appreciation

Even on a tres/muito/heel/very (I'm pushing forth in becoming multi-lingual, one word at a time it seems) dismal day like to today I find myself gazing at my surroundings from the bus window on the way to work, and I am reminded how happy I am to be here. And especially on a day like today the characteristic Dutch buildings have a glow which dismisses any question as to why the word "gezellig" exists and has no direct counterpart in any other language. Sometimes it is hard to believe I spent most of my life in markedly different environments, but at this point I couldn't imagine being anywhere else. Granted today I wish I was enjoying this atmosphere from the rather removed locale of my favourite couch cushion, but that is beside the point.

Last night was a test of will on so many levels. It began with Dutch class which truthfully was a highlight - I love Dutch Class! NERD ALERT! Have also decided that certain individuals at Dutch Class, oh let's assign an acronym....hmm DCG will do, warrant further investigation, and as such I have taken on the role of social convener and started the process of educating my co-eds on the best places to go voor eeten e drinken. I managed to smoothly parlay this into an invitation to the whole group albeit directed mainly at DCG to join me at the Buddha Bar post-class on Thursday, and to allow me to introduce them to the wonders of Crunch on the weekend. We will see how this pans out.

So back to the evening. It was 20:30 by the time our troupe arrived in Delft and it was already past the point of no return on suggesting we merely stay put in The Hague for dinner. As all of us had suffered a severe memory lapse and left our handy-dandy map outlining a very well thought out suggested venue for dinner, the evening saw us wandering about asking for directions until we finally just settled for Mexican just off the Square. Lovely place, but a language barrier prevented comprehensive ordering and we only sort of ended up with what was asked for.

I was tres/muito/heel/very happy to get home, and the tram was absent of similar events of the previous night. It is the PERFECT day today to set the sights on leaving a smidge early after arriving a smidge early, jumping into the jammies and snuggling in. Granted I feel personally obligated to devote some time to these languages that remain just out of my grasp and there are a few dangling literary threads that need to be snipped, but nothing pressing. Of course, who am I kidding...should an attractive social opportunity arise there is little doubt I will let it pass me by.

Time to get to the business of the day. Meaning of course my coffee cup is empty and needs an immediate refill.

Have not heard from BH90210 in a couple days....sent the "enhanced" souvenir photo CD of Porto yesterday which means it should arrive any time. Am anxious to hear how it is received...