Fischer's Visit

The first weekend with the Fischer's we went to Germany!! Woke up Friday morning and took a train to Cologne (Köln). From Amsterdam it is about a 2.5 hour train ride. It took us about an hour longer because we had to go on a detour. They announced that it was due to a person on the track....? We were not sure what to think of that. On our way home it happened again. I have ridden many trains in Europe and this was the first time that happened due to a person on the track. 

Starbucks for the train ride!! 

I have been to Cologne a few times before but it was fun to go again. The Cologne Cathedral is right outside of the train station and is neat to see. Took us a while to find our hotel but it was really nice and close to the xmas markets! We went to dinner and then headed to the markets. Was very crowded but such a fun experience. I LOVE going!! Steve and I had Glühwein and also hot chocolate with rum! Renae (expecting a little one in May) enjoyed hot chocolate. Was a little cold but we had a lot of fun walking around and looking at all of stuff. After we left we decided to stop at an Irish bar for one last beer. 

Cathedral 

On Saturday we spent a few more hours in Cologne and then went to Düsseldorf. Had heard great things about their Christmas markets so we wanted to check it out. Was fun to see another city but we all agreed that the Cologne xmas markets were better. 

On Sunday we took the bus and went to Volendam, a city in the Netherlands. Was fun to walk around but so cold out we all 3 had to buy a sweat shirt to stay warm! Later that night we went to Edam and met Renae's pen pal Martine and her significant other Simon. Renae and Martine started writing to each other almost 20 years ago!! Was very cool that they go to meet. We went to a restaurant and were the only ones there. After dinner we had tea and it came in such a cute tea pot!! 

Renae & Martine

On Monday I went back to work and the Fischer's went to the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum. Tuesday morning they headed to Paris for a few days and came back that Thursday night. On Friday we went to breakfast next door to my apartment and then I worked at home while they went to the Heineken Brewery tour. Once I was done with work we went out to my favorite restaurant here in Amsterdam - Cantinetta Wine and Pasta. They have handmade pasta noodles, motzerella cheese and the best pasta sauce. I am not a huge fan of Italian food but I swear you want to lick your bowl here. Both Steve and Renae agreed and even commented that it was the best pasta they have had. Well Renae said it but I think Steve was thinking it too! If ANY of you come visit we are going there. After dinner we went to Anne the Play at the Theatre Amsterdam. The play was in Dutch but we could listen to it in English. Was very cool to see. 

Celebrating their 5th Wedding Anniversary!! We joked that it was my anniversary with them too because I met them for the first time at their wedding... I was Brent's "guest"! 

Saturday morning before the Fischer's left we went to see a windmill in Amsterdam. The sun was shinning and it was a perfect day to go. Took a few great photos and then rushed to get the rest of their shopping done before racing to catch their flight. We took a tram to the train station and had plenty of time but then discovered that the trains were not running! Had to take a metro to a different station to catch a train to the airport. Glad they made it but secretly would have been happy if they had an extra day or two here : )

Sinterklaas came the night of Dec 5th!!!! 

LOVED having the Fischer's here and hope they had as much fun as I did.

Thanksgiving

Since today is thanksgiving I want to share the things in my life that I am most thankful for!

Brent
Top of my list is my husband Brent! He is an awesome, funny guy who is impossible not to love. He has been so supportive and understanding while I have been on this assignment. Has been really hard to not be able to talk to him whenever I want or have him here with me. Excited to see him in 22 says!

Family
I have been blessed with awesome parents and 3 siblings! Not only do I have an awesome family but I also now have Brent’s family. Very lucky to have his parents and brother in my life. We both have wonderful extended families as well who mean a lot to us.

Friends
I have the best friends in the world. Have so many special people in my life and am very thankful. Have really appreciated all of the messages, emails, calls etc. from everyone while I have been here. Has made me realize how many great friends I have in my life.

Career
Have some wonderful co-workers and enjoy my work (most days anyways)!! Am fortunate to be on a short term assignment in Amsterdam and am trying to make the most of this experience. I am excited to share that this past week I accepted a promotional job offer when I return back to the US. Will start in April and am excited for this next challenge!

Olaf
Can’t forget about my special furry friend. It has been almost a year since we lost Mack. Did not want another dog right away but after a while we started talking about it more and more. Someone I work with was fostering Olaf and as soon as I saw a picture of him I wanted him. He is such a sweet, calm & gentle boy. He has brought so much love and joy into our life.

