When it's Summer in the City...

Summer was full of visitors for me...Everyone wanted to get  a piece of Scotland in 2010! And really, if you're going to come visit, it's either got to be July-September, or Christmas-New Years. Outside of that, there's a good chance you'll experience the type of weather I was writing about the other day...And the only redeeming factor about the winter visits is that Edinburgh does it RIGHT for Christmas and New Years! They go all out with events, festivals, carnivals, Christmas Markets, torchlight processions, etc.

Moving on, because I know you know how much I hate the crap weather right now, back to the sunny(ish) days of summer!

Early July brought the Lovely Amy and her boyfriend Matt to Edinburgh.

I had never met Matt before, and apparently Amy had told him that he was going to have to impress me. HAHA poor him! But he passed with flying colours, and put up with Amy and I ganging up against him for the week. Smart man. They're first night in town, I hosted a wee dinner party for Amy, Matt, and some of my friends. It was impromptu and tasty, just as a summer dinner party should be!


After spending some time in Edinburgh, Amy and Matt rented a car and drove the highlands for a week. Talk about brave! Amy had to remind Matt what side of the road he was supposed to drive on when he forgot what country he was in...

While Amy and Matt were up north, I had two more visitors for one full day-Dannika and Lara from Seattle!


They were at the tail end of a long European vacation (jealous? I was!) And arrived at my flat tanned and happy at 1 am in the middle of the week. After very little sleep (we hadn't seen each other in AGES!) We spent one very full day wandering Edinburgh, trying to get the feel for the whole city in 24 hours. I think we did a pretty good job. We even got to flirt with a handsome Scottish bartender!
Whoops! Eyes Closed!
After I got my American fix, August brought Lucy and Siobhan back from their respective fieldwork sites for a vacation! It was so good to see my Anthro girls back in Scotland again, but just made us all realise how much longer there was before they were going to be back for good!

It was a fun few weeks though, topped off my a performance by Siobhan's boyfriend Corey's band Earl Grey and the Loose Leaves.


Shib left the next day, and that was also moving day! I left my lovely flat (sniff) and moved into a two person flat with Kate, who I had lived with in my other flat. I really did NOT like the person who moved into my flat, and was so tired of having new flatmates so often, so I decided that the move was for the best. Kate and I get on really well, and the flat is nice a comfy, so I'm not too sad about having left...even though there is no lift and the bus is much farther away...Extra exercise is good right?!?!

Anywho, Kate and I threw a superhero party the week after I moved in. Meet Flame Girl and Lightning Girl!


We're so Fab!




Although it was sad when Lucy and Shib had to go back to Kenya and Poland, I only had to wait two and a bit weeks until I saw Lucy again...this time on her turf...


<3 Kim

The Seven Bridges Road

"There are stars in the southern sky, southwards as you go, there is a taste of thyme sweetened honey down the Seven Bridges Road."

Is it just me or is that song such a lovely example of a poetic nod to the place we can always call home? When I hear this song, it immediately makes me think of being in California. Yes, I know Steve Young wrote this about The South (capital T Capital S), but in my opinion, this song has such a larger applicability. We all have that place, whether it is the home we grew up in, or the city we feel most kindred to, or anywhere that includes THOSE PEOPLE that just make you feel ok, and comfortable, and when you are in that place, for just a few days, or even minutes, everything is alright with the world. We all need to have this type of home. Not just the place when your possessions reside, but when your heart resides.

"Sometimes there's a part of me, has to turn from here and go, running like a child from these warm stars down the Seven Bridges Road"

Story of my life much?

I feel like I've been "that child" for a long time now...Since last summer I've been thinking quite often about whether, and where, I will make a home. Do I want to stay in the UK? I really have no idea. Am I ready to move back to America? Possibly. Back to California? Again, I really don't know. Every time I hear about someone taking a big step in their life, like getting married, or having a child, or buying a house it makes me feel even more acutely how far I am from any of these things. But does that really matter? We live in such a large, complex world, why do I think that achieving these three 'milestones' will suddenly launch me into adulthood? I have a Master's degree, and numerous years of good work experience. I pay my bills and budget and save money, I travel and I try to do things that will benefit the future that I want. I'm not crystal clear on what that future IS, but I know that it includes travel, and learning, and growing a vegetable garden and writing a book.

Perhaps, like the fluid concept of "home", the concept of "grown-up" is something that doesn't have to be defined in a concrete manner. Perhaps being a "grown-up" is one of those things that no one ever talks about but everyone knows...they know that there is no such thing, and that milestones can be whatever you want, you can buy a house, have a marriage and 1.5 kids, or get three PhDs, live in a box for research, and give birth to another Middle Earth for a future generation to turn into a blockbuster trilogy!




So here's to the dreamers, and schemers, and mortgage-evaders! We need to run like a child from the warm stars of comfort every once in a while, because then when we come back, home really is sweeter...

