The week made better with Lesley..and BILL, and Portugal!

Ahhh what a week it's been. Is it Thursday already? I guess that's what spending 10 hours a day at the office does to you. Complete and total loss of time. And day. And reality. I'm putting in what I hope is a valiant effort to get a firm grasp on expectations before my EXCEPTIONALLY WONDERFUL predecessor bids us all farewell next week, but whether I have made good impression enough to warrant an invite past January remains to be seen. Right now thoughts are tied up with the Cairo conference in September and how we are going to successfully turn the disco of the InterContinental City Stars Heliopolis Hotel into a functional Press Room. I pray they keep the mirror ball strung up, as Rodrigo will need sufficient atmosphere to carry out the Flight Attendant dance. Where is the cage from last year?

However busy this week was, I am automatically happy as my fabulous friend/colleague/Gong Show Co-Host Lesley is visiting from Halifax to put in some good IPSF time before Congress. She's a superstar, one of my Top 10 for SURE. I laugh with no one like I laugh with Lesley (save maybe Meghan!) and the general consensus is that we Canadians are a wacky bunch. Move over Mike Meyers and Jim Carrey, there are some new Canadians on the block. A weekly cabaret show is planned in the foyer of our soon to be opening Starbucks in The Hague; the first in The Netherlands. Considering there is no take-out coffee establishment in a city filled with Expats we consider our 'Bucks a licence to print money, provided the million dollar start up investment materializes somehow. May have to discuss it over a tall non-fat half-sweet no-whip double-shot extra-hot caramel macchiato. And hey thanks to my Roca's experience if this FIP thing doesn't pan out I can revert to frothing milk behind the 'Bucks counter.

AND not only Lesley popped over to visit, but the always popular yet visibly elusive Luis/Bill has graced us with his presence! Finally we meet in person and I am smitten with yet another charming chap from Portugal. Bill - es muito giro! Spent an UBER fun night with the crew laughing till our guts ached and illegally piling into Teresa's car with Tana's fingers stuck in the car door. Good times...

I am sorry I will miss them all tomorrow, and yet am comforted with the prospect of seeing a new country as I am off to Portugal where it has been 35 DEGREES CELSIUS ALL WEEK! I am so FREAKING EXCITED to feel that kind of heat!! Not to mention catch up with Pedro and see what is reputed to be one of the most beautiful countries in the world. And what is also reputed to be one of the best shoe shopping meccas in the world. Bring it on.

And now it is 1:30am and I must be up in just over 4 hours. Hope to report on a memorable weekend all ways round.