Hunley's "PAWS" for reflection

Greetings all! Planes, trains and automobiles later... I have been in Scotland for a week and a half now. While I didn't really understand to what new place I was headed, now that I'm here, I quite enjoy it!! Ever since I got out of that terrible metal balloon, I have been spending time with many of my favorite people and seeing all kinds of new things. I'm following new scents and making new friends - my favorite is a Scottish Bearded Collie called Jack. We visit his house sometimes. I have a huuuuuuuuge park outside my house. There seem to be a lot of people and animals using it, but I have decided to allow them access for the time being. Enjoy some of the photos from my adventures thus far...

This is me doing some serious Wimbledon viewing with my Loch Ness Monster, "Lochie."

I did some investigating at the harbour and Seabird Center in North Berwick.

Here, I'm trying to stir up anything that I can pounce on. I'm working on my stalking skills.

This is one of the views from our walk up the "Crags." You can see why I'm loving Edinburgh!

Gotta run, literally, after pesky pigeons... Tah-tah!

Recovering from the weekend activities

No, not "wild" weekend activities, just a weekend packed with fun and entertainment!

Friday was my parent's last evening in Edinburgh, and we had a lovely dinner with the Lad and his parents. Appropriately, we had a very "posh Scottish" meal at Angels with Bagpipes on the Royal Mile. It was all around a great food, great drink, great company kind of evening.

Yes, it was sad to say goodbye to the folks, but they had a wonderful trip over! We did a lot of seeing (new things for me too!), a little Wimbledon watching, and some good eating. We even took two days to get out of the big city, which was great. We had a gorgeous day in St. Andrews to celebrate Father's Day on the Old Course. For those who only know this as the place where Wills and Kate met - wrong! It is called the "Home of Golf" because, far before the Duke and Duchess, the playing of the game goes back to 1552. If you want to go back even farther, this small town on the coast also has gorgeous cathedral ruins dating from  the 1100's. On Sunday's you can walk the Old Course, and Dad and I also "played a round" on the putting course. Needless to say, it was a slam-dunk Father's Day. The photos to prove it !! We also made it to a small village by the sea, North Berwick, and Hunley made this journey!

The weekend ended with another exciting adventure - Kings of Leon concert at Murrayfield (Rugby stadium)!! The rain held off, it was warm enough for short sleeves, and we enjoyed the amazing concert by standing on the "pitch" (field). I know that they have become superstar popular, and they may be less "hip" than they used to be, but I loved the concert. 27 songs and 40,000 CRAZY fans - check off, my first European arena experience! One of the best parts was when, to my complete surprise, I discovered that the opening band was Zac Brown Band. The Lad wishes he had a video of my face when the usher told us - pure shock and joy! Ohhhhh, how my Georgia, country soul was very filled!

That is all for now! Look out for Hunley's first post and flat photos by the weekend...

First slight breakdown

Many of you might have thought that my first panic attack would have come on Tuesday, when the longest day of the year was also the worst, most horrific weather since my arrival. While it was a tough 20-so hours of "daylight," I bought a "proper" waterproof raincoat and forged ahead!

It wasn't until today that the initial moment of panic - racing thoughts, shortness of breath, flushed face - overcame me like a flood... The worst part was the surprise; it was unexpected. First, I was shopping, not a naturally, freak-out inducing activity for me! However, my dad and the Lad have been wanting me to look at "not cute boots" (my term, aka: hiking boots). While I'm sure they are practical in rain, mud, etc., and while the particular pair I'd just tried on did have nice coral accents... In my opinion, they are hideous!! I left promising to think about it, and then we headed to the food court. There, I was not presented with a gyro stand or auntie ann's or chick-fil-a, but a 4 British pound toasted sandwich with one piece of ham and no mustard (not even in packets), accompanied by tortilla chips and mayonnaise (which the associate called "nachos"). I lost it. I told my parents we had to leave, picked up my bags, and high-tailed it fresh air before I went completely postal. Luckily, it is a gorgeous day here, which seemed to make the recovery much simpler.

I think it is healthy to have these moments of fright and angst. Once you get through them, you can end up actually calmer and less anxious about things.

For instance: if you have had a moment and gathered yourself, then return home, sit down to enjoy some tennis, and see a mouse scurry across your living room floor, you might not freak out. You might not scream bloody murder and simply think sensibly about the problem. Phhhhhhhhhhhhhew... Deeeeeeeep breaths...

Geez, hopefully this means that tonight's dinner, with my parents meeting the Lad's parents, will be an absolute cake-walk... :/

Hunley is officially a Brit!

Hunley is in the Kingdom and on the train to Edinburgh!!!! A million thank yous to my momma who worked so hard to get her here! She wins her 26th consecutive Mother of the Year Award - Amazing!!

We are hoping for better weather tomorrow. The ultimate Father's Day trip to St. Andrews, the home of golf, is planned. I'm so excited to show the folks my home away from home!

The Lad is off at a "Stag do" in Newcastle this weekend, but will join in the fun after that. Other than the typical Bachelor Party activities that I'm trying not to think about, I'm very glad he is having some guy-time. He has been in serious boyfriend mode since I arrived. In fact, he has been in heavy-duty, foreign, fragile, slight princess-complex, girlfriend just moved 4000 miles-boyfriend mode... so he has earned this holiday with friends and no - well, less - worry!

Going to get my Hunley-girl...

A bit of "Old fashioned" on a dreary day

I come from a generation that will laugh (or if you are Scottish, enter one 'OCH, nooo' scough) when I say this, but...

Walk into an actual bank branch, first thing in the morning.

