Sunday, October 28, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Farmers' Market and Water of Leith Walk
Today was an absolute lovely day. Matthew and I began the morning at an Italian cafe across the street eating yummy breakfast rolls. We then caught the bus to the Castle Terrace to wonder about the Farmers' Market -- which has been voted the best Farmers' Market in the United Kingdom. It was quite entertaining! I bought the most delicious strawberries I've tasted in a long, long time. Yum! We also met up with our friends Scotty and Rebecca at the Market for coffee at a small outdoor cafe on the Terrace.
The four of us then caught the bus to Murrayfield to venture on one of the best walks in Edinburgh: the Water of Leith. It's absolutely my new favorite in Scotland! It was such a gorgeous stroll. The beauty of nature and of the ancient, European architecture ... it was all amazing. I have pictures to post soon. Rebecca and Scotty then came over to our flat for dinner. Rebecca and I made dinner ... and then as proper expats in Great Britain, we watched the movie Elizabeth.
Pictures to come ...
The four of us then caught the bus to Murrayfield to venture on one of the best walks in Edinburgh: the Water of Leith. It's absolutely my new favorite in Scotland! It was such a gorgeous stroll. The beauty of nature and of the ancient, European architecture ... it was all amazing. I have pictures to post soon. Rebecca and Scotty then came over to our flat for dinner. Rebecca and I made dinner ... and then as proper expats in Great Britain, we watched the movie Elizabeth.
Pictures to come ...
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Bella
The winner of the People's Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival, Bella, is opening in select theaters this weekend. I've read fantastic reviews -- from all types of critics. Check out the trailer at Bella's official website:
http://www.bellathemovie.com/
http://www.bellathemovie.com/
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Anyone who knows me is aware of my keen appreciation for books -- especially good books. What makes for a good book can differ. Sometimes the deep and fascinating content that presents new realities marks a good book. Other times the art of a good story is captivating.
I recently finished A Thousand Splendid Suns, a book which captures both of the above elements while also weaving history and cultural lessons throughout. This 360-some page book was also read cover-to-cover by me in about 24 hours.
The back cover reads, "A Thousand Splendid Suns is an unforgettable portrait of a wounded country and a deeply moving story of family and friendship. It is beautiful, heart-wrenching story of an unforgiving time, an unlikely bond and an indestructible love." Set in Afghanistan and covering a period of time over the past forty years, this book is poignant in that we as Westerners can slightly begin to discover the horrific travesties of war. In such a ravaged country, evil upon evil is heaped onto a society and watching how personalized souls deal with such tragedy is both enlightening and heartbreaking. Watching souls overcome is even more beautiful.
If you get the opportunity, this book is definitely worth the read. Written by Khaled Hosseini, who now serves as a US goodwill enjoy to the UN Refugee Agency, this book will not only entertain and teach you, but it will also remind you to be grateful for all the goodness you've been granted in life.
I recently finished A Thousand Splendid Suns, a book which captures both of the above elements while also weaving history and cultural lessons throughout. This 360-some page book was also read cover-to-cover by me in about 24 hours.
The back cover reads, "A Thousand Splendid Suns is an unforgettable portrait of a wounded country and a deeply moving story of family and friendship. It is beautiful, heart-wrenching story of an unforgiving time, an unlikely bond and an indestructible love." Set in Afghanistan and covering a period of time over the past forty years, this book is poignant in that we as Westerners can slightly begin to discover the horrific travesties of war. In such a ravaged country, evil upon evil is heaped onto a society and watching how personalized souls deal with such tragedy is both enlightening and heartbreaking. Watching souls overcome is even more beautiful.
If you get the opportunity, this book is definitely worth the read. Written by Khaled Hosseini, who now serves as a US goodwill enjoy to the UN Refugee Agency, this book will not only entertain and teach you, but it will also remind you to be grateful for all the goodness you've been granted in life.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Simplicity?
Today marks four complete weeks of no car and no cell phone. It's quite different for an American! This form of simplicity does make life a bit more complicated. With no car, I really cannot plan on arriving at a place at a specific time. Therefore, I either have to leave very, very early or just toss the need for punctuality in my American keepsake box.
Not having a cell phone has been a bit trying. I do only want the phone for keeping in touch with my husband. See, he has no phone access at his school. When he leaves early in the morning to go study at the university, we have to have a mapped out plan of the entire day. If we don't have this plan, hopefully we'll just meet up at our flat later that night. The days we haven't had a plan, I've noticed I stick around the flat more just to make sure I don't miss him when he comes home.
