Start of Term

So classes began today. My 9am had no meeting space listed - only that, somewhere on the planet, a class would convene on the subject of Scottish Archaeology taught by Professor So-and-so. So I awoke at 7:30am, called up both the Archaeology department and my study abroad advisor, and somehow by 8:59am I was sitting in class, quite sleepy. No lecture - just an overview of the course. At my 10:15am advising appointment I dropped it for History of Art, 1300ad - 1700ad. Interests me more. Only thing is, it meets Mon and Tue from 5pm - 6pm, and my 3-hour English class on Tuesdays has its meeting time as 2pm - 4pm OR 4pm - 6pm. Or? Or? What's that supposed to mean? Does it alternate, or has the lecturer not settled the time yet. If it runs from 4 - 6 I guess I'm out of luck with Art History.

As far as my actual classes go, I was kind of blown away by sitting in a lecture hall just listening for an hour. It wasn't that I had trouble paying attention - I am just used to being able to talk, is all; to ask questions; to be asked questions. What's more, I had the disadvantage of not having known about any of the suggested readings for the first of my lectures, meaning that I was literally taking notes on subjects I'd never read a word about before. I'm pretty tired and have decided that instead of staying up to get a jump on reading I'm going to get a good night's sleep and wake early to hit the library. I don't have the 2-hour long English class til 2pm, so I have all day to get my plans and materials together.

As far as cultural oddities go, I've realized that the fact that the British drive on the other side of the road affects which way you're expected to pass them on the sidewalk. It is my instinct, having walked only on American streets for 99.9% of my life, to take the right side of the sidewalk when another person is coming my way. I don't even think about it, and may never have noticed it unless I encountered so many people over here who instinctively do the very opposite. This is by no means a 100% of the time occurrence, but it happens often enough that I've begun making a concerted effort towards dodging to my left instead of my right on the way to class and around the city.

Still no duvet cover, and my pillow is so thin I have to fold it in half so that my head doesn't sink through it and rest on the mattress. Brendan, if you read this: enjoy every moment of that glorious Queen sized bed, for I am feeling its absence. As far as the duvet cover goes, I've settled on getting a "Peppa Pig" one from a discount store. Peppa Pig is apparently some kind of children's cartoon in the UK, with a little pig that gets into mischief or something. All the other covers had rhinestones or flowery girly stuff on them. So why not settle for a bunch of cartoon pigs in pirate hats and on tricycles and what not?

I've been eating well. Made lamb and veggies again today, with some couscous on the side. Once again enjoyed those sausages for breakfast. Legendary.

I can't say I'm particularly overwhelmed but I definitely feel a little unprepared. It's just such a different system, and I haven't had much preparation for it other than theoretical explanations.

My swollen finger is better. Still kinda hurts.

Alright. Going to make some tea and watch television with Calum. I miss living at 249, there was always something to do. Once I have my life in order, however, I'll be busy enough balancing my studying and with Edinburgh's nightlife to keep me entertained. It's a whole different scene here than F&M, obviously.