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Friday, December 26, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Hello, friend!
There are certain experiences and feelings that somehow help me to measure my rate of adaptation to a new place. I can clearly remember the first time I referred to our house in Peru, and now our flat in Scotland, as "home." The first time I woke up in the night and was not confused (though still in that mid-night daze) about where I was signified an encouraging level of adaption to my surroundings. Though these internal adaptations do no happen quickly, they do happen more quickly than the social adaptations that go along with settling in to a new place. But that makes it all the more enjoyable when the social markers come along.
This morning I was walking to work, just one of many people "kitted up" in my pea coat, scarf, and mittens, walking briskly in hopes of out-walking the cold wind. Looking ahead, I thought I recognized one of the people walking toward me. I often think I see people I know here (as in people I know from back home), so generally my realization that they only look like someone I know is a sad reminder that we're so far from home. Again, this only made today's experience all the better when I realized that I did indeed know the guy walking toward me. I gladly waved and stopped to talk and smiled when this acquaintance, Andy, introduced me to his coworker as a friend from church.
On the scale of settling in, meeting someone you know on the street is a GREAT sign that you're getting to know people. With 500,000 people living here in Edinburgh, running into someone who doesn't just look like an old friend from home but actually IS your friend feels like a miracle.
Slowly but surely, it is happening.
This morning I was walking to work, just one of many people "kitted up" in my pea coat, scarf, and mittens, walking briskly in hopes of out-walking the cold wind. Looking ahead, I thought I recognized one of the people walking toward me. I often think I see people I know here (as in people I know from back home), so generally my realization that they only look like someone I know is a sad reminder that we're so far from home. Again, this only made today's experience all the better when I realized that I did indeed know the guy walking toward me. I gladly waved and stopped to talk and smiled when this acquaintance, Andy, introduced me to his coworker as a friend from church.
On the scale of settling in, meeting someone you know on the street is a GREAT sign that you're getting to know people. With 500,000 people living here in Edinburgh, running into someone who doesn't just look like an old friend from home but actually IS your friend feels like a miracle.
Slowly but surely, it is happening.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
A very happy birthday...
While last year I was enjoying sunshine and warm weather on my birthday in Peru, this year it was back to the familiar cold weather that I'm used to for my December birthday. But it was a very happy birthday nonetheless! It started off with breakfast and tea in bed (yes, tea - a startling departure from the Swedish tradition of coffee that we blame on our assimilation to the culture here). Tony labored early in the morning to provide breakfast in bed - a black bean breakfast burrito, my favorite! He came in singing and bearing gifts, the breakfast burrito, a cup of tea and several cards from back home.
After a full day of work, we met back at our flat to discover a "Sorry we missed you!" card letting us know that my birthday package had arrived on time, but needed a signature for acceptance. We had 1 1/2 hours to get across town by bus to pick it up before closing, so we rearranged our dinner plans and hopped on the bus. We could've waited until Monday for the redelivery, but we had enough birthday excitement to make the decision an easy one. We ended up in an industrial park, walking in the rain without an umbrella, and once again being berated by the Edinburgh wind - but it was all worth it when we got our package 20 minutes before closing!! Here I am back at the house with my birthday gifts (minus the bag of Peanut Butter M&M's that my brother sent which were half consumed on the bus ride home and subsequently stashed away to keep us from eating them all in one day!). I was overwhelmed by the generous and thoughtful gifts that my family had sent - I love every single thing. One of the only benefits I can think of that results from living far away from family is the extra sweetness of opening gifts that have been purchased, packaged and sent with such thoughtfulness as an extension of their love. 
After the gift opening, we were off to our 9:30pm dinner reservation at this gourmet vegetarian restaurant we've been eyeing since we arrived. While Tony and I are both fairly laid back people and will eat most anything that is served to us, we are particularly passionate about finding and creating good food together. This restaurant was a real treat and gets our full endorsement - delicious hummus served with equally delicious bread, my plate of butternut squash ravioli and Tony's plate of spicy udon noodles were deletable. We put off brownies and ice cream for today because we were so full!
I went to bed feeling so grateful for the many wonderful people in my life, so thankful for the opportunities I've been given and for the gift of another year of life. I got so many sweet emails and messages from people, including a musical e-card from all the kids at New Hope. I can't wait to see what this next year holds. Here's to being 28!!
After a full day of work, we met back at our flat to discover a "Sorry we missed you!" card letting us know that my birthday package had arrived on time, but needed a signature for acceptance. We had 1 1/2 hours to get across town by bus to pick it up before closing, so we rearranged our dinner plans and hopped on the bus. We could've waited until Monday for the redelivery, but we had enough birthday excitement to make the decision an easy one. We ended up in an industrial park, walking in the rain without an umbrella, and once again being berated by the Edinburgh wind - but it was all worth it when we got our package 20 minutes before closing!! Here I am back at the house with my birthday gifts (minus the bag of Peanut Butter M&M's that my brother sent which were half consumed on the bus ride home and subsequently stashed away to keep us from eating them all in one day!). I was overwhelmed by the generous and thoughtful gifts that my family had sent - I love every single thing. One of the only benefits I can think of that results from living far away from family is the extra sweetness of opening gifts that have been purchased, packaged and sent with such thoughtfulness as an extension of their love. 
