It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

My last two nights in Amsterdam were quite mellow. I relaxed, watched some t.v., walked through town, visited my (which I hadn't mentioned yet) favorite little coffeeshop. This place was quite small and only local people in it. For me, this was perfect. I didn't do any museums or anything spectacular. At this time I was, to my own suprise, quite homesick. I really missed my bed, my cats, my home. Oh, and I REALLY missed American style breakfast! You better believe it's one of the first things I did when I got home, but that will be in the next post.

My last two days had my thinking about my vacation and about my life. My life is good. I have a great job in which I make a difference in young people's lives. I live in a great apartment with my rabbi and shul half a mile or so away. My Jewish community here is great and I've been building new friendships with some great people. However, traveling alone makes it very clear that I am single. It wasn't me watching happy couples and feeling jealous, it wasn't the numerous sex shops that made me think of single life. What it was...was thinking that I had so many great moments, moments that would have been even more special had they been shared with someone I love. I think this hit me hardest in Antwerp. It's odd since I'm not a big diamond or label wearing girl; however, staying in the diamond area and each day walking past windows and windows of thousands of engagement and wedding rings. I couldn't help but be mushy and think how special it would be if I was with a significant other and we spontaneously were engaged and got our rings! OY! Crazy I know. I also spent part of Shabbos afternoon at a park in Antwerp. There were many many families with their children, spending a lovely afternoon in the park together. Being a religious community, most of the families were Jewish and it made me long to have that as well. But I digress...I think you get the picture. What it really made me think is that I need to be active when I come home and get things taken care of here. I need to go to more events and meet people!