Traditions

Over the last few Christmases, Joe and I have been thinking about Christmas traditions. Both of our families have Christmas traditions that just mean Christmas to us and we are eager to carry those on and incorporate those into our own little family. And, we are excited to create some of our own Christmas traditions. We've really had a chance to do that since we've moved to Edinburgh and have been so far from family over the holidays. We've started a few, but I thought I'd share my favorite with you.

For several reasons, Joe and I have decided to put some parameters on our gift giving to each other at Christmas and our new tradition has sort of sprung from those "rules." Last year we agreed on an amount of money we could spend and decided to spend a few hours on Princes Street shopping for each other. We walked over together, split up, and agreed to meet back at a set time. Part of the fun was keeping an eye out for the other and making sure we weren't discovered. When we met back up, we headed over to the German market and had a German lunch.

This year, having enjoyed the last so much, we decided to do something similar--shopping together, but seperately, and doing a special activity afterwards together. After our shopping (where I accidently ran into Joe in a shop), we made our way to The Filmhouse to catch an old Cary Grant Christmas movie. It was so fun to see this old black and white film, that neither of us had ever seen, on the big screen. It was really great. If you've never seen The Bishop's Wife, I suggest you add it to your list, and that you check out this "trailer:"



After two really enjoyable years of shopping and playing, we've agreed to make this a permanent fixture in the Rivera Christmas traditions. I know it's long past Christmas, but I'm curious--what are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?

Christmas

Christmas 2010 was our second Christmas in Edinburgh. We loved our first Christmas here and our second was no different (except that I didn't take a single picture). As much as we do miss our families on the holidays (and, we really do miss them) the past two years have been a really good opportunity for us to create some of our own traditions and to make this a special time for our little family.

On Christmas Eve, we had dinner at the home of friends (with whom we spent last Christmas Eve), along with another couple and their wee baby. It was a really sweet, leisurely evening and was capped off by the midnight service at our church. I have to say this is the first year that I have ever been to my church on Christmas and I loved it. It was really special to worship and celebrate the birth of Jesus with people that I know well and in a setting that is so familiar. It was a lovely service and, though late, we enjoyed bringing in the day with our Edinburgh family.

Joe and I again set Christmas morning aside for our time together. We woke up a bit later than usual and had a special (and light) breakfast and the traditional Schmitt-family hot, spiced cranberry juice! We read the Christmas story and opened gifts and just spent the morning relaxing together before heading out to spend the rest of the day with friends.

Late Christmas morning we joined about six other couples for a Christmas brunch that our friends Rebecca and Scotty hosted. It was so lovely--the food, the table, and the company. All just perfect (check out this link to see some pictures).

After leaving the Manors we made our way to the home of George and Myra, an older couple from our church (who was dance with) for a really special afternoon/evening. After a brisk walk around the Dean Gardens, lead by the very knowledgeable George, we have an absolutely incredible Christmas dinner. But, my favorite part was after dinner when George led us through his family's Austrian Christmas traditions.

Our day ended with phone calls to family and enjoying their merriment, albeit from afar.

It was a special day and we are so grateful for the friends who made us feel like family and the family who loved us even from so many miles.

What's On...

As I am, apparently, prone to do, I've gotten swept up in the busy-ness of life and have neglected my blog. I am sure you've all been waiting with baited breath for my return to the blog-o-sphere. So, wait no more...

The fall turned out to be a very busy few months for us. In a lot of ways, the busy-ness was unexpected and we felt a little caught off-guard and unprepared, sort of swept away with so many things to do. It was all great, but we both entered the Christmas holidays exhausted and ready for a much needed break. This semester is starting off busy as well, but I am feeling a bit more prepared for it. We've given some thought to what we're going to be spending our time on, what we are going to invest in, and considering how we are going to build room in for each other and ourselves, in the midst of the other things we are doing. I am calling it "intentional living" and am feeling good, so far, with what this is looking like for us.

Our parents, and other family members, say they like to know more about what we are doing, so here's a little about what's on tap for us this term (note to readers: please feel free to skip this--I feel a little odd writing about these things--it seems kind of obnoxious--but our families like to know about all this, so this is really for them):

• French classes are resuming for me! I am actually really excited about this as it gives me a weekly opportunity for some formal instruction and opportunity to practice, plus it's a great way to get to know other people in the area (I've got my eye on a couple in the class that I think we might really enjoy getting to know!)

