3 Years

It’s almost hard to believe that Ian and I have lived in Scotland for 3 years. On the one hand, it feels like it has been forever; yet on the other hand, it feels like we have just gotten settled.

From what I hear, we are starting to talk different. I personally blame it on Aberdeen. It has only been in the past couple months that we have been accused of this, so Aberdeen is definitely to blame. Now, don’t get me wrong, we definitely are not sporting Scottish accents…I think our American accents (well, west coast accents) are too ingrained in us for that. But apparently, it has something to do with our voice inferences when we talk. I was accused by someone (you know who you are) of ending my sentences weird. And people we meet over here keep thinking we are from Canada. Apparently you mix American and Scottish together and get Canadian! I’m sure Canadians would appreciate me saying that! Now, voice inferences aside, I do find myself using words from over here more and more. Sometimes when I say some things, I just want to kick myself. For instance, the other day, I referred to dinnertime as teatime. I can’t even believe I said that. Oh well, I guess after 3 years a little bit of Scotland was bound to rub off on me.

Last year, Ian and I made the decision to move to Aberdeen rather than coming back to California. Our time in Edinburgh was done and those were our choices. I think it is safe for me to say that we made the right decision by moving to Aberdeen. Even though Edinburgh is far superior to Aberdeen, Aberdeen really has felt like home more than Edinburgh ever did. We got involved in a church like we never have before and we have made a good group of friends. Sure, they aren’t great friends yet, but I realize that takes time. Also, because of us staying Ian and Connor have had the privilege of becoming dual citizens…a privilege I find rather cool and like to refer to as our back up plan. Hey, you never know what the future holds! And with those passports, you can live anywhere in Europe without a visa!

One of the stipulations of us staying was to get some more traveling in…we definitely have done that! In the past year, we have seen more of Scotland than we saw in the previous 2 years combined...it probably helps that we now have a car. There is just so much to see in this country. Sometimes I feel like we haven’t even seen anything yet! Also, we took a road trip thru the UK, France and part of Italy. I really feel that was a once in a lifetime trip. We got to see so much we wouldn’t have seen if we weren’t driving and got to experience a lot of amazing stuff (yummy Italian pastries come to mind).

I remember when we were talking about coming over to Scotland. Originally it was going to be for a year, then we found out the commitment was for 2 years, but still we decided that was fine. At the end of 2 years, we really wanted to stay one more year…largely so Connor could be born here (I mean honestly, how cool is it to say you were born in another country?!?). And, at the end of year 3, we were definitely coming home. Look where that got us…trying to stay longer! Now I say with certainty, we are only planning on staying 1 more year…but really, how do I know what the future holds?!?

2.5 Years

Monday was the 2 and a half year anniversary of my touching down in Scotland. How fitting then that I spent it flying back to Scotland! After being in the states for 6 weeks, I felt like a broken record. People kept asking me what I thought of Scotland and I kept telling them how much I enjoyed it. I really do feel we were given a gift moving over here. We were given the gift of freedom. No longer are we bound to our mortgage, our possessions, our life. Now our possibilities are endless.

After getting home yesterday, I asked Ian about "our plan". So many people asked me about our plan while I was home, so I thought we should talk about it. Both of us would really like to stay here longer (sorry Clive, it looks like we overrode your vote!) and are trying to figure out how to do it. Money is the issue. People make a lot less of it over here and the current exchange rate is sucking for us. And, there is a reality of a mortgage that we have to pay...well, pay the difference between the rent we get and the mortgage. We realized, I would bring in more money working one weekend day a week then I would working full time and putting Connor in daycare. How crazy is that?!? We have some other options and things to figure out, but the gist of things is that we like this place way more than the original 2 years we thought we would like it! Oh, and I remember thinking 2 years would be a stretch!

I was happy to get home yesterday. Happy until I had to use the toilet. I seriously hate the low flush toilets over here...there is like 8 ounces of water in them and I just don't find it effective, if you know what I mean! Low flushing toilet aside, the day is beautiful. The sun is shining and I am headed to a hospital appointment for my child that is FREE. Yeah, many people diss it, but I think I will now forever be on the socialized health care bandwagon...I was close before. Even wrote my senior project on it. But, after living it, and having a baby on it, I am sold. Free health care just makes sense!

