1 Year + Across the Pond

It's been over a year?  WHAT? I feel as though we've been living here much longer than a year!

At this point I’m working as a Conference and Events Coordinator for the Principles Office, working 1-2 shifts a week at the Sports Centre (which is a complete answer to prayer)! Raymond has started work on his PhD in New Testament with N.T. Wright as his supervisor. I am so very proud of how well his is doing!

We love our church, Trinity, and I’m now singing about ever 3^rd Sunday there. 

We have amazing friends and live in an amazing community surrounded by believers who selflessly help each other. It's really amazing to watch and I'm learning so much from the people around me.

Travels:

Italy, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Scotland and sooo much more to come, hopefully! 

Raymond and I are starting to the get the travel itch again! Soooooo.....

We are planning a trip to Belfast and Giant’s Causeway in the middle of November! Just for a long weekend but it will be lovely to get away.

 For Christmas this year we are traveling to California to spend time with Raymond’s side of the family! We are very excited and can’t wait to be warm!

I have grown so much in the past year and learned so much about myself and have grown closer than ever to Raymond. My relationship with Christ is only strengthening as I learn to trust Him.

Life is an Adventure and we are thriving.

If you have any questions post them in the comments or e-mail me.

Naked Calendar Update: 

I was at work the other night on break. I was sitting upstairs eating my tea (dinner) and I heard laughing, I looked out the window and saw the badminton club in their birthday suits. That's right NAKED as can be and I had the birds eye view! I really wish someone would warn me about these things!

I'm a Schmuck: First Blog of 2012

First post of 2012!

Yes, I totally understand your furiousness, It's MAY! 4 months have past without a blog post! What the HAY STACK??? Let me first give you my sincere apologies from the bottom of my heart. I do have a lot of lame excuse.

In January I was given a FULL TIME position as the Executive Officer of the Department of Sport and Exercise. Fancy title that means I'm the: Department Secretary, PA to Director, and deal with all Membership to the Sports Centre. (I didn't spell Centre wrong- British spelling)  I also kept my part time reception position

Excuse 1

This means that I was working A full time 8:45 to 5:00 job (usually more hours than that) and also a part time 5:30- 11:00pm job and working Saturdays. 14 hour days? Are you Crazy???  I only did 1-2 14 hour days in the week and worked Saturdays. Is that a good excuse for not writing a blog? (No? yeah you are right)

Excuse 2 

Attention Deficit Disorder - You all know I have a raging case of ADD and I got distracted with other things. (MB that is an even LAMER excuse than the first) You are right let me continue.

Excuse 3

The Executive Officer Job I was doing at the Sports Centre was only temporary. The women who did this job previously left on secondment to HR and was due back 5-6 weeks. This was pushed back further and I was ended up working in that position until the 30th of April.

God keeps surprising me with the way he is taking care of us. My job situation is a huge part of that. Sitting back and watching how he is moving in our lives is amazing.

Timeline-

I have officially applied for 15 jobs in St. Andrews, Scotland. I have had several interviews and have seemed to always come in 2nd place. To say I've been frustrated and questioning my own skills and God's plan for me here in Scotland would be totally true. I have blogged before about the way I got the receptionist job at the Sports Centre. GOD THING. Management then thought of me when they found out their Executive Officer was leaving for a stint. They knew I was applying elsewhere and knew that I was capable of doing a good job covering for Karen. I didn't apply, it was just given to me.

The days went by so fast. I had an amazing time getting to know the "upstairs" team so well. Laughing, joking, and practical jokes were a daily occurrence. It was a lot of work but rewarding beyond words.

During this time I also met and amazing girl that I've become close with the last few months. Get this y'all, her name is LAURA. How crazy is that? I still find it weird to call her and say "hey Laura, it's Mary Blake"

                        (for those of you who don't know, Laura is also the name of my twin sister)

She is the new Health and Fitness Manager at the Sports Centre and started the same day I started upstairs. She's my age and from Aberdeen, Scotland. We hit it off right away and have become fast friends! She's fun, crazy outgoing, and more fit than I could ever hope to be in a million years (totally green with jealousy)

YAY FOR NEW FRIENDS!

