On Tuesday we headed on south to Blackford to look at a flat for 366 a month each. There I met my flatmates, Sophie and Caoimh (this is pronounced "Kwe-ov"), for the first time. We toured the flat and it was very nicely decorated with good sized rooms. The area was really nice and it was right across from a lovely church. We walked away feeling really optimistic about it since it was the first flat we'd seen and set high standards. However, I was feeling a little shifty about it because the area was extremely residential and there was only a small grocer nearby. It was a mile and a half from my campus and even farther from Caoimh's but it was really close by to Sophie's King's Buildings where a lot of the physical sciences are.
Next we walked over to Dalkeith in the area of Newington to look at another property for 366 a month each. This one had shops right across the street but they weren't really any you'd want to go into and it just felt a bit dodgy. I thought it might be an up and coming area because just looking up the street it felt a lot nicer. This one too had good rooms but the stairwell was dirty and with the surrounding area (Mama got bad vibes) we pretty much decided no but kept it in the back of our minds just in case.
For our last flat of the day we headed back over to Morningside to see another flat for 400 a month each. But the moment we looked in, we knew it wasn't worth that much. The floors were all uneven (they were covered with carpet and as you stepped you could feel the floorboards move up) and the kitchen was the size of a pantry and the fridge was in a closet! We walked out immediately and walked back over to Blackford to look at the area around the property again. I still felt uneasy about the distance so we kept our appointments for Wednesday as a backup and decided to think about it. My mom and I headed back to our flat in Tollcross and the more we talked about it, the more we knew that flat wasn't what I wanted. My whole reasoning of coming to Edinburgh was to be in a central place where I could walk to shops and restaurants and be near everything. Being a mile and a half from my classes in Blackford, I knew I wouldn't walk anywhere, especially with all rain. All I would do is go home, get in my pjs, and do nothing for the rest of the day. I spent all night fretting and didn't fall asleep until after 3.
Wednesday morning, Sophie and Caoimh met at our flat and I shared my worries. We went to our first appointment with an open mind. Our first flat was in Marchmont and it had three large bedrooms, a large kitchen, a large living/diner, a family bathroom, and one room had an en-suite. In Britain, properties must be HMO (housing for multiple occupants) in order for three or more people with different last names (aka unrelated) to live together. To make a property HMO we were told you need firedoors on everything. The kitchen is internal which means it has no windows and is in it's own little room with a door off the hall. I loved this flat even though it was a little expensive for everyone. I budgeted 500 pounds a month for my flat and flat related bills. I wasn't sure what the others would think. This one was just a few blocks from the Meadows and shopping and restaurants. The location was so quiet and perfect. It was right across the street from a high school (haha hopefully no marching band practice in the mornings like at the high school near my house!) and the only big downsides were that it had single glazing (meaning one window pane instead of two which can mean it'll be colder and louder) and there was only a washer. No dryer. When we saw the flat, the tenants were in it because they thought the appointment was at 12 when it was at 11. It turns out one of the girls was the daughter of the landlord so while we were standing outside talking she came outside and answered a few more questions we had.
We couldn't stop talking about the property as we walked a half mile over, still in Marchmont, to our next viewing. The place was nice but it was up a few flights of stairs and the kitchen was pretty small (even though it was attached to the living/dining room), as was one of the bedrooms. It did have a separate WC (water closet aka toilet) which I liked but it was 400 too and if it was between that 400 property and the one we'd just seen, I knew I wanted the other.
There was a nice little cafe next to that flat so we sat down and said what we were all thinking. Everyone loved the first property but I was anxious because it was a mile and a half from Sophie's campus which was exactly what I'd been complaining about before. It was a little over a half mile to my classes and about a mile to Caoimh's (it was 2 miles from Blackford). But she loved it too because of the area. I knew I would take the en-suite for 430 and the girls would get their rooms for 385 each. To make it work, I've decided to not get as fancy a phone as I was originally thinking so I can save about 15 pounds a month of that (maybe more). We rushed over to the letting agency and put down a holding deposit. Since I'm an American and don't have a UK guarantor (basically someone in the UK who will pay for you if you don't pay and be responsible for you and you need one if you're a student/under 25) I have to pay my whole rent up front. It's annoying a little bit but at the same time it's nice because I'll then know exactly how much money I have left once I pay my university fees.
