Happy New Year!!

Alright, so the 12 days of Christmas have come and gone. The fireworks along the Thames dissolved to dust. The long holiday curbed with moving and starting work, a real paying nearly 40 hours/week job.

So, I'm no longer a student. The dissertation is done and dusted and now graduation is pending. I am waiting for the dissertation grade and hoping to at least get a distinction (only on the paper; let's all be very realistic!) My new flat is big, bigger than the beach pad. Kitchen, it's bigger than Long Beach. Slowly but surely, I'm moving back into the wage earning world that affords a normal home, a running shower, heat producing radiators and windows that keep the snow out.

Work is going well and I am in fact putting my new MBA skills to use. Look out! Despite not taking a negotiations class, I did manage to bargain once again the lovely Torrance 9/80 schedule. I figure the 3 day weekends will allow for some travels to the continent a little more often. Those travels I'm very much looking forward too.

I have started the visa application process. The thought of becoming an illegal alien here in the near future is of growing concern. Hopefully the paperwork will come together or I may be in New York during Easter. Laura Toner, Illegal Alien at large....not so much.

Oh, and if enquiring minds wanted to know. The soaps have since ceased their international travels. They have been regifted to none other than my mother in her stocking at Christmas. I did in fact purchase 3 more. Yeah, she wasn't too happy about that story. And I'll refrain from repeating the expletives of the phone exchange. I will have you know that I did not receive one bar of soap this year. See, all it ever takes is just a little open communication between people.

Alright, I'm done. I'll be the proud new owner of a 2 in1 washer/dryer tomorrow morning. A dryer...say goodbye to jeans drying for 3 days! Ya-woo.

Happy New Year! Looking forward to another year of adventure.

much love, Laura