It's been a long time. I know. This has now become a blog which I update only annually! Somehow I thought that all my adventures post student life where only vaguely entertaining. It seems that Real Life and the Working Life just aren't as charming as the life of the care-free Bobby Jones Scholar who would travel the world and had the time.
Regardless, I'm back for an update of what's happened to me in the last... YEAR.
I've gotten a job working as a Geo-Environmental Scientist at Grontmij, a Netherlands-based Environmental Consultant. It's fantastic, it really is. And this is what I wanted and spent so long applying for after finishing my Masters. I get to spend about a quarter of my time outside collecting soil, groundwater and surface water samples and the other three-quarters of my time in the office learning everything from Site Investigation design to Remediation techniques to Hydrogeology risk assessment. I work with Engineers and Geologists, who are all cynical of Ecologists and Biologists - so I tend to keep quiet about what I've studied the last 5 years. Currently, most if not all of my time at work is devoted to a project in Glasgow for the 2014 Commonwealth Games Athlete's Village (or, the lesser known Olympics that the USA are not invited to!).
Outside of work, I'm living in Edinburgh in a 1-bedroom flat that... well, has a lot of character. The block of flats were built 1904, which is probably the oldest house I've ever lived in considering our great nation only officially began in 1776. It's charming with grand high ceilings with elaborate crown mouldings, large bay windows, a small study/box room, living room and galley kitchen. I'm sure it really was elegant - in 1904. Charming, yet if it was mine I would put in new carpets, paint the hot red walls in the bedroom a pale yellow and rip the floral border out of the kitchen. But that's just me.
As of late, I'm trying to still remember I'm in Europe and that I really should take advantage of that. While still trying to see bits of Scotland I haven't seen, I've also been to Majorca, Spain, London and Ipswich for a wedding recently. And I can't possibly forget we trekked the West Highland Way (all 95 miles of it) in 4 days this spring. Majorca was fantastic, weather-wise, although it was a bit too lazy and quiet of a vacation for me! London is always a good time, and Stuart and I got to catch up with some friends down south, and the wedding in Ipswich was a beautiful affair. A trip back the States is in the works for August 27-September 8, and it will be good to catch up with family again in Chicago.
As for future travel plans... It's likely I'll head to Porto, Portugal with Stuart to visit his brother and family there this fall. Potentially South Africa in winter, Norway in spring and of course a trip out to St Vincent and the Grenadines at some point next year to visit my do-gooder friend Kelly who will be in the Peace Corps starting in August. All these places still to go! Now, I just have to save up for them.
Well, that's my life in a nutshell these days. Things could change though, you never know with me! Will keep you updated.
For now, off to a BBQ with some former Bobby Jones scholars et al. Looks like it will be a typical British-style BBQ where we fight the rain!
