TGIF AND THE WEEK IS OVER: I can't believe I posted last on Tuesday! Where has the week gone? I have tried to pack in so much thinking I was leaving on Thursday. However, I discovered at 5 p.m. the night before my departure that a friend of mine from 1989 is getting married - ON FRIDAY! So, I couldn't imagine departing one day short of his wedding. I invited myself and changed my ticket. Now, what do you do for a Russian wedding? I have no gift, he has more money than I will ever have in 10 lifetimes nad I haven't met his future wife. Hmm...a weekend at Greenwood Farm? I thought of that and may create a little "gift certificate" and find someplace to print it out. That would at least mean that I would see him again if he wants to redeem his gift!

The wedding begins at 5 p.m. at the Beach Club. I'm sitting next to his sister Zlata, who I haven't seen in years either. I remember visiting his grandmother years ago. She's since passed away, but he has several brothers and sisters and there will be 150 people or so at the wedding. I think that's a pretty big wedding.