February 2010
| Update: February 6, 2010 Alsjeblieft (Dutch word for Please or Here You Are, used as a general greeting upon entering and departing), On the second day of February (the German tradition of predicting the course of winter) the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club roused Phil from his slumber and announced he had seen his shadow in his annual appearance before thousands of Groundhog's Day revelers at Gobblers Knob in Western Pennsylvania. Bloody hell! Tell me it isn’t true…6 more weeks of winter??? I’ve seen more snow and ice here this year in a few short weeks than all the previous…try cycling in it (a must if you don’t drive). Let’s just say it’s been interesting on those days you don’t really have much of a choice otherwise. Scary challenge! Even the most experienced cyclists here found themselves hitting the ice…this kind of snow hasn’t been seen here since the ice age…so are we in an ice age or global warming? And to hear of all the unusual winter happenings across the pond ( Ft. Worth ’s white Christmas and yesterday’s surreal snow dump on the nation’s capitol and other east coast cities). Are we all ready for spring or what? As for I…enough of the snow and ice already! This last week has brought temperatures highs 10 degrees above freezing (makes me wanna break out those red checkered shorts)! Let’s not even get into a debate about how this new decade is supposed to be said (two thousand ten or twenty ten) but have we been saying it wrong since the year two thousand or was that supposed to be twenty hundred? What comes after Prince’s, 1999? It can be way too confusing for our little brains to grasp. The New Year definitely brings change and this resourceful adventurer challenges himself to whatever changes before me. Doing what I do best and surviving whatever I come up against whether I like it or not (one day I’ll stop procrastinating and write the “How to be a Free Spirit on 30 Euros a Day or Less” book you’ve all been waiting for). At the end it’s always good and I’m always reminded that I’m right where I’m supposed to be at any given time. We have to remember that they’re always other’s in far worst situations and conditions that seem to make it thru with an amazing wealth of positive energy (as quoted in the Wikipedia on the 2010 Haiti earthquake “During the days following the earthquake, hundreds were seen marching through the streets in peaceful processions, singing and clapping” end quote. I admire those and share in the giving and taking ritual of this strength they elude. I think the gift of such friends are my most cherished (Arie has survived the waiting and now recovering of his new kidney with energy enough leftover to spare). I’m fortunate to have many friends such as him. I’ve been thinking a lot recently about those who have come and gone in my life over the years (some who have passed away), the ones I stay in touch with often and still, and the one’s that just pop up every now and again, and a few just passing thru…all are considered to be prized possessions rather than money or things. I was given the greatest compliment the other day about my own good energy (we often times seem to forget that if we’ re getting good energy in our lives it’s because we elude our own good energy that we’re putting out). We touch so many people’s lives without even realizing so…it’s nice to be reminded with a surprise thanks and love. So a big thanks, hugs and kisses to the whole lot of ya Hahaha for putting up with me! Even if I haven’t told ya personally…you’ve made a difference. And there is much more cause for celebration as I embark on a new chapter moving into my first official room mate shared space since coming across the pond (painting and putting in new flooring as we speak)…everyone should have at least 1 power tool lesbian (Geke) in their life (and if you have more than 1 you can built a whole house I suppose), new friends in places I never imagined further than dreaming of visiting, and (I’ll believe it when they send me an itinerary) visitors this year from across the pond and beyond (Ali J.R. and Anthony…anyone else???)! The future holds far many more adventures in store for this free spirit (will Greece or Italy be a part of it… Texas or Poland I dunno?) Today, home is Eindhoven , The Netherlands …who knows yet tomorrow. I’ve only gotten a taste and believe you me…I want more (more more more)!!! So hey, live vicariously thru me and or get your passport and let’s share an adventure or 2. If you want to know how…buy the book ; )) Or at least fasten your seat belts (it’s the law)! Houdoe-pronounced Howdoo (sounds kinda Texan doesn’t it ya’ll), stands for Goodbye and is the most recognized Brabants (the South) word in Holland . Much love and peace, Jes (the Free Spirited Adventurer). P.S. Thought for the day: Don’t absentmindedly drop your mobile into a fresh sink of warm dishwater as I did (unless you want a new phone)! |