December Days

With just one week until we fly to Seattle via Reykjavik, we're soaking up the Christmastime festivities in St Andrews. Advent season means that Handel's Messiah plays in our flat and we anticipate the Joy that came to the world over two thousand years ago.

 

We attended the St Mary's Christmas Party in the Senior Common Room this past week and it was a great time to socialize with Garrick's colleagues and lecturers. My work Christmas party happened on Friday and again, I can't express how thankful I am for my new job! This week I'll host a party for the women in my Tuesday Small Group, and Thursday my two piano students will play in a wee recital at our flat. Garrick will be a guest performer, playing Good King Wenceslas and We Wish You a Merry Christmas accompanied by me. He's been practicing!

 

Next Sunday at around this time we'll be greeted at the airport by our families. I can't quite describe the excitement and emotions that come with seeing loved ones after a year apart, and also knowing that I'll be eating Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups very soon.

 

Recently, I've been buried in Canon Rebel user guides and photography blogs. I've finally made the switch to 'manual' and have been making slow progress with my photos. I'm a complete amateur, but it's been a fun hobby. We've had little sunlight so I've mostly been shooting indoors. Happy Christmas!

 

 

 

 

 

Goodbye, May!

The second academic year is nearly over. I can’t believe the calendar above the clock on my computer reads 30/05/13. The months speed along. So, in familiar format, our month of May:

Holiday Planning: Rick Steve’s and Trip advisor are taking us on an adventure of the Low Countries: The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany. We leave on the 6th and arrive back on the 14th of June. Besides tasting the best beer, chocolate, and fries in the world, we’re looking forward to a trip to celebrate both of our 25th birthdays and some time away.

Piano: Teaching piano is a new love of mine. Last week, I had my final lesson with Elizabeth Snell, as her dad, Micah, finished his PhD and got a job in Texas! I’m excited to continue with Kirsten and Laura, and will be adding more students over the summer and into the fall.

Bonfires: Our new favourite hobby. The weather is still hit and miss, but on those perfect evenings as the sun sets and the tide goes out, you’ll find us at the beach with friends. Jumbo marshmallows are a rare find in Scotland, so s'mores have yet to happen.

Paris: Just in, Garrick successfully applied to take a French course in Paris for the entire month of August, and we’ll be going with friends from St Andrews. More to come!

 

Job News: I’m a term-time employee, meaning I’m done on 30th June and begin again in late August. Since I’ll be gone to Paris for the month of August, I’m just looking for something for the month of July. We’ll see!

The Scholar: Garrick finished tutoring for the semester and received great feedback from students. He's writing book reviews, preparing for conferences in Leipzig, St Andrews, and Baltimore, working on language learning, and doing his own research. Motivated is an understatement. His hobbies are cycling and The Simpsons.

Sea Glass: The Castle Sands beach is basically in our front yard, and beautiful sea glass is plentiful. With the help of an expert friend, I'm realising I have some quite valuable pieces in my collection that could be of interest to jewelers and artists. An Etsy shop may be in the works.

Homesickness Update: We’ve lived in Scotland for almost two years! This summer, there are special birthdays, weddings, and events in the USA that we’ll be very sad to miss. Our hearts are in two places at once. Although a good problem to have, it has its ups and downs.

 

Thanks for reading happy summer!

 

Beautiful wedding invites from our beautiful friends!

 

Hamish!

 

May haar.

 

Balgove burgers with Jesse and Liana!

 

Our wee lane.

 

Bonfire with the Brewers on the East Sands!

 

Garrick's new haircut. :)

 

Marching On

Honestly, the beginning of this month has not been easy. Family health concerns are tough, but even more difficult when we are thousands of miles from offering tangible help and encouragement. We praise God for his sovereignty, put our trust in Him, and realise we have much to be thankful for.

March is a lovely month. Here's why:

Whoa Baby: This Saturday, the St Mary's community celebrates 5 women who have either recently had a baby or who are very pregnant. It has been fun to plan and look forward to this baby shower.

Gladstone's: Garrick and his good friend Chris Brewer received a scholarship to travel to Wales and study at Gladstone's Library while staying at a 4 Star B&B. This means I will be living with Chris' wife and two boys for the week. I see Lego's, Pride and Prejudice, and nail painting in my future.

Piano/Yoga: I'm not flexible. My friend Laura can't play the piano. So, we're swapping our skills to benefit one another. I just finished my first yoga session and am feeling better already! I now have three piano students and find great joy in teaching piano. Thanks, mom!

Indexing: Garrick is indexing a new book by Jim Davila entitled "Hekhalot Literature and Translation" (forthcoming). It is a 600 page translation of medieval Jewish mystical literature. Apparently, it is well worth the read. I, of course, cannot speak from experience.

Day Trips: Scotland is a beautiful country worth exploring. We're planning two day trips in the same weekend and renting a car. On the potential itinerary are Oban and the castles near Aberdeen. More details and photos to come.

Brunch: We gather bimonthly at 10am for brunch with friends before attending our church, Trinity, together. Good food, french press coffee, and good conversation combine to make a great start to the morning!

Here are some recent photos from our daily life:

Glorious sunshine on the 1st of March!



Castle Sands beach at sunset.


My sunny day scholar.


My new kitchen companion!