Doctor's Visit

Thanks for praying for me today as I went back to the doctor. This doctor seemed much more interested in listening to what I had to say. He did the usual doctor type things (actually, more nurse type things, but they don't have nurses at the GP!) like take my BP, listen to breathing, etc. I was grateful he offered to have a chest x-ray ordered and also some blood work. He said the x-ray would only take 2-3 weeks until I could have it done. Maybe he saw the shocked look on our faces (Mark came too) because he said that was a fairly decent amount of time for the National Health System (NHS). Or maybe it's just because he knew in the States I could have had it done today! Ah, socialized health care at it's finest :) Anyways, at least the ball is rolling and we're getting something out of the crazy high taxes we have to pay! My blood work will at least go faster. I'll have that drawn tomorrow afternoon and then the results should be in by Tuesday or Wednesday next week. Once we have the x-ray results in too (a week after they are taken) we'll go see the doctor again and discuss where to go from here. I know that I shouldn't really want anything to show up on the x-ray or the blood work, but yet there is a part of me that would like some conclusive evidence that something indeed has been going on inside of this crazy body of mine. Whatever the results, I know God is in control and is directing our steps! Thanks for journeying with us in this matter.

Doctor's Appointment Coming Up

Hey ya'll. Just wanted to ask you to be in prayer with us about a doctor's appointment I have this Thursday (3:20pm our time, so 10:20am EST). It's with a new doctor (thankfully!) and I want to talk with him about the possibility that my troubles breathing, still having "attacks", etc are more related to my lungs or thyroid rather than my allergies. I've done some researching on-line and think maybe this new approach is more where I need to focus my attention for the time being (rather than just on allergies). I'm praying he'll at least be willing to hear me out and be compassionate with how I've been feeling, as well as agreeing some further tests need to be run.

Thanks so much for all your prayers and concern on my behalf! I'll try to remember to post and let you know how it goes!

Bits and Bobs

Hi-ya (said in singy-songy tone, with voice rising on the "ya"--a traditional greeting here).
How you gettin' on? (Typical question I am asked every day at work at least once!)
It's been a busy week catching up on bits and bobs (all sorts of things, little bit of everything) after the holidays. I'm sure you have had the same in most of your homes. I've finally got a little food stored away in the freezer for myself, took the tree down, recycled our Christmas cards, returned unused/unneeded Christmas presies (aka, presents), made sweeties (i.e. cookies) for myself with ingredients Mom/Dad brought me special from the States I can't get here. Of course I also worked and we "moved office" (four of us in one room swapped with four others in the room next door. Sounds easy but it was quite chaotic as I began to believe that our department must win the award for the most paperwork in any office on campus!) Also had the repair man and landlord come. Repair man discovered the drain pipes aren't installed properly for our machine and the leak is coming from there, not the new machine. Guess that's good to know. Landlord came to see what he needed to do about it. You get the picture. So, that's me (us) sorted (me in order, all set--one of my absolute favorite sayings here and also said at work a lot!).

On top of all this we gave our 2 month required notice for leaving our flat at the end of our lease. So we are actively looking for a new place. Pray with us that God will provide one for us to be in no later March 13th!

I've also finally decided to do more research about my health issues. While I haven't been having reactions every day or even bad ones, I still continue to have persistent, small "attacks" (or whatever you want to call them) often enough to make me know something "isn't right." So, I have made numerous calls trying to look into alternative treatments. I've also done some more internet research to figure out what could maybe be going on in this crazy body of mine! I might have found a lead today, but still have more investigating to do. I'm on a 4 months waiting list with a gastroenteroligist and hope to have an appointment sometime in March. My doctor told me the specialist has a special interest in food allergies/sensitivities, so I have hope that maybe, just maybe, I'll finally have a listening ear! I hope so! I could really use your continued prayer as I search out for more answers and a willingness to accept whatever answers I receive about what's wrong. It's been nearly 4 years of doctors and questions and some answers, then more doctors, more questions...I'm ready for some more answers!

Mark is plugging away at his thesis (dissertation) and is hoping to hand some work into his supervisor this week. He had me reading a draft of it today. I told him it was like trying to walk through a swamp that was waist deep, it was so thick and hard to comprehend! (Mind you, that was because my brain is muddy, not his writing!) He suggested maybe it was more like hiking through a Scottish bog :) It's a good thing I have had some Greek and a good theological training/background or I would be utterly lost! I'm just glad I won't be quizzed on what I'm trying to read. I look more for the grammatical, over-used words or lack of interesting sentence structure, etc, type of things. Today reminded me again of why I'm so proud of him for even attempting a PhD :)

Mom and Dad are back home in NC also getting back in the groove of life. I think we all sometimes wonder if they were even really here. It's surreal. Just glad I have pictures to prove they were! And today, on Skype (video cam) Dad was sporting his Scottish wool hat he got for his birthday (that we got to celebrate with him on Jan. 1)! Isn't he handsome?!

Well, friends, I better leave for now. C-ya or C-you (I have noticed only I seem to say "bye" at work!)

The 80's, UGH, and the Leaky Machine

The title is our day in a tiny nutshell. We were out doing a little shopping and stopped by a few clothing stores to spend some Christmas money. I was defeated again. I'm not sure if any of you have ever heard me say "the 80's should not have happened" but I have said it numerous times and I will say it again. The 80's should not have happened (not clothes, not music, not haircuts, not any of it!) and they definitely should not be happening again!! But alas, in Aberdeen they are...at least in regards to clothing. I'm a fairly picky person when it comes to clothes so you can imagine my quandary when trying to find clothes in a place that sells mainly 80's throwback clothing. I very much dislike many of the styles, colors, pattens, etc. Maybe some day I'll grow up and get with the times, but until then I'll just keep being frustrated when I go clothes shopping!

