Good news, bad news.

The bad news is that my gallbladder has to be removed surgically. It's done laparoscopically and on an outpatient basis. I've been having a lot of stomach issues this past year or two and am anxious to put them behind me. I have to have a consultation with a surgeon next week and we'll go on from there. Yuck.

The good news is that Chris has been rewarded for all of his hard work this past year with an all expenses paid trip to Barcelona in April. I've never been there and am really excited about it! Gonna eat a bunch of tapas and drink a bunch of wine and see a lot of art and architecture. It's nice that Chris is being recognized and I am happy to be going along on this trip!

Joined Chris in New York last Thursday and stayed until Monday morning. We had a real nice time reconnecting with one another. As I have no doubt mentioned, I miss the hell out of him when he's gone. He's my best friend, my sounding board, my conscience - and so much more.

We had a lovely belated anniversary celebration Thursday evening at the Red Cat Cafe in Chelsea, a place where we feel very comfortable, and where we enjoy the food and ambience. Afterwards we walked down 23rd Street and stopped for a few drinks on the way. Nice.

Chris spent Friday morning working and I went to the gym in the hotel. We had a nice lunch at a brasserie. I had moules and frites and Chris had Welsh rarebit. You know Chris, if there's melted cheese on a menu, he's ordering it! We both had a beer.

On Friday night, we met Chris' old friend from Munich, Mick Collins and his girlfriend Suzanne, and their friends Holger and Heike, all in from Europe for a quick jaunt. We hooked up in McSorley's downtown, a great old beer and sawdust joint I could have spent three days in .... Afterwards, we took them to Katz's Deli for pastrami and rye and they were duly impressed by its standing as the lcoation for Sally's fake orgasm in When Harry Met Sally. Afterwards we starggled over to Milano's, a real dive on Houston, with a great vibe and an incredible jukebox. Lots of drinks and laughs.

Saturday, Chris and I went to the New York Transit Museum (trains, you know who loves them!). Had a great lunch in a middle eastern joint and ended up having great pizza at John's, a famous old brick oven place in the village and more drinks with the gang.

Sunday, we went to Ellis Island, which was interesting for both of us, and then out for Mexican to a place called Zarela which I found on Chowhound. Three margaritas on a Sunday night followed by a beer - not so smart old girl.

Back to work on Monday.

We finally had some snow today, which was nice given that it’s been a weird and warm winter here, but I hear the same is true back in Munich.

Finally getting back into a bit of a routine here after the holidays. Chris is in Manahttan most weeks and I miss him very much. I am still stunned by this. I used to revel in my solitude when I lived alone, but it’s been three years since we started living together and I suppose I’ve changed. It’s not that I can’t be alone, but life is infinitely better when he’s here, even if he’s in another room. I love sharing meals with him and bouncing ideas back and forth. There’s never been another man like him for me, I’m happy to say. We laugh, we tease, we fill in each other’s blanks. It’s nice to be on this journey with him.

Last week we went to Sagami with some friends, a place I’d spent some time in with another person I once loved, 10,000 light years ago. I hadn’t been in there since we broke up and I thought it was going to be weird for me, but it wasn’t at all – just one more sign that I made all the right choices this time. We had a good time with Lisa and Mike, absolutely gorged on the freshest sushi I think I’ve ever had. Mike actually apologized to me for an argument we had a few weeks ago, which made me feel good. But he also paid me a compliment by telling me that my argument had caused him to change his mind on the matter at hand. Mike and I get along great, and it’s impossible not to like him, but we’re both passionate about things which can cause friction from time to time. Lisa and Chris are both the easygoing halves of the couples while Mike and I are both the uber opinionated other halves. I know I couldn’t live with me, and I certainly couldn’t live with Mike but Lisa and Chris are doing a good job with us!

Will try to get at this more often, and in more personal depth. I find myself whitewashing and glossing over stuff and I am trying hard not to do that.

The holidays are over and I couldn't be any happier to see the back of them. I had a major back problem which sent me to the hospital and sidelined me for two weeks. Pure misery. It was also really dismal because it was our first Christmas without my mom.

Things are getting back to normal now, thank goodness.

In other news, Chris has been promoted into his boss' job, which is wonderful for him and makes me feel really good too since I dragged him (willingly!) to live in the States. I'm pleased that his career is benefitting from the move. He really pulled up stakes to make me happy and the fact that it is working out on all fronts is wonderful.

Happy New Year!