EMP-29

Hello everyone! I hope this issue of Kellogg World finds you in high spirits and enjoying summer, wherever in the world you find yourself these days.

Writes Dan Harrington: "We are currently living in London, where we've been since April '99. We'll move back to San Diego this summer. I'm still with NCR Teradata. Hope you're doing well."

I am amazed at how talkative Dan is. The guy has been living in London for six years and he has nothing more to write than "We've been here since April '99"? Dan! Come on, man! Don't you want to share your views about living abroad? Perhaps report back on the how the queen really feels about the whole Charles-Camilla affair? Or give us the inside scoop about Tony Blair's narrow re-election? Or what the Brits are saying these days about the United States?

Next comes word from Dan's former study group member, Phil Zazove. Phil writes: "I live in Ann Arbor! It's an exotic place, with thousands of young people wandering the grounds amidst some of us old fogies. Lived in England last year for a few months (met Dan Harrington who has been living there for years). I was on sabbatical in London — very fun. I worked in the hospitals/clinics at University College London. I'm now medical director at M Care, the University of Michigan's health insurance company, but most of our members are outside UM. On another note, my kids are no longer teenagers! One's in New York in fashion and the other is a junior at Northwestern (and plays for the country's No. 1 lacrosse team). My email address remains the same: pzaz@umich.edu and I'd love to hear from anyone who'd like to write."

Well, at least Phil wrote more than 10 words. Phil, do you think maybe the next time you see Dan you can shake him up a bit, get him to talk some? I'm having trouble believing there's absolutely nothing the guy can tell us after 10 1/2 years, other than the name of the company he works with.

Martha David appears to be having the time of her life since graduating from Kellogg. She writes: "I hope you are doing well. Right now I am writing you from Greece, second time since the beginning of the year. The first time I brought my mom back and this time we came with my husband for Greek Easter. It is beautiful — we traveled to Chania, Crete and now are up in Thessaloniki and northern Greece."

Granted, Martha doesn't divulge many details of her travels here. But you can just tell from the tone of her note that the woman has been partying up a storm. Martha, think you could bring me along on your next adventure? I could really use a break. (Remember, I have two sons under 6 and I haven't slept in years Š)

Good news also came from Jeff Buchta, who writes: "In 1999 I left the company I had worked for since 1973. I purchased a promotional products company in Green Bay, Wis. Last year, WS Packaging Group Inc. purchased my old company and asked me to join its team as VP of strategic accounts. I have enjoyed being back and still own the promotional products company, which is being run by my partners. Our family is blessed with good health. We also became empty nesters this year when our youngest son left for college. Best wishes to everyone from EMP-29." And best wishes to you, Jeff!

I had the pleasure of meeting Brenda Seliga for breakfast when she was in Chicago recently. Despite having crisscrossed the country several times since leaving Kellogg, Brenda has not aged one iota; she looks exactly the same as she did 10 1/2 years ago. She and her husband Cliff will soon begin intensive training for a cross-country bike ride through the narrow lanes of Ireland, which will take place sometime during the next five years. (My husband Dave has decided the ride will take place in 2006, as he and I will be joining Brenda and Cliff on this yet-unplanned trip. Little does Dave know we WILL NOT be riding around Ireland with a 3-year-old in tow. Hence, the five-year timeframe.)

Finally, I am competing in my first-ever triathlon this summer. OK. That was a bit of an exaggeration. I'll be part of a relay team competing in our first-ever triathlon. I'll be doing the swimming leg. Given that the last time I swam a mile (in an indoor pool, no less), I couldn't walk for three days, I'd greatly appreciate any good wishes you could send my way.