haggis, bagpipes, claymores, and kilts.

Running out of time, when it comes down to it.

I’ve come to the next transitional phase, I think.  Only a few days left until I fly out of Edinburgh for Boston. A few days there and then on to Chicago for the summer. I’m looking forward to my few days in Boston and hope I get to see and spend time with as many friends are around. The main reason for my multi-day layover is to sort through some things that are in storage, pack out whatever I need for the summer, and leave the rest for when I come back in the fall. I’ll be staying with a good friend, which I’m certainly thankful for.  After those few days I head out and leave for Chicago.

A few major things are running through my mind, and I’m sure it will take me weeks or months to sort out mentally. Reflections from Edinburgh, and reflections on Edinburgh; the few days I’ll get in Boston, and my many friends who just graduated in Boston; the summer in Chicago, and the people and things that will be attached; a return to Boston in the fall for a last year of study.  Probably these things will be a running topic in my blog in the coming months.

When I can, I’ll write some more things about events from this year, as a way of remembering. For example, I haven’t even talked much about my spring break yet! I’ll have far too many pictures up on flickr from my trip, some of which are up already. (flickr.com/sthorwall)

For now I’m beginning the chore of cleaning, packing, and moving out of my flat. It’s going to be a bit of a bummer to leave so much behind – kitchenware, for example, can’t all be packed into a suitcase or two! – but hopefully I can ship a couple things home and take the rest back with room to spare.

In the last week or two I’ve been noticing more and more the things that I’ll miss from Edinburgh.  I’m excited to be going home, and at the same time I know that it will be hard to leave here, and I’ll want to come back.  I hope I have the chance to, someday.  Many times I’ve thought of Edinburgh or the UK at large as a place I’d love to live – but I think I’d need to bring all my family and friends with me, and maybe a few other things from America as well. Like Chicago pizza, or Boston sports, or good coffee that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, or even (I’ll never forgive myself for saying this) a Walmart.  I would probably kill for a Taco Bell. Anyway, many of those things I could get along with; I’ve always been a fan of tea, so I’ve simply upped my intake to replace the depleted coffee consumption. But the people would be a must.

Returning home soon, and there will be a new set of things to do and take care of. A new type, probably, and I’ll be using some of the things I’ve learned this year.  Beginning to equip some of the tools I’ve gathered in the past year in my old environment, back home.   For now, the year is done, but I’m not quite back home just yet. The Field of Cormallen, where we celebrate the past, present, and future.