Where am I?

I'm not sure if anyone is still even checking this blog, but in case there are a few who are wondering why I have not written in a while, I thought I would go ahead and update you. Since I got back to Holland, life has been a bit chaotic. I moved into a new apartment which surprisingly is already beginning to feel like home. For about a week and a half I was slaving on a computer to finish up the first semester. I did take a three night break from the school work to go to a music festival in Groningen called Eurosonic/Noorderslag, also known as my birthday present to myself. Most of the bands were relatively new so it was fun to discover some new music. The birthday was kind of a bust, but in the end it ended up okay thanks to great friends and good music. Finally, last Friday I handed everything in including a portfolio of 100 pages! I just kept scrolling up and down in disbelief. After completing that extreme challenge, the thesis does not seem so scary anymore. Since Friday I have been in shock because I actually have time to relax and think! Basically I will be floating for a few weeks because the second semester does not start until the second week of February. I am taking advantage of this break indeed - right now I am in Berlin (feels good to be 'home' although my stay has been brief) and I leave tomorrow for Latvia to visit an old roommate. From there I will head north to Estonia and Finland. After my little adventure I plan to stay in Berlin for a while to catch up with friends. When I get back to Groningen, I will definitely put some pics on the blog. I don't really know what to expect from this little trip, which is exciting, but I am definitely hoping for snow in Finland. Life is very very good indeed.

VanderMause Family Christmas

Ho ho ho...merry Christmas! It was a merry Christmas indeed this year. I felt really fortunate to be a part of all the fun. It was Grandma's house as usual for the big event of the season. Still after all these years, she continues to make every Christmas special. Christmas Eve is the big night of presents and delicious food at Grandma's. Christmas morning is celebrated at home and then we all gather again for my grandma's tasty traditional Christmas morning bake dish - yummy. The best part about the whole event was the laughter. I don't think I have laughed that hard since I lived with Jen - my stomach still hurts. It was definitely a Christmas I won't forget.

And if you are reading this blog, it is quite probable that I was thinking of you at some point during Christmas. I hope that you all are enjoying the holiday season!



Did I mention that the VanderMause family is a large one?

Gram and I getting cozy

Typical scene on Christmas Eve

Sassy cousins

Out of control groupie going wild for the rock star and his new guitar.

Things always get a little wild. Be sure to notice James' head (the kid in the red jersey). Either he's a contortionist or I broke his neck.

Christmas is sometimes a bit too wild for a few of us.

One annoyed and tired little rock star

Winter Wonderland

My mom warned me that there was a lot of snow here but I never expected this. Good news - more tomorrow!

It's been a while since I've made a snow angel. And yes, I'm wearing teal snow pants from elementary school. It was a toss up between those and the bright pink ones.

Too much fun

The only shot of family snow; my camera died as we were finishing up the baby (far right).

Grandma's covered in icicles - a whopping 5 houses down the road

Chilling with my old friend Lucy while she snacks on some snow

Where Am I?

I have concluded that planes are the coolest but also one of the trippiest inventions. Firstly, they allow you to see your family and friends on the other side of the world for the holidays. They also make it possible to jump in and out of old lives. Planes even allow you to land on Mars (also known as Iceland) for a few hours to shop for Thristur and Opal. After listening to caroling stewardesses in Iceland, I finally realized that I was going home for Christmas. Since then, I have been living in winter wonderland full of Christmas lights, music, and snow. This journey has been quite the adventure so far. After a short stop in Iceland, Minneapolis was officially the first leg of the race. It was very refreshing to see some old friends and visit my old favorite spots.

Landing on Mars

I wasn't kidding about the stewardesses.

Forgot they existed

Brad enjoying his wheel of Dutch cheese. I felt like Santa delivering toys out of my backpack devoted entirely to Dutch goodies.

A visit to my old school was just what I needed. I miss my kids! It was nice to hear 'Frau Kellie' again. Best of all was seeing my friends (co-workers) Rebecca and Gwendolyn. I have a crush on them both.

They gave me way too much attention, but I gladly took full advantage of hugs.

It was nice to be back with the fam. Thanks again for the delicious German cookies!

A stop at the local CC club was inevitable. Some things never change thankfully. BUT I do need to file a huge complaint for the lack of Mew in the jukebox. How could they?

First Ave here I come! Two words - indie boys. No wait, two more - skinny jeans. Let's just say I'm not in Holland anymore which was very apparent Saturday night at Too Much Love. Oh, and I'm thinking about proposing to Emily.

Fiesta Fiesta!

It's official...I moved out of my apartment:( In other words I had a party! Although I am sad to leave my fabulous pad (thank you Lydia) and roommates, a party was the perfect way to say goodbye.


The boys getting down to a little Ace of Bace

Pretty bad ass

Could those two get any cuter?

The before shot...

...and after

The beautiful Greeks goddesses and I

Betty Crocker baking her usual chocolate chip cookies

Cute kids

We're getting married

Kimmy!

Sinterklaas!

I'm falling a bit behind updating the blog but I'll do my best to catch up. First of all, Sinterklaas came to town...yahoo! I went to a Sinterklaas party and it was quite the experience to say the least. After singing sinterklaas kapoentje 50 times and being harassed by some zwarte pieten, we were pleasantly greeted by Sinterklaas. He kind of reminded me of Billy Bob Thorton in the movie Bad Santa - hysterical. I overdosed on pepernoten (dutch cookies) and chocolate letters. Good times.

The one on the right was pretty feisty

What's that smell?

Near my house there is a sugar factory which has been producing the strangest smell for the last few months. A couple times every week, the whole city smells like sweet mud. It's a very peculiar but familiar sent to me now. I heard a rumor that soon the scent will end until next fall. Believe it or not I am already a bit nostalgic for the smell because it represents Groningen and I might not ever smell it again. There is also a tobacco factory in Groningen near the apartment in which I will live next semester. I feel bad for anyone attempting to quit smoking in this city. This place is kind of like the Kaukauna, WI of Holland; the only difference is that I am not gagging constantly in Groningen.


View of the sugar factory from my kitchen window