Bee1

It's so sad and so horrible and the weather matches it. I am fortunate that I was nowhere near as I was not living in London at that time and none of my friends was caught up but still my thoughts go to those who were there, and to families of those who paid with their lives. Very sad day indeed but we should be "grateful"(not sure if that appropriate word to use here) that is was not worse - it could have easily been.

but surely you eye colour doesn't change so much - from hazel to blue? My sister has grey/green eyes which can go bit darker if she's in bad mood but not dramatic colour change. Agree with the hair colour - I thing the dark hair suits her much better.

1064 that's because we live at different continents

hello everyone. It's horrible cloudy and little bit rainy day and I barely slept last night. Will miss you BG but will be looking forward to hearing all about your trip and meeting "gals" when you come back.

I read the books every now and then but I've read them so many times now that I just skip to favorite parts Yes reading fan fic can make you bit confused about what "is real" and what someone else made up. It happens to all of us . You are definitely not alone Lisa.

Hello Frannie so sorry to hear that - hope Robin is OK, not too shaken. It's really sad about the cat but you have to think in bigger picture and not to worry to turn your back or close your eyes. Hope you all recover soon from this "emotional trauma" as it's the invisible scars that takes longest to heal. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Movies and books are never same - movie is only about 2 hours long and no way you can fit a whole book in it. I have seen Twilight movie first before I read the book. It was the movie that maked me to go out and buy the book. Reading book after seeing the movie filled out lots of blanks. I think if you read the book you use your imagination to picture characters and places and then sometimes what they produce in movie is different (possibly not as good) as what you imagined. That doesn't mean the movie is not good. I liked all 3 movies -there were bit different from books but were not bad (in my opinion). I would say the best thing for you to do is to watch the films and read the books as well so you can form your own opinion.

you've seen all 3 movies back to back? WOW! Glad you had nice experience.

I'm still here but I guess you are not. When you read back - Have a great time and I want to hear all about it when you come back

Oh OK Zoonie - yes it's still horrible. Have a grear day - I will be logging off soon myself

I know and there was another one the other day - Raoul Moat from North East - shot his ex girlfriend, killed her new BF and shot someone else.

Not entirely sure but you tend to have smaller planes for short flights so I though they don't have as much space/cant carry as much as huge planes. I might be completely wrong about that - I've only been on one long haul flight in my life. As for the luggage - I know if you pay extra for a good quality case it most likely to last few trips (my last case was e-bay purchase and it lasted 3 trips) but the one I got my eyes on starts from £230 for hand luggage size case (the ones that you can take to cabin). I don't really travell that often for me to justify to pay price like that but it's very very good quality luggage

so it's about same like if I go home. I thought you would have more allowance for long haul flights. Packing from trips (or packing in general) is stressing. I still have few weeks before I have to start thinking about mine but I don't have suitcase right now. I had one but it lost both of the handles on my last trip home so I had to bin it. I found one that I like but it's really expensive (it's Samsonite).

yes it is Zoonie - but it's also very stressing (at least for me). Thank you for you ideas. @BG - what is your allowance for luggage?

@Zoonie - I don't really know yet - it's all at very early planning stage but now I decided to have 3 weeks rather than 2 weeks so that should give me more time. @BG are you all packed yet?

the Elephant Parade is now finished and all the elephant statues have been sold in auctions raising whopping £4,008,425.

please say Hi to him too Yes that would make it even better - they can show me around so I could see things that tour guides don't talk about. Frannie already promised to give me "insider tour" of Chicago - as well as offered to drive me from hers to Chicago (6 hours). I know for US standard it's not that bad but here in UK it took us about 5 to get from London to North East where Mr B's partents live (and that's very very near coast)

I guess that depends on lot of things - peak/off peak time and time of year, if it's popular destination etc. I was checking Delta yesterday and they didn't have direct flight from Seattle to either Chicago, Jacksonville or Columbus (somehow I think that's nearest to Frannie)

I know but it will be bit tricky to get a good idea untill I can nail down suitable times. Zoonie - it gives me something to look forward to. USA was always on my list of places to see and Mr B's been few times so he didn't really want to go again. Now that I don't have to take anyone else in consideration (I know it sounds bit harsh) I can finally plan to go and see places I always wanted to see and to meet my wonderfull on-line friends as well is the cherry on top!

1060 - it's close to lunch time here

did you notice that she has blue eyes with red hair and brow with brown hair in those pics?

Sounds good Kijo! Clever girl! I was talking to Mr B yesterday (he caught up with me on my way from station and yes we speak again) and he suggested to talk to a travel agent to see if I can get some deal on round the US ticket - he went few years ago around the world and it only cost him about £700 pounds for plane ticket. I might look into that at the weekend.

@ Kijo - thanks I will check that. That would be great help. @Zoonie - sometime next year in summer

I'm doing good - Mindy just massively improved my mood. I'm really getting excited about this future trip to USA. if everything works out well I will get to see the following people: Mary Callahan in Seattle Mindy in LA Frannie in Ohio Lenka (my czech friend) in Chicago Tanya & Kijo in Florida

Good morning Zoonie - even it doesn't sound like a good one for you Hope the day will get better