Hakuna Matata We got pink flamingos in the front yard I SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE! "Friends stick together to the end." Remember, cute and cuddly, boys. Cute and cuddly. Just smile and wave, boys. Smile and wave.
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Birthday weekend… This post is a bit overdue, but figured better late than never! Mr. Tyke had to work on the Saturday after my birthday but had promised me an outing. So guess what? This boy gave up watching the last game of the Premier League to take me on a "magical mystery tour" in Edinburgh. Now, I am not going to say he didn't remind me of his awesomeness throughout the day… but seriously- a British Boy giving up a day of football to make sure I had an outing?? Yeah… that says you have something special going on right there. After all of the options I listed of places in/around Edinburgh that we could go, and him rulling out the places he had been and/or had no desire to go we were left with Rosslyn Chapel. You know, the one that was made famous by Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code? The drive to the chapel was stunning. Rolling hills, huge patches of yellow flowers, and sheep everywhere! Even the little babies were out and about. We thought it was going to be a crap day of weather but the clouds seemed to pass and it turned out to be a lovely day. Mr. Tyke totally missed out on a discount because the lady asked if he was in the military- I got my student discount.. and he had to pay the full admission fee. The man who loves a bargain was pretty bummed he missed out on that! I think he tried to charm her into a discount anyway, but it just didn't work! We waited around for the official chapel lecture to learn a bit more about it. Was really worth listening to. The building was in ruins and has been slowly restored over the years. Before the Da Vinci Code was published the chapel had a few visitors here and there. There was no visitor centre, and there was no cafe. They had a table, some pamphlets, a tea kettle and a couple volunteers. Book published, people go crazy and BOOM in one day thousands of people showed up from all over. Can you imagine? There was no way they had enough tea to offer their guests! That book was the best thing that could happen to this beautiful building. With the sudden interest in the chapel, through collecting more of these admission fees, they have been able to restore the chapel to what it is today. On top of that, they have a visitor centre with a cafe. At least knowing this, I was able to comfort Mr. Tyke having to pay the admission fee to have him know that he is actually contributing to the maintenance of the building! There were quite a few funny stories that were shared during the little lecture. People are crazy. They have shown up with full blown axes to dig into the vaults down below. Like thats ok! Apparently, someone from Tennessee (oh make us proud) believed that Elvis was buried there. I mean, really people? If they really wanted to dig up the "treasures" don't you think they would have already done that? And do you think that you are so special that you are the one that is going to be permitted to do so?? HA! After the chapel, we could have gone home and even probably caught a game. But, guess what? Mr. Tyke suggested we take a little journey to Peebles. Some little town that he heard was nice. Unfortunately, it was a local holiday and so most of the places were closed. However, we were able to have a nice little lunch and a walk about the town. For the newbie, it is just always nice to see whats outside of the city. I don't have a car so its little trips like these that are so cool! It really was a great day!
This weekend is his birthday and he is stuck working out of town. He was supposed to take this work trip on my birthday weekend but was able to switch the dates and the new dates fell on his… so he is working in a crap part of the UK (so I hear) and not exactly celebrating his birthday. I sent him off with a small cake and some goodies… which defeated his idea of no one knowing it was his birthday this weekend.. but I figured you can't not have even a small little celebration of life! I look forward to him coming back next week so we can celebrate. I don't think I will be able to take him on a magical mystery tour.. but I am sure we will figure out something. Either way- Happy Birthday!!!! Sometimes I wonder how in the world I thought I was capable of completing a PhD. The past three weeks have been incredibly challenging. I began this process searching through literature and simply becoming overwhelmed in this digital age. Do you realize how much is out there to read? When you have access to the libraries and information from all over the world?? Yes, sign language interpreter education the research might be more limited but you can't just start there.. you have to zoom outward to better understand what you are after. I completed 8 interviews, for a pilot study, including interpreter educators and I am so grateful for their hard work and dedication to our field. I transcribed those interviews. Each interview was about 90 minutes…. each transcription was about 30 pages. From there, I began to code the information looking for themes across the interviews. Now I am analyzing those themes. It is absolutely fascinating information. However, I am learning that writing is really challenging. Sure I can come here and blog my thoughts and feelings.. but expressing myself academically is a completely different story. I write, i rewrite, I add to the writings and then I go back again to rewrite and rewrite some more. You made it through a masters degree, right Stacey? Oh.. I know you are thinking that- I sure did. And I believe that I made a lot strides in that program on my academic journey- but let me tell you.. nothing compares to this.. absolutely nothing. I find that after just a few hours of work, my brain is actually tired. I get up, walk around, try to distract myself by meaningless buzz feed news and then go back to it- by the evenings, even though I have great plans to work a little more my brain just can't do it. Some days, I only have written a paragraph or two, other days I write a couple pages that the very next day I have to go rework. All i can say is its hard.. and every task I do takes more time than I had anticipated. I thought this analysis would be done last week.. guess what? Its now this week and I am still not done. I am finding myself getting more and more frustrated at myself.. people ask how its going, and honestly, I don't know. I have never done a PhD and I have never been at this stage and so i can't compare it to anything.