As my time at the Sports Centre was drawing to an end I started applying for more and more jobs. If you have been keeping up with my Facebook you will know that I got two interviews and two second place finishes. (that hit me hard) I didn't know what God was doing and how we were going to be able to support ourselves without burning through our savings, faster than the blink of an eye. (here is where I should have relied on God's plan more)

The Director of Sport, Stephen, came into my office two weeks before my job was to finish and  told me he found me another position that was opening up for temporary work.

I jumped at the offer! Went and talked with the Management in the Principles office and I am now the Personal Assistant to the Finance Director for the University of St Andrews. This job will most likely last until the middle of August. 

Guess what, the new job started the exact time I needed a new position. Guess what, this new job is smack in the middle of town and I get to have lunch with Raymond almost every day. Guess what, GOD is totally taking care of us.

There is so much more that I would like to fill you in on. This post is getting a bit long so I will save it for another time.

I Promise it won't be another 4 months before I write another blog post! Pinky Promise!

Stalked by a Black Bra!

Okay, I know I'm not literately being stalked by a black bra but it sure seems that way. Let me explain...

I usually work nights at the University Sports Centre. The hours are usually 5:30 - 11:00. This means I help close down and one of my many lovely tasks is to clear the ladies locker room. There is always without fail a black bra hanging on a hook waiting for me.

Seriously, I have no idea how these kids leave the Sports Centre clothed! There is always shoes, pants, shirts, and that dang black bra!

Is it the same black bra you ask? NO it's a group of them. I think they are all in the same gang. It's starting to worry me. I hope my black bra doesn't join 'em or I'm in for a rather cold / awkward ride home.

Dear Black Bra of mine,

Please don't join the BBG (black bra gang) I really do love you and would miss you dearly. I know your job is very important and I will never take you for granted. I promise to always put you in your special washing machine bag and as the directions say, never put you in the dryer.

For realzies,
   Mary Blake


Now that I've gotten that out of the way...


Raymond and I went for a walk on Saturday and it was beautiful. You can see all the pictures here
A Scottish Winter In this album you will also see the thanksgiving we had with our awesome friends.

Raymond Update:

Raymond is in Edinburgh tonight for a conference. His paper was accepted so he will be presenting tomorrow afternoon. Keep him in your thoughts. I keep trying to convince him to write a blog entry but he's been so busy lately. Maybe if you guys bug him enough he'll write one!

Raymond Dream Log:

Raymond Jumps up out of bed in the middle of the night.
Raymond "Ahhh I have to get ready"
Me "What? Raymond get back in bed"
Raymond "NO They are coming I have to get ready for them"
Me "Who is coming?"
Raymond "The little people are coming for me. I have to get ready"
Me "It's the middle of the night, No little person is coming. Get back in bed.

He slowly got back into bed and fell back into a deep sleep.

Raymond Dream Log 2:

Raymond starts making weird high pitched robot sounds like. BEEP BOOP BEEP  and starts laughing hysterically. I start laughing. Raymond says, "The rainbow cover!" "Ah, the Rainbow Cover!" Then starts laughing again.

At this point I'm laughing as well and he's fallen back to sleep.


Comment below and let me know what you think about the blog. Also let me know what you want to hear about.

Later Days

Naked Calendar and Beyond

This blog will consist of a few short "stories". I've got a lot of little things I want to tell y'all about.

         Story 1          

Compliment 

"You're a gentleman and a Scotsman". Raymond was given this complement when he let some men, who were cutting down a tree out front, borrow some tools. I think that is the highest honor one can receive. 

~ The End

Story 2

 Twin Visit!

I'm so excited about Laura (My twin sister) coming to visit me. She arrives on Thursday morning. I'm taking the 6:15 am train to Edinburgh and Thursday morning could not come soon enough. I have her entire trip planned out from a day trip to Pittenween to Stirling Castle and everything in between. Get excited about that blog post!

~ The End

Story 3

The Naked Canedar

I know this is the one you all have been waiting for:

 This story begins on a normal work day. I was sitting behind the desk one normal afternoon. One male student, who is on the football team, walks in and asks me where he should go for the photo shoot. I have no idea what he is talking about, this is not a unusual occurrence.

