What I did:
I pulled the screen thing over the window in my room last night so that the sun would not rudely awake me at 6am again this morning and not make it really hot so that I cannot comfortably go back to sleep after being woken up. I found out that it worked when I finally got out of bed at about 10am. I tried the cereal weetabix this morning, which for the American readers are these large whole grain cereal bars that soften up under milk. I always wondered why this and not normal cereal, and how to eat them, so after talking to Matt about it last night, I decided to give it a go. It’s a bit different from Lucky Charms, and although not bad, I can’t say I am completely sold (they just get soggy too fast and I am not a soggy cereal kind of guy).
I made a list of things to do today, all online, which basically involves planning the rest of the week. I have different places to go every day, so I will have little time to get everything together again for the next day, and since I had a free day today, I figured it would be good to think ahead a little. So I spent pretty much all morning and afternoon doing that. It was another rainy day for most of the day, so I didn’t feel too bad about just staying in.
After doing about all I could (or at least all I could stand) on the planning side of things, Matt and Rachel got back and we all watched Seven Pounds. It was good to watch it through a second time, being able to better understand all that is happening. I still have a few problems with the film (like why do they have to be ‘good people’? the fact that he is doing it out of guilt, the abandonment of real relationship), but ultimately I do like it, especially in how it shows that life is not necessarily the ultimate thing to live for (haha, I just realized how weird that sounds, but maybe you can get what I mean), how powerful it is, especially as a slow-moving, non-action packed film.
We had some tasty dinner while watching a show about some place that helps rehabilitate animals, then I had the house to myself for a little while I cleaned up. I eventually picked up a book Matt gave me yesterday. It is by the author Bill Bryson, who apparently is American born but lived in England for a long time. He is a travel writer and at the point of this book (which is about America) he had moved back to the States. I only read a little and it was pretty funny, especially some stuff about baseball and how ridiculous Americans can be. One thing I found very interesting though is this: (Speaking of American post offices) “Here there are never any queues and you are in and out in minutes” (Bryson 42). Now, I don’t know his experience of US post offices, and I understand I have no experience in British ones (which I am sure a terrible), but I know that that statement is far from accurate in my minimal experiences of the US post office. I can recall standing in “queue” for an excess of 30 minutes at times in the relatively small town of Sherman waiting for a simple sheet of stamps. And no one is ever happy to see you. Nevertheless, I am sure there are worse things, and perhaps his comment applies well to his own local post office.
I also got to experience a warm cup of Matt’s delicious hot chocolate. He told me before I drank it that he makes good hot chocolate and that people sometimes come over just for it. A little bold to make such claims before even letting me try it, but it held up to its lofty reputation. I thought it was very good and deserves at least twice as many stars as Empire gave Seven Pounds. While enjoying this rich cup of chocolatey goodness (which brought me back to my days of having a cup every night a couple of years ago) I got caught up reading some of my friends’ blogs. A good way to finish off the night.
What I learned:
My bum does not particularly like sitting in the same place for more than a couple of hours, even if it is a comfy couch.
I don’t think I could fully get into Bryson’s work, but it was nice to have a reprieve from any serious reading and I do think it is really good to have stuff like this to read through every now and then that is just enjoyable and fun to read through.
I get so caught up in my own trip, that I too quickly forget that all my friends are having amazing and notable summers of their own. It is good remembering that I have forgotten to keep up with them though, so that now I will hopefully not forget again.
I just realized how appropriate it was to watch Seven Pounds today (July 7). If that is not a coincidence, it is well thought out by someone who picked out the movie.
I really do feel 'at home' here now. I feel less and less a guest in a strange house; unfortunately this is most likely my last night here.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
7/6 - Transcribing interviews/coding data (or something like that)
What I did:
I woke up and put my stuff away and had some breakfast. It was a pretty slow day all day. I finished getting caught up on writing down all I did last weekend. It was rainy all morning and while I wanted to get out and walk around some, I waited to see if the rain would clear. After lunch it finally looked like it would, so I headed out to the town center.
I just walked around for a while trying to avoid all the people that try to stop you and talk to you about some important cause. Then I headed back to Matt and Rachel’s place. It was a really chilled out evening and we just sat around for a while. While eating dinner we watched an episode of CSI and a show I had never seen before called k-town or something like that. It was about some police officers in New Orleans after the storm and apparently did not last long on the air.
