More Lists
So things are pretty much shaping up in The Lion Rampant: California edition. The hot has not killed us. The negligent drivers have not crashed into us and the In-N-Out burgers are still delectable. Our flat is mostly unpacked and I’m doing pretty well — if I do say so myself — on successfully driving a manual transmission.
But because I should be creating file folders, planning lectures and arranging my bookshelves at work, I don’t really have time for blogging — but lists should still do the trick.
1. I miss our life in Scotland and yet CA seems pretty normal too.
2. I’m really enjoying getting to know local teachers; I took a course on Teaching in the Christian Classroom this week and it was fab. I’m also really enjoying speaking with the other profs and staff here at Providence.
3. I love shopping at Trader Joe’s!!
4. We’ve been able to go to the Hollywood Bowl and hear some great classical concerts twice already. And get this: we get to take the BUS there. This is truly a highlight for me. Although we have to drive to where the bus leaves, we can still support public transport (which is quite a rarity in the LA area).
5. The reality that I’m teaching in a few short weeks hasn’t hit me yet — hopefully it will soon!
6. We’re famous. Yep, we have been spotted. When we were at the Hollywood Bowl the first time with our friends, Ken and Gillian (who don’t yet have a blog…), a girl sitting next to us came over and asked if we were “Bryce and Ashley from Scotland.” Thankfully she prefaced it with her comment might sound a bit weird… well, it was weird but cool as well. Margaret had read our blog following the link from Intellectuelle. Her friends shared some of their picnic with us, which we said was because of our star power. 
7. We actually have enough money to buy meat to eat and it does make me feel guilty having meat for dinner nearly every night; I need to go ahead and get more veggie recipes again.
8. Bryce and I have started reading Bill Bryson’s I’m a Stranger Here Myself, a book about the humourist’s return from the UK to the States after 20 years away. It’s hysterical. And for all of those of you who know Bryce’s “silent laugh” — Bryson gets him every time.
This weekend we’ll get to see Bryce’s sister and family, which we’re very excited about. They lived in Scotland as well, so it’ll be great to discuss all of the issues surrounding returning to the States.
Thanks for all the thoughtful comments to those back in our adopted country of Scotland. Transitions are very funny things. Thanks for sticking around as we process it all …
August 12th, 2006 at 1:06 pm
I didn’t know about that Bill Bryson book, I must check it out ( I have read all the others)
August 14th, 2006 at 11:10 pm
Awww… I’m so glad ya’ll still say “flat” when everyone else would call it an apartment. You rock, Ashley.
August 15th, 2006 at 12:16 am
“Flat” is pretty ingrained in my vocabulary now. I have to think a second when I’m talking to other people to make sure I say “apartment.” Sheena, the Bryson book is really fun (like all his others) though different as it’s a compilation of newspaper columns, so lacks his rolling narrative.
August 15th, 2006 at 3:27 pm
I want an In-n-Out and Trader Joes!
LUCKY!