Its hard. I am a bit overwhelmed. And that's that. Many people plan a trip to Edinburgh to celebrate special events in life. I happen to live here- so I celebrated my 30th birthday with the people who have made my transition easy. What a great night! Eating, drinking, chatting and just celebrating life. So here it is: The Venue:The Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh. I had never been. The lady organizing it for me was lovely. However they double booked so they moved us to the bar and gave 3 bottles of champagne for me and my guests because of the mix up. Used some of the deposit for some meat & cheese boards to keep everyone munching and all was well. I have to say, the venue was beautiful. The ceilings alone were a piece of art. It is worth going to. The DJ, however, was a little loud and even after asking him nicely to turn it down a notch he said he was paid to make everyones life miserable.. so thats what he was doing. I brought a gluten free cake and the staff were willing to hold it for me, bring out plates and cutlery when we were ready for it. The staff were all very friendly (other than that DJ) and I am thankful for bringing in my 30th at The Voodoo Rooms! The PeopleThe most important part about the evening was bringing it in with my friends! I should have snapped pics when we all first arrived as by the time these were taking it was super hot and I was sweating! Heh.. sweating in Edinburgh! I guess I shouldn't complain! On a day thats like 55 degrees and in a building with a lot of people and no AC on.. it just got hot! But here are some pics of the night! Highlights of my day!!!
Thanks for sharing this special day with me!!! I really really appreciate it!
Living:
Its hard to believe I have been here in the UK for over half a year! I love it more than ever and I am beyond thankful for the opportunity to be here. I have just moved into a new place and its lovely. I am still getting settled and have a few more things to grab from my old flat. Mr. Tyke said last night, as he hadn't seen it since I really moved in, "now this is a proper home"- and yes.. thats what I feel. Its spacious for me, I am able to invite visitors around and I don't feel as if I am living in a hotel. I was pretty excited when I first moved into my original flat- but I think it was simply the excitement of being here. Once I began to live in the small 20 sq meters I started to feel a bit down. Something that is a part of me is inviting people over, being a host, cooking people dinner- invites where extended to me and I was never able to offer the return. But now I am. I am living on a side street that is next to the bus. I have access to most parts of the city from my location and can already tell a difference in my commute to the university as well just getting around town is better- I am saving 40 minutes a day in my current location. I am excited to get some new art up in my flat and continue to make it "my own"- looking forward to having you over for dinner. Research I have been working hard on my research and am really starting to develop my skills as a researcher. I have an analysis that I am trying to get done by Friday and so that has been where my focus is- 16 pages in I think I will make my deadline. About to get to work on that but thought I would stop in here for an update first! All I can say is sign language interpreter educators are working really hard- and there are a lot of demands on them. They are also working in environments where they don't seem to have all the resources to perform their jobs as best as they would like to. What does this mean for our students? What does this mean for the consumers in which our graduates eventually work with? My mind was racing a mile a minute. I laid in bed- wide awake until 1-ish thinking about my research. I think its sucked me in. I guess this is a good thing. I must say tho- being in this research arena is really making me miss being in the classroom more than I am. I wish there was a way to do both. I want to be balancing my work with more teaching. Teaching energizes me and I find that when I am not in a classroom, developing lessons,engaging with students I feel as if I am missing out. Learn and Master Sign Language Learn and Master Sign Language launched. You know- the big project I was working on before moving here with Dr. Byron Bridges? We worked hard to create a sign language course that people could learn at home. The course was produced by a company out of Nashville and we are happy to say that it has launched. I know a ton of people have said to me through the years, "I would love to learn ASL," "I have this friend who found out their kid is Deaf- they are interested in learning Sign Language- How??" or "I am taking ASL and feel like I need more support, any suggestions?" So here it is- a comprehensive course teaching ASL so that people at home can learn at their own pace. Now don't get us wrong- we KNOW the best way to learn is through interacting with the community and during the course we say it countless times. But we do know that there are parents out there who may have deaf kids, are working full time jobs and not have the time to go to an official course. Maybe this will help bridge some communication gaps with their kids? Or maybe you work in a place and have a Deaf