After the gift opening, we were off to our 9:30pm dinner reservation at this gourmet vegetarian restaurant we've been eyeing since we arrived. While Tony and I are both fairly laid back people and will eat most anything that is served to us, we are particularly passionate about finding and creating good food together. This restaurant was a real treat and gets our full endorsement - delicious hummus served with equally delicious bread, my plate of butternut squash ravioli and Tony's plate of spicy udon noodles were deletable. We put off brownies and ice cream for today because we were so full!
I went to bed feeling so grateful for the many wonderful people in my life, so thankful for the opportunities I've been given and for the gift of another year of life. I got so many sweet emails and messages from people, including a musical e-card from all the kids at New Hope. I can't wait to see what this next year holds. Here's to being 28!!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Home Link
Aside from the day we found out that my sister is pregnant with her 2nd child, the most exciting day of our time here in Edinburgh was definitely Tuesday, November 25. After interviewing the previous day, I received a phone call from Home Link Family Support. They called to offer me the job and by some miracle, I managed to retain my composure long enough to express my thanks, accept the job, and establish a time to return to the office to sign my contract. As soon as I hung up, I was jumping up and down and squealing with delight. The job search, which had come to feel quite desperate and hopeless in recent weeks, was finally over.
Since arriving here in early September, my days had been spent scouring every possible job listing source I could find, customizing my CV for submission and completing specified application forms created by various employers. I spent hours scrolling through the Job Centre database looking for opportunities, registered with every temp agency I could find, applied with Starbucks - you name it, I did it. The economy in Scotland was already struggling when we arrived, and sources say that Scotland has been affected most seriously by the economic resession in the UK. Everyone we talked to about the job search tried to encourage us about the wait by confirming the discouraging state of the economy here. When I heard that the average time to find a job here is 6-9 months I started to panic, and then cry. It was a trying process and a real test of my faith as we waited and waited, wondering how God would provide for us to remain here in Scotland for Tony's schooling.
For these reasons and more, the phone call on that Tuesday afternoon was simply overwhelming.
I started work last Monday morning, just 5 days after accepting the position. I am working as the Volunteering Officer, which means I'll be overseeing the recruitment, training and support, and personal development of volunteers. Home Link is a charity organisation (handily a 10 minute walk away!) that provides support for families with preschool age children who are experiencing stress or difficulties in some manner. They have a large base of volunteers who are trained to provide support for these families and then spend several hours each week offering practical help and support to the families in their homes. Their vision is to provide early, preventive support to keep families from reaching a crisis point. I love the concept of their work and it fits very well with my background in community counseling. I'm very excited about the work I'll be doing in my position and can't wait to get started.
Beyond the financial stability that employment offers, I am very grateful to now have something of my own to focus on and work towards every day. It's great to have a routine again and to be able to use my energy and skills in a constructive way. I feel so fortunate to have found a job that will challenge me and allow me to develop my skills further. After applying to wash and fold linens in a hotel, the mental stimulation of this position is an absolute blessing!!
We are so grateful to God for this provision. While our hearts are still missing our families and friends in the US and Peru so very much, having a secure job has brought a great amount of comfort as we continue to adjust to this transition. As you think of us, please join us in giving thanks to God for the good gift he has provided for us.
Since arriving here in early September, my days had been spent scouring every possible job listing source I could find, customizing my CV for submission and completing specified application forms created by various employers. I spent hours scrolling through the Job Centre database looking for opportunities, registered with every temp agency I could find, applied with Starbucks - you name it, I did it. The economy in Scotland was already struggling when we arrived, and sources say that Scotland has been affected most seriously by the economic resession in the UK. Everyone we talked to about the job search tried to encourage us about the wait by confirming the discouraging state of the economy here. When I heard that the average time to find a job here is 6-9 months I started to panic, and then cry. It was a trying process and a real test of my faith as we waited and waited, wondering how God would provide for us to remain here in Scotland for Tony's schooling.
For these reasons and more, the phone call on that Tuesday afternoon was simply overwhelming.
I started work last Monday morning, just 5 days after accepting the position. I am working as the Volunteering Officer, which means I'll be overseeing the recruitment, training and support, and personal development of volunteers. Home Link is a charity organisation (handily a 10 minute walk away!) that provides support for families with preschool age children who are experiencing stress or difficulties in some manner. They have a large base of volunteers who are trained to provide support for these families and then spend several hours each week offering practical help and support to the families in their homes. Their vision is to provide early, preventive support to keep families from reaching a crisis point. I love the concept of their work and it fits very well with my background in community counseling. I'm very excited about the work I'll be doing in my position and can't wait to get started.
Beyond the financial stability that employment offers, I am very grateful to now have something of my own to focus on and work towards every day. It's great to have a routine again and to be able to use my energy and skills in a constructive way. I feel so fortunate to have found a job that will challenge me and allow me to develop my skills further. After applying to wash and fold linens in a hotel, the mental stimulation of this position is an absolute blessing!!
We are so grateful to God for this provision. While our hearts are still missing our families and friends in the US and Peru so very much, having a secure job has brought a great amount of comfort as we continue to adjust to this transition. As you think of us, please join us in giving thanks to God for the good gift he has provided for us.
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