During this time I also tried to get stuff sorted out for this week. I have a big move back into London in the next couple of days and then a busy week of being somewhere different every day. So, not an exciting day, but it was good to have some time to just collect myself and be able to think about what all I took in this weekend. I think I am supposed to call that “Transcribing interviews and coding data.” It’s my official code for “took some time to just rest and not do anything.”
What I learned:
I really can’t bring myself to buy anything. Even stuff I really liked while looking around today. But I justify it easily because I really don’t have any room in my bag and dvds are usually in a different region here.
I don’t think I’ll ever be able to predict what the English weather will do. It’s easier in Dallas – you know that it’s going to be hot and sunny.
I woke up and put my stuff away and had some breakfast. It was a pretty slow day all day. I finished getting caught up on writing down all I did last weekend. It was rainy all morning and while I wanted to get out and walk around some, I waited to see if the rain would clear. After lunch it finally looked like it would, so I headed out to the town center.
I just walked around for a while trying to avoid all the people that try to stop you and talk to you about some important cause. Then I headed back to Matt and Rachel’s place. It was a really chilled out evening and we just sat around for a while. While eating dinner we watched an episode of CSI and a show I had never seen before called k-town or something like that. It was about some police officers in New Orleans after the storm and apparently did not last long on the air.
During this time I also tried to get stuff sorted out for this week. I have a big move back into London in the next couple of days and then a busy week of being somewhere different every day. So, not an exciting day, but it was good to have some time to just collect myself and be able to think about what all I took in this weekend. I think I am supposed to call that “Transcribing interviews and coding data.” It’s my official code for “took some time to just rest and not do anything.”
What I learned:I really can’t bring myself to buy anything. Even stuff I really liked while looking around today. But I justify it easily because I really don’t have any room in my bag and dvds are usually in a different region here.
I don’t think I’ll ever be able to predict what the English weather will do. It’s easier in Dallas – you know that it’s going to be hot and sunny.
Monday, July 6, 2009
7/5 - Banking on friendships (because they're not in recession)
What I did:
The end of my top secret weekend drew near and I wound up catching a ride to London, where I had planned to go. The guy who drove me, let’s just call him Naz, is a great guy and I was very blessed to get to know him. We had some really interesting conversations on the way. It was only about a 3 hour drive and we talked some about churches, engineers, American university fraternities (which really surprised him), and we listened to some Wimbledon on the radio. He works as a structural engineer, but recently got a degree in youth ministry (which he said he has not used yet). He commented on how things are so easily shared between the UK, US, and Australia along with other places.
We got into London and he explained to me some about the parts we drove through. We got to the Bank tube station and drove around to the church where Moot meets. We got there at about 4:30, so I still had a couple of hours left to kill. Naz gave me some contact info for some people and then said bye. I walked around for a while looking for a bathroom because I really had to pee. I found some that were closed and just there to taunt me, but finally found an open Starbucks. I got a tea and also managed to find some free internet. I got the number for the mayBe contact who I was supposed to meet this morning, but didn’t. I called him and after several tries finally got in touch and explained it and he said I could come on Thursday. I looked up some train times and found that I needed to leave by 9, which I figured was very doable, since the service was supposed to start at 6:30.
Then I walked around some and looked at the monument for the fire of London that burned down the whole area I was in. I had seen this monument before, but had no clue what it was. Then I walked over London Bridge and back and along the Thames path some. It got to be time to head over, so I walked back to St. Mary Woolnoth. I experienced Moot, which was a nice service around a theme with some time for meditation and responsive reading. The people there were very friendly and welcoming. I will be going back there on Wednesday hopefully, because they do something a little different, and I am glad to be able to hang out with everyone some more.
After the service we went to the pub, which was back over the bridge I think. We talked for a while, but I had to go very soon to catch the train. So I rushed to the nearest tube station and headed for the train. It looked like I would be fine, but then at the stop before the one I needed, the guy came on the intercom and said we wouldn’t be stopping at the stop I needed. I started to panic a little, but rode to the next stop and switched to another line and hoped it would stop where I needed. It did and then I literally ran through the station to buy my ticket (which was on the opposite side), then I ran up the stairs to the train platform and literally got on the train seconds before it left. It was crazy, but I made it. I then had about 3 hours to kill on the train and got caught up writing about all I had d
one this weekend.
