full-circle

It's been ages since I last posted. I've just come back from another trip to the Czech Republic, which somehow seems significant since the last entry was also about my last trip to the Czech Republic. Back in August, I was scouting venues for Ray and Renata's wedding. This time around, I was there for their wedding, which was absolutely beautiful! So, it seems like I've come full-circle.

And speaking of things that have come full-circle, today (or rather, yesterday, since I'm writing this so late in the evening) is my one-year anniversary. I've officially lived in the Netherlands for a year now. My friend Sarah asked me what my reflections were after one year, and I have to say, a lot has happened this year. I haven't been able to formulate a coherent response to her question yet, but I'm working on it.

And on my one-year anniversary of living in Holland, I find myself contemplating a move to Sweden. Not because I dislike living here. On the contrary. I want to stay in Holland. But I have been offered a job that, for now at least, I think is more interesting and in line with my future career aspirations. I have one and-a-half days left to make a decision...

czech it out

Back from my week in the Czech Republic and already I'm up to my ears with work. But it was nice to get away, finally see Prague and Southern Moravia, and hang out with my good friends Ray and Renata again. It was strange adjusting to being surrounded by people speaking yet another new language. At every turn, I had to shut off my natural inclination to thank people in Dutch and wrack my brain trying to remember how to say it in Czech ("Dekuji" in case you were wondering). And staying with Renata's family was so great, because I got the full Czech experience. Ate plenty of good food, drank an abundance of good beer, had way too many shots of Slivovice, and added a few more words to my Czech vocabulary.

I'm looking forward to heading back in the spring for the wedding!

Ten things to do before I die..

(in no particular order)

1. Jump off a plane and go sky diving...solo.
2. Ride a camel across the Sahara Desert.
3. Scuba dive in the tropics.
4. Live in Europe.
5. Vacation in the Greek islands
6. Build a house...for myself or for someone else.
7. Visit at least one country in every continent.
8. Go Zorbing across an open field.
9. Take a cooking course in the Italian countryside.
10. Start my own business.
Numbers 1 to 4 have been done...still working on the others.

lost memories

My laptop's hard drive crashed the other day, and had to be replaced. Unfortunately, the data was unrecoverable. Two year's worth of data...gone. I'm crushed! My portfolio, various digital projects, client work, personal work...all gone. And I didn't have the sense to back-up my files. What kills me most are the two years' worth of photos that i've lost. Memories which I still cling to, but can never be regained in a photograph.

Makes me think of families that lose everything they own in house fires. Though nowhere near as drastic, I'm mourning my own loss. Photographs of friends, cherished moments, of laughter, of tears...

Losing my data, shredding a pair of expensive jeans in Belgium, and losing two pairs of designer sunglasses since I've moved to Europe are only teaching me not to cling to tightly to material possessions. Life is about the experiences gained from it, not about the prizes that you take home.

thoughts of home

I shot this photo at a get together last week, at Mags' place in Den Haag. This was the start of the evening...cold drinks, lots of goodies to snack on, great friends, and plenty of laughter.

I won't lie, there are days where I look around me and freak out a little bit when I realize I'm not in familiar surroundings, but I'm so thankful for the people that I've met here. A new community of friends that has made the transition so much easier than I would have imagined.

I sat in the shower late last night until I got all pruney thinking about my move, and how long I'll be here, and if it will ever feel like home. And I realized that it doesn't really matter. Home is where I choose to make it. And for now, at least, this is home.