One Week

Well, we've been here a week now and have gotten many of the necessities (and some not so necessary items) we need to get going.  The main item still missing is internet, but that should be arriving Monday.  After getting a UK bank account and registering as a student with the University of Edinburgh, I now possess a student card that lets me into the library and their Mac computer lab, as well as some fun activities like last night's Masquerade Ball.

There has been so much happening that I'll give you a short review of the past 7 or 8 days:

• Thursday: Land in Edinburgh, get keys to our flat, find a grocery store, and our first visit to the local Internet Cafe
• Friday: Bus to Ikea for bedding and towels (it was a cold first night), unpack
• Saturday: Daniel arrives, visit Edinburgh castle, walk around the Meadow (a nice big park)
• Sunday: International Day at the university -- introductory sessions, networking, and a ceilidh (Scottish dance)
• Monday: More walking and shopping I think :)
• Tuesday: Welcome session for new postgrad research students, meet with supervisors (who are great!), more networking over "wine and nibbles"
• Wednesday: Daniel leaves for Munich, Derek arranges bank account while I attend a full-day session for new postgrad history, classics and archeology students, evening at flatmates' over wine
• Thursday: Register with school, arrange for tv, cable and internet service, buy a tv, Masquerade Ball (with photos to come)

So here we are at Friday.  I've collected signatures on my first-year plan of study and Derek and I need to buy a tv license this afternoon.  I think I'll also go on a tour of the library's IT resources in an hour's time.  Tonight we're off to the pub with our neighbours downstairs.

Our postings will likely pick up dramatically once we have internet in our home.  Until that at we have cable, I don't think our place could feel like home to me.  But it has definite potential, and the couple of friends I've made are certainly helping :)