bethany725

Rach -- Thanks so much for my birthday message! It was a great birthday.. Much of that due to so many nice messages, emails, phone calls, and texts from people.. Birthdays really make you feel special!

Thanks so much, Sedge! Birthdays are so much fun.. and they make me feel so loved when people think of me and take the time to wish me a happy one.

Hi Inver! Thank you so much for my birthday message. So sweet of you to think of me.

Stephanie, Thank you so much for the birthday wishes. It WAS a fabulous day.. I just love birthdays. They can be so much fun.

Hi Charm!

Love your new avatar, by the way.. you always find such pretty and fun ones.

Also, a huge "Thank you!" for thinking of me on my birthday. So nice of you!

Frankie! Thanks for thinking of me on my birthday and sending me good wishes.. It was such a fun weekend. I'm half sad that it's over!

Thank you, Sarah, for the birthday wishes! Birthdays make me feel so loved. <3

That is SO neat that she's getting to travel so young.. Those things are experiences that people take through them all through the rest of their life, and it can really make an impact. Traveling is such a blessing.. It really lets you see the world from a different perspective, and it's wonderful that your daughter is getting to start so young; these experiences can really help shape her!

Hey no worries.. Everyone but me calls him "Raj" anyway, so I didn't even notice that you'd said it!

Oooh your daughter is in Germany! What part?! How old is she exactly? That is so exciting.. I bet she is having a great time. But I do bet you miss her madly. And soon you'll have them all to yourselves for summer.. I bet you are so looking fwd to that!

No problem about Raja's job.. He works in banking, and he's doing a rotational program that rotates him through a different aspect of the business (and location) every 6 months. This is our final rotation (Hong Kong) so the next job will be permanent. We hope to go back to the US for the permanent job, but the financial markets are rough right now, which means we can't afford to be as picky. So far he's applying to jobs in Australia and California, and hopefully more options will come along soon. We'll see what happens...

Hi Janet! Yes, isn't my profile very... pink?

I've been around more frequently the past week, but it's been in little 10 or 15 minute increments as I get a little bit of time. I come play catch up for a little bit, then rush back off.. not very conducive to conversation, but I'm doin' my best!

We are still loving Hong Kong.. We have about 2 more months here before the rotation ends.

How are you doing?

By the way, I still love your lil' Matilda avatar!

Oh... My. You certainly picked a challenge of a job this time around, didn't ya? Very admirable that A) someone picked out specifically to recruit for the job and B) that's a job you're able to handle and look forward to. I'd be hopeless at it. Does "challenging" mean mostly behaviour problems?

Things are still good out here.. We're having a great time in Hong Kong. We have a little over 2 more months here, and then we settle on a permanent placement and have more of a "home" setting. So far, we're applying to 2 jobs in California and 1 in Australia. Hopefully some more options will come along also, so we'll see what happens.

All done with The ABC Murders.. good read, and of course I was way off as to the who and/or why! That's all I'll say as to not spoil anything at all in case you decide to read it!

I just read up on The Secret History.. It looks good! I've never heard of the murder case it's supposed to parallel, but it sounds really interesting. Plus, it's written by a lady who was born in Mississippi, which is one state from where I grew up. I always love to read authors who are from my area or close for some reason.

Let me know how you like the book.. If it's a great one, I may pick it up for myself sometime.

Hahaha.. I just cracked up when I read one of your posts. In the BookRing thread, you said something like "How do I get my name on this list again? And who do I send my address to? Sorry.. I ask so many questions!" and someone responded and said "Well, Mac, you're at the bottom of the list." Hahahahhhaa.. I died laughing. It was a perfectly appropriate response in regards to the convo going on, but out of context, it's just hilarious.

Anyway.. beyond that.. I see you got a new job! Fill me in, as I've been entertaining and am seriously behind. Hope you're well!

Thanks for the "report," Scarlette! I'm so glad you liked the book! I'll have to remember and pick it up sometime. "The ABC Murders" is only the 2nd AC book I've read, the first being 10 years ago when I was in high school, and I think this reading, along w/your recommendation, is going to be the cause of many more of her books to enter my home.

I'm only 2/3 of the way through this one, but unless something major changes, I'd highly recommend it. I THINK I have an idea of who could be behind this, but I'm way more certain that I'm incorrect and it's going to be someone I never thought of. From what I remember, that's how it happened with "And then there were none..."

What's up next for you as far as books?

I've been pretty much MIA on the forum until today, too.. just been too busy.

So far, I've gotten aloe and white vinegar.. I may move on to yogurt next!

Glad you got the reply.. with words.. no way I was typing that b!tch over.

Hello there! I just got your email.. love out-of-the-blue emails! They are my favorite.

I am fine.. nursing a raging sunburn that I accidentally got Sunday -- My first since our arrival to Hong Kong! Ah well.. it had to happen sometime, I guess. Although it would have been NICE to get it from lounging on a yacht... Jealous over here.

Will write you back straight away -- It's time to find out how Monaco was anyway. xoxo

It's hot here too, and really humid. I promise I dry my hair and don't even leave my apartment, and my hair starts fluffing up from the humidity before I even step outdoors. Pretty.....

Oooh what are you guys doing for your 4 year ann?! Congratulations.. that's really exciting!

Things are good here.. Mom's visit just finished up, so I'm catching up with friends here before Raja's family comes in Saturday night. Then it's Round II of sight-seeing! Haha.. I'm going from Mom who pretty much eats meat with every meal, to Raja's mom, who is a vegetarian. Seeking out these dining places for guests is quite the feat!

How are things with you?

She's on my list to try. I know you and Charm have both rec'd her to me, and Charm just read one she loved by her, so that's the one I have on my list.. I can't wait to try her.

What is he afraid will happen to you?

Ooh a new job app.. Good luck! When will you know something?

Just okay? Anything on your mind?

Mom's had a great time in HK.. there's so much to see and do here, so she's had a great time exploring and learning about the city. Three weeks wasn't even enough time to do everything, but she got to do a lot!

I love HK.. the weather gets really hot and humid, but other than that, it's pretty much a perfect city for me.

Hi Paula! Thanks for the msg!

Things are good here.. My mom's been visiting for the past 3 wks, and her trip finishes up tomorrow, so she'll be heading back home to the States. Then Raja's family arrives for 8 days on Saturday night, so I'll be starting the sight-seeing process all over.

How are things going with you??

Ooh you're reading a new Erica Spindler now! Let me know how you like this one!

Hi Mac! Things are moving along over here.. Mom's visit is finishing up tomorrow morning, then Raja's family comes in Saturday night, so I'm going to do a lot of laying out at the pool and reading in between the two visits.

How are things with you? Still staying busy?