We did have a panic moment while at the letting agency. The agent told us he thought the landlord would only do a 9 month lease, so ending in June. We told him we needed 12 and have twenty minutes or so of suspension, he said he'd do "eleven and a half". So our move out day is the last 'official' day of my programme on August 31st. So we've got our flat! Yay! I'm so excited! We move in the 10th of September. On the 2nd, my mom and I are leaving our Tollcross flat for a bed and breakfast in Newington. She leaves on the 6th so I've extended my stay there until the 11th. On the tenth I'll get our keys and start moving stuff over to the flat. Then that weekend Sophie and Caoimh should move over. I still didn't get much sleep last night but this time it wasn't because I was anxious, it was because I'm so excited!!
Today, Mom and I were tourists and went on an open top city bus. I finally took a lot of pictures of the city which I'm about to post on my facebook for viewing. We also bought some pillows because I find the pillows in this flat terribly uncomfortable and I was wondering if that was why I couldn't sleep. We'll see tonight!
Until next time!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
We're Heeerreeeee
We left for Dulles International Airport around 1:45 pm on Sunday afternoon so that we could be on time for our 5:20 pm flight to Newark, NJ to grab our connecting flight straight to Edinburgh at 8:00 pm. Mom had checked the flight status before we left but, of course, the moment we got to the airport ticket counter to check in to our Continental flight, we were told it'd been cancelled. They then put us on the 7:20 pm flight to Newark and the 10:00 pm flight to Edinburgh. We went through security, had a lunch/dinner, and waited for the flight. Around 5ish we saw a sign that said the 7:20 flight was delayed but I wasn't sure whether it was delayed from a while ago and the new time was 7:20 or if it was now delayed later than 7:20. So we went and stood in line at the counter and the lady was like, "You need to get on this flight that's leaving right now." Apparently there was a much earlier flight to Newark that had been delayed forever and was finally leaving at 5:45 and there were three seats left. She gave them to us and we got on one of those super tiny planes where you have to walk along the runway and up stairs to get on it. We were worried our luggage wouldn't get transferred in time but I saw it being put on as we walked up. Such a relief!
Pretty much it was the worst flight ever. There was horrible turbulence and because the plane was so small (it had little propellers on the sides and fit like 20 people) it was being thrown all around like a rollercoaster ride. I was so scared! But I was sitting next to a flight attendant who was getting a free ride and across from our flight attendant and they talked the whole time and weren't worried so I think that calmed me a bit. But no wonder so many flights were cancelled! The weather in Newark was really bad and we had to keep circling around before landing, making it even worse because it just kept stretching it out. We thankfully landed in Newark safe and sound around 7:45 (really the flight should have taken an hour) and began to wait for our flight to Edinburgh. We talked to some really lovely, kind people while our flight was delayed again and again. We ended up taking off around midnight and got into Edinburgh around noon (with our original flight we would have gotten there at 7:45am). I was so proud of myself - I slept nearly the whole way! I've never been able to do that before! I guess 12 hours of pretty much just delays is enough to pass anyone out.
All our luggage got through in one piece and it was easy to get through immigration. We took a taxi to a flat in New Town where the manager of the flat we were renting lived. She ended up just hopping in the taxi with us and we drove to our flat in Tollcross. Aaand of course, she forgot her set of keys so we had to wait for someone else to come over and let us in. It's very well decorated and very modern! It's in a very nice, central area but on a side street so it's not too noisy. There is a little nursery school right across the street and it's so cute to watch the little children ride around on little cycles wearing bright yellow reflective vests on a track. And there's also a club called ignite and lava nearby. I imagine they are naughty places as there are outlines of women's bodies on the back of the building...I find it very interesting that it's randomly there next to a nursery and primary school!
Mom and I knew we had to stay up so we headed up to the main Princes Street and found the Virgin Mobile store to see if I could set up my mobile phone but I need a UK address before I can set one up. So, my next post will be all about my search for a flat, coming tomorrow! In the meantime, I brought my phone from Ireland so I think I'll just get pay as you go for that for emergencies (although my charger is dead - killed by Zeus NOMs) so I might have to just buy one.
Edinburgh seems really lovely! It's already poured on us, of course, and drizzled quite a few times. It's going to be really hard to get used to but it really doesn't diminish the loveliness of the city. The architecture is so amazing! This city has so much culture and history. I think the US has more natural beauty but Scotland has lovely aspects. I can't wait to explore!
Until we meet again!