Being home, I loved the ease of going to the store. The parking is a breeze and stores like Target just fascinate and entertain me. But, I also realize those stores are like an addiction and a drain to your wallet. I don't want to be like that. For the past couple years, my entertainment has been going on walks, people, movies, this blog, drinking coffee, more people. That is how I want it to be. There is a slower pace of life over here. At times it annoys me, but I also realize it allows for more time for people and I like that. My opinion might change the longer I am cooped up with my baby, but today I like it.

The truth is....I think everyone needs to move to Scotland with me! (Just bring your toilets and washer and dryers with you!)

Oh 2009, What a Year You Have Been!

2009 brought some big changes in our lives...most notably a child and a move to a new city.Here are some of the highlights from 2009:

January - We rung in the new year with friends in Modesto. It was a good way to start the year.

February - Edinburgh was covered in a blanket of snow. Though it turned into a dirty slush, when it was fresh, it was beautiful and made for some great pictures.

March - I found out I was pregnant with my little man...of course I didn't know it was a little man for many a months!

April - We celebrated my birthday by heading out of town to an aquarium. It was a fun day. I also got a special birthday present from a local author with whom I share a birthday...a signed book. It made all my coworkers jealous.

May - May was a big month for us. We kicked off the month by announcing to the world that I was pregnant. We traveled back to California to celebrate my brother Jeremy's 30th birthday and to get in some time with family and friends. We also were confronted with a dilemma. We had to move...it was either back to California or up to Aberdeen, Scotland. After some thought, we decided to head up to Aberdeen.

June - Ian and I celebrated 6 years of marriage.

July - We hit up a large music festival in Scotland. It was quite the adventure.

August - August is always a busy and fun month in Edinburgh. The whole city is transformed for the festival. We took part in a lot of shows and activities that month. I also spent some time in the hospital with a UTI. It was the first hospitalization of my life. We also packed up all our belongings and moved them up to Aberdeen.

September - We celebrated Ian's birthday by heading over to Amsterdam for a few days. It was a fun trip. In the middle of the month I began my maternity leave and officially moved up to Aberdeen.

October - With a lot more time on my hands, I began cooking dinner every night, attending baby classes and preparing for the arrival of baby g.

November - 10 days late...10 DAYS! It felt like the longest 10 days of my life! Finally Connor made an appearance and our life hasn't been the same since! My mom came over 3 days after Connor was born and stayed for 3 weeks. It was very helpful and fun to spend some time with my mom.

December - We have taken many a trip already with Connor (three times to Edinburgh and once to Inverness). Ian's family came over for Christmas and are here to ring in the new year with us.

I look forward to what 2010 has in store for me...a visit home, time with Connor and hopefully some fun trips with Ian.

2 Years

I can hardly believe that two years ago today, my life forever changed. I touched down in my new home, Scotland. I remember arriving at 7:30 in the morning. The sun was out and everything around the airport was green. More than being nervous about the big news, I was excited to see Ian, given that we hadn't seen each other in a few weeks. Little did I know how much I would change in two short years. Call it growing up, or acclimating to my surroundings, but I have changed. My "old" life almost seems like a dream, like another life I lived.

I have learned lessons on what matters in life, people not things. Being separated from all your worldly possessions tends to do that to you! I now realize that I probably could have sold all our stuff in storage and not look back. I certainly didn't feel that way in the beginning! It's just stuff. It doesn't give me, or really my life, value. I have also realized the value of those I love. Sometimes a phone call, email or text just doesn't cut it. When someone you love is going through something, good or bad, it is hard not being there. It is hard realizing my nephew has no clue who I am and having missed so many things in my friends and families life.