<3 Kim

Dreich* And Some Weeknight Roasting

If I needed any reminder that it is still winter in Scotland, today's weather would do it. Snow this morning, followed by hurricane-force winds and driving rain throughout the day and evening. A day for warm boots, long wool coats, and a hat to keep off the rain. "What about an umbrella?" You may ask-Well, they are utterly useless in this country. Why do you think there are so many sheep in Scotland? THEY NEED MORE WOOL!

Although, at least wool is fashionable...

So, back to the topic at hand. Needless to say, I arrived home drookit, lie a hielan shep straight oot the burn!**

The only alternative? A tasty dinner. Cooking helps me relax, and take control after a day of fighting tooth and nail to not get blown straight to Shetland! I spent a good 30 minutes in my Investment Committee meeting today figuring out what I was going to make for dinner...It started like this:

Roasted Eggplant and tomatoes, spruced up with just a bit of olive oil, salt and pepper.

This was the first time I roasted tomatoes, and I have to say, they were AMAZING! They take on a sweetness and depth that fresh tomatoes never have. These do their thing alongside the eggplant, which roasts down into a silky, flavourful bite that anyone who claims to not like eggplant would have to be crazy to resist! Let the eggplant and tomatoes get a bit charred and you have the makings of a stunning antipasto. OR...

You can add the roasted vegetables to some sauteed onions, garlic and artichoke hearts, toss with whole wheat pasta, and mix in some fresh, peppery arugula and creamy British Stilton cheese. 100% awesome. 100% warming and satisfying.

What was the deal with the weather again? Oh...right...who cares?!?!


Á Bientôt,

Kim



Scots Vocab lesson:
*Miserable, cold and wet (weather)
**Dripping wet like a Highland sheep straight out of the stream

Sunny Days and Transatlantic Tears

AKA, A Tribute to Miss Saab...

May 2010 was the month that my dear friend/flatmate/voice of logic Yara left Edinburgh to move to New York. After two gruelling years in Edinburgh Law School, she was finally free to take on the job of a lifetime: Legal Advisor for the Lebanese Delegation on the UN Security Council. That's right. The United Nations Security Council. That, my dear friends and family is an impressive 25 year old! I have no doubt that if anyone can be the change they want to see in the world, it's her!

At Yara's Going Away Party

Yara is a fabulous person, one of those once-in-a-lifetime friends. I am so lucky to have her, and I'm so glad she came into my life! Being Lebanese raised in Cyprus, Yara, like myself, has a predisposition to sun-worshipping, and a severe dislike for the cold, wet, nasty aspects of life in Scotland. Luckily for us, the last day before her big move happened to be one of the most glorious days of summer! (yes, let's not talk about the fact that we had our summer over and done with by the end of May...sad day!)

The last day...Sunny and warm and the perfect send-off!

At the airport...there are tears in this picture!

I miss this girl like whoa! But I'm so glad that she is doing such amazing things! Overall, I have to thank Edinburgh Law School, the Mediterranean Gastronomic Society, and a questionable Lebanese friend in common for bringing her into my life!

Edinburgh Law School...the Beast!

So let's raise a proverbial glass to my dear friend, and may she have many sunny days to come!

Pierogi with the Pope

Krakow was the capitol of Poland from 1038 to 1596. The first written record of the city dates to 966 AD, when it was already a notable commercial centre. But legend has it that the city was founded by Krakus, a mythical ruler, who built Krakow above a cave that was occupied by a dragon, called Smok Wawelski. People have been settled there since, and as such, Krakow is an old, OLD place, where myth is intertwined with history, religion is handfast with strong cultural ties, and the deeply engrained traditions of Poland-both on a regional and national level, are blatantly recreated, showcased, and immortalised for the tourists, and (I hope) for the younger generations as well.

There has been a trend in the past 50 years of migration from Poland to the UK. There are strong Polish communities throughout Britain, as many Poles come to the UK riding on the European Union's wave of open workforce opportunities. It was this Diaspora, and their migratory habits, that took my dear friend Siobhan to Krakow for her PhD fieldwork, and which led to me visiting said friend for a long weekend in June 2010!

Oh hi there Shib!












One of my favourite thinga about Europe is that there is so much HISTORY! Everything has a story, or a slew of stories, and in small towns that are over a thousand years old, these stories are are mish-mashed up against together, one leads into another in Krakow as you slowly walk around the main square...the strictly Catholic St. Mary's Basilica is linked to the medieval market filled with flower stalls and "pretzel" sellers, which is linked to the side streets full of Polish and Italian restaurants, and numerous cafés branching off of the main Market square, which can bring you around in a circle until you finally find yourelf bumping up against Wawel Castle where the Pope is buried, and then you're back around to the dragon, who's cave can be seen from the castle.

Said Basilica

The Main Market Square

Wawel Castle...THere are 4 different periods of architecture squished together into one fantastic building

Back in the main square...Art Installation avec Kim and Shib

One of the best things about Krakow is that everything is very inexpensive-not cheap, because the things you buy are amazing quality, but what you get for your zloty is AMAZING! This comes in handy when you're a foodie who half-chooses vacation areas based on cuisine. The pierogis! Steamed, fried, served with bread (or ON bread) and grilled onions! The pretzel bread (which is quintessentially Krakow) that you buy for like 30 cents on the street! The cheese! The ice cream and waffles (and waffle sundaes)! and the vodka!

