How many college students does it take to change a lightbulb?

My IFSA orientation is officially over and I am moved in to a four person flat right on a main road. I can’t believe I am finally experiencing the city life for the first time! I’ll admit I’m starting to get used to simply walking out onto the street and having the grocery store just a block down the road. Or perhaps turning the other way and finding three delicious Indian restaurants within eyesight, all serving yummy naan bread at all hours of the dayJ

This morning I got up to meet some of my friends to find the Farmer’s Market! It turned out to be a very good choice as we found many vendors selling fresh fruits, vegetables, and breads. My personal favorite part of the experience involved talking with the local farmers and hearing about their stories. One man sold granola bars, which are sold in local pubs, thus “a bar within a bar”. Who would have thought that the same person to order a whiskey would also buy a granola bar…

After the Farmer’s Market I continued on to do some more exploring, including finding the church that had been recommended to me. I didn’t have time to go inside, but I hope to check it out tomorrow, weather permitting. (it’s supposed to rain/snow most of the day). I also made it to the gym and bought a semester’s membership. It’s quite nice and in slightly better shape than Wake to say the least…

Unfortunately, as the title would suggest, a good portion of my afternoon involved trying to get more light into my room by my desk. The room came with a desk lamp, but I couldn’t quite get it to work. After trying many outlets, I diagnosed it to have a faulty light bulb and adventured out to find a new one. Long story short, my first trip involved finding a bulb with the wrong type of screw. Still persistent, I went back to the store, exchanged it for the correct bulb, and came back to my room to determine that the desk light had more problems than I thought. Still no luck. At that point I broke down and bought an entirely new desk lamp, insisting that the store manager let me plug it in and try it out before bringing it homeJ He did give me a funny look, but desperate times call for desperate measures…

Tonight I met up with other new students for a traditional Scottish buffet. Yes, I did go all out and try the haggis, and after voiding my mind of the ingredient list, was able to swallow and actually enjoy the taste. I learned quickly that it helped to have a protective covering of mashed potatoes around my spoonful J I was incredibly impressed with the background of all the students I met. It became quite ordinary to meet someone who knew three, four, or five different languages. I was amazed at the amount of world travel the students had already experienced at 20 years of age!

It’s hard to imagine being ready for classes starting Monday. The European school system sounds like it will be a true challenge! Good news is that I’ve got a working desk lamp, so bring it on, Edinburgh!