Well, my parents are over here now. It’s been great. My dad has not missed one opportunity to order Haggis for any meal we sit down to. He really likes it, and keeps saying “Do they have this in America?” God, I hope not.
Edinburgh is most like the U.S. from any city I’ve been to so far. Actually, it’s like a very high priced U.S., because things are twice as expensive. And the weather is pretty nice - very brisk.
Research is sooooo slow going. I’m afraid I’m going to come back with nothing. My advisor has said not to worry, b/c my data will determine my research question. I think he means to be comforting, but that statement could really be taken multiple ways.
Tommorrow I’m taking the day off and going on a tour to the northern highlands w/ my parents.
I’m looking at a poster right now that has a picture of Bush on it and says “Stop Bush’s Reign of Terror - March on the G8 at Gleneagles Wed 6 July”. Hmmmm, now that might be interesting…
Well, I don’t know if Edinburgh is completely enamoured with me, but I’m trying to convince it still. At first I was just completely exhausted by walking the 2 miles up to the city, the 2 miles around the city, and the 2 miles back from the city every day to my little home away from home. Some days I’ve tried to blend in to my surroundings, but most days I opt for the comfort of tennis shoes, which apparently screams “Americano!!”.
It’s been great watching the world cup games over here. I think that’s my favorite thing so far. All of the Scottish are rooting against England, and the few English fans have to sit in the corners of the bar, silently screaming “GOOOOOOWWWWWWLLLLLLLL” when their team scores. I have to admit that England is my favorite team so far, and not just because they are good players. If you haven’t yet noticed, Beckham isn’t too hard on the eyes, and I’ve recently had to reform my opinion of Posh Spice, though the rest of the gals still remain in the cockney recesses of my mind.
Research is slow going. I feel like I’m stumbling around in a dark room, trying to find the light switch. So far I just keep bumping into things, knowing they are a part of that room, but not being able to identify them. Once this is all over, I’ll hopefully be able to describe that room in detail, which stretches the use of this metaphor to its limit.
My parents are coming over this weekend, and I can’t wait.
Across the street is Elephant House, the coffee shop where J.K. Rowling penned most of her first Harry Potter book. Maybe I’ll go sit in there and find my destiny. I hope it involves the millions she’s made.
Enough jabber. Back to work!