Refreshers

I felt right at home as soon as I got back to Edinburgh and second semester has got off to a great start.

I'm taking four courses this term: Psychology Methodology 2, Social Work, Scottish Literature and a Psychology group project. I am really enjoying the group project so far. We haven't done much yet but we've gone over what our study is about and are working on getting ethics approval this coming week. Scottish Literature is proving to be more difficult this term as we are studying literature written in medieval Scots language which is impossible to understand!

The first week back was Refresher's Week which meant I explored a bit more of Edinburgh's nightlife. On Saturday night we had a joint birthday party for Puck, Joe and Tom. It was chemistry themed as they're all in science-related majors. I went as "Ruthenium" and wore fake nerdy glasses I got from a costume shop. Amelia made a delicious chocolate cake and we all sang Happy Birthday. I really enjoyed meeting a few new people and catching up with everyone.

I'm starting to get back into the swing of things now that Refresher's Week is over. But that doesn't mean my social life has gone out of the window! Last week I went to see American Hustle at the movie theatre and on Friday we went to a concert at a club for Tom's birthday. Last night a few friends and I went to The Blind Poet for live blues/jazz music. It's a very cozy pub and the music was great so I really enjoyed myself. Now I want to learnt to play harmonica! We also hit up the student union's Library Bar.

The most exciting news I have to report is that I am going to Paris in February! I'm meeting up with Bailey, my friend and roommate from Queen's, over there and I'm really looking forward to it!

Sisterly Love

Catherine and I spent more time exploring the city together on Monday. We decided to walk down my road and go in all the charity shops there. We ended up in the Grassmarket where we went in a vintage clothing shop and saw The Last Drop, a pub in the location of the last hanging and a tea shop. We ended up stopping at Hula, a vegetarian, vegan and gluten free friendly cafe to escape the rain. I ordered the Sunshine in a Cup smoothie - fitting for the day's weather. We took the time there to plan the rest of our day and to write postcards to our family and some friends. We were quite tempted by the menu and decided to have lunch there as well.

After recuperating a bit we headed to the Royal Mile. We went inside St. Giles' Cathedral and up to the castle. We discovered the Tartan Weaving Mill Exhibition where they had weaving going on downstairs and more tartan things than all of the many tartan shops put together. We went to Greyfriar's Kirkyard and saw Greyfriar Bobby's grave with sticks left there for him - so cute! When it was time for another hot drink we went to The Elephant House - one of the cafes where JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter. It was quite nice in there, all wooden tables and chairs and lots of elephant memorabilia.

Tuesday was much of the same - shopping and stopping for a cup of tea. This time we went to Kilimanjaro on Nicholson which I'd heard a lot about but never been in before. It had a nice atmosphere and a delicious chocolate milkshake. In the morning we also walked up Arthur's Seat, going a different way from the times I've been up before which offered different views.

Yesterday Catherine and I went to Glasgow to stay in a hostel overnight since her flight home left early this morning from the airport there. Check in was at 3 pm and since she had her big suitcase we didn't go til then. We spent the afternoon/early evening walking around, searching for a tea strainer in the shopping centre and exploring Buchanan Street. We had dinner in a pub next to the hostel which was 15% off with a night's stay. This morning she left in a cab for the airport at around 5 am and I stayed in the room until about 8:30 am when I took the train home to Edinburgh.

It was really nice to have Catherine stay with me in Edinburgh. There were so many things I wanted to show her and now she will be able to picture me here. She was a great visitor, we did some tourist-y things but mostly just enjoyed spending time together doing normal life things.

I'm on my own now for a couple of days until everyone comes back for school on Monday. It will be a good opportunity to get some things done - my paper, writing letters to friends, laundry etc. 

Afternoon Tea at The Balmoral

Yesterday Catherine and I went to The Balmoral, a really fancy hotel on Princes Street for Afternoon Tea. I enjoyed getting dressed up and doing something grown up with my sister. It was fun to put on our almost matching blue dresses and do our hair and make up. We were greeted at the door by a man wearing tartan trousers opening the doors for us. It was so exciting to see behind the doors of the hotel I've always seen such fabulous people emerge from. We were led into the palm court and seated on a low chair facing into the room. The greeter laid serviettes on our laps and explained the afternoon tea service to us. We both ordered tea - the Balmoral Blend for me and Darjeeling for Catherine. At first we both felt quite awkward. We were nervous that we'd embarrass ourselves I think. 

We were served the Chef's Amuse Bouche (what a cool name) which was a parsnip and apple soup. It was served in a tiny bowl, poured in front of us from what looked like a little milk jug. It was actually really delicious but at first we worried about how exactly we were supposed to eat it. After watching other people we later determined that we'd done it properly! There was also a waiter wearing a kilt so we really had the Scottish experience. 

The first tiered stand to arrive was the sandwiches. There was roast beef, cucumber, egg salad, cheese, ham and salmon. No haggis, thank goodness! Afterwards we had scones with clotted cream and individual jam pots - blackcurrant (my favourite) and raspberry (my second favourite). There was a selection of cakes - chocolate, shortbread, gingerbread, lemon and caramel. I also had a mousse that was plum and ginger. 

One of the best parts of the experience was that there was a harpist playing from a balcony. At one point he switched to playing Happy Birthday and we all clapped politely as someone's afternoon tea was delivered with a candle. It felt very civilized! 

Of course we made a point of going to the bathrooms and they didn't disappoint! The sinks were amazing - ornate China with a pink floral pattern. There were lots of fun soaps and hand creams and thick towels to dry our hands with. Catherine went first and came back to the table and whispered "Oh my goodness. Just go, Ruth. You have to see this." I really wish I'd taken my camera. 