Pretty much it was the worst flight ever. There was horrible turbulence and because the plane was so small (it had little propellers on the sides and fit like 20 people) it was being thrown all around like a rollercoaster ride. I was so scared! But I was sitting next to a flight attendant who was getting a free ride and across from our flight attendant and they talked the whole time and weren't worried so I think that calmed me a bit. But no wonder so many flights were cancelled! The weather in Newark was really bad and we had to keep circling around before landing, making it even worse because it just kept stretching it out. We thankfully landed in Newark safe and sound around 7:45 (really the flight should have taken an hour) and began to wait for our flight to Edinburgh. We talked to some really lovely, kind people while our flight was delayed again and again. We ended up taking off around midnight and got into Edinburgh around noon (with our original flight we would have gotten there at 7:45am). I was so proud of myself - I slept nearly the whole way! I've never been able to do that before! I guess 12 hours of pretty much just delays is enough to pass anyone out.
All our luggage got through in one piece and it was easy to get through immigration. We took a taxi to a flat in New Town where the manager of the flat we were renting lived. She ended up just hopping in the taxi with us and we drove to our flat in Tollcross. Aaand of course, she forgot her set of keys so we had to wait for someone else to come over and let us in. It's very well decorated and very modern! It's in a very nice, central area but on a side street so it's not too noisy. There is a little nursery school right across the street and it's so cute to watch the little children ride around on little cycles wearing bright yellow reflective vests on a track. And there's also a club called ignite and lava nearby. I imagine they are naughty places as there are outlines of women's bodies on the back of the building...I find it very interesting that it's randomly there next to a nursery and primary school!
Mom and I knew we had to stay up so we headed up to the main Princes Street and found the Virgin Mobile store to see if I could set up my mobile phone but I need a UK address before I can set one up. So, my next post will be all about my search for a flat, coming tomorrow! In the meantime, I brought my phone from Ireland so I think I'll just get pay as you go for that for emergencies (although my charger is dead - killed by Zeus NOMs) so I might have to just buy one.
Edinburgh seems really lovely! It's already poured on us, of course, and drizzled quite a few times. It's going to be really hard to get used to but it really doesn't diminish the loveliness of the city. The architecture is so amazing! This city has so much culture and history. I think the US has more natural beauty but Scotland has lovely aspects. I can't wait to explore!
Until we meet again!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Last Day In America
Wow. It's my last day in America for four months! I can't believe I won't be back until the middle/end of December! I already know things are going to look so different around here. There is a lot of construction going on with the Inter-County Connector and a lot of buildings in Olney and Burtonsville are being remodelled with new restaurants going in. I can't wait to see what it all looks like when I come home for Christmas!
My flight tomorrow isn't until the early evening but I'm pretty much all packed. I've got a lot of stuff (don't feel bad, Dianna - one year, one year, one year). It's a huge green LLBean Duffel bag, a large blue roller suitcase, a small-medium blue roller suitcase (this one might have to be exchanged for a larger roller suitcase of my dad's once I weigh everything and stuff those few last minute things in because right now I can tell everything is already pushing the 50 pound weight limit), my large backpack, and my computer bag.
I lost one of my flatmates this morning. Louise got a good deal by living with one of her friends. The moment I saw her email this morning, I knew what it was. I don't know why but I felt like I knew all along that she was going to leave. I can understand why she did it but it was really last minute so now Caoimh, Sophie, and I are scrambling to find three bedroom flats so they can make viewing appointments on Monday and cancel all the four bedroom flats we had booked. While we could have looked for one more person, being in the middle of this big transition I don't have the energy to interview anyone else and I'd rather share one bathroom with two other girls than three other girls because we couldn't find any four bedroom/2 bathrooms that were still available.
My next post will be from Edinburgh, Scotland. Can you believe it? We'll be in the middle of the festival so I'm sure there will be a lot going on. I can't wait to meet Sophie and Caoimh finally! Yay adventure!
My flight tomorrow isn't until the early evening but I'm pretty much all packed. I've got a lot of stuff (don't feel bad, Dianna - one year, one year, one year). It's a huge green LLBean Duffel bag, a large blue roller suitcase, a small-medium blue roller suitcase (this one might have to be exchanged for a larger roller suitcase of my dad's once I weigh everything and stuff those few last minute things in because right now I can tell everything is already pushing the 50 pound weight limit), my large backpack, and my computer bag.
I lost one of my flatmates this morning. Louise got a good deal by living with one of her friends. The moment I saw her email this morning, I knew what it was. I don't know why but I felt like I knew all along that she was going to leave. I can understand why she did it but it was really last minute so now Caoimh, Sophie, and I are scrambling to find three bedroom flats so they can make viewing appointments on Monday and cancel all the four bedroom flats we had booked. While we could have looked for one more person, being in the middle of this big transition I don't have the energy to interview anyone else and I'd rather share one bathroom with two other girls than three other girls because we couldn't find any four bedroom/2 bathrooms that were still available.
