Starting to feel like home...

In July, while I was in Bridge of Allan, I wrote a post about how home was a relative term. I explained that while there will always be a place where which our hearts yearn for more than any other, we humans are adaptable creatures, and can make any set of surroundings feel familiar and safe.

Edinburgh is starting to feel this way for me. It's been a little less than two weeks

and logic would say that I would still be exploring and feeling uncertain. While it would be foolish for me to say that I feel 100% adapted to city life, Scottish life, and Edinburgh life, I can say that I'm feeling much better about everything. The walk to most places is starting to feel familiar, so familiar at times that I am able to recognize changes in my surroundings. I now know Tesco and Lidl pretty well--I've learned to look to my right first before I cross the street, and I have even gotten used to thinking about items' value in terms of pounds.

The flat is familiar. The people in it know me pretty well. I've gotten into a general routine in terms of cooking, eating, doing work, taking a shower, even going without coffee. It was definitely a bigger battle than I had imagined. I was thinking that it would be a piece of cake--not to be. Yet, it's also taken significantly less time, considering my overall demeanor a short week ago, for me to adapt. For this I am thankful.

On a more concrete note. Classes are going well. The weather is cold but not rainy. My room is hotter than hot, even without the heat on. Chicken Tikka is amazing. Belhaven makes damn good beer. Rangers are top of the Scottish Premier League and I'm making my first venture to Ibrox on Saturday to see them take on Hearts. I've adapted to lower academic expectations of myself--which are probably not all that low. I'm doing my best to read only 4 or 5 readings per class (unless of course there are fewer than that available.) Oh, and I've grown addicted to Football Manager again. It's a weird feeling to have that entertaining thing which you can't wait to get back to. While it is distracting at times, it's a feeling which I haven't felt in a long time--at least since last summer--so for that I am thankful.

While South Portland is still "home," home is definitely where the heart is, and at this point it's Edinburgh. Thanks be to God that I'm having this chance and that so far I'm making the most of it.