Defnitely Back in Aberdeen

My trip home yesterday went smoothly and then not so smoothly. The first train my brother and I got on decided not to go all the way to Kastrup due to technical problems and it looked for a while we would have to wait around ten minutes or so for the next train. But they held a train there for five minutes while passengers from our train ran to get a spot on the waiting train. So, really we just lost a few minutes getting to the airport and we were able to find nice seats on the new train. And once we were there it took about five minutes to get my baggage checked and then another five or so minutes to get me through security. You know, it's funny. Every time I fly through Denmark the security people start speaking Danish to me. I could probably muddle along if they spoke Swedish to me, bu not Danish. Not at all. Of course, I knew what she was saying. They needed to re-run my bag without the Kindle in it. Happens sometimes. But I figured if I said, "Jag." and "Nej, det ar Kindle." she might get the wrong impression and start speaking more to me. So, I spoke in English. I should really wear a sign. "I may be blond, but I'm not from here." Haha!

Anyway, past security is when it started to go not so smooth. By this point I was super hungry. It was about half past one and all I could think about was food. Unfortunately for me, I had to get through passport control and there was a long line. I've decided something. I hate people when they're travelling. Why? Because they are inconsiderate to everyone else around them. I got into this line which was one line that broke into two smaller lines. And I was standing there when this couple comes up right next to me and starts pushing me out of the way. Kinda like, "We're gonna make sure that we get in the faster line before you!" I eventually just sort of gave up trying to hold my spot in the line because...well, everyone was doing something like that. After I resigned myself to being a doormat these two women came up behind me and started bumping into me. It was like they had never heard of personal space. So every time I moved a little further so they wouldn't be bumping into my bags they moved twice as much as me and were practically on top of me for the whole thing. They finally opened two more lines for EU passport holders and the lines went quicker after that. Unfortunately, I still made it through after both rude families. That's what it pays to be nice and considerate I guess.

At this point my plane was due to start boarding in twenty minutes and I still didn't have anything to eat. I figured that the flight was less that two hours so I could just wait and eat when I got home. You know what the Universe did to prove me wrong? They served a meal to those in business and economy extra class. So, this is how SAS designs their cabins. There are no curtains or anything between the cabins which I usually really like. I always hate being separated from the "rich" folk. It just feels so...classist. But yesterday I would have loved curtains instead of little signs above the seats saying, "in front of this seat economy extra". Everyone was eating and I'm sitting there with my tummy growling away. Then the guy next to me pays for a sandwich! So absolutely everyone around me was eating. I thought about ordering some tea to sort of trick my stomach into thinking it had some food. No tea on the plane. Water for Erin's grumbly tummy.

Instead of trying to read while my stomach growled in envy I slept. And when I woke up the captain said something about it not really being summer in Aberdeen because it was raining and only about 15 degrees. From what I saw of Swedish people this past week, they don't do rain really well. I figured it was only a little rain and some minor wind. Well, I was wrong. Landing was not a fun experience. But I'm very impressed with the pilots on SAS because he landed pretty smoothly all things considered.

I'm home now and all in one piece so I should be glad. But I have so much to do today. The joys of being an adult right? I might update about it tomorrow since what I'm doing today actually involves University. For now though, please enjoy some pictures of the animals I met in Sweden.

A white ostrich we met on the hike

These little, brown frogs were everywhere on the hike!

When we were passing by some one's field we met this pretty black and white horse

And this gorgeous brown horse with black legs, mane, and tale and a white stripe down his face. She was really curious about my brother and me.

Lucifer the kitten. Astrid's sister had kittens around and I got to play with them. They were grey tabby coloured but super fluffy!

Elvis the kitten with his arms stretched out like he's giving me a hug. He was my favourite and I would have bought him and taken him home if I could.

Chess the kitten. She pointing one paw to the camera.

James Bond the kitten. He's a chubby guy!

This is Parus the Momma cat. She was a kitten three years ago when I went to Sweden for Christmas.She was the kitty of Astrid's parents' cats Sirius and Sasha. I wanted to take her home with me if I remember correctly.

A Swedish sheep. I like sheep!

And Lyka the dog. I really like Lyka. She's big and furry and oh so sweet!

