Victoria went back to Norway yesterday. Mai-Britt is going back to Denmark (via Rwanda) on Monday. Katie is going back to the US in two weeks. John left for London on Thursday. Helen is going to Kenya on Wednesday. Joey will be moving to London soon.

I'm so glad I have so many friends in so many different places but goodbyes make me sad.

• I am almost out of sparkling water. Whatever will I drink?
• I've come across the "Shaddup-a ya face" song in two very different contexts within a very short space of time. Do you think this is a sign?
• I love surprises.
• Surprise #1: A completely unexpected and extravagant act of generosity from my mother, which reminded me yet again of my heavenly father's generosity.
• Surprise #2: The surprise party for a very dear friend's 40th birthday that about 30 people from church are in on. She has ABSOLUTELY no idea and I cannot wait.
• Why is it that some people like, and seek out, the feeling of fear - rollercoasters, skydiving, horror/thriller films? I think fear is my least favourite feeling, and the fear of fear occasionally gives me a slightly panicked feeling too. Am I weird, or are they, or is it just a preference like drinking tea or coffee?
• Euro 2008 is much more exciting without the crazy hype and tinges of racism that would be present if England were playing.
• Ich hab Angscht, dass ich kei Schwaebisch mehr kann.
• I grew teary-eyed over the newspaper again today, and it wasn't even a particularly distressing story.

Also:

Dear France,

I miss you. I miss the simple suppers we had together on the terrace, in the beauty of the evening sun. I miss your lovely mountains, with their ever changing clothes. I miss those day trips you took me on - pottering about tiny villages, falling in love again and again with Annecy, exploring the back streets of Grenoble. I miss hearing your beautiful language every day. I miss the smell of fresh bread from a bakery early in the morning. I even miss our arguments.

I really wish I could, but I just can't visit you at the moment. Please come and see me, and please bring all those friends of ours with you. I miss them too, you see.

I love you,

Me xx

True that.