I made it into Sheffield at 12:30 and got a taxi to Matt and Rachel’s. George was a little too excited to see me and I really hoped that I (or he) would not wake anyone up. I went to sleep very easily after a long and exciting day.
What I learned:
It is best to allow a good amount of time in order to get to your train.
St. Mary Woolnoth (where Moot meets) is an interesting church that is mentioned in a T. S. Eliot poem and because of that has a little corner dedicated to it.
British Starbucks makes good chai tea lattes too.
The fire of London was supposedly started by a Baker on Pudding Lane.
A fine example of my excessive use of limerick
The events of this weekend are officially classified as top secret. I am sorry. But here is a nice poem to ease your troubled soul.
There once was a man called Mark
His style was quite sleek and stark
He lived in a town
Built up from the ground
And watches “The Boosh” till it’s dark.
His choice brand is quite fruity
He recently scored some new booty
A nice new iPhone
With streaming new downloads
Brings near the tweeting community.
But his friendships grow deeper than this
One can tell by a network quite rich
A close friend called Jonny
Who’s seen as quite a ‘hottie*’
Or at least a rockstar if he wish.
His other friends are many
Some Chris-es and Steves a plenty
Loads of other cool men
Women and children
Gathered where progress meets his’ry.
For chatting they did not terry
And amongst conversations much query
They had lots of good food
And plenty of booze
Their spirits were rich and merry
United by a common Spirit
These people will never quit
Meeting new friends
Creating new trends
Emerging, searching, and loving it.
But still they can find the time
To relax, retreat, and unwind
In such a busy land
Where dreams are so grand
Real relationships here can you find.
The point of this rhyme, you see
Is how important these relationships can be.
Though it’s a messy affair
Diverse, but with care -
True life is found in community.
*not an observation of mine personally
There once was a man called Mark
His style was quite sleek and stark
He lived in a town
Built up from the ground
And watches “The Boosh” till it’s dark.
His choice brand is quite fruity
He recently scored some new booty
A nice new iPhone
With streaming new downloads
Brings near the tweeting community.
But his friendships grow deeper than this
One can tell by a network quite rich
A close friend called Jonny
Who’s seen as quite a ‘hottie*’
Or at least a rockstar if he wish.
His other friends are many
Some Chris-es and Steves a plenty
Loads of other cool men
Women and children
Gathered where progress meets his’ry.
For chatting they did not terry
And amongst conversations much query
They had lots of good food
And plenty of booze
Their spirits were rich and merry
United by a common Spirit
These people will never quit
Meeting new friends
Creating new trends
Emerging, searching, and loving it.
But still they can find the time
To relax, retreat, and unwind
In such a busy land
Where dreams are so grand
Real relationships here can you find.
The point of this rhyme, you see
Is how important these relationships can be.
Though it’s a messy affair
Diverse, but with care -
True life is found in community.
*not an observation of mine personally
7/2 - I'm back
What I did:
I did not have a very rushed day today, but I knew I had to be in Telford by the evening. So I relaxed around Matt and Rachel’s house for a while and around lunchtime headed into the city center to get a train. I got there fine and made it to Telford. I walked to the shopping center and decided to grab a snack and try to figure out where my hotel was. I finally found where the street was I needed to walk down on one of the mall layout maps, but it took me forever to find the road because it goes underneath the mall. But I did and walked to the hotel.
I had a lot of internet problems but after 3 different passwords and an hour and a half I was online. During that time I got to watch some tennis though, and I didn’t really have anything else to do. It got to be time for me to head over to Mark’s house (the guy who leads the group I would be visiting today). I went and could not find any taxis by the mall where there were tons of spaces for them. So I rushed over to the train station and found one. He did not know where the street was that I was trying to get to and the area it is in is called Newdale. He knew that but asked me if it was new Newdale or the old Newdale. I had no clue, so he went and asked the driver behind him. But we made it there fine and right on time. He was actually a very nice guy too.
So I walked into Mark’s house and met everyone. We soon all sat down around a dinner table (there were 8 of us) and shared dinner together. We had quiche which was jokingly called a Christian dish since it is at every Christian function. We talked for a while about all kinds of stuff while we ate and immediately after, and a lot of it happened to be about stuff I would have asked about concerning their community. It was almost as if they were answering my questions before I could ask them. It also worked kind of in a pattern, where someone would bring up something and then someone would tie in some scripture to back up a view. It was almost like a bunch of mini sermons by all the people completely unplanned.
