Monday, April 20, 2009
so wait, eventually I'm gonna have to leave Holland?!?!
Jaime left to return to the U.S. today. I'm comforted by the fact that I will see her again when I go back home since we live only 45 minutes apart but I'm still sad that she left. Watching everyone say their goodbyes this weekend really pulled heavy on my heart strings. I hate seeing people I care about and love upset and I kept thinking about how I'm going to have to do the same thing in a few short months. Honestly, leaving will be the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life. Watching the kids grow up and spending so much time with them has really made me love them. All day I've been been staring at Niek and Pim, giving them as many hugs and kisses as I can and getting teary-eyed when I think about not seeing them everyday anymore. I will cry right now if I keep thinking about it so I'll stop.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
What's the difference between jam and jelly?
The answer to that question is all kinds of inappropriate.
Anyway, this past week has been one of the best ones I've had in a while! The weather has been absolutely beautiful which really does seem to change everyone's mood. The kids have been phenomenal and I am so proud to report that Pim took his first steps this week! I was home with him and Niek and as usual Pim was trying to play with something he shouldn't have been. I picked him up and put him on his feet near his toys when he just stood their upright for about ten seconds! I'd never seen him do this before and I wanted to take my phone out and take a picture/video but I was afraid that any movement I made would distract him. While I was pondering my dilemna, he took 3 STEPS towards me!!!! I started jumping up and down and called Eline. He looked so happy.. it was the cutest thing I'd ever seen and I almost cried. I really love that little boy. I have no idea how I'm going to leave these kids. It hurts me to even think about it.
I booked my flight to London and cannot wait to see Damaly again and our Romanian friend Andreea, whom we met in Barcelona. I've also been in contact with the University of Amsterdam to explore my options to study out here. I'd been toying with the idea of doing that for quite some time but I never really sat down and thought about it. Of course I miss everyone from home but I really do love it out here but I hadn't really had the chance to really think about it. That or I'd start thinking about it when I'm out with people, where my quietness was often mistaken for unhappiness. Sometimes I really wish that people wouldn't try to find me when I'm lost in thought.
I wish all bathroom floors were automatically heated. I want to marry James Morrison & his voice. Lizzy and I are going to a Lil Wheezy concert in July before I leave and I'm so excited! There's an Indonesian place in the center that I've been fantasizing about all week but I have no desire to bike in and get it. I'm going to go upstairs and work on my Dutch instead. Tot de volgende keer!
Anyway, this past week has been one of the best ones I've had in a while! The weather has been absolutely beautiful which really does seem to change everyone's mood. The kids have been phenomenal and I am so proud to report that Pim took his first steps this week! I was home with him and Niek and as usual Pim was trying to play with something he shouldn't have been. I picked him up and put him on his feet near his toys when he just stood their upright for about ten seconds! I'd never seen him do this before and I wanted to take my phone out and take a picture/video but I was afraid that any movement I made would distract him. While I was pondering my dilemna, he took 3 STEPS towards me!!!! I started jumping up and down and called Eline. He looked so happy.. it was the cutest thing I'd ever seen and I almost cried. I really love that little boy. I have no idea how I'm going to leave these kids. It hurts me to even think about it.
I booked my flight to London and cannot wait to see Damaly again and our Romanian friend Andreea, whom we met in Barcelona. I've also been in contact with the University of Amsterdam to explore my options to study out here. I'd been toying with the idea of doing that for quite some time but I never really sat down and thought about it. Of course I miss everyone from home but I really do love it out here but I hadn't really had the chance to really think about it. That or I'd start thinking about it when I'm out with people, where my quietness was often mistaken for unhappiness. Sometimes I really wish that people wouldn't try to find me when I'm lost in thought.
I wish all bathroom floors were automatically heated. I want to marry James Morrison & his voice. Lizzy and I are going to a Lil Wheezy concert in July before I leave and I'm so excited! There's an Indonesian place in the center that I've been fantasizing about all week but I have no desire to bike in and get it. I'm going to go upstairs and work on my Dutch instead. Tot de volgende keer!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Oost, West.. Thuis Best
Although I'm loving my time here in Holland, I'm happy to report that I'll be back in the Connecticut area on July 14th! I can't wait to see my friends and family and make the most of the rest of the summer since I plan to return to Europe in late August/early September. I'm not sure what exactly I'll be doing but I know I'm not done with Holland just yet.
Things with the family have been going well. The kids get sweeter and sweeter everyday and whenever I think about having basically three months left here with them, I feel an overwhelming sadness. I'm going to be really sad to leave the family as well as all the wonderful people I've met on this journey but I console myself with the thought that I shall soon return. The plan is to have my ticket back here booked before I leave because I know if I try to book it from home, chances are I won't.
I'm not exactly sure what it is I'm gonna do here. I'd love to go to school but I'm not sure I can afford to start as early as September. I have been in touch with a few universities here and will keep you updated. If school is not an option, I can try to find work. Being employed looks a lot more promising here than in the states and my host-father said he'd help me find housing which is greatly appreciated.
My sister is joining me in London on the 7th of May and I'm sooooo excited! I was happy just to see her once but knowing I'll get to see her again is making my life! She really is the best :-)
That's enough for now. Wheezy, out.
Things with the family have been going well. The kids get sweeter and sweeter everyday and whenever I think about having basically three months left here with them, I feel an overwhelming sadness. I'm going to be really sad to leave the family as well as all the wonderful people I've met on this journey but I console myself with the thought that I shall soon return. The plan is to have my ticket back here booked before I leave because I know if I try to book it from home, chances are I won't.
I'm not exactly sure what it is I'm gonna do here. I'd love to go to school but I'm not sure I can afford to start as early as September. I have been in touch with a few universities here and will keep you updated. If school is not an option, I can try to find work. Being employed looks a lot more promising here than in the states and my host-father said he'd help me find housing which is greatly appreciated.
My sister is joining me in London on the 7th of May and I'm sooooo excited! I was happy just to see her once but knowing I'll get to see her again is making my life! She really is the best :-)
That's enough for now. Wheezy, out.