Geetings from Edinburgh, Scotland!

Hi from beautiful Edinburgh. It was such a relief to leave the hot, suffocating Texas heat for the cool 60 degree weather here. I am definitely missing the food though. It takes some getting use to. Well, I made it to Scotland and met my host counselor, Ken Donald and his lovely wife Rose. They are great!! I feel so welcome here.

Things started off rough at first. I missed my connection flight to Edinburgh and the airline lost my luggage, but things are getting sorted out slowly. Edinburgh has beautiful parks and I love to sit on a bench and watch the beautiful fountain. There's a large park below the castle and the whole place is filled with ancient trees and rows and rows of sweet smelling roses. It is heaven on earth!! Just in case you forgot where you were, a man dressed in full kilt-attire, plays beautiful and haunting melodies on the bagpipes on the steps of the park. It is wonderful.

In case you are wondering, the picture above is what I refer to as my "mug shot." This was taken just after I found out that my bags were lost. It is of me, my husband Bryan, and my host counselor Ken. I haven't had much time to take pictures of Edinburgh, but I will soon! Stay tune for more updates!!!

"I'm leaving on a jet plane..."

...well, you know the rest. Tomorrow I leave for Edinburgh. I hope a have a stress-free travel day too. I am so excited, but also a little melancholy. To all my friends and family, I hope you will check my blog often and see what I am up to. I will cherish my memories of Corpus and San Antonio.

I want to thank my sponsor counselor, Tiffany Hull, for all her hard work. I want to also thank the Corpus Christi Rotary Club for their support. I am so proud to be representing such a wonderful group of dedicated and talented people!

I've already scheduled a couple of speeches with the Edinburgh Rotary Clubs. I like to hit the ground running. I've also scheduled a couple property viewings. I hope we find a flat soon! Well better sign off for now. My family is having a little going away dinner for me. Time to eat cake!!Wish me luck!!!

By the way, the picture is a young me enjoying a yummy whipped cream cake. I love cake!!

On Vacation...

Today, we got everything into storage. My mom and dad helped us move so it went a lot smoother than expected. I've also sold my car. Now, I can relax and spend time with friends and family before I head off to Scotland on August 21st.

I also have great news...I finally have my host counselor! His name is Ken Donald and he seems really nice. He is from the Rotary Club of Polmont. He loves to travel and he probably has great stories to tell about his travels. He has been to Rome, which is my dream vacation location. I would love to see his pictures. He and his wife, Rose, are meeting us at the airport. I am relieved to have some guidance! I've also found a beautiful B & B to stay in Linlithgow, near Edinburgh while we search for a flat. Now it's time to get some much needed R & R!

Last Day at the Texas State Aquarium

Well, Friday was my last day at TSA. It was a bittersweet day, because I am so excited to be starting my studies in Edinburgh soon, but I am also sad because I am leaving such a wonderful and fulfilling job. There is a common saying that you should work to live and not live to work, but working at the Aquarium was both. Although it is often hard work, we also get to raise money to help inspire, educate, and rehabilitate. We get to learn about and even play with the animals. Work doesn't always seem like work and you end the day feeling like you made a difference.

I heard, Doug, a TSA staff member say last week that he was busy with an alligator project. Questions like this, and "where are the 'sea beavers'" (a.k.a. the river otters), can only be heard at the Aquarium and it made me reflect on the unique and wonderful job I had. Available TSA staff gathered in the Dolphin Bay Underwater Viewing Room on Friday, to take a group picture for me and another girl leaving to take with us. Although this is only a fraction of the hardworking staff, I was touched that staff from all departments showed up. Of course, I ended the day with a goodbye tequila shot from a neighboring bar. It was a great ending to a wonderful chapter in my life. As I look forward to the next chapter of my life, I will always reflect on this chapter with fondness and laughter.