Learning a bit about the city and a lot about Sainsbury

Hello again all,
Welcome back to the receptacle of thoughts from my journeys here in Edinburgh. A lot has happened since I last updated, hence the lack of updates in the meantime. For one, I have registered for classes, or more accurately I have been registered for them by my director of studies, apparently we can't do that on our own. At the moment I am trying to decide if I want to audit any classes, but before I decide that I have to look at the course offerings of like 5 other departments, so for the time being 3 courses a semester, 1-2 reading groups, a lecture series or 3 and starting to think about my dissertation is where my mind is. In other news I have registered with a doctor, registered with the college and confirmed my attendance with the college, all of these are required and take place in separate buildings, so if you ever come to school in the UK make sure you get a list of all the things you have to do with very specific titles as this might get confusing.

I have also finally met all my flat mates (at least the ones that have shown up so far) there are 8 of us, all international students. Chris from Vancouver, Bernoit from Paris, Paul from somewhere in Romania, Alim (sp?) from somewhere in Rumania, Wanarok (sp?) a second year phd candidate from Thailand, Bruce from China, and an Indian chap who arrived last night who I only spoke with briefly. I have also met a few people from my program and a few other programs from the apartment building where I am staying, of which a surprisingly large number are from North America. I guess the taught post grads (PGs), of which I am amongst the number, are more than 50% non-UK. Most are also 25 or older, and there is higher number of girls than boys by 1-2 thousand, though you wouldn't know it from the taught philosophy kids. Anyway, in other maybe interesting maybe not news I have purchased a pay as you go cell phone that can receive phone calls from the states for no cost to me, so if you are absolutely aching to talk to me you can try to call, (email me or mom for the number) and I will either answer if I hear it or call you back on skype if the number is left.

Oh man, I almost forgot about Sainsbury! Sainsbury is the everything store that is just about 1o minutes by foot away. It is a bit like Target but with more produce, however, unlike Target you can literally find anything you want there. It is no longer a useful question to ask can you get that at Sainsbury, only what aisle is that item to be found. I have already been there like 3 times as I am having a notoriously hard time listing all the things I need food and otherwise. Alright well that about sums it up until class starts next Tuesday, but I hope everything is going well for everyone not in the UK (well in the UK too i suppose) and I especially hope Josh and Kat's wedding goes well this weekend if I don't get a chance until way after to say this Congratulations you guys! I will try and Skype home sometime this weekend to say hey to everyone, but if I can't get through love you all and hope it is a great couple days, I know it will be.

Last day in the US (pluralized) and First Day (Morning) in Scotland

Well, I finally made it, and for those of you who have heard me talking in the last couple days (weeks) you might be surprised to hear that. Basically, If you ever decide that you want to be a full time student in the UK for an extended period of time, apply for your visa as early as possible and pray that is comes in time. My visa arrived on Friday morning at approximately 10am, mostly through the good grace of the UPS. I hadn't heard anything about the arrival or status of my visa until thursday evening at approximately 7pm. For those that don't know I was originally scheduled to leave on Friday afternoon. However, since I hadn't heard anything in weeks and was starting to get worried about getting a visa at all I was considering deferring til 2010 and all other sorts of things.

The good news is, of course, I did make it, and I didn't even have to pay for the one day change of my flight that came courtesy of bad weather in New York. So now, I am here in Scotland. I moved into the smallest room I have ever lived in, but it will do for a year, and my 10 person flat doesn't just have 1 bathroom which is GREAT NEWS! Most importantly I am about to embark on a MSc program in philosophy and I am a bit freaked out. I want to study philosophy of that I am sure, but this rigorous academics specifically in the one year master's sense of rigor I am a bit intimidated by.

Anyway, I have some poetic thought in my head about seeing the mists curling at the feet of the mountains here, but since I have been awake for quite awhile at this point and my brain is approximately mush I am going to just say adieu until tomorrow, and wish good times on everyone who might be reading.

Oh man, I almost forgot, if there is anything in particular you want to hear about let me know in the comments section and I will try to make that happen.