Sweden in the Summer

Here I am in Sweden again. I got here last Monday and will leave this Monday. It's not a long visit, but getting to see Sweden in the summer was worth it! And, I gotta say, I really like living in a place where I can just pack up and go to Europe for a week and it not be a big deal. Flying all the way from California to Europe for only a week is kind of a waste and it causes a lot of sleep issues.

I'm sure you new readers out there (there are a few of you aren't there?) will wonder why I'm in Sweden again. Well, my brother lives here. One of my favourite things to do when I'm flying from Aberdeen to Sweden is to look at the face of the TSA agents as I tell them why I'm coming to Sweden. A typical conversation goes something like this;

Agent: Where are you travelling from?
Me: Aberdeen, Scotland
Agent: And why are you entering Denmark (I fly into Copenhagen since my brother lives in South Sweden) today?
Me: I'm visiting my brother.
Agent: *looks again at the American Passport with a confused look* ...
Me: Yes, we're both American, but I'm studying in Scotland and he's studying in Sweden
Agent: Ah, I see!

It's terribly funny. Well, at least my brother and I both get a kick out of it. I guess the rest of the world sees Americans as people who don't like to get out of their own little bubble. And, in some ways, I guess that's kind of true. But, I suppose that's a debate for another day.

This is the third time I've been to Sweden, but it's the first time I've been here over the summer. I have to say it's absolutely beautiful. I like snow and all that sort of thing, especially since I grew up in the desert, but it's lush and just brimming with life.

The plan was, since it's summer and lovely outside, for Greg and I to take a hiking trip for three days and two nights. Well, for a multiple of reasons, our backpacking trip ending up being two days and one night. I'm not complaining much as it was my first time backpacking and my hips were wondering what the hell I was doing to them. Even though we only did two days (well really about 7 hours the first day and 2 hours the second) we still walked close to 14 miles. I felt no guilt as I munched on a chocolate bar the day we got back to the apartment. And the scenery was beautiful! Just take a look!

Small trees opening up into a small clearing.

The beginning of the trail with evergreens on either side.

The remains of an old rock wall.

A little field with a rock wall. It's mostly yellowish here. This was actually someone's field. You know, with horses and cows and all that stuff.

The forest. You can see the remains of an old wall made from large rocks. Now they are covered with the greenist of mosses.

I'll be posting more pictures up tomorrow morning before I get on the plane. But the forest reminded me of something out of a fairy tale. I expected a small, gorgeous, winged humanoid to pop out behind the trees and take me away to Neverland. Or for a nasty troll to climb up from under the bridges. It was just like walking through the forests that you hear about in books like King Arthur. As we were walking through my brother said, "It makes you understand why they believed in things like dragons and trolls and fairies way back then. It's beautiful, but there's almost something sinister to it." And he's right.

After getting back from the wilderness, we've been doing a grab bag of other things. I'm sure there'll be a post about our visit to Lund yesterday. But today is going to be a lazy day. It's Sunday and there isn't much to do in my brother's little town on Sundays.

A Wet Walk Home

I've been pretty busy these past two weeks I've been back in my home of Aberdeen. Besides moving, which is a story all in itself, I had my home visit with Guide Dogs for the Blind and have been to the doctor's twice. My home visit included having a puppy stay with me for a few days and both doctor's appointments were pretty exhausting.

So, when I woke up yesterday morning at half past four in the morning and couldn't get back to sleep I decided to take the day off...from everything. There was no taking things to the charity shop, no errands to run, and no responsibilities. Yesterday's relaxation included seeing the film Brave, eating dinner out, and then going to the pub quiz. It was a pretty good day, but by the time the scores were announced I was so, so tired. Luckily, everyone wanted to leave then because the pub was so warm.

Now, in these past two weeks I have forgotten why I keep telling people that Aberdeen has horrible weather. There have been very few days where I actually have to wear a sweater of any kind and a few where I was uncomfortably warm in jeans. So, when we stepped out into the misting summer night my body was a little shocked. It wasn't particularly cold, but I was chilly. But at least it wasn't raining.

I really should have knocked on wood.

