OK - first of all..what the heck is with Blogger? My blog keeps on coming up in the old orange template?? So confuzzled..hope no one else is!

SO..yesterday, after my bad luck began to turn to good luck (With discovery of free internet) I took a wander into Sainsbury's..which is a slightly overpriced grocery store..but the closest to home and if you get there at precisely the right time you can catch the stockboy marking down yummy foods (like Smarties cookies) and swipe them out from under his nose. Anywho..so there I was in Sainsbury's debating for the umpteenth time whether I should just take a leap of faith and buy the smooth PB...smooth PB with little speckles of dark brown in it. You see..over here..instead of adding loads of things to the P..like icing sugar, they only add a bit of brown sugar cane and oils. Anyway, so dilemna was upon me...because tiny jar of PB cost 1.38 pounds...if I didn't like the PB would be huge waste of money..money that could have been spent on Nutella or chocolate (just kidding..am being quite good most of the time) or Diet Vanilla Coke. Ah..but I just had to try it..would always wonder otherwise. Was going to go for the reg. smooth PB, but then noticed the 'Light' version and, checking ingredient list, was ecstatic to see listed near the beginning 'glucose syrup'. Woohoo!! GOod 'ol 'lower in fat' tricks..they always have to add in sugar to replace fat..so PB ended up tasting quite like N.American style PB..a bit grainy, but tasty enough. So..PB emergency is over and I most certainly will not be blending up my own PB..I only tried that once in my life..with my sister's friend,Cathy, and it was so bad even the dog wouldn't go near it.

But, for my lovely sister, Sahra, who is visiting in October, no worries..I am certain I will find plenty of things for her to lug across to this side of the world :) I'll start a list soon enough, don't you worry :)

Tonite, Keri, Jen & I are going to quiz night..now I'm sure it just won't be the same without Stats and Casey's venue, but we'll try our best..Jen has come up with v. appropriate team name 'Clueless Canadians'..and right so we are. Sorry, I'm just not up on my football and Coronation Street news. We need a few good Scots to join us..not to worry, I'm sure we can scope some out in upcoming weeks..

OK...off to prep for quiz night (prep includes eating, drinking and primping..no sense thrying to pretned we are smart or will have any of the answers...wish us luck anyway!)

OOhh..so maybe my luck is changing (note to reader: read the post below this one first....chronology is sooooo important)

RIght..so its been about half an hour sing I left the 'easy' net cafe, which ate my money..this following on mutliple frustrations of the day..so was kind of in a cloud of blue and ready to just call it a day, but then I said to myself 'Only you (that's me) can cheer yourself up, don't let the frustrations of the day get to you'. SO, with that thought in my mind, I decided to visit Tourist Information centre to check out some brochures and determine whether it is feasible for us gals to rent a car and drive to the country some weekend(Note: Keri & Jen have both assured me that they are willing to risk their lives..i.e.let me drive them around). ANywho..so what do I discover when I get to TOurist INfo Centre?? Free Internet !!!!

So here I am again...with nothing else to do until Keri & Jen get back from their zoo trip (I just couldn't go - something about zoos that makes me a bit queasy..even though I love animals....its the cages and seeing them out of context that gets to me a bit..Penguins in Scotland).

Will use time to plead with readers, poll readers and tell story of harrowing experience in Edinburgh nightscene.

Plead with Readers


Peanut Butter Withdrawal - I am suffering it majorly..have resorted to eating roasted, salted peanuts in absence of PB..but this is most likely to have long term, negative effects on weight. Salted peanuts, as it turns out, are addictive and it is hard to stop eating them once one has started.

Therefore, I plead with you (actually..mostly with MOM) to send me a jar of PB..any ol jar will do..just so long as it is Smooth. I will be forever indebted to anyone that feels my pain and responds with delivery of PB. If you need addy/money, please let me know..am more than willing to pay premium for my PB

Email Withdrawal - I've covered this before, but just a reminder that us bloggers still like to get emails.,.and a big thank you to those that are emailing. IT is nice to get something in the inbox..my only contact with friends/family..due to lack of call shops. Also..apologies if I don't always write back, I am trying!!

Poll of Readers

I have a dilemna..I need opinions. Before I left Canada I was visiting the gym 6 days per week and felt great for exercising and being in shape..my monthly fee was only $30, and there was no contract or joining fee.

NOw that I am here, I want to make sure I don't become a blimp (again), so am keen to keep up the exercise..unfortunately..best gym deal I have found involves paying $130 upfront to join, then about $65 per month to continue, for minimum of 3 months.

taking into account the fact that I have less routine life here (i.e traveling, lots of nights out) I am not even sure I'd get to the gym much. I've been walking lots and lots since I got here and that seems OK, but is it enough?

Want advice - should I join gym??

Harrowing experience of Edinburgh nightlife

OK, actually has nothing to do with clubbing or [pubbing..it has to do with my feet, which were causing me excruciating pain last night. WHy? I don't know, but my baby toe was in soooo much pain. Actually, this same pain hit me twice just before I left Canada..both times after I was at the gym. Of course I ignored it, but now am regretting that I did not visit doctor. So..with toe in such pain, I walked home from the bar last night in my sock feet..not that it helped a whole lot (good ol cobblestone..the support (literally) of Keri & Jen helped much more.