Once we arrived to our street, Mark got most of the way into a spot by parallel parking, but the spot wasn't quite big enough. In the meantime, a car went passed us and then stopped. Next thing I know, the left door opened and a man had his head bent over (like he was going to vomit). I was horrified that he was driving in that (supposed) drunk position...then I remembered we were in Scotland and he was the passenger! Anyways, won't go into the details, but it wasn't pretty and I was glad there was another car parked to block most of the events taking place. You might think this is a rare event here, but it's sad to say that we pass vomit on the sidewalks nearly every day. In fact, we had to warn my parents that you never walk without looking down because you just might step in something you'd rather not step in. I knew the Scots drank a lot, but didn't think about the ramifications being spelled out on the sidewalks and other parts of the city (like our church steps--they usually get a washing down each Sunday morning).

My fight with our new washing machine goes on! One faulty manufactured part is fixed, but in the meantime it continues to leak water (not tons, but enough to be annoying!) on our floor when it drains. Guess we'll have to have a 3rd repairman come to fix our 2 month old machine! That's why they have warranties! We are (well, our landlord) getting good use out of ours!

One More Laugh for the Day

A friend from our church in Raleigh asked us if a video he saw about a seagull stealing chips in Aberdeen was true. I Googled it and came up with a bunch of You Tube videos, so it must be! :) This one was pretty funny! Or you can go here and read a little or watch more videos. Looks like Sammy was on the prowl sometime this past summer. Enjoy!

Say What!?

So you can start off your New Year with a smile or laugh, here are some signs we've spotted that have made us stop and take notice. (Here's a slight disclaimer--not trying to make fun of the Scots (well, maybe just a little!) I'm sure there are many unusual signs in the States, we just like the way they phrase some of these!)I think this is a very clever sign posting the speed limit. You see these on many residential streets, like ours.
"Tobacconist" -- "one who tobaccos" -- I have no idea what a tobacconist is, but Dad thinks it's someone who rolls the tobacco to your personal liking. Anyone in NC's tobacco country know?
I pass this sign on my way to work--it made me scratch my head. Do you see why? How in the world is a handicapped person supposed to get up the 5 or so steps behind the sign?! Obviously they aren't in a wheelchair!
Here's the one I promised from before. Talk about being struck down by a lightning bolt from heaven!
Not really funny, but if you ever wondered where Deep Fried Mars Bars come from, now you know--Stonehaven, Scotland.
Here parking lots are called "Car Parks." I guess, then, that it would be appropriate that the place you park your dog would be a "Dog Park!" Very cute! Mom's keen eye spotted this one in Ballater. You will very often see dogs tied to poles on the street "wilst" :) there owners "nip" into a store to buy something."Beware! Fat Foliage Thoroughfare!" One day I am determined I will sit and wait to see an obese green mass walking across the street!

This one made me chuckle. Like all elderly people have a curved back or that they are a road hazard! Sometimes they even list out "Elderly People" below the sign in case you weren't able to figure it out :)
This might just be my favorite that we spotted on the way from Banchory to Ballater. Someone is very clever!
What can I say about this one?! Fags are cigarettes. Thankfully we had a friend explain that to us the first week we are here. BUT if you are not aware of that, it can be, um....startling! The best is when they say "I'm going to go have a fag."

Aberdeen and Old Aberdeen

We've been enjoying showing my parents around Aberdeen and Old Aberdeen the past couple of days. God's given us some great weather while we've been out. Lots of blue skies the past few days with only some rain :) Here are a few of the many shots we've taken. If you make it to the bottom there is a special treat!This is Marichal College (pronounced "Marshall" as best as we can tell!) on one of the main streets in Aberdeen. It has been owned by the University of Aberdeen, but they recently sold it to the Cit of Aberdeen. It currently houses the City Council offices. I think I was told or read it is the second largest granite structure in the world--it really is massive and imposing to look at on the street!
Even closer detail on top of Marichal College--I love all the little flags! There are tons of them!
I forgot this park's name in the center of town--Maybe Union Terrace Park? It's always nice to see the green among the gray granite.
The beautiful sunrises continue! Yesterday was no exception. The clouds at the bottom make the church look like it's in the sky rather than on the ground!
Walking up to King's College proper on the University campus. Mark and I both walk this every day during the work week.
Mark showing off his office/desk. (More like we asked him to pose!)
The family in front of the unicorn holding the saltire of Scotland. This is right near Mark's office on campus.
Just Mark and me on campus
Mark and I had heard that a neat place to see was St. Machar's Cathedral at the end of Old Aberdeen, so we walked a few minutes off campus and found a pretty cathedral and a huge, very old cemetery. If you click on the link above, you can see better, more professional pictures! I would have loved to have taken more, but as you can maybe see, the church was decorated for a wedding. We soon realized the wedding was going to take place soon so we didn't linger long!

Here is the bagpipe player hired to play for the wedding. Just as I went to take the picture, he stopped to fix his reed. As a final treat, I was able to video record the playing for you to all enjoy :) At the end of the small recording I zoomed in on the groomsman (and maybe the groom?) who were decked out in the traditional kilts as well. Kilts are considered formal wear (like tuxes) for weddings. It's pretty neat to see! I would have gotten an even better view, but didn't want to invade their privacy any more than I did!