Jo and I decided recently that traveling back to Aberdeen to teach English 2 days per week wasn't worth the cost/time/effort. I've been handing out CVs/resumes interviewing at some Edinburgh English schools the past few weeks.
Today I was offered my first Edinburgh teaching gig! 2 hours every Monday evening for 8 weeks, teaching Business English to a Chinese accountant. It's not much, but it's a start -- it's a nice way to end the week.
Friday 23 March 2007
Tuesday 20 March 2007
More photos
In the absence of new photos from Edinburgh, here are a few oldies but goodies...
Hiking in the Cairngorms National Park:
Here's Kate and Kenneth (Jo's parents) staying at a B&B in Kingussie.
These were taken in and around Dunkeld, Perthshire - one of my favourite areas in Scotland that I visit often:
Finally, here's the 2nd time I rented a kilt to wear to a formal event (I do plan on getting my own sometime, by the way):
Hiking in the Cairngorms National Park:
Here's Kate and Kenneth (Jo's parents) staying at a B&B in Kingussie.
These were taken in and around Dunkeld, Perthshire - one of my favourite areas in Scotland that I visit often:
Finally, here's the 2nd time I rented a kilt to wear to a formal event (I do plan on getting my own sometime, by the way):
Monday 19 March 2007
Photos Of Our New Flat: Coming Soon (I Hope)
So, we've rented this great top-floor tenement flat in Edinburgh, and we've taken some photos of the place, and the views outside... but, I think I left the camera-to-PC connection cable in our old flat in Aberdeen. D'oh! So, those will have to wait.
Speaking of our Aberdeen flat, we've arranged for a guy to do the final repairs this week, so we'll be able to rent it out beginning in April, we hope. At any rate, I'll be making a trip back to Aberdeen soon to check the progress and pack the rest of our stuff (including the connection cable, of course).
So, please check back soon for some Edinburgh photos! :-)
Speaking of our Aberdeen flat, we've arranged for a guy to do the final repairs this week, so we'll be able to rent it out beginning in April, we hope. At any rate, I'll be making a trip back to Aberdeen soon to check the progress and pack the rest of our stuff (including the connection cable, of course).
So, please check back soon for some Edinburgh photos! :-)
Aberdeen vs. Edinburgh
It was a over four years ago (January 29th 2003, to be exact) that we moved to Scotland. It's hard to believe it's been that long. Until a few months ago, we lived in Aberdeen. As a city, it's nothing special. The surrounding countryside is amazing, but if you're going to live in a city in the UK, Aberdeen would not be people's first choice (unless they had family there, or else worked in the Oil & Gas industry). It can feel quite "hickish" and isolated. The grey granite buildings, while impressive, reinforce the grey clouds that are seen all too often. The air connections are few and expensive.
Because we moved to Europe to travel, and we didn't work in the Oil & Gas industry, it wasn't a perfect match for us. That said, we did enjoy our time there and made some lasting friendships. Some of Jo's extended family lives there, and they were a great help and support particularly as we got settled. As I said, the countryside is beautiful...
Nonetheless, on an almost daily basis, we find ourselves saying to each other how much we love it here in Edinburgh, and why didn't we move here sooner? Well, for most people, I think sometimes it's easier to stay where we are -- even though we know in our hearts it isn't ideal -- particularly when compared to the many unknowns (e.g. having to find a place to live, work, new friends) and the hassles (e.g. new mechanic, new food stores, new hairsylist, etc) of moving...
But on the other hand, when things work out a new city can feel so exciting. Jo's new job is working out great so far, and we looooove our flat! I'm still working on finding work, but I'm optimistic.
Sometimes we humans can get in a rut, but we're not always aware it's a rut, because we lose our sense of perspective. Until recently, the only city in Europe we'd lived in was Aberdeen, so we had nothing to compare it to. But now we know, our life in Aberdeen doesn't compare to our life here. There's no way we would ever go back. Our future is in Edinburgh, and we're so happy to be here!
Edinburgh is often hailed as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and I'll agree with that (at least, compared to the cities I've seen). So, it's really not fair to compare Aberdeen to Edinburgh. Aberdeen's OK. But we don't want to live in an OK city. Why settle for OK -- in cities or in any other part of your life -- if you don't have to?