I direct him to the football coach and he then directs him to the locker room to get "changed". The rest of the boys come piling in and head to the locker rooms. I hear jokes like "Ready to get naked?" I'm thinking this is just playful banter.

NOPE

The football team comes out in their pants. (remember previous post about pants aka underpants) Now don't forget, this is Scotland, in November, it's freakin' cold outside. The normal cold jokes go around and they are off to the front pitch to have their shoot.

Right now I'm thinking OK they are going to have a photo shoot in their boxers.

NOPE

From my desk I had a FULL view of what went on. Three giggling girls ran out there with their cameras, one minute the football players are all lined up with their boxers on, I look away to help a customer, the next minute I look out and the boxer are gone and the guys are doing a butt shot. The entire football team, outside on the pitch having a naked photo shoot for an Athletic Union Calendar. Now don't get me wrong, I've seen the movie Calendar girls but I didn't know it was this common.

It's not just 3 snaps and they are done. Oh no. This was a 20 minute naked pose after naked pose broad daylight full on photo shoot. Some of our customers picked the wrong time to come in for a work out, that's for sure. I had to reassure an old man that this was not a normal occurrence. One girl walked straight up to me wide eyed and said, "I didn't know where to look!" HAHAHA

It was like a train wreck you don't want to watch but you have to sneak a few peeks. (human nature). News travels fast and before I know it the men and women who work upstairs have come down to also watch. By this time I'm redder than a tomato and wishing it would all just stop.

It finally stopped and everything went back to normal. I found out this is a yearly calendar and that several of the AU clubs are posing naked. Among them are, men's football, men and women's rugby, women's golf, and wait for it.... wait for it.... the Trampoline club. That's right. I said the Trampoline club. ON the Trampoline. That is one shoot I don't want to go anywhere near. I asked the club captain if she was worried about her wobbly bits showing up on camera. She hadn't thought about that. Come on people, that can not be flattering.

A few nights later I was there to witness the Rugby men's naked shoot. It was at night, Thank Goodness! I couldn't see much and the lasted only about 10 minutes.


~ The End

Story 4

Race the bag lady

One day in a far away land I was preparing to go for a run. My usual route is from Guardbridge to Leuchars. It's only a 2.5 mile run and it's a great way to get out of the house and see God's beautiful creation. On this run I pass the Leuchars train station. While passing said train station I passed a lady carrying 4 plastic bags. She was in her 60s but looked worn. She had on a heavy coat and very broken in  converse sneakers. I passed her and said hello. 

Next thing I know she starts running after me. I slow down and she passes me and stares at me like she's saying "you dare run past me? I'll show you". I'm half laughing half scared about what this bag lady is going to do to me. What is she going to pull out of her bags? She keeps looking back at me, scowling. I'm thinking this is the weirdest thing that has ever happen to me on a run. 

Bag lady's phone then begins to ring. What's her ring tone you ask? Cat's meowing of course. How could it be anything else? She suddenly stops and answers her phone. I run past her and speed up. I make it back to my house safe and sound. I was not harmed by the Bag/Cat lady. 

~ The End

Story 5

Day Trips Rock

Yesterday, Raymond took the day off and we went to Pittenween and Anstruther. Two coastal towns about 30 minutes by bus from St. Andrews. Accompanying us were two very awesome people, Garrick and Andrea.  It was so much fun. I have to steal some of the photos Andrea took (we are camera-less for only a few more days. Laura is bringing us a Camera. THANKS MOM AND DAD!)

Our first stop was in Pittenween. It's a tiny town on the North Sea. It's absolutely beautiful. We first walked to this restaurant where we had the best hot chocolates! This place puts chocolate in everything they serve. It's pretty amazing.

 I had the Hazelnut and Andrea had the Dark hot chocolate.

I chose to drink mine out of the cinnamon stick provided. Andrea couldn't do this because her cinnamon sick was defected. (also i think she's too lady like, her momma raised her up real good. My mother is ashamed of my uncouth ways, BUT she loves me anyway)

We played dominos and had a blast. We are so happy to have found people who love to play games as much as we do.
         Side note: Yes that is Raymond's Nancy Drew/ Hardy boys button he found on his desk in German class. Yes, he has worn it everywhere.

