Well, I guess its been a while since I've said something, its been a fantastic time in Oxford, last few ddays with family at home and then an easy flight home to Chicago.
Ah, Chicago, tipping a cab driver who didn't know where he was going and ran three red lights, contemplating wrecking a friend's lawn because our car was blocked in, stopping for frosties and fries, A/C, waking up to a parking ticket, man, I guess we're home.
So, it was back to work and the grindstone. Nothing seemed to have changed much though the lab's server seemed to have gone through some mid-life crisis of its own, I swear I had the file for my poster in there somewhere...
Its photo time, where can I start? Did anybody know that I went to boarding school for 7 years? Well, on our way to Oxford, we stopped by to visit the memories, good and bad. Its an old manor out in the Berkshire countryside thats been well-extended to accomodate Britain's most intelligent deaf youth...well, I had to say that didn't I:
Moving on, Erika met Gran for the first time:
Then after they got rid of me, Erika picked up Amber and they went to sweden for a few days:
Did I mention our Czech friend, Jitka? Well, she actually works in Sweden and was their lovely host:
They went partying on a roof one night, with Jitka's man (on the right), I won't do him the dishonor of trying to spell his name when I actually don't know:
We all reconvened back in a TW park for some Fish 'n' Chips!!! and beer, thats my brother behind Amber:
I'd come home from Oxford for the weekend because it was Erika's birthday and as part of her very special day, (which she always seems to spend in England ever since she's gotten to know me), we took her to a castle. But not just any castle...because you see, she's read 'The other Boleyn girl' which is set mostly in the home of the Boleyns, Hever Castle, and guess what, it's right up our street. No photos girls, Erika's saving them for her next book club, so you can see exactly where Anne and Mary 'conquered', so graphically too, His Majesty...
Ahem, moving on...
They were doing some medieval jousting in the castle grounds:
And what did my lovely wife like to do with her food on her birthday?
Why, play with it of course.
Thats it for today folks, more photos coming up in due course.
BTW, anyone notice anything special happening on Saturday 19th? Its the start of the Premiership! Thank God for the beautiful game, that no chest-butt can sully.
Our last weekend in Tunbridge Wells was relaxing and nice. We had a kebab on friday night and went to a book party and then came home and chilled, watched a murder mystery, there are so many of them in England, I loved it!
Saturday we relaxed as well and went into town and got some last minute stuff and just enjoyed the nice weather. We had a wonderful curry that Nigel made, I wish I could make curry like that, I don't think I would eat out as much if I could! I already miss everyone but luckily we are able to come over again in the winter so not too long of a wait.
Poor Nigel had to drive us to the airport at 5 in the morning but we made it in good time and made it to the flight while they were boarding, perfect timing, no waiting around!
Well we landed safely in Chicago yesterday at around 10:30 in the morning. We had a good flight in the Economy plus section of the airplane. Orignally sam and I didn't have seats together, so when we got to the gate I asked if we could get seats together and she said she would check. Well our original seats were in Economy class but then she moved us to the economy plus where you get 5 extra inches of leg room!!! It was nice though becuase we were the first row after business class so we didn't have any seats in front of us and I could sit on the floor if I wanted!!
When we arrived we got a cab to our friends house where our car was and realized that we didn't really tell them when we were arriving so our car was blocked in. We were going to ride over the lawn to get to the street but they came home just in time. The car was not starting since we had left it for so long but finally roared to a start.
The house had not withered in the heat which was good and I unpacked as sam slept for another 3 hours. I made us a small dinner from the random stuff we had in the house and we went to bed around 7pm and slept until 9am this morning!! When going to the car this morning we had already gotten a lovely 120 dollar parking ticket for not having the new city sticker, I love chicago!!!
I am already annoyed that I have to start school on the 24th of August and start grad school on the 28th but I guess I have no room to complain seeing sam went to work this morning at 10am and most people work year round. I always forget how spoiled I am when I have to come home and actually make myself a meal and clean up after myself. For the last 7 weeks I have only had to cook for myself twice and for all you cooks out there you know how difficult it is to come up with food ideas and am sure you can relate to my shock of now having to go to the store and think of a meal!! Bummer.
When Sam's work settles down a little I will get some more photos on the blog, so don't stop reading even though we are home!
Hope you are all well and talk to you soon
Erika
