Destination Ed-in-burrrr-aah

I mean why not? Nessie. Kilts. Bagpipes. Braveheart. That's pretty much how my brain processed Scotland whenever it came up in conversation. Well, used to. I now can add several other things like: rain, haggis, scotch, castles, clan wars, stone walls, highland cows, amazingly clean air. 

I left Rome on a hot muggy Friday morning and arrived in Edinburgh Scotland a few hours later to find low fog and drizzling rain. Even with my boots, jeans, and layers (the top one being a short sleeved sweater) I got crazy looks from bystanders. Sure it was a good 30 degree cooler than Italy, but this Monterey girl felt right at home as I found my way through the fog and rain to find my coworkers at the hotel. I found them no problem, and was promptly given shortbread cookies from their stash that had been refilled after the raid of the maid's cart. Fortified with sugar and tea we headed out to do exploring around New Town.

The first destination was The Georgian House located on Charlotte Square. New Town's start was in 1750 when Old Town started to get too crowded and many wanted to provide a better environment for the wealthy. The house looked like it belonged in one of PBS' historical movies- complete with the servants bell outside the kitchen door with each bell labeled with the location. As we toured the dinning room, bed rooms, drawing room, parlour the realization that I would have died growing up in this time period sunk it. I'm not sure if my parents would have been able to marry me off; have you seen my needle point skills?! Then again we found some rather fun clothes in the play room, but since we weren't exactly their target audience there was nothing that would fit...so we had to settle for bonnets.

Our next stop was a scenic walk through Rose Street where we spun the VitaminWater wheel and all walked away with "gold medals and bottles of their newest flavor. Hydration is important, especially when you're continuing your walking tour that will eventually land you at the Edinburgh's Disgrace, but more on that later because we have lots of other things to talk about- like all the fun things along Princes Street! 

For those of you that have traveled with me, you know I like to do the "oh! look at that thing up there...let's go find out what it is" method of traveling. Well, along Princes Street there were lots of pointy towers and interesting buildings so I was in heaven. Granted my travel companions may have not appreciated my method, but I let them help pick the order. It worked out- the perfect balance between wandering but still having a destination. As we walked along the park (so much green) both museums and monuments lined our walk. I was happy because we found the Old Calton Burial Grounds and on the gray day, the stones looked beautiful with the green grass growing up along side. Yep. I love old cemeteries almost as much as windows! Although it was in the cemetery that I realized things weren't that old here in Scotland. Guess that's because everything was destroyed? And let's face it...I'm living in an ancient civilization zone. Not much can beat the ruins I see on a daily basis...

But then we saw it!
What did you see Katie?
Thanks for asking.

On top of Calton Hill we saw several monuments. Apparently Edinburgh is known as the Athens of the North. I still don't fully understand this comparison, but as such apparently they needed their own parthenon. Well, a partially completed one. The National Monument of Scotland AKA Scotland's/Edinburgh's Disgrace was originally planned to commemorate the Scottish soldiers and sailors who fought in the Napoleonic Wars. That was the plan, until funding fell short and it was never finished. (Typical government project?!) Apparently proposals have been made to revamp the project on several historic events but again funding issues and lack of local enthusiasm have ended any plans.

The view from the hill was amazing providing a near 360 degree view of Edinburgh and the surrounding communities. The Royal Mile laid out beneath us and the ancient volcano (now seriously eroded after a glacier wiped out large portions of it) towered above just about everything. The water ways connected the surrounding pieces of land while reflecting the gray sky. It was absolutely stunning. Toss in a few little birds splashing around in rain puddles and make the air heavy with the scent of fresh fallen rain and well, I was ready to pack up my bags and relocate!

Mud Run: 2012

Some days it feels like I just got here. Other days it seems like I've been here too long and it's time to hit a Target immediately. Days like today though, make me realize that I've been here over a year and in that time I've carved a niche out for myself.

Last year on the day of the mud run I had just moved into my castle, was Nico-less, and still knew very few people. This year's edition? Um, well my house may still look like I just moved in at times, but the Nico fur helps with that...but I knew a ton of people at the race! I even had friends and coworkers join me this time around for the 5K event.


Pre-race photoshoot

The course was tougher than last year, but with all that running Lori makes me do, our time was an improvement on last year even with the increased numbers of obstacles like climbing a wall, tires, and sandbags trying to knock us out. Note to self: don't play video games the night prior that required throwing punches because you need your arms for the belly crawl! 

The course & all its challenges

So once we were done with the race (and not too muddy) it was time to get muddy and have some fun! Or you know, running partners- and friends need some therapy after all those miles in heat and if that's not enough...wall climbs are not easy for those of us with t-rex arms!