Eventually, Mark focused everyone and we spent some time listening to the story of the sacrifice of Isaac and meditating on it. Mark guided our thoughts with some things to think about and the story was read again. After a while we had communion and some time of prayer and a final blessing. Then everyone slowly began to talk again about a bunch of different stuff. Texas got talked about a lot (Mark had recently been to Houston), especially southern breakfast. Eventually we got on to the topic of British comedy and within minutes Mark went to get his laptop to look up clips from Black Adder, The Boosh, and other funny clips on YouTube. We spent a very long time sitting around watching these. People trickled out, and eventually we all left. I got a ride back to my hotel and almost immediately went to sleep.
I did not have a very rushed day today, but I knew I had to be in Telford by the evening. So I relaxed around Matt and Rachel’s house for a while and around lunchtime headed into the city center to get a train. I got there fine and made it to Telford. I walked to the shopping center and decided to grab a snack and try to figure out where my hotel was. I finally found where the street was I needed to walk down on one of the mall layout maps, but it took me forever to find the road because it goes underneath the mall. But I did and walked to the hotel.
I had a lot of internet problems but after 3 different passwords and an hour and a half I was online. During that time I got to watch some tennis though, and I didn’t really have anything else to do. It got to be time for me to head over to Mark’s house (the guy who leads the group I would be visiting today). I went and could not find any taxis by the mall where there were tons of spaces for them. So I rushed over to the train station and found one. He did not know where the street was that I was trying to get to and the area it is in is called Newdale. He knew that but asked me if it was new Newdale or the old Newdale. I had no clue, so he went and asked the driver behind him. But we made it there fine and right on time. He was actually a very nice guy too.
So I walked into Mark’s house and met everyone. We soon all sat down around a dinner table (there were 8 of us) and shared dinner together. We had quiche which was jokingly called a Christian dish since it is at every Christian function. We talked for a while about all kinds of stuff while we ate and immediately after, and a lot of it happened to be about stuff I would have asked about concerning their community. It was almost as if they were answering my questions before I could ask them. It also worked kind of in a pattern, where someone would bring up something and then someone would tie in some scripture to back up a view. It was almost like a bunch of mini sermons by all the people completely unplanned.
Eventually, Mark focused everyone and we spent some time listening to the story of the sacrifice of Isaac and meditating on it. Mark guided our thoughts with some things to think about and the story was read again. After a while we had communion and some time of prayer and a final blessing. Then everyone slowly began to talk again about a bunch of different stuff. Texas got talked about a lot (Mark had recently been to Houston), especially southern breakfast. Eventually we got on to the topic of British comedy and within minutes Mark went to get his laptop to look up clips from Black Adder, The Boosh, and other funny clips on YouTube. We spent a very long time sitting around watching these. People trickled out, and eventually we all left. I got a ride back to my hotel and almost immediately went to sleep.
What I learned:
British comedy is slightly an acquired taste.
Holiday Inn in Telford is huge and I found that my room was so big, I did not really know what to do. I have gotten used to the small, compact English style bedrooms and it really threw me off.
Telford is a very new city and is even built on more of an American city planning model with different sections of malls, and no true town center with a major street.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
7/1 – It's fine Scottish weather we're having. The rain is falling straight down and kind of to the side like.
What I did:
I took a lot of pictures today.
I woke up early today to make the three and a half hour trek up to Edinburgh. Getting up there was fine, just really long, but the second leg of the train ride was nice because it takes you right past the east coast and you can look out over the water.
I got to Edinburgh (which is in Scotland for anyone who does not know UK geography), and walked around for a little while. I walked down to the National Galleries, but decided to not go in. Throughout the city you can look up and see Edinburgh castle on top of a pretty big hill. So, I decided to make my way up there. I got there and got a really nice view of the city. But it cost quite a bit to go in, so I decided to just walk around it and move on. Plus, I had a lot of ground to cover in one day.
After that, I walked up and down the Royal Mile, which is a stretch of street that has a lot of shops, street performers, and old buildings (like St. Giles Cathedral). I went in the cathedra
l and enjoyed the music and humor of several street performers as I passed by. One duo had small ukuleles and were playing Chop Suey by System of a Down. Haha. I made my way down the Royal Mile and at the end is Holyroodhouse Palace, the Queens residence in Scotland I believe. I walked around it some and noticed there were tons of police all around and news reporters. But then I saw some really nice mountain/hill area that was open to the public and had some trails through it. So I climbed up one peak. On the way up I heard music and saw a lot of people gathered around the palace, but I never found out what was going on there. I also realized just how hot it was with the sun beaming down climbing up a hill. I managed to squeeze out some drops of sympathy sweat for all you Texas friends.
