Krista & Brian's Amsterdam Travels: July 2010

I'm still thinking of new blog names. Any suggestions, anyone?

Well, as this chapter in our lives draw to a close, I'm starting to get a little nostalgic. What a surprise.

Amsterdam has been good to us. We've met some great people, had some amazing vacations, spent our summers laying in the park, pool, and on boats. We got a puppy, learned some Dutch, adjusted to living in a foreign country as American expats, picked up a few new hobbies, learned to appreciate our friends and family back at home more than ever, and have become amazing cooks (according to us).

It's been quite an adventure, to say the least.

Now, as we're uprooting ourselves yet again, I'm not sure what to think. I've been away from Portland long enough it no longer feels like home and Amsterdam has taken its place. I have my favorite coffee places, grocery stores, produce markets, dog parks, bookstores, groups of friends, etc. all here. And now we're moving to this gigantic city called New York, where I've never really even been, and we're going to start all over.

What will it be like? Who will we spend our time with? Will I have more opportunities to work? Will our animals like it there? How long will we live there for? There are so many unknowns, I can't help but feel overwhelmed.

Every time I've gone back to the States in the past few years I couldn't help but shed a few tears as I stepped on the plane to Amsterdam, nostalgic for my life a few years ago. But now as I contemplate the fact that we're leaving this country for good most likely in just a week and a half - well, my eyes won't stay dry.

Thanks Amsterdam, and everyone in it, for making the last two years of my life ones I'll never forget.

Just for kicks, here are a few photos from our last few weeks here in Amsterdam. I'll probably post more as the week goes on.