The last couple of weeks have been touched by sadness as a family friend passed away. Helen will I'm sure be remembered for her laughter (a self-professed "goon") and her warm heart, but I know I'll remember her for Friday night fish and chips, afgan biscuits and a doll named Betty who had a wedding dress like Lady Di's. That made a huge impression on a 6-year old. (I remember staying the night not long after the "royal wedding". I woke up in the middle of the night and tip-toed out to the bathroom, only to spot Helen in the lounge with Betty dressed in that wedding dress and all the other toys lined up as the wedding party... it was supposed to be a a suprise for the morning but perhaps it was just as much fun for her!).
In the days leading up to the funeral we had Jo (my sister) stay with us for a few days which was great. She bought some work with her and we worked and studied together, watched movies, drank lots of hot chocolate and coffee and generally hung out. She needed the break, and so probably did I... however my thesis work has suffered a little. Looks like we'll be leaving without having as much writing done as I'd hoped.
Luis is busy preparing for exams which start next week. His team came second overall in the university indoor soccer competition, but unfortunately without help from Luis as his knee was still not quite up to playing.
Exams, soccer finals... the end of the semester is almost here. Life seems to be running away, just when I feel like I should be slowing down to enjoy it.

I'm experimenting with adding photos to this page. This is a pot luck dinner we had a couple of weeks ago with some of the development studies students.