Surprise!

Being surprised for my 30th birthday party (over a month EARLY!!!) was fantastic! I want to thank Chris, Randy & Cam, Tammy, Stevie K, Amy, Melissa C, Candi, Kim, Jamie & Jenny, Jennifer & Josh, Melissa S, Stacey, Kate & Tim, Lisa, Ann, Jennifer & Bill, Stephanie, Nikki & Troy, Maura, Kris, Girl Cori, Tracey & Drew and my Tim for making it such a great party and a big surprise. Like I said a million times that night, I am the dumbest f*cker alive! I had no idea. THANK YOU ALL for the good times, great memories and gifts (even the 'teacher' gifts).

The trip back to MN went fine. It was a long flight, but that is to be expected. We were greeted to a very loud and very Minnesotan flight attendant. After only four months abroad, I noticed the big difference in volume control of people's voices.

It was extremely cold, considering the climate in Scotland, but, something we all know too well in Minnesota. See everyone's faces this past week has been truly a gift. I am blessed to know so many great people. The biggest hurdle has been our bouncebackability (actually a word, who knew?) from the jet lag. I heard that it takes one day per time zone crossed to adjust. It's been 6 days, so, we should be adjusted now. And, we fly back in 3 days, having to re-adjust again, joy. But, it is worth it.

I was impressed to see how very different my old school felt, but how much remained the same. I miss teaching and the camraderie, but I don't miss the weekly meetings and the constant buzz of having to run all the time from function to function. My pace has slowed down greatly, which will probably save me from a heart attack at the age of 40.

Holidays at dad's and with the Tim's parents were wonderful. I miss watching the kids grow up on more of a daily basis, but I'll be "home" for good in due time. The big christmas at the Hodel's was another surge of good energy. How crazy and large the family is getting!

Good to be "home". It will be good to go home too.

Looking forward to 2005--should be a big year with lots of changes--both personal and professional.