TALL-NON-FAT-HALF-SWEET-DOUBLE-SHOT-EXTRA-FOAM-CARAMEL-MACCHIATO STAT!!

This, my friends, will be the standard breakfast order when I escape the black hole of coffee take-out that is The Netherlands and spend the weekend in Edinburgh, a place that has adopted the general strategy of the UK (and all civilized coffee drinking nations) and placed a Starbucks on virtually every corner. I AM SO PUMPED! The mere promise of caffeine in delicious and take-away form has already sent a surge of adrenaline through the veins!!

And !GASP! sudden realization: it's summer, that means FRAPUCCINO SEASON! MMMint chocolate frap in one hand, caramel macc in the other, life will be good...

(much better than the office gastronomy I am experiencing at the moment which is involving some very sad carrots that fell victim to an overzealous refrigerator)

Today is playing host to one of the modern workplace's most enigmatic events: The Staff Barbecue. Don't get me wrong, it is greatly appreciated to have an afternoon off while chowing down on some free "food", but the thought of numerous small children (colleague offspring) loudly verbalizing their discontent with everything from each other to the selection of beverages is not something I am too keen to partake in this afternoon. Just give me a nice martini (or a lovely chilled Muscadet, to enjoy in the heat) and some barely-grilled tuna and I would be so incredibly happy. Even (moreso? not necessarily) in pure solitude.

Day by day I am striving to improve my Portuguese, which will be greatly aided by some extra special new resources. Would love nothing more than to dive right back in to Portugal and immerse myself until it all clicks into place, but for now, this must suffice.

Work is aggravating my ulcer.

Thoughts turn to upcoming dinners and trips to the airport and seeing friends (from Canada too!) for what will no doubt be a super ultra fabulous weekend. Will try to keep the Blog posted.