Internet Cafe

I have never been to an internet cafe before. I was using the computer in the hotel I was staying in for free, but I had already checked out and felt like taking a walk, so I ended up here. I am soaked from the rain, with drips crawling down my hair and hesitating for only a moment before plunging to my sweater. I am sure I look like a mess, and even this keyboard I am using now has wet splotches on the most commonly used letters. I woke up at 6:30 today, read some brochures, and went to collect Nate from the airport. After two hours of waiting and inquiring after him, I needed to go and check out of my hotel. While on the computer, I discovered that he landed in Glasgow, and was wondering why I wasn't at the airport. Now I have two hours to wait for him. I texted Laura, who was supposed to arrive at 6am with her friends, but have not yet been able to get a hold of her. I have really been enjoying the people that I've been meeting, though, and would have had several people to hang out with today if I were not waiting to meet up with others. I think I', a bit tired and not feeling my best with this cold, but I am looking forward to doing some more sightseeing, meeting up with friends, and getting more sleep.

On Holiday

I just arrived to Edinburgh this morning after a wonderful, fun and family-filled Christmas. While it was not my own family I was spending time with, I was fortunate to be introduced and accepted into my friend Caoimhe's family, friends, and community. I spent five days or so with her, her parents, her aunt and uncle, and her two cousins. They were very charming young men, and everyone was a pleasure to get to know and hang out with. Somehow, even as we almost all caught a bit of a cold or something at one point or another, we were able to hang out and spend time together with little to no awkward moments or misunderstandings. I felt like I was spending time with my real blood relatives. Caoimhe showed me around Galway Bay and the town and we were able to make 9 of the 12 pubs of Christmas pub crawl the night before new years, go caroling in the threets for a good cause the night before, and I dove into the Irish Sea with Monica (Caoimhe's mom), her aunt Anne, Cormac (the 18 yr-old cousin)and roughly 1000 other brave Christmas polar plungers. It was a great experience, but I didn't get any sleep last night since my bus to the Dublin airport picked me up at 1:45am to take me here, so I am going to spend some time in my hotel and rest up tonight so I can meet up with all my arriving friends tomorrow. Night!

Early December

I only have a little time between classes, but I though I should update whoever reads this. I have been unable to sleep much, but am in good spirits. I have been busy with work and the holiday festivities going here, spending times with friends to celebrate passing exams, joining another band in which I will be singing in English and Spabish pop songs all around Germany starting in January, and getting excited for my trips to Ireland and Scotland. It will be very nice to stay in a family home with good people. I miss my own friends and family from home a bit, and was sorry to miss Katrina's 24th birthday yesterday....I am trying to keep in touch with my friends, but it is not easy to find time to. Two weekends ago, I went to Dresden with Laura for the Christmas markets. We had a wonderful time, tasting and seeing a lot of great things and getting some shopping done. This past weekend, we did much the same thing in Prague. I have yet to wrap my presents and get things ready to be sent home with my friend Nate who is going to Scotland with me for New Years. I have a lot of traveling, packing, and baking to do before our break starts on Friday afternoon, but I am looking forward to everything! I also get my green card on Wednesday, just in time before I travel far so I can't be cast off as an illegal...should be a good week!