I got close to the top, then the trail started to go down. That was no fun, so I found a way up and finally got to the top. It was a wonderful view of the city and I spent some time just sitting there. Then it started to rain some, but I had already seen a higher peak just a little further, so I went for it. By the time I got halfway up that one, the rain stopped. I got to the top and the view was still great. And this is where my trip started to get interesting.
After spending some time looking around and taking pictures, I went off to the side to pray. That may sound cheesy, but it seemed like the right thing to do. So, I sat and started, but I was immediately interrupted by a guy who had asked me to take a picture of him at the top. He was friendly and just asked me a couple of questions about where I was from and what I was doing. He was from Uruguay and working in London. When he heard I was studying churches he asked if he could ask me a question since I am more in touch with spiritual stuff. I kind of laughed, then said sure. He was looking for relationship advice. He explained his situation, which was probably kind of normal although a little complicated. I had no clue what to tell him, but managed to stumble something out that allowed him to think about what he should do more. I could kind of tell that it didn’t matter what I said, h
e would do what he was planning to do anyway, but I tried to encourage him. After a while, we swapped email contact and right after he left, I thought of something I really wanted to say to him. But, thankfully, I might still be able to.
I finished praying and walked around the area some more. I made my way down to a small loch that was at the base and finally decided to head back into town. I was getting very hungry. It rained a little off and on again the rest of the day, but I continued to walk around. I got some really really good ice cream. Also, Matt told me that they will fry anything in Scotland and encouraged me to get something like a deep fried mars bar. So, I took his advice and got one. It made me feel right at home at the State Fair.
As I walked, someone asked me for directions. Haha. But I guess there are just so many tourists there that everyone is asking whoever they see for directions. I ate my dinner in a little park area where a bunch of teenagers had gathered. It really made me want to find out where these gathering places are for kids in Dallas or Sherman. Eventually, it was time for
me to go grab a train. The first two I could take were cancelled, which I later learned was from lightening strikes disrupting the signals. I finally got on one, but we wound up not moving for almost 40 minutes of the whole trip. But, it was a good chance to get to know better the fellow passengers. I finally made it though and got the last connecting train to Sheffield. I also rode in my first ever taxi to get back to Matt and Rachel’s. But it was a long day and a late night and I was ready to just crash.
I took a lot of pictures today.I woke up early today to make the three and a half hour trek up to Edinburgh. Getting up there was fine, just really long, but the second leg of the train ride was nice because it takes you right past the east coast and you can look out over the water.
I got to Edinburgh (which is in Scotland for anyone who does not know UK geography), and walked around for a little while. I walked down to the National Galleries, but decided to not go in. Throughout the city you can look up and see Edinburgh castle on top of a pretty big hill. So, I decided to make my way up there. I got there and got a really nice view of the city. But it cost quite a bit to go in, so I decided to just walk around it and move on. Plus, I had a lot of ground to cover in one day.
After that, I walked up and down the Royal Mile, which is a stretch of street that has a lot of shops, street performers, and old buildings (like St. Giles Cathedral). I went in the cathedra
l and enjoyed the music and humor of several street performers as I passed by. One duo had small ukuleles and were playing Chop Suey by System of a Down. Haha. I made my way down the Royal Mile and at the end is Holyroodhouse Palace, the Queens residence in Scotland I believe. I walked around it some and noticed there were tons of police all around and news reporters. But then I saw some really nice mountain/hill area that was open to the public and had some trails through it. So I climbed up one peak. On the way up I heard music and saw a lot of people gathered around the palace, but I never found out what was going on there. I also realized just how hot it was with the sun beaming down climbing up a hill. I managed to squeeze out some drops of sympathy sweat for all you Texas friends.
I got close to the top, then the trail started to go down. That was no fun, so I found a way up and finally got to the top. It was a wonderful view of the city and I spent some time just sitting there. Then it started to rain some, but I had already seen a higher peak just a little further, so I went for it. By the time I got halfway up that one, the rain stopped. I got to the top and the view was still great. And this is where my trip started to get interesting.