My question is Why? Why the pain? I am not one of those girls that wears stilettos and is begging for foot problems (and believe me, there are an abundance of them here..they often pair up the stilettos with a mini skirt and straight razor-cut hair...look-alikes everywhere) . I have been wearing my sneakers 90% of the time, and practical clog-type shoes the rest of the time..no ballet slippers or flip-fops for me. I've been supporting my feet, so why aren't they supporting me?

OK..that's enough..must get back to the ranch.

Cheerios & Milk

Did you ever have one of those days? Those days when absolutely nothing goes right and you start actually looking forward to the end of the day and bed? Ay..is one of those days....won't go into the boring details of it all, but suffice to say I think it absurd how the banks here demand so much from new customers before a bank account can be opened...and Easy Net Cafe vending machines bite.

OK..enough ranting, has been 4 days since I've been able to get on the Internet and have been experiencing withdrawal symptoms (they have not been eased by checking my hotmail account..ahem..people come on..you all know I am email addict....feed the addcition. Alternatively..you can send me candy/chocolate to feed my other addiction)

Hmm..so what's the news of the week. Well..let's start with the boring - My Job at Scottish Blood Transfusion (Protein Fractionation Centre). After four days fo filing. general admin and trying to look busy while doing absolutely nothing, I've come to conclusion that my brain does not funciton below a minimal demand for thinking. Thus, i am completely spaced out and feel rather stupid/incompetent at teh whole filing/data entry thing. To say I am bored at work would be an understatement, but to say I don't need the money would be an outright lie. And so..real life begins..where one inds one's self in a job that holds no appealk, but succumbs to promise of pay cheque in return for hours of Office Space. ON positive note - only one more week on contract. After that I plan to take a week off, find a decently challenging job, catch up on sleep and do a bit of travelling...that is why temp work is so appealing.

Oooh..so us gals went to see Troy this week. First of all, must say it rocks being a 'student'..$5.00 CAD off admission just for being poor, starving student. ANywho..so with regards to Troy....hahahahaha. That is really all I can say. Brad Pitt just can't be Achilles..he is BRad Pitt...with smouldering good looks and blond highlights. Authenticity was not high on priority list..how many blon haired Greeks were there back then? And then there were the blue-eyed men and the fair-skinned ladies.

Thursday = Ghost & Ghouls tour, where we got to visit the Vaults under Edinburgh..where all the ghosts hang out in hopes of scaring the bejesus out of people like, well, Keri..who Jen & I have discovered is rather morbid (her idea of a good night out involves visitng a local graveyard)Anyway, tour was interesting enough...the Scots sure did enjoy their torture and blood! But did I feel a tug on my coat or a breath down my neck? Nope...just a wee bit poorer ...Followed that up with Karaoke at Belushi's but was disappointed to discover that karaoke lady had her favorites and we were clearly not amongst them..guess she wanted people who could actually carry a note. SO..sadly, no chance to sing Summer of '69.

Friday = another try at the ol Karaoke...return to Filthy McNAsty's..again, we are shafted and only get ot sing one song...which no one can hear because the microphones aren't working. OOh..but highlihgt of night was precursor to McNasty's, when Keri & Jen decided to buy a beer each at the local grocery store and drink in the streets...just because you can here (legally). There were more than a few stares as we walked down Rose St...perhaps b/c it is tourist haven...or, more likely, due to Jen's shortish orange skirt....

Today = blah, blah and more blah. Just one of those days.

So, on that happy note, must ta ta for now..will right again on cheery note when next I get a chance!

Filthy McNasty's...seriously, who the heck thought up such a lovely name for a pub? Hmm...let's see..McNasty's just isn't appalling enough...let's really draw the crowds in by calling it Filthy McNasty's..this will also help potnetial custoemrs differentiate it from McDonald's, which is clearly McNasty, but not necessarily Filthy.

And so we (Jen, Bad BC Brad and myself) found ourselves singing it up at Filthy McNasty's this Friday past (Having been deprived of Thursdays' awesome Karaoke night at Belushi's, I insisted on a Friday night of singing). And so we spent the evening singing/yelling/mumbling out lyrics to such classics as Ballroom Blitz, Sweet Caroline, Old Time Rock & Roll and Sexbomb. Oh yeah..we were da bomb! OK..in truth we can't really carry notes..but what we lacked in talent we made up for in enthusiasm and sophistication. Brad became so enchanted with the whole affair that he sang Sweet Child O Mine AND Ice Ice Baby (I know, I know..we tried to stop him..but not very hard..personally I wanted to hear him do Vanilla Ice) all on his own. Well, actually the minute he got up to sing he got himself a posse of Scottish blokes singing along and asking him if he worked out. Was an interesting evening..that's all I'm saying :)

Saturday was absolutely gorgeous so, after sleeping half the day away (whoops..performing wears one out..what can I say?), we climbed Calton Hill..wich is just at the end of Princes St. and offers great views of the city. It has some big monuments too..one that looks like the Parthenon..but, again, I suggest that if you are really interested in finding out what monuments are on Calton Hill..check out a guide book or come visit.

