From Scotland with love...

Hi all, busy times here!

I finally got back to Edinburgh from the Highlands last night, ran around getting my key and a sheet and duvet for the first night and had to pick up the rest of my luggage (a.k.a. clean clothes) this morning. Not so bad. Picked up my student ID, registered w/ the university, and got a free trip to Edinburgh castle today as well, so it was productive. Tomorrow I have the meeting w/ the school of Biological Sciences and I have to set up a meeting w/ my director of studies and get a proper acceptance letter w/ my address here so I can open a bank account. Whew! I also need to get some dishes and food, but unfortunately that seems to be second priority compared to everything else (including getting a cell phone and finding a job!)

I'm doing good, in a good sort of busy-stressed way. I just have a lot to do, it's all do-able, I have plenty of time, so it's just a matter of taking care of everything. I think I'll be making a trip to the Ikea nearby on Wednesday to pick up some room and kitchen stuff. My flatmates are very nice and (from the limited contact I've had with them) they seem quite polite and continetious. Rosie is from Worcester, Leila is from Canterbury, and Mysara (I'm not sure I've spelled that right...) is from Singapore. I feel sorry for some of the other Americans from our UC group, because they got stuck with all or mostly American roomates, instead of Brits. That's annoying, and I feel lucky I get to stay w/ foriegners (well, they're foriegn to me). Fortunately one roomate brough pots, another brough an electric kettle, and another brought a toaster and microwave. Hooray not having to buy kitchenware! I already have one mug, but 2 of everything else should do me. I'm torn whether to troll the charity (thrift) shops up and down the street outside my building or wait for Ikea and split the 6 for £4 glasses deals or something. I may be living off of cereal and apples the next few days too... Just so much to do! It's like starting university over again. But with more stuff to take care of. And having to do it all in another country where you don't know if Tesco or Marks & Spencers has the cheaper food. (For the record, it's definitely Tesco.)

Lastly, a note on other stuff I did in the Highlands that I forgot to tell you about earlier:
-Swam in Loch Ness (very VERY cold!)
-Saw standing stones (all over the bloody place!)
-Found out a bit about the Campbell Family History ... and, er, it's not that nice... (more later)
-Saw "heery coos" (again, more later)

I'll post pictures of Edinburgh and the Highlands and stuff once I get the freakin' internet at my flat. I should have it in a few days, but it's sort of a strange process here. You have to send an e-mail w/ your name, address, and computer operating system version to the Resnet office, and then they send you one back w/ the details of how you can get online. How you're theoretically supposed to have the internet in the meantime... I don't know. But I guess that's what the library is for.

miss y'all!