A New Address

One week ago today I arrived back in St Andrews from my month+ in Paris (including Luxembourg, Brittany, Oxford and London).  It’s nice to be back.

One year ago today I arrived in St Andrews from the States to begin my PhD in New Testament, absolutely clueless as to what my life here in Scotland may look like. 

Naturally, a one year anniversary prompts reflection on my experiences over the last twelve months; but I won’t bore you with that.

What I wish of you today is to celebrate with me the fact that I’m beginning my second year here in St Andrews in a very different housing situation than what I entered into last year upon arrival.  You all know me… I’m not picky, I’m not high maintenance, and I don’t require a five star hotel in order to sleep well.  A spot on a carpeted floor will do just fine—at least for a couple months (I know.  I’ve done it.).  Nevertheless, my housing situation last year was bearable only for a year and I actually needed to find a different situation.  My best effort was put forth not to complain about my living situation or to let it affect my life here, but I’m not sure I ultimately succeeded.  For the first time in my life, I needed something ‘just a little bit nicer’… or at a minimum, someplace where I could live like an adult and feel like an adult. 

There were two benefits to living where I did last year.  Location—it was a 2 minute walk from my office and 4 minutes from the beach, and the sunsets—they were often stunning. 

Beautiful as they were, they weren’t enough to make me want to remain in my university housing room for a second year.  And, thanks to God who heard my prayers, I don’t have to. 

I now live in a five star quality home (compared to where I was!) with Judith, a Scottish woman from my church, and I can’t even begin to describe how great it feels.  Here are a couple pictures to give just a slight indication. 

My office is now a six minute bike ride away and the beach is further yet.  But look at this place.  Do you think I really care?  It’s a good feeling to be treated like the adult I’m told I am, to not have anonymous people stealing my food, to not have dishes growing mold in the sink, to have hot water for a shower at the ‘early’ time of 7am, to not pay the equivalent of $5 to do just one load of laundry, and to not be up at 2am with a party happening down the hall. 

I hope my new housing situation is an indication of the blessed second year beginning tomorrow. 

FYI – if you are someone who is in the habit of sending me letters or packages, please note that my previous address is now obsolete.  The new address is:

St. Mary’s College; South Street; St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9JU; Scotland