After spending some time looking around and taking pictures, I went off to the side to pray. That may sound cheesy, but it seemed like the right thing to do. So, I sat and started, but I was immediately interrupted by a guy who had asked me to take a picture of him at the top. He was friendly and just asked me a couple of questions about where I was from and what I was doing. He was from Uruguay and working in London. When he heard I was studying churches he asked if he could ask me a question since I am more in touch with spiritual stuff. I kind of laughed, then said sure. He was looking for relationship advice. He explained his situation, which was probably kind of normal although a little complicated. I had no clue what to tell him, but managed to stumble something out that allowed him to think about what he should do more. I could kind of tell that it didn’t matter what I said, h
e would do what he was planning to do anyway, but I tried to encourage him. After a while, we swapped email contact and right after he left, I thought of something I really wanted to say to him. But, thankfully, I might still be able to.I finished praying and walked around the area some more. I made my way down to a small loch that was at the base and finally decided to head back into town. I was getting very hungry. It rained a little off and on again the rest of the day, but I continued to walk around. I got some really really good ice cream. Also, Matt told me that they will fry anything in Scotland and encouraged me to get something like a deep fried mars bar. So, I took his advice and got one. It made me feel right at home at the State Fair.
As I walked, someone asked me for directions. Haha. But I guess there are just so many tourists there that everyone is asking whoever they see for directions. I ate my dinner in a little park area where a bunch of teenagers had gathered. It really made me want to find out where these gathering places are for kids in Dallas or Sherman. Eventually, it was time for
me to go grab a train. The first two I could take were cancelled, which I later learned was from lightening strikes disrupting the signals. I finally got on one, but we wound up not moving for almost 40 minutes of the whole trip. But, it was a good chance to get to know better the fellow passengers. I finally made it though and got the last connecting train to Sheffield. I also rode in my first ever taxi to get back to Matt and Rachel’s. But it was a long day and a late night and I was ready to just crash.What I learned:
The train service does not know how to deal with lightening.
Edinburgh is really nice.
I really don’t know how to respond to a request for relationship advice.
At around 8:00, the roads from where I am staying to the city center are pack, causing the bus to at best crawl along.
The train service does not know how to deal with lightening.
Edinburgh is really nice.
I really don’t know how to respond to a request for relationship advice.
At around 8:00, the roads from where I am staying to the city center are pack, causing the bus to at best crawl along.
Fried Mars Bars are pretty good.
(A rare picture of me):
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
6/30 - Connecting
What I did:
Today was kind of a relaxing/planning day for me. I am quickly realizing I have very little time left and a lot more places I intended to visit than I have time to. So, I got some stuff set for the rest of this week, then it got to be lunchtime.
I wanted to get out and walk around some today and I also wanted to check out a coffee shop that I have heard mentioned several times called the Rude Shipyard (I think). So I walked down to it. I got there and noticed that it was a nice small coffee shop with a ton of books all over the place. I got a strawberry-banana smoothie and a piece of spicy Mexicana pie (I just couldn’t pass up a combination like that). The food was good, although the smoothie was a little more tart than what I am used to with strawberry-banana. I also had fun looking around at all the books. I know I am no book snob, but it was fun to see how many I had read (most for school). There were actually a lot there that I wanted to read too. I knew you could buy the books, but I didn’t know if you could read any while you are there, so I just enjoyed my meal and left.
On the way back I ran into a guy who asked me for directions. Haha. I actually knew where he was trying to go (mainly because we were basically on the street he was asking for) so I tried my best to direct him. I was going the way he needed to go, so he followed me for a little while, but gradually pulled back and got on his phone. I hope he found where he was trying to go, but I don’t know if he completely trusted my directions.
I had seen this sign every time I pass by, and I am continually grateful for my name being what it is.
I got back and did some more planning, calling, emailing, etc. All that stuff that really sucks the life out of you. But, I have a decent idea of what I will be doing the rest of my trip. I also went on a Facebook friending spree. Haha. It was kind of exhilarating, actually. I raided Matt’s friend list to find all the people I met at Cliff (at least all that I could remember, and I am sorry to anyone I forgot). I really thought about whether to do it or not, though. Hopefully I will see some of them again – that would be amazing. But most likely I will not. So, can I actually use this to maintain such brief and long distance friendships? Obviously, you see the decision I wound up making, but I equate it to playing video games with people. Playing video games can be really good and it can be an excellent way to spend time with someone. But you have to be careful, because while you are in the same room with the person, there is probably not much actual interaction going on. So it can kind of deceive itself into being a friendship when it really is not. The same with friends through facebook. How do we get past a mere sharing of statuses and really keep/continue friendships through networking things like this? I think it is possible even if that is not how they were meant to be used, it just takes a lot more effort. Something I am still struggling with.
