Weather Obsessed Scots

I am back! Sorry for the delay, I would try to come up with an excuse like I didn't have internet access at home, but the truth is that I am just lazy. To make up for that, this may be a long post.

What have I been up to...Well I moved into my flat. Which is very nice. It is a 2 bedroom and it is in a great neighborhood. The building is on the top of a hill (what a workout, I can now make it up without stopping or breathing too hard) and in a really residential area. The flat itself is pretty far from the road, so I don't hear any cars and there is a large grassy area in front.

The two windows to the far left are the windows to my flat. I have met a few of my neighbors and they have all been very nice to me and have helped me out on occasion. I think that I am one of the younger tenants, but that is okay. Before I go into more about the area, here are some pictures of the inside. I did not post one of my bedroom because it is a bit messy at the moment!

Walking in...

Kitchen...

Living/Dining Room...


So that is basically it. Right now I am in the process of finding a flatmate. I have a few prospects, so keep your fingers crossed.

I went to the opening parade of the Glasgow Festival which was a lot of fun. There were all sorts of people there. Click on the pictures link to see them.

So now that I have been here for 3 weeks here are my first (?) impressions. They are all over the place so bear with me.

1. I have no idea how car registration goes here, but the license plates usually have ads for the car dealer.
   
2. There are about 5-10 different suppliers of electricity and gas and it is very confusing to switch over. I may have two suppliers at the moment, I won't know until I start getting bills!
3. You can turn the plugs on and off! All the plugs have a switch that you can flip that will allow electricity to flow. I think this is brilliant, cuts down on the baby-proofing and accidental electrocution.
4. You have to pay a license for the TV. Instead of having a telethon to raise money for the station like most PBS stations do, you have to pay the BBC. It would be like sending money to the four big networks. You can still get TV, but I hear they will come after you if you don't pay.
   
5. Finally, people here are obsessed with talking about the weather. A day has not gone by where someone has failed to bring up the weather. It has not been horrible yet so I am waiting for the other foot to drop. The weather has been fairly warm, there are days when it rains, but I have not had non-stop rain yet. When that happens, I will be back bitching about how the weather sucks, but until then, LET'S STOP TALKING ABOUT IT! (sorry)

Okay, so that is my life so far. I miss you all so much and I cannot wait to see all of you in LA when I come in August. I hope that all of you are doing well and email me when you get the chance.

Until next time...

Cheers

Stardate: -316414.07

Okay, So I am a geek to the Nth degree and if you really want to know what the title means I will tell you.

Now onto the real news...

I have completed 1 week at work and it is great. I am really going to enjoy it here. I am currently doing literature searches, so what I am doing is not the most fun I have ever had, but I really like the people that I am working with and the environment is great.

Glasgow is really a great city. I have spent 3 of the last 4 nights walking around different parts of the city with my boss. We went into the city center (downtown) on Wednesday and it is very pretty. I am attaching pictures so that you know that I am really here in Glasgow and not off on some covert mission. Not the best picture, but then again, what one is?

Don't be confused, "Galleries" mean shops, not art.

I hope to make it here often in the future.

The first Prime Minister of Scotland...

I look forward to exploring more on my own. There is a large museum here with connecting gardens and it is all FREE!! I cannot wait to go and scope it out. I think I may go this weekend. I am also moving into my new flat today and I am very excited about that. It has been nice staying with my boss, but I am looking forward to unpacking my suitcases and settling into my own space.

So one week down 77 more to go.

I hope you all are well and until next time,

Cheers