Five Things on a Friday

Chocolate Maine Quarters, by Wilbur's of Maine

1.  I spent Wednesday buying gifts for my trip to Belarus.  It's traditional to exchange small gifts when you do business or are taken out to supper, etc. So I bought some things from L.L. Bean for my Embassy hosts, and then little things representing where I'm from for the people who are hosting at each of my event venues. 

The Embassy is giving away copies of Rules in Russian at all my events, but I'm also bringing bookmarks to sign for the children, and little bags with a red, white, or blue chocolate star, a chocolate Maine quarter, and a maple drop for my hosts.  I'm going to make up the bags when I get there, though.  These things should be fine going through Belarussian customs and security. But if for some reason they refuse something, I won't lose everything I've brought. 

  Here's what they'll look like when they're done.

I have a conference call on Tuesday between me, my state dept. person, and the Embassy in Belarus to go over what I'll be doing. I need to prepare my talks, and it would help to know exactly who the audience will be for each one (Are there kids coming, for example?).  What kind of equipment can I expect? Practical issues like that.

2.  Yesterday I drove down to Massachusetts to celebrate my mom's birthday.  Happy Birthday, Mom!  It was lovely to spend the day with my parents. Mom didn't receive the cool pinata, pin the tail on the donkey game, or racetrack from Happy Birthday, Hamster, but I did have the waitresses at the restaurant bring her a piece of cake and sing to her 

3.  We got another 4-6 inches of snow last night.  Milo refused to leave the porch until I shoveled for him! 

4.  It's nice to have American Idol back. :-)

5.  Tonight, I'm going out to supper with some writer friends.  That's always fun! They all live locally, but I don't see them very often.  I love hearing what they are all doing.