I am beyond thrilled to be here. I get to live in a castle, of all places! Okay, so it's not deemed a castle in the eyes of historians, but I deem it so. The grounds around my castle are lovely- just like something out of a movie. It's very quiet and peaceful. Have a look-see!
view from the kitchenMy room is on the second floor (or first floor, to be correct), and you can see one of my windows- it's the open one all the way to the right. I have two windows that look out to pure beauty. One displays trees and a grassy area, and the other displays trees, shrubs, and the River Dee! I had been hoping all along for a view of the river. My room is part of a 5 bedroom flat-type-arrangement. It's rather odd looking upon entry...there is a huge, blue sphere going through the middle of the flat. I suppose it encases pipes and such, and there are two toilets (bathrooms) located in the weird sphere. So maybe it's not completely pointless like I thought at first. [I will eventually post some pictures of the interior with some of my room. I am waiting until I get it more tidy; I would be embarrassed to display photos of such disorganization!]
I will have 4 flatmates; 2 of them are here already, and 2 more should arrive sometime this week. So far we have China, Scotland, and America represented. I think the other two are Chinese and Irish. It should be a fun, international girls' club. No boys allowed. ;) We hear enough of them upstairs. *Sigh*
The two girls that are here are very nice. The Scottish gal, Jo, must have come in today while I was out; she came into the kitchen (we all share this, but have our own showers) and said, "Well I'm glad to see someone is actually here!" The Chinese girl barely leaves her room, so I guess Jo felt like a lone ranger. It was good to meet her. She is here to study graphic design. Neat girl. I hope to connect with her.
The reason I feel like I'm in castle is more than just the circular tower- when the Mings and Kelli dropped me off yesterday, we went exploring and found the top floor of the tower to be a neat lounge area. We stepped outside the lounge area and there is a pathway of rocks along the cirle of the building, and there is a wall about shoulder-high. We could see the river even better from there! It truly felt like a fortress. What a wonderful picture to remind me that God is my refuge; I can run to Him and be safe.
So I like to think of my new place as a castle. After all, I am a princess in the King's eyes.
It has been a tiring couple of days since getting to Aberdeen. I had lots of help getting some essential living items from ASDA (same as Wal-Mart, except two stories and tons of Scottish folk). While getting situated in my room I kept adding items to my list of things to get. I forgot how taxing it can be to get set up in a new place- we forget the tiny yet essential things like salt and pepper, or laundry detergent, or even toilet paper. The hardest room to equip is the kitchen! My goodness, my brain is exhausted from trying to think through what is needed on a daily basis. All they provided for us were 3 pots, a frying pan, and cutting boards, which I'm thankful for but...
So with my list I walked down to the nearest possible grocery store (nearest possible anything, really). I was glad to discover it only took 15 minutes to walk there, however I still struggled to make it there and back without pain or a rapid heartbeat. Consider that I have 2 recyclable bags to carry my purchases in 2 hands. I quickly realized how much I took for granted the blessing of a car back home! I will get my rear in shape after just a few weeks of living here, that's for sure. And it helps me limit what I buy at the store; I constantly have to look at my collection of items to be purchased to make sure I will be able to carry it home. Did I mention it's an uphill return walk? :)
Oh, there is a good bus system; there is just no point to ride the one mile between my flat and the store(s). I do plan to use the buses for other outings- church is about a 20-minute CAR ride, so you can imagine the hours it would take on foot! Union Street is the main drag in Aberdeen, which I could walk to if no other option but I plan to depend on the bus for most visits to that area- still a minimum of 30 minutes away on foot.
Enough of the complaining. Actually I'm not really complaining, just sharing the humorous discoveries in the first two days of life here. I am learning to adjust to the differences and trying to embrace them. So far nothing has been too difficult to embrace, except for having to walk more than I have in my entire life! Also, it will take me a while to get used to opening 3 locked doors before actually reaching my room. Perhaps the distant laundry room- with only 2 machines for 50 residents- will take some time, too. Hmmm....
I have really enjoyed being with all the people around here so far, learning how to live like them in some ways. I am learning that I don't have to conform to everything Scots do. But I know it blesses them when internationals try to honor them, their culture and traditions, as silly as I think certain things are. :) Overall I appreciate and love the life here. I will have to save that topic for another day.
I will end this for now. Props to those who stuck with it to the end. I will try not to write such long posts from here out. I cannot promise that..I am so inclined to add every last detail to my explanations.
Until next time I will be here, setting up my room for one in this cozy Garthdee castle.