This practiced simplicity has taught me several things. First of all, life without one's own car can be quite doable -- in fact, I am rather enjoying it (especially because punctuality is of little concern to me since I don't have an office job). Second of all, I am feeling rather fantastic about my carbon imprint on the world right now.
Americans are by far the greatest nation of consumers. It's been so easy for us to fall into this consumerism possibly because we don't have the same degree of rich history like other nations nor do we have their beauty. I walk by buildings built in the twelth century here, and it conjures up a sense of placement in history -- a placement I've never sensed in America. To view living history surrounding oneself is a reminder to care for the beauty and goodness God has given us to experience.
I am going to be a consumer of a cell phone though. Soon and very soon. Meanwhile, I'm off to catch a bus to go buy groceries. It's such an adventure to go buy groceries and haul them all the way back to your flat via the bus, a good walk, and a climb up three flights of stairs. Ciao!
Not having a cell phone has been a bit trying. I do only want the phone for keeping in touch with my husband. See, he has no phone access at his school. When he leaves early in the morning to go study at the university, we have to have a mapped out plan of the entire day. If we don't have this plan, hopefully we'll just meet up at our flat later that night. The days we haven't had a plan, I've noticed I stick around the flat more just to make sure I don't miss him when he comes home.
This practiced simplicity has taught me several things. First of all, life without one's own car can be quite doable -- in fact, I am rather enjoying it (especially because punctuality is of little concern to me since I don't have an office job). Second of all, I am feeling rather fantastic about my carbon imprint on the world right now.
Americans are by far the greatest nation of consumers. It's been so easy for us to fall into this consumerism possibly because we don't have the same degree of rich history like other nations nor do we have their beauty. I walk by buildings built in the twelth century here, and it conjures up a sense of placement in history -- a placement I've never sensed in America. To view living history surrounding oneself is a reminder to care for the beauty and goodness God has given us to experience.
I am going to be a consumer of a cell phone though. Soon and very soon. Meanwhile, I'm off to catch a bus to go buy groceries. It's such an adventure to go buy groceries and haul them all the way back to your flat via the bus, a good walk, and a climb up three flights of stairs. Ciao!
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Friday, October 19, 2007
Celebration Dinner
My precious husband took me to a lovely dinner at Petite Paris in the Grassmarket area of Edinburgh. We have some wonderful pictures to show you... but blogger is having a difficult time with them.
Nevertheless, Petite Paris is absolutely charming. We were greeted by a chipper, young Parisian upon arrival. I'm not sure anyone working at the restaurant truly spoke English. Somehow we all communicated -- but not without a funny circumstance.
During dinner I had noticed the dessert a couple at a table close to us was sharing. It looked delicious! Upon this couple's exit, I asked the waiter what it was that they had had for dessert. I didn't understand his repsonse but smiled and nodded. I thought the waiter might be bringing us the dessert in a few minutes. He then disappeared. Cleared that couple's table, walked to the kitchen, asked someone something, returned to the other table, and cleaned it once again. Meanwhile, we were waiting for our mystery dessert. After a few minutes, we knew something was wrong. Apparently this waiter thought I wanted him to clean the other table once again. He had no clue I was asking for dessert! I'm not sure why he thought anyone would care about the OCD cleanliness of another table ... what a funny circumstance.
We eventually received a yummy, yummy dessert. Crepes with a fruit sauce. Words don't do justice. What can I say? We love French food!
Nevertheless, Petite Paris is absolutely charming. We were greeted by a chipper, young Parisian upon arrival. I'm not sure anyone working at the restaurant truly spoke English. Somehow we all communicated -- but not without a funny circumstance.
During dinner I had noticed the dessert a couple at a table close to us was sharing. It looked delicious! Upon this couple's exit, I asked the waiter what it was that they had had for dessert. I didn't understand his repsonse but smiled and nodded. I thought the waiter might be bringing us the dessert in a few minutes. He then disappeared. Cleared that couple's table, walked to the kitchen, asked someone something, returned to the other table, and cleaned it once again. Meanwhile, we were waiting for our mystery dessert. After a few minutes, we knew something was wrong. Apparently this waiter thought I wanted him to clean the other table once again. He had no clue I was asking for dessert! I'm not sure why he thought anyone would care about the OCD cleanliness of another table ... what a funny circumstance.
We eventually received a yummy, yummy dessert. Crepes with a fruit sauce. Words don't do justice. What can I say? We love French food!
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