Living over here has opened my eyes to many different cultures. Obviously I am surrounded by Scottish people, but I also have Irish, Polish and Swedish friends. It makes for interesting debates on all types of things - politics, the economy, environment and more. It has opened my eyes to many different views and stretched me into figuring out exactly what I believe and where I stand on certain issues. In case you were wondering, I DO NOT think the Lockerbie bomber should have been released! It has also opened my eyes to a type of racism that I had never experienced before. A type that doesn't care about the color of your skin, but the place you are from. I have experienced people with downright hatred toward Americans, but I have also experienced people talk this way about other cultures. This is a phenomenon I had never experienced before, given that racism in America seems to be about the color of your skin and not other things.

Though I don't have an accent, and don't think I will ever get one, I do say words I never would have said before. "Quite" has become a normal part of my word dictionary. It comes out "quite" a lot! Also, I always remember to bring my reusable bags with me for grocery shopping. And there are my eating habits, which have totally adapted...can anyone say "fish and chips Fridays"?!? Then there is me never leaving the house without an umbrella...it rains pretty much every day. Also, the flat shoes (I often wonder why I moved my entire shoe collection when I never even get to use it). Heels don't work with cobblestone, then there are the rain puddles and hills. Really, flat shoes are a must!

Part of me wonders what will happen to me once I do return to America. Will I remember all the good things I learned over here? Or, will I just return to life as it once was? I hope I can find a happy medium, not being so materialistic and caring more about the environment but not going so overboard that everyone thinks I got knocked off my rocker!

18 Months

Me, Riley and my Mom at the airport in D.C. right before I took off for Scotland.

When I moved to Scotland 18 months ago, so much was unknown. I didn't know what to expect. I didn't know how this would change my life. And change my life, it has. I moved from a society that is based on consumer goods, to a society where money isn't flowing as much. A society where going out to dinner once a month is "normal" and you would never take the kids with you to a restaurant (though this doesn't really matter since I don't have any!). A society where the healthcare is "free" and you pay a tax on your tv. A society that has changed my perspective on life.

I am glad that my need for materialism has been broken. Living over here, cars, the size of your tv and even clothes don't really matter. On the other hand, taking exotic vacations are a big deal. Most people get at least five weeks paid vacation a year and use it all, if not more! People genuinely try to care about the planet, not the way Americans say they do. People drive cars (which most people that I know don't even have cars) that have very little power and very high gas mileage...the Prius over here is always made fun of, as to the Brits it isn't a green car, just an average one. People use only canvas bags at the grocery store.

I still can't get over the fact that I pass a huge castle everyday and it has become "normal" to me. I can understand the accent better than when I first came...Ian even likes to tease me because I say some of my words differently now. I no longer email daily updates to my friends and family back home, but that doesn't mean I don't still think about them. I still think I see someone I know in the streets, only to realize that person is 7500 miles away. I've learned to cook with different types of food, and don't eat read meat often (it has a weird flavor to it). I go to the grocery store at least every other day and am still always out of something. Buying in bulk is not an option. It isn't just about transporting it, but I have no storage space in my tiny little flat.

18 months on, I've learned a simpler way of life. Once I finally do return home, I really do hope I keep some of it. I am sure there is a happy medium out there somewhere. I also know that when I do finally say goodbye to this place, I will be sad. I have made friends and memories here. I have changed and adapted. I have learned a new way of life. 18 months on, I am still glad we decided to come here...

1 Year

One year ago today, I got off a plane and began a "new" life in my new home. At that point in time, I had no clue what to expect. Even now, it is hard to say how the reality has lived up to my expectations. Honestly, I don't think I expected much. As far as living goes, we have adapted quite well...though this doesn't mean that from time to time I don't pine after having a car! Having a job has been key. I have been able to network with so many people this way, and even make a couple friends. And, it has worked out nicely for me to keep my Foursquare ties. This has given me the joy of feeling like I am working for a purpose (not that serving coffee isn't a purpose...ha, ha), and allowed me to continue to work with a very neat group of people in the states. My diet has changed, as there are different foods available here and we don't have a barbecue (Ian's favorite way of cooking). Also, we eat at home quite often, as it is very expensive to go out to eat. In fact, most things are quite expensive here. This has caused my consumerism to take a nosedive. Though I do think this is a good thing, I still very much miss the shopping and eating out! Our days off look nothing like they did in the states. If the weather is nice, we will try to get outside, otherwise we stick to indoor activities. Life in general seems to be a slower pace over here.

