Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Things I like and things I don't like





What I like:
I really like my new coffee maker. It has a reusable filter, and the top will heat up your coffee cups if you sit them up there. Also, it's yellow. I like yellow.

I like that food here is so fresh and that it's easy for me to get local products.

I like that there is a support group here for expats (AWA).

I like how dog friendly the city is, and that when I go to the park, I almost always meet somebody new as our dogs chase each other.

I like that the weather is mild enough for so many outdoor activities such as hiking, running, biking, walking, and castle exploring!

I like that Scottish people have many different new and interesting words I didn't know before moving here.

I like that most people bring their own bags to the grocery store. I also like that the cart is called a "trolley."

I like haggis. It's yummy.

I like that things are so close, including friends. I also like that anybody who lives further than a 30 minute WALK seems far now.

I like the rain.

I like my little compost bin that the city gives me.

I like all the granite buildings and houses.

I like the fuel efficient cars.

I like that almost everybody here seems concerned with safety. Almost every cyclist or runner I see has on a bright yellow vest, jacket, or backpack cover.

I like how polite most people are here and how happy they sound when they say good-bye or thank you (Cheers!).

I like that if there is no possible way to create parking for a place, they create it on the sidewalk. Makes me chuckle to see that.

I could probably go on longer, but I'll stop there for now.

What I don't like:

I don't like hanging clothes all over my house to dry. It makes them wrinkly and crispy, and I have to iron more.... which brings me to my next point:

I don't like ironing.

I don't like how early everything closes here. This city is almost shut down by 6 PM.

I don't like the people who let their dogs poop on the sidewalk and don't pick it up.

I don't like NOT having outlets in the bathroom... but I'm adjusting to sitting in the floor to dry my hair and put on makeup. Plus, it forces me to stretch at the same time. :)

I don't like white floors.

I don't like the negative treatment received simply for being American (hasn't happened much, but has happened).

I don't like the popularity of instant coffee here. ;)

I don't like being unable to hang my own pictures, mostly because I can't get things on the wall when I want.

I don't like the cell phone service as much here. No 4G... terrible reception in most places... if you have any.

I don't like that my coat hooks are about 8 feet high. I have to stand on my tip-toes while Steve laughs at me. hehe

I don't like how quickly things spoil (there's the catch to having fresh food... can't have it all)  :o)

I don't like boilers because they lose water pressure sometimes, and you wake up freezing! 


Before closing, I would like to say that even if I don't like something, it doesn't mean that I'm not thankful to have things. I mean, I'm thankful to have hot water but that doesn't mean I like it when the shower sends a burst of scalding water down my back. ;)

Anybody have anything to add about where you live? I'm so curious.







 

6 comments:

  1. Hey Kristal

    I am new to your blog, I found it online on one of the Expat websites. I am a Scottish lass living in Muscat, Oman and experiencing Expat life for the first time so it is cool to read of someone's experiences to my country.

    Hope you are enjoying it! I am following your blog now.

    Thanks

    Heather

    www.theduncanadvemtures.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi Heather!

      I really do love Scotland. I will be so sad when we have to leave. I bet it's pretty funny to read about some of the things I find exciting to do, am trying to figure out, or just think are odd that you find quite normal. :o)

      How are you finding things in Muscat? I tried the link to your blog, but it said it was unavailable.

      Cheers,

      Kristal

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  3. I actually laughed out loud at several of these, thanks for the smile :) I'm an Aussie, I've been living in Aberdeen for just 6 weeks and I've had to learn most of these myself as well... especially the 'stretch the hairdryer to the bathroom' trick and bad cellphone service!! Sorry to hear you've suffered rudeness for being American. hope you're all settled into Aberdeen, I'm looking forward to reading some more of your blog to learn about life here :)
    Jess

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    1. Hi Jess! Welcome to Aberdeen. Are you enjoying things here so far? The weather has been sort of crazy lately. :o) Have you looked into joining the AWA (American Women of Aberdeen), which isn't just Americans? There are all kinds of group meetups: coffee, hiking, walkabouts, sewing, Mahjong, Bunco, Moms & Tots...etc. I've learned and visited so many places because of this group.

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  4. Hi Kristal, thanks for the welcome. I'm absolutely loving it here so far! I don't really know anyone here yet so I have enquired to the AWA (I hadn't heard of them before but I think you mentioned it on your blog so I looked it up) and will hopefully come along to one of your meetups soon :-)

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I am happy to hear from you!