Edinburgh

Where to begin?  I took advantage of the long weekend "bank holiday" to fly up to Edinburgh at Becky's suggestion to see the Edinburgh Festival, which is a whole pile of things but specifically a comedy and arts festival while I was there.  The city is stunning, really, and that's a lot coming from me since we all know I'm not a fan of cities. 
Some little known facts:

• The first Harry Potter novel was written here, inspired by a high school housed in a castle and fueled by strong coffee and good views
• The first geologist was Scottish, whose name I forget, which is why they created a fun 4D Earth exhibit that of course I toured
• This is where Adam Smith, the father of Economics was born
• It took 3 tries before they finally severed Queen Mary of Scots head.  Them Scots... tough broads!

I arrived early in the night, asked a young couple for directions off the bus, and set off getting myself lost in the city.  The first thing I learned on this night:  never ask two kids smoking pot for directions.  I heard my mother's voice inside my head saying "be safe!!!" and decided dark alleys were not my thing, so I hired a cab. (You're welcome mummies). 
The next thing I learned in this charming city was that the place is damn hilly... I spent the better part of the weekend wandering the city and giving my ass (literally) a workout.  I met an American army pilot along the way, found a coffee shop called "Chocolate Soup" that literally made hot chocolate and every other concoction with this melted chocolate "soup" that was to die for (puts Tims hot chocolate to shame), and generally acted like a tourist taking pictures of old buildings and staring at my map every few minutes with puzzlement.  The pictures will be posted shortly, I promise.  I hiked up Arthur's Seat, a BIG hill that is Crown land on one side of the city, enjoying the feeling of burning legs and wind that threatened to push me over.  The view... well, what can I say besides that it was worth it. 
My flight home was blissfully uneventful (as all flights should be), until I waited at baggage claim for my bag.  (no, they didn't lose it... patience grasshopper... read on).  In front of me stood a very pretty English girl with high healed running shoes (?) and a jean skirt.  To my shock and wonder she had even paler legs than I do!  Now, I know you don't believe me, and I could not take photo evidence because she was already slightly perplexed at my sudden and loud laughter, but it was true, I swear.  My conclusion:  I really do fit in here. 
Tonight off to take a tour of London, this weekend to explore Southampton area, including (much to my excitement) Stonehenge and the Isle of Wight. 
With that I sign off with a few notes to my girls:  yes I had quite a few Tennants for you Kristi, and Becky I quite accidently got a Scottish bloke's number, but I'm keeping it :)  ha ha ha.
Much love!

People keep offering me tea

So here I am.  I navigated the Tube successfully and with much help from my new friend Alex I made it to Southampton in one piece, albiet a little shorter because my pack feels so damn heavy.  The buildings are beautiful and the people very friendly... I think I'm starting to ask questions in an English accent already.  So far I've done nothing more than slept and been to 'work' at ABP, but I feel oddly calm and contented. 

I am struck mostly by the culture here as it applies to Sustainability.  Suddenly I'm no longer the tree-hugging environmentalist.... I'm normal.  Imagine that!  My 'induction' this morning began with a statement from my other new friend Liz, who said "well this slide is a little redundant... of course we all know why we have to be more sustainable.... we certainly can't carry on the way we have been."  I wonder how so many North Americans missed the memo?

Do you remember when you were young and you wanted to set the world on fire?

Mummy and Liz came over the other night to help me burn what felt like 4001 CDs for work events being held in my absence. We had Chinese food, and I crossed my fingers my fortune would be good, since we all know that the cookie never lies.

“Don’t wait for opportunity to come along, go out and find it.”

My conclusion: the cookie knows all.

As I prepare, I thought I would be leaving my life for 2 months…. and that prospect was daunting to me, I’ll admit. Since then I’ve had so many well-wishes, so much love coming from so many people. I realize now that I’m not really leaving my life, I’m not really leaving my loved ones. I’m taking them with me as I go to set the world on fire. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time, and now it’s here. And I’m ready to go out and find whatever it is that I’m looking for.

To all my friends, loved ones and well-wishers, thank you.