2006 in Review

Another year has flown by! Well, it seems that way in retrospect, but I have to face it, it was hardly torture. It was my first full year in London, I've been working, traveling and enjoying life.

I'll start at the beginning of the year and try to work backwards, filling in gaps as I go. In January, I was still working for Robert W. Baird, an investment bank in the City. My contract initially was only meant to go for a couple of months, so I was pleased to know that they wanted to extend my stay to help with some new computer rollouts slated for later in the year.

I'm now working for an insurance firm that's part of Lloyd's in the City and am enjoying things. Mayhap not as much as at my previous post with Baird, but I'm earning enough of a living that I can afford to move into a new flat in West Hampstead. I know! Get me, I'm right posh! :P

In March, we flew to New York for an extended weekend, staying just off Times Square in Manhattan. Now what you have to understand is that I like cities, and New York was far and away one of the most impressive sights I've seen. It was also the first time being back in the USA since leaving nearly a year before.

It was kind of an odd summer, we didn't get to take as many trips as we would have liked because of scheduling, but we did get to Turin (gorgeous city, I highly recommend it) and Berlin in the late summer where we visited with Frank and Krista who were there visiting with family.

In November it was off to Italy again for Waiyee's birthday. It was a bit cold, but we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.

This December of course, we came back to California for the first time in almost two years. We had a great time visiting with friends and family. We had stopped off in Chicago for a few days, to attend my friend Tiz's wedding. Tiz is a Londoner, originally from Italy, and his wife is a greek American (I'm sure their parents are looking forward to the fiery children everyone knows they will have!), so us Yanks really do get around! Dina is going to be moving over to the UK to be with her new husband, and we had to show our support for a fellow transatlantic romance!

I had forgotten how big the portions are already, though, the meal at the wedding was nothing short of amazing, particularly when you consider that it was prepared for over 400 people! Greek dancing ensued, but Waiyee and I were starting to feel the effects of jet lag so we unfortunately had to retire early.

Meanwhile, back in California, there were parades and bandstands at the ready for our return. Well, not really, but there might as well have been for all the people that went out of their way to greet us and spend time with us while we were there.

We weren't there a day before we were on a road trip to Vegas (actually Henderson), where my parents have recently bought a new place. It's amazing what one can get for the money outside of California (and London!) and the house was fantastic, almost surreal. It was like a palace for two, and we were the honoured guests.

We didn't spend much time on the strip, but we did get to the new Wynn Casino (weird 60s kitsch decor, like Alice in Wonderland as done by Liberaci) and spent some time in Downtown, at Fremont Street (where all the locals hang out). Of course there was copious shopping to be had (had to take advantage of that 2-1 exchange rate!!) and lots and lots of inexpensive food to eat. I never have had a fatter, happier tummy!

It was terrific seeing everyone, and really felt like home again for me. But of course not being terribly organised, there were a few people we didn't get to properly hang out with, but overall we got to see and hang out with most of you.

Well, hopefully you all will have a safe and Happy New Year, and I hope the holidays have been kind to you as they have been for me. Even though I'm jet-lagged beyond belief, I look forward to coming back again for a visit.

Take care everyone and have a wonderful start to 2007. I look forward to seeing you all again!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!