2010 - "It's A Wrap!"

Like every other year, 2010 was a mixed bag in Amsterdam. Some great parties were enjoyed, as we had a US Independence Day Party, my surprise birthday party, another Mama Mia Party attended by a raucous group of females, and a few more get-togethers. There were numerous nice dinners, movies with friends, comedy clubs, and some good travel. On the flip side, most know about our vehicle accident/my injury in Namibia, Radhika coping with work issues, icy winter conditions, and the always-present family-related issues. Friends moved away, and new friends were made. And it seems at the end of 2011, we will be the people who take their turn leaving.

We took trips to Paris, Africa, UAE, a couple to the wine and champagne regions of France, and a Thanksgiving period visit to Orlando and NY to visit family and friends. I spent about 2 weeks in Orlando taking care of house matters. Needed to address slight wind damage to some shingles and some swimming pools stains that's an ongoing issue still. Visited with my sister and nephew over the 4-day period when Radhika popped into Orlando before she went up to CT. to visit with co-workers at GE corporate. Got to play tennis on 4 mostly sunny and warm days with Clide and Vinnie. Florida winters - I love them! Spent several days making some urban photographs in Manhattan while up in NY. Also saw "Mama Mia" on Broadway with the entire Narain side of the family. Radhika and I went to see the Macy's balloons the night before the parade, and on another occasion walked around with Radhika's sister Poonam and her husband Umesh, taking their boys to FAO Schwarz, Lego Store, M&M's Store, and by Rockefeller Plaza. I spent a week longer after Radhika returned on Nov. 29th, spending time in NJ with my mother-in-law and then a few days back out in Seaford with Radhika's oldest sister, Dolly, and her husband, John. We all froze to death on a Christmas Tree farm an hour or so east on Long Island looking for their tree on afternoon, ate a good Polish dinner, John and I devoured 2 Carvel ice cream cakes over a 10-day period, and fought the elements to keep their pool properly and securely covered. Overall, a very enjoyable visit with everyone.

Back in Amsterdam, extending Radhika's GE contract became a mess due to incompetent folks outside our influence and control. Our residence permits expired Nov. 29th while we were away due to that incompetence, causing me to be held up at immigration control when I landed in Amsterdam on December 5th. As of this writing GE is still wrapping up the paperwork to extend our stay through November 2011. So, this will be our last 11 months in Amsterdam. Plans our being made for people to visit from the US before our deadline, and we are making big plans to mark our 40th and 50th birthdays.

So, into 2011 we plunge! The weather is tolerable, I've got a commercial photo gig coming up which is always nice, planning another photo workshop, and we're trying to be optimistic about Radhika's work. And I have managed to keep possession of the bike!!! Perhaps 2008 was just not my year to make a bike theft-proof? I'm shooting for a clean record for the entire year!! We'll see. Hope everyone has a great year in 2011.