A Work/Vacation Sandwich

In July we headed to Italy with London visits on the front and back end for work. It was a great experience to get to visit places I had previously been too, but had no interest in exploring. Emily fell in love with Italy and enjoyed all the museums, sites, and the many gelato shops. We started in Pisa then a few days on the Mediterranean in a town called Monterossa, then on to Rome....Umbertide (Central Hill country) and back to London. Our constant in every city were those double decker bus tours that take you to different parts of the city in a couple of hours. I used to see people in those buses when I traveled and think...."what a bunch of saps....why would you pay money to sit on a bus that goes in a circle?" I am now one of those saps. And I love it. I celebrated my 30th birthday overseas with Em and family. It was nice. I dont like birthdays and this one was no exception. I managed to work myself up a nice sinus infection while traveling which has been the story of my last 7 years. We are back now and the reality of work and school is setting in. Em starts teaching next week and taking classes later this month. I am planning on doing seminary courses part time which should make for a very interesting fall.