Being a Monica

 

I'm a Monica. I can't even believe it. After taking this personality test I've just been crazy thinking about the fact that I'm a Monica. Which makes me a Monica!! Am I really that neurotic?!

I'm a Monica and it pains me to write that. While I'm not a "neat freak" I do happen to like things done it a certain way/order. When LD tries to help me I freak out a little bit until I find myself yelling for him to stop. Seriously. What is wrong with me?! The man wants to help me do some of the chores and I am telling him to stop because he isn't doing it the right way. *facepalm*

I'm a Monica. I was going to start cleaning the apartment on Saturday afternoon. But, I had to do things in order of importance before I could even start. I had to unload the groceries, which then led to organizing the cupboards. Then I needed to start some laundry because why waste such precious time when I was cleaning. That whole kill two birds with one stone thing. Then I needed to start the dishwasher because well three birds with one stone is even better! I kept going on like that and I hadn't even started cleaning! Once I started cleaning I had to start at the bottom and work my way up {we live on 3 floors}. LD came in the kitchen to get Sebastian a snack. He left the wrappers on the counter. I then had to wipe down the whole kitchen again before I could move on with the house cleaning. Just because of some wrappers!

I'm a Monica. I can be competitive. But just watch out. I need to win. I don't play any sports {I have not a single athletic bone in my body} but I do love a good board game. This summer I went to camp with the teenagers from my church. I taught them how to play Phase 10. I was secretly coming up with a strategy to beat them all. I wanted to beat kids! I have a problem. When LD and I play a game {doesn't matter what it is} we play for something. The prize is always enticing.There is something in me that has to beat him!

I'm a Monica. I can be bossy. I don't mean to be but I think I can see all angles and so people should just listen to me and I'll solve all their problems. Because seriously, I could if they just did what I told them to do. I tell LD every Saturday morning what we are doing for the day. The whole day. I've planned out every minute. No wonder than man doesn't want to do a single thing after church on Sunday!

Even reading over this post makes me cringe. I can't believe I'm a Monica. I'm embarrassed. But, I also have some light shed on me. I can see clearly now... and I want to just chill out a bit.

Monica has some really good qualities too though. We're both fiercely loyal friend. My Mom says, "When you're friends with Mary, you're her friend for life." Its true. When you're my friend I've got your back. Always. You can count on me. I don't do fake friends.

I'm a Monica. While I may not have liked to see myself in such a way, I am who I am. I'm working on not being so neurotic and trying to give up control more often. I'm going to accept that I'm a Monica and rock it!!

Cottages in Aberdeen

I love cottages. Aberdeen has no shortage! I love finding these little gems on my daily walk with Sebastian. They give me a little something to dream about. I imagine the insides looking just like Kate Winslet's cottage in The Holiday.

Come take a little walk with me and see what special homes are here in Aberdeen.

 

 

 

You can come along on our daily walks with us. Just follow us on Instagram!

St Machar's Catherdral

 

 

I have a thing for cathedrals. No matter where in the world you go, you can see that people took great care to build the best places to worship their God. It is evidence seeing as this particular building has been here since 1282. Yet, a church has been on this site since the sixth century. Whoa. I can't even comprehend that kind of history!!

As legend has it, St Machar was commanded to find a spot where the river curved in the shape of a Shepard's crook. Legend also say that when William Wallace was hung and dismembered in 1305, his body parts were sent to different parts of Scotland. His left arms is said to be in one of the walls at St. Machar's! We won't know for a long time yet if that is true.

Inside there is a notable heraldic oak ceiling with coats of arms if European monarch's and Scottish nobles and bishops. The Charter Room and bell tower are not normally open to the public, but they were open to the public for Door's Open Day! We weren't permitted to take photograph's but the room was filled with documents. Very old documents. The preservation of history in this country always amazes me.

Upon entering St Machar's we were greeted by smiling volunteer's and flute music being played from near the altar. It totally added to the ambiance! We got a little mini tour and told all these fun facts.

Have a look at St Machar's Cathedral!

Kings College Chapel

Saturday was Door's Open Day for Aberdeen City. I love these weekends each fall. We've been able to see many things over the years. All for free. I love that Scotland makes its history accessible to people. Not every historic site participates in the event each year but there is always something worth seeing.

