Greetings Friends and Family:
I tried to take a picture of the bell, but I can't seem to capture it. Does anyone know the name of the clock??

The other pic is my garden!! Not that I planted it myself, but it's the english garden for my flat. While the heat wave has taken a major toll, it is filled with lilacs, lavender, roses, an apple tree and some other crazy things. I figure it will definitely keep me sane as the weather turns from miserably hot to freezing cold. AT LEAST YOU ALL HAVE AC!!!

Sarah's here in London as she got in on Saturday. Heathrow, mon dieu, what a nightmere. It's like a UN convention and not being part of the EU is just not fun when trying to get through customs. But sitting in the waiting area, trying to catch first glimpse of my sis, I realized in my old age that I'm becoming a weak sauce, depending on who's reading this.... i.e. basket case, baby sister, an emotional wreck. Little kids running to parents, grandmas meeting grandchildren, husbands greeting wives, men from the old country meeting the new generation's family...I, who have never cried in a sappy movie...there were tears in the eyes folks!

Despite the heat, I've been surviving. Work has gone from a part-time position to full-time, but as the deadline draws near for the case study deadline, it's all the better. Most of my days have been spent meeting with Execs from Network Rail.

I'm taking a few days off to enjoy with Sarah. Later this week, we'll head to Edinburgh to partake in the Festival activities. I missed it last year, so I'm looking foward to the concerts, etc.

More pics headed your way.

Hope life is good.

Kisses, Laura

SAVE THE DATE....I'M COMING HOME!!


Ya woo! I'm headed home September 20-October 10. Plenty of time for me to soon become Hannah's favorite aunt. She'll be over six months and I'm thinking I can quickly edge out my sisters for the #1 aunt pole position.

So not only will I get to see my niece for the first time, I'm also headed home for Rachel and RJs wedding. I'm looking forward to all of the festivities surrounding the wedding of the year.

I'm enjoying London and have settled into my flat in Muswell Hill. The internet is finally set up so I can enjoy coming home after work and don't need to stay late catching up on life.

Mobile: +44 7946 947897
Home: +44 208 815 9020 (I don't have a phone yet)
Skype: www.skype.com (download it people! It costs 2 cents a minute. Buy a Janet Jackson headset, plug in to the computer and call me. You can do it.)

International phone calls should be in all of those book of accomplishments or things to do....like the 10,000 things to do before you die. #172...make a freakin international call, it's not that hard!

So what's new? I have pics but haven't downloaded yet. London is new to me and I'm slowly exploring each weekend. These are the things that I've done, and these are the Brit comments that must be accompanied every time you mention these things.

• Checked out Downing Street (Tony Blair's domain)
• Big Ben (you know it's the bell, not the clock)
• Rode London Eye (it was supposed to be taken down after the Milennium, who knew it would be such a success?...this should be your cheeky response "kinda like the Eiffel Tower after the World Fair"; p.s. got the Big Ben education after not being able to spot the large monument in the sky)
• walked across Tower Bridge (those Americans so often refer to as London Bridge; but when you grow up in So Cal next to Lake Havasu, we all know where London Bridge rests)
• Sat in St. Paul's Cathedral (I don't have any rapid Brit commentary, however, oddly enough, there were scantilly clad ladies roaming around provacatively posing for the camera. It wasn't quite what I imagined.)

Well it's been pretty hot and humid here and I'm missing the AC. Global warming and all...sorry more Brit commentary. Work is going well and I've started interviewing Execs from Network Rail, steward of the UK rail infrastructure. I'm enjoying the position and am looking for further opportunities. I'll be applying for a work visa as I've found Scotland will be easy to hire me, but I'll find more difficulty in London...and London pays.

Pending visitors:
John Fellows, Torrance City Attorney
Sarah, Crazier and #2 sister (watch for the Blog updates)

oh yeah, saw Juliette Lewis in Fools for Love a play by Sam Shepherd. Good stuff, but a lot of yelling which i could barely handle. Mary Poppins is next.

So come visit. Find a good flight and save 2x the money you think you'll need because Pounds and Dollars just don't compare.

See you soon.
Love Loyalty Friendship......LAURA

Greetings and Salutations!

Dear friends and family:

I'm now living in London, Muswell Hill to be exact as I've secured a summer work placement with the Centre for Organizational Exellence (COREX.) It's a small consulting firm and I'll be working on a case study for their client, Network Rail. They are responsible for the railways in UK, which have been plagued with disaster over the years.

Anyways, I'm enjoying the City and getting to know London. The extent of previous visits consisted on sitting at Heathrow for countless hours. Already, I've had my share of visitors and this is only my second week. No one is staying with me because I'm living and working in the business. It's definitely creepy to check the work emails in a shower towel. I don't think the home office will ever be my thing. I have found a flat nearly 200 yds/metres so the commute will allow me to fashion my heels and get on down the road. I'm looking forward to moving in over the weekend, and although the flat is small it has the most amazing english garden. I needed something to cheer me up as summer turns cold and I begin writing my disseration.

I'll post some new pics when I get some. Come visit me!

Cheers, Laura