Currently Listening Hot Fuss By The Killers see related

Okay, so I know I'm getting pretty horrible at posting here...I do apologize.  Things here are going really well, though it's edging up once again on essay time, it'll be all good though. I visited the Edinburgh Community Church with my friend Renata last Sunday, and must admit I really enjoyed it. Everyone knows that I'm a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to services, and like me some liturgy. This church was far from my Anglican leanings, but it filled a craving I had been having for some good ol' praise and worship, and it was so nice to see some many students, young couples, and families interested in and dedicated to God.

I must admit I've been slacking a bit lately, and as a result finding it hard to know and understand what God has planned for me after my degree here is completed. Lent, however, starts next Wednesday, and this is always a good time for coming closer to God, discovering answers, and just a renewal in general. 

I miss my family and friends back home, but I'm getting closer to and absolutely love the new friends that I have made since being here. It's amazing how similar we are, and how well we get along, though we all came from different states, different countries, and even different hemispheres. They're amazing and brilliant people whose conversations have been such nourishment, in a way, and some of the best I've ever had in my life. It's amazing what you can learn in a conversation about literature over a glass of wine at a Scottish pub in the Grassmarket.

I turned in my dissertation proposal last Friday, and am awaiting notification of who my supervisor will be. Formal title at the moment: "Jist Associates": Labour, Unemployment, and National Identity in Post-Thatcher Scottish Fiction. 2 eprops to anyone who can tell me where the term "jist associates" comes from. Saturday, Eileen and Charlie are taking Ana and I out to see Roslyn Chapel, of DaVinci Code fame. It was a crap book, my literature friends and I have officially deemed it "pretentious, predictable, and overrated," but Roslyn Chapel is supposed to be a really neat place and it does have a Knights Templar and Holy Grail connection for real, yo. Next Thursday is my birthday, the big 23, I officially feel like I'm into my twenties, no excuse now, huh? Not quite sure what I want to do, but Hillary will be up from London to visit, so I'm sure we can find our way into some kind of mischief. Hopefully, it'll be a nice day, just to chill and hang out with friends...after going to class of course.

Well, I beginning to ramble, and you all have much more important things to do. Cheerio, for now.

So we all know that today is a tacky holiday, however I can't resist sending a little love...

Happy Valentine's Day

"Why should we trouble ourselves with difficult books? Why should we not slurp fictional mush and be spoon-fed undemanding narratives? For the simple reason that if literature doesn't have a capacity for awkwardness, then it cannot convey anything of the unreality of what it is to be in this world."

Will Self
London 2002

Well, I finally have a dissertation topic. I must admit it's going to seem dreadful to most people, however I enjoy it.

And it is...

Labour, Unemployment, and Selfhood in Modern Scottish Fiction of the Thatcher Era

Yep, it's official. I'm a dork.

I absolutely love how random my life is here in Edinburgh. So, two weeks back in the saddle now...

I passed both of my essays with high marks. Very excited about this. It's fantastic to know that I can hack it here as a grad student. God gets all the credit for this, though.  To which my good friend Yvonne and I have decided that we need a new scholarly woman wardrobe.

I went bowling with two Canadians, two Scots, and two Irishmen. As the lone American, I had the pleasure of (at least trying) to prove that we are not all gun-wielding, colonising crack pots.  (However, I do really love winding up the smug English students with, "What's wrong with you? You don't own a shotgun and have never shot skeet? Come over to my house, I might even let you drive the tractor.)

I thoroughly got to revel in the geekiness of me and my friends, as we went to a pub quiz and came in third. That's right...we totally knew that the monster that Beowulf fought was named Grendel.

I have now been to France and Germany, without actually stepping outside. To which I have come to the conclusion that Charles De Gaulle Airport is, in fact, Satan's playground. And, Frankfurt Main does not have enough places to sit.

I'm addicted to Marks and Spencer ready-made meals and Haribo Tangfastics. I'm serious they're brilliant.

I'm currently taking Modern Scottish Fiction and every student in the class is American. Huh.

In a sad attempt to avoid reading John Locke and Thomas Hobbes into the wee hours of the morning, I've start drawing again. First up...Robert Burns. Seriously, this is getting sad.

I went to a poetry slam tonight with friends. I think my new future goal is to become a performance poet. Really it's just the allure of getting on stage and screaming at people.

Alright...i'm out like a fat kid in dodgeball game. Cheerio, for now.