Hello again everyone! I apologize (again) for the large gap since my last post! Honestly although thing here have been quite busy, little has been truly blog worthy; however, in the last week or two, things have really picked up. The most exciting bit of news is this:
That’s right folks! I completed my masters thesis (and defense) with a passing grade! Yahoo!!! This brings my time in graduate school to a close. WOW!!! Is that for real?! It seems hard to believe! It may be one of the most simultaneously thrilling and terrifying periods in my short life so far.
In other news, Sping is really in full swing around here. In the beginning of May, The Netherlands celebrated both its Independence Day (Bevrijdingsdag) and the Kings Birthday (Koningsdag), which are both basically excuses to for everyone to have a long weekend, day drink it into oblivion and listen to live music while getting sunburned. It is…quite the experience I must say. These Dutchies never cease to amaze me with their contradictory average cool-headed mind-set and occasional bursts of outrageousness. It was a treat to see the entire city dressed in orange and having a great time.
The weather as of late has been brilliant. Of course I am still for now in The Netherlands, which means surprise down pours occur regularly, but my gosh is this place wonderful when the weather is nice! I even got a wee sunburn on my cheeks (likely the first but not last of the season!) the other day from reading my book in the park too long. Paradise.
Like his king and his country, Gerben also celebrated a birthday as well this month! He shares his birthday with his grandma, so we went to his parent’s house for a little joint celebration! Happy birthday you two! :D
In addition Gerben and I were invited by his Dad & brother to accompany them on a sailing regatta! (I didn’t know it, but that means a race of sailboats!) Although it took me awhile to find my sea legs and get used to the rocking boat, it turned out to be a really interesting experience! I am not sure I would choose sailing to be my own hobby, but it was quite enjoyable to sit on the deck and watch all the boats.
I am afraid I wasn’t much help as a crew member (yeah, I totally took a nap at one point…), but I feel extremely lucky to have gotten to participate anyway as I have very little sea experience and it was my first time on a sailboat! Charlie also had quite a nice time when it wasn’t so rocky. The little guy didn’t even get seasick! Thanks Gerard and Harm for having us! :)
I am afraid I wasn’t much help as a crew member (yeah, I totally took a nap at one point…), but I feel extremely lucky to have gotten to participate anyway as I have very little sea experience and it was my first time on a sailboat! Charlie also had quite a nice time when it wasn’t so rocky. The little guy didn’t even get seasick! Thanks Gerard and Harm for having us! :)
Sadly, (not everything can be rainbows and sunshine right) due to various visa and work restrictions, I have not been able to land a job here in this lovely country. That being said my time here is, for now, coming to a close. It really breaks my heart and some moments I am totally filled with panic at the impending possibility of abandoning everything I have built here and what I will have to leave. On the other hand it excites me to think of all the wonderful people I will be joining back in the USA again and all the new adventures I will have there. As of now my plan is to travel the South Pacific for the month of June (stay tuned for that!), return to Groningen the first week of July to collect Charlie and my belongings and then fly to the USA to stay/work with Mom for July and August…and then who knows!!! Haha I am really looking forward to seeing what the future holds. I am open to any and all suggestions/advice! Wish me luck! :D.
For now, it all about finishing everything up here and saying most of my goodbyes. I had a farewell party at my office and another with my friends and roommate, which only made me realize even more how lucky I am to have befriended so many excellent specimens of human beings. I had many farewell lunches, dinners and coffee dates as well as snuggles with Charlie, as he will stay with Gerben for the coming month (yeah, boy time!).
On a side note, it has been brought to my attention that my cousin Nick and his girlfriend Katrin, are expecting a little one! Congratulations you two! I can't wait to see you guys again and meet her/him!
So, for now, farewell Groningen! I will see you again briefly in July! To everyone else I hope you are all doing well and making exciting summer plans! Please keep in touch and fill me in on all your lives as well! xoxo
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