Coming Home

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I just returned from a month long stay in the US, where I interviewed at several graduate schools and spent time with family and friends. I had a great time at a party that my friends threw for my birthday. I felt happy to see many parts of the US I had never seen before (Seattle, California) while seeing some of the US’s greatest cities (Boston, New York). I haven’t yet decided on a graduate school, but I’ll end up somewhere nice.

It took me only a few days of home to return to my suburban American habits: driving, eating out, and lazing around my parent’s house. Humans are creatures of habit, what can I say?

Now, I’ve returned to Amsterdam and to my routine here: meeting fascinating international students, grocery shopping with my bicycle, and complaining about the weather. The trees are starting to bloom here, as they were a month ago in Berkeley, but apparently the trees here are only reacting to a change in sunlight, as the weather is no different from when I left at the end of January! The sun will come out tomorrow someday ☼

My trip’s made me question what home really is. I feel lucky that I feel at home here in Amsterdam. I like being at my parent’s house because I was excited to see my family, but I hate being so far (20 minutes driving) out of the city. Although I was surprised to miss my warm car after a few months of living here, I guess driving isn’t my thing after all. Biking twenty minutes is much more enjoyable for me, and Amsterdam is the perfect place for it.

All in all, I had a great trip, but I’m glad to be back.

Traveling does have its downsides, though; I spent an hour today cleaning spilled protein powder off of my stuff in one of my suitcases. Anyway, this will be the first of my weekly Sunday blog entries. Enjoy! :)

Video from the San Diego zoo:

Comments

2 Responses to “Coming Home”

  1. mom on March 14th, 2008 4:29 pm

    daffodil photo is stunning. breathtaking. beautiful color and composition.

  2. aunt nancy on April 13th, 2008 5:57 am

    hey derek,

    i love your blogging! you are AWESOME!
    lanancy

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