(e:Rory) and I are formally, officially, 100% engaged! We are so happy!

This is how it went down:

He asked me on Friday the 13th in an old graveyard next to the old church in Ingatestone (his hometown). He got down on one knee. I was so overwhelmed with emotion I could hardly speak.

A small group of teenage boys that had just gotten out of school were coming down the path behind us, saw him on bended knee, and started shouting various congratulatory remarks and woohoo's. They passed us as we hung in a tight embrace, savoring the moment.

As we left the graveyard we rounded a corner to the Co-Op and the same boys were standing outside. They lined themselves up by the door and as we walked in started humming/singing "Da dum de dum, da dum de dum". It was very cute.

We just wanted to share our joy with all of you!

Today has been joyful and taxing. We finally finished our 3rd full day of interviewing candidates. It has been great having the opportunity to interview folks for professional position. I've interviewed loads of student staff, but this is different. I guess it was also fun to sit on the other side of the table, knowing they are experiencing the same things I was a few years agao.

Once we were finished and tore down our booth, I took an adventurous little trip to Target. I did my homework online to figure out the bus route. It took about 40 minutes to get out there (only 20 to get back) and it was worth the journey. Of course, it didn't cost a dime to get out there, which is either odd or we did something wrong and cheated the system. I don't quite understand how the buses work here. I know it's free in a certain downtown zone, but we rode way the hell out into the burbs. No matter...I was able to pick up (e:Rory)'s requested jersey sheets and some more pumpkin candles, as well as a few other bits and bobs. I grabbed a few Easter eggs for an activity I'm doing and stocked up my favorite gum. Yay.

I've been having a hard time sorting out a change in my return flight because of the major time difference. So, I began to panic this evening. We found out when (e:Rory)'s grandfather's funeral is, and I am doing whatever I have to do to be there with my amazing future husband and his family.

I talked with my boss and supervisor about the situation and how it's very important to me to be there. They agreed. It means giving up another presentation (I see a trend in my professional development follies) but there is no question in my mind that I should be with (e:Rory) instead of in a room talking about sustainability. My supervisor has graciously agreed to step in for me and that means a lot to me. I am going to miss her when she leaves QF.

It's snowing here. Pretty big change from the 80F in Doha. Seattle, what little I've seen of it, is really nice. It has a very walkable downtown area, and there are bookstores everywhere. I think the people at Barnes and Nobles know me already I've been in there so many times. That's something I really miss, bookstores and libraries. Sometimes you forget just how much you miss them until you have access to them again!

I'm on a short break from another long day of interviews. The great news is we have a few strong candidates and I'm excited about getting to work with someone I like. It's important to me, especially in the work I do, to have comrades. I really like that I get to have input this time, unlike last time, which was a negative experience.

Good things are on the horizon, I can feel the tingle in my tummy!

I made it to Seattle. It was a long journey.

I'm suffering the jetlag of an 11 hour time difference. Yikes.

I miss (e:Rory) like mad.

We start interviewing potential candidates tomorrow early morning.

I love Discovery channel, I'm so happy my hotel has it.

Ciao.

Back from the UK, for the moment. Tomorrow morning I leave for Seattle. I had a great time, even though I was sick for practically the entire trip. We stayed in London for Valentine's weekend, which was really nice. We went on the Eye for a sunset flight and actually got lucky enough to see some sun through the clouds!

We also saw Avenue Q in the West End, which is flippin hysterical! Seriously, if you get the chance, you'll love it. (e:Rory) has a favorite line from the song "The Internet is Made for Porn"....'just grab your dick and double click'. Schadenfreude was probably my second most favorite song...feeling joy in watching other's misfortune. I know, so evil....but it'll make you laugh.

(e:Imk2), I think the unexpected full on puppet sex was my favorite scene. It reminded me of this old Peter Jackson film "Meet the Feebles"

I finally got to meet (e:Rory)'s dad who is a nice old hippy rocker who reminds me of the character Walter from La Femme Nikita TV series. He also chants the fastest Nam-myoho-renge-kyo I've ever heard in my life. I was a little concerned he wouldn't want to visit the states for our wedding, but when we mentioned it he seemed to be all smiles :) He went on and about how great a guy he thinks Rory turned out to be, and I of course agreed. It was really great to see how happy he was for (e:Rory).

I had so much fun learning to drive on the other side of the car, and road, down these incredibly narrow country lanes! I only hit the curb a few times. I did freeze my tootsies off at his house though, he has no heat. We also slept on some unusual sized 1930's spring in your rib kind of mattress. I think it was a 'twin plus'? We barely squeezed on it and I'd either push Rory almost off the other side or he'd elbow me in the head. Great fun, lovely memories!

We visited the Cheddar caves and ate REAL cheddar cheese, as in made IN Cheddar, stored IN the actual caves. It was super delicious. Plus the caves were awesome, I love caving.

I got to meet a lot more of (e:Rory)'s friends, which was wonderful. It's always great to meet someone you've heard so much about. The wedding was straight up out of 4 Weddings and a Funeral, which I loved.

I have more to say about it, and photos, but am rushed to wrap things up right now. (e:Rory) got me an awesome notebook computer to travel with, it's so freaking tiny! This way I can keep it in my day bag and it seriously weighs less than the book I'm reading right now (The 19th Wife, really good). Ciao!