My next post will be from Edinburgh, Scotland. Can you believe it? We'll be in the middle of the festival so I'm sure there will be a lot going on. I can't wait to meet Sophie and Caoimh finally! Yay adventure!
Monday, August 16, 2010
If it was a week from today, I'd be there
OMG one week left! I can't believe it! In fact, if it was a week from today, I'd be there already. This week, I've got lots of last minute things to do and lots of last minute people to see.
Throughout the week I'm going to try and spend as much time with my kitteh, Zeus, as possible. I'm going to miss him so much! He likes to get in trouble (aka go outside and start brawls with the wild cats across the street) so I'm hoping he's good while I'm gone. I mean, how can you not miss this cute face and his PINK nose??
MONDAY:
Throughout the week I'm going to try and spend as much time with my kitteh, Zeus, as possible. I'm going to miss him so much! He likes to get in trouble (aka go outside and start brawls with the wild cats across the street) so I'm hoping he's good while I'm gone. I mean, how can you not miss this cute face and his PINK nose??
- Finish cleaning up after the party, which was great! There was a huge turnout and I got to see a lot of people before I leave. I, unfortunately, didn't get to take a lot of pictures because I just didn't think about it.
- Begin packing - rationalize taking an entire suitcase full of shoes and purses.
- Watch Valentine's Day
- See my friends, Brittany and Myrissa
- Stop by work for lunch with Meg and go to Borders
- Do another round of packing
- Finish my initial packing
- Go to the mall
- Go out to dinner in Baltimore with Meg and Meredith from work
- Call banks/credit card companies to tell them I'm going out of the country
- Change my GEICO policy
- Dinner in Rockville with my high school friends, Colleen and Allison
- Project Runway
- finish packing again
- Try to convince someone to see The Switch with me?
- last minute stuff.
- Fly away!
Saturday, August 7, 2010
T- Two Weeks!
It's just t minus two weeks until I leave for Edinburgh! I've been working hard and have finally found a group of girls (I hope) to go flat hunting with and then leave with for the year! They are:
I hope we all get along! I've been talking to Caoimh since around May and Sophie and Louise in just the last few weeks but they all sound so nice! But who knows what will happen when we all come together. My hope is that we can all spend time together occasionally for nights in and out, share a supper or two, and just have someone to talk to. I'm pretty sure we're all nearly in the same boat not knowing anyone pretty much. Although, luckily I will now know someone in the UK! My cousin Julie and her husband are moving to England in October so I can't wait for that! I have already reserved Thankgiving with them :)
It's been getting pretty stressful here already. Being an American going abroad, I feel like there's so much stuff I need to get ready. Stuff that I wouldn't need to do if I was just going to graduate school somewhere in the US. I officially had my last day at work yesterday (YAY!) so now I have time to focus on everything. This week I plan to:
- Caoimh - she's 23 and getting her LLM in International Law; originally from Cork, Ireland
- Sophie - she's 22 and getting her PhD in Chemistry; originally from around Belfast, Northern Ireland
- Louise - she's 26 and getting her MSc in Global Health and Public Policy; originally from Cambridge, England
I hope we all get along! I've been talking to Caoimh since around May and Sophie and Louise in just the last few weeks but they all sound so nice! But who knows what will happen when we all come together. My hope is that we can all spend time together occasionally for nights in and out, share a supper or two, and just have someone to talk to. I'm pretty sure we're all nearly in the same boat not knowing anyone pretty much. Although, luckily I will now know someone in the UK! My cousin Julie and her husband are moving to England in October so I can't wait for that! I have already reserved Thankgiving with them :)
It's been getting pretty stressful here already. Being an American going abroad, I feel like there's so much stuff I need to get ready. Stuff that I wouldn't need to do if I was just going to graduate school somewhere in the US. I officially had my last day at work yesterday (YAY!) so now I have time to focus on everything. This week I plan to:
- Organize all my Scotland papers
- Change my auto-insurance
- Cancel my health insurance. Since I'm going back to school full-time, I get to mooch off my parents insurance again. Thanks Obama!
- Head to the bank to do some paperwork stuff
- Get car washed and buy a car cover
- Go to the eye doctor
- Get my hair done
- Go to the gym every day (please, please actually do this!)
- Clean, clean, clean the house (see below for reason why)
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