I’ve moved into my new flat!! I went to 3 places, 1 close to the city, and 2 a bit further out. The 2 further out were ok – there was one that had a really nice room with lots of storage space (exactly what I DON’T need!) but no common living space so I’d basically be stuck in my bedroom the whole time, and 1 which was nice, but further out of the city, and while the other person was nice, we didn’t really have anything in common. So I’ve gone with the slightly more expensive one that’s close to town (so easier to get to other places). 2 flatmates already, Sally, who’s English and just finished a degree (I’m pretty sure) in horticulture, and Jochen, who’s German. He’s studying his PhD in something to do with cells. The room isn’t huge but I don’t have that much stuff, and there’s definitely enough space for it all! Good incentive to not buy a whole lot more stuff! If anyone would like my address let me know 🙂

I’ve also got a job interview next Monday for a job as a library advisor. It’s in 3 separate libraries, none in the centre of the city, which is one reason I kind of wanted to be close to the centre. I have to make a poster advertising an event for 14-18 year olds, which is going to be challenging! That age group are so hard to engage. But I really want the job, so I’ll have to think of something good! It’s not quite full time, but should be enough to live on and have some time and money left over to travel as well. I actually applied for this job at the beginning of December, so I hope they don’t take too long to decide, I’d actually given up on it before I heard I’d made it to the next round!

I’ve applied for a few jobs (probably around 15-20) and have heard back from a couple, 1 had already found someone, and 1 is waiting to see if their insurance will cover my NZ license.

The BC meetup I mentioned in the last entry went well. They were all really friendly, and I’ve got a date with one of them for Saturday to go to the botanic gardens to either knit or look, depending on the weather. I took 2 books which brought me up to a grand total of 5 on me, and I’ve finished one of them. Need to make a journal entry for it actually!

Other things of note that I’ve been up to include several walks with an old family friend who’s daughter lives here (so he’s visiting her). One day we went all the way down to Leigh, through the park where golf was apparently invented (Leith Links for those playing along at home), and another time we went up Calton Hill and then down past Holyrood Palace, the Queen’s official residence when she’s in Scotland. We ended up at Dynamic Earth, a geology museumy thing. We kind of went in, but at £11 to get all the way in decided to come back when I’m earning an income!

I’ve also had a bit of a look through the museum. Easily my favourite thing was the Midsummer Chronophage, a clock that sometimes speeds up, sometimes slows down, but is always accurate to the 5 minutes. It’s both beautiful and functional which I love! My other favourite thing there was in the communication section, and was all about how long it takes to get messages places. There were 3 scenarios set in different time periods, 3 stages, and 3 options per stage. For example, you’re on a ship off the coast of Aberdeen some time in the 17th century, and have to get word to London to let them know about the threat. I’m definitely going to have to go back and have another look at some point!

Today I went to the library to have a look at their selection and managed to get myself a library card. Oddly here you don’t need proof of address to join, they just wanted to see one form of ID which was useful! I’ve also started the application for a National Insurance number, and went and bought some sheets second hand (less than £2 each!). I’m still trying to come up with an idea for an event for 14-18 year olds to make a poster for (I’ve been writing this over several days!). The library didn’t really have that great a selection of teen books I didn’t think, but whether or not that’s representative of the libraries in general here, or just the branch I went to I have no idea.