Good Afternoon My Dears,
I am sorry for the massively long silence but the time got away from me a bit. When last I wrote I was celebrating two birthdays in Greece. A friend's on May 1 and my sister's on the 10th. The birthday events were lovely and a grand time was had by all. At least, I hope so. You see, I made the mistake that when I booked my ticket for Greece I booked the return for 6:50 am on the 11th of May. My sister felt compelled to take me to the airport. I did offer to take a taxi but she was not having it. I am not sure if she has forgiven me yet. I also met her boyfriend, who is quite nice. I spent a lot of time with my aunt, uncle, and my cousin Brighitta who is a fantastic photographer in London who I see once every couple of years. It was lovely getting to know her a little as an adult. My sisters birthday also resulted in a summer job offer. The jeweler where I bought Alex's birthday gift needed some website help, which I was happy to do as it passed the time a bit. He wants someone to work in his shop for the busy season so that he can concentrate on making more pieces to sell. Needless to say, it was a very attractive offer, but for reasons that will become apparent shortly, I have not given him an answer, nor have I closed the door.
Things in Edinburgh are picking up a bit. I have settled quite nicely into the new flat and am exploring Edinburgh from the perspective of living in town. I can't get used to separate hot and cold water taps. It makes all washing up an annoyance, whether it is dishes, faces, or bodies. It also makes taking a bath an exercise in burn prevention. I have an electric shower that is not working, so it is imperative that I figure out how to take a bath with out sustaining third degree burns. I have decided that I love the Bruntsfield area of Edinburgh and that if I stay in Scotland, I would eventually like to move into that neighborhood. If you have read Alexander McCall Smith's Isabel Dalhousie Mysteries, you will already be familiar, if not, read the series anyway it it quite well written and a joy to read.
I have found the Edinburgh Swing Dance Society and went to their thursday night free dance. That was an interesting experience because it was not solely swing dancing. I also plan on attending their Sunday Afternoon Tea dance, at which I have been told there will be cake. I will travel anywhere for cake. I have also found the Edinburgh Creative Writing Club that meets every Monday evening at 7 in the city center. Apparently, one does not need to read if one does not want to, which is good as the only thing I am currently writing is this blog. Also, they encourage writers to bring copies of their work. A bit of a problem that, as I have no printer. I am still going to go and see what is to be seen. I also joined a New in Town group to try and meet new people. I am also looking for a book group. I have joined a reasonable gym and it has been good getting back into a workout routine. As well, it lend a little bit more structure to my day. Phew, I think I may have bitten off more than I can chew.
On the job front things are brightening up a bit as well. I had an interview for a real estate firm called Braemore Lettings and I think it went quite well. I really like the people I interviewed with and the job location can't be beat, it is right in the center of town on Dundas Street, which is also featured in Mr. McCall Smith's books. I sincerely hope I get that job, but if it doesn't work out, I have an interview next wednesday with a company called Miller to do some basic accounting. I also had to turn down a temp job with a place called Dobbies Garden Center, which is not too far from my house, because it was for a month, due to start on Monday, and if either of the two jobs above come through then I want to be available.
Lest you think that it is all coming up roses, let me assure you that is not the case. There are things I miss about home, not the least of which is seeing my family and friends. I really, really miss clothes dryers, maybe even more than I miss you all. Do you know how frustrating it is to do laundry here? I live in a country where the average temperature in June is about 65 degrees. In JUNE. Happy freekin' Birthday to me. It rains somewhere in Edinburgh at least once a day and the winds that blow off the North Sea make it feel like December in DC. It is May, people. In this climate, people do not own dryers, unless they live in a retirement community, like Laura's parents do in Dalkeith. They either hang it outside for the 10 minutes it isn't raining, or they dry clothes inside on airers (clotheshorses). This process takes 4 days, and that is after the washing is done which takes 3 hours. Have you ever heard anything more absurd in your life? Not I, McFly. If anyone wants to get me a really super birthday present they can spring for an electric airer which costs 79 pounds and is available from a housewares store called Lakeland.
It is a wonder to me that dental professionals don't all flock to the UK for work. People seriously don't take care of their teeth here. This was brought home to me the other day when I had to go into three different stores to buy dental floss. Of course the other side of that is that there are no jobs in the dental profession BECAUSE people don't take the best care of their teeth. If I was a dentist, I would encourage everyone to eat candy and get cavities. I would always have work then. That's all she wrote, folks.
Next Up...join me for the 3 R's: Reading, Riting, and 'Rithmatic. I promise a rousing good read.
