Ah summer . . .

I love English weather. I know, stereotypical English conversation, but really, it is pretty cool around here. One or two days of blazing hot heat, the next we have thunder and lightening, then the next it is freezing and windy. I love the variety. But it does mean I have to carry a 'brolly' wherever I go just in case. That is slang for umbrella by the way.

Most of you know by now that my mother and stepfather surprised me for my birthday. How amazing was that? Being the oldest kid I kinda, not intentionally, get left by the wayside a lot. AND I never get quality time with my parents alone. So it was really heart warming when I realised that two of the people I love most in the world would set up this whole surprise months in advance and flew over just to see me. It was incredible. I blubbered like a baby and lost all self control when I realised it was my mother and Jimmie walking into the Tapas Bar where my friends, John and I were sat. Then John turns to me and says, 'Baby, I'm so sorry I lied to you about your mother coming to visit, but it was for a good cause.' Yep, that is my man.

Then I had an amazing time with them, having them meet John, having John meet them, having them meet our friends. I think all groups approved of each other. Jimmie, everyone is still talking about your sense of humour over here. Mom, everyone is impressed with your intellect and your wit. When are you coming back?

This week has been extremely hectic. I had to get my certificate of work sponsorship from my employer taken care of and then get my visa application posted out all in the same week. Getting the person who is suppose to do my paperwork, you know, actually look at it for my sponsorship, has been close to impossible, I have been trying since the beginning of May. AND of course she tells me on Tuesday when I meet her it can take up to six weeks for the Border Agency to process my Visa once the sponsorship is done. AND of course that day was exactly six weeks almost to when I leave for Montana to visit my father. Did I mention that I had to post my passport, my license, my work permit, my current visa, my birth certificate to these people. Yeah, I have no identity right now. So yeah, it has been a mad dash of reading the 48 pages of guidance for the 52 page application for my visa and make sure that I don't make one single little insy binsy mistake. They will just reject it if I do. Then I had to compile all my paperwork, put it in the correct order, etc. and mail that out with the application as well. All while doing end of the year reports, getting work ready for those that aren't going on the school trip and oh, packing for the school trip to Wales.

Ah, Wales, now I am off to Wales. Not sure how I feel about this. I had a great time last year but this year the schedule is different. We came back on a Friday last year and I had all weekend to pretty much recover before I went to work the next Monday. This year we are leaving on a Friday, coming back on a Tuesday and I have to get to work the next day all the way through Friday. Is my headmaster nuts?????????

Anywho, will let you know how it goes. Like I said, I enjoyed it last year and this year hopefully won't be as nailbiting (caving and going into a mine) as last year. Um . . . hopefully . . . .