Hello again! No, we haven’t fallen off the far side of the world, or been eaten the Loch Ness Monster, we’re just, well, lazy and have forgotten to update the blog here. But, we’re back, and for those of you that have been anxiously waiting for an update, here it is. For those of you that haven’t, you’re getting an update anyway (and we’ll talk soon, j/k).
So, in the last update, I, Matt, did get the job at the high school as a Classroom Assistant. However, I’m still waiting to start. I had to get a background check for working with kids, and that took a while as they also needed one from the US. So, the paperwork is now done, but now, it’s the last week before Christmas break and people at the school are busy and in and out. So, I can hopefully start this week, but if not, it will definitely be in January when the school starts back. To those of you that pray, please say a little prayer about this job: it is currently a temporary post, but has the option to be extended, or maybe even become permanent. Please pray that I can have a job at least through the end of the school year (the end of June), if not longer.
In related news, I have been working hard for Milligan still. This keeps me busy enough, and will continue alongside my new job, until the project is finished.
Bailey is now done with classes, and is working on her final paper for the semester. It’s been quite a project, as expected, with books, Bailey, and a computer spread out around the living room. All will be finished by Friday though, and then we can both just celebrate Christmas here, our first in Scotland!
Now for some recent news, to update everyone. We had the great opportunity to go to Oxford for a weekend and see our friend, Heather, from Milligan, who was studying for a semester there. The city is SO beautiful, and we had a great time; thanks Heather! We saw many of the famous places of the ancient university, including dinner at the famed Eagle and Child, where JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis and the other Inklings often met and dined (we were even in the Rabbit room, which was their old meeting spot)!! We did some other literarily-nerdy things such as see Tolkien’s initials carved into a church banister, and see his house. Weather prevented such pilgrimages to Lewis as well, but now we have a reason to return. In a Lewis-related topic, we passed Anna Popplewell on the street while there (the actress played Susan Pevensie in the first two Chronicles of Narnia movies and studies at Oxford now).
Also, while there, we got to see some rather famous “Hogwarts” locations, used in the filming of the various movies. The trip was wonderful, as it was the first time we took a vacation from Edinburgh, and got to come back to the city as our Home! It was also good as a chance to just relax and recharge. I’ll send you now to the pictures from Bailey to enjoy our trip.
I had an Inkling....
Now onto Thanksgiving! Matt and Susanne came up from London to visit us for a few days, and we also hosted a Thanksgiving at our home, with 8 people! It was great to see our home so alive, with great food and fun! We hope to have a party like that again soon!
We also had another Thanksgiving at Edinburgh Uni, in one of the old halls that reminded us of Hogwarts as well. Friends of friends hosted a Thanksgiving there, and we joined to dine in the beautiful old room, and spend yet more time with friends! It was a very, very busy week, and we were so exhausted when everything was over, but still, it was a lot of fun.
We’ve finished nearly all our Christmas shopping now, and there are wonderful presents under our tree. There can be no procrastinating over here, when you have to mail overseas packages two weeks early to make sure they arrive in time! We are glad to know that some others haven’t waited either, as we’ve already received some cards and gifts from friends and family back home! Thanks everyone! We are really going to miss spending Christmas with friends and family, and seeing everyone at this time of year, but we are excited to be here and see the wonderful festivities going on around us.
Here, the Christmas German Market and festival is in full swing, with games, rides, and booths of wonderful little treats and snacks, all sitting in the shadow of the castle. The streets are decorated, and the stores are playing Christmas music. It’s such a festive mood here, and we love it.
Now, on to the last thing, before I end this ridiculously long post. We have now been married ONE YEAR! It seems so hard to believe that it has been so long since that wonderful Dec. 13th. Thank you to everyone who wished us a Happy Anniversary, either in writing, computer, or in your hearts! We had an extended celebration weekend here, that was a lot of fun, and special too. I wonder though, can we still get away with using the “newly weds” title just a bit longer?
Well, I’ll leave you to rest your eyes, if you’ve made it to the end here. I hope to try and post more often. I’ll just say again that comments mean a lot, especially from those of you that we don’t see on Facebook as often. We will see them, and it will bring us back to the Scotland Quibbler more often to give you more stories, :)
We hope your holidays are truly special and blessed with all the joy and warmth that comes from friends and family around you and in your hearts at this wonderful time of year.
Matt and Bailey
Purr.S. Since my humans didn’t see fit to include it, here’s an album of me, Rory, the most important member of this Scottish family! I am a bit bigger than in this photos, but I’m still just as cute as ever, and sweet, and …..oh, shiny; ATTACK!
Rory!
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