I love it when coffee comes with a treat! Cafés are a BIG part of daily life in Poland...

I think my face says it all...Fried pierogis served on a PLATE MADE OF BREAD!!! Needless to say the whole thing was not able to be consumed!

At the "Singer Bar" Where every table is a sewing machine table complete with sewing machine...and flavoured vodkas!

The infamous Krakow Bread rings aka pretzels...super cheap and delicious...this is breakfast/snack on the run for the Krakovians (and tourists)!

Ice cream at the amazing Wedel chocolatier in the main square












Even though I only spent three days in Krakow, it definitely gave me a feeling for Eastern Europe, and the unique cultures and sentiments that exist in this part of the world. Communist Socialism has left a hefty mark on Poland, and Catholicism continues to be a dominating influence. With Poland's semi-integration into the EU (they are part of the European Union, but not on the Euro) And the opening of the borders, the influences of Eastern Europe and the West sometimes clash. Religion, sexuality, education, old traditions and responsibilities with new opportunities...It's very similar to what the US went through in the early 20th century...minus the Communist bit, of course. And it's quite exciting to see how the Polish people have adapted to the huge changes of the past 20 years both within their country and outside their borders.

Art installation in an old square

Anti-Krak sentiments?

Kim and Siobhan :-)

Poland was such a great experience, and I would really love to see more of Eastern Europe, Perhaps road trip from Poland down into the Czech Republic, then into Slovenia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and end up in Turkey? Hmmm...Sounds like a plan to me! ;-)

Until next time,

Kim

Overduepost.com

I know, I know, It's been like 9 months since my last post...I've been uninspired, tired, and then I literally forgot the name of my blog, the e-mail I use for it, and it took me two days to figure it out!

BUT I'm here, and now my Mom can stop saying "you haven't written in SO LONG" (Love you Mom!) because I plan to....wait for it...Blog EVERY DAY for ONE WHOLE MONTH!!!!! Yes, I am going to do a NaBloPoMo! Dumbest acronym ever, but it stands for "National Blog Posting Month" which is actually November, but some people do it all year round, with different themes for each month. And I figure, what better way to get everyone caught up with what I've been up to for the past 9 months, and what better way to kick-start my creative spark? I know, I'm such a smart kid! (er...) But

But still, It's been an insane 9 months...I lost my last close friend in Scotland to the wild streets of New York; I went to Poland; I worked and realised that surgeons aren't as fun as they appear to be on Grey's Anatomy; I got to see two friends from Seattle in Edinburgh; I moved; I took many business trips to London; I went to Kenya; I met some new friends; I hosted my brother who came to visit; I found a new fave author; I threw an Thanksgiving for one American (me) and 9 non-Americans; I realised just how much the UK shuts down for, and how much I hate snow/ice; I spent two weeks in "the worst rain in a decade" in Cali; and I rang in the New Year with two of my favourite people in new York City!

I'll take these Items one at a time, and post some of the thousands of pictures I have (esp. from Kenya), so please be patient, and please accept my apology for being MIA for so long! It wasn't you, it was me! :-)

Until February first then,



Love,

Kim

Shine

Things, they are a changin'

Last Monday I started a new job. As of 9 am on 19 April, I am the Executive Officer at the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh. In this position, I will be working with the CEO and President, programme managing various projects within the multiple committees of the College of Surgeons, running a few groups of my own, and traveling to meetings and events across the UK as a representative for the college. It is a proper, full-time job, with a nice office for myself, lots of vacation days and lots of opportunities for movement within the college, or into new things with the contacts I will make. It's not exactly what I saw myself doing, but I'm excited and looking forward to the new challenge! So far I like it, the people I work with are all really wonderful, and there is definitely a lot of work to do, but I think I can handle it.

The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh

I wanted to stay with the Social Justice Foundation, but because they couldn't get their funding settled, I had to find something else. And now that I'll only have to commute for 15 minutes on the bus within Edinburgh, instead of 2 hours to Glasgow, I'm even more excited!



So now that I'm a full time worker again, and I don't have to worry about things like making the rent, I'm feeling much more confident about life in general. Spring has come with some nicer weather...By "nicer" I of course mean that for every three sunny warm-ish days, there is only ONE rainy cold day! What an improvement!

Soon I'll be looking for another flatmate, as Yara will be leaving at the end of May to move to New York to take up a position on the UN Security Council! I'm starting to get sad about her leaving, but c'est la vie, we all move on eventually. I'm just glad that I have been able to find such a good job, so that I can enjoy the next month until she leaves!

So life continues to shine on, as it should, in the most (un)pleasantly unexpected and anxiously anticipated, deliciously surprising ways.

Until Next Time...

Kim x