May...month in review

Well in case you can’t guess based on the (in)frequency of my posts, we no longer have access to internet at home anymore! And the busyness of May is my other excuse for lack of blogging J

So the more logistical/activity based May review goes something like this:

* After Queens Day weekend, I went to south of Italy for 5 days with my Mum and three of her friends, Kerri, Bev and Eileen (see below) :)
* Came back to Amsterdam and spent 4 days in bed sick with the flu :(
* Rediscovered “The Goonies” thanks to Maria’s DVD – it even has missing scenes. Luckily they cut out several ones – including a very unrealistic fight with a gigantic octopus!
* Had a great visit from Mum, Liam and Dad (surprise!!!) for 4-5 days in the Netherlands :) :) Would get even more smiles if Kyles & Sean were here too!
* Following up with Griffith and USQ about finishing my degree externally/part time while I am over here – does anyone know of any other Aussie unis that offer subjects externally like USQ??
* Preparing for two week summer course – starting next week – on Conflict Management and Resolution
* Had lovely evening with my housemate, Chris and our landlady, Iris (who lives downstairs), getting to know each other and the area better, and consuming lovely cheese and wine
* Participated in day-long workshop with other trainees, run by other trainees at ABN AMRO about sustainability – exploring connection between world, you, bank & sustainability – was very cool.
* Rode for three hours to a “nearby” beach for a sunny day in Amsterdam on weekend, along with half of the rest of the Netherlands – really reminded me how much us Aussies take our great weather and beaches for granted seriously!
* Also enjoyed random social activities like food, drinking games & charades in the park after dark with some other trainees and going for a Japanese movie – called “The Taste of Tea” (Chai no aji) – funny & insightful movie, kind of like Japanese version of “Amelie”
* Exploring some more about diversity – how I can connect it with my work at the bank, how it relates to training and trying to activate somehow the trainee network within ABN AMRO, which is growing quite large
* Still trying to learn Dutch, and gaining some helpful techniques from a “book in progress” called “The Third Ear”

Or for a slightly deeper look at what was happening in May, here are some of the questions that have been/are spinning around:
* When am I going to feel finally a “grown up”? When I am financially independent? Graduated? When I am married/long term relationship? Why not now at 26?
* What places of the world will I be exploring for the first time when I am 50? With whom will I be traveling?
* Why do Italians often sound like they are in a heated argument when they are just talking about the weather?
* How can I be my true self at work, amongst a new, unknown context, and succeed on mutual terms?
* If couples connect on emotional, physical, intellectual & spiritual levels – does it matter in what order the connections happen?
* When the weather has such an obvious effect on people's moods, how do you truly follow Crowded House's advice and "take the weather with you", "everywhere you go"?
* Who is my true self? Am I an extrovert or introvert?
* Why am I sometimes so afraid to meet new people?
* How come I have sooo many split ends? And why am I so obsessed by playing with them?
* Why can’t I just let go and dance to the music?
* Do you really know your values till they are tested?
* How come we desire and avoid the same things?
* Where can I find something nearby to work that is filling, healthy and not expensive for lunch that is gluten-free and vegetarian?
* Why don’t I practice my Dutch more randomly more often?
* Who do I already know in my neighbourhood? How can I get to build more connections with them?
* Why am I so afraid of being wrong?
* Why do the Amsterdam transport authorities keep the heaters on in the trams, metros & buses, no matter what the temperature??

Answers, comments, experiences all welcome :)

Hugs