At the end they gave us two tins of their Balmoral Blend tea to take home and wrapped up our leftovers (we were so full) in the fanciest doggy-bag packaging I have ever seen. 

All in all it was such a fun experience and I'm so glad we got to do it.  

Catherine and I about to enjoy our delicious scones

Shop Til You Drop

On Thursday Rosanna, Molly, Catherine and I went to Banbury. We went shopping in charity shops, the shopping centre and the high street. I ended up buying another bag to be able to pick all of my things in to bring them back to Edinburgh on the train. I acquired quite a few Christmas presents and didn't pack very lightly to begin with! Rosanna, Catherine and I had a coffee in Nero while Molly went to an eye appointment. It was a really nice and relaxing morning. We also found an awesome sweet shop which had rows of pic n' mix which I couldn't resist.

After lunch at home we went to Blenheim Palace to walk around the gardens there. Though I'm not a huge fan of walking it's always really beautiful there. We had good chats and saw some sheep. Unfortunately I forgot my camera so no photos!

On Friday us four girls went to Oxford. We went shopping again. There were lots of post-Christmas sales and opportunities to spend Christmas money. I bought some pretty notecards so look out for letters in the new year. We had lunch at Wagamama, a noodle place. I had a vegetarian curry with rice. After we were tired of shopping we stumbled upon a little bookshop which also served tea. We each had our own colourful teapot with our choice of tea. I had Earl Grey Blue Lady in a blue teapot. The best part was that we got to choose what mug we wanted! The bookshop was very charming and when Rosanna and Molly bought books the shop owner wrapped them up in cute wrapping paper.

The next day my mum, Catherine and I boarded the train, Catherine and I to Edinburgh and my mum to Yorkshire to stay with friends. Unfortunately there were some delays probably due to flooding but we made it to Edinburgh only an hour late. We had fun playing cards on the train and looking at the sea.

Holiday Update

I had a really great Christmas this year and I was able to see almost all of my extended family. Our Christmas lunch was delicious as always with lots of sprouts (my favourite), roast potatoes, parsnips, carrots, sausages wrapped in bacon, turkey and gravy. We had Christmas pudding for dessert with clotted cream, cream and custard. We opened our presents after lunch and Catherine and I acted as the elves passing out the gifts to everyone. I got lots of presents - enough to fill my gym bag. I will have fun trying to take all my stuff back on the train! We played Newmarket in the evening and had some crackers, chutney and cheese. Now you know what a typical Christmas for the Hobbis family looks like!

This is the first time I’ve been down to visit the family since my grandparents moved to their new house. We went over lots to visit them there and they came over for dinner several times during our stay. They live only about a ten minute walk from my aunt. Their new house is really nice and it was good to see some of their familiar belongings around the new place. Millie, their black lab, seems to like the house too and she is enjoying going for walks with her new dog walker. My dad and Uncle Peter took her out for two walks on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. At one point they had to lift her over a stile (and she’s not light)! On one of the days we went to the Lord Nelson’s Arms for a pub lunch. I had the Ploughman’s lunch – a spread of apple slices, baguette, cheddar cheese, chutney and salad. It was really good but required a lot of assembling!

I’ve been having fun spending time with my canine relatives – Bryn, Grace, Rosie, Millie, Ted and Florence. I’ve got more dog cousins than human cousins! Rosie is a year and a half and very playful. She loves to play fetch with her rubber ring or tennis ball and will bring it to you over and over again. I’ve never met a dog that has wanted to play with me so much. It is nice to be in a house with a cat now after so many dogs! I think everyone knows I'm a cat person at heart!

We just left Somerset where we stayed with my Uncle Keith and Jan for three nights. We visited Auntie Elsie and John on the way there. Auntie Elsie always prepares a delicious spread of all my favourite English foods and she gave us lovely presents. This year we gave her a homemade calendar of photos of the family. We had dinner in the village with Uncle Keith and Jan on the first night and I had the usual - ham, egg and chips. One year they didn't have any left and it was so sad! Every year since we joke about reserving it for me. One of the days my family went into town and Catherine and I had a coffee in a little cafe and shopped while my parents visited with friends. We also made our traditional trip to the arcades to bet on the 2 penny machines. We went round the village where my Uncle Keith and Jan live, going in all the little shops. Jan has a cafe there and an artisan bakery. We also went to check out my grandad's old house and to place some flowers on his and my grandma's graves in the cemetery in the village. It's always a sad thing to do but it's important to remember them at Christmas. 

My family and I are now in my hometown staying with family friends Penny, Fernando, Rosanna, Molly and their cat Betty. We arrived yesterday and went on a walk around the village. It has been ten years since I have lived here and some things I didn't recognize at first. For New Year's Eve us four girls went down to the park with a blanket, some grapes and a bottle of champagne. We rang in the New Year by eating one grape for every strike of the church bells on the hour and sipping champagne from the bottle - very classy! It was a lot of fun and we stayed out gossiping under the stars and watching the fireworks.

Today I had a productive morning working on my Psycholinguistics paper and then a lazy afternoon watching TV and playing a board game. Tomorrow we plan on going into town and on a walk and then on Friday we are going to Oxford. My dad has gone back to Atlanta now but my mum, Catherine and I take the train on the 4th. My mum is heading up to Yorkshire to stay with friends and Catherine will be staying with me in Edinburgh. I'll keep you updated!