Our last stop was Antwerpen, and again we were in Dutch territory... Well Dutch influence at least. It was also a beautiful city and our hotel was next to a gorgeous cathedral!!

The views and sunsets were just spectacular.

J'adore parler francais

The next stop on our euro trip was Brussels! Belgium is split up into French and Dutch influenced cities... Or Flemish.... Brussels was obviously French, it felt like belle was going to pop out and start singing.... Bonjour!!!

Luckily I took five years of French in high school, and Lauren and I were able to fill in each other's language gaps :)

The REAL Oktoberfest

Some friends from Texas came to visit and we thought... We are three young girls... In Europe .... In October.... Omg let's go to Oktoberfest!! Now, I know we all celebrate it at bars and just drink special beer and think of the beer maids and their little dresses... But I didn't know it was only in Munich and I didn't anticipate just how awesome it was going to be!!!!

The first night we of course had some bratwurst and hit the beer tents. We mer this group of guys that chaperoned the whole night and taught us about the true Oktoberfest traditions! They took us to an after party where the locals go in heart of Munich and we danced on tables and sang our hearts out to German songs and it was such a blast!!! And that was only day 1 of our euro trip!!

Deep in the Heart of Texas

I was lucky enough to go back home this summer in August and see my friends and family. I had on,y been gone for 3 months but the break was much needed!

 I went to work for a week and my colleagues were such a refreshing sight! Everyone was so welcoming, and it's really true about the southerners being sweet! Went to a couple Astros games, some BBQ and some field trials in 100 degree texans heat! Got to love it!

My family was loving enough to plan a huge reunion with all the cousins and here is our first pic together in over 5or 6 years. We keep getting scattered around the world!!! Sorry it's so dark!

Here are the girls of the family: 4 generations, on a small scale.... 24, 16, 7, and 1.

I also got to spend some quality time with my cousin Annabelle who is like my little sister, it warms my heart to see her grow up so beautifully and I wish I could see all my cousins right now... I feel so proud as the oldest, to be among such bright and talented young individuals. 

Even a tetra 4 reunion!!! I love these girls and no matter how much distance or time passes, they are always there for me!!! High school was such a different life, but they have grown with me, and I'm so lucky to have met them!!!

I also got to spend time with my mom and visit Austin .... I love that place! Gosh if I could retire in Austin, I know that would be heaven!!! Too bad retirement is 2055.....

Back to blogging....

Wow it has been soooo long since my last blog post... I'd just like to say that I've had a wonderful to where in holland. Thanks to my housewarming party all those months ago, I have made a beautiful circle of friends. 

I've been learning new hobbies, cooking, walking, reading, working! It's the life for sure, yes I miss my family and friends back home but these experiences are molding my personality and making me a stronger person, and I can feel it. :) I think we make experiences out of the situations we are placed in... And people always remark that it's so hard what I'm doing or so courageous... But it's just another path in life and I know ill end up where I belong,,, I just don't know where that is. And what I've learned is that we never choose our path, but the right things come along at the right time.. I'm proud to have such a great support system, and I can tell you for certain that two years ago when I started working for Halliburton, never in a million years did I thnk I'd be where I am today... If you had told me this 6 years ago as a freshman in college? I probably would have walked away shyly... Haha... 

I love all of you for keeping up with this and for checking in on me, I apologize for being late on email replies, or slacking on Skype... You keep me going and I wish I could see everyone more often! Can't wait until Xmas!!!