Mar 10, 2010 - A date with Arthur

If it were possible for inanimate objects and landscape to steal my heart it would have been taken from me today, two words: Arthur’s Seat. I also didn’t know exactly HOW to even get to the top to be honest – like do I just start scaling this massive piece of grass covered rock and hope for the best? Today was just one of those days where everything was going right – I finally mastered the French press and made a perfect steaming cup of coffee, didn’t fall asleep in my Sport Development class (attribute that one to the great coffee), the sun was beaming, and I discovered another use for my student card (other than getting deals on sangria pitchers at Aspen Bar), checking out library books! On top of all these highly riveting events, Nona, Auntie Doris, Auntie Rita and Sara are arriving in Edinburgh in less than 24hours! I was too excited to sit still, which was good because it made me clean my flat so I can pretend it looks like this ALL the time. ... I also decided to ditch the gym this afternoon in favour of a date with Arthur.If it were possible for inanimate objects and landscape to steal my heart it would have been taken from me today, two words: Arthur’s Seat. I also didn’t know exactly HOW to even get to the top to be honest – like do I just start scaling this massive piece of grass covered rock and hope for the best? Today was just one of those days where everything was going right – I finally mastered the French press and made a perfect steaming cup of coffee, didn’t fall asleep in my Sport Development class (attribute that one to the great coffee), the sun was beaming, and I discovered another use for my student card (other than getting deals on sangria pitchers at Aspen Bar), checking out library books! On top of all these highly riveting events, Nona, Auntie Doris, Auntie Rita and Sara are arriving in Edinburgh in less than 24hours! I was too excited to sit still, which was good because it made me clean my flat so I can pretend it looks like this ALL the time. ... I also decided to ditch the gym this afternoon in favour of a date with Arthur....

Mar 2, 2010 - 22 on March 2

So this year it was my double champagne birthday, that is I turned 22 on the 2nd, not that I actually had champagne though. As Barb so wisely said "At least your birthday wasn't 3 days after you arrived in Edinburgh, could you imagine ...

Feb 28, 2010 - A wee bit of shopping

Now that we had tackled the historic and beautiful sites of Edinburgh, it was time to refocus our energy for the most important part of the weekend - retail. ... To be honest I haven't bought much since I've been here - groceries and the not-so-occassional pint excluded.Now that we had tackled the historic and beautiful sites of Edinburgh, it was time to refocus our energy for the most important part of the weekend - retail. ... To be honest I haven't bought much since I've been here - groceries and the not-so-occassional pint excluded....

Feb 28, 2010 - The True North, Strong & Free

UNBELIEVABLE!!! I could not have asked for a better environment to be in to watch this epic game, it totally made the night. My friend Blythe from Toronto is doing her four years in Edinburgh, and invited the Canadian crew over to her flat to watch the Olympic hockey finals, along with her American flatmate, HA! We came with our Olympic mitts, hats, scarves, flags, and food. ... In honour of our nation I brought over the Nanaimo bars (they were even better than the ones for Canada Night at the ISC, extra cream will do that) and Blythe made french fries with, REAL SWISS CHALET SAUCE FOR DIPPING! You laugh, but it's the unhealthy comforts of home that make events like this better.UNBELIEVABLE!!! I could not have asked for a better environment to be in to watch this epic game, it totally made the night. My friend Blythe from Toronto is doing her four years in Edinburgh, and invited the Canadian crew over to her flat to watch the Olympic hockey finals, along with her American flatmate, HA! We came with our Olympic mitts, hats, scarves, flags, and food. ... In honour of our nation I brought over the Nanaimo bars (they were even better than the ones for Canada Night at the ISC, extra cream will do that) and Blythe made french fries with, REAL SWISS CHALET SAUCE FOR DIPPING! You laugh, but it's the unhealthy comforts of home that make events like this better....

Feb 27, 2010 - Chocolate Soup

This experience was too delicious and funny that it deserved its own post. I had been wanting to go to Chocolate Soup before I even arrived in Edinburgh, my expert Facebook creeping skills on photo albums of other students on exchange here had given me all kinds of tips. ... Everyone I talked to raved about this cosy little coffee shop, so much so that I was beginning to worry it wouldn't live up to the hype.This experience was too delicious and funny that it deserved its own post. I had been wanting to go to Chocolate Soup before I even arrived in Edinburgh, my expert Facebook creeping skills on photo albums of other students on exchange here had given me all kinds of tips. ... Everyone I talked to raved about this cosy little coffee shop, so much so that I was beginning to worry it wouldn't live up to the hype....

Feb 27, 2010 - Tourist in my own city

No rain today! Although the skies hinted that they made erupt into a torrential downpour at any given moment they held off for the day. First stop was the Scottish National Museum rooftop terrace, anyone who visits Edinburgh has to go check it out. ... Entrance to all museums and galleries are free (and if you've read these posts in succession you know how much I enjoy free anything).No rain today! Although the skies hinted that they made erupt into a torrential downpour at any given moment they held off for the day. First stop was the Scottish National Museum rooftop terrace, anyone who visits Edinburgh has to go check it out. ... Entrance to all museums and galleries are free (and if you've read these posts in succession you know how much I enjoy free anything)....

Feb 26, 2010 - Aberdeen comes to Edinburgh!

I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of my friends Julie and Jess who are studying at the University of Aberdeen this semester.I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of my friends Julie and Jess who are studying at the University of Aberdeen this semester....

Feb 23, 2010 - School, what's that again?

Handed in my first piece of academic work today :) Honestly, if that essay had been due any later in the semester I think I would have forgotten how to construct a sound paper.Handed in my first piece of academic work today :) Honestly, if that essay had been due any later in the semester I think I would have forgotten how to construct a sound paper....

Feb 22, 2010 - Canada Night, EH!

Lara and I joined the Events Committee at the ISC for the sole purpose of hosting a Canadian night.Lara and I joined the Events Committee at the ISC for the sole purpose of hosting a Canadian night....

Feb 16, 2010 - Remembering

While I like to try and keep you informed and entertained in these posts, sometimes a little 'reality' check is necessary. I brought this picture to Edinburgh and it has been up on my wall since I moved in. ... It's one of my favourites, and how I like to remember him - with a great big smile, the sheepskin coat, and always wearing that red cap.While I like to try and keep you informed and entertained in these posts, sometimes a little 'reality' check is necessary. I brought this picture to Edinburgh and it has been up on my wall since I moved in. ... It's one of my favourites, and how I like to remember him - with a great big smile, the sheepskin coat, and always wearing that red cap....

Feb 3, 2010 - Translation Please?

While I have the luxury of speaking my native tongue here it's not as easy as I thought.While I have the luxury of speaking my native tongue here it's not as easy as I thought....

Jan 31, 2010 - Journals & Church

So as with any big trip or event in my life I received some very important advice (instructions) from my dear Nona: keep a journal and find a Church. Not wanting to let down my favorite Italian grandmother I started googling Churches in Edinburgh, I needed to get a feel for what I was dealing with first. ... Simon came to sit beside me! He's a fairly young priest and was super nice, well I guess it would have been weird if he wasn't! This week I had a long chat about where to get the best coffee in the city, with a lady that lives along the shoreline in Edinburgh. ...