Graduation!

Enquiring minds wanted to know Cap and Gown?? No, I didn't have to wear the cap.

Well I have been finished with school for quite sometime. Dissertation was submitted in December, I found out I passed in February and June was graduation. Behind in the photo is McEwan Hall where I donned my gold and black dress and was hit on the head with John Knox' pants (UK pants aka underwear, squirrel covers, BVDs.)

Graduation was quite memorable. My parents came out and spent time with me in London and Edinburgh. Friends from all over the world descended on the city to join in our celebration. The day brought a mixture of emotions: Elation that I actually did get to graduate; Pride for never giving up; Sadness for the friends that will scatter; Blessed that I was afforded such a lifetime opportunity; Hope for what will unfold. I only left in September 2005 and while time has passed quickly, so much has been discovered and Redondo Beach seems a lifetime ago.

I did want to thank everyone who has given me words of encouragement and phoned, written, emailed, chatted, skyped (yes Skype people!) and visited. There were many times that these conversations came just at the right time like little angels knowing that I needed to hear a friendly voice to say, "hey" "when are you coming home" or "we miss you". Thank you!

Now a new adventure awaits. For the time being, I will continue to be a stay at home mom with no kids. And now back to the job search.

Love Loyalty and Friendship,

Laura

When all you can do is laugh or drink.........

I'm unemployed. Everyone is up to speed on this fact, right? Each day consists of an early wake up call, turning on the computer and sifting through the countless job boards searching for the needle in the haystack which will one day be my next high paying, consulting job. Key words: high-paying, consultancy.

Last week, I stared at the wall and sat at my computer from 9-5. This week, I relocated to the dining table with a lovely view of the communal gardens. It's not as depressing as the magnolia (they don't sell Navajo paint here. go figure!) walls.

Thinking that this respite will be good for the soul, I plug away each day sending out countless CVs (aka resumes) to recruiters and employers. You would think I was doing this peacefully, however, 2 flats are being gutted. From 9-5, drills, hammering, swearing, hauling...it's absolutely doing my head in. I CAN'T THINK! It's making me sketchy, there may be voices surfacing in my head. And just when you think the crews are done for the day, calm sets in....BZZZZZZZZZZZ blasts through the floor penetrating my numbed brain. All I can think is this must be some freaking joke and I have to laugh.

Tomorrow I swear the lawnmowerman and weedwacker/leaf blower boy come; it might get ugly.

Stop the madness!

This is a 30 second re-enactment of the drill....

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see it lulls you to thinking it stops and

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Didn't God make some covenant with Noah that there would never be 40 days/40 nights of rain. WTF? No rainbows, just rain....since May 3 folks. Honestly!

Do you know where getting flooded ? I am happily safe in Muswell HILL, but the other towns...not so much. May 3rd commenced the Noah's Ark reeactment. "See the animals 2x2, see which is which and who is who?" (that's the song from my play at St. Pius V in first grade-The Rainbow Express-I was a butterfly)

The Model town is now under water, there will be no hikes of the Cotswolds anytime soon and I may be helping my friend fill sand bags in Windsor. I have free time!

Mom and Dad closing in on Warwick Castle.

My parents came to London a week prior to graduation. I enjoyed sleeping on the floor, Ian got the boot to the south side of the river and my parents fought over who snored and stole the blankets in my Dream House Barbie size of a bed. (yeah, so don't let this picture fool you.)

Good times were had by all. They were greeted with a week of thunderstorms, but thankfully we were all trained by the rain of Portland to not let the weather ever get you down. They quickly found the nearest bakery in town and I introduced them to my new life in the City.

They arrived the last day of my work at Corex and I greeted them beaming with joy as I made my exit. A new adventure awaits me! I hope???!

My father wanted to return to Warwick Castle as that was the only thing he apparently enjoyed when he visited the UK 45 years ago. He rarely mentions that he was travelling with my great grandmother and her entourage....could that have something to do with it? Just a thought. You all remember the last time that I hung out with my grandparents...the geriatric sing-along.

The original Fab Four.

So why have I been MIA?

Well, I took off to Greece when I got my visa. I had originally planned to meet up with Rach and RJ on their postponed honeymoon. From there, I was to dart to Chicago for my cousin, Cait's wedding. It was great to hang out with the Toner clan as most I have not seen since I've been away at school. Got a quick shopping trip in on Michagan Avenue..you know the necessities like Walgreens. How sad is that? Each time I get home, it is a must do. Toiletries just aren't the same in the UK, let me tell you folks! Bygones, I did a 11 minute walk about Old Navy just in time to scoop a few tanks...$6!! Ya-woo! Kids $6 just doesn't happen over here. Have you seen the exchange rates? Have you seen my bank account??

Anyways, wedding was great. Cousin Cait is happy. Toners are fab!

Oh, and I'm an aunt twice over! Ya-woo! Details to follow.

I don't know where my travel book is so I really can't remember what this was, but I liked it. The olive trees were great, however keep in mind that olives only taste nice once they've been prepared. Olives...straight from the tree???BAD!

The view looking up at the Acropolis. There is a ton of work happening at the Acropolis so a large portion was under rehab, I suppose it's a little old and perhaps in some serious need. Amazing 360 views from the hills and the only thing I could think about was that Sparta movie.

Rachel and I in Athens.

We met up in Plaka, the old village of Athens. As Rachel and RJ had been plaqued with rain their entire European vacation, they brought the clouds to Athens too. I needed a break from the sun and sand so it was a good thing.

Athens was great for sun and food. I wasn't too thrilled with the taxi drivers as many tried to rip you off. Athens definitely didn't have the feel as the other Euro cities I've visited. I really did go just to lay out and relax, but I did capture a few sights and was truly amazed at the Acropolis. I wished I had visited my first day in town so I could get a better appreciation for the city. Cleanliness is not a top priority and the Greeks are first to tell you that it's one of the poorest countries in the EU. I don't think they can claim that now that Bulgaria and Romania were welcomed.