Summer Fun

I can safely say that is has been one of the best summers of my life. It started by graduating from grad school, a visit from my family in the Netherlands, a wonderful return home, and a great visit from Marieke and Vanda, two friends of mine from Holland. Yes, it's been great to be a recent graduate with no stress and in no rush to get a job. Although I'm excited to start working, I'm taking advantage of a great opportunity to visit my best friend Jennifer in Honduras. Jennifer has been a Peace Corps volunteer in La Ceiba for over a year. Finally I will get to see her in just a few short days. I will volunteer as an English teacher and I also enrolled in an intensive Spanish program. After living such a comfortable life in the Netherlands I just wanted to do something tangibly useful for others for a while. On the selfish side, I just want to see my best friend too and the life she has now. It's perfect!

So to do a little catch-up before I start a new adventure, I included some great moments over the past few months.

Fellow American and friend Nicole after preparing the perfect 4th of July feast. Although it's outrageously expensive in Holland, you have to have corn for the 4th.

Fireworks are illegal in Holland, but they never said sparklers. Hans getting a little wild on the 4th.

My mom and sister came to visit me in the Netherlands. They really saw it all. From Groningen, to island life in Terschelling, as well Amsterdam.

At about 5am, this wall of food would be packed with drunken students. My sister and mom had the opportunity to try a Groningen Egg Ball. Yummy?

Mom and Stacie on the never-ending hike to the beach on the island of Terschelling.

Yes, they really saw many sides of Holland, from the beaches...

...to the Red Light District...

...and A LOT of biking.

Unfortunately coming home meant a lot of goodbyes:) Although I felt ready to come home when the time came, I never felt ready to say goodbye to all the great people I met this past year.

Anniversary love birds I'm going to miss.

Home sweet home.

Stacie and I enjoying sushi my first weekend home.

She finally got her kitty.

Dr. Evil

Rockin' graduation/birthday party!

Shortly after my return, Marieke and Vanda came to visit. It was perfect. Not only did I get to show them my home, but I got to enjoy home with them. Their reactions were priceless. The pic above is of Marieke and Vanda on the 'Fort.'

One place I missed a lot.

You can't come to Wisconsin without riding a four-wheeler.

Vanda and I enjoying some music at Jazz in the Park.

We even made it to a Twins Game.

Marieke and Vanda in very good hands.