As Long as I'm Here...

I feel like my head is spinning lately. There is SO much going on, I can barely keep up.

My Internet access at home has been out for a WEEK. It's so frustrating. When I called last Sunday, they said the first available appointment was on Friday. So I wasn't thrilled but of course I took it. When the guy came out, he switched out my modem but was unable to fix the larger issue which seems to be how the signal is coming into the whole building. He called the main office, but as it was 5:20 p.m. on Friday, no one answered. They said it should be fixed by Monday. We'll see.

I've been trying to finalize movers and an apartment in Austin, and starting to pack up my stuff. That always makes me purge more, too, so I've got some bags ready for the Salvation Army.

Meanwhile, I'm in London! Last week my presence was requested for a big client meeting with some of my UK colleagues. I got in this morning, will meet with my colleagues tomorrow at the London office to prepare for the meeting. On Tuesday, we all fly out to Basel, Switzerland. Our meeting is Wednesday morning, then it's back to London late Wednesday and back to NYC Thursday morning. A very quick trip for such great cities. But I came in today so I could get adjusted. Jet lag is such a drag! I tried sleeping on the plane but only got a couple hours. I did have to take a nap this afternoon but tomorrow should be good.

Since I was here on Sunday, I decided to head over to St. Paul's Cathedral for a service. The concierge at my hotel said the service started at 12 noon, so I got there on time...and realized it actually started at 11:30. I walked in during the sermon. But I was still able to enjoy the last 60 minutes of the service, including incredibly beautiful choir music. I couldn't see them from where I was sitting, but the marble floors and domed ceilings produced a beautiful echo effect. The altos sounded a bit immature to me, but the sopranos were pure and perfectly pitched. Their high voices soared in the cathedral. When I got up for communion (the program said anyone who takes communion at their home church is welcome), I saw the choir for the first time: they were all men and boys! That explained what I had heard in the alto and soprano voices.

Later, I walked across the Millennium Bridge and visited the Shakespeare Globe Theater museum.


I had dinner at a tasty Indian restaurant, and when I left, the waiter gave me a single rose! Then I walked up to Westminster, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament to walk off the food and lager a bit and enjoyed the sunset light on the buildings.


I just wish I had more time to take a quick trip North to see my family! But I have to get back to NYC and finish packing. Looks like the July 4th holiday weekend will be my best opportunity.

A Day in London

We arrived to a cloudy, rainy day in London (is there any other kind?) although the sun poked through the clouds a few times to make for some great pictures. Having just the one day and one night in the city, we limited our expectations to Harrods, Kensington Park and Hyde Park.

Our hotel was in Kensington, located next to the park, and I captured these pictures of the Prince Albert Memorial, Kensington Palace and the Park to and from Harrods.




Although I've been to England many times, it was my first time to Harrods. The complete-shirt bib and the polite sign about carding minors gave me a chuckle.


Dinner was a delectable treat at a fancy Indian restaurant that came highly recommended by all of the hotel's concierges. The chef combined Indian favorites with skills he learned in France and Italy, and we left very satisfied.

And then my vacation was at an end. I came home exhausted but refreshed. I definitely will go to Paris again (so much more to see!) and of course, with so many loved ones in England, I will also be there again in the future, although probably not London. I think I'm done with Amsterdam, at least for now. And I still have to update you all about that.