The hardest part of living in another country really has been the relationship aspect. Though I don't talk to my friends as much as I did when I first left, I still hold them near and dear to my heart. It is hard to not be able to pop out for coffee or lunch with my friends. It is hard to not be able to jump in my car and be home with my family whenever I feel like it. But, this isn't a forever experience and because of that, it makes it bearable. Also, after a year, I am finally making a couple good friends. Good friends are hard to come by and it takes time to make them, but it is happening.

Ian and I talked about making a list of all the places we want to see before we move back to the states. That list really is long. Even with five weeks holiday a year, there is a lot to see. We want to go to Dublin, Amsterdam, Disneyland Paris, back to Germany, skiing somewhere, over to visit some friends in New Zealand (yes, I know this is closer to the states than Scotland) and more. It will happen. And, these are adventures we will remember for a lifetime.

Month 7

This past month has offered me a lot of adventures. Here are some worth sharing:

As some of you know, I interviewed at the beginning of the month and was promoted to shift supervisor at the 'bucks. It means more power (ha, ha...not really actually), more money and more responsibility. I am in the middle of my training. I found out yesterday that I am progressing "quicker than normal", so I am going to be signed off from my training early. I do my sign off next week. I am excited about that.

Yesterday was an interesting day. First, I got up at 4:30am and didn't go to bed until 1:30am. What's the deal with that? I stayed up 21 hours! There are days that all I can think about is sleep. Then, there are days, like yesterday, where I am hyper as all get out and just want to keep living life. But, back to yesterday morning. I tried out a new early morning bus route to work. The funny part was, I was the only person on the bus the whole time. It was like being chauffeured! The situation actually made me want to laugh. Just little 'ole me and a bus driver on a huge double decker bus. The only thing was, the heater wasn't on and it was freezing. I could see my breath, inside the bus. Turn the heater on man!

There is this park that they city has been renovating the whole time I have been living here. It looks beautiful. It is hard to describe, but they added some very modern features to it, yet an old monument stands in the middle. Love it. They finally opened it a few days ago. After being open one day, I went past it and noticed rubbish all over it. People in this city are so trashy. They will litter everywhere...even all over a new park!

I have to admit, I am looking forward to coming months, when people actually come visit me. When I go do cool things, I think "so and so would probably like to do this when they come visit". It will be good for people to come...

P.S. The sun is staying out a lot longer than it had been. And, we are actually seeing it more. But, it is supposed to snow this weekend...so it looks like winter isn't over yet!

6 Months

A lot of life happens in 6 months. As I have discovered, people live, people die. People get sick, people get healthy. People have "family issues". People have birthdays. People celebrate Christmas. People have babies.

The hardest part of living in another country isn't the cultural differences...though those are the fun things to talk about. No, the hardest part is missing out on the lives of the people you love. In the past six months, a lot has gone on with the people I love. Talking on the phone, emailing them thru it all just isn't the same. There are times you want to give people hugs because you are excited, there are times you want to give people hugs because you want them to know you care and will walk thru any situation with them. There are times you just want to have a nice coffee session with a friend to let it all out. These are the things I have missed out on in the last 6 months.

Yet, in the last six months, I have adapted to a new culture much quicker than I expected. I always considered myself resilient and feel I have proved it. The one thing I didn't think that would happen is that a culture would change me. And it has. My eating habits have changed. My speech (just in words, not in accent) has changed. My style has changed. My way of life has changed. I know that deep down I am still the same person, but it is funny how quickly I can adapt and change to a situation. Anyone up for some good fish and chips? And not the crappy kind they serve in the states!

Here are some pictures from the last month of my life:


Enjoying a view of the city.


Bowling with my Starbucks team.


Spending time with my man.