Cheerio for Now,
Tina
I am sorry for the massively long silence but the time got away from me a bit. When last I wrote I was celebrating two birthdays in Greece. A friend's on May 1 and my sister's on the 10th. The birthday events were lovely and a grand time was had by all. At least, I hope so. You see, I made the mistake that when I booked my ticket for Greece I booked the return for 6:50 am on the 11th of May. My sister felt compelled to take me to the airport. I did offer to take a taxi but she was not having it. I am not sure if she has forgiven me yet. I also met her boyfriend, who is quite nice. I spent a lot of time with my aunt, uncle, and my cousin Brighitta who is a fantastic photographer in London who I see once every couple of years. It was lovely getting to know her a little as an adult. My sisters birthday also resulted in a summer job offer. The jeweler where I bought Alex's birthday gift needed some website help, which I was happy to do as it passed the time a bit. He wants someone to work in his shop for the busy season so that he can concentrate on making more pieces to sell. Needless to say, it was a very attractive offer, but for reasons that will become apparent shortly, I have not given him an answer, nor have I closed the door.
Things in Edinburgh are picking up a bit. I have settled quite nicely into the new flat and am exploring Edinburgh from the perspective of living in town. I can't get used to separate hot and cold water taps. It makes all washing up an annoyance, whether it is dishes, faces, or bodies. It also makes taking a bath an exercise in burn prevention. I have an electric shower that is not working, so it is imperative that I figure out how to take a bath with out sustaining third degree burns. I have decided that I love the Bruntsfield area of Edinburgh and that if I stay in Scotland, I would eventually like to move into that neighborhood. If you have read Alexander McCall Smith's Isabel Dalhousie Mysteries, you will already be familiar, if not, read the series anyway it it quite well written and a joy to read.
I have found the Edinburgh Swing Dance Society and went to their thursday night free dance. That was an interesting experience because it was not solely swing dancing. I also plan on attending their Sunday Afternoon Tea dance, at which I have been told there will be cake. I will travel anywhere for cake. I have also found the Edinburgh Creative Writing Club that meets every Monday evening at 7 in the city center. Apparently, one does not need to read if one does not want to, which is good as the only thing I am currently writing is this blog. Also, they encourage writers to bring copies of their work. A bit of a problem that, as I have no printer. I am still going to go and see what is to be seen. I also joined a New in Town group to try and meet new people. I am also looking for a book group. I have joined a reasonable gym and it has been good getting back into a workout routine. As well, it lend a little bit more structure to my day. Phew, I think I may have bitten off more than I can chew.
On the job front things are brightening up a bit as well. I had an interview for a real estate firm called Braemore Lettings and I think it went quite well. I really like the people I interviewed with and the job location can't be beat, it is right in the center of town on Dundas Street, which is also featured in Mr. McCall Smith's books. I sincerely hope I get that job, but if it doesn't work out, I have an interview next wednesday with a company called Miller to do some basic accounting. I also had to turn down a temp job with a place called Dobbies Garden Center, which is not too far from my house, because it was for a month, due to start on Monday, and if either of the two jobs above come through then I want to be available.
Lest you think that it is all coming up roses, let me assure you that is not the case. There are things I miss about home, not the least of which is seeing my family and friends. I really, really miss clothes dryers, maybe even more than I miss you all. Do you know how frustrating it is to do laundry here? I live in a country where the average temperature in June is about 65 degrees. In JUNE. Happy freekin' Birthday to me. It rains somewhere in Edinburgh at least once a day and the winds that blow off the North Sea make it feel like December in DC. It is May, people. In this climate, people do not own dryers, unless they live in a retirement community, like Laura's parents do in Dalkeith. They either hang it outside for the 10 minutes it isn't raining, or they dry clothes inside on airers (clotheshorses). This process takes 4 days, and that is after the washing is done which takes 3 hours. Have you ever heard anything more absurd in your life? Not I, McFly. If anyone wants to get me a really super birthday present they can spring for an electric airer which costs 79 pounds and is available from a housewares store called Lakeland.
It is a wonder to me that dental professionals don't all flock to the UK for work. People seriously don't take care of their teeth here. This was brought home to me the other day when I had to go into three different stores to buy dental floss. Of course the other side of that is that there are no jobs in the dental profession BECAUSE people don't take the best care of their teeth. If I was a dentist, I would encourage everyone to eat candy and get cavities. I would always have work then. That's all she wrote, folks.
Next Up...join me for the 3 R's: Reading, Riting, and 'Rithmatic. I promise a rousing good read.
Cheerio for Now,
Tina
I forgive you!
ReplyDeleteYay!!!
ReplyDeleteWe have proper tumble dryers here in primitive yorkshire. Must just be the Scots who don't believe in it! We also have dentists...
ReplyDelete