حياتك منورة بالحب

Photo: CH

The title might give you a little clue as to what I have been up to these last few months! It is an Arabic translation of our live in light with love and it literally says, may your life be lit by love.

Where the hell have I been lately? These last few months have zoomed by - I can't believe it is almost the END of November! Has your Autumn flown by in a whirlwind too? I am in Edinburgh sitting in my flat on a very cold and wet evening, there is a gale outside and no heating inside but I just wanted to say hello and that I had not forgotten you!

I have started my Masters in Arabic...it has thrown my life upside down completely. I yo-yo constantly between frustration and satisfaction; there are not enough hours in the day for me to learn the vocab or perfect my 'ghain' sound. I have had no time to do anything but work these last few weeks - squeezing in visits to friends in St Andrews and London were worthwhile challenges - but I started to lose grip on the things that I loved so much. Exercise came down to yoga once a week, cooking became a rotation of chickpea salads, fishcakes and deconstructed pesto pasta. No baking, no blogging, no me really.

But I am clawing my way back. I honestly did not think I would make it this far with Arabic. Every weekend is a relief to get to, every monday brings more challenges but I am here and still going...and that is the most important thing. I am not happy if one element in my life takes over...I have struggled to balance everything and Arabic certainly became the only focus. But little by little the creativity is creeping back; pottery painting, repairing my jumper, guess-ta-maker baking and I am back at the blog. I know I need to have time off from the learning so I am going to get on the hunt for an evening art class starting after Christmas. I have even got myself a job at the most brilliant local restaurant. Jacs, you and I would spend many an evening there with a glass of wine. Food sourced locally, fairtrade, organic yumminess.

Here is a little peek in to what I have been up to...new places, new faces and a new chapter.

Some Arabic classmates...Claire, Char, Tamami, Steve, Ben C, Ben Wahid, Chris....



Steve, Christine, Char, Sus, Ruw, Claire, Chris and Tamami....



Suzannah, Char, Chris, Tamami

I have been introduced to some amazing things recently...

Listen

Bon Iver

Basia Bulat

Johnny Flynn

Watch

Caramel

Waltz with Bashir

Che

Eat

Urban Angel

Nile Valley

The Mosque Kitchen
Real Foods

The wonders of skype will never cease to amaze me! I went to see Bat for Lashes in concert recently and she was supported by the Yeasayers! I felt very close to Jacs!

I have been making my own pack-lunch every day so I have become resident expert on all things travel friendly! Much much more later this week...

I am back... with love,

Charlotte

P.S....sorry for the lack of photos...I can't fine my camera cord! xx

Thank you to Chris for the Arabic Masterboard Photo....x