At least in my case, on this drrrrreary morning, it was very pleasant. At first, I was a bit frustrated, as there was an abnormally long queue. Then, before I could even get a "Bollocks" out, I realized that I'd been greeted by about 15 "Grammys" - that is, the name of my sweet grandmother, not the statue. The place was a flutter with small, elderly ladies, out in their morning hats, tweed and/or plaid (tartan) shin-length, a-line skirts, and lovely, understated jewelry and handbags. They were making a trip to the bank, no doubt amongst other errands and home-keeping duties.

It put a huge smile on my face. Pure nostalgia? A shallow form of contentment? Maybe, but much, much reveled in today...

Mom, Dad and HUNLEY come tomorrow evening! I cannot wait to squeeze all their necks! Thoughts for safe travel are appreciated.

"South of Hadrian's Wall"

Between 120-130 AD, when the Romans conquered Britain, the armies built a wall that marked the Empire's Northwest border. The story, according to the Lad, was that the Romans said, "Right, all the people north of here are completely mental. Let's not bother with them and build a wall to keep them out." A fact that he took strange pride in, naturally, as any Scot would. Now, there is also the slightest chance that it could have been the cold temperatures and rough climate that kept the warm-blooded Romans out of Scotland; but not having the heart to hurt his pride that day, I let him have his glory.

And so, we traveled out of the land of William Wallace-sized pride to Northeast England. We walked-about York, which is nothing short of a medieval movie-set. The narrow, meandering streets are rightly called "the shambles," and there are is endless character. Then, we made it out to the Lad's parents home in Beverley. It was a lovely visit, made deliciously complete with a trip to Michelin-star, quaint, country cottage pub - The Pipe and Glass Inn and Restaurant. An all-time favorite of the family's, it was a wonderful evening!

On Saturday we traveled a bit North and visited friends for lunch and another walk-about - this time in the market town of Hexham. There is a gorgeous Abbey, built in 1170-1250. Then, it was on to another enjoyable "Inn & Pub" in Northumberland, for more quiet county-life. 


Sunday brought gorgeous, sunny weather, so we had to head to the BEACH in Alnmouth! People were fishing, walking, playing with dogs. I felt refreshed and very comfortable in my surroundings. The good times continued with a trip to the Alnwick Castle gardens. Amazing water-features, plants and flowers abounded. Of course, I loved the English Rose garden. 

However, my favorite were the ivy-canopied paths that outlined many of the features.Why, you may ask? For a moment, I was in a Jane Austen novel - enough said!

Edinburgh, Part I: Very late in coming...

Goodbye Paris! I will never forget the time with my dear friend, Linda!

Note to self: don't become a blogger and then move to a new country without a computer!! I'm finally in an internet cafe, as my new laptop doesn't arrive until my parents come a week from Saturday. Bad blogger move, I know!

So, here is some of what you missed:

My travels from Paris were uneventful for the most part. However, I did have to teach the UK Border Control agent in London about his own, very high-security job. Me: "Yes, sir, I will be switching over to a full student Visa prior to by course beginning. Until then, I have a Special Visitor Visa." Him: "Oh, really, you can do that? Hey ___, she can do that? Oh, righty-o then." Apparently we didn't agree about the humor of the situation, as I received a very annoyed expression when I mentioned that I am available to "receive his next paycheck"...

I arrived to Edinburgh Saturday evening and wasn't greeted by rain or freezing temperatures. I was quite thankful for this. Since then, I have been rained on without proper gear twice and am investigating a complete anorak ensemble online.

On Sunday, we walked around the Meadows, my new home, because there was a fair in town. I had my doubts and expected an imposter "Fair," but much to my surprise we walked up on a true, 100% genuine, county fair. The same nauseating rides, foods and smells. Needless to say, I was blown away. No we didn't play any games, but we did peruse the "boot (car trunk) sale." Obviously, there is some country here!

Sunday evening, the Lad took me to a truly wonderful "Welcome to Scotland" dinner at Wedgwood. The food was divine, and the company even better!

Monday was move-in day. I really like my new flat. It is spacious, functional, and it has a lot of character. We also spent 3 hours in Ikea, among other places, so I'm obviously setting up house just fine! I will post pictures and more later, but some thoughts -- I have to turn on the power to my shower. Amazingly, everything fits in my wardrobe (except my shoes, of which the final count was 19 :-s). My comfy sofa is also a fold out futon - marvels of swedish engineering - so I'm set for visitorsssssss...

Other than that, I'm becoming aquainted with the city and my area. I've been to the markets, charity shops for cheap decor, walked in the park, set up a bank account, found the dry-cleaners, etc. It is strange some of the things that you find (Kettle Chips, salt and black pepper!) and things you don't right away (diet coke that actually fit in my refrigerator, grrr). The travels start tomorrow - headed down to Beverley, England via train to York. The Lad's folks are moving back up to Scotland, and we are helping drive one of the cars. Yes, meeting the parents! I'm very excited, and it should be a really nice trip!

Au revoir!

Found a handy iPhone so I can make a quick post! I've had a wonderful stay in Paris, and below are some highlights...Photos to follow (when I figure that all out)!

Tres Paris:
- My eccentric Parisian driver who was tired of the traffic from the airport, took me through many suburbs, and convinced me that I was going to be a victim of human trafficking as we meandered in and out of abandoned warehouses.
- 7,50 euros ($11)for a sip of cappuccino, just to use a decent toilette - it happens people!
- "City of Latex" Around every corner are not only cafe's and smokers, but also condom machines on the walls and in the metro stops (sorry mom and dad!)
- I only purchased one pair of shoes = MIRACLE

Must do:
- "Pichet" of wine with every meal.
- Paris Walks tours are fabulous, 2 hr walking tours
- The Marais!!! Loved it. Specifically, visit on a holiday if possible (Marion Square in May has nothing on Place Des Vosges)

To Edinburgh this afternoon!!!