Sigh of relief

P is on his way.

After a one-and-a-half week worry, wondering where his passport was while waiting for both the US embassy and their very useless couriers (SMS) to get their act together, he's all set to leave the UK for the very first time. (OK, he's been out of the UK on holiday before, but this will be the first time he's truly away from home.)

And just in time for Halloween too! We've carved pumpkins and set them up on our windowsill in Edinburgh before, but this time, we'll do it properly and even dress up! (There has also been talk of going to have a look-see at a parade in Hollywood.)

I can't even begin to describe what a relief it is that he's finally on his way. Although the last few months have just flown by, I haven't really settled in. Like so many other foreign post-docs, I have no reason to go home on time in the evenings; I don't want to be the kind of person who lives in the lab. I've even forgotten what it's like to talk to someone over breakfast/dinner.

Without anyone to share my food, I don't have any incentive to bake or do anything more elaborate than stick bits of protein, carbohydrate and vegetables together in 2 or fewer pans. It'll also be nice to try out some LA restaurants that aspire to more than the fare I've had so far.