Welcome to my first posting!

It has been a relaxing few weeks since I left San Francisco. I'm watching every penny as I go, and everyone has been incredibly generous along the way.

I first visited my good friend Cheryl and her husband and two boys Lucas and Sam in Atlanta for a few days. We went to the new aquarium there, and I enjoyed seeing the whale sharks, as well as the beluga whales. Cheryl and Eddy also had a really nice barbecue at their house, (When Uganda Go, Uganda Go) and I was able to see Joe, Brian and Greg, old friends from school, as well as meet some of Cheryl and Eddy's friends. I then flew to Maryland, and have been visiting with my parents, my brother and his wife, my grandmother, and the rest of my family. It's antique central in this house, but they have many beautiful pieces. At least there is room to navigate through the house! The last house was so crammed full of antiques I could barely move! Mom made a really nice dinner for the whole family on Wednesday night, and I was able to see John, Robert, Pam, Kathy, Melissa, Pat, and Brittany. I also went and saw my grandmom Charlotte, who has no idea what we talked about 5 minutes before, but seems happy living entirely in the present moment! I went into DC on Thursday night to see Vegas and Irene, and some of the other crew from the Furtopia camp at Burning Man, including Lynn, Daz, Ky, Becky, and Max. It was great to connect with all of them. We later went out for drinks and I was able to see Jim spin some records, and chat with Jasmine for a bit - both friends I also met at Burning Man a few years back. Friday I walked around the mall in DC, checking out the WWII, Vietnam, Korea, and Lincoln memorials. I also had a chance to walk around U of Maryland with Jan-Michael and Cara. I will head to Philadelphia tomorrow to see Jim and Kristan, also friends from school, and then on to NYC to see Smoothjacket and Robbie. I'll be leaving for London on Wednesday! It's almost here!

Much love,
Justin