So, what happened since May? Well, I spent a lot of hours in libraries and on computers, working away at the research and writing of my dissertation. Summer in Edinburgh is extremely mild, and really not that different from other seasons. Which, while difficult to adjust to, is probably better for studying, though I think I've finally come to the conclusion that I need some sort of defined seasonal change in my life. I do not function at my best in a land of eternal cool rain. In July, my brother, Alex, came for a visit and we went to Barcelona and Amsterdam while he was over. Barcelona is absolutely wonderful. Full of art and sun and right on the Mediterranean Sea. And Gaudi's work, if you don't already know, is indescribably incredible to behold. Amsterdam was good as well, though it ended on a rather sour note, with the apartment we were staying in getting burgled our last night and my laptop, with my dissertation work on it, getting stolen. While I had backed up most of my work, I lost some, mainly in terms of notes and pdfs of sources. Recovery from that was hard, but I buckled down, once back in Edinburgh, and pulled through, bringing a long and very full year to a close at long last.
After the end of the program I was absolutely exhausted. I spent two weeks doing very little beside visiting with friends and going to the occasional event at the Edinburgh festivals. Then I went out for a truncated camping trip in the outer Hebrides where I saw some ancient standing stones in the first solid rainstorm on the island of the summer. Though I had to cut my trip short due to the weather, the trip was wonderful and refreshing and I met some of the kindest people I've ever encountered anywhere. After that I went to Greece with some friends, spending a week on an island in the Agean, with a couple of days in Athens on each end and a day in Zurich, Switzerland on the return to Edinburgh. It was all amazing and the days on beaches spread in the sun and playing in turquoise waters was exactly the therapy I needed after this past year. I can't wait to get all my photos developed and share them with you all!
And now, I'm home again, in Missoula after a full 21 hours in transit. I am happy and healthy and excited about life, looking forward to my open future. I've begun to apply for jobs and am beginning the hunt for that perfect position. I learned an amazing amount this past year, and am still in the process of realizing just how much I took in, a process which fascinates me in its own right. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone who's around and catching up on the happenings of this past year. I want to hear all of your stories, share photos and coffees and dinners and the beautiful Autumn that is just getting its start.
I'll post again when I know what my next chapter will look like. Until then, I'm over and out.
