Still sitting on our old couch in our empty living room trying to think of something interesting to write (that does not concern tennis). It has been a very hectic and sad week but I do not feel like writing about that. Also got my first rejection for an article, but somehow that did not affect me that much, probably mainly because I really was expecting it and would have been surprised if it had been accepted (and here is everybody saying I am too pessimistic about my research). What pleased me was that the reviewers all did like the idea behind the study - which was truly mine! Still battling on with the next article which I want to get out before the summer, although I fear that may not work. But N (supervisor here) is really keeping the speed up, I hand in stuff every week (and although I prefer to be more independent, this helps, and I am not having to write stuff I do not agree with so it's fine).
Tennis wise (yes, very brief), we have our last competition day on Sunday and it is going to be very exciting (read stressful...). We have to do quite well otherwise we go down a class. Now we play against the last placed in the pool, but then we are second last so you never know (and you never know what K will do either...). I feel nervous even thinking about it, very promising for the singles I have to play. Ok, enough tennis.
I have plans to go back to Connecticut in the autumn, and the thought of that already cheers me up so much it makes it worth all the money. Now I just hope I can go, may need to run another experiment in the autumn, I hope I don't have to in those 3 weeks. Have already sent L an e-mail asking whether I can stay with her. Can't wait to see the doggies. And would be great to work with J again, perhaps we can think of some more ideas.
Enough, and time for bed. Have to hand in introduction again tomorrow...

I sit out on our roof terrace and watch an old lady with a crutch water her plants. She has a small plastic children's cart in the middle of her garden with some plants in it. That's about all that is going on up here. I am feeling sad today because I had looked forward to yesterday evening so much and for such a long time that i am really disappointed it is over. Yesterday my aunt and uncle from Germany and my parents came for dinner. Aunt and uncle had never seen our house before so that was very exciting. And they liked it, so nice to see, because of course we love it and want other people to see that indeed we have a beautiful house. And it was just a very nice evening. Being with family makes me so happy, I think it actually makes us all happy because we know one another so well, and we understand each other. So whoever says what, it does not really matter because you know you care for another and can count on each other. After about 27 years of going to Wengen together I think I can say that. What we, being Bernard and I, do not know well is how much everyone eats. A lot we thought, probably true, but not as much as we had bought... We are going to be eating cheeses, fruitsalads, salads and champignons for some days to come. Luckily I had not miscalulated on the wine, in some ways I do know my family well :-)))
Otherwise things are going ok. Ok, rather than very well, because of work. It frustrates me, and at times makes me unhappy, and I just want to finish my dissertation and move on. My time in the States luckily did show me that I can enjoy my work. It helps to think I can go back, even if going back for longer (which career wise I would love) may not be an option. Unfortunately L and J do not seem to be together anymore, but I would love to see her again. So I have planned a trip in the autumn, and I can't wait!
Time to go down and finish up some of the food, poor B is waiting with the cheese - and I'd better get there before it is gone!

It's been awhile again. Less to talk about since I am back in Amsterdam. In fact I sit here and wonder what to write. Today I bought curtains, yesterday I worked, life is very exciting. We have had wonderful weather recently so basically I spend most of my time (when not at work) on the tennis courts and on our roof terrace. One does wonder why my parents spent so much money on my tennis training (luckily it was a cheap club, I think/hope. My tennis team knows that with me they will have long tennis days. I lose the first set because I am nervous, then don't want to lose so win the second and then get nervous again in the 3d. In the meantime my teammates finish more than one match, and then wait for me. One day I was so exhausted after 2 three-set matches that I could not even lift my arm to serve in the last match. Bit embarrassing, the ball went in all sorts of directions, but not in the service part of the court. We lost that one... This year I am less nervous, I am just playing badly instead. And if my work is making me unhappy I play even worse, and then tell myself I am no good at anything. Yes, this is a hobby! And I am hoping to excel on the courts once I have finished my dissertation and become a housewife.
Oh, and next week we get our kitchen, which we find very exciting. Given that so far everything (and truly everything) has been a list of going wrongs with the kitchen company we are not banking on getting the kitchen we ordered in one go (but one can hope...). It is going to be a beautiful vanilla white and I can't wait to get cooking in it. My aunt and uncle (+ parents) come for a celebratory birthday dinner the week after so I am hoping to have gathered all the parts by then (at least we already have the fridge). They are planning on carting the kitchen up to our floor by lift - I told them we have a tree in front of the house, perhaps they think they can saw it down?
I'll put a foto on once we have it!