Post Milan Transformation

(BEFORE)

I cannot resist but to cheekily introduce you to my post-Milan-makeover hubby - the new Dylan Potter. I trust he will get a giggle out of this post. You see, Dylan was so inspired by the run ways of Milan that he went and got a Euro200 haircut, invested in a whole new wardrobe (including a Euro500 suede jacket shown here). I must say it's quite a transformation - wouldn't you agree? Geek to Georgously Suave! Anyway, it's all a lie….well, not entirely. He was inspired - that's the truth. We experimented with the haircut ourselves at home!!! His hair was getting long and we were trying to save money. This is one of the few success stories of home-made hair cuts!! The glasses are old. I forbade him to wear those because it made him looked like a geek before but I must say it goes really really well with this new look! And the suede jacket…we stumbled upon that last week for a bargain - that's his Christmas present. So you see, the moral of the story is you can get a whole new look without going under the knife! Ha ha ha…..

(AFTER)

Milan-Clash of Titans

I suppose most major cities are similar. They are kaleidoscopes made up of individuals, sights, and the elusive "ethos" that permeates everything in creation. Our trip to Milan last week was as dazzling as a kaleidoscope but as unnerving as a roller coaster.

Overall, the trip was alright. Italy was a bit colder than we'd expected (we wore gloves and heavy clothing to stay warm). The food was great (their coffee makes Starbuck's taste like swamp water!), the main cathedral (Duomo) was amazing, the shopping opportunities were almost endless, but we met more than our fair share of downright rude shopkeepers and found the people at the central train station to be, um, less than helpful. Apparently we're not alone, because when we did an internet search after we returned, we found many other stories of people who'd had similar experiences.

Sadly, Milan is absolutely filled with graffiti, and not the hey-that's-pretty-cool-it-could-pass- as-art type of graffiti...the blight is a shame because it really detracts from the city's ambiance. Nevertheless, we did find some very kind people there, but they tended to be students or immigrants...interacting with some of the natives was another matter.

Milan is a blast to visit if you have loads of cash and want to shop at the world's poshest boutiques, or if you love cathedrals, but we think that it is possible to do it in a day. When I returned, one of the students at the college where I teach, a native of Italy, told me that Milan is not Italy in the same way that Tuscany, Rome or Bologna are, and he felt that those areas are much nicer and better representatives of the country.

Anyway, we were glad to get back to Edinburgh...if I could make a comparison between the two cities, Milan is like hanging out with a supermodel--she is a bit over the top, brash/flashy and not always considerate (you get the feeling that she's always rolling her eyes), whereas Edinburgh would be like hanging out with a rare book dealer--a refined gentleman, patient, and polite. I guess what we're saying is that Milan is a lot of fun to visit and great for a laugh, but cannot muster the warm/cozy/trustworthy feeling of a city like Edinburgh.

Coming soon: Photos of the trip--stay tuned

Happy (Belated) Thanksgiving Everyone!

Sorry, we're a day behind but hope everyone had a great Turkey Day!!

You are probably wondering what The Potters are up to this Thanksgiving? Well, believe it or not, we are actually going to celebrate Thanksgiving, American style, in Scotland! :-) One of our church friends (she is Scottish but have lived in America for 7 years & her husband is American) the Bakers, just moved back from America and have decided to open up their home for this fine celebration. But, since it's not a national holiday here, we are having our celebration tonight (Friday) as opposed to yesterday, because we don't have Friday off. The Bakers will be providing the bird and all the necessary fixins' and everyone will bring something. I have volunteered a green salad. There will be about 12 of us!

On another note, I have an interview today at 4p.m. (11a.m. EST) with the Royal Bank of Scotland. Your prayers are much appreciated if you get this message in time. This is for a "permanent" Manager position. I am very excited about this interview (as oppose to nervous). I am not really sure why but perhaps it's a sign of hope (to get out of my current temp job)? It's almost like the same kind of hope we have for heaven....hhmmm....just simple pure joy. :-)

I have also recently gone through an "emotional overhaul"...I guess you can call it that. Too many changes at one time in our lives has thrown me for a loop the last month or so! After much prayer and reflection for both of us, I think we are going to be alright. I feel lighter and burden- free.... "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:28-29. So for that, I am grateful to our Heavenly Father this Thanksgiving who is always faithful.