I think sometimes we forget how easy it can be to change our circumstances, and change our attitude and point of view. And a move to a new city can't help but feel like a new beginning, and makes you feel like you're getting a new perspective on life.
Because we moved to Europe to travel, and we didn't work in the Oil & Gas industry, it wasn't a perfect match for us. That said, we did enjoy our time there and made some lasting friendships. Some of Jo's extended family lives there, and they were a great help and support particularly as we got settled. As I said, the countryside is beautiful...
Nonetheless, on an almost daily basis, we find ourselves saying to each other how much we love it here in Edinburgh, and why didn't we move here sooner? Well, for most people, I think sometimes it's easier to stay where we are -- even though we know in our hearts it isn't ideal -- particularly when compared to the many unknowns (e.g. having to find a place to live, work, new friends) and the hassles (e.g. new mechanic, new food stores, new hairsylist, etc) of moving...
But on the other hand, when things work out a new city can feel so exciting. Jo's new job is working out great so far, and we looooove our flat! I'm still working on finding work, but I'm optimistic.
Sometimes we humans can get in a rut, but we're not always aware it's a rut, because we lose our sense of perspective. Until recently, the only city in Europe we'd lived in was Aberdeen, so we had nothing to compare it to. But now we know, our life in Aberdeen doesn't compare to our life here. There's no way we would ever go back. Our future is in Edinburgh, and we're so happy to be here!
Edinburgh is often hailed as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and I'll agree with that (at least, compared to the cities I've seen). So, it's really not fair to compare Aberdeen to Edinburgh. Aberdeen's OK. But we don't want to live in an OK city. Why settle for OK -- in cities or in any other part of your life -- if you don't have to?
I think sometimes we forget how easy it can be to change our circumstances, and change our attitude and point of view. And a move to a new city can't help but feel like a new beginning, and makes you feel like you're getting a new perspective on life.
Stovehaven, Aberdeenshire
My brother Todd came to visit in February when we still lived in Aberdeen. About 20 miles south of Aberdeen is Stonehaven and one of Scotland's most spectacular castles, Dunnottar Castle. It was a beautiful sunny, but cold, day - it had snowed the night before.
Brett, you are the Weakest Link... Goodbye!
About a year ago, I was on the UK version of the game/quiz show
Weakest Link. It was a great experience overall, despite some moments of panic when I realized the probability of looking like a fool on national television.
I hoped to stick around long enough to have at least one conversation with host Anne Robinson -- and I had two! People tell me I did OK for an immigrant -- judge for yourself by clicking here to view the video (Windows Media [.wma] format).
Weakest Link. It was a great experience overall, despite some moments of panic when I realized the probability of looking like a fool on national television.
I hoped to stick around long enough to have at least one conversation with host Anne Robinson -- and I had two! People tell me I did OK for an immigrant -- judge for yourself by clicking here to view the video (Windows Media [.wma] format).
Welcome To My Blog
Greetings,
I've started this blog to share photos and words pertaining to my/our life. I've been meaning to do this for ages in order to share photos/anecdotes/thoughts, because overall I think I've done a pretty bad job of keeping in touch!
We recently moved to Edinburgh (after four years in Aberdeen). We love it here, and it feels like a positive turning point. Therefore, now seems like a good time to start sharing my world a bit more for my friends/family in the USA, Canada, and around the globe. It's so easy to lose touch, especially when seperated by many miles... so my goal for this blog is to keep those connections in tact.
I hope you enjoy this wee window into my/our life. Post a comment and say hi, won't you?
Brett
I've started this blog to share photos and words pertaining to my/our life. I've been meaning to do this for ages in order to share photos/anecdotes/thoughts, because overall I think I've done a pretty bad job of keeping in touch!
We recently moved to Edinburgh (after four years in Aberdeen). We love it here, and it feels like a positive turning point. Therefore, now seems like a good time to start sharing my world a bit more for my friends/family in the USA, Canada, and around the globe. It's so easy to lose touch, especially when seperated by many miles... so my goal for this blog is to keep those connections in tact.
I hope you enjoy this wee window into my/our life. Post a comment and say hi, won't you?
Brett
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