Well now, I suppose it's about time.

Long overdue post today!  Things you can look forward to:

1. Terrible photos of the big Pagan fire fest that happened on Halloween (had some trouble finding an appropriate setting for most of it).
2. New hobbies!
3. Family time.
4. Procrastination (yes, it's not just blogging that keeps me preoccupied).

Do read on.

The Edinburgh Zoo.

What better way to avoid the depressing list of to-do's that inevitably makes up a university student's late October weekend than with a trip to the zoo?  I certainly can't think of one!  Who has time to worry about overdue readings, overdue library books and quickly coming-due papers when watching animals frolic in their not-so-natural environments?

This marvelous opportunity arose thanks to America making the suggestion.  She's only here for the semester, which is both kind of sad and also very handy.  It's handy in that she's got a lot more drive to go see and do things around town, and usually asks for company (and we all know I work best when forced to by others).  Daylight is in short supply already, and the zoo takes note of that in November by closing earlier so no better time than the present to see what it's about!  As usual, I was very pleased for the invitation to a day out.  Hit the jump for a bit of photo-blogging, a link to the album and some commentary.  To come: observations on living six degrees below the arctic circle and the sunless state it puts you in.

London calling.

Having fully embraced Picasa and all the wonderful things it can do, I suppose it's high time I filled the internet void in on my recent travels to London. Game plan: day by day breakdown, possible photo accompaniments, and of course a link to my photo album from the adventure. Expect a lot of over-enthusiasm for contrast and colour adjustments - hopefully I get the hang of tasteful editing as this year goes on. But first, a quick weather update: The days are getting shorter (and I mean shorter) and there's a constant and noticeable chill. I'm determined not to turn on my heater yet, but I have broken out the woolly jumper May knitted me.
On to London!

Yogurt and an update on my weekend

Greetings! UK supermarkets are home to a multitude of unique and sometimes worrisome food items which include but are not limited to:

Fridge Raiders - "Our deliciously meaty Fridge Raiders come in bags, full of irresistible flavours" ... they are chunks of chicken in a bag. Surprisingly tasty.
Innocent Veg Pot - assorted vegetarian meals in resealable plastic pots. But if the vegetables are innocent too ...
And of course,
Muller Yogurt Corner - The most delicious thing you've ever had.

That final item happens to make up 80% of my fridge contents, by unit (the other two items are a bottle of wine and a single bottle of beer). Be proud! I'm eating healthy!

As for my weekend ...

Weekend!

This is unofficially my first weekend in Edinburgh (it's unofficial because Operation Get Friends is still in the planning stages so I'd like the official first weekend to involve someone other than blood relations - no offense, Wilma). That being said, I have had a wonderful time with Wilma and Ricky these past few days and I'm really excited to get to spend time with the famjam here in Scotland. Fabby!

As promised, I will give the low-down on my flat. It's university accommodations, and it looks it. Very residence-y: tiny boxy rooms and generic functional sort of furniture. But I quite like it. It's very bright, so far quite warm, and it's also pretty quiet (no friends is handy for that) except at night since the window must be plastic wrap or something and I can here the frosh being froshy on the street. But that's what earplugs are for. Wilma took me round to IKEA and set me up with a bright magenta sheet set and some other things I needed (dishes, etc) so now it's looking much less like a hospital. The shower is electric heated so always warm, and I've got my own radiator and controls in my bedroom. Best of all, there's a wine shop two doors down. Happy days! (to quote Wilma)

Flatmates seem nice. One girl is from Japan and so far completely invisible. Another is Scottish and I have now spoken to her on three one-minute occassions. And the last is from the states and probably very nice. Scotland is the only fresher, the rest are on exchange like me.

Back to the weekend!

Plan today is do a bit of shopping on the high street. I need jeans, but I might see something cute too (highly likely, I'll be going to TopShop). Also needed: flatiron and mirror. The first is cheaper to buy new than to get a voltage converter for (over a hundred pounds!) and the second is only available in the WC and shower and I don't want to be a bathroom hog. Might go see the castle, too. Wilma said she'd ring me and take me around later on, so that'll be nice. Tomorrow is completely open, so I'll see what happens!

Weather is lovely and cool and sunny yet again, so I'm off to enjoy that while it lasts.