Lessons' Learned

Week one in Scotland has been filled with experiences. I have successfully navigated the #3 Lothian bus that travels from Dalkeith to Edinburgh several times now. In fact the other day as I was listening to my I-Pod on a return trip I felt this was the ultimate in familiarity. As if to say to the world; “I know where I am going, I can listen to my favorite tunes and get off at the right stop”.

A few lessons learned this week: be careful about mobile phone charges…somehow I blew through $40 in 5 days. Although I pride myself on not being a slave to my mobile phone, my once or twice daily calls to the US to say good morning and good night to John added up way too quickly. Local Scotland calls are 30p/minute using Vodaphone…so this week will be spent downloading Skype and locating a plug in microphone so John and I can talk at our leisure. The number of wine and cheese parties hosted here at Dalkeith House should count as dinner – they are not to be confused as a mere appetizer. Haggis is actually ok in small amounts – with crackers and red wine it is fairly tasty. Grocery shopping at Tesco should last no more than 30 minutes when Bob Hendricks has graciously offered to drive faculty there and wait patiently while we stock up on our favorite foods. Five liters of water is heavy and can only be carried short distances without risk of shoulder or arm injury. Fireworks (celebrating the end of the Edinburgh Festival) are fun to view from a hill with a whole lot of Scots actually enjoying the American repertoire live on someone’s car radio. Scots tell the same ‘ole tired lawyer jokes as Americans do.

Work began in earnest with an all day Faculty meeting. We learned about classroom assignments, schedules, expectations, and became more familiar with staff histories and preferences. I am fortunate to work with these colleagues as they are student focused and ready to engage in learning both personal and professional. I value their insight and respect as we begin to grapple with personal preferences, issues, and concerns. We are a committed group.

The “House” changes with each new person or group of persons who arrive. Routines shift, conversations broaden, and there are more folks pushing and pulling doors figuring out their ways. We eagerly await the arrival of students on Thursday!