I spent much of the day untangling messes at the university. Three of "my" lecturers have found mre lucrative jobs, and we're facng our usual budget constraints. Another quit this morning, so I'm scrambling for class coverage in a month. Instead of hiring new people, we're going to try to offer overloads. After the furlough cuts of last year, I've had a good response to my offers. And I keep thinking about retiring.
But enough about work headaches, we're nervous but excited about returning to Scotland. DD has found affordable (?) housing in one of those new privately run sorta dorms. She'll have her own room and bathroom but share a kitchen and common space. So far her new kitchen/pod mates include a girl from Trinidad, an Irish girl, and three boys from Aberdeen. Sounds chaotic, but I think she's up for it. We managed to cash flow her tuition last year and without housing costs, the year was under budget. We're going early as my close friend (from second grade!)is getting married in northern Minnesota at the end of the month. While we'll be gone two weeks, we'll get a chance to see DH's family and friends at the other end of the country too.
We'll need to get DD a phone plan, a bank account, and an NHS doctor. She'll need things for her room and the kitchen--most of which will be purchased there.
No matter what, it's kind of an expensive trip. Airfares from Chicago through Dublin to Edinburgh are cheap-ish these days, but parking, airbnbs, trains, meals, etc, it all adds up. But I'm focused on only one meal a day out and looking very much forward to it. My English husband has never been to Scotland, so while we won't be able to fit everything in, it should be fun--and great to go away. Sadly for me, my only moments in London will be the tube changing trains in Kings Crosss and emerging at Waterloo. I may leave the family with the bags during the hour layover and go out and gaze at the Thames from Waterloo Bridge--sighing deeply.
August 2nd, 2021 at 10:56 pm 1627944965
Hope she has a great year with the experiences she is dreaming of.
August 2nd, 2021 at 11:09 pm 1627945773
August 3rd, 2021 at 01:03 am 1627952612
August 7th, 2021 at 10:46 pm 1628376402
Sorry to hear about the administrative messes at the U and hope you got it all worked out.
August 8th, 2021 at 05:52 pm 1628445123
I think a lot of schools are hurting for staff. My former one is down 1 sixth grade teacher, 1 third grade teacher, 2 first grade teachers, a social worker, and librarian and school begins in a week.