Tuesday, March 29, 2005

bunny head cake...mmmmmm

Laura says: man, I actaully get here and you´re gone...'

Claudine says: hello?

Laura says: sanoooooo

Laura says: oh, come on!

Claudine says: hello?

Laura says: yay!

Laura says: hi

Claudine says: hi

Claudine says: sorry

Laura says: how are you...how was easter

Laura says: I know, job and all

Laura says: terribly dull

Claudine says: i just got here but i'd forgotten to sign out yesterday

Claudine says: because i rushed out to get my towed car from the lot

Laura says: oh, sorry...

Claudine says: easter was nice

Claudine says: we all went to daisy's

Laura says: morning off...or what time is it...day light savings has me all confused

Claudine says: it is 8:50

Claudine says: am

Laura says: it can´t be

Laura says: it´s ten to five here...

Laura says: oh wait, we had day light savings on Sunday and I am in Finland one time zone over

Laura says: I was wondering why I had no responses

Laura says: That sounds really nice

Laura says: a new flag for this year?

Claudine says: ?

Laura says: isn´t there usually an Easter flag?

Claudine says: at daisy's

Claudine says: she has one of those wind sock things by the front door

Claudine says: i did get a bunny head shaped baking pan and easter cookie cutters

Laura says: that´s more like it

Claudine says: and round tiered cake pans, you know to make a wedding cake

Laura says: bunny head cake...mmmmmm

Laura says: great, you make bake my wedding cake too

Claudine says: and a pan to make an enormous sheet cake

Laura says: but only if it includes bunny head

Claudine says: i don't know where she got the idea that soon i will be feeding 150 people cake in my apartment...

Laura says: I guess she´s preparing you for those barefoot and pregnant days just around the corner

Laura says: you´ll need to fill your time somehow

Claudine says: funny

Laura says: ooo-eee, I just got another assignment ...a 300-word playoff summary...which silly enough, will be based on the same Web shit that anyone can read, but I´m not complaining

Laura says: actually, I have to log off here--I´m on a limited time computer, but I need to get a longer term one...I´ll be back in a little bit...you can get your coffee in the meantime

Claudine says: ok

Wednesday, March 23, 2005

no one, absolutely no one has even thought of bringing me toast and tea in bed.

Laura says: hej hej!

Claudine says: Hey :)

Claudine says: how are you?

Laura says: not too bad, taking this trip well I think

Laura says: and yourself

Laura says: making plans for a euro visit?

Claudine says: it's definitely a possibility

Claudine says: are you staying through the summer?

Laura says: yeah, made the decision

Laura says: Probably stay in Malmo ...the only down side is that is that she will be close by at her parents for half of the summer, and the idea was to be on my own,

Laura says: but her place is perfect, and it would be so easy to set up.

Laura says: I will see if there are any options in Tampere, but as much as I like the Fins more, I like the environment of Malmo more

Claudine says: well then i will have to get there at some point during the summer

Laura says: excellent!

Laura says: or, if you wanted to do Paris still, I could get down there

Claudine says: we'll figure something out

Laura says: more things to look forward to

Laura says: speaking of which how is the bathroom coming along?

Laura says: I told my Dad--who worries I will sink in to a deep depression when I return home after all of this--that at the very least you will keep me busy with interior design and painting for a bit

Claudine says: well a couple of color strips fall off each time I take a really hot shower, so i'm almost tempted to say whichever one stays up the longest wins

Claudine says: except that there are some colors that i know i don't want

Claudine says: so i might start removing those and seeing what's left

Laura says: excellent plan

Laura says: very organic

Laura says: yet another story...to compliment the pantry cooking for people moving article

Laura says: how is Blake doing with the classes

Claudine says: good, he's doing really well and seems to be enjoying it

Laura says: that´s really great to hear

Claudine says: yeah, i'm happy for him

Claudine says: he's also been doing some film stuff at home so that's encouraging as well. I told him he should start a blog about attending the medical assistant program

Laura says: he should just write and write and write...he´s so good.

