Corinne's Blog

Craig is currently napping because I kept him up last night with talking and While I slept in…he woke up early to go to an eye appointment uptown. I’ve been uploading pictures for the last three hours and now that I’m growing bored of uploading and editing I thought I’d blog a little about what’s been going on here.

First thing. I’ve been having the time of my life and it makes me sad everytime I think that it will be over very soon.

Second thing. I feel that I’m being accepted more as Craig’s Girlfriend by both his parents and his sister. They aren’t surprised to see me and they actually talk to me on a regular occation now.

Third thing. We’re broke, my account was frozen even though I told my bank that I was going out of the country AND when I called, the teller told me that I can’t unfreeze my account till I get back into the states (which sucks). And also, Craig’s school took out his rent twice to he’s running on much more than empty. I want to do things that are tourist but it’s really hard to go places with no money.

Fourth thing. The food here is great…I tried Fish and Chip (Fish and fries), a Haggis supper (Haggis and Fries) and a number of soups, desserts and I’ve even gotten a taste of the local pizza…all in all I know if I was to ever move here the food would be something that I could really find myself enjoying.

Fifth thing. The Scottish do ‘small business’ better than the Americans in my opinion. When I walk down the roads in Dundee and Elie and Edinburgh I’ve find that small business is everywhere. Customization of certain skills and traits can still be found here in Scotland where Americans have sacrificed quality for quantity. The Scottish do it better and they make everything they do look antique and old fashioned. I appeciate that because I get to see people doing what they enjoy and have enjoyed for years…so in the stores I’ve gone into, people have never looked bitter or tired of doing their jobs…they are always happy and welcoming and willing to help.

Sixth thing. Scotland has a lot go hills. I think I’ve actually gotten a freakish amount of stair stepping points and up hill climbing points since I’ve gotten here. I’ve walked mile after mile and I’m happy that I’ve been able to survive…sadly I haven’t done the famous Arthur’s seat here.

Seventh thing. Craig is taking me to the official Scottish New Years Celebration tomorrow…Hogmany or something like that. And It’s going to have bands and rides and everything a person might want to do before (the clock strikes 2009!) It’s strange because there will be no ‘ball dropping’ this year for me because I won’t be in America…I know that there will be fireworks coming out of Edinburgh Castle.

Eigth thing. Craig took me to Edinburgh Castle in a way that totally surprised me…he told me that we were going back to his house a ‘different way’ and as the castle got closer and closer I kept asking him when he was going to take me up there…and he kept saying ‘soon’ and I kept saying: It seems like it’s getting so much Closer from here…and then we climbed a huge staircase and we were actually stand right there…next to it. I was so surprised and it had a great view of everything…how was I so lucky to get such a romantic boyfriend…it was brilliantly lit and there was no one around but us.

Ninth thing. I’ve discovered my drink of choice is Baileys and it’s pretty feminine in comparision to Craig’s Jack Daniels and Coke…at least we both like mixers.  It’s great that I can drink here, I haven’t gotten drunk yet and I did what I would kind of consider a pub crawl in Elie…four pubs in 1 night and about four drinks.

Tenth thing. I’ve been thinking about what my future plans might me. I really do find that I LOVE CRAIG and I don’t know what that will mean in the future for travel and education for the both of us. I’m considering transfering to a university here in Edinburgh or one in Dundee…I know that it would be a huge step but I know that since I’ve come here I’ve been a lot more happy than I ever was in Minnesota at Hamline. I don’t know what I might do.

Eleventh thing. I’m getting used to the weather here. Scottish winter weather is Fall and Summer weather for MN and I’m actually calling the nights here cold! I’m afraid of how well I’ll adjust to the weather when I get back to the States. Here in Scotland, it never snows, it’s really windy and it rains quite a bit. But considering how there is a huge tempature difference I’m happy to be here and not at home.

Twelveth thing. I’ve overpacked and I’m worried about what I’m taking back and what I’m leaving behind…part was because I had no clue what Scottish weather would be like..but now I know I feel all the jackets and sweaters I brought were a waste. Enough said…more suitcases maybe?

Thirteenth thing. Craig is a great kisser and he looks like an angel when he sleeps.

Fourteenth thing. I’ve noticed that I am acquiring something of an accent other than my own since I’ve been here…but I still say stuff like Frie instead of Chips and Chips instead of Crisps and Sidewalks and Intersections instead of Pavement and Crossways. In public I don’t know if people look at me strange because of my accent or because I don’t dress in dark colors LIKE all the other people in the UK…I remember looking around and seeing all black and I was the sore thumb wearing a bright pink jacket…oh well.

Fifteen thing. Nights are great here.

Sixteenth thing. I wish I knew what I could do with my hair, it has a mind of it’s own.

Seventeenth thing. Craig and I need to have a serious Musical/Movie Night so I can educated him on my knowledge of Movies and Musicals…because they are an addiction of mine. I also want to show him some plays because when i ask him about even basic Shakespeare such as Romeo and Juliet he has no Clue…THAT HAS TO CHANGE.

Eighteenth thing. It’s my brother’s birthday today…so Happy Birthday Evan (even though you never talk to me)

Nineteenth thing. I’m beginning to miss White Chocolate hot chocolates like the ones I have at School…they DON’T HAVE Them here! and they also don’t have Corn Meal…they have Polenta and that’s like Cream of Wheat…it was really awkward making Cornbread with polenta and really embarrassing when the Polentabread was really grainy and Craig didn’t like it….sadface!

Twentieth thing. I’m going to try to wake Craig up so We can do something. I want to NOT take my Ipod because I am becoming one of those people who takes their Ipod everywhere and become ‘one’ with it. My life’s soundtrack has had a lot of The Birds and the bee and Amplifico. But I hope to change that with all the cd’s I bought at the Woolworth’s going out of business 90% off sale…great great great Deals I got £13 cds for 13 pence.

21st thing. I’ve been taking a shit load of pictures…check them out on my facebook! I’m kind of upset that Craig has stopped blogging since I got here.

Till later….

I’m still me…and I’m still having a blast in Scotland!