The Fluorescent Paradise

As I was sitting on my desk today (yes I said ON), I was looking around my office thinking, I am going to miss this fluorescent paradise! Though the walls are dingy and the air is cold, there is heart to this place that I am going to miss. I am going to miss eaves dropping in on all of Julianne's conversations, running to the roof for supplies...without proper permission...and staring at the security cameras with a smile because I outsmarted the system by taking the stairs. This place has become like home. My co-workers, like family...well most of them anyway! And, unfortunately time and distance changes those feelings.

I sit below the fluorescent lights wondering what life has for me next. Obviously I will need to get a job in Edinburgh, but what kind of job? Will I fit in? Will I be able to understand people with accents? Will everything be different? I know I will still be me...I will still have the same clothes (was packing them up last night) and have the same best friend...Ian. I also know that those closest to me will always be there for me...even if I am 7500 miles away.

I only have 2 and a half weeks left under these lights. When we part ways, I know I will be sad...

Approved for Entry

Today I had the priviledge of spending the first half of my day at the British Consulate. And, let me tell you, what an experience that was! First off, everything moves slow. Second there is NO privacy. And third, it is about the nicest goverment agency I have ever scene...maybe the Brits do a much better job a this than the Americans! After waiting for over an hour after our appointment was supposed to start, it was finally our turn at "the window". Thankfully the lady was nice and quickly processed our visas. She did tell us some interesting facts about Scotland in the process...."it's dreadfully cold", "you see castles in Scotland like you see 7-11s in the US"...things like that. The interesting part of the visa process came in the hour and a half (we got there early for our appointment) of waiting where I got to see everyone else be processed. Being that there is NO privacy, I could hear everything that was happening. Things like a guy being in the US illegally, a guy that was denied entry to the UK and a lady who married a guy from there and was now trying to join him. It was all interesting, yet boring at the same time! Anyhow, we got our visas and got out...I think this means we are officially going.

The Change Begins

Well folks, my life is officially changing. Today "the replacement" began...this means I am really leaving. I can't even believe it. Though I walked in this morning with a whole slew of emotions, it really wasn't that bad. The replacement (Sam) is a good guy. My only worry is that I won't train him very well. But, I will strive my best to teach him everything he needs to know.

Also, today was mine and Ian's day in court. We finally made it to small claims court. And, I finally got to see what good 'ole Michael Khan looked like...definitely not a looker. Even though I wanted to jump up in court and call him a rat bastard, I held it in and am now waiting for the judge to make a decision. The good 'ole female judge decided to waive her right to make a decision today. She now has five days to hand down her judgement. The waiting begins...

P.S. The pic is my "before court" pic...I was trying to put on my game face...who know's if it worked or not.