Ilona's Birthday

Cigars were smoked, Slivovica was drank, cake was eaten, salsa was danced. Good times!

See "Ilona's Birthday" at

Shan's Sony Image Station Photo Albums

for more pictures.

Lake Senec

Lake Senec:

Senec

Who would have thought?
Found myself hanging out on the "beach" in place called Senec (pronounced Sen - ets) this Saturday. It was simply too hot to stay in the city, so Kathryn (american intern) and I went to a lake about 30 minutes away. The bus ride/sweat box was hell, and the death march to get to the lake was also not so fun, but it was well worth it when we were able to sit down, have a cold beer then jump in the lake. The people watching opportunities are truly extraordinary here - never seen so many mullets and speedos in my life.

See the album "Senec" at

Shan's Sony Image Station Photo Albums

for more pictures.
AND the albums "Koliba" and "The Aligator" for more adventures with Kathryn, Matus,and Mamura

Happy Anniversary!

I am pretty sure my office-mate, Masami, thinks I am insane.... or a gigantic loser. Anyway, it is our 4th wedding anniversary today and I just wanted to say that I miss Glen very much and can't wait until he gets here! The traditional 4th year gift is linen, so maybe I'll go out and buy Glen his very own towel at Tesco. Living the life over here.

Traditional Anniversary gifts by year:

1st-100th Wedding Anniversary Gift Ideas and Celebration Suggestions

so.. it turns out I was wrong about 4th year anniversary gift, which is fruit or flowers. LAME!!! If I live until the age of 129, I will get a 10K diamond...

At Work

Well, here is a picture of me with my eyes closed in front of the UN building.
Really enjoying my work and the people I have met (very interesting and diverse group!) The interns are from USA, Canada (just me!), Spain, Slovakia, Hungary, Australia, Pakistan, Bulgaria and Italy. I share an office with a very nice lady, Masami, from Japan. I've included a picture of my "desk" (if you can call it that) The joke here is that interns get the smallest crappiest desks, and the biggest, crappiest computers! My computer looks to be soviet issue (old, gigantic and slow) and my keyboard is russian/english. Very glad I brought my laptop, as I do most of my work on it!

CDN BBQ!

Just when I started feeling sorry for myself (missing the Stampede again!) a canadian couple from UNDP threw a BBQ/pool party on the weekend. Hamburgers and beer! It was a great time, about 20 undp staff & family showed up, so I had the opportunity to get to know a few more people. Lost at croquet, but put in a good showing! Also tried some amazing new wines from Croatia, Georgia and Montenegro. Visitors: you are in for a treat when you come!
Above is a picture of me with another intern, Adam from Hungary, but affectionately known as "Borat". If you have ever seen the Ali G show you will know what I'm talking about...

See the album "BBQs at Steve and Gina's" at

Shan's Sony Image Station Photo Albums

for more pictures.

Home Sweet Home

Well, I'm all settled in! A very nice lady in the HR department helped me find an apartment. It is 1/2 block from the UN building, so no excuses about getting lost or being late! This is the view from my balcony where the thousands of screeching birds, psychotic pigeons, angry yelling slovak men, continuous construction and howling dogs dwell. Needless to say, I have not found the need to buy an alarm clock yet. Oh, and I forgot the church bells that ring every 15 minutes all day. Good times. To the right is a view of the street I live on. I am in the building attached to the one with the ivy.
It is EXTREMELY hot here - plus 30s every day, so one of my first purchases was a fan, which makes my little apartment tolerable. It's been a little bit difficult with the language barrier (i.e. getting a cell phone, ordering food!) but everyone in the office speaks english which is a relief! More on my work and co-workers in my next blog. (all great!!)
Hope you are all doing well!
love,
shannon

See the album "Shannon's Arrival" at

Shan's Sony Image Station Photo Albums

for more pictures.