5 Months

People, I can hardly believe I have been living in Scotland for 5 months! It is almost as if this is actually my life...ha, ha! Today was actually a great way to ring in month 6. It is snowing outside. Even though it is a mess out there, it still is fun. And, while I was at work today, our very own J.K. Rowling came in for over an hour! In case you wanted to know, she got a tall chai tea latte and a pumpkin spice muffin. She wrote in her journal for a while, then read the paper. Aren't I just the good stalker?!? Kidding! But, I though some of you would be curious as to what she was up to...

Month 5 has been a good month. I went back to the states and got a taste of my old life, which I have to admit made me really miss my old life! Moving on...This month has definitely been a month of snow. It has snowed here a few times now this month. It never sticks around for long and makes a huge mess, but I am still over the moon when it snows. Seriously, I freak out and stand at the window staring and taking a million pictures! Do you think I act this way due to growing up in a warm climate? Ian and I are actually starting to make friends that we hang out with and everything! This is quite nice. I have been missing my social life, so it is nice to get out of the house (or hang out in the house) with people from time to time.


Here are some intriguing happenings from the month:

* Every person with a provisional drivers license has to put these huge "L" magnets on there car at the front and the back. I saw a police officer with these on his car the other day. If it isn't a joke, that is kind of crazy!
* Someone told me the other day that I said something that sounded Scottish...I guess if you run your words together and don't enunciate, it sounds Scottish! Okay, so maybe that was mean, but I still think it is true!
* Some random lady came up and asked me how long I was planning on living here (a common question), then proceeded to ask me if I was planning on having any kids while I was here. Now, this is an odd question for a stranger to ask anyway, but really, is it anyone's business?
* The road workers work here even when it is snowing outside. This was a shock to me, as I come from California where the road workers are known for being some of the laziest around!


Here are some random pictures from the month:



Fireworks to ring in the new year - they went off on 5 different hills in Edinburgh.


You know you wanted to see how great I look in that green apron!


I took this during one of the snowstorms. That is actually part of the castle in the background.


I thought this sign was funny. What exactly does it mean to go "dead slow"?

3 Months

People, your little Jessica has made it three whole months in Scotland! Okay, well technically one week of that I was back in the states, but who's counting? Going back home made me see all that I am missing, but as soon as I got back, I was happy to be back. Who can't get excited about a whole Christmas village set up in the middle of town, complete with an ice skating rink? If you can't, you have problems! There isn't much to do in this small-stored, early-closing town of Edinburgh. So, me and my American friend Josie spend time wondering the streets posing for pictures, making each other laugh...hence the picture accompanying this post. Don't worry, I am not drinking away my liver here in the home of whiskey! My great American friend/coworker Josie is headed back to the states on Tuesday. I am bummed about this. Oh well. Back to my update.

For the whole month of November and December, I have the privilege of wearing bright red shirts with the saying "Pass the Cheer" to work every day. Being the spirited person that I am, I try hard to pass the cheer. Josie and I bought a cupcake for this customer at the 'bucks one night. She was so excited about it that she hugged us both. Now that is some good customer service! In an effort to not drink too many empty calories, I have now limited myself to one free drink a day at work. Look at me, practicing self control! I am known as being bossy around work. This is really nothing new for those of you that know me! Poor, poor people that work with me!

Ian and I have set up a nice little routine/life for ourselves over here. We joined a super nice gym and go to it often. They have some great new machines that I have never seen before. If any of you come visit me, I will take you there to work out...just what you wanted to do on vacation! We have learned to make more frequent visits to the grocery store. This helps the arms by not having to lug as much home each time we go to the store. It still is a weird concept though. We have adapted our eating habits to the food that is readily available here. Here are some of the things we eat frequently over here, that I must say weren't in our diets in large portions before - baked beans, tuna, sweet corn, bell pepper, egg noodles and pourrage bars (kind of like granola bars, but made with pourrage). I still miss not having a Target-type store over here. It makes finding those odd and end things one needs for living difficult to find. But, I remedied that a bit by stocking up while I was home! Since I have been spending so much time on public transportation, I have been tearing thru books. I love reading! I love being challenged to think and really having something to mull over.

Well folks, I think that is it for now. I hope each of you had an enjoyable November. Just remember, Christmas is coming...who can't be excited about that?!?