Anyway, you can tell I have had some time to just think today. I spent some time reading and chilling the rest of the night. And, of course, more Wimbledon. Matt got home and Rachel had to go work, so Matt and I went out to a nice Indian dinner. The food was great. After that we came back and watched Shooter, which I had never gone to see in theaters or rented. It was an exciting movie and a good way to end off the day
What I learned:
Things could be much worse as far as my last name goes.
How Edinburgh is pronounced (not how it looks). And a good thing to know before I travel up there.
British people are never satisfied with the weather.
Pretty much everyone from Cliff that I met was on Facebook at some time today.
There is always someone I have forgotten to keep updated on how things are going for me here. Unfortunately this time I found out it was my mentor for the project. All good now.
Wireless internet continues to amaze me, confuse me, and frustrate me. But at least you know you always have just as good of a random chance that it will work as you do it won’t.
Today was kind of a relaxing/planning day for me. I am quickly realizing I have very little time left and a lot more places I intended to visit than I have time to. So, I got some stuff set for the rest of this week, then it got to be lunchtime.
I wanted to get out and walk around some today and I also wanted to check out a coffee shop that I have heard mentioned several times called the Rude Shipyard (I think). So I walked down to it. I got there and noticed that it was a nice small coffee shop with a ton of books all over the place. I got a strawberry-banana smoothie and a piece of spicy Mexicana pie (I just couldn’t pass up a combination like that). The food was good, although the smoothie was a little more tart than what I am used to with strawberry-banana. I also had fun looking around at all the books. I know I am no book snob, but it was fun to see how many I had read (most for school). There were actually a lot there that I wanted to read too. I knew you could buy the books, but I didn’t know if you could read any while you are there, so I just enjoyed my meal and left.
On the way back I ran into a guy who asked me for directions. Haha. I actually knew where he was trying to go (mainly because we were basically on the street he was asking for) so I tried my best to direct him. I was going the way he needed to go, so he followed me for a little while, but gradually pulled back and got on his phone. I hope he found where he was trying to go, but I don’t know if he completely trusted my directions.
I had seen this sign every time I pass by, and I am continually grateful for my name being what it is.
I got back and did some more planning, calling, emailing, etc. All that stuff that really sucks the life out of you. But, I have a decent idea of what I will be doing the rest of my trip. I also went on a Facebook friending spree. Haha. It was kind of exhilarating, actually. I raided Matt’s friend list to find all the people I met at Cliff (at least all that I could remember, and I am sorry to anyone I forgot). I really thought about whether to do it or not, though. Hopefully I will see some of them again – that would be amazing. But most likely I will not. So, can I actually use this to maintain such brief and long distance friendships? Obviously, you see the decision I wound up making, but I equate it to playing video games with people. Playing video games can be really good and it can be an excellent way to spend time with someone. But you have to be careful, because while you are in the same room with the person, there is probably not much actual interaction going on. So it can kind of deceive itself into being a friendship when it really is not. The same with friends through facebook. How do we get past a mere sharing of statuses and really keep/continue friendships through networking things like this? I think it is possible even if that is not how they were meant to be used, it just takes a lot more effort. Something I am still struggling with.
Anyway, you can tell I have had some time to just think today. I spent some time reading and chilling the rest of the night. And, of course, more Wimbledon. Matt got home and Rachel had to go work, so Matt and I went out to a nice Indian dinner. The food was great. After that we came back and watched Shooter, which I had never gone to see in theaters or rented. It was an exciting movie and a good way to end off the day
What I learned:
Things could be much worse as far as my last name goes.
How Edinburgh is pronounced (not how it looks). And a good thing to know before I travel up there.
British people are never satisfied with the weather.
Pretty much everyone from Cliff that I met was on Facebook at some time today.
There is always someone I have forgotten to keep updated on how things are going for me here. Unfortunately this time I found out it was my mentor for the project. All good now.
Wireless internet continues to amaze me, confuse me, and frustrate me. But at least you know you always have just as good of a random chance that it will work as you do it won’t.
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