My belly is full on my attempted stir-fry dinner, and I’m settled in for yet another quiet Friday evening. You’re probably questioning why I’m not out on the town, celebrating the weekend. Well, it’s rather simple…I tend to dilly-dally so much during the week that I have to stay in on the weekends! Plus it’s just down right COLD outside tonight. I’d rather stay warm with some hot chocolate and entertained with my Sociology essay, thank you very much. ;)
Don’t worry, I will still get some play time this weekend. There is a holiday market here in Aberdeen, which apparently has some amazing international foods and booths to experience. I plan to go walk around tomorrow for a few hours with a friend or two; I hope to chomp on a good turkey leg or perhaps some haggis meatballs? …or not!
The past couple weeks have been quite good. We had an onslaught of snow last weekend! It was so beautiful for the first day. Then it became a bit of an annoyance! I did manage to enjoy a good romping through it and have thus determined my need for some waterproof shoes. :D
I have managed to complete one essay and have 4 more to complete before I leave for my Christmas vacation. By the way, I am really, REALLY looking forward to being in Texas for a several weeks! (Thanks to some dear friends of mine, this has become possible. Forever grateful am I!)This does not mean I am miserable here by any means, but I surely do miss parts of home. As typically expected, I greatly miss my family and friends, my dog, and certain foods. However, I think my freedom to drive is what I miss most desperately!
Driving was such a huge source of independence for me for so many years. It was great alone time, too. I mean, where else could I sing at the top of my lungs?! Public transportation here is definitely better than in Texas, and I’m thankful for it… I’m just not so sure I could carry out my typical transportational singing with an audience of strangers.
The lack of a car has also helped me better appreciate my feet. And my hands. And my heart, for that matter. If any of those were ‘out of order’ (temporarily or permanently), I would lose even more independence- doing my own grocery shopping. Walking to and from the store does not bother me much, but the more weight in my grocery sacks the more grueling the walk. There is a dear lady who provides me a lift to and from the store from time to time, so I appreciate that. It certainly would be great to have my own vehicle someday, but for now I will continue to happily utilize the feet, hands, and heart I have taken for granted.
Oh! I might have a part-time (we’re talking VERY part-time) job lined up for when I return in January! I interviewed this week with an organization called Inspire, which works with people with varied learning disabilities. It seems to fit perfectly within my social work goals, eh? It sure does. However, the post I would fill is actually just working in their café. : ) I might occasionally have the opportunity to work with the clients, or ‘students’ as they’ve begun calling them as of late. I am glad to just have some sort of work to help keep up with living expenses. I have a trial-run at the café one day this week, and I may or may not work a little before Christmas. We shall see.
I experienced my first Thanksgiving in Scotland, which was quite a thrill! We had tons of good food and even more laughs. I was slightly embarrassed, though, when I couldn’t give a completely accurate description of why Americans celebrate such a holiday… needless to say, I didn’t manage to clear up their assumption that it’s all about food. Oops.
You can see a few photos of my Scottish Thanksgiving and other exciting moments by going here.
I have experienced lots of joy lately, and I am absolutely thankful for that. But I am feeling such sadness from the sights and sounds in the news…the happenings in the Congo, India, Thailand, the middle East, and back home- the Black Friday sad stories, as one recent example. This world is experiencing such extreme things. Does any of it surprise our Creator? No, I don’t think it surprises Him…but I imagine it grieves Him, too.
I take comfort and re-gain hope when I remember that there is a day coming when all pain and strife will be gone, all wars and lies will cease. [Blessed are those who call on the Lord Jesus.]
“Swing wide the glimmering gates…leave your pride and pain…swing wide the glimmering gates, and be innocent again…” (andrew osenga)