Oooh, ooh, but the highlight of the weekend was Saturday night when we hooked up (in a completely platonic way) with an old friend of Keri's from UPEI, Kathleen. Oddly enough we ended up at an Irish Bar (it seems I can't get away from the Iruish blokes or pubs even over here...hmmm..will have to work on that!)Right, so the band was awesome and we all developed a wee crush on the lead singer of The Mockingbirds, thus we will be visting Finnegan's Wake again in two week's time to catch their show again. All I'm saying is they definitely enjoyed having us..cause we were the only one's dancing (on occassin jumping with grat enthusiasm..PEI gals bonding,nothing better!) In the meantime..if Keri ever downloads her pics, I'll post the one we got with the band(yeah..we're just that cool that we got special permission to go up on the stage and pose with these lads).

Yesterday I got burnt..yet again..this time on the backs and sides of my legs...big splotches of red on my legs..very attractive :) Spent the afternoon in The Meadows ..5 Canadan gals. We tried (note the root word here is TRY) to play hackysack. Will not comment on my abilities...as they are completely lacking.

Last night I went to a Comedy Club with Irish lad (yes, yes..you see.,.it is as I said...they are everywhere!) Anywho, it was absolutely hilarious...I was referred to as mail-order bride from Taiwan. There ya go....another case of mistaken Asian identity. Am starting to wonder..is there something my parents would like to tell me???

In other, completely boring news:

Our apartment would be perfect setting for Mr. Clean advert. I honestly thought the vinyl flooring in our kitchen was sticky due to it being a different type of flooring than I was used to..but a good mopping revealed that, indeed, stickiness was merely acummulation of grime and grease of who knows how many months/years (ewww!). Hoovering/vacuuming of room also revealed excessive amounts of dust.

Keri & I are consdering the possiblity of participating in medical research (i.e. being lab rats)..if the price is right. We saw an advert at the medical library..they are conducting research on skin colurs and are especially interested in people with pale skin (hope it doesn't matter if it is presently burnt to colour of cooked lobster). So..we shall see..if it doesn't involve injections, I'm all for it..in the name of science and money :)

Tomorrow I join the world of the working. Shall I feign excitment? Woohoo! Actually, will be nice to feel productive and make some quid. If anyone needs bags of blood/plasma, get in touch with me...I may be able to hook you up with some Scottish goods.

OK..that's enough for now..feel as though I am not living up to my usual blogging standards over here....

Ho Hum Ho Hum, it's off to work I go... (insert whistling followed by cheers).

Yes, so following in two absolutey gruelling days of poounding the pavement and going through battery of tests on MS Word, spelling ability (honourary or honorary...egads!!),typing (58 WPM!!) and data entry skills, I've landed meself a career...

For the foreseeable future (i.e. next week)I will be gainfully employed with Scottish Blood Transfusion. For a fleeting moment I considered the possibility that you do indeed have to give blood to get a job in this city, but,as it turns out,I'll be doling out my skills in the HR department. Work starts on Tuesday, so will be making the most of this weekend (i.e. clubbing, pubbin, etc.) . Keri also landed a job through the same agency with a hospital...so I guess technically we're both health care workers now!

OK - so what else is new..other than the brilliant new career path in blood exchange. Hmm..well today, the three of us gals took in a free Indian lunch at one of the temp agencies we are registered with..they offer this every Friday..good way to meet people..better way to save money and load up on sinful foods w/o feeling guilty (because free food is clearly calorie free). Speaking of free food..have discovered that Princes Street is great place to grab lunch from smapl tables..Marks& Spencer, tourist shops.

Also speaking of food (hmm..am noticing slighlty obsessive tendency to 'spek of food'..I do apologise). Yes,well..the kitchen in our flat is of questionable quality,and I believe my meals will consist of past or veggie burgers..taht is all. No way I am going to be able to create gourmet dinners or do any baking.Why not? you might enquire.Well..because the oven doesn't have degree settings..it hasadial that goes from 1 - 9..so how in the world am I to know what the temperature is?? Ah well, is for the best..will keep me slimmish!

We've also had our first overnight guest from Canada - he is a friend of one of the girl's up in Aberdeen.Actualy, he called KEri out of hte blue and just asked if he could stay with us,which was a bit odd, but very Canadian-like. Of course we had to scope him out first and makesure he wasn't one of those Crazy Canadians (possiblity of this was high.considering he was from the WEst Coast), but asit turns out he is very sound, so he's hanging out at the flat. As payment for accommodations teh girls dragged him off to Karaoke last night,where I am told they did a fabulous rendition of Ballroom Blitz (fabulous, in this case means'absolutey drunken and with no inhibitions whatoever we got up on stage and screamed out some lyrics that may have belonged in that song'.

Oooh...more differences from this side of the Atlantic (I'm sorry...I love bullet points..even though I actually haven't been able to figure out how to insert them sowill have to use asteriks)

* Half-two instead of two-thirty
* Washing machines are front loading and extremely complicated to operate..Jen & I put our clothes through the wash three times yesterday because the door refused to open and every timewe puled the handle it started on a new cycle...
* No gas stations in the downtown area..oh BTW - priceof gasoline over here is 1 pound..or $2.50per litre..Crazy!!!!
*They ahve tonnes of lovely gardens which would be great for jogging in,.savefor the factthat they are locked and you have to be rich/resident of area to have akey.Actually there is one just across the street fromus,but we are too common/poor to put a deposit on the key from our landlords

Oh..sorry..must run, we have a meeting with temp agency for details on our new careers.