We were outside for about five minutes before the rain started coming down in ernest. I really, really hate wet feet and this is the one time that I didn't wear my boots. As I was slowly and cautiously manuevering my way around puddles the men fold decided to be about six years old again. They stomped in any puddle they could find and started splashing about with no other intention that to get themselves and everyone else as wet as they possibly could get. I was able to stay out of the way when the whole group was still walking because I hung out in back, but when we got closer to home I started feeling the splashing rage.

AND when someone kicks a puddle in my general direction is it any wonder that I would kick the puddle right back? So...I got home very, very wet. Peeling off your socks and shoes and jeans is never fun. We actually had to turn on the heaters for a little last night so that some of the soaked items would kinda sorta dry by morning. And I'm still trying to fix a book that, whilst being in the safest part of my bag that would not have normally gotten wet, got hit full force with puddle and rain water.

But at least I had fun right? Also, today is absolutely gorgeous.

Bad Blogger

Gosh, it's been so long since I last posted. I guess I have a good reason for it, but I still always feel bad about leaving the blog alone for so long.

I got back into the US of A last Monday, July 2. And I've been mostly on the go since then. Last weekend I went to Philadelphia to visit a friend. I had a pretty good time checking out Philadelphia and seeing a few of the museums. We only had time for two, the Franklin Institute and the Art Museum. This lack of time was due to the fact that we spent four hours in the Franklin Institute. They really shouldn't have all of the fun interactive kid things...a person could get distracted. *wink* Of course, while in Philadelphia I did go and see the Liberty Bell.

I got back from Philadelphia on Monday and then yesterday Hilly (my career changed black lab) and I packed up the car and headed to LA. We're just chillin' in the apartment, but we're hoping to get to the beach at some point this week before heading back into the furnace that is the central valley.

That is pretty much all I've been doing for the past week and a half. It's super hard for me to believe that I only have another two weeks here before flying back to Scotland. I think next year I'll have to spend a little more time back in the States? What's that? Why didn't I spend more time here this summer? Well, we're moving again. We finally found a nice, four bedroom house that saves us time and money so we took it. I figured since I wasn't there to move last year I should be there this year to help out and move all of my stuff. Although...this year it is all downhill instead of uphill...nope! Gotta help this year! Gotta help.

Hopefully, I can post a few pictures when I get back to the valley. Like a dummy, I forgot my fire wire.

In the Sky Again...

Well, it's almost time for me to say good bye to California. I got into LA yesterday by bus and train and spent this time with my mother. We'll be leaving for LAX in about two hours to get me there by 5:00pm (LA traffic is not something I took into consideration when I booked my tickets). Summer is almost over, but at least I'll have a few weeks at home before school starts. The down side? I already miss my zoo back home.

Good Bye America. I'll be seeing you again soon...ish.

Packing Begins for Real

Today's adventure is the scariest one I've faced so far;

Packing for Real

I know, I know, I know. I said a few days ago that I was starting to pack, but what I meant really was that I was organizing myself to start packing. I really started packing today. My suitcase is half full and I'm really thinking I'm going to have to leave a few things here. Maybe a few books or some of my shorts that I probably won't be using in the land of the rain. I don't know really. I suppose I'll just have to see what happens when I get all my stuff shoved into my suitcase.

I leave here for LA on Tuesday. Do you know what that means? I only have one more day to pack! AH!

Vets and Catan

Yesterday I got super busy and didn't get a chance to post my adventures for the day. It was a pretty...hectic isn't the right word, but it definitely was busier than I would have liked it to be.

Vet Visit and Catan

So, my first adventure was a spontaneous vet visit courtesy of my Golden girl, Arwen. Now Arwen is the love of my life and I can't imagine what it would be like not to have her around. She's technically the "family dog" but everyone knows that Arwen is really mine. She loves everyone, but I've been the one taking care of her in everything but money since she was a year and a half. Arwen is now nine and a half years old. That's not terribly old, but she's still considered a senior dog. So yesterday morning when I woke up and Arwen wasn't putting any weight on her left leg and didn't want to eat standing up and didn't want to move at all I went into panic mode. We decided that since yesterday was not only Friday, but the Friday before a long weekend, that we should take her in. That duty left to me (not that I wouldn't have gone anyway) so I took her early afternoon.

