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.

what? no bugging?

People -- I thought you CARED! I haven 't written for 19 days and no one has even NOTICED. Wah.

Ok, maybe you were being polite because I was 'in the soup' awaiting word from the old UK Home office on the old visa. Well, I heard. And the answer was a nice fat no.

Needless to say, there are other details to be made, but suffice it to say, I'll be visiting my homeland in May. Sushi, burritos, dollars, NPR, local phone calls, Fresh Fields, beaches of Florida, siblings, parents, beloved friends, margaritas, the metro, loud Americans, cheerful Americans, HBO, right hand side-drivers... bring it on.

in the soup

yeah... I haven't been very inspired the last few weeks. Seems like when a lot is swirling in one's head that it would make sense to write some of it down. I secretly must enjoy the fullness of it because I know once you start writing, that it will start making sense. And that's not always whatya want.

What's happening:

1. I am awaiting news of my student visa. Should hear anyday now. My passport and my future living is in flux, waiting for an answer. (Cue finger drumming and watching kettle boil)
2. Mark is on the West coast of the US for 10 (!) days.
3. Solo living takes some time to get used to
4. I am messy
5. I am not brushing my teeth at night
6. I haven't made the bed
7. I am watching too much TV
8. I have giant spurts of activity, followed by hours of reading quietly
9. I am not eating balanced meals
10. I am going to plant flowers this weekend
11. I bought a book on the basics of gardening
12. And another novel
13. And some diet coke
14. The pope is sick
15. And MOST riveting, I've been working on an Excel worksheet for tracking clients

See -- not remotely interesting. Which is why I have been a bit quiet. I guess I've been waiting for some news that I could broadcast. I DO appreciate the demands for updates, proving to me that people other than my Mom read this.

Readers- are you out there? Tell me what YOU are doing. I need some entertainment and company.