Thanks for all the comments..hope I am keeping y'allamused & informed..but I want to hear from you too!!

Shananigans

PS - just reposted link to my photo album..no pics from Scotland..but once the girls download from their sophisticated digital phots will try to upload some.

Argh! Why...after four perfectly blissful months of blogging with absolutely no problems whatsoever do I now have to encounter difficulties when every minute is costing me pence (i.e. taking away from my Curly Wurly savings)??? Anyway..I hope all of you are seeing my new template..I liked the orange one, but, alas, it was causing me grief!

Right, so I guess I should also note that I've discovered a place with free Internet..its this little anomaly called the Central Library! All you have to do is pop in with your card and they send you to one of the 15 computers..beats EasyNet Cafe and £1 per 30 min rates. That being said, I am now going to return to my email-addict ways and expect all of you reading this blog to support my addiction as much as possible. I know sometimes it seems OK to just read this blog and let that be that, but..um..hello!! I want to know how life is in all corners of the world.Plus, as noted previously..I am not including ALL details in my blog..some are just not fit toprintt in such an arena, so if you want the real lowdown (andIi know you do!)..email me at: shannoncourtney@hotmail.com

Alternatively you can send me a lovely snail mail letter, postcard, birthday card, money (preferably in Pound Sterling), Skippy Peanut Butter, Skittles (I ate most of JEn's and am feeling guilty), etc. at my new home address:

29 Drummond Place
Edinburgh Scotland
EH3 6PN

Iwasn'tt going to post this, due to concerns re: privacy, however Keri already published it on her blog...and considering the crowds she associates with, I can't see the harm in posting it here :)

OK, so in Mega-Xerox method ..will follow Jen's lead and make bullet point post about life in Edinburgh (so far)..the little differences and the big differences.

Little Differences

* Eggs are not refrigerated at the grocery stores..they sit out on the shelves
* English muffins are simply called white muffins
* At traffic lights..instead of the logical Red, Green, Amber sequence,the Scots use the alternative Red, Amber Green sequence..yes, so drivers are cautioned that they will soon be able to accelerate and hit some poor Canadian girl who is simultaneously trying to text on her mobile phone and is checking for traffic in the opposite direction
* Tax is included in everything, eliminating need for use math skill s(woohoo), but making everything appear more expensive
* Money..especially coins..are confusing, both in size and denominations. No 25 cent piece..and the ten pence is massive, while the 20 p is much smaller
* Cold and hot water come out of different taps..actually in our case..boiling hot water seems to be only thing coming from showerhead..lovely on a sunburn!

Big Differences
* Almost impossible to get a bank account without giving blood
* Massive number of temp agencies..appears to be a primary way of securing job
* Very, very international city..have I met any Scottishpeoplel yet? I don't know..can't distinguish between the accents
* Males..that is all I am saying at the moment
* Everything..and I mean everything is more expensive..even when you factor in wage differences. This means I will have to resort to a budget (blah!)..oh, and get a job I suppose

So, in short - Edinburgh is wonderful..so far the only kind ofpeoplel we'veencounteredd have been the super friendly and kind ones!Thee weatherhase been extraordinary..I can't believe it is May!

On that note, am off to find a job and maybe treat myself to Curly Wurly, having saved money by using free Internet (I love Shannon-logic)

Right,so here I again,twice in one day - think that must be a record! Well,in any case am finding lack of access to free computer facilties rather draining on wallet and hard on the feet. Have just spent the last two hours visiting temp agencies and have a number of appointments for later in the week,which involve testing. Egads! Testing..but I've been so good at avoiding such tests..nowwill have to take crash course in Excel..I have used it but not in two years..unfortunately is not just like biking,where you never forget.

Oh,BTW - re: Comments - the issue of needing a sign-in code has been remedied,so I encourage you all to comment,although it should be noted that I am still using my email reguarly and for personal messages it may be better to reach me at my hotmail address, which you should know...

Cheers

New template today..a few technical difficulties were cropping up with old template..a change is good anyway. Note that comments option is still at bottom of each post on right hand side of divider thingie. Thanks for all the posts..from as far as Arizona :)

Back to job hunting..oh the joy!

Well here I am back at the EasyNet cafe (yeah..easy to lose pounds of sterling) trying to write something brilliant...see things always come to me at the most inconvenient times (I.e. when there is no internet in sight), but by time I get in front of screen mny mind goes blank..so bear with me as I ramble on about our first weekend in Edinburgh.

Moving Night

Not a whole lot to say about teh actual moving process ..it involved strapping one 44 lb backpack on my shoulders nad the other 12 lb one around my front...was a fun walkdownt he hostel's 77 steps.

