On my end, I have been fortunate in my first month and a half here to not only make some new friends but to see some very dear folk in my life. On day 10 of my Scottish existence, my friend Linz came to stay for about a week. It just happened to be when she was already going to be in the UK and I was not going to turn away a friendly face as I tried to adjust to my new home. My mom was very excited that Linz was coming but that was because she's a doctor and felt it was good for someone of the medical persuasion to be around in case my shoulder spontaneously fell off (or something of the like). Linz is an OB/GYN so I'm not entirely sure what she would have done about my shoulder but if it made Mom feel better, so be it.
Linz lived for her week here on my brand new double tall, double sized blow up bed. So those coming to visit...it's here waiting for you. (or you can cozy with me! But I talk in my sleep - I'll say it for everyone out there "Shocker!") Immediately upon her arrival at the Ladybank train station, I put her behind the wheel of the car so she could feel competent exploring the Kingdom of Fife while I was at school. We fell into a comfortable routine of her dropping me off at school in the AM and picking me back up again before we made dinner and turned in for the evening. On the weekend we played tourist in Edinburgh and a place called the Hermitage. Seeing how at that point I was very disheartened about the students I was teaching, her company provided me with that bit of fresh air I needed to persevere. When she left me for a few days in London (and then a cooking class for a week in Italy and trip through Ireland), I was a little sad and lonely for a few days. It was the reminder that I really was on my own for the year.
This past weekend I ventured to London myself for a Fulbright reception at the US Embassy. It was nice but probably sounds more impressive then it really was. However, the best part of my weekend was another friendly encounter. Yet another of the Jersey girls, Andrea, has been living in the UK for the past two years with her husband Brian. They live in the adorable neighborhood of Marylebone next to a butcher and a French cheese shop and two blocks away from the lovely Regents Park. But they could be living in a tent under the bridge and I still would have loved seeing the both of them. Though I have met some warm people since my arrival, there is something so calming about being around people with whom you can really be yourself.
We did little besides eat and drink and walk (and walk some more in my case but that's another story) and it was great. It was what I needed to recharge my battery for another few weeks. I plan on seeing them soon for a Thanksgiving chow down. If I can't spend Thanksgiving with my family I am fortunate to be able to spend it with dear friends.
My final note on friends relates to my gimpy shoulder. It seemed like having shoulder surgery 2 weeks before leaving was going to be a bit of a disaster for me. What a blessing in disguise it's turning out to be. My first real friend here is my physiotherapist who lives about 1/8 of a mile down the road. She loves science fiction movies and is a chatterbox too. I am going to go hiking with her family (husband, 2 year old, and 4 year old) this weekend and we hope to go to the movies soon (Time Traveler's Wife). It never ceases to amaze me the circumstances under which people can find kindred spirits.
To Linz, Andrea, Louise, and all those yet to visit - thank you for your friendships. They mean more to me than I can say - especially during this year.
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