Mar 2006

Maille was the first to wake up and I played with her and tried to keep her entertained enough so that she wouldn't wake Aden & Mandy up o) they woke maybe 15 minutes later up anyway. More play time and than dinner time for them. Mike kept an eye on them and we went for a movie "Failure to launch" which I thought was very entertaining, hilarious and good laughs (wonder if that would be your cup of tea, carino?). - Unfortunately I found out that my ec-card was broken in two pieces and my credit card was bent, fab!!! - Afterwards we went for dinner at Chili’s and bumped into Mike's cousin there. Also had a very nice chat with the waitress who is a friend of Mandy’s. I must say that I was pretty beat though when we got home around 11.30pm (nap or no nap; still need to catch up on my beauty sleep from weeks past) o) I went straight off to bed.

This morning I still woke up around 6am but turned around again and managed to sleep a bit longer but not much. Maille was not a happy bunny and I went to check on her about the same time as Mike. He apologized for her waking me up but not necessary I mean I heard them during the night but I have no problem turning around than and in the mornings I still wake up way to early anyway. I went for a shower, got dressed and we gave them breakfast since it was Mandy's day to sleep longer. Once they were fed, they went off to play again. We managed to have breakfast o) Mandy and I went to do some shopping today and see if my credit card was still doing it. Thank God that plastic card is still working!!! I got some things for the project like crayons, pencils and for myself books, sun screen and stuff to put on clothes so that hopefully bugs will leave me alone. We did some shopping and looking around in one of the malls, close by as well. When we got home Mike took of to a birthday party from a friend. In the meantime we played again with the twins. Gave them dinner and their bottles and I hope that they drift off to sleep soon since they didn’t nap long and are bit cranky. Once they are taken care off we will fix our dinner and settle in for a relaxing evening with a DVD and popcorn o)

Looking good this time for Robil and me to meet this time in NY (not like last year when we had the watch time set all wrong o;(( and me finally getting to know Astrid a bit better o) We checked out trains for Monday on the web. Since we don’t want to upset the kiddos schedule too much I’ll come by train from Beacon Falls directly and should arrive Monday around 5.45pm in NY.

Let me think were did I leave off yesterday. Oh yes, Maille is "my" baby to look after and she is absolutely adorable. By now I think she loves me o) we played together after lunch and than Aden and her got tired but unwilling to take a nap. However, I was doing a pretty good performance of eye rubbing and decided that I needed a nap to manage to stay awake for the show. Mike's parents came by and I said hi and went off to bed than. Mandy let me sleep for about an hour and than I had someone crawling all over me: Aden! Only I don't think he realized who he was crawling over since he gave me such a surprised look o) Cutie!!! I don't carry anything with me to get all dressed up for the theatre. Sweety, I was wearing the direct opposite from the time we went out; a pair of jeans, hiking boots and a pullover! But hey this is USA and anything is possible. We grabbed a bite since Mandy and I were running late and enjoyed "Les Miserable" in Danbury. The theatre was freshly renovated, acoustics were great and the show was fabulous. A really great evening out! Before we left we bumped into Mike who was just returning from a business trip. When we got back he was still up. We were all tired and went off to bed.
Seems kiddos had other plans during the night and kept them awake while I slept through until this morning. I watched some TV and wrote you a few lines Sweety and than decided to go downstairs. They were both in the playroom and both gave me a good morning smile. Maille wanted to be picked up and cuddled for a bit. We played for a while, breakfast time than and more playtime. Since they didn't sleep very long tonight I am hoping for some extensive nap time right now. Mandy looks like she could really use some sleep and Aden is being an angel and is sleeping. I am monitoring the baby phone for Maille and she is also still asleep. My chance to write some more here o)