Laura says: and the more that is put out there, the more people get to be exposed to it.

Claudine says: yeah, or he could just leave the country

Laura says: I think that his writing even says what is so missing from the largely pompous writing population (esp. of NY)--that he isn´t telling you he is so much more brilliant than you are, you small-minded peon reader, he´s just explaining what he sees, like to a friend

Laura says: a little testy over this still...after 6 months?

Laura says: Today is my 6 month anniversary

Claudine says: congratulations

Laura says: 6 months of sadness from our parting, that is

Claudine says: right

Claudine says: is this spelling right? ACROUTREMENT

Claudine says: acoutrement

Laura says: I think its French, shouldn’t you know that

Laura says: and yes I think that looks right

Claudine says: my spelling is terrible

Laura says: and you’re asking me?!

Claudine says: it's actually accoutrement

Claudine says: it's the same in english too

Laura says: 2 cs I see...lesson for today, that´s good

Claudine says: our window went away... are you still there?

Laura says: yup

Laura says: still here

Laura says: a low time on my free hostel internet

Laura says: at 30 for a bed in the 8-bed room, I am going to stay here on this computer as long as I can

Claudine says: definitely

Claudine says: well, you do have good timing, because once again my boss is away

Laura says: :)

Laura says: the only unfortunately part is that I do have a hockey game that I have to leave for in 40 minutes or so

Laura says: but that´s plenty of time

Claudine says: and it's a wednesday, so tracy's on too

Laura says: yeah, there´s a whole party going on...I feel very loved

Laura says: it was cute, Tracy had the same response to the "evil " One that you did, when I said I thought that if I could get Lynn over I should have them meet, that they make a better couple...she said no, not with someone so evil

Laura says: it made me love to have you guys at friends, defending me from mean stars to the death

Claudine says: i agree

Claudine says: although here i am attending author's night and skating parties, defenseless again sacred heart parents and alums

Claudine says: (see i don't think that i would get less bitter the longer you stay)

Laura says: yes, I will owe you for many many charity functions after this year

Claudine says: :D

Laura says: and room paintings and color choice and frame selections

Claudine says: honestly, how you thought you could vacate your boarder position for so long is beyond me

Laura says: trust me, as I´ve tried out my options elsewhere, nothing compares...I mean, no one, absolutely no one has even thought of bringing me toast and tea in bed.

Laura says: you just can´t find decent service in Europe

Laura says: cool...my Finnish friend is going to help me try find a Finnish publisher for my book (in translation, of course)

Laura says: so that I can feel like I accomplished something and didn’t JUST abandon my friends this year

Claudine says: that would be great

Laura says: I am also going to try Swedish and Swiss publishers...and who knows maybe the CBA deal will be made and North American publishers will be willing to look at it before the summer ends

Laura says: I need to have that possibility of actually producing SOMETHING. That´s why I´m so bad at doing my wn writing--with no market, no way of making it more than a note for myself, it´s hard for me to be inspired

Claudine says: yeah, i can see that

Claudine says: but I would feel that if you were going to become a success at any moment that you'd want all that writing on hand

Laura says: I don´t know though...you are always creating beautiful things...you have a better love of what you do I think

Claudine says: ?

Laura says: yes, you´re right

Claudine says: as i sit here and stuff auction invitations?

Laura says: That´s why even writing this book...whether I can find a publisher right away or not...seems to be the thing I need to do. I will also be working on the kids book--Postcards from Penelope...both to be done by summers end...plus a lean and tanned and athletic looking Laura.

Claudine says: sounds like a good plan

Laura says: (I have a secret idea where we bump into each other when I´m all bronzed and in good shape after boxing and running and swimming all summer, and confident and successful with a book deal ...and I get to just smile and say, ahhhh, but you´re not interested in this)

Claudine says: i can see that

Claudine says: is the water better where you are now? i remember you said it was wrecking your hair and skin

Laura says: yeah a bit less calcium here

Laura says: Belgium is awful.