• I am going to continue to help out with a weekly event at our church as a member of the catering team. I, along with a group of really fantastic women, get together to prepare a meal, serve it, and clean up for a weekly course that the church hosts for people interested in learning more about Christianity. I love doing this as it really combines my love of cooking, serving, and being with people. And, I am really enjoying the relationships that are growing out of this for me, on a personal level. I've also started teaching Sunday School (for 5 and 6 year olds), twice a month, which is fun for me as it's a great chance to interact with little kids, which I miss as I now really only work with teenagers in my job at Barnardo's.
  

• I've got some exciting things coming up at work, including taking on all the training that is given, along with my coworker (who I really like working with). We've got training dates in the calendar for the next year and are looking forward to taking our show on the road. The national conference I was meant to present at in December was snowed out, so that's back on the calendar for later this year, giving me more time to refine the material and stress out about it! I'm also getting some really great opportunities to be trained in some various areas that I am really looking forward to.

• My biggest new challenge, at work, will be the new student that I'll be supervising through August (the student is great, so not a challenge in that way). I've supervised in the past, but the work I am doing now is still relatively new to me and in a system that I am still learning, in many ways.
  

• Joe and I are continuing to go to a small group, through our church once a week. This has been one of the best things we've gotten involved in and our group has really become like a family to us--they have really taken care of us, especially during our move in December, and over the holidays. We really have grown to love this very eclectic group of Scots, English folks, and Canadians, young and old.

• Joe is busy tutoring again for 2 new courses and he will be lecturing twice in a third course. This latter opportunity is pretty exciting as the course is taught by Joe's advisor who has invited him in to talk about his own work and to lecture on two of the theologians he is studying. He's also still teaching a distance learning course for a university in Missouri. All great teaching opportunities but they definitely keep him busy busy!
  

• He is also managing, somehow, to make some incredible progress on his dissertation. He has got some chapters completed and is working on what he describes as the most difficult one at present. He's also got some things in the works for (hopeful) publication.

• We've set aside Sundays as "no work allowed" days and have agreed to spend the days taking walks, having leisurely afternoons with friends, reading, watching movies, taking naps, whatever we find restful and rejuvenating on that particular day. So far, that's making a huge difference in being able to start the week well. We've also discovered Friday afternoon bargain matinees at a local movie theater that shows good films--so, I'm flexing some time at work to take off every other week to meet Joe for film. By Fridays, we are usually ready for some down time and this is a really fun way to end the week.

• Finally, we're planning a trip for March. Actually, we aren't yet sure where we are going--tossing a few ideas and dates around, but we're planning to be gone about 10 days and are looking forward to seeing another city and immersing ourselves in another culture. We are also planning a weekend trip to London with some friends for the Royal Wedding (which all my Scottish and English friends think is absolutely ridiculous, but we are excited!).

We'll still be doing our Scottish Country Dancing once a month and are enjoying spontaneous game nights with friends, reading some good books (we're reading a fun Scottish book together every night before bed, among other books that have us both interested), cooking new things, cycling to and fro, and I am determined to keep abreast of the news and to learn about opera this year (these latter two points being my New Year's resolutions).

So, that's us. And, I am determined to keep this blog going! Promise.

And on the 36th day...

After 36 days in our new flat, we have the internet and phone available from the comfort of our very own home. Which means, for better or worse, I'm back on the blogging scene.

Watch this space, as they say here in bonny Scotland, for some thrilling posts on our new flat, our adventurous move, a great holiday in Belgium, and unexpected visit to Amsterdam, Christmas, and so much more!

Blizzard of 2010?

