April - Month 7 (post 2)

April - Part 2

In mid April, we went to Keukenhof in Holland. It might be the most flowers I have seen in one place (well, this is Holland after all). So many varieties of tulips, I was amazed! We have plenty of pictures to show from our visit (in below link), but really you cannot capture the beauty on film. You will Jack, Kathy and Courtney in the pictures, as well as Kim. Kim was here visiting for work......MOM - notice the Lady Jane's
Keukenhof Gallery
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=8gkpuuo.2bomguwg&x=1&y=5pzb18

Queen's Day - April 30

Queen's Day is a national holiday here in Holland, so we all had Monday off work. It had been a busy month already, so I wasn't convinced we had time, but James really wanted to go to Paris...so we decided late Saturday that we would go to Paris. James found a room at the Hilton near the Eiffel Tower and used points and we got up early Sunday and drove to Paris. We arrived around 11 on Sunday morning and immediately set off for lunch and exploring Paris. I think we walked all over that town!! We spent several hours in the Musee D'Orsay. There are some beautiful impressionist prints there, as well as some sculptures. The museum was once a station. (See pictures below) After that we visited the Notre Dame, walked by the Louvre, and down the Champs Elysee....LONG DAY....so to unwind we headed to a Cuban bar. The mojitos were so fantastic, I even tried a cigar. On Monday, we got up and explored some more. Starting at the Eiffel Tower (taking the STEPS up to the second observation deck) and walking along the river. We ended at the Sacre Coeur. Yes, its at the top of a hill and yes we walked up it!! We had a late lunch and bought a beautiful painting before heading back to our car at the Hilton and back to Holland.
Paris Gallery
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=8gkpuuo.bi9cdc1c&x=1&y=-z2mtwd

(You will have to log in to Kodak Gallery to see the pics.....ENJOY!!)

May - Month 8

WHAT A MONTH.....I became a MRS....

James and I headed back to the US on May 11 and were off to a busy start. I left Saturday morning to head to Ohio where I had to pick up my wedding band and find jewelry for the bridesmaids. I got to spend most of Mother's Day with Mom, Grandma M and Grandma F before heading back to Lexington. My wonderful friends from Lexington had organized a dinner celebrating my last weekend as a single woman (as if I was really single, I guess unmarried is the right term). Dudley's was fantastic and the juicer will be put to great use when we're finally back in the US (too risky with wattage differences!). I worked Mon - Weds mornings. In the afternoons, we ran errands, marriage license, dress fittings, final payments, meetings with the wedding coordinator to lay everything out, etc. Mom and Dad arrived Thursday morning. Mom and I headed to our little treat...a massage with Flo! Shew that woman has powerful hands! It was great. Thursday evening we had a cookout at our house....didn't know it would go that late, but boy was it fun! Friday was a whirlwind...James and Brice had their massages and the girls headed to get nails done. One final trip to the mall and back home to get ready for the rehearsal. The rehearsal went well (we were the last to arrive) and dinner was magnificent. Thanks to Jim, Ali and Leigh...it was one of the best meals I have ever had in Lexington. The Saturday - THE BIG DAY....I tried to go for a morning run for stress relief (worst run ever, not sure why) and after a little traffic panic, got everyone organized at the house for hair and makeup. Lisa did a fantastic job making the ladies look their best!! Then off to IHCC for the wedding....the ceremony was perfect (I was a crying fool, so much emotion) and the reception....wow, I can't put it into words. Other than, Chef did a fantastic job with our dinner, the cake tasted wonderful, the band was so much fun, and the drink, well much was consumed. James and I retired to the Gratz Park Inn (sorry we didn't make it to the bars, I had had enough). Sunday morning was quite hectic. But the brunch at Anne's was fantastic. The food was perfect for the day after and it was nice to say goodbye to everyone.

After frantically opening all gifts, packing and saying goodbye to family, we boarded a plane back to the Netherlands.....(honeymoon posting coming next)

Living Abroad

So, I have been here almost a year (the anniversary will be in a little over 3 weeks) and finally decided I needed an outlet to share our experience with friends and family. I know its a little late in the game, but better late than never, right? To get us caught up, I think I will do a post for each month we have been here. I'll highlight whatever was going on that month - trips, work, nonsense, whatever. Once we are caught up, I will use the blog to post random thoughts and events, trip journals, and other updates for everyone.

Hopefully this will be a way to share with you all....I know we don't get to talk as much as I would like.

Miss you!

J