have kindly sponsored

I am back in college now, relishing the joys of late mornings, quiet days spent in classes, and not a single bit of stress. Even though I think my first days as a teacher went fairly well, I still was a bundle of nerves all week. My method in situations like this has always been to pretend I am not nervous and then eventually I even convince myself. I think my greatest moment last week was when some eleven year olds asked me why there was a hole in the ceiling and I quickly replied, Oh thats for the snakes. My response immediately propelled them into fits of glee. I was not quite as talented dealing with the older kids, but I suppose a lot of it will just take practice.

Meanwhile, I have been making arrangements for my return home and the mass of wedding plans to come. My father called me last night and we are already making plans to go check out some places that I did not have a chance to look at before I left. He was thrilled to hear that friends of mine from over here have been saving money to come for the wedding and I think he is now leaning once more towards the bigger event. If you think you are being held in suspense imagine how I feel.

It seems like I have just got to London and already I am making plans for my return. One of my closest friends surprised me with a phone call over the weekend. She wanted to know what I was going to do for New Years. She remarked that everyone she knew was either married, pregnant or both. It struck us how the people we are close with all seem to be hitting these significant points in life at the same time. It seems weird to me that marriage in and of itself would prevent someone from not enjoying New Years Eve, but to each his own.

Being pregnant, on the other hand, is a pretty decent excuse not to spend a night in a smoky bar. When I arrive home one of my oldest friends will be six months into her pregnancy. I have it from very reliable sources that she already looks like she is carrying around a basketball. She is also standing up for me so it will be interesting to see how we will manage to take her measurements for the bridesmaid dress. Just another strange problem arising from the saga that is The Wedding.

22 November 1999,

Stacie Lewis