Laura says: But it is still a head and shoulders commercial dream--not to be gross, but god it’s a pain

Claudine says: is it drinking it that's bad or washing with it

Laura says: I think washing with it. I think drinking it is just making my nails and bone like steel. No osteoporosis for me!

Claudine says: yeah i guess washing with bottled water would be a bit extravagant

Laura says: maybe

Laura says: just a bit

Claudine says: i think i might be dehydrated; my skin is really dry today

Claudine says: and i'm going for my physical, i hope my doctor doesn't reprimand me, i'm also nervous that my cholesterol is going to be higher and that last time it was just a fluke

Laura says: well, you could just sit there and drink like 6 glasses of water before the physical

Claudine says: i might

Laura says: and winter also makes skin dry...ugh gross mine is horrible

Laura says: well, I have to go to his hockey game and grab a McDonlands hamburger on the way so I don´t starve to death

Laura says: gross, but only thing affordable

Laura says: Timo has Internet at home now...so as long as his brother isn’t working I may get to bug you some more...when are you off this week?

Claudine says: just friday

Claudine says: then next week i'll be here all day every day

Laura says: cool...though Thursday I will be tired...but next week too!

Laura says: sanooooo!

Claudine says: sanooo

Monday, March 14, 2005

we could not get used to that when we were in evian

Claudine says: laura!!

Laura says: howdy!

Laura says: loved the pictures....made me feel like I was a part of home

Laura says: I am treating myself to Swedish expensive Internet in Malmo...but no break down in tears this time

Claudine says: i hope i didn't screw up your mailboxes

Laura says: nah, yahoo gives me loads of space

Claudine says: good

Claudine says: the point wasn't to make you feel a part of our home, it was to make you feel bad that i have to pick this color (or non-color, since they're all essentially gray, unbelievable how many different shades of gray there are...) by myself

Laura says: and I would love to help from cyberworld, except that first there is the distortion of the camera and then the monitor I’m looking at the chips through...so I don't have quite the right look at it

Claudine says: very true

Claudine says: the monitor especially distorts colors a lot

Laura says: But I would go for one of the more beigey grey, a little warmer...but a cool bathroom is nice too, kind of refreshing if it that right cool but not depressing grey

Claudine says: at first i was leaning towards the greener grays, blake likes the warmer ones but they remind me of our old bathroom which was tan, i think a crisp cool gray would be nice and would make the colors in the pictures nice and bright

Laura says: yeah...actually and you have the nice beiges and tans hues in the other rooms. Sometimes a bathroom is nice to have different. And it’s not like you need the place to feel like you want to cuddle up in it. Cool often says clean, which, let’s face it, is really all we really want from a toilet

Claudine says: although now that we have our nice reglazed tub I’ve become addicted to hour-long baths

Claudine says: there's still the alcove between the bathroom, bedroom, closet, that's not painted

Laura says: ooo...nice eh?

Claudine says: ?

Laura says: oh, just 15 minutes left

Laura says: the glazed tub...nice

Claudine says: yes very

Laura says: and then, they´re closing.

Laura says: soon here

Laura says: so I finally met her cousin here in Malmo

Claudine says: is it quarter to ten?

Laura says: yes...and I´m in land of Europe where everything shuts bizarrely early. I miss NY for that

Claudine says: yeah, we could not get used to that when we were in evian, everything closes at 4

Laura says: Her cousin has a flat I could rent here for the summer...but I think it´s really just too nice for me...meaning too expensive

Claudine says: it's ridiculous, and since i don't get going till about noon...

Claudine says: yes, too expensive, you should definitely come home

Laura says: yeah, I was thinking about maybe seeing if I could find something cheaper

Claudine says: :@

Laura says: sorry

Laura says: hey,.. you told me to stay

Claudine says: ?

Laura says: you did...i" if it was me..."

