Thank Goodness for Maps and Friendly Natives

Hey all...
So I am now sitting in my university flat where I have three flatmates, one of whom is from Minnesota. I didn't expect another international tenant, but it's good to have someone else here.
There's something call inter-semester week (I think) which begins Monday and I guess certain exams are taken, but most students opt to stay at home for that time, so without the aforementioned flatmate, I might be alone for a week. Do you know how insane that would make me? Granted, I'm insane already... But I digress.
I stayed in a hostel for the first time last night. I have to admit, I was a little nervous since I was on my own in a city more than 3,000 miles from home, but it was fine. To those who've never been abroad, whether with friends/family or by yourself, trust me: you'll be fine. So far, I've run into only friendly people, beginning with the people from the student welcome center at the airport, continuing with the cab driver, then a waitress, an 82-year-old lady at the bus stop, and my flat mate, to say the least.
Anyone would have given me directions if I'd asked. And believe me, I had to ask more than once. This morning, I caught a bus going in the opposite direction of where I needed to go, but the bus driver calmly and kindly explained that, though he was at the last stop, he would be leaving in 5 minutes and it would take about 30 to reach me intended destination.
But, I'm dumb. I couldn't find my destination. Want to know why? 219 Colinton Road is not a house like they try to make you think. It's the main building for Craiglockhart campus of Edinburgh Napier University. It's a huge building on the OPPOSITE side of the street that I expected. So what do I do? I walk around in the cold for 30 minutes before I decide to try lugging my near 50-pound suitcase up the hill. And when I say pound, I don't mean money, people.
No worries. I made it to my induction meeting, got the key to my flat, got a taxi and settled in... sort of. I'm not unpacked yet, but that's for later.
Here's something I didn't at all expect, but it's the latitude that does it. Did you know that right now it's dark here at about 4pm and the sun isn't really up until maybe 9:30? Crazy, huh?
It's really an odd thing to think that, while it's 9:15pm here, it's only about 3:15pm back home in the midwest. So my little sister just got out of school 30 minutes ago or so.
Again, I digress. My first stop tomorrow? Errands. I have a lot to do and little time to do it with shop hours. Things close at 6pm around here. I was unable to get sheets or a pillow so I have to rough it once more for the night. Maybe I should find another hostel... Nah. I also need a cell phone because I haven't spoken to my family since before 10am on Wednesday morning. And I need food and dishes, etc. Oh gracious, I have a lot to do.
Well, I'm off to a tavern with my flatmate for something to do with international students, which I now am. Catch ya later!

Kilts checked to date... Still... Zero