"Big Apple"

Kiddos had no afternoon nap at their normal time since Mandy's family came by and in the end they started getting cranky o In the end it was me who tucked Maille in for the last time o;( Bag was quickly packed but this time weight wasn't distributed as good, have to figure out a better way. Time was suddenly flying by quickly ... Mandy made me some chocolate cookies to take along for the train ride. Somehow they seemed to be eaten quicker though than made ... and only once almost everyone had departed the stack of cookies grew o) Mandy brought me to Beacon Falls very own train station; consisting of a tiny platform and a shelter that was it. The conductor saw me and commented on the big bag. He went round to check tickets I had just settled in and was about to read a book and eat a cookie. He saw me, grinned and said "I'll let you finish your cookie and than stop by". I had to change trains in Bridgeport and than on to Grand Central Station.

Mandy, Mike, Aden and Maille: it was such good fun to be with you guys and play with them! Thank you for everything and maybe I'll just have to send Mum over for a visit; I'll come by again in maybe 2 years or before o) By than they will be all grown up and I wonder if they remember me at all o)
I had the time of my life and it made me realize that one day I want to have a family of my own.

At Grand Central Station I went to the meeting point but thought better quick stop for the bathroom. After having a look around decided no way that I'll put my backpack on THAT floor so using the bathroom turned into a new experience!!! Upstairs Robil was already looking for me and we went for a drink and waited for Astrid and her friends who were going to meet us. They were over for the first time in NY and it was their last night out. We went to Queens for proper Indonesian food and it was very tasty and good. The New York Times had written an article about it recently and it is well-known now therefore. The conversation was quite different than what I was used to lately but very interesting. The funny thing was that suddenly I understood bits and pieces of conversation in Indonesian. Seni, keine Ahnung wie ich das auf einmal hinbekommen habe, aber hin und wieder habe ich so flashes und dann versteh ich Sprachen, die ich nie gelernt habe! By the time we left it was very late and I was pretty beat by the time we arrived back at the apartment. Carrying the backpack around though wasn't bad at all once you get used to the weight and learn how to stand best to distribute it.

Today I said to myself you can sleep longer and turned around than to do just that. Shortly before 9am I just couldn't sleep anymore and decided to read my book instead. Astrid and me had a quick chat and than she was off for her Yoga while I was happily checking my email and having a cup of tea. Sweety, feeling good all around right now! Some of you are probably thinking why is she taking it easy and not having a run around NY today. The weather is good so that is not the problem but today I just want to take it easy: sleep, eat, read, watch TV ... be lazy; I can't remember the last CAO day that I had and was able to do that. If I had taken them than it was because I had to go somewhere, arrange something ... this right now is bliss and the fact that for a few hours there is nobody who wants something from me is great! In all the hectic of the last few weeks even still at home in Vleuten there was never proper just-me-time!
I finished my book, took a shower, had a nap ... Robil & Astrid came home and we went out here in the neighbourhood to an Italian place with really good food. Now we are back at their place and I have just managed to upload some pictures, finish a letter (will be on its way shortly, sweety), chat a bit, pack my bag ... and won't be long until I am off to bed!