Edinburgh continues to be slammed by some unusual winter weather and I continue to be mesmerized by the snow and the city. It snowed pretty continually all last week before stopping over the weekend. It seemed the worst was behind us when the city (country, really) woke Monday morning to heavily falling snow that didn't stop for 7 hours! As I've said before, Edinburgh--and much of Scotland--isn't really equipped to deal with snowfall like this, as it just doesn't happen often (I honestly have seen backhoes out clearing snow as there aren't enough plows!). So, the streets are still covered with snow and the continued accumulation just results in more and more disruption (trains aren't running, buses are running reduced services, schools have been closed, the airport has been closed, workplaces are closing early and opening late). There are even avalance warnings as people flock to Arthur's Seat and the Pentlands for some sledging and skiing!

Inverleith Park

Water of Leith

It is pretty crazy here and I think a lot of people are getting tired of the disruption to travel and daily life. Still, it's interesting to see how things go on. People are routinely making 2 hour walks to work, if they can't get a bus or drive and, although there are some grumbles, people seem to be taking it in stride and just getting on with things. I think it has brightened people's days as well, and have noticed a lot of people stopping to chat, take pictures, and just enjoy the surroundings. Most people seem to be having fun with it.

The snow has even brought out some unexpected visitors! Today, at work, while on the phone with a client, I noticed something moving outside my window (my office is on the ground floor and my desk overlooks a little patio). I'm so glad my camera was handy so I could capture a picture of this fine fellow.

Mr. Fox

For my part, I've been trying to get out every day, even if I don't have to go to work. It's nice to slow down a bit and to take things in. And, there is something about the snow that just makes this city even more charming and transports you to another time. I just love it. Last week, I took a walk through Inverleith Park and it started to sleet/heavily snow. I ran into a few folks walking their dogs and we had a laugh about how their dogs are so enjoying the snow!

Swans in Inverleith Pond
This is the only unfrozen section, so they were all huddled here together. What you can't see in this picture is a couple of girls feeding them and their dog who was only a couple of feet away from the swans. Didn't really seem to deter anyone!

Inverleith Park

View into the city from Inverleith

Dean Parish Church

Dean Village

New College

Snow person (a little melted)

I promise to stop posting about the snow! I am just so enchanted by it. Has it started snowing where you are?

Moving

I don't think I've mentioned this on the blog, but we are moving this weekend. Not far, just up the hill and to the West End of town. But, moving still. The owners of our flat decided early in the fall to sell the flat and so we were given notice that we'd eventually need to move. We decided to start looking in September and if the right flat came up, we'd go for it. Well, a flat did come up that fit many of our needs/wants and so we decided to act on it. And, so we are now moving from our dear flat in Dean Village.

I probably haven't said anything about it because I am just so sad to be moving from this particular flat. I love Dean Village (hello charm and beauty!) and I love this flat. I like to think of myself as adaptable and I don't usually get attached to places and things (I mean, I have moved a fair number of times by this point and can't ever remember being too worked up over it). Although, this is an unsolicited change (I did not ask for this--in fact, I imagined spending our entire time in Edinburgh in this flat) and I do know that I don't usually have immediate openness to unsolicited changes.

The most picturesque place I have ever lived!

But, really, it's more than that. This has been our first home in Edinburgh and in many ways it the first home that is ours (Joe moved into my St. Louis apartment for the first year we were married). This charming little place has been our sanctuary through the joys--and trials--of expatriating, making new friends, starting new studies, new work, developing our relatively new marriage, and--well--just life. This sweet place has hosted our first visitors from the states, new friends for dinners, farewell parties, cook-outs, game nights, and holidays. It's been filled with laughter, fellowship, quiet, conversation, some tears, and lots of fun. It's really just been home. Which is a blessing seeing as we are so far from "home" right now.

Home

We've actually moved everything out today, but I am insisting on spending one last night here. I just really don't want to leave.

I'll post about the move (read: adventure) and the new place once I've grieved this one and settled into the new one. In the meantime, tell me about the place that's most been home to you and what made it so.

More snow!

Well, it keeps snowing. Schools have been closed two days, the airport has shut down twice in 24 hours, trains and buses are delayed and canceled. It's a bit mad. But, it sure is beautiful.

The Meadows

Arthur's Seat

From our living room window

View from the dining room

I'm not sure why, but this snow is making me positively giddy. I love, love, love it. Love walking in it, love throwing snow balls at a certain someone, love seeing everything all covered in snow, love watching it fall. Just love it.

What is your favorite thing about snow?