We started our weekend off with a trip to Aberdeen University's King's College Chapel. It was founded in 1500 and the chapel is the oldest surviving building. It boasts the finest surviving pre-Reformation interior in Scotland. It is in immaculate condition. We got there just in time for the tour and we got to know all the quirky things about the chapel. Such as, most midevil bishops chose to be buried with a lot of pomp and circumstance, but William Elphinstone was simply buried beneath a paving stone at the foot of the chancel step. The stained glass windows were each made by a different artist, one of which declared it the worst window he ever made. Ha! The chapel has been everything from a library to storage. Yet none of the interior was ever changed. It was brought back into use as a church when students from the college were showing up to the local chapel drunk and disorderly and University President wanted to stop annoying the towns people. So, they brought Kings College Chapel back into use as a chapel.

Such fun facts! We had a great time looking and learning. Sebastian was having a blast at all the stuff to look at. I finally had to take him out so we wouldn't bother the other patron's. Sebastian is generally pretty quiet in public but he was jumping around a lot he was so excited. Still not saying a word, but I could tell people were getting distracted by his excitement.

Take a look at this fantastic chapel at Aberdeen University!

 

 

 

 

Things to Love and Dislike Living in Scotland {part 2}

 

Week after week new people are finding this blog due to this post I wrote almost a year and a half ago. It seems that you all want to know what there is to love and dislike about living in Scotland! I'm happy to oblige with another post! Let's get this party started.

Things to Love::

01. The weather. I know, I know! I'm a contradiction! But, let me explain. We stay pretty mild around here. Mild winters, mild summers. Not too shabby. Once you're used to it  you can really thrive here.

02. There is a little bit of everything in Scotland. From the quiet and beautiful scenery of the highlands to the bustling cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. Let's not forget that we're an island. We have beaches and a sea view! There is something for everyone.

03. The people! The Scots are famous for being welcoming. Just open your mouth and they'll want to talk. They'll want to know your story and tell you they've been to Florida ;)

Things to Dislike::

01. Cost of living is crazy compared with the USA. I stopped converting pounds to dollars a long time ago. It got depressing. Sales tax {VAT} is 20%!!! I don't even have any words for that. It is included in the purchase price so you don't notice so much, but still. Everything is so much more expensive.

02. Smoking. I'm not going to lie. Scotland, you smell like an ashtray. Glasgow especially {well, only the bigger cities really...}. I can't even believe this is still a thing. My old neighbour below me smokes and it entered right into my kitchen window. It gets me all kinds of mad.

03. Clothes shopping is all trendy. I don't mind trendy but where are the classic pieces for people who aren't into every trend that blows into this country? Not to mention I can't find any pants that aren't of the skinny variety. I'm a plus size girl. Skinny jeans don't do me any favours. It gets ridiculous trying to shop and I can't find a single thing that I like.

I'll do these posts from time to time to help you get a sense of what life is like here. The good and the bad.

Let's Connect!

Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

{City Guide} Lupe Pintos Deli

I am so excited to show you Lupe Pintos! We've been shopping here for a little over three years. We just kind of stumbled upon it. I love that it looks like a hole in the wall. To look at it from the outside you'd never know that they have some of our favourite things.

If you read this blog at all then you'll know I love Mexican food. Latino food in general. My mother is Puerto Rican and my husband grew up in Venezuela. LD learned to cook from his Portuguese mother and Scotland just doesn't have what we need to make a good Hispanic meal.

Lupe Pintos is a little gold mine for us because they sell some American, Mexican, and Spanish cooking ingredients. Exactly what we had been craving! They have the most amazing salsa's and spices. They even have authentic tortillas! LD tried some really hot salsa this weekend and his face turned red. He was even sweating!

The first couple of years I lived here I hated that I couldn't get Crisco, Ranch dressing, Butterscotch chips, Stove Top Stuffing, Pumpkin, American pancake mix and syrup, etc. Lupe Pintos has them! Every couple of months I stock up on the essentials that I need/want. The owner is really nice too. If you are looking for a certain product he will do his best to get it for you and keep it in stock.

There is a store in Glasgow and also one in Edinburgh. When we learned we would be moving one of my first thoughts was, "Does Aberdeen have a Lupe Pintos?" No. They don't. I almost did a little freak out until I learned I could order online! BOOM! There it is. Customer for life. No matter how expensive it is, it won't be as expensive as having my family mail it to me. I love that I'm not going to have to search forever to find the things that I need. Lupe's has them!

They have recipes online and a plethora of ingredients from all over the world. What ever your fancy! They do authentic. "Mexican food does not come in yellow boxes at Lupes."

If you're in need of some American or Mexican goodies then check out Lupe Pinto's Deli. My favourite grocer in all of Scotland. Literally.

 

Glasgow: 313 Great Western Road

Edinburgh: 24 Leven Street

 

 

 

 

*this is NOT a sponsored post.

 

Let's Connect!

Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter