Life - November 21, 2009

Hi Everyone-

Sorry we've been silent most of these last two weeks. We've both been working like crazy. As you saw, John was in Italy last week testing power plants and then in Northern England at Immingham testing a plant this week.

Cheri was preparing for our half-year results announcement. If you want to see her boss delivering the speech she worked on it will be on the web likely next week. For now, here is an excerpt from the interviews he did near the day - http://www.nationalgrid.com/corporate/Investor+Relations/Financial+performance/interim2009/InterimResults2009OverviewVideo.htm.

We are off to Egypt tomorrow to celebrate Thanksgiving and get a real taste of the ancient world. we spend two nights in Cairo seeing the Sphinx, Pyramids, and the Egyptian Museum. Then on to Abu Simbal for a 1/2 day, then onto a cruise along the Nile for the next 4 days. We finish back in Cairo...so you've got some pictures to look forward to!

Thought you might like to see a view from Cheri's office....

We'll be thinking of you on Turkey day!

Enjoy-
John & Cheri

November 8-12, 2009 - John in Itlay

Hi Everyone-

John had another big adventure testing a power plant in Northern Italy. He was so close to Slovenia, that if he'd thrown a rock he would have hit it. The days were long, but he did get to go out one afternoon for a walk.

Enjoy!
Cheri

November 7, 2009 - Battersea Fireworks

It continues to amaze us Americans that the Brits still celebrate with spectacular fireworks, the 'only honest man to ever enter Parliament', Guy Fawkes who tried to blow it up in the early 1600's! Never-the-less, each year there is a cry of 'Remember, Remember the 5th of November' and all around the country there are celebrations with humongous bonfires and fireworks. This year, Cheri got to Battersea Park where the fireworks had a 'love' theme.

John is in Italy testing a power plant so he didn't get to see them. Oh well - maybe next weekend when his favorite mayor, Boris Johnson, hosts his Annual Lord Mayor's Festival!

Enjoy!
Cheri

November 2nd, 2009 - Welcome to the World Lila Ellen!

Welcome to the world little Lila!! You are so cute and I am so lucky! Melly had this beautiful little girl on 2 Nov and I flew into Brooklyn on 3 Nov for work! After work I got to visit Melly, Mo and Lila in the hospital! Sorry Mom - I know you wanted to be first!! :-)

Lots of love!
Cheri

October 30, 2009 - Sheikh Zayed Mosque - Abu Dhabi

Everyday on our way to the Petroleum Institute, to deliver lectures and attend Board meetings we had passed the Sheikh Zayed Mosque; the 8th largest Mosque in the world. Each day I kept wishing we could stop, but alas there was too much business to do.

On our final day, after working very hard for 3 days - literally from 6:15 AM to around midnight each day, we had completed our business and had a few hours before I had to fly out. We asked and found that we could stop on our way by. It was nearing sunset and the 4th prayer of the day, so we were told we couldn't go in when we arrived at 5:30, but if we wanted to wait we could enter around 6:15 after prayers. Four of us elected to remain and one of the four (Saifur) who is a Muslim got to pray there for the 1st time ever.

In order to enter we had to put on traditional garb. It was worth it! We all learned a lot as Saifur took us around the inside and explained how things are done. Just like in our Christian world, the vast majority of Muslim's are are non-violent as violence is not a part of their religion. They are just like you and me. If anything, they worship God more visibly than we do - with 5 prayers a day at prescribed times based on the lunar calendar! If you are devout you never get to sleep in because the first prayer is before sunrise! It was great to see it all and learn so much!

Hope you enjoy the images! If you want to see more, visit the web site.
Cheri

October 28, 2009 - Abu Dhabi - Speaking at the Petroleum Institute

Cheri entered the Arab world for the first time ever on October 27th. It was not without trepidation she did so; being a woman traveling alone and all. Well - it turns out there was nothing at all the be scared about - the people were so warm and friendly! They did everything they could to make our experience an 'over the top' experience. Dr. Abdurrahim El-Keib (Rahim), Dr. Lana Chaar Moumneh, Maryam Ali Saeed Althani, and Fatima had planned every detail of the visit and went out with us each evening. We have made friends that will last a lifetime.

On the 28th I had the distinct privilege of speaking to about 200 women engineers at the Petroleum Institute along with my colleagues the other women of the IEEE Power and Energy Society (PES) Board - President Wanda Reder; Treasurer Noel Shultz; and VP of Chapters Meliha Selak. We gave lectures about our careers and helpful hints about how to progress through life. The talks were very well received and honestly we all felt this was one of the most meaningful talks we had ever given! Our thanks to the girls we interacted with, to their professors, and the industry people who attended the session. We were all deeply touched by the experience.

Humbly-
Cheri

October 25, 2009 - Walking Around London

Hi Everyone-

On this Sunday, John and Cheri decided to walk around some parts of London where they hadn't spent as much time as others. We walked down Whitehall to the Houses of Parliament and through the back side of Westminster Abbey. Whilst at the Abbey some VIPs rolled in and we think we saw one of the Princees' before walking across the bridge and down by the Eye. We continued up the South Bank of the Thames and over the Black Friars bridge - taking in all the sights and sounds! The kids have a bike/skateboard park along the Thames and we had a good time watching them fly through the air. It's getting dark pretty early these days and the sun was completely set by 5 pm!

Enjoy!
Cheri & John

October 18, 2009 - Camden Town

John and Cheri struck off for Camden Town on this Sunday. John hadn't been there before and Cheri wanted him to see it. Camden Town was the home of the London Stables from 1854 until horses were no longer the main mode of transportation. Today, it is a vibrant market place filled with all kinds of vendors. They have kept their roots and commemorated them with horse statues throughout the market place.

Hope you enjoy the images!
Cheri & John

October 10, 2009 - Windsor Castle

Hi Everyone-

On Bruce and Cheryl's last day we headed for Windsor Castle in the morning and then mid-afternoon we headed back into Portobello Market so they could see the antiques and but T-Shirts. It was a gorgeous day!

Enjoy!
Cheri & John

October 8, 2009 - Happy Anniversary Cheryl & Bruce

Hi Everyone-

On this day we celebrated Bruce and Cheryl's 26th anniversary with them! We called it 'Bloody Thursday' and proceeded to spend their money on techie toys for each other. Cheryl got a Aspire One laptop to match Cheri's!

We went to see Jersey Boys and again at ate at our favorite place in Chinatown. What a great show!! We all enjoyed it very much!

Enjoy!
Cheri & John