Braveheart Territory!

Things are busy at the present, but we think of you daily and thank God for each of you. We went to Stirling last week to visit the monument to William Wallace (shown above), defender of Scottish independence, as well as Linlithgow palace, shown here:

Jacqueline will be posting more pictures, I believe, but it may take some time since we are preparing to go to Milan this Friday.

By Popular Request...

At the prompting of a friend, I have decided to say a couple words about my time here thus far.

I suppose getting used to life in another country is difficult no matter what the longitude/latitude. God has been exceedingly faithful, as always, so finding a flat, job and church has proved to be easier than originally anticipated. As Christians, the doctrine of providence assures us that God will continue to "work out all things in accordance with His will" (Eph 1:11). It is difficult to imagine a more comforting concept than that the Maker of all things visible and invisible will weave us into this great plan of His, in spite of ourselves.

Not unlike most cities, Edinburgh (pronounced Ed'-in-brah) is full of economic and social contrasts--people driving Lamborghinis, Bentleys, Porsches juxtaposed against the teenage "Neds" (slang for 'non-educated') who look like they saved money on haircuts in order to splurge on tattoos and knock-off designer labels, worn with the same hubris as the "Posh Toffs" (um, slang for extremely-wealthy-old-money-family) wear their crests and Crombie tweed. Most people are somewhere between the two economic extremes...trying to make sure that people know they are not Neds, and giving in to the the almost-irresistible urge to exaggerate their Poshness.

As far as faith is concerned, the area seems to lean to the conservative side, but is more or less clustered around the moderate center. We have been attending a fairly evangelical Episcopal church here in the city. St. George's & St. Paul's (affectionately referred to as "St. P's & G's" by most) has proven to be a nice balance between liturgy, weekly Eucharist, and quasi-expository preaching.

I am teaching general business and finance/accounting courses at a tutorial college (Basil Paterson) here in the city. All of my students seem to come from rather privileged backgrounds (mostly Saudi Arabian petroleum, real estate, manufacturing and banking). They are a fascinating bunch, and teaching them has been an experience, to say the least. Because none of them will graduate and be a salary monkey on a short leash, I have to keep reminding them (and myself) that they are the next generation of (insert name of largest bank in Saudi, petroleum company, pharmaceutical manufacturer). Of course, the most rewarding thing about the job is our informal discussions about life back home, and about our respective faiths. After a long discussion about the similarities/differences in our mutually (exclusive) Abrahamic, monotheistic faiths, I was able to explain what Christians believe about Jesus (whom they call 'Isa')...more than anything else, I hope this is what they will remember about me when our time together is done. Must head to bed now...thanks for reading. Perhaps I'll write about the state of my work at St. Andrews next time. Grace and peace, family and friends...all my love.

Durham

Not sure how many of you are aware or remember the situation but Dylan's supervisor is originally from Durham, England. That was our original destination until his supervisor took up a post with St. Andrews. Anyway, all that is to explain that Prof. B has yet to move to St. Andrews so Dylan and I made a trip down to Durham about 3 weeks ago so that he can meet with his Prof. (for the first time!). Lovely city. Very quaint indeed! Main attraction in Durham is the cathedral. Boy, what a cathedral!!! It has one of the most beautiful stained glass windows I have ever seen and I have seen quite a lot, if I may say so. It's a shame no one is allowed to take pictures inside the church....well, I guess you'll just have to come for a visit and see it for yourself! :-)


And for you Harry Potter fans, Durham cathedral is where they film the scene where the kids played...where they flew around in their brooms......:-)

Here's some of the pictures I took while at Durham....
Pictures from the (moving) train... (amazing camera!)













Pictures from Durham....

(Dylan pouting because he wished to be in Durham at that point (as oppose to St.Andrews), surrounded by old books and the majestic cathedral....)

(have a wee read of the poster if you can...it'll give you a snippet of the history of the Cathedral)

(this house is next to the cathedral...completely engulfed by ivy - ivy league?)

Here's a few pictures of the inside of the church that I can find online....