I woke up really early like 6am on Wednesday morning and was starting to be really excited, nervous if I had really packed everything. Claudia when you called I was basically trying to put on my socks, copy some tracks to the ipod ... and get going. I told you that I would be buying a book at the airport and things would be relaxed instead we were in for a surprise. My Mum and I picked up my brother and we drove to the airport. When I was standing in line for the business class check-in I got asked twice if I had a business class ticket (just because you carry a backpack o)) I gave them my e-ticket and was waiting for them to process it. The lady than went well there is a problem with your flight you see you are flying out to Guatemala City 27.03. but to Atlanta 28.03. I went well but that is impossible since I have to fly from NY-Atlanta than Atlanta-Guatemala City. They had to call some hotline and than turned around and said well the schedules have been changed and the flight to Guatemala City 28.03. has been cancelled. Great! In the end they booked me on the flights for the 29.03. Now I got my ticket to NY and was surprised that the time on there was also something different than expected. It meant I had to board immediately! Great going!!! So it was a very quick good-bye to Mum and Dominic and I felt a bit cheated. It took me half an hour to reach my gate and than got told to board. Once on board and having settled in I realized this is really it - the journey is beginning, bye-bye Europe for 6 months!
The flight itself was uneventful. Carino, the movies were so bad that I decided sleep is better. The food was great though and a glass of wine to top it off put me right to sleep. I had no chance to play with my ipod or worry about not having a book to read. The flight was over quickly and we made good time and arrived even earlier than expected.
My luggage with the priority sticker was there in no time. Cleared customs with no problem, shuttle arrived 10 minutes later to take me to Connecticut. Thanks Mike for arranging that. The guy had to pick up someone else and we were on our way, missed the rush hour traffic but ended up standing in a traffic jam in CT for no good reason. I made good time and arrived at the drop off point around 5pm. Had a small fight with the pay phone until someone helped me and told me that I had to use the other one because the provider didn't support a state call. o;((( I managed to reach Mandy and she came by to pick me up. At around 6pm I arrived at hers and got to meet her Mum and the kiddos. We chatted for a while and I was trying hard not to fall asleep too soon. I was proud that I managed to stay up until 9.30pm and than we went to bed. I woke up of course in the middle of the night because I heard them but they weren't crying hard so I turned around again. At 6.30am though I was wide awake and watched a bit of TV before getting up. We had breakfast and playtime with Aden and Maille. They seem to like me o)) Now it is their nap time so I thought perfect to quickly update my blog!

The last night here at home with my parents and brother. We had a nice family meal and I am logging on for the last time from here and the next entry will be from the States.
I have FINALLY managed to pack my bag and all that is left now is to load the electronic equipment for ready use tomorrow. Pack only the personal belongings and than I'll be off to bed because I am so TIRED O)

Since yesterday last night I am back in Germany until I board the plane to JFK, NY, USA Wednesday at 12.45pm from Frankfurt!

Since my first entry a lot has happened. Lets see where to start: First of all apologies to those of you that might not have been aware that my mobile had crashed some time ago and that I had lost phone numbers (therefore no call from me forthcoming) as well as that I haven't had internet access from home anymore (for some months). I was in for a surprise therefore when I checked out my private account last night and it was full with responses and only than did I realize that I hadn't logged on since January. Sorry! I promise that I will check more regularly O) However, I had the feeling that I was constantly busy with something that either needed to be done or a list to be made or go out and meet new people ... sometimes all I wanted was a night to chill. O)

After reading some mails from you there are some that have been out of the loop for a while and here is the quick summary: I am divorced since last year, made the decision to take 6 months out and do volunteer work in Guatemala as a teacher, apartment in the Netherlands will hopefully be sold soon (keep your fingers crossed), no job to come back to which means lots of opportunity for me than in October o))

The fact that the apartment had to be left empty behind made the last few weeks in Vleuten quite interesting as in sorting through things what to give away, what to trash, what to donate etc. Once Menno came by to take the last furniture out of the apartment it felt more like camping than anything else but it was alright and an experience! There were lately always events that marked the time passing. I can say that I have really lived the last few weeks in Utrecht and am glad that I got to know some of you guys better. I am curious to find out who from work or the "Old Dutch" will stay in touch over the next few months o

I had my leaving drinks Thursday night (16-03-06) and we sure had a good time especially judging by the pictures o)) which tended to become less focused as the evening wore on!

Friday being the last work day was a very odd day. No, it had nothing to do with me having a hang over O Okay, I was tired but I felt more like watching myself tidying up my desk, handing things over, saying bye to the front-office in person ... was weird. I got the hugest bye-bye card that I had ever seen and a really cool gift -an ipod nano (still need to work out how to use it)! At night my team had a surprise planned for me. We went out for drinks first and than had an extensive Japanese meal and some of us continued on. We ended up dancing until early in the morning in the "Jam". Guys, if one of you scans the pictures in than I'll post the best one here on the webpage!

Saturday my parents came by and we enjoyed the last day in Vleuten. Sunday we brought the last things away to be recycled etc. and once we saw what was left to be taken home. I seriously thought this is never going to fit in the combi. Mentally I was already preparing myself to go through things again and check stuff out. After some shuffling we did fit it all and my Mum and I even had bags between our legs and on our laps. I couldn't even reach my seat belt lock that's how tightly I was squeezed in; just thinking of bed was a relief!

I am currently just taking a break from looking through clothes as to what has to be packed. It really isn't easy if your clothes are in 6 different bags/ suitcases o but I better get on with it since there is more to be done still.