Jen & I signed the lease..we were very business-like about it, read each and every line and actually asked the landlady to omit one term/condition...which she did (about paying phone bills)

Right, so we won't be having a landline in the flat..anyone who was counting on acall from Scotland will be waiting till the sheep come home, cause it just isn't happening. Unfortunately, unlike in Ireland there are not call shops on every corner...in fact there are no call shops at home, thus making it near impossible to make cheap calls home until I have access to a landline ( this is top prioity when seeking job: Will I have access to email and telephone so can spend my hours making personal calls and sending out meaningless emails?)

I know I already raved on about the flat we got..but I just can't believe how lucky we were. The place is amazing..I have a KING sized bed and there's tonnes of floor space left, plus three wardrobey type things. The view from the window is beautiful, looking out over the city and I can see the water (is it a sea, bay, ocean..I haven't quite figured that one out yet..geography was never my strong point). ANd having two fab flatmates makes it sooooo fun!!!

Anywho, so the most..erm..interesting thing that we've discovered so far with regards to flat is that we have a gas stove. None of us had a clue how to use the thing and I was having visions of someone's hair (likely mine what with the hair product usage) going up in flame. We called the landlord for directions and then, with the fire extinguisher close at hand, I lit a match and threw it in the back of the oven. Ta Da! Another hurdle crossed..no problemo. Well..actually Linda McCartney's veggie burgers don't taste quite as good in gas stove..but they'll do. Now for the grill..our alternative toaster..that would be fun to figure out!

Blah Blah Black Sheep..Have You Any Wool?

Speaking of burnt things..I am as red as a lobster today. Sunday was spent climbing many Edinburgh things..did I mention these people like to climb? Steps, hills, anything and everything. So myself and Irish lad from hostel (I love hostels for meeting people) climbed the Scottish Monument (get a guide book..I don't have time to explain what it is..precious minutes). Fabulous view. From there we walked to the top of Arthur's Seat..which is this hill/mountain just at the edge of the city..I can't really explain what it looks like, but the view from the top is absolutely breathtaking..and climbing up it takes your breath away. Will be good exercise and am already planning a weekly jaunt up.. Right..so I was at the top for a rather long time..lyining the grass with only tank top (and pants) on, not even thinking about the UV rays. Am paying for it today big time.

Today was supposed to be first day of job hunting, but this was postponed until tomorrow for a number of reasons... (the dots here indicate that I have chosen not to disclose reasons.they could be boring or interesting..but only by emailing me will you get the whole shebang). Anyway, for some reason I am pretty sure we'll have no problem getting good jobs...Why so confident you might ask? Well...actually I have nothing to back up this belief..so maybe if you all crossed your fingers..especially those that might benefit from me becoming high-paying career woman :)

Biggest disappointment of the weekend was discovery that Shrek 2 wasn't released here on the weekend...Who knows when it will get here? (yes, that is question..if anyone knows perhaps they could fill me in...ahem..rhymes with Havin)OK..so is not that big of a disappointment, which suggest that life is grand and I am happy as a sheep!!

That's it..am going to join an Olympic hurdling team!!! Luck has been so very kind to us three Canadian gals....we were all slightly despondent by mid-morning yesterday as we had come to determine that the city of Edinburgh really does not want to make it easy for people to let flats...it was looking pretty bleak..But then we just happened upon an ad at the Uni for a 3 bed flat available until the end of June. Well to keep a short story short, we viewed the place last night and it was absolutley amazing - a huge Georgian townhouse with wooden floorboards, high ceilings, large windows and lots of character.The roms were massive and it was completely furnished, including telly. The best part - it is in New Town...only ten mins walk from Princes St. (city centre, only a two month lease and a wicked price. So we are signing the lease and moving in tonite!!! A few other hurdles have come our way in the past day, but we've jumped over them with ease...

Hmm..what else to say? Have discovered that getting a bank account is extremely difficult here....back to the cookie jar for me..this will of course require me to buy a jar of cookies/biscuits and empty it so I can create Shannon's Savings & Loan Jar. Mmmmmmm..biscuits. Ah, but I've been good and have thus far resisted all sinful edibles..sticking to bread and apples (no, really that is all I have eaten since getting here). Unfortunately, cannot make same claim with regards to absence from alcohol... last night went out with hostel people (not hostile..that would just be unfun) and had a pint of the good stuff. Is surprising how little tolerance I now have for the good stuff...ah well, will save money and that is grandd.

There is an interesting smell lingering over the city.... I remember it from the summer, but can't recall what its origin is. It is not a nasty smell, just an interesting one.

Oh..the weather has been spectacular..sunny and warm enough for just a tank top..today we just lay out in the Royal Gardens beneath the Castle and soaked up the rays (ok..we may have discussed our poor financial states too, but most time was spent enjoying the sun and scenery)

Job hunt begins on Monday..people keep asking me what I am interested in doing 'Em ... something that pays well..that's my main criteria'. In any case, it seems getting a job is probably the easiest thing to do in Edinburgh..aside form drinking the night away at a pub :)

If anyone wants to keep me informed of American Idol results on weekly basis it would be much appreciated..can just drop a line in my Comments to let me know who got booted...it is an obsession and yes, I am slightly embarassed by addiction..please be understanding.

I really can't think clearly right now..am writing on 11 hours of sleep since Wednesday morning....yeah...a little shut-eye would help. Tomorrow is big day..going up Arthur's Seat with Irish bloke from hostel and then we are hosting a house warming party tomorrow night..nothing fancy just a few people from the hostel and a couple of Smirnoffs to keep us in spirits!

