After a 1 hour delay in Buffalo, a 6 hour layover in D.C., a 12 hour plane ride, and 2 hours waiting for luggage that didn't come...I'm home. I arrived safely in Doha this evening and was greeted with my first major sand storm. It's crazy out there!

I promise I'll post photos soon and write much more but I'm exhausted and really want to sleep. Happy New Year everyone, it was so wonderful to see you :)

It was wonderful to see everyone at the party last night! It was hard keeping my visit a secret but I wanted to surprise as many people as possible. I got to see the friendly faces I knew would be there, meet a few new faces, and a few faces I didn't expect to be there.

However, BOO on all you peeps who's faces weren't there!!!

I'm in the country a few more days so I'd like to do something. Maybe a peep dinner on Thursday? Does that sound good to anyone?

I really missed you all and it brought me a lot of joy to see you again, spend time with you, and I especially loved the hugs :)

Happy New Year estrip!

On the eve of each new year we often reflect on our lives. As I do this dear e-strippers, I wish you joy that never ends and happiness with all your family and friends.

Where were you when 2007 began?
At PMT's in Ab Fab gear

Who were you with?
everyone

Where will you be when 2007 ends?
Unkown

Whom will you be with when 2007 ends?
Unkown

Was 2007 a good year for you?
Very. Probably the single most growing year of my life. I battled depression, graduated again, landed a dream job, bought a new car, traveled, and learned a lot about how strong I really am.

What was your favorite moment of the year?
Stepping on the plane in Buffalo that would start my journey to my new home. It was scary and exciting like I've never known before.

What was your least favorite moment of the year?
Being told I wasn't worth knowing.

Did you reach your New Year 2007 goals?
I crossed off almost everything on my list!

Did you fall in love in 2007?
No.

Did you breakup with anyone in 2007?
Friends, yes.

Did you make any new friends in 2007?
Yes.

What was your favorite month of 2007?
May

Did you travel outside of the US in 2007?
Canada, Qatar, Turkey and Greece

How many different states did you travel to in 2007?
Florida, Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts.

Did you lose anybody close to you in 2007?
Yes.

Did you miss anybody in the past year?
EVERYBODY

What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2007?
Death at a Funeral (it's hysterical)

What was your favorite song in 2007?
She's my ride home by Blue October

What was your favorite album in 2007?
Well, what I listened to the most was Black Parade by My Chemical Romance

What was your proudest moment of 2007?
Being offered a great job just 3 hours before graduation.

What was your most embarrassing moment of 2007?
Falling for a 'line' when I knew it was a lie.

If you could go back in time to any moment of 2007 and change something, what would it be?
I'd make sure I had more than 2 day's notice to pack up my life and move half way around the world!

What are your goals for 2008?

Visit family and friends around Europe
Paint my apartment
Get much better at guitar
Go camping in the desert
Go duning - weeee
Get open water SCUBA certified
Travel to Singapore, Cambodia, and China
Don't make assumptions
Always do my best
And try not to take things personally!

Happy Christmas everyone! I hope you had a lovely time which ever way you spent it. Some of you may have received little gifts from me. My dad graciously played santa and made a few deliveries on my behalf. Much cheaper to send one package and buy my dad some gas than individual mailings.

Carey will be delivering my secret santa gift to the new year party. SO, dear secret santa - you can just give my gift to her at the party and she will give it to my parents who will send it along my way :)

I have a mouse in my house. I found it quite ironic that I had just finished watching "Ratatouille" when I discovered him. I now call him Little Chef, though I doubt he'll start cooking for me. I have to go shower now and head for bed. Nighty-night.

My new car. The first car I've ever owned in the same decade it was made. In fact, it's still in the same year it was made! If you've known me in the last 15 years, you know I've kind of always driven a pile of shit held together with duct tape, bungee cords and bolts in wrong places. It feels grotesquely grown up to own such a new vehicle, but it was rather necessary in this place.

I made a friend tonight. A real honest to God we can hang out and have fun kind of friend. A friend NOT affiliated in any way with work. It has been such a struggle to meet people because there aren't any social venues for doing so. Finally I got my foot in the door and met a normal, down to earth guy. Where you meet one you begin to meet others. Eventually I will have a circuit of friends outside of my co-workers and that is something I really need right now. It makes me very happy.

It's hard to transfer registration of a vehicle when the government thinks your dead - my life plays out like a sitcom, truly.

Although many people have told me so, I've only recently accepted the fact that I often don't give myself enough credit.

My hair is noticeably longer today - ironically 5 people asked me if I just got my haircut.

I make really amazing cookies- I think this statement counts as giving myself credit.

Veronika Decides to Die is turning out to be one of the greatest books I've ever read.

Listening to all of you talk of bunkering down for the winter in your warm fleece and plastic lined windows helps cool things down for me. It's still in the 90's and sunny which is playing tricks on my mind. I can hardly believe it's the END of November! If anyone is getting anything from me for Christmas I guess I'd better mail it now! Maybe it will show up on time.

Thank you (e:leetee) for sending me good ol' Buffalo snow - in a bag! I love it! I'll post a photo once I've whipped up a batch. I wonder if it will transform well enough to hold a sloppy snowball. I'd love to just peg the big cheese with one of those. Who would excpect a snowball in the desert? *evil grin*

My feet are doing better. My left foot especially. It's feeling almost normal. The right foot is much slower on the rehab. I'm trying to stay off of them as much as possible to maximize the healing power of my own body. I have a follow up visit tomorrow to see what our next plan is.

Just outside the city of Iraklion on the island of Crete lies the ruins of the palace of King Minos. If I recall correctly I think the foundation alone is a massive 4 acres. Then pile on about 4 stories, plus 2 or 3 basement levels...you've got yourself the setting for the legend of the Minotaur and his maze.

It was pretty rad to check off another Tomb Raider temple on my quest around the world. These are just a few shots. All of the photos are on my travel photo site. Enjoy!