Thankful

I’m trying to get all caught up on the blog, so I thought I should write one before leaving for London on Thursday night.

I was telling my friend Molly earlier today that it’s getting a little hard to update the blogs because I feel like now, being here is just kind of life, just kind of normal. I say that, but then, I’m still constantly learning new things and doing dumb things, and having little adventures.

A few reasons why I’m thankful today, and then some wee stories :-)
-Having new friends to celebrate thanksgiving with, friends from around the world.
-Old friends and family around the world
-God’s perfect provision and care, even in far away places
-Being able to go new places, make great memories, and have lots of adventures.
-the beauty of Gods creations
-The heater in my bedroom that works really really well!
-I went to my last anthropology lecture today!

I had a successful trip to the Edinburgh Zoo with my flat mate Sammie and some friends on Saturday. We tried to go a few weeks ago, but the weather was horrible and they closed the zoo. Well, Saturday was literally freezing, and there was a tiny tiny bit of snow and ice on the ground, but we went to the zoo. I love going to the zoo, so even though it was freezing outside, I was set and ready to go. Since it was freezing a lot of the animals were inside, or sleeping, but there was still a lot to see. I made a little penguin friend. There were over 100 penguins, and one of the little guys waddled right up to the chain link fence where I was standing, so I slowly leaned down to look at him. I was wearing bright pink gloves, and anywhere my glove went, his little beak would follow. I walked down the fence a few feet, and he waddled beside me. I put my hand out to where he could reach it and he bit it! It was like playing with a little dog. I wonder if people keep penguins as pets. You’re probably not supposed to do that….

On Monday my small group and another small group from the Christian Union celebrated Thanksgiving! I was so excited, because I love thanksgiving, cooking, holidays with friends, and good food! This will be my third thanksgiving to be away from my family, which is a little sad, but Monday night ended up being a lot of fun and a proper American Thanksgiving in Scotland with friends from around the world! We had soooo much food, I mean, my family usually goes all out, but there may possibly have been more food at our gathering on Monday night! Five of us were American, so we made all the traditional foods and it turned out great. The good food was followed by sitting around in a circle and saying what we were thankful for. Which, I don’t think I’ve ever actually done with my family, and the other Americans said they had never actually done that either, but it seemed Thanksgivingy. And then someone asked a question about politics, which is what my family almost, always talks about at Thanksgiving and Christmas (not kidding). But then I said something that kind of made everyone gasp, and I feel people in the room judging me, hahaha, and I thought, oh well, I am just continuing to surprise and make people a little angry throughout Scotland. But I quickly changed the subject and catastrophe was averted.

When I was preparing for Thanksgiving dinner it was kind of like a challenge, let’s see how quickly I can get all of the ingredients I need to make these three dishes! Well, I think I went to 5 different stores, walked a lot, and accidently road the bus for an hour in the wrong direction. But, I did discover something great! Sainsbury. Whenever I leave my flat, I walk out to the road and turn right. I had never ventured to the left before, because I heard that if you go to the left too far it can be a bit dodgy. But I heard rumors of this wonderful, giant supermarket, Sainsbury. I left my flat early, early in the morning, when it was still dark and went to Sainsbury, and yes, I was amazed, it was like Kroger’s or HEB or maybe even Wal-Mart. I didn’t know anything like that existed here! I found everything I needed, except pistachio pudding mix. On the way back to my flat it was really cold outside, so I decided to take the bus. I took the one that said Princes Street, City Centre, thinking, the street that I live on, goes towards Princes Street. Well…it goes towards Princes Street, if that’s where you’re trying to go….I ended up riding on the bus for over an hour and then walking fifteen minutes back to my flat. It would have taken me about 20 minutes to walk all the way from Sainsbury. But its ok, I got to see more of Edinburgh.

Since I’ve only ridden in a car, three times since I’ve been here, I think there is a lot of Edinburgh that I don’t even know exists. Also, stores here seem kind of magical. From the outside they look really small and cramped, but then you go inside, and they’re like department stores. I don’t know how it works, but it reminds me of Harry Potter. One store, Jenner’s, sells everything in the world, I’m not sure exactly how it works, but it seems like there are different stores inside of the giant Jenner’s store. And it’s all decorated for Christmas!

This semester I have to read three books for an International Relations independent study course back at Baylor. I read one book about politics and war having to be separate from religion, one about political corruption in Africa and now I’m reading a book about socialism, written by a socialist. I have to finish it in a couple days…should be interesting. I thought I should find out more about it from the “socialism is a good idea” perspective, because that’s what a lot of people here think.

Yesterday I got stopped on the street by a man who said he was a monk. I had seen him before, but never stopped to talk to him. There are always lots of people on the street who stop you and ask for donations for things. I was with a friend and instead of ignoring him, we stopped. He gave his little introduction; he was a monk, raising money for something. I was feeling generous so I have him a little donation, and then he asked if either of us were philosophers. I said I liked philosophy and he pulled a book out of his bag. “The Science of Self Realization” by his divine grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Conciousness. Great….I just gave money to the Hare Krishna guy...I thought he was a catholic monk! That made me kind of angry, so I said thats for the book and took it without making any extra donations. He said I could make a donation next time…um…no thanks. So, after reading about the great plans and promises of socialism, I’ll read about promoting the well-being of human society through teaching the science of Krishna consciousness….I’ve already had two people attempt to convert me in the past, didn’t happen…but I do want to read the book.

Now that I'm all caught up on the blogs, I actually have to go read and do laundry...which is always fun....Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for taking the time to read my blog!!!! :-)

Colossians 3:15-17

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.