person who comes into your office or utilizes your services? How cool would it be to have some conversational skills to be able to chat with him or her? Our personal goal with this project is to make ASL more accessible so that hearing and deaf people have more opportunities to interact directly with each other. The company originally wanted 12 DVDs made.. we made 25. There is over 49 hours of instruction, there is a lesson book, fingerspelling practice, deaf culture highlights and so much more. My favorite lesson has to be on safety and emergencies- simply because I think it is so important… could be that dad is a retired fire chief and mom is a nurse! Anyway- I am really hopeful that people will learn a lot from it and that at the end of the day there are more people learning Sign Language so that standing in line at the grocery store isn't so isolating all the time and just maybe you would be able to sign, "OH TONIGHT CINCO DE MAYO MEXICAN FOOD YOU COOK, ME SAME" You know what I mean? I guess its the little things in life. Anyway, if you haven't already, I would really appreciate it if you shared the website on your Facebook walls or twitter feeds- you never know who might really NEED this product, or who might just want it. www.lmslinstructors.com FriendsI am so blessed to have the friends I do here. I know I have written it before- but I would be lost with out them. I have met amazing people and it simply has made my transition here so smooth. I know that when I am feeling down I can call, I know that when they are going through something serious they will call. What has been so great about my friends here is that its been complete transparency from the beginning. No secrets, no slow reveal- its been here I am.. all my flaws, all my quirks, this is me- take it or leave it. And at the end of the day we have all taken to each other. Its lovely. The Boy Lucky for me- I don't think he reads my blog. :) I can talk all I want about him and he will just occasionally ask if he has "featured" or not in a post. Mr. Tyke and I are doing well. Its been interesting as we have come to learn about each others backgrounds, cultures, world-views… and just who we are as people. We are different. I am happy, rather optimistic and see the good in the world… he is a realist, thinks a lot about life and is a bit more skeptical. I think its a pretty good balance. He makes me laugh (even though I am the real comedian.. I mean I do standup), he is helpful and caring. I had asked him like 5 times if he was going to come with me to sign my lease on my new property and he never responded… but what made me laugh is when I said- you know I have asked you five times about this and you have not answered he laughed at me and said, "of course I am going you know that, I wouldn't leave you hanging"- Ha.. ok. i guess I didn't need to ask 5 times after all. When it came down to set up my internet- he looked around online for the best deal, negotiated the people down in price (thats a real Yorkshire man.. :) , and then even came to set it up for me last night- after driving back from England and not feeling fantastic. I don't know what the future holds for us- but I am happy and I am just going with the flow. Comedy I do stand up? yes- if you missed a previous posting I have gotten myself into some stand up comedy with Bright Club. Its where researchers and people with specialized skills and knowledge engage the public with comedy routines. It has been such a fantastic creative outlet, its helping my public speaking skills and I have been making some amazing friends in the process across a variety of disciplines. I am thankful for one of the professors at the University who invited me to watch a Bright club and while in the audience said, "stacey, I think you could do this"- It has been so much fun. I even ventured to St. Andrews last week- I took a train and a bus to bring my comedy set to a new "stage"- it was a tough crowd but they laughed and I had a blast. I do have a link if you want to see the video- just let me know. Its a private link and I have to send it directly to you. Closing I have an appointment this morning that i have to get to before I work the rest of the day on my analysis. I hope everyone is well. I am sorry if I haven't been in touch as much the last couple weeks- its been pretty hectic around here with the move, knocking out my projects and just you know living life. I miss you guys back home but know that I am doing well and I am feeling happy. Be looking for a very specific 30th birthday post soon! xx Do you remember your favorite meal as a child? I can't remember the specific one favorite but I can remember two that I always loved my mom to make and two that I would (to this day) always love my grandma to make. Mom she comes in first place for her chicken and rice, and chicken salad casserole. I don't actually make the chicken in rice (or know how to) but I still enjoy her chicken salad casserole from time to time! In fact, I have reinvented it a little (but when mom makes it.. she best be keeping it in its traditional form). My grandma makes chicken and biscuits (oh my gosh they are the best) and the best meatloaf and mashed potatoes you could ever have. And if you are lucky (which you usually are) there will be left overs for meatloaf sandwiches.