Our vet loves Arwen, but it's really hard not to love Arwen. She felt all up and down her leg and had Arwen walk and felt her leg some more. She couldn't feel anything wrong with Arwen's leg (no swelling or broken things) so Arwen was prescribed pain meds for a week and I was instructed to tell my parents to bring her back in if she was still limping.

Arwen is fine this morning...I think she's faking so she can try and get me to stay. She knows what the "suitcase" means.

After the vet I had a few friends (Lilly and Fiona) over to play Catan. It was like a last board game before I left. This was their first time playing Catan so I did win, but they both gave a really good game. I know I'm going to miss those two when I get back as much as I missed them last year. But I certainly am ready to get back to Aberdeen.

4 days and counting...

Dirty Sinuses

Ready for today's adventure? For those of you who are squeamish, this might not be the post for you. Today's adventure;

The Neti Pot

For those of you who don't know, a neti pot is a tea pot looking thing that you fill with solution and stick up one of your nostrils. Then you bend over a sink, tilt the pot so the liquid goes into your nostril, and then wait until the solution starts coming out your other nostril. The purpose pouring this liquid in one nostril and out the other is to clean out your sinuses. Sounds fun right?

Ok, it doesn't sound fun at all and to be honest, it isn't all that fun to use either. So, why am I using it? Because I had been having horrible sinus headaches for the past week and I was tired of having to take decongestants and pain killers. I wanted to try something different. This is definitely different.

Now, the one way I never ever ever want to die is by drowning. I would rather be burned alive than drown. That, my friends, is how much I do not *ever* want to experience drowning. You may be asking yourself, "If she doesn't want to drown, isn't using something that pushes water up her nose really uncomfortable." Yes, gosh yes it is! I HATE the feeling, but I have to admit that it actually feels like it's working.

I used this thing twice today. I used it in the morning and right here before I went to bed. The first time I got the water to flow nicely through both sinus canals and had...a lot of stuff come out. This time right before bed though I had a little trouble when pouring the solution through my left nostril. The directions say that the solution won't drain into your mouth through your throat as long as you aren't bending backwards. Well, no matter what I did tonight, the water was draining into my mouth. My first thought after I made sure I was not bending backwards in any way was that there was something blocking the solution. So, I decided to blow my nose again only a little more forcefully. Sure enough I ended up going through about 5 tissues before I felt like there wasn't anything in there. I think the fact that so much came out of my nose is a sign that this thing is working.

So...Gross? Yes, very. Uncomfortable? Yes, very. But I might not have a horrible sinus headache tomorrow morning when I wake up. So, I think I'm going to use this twice a day for the next week and see how I feel after that. *reaches for another tissue*

Good night everyone! Pleasant dreams. *blows nose*
Erin

I Hate Faxing

One of Today's Adventures:

Facing the Fax Machine

Ok, I might be a child of the technology age (well, not as much as those 3-year-olds who dont' think that if doesn't have batteries it isn't a toy, but I digress...) but I still hate faxes and faxing and faxers. I shall tell you why.

If you follow my Dog Blog you know that recently my last GDB puppy in training was Career Changed (a nice was of saying flunked out of Guide Dog school). Now, I decided to officially adopt her as my forever dog, but to do that Guide Dogs needed her certificate of spay. Why the clinic couldn't fax it over I shall have to bring up with Allyson someday, but today the job fell to me. So, first I had to figure out how to plus our fax machine in (needed to get it in today so that I could get the adoption papers before leaving for Scotland) which could have ended up badly. I still don't know if I've messed up the home phone or not. Then I punch in the number, put the papers in, and watch them go through the scanner. My machine says "2 pages sent". Sent where? I know I punched in the number given to me, but there is no one on the other end to say, "Yes, this is the Guide Dog puppy raising office."

That is why I hate faxing. For all I know I sent over Hilly's certificate of spay over to a lawyer's office.

Peace,
Erin

First Day of School

Today's grand adventure was;

The First Day of School!

No! Not my first day of school. Silly geese. I don't start for another month. Today, however, was the first day of school for most of the schools in California. How is other people's first day of school an adventure for me?

