Au revoir, Kelsey!

I'm putting Kelsey on a train back to London tonight...and saying good-bye to ten glorious days of rejuvenation (read: a delightful abundance of "Doctor Who" and Christmas-y cheer).

The Edinburgh Christmas Markets are gorgeous...and about to shut down. Time to buy a few last presents for people I'm going to see in Istanbul for the AMENDS Conference.

Mostly, though...seriously time to write three legal essays. Here we go, folks. Into the void I head. To legalise, and beyond!!

Merry Christmas!

I am having a fantastic Christmas in Scotland surrounded by beloved friends. And it's wonderful - but not what I'm usually doing!

So, to all of you: Happy Christmas! A greeting from me to you, whoever you are out there, with all my love. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvkFIdzJ1Uk

Carol Service

My Edinburgh church choir led a Carol Service tonight. Thursday's rehearsal and today's service were fun exercises in sightreading. There are many British carols that I've simply never heard before ("Adam lay y'bounden", anyone?). And the "classic" carols are often to different tunes than an American learns. 

About a month ago, George asked us if there were any requests. I mentioned "Oh Holy Night", so he very sweetly ordered an arrangement by Rutter and we sang it as the intro. And thus ended the things Becca knew. 

I was expecting many of the confusing moments. I was not, however, expecting different words and rhythms on "Silent Night". It was very exciting. 

But we made it! And candles were lit, and all was well. :)

"Ramblings" Reflections

I vlogged for what is scheduled as the last "Ramblings" episode of the year today, with a reflection of what "Ramblings" has done for me and best wishes for everyone's holiday season!

Happy Christmas from Scotland, and a very merry New Year!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU9pWBWeZjo&list=PLSFK9Eic29gp-4dn9CihKPp0WRpAT-LxQ&index=100

Christmas break!

After a whopping four days in the office for my new job, it is now Christmas break. I am officially done through 13 January, when classes start again. 

Mates are coming to stay at Rebecca's Rooms of Requirement for Christmas. We are going to have a fantastic time with Edinburgh Christmas and Hogmanay festivities. 

At some point, I need to write three essays...

And I'm leaving for the AMENDS Sunmit in Turkey on New Year's Day, for which I have some prep to do. But for the most part...it's all carols and bells from here, folks!

Messiah!

This afternoon, my church choir did a few excerpts from Handel's "Messiah" as a benefit for a village in South Africa the community has a relationship with. 

It is always a joy to sing "Hallelujah Chorus", of course. It's been a while since I sung any part of it without an orchestra. We were very intimate with only a piano...and it was really incredibly lovely. A different kind of music than you make with booming timpani and whatnot, but no less lovely. 

It is not snowing in Edinburgh, but between "For Unto Us a Child is Born" and the fact that I'm going to a German Advent Tea this afternoon, I am considering it Yuletide!

Rambling into work...

To celebrate my first day on the job, today's "Ramblings" goes on and on about the academic review and publications process, and how articles are usually closed to the public without major costs. I'm working to make more of Edinburgh faculty research available freely online. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAB0l-ma2FA&list=PLSFK9Eic29gp-4dn9CihKPp0WRpAT-LxQ&index=97