People have asked me when I began cooking.. and I think it was at a really early age. I think I always helped my mom or grandma in the kitchen… but I remember the first meal I ever made solo. I had looked through this new computer CD that we got with more recipes than you could imagine. After hours of searching I found the meal I was going to prepare for my family. Chicken with white wine sauce over angel hair pasta. I remember my mom and i searching the store for cooking wine… she spent a fortune to get all the ingredients so I could prepare this dish. I remember her asking me if I wanted to try something less complicated. I said no. It took me hours to prepare this meal. The family was starving, and they were making jokes about ordering a pizza because my food would be bad or never be done… but I was determined to cook a gourmet meal and serve it to my family. At first bite- they were all impressed (or in a state of shock) but they loved it (or they lied) and it gave me the encouragement I needed to just keep cooking. Since then I have cooked, I have followed recipes, invented my own, tweaked others and found a place of joy in the kitchen. Cooking to me is like art. You get to be creative and engage with all your senses. Over the years it has become a form of therapy and relaxation that I can't really explain. There are many days and nights that I cook for myself. I will wake up and make myself an entire breakfast that some would say should only be for if you are with others. I think that is silly. As an unmarried woman there are plenty of times that i am alone- so should I just resort to cereal because I am alone? No way. I am going to treat myself how I like to treat others and good food is involved in that equation. However, that is not to say that I don't enjoy cooking for other people. I absolutely love preparing a meal that someone can sit down, relax, and enjoy. I love that quote that "cooking is love made visible. Last weekend I was able to cook for friends- I chose to make savory crepes, with a chicken pesto cream sauce, served with asparagus wrapped in parma ham. Of course there were extra crepe batter and we could have some chocolate/strawberry crepes for dessert. This was one of the best nights I have had in Edinburgh. Able to cook for a group of people, enjoy a meal and drinks with my friends and just laugh. A group of people who were all once strangers to each other in one form or another were able to connect over a dinner and deepen our friendships. "If you really want to make a friend, go to someone’s house and eat with him...the people who give you their food give you their heart. —Cesar Chavez The other night I was able to cook a meal for one of my girlfriends. We indulged in pasta, red wine and chocolate. Great conversation and a movie we both had never seen from the 90s? Yes.. we watched Something About Mary. I am still laughing about a couple of those scenes. The next day we hit a few shoppes and markets and now she was inspired to cook herself. She had just ordered an entire new set of pots. I hope that she is able to experience the same joy that I have through cooking. The picture of the fajitas she made looked amazing! I usually cook for Mr. Tyke once or twice a week (he sometimes gets my food more than that and depending upon our schedule may not get it at all- totally deprived). I love being with someone who loves to eat as much as I do. And I like surprising him with my ability to create all different kinds of foods. I have made everything from American Favorites (Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, bbq pulled pork & slaw) to an array of Mexican delights (Enchiladas, fajitas, tacos, taco salad) to some fine Italian dishes (risotto, amazing chicken dishes and of course homemade pasta sauces), I've also thrown in a few curries from around the world. Last night, I made a Chinese dish with fried rice. When I got back from the store he says, I don't really like stir-fry, and when I said I was making fried rice he was like "eh"- but let me back up for a minute. I am the one who doesn't really care for Chinese food from restaurants and he is the one who loves it. So what was wrong with having stir-fry? Its just one of those things he doesn't like. Fair enough, right? So now- I was determined to get my flavors right and make a meal that would be described as "gorgeous." On top of this he begins to tell me how the pizza that would have been 2 quid from morrisons (had he been eating alone) would have been so much cheaper! And I respond with- well, this is much healthier and will give each of us two meals. He says, "I don't think healthier! The portion sizes are like the size of a mountain.." Oops- ok so I am an American, I am used to a full plate of food. And honestly, you know what Julia Child says, right? "Always start out with a bigger pot than you think you will need." That is superb advice- and I usually fill the entire pot! But lets be real my food was going to be much better than a pizza from the local shoppe, right? (Oh he is so cheeky and knows how to wind me up!!!) Half way through cooking, he comes in and says "that looks good"- "ha! I am doing it!" I think to myself. And then.. It is done, smells good- so I pop my head out and say, "you just want a little bit, right?" like a half a cup of rice and a scoop of meat or so?" hehehe I know, I am evil! He says, "No! I want what you are having! Same amount if not MORE" haha- so yes he may tease about my portion sizes but he knows he likes them! I didn't get a "gorgeous" at the end, but I got that the food was "lovely" and had a nice presentation- which for a guy who doesn't like stirfry- i think my mission was very much accomplished! You might be wondering why I am rambling about food and cooking.. I guess its just one of my favorite past times… and I am thankful that my family gave me the opportunity to eat good food and were willing to let me start creating good food at such an early age. I can now share these foods with all the people I love!! Also, I am moving into a new flat this May. I will have an actual kitchen. I can't wait to have you over and share a meal with you. "I think the goal post is the MVP" |
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The Adventure:
One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.
William Feather