I live around a lake. There are small circles within a larger circle and right outside of the large circle is an elementary school. Because the school is so close most of the kids who live in...this...round lake surrounding place go to school there. And obviously, most of them walk (why waste gas when it's over $3 a gallon?) Now, here's where we get to the adventure part. These kids are all walking to school as I'm walking my dogs around for their daily walk. I have a large Golden Retriever and my parents have a little labradoodle. Both of these dogs are sweet as pie and love kids to death. Unfortunately Arwen, my large Golden, is...well...really, really big. Her head is over most of the kids' heads. So, while she badly wants to love on the children and have the children love on her...she kinda scares them. And Rosie, the little labradoodle, will just stand there looking up at the kids until they pet her...but they're all too scared of my big baby Arwen to come near. So, imagine this. Me (I'm pretty small) trying to pull back my large 70lbs. Golden from running over to the kids and scaring them half to death before school while at the same time trying to hurry Rosie up and keep her from just standing in the middle of the sidewalk.

Also, both of my biological parents are teachers. My dad teaches at the University in town and my mom is a University Professor turned High School teacher down in the LA area. So my dad was at work all day today and I'm just about to call my mother to ask her how her first day of teaching the kids of the stars was.

An adventure? I think so. One that I think I'll miss next year...

2 1/2 Weeks

Well, I leave for Aberdeen on September 7. That's only 2 1/2 weeks from today! Classes don't start until the last week of September, but I wanted to get back to my flat and set up and settle in before I get caught up in classes and work.

Also, I miss my Lisa. Haha!

So, I think I'll try a do a post every few days about the exciting adventures during my last few days here at home. Today's exciting adventure:

Ingenious with the Peeps!

If you've never played "Ingenious" google it now! Then go to the store and buy it. It is one of the funnest games I've ever played. Ok, I could be exaggerating a little because I like games like chess. Mind thinking games. Anyway, my friends and I played for three and one half hours and then I had to leave. Whilst playing we called each other names such as "son of a *****" and "a cultural back setter" and told each other to "**** off" and "burn in ****". Overall it was a pretty good couple of games. We tend to get potty mouths when start playing games. Unfortunately, time passes too quickly. So we're planning a meeting in a few days before our Christian goes back to University. A good-bye party for me and him.

Peace

Not Enough Bathrooms

Alright, so I admit that this is my first time staying in a hostel. Well...if this can be considered a hostel. It's more like temperarily renting a flat room with four beds in it for a small period of time. Anyway, as I was saying. This is my first time in a hostel so I could be completely missing the mark with this one, but I want to talk about the bathroom situation.

We're on the top floor "flat". Our room has four beds one of which is a double bed. That means in all this room can fit five people comfortably. Another room can fit eight, the common area can fit nine, and there are two other private rooms probably fitting between five and eight. So all in all, if this place was ever full there could be about thirty people sharing this "flat". Now, you'd think that there would be at least four bathrooms for thirty people. Well, you're wrong.

There are a total of two bathrooms on this floor. Now, I'm sharing with my family and another couple so in all there are six of us (maybe eight, I'm not sure if there's another couple). This is only six people and sharing the bathrooms is very difficult. Like right now, the reason I'm blogging, is because there isn't a bathroom open. This means I might not get into to town in time to look around before my family wants to walk through Lithia Park (which we're allowed in because Hilly is a service animal; we checked). While I don't mind spending some time with my family my grandfather is 80 years old. I'm not 80 years old. In fact, I'm much younger than 80 years old and I'm also ridiculously active. Walking at the pace my grandfather does is actually a big pain for me because it's sooooo different from my normal pace (I like it to if I were blind and given a Guide who walked slow; it's just not a good mix). I don't mind waiting all the time, but for and hour before we *hopefully* see a show this afternoon would be hard for me if I don't get to walk around at my normal fast pace first.

So, seeing as I'm already not this hostel's biggest fan (I might have a post up about it on my Dog Blog soon) I would be most upset if I couldn't take my fast walk through downtown today. I don't know. Am I missing the mark completely? For those of you who have stayed in hostels before, what was your experience with the bathroom situation?