Claudine says: blah blah blah

Laura says: well, I want to wait to make a decision. She’s very nice though. She’s letting me stay at her place for the rest of my stay. The strange thing is, she´s really too American for me. I like the reserved calmer Swedes. And she wants to come to hockey bockey tomorrow, and I just don´t think that guys are going to like her, being the reserved quite Swedes themselves

Laura says: but I´ll let them hash that out

Claudine says: how long has she been there?

Laura says: she´s Swedish

Laura says: so all her life I would guess

Laura says: but she wants to move to the US like I want to move to Scandinavia

Claudine says: so she doesn't want to move here?

Laura says: she does

Laura says: oh

Laura says: I get it har har

Laura says: slow tonight

Laura says: sorry trying to figure out who is playing where in Swedish

Laura says: loved the cat pictures too...

Laura says: k, well I have to pay for this by credit card, so I should let this guy go home and get this done

Laura says: I will try to get on again...perhaps Jessica has MSN I can do this from her place...though seems rude

Laura says: later

Claudine says: have a good night

Laura says: you too

Tuesday, March 01, 2005

a little remindful of homesickness

Claudine says: Hi :)

Claudine says: are you on for a while? I was just about to get lunch

Laura says: ah, you beat me to it

Laura says: slow computer

Laura says: yup

Laura says: see you in a bit

Claudine says: Hi

Claudine says: great now you're gone :@

Laura says: nope I'm here

Claudine says: sorry :$ impatient

Laura says: having a conversation

Laura says: get this…my aunt who last summer we dashed down to see because we figured she was dying, ended up having her legs amputated...is taking her five daughters on a week-long Alaskan cruise!

Laura says: how great is that!

Claudine says: that is great

Claudine says: so she's doing well?

Laura says: evidently

Laura says: I just heard from my cousin--i was asking about some of my Dutch heritage in case we go to Roterdam, where we're supposed to be from and she says she's doing really well.

Laura says: being well cared for...good luck to Dad with his three daughters...no wonder he's such a fan of euthanasia.

Laura says: So, did you get a snow day, I didn't get to read the news

Claudine says: a lot of schools in NJ and LI closed and the parochial schools closed but the NYC public schools didn't so neither did we :(

Claudine says: i think we got about 7 inches of snow though

Laura says: wow cool

Laura says: after all the warnings, I woke up to a dusting here

Laura says: tonight it's supposed to start though...up to four inches by evening, so all of belgium is in pure panic. That's like a nor’easter in here

Laura says: Oh....yayayayayay...my briefcase finally arrived today

Laura says: a lesson in poor problem solving skills by DHL...I will have to write them a letter

Laura says: the DHL people typed in 15 instead 85...and yet it took them 3 days to figure out the right address, even though right there on the package on a clear white label was the correct address.

Laura says: Seems like a training issue to me.

Laura says: But I am happy six months of work is not completely lost

Claudine says: that's good

Laura says: i was getting a little upset about it, because i couldn't track it b/c the number wouldn't work and it should have been here by Friday

Laura says: and I kept having to hang around the house just waiting for it.

Claudine says: so sad

Laura says: but finally got to the embassy today to apply for my 2nd passport

Laura says: really...i was stressing out...and there's nothing on tv to distract me

Laura says: think--my computer, all my notes, everything I've done for 6 months potentially gone

Laura says: plus my digital recorder, mp3 player and some cash plus travelers checks worth a couple hundred bucks

Laura says: I was very upset

Laura says: you are supposed to be the nice one, remember

Laura says: ?

Laura says: I should go pack now for tomorrow.

Claudine says: sorry

Laura says: I'll be gone for about two weeks. 2 ½

Claudine says: i have a meeting at 4, where are you going again?

Laura says: Lugano, Switzerland via Milano (gross, gross city)

Laura says: and then to Budapest

Claudine says: have a great trip

Laura says: and I hope to go to Slovakia and Czech republic too...but may have to skip up to Sweden quickly to catch a couple games with teams I've been following

Laura says: I will...I'll try get on IM as often as I can

Laura says: it's always fun...if a little remindful of homesickness