I have sadly been remiss about staying in touch and keeping you all updated this year, especially since my move. I realized (thanks to some lovely e-mails) that I had not even sent you my new address and phone number! Well since it is the season for resolutions, I vow to be better in the coming year about this. So here we are at step one! Where in the world is Mariah Hartman? 
As many of you know I quit my job at Chiron/Novartis in July and had a few weeks to focus on my final Iron Man training and pack up my life to prepare to move. On Aug 26 2007 I crossed the finish line to the announcer proclaiming “Mariah Hartman, you are an Iron Man”! I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face for days!!! It was an incredible experience and I can not wait to do my next one. Of course I will have to wait at least a year so I can get through school first.
If taking on an Iron Man this year was not challenge enough, I also thought I might as well quit my job I have had for 7 years, move to a new country, and go back to being a student! On Sept 15 I bid a teary goodbye to San Francisco and all of my friends and headed across the pond to Oxford England. Upon arrival I had one week to get settled before orientation. The incoming students had set up an e-mail distribution list so we could share advice and keep in touch. Luckily it was also used to set up meetings for the new students. Each night a new pub was selected and anyone who had arrived could show up and meet some of their new classmates. It was GREAT! We got to sample some local brews and meet each other in small groups of 20 or so. Then when day one of orientation came around, I had already met 70-80 of my classmates, so I could focus on getting the names of the rest. By the end of week one I met all 220 of my new classmates, but still struggled with over 100 of the names. I am continually amazed by how great everyone is. I have made some really fabulous new friends.
Then we were off on the start of classes. Things have not slowed down since then. I took 6 classes in the first term ranging from accounting to strategy, none of which I had taken before. So I was working very hard. Of course I also needed to fit in some fun and take advantage of the full college experience. So in addition to studying I joined the rowing team, ran and was elected chair of the sports, social, and welfare committee for my class, learned to play touch rugby, traveled to Wales and hiked Snodonia, went to Warick castle, joined the triathlon club, flew back to SF to run a marathon, went to two black tie parties including Thanksgiving with my sister, and organized the student pub crawls! Whew, no wonder I was tired! My finals were much tougher then I could have imagined, but what do you really expect from Oxford? But I survived and I definitely earned my three weeks off!!!!
Just after finals, I hopped on a plane to Ireland to visit Philip and get a “locals tour” of Galway and County Clare. I had a great time, it was a lovely place. Then I headed back to the states to have Christmas with my family in Alabama. I am going back to the UK to celebrate New Years in Edinburgh with Sandy and Megan. I can’t wait for the huge party that is Hogmany! Then it is back to the grind for my next term.
So that is the very long update of my life. I hope you have all been well. If you fancy a trip to Europe please come and visit me in Oxford. It truly is a beautiful place and I would love to have you all. I have another 3 week break at the end of March and start of July. Please keep in touch, I miss you all. Hope you have had a great holiday and have a very happy new year!
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