Thespian Instincts

Here we are in the land of Ashland, Oregon. Let me first say that this place is gorgeous. I mean, it's absolutely wonderful. When I was applying to Universities the University here in Ashland was definitely up there on my list. As you know though I picked the real land of Shakespeare. There's a part of me that thinks it's too bad I didn't chose Ashland. I would have had a blast here in Ashland. Especially since I've done this whole acting thing since I was young. Every season during the Ashland Oregon Shakespeare Festival I would have been right there in line to audition for parts in plays.

Of course there is a drama program in Aberdeen. The Centre Stage Society is the school's drama group. It isn't as highly acclaimed as the AOSF is the thing. I could audition for shows there (and I might this coming year) but if I were here I would be working with famous stage actors and some well known movie actors as well. That, I think, would be so cool. Plus, I've always wanted to play Juliet in Romeo and Juliet which I don't think is on the school's list of plays for this upcoming year. (I almost auditioned for my hometown's Shakespeare in the Park version of Romeo and Juliet, but it continues too far past when I need to be back in Aberdeen.) But, back to Ashland.

This place is such a great place for those of us who enjoy acting. Since it's a tourist destination there is always need of waiters and waitresses for the many restaurants and bakeries in downtown Ashland alone. There are also tons of stores that probably use young actors to work behind the counter. Everywhere you go you see actors.

Yesterday, my mother and I were walking around the downtown area when we saw two young girls with their father. They were performing songs on the street and had the music cases out for tips. These girls couldn't have been older than 12 (and 12 is stretching it a little), but they were out there playing their violin and guitar and singing. They were very good for youngins. Then further on we saw a family of string players. The oldest might have been 14 and youngest was 8 at the most. The one girl was sitting playing a bass that was taller than her and probably weighed more than her. They too were very good and they too had a case open for tips.

Like I said, this is a great place for performers. My question to you is that do you think it's right for a young child to be out on the street performing for tips? In this situation I actually saw nothing wrong with it because they were all obviously there to earn a little extra cash to cover game expenses their allowances didn't.

Oh, I wish I grew up in Ashland. I would have continued with the violin.

A Trip to Oregon

Well...summer's almost over. Ok, there's two months more until University term starts again, but I'm going back to Scotland in about a month so technically my summer break home is ending soon. But there's still time for another trip. You say, "Another trip Erin!? I didn't even know you had taken one." Yes, yes I've been a bad blogger about posting my summer adventures. Just know that I've been camping and to and from the bay area of California a couple of times. It hasn't been all that boring of a summer really.

Anyway, now I'm heading up to Oregon for a week! What's in Oregon? Why, the Shakespeare festival of course. :-) I love going up to this festival. I've been a few times and it's always great fun! I'm not looking forward to the drive though. I get nervous legs when I'm stuck in small spaces for too long. At least I'll be able to catch up on my reading...well, as long as my vertigo doesn't act up tomorrow.

We're taking the trip in two legs. Hopefully there will be pictures for you guys from different places. If there isn't it's probably because I didn't find the time in between dealing with my family. Haha! Wish me luck!

Peace,
Erin

A Picture

I know I haven't been posting much since I've been home, but there's very little to say on a college blog when you're not going to class. I think soon, at least for this summer, I'll make this more of "My Life's Thoughts" blog instead of it being purely about University.

Anyway, as I was waiting around to see if the University site was back up and running today I went outside to take some pictures of Hilly for my Puppy Blog. My old header picture was of Rocco and I thought it should be of Hilly now that she's the one in my home. Anywho, this is a picture that I thought people might find funny. The two pet dogs didn't think it was fair that Hilly got all the pictures taken of her so...here is the result.

The little, curly thing is Rosie and the Golden Retriever in the background in Arwen

Talk about photo crashing!

Home

I got home this past Tuesday and let me tell you it was good to be back. My bed here is so much more comfy than my bed was back in Aberdeen. And I've got better pillows and cats and dogs. Basically, it's just a bit more comfortable here. Hopefully that'll change next year when I'm in my new flat but for now I like living in a multiple room place.

I haven't been too busy since I've been home, but then again, I haven't not been. If you follow my other blog you'll know that yesterday I got my "new charge" so to say. So, yesterday and today was just us getting to know each other. But things with her will get busy soon enough.

I'm really happy to be back, but would it be weird to say that I already miss my little city of Aberdeen? Seriously...