busy, busy!

delayed posting: Memorial Day weekend... :)

We had a great time this year up at North Higgins Lake State Park. Our new tent performed very well and even kept us dry during the few light rain showers we experienced on Saturday of that weekend. The rest of the time was gorgeous, sunny, and 70 degree temps. Even Harley enjoyed splashing around in the water for a bit!

We spent some of our weekend in reflection as to how next year's camping trip will involve a 7-month-old baby. Good age, we believe, for a first camping experience...with the hope and prayer that we have a good sleeper by then!!

We left for home early on that Monday as both of us had plenty of homework to accomplish. I dove into the end-of-the-school-year rush and am just now able to sit and relax...somewhat... ;)

home sweet home

Today is the first day I'm finally feeling like I've settled back into home. I arrived home last Saturday night--without my luggage--but glad to be back with Jason and in my own bed. :) Then, after one day's rest, I jumped back into work, grad school, and church with both feet. My past experience with jet lag upon returning home after a 11 hour time difference was not bad, so I was expecting this time to be the same. Boy, was I wrong! Each day has felt rather like being in a fog like state--as though I should be functioning normally, but not with quite all my bodily functions in tact yet...

Needless to say, it's been a bumpy adjustment back. Thank God for a fully supportive husband! :) So, today I'm "home." I put Christmas decor away, doing laundry, got groceries--all things that feel normal...yet, somehow a piece of my heart is still in Bangladesh. One word description of my experience is AMAZING. One sentence description of what lesson most touched my heart: how ministry is about truly just being Christ to someone and how God can speak through people just by showing love.

Below are a few pictures from my trip...I dare say that I hope these will not be the last I can take home from this amazing land...

Planting Trees in Paradise

Well, I made it!! I'm in a "far-off land" :) Check out the new link below to see a running blog of my adventures in Bangladesh.

with the girls

Last weekend was a fun-filled weekend in Chicago with my girlfriends from church. We had such a great time! Friday night we drove to Chesteron and stayed at the Spring House Inn where we totally relaxed and enjoyed the hot tub. Saturday morning we took the train into downtown Chicago and thoroughly enjoyed all the sights & sounds admist the beautiful weather! We took the train back that evening--and were able to enjoy the action-packed drama of the "Transit Tazer Incident." (which is our fancy name for watching about 10 loud, drunk, young men get arrested for public drunkeness) :) On Sunday we drove into Michigan City and spent some money at the outlet mall. We really had a great weekend and are already looking forward to planning our next trip together.

honeymoon & the new year

Hello in 2008! The year is off to a great start. Our honeymoon was better than I ever thought my honeymoon could possibly be! Our cabin nestled into the Smoky Mountains was beautiful and we thoroughly enjoyed our surroundings of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. I’ve posted a few pictures below.

the beautiful Smoky Mountains

Gatlinburg Aquarium "Tennesea"

beautiful!

our favorite spot "in" the cabin ;)

Now it is back to the “real” world. *sigh* It hasn’t been too bad though. We finally were able to put our signatures on the closing papers of the Holland house (wa-hoo!); my two grad classes and Jason’s three college courses start up this week; and we celebrate Jason’s 28 years of life today. :)

Yup, 2008 is starting out with many blessings.

trip north

I leave for my northern "vacation" today. This is the trip I've been so excited about...and now that it's here, I can hardly stand it! ;) I probably will not do as much sight-seeing as I did the last time I was there--but I'm very excited to be there for my cousin in any way possible as she prepares for her wedding day (friday).

I can't wait to say "hi!" to the moose! ;)

our nation's capital

how cool to be in Washington DC! After a rough time getting here (two cancelled flights and several delays...) I arrived to the hotel at 2am yesterday. So, after a day or so to get acclimated and over my jet lag (so to speak), I've decided that this is really one of the coolest cities I have ever been to. The hotel is beautiful, the city is historical and powerful, and the best part? All the sights are free! this is good for my dutch ego... ;)

okay, I'm off for a tour of the nightlife in DC--I'll update soon!

Cedar Point

So I visited Cedar Point for the first time in over a decade last weekend. I went with friends from church—a small choral group I sing in—after we decided we needed a good teambuilding experience together. And what an experience it was!

We left town late Wednesday night and arrived at our hotel at about 2AM. After sleeping for maybe five hours, we were up by 8 to be in the park at 9AM, where we could be first in line for the Millennium Force. After two consecutive rides on that, we headed over to Top Thrill Dragster, where we got one ride in before it broke down for a bit.

We also hit the Magnum a couple of times in a row (benefits of going in May—no lines!) I was a little anxious about going on this ride as my one memory was riding it with my father when I was about 10 years old. I remember being so terrified that at the end of the ride that the blood had left my hands from gripping the bar so tightly. After this time around, however, I have to say it was one of my most favorite rides of the day. At the end of the day though, I decided my most favorite was Millennium Force. I rode it four times!

I have never done that well on roller coasters. Typically, I can last about a half a day, and then I need to take a break from the adrenaline surges and stomach-churning. So, when I went on a total of about 20 + rides all day—I was pretty proud of myself! Especially since I really haven’t been on a roller coaster in at least five years. I’m now considering it another accomplishment during this my 30th year.

Our weather was perfect all day—maybe a touch warm—but perfect roller coaster riding weather. We left the park at the 8PM closing time—only after a couple people in the group rode the Raptor a record five times in a row! Overall, we had an awesome time together and are already planning next year’s trip.

Chicago sights

I had the opportunity to see the Body Worlds 2 exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago this past weekend. The advertisement calls it “inspiring.” After seeing it, I’m pretty sure I would not consider it inspiring, but the word interesting did come to mind frequently. As a nurse, I feel I can already appreciate the complexity of the human body—but this display truly put me in awe of how detailed our Creator was when he formed us from dust. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning more about the human body and probably has a relatively strong stomach for things of this nature.