Resurfacing
Just a quick, middle of the night, post to let you all know that I haven't completely dropped off the face of the universe (and will shortly be resurfacing in Holland). I've now been in Canada for just over 2 weeks and it's been everything I've hoped for---beautiful weather, great company, and fun-filled days and evenings (to early mornings) spent with my fabulous friends and family.
I just got back from a few days at the lake. The ride down was nothing short of picturesque; farmer's fields dotted with familiar yellow and purple crops complemented by perfectly blue skies. Forget canals, and mountains, and downtown skylines, and valleys...I'll always be a prairie girl at heart.
Budaful Budapest
Overheard in London
Last week I spent 3 days in London. Being so used to not understanding what’s being said around me, dropping down in the heart of rush-hour London was complete sensory overload. I felt like a spy, suddenly being privy to all sorts of snippets of top secret conversations around me. I found myself eagerly eavesdropping; picking up juicy bits and pieces of the action around me.
Overheard:
"I need some serious therapy mate!" --- bloke talking to friend on the train
"...and when I found out, I left him. Cause, you know, he’s a real piece of shit." --- girl friends chatting on tube
"...I’m sitting here alone, in my flat, and I realize I have bloody nobody!!" --- woman talking to friend walking down the street
"What do I want?!? I want you HERE, RIGHT NOW, like you FUCKING PROMISED!!" ---woman screaming into cell phone outside tube station
"...and I look over, and there’s this German guy sitting with 5 completely NAKED girls..." ---guy talking to friends at table next to me in restaurant
Is it just me, or is there a lot of drama in London???
Back to the land where the sun don't shine!
M. and I arrived back in Amsterdam last Thursday after a week of lazying about in Marbella. We were lucky enough to stay at a beautiful 5 star hotel (at a huge discount), and spent the week relaxing by the pool and hanging out with M.’s family. We had the best intentions of renting a car and driving along the coast and spending a few “culturally-rich” days in Granada, however when push came to shove, the confines of our five-star abode with its fluffy bathrobes, champagne breakfast and ocean views was far too difficult to tear ourselves away from.
The wedding was picture perfect, and an excellent study in “How to Successfully Combine 3 Different Cultures and 2 Contrasting Religions in one Wedding Ceremony”. The Bride was Greek (Orthodox) and the Groom, German-Israeli (Jewish). Extensive family had flown in from Germany, Greece, the United States, and Israel. The Rabbi (a native New Yorker now living in London. Yes, truly an eclectic mix at this wedding!) made a beautiful sermon on love’s blindness to race, religion, and culture.
The dinner reception was a page out of “My big fat Greek Wedding”, with spontaneous singing and dancing erupting in all corners of the hall. Although the first course had already been served, the majority of guests leaped out of their seats once the Greek band began to play. Of course, grumbling was heard by (non-Greek) guests who were shocked to see the main course served at 12:30am in order to accommodate the endless rounds of impromptu dancing and “O-pa”! I eventually joined in and spent most of the evening arms linked, spiralling into a sea of laughter and dance.
The Sun will come out, Tomorrow!
Tomorrow M. and I leave for a week’s vacation to the south of Spain. M.’s uncle/cousin (long story) is getting married over the weekend in Marbella and we figured it would be a great excuse to take a Spring mini-vacation. We’ll be flying into Malaga and then spend a few days in Marbella and Granada.
This vacation we have Rules:
1. No cell phones
2. No laptops
3. No internet
Not sure if I will be able to survive without my daily dose of modern conveniences. At least we compromised on the hairdryer and ipod ;)
So, if you want/need to reach me in the next week---well, you can't!
TTYL,
Dazzle
More fun in the sun!
I thought I'd share a few more pics from our holidays with you. Maybe if I keep writing about it I can still relive that holiday feeling.
Work today was trying very hard to crush my holiday glow. It was trying to burry me in emails, excel sheets, and ad deadlines, trying desperately to steal every last reserve of holiday relaxation I had stored up inside me.
But I'm not going to let it. Oh, no siree, you can't keep this girl down!
See me running away from it...real fast. Look at me go!
