It had to happen sooner or later.......

Family and Friends,

I am actually surprised it took this long but in my own defense Heathrow airport can be very confusing. How I ended up in a taxi only lane in a narrow tunnel with VERY CLOSE rails is any ones guess. This anxiety provoking loss of direction when I was actually supposed to be at a nearby airport hotel for a final interview combined with driving on the left and a poor sense of spatial relations caused destruction of my passengers side mirror (see attached).
Although rattled I am a determined individual and managed to call my beloved who was not in the least bit surprised and follow my derelict GPS to my proper destination. I was offered the job which is a testament to my overall ability to rally in a pinch! The picture attached is much improved from immediately post accident when my mirror was hanging on the side of the car. My beloved who majored in electrical engineering was able to reconnect the electrical and lighting. I have ordered a replacement cover at the dealer which will cost a fortune after painting. Perhaps getting this accident out of the way will mean smooth driving before I receive my company car.

Jeff and I spent the weekend in Rome which is my all time favorite city with the exception of the Romans. I am still amazed that England can be so close to France and Italy where fashion and food are king and not have received any overflowing benefit. This probably is a good thing since I cannot cook nor accessorize and would feel woefully inadequate living amongst those with these God given talents. What makes Rome my favorite city is that you can never walk too far without encountering a major historical site. In one weekend we walked past the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Coliseum, Piazza Navona and spent several hours at the Villa Borghese. The villa and gardens house an amazing collection of paintings and sculptures and was built by Cardinal Borghese who was the nephew of the then Pope Paul V. I would highly recommend visiting it if you find yourself in Rome because you can view the collection in under two hours and it is a beautiful gallery. The Cardinal being typically Italian and the favorite nephew of the Pope was able to amass the world renowned collection of art through bribery, blackmail, theft and intimidation even sending in the Papal Guards to jail prior owners on trumped up charges until they relinquished their art. I just love Italian history.

I just have to share a story about the Italian machismo which Jeff and I overheard. Besides their incredible disregard for others on the roadways the Italians males are incredibly chauvanistic and as in the case of this gentleman make no attempts to hide it. Jeff and I were just waiting for our taxi to depart for the airport when we had the opportunity to overhear a phone conversation with a hotel guest and his significant other. He was speaking in English and quite loudly as anyone within the lobby could hear the entire one-sided conversation. "Julia you are not listening to me. Julia! I will wait one hour and no more. Julia, I am done listening to you. No! Quit speaking now! Julia, why do you still speak? I am done talking to you now. We will talk later." The whole time he was shaking his head at the bellman and concierge like- can you believe the gall of this woman? Trying to reason with me? Afterwards when we were on our way to the airport I asked a question and Jeff said to me, "why do you still speak? no speak." Nice try.......

I have verbally accepted a job with St. Jude Medical launching their Deep Brain Stimulation product in the UK. It's a great opportunity! Cross your fingers as I am waiting on the paperwork. I am scheduled to start next month and am very excited about the technology and the change of pace. The only room left to paint is the laundry room and I have moved on to flower planters. For those few who are grievously concerned that my e-mail updates may slow, never fear. There will be plenty of time in the OR waiting for cases to start. You still may have the opportunity to spam me.

Love,

M