Well, it will be about two weeks now that I left New York, where the sun alway shines and there is always a freindly smile around every corner. Seriously speaking I got home sick the moment I saw the Empire State from the plane.

The plane ride was fun, I like the idea of going that fast that high in a metal can. However, since I was flying aur Lingus, everyone had thick irish accents and it made feel well out of place, the only american, correction the only New Yorker on the plane-I asked a lady at Dublin airport for help, she asked me, "What counrty are you from" and I simply said , "New York". When we landed in dublin, I was greeted with mountains and counrtyside, aswell as a brisk, refreshing Irish mornin. I could hear the clammer of people happy with excitement to be home, "it will be another year" I thought; before I could feel that swell in my chest. Although i had my rush of excitement stepping off the plane and on to solid ground with fresh air streaming through my nostrals, Dublin loved me and I loved her but our day would have to wait awhile longer as i made way to my connecting filght.

Somthing about almost missing my fight and two hours later i was in Amesterdamn going through customs and claiming my luggage soon to be greeted by my cousin Elvira, husband Marcel, and their two boys Aaron(9), Marthias(5)(cute little buggers, picture soon I hope).

The three hour drive from Amsterdamn to Groningen was somthing to be desired but it gave me and my cousins family time to catch up, listen to Raise The Wolf- courtesy of one Mr. Jay Reitz- and also to relfect on the fact that "HOLY SHIT IAM HOLLAND". Its cool sleeping for like 2hrs on a plane to wake up in another counrty. I literally felt new, reborn in a sense, with purpose to do almost anything. that was how i felt for the first week anyway, but your old "junk" is always there ready to make excuses and make you feel like less then waht your worth. And if your wondering the first week was just realxing, sleeping in and well feeling at home but a stranger to my family and myself, thats when fear seeps in, blah.

Being in this house is odd. I good percent of the time i have no idea what going on beacuse well they are all speaking in Dutch. It make one appreciate being amogst those who speak the same language, duh! Honstly I am little bit starved for good conversation.
There is a lot yelling and i think thats normal, I mean you get it all out and when i was a kid at home there was more resentment and silence, i prefer the yelling. I guess am just spoiled with the Hoffmans, they talk about there feeling and problems-weirdos-unlsess your under the age of 14 then you just slam doors saying "NO BODY LIKES ME". Seriously speaking my cousins have a wonderfull family and everyone is preety much happy and its fun eating and laughing with them.

Though at the moment the apple of my is my Cousin Joyce's daughter Djlany, she is two and just so full of life, love, and she is not afraid to share those gifts with others.

I was sleeping over my Aunt Elvira and Uncle Franz's house for the weekend when i got to see my cousin Joyce and her child. My aunt is tiny women and so very cool and stylish and reminder where i come from, she is also a space cadet of sorts, lets just say it was fun grocery shopping with her and watching her bounce for spot to spot. hehehe. she used to be a arcobics instructer but now makes her own clothes at home, she so cool. My uncle franz is a stout tuff dutchmen, he speaks in a deep yet elegent voice. He works for piping and stuff with oil, whatever. he cool. I was a bit disapointed that my cousin Nicky wasnt there, he's like a cool older brother about two yrs older, hes the one who first introduced me to the kush when i was 14, he in currently in England working his dads trade. But i was happy Joyce came home, she is 4 yrs older and so easy to talk to I love her to death, her eyes are so warm and welcoming, and she is pregnent again-planed-thanks to her boyfriend melvin a cool Indonesian dude. they have a really nice house and a car, but i dont know why they are not marriend yet, but iam sure it will happen.

Week two was preety chill too. Cousin Elvira had a hysterectomy last friday and since she came back ive been helping her while she recovers. Under Docters orders she in stay in bed and do preety much nothing. so its up to me to fetch her thing, do a bit of the grocery shopping and bring the kids to and from school, on bikes! i dont really ride at all to i was a bit reluctant, but i soilderd on and it was nice i actually like riding now.

So last but not least there is God who i feel has been so ever near me on my journey here. and thank you again to all my freinds who prayed for me wished me well and even if we didnt see each other i know you care and your thoughts are with me, you have made me feel like i could scale a mountain. But back to God. Ive been rereading the Gnesse Diary by Henry Nouwen; its about his 6 month stint at a monestery. it been really encouraging and showed me Gods Grace when i think i am failing, as Nouwen fumbles and stumbles his way through monastic living. But the central message is Prayer, and as Nouwen trys to make it the center of his "work" so must I. And He has been faithfull when i do call, so praise be to Him. I dont know if i would even had the courage to do this with out His Fatherly love and grace.

Tonight is my cousins secound birthday , i dont even know her name, my uncle Kass's has married again so iam like out of the loop, but ill see them tonight so that will be cool.
Anyway Good night boys and girls, may the good Lord watch over you all

Love
Rev Run..I mean Henn Sie

P.S thanks Jess for Albert he's nice to snuglle with when i sleep, i normally dont sleep with stuff bears i just meet but hes differnt then the others,(sorry am odd)


ALSO IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS ILL BE SURE TO ANSWER THEM