just when you think you can relax. i thought i had a pretty good idea of what was going to happen for next year after about two weeks of stressing out, decision making, and trying to work out start times etc. of course, now i might be going through it all over again--hopefully not, but i'm a pessimist. needless to say, i still do not have any clear idea of what is going to happen in the near future--i just hope i have some sort of income. it's hard to believe that holding computer engineering and creative writing degrees, and with two years of corporate consulting experience, i may not be able to find a job.

maybe eating dirt as a kid is a good thing. (link courtesy of 'dad')

wow, pittsburgh ranked #2 in this list of beautiful spots in america. (thanks to amanda for the link)

i saw "Good Bye Lenin" today. a cute movie about a german family that struggles to stay together even after the east and west are united. it was recommended by my german friends. it would have been better if they were there to explain some of the things, but i enjoyed it none-the-less.

when i got back i had a bit of a scare when the lady that runs the organization i was planning to work with next year told me that they all their funding was cancelled. however, there is still a position for me under a bit of a different organization, although the work is the same. so, for now i can relax.

i'll be hiking in the Pentland Hills today.

nuns copyright 'Mother Teresa'

'nother good job website for the UK: JobServe.com

it can be difficult sometimes to let go of things and be confident in the belief that you can do anything. but tonight my sense of freedom, coupled with all the uncertainty that lies ahead, lets me see the future as opportunity, not as something to worry about. (i remind myself that i promised myself that fear should not be a motivator) perhaps it's a zen-like moment. perhaps it's clarity. perhaps it's having the right attitude. the kick is to make it last.

the fog has come in heavy to edinburgh. i almost feel like i'm back in SF, except that the buildings here are hundreds of years older.

in a conversation w/ ryan tonight on IM, i just have to quote these two lines: "thoreau was much easier reading in the world of your blog" and "quit tailing your log". these go together b/c ryan always complains that my posts are too cryptic and the second quote makes little sense unless youre part tech geek.

"In the long run men only hit what they aim at. Therefore, though they should fail immediately, they had better aim at something high." --Henry David Thoreau

this has probably been the most stressful week since i've come to scotland. but i'm hoping that much of it will be resolved by the end of the week.

last night i went to the movies to get my mind off of things for a couple hours. i saw charlies angels 2 figuring it was was a safe bet for mindless entertainment. and i was right. but i also have to say that it was way better than i was expecting. it seemed like every scene was a parody from another movie. and it didn't disappoint in the area of stupid puns and ridiculous costumes. so, if you need a good escape from reality for a couple hours, and perhaps a laugh or two, i recommend it.

try this one out: go to google and type "weapons of mass destruction". click on the "i'm feeling lucky" button. read the message. (thanks to dad for the link)

may also want to read this analysis from the BBC.

this is what i hoped for: when you search google for edinburgh creative writing you get my class' webpage (that i put together).

that was one of the worst night's sleep ever

looking for work in the UK or EU? check out gojobsite

i went to Cramond island today with greg, colleen, and monica. at low tide you can walk to the island from hte mainland along a concrete foot bridge. the weather wasn't outstanding, but i didn't rain. there are old bunkers on the island used to protect the edinburgh from attack during WWII. the biggest downer was that my camera batteries died after a few pictures. i hope to go back and do some more exploring in the area, so maybe i'll get more pictures then.

ever got a line of a song in your head and just have to hear it? well, that happened to me just now. luckily, i found the song, Country Feedback (r.e.m.). "i need this"

my team won pub quiz last night

sometimes ugly strawberries taste the best.