It's a Crazy Spring!

Hello friends! It has been a long, very long time since I've posted. I am writing this from the Dubai airport, where I am waiting for 10 hours for a flight to Jakarta. I have no idea what time zone my body is in but suffice to say I feel very weird. Sleepy and confused at least.

This February and March will have me all over the world. Four big trips in two months. Quite nuts! I started in early Feb with a few weeks in Oxford, meeting up with colleagues based at Oxfam. Though I saw almost nothing of Oxford, it was a terrific 2 week work period, with a nice trip to London on the weekend to see Becca (Ben's cousin who lives there). We did some really nice things, like see the Tate Modern (including the Big Black Hole--an experience!), a trip to Borrough Market where I purchased some amazing cheese, cheese, and more French cheese!, and a beautiful walk alongside the river. After that we hopped back to Greenwich and soon enough to North London for a party. Sunday we explored Greenwich and saw GMT origins--where time is set! As well as the Greenwich park (Beautiful, even in the rainy mist), and an incredible former Queen's palace cum naval academy and now a music college. I quote from HistoricBritain.com:

The town became the site of a Royal palace, the Palace of Placentia from the 15th century, and was the birthplace of many in the House of Tudor, including Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. The palace fell into disrepair during the English Civil War and was rebuilt as the Royal Naval Hospital for Sailors by Sir Christopher Wren and his assistant Nicholas Hawksmoor. These buildings became the Royal Naval College in 1873, and they remained an establishment for military education until 1998 when they passed into the hands of the Greenwich Foundation. The historic rooms within these buildings remain open to the public; other buildings are used by University of Greenwich and the Trinity College of Music.

So all in all a good few first weeks of Feb.

Prior to that of course was Christmas and Ben's 30th--in which a number of celebrations took place, some elaborate and some crazy, and all great fun.

Upon returning from the UK, I went to the snowy Berkshires in Western Mass with my beloved and treasured college friends. No need to report on those activities--your traditional bake a lot, eat a lot, go crazy bowling, and have a bunch of dance parties--but they were special and reminded me, as always, how much I love that group. I always want to be BFFs. Fo-eva! Never mind Ben's crazy cat allergy that mixed up our plans, it all worked out.

Then back in ATL for a few days before leaving for business trip on a Friday night (wow...leaving on a Friday night is pretty much the worst!) , which brings me to Dubai where I am now sitting. I can tell you a thing about my experience on the plane: Delta's meals on planes are pretty lousy. I had a nasty slimey pasta dish smoothered in revolting cheese. The seats felt so cramped, unlike my recent abroad flight experiences with AirCanada and Continental. But I did enjoy watching Good Hair and 27 Dresses. But I hear Emirates is good. [Update: it was nice(r)]

After this trip I also have a short come back (arrive on a Sunday, leave next weekend) before going to Lebanon, with another layover but this time in Paris on the way back. And then after that Ben and I go on a quick vacation to Califorrrrrrrrrrrrnia! Can't wait!

These are a lot of exciting trips--but I wish Ben could come on them with me. Right now I miss him VERY very much. We will reunite soon!