That's it..am going to join an Olympic hurdling team!!! Luck has been so very kind to us three Canadian gals....we were all slightly despondent by mid-morning yesterday as we had come to determine that the city of Edinburgh really does not want to make it easy for people to let flats...it was looking pretty bleak..But then we just happened upon an ad at the Uni for a 3 bed flat available until the end of June. Well to keep a short story short, we viewed the place last night and it was absolutley amazing - a huge Georgian townhouse with wooden floorboards, high ceilings, large windows and lots of character.The roms were massive and it was completely furnished, including telly. The best part - it is in New Town...only ten mins walk from Princes St. (city centre, only a two month lease and a wicked price. So we are signing the lease and moving in tonite!!! A few other hurdles have come our way in the past day, but we've jumped over them with ease...

Hmm..what else to say? Have discovered that getting a bank account is extremely difficult here....back to the cookie jar for me..this will of course require me to buy a jar of cookies/biscuits and empty it so I can create Shannon's Savings & Loan Jar. Mmmmmmm..biscuits. Ah, but I've been good and have thus far resisted all sinful edibles..sticking to bread and apples (no, really that is all I have eaten since getting here). Unfortunately, cannot make same claim with regards to absence from alcohol... last night went out with hostel people (not hostile..that would just be unfun) and had a pint of the good stuff. Is surprising how little tolerance I now have for the good stuff...ah well, will save money and that is grandd.

What else can I say about Edinburgh? There is an interesting smell lingering over the city.... I remember it from the summer, but cna't recall what its origin is. It is not a nasty smell, just an interesting one.

Oh..the weather has been spectacular..sunny and warm enough for just a tank top..today we just lay out in the Royal Gardens beneath the Castle and soaked up the rays (ok..we may have discussed our poor financial states too, but most time was spent enjoying the sun and scenery)

Job hunt begins on Monday..people keep asking me what I am interested in doing 'Em ... something that pays well..that's my main criteria'. In any case, it seems getting a job is probably the easiest thing to do in Edinburgh..aside form drinking the night away at a pub :)

If anyone wants to keep me informed of AMerican Idol results on weekly basis it would be much appreciated..can just drop a line in my Comments to let me know who got booted...it is an obsession and yes, I am slightly embarassed by addiction..please be understanding.

I really can';t think clearly right now..am writing on 11 hours of sleep since Wednesday morning....yeah...a little shut-eye would help. Tomorrow is big day..going up Arthur's Seat with Irish bloke from hostel and then we are hosting a house warming party tomorrow night..nothing fancy just a few people from the hostel and a couple of Smirnoffs to keep us in spirits!

Well I guess I just can't keep away from blog even when it costs a bloody fortune and there are more pressing things I could be doing..but this is cheater's way of saying to everyone 'I Made it Safe & Mosstly Sound!!'

First Impressions..

All is familiar and I feel so comfortable in this city already..is like returning to home away from home..will attribute this to stay in Dublin

I am going to have a fab body and killer calves by teh end of the summer..this city is filled with stairs and hills..in fact, even in our hostel its 77 (exactly) stairs from the street to the reception....climbing that was quite the achievement with 55 lbs luggage and after 24 hours with no sleep

I am going to have to brush up on my math skills..with the exchange rate hovering at 2.6 CAD to 1 GBP is essential to consider whether a £ 2 Hot Chocolate is really necessary and good value for money...Wil continue thinking in exchange rate terms until someone on street approaches me and offers a fantastic job with great pay and benefits !

Flat hunting = pain in the behind. Crazy restrictions here make it v. difficult for three individuals ot share a place..seriously..they won't even let a 3 bedroom flat/house to three unrelated people..Maybe Keri & I will be step-sisters...That being said, we may (and I am not counting eggs b4 they hatch), but we may have already found an awesome place..will know more in a few hours and keep y'all posted

K..well this is first attempt at doing blog on pay internet..can't run out of time so off I go..excuse typs and lack of comprehensible sentences...


I

Well,the countdown is over and in a few hours we'll be on the road to Halifax and, essentially, a new life. By noon Tomorrow (GMT) we'll be in Scotland, land of castles, kilts and haggis!

Keri said it best when she said 'It's like hitting reset on life.' And it really is..shedding the 'student' status, leaving the homeland and becoming wanderlustd with tendencies to be an adult on occassion!

So, I did it and, personally, I think I deserve a medal for it. My hiking backpack is stuffed to the limit..honestly, not a single space of air has been left to waste. Ziploc bags are a traveller's best friend (travellers take note). Almost all of my clothes have a home in Ziploc city now. Am now beginning to understand how people could cnside me a bit of a planner... Anyway, backpack is one pound over restriction weight. Carry-on is also one pound over weight..yes, that's right, there is weight restriciton for it too (11 pounds). That's where thhe airline dings you..my ticket cost $140 total, so they must be making their money on overweight luggages..Let's just hope they have enough fuel to get across the Atlantic... BUt I've had time to think about this carry-on weight restriction and come to conclusion that it is ridiculous because anybody lacking scruples or indignant about weight restriction (hello!) can always have a non-traveller hang on to some belongings while checking in, then just stuff them in the carry-on before boarding....I hope Jen's parents will agree to be accomplices...

