Personal space

I keep forgetting to bring my camera! And when I don't have pictures, it makes it that much harder to write on my blog. But if I don't write it down, it will be forgotten. So my mediocre writing will have to do.

Last night, Joe's alumni association for RSM had a social evening in Amsterdam. Traffic is ridiculous around rush hour, so even though Amsterdam is only 100 km away, public transport is a slightly better option. Joe had to leave straight from school, so I was going to have to meet him somewhere halfway. Leiden is a city in between Rotterdam and Amsterdam, so I took the bus to the train station in Leiden. After watching one train leave in the right direction, and with the freezing wind howling around me, and my body temperature dropping, I decided Schiphol (the airport) would be a much more comfortable place to wait for Joe and his fellow students to arrive. Boy was I right! I waited for almost an hour.

At first while I was waiting, I was a little annoyed that I couldn't reach Joe on his cell phone, and that he wasn't calling me, and that I had to wait at all. But then I consciously made a choice to have a different attitude. My new attitude was gratitude. I was greatful to have an evening away from the kids. I was greatful for the cup of hot chocolate that was thawing me. And I was greatful to have some time to do some people watching. No "people of walmart" passed by, but it was fun to watch some people run for their planes, and others sipping coffee at Starbucks.

When Joe finally caught up with me, we headed for the fancy hotel where the gathering was. I'm not going to lie and say it was great, because it was actually quite boring and at times painful. I don't enjoy striking up conversations with complete strangers who, in most likeliness, I will never see again. I find my mind wandering in all sorts of directions, while maintaining an air of interest. And then there were the people who have no sense of personal space. The ones who take a step forward every time I take a step back, until my back is against a wall and I have to excuse myself to visit the restroom. And then there's those single men who seem disappointed when they realize I'm with Joe. (it's weird to say that myself, but I only did because Joe told me he noticed)

5 hours in public transport IS tiring, but at the end of the night, it was great to spend some time with Joe, and get out of the house. Thanks dad and Emma, for making it possible by babysitting!