The Amsterdam airport was a hassle getting through Customs, with the officials not considering my Sojourner's Permit (the Italian document that allows me to enter and leave the country freely until we PCS home) valid. After some discussion, I was allowed through, but my potential illegal status in the EU was debated and they wouldn't accept my proof. Now I know how "the other side" feels! How scary! Two things I've learned here in Europe - don't mess with either the Dutch or the Germans! They don't mess around!
Anyway, I made it to Las Vegas in one piece, and rented a car to drive to my sister-in-law's house, where I stayed for several nights. We had a fantastic time, although it wasn't enough to make up for a year of being away! I was also able to see my in-laws and we exchanged Christmas gifts early, but again, not enough time! One evening we went over to my husband's cousin's house, where we absolutely gorged on Vietnamese food and spent some good times chatting and playing on the Wii.
Out for Vietnamese food!
Now this is what I'm talking about!
In the Bellagio
Jackfruit with bot muoi ot... Delish!
After about four days in LV I drove through the Cajon Pass and a snowstorm to get to sunny San Diego, which was SO WONDERFUL. I forgot how much I absolutely adore the city! I really miss it... All the little things. And before you wonder - no! I did not eat ANY Mexican food! I can't believe it either, I really missed the boat on that one. What I would give for carnitas! I was thankfully able to go to a few other favorite restaurants of ours and visit with several friends, but I only allowed myself something like three days total for the city which was a real mistake. I should've known - the majority of my friends are in San Diego, and thus the majority of my time should have been spent there - fail!
Visiting our old man, Oz, in San Diego
More phở in San Diego
I missed my gal!
After a week in the States, the third segment of my trip began with the long flight from SD to Boston with my sister and my two young nephews. We arrived in one exhausted piece and got to my mom's house late. It was nice being back at home and seeing my brothers and the pets! Everyone seems to be doing well and we all had a great time, but especially my nephews. The youngest enjoyed playing with the cats and the dog, and the eldest had a blast hanging out with his uncles - my two brothers. It was great to spend time with my mom, although at that point in my trip I was fairly crabby and fighting a sinus infection. I'm afraid my mom got the brunt of my stress! I don't know how we managed to seamlessly fit seven people into four small bedrooms and have everyone fairly comfortable, and I don't know how my mom kept it all together with so many people and animals underfoot... But she did!
Snow at my mom's!
Say "cheeeeeeeeeese"!
There was a fair amount of photobombing happening here... :)
For Christmas, we spent the day with my aunts and uncles up in a suburb of Boston. After engorging ourselves on a great meal, we were able to sit and relax. Even with the kids going bonkers over their gifts and something like 18 people settling in for a post-dinner nap, all went well. I really missed my family, so it was fantastic to see everyone.
Christmas morning!
Nephew and uncle!
Nephew and other uncle!
It was so super wonderful to spend time with my lovely family!
My trip back was okay, but I hate long flights and I find myself hating them more and more as I get older. I arrived in one piece and am fighting major jetlag, but am doing okay. I still have a sinus infection but seem to be on the mend and my biopsy is coming up next week. Lots of things coming up, actually. We've gotten word that my husband will be having PRK eye surgery probably in February and we'll have to travel up to Germany for a little less than two weeks for that. In April we'll be celebrating our anniversary and we're looking into taking a Mediterranean cruise (my first cruise ever!). In June or July we've been invited to Vienna, Austria, and sometime in the early Autumn I'd really like to go to Poland. Since coming home from the States I've adopted a new attitude - I know I won't be going back for at least a year and a half, so now is the time for me to focus on traveling here in Europe with my husband and seeing everything we can possibly see. Last year was our "move-in" year. Next year may be our "move-out" year. So this one is the big one; We're hoping to travel internationally at least once every two months... If all goes according to plan. We shall see.
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