Oh, I also learned that for my entire life I've been using the wrong saying. Instead of saying 'I got it all done in one fell swoop', I've been saying 'I got it all done in one foul swoop'..Well, can you blame me?? Most of the time when one swoops, a foul occurs...

Anyway, for the record...I love PEI & I love Canada, but that is what makes going away eaiser..knowing that I have such a fabulous place to call home, and fab people to return home to. Now is the time to adventure..I'm young(ish), have no committments (i.e. car, house, career or significant other), can take advantge of offers that are only for youth and will look forward to going out each and every weekend!

Well..best get back to last-minute packing...this is likely my last entry for at least a week b/c..well we have things to do and people to see when we get to Edinburgh..posting on blog is dropping way down on prioirty list..finding house & job..#1 & 2.

Wish me luck..I ordered the low-calorie beal on teh airline, am starting to think this may have been a mistake..

Noteable Notes

I've added a link to my on-line photo albums. I figured it would be much more practical to post pics on the web then lug my photo albums with me to Europe..besides I'd never meet weight restrictions with albums in my luggage (see below for extensive coverage of : Shandalous Suitcase Situation) There are a lot of people pics because, well, that is what I am going to miss most - my friends & family!!! I'll (hopefully) be adding to this photo album as adventures in Scotland unfold..so check back on an irregular basis for updated pics.

I've also added links to the web logs of my lovely travelling companions: Keri & Jen. It should be interesting to compare posts from Scotland ..will be a veritable She Said, She Said, She Said!!!

Shandalous Suitcase Situation

So I'm moving to Scotland and somehow I'm supposed to pack up my life here in one suitcase/backpack that weighs 44 pounds or less (discount arinlinng at its best). Right, so I weigh my rather large suitcase (ok..it could double as temporary accommodations if necessary) only to discover the damn thing weighs 15 pounds in itself...leaving me with a mere 29 pounds of clothes, toilettries, CDS, etc. This simply would not do, so I spend money I don't have to spare and get myself a duffel bag (with wheels and handle) Slightly more manageable in size and weighing in at 9 pounds I figure it will be perfect. Well...maybe I figured wrong because, despite the fact that my wardrobe consists of rather skimp tops and lots of dress pants (no heavy sweaters or jeans here!), I am quickly reaching the limit (in weight and patience). At this point I am thinking to myself - shouldn't our weight allowance for airplane include our actual body weight??I mean really..there could be as much as fifty pounds difference between me and the guy beside me on the plane, yet there is no allowance for balancing out that weight difference in the luggage area.

Yes, yes, it is getting to that point where I tend to start stressing about the little things..this is my ingenious way of trying (in vain) to ignore/put off the bigger and much more important things, like saying my goodbyes to family and friends :(
Saying teary farewells and preparing for the unknown - Not High on my Must Do list...would rather spend precious last days here quivelling (hope that is a word) over simpler problems like suitcase
weight and my own weight.


More Sappy Stuff & Detailed Review of Weekend
Last weekend on PEI was fabulouso. Pressured by Business faculty & staff, I finally broke down and agreed to attend School of Business Recepption on Friday evening. OK, admittedly, the promise of free food (incuding cake!) was the clincher here, but would have to say the shindig was thoroughly enjoyable...

Saturday = skipping graduation (no amount of pressure/enticing would have me agree to sitting in uncomfortable chairs and listening to boring speeches for 2 hours..not even the lure of reception w/food).

Following skippage of convocation I headed down to Keri's for celebratory dinner and discovered that there are definite benefits to having 3 older brothers & a cat ($$$). Maybe if I'd only been nicer to Smudgee while here he would have congratulated me on graduating and provided monetary gift like Sammy did for Ker-Ber :)

OK, OK..so I did it..I went to Peake's and paid the $8 cover charge. It was worth it because I ended up seeing so many people I would otherwise have missed, and thus been unable to invite to our leaving shindig tonite!!! Was a grand night, but kind of crazy when I realised that same time next week we'll be 5 time zones away and drinking the good stuff with Scots.

Sunday = Mother's Day! Missed the last two so had to make up for it this time by being an extra good daughter (heck..one daya year can't hurt!)


So Where Does That Leave This Shanadian Now?

Will have to get back to you on that one..am currently trying to avoid all thoughts about now, tomorrow and the foreseeable future....

Procrastinating...the only way to a tearless day

Things Worthy of Mention

If you are reading this blog (woohoo!) at random intervals in time it may behove you to read from the oldest post to the newest. Even given the best circumstances my posts tend to be a bit confuzzling..read out of sequence they can be downright 'what the heck is she talking about?' (insert head scratch). So.. 2 thumbs up for ChRoNoLoGy!! To the right-hand side of the page are archived files from months past..

I just made another blog..what can I say, I'm a blogaholic! Actually this blog is, how do you say, not going to change, stagnant, will remain the same. It is simply an account of my Europe travels from October/November via emails that I wrote along the way. Blog post is in response to request (Joan!) and will serve as reminder to myself that I am going to do a lot more travelling while in Europe this time around..cause there's so much to see/do. Actually, Jen is extremely keen on going to Disney Paris (or whatever the heck its called)...ah the culture of it all... Ce'st La Vie!! Anywho..so the link to Training Europe is there, take a gander and if you're planning to travel Europe check out the travel links.

