One ring to rule them all

Marty proposed again - this time with a huge diamond rock. I said of course, again. At this rate I'll be dripping in jewels by the wedding.

Dinner at Kum and Go

I know it sounds gross, but anyone reading this is probably from or at least has spent some time in Iowa City and knows that Kum and Go is a convenient store and not a porn shop. But anyway, it was still at the very least an unhealthy meal, but delicious and cheap. After a long day of painting Marty and I we're starving, but it was already almost 10 pm and we had about 10 dollars in our pocket. Hence, the meal of Cool Ranch Doritos (whichever ad exec thought of that name was brilliant and deserved whatever prize they gave to the guy/gal who named the Big Mac), 2 wonder meat dogs a piece from the sweaty roller, and Old Milwaukee to wash it all down. For dessert we had a leftover cookie from the wedding we went to on Saturday. One of my wonder meats had cheese penetrating throughout that oozed out after a big bite the other had a smoked hickory sort of feel. Marty said that he had a sort of Jalapeño flavored hot dog and then also the cheesy surprise. So all this and a bag of chips for about 10 bucks. Not too shabby but will definitely make us flabby, I don't know if my sister Abby has ever eaten a 3-course meal at Kum and Go. It would probably make her crabby, like a pissed of calico, Siamese or tabby.

Getting Hitched

Marty and I just went to the wedding of our friend from medical school. It was a beautiful ceremony and mercifully short. Especially since we were about 20 minutes late and it was about 25 minutes long. Although, we missed the vows we saw the most important bits from the back of the church and the reception was rocking! Wedding season has arrived so hope for the open bar and let the good times roll. By the way they had a very deliciously moist wedding cake. One of the best I have tasted and I like my cake. Congratulations Timaroo!

Our House

We are back in Iowa City and Marty and I closed on 247 Koser Ave on 5/3/07. We are so excited about the new house and have already been to Lowe’s three times. It came down to the wire with getting things settled with the seller, but now it is all ours and Marty has attacked the walls with vigor. Good thing they can’t fight back. Keep on checking the blog for updates on our home improvement projects.

Last day in Edinburgh

Marty and I are headed to London today from Waverly station to Kings Cross. For our last meal out we returned to the Grain Store and mom and dad Buckwalter treated us to one final delicious lunch at this excellent Scottish restaurant in Victoria St. We walked our favorite streets and said our private goodbyes to our secret corners of the city. Sadly, nobody seemed to care that we were leaving, except maybe the man who runs the internet café who will be loosing his steady revenue. It’s nice to know that we have helped pay for his villa in Italy.

Although we are very excited to be heading home, we are also sad to be leaving the foreign city that has been our dwelling place for the past 6 weeks. I'm a little worried that we might not make it with all the luggage - but we'll give it our best effort. We have been very fortunate (minus the ceiling incident) in having a safe, educational and fun time. It is hard to say what we will miss the most. Perhaps for Marty it will be the scotch or the great pubs showing Manchester United games. For me it might be the Scottish accent or the occasional old man strolling along in his kilt.

Scotland will always have a special place in our heart since it was where we got engaged. We have toured the Highlands and eaten Haggis, we’ve been to five castles and slept in one, and although we didn’t make it to all the sights we aspired to see we are satisfied and would be happy to return to the land of our pre-Honeymoon.

Stone of Destiny - Rocking Edinburgh

Marty and I finally made it just up the hill from our apartment to Edinburgh Castle and saw the much contested rock that Scottish kings and queens placed their feet on during coronation. The thieving English monarchs who stole the stone from Scone in 1296 have placed their bums upon it when receiving the crown to their kingdom. To clear up any confusion this stone is from Scone (actually many believe originally it came from the Holy Land), it is not a rock hard scone petrified from a medieval tea party. Prior to 1996 for 700 years this special stone has rested in Westminster Abbey, except for a brief period in 1953 when a Scotsman stole it back. If a simultaneous coronation were to take place the Scottish monarch would put their foot up the Royal English ass. We also saw the crown jewels, the prison, and beautiful views of the city on a clear day.

Last night Marty and I returned to one of our favorite pubs in Edinburgh, The Conan Doyle. As our time is wrapping up in Ole Reekie we are excited to be heading home and trying to get all the things in we’ve been wanting to do as well as return to some of the places we have liked the most. For the first time we went “clubbing” to the Opal Lounge located in the posh area of town, Georges Street. We wore black, waited in line, paid our cover, and dropped it like it was hot!

Edinburgh vs. Dublin

Marty and I are back in the fair city of Edinburgh. Yesterday afternoon I took a walk through Princes street gardens (pictured), which were simply gorgeous. We had some excellent Indian food and have been happily enjoying the world snooker championships and dreaming up projects for our new house. Although Dublin was dangerously exciting, like eating blowfish or walking a tight rope, I prefer our temporary home city of Edinburgh. Both cities have their share of drunks, although Dublin wins in the violent drunk and vomit in the street categories. Dublin hands down has better music, but Edinburgh is more romantic. Despite being 56/78ths Irish I prefer living in Edinburgh, but am so glad we visited Dublin. Besides it’s not a competition, but as the former Trinity college student (although he transferred to Oxford), Oscar Wilde, said, “I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best.”