Post race fun in the mud

Operation Overboard

232 kids, 15 containers of cornstarch, 7 2L bottles of Diet Pepsi, 5 ocean insights, and 1 large squid only begins to summarize this year's VBS volunteering adventure.

Seriously.

Last week I dove into Operation Overboard with a bazillion kids and only slightly fewer volunteers as the Exploration Station leader.

Translation?
I was in charge of all the science experiments that tied into the week. Yep- I always knew I'd use my biology degree one of these days! Maybe not quite exactly the way that I thought I'd be using it, but apparently I was the only one willing to take on this challenge. Well, not the only one...my fearless co leader from the green team last year VOLUNTEERED to help out with the station. Good thing too because as our experiments didn't turn out as planned just hours before show time, I needed her brain power to revamp the lesson/tie in to our ocean insight of the day. Hey, I was there for the science part- you know, to make a mess and make things explode.

Just like last year, the week proved to be a challenge, especially as the sleep deficit increased with the long commute home each night. The botched experiments, supply shortages, lack of voice, & messes to clean up each day were only magnified with said lack of sleep. Fortunately, each evening while I was chatting with the parents they relayed stories told by their kids which was my motivation to get up the next morning to do it all again. Well, the promise of beer and burgers Friday night after clean up may have aided a tad...

Among the challenges each night I was reminded why I was there...for the kids. The first night was a success- attack of the slime. And yes, I do mean attack! By the end of the night the cornstarch/water mixture was over the tables, chairs, floor, clothes, and kids. Success? You betcha. (By the way, I just checked yesterday and there is cornstarch back on the shelf at the commissary if anyone wanted to know.)

Perhaps the most hilarious part is learning what happens when you ask "what do you think will happen?" to kids age 5-11:

When I add salt to the oil & water, what will happen?
What do you think will happen when raisins go in the soda?
If we shine this black light on this water- what will the water do?

Believe it or not, the answer is the same for all of these questions- it's going to explode!

I think that means in scientific terms:
(H₁): An explosion will be observed no matter what Miss Katie mixes together.
(H₀):  No explosion will be observed when Miss Katie mixes items together.

Needless to say, we were unable to reject the null hypothesis many a times during the week, so I decided that we were going to make something explode on the last night. Of course tying in volcanoes to the ocean insight of "change the world" is easy- volcanoes change the geography- easy enough. Making sure that a 5 year old doesn't leave VBS thinking that s/he will explode if s/he becomes a Christian a little bit of a challenge. Making sure the kids don't have volcano nightmares, even more of a challenge!

Luckily living here in volcano central most of them realize that not all volcanoes spew out lava. Of course that didn't stop a 3 year old from telling me "don't touch the lava, you'll die" after our baking soda and vinegar volcano. So naturally I had to put my finger in the soapy red suds to prove him wrong to which he responded "oh, it's fake lava!" Someone give the kid a gold star.

Some of the other memorable kids' quotes from this week were:

Oh, I stand corrected.
The raisins can't make up their minds!
Tigers are my favorite ocean animal.
(When asked about their Bible story time) Once upon a time there was a princess...

By closing on Friday night, a little sticky from exploding Diet Pepsi/Menthos volcanoes all night (don't you dare waste Diet Coke on such things!), it was great seeing all the kids perform for their parents. And yes, despite not being a Dive Guide this year, some of the girls from the purple team insisted that I get up there to perform Undignified. Funny how long that song seems when you're up there flapping your arms like a chicken and realize far too many of your coworkers are in the audience. Oh well- it's all for the kids right?

Clean up was a breeze with our relocation to outside for the last night and before too long we were on our way for the VBS tradition of beer and burgers. And let me tell you, that beer was fabulous!

Oh and I'm going to throw it out there now, because it's going to take lots of applicants to find a Tanya replacement for next year---who wants to be my co leader?  I can't promise we won't have many hiccups along the week. I definitely can't promise that the kids will listen. I can't even promise what we'll be doing. BUT I can promise there will be a burger and beer waiting for you on Friday night in celebration of another successful WEEK-O-VBS!

1 August Notice

To the crazy, wonderful, unpredictable Italian drivers:

Thank you for the last 11 months filled of sudden 3 lane transitions to make your exit. Thank you for your creative interpretations of what those white lines mean (you really are supposed to drive between them). I've enjoyed our time spent at standstills on account of you wanted to have a conversation with a friend on the sidewalk.

Scooter drivers, this one is also for you and your weaving at excessive speeds through traffic; halting to turn your bike 90 degrees to change lanes in stand still traffic; horn toots notifying your presence.

Buon viaggio e visto en setembre! And thank you for the open roads. Come to think of it, if you want to take September off as well I don't think many would complain.