Visitors
Last thing I am thankful for is VISITORS! Steve and Renae arrived today and will be staying thru Dec 6th. Thrilled to have company and is so great to see them. We did not have a thanksgiving feast today (I do not have an oven here and also could not find a turkey) BUT we walked around and explored the city. Had a few drinks and went to an Italian restaurant and shared pizza. Great day with friends!



HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Sinterklaas

This past Saturday my boss Jennifer invited me to her town Naarden. I met her husband Marque and two kids Zoe (9)and Finn (6). Zoe can understand English but will respond in Dutch. Finn does not understand it but that did not stop us from communicating. We played a lot of games and laughed a lot! Here is funny picture of the two of us!

That evening we went by bike into town - YES I rode a bike over here. Felt more comfortable since it was in a smaller town. Still have not gone on my own in Amsterdam. For those of you reading this who have not been to Amsterdam you can't judge! I rode bike for years back home but am scared to do it here. Lots of rules and bikers rule the street! Very intimidating. It was an exciting night because SINTERKLAAS arrived. Sinterklaas is similar to Santa. He arrived by boat and then there was a parade. In the town when you are in the 4th year of school you get to be in the parade. There were 5 schools that participated and each float was a theme. This year they were continents! North America was one of them. There was someone dressed up as the statue of liberty, Indian, and cowboy. Plus a US, CA and MX flag!



After the parade we went to a local restaurant and I ordered a saute with is a common dinner. Chicken skewer with peanut sauce. Also had red wine! Spent a few hours after at their house chatting. Before the kids went to bed they put their shoes out with a carrot in it for Sinterklaas's horse. Also left some water. They do not get a present every night but a few times before Saint Nicholas Day (December 5th.) 

SinterklaasSinterklaasSinterklaas is an elderly, stately and serious man with white hair and a long, full beard. He wears a long red cape or chasuble over a traditional white bishop's alb and sometimes red stola, dons a red mitre and ruby ring, and holds a gold-coloured crosier, a long ceremonial shepherd's staff with a fancy curled top.

He traditionally rides a white horse. In the Netherlands, the horse is called Amerigo, and in Belgium, it is named Slecht Weer Vandaag, meaning "Bad Weather Today".[2]

Sinterklaas carries a big book that tells whether each child has been good or naughty in the past year.

Here is more information about Sinterklaas-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinterklaas

Was a fun weekend. Now looking forward to my THANKSGIVING VISITORS! Steve and Renae are coming to visit and I am THRILLED! Will be fun to have company. Planning to go to the Christmas markets in Germany. Will post lots of pictures next week. 

Staying busy

Have been staying busy here in Amsterdam!! Recently got some exciting projects and additional responsibility at work. I have enjoyed the challenge and it helps make the days go by faster.

I am also getting out on weekends! Two weeks ago I went to lunch with a couple from California Marcia and David. Got connected with them through my current boss Jennifer. They have been living in Amsterdam for the last year and David is also working here in the Netherlands. Was fun to talk to others about challenges living abroad and things we miss about home! We went out for lunch and then went to a nearby restaurant for coffee/beer & tea. They are going back to the US for Thanksgiving but hoping to connect with them again in the coming months.

One of my co-workers Simone invited me to a purse party. There were about 10 people and 50+ purses to choose from. They had a lot of really nice designer bags for a reasonable price. I picked a gray leather one. Perfect size since my laptop JUST fits in it. Did not know the brand but have gotten a lot of comments since about the designer. Fred de la Bretoniere - https://www.freddelabretoniere.com/en

Heard back home that there is a lot of snow! The weather has been really nice this fall which is not typical. From what I hear it is usually raining quite a bit and cold/gloomy. Maybe that is going to come but the last few weeks have been really nice. Days are usually int the 50's! I have been walking a lot on weekends. Love to get a coffee and walk around at night to see all of the holiday lights!

This past Friday I went out for dinner/drinks with a co-worker Danielle. She is just a few years older than I am and an awesome person. We went to a place right across the street from my apartment. It is an old train station that has recently been renovated. There is a large bar in the middle and tons of food venues all around it. Very fun place to grab a drink and hang out. Really enjoyed her company and shared a lot of storied/laughs! I even tried calamari - talk about being BRAVE! Was not bad, I added a little lemon juice and did not mind it. The after taste was a little fishy. Was fun to try.

Here are a few more recent photos!