Harry Potter came into being.

We also got to talk to Kristie and Matt on the phone, and mom last night! It's great to still be able to hear everyone's voice. Once we have home internet, Skype will make that all the easier, and cheaper!

Tonight, we are hoping for a nice picnic dinner on Calton Hill, with the camera and some AMAZING views!!! I think that is one of my favourite places so far.

Thanks again to all for prayers, comments, and thoughts,
Matt and Bailey