We walked from Pittenween to Anstruther. It was a beautiful walk along the coast and a lovely sunny day.

The boys continue their bro-mance while I wait on Andrea.

Raymond is pretending he's a zombie or something. I'm trying to take a cute, frame worthy picture with him and he does this....

On the last leg of our walk we found an awesome swing set. So of course we had to swing. Anstruther is in the background of this picture.

We ate lunch and walked around before departing. It was a great day trip with great company.

~ The End


And they All lived Happily Ever After

"I'm More Fit Than A Butcher's Dog"

Hello All,

    I want to first set the scene of what I'm doing at this very moment:

I've just moved to the den to get away from the bowl of cookie dough in the kitchen. Raymond and I are making sugar cookies and I have no self control whatsoever. Raymond is upstairs working on school stuff (cough *nerd* cough) and I'm jamming out to Shane & Shane The one you need. I bought this CD last night thanks to an iTunes gift card. Thank you Carolyn and Scott Morehouse!!

    Now that we have that out of the way...

This post will be about my hysterical Job, Receptionist at the University of St. Andrews Sports Centre. Let me first start out by saying God is Great. He is the only reason I got this job. My co-workers have described me as "lucky" because getting a University job is almost unheard of unless you know someone. I knew no one. If you want to know the long story about how I got this job let me know. It's truly a God intervention story. Starting with I didn't even apply.

      Vocab:
 1. Field - Pitch
 2. Cleats - Boots
 3. Why? - How?

Out of the entire staff there are only two Americans, myself included. I'm the only American that is not a student. This makes for some hysterical  conversations. Let's start with me telling you about Willy, the head grounds keeper. Willy is from Fife and has a thick accent. I find it hysterical because I can not understand one word he says.  I dread it when I answer the phone and it's Willy. I know it's going to take a long time to decipher what he is saying. I tell him constantly that I have no idea what he is saying. When we finally figured each other out I'm laughing hysterically and he tells everyone he has to use his "posh" voice with me. I feel like Willy and I need to come up with some sort of code.

The people that work at the front desk and up stairs are also very entertaining. I have so much fun singing with Gillian and teaching her how to speak "southern". Iain just likes to dance (goofy dance) to whatever is on the radio and talk about his delicate woman hands (don't ask). He's fun.  Joyce tries to teach me how to speak Scottish but it's not sticking. I get made fun of almost everyday for saying y'all. I can't stop saying y'all. It's been in my vocabulary way too long. I promise I'm going to have them saying y'all in no time. I still can't speak in a Scottish accent unless it's a line from Shriek.

Locked IN:

One thing that happens constantly is people locking each other into closets. If the person is smart enough to carry their phone with them they call me and I decide if they should be let out or not. (usually I let them out) The favorite is locking people in the boiler/laundry room. Its loud, hot, and people are easily trapped in. I always carry a key in with me. I will not be fooled. (well I have not been fooled yet)

BLOOD:

Sports Injuries happen, and I'm there to be weirdly interested/grossed out by them. Grossest things I've seen:

1. Eyeball bleeding - basketball
2. Ear/head bleeding A LOT- rugby. This was really disturbing b/c the guy kept fainting
3. Teeth knocked out- this happens a lot.
4. Black eyes- happens all the time in boxing

Annoying:

I get hit on by students. I let them know that I'm way older than them and married. It was flattering at first, now it's just annoying. One poor kid hit on me and then pretended to make a business call. Something about 50 million barrels? He kept looking up at me to see if I was listening and I kept giggling at his efforts to impress. He keeps asking when I work and hangs around reception. That poor kid.

Pictures of the Sports Centre

The equipment is amazing the facility is outdated and in desperate need of a face lift.

Dundee United is the football team that train at our facilities. Everyone there knows I'm hopeless when it comes to knowing about any european sport. I know nothing about: Netball, Korfball, Cricket, or Rugby to name a few, but I'm learning!

tootles

MB