The wrap up

Ok so I'm back in the lowlands (and working hard at my job), but I did want to do a quick recap of the rest of my wonderful, wonderful vacation.

Saturday 29 November: My parents, Erik and I drove down to our old stomping grounds in Virginny to see our friends the Grotenhuis family. We walked around their lovely green land which ends at a small creek, visited their pig and fed their chickens. Afterwards, we enjoyed coffee, hummus, gourmet cheese, Spanish crackers, chopped vegetables and conversation. Next, we drove to other old friends, the Woods, for dinner. Dad and Erik could not resist posing for photos wearing Mr. Woods' cowboy hats while holding some of his guns. They may wear suits and work in high rises, but boys will always be boys.

Sunday: Attended church in the morning. Very good sermon on the story of Tamar and Judah. Then my friend Liz came over and she, Dad, Erik and I played Settlers of Catan. It was my first time playing and I lost, but I really like the game and intend to hone my skills.

Monday: Visit to New York described at length in previous post.

Tuesday: Exhausted from my visit to NY. Did a bit of shopping but was largely in a vegetative state.

Wednesday: Had lunch with my long-time friend David whose wedding I attended last year just before I left for Berlin. We had a really good talk about politics, career ambition, church, mutual friends, bicyling, etc. Then I met mom to go shopping. In the evening, dad and I went to a book signing for Obamanomics by Tim Carney.

Thursday: I ventured behind the wheel of a car for the first time in a year, and I'm pleased to say I owned the road. I bought the ugliest suitcase known to man for a very good price at a thrift shop. In the evening, I watched a John Le Carre film with the parents.

Friday: My dear friends Leeann and Emily came over. My mom cooked us a wonderful dinner of traditional Dutch-style cauliflower. Then the girls, dad and I played two rounds of Settlers. Dad won the first, and Em won the second. I am so glad I was able to spend a lot of time with these two dear friends. They inspire me.

Saturday: In the morning, I lounged about in the lovely, soft pink robe my parents gave me as a Christmas gift. In the evening, Johnny, Holly and Jack came over to celebrate Sinterklaas. Jack loved Dutch pepernoten. He and I get along really well. The adults had drawn names and written poems in the traditional way. My mom wrote a very good poem for me and gave me a copy of collected stories of Leo Tolstoy. I can't wait to read it!

Sunday: Went to church in the morning. Then came the painful moment when I had to say goodbye to Jack. I tried to keep it short. It's weird to think he'll be a lot bigger and probably be able to talk when I see him again. Joel, a friend who lived with my parents for 2 summers at their old house, came over. It was very interesting to hear about how the working culture at his office differs from mine.

My parents, Joel and I drove into Washington, DC, for the annual Swedish advent service and Santa Lucia pageant that we attend every year. I blogged about it back in 2006. Later the evening, my friend Liz stopped by to see me again. I'm very touched she came (she'd been very busy that weekend and has a stressful job.) She gave me a Christmas necklace with a little silver bell which I'm wearing right now. She, dad and I played Settlers and guess what? I won!!! Perfect end to a perfect day.

Monday: My flight didn't leave until 6pm so I had a nice long morning. Mom and I drank coffee, read poems by Annie M.G. Schmidt and sang traditional Dutch Christmas carols. Then dad came back from his work, and we drove to the airport. The flight went very smoothly. I arrived in Holland at 7am local time. My sweetheart brother Nick came to get me. He had even stocked my apartment with some food.

So now I'm back at work. My colleagues keep remarking how relaxed I am. And how I could not be? I knew this vacation would be great, but it surpassed all my expectations. I can't believe how many wonderful experiences and good conversations I had. Thank you to everyone who contributed to my happiness! I hope we'll do it again in the not-too-distant future.