36 Hours in Amsterdam

When D told me he had a meeting on a Wednesday in Amsterdam, it was so hard for me not to jump all over the opportunity to see a new part of the world.  I had heard so many wonderful things about this canal-filled city dubbed the "Venice of the North," so, I resisted the urge to hold back.  I presented the idea to D and he was in agreement...we'd look for a flight for me.  He managed to find a cheap last minute flight and 24 hours later we were on our way to the Netherlands.

The first night D and I ate at an authentic Dutch restaurant and then walked through the Red Light District.  To say I was disturbed is an understatement.  Sorry, but I just wasn't really into seeing half naked women selling themselves on the street.  Nah.  Not for me.  No thanks.

I spent all day Wednesday exploring the city while D was working hard for us.  I strolled up and down the canals popping into the cute shops, I took a boat ride throughout the city, and the most memorable part of my day was visiting Anne Frank's house.  I waited in line for 45 minutes but it was well worth it.  To see the home that she and her family were hiding in for two years was truly unbelievable.
I stopped for lunch and ate Bitterballen, which is a famous Dutch snack filled with veal ragout.  Great choice.

D finished his meeting early and we headed to a brewery.  After a few local beers and a great dinner, we headed home to bed and we were back in London less than 12 hours later.

Our 36 hours in Amsterdam were superb and I am so blessed to have gotten this opportunity.
Quick trips around Europe are one of the many reasons I am loving living in London.

Beautiful blue skies of Amsterdam

The entrance to Anne Frank's house
263 Prinsengracht

Bitterballen!!

Up up and away...
the sunrise over Amsterdam

Autumn in Paris

As I sit here, drinking out of my 'Paris' Starbucks collector mug, I smile and am reminded of our wonderful time away in one of the most romantic cities in the world.  (Mission accomplished by the inventor of the souvenir mug.)

I have to be honest, when D first booked our weekend trip to Paris, I was excited, but a tad less enthusiastic than usual.  Let me clarify before you jump to the "spoiled" conclusion.  There are a few reasons why I felt this way.

1. We went to Paris on our honeymoon: I was worried that perhaps we romanticized this amazing city and if we went again just the two of us it wouldn't be nearly as magnificent as it was when we were first married. (Understandable, right?) 
2. I went to Paris for the day over the summer and it was exhausting and hot!
(Day trips to Paris are not fun.)
3. We have been wanting to visit new places.
(Can you blame us? We may only be here for a few more months.)

I was wrong.  Paris was just as lovely, if not lovelier in Autumn. (They don't use the term Fall.)  The brisk air, the colored leaves, and the sporadic rain made for a cozy and romantic weekend.  I actually have a deeper appreciation for Paris than ever before and I would happily and excitedly go back any, any time!

We stayed at the Westin (our honeymoon spot), ate French onion soup (duh!), held hands through The Tuileries Garden, posed with the Louvre, stopped for cappuccinos, shopped and ate crepes in Il Saint Louis (my favorite part), bought locks for us and our nieces/nephews (& threw the keys in), and took many, many pictures of the Eiffel Tower (and of ourselves).

Please forgive me for my initial lack of gratitude.  Paris rocks!

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We ended our busy weekend, with our usual Sunday Funday crew, by carving pumpkins!!! We had a really fun time.  Super thankful for these guys.

Just One of Them Days

I sat down today to write about our short trips to Paris and Amsterdam and was overcome with tears.  It's been one of those days.  I'm missing everything and everyone and I am so super homesick.  It has nothing to do with being unhappy in London.  We've been keeping busy, traveling, and getting together with friends.  Despite that, today, I feel emotionally drained.  Wiped out.  Defeated.

I miss my life in America and everything that comes with it.  I wonder when we'll be heading home, although I know it's not helpful to think that way.  I often think that our time here in London, while a once in a lifetime experience, is just a filler until we get back to our 'real lives' in New York.  I try to plan our future, which is also unproductive and unrealistic.  I think I just need to go home for a little bit, see my family, hug them, and recharge my batteries.  Only 49 more days.

Hopefully it's only one of these days.  Tomorrow will be happier.  Tomorrow I'll have dry eyes.

I think I can. I think I can. I think I can