like living in Alaska

No one told me about this. I never heard anyone mention it or read about it in any travel guides.

Now, in the UK, it is daylight for like 16 hours. Seriously. The birds are chirping like mad at 4 a.m. and it is still light at 10 p.m.! NO lie! I would think it would be a big selling point for British summers -- long days. In the US, at the very latest, it gets dark at like 9.

And it will continue to stay light later and later. It is seriously screwing up my ability to sleep like there is no tomorrow. In the winter here, I was a nice Benjamin Franklin, early bed/rise girl... natually found my internal clock to be 10:30 p.m. bed and 7:30 wake. Nice and productive. So that it is sunny at 9 p.m., we are eating dinner at 9 and going to bed at 12. I am sleeping until (!) teenage time of 10 a.m.! Yikes.

If only I could take up par-taying, I would make great use of these evening hours... but as it is, I am just trying to adjust to keeping my hard clothes on until it is dark. No small feat.

Scousers WIN.

Yes, I watched an entire football game on TV. And the extra 30 minutes. And the deciding penalty kicks. Ok, I was also looking out for Mark in the crowd of 35+ thousand Liverpool fans in Instanbul for the European Champions League.

I can actually say I felt the pride of the Liverpool fans - -- known best for loyalty and their theme song, "You'll Never Walk Alone." Makes me think -- are the Green Bay Packers of the English football league?

Now Mark just needs to get out of the stadium somehow...

Michael & Helena, my host home-mates and parents of nice Oliver 

KQ, me and Babs U with our post yoga glow 

nico getting a smack from shinny 

and back again

Am back in the UK!

Seamless flight, a few nervous questions at Immigration (I think I am in the 'system' now to raise a few eyebrows and I knew I was in for it when I was asked if I had had 'trouble with Immigration' in the past after scanning my passport). The officer had to 'make enquiries' which had me with a dry mouth and the feeling of a felon. After about 30 minutes, many factual questions about my studying, where I live, how much money I have, what Mark does, where we met, producing my return ticket, the letter Mark wrote stating that he would support me, suffering 3 separate times for the officer to confer with her superiors, I heard the satisfying Clunk Clunk of the passport stamp. She gave me a stern look and told me that I must leave the country within 6 months.

So, Immigration is still a scary place for me.

Luckily, Cambridge is not and after a 3 hour, drooling unconscious sleep in the home bed, a cheese toastie and a cuppa tea, I am human and I am home.

P.S. Barb U, thank you for your e-mail. Thought a posting of this may be ok.

check out the rock! 

cat outta the bag

Just a wee announcement. The word is out and most of you already know.

Mark & I are betrothed! Engaged! Shiny ring and all!

Yippee!
It happened just a few weeks ago, and I have been in DC visiting my homies and went to FLA to visit the vactioning parents.

Most likely we will get hitched next fall in the UK. We are hoping to have a nice long and non-frazzled engagement.

I'll be back and forth US/UK until next April, and I will be stateside Nov, Dec and part of Jan for the holiday months. I can get a fiancee visa in April 06, and we will need to get married w/in 6 months.

We are still kind of in awe about it all and reveling in the happiness and miracle of being able to have a plan after so many years of living in the moment -- which has its benefits.

Teaism for Chinese noodle soup and salty oatmeal cookies. A perfect Thursday night gathering with the gang. 

Underbates with all 4 eyes open 

Curiously attached at the skull 

Sinead and the famous wasabi party favourite 

Wagamama anyone? 

Helena's FAB new grape clog shoes.  

HAPPY 35th to Marky Mark today!!! 

my brown girls 

Barb n Shinny at Aroma, naturally 

sunset, breeze and bliss 

Tan and happy parents in Florida 

Mary's artistry  

Mary Mar, KQ, and Babs U on our picnic in G-town 

Oliver, my adorable host 

back in the US of A

How happy am I?

I've got that 'bar voice' when you've been talking loud in smoky crowds, I am watching Barefoot Contessa make home made granola from Helena & Michael's guest quarters, I am about to go get a pedicure and I just had a terrific coaching session.

Ahh, America.

Blog readers, I have so much to update you on, and I will...

For now, just know I have a great big smile on my face.