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This past week found us in the most amazing country of Azerbaijan. First, we would like to thank the Honorable Nasimi Aghayev, Consul General of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles and the Dean of our Consular Corps, and his staff, for putting together this most amazing and intellectually stimulating trip for us. Azerbaijan is an oil rich country and has the architecture and infrastructure to prove it. We stayed at the amazing Fairmont Flaming Towers, pictured above, in Baku. We received a few “be careful” admonitions before leaving but found Baku safer than any Western city we have ever visited.

Istanbul, spreading across two continents, is the cultural hub of Turkey. There is no other city quite like it – constantly on the move!

On May 15, 1926, in the newly independent country of Latvia, Jadviga Bunkis was born on the family farm near the village of Indra. Her happy, simple life was interrupted by World War II.

This past week, Latvians around the world celebrated regaining independence from the Soviet Union a second time.

We took a break at Salisbury Plastic Surgery on Friday just to enjoy each other’s company and show appreciation for our amazing staff members.

Like many New Englanders, I probably waited longer than I should to have my facelift. I did not have the time, I reasoned. Mostly I did not know who to pick to do the procedure. That all changed, of course, when I started dating Dr. Bunkis, one of the most prominent, facelift plastic surgeons in Newport Beach, California.

Like many New Englanders, I probably waited longer than I should to have my facelift. I did not have the time, I reasoned. Mostly I did not know who to pick to do the procedure. That all changed, of course, when I started dating Dr. Bunkis, one of the most prominent, facelift plastic surgeons in Newport Beach, California.

We are so blessed to be doing something we truly love to do, day in and day out! How many people do you know who are not happy with their jobs and are just counting the years or days until they can retire? Being happy at work and loving what you do is an overall productivity booster, enhances performance and increases the chance of financial success.

We attended the annual consular meetings at the Latvian Embassy in Washington, DC this past week. We heard an update on the Three Seas Initiative (www.3siif.eu) and on Rail Baltica implementation of a rapid rail system based on European gauge rail system ranging from Estonia (through Latvia) to Berlin (www.railbaltica.org) – the scope of these projects is mind boggling given the size of Latvia!

What a magnificent weekend here in Southern California! We enjoyed a great cooking class at Sur La Table in Newport Beach Friday evening. On Saturday, we spend the day at the Boots in the Park Festival in Norco. We enjoyed the first three acts from comfortable sofas in the VIP tent because we were trying to stay out of the sun.