So, Glasgow Uni uses an online network for academic assignments, announcements, et cetera. It’s the same one Wittenberg used, actually – moodle. Now, if you were to find my student profile on moodle, there’d be a little tagline under my name. This is customizable by the student. Mine says: “24. American. Female. Homeless. Unemployed. Sleepy.” Because it’s all true.
I’ve been applying for jobs online, for everything from waitress to distillery tour guide to author of educational materials. I even managed to swing an interview for street fundraiser. Unfortunately, those businesses that even bothered to answer me – which only number two or three – are somehow not interested in hiring a perky young American. Shocking, I know.
Ryan, at least, has gotten some shifts helping out at the Tron Theatre, where he worked pre-JET. I’m not sure whether it’s just a temporary December post or what, but it’s certainly better than nothing! Plus, he’s gotten to reconnect with a lot of old buddies there. We had some drinks with the Tron crew, and frankly, I think they’re great. Super friendly bunch!
For my part, I have managed to wrangle out some student loans, but I’d reeeally like a part-time job to round out my finances. Especially when it comes to dealing with the previous adjective on my painfully honest moodle profile – namely, homeless.
Ryan and I viewed a couple of flats at the end of October, but those didn’t really go anywhere. One was in a nice neighborhood, but ultimately unpleasant. The other was awesome, but in a questionable neighborhood. We might have moved on it anyway, once we had the money to, but it got snapped up in the meantime.
We do, however, have another flat viewing tomorrow, and I am crossing my fingers! Nice location definitely, and looks decent from the photos. What’s really got me anxious now is whether the letting agents accept student loans as a source of income?! I can pay the rent, I promise…!
In the meantime, I’ve been punching, kicking, and karate chopping my way through the term, one class at a time. Now there’s only one left standing between me and winter break, for two hours tomorrow evening. I’m going to miss this particular class, actually. It’s taught by my favorite professor, and we’ve read some really interesting novels. Let me just round out the aforementioned reading list with my impressions of the last few books:
“In the Driver’s Seat” by Muriel Spark – Bizarre, but somehow captivating. She packs a lot of tension into a seemingly innocuous plot, by hinting at what’s going to happen at the end…and it is a very gripping conclusion, let me tell you. Quick read, and interesting.
“Fugitive Pieces” by Anne Michaels – Beautifully written book, about WWII in Greece, and the personal aftermath. Very lyrical. Sometimes it was slightly overwritten, or packed too much with science babble, but overall I found it a satisfying read.
"The Intuitionist" by Colson Whitehead – Really cool novel. It's set in a universe just slightly alternate to our own, and cleverly challenges the readers' assumptions. Whitehead's writing is fantastic, and the metaphors all operate on a number of levels; racism, politics, capitalism, religion...
“Out Stealing Horses” by Per Petterson – Also beautifully written, and I suppose, beautifully translated from the original Norwegian. Hard to say what it’s about, exactly…growing older, perhaps, and the recurrence of the past. The pacing is slow, but intentionally so, and it works perfectly in the context of the story. Simultaneously very moving and very relaxing. This may be one to reread.
Next term I've got Kei Miller's craft class, which has an intriguing reading list, and has received (mostly) good reviews from this term's students. I'm looking forward to it! As for other classes, next year our workshop groups remain the same, but we’ll be getting new moderators. Word on the street is that our group is getting Zoe, who I can’t remember meeting, but everyone says is a very nice lady. Unfortunately, two members of our workshop have gone part-time, and are thus leaving the group; Amy and (standard) Paul, who are both lovely individuals. Their comments and presence shall be missed!
It’s hard to believe that it’s really December, and nearly a week in, at that! I’ve done a fair amount of Christmas shopping, and thanks to my good friend the internet, have at least managed to get my immediate family out of the way. The younger members of the sprawling Bewick clan are also doing a Secret Santa. It’s amongst me, Ryan, Kieran, Fiona, Emma, and Caitlin, plus the late addition of cousin CJ and his wife Amanda. They live in Australia, but that’s what the post is for!
The first time we tried to draw for the Secret Santa, Kieran tried something sneaky (as usual). He replaced every name in the draw with his own, so that he’d get every present! Luckily, Emma and Fiona compared notes – even though that’s strictly against the rules! – and discovered his plan. Hence, the redraw.
I’m not sure I mentioned it before, but Kieran and Fiona have recently gotten a cocker spaniel puppy named Barney. He’s mostly gray and black, with dark ears and a dark face that makes him look like Darth Vader. (Darth Barney?!) Barney started out very squeaky and shy, but as the weeks progress, he is getting just plain crazy. If it moves, he’ll bite it. If it doesn’t move, he’ll bite it. If it’ll fit all the way in his mouth, he will do his best to actually eat it.
Delicious hand?
They’re trying to train him, but all he’s picked up so far is “sit.” He doesn’t understand that gnawing someone’s arm is ouchy. And we aren’t even sure if he knows his name, yet – we have a terrible tendency to call him by nicknames, and he’s probably got an identity disorder. (Barnstable, Barndog, Barney Rubble, Barnacle, “little horror”…)
Scotland has been covered in snow for the past week and a half, and Barney has taken to it immediately. He’s especially taken to running out into the backyard and burrowing into the snow, unearthing and then devouring the stale rum cake Ana had put out for the birds. At least no one can doubt his keen sense of smell.
The snow started last Friday, taking us all by surprise. I was caught outside in downtown Glasgow, with Ryan, Chris, and Andrew, who work at the Tron. (Chris I already knew – he was one of Ryan’s two friends who came to visit in Japan.) We were walking over to a little bar and dance club called Firewater, to celebrate Jai Jai’s thirtieth birthday. (Jai Jai was the other guy who came to Japan. Quick cultural note – he’s actually called JJ, after his initials, but it’s apparently a Glaswegian quirk that the letter is pronounced “jai.” Every other letter is normal. Don’t ask me!)
The snow was quite wet, and by the time we actually got to Firewater, we were pretty soaked. We stayed for a couple hours, though, and had a really nice time. When we left to go home, there was a significant pileup of snow outside, and it’s essentially been there ever since, because every time some begins to melt, a whole load of fresh snow comes down to top it off.
Kieran built a snowdude.
Today, it’s finally starting to look a little clearer, though. I usually love the snow, but in this case, I’m rooting for the sun, because I need good weather conditions on Wednesday…when I take off for GERMANY!!
That’s right! I’m going to spend a week and a half in good old Deutschland. I’ll be staying with my brother Reid and his wife Scarlett in Mannheim. (Like the Steamroller! ...But not really.) It’ll be my first glimpse of Europe beyond Glasgow. Seriously…I haven’t even made it to Edinburgh yet! Scandalous! Plus, I’ll be in Germany over Reid’s birthday, which is nice. It’ll be the first one in person for what, three years? Wait. Longer? Have I even seen him on his birthday since he graduated college?!
SHOCK. :O
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