Dear Reader,
As some of you might know, I was able to go back to the Netherlands for a few weeks due to the fact that I had four weeks off for Easter break. I flew back home on the 26th of March, and flew back on the 16th of April. So that's quite some time to visit my family and friends. Things I hadn't taken into account before I left? I'm an anxious flyer and I hadn't flown by myself since I went to Australia (about 5 years ago, which was the first time I flew by myself). It's not that I have issues with flying itself. It's merely the hassle of going to the airport and getting through security and all (potentially being late and missing my flight if my bus is delayed or whatever). But it's also landing. I don't know why, but going down makes me anxious. Especially right before touch down. I woke up nauseous (that's what stress does to my body) and it didn't go away until I was safely on the ground again (after flying).
The first day was so nice. Fabian picked me up at the airport and we couldn't stop hugging, kissing, and just looking at each other. Just holding his hand while walking to the train, was something I'd missed so much. As soon as we got to his place, I insisted that we'd go to the supermarket. It's not that I have anything against English supermarkets, but there's just a lot of stuff they don't sell, or sell in a different manner (for the life of me, I do not understand why they wrap everything, even the vegetables and fruit, in (layers of) plastic). Being able to purchase groceries in a manner I'm used to was a lovely experience. At night my youngest brother came over and we watched The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix and just talked and laughed. It was easy, and normal, but very pleasant.
Visiting my parents was also very pleasant. I never realised how expensive the train is. What usually doesn't cost so much, now cost me €36 to see them. It was worth it though. Afterwards, from Thursday till Monday, I was away on Easter Camp with my brothers, boyfriend and some of my closest friends. It was so much fun, even if it wasn't my intention, initially, to go this year. I said my goodbyes last year as it is a learning-experience, we're not really supposed to stay on for such a long time (I've been a counsellor for 7 years now). It was easy and we had a lot of fun, especially because I could mostly be found behind the scenes. Which means I was still able to finish Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson and help with the meal preparations.
Most of the time after that was spent meeting up with friends, celebrating birthdays, spending a lot of time with Fabian, going to party's. All of that. Fabian turned 23 over Easter, so we celebrated that on the 8th. My grandfather turned 80, so we celebrated that on the 15th. My twin cousins turned six so we celebrated that on the 14th. It was amazing to see them again, and hold them, and hug my family. But I think three weeks was too long. I had grown accustomed to being home again, which made leaving very hard. Especially when Fabian dropped me off at the airport. I don't know why but I didn't want to go. I was crying while we hugged and kissed goodbye, even though I knew I was going to see him again in two weeks (when I go back home for a family reunion to see my Australian relatives). But I just didn't want to go. However, as soon as I got back to my place in Norwich, I was oké again. It didn't necessarily feel like coming home, but it felt familiar and safe.
See you soon!
Alyssa
Visiting my parents was also very pleasant. I never realised how expensive the train is. What usually doesn't cost so much, now cost me €36 to see them. It was worth it though. Afterwards, from Thursday till Monday, I was away on Easter Camp with my brothers, boyfriend and some of my closest friends. It was so much fun, even if it wasn't my intention, initially, to go this year. I said my goodbyes last year as it is a learning-experience, we're not really supposed to stay on for such a long time (I've been a counsellor for 7 years now). It was easy and we had a lot of fun, especially because I could mostly be found behind the scenes. Which means I was still able to finish Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson and help with the meal preparations.
Most of the time after that was spent meeting up with friends, celebrating birthdays, spending a lot of time with Fabian, going to party's. All of that. Fabian turned 23 over Easter, so we celebrated that on the 8th. My grandfather turned 80, so we celebrated that on the 15th. My twin cousins turned six so we celebrated that on the 14th. It was amazing to see them again, and hold them, and hug my family. But I think three weeks was too long. I had grown accustomed to being home again, which made leaving very hard. Especially when Fabian dropped me off at the airport. I don't know why but I didn't want to go. I was crying while we hugged and kissed goodbye, even though I knew I was going to see him again in two weeks (when I go back home for a family reunion to see my Australian relatives). But I just didn't want to go. However, as soon as I got back to my place in Norwich, I was oké again. It didn't necessarily feel like coming home, but it felt familiar and safe.
See you soon!
Alyssa