I officially have my Honours in Business Adminstration now! Phew..it's all over but the convocating. Officially (and unofficially I suppose) I am graduating again this year. Funnily enough, while I was quite disappointed to miss out on last years grad activities (I was in Dublin), I've absolutely no interest in taking part this time around..it simply wouldn't be the same without Becky, Rae, COlin and the rest of the gang. Also, and I hate to admit this, I am feeling too old to partake in Grad Camping Night or Convocation Ball....23, almost a quarter a century. As for the actual ceremony..yep I'm skipping that too..I've surmised that I would prefer to spend my last Saturday on PEI doing other (i.e. more enjoyable things) such as Myrtle's Step Aerobics Class and last-minute shopping.

Things Not Really Worth Mentioning

I've got my International Driver's Permit, which means i am legally allowed to drive a motor car in the UK. Whether I am actually capable of doing so safely remains to be seen. At least I can drive a stickshift, which is more than can be said for a lot of people ...

So..with 7 days left in Canada I find myself facing a a bit of a dilmena. You see, on the other side of the Atlantic there are some things that are just a wee bit different. For instance - Peanut Butter..you'd be hard-pressed to find PB that tastes anything like Kraft or Squirrell..the only kind that is easy to come by is the healthy stuff (100% peanuts). Oh, for those of you who didn't know..the second ingredient in most PB here is sugar or dextrose... And the Diet Pepsi tastes different. As for Light Italian dressing.I'm not even sure it exists.

So what is the dilemna?? Well, knowing that it will be quite a while before I can enjoy these treats again I am left to choose between overindulging in the days before I leave or beginning to wean myself off them now in anticpation of withdrawal symptons that are likely to come... Oh good grief who am I kidding? Is no dilemna..Overindulgence is the only way to go..will deal with the consequeces/withdrawal later

BTW- it should be noted that the UK is not without its own specialities/temptations..most noteably Linda McCartney veggie burgers, Pick & Mix candy (cola bottles galore over there!!) ,any/all forms of chocolate, and, quite frankly, a nightlife that rocks. Must concoct plan ot ensure I do not overindulge in any of these (well..maybe Linda's burgers..since they're healthy!!)

Warning, I've discovered while writing this that it is slightly reminiscent and maybe a bit sappy..I simply could not help myself. Apologies in advance.

What an absolutely beautiful, wonderful weekend! It was just like mid-summer, with toasty temperatures, the sun shining bright, a scrumptious BBQ get togehter, a visit to the beach and, to top it all off, an ice cream cone at the Frosty Treat. Ah the Frosty Treat, K'town's claim to fame. In all honesty I still haven't figured out what makes it so much beter than all the other dairy bars....maybe its the long line-ups, the tricky parking, the 'sorry, our machine's not working..no Flavour Bursts today'...I'm baffled, but in any case I did enjoy the visit to hometown. It is so funny when I venture back, on the rare occassion, to this little town. Suddenly I'm on the lookout for people I might know (not sure..do I want them to see me ? do I want them to recognise me?). Then there is the obligatory visit to the Petro Canada, where I am always hoping to run into Simmy..he has all the gossip on what's going down in K'town. And, of course, the drive by the old alma mater, which hasn't changed much, save for the portable classrooms (or as Keri referred to them...white pieces of crap).

I am quite sure that I will miss the Island in the summer, it's been three since I was last here. Although, in retrospect, it can be difficult to take full advantage of the Island summer unless you have two things: a car and a good-paying job w/reg hours. Was only lucky enough to have these for one summer, the rest of my Island summers (since age 15) were spent working two jobs and resting on the seventh day! So what will I miss the most: Family & friends of course, followed closely by new potatoes and fresh strawberries, the beach, Cows Ice Cream, the scenery that we may tend to take for granted too often, Canada Day celebrations, Victoria Row, driving to Cavendish (actually..driving in general0.

OK..enough of the sappiness. Officially ending sappy part of this blog now.

Now normally am not one to get excited about new compuer applications or anything of the sort, but have become intriged by Apple's new GarageBand application which says you can 'create, mix and edit your own tunes even if you can't play an instrument.' I think it may shake things up a bit...it will be interesting to see how the Record Industry handles this one. I mean...if this Garage Band application turns out to be a sophisticated as it has been touted just imagine... In a consumer marketplace where the individual's needs are becoming all important and everyone (including musicians!) is getting a bit fed up with the record industry, Garage Band may just revolutionise things.

So, have just discovered that I missed 2nd and 3rd last Freinds episodes. Was somehow lead to believe that the 4th last episode, where Rachel announces she has new job and is leaving for Paris, ws actually 2nd last. In any case..have been updated and am looking forward to last episode, which airs this Thursday. Come next Wednesday will be enjoying (?) complete lack of television..as us gals have decided that bed, food and steady income should be priorities before considering luxuries such as tv.

Well..is getting nice here again..must go enjoy the sunshine while I can!