summer of love, part i.
so much for my grand resolution to resume blogging about the expat life.
the spring and summer were full of visitors, and i’m only just recovering and preparing to settle into my life here. and hopefully forge a new business for myself so i can stop pretending i’m a wealthy retiree.
summer brought my dearest friends and family to me, and in some cases brought them together. beginning with the kim family in april, followed swiftly by rhonda and anne (a trip that will forever affectionately be referred to as the “hot mess express”). priceless adventures arising from both visits, although the kims’ time was a bit more family-friendly thank the girls’ trip.
june brought the family – my brother’s entire brood, as well as nana (aka, my mom) – along with more friends who are, essentially, family. my brother and the gang had been in poland visiting my sister-in-law’s family and made a pitstop in amsterdam on the back end of their holiday. though my niece and nephews were only here for 5 days, we squeezed in a crapload of kid-friendly fun. on thursday, sonia arrived from madrid with her boys, hugo + yago. it was amazing to see the boys all together; the 9-year olds with their matching, almost-spastic energy levels, the other two boys (7 and 11) with their quieter, more reserved dispositions. the meeting was a massive success and plans are in the works for a reunion in madrid the next time the brown family rolls through europe.