I have been home for a little over a week now. I am still getting use to the American life-style. I can tell you that reverse culture shock is not fun, but it is yet again another learning experience for me.

So I will try to summarize my flights back home and this past week. So….

Last week Thursday (May 20) I left my room in Leiden as bare as the day that I moved into it. Hillary and Melissa helped me carry my luggage to the train station. Reality still had not hit me at the time that I was going to be saying goodbye to my friends and Leiden. Three other Central students, Will, Chelsea, and Addie, were leaving Leiden on Thursday also, so we rode the train the Schiphol together. Two friends that I have made from ICL (the church I went to) met me at the train station. Glory and Zippora are their names. Anyway, our train had arrived at Leiden Central and it was time to say goodbye. Lots of hugs and tears had by all. I did not cry really until I was on the train. Glory and Zippora came with Will, Chelsea, Addie and I to Schiphol. I had to go to a different part of the airport to check-in, while the other 3 had to go somewhere else. Glory helped me with my luggage and Zippora went with the other 3. After getting my luggage paid for and checked in, I had to say goodbye to Glory and Zippora.

I have never been through security so many times in one day in my life. I was glad that I wore a tank top dress and tights or else the woman in security in Schiphol would have been grabbier than she already was. I upgraded my seat on the plane ride home to a seat with more legroom. I was very thankful for that. The flight home went well and the food was great. In Chicago, I had to pick up my luggage, go through customs and security about 3 more times. While I was waiting for my next flight, I met a woman who is originally from Italy, then moved to Australia, and now lives in Michigan.  I also met a guy from Germany. It was fun talking to them and comparing Europe to the United States. Will and Chelsea were on the same flight from Chicago to Des Moines with me. We about missed our flights because we did not know that the flight changed to a different gate. We made it on the plane just in time.

Touchdown in Des Moines, Iowa. Mom and Dad picked me up at the airport. Mom about squeezed the living day lights out of me. It was then time for me to ride in a car for the first time in 4 months. I could not believe how much open land there was. And HILLS! We have mountains compared to the Netherlands! Mom and Dad tested my reverse culture shock by bringing me to a restaurant before going home. The waitress kept checking on us and I was getting annoyed that she would not leave us alone. The glasses here are HUGE and so are the portions.

The houses here are bigger than I remember them. My house seems like a mansion. I have noticed that I have come accused to the simpler way of living. And I don’t think I will have a big house when I get one of my own someday.

Reverse culture shock has been tough. I have noticed that some people treat me differently or don’t know what to talk to me about anymore. I understand that I have been gone for 4 months, but I am still the same person, and only a little bit different. Some people ask how my time was in the Netherlands and then don’t ask about anything else or don’t seem interested in it.  I find Wal-Mart and Hyvee overwhelming. Driving a car is not as bad as I thought it would be.

I am hoping things will start to get better as the summer goes on. It has only been a week since I have been home, but it feels like it has been forever ago since I have been in Leiden. I can’t wait to go back there!

Sunday morning, Melissa and I went to cheer on Hillary and her mom because they were running in the Leiden Half Marathon. I made signs that said GO HILL! Sadly, Melissa and I never saw Hillary but I yelled her name every 10 seconds so then she knew we were there. My last church service at ICL (International Church in Leiden) was very said. When someone is leaving to go back home or to a new country, the church prays for that person(s). So some Central students and I went up front and they church prayed for us. My see you laters had to start that day. I am going to miss ICL very much!

That afternoon I studied for my Netherlands final oral exam. I got my suitcases down from the loft and laid some clothes inside. The packing process needed to be started. I skyped with Mom, Dad, and Nick for a while that night. I was making sure certain things were going to be done before I got home, like have a working cell phone and a bed to sleep on.

Monday morning at 9am I had my Netherlands oral exam. It went wonderfully. Dennis pulled a dirty move. He said, “This next question will be hard.” I told him to bring it on… I don’t remember what the question was because it was so hard. I told him I had no idea what the answer was. Dennis then told me he wasn’t expecting me to answer because the question was so hard. He wanted to trick me because he said I was doing so well. LAME! I worked on graphic design until my final photography class started. Everyone shared their final project. There were some really neat ones and really really funny ones! I have learned some new skills for my camera so I am looking forward to using them more often.

After class I started to pack my bags. I have no idea how I got here with only ONE bag. What was I thinking?!?!?! Good thing Mom left me another bag when she came here. A group of us went to Jacketz (the baked potato restaurant) for the last time. The owners know us pretty well now since we have been going every Monday night for a month now. Like always the potatoes were amazing! I am going to miss that restaurant. And for dessert like every Monday, ice cream from Australian. We hung outside the shop for a while and had some side splitting moments! Good times. I am going to miss our Monday supper tradition.

Tuesday I studied for my Dutch Art final that took place at 2pm. I was nervous but not for it. Finally 2pm came and surprisingly I had fun taking my Dutch Art oral exam. Steef gave me about 15 postcards with different Dutch paintings. He then asked me to lay them out how I would have them displayed in a museum. Then we talked about each painting, their style, what was going on during the time they were painted, etc. It was fun and I also learned new things during the test too. Let’s just say I passed with flying colors on that test! On my way back to my dorm, I almost got hit by a car. It stopped 2 inches away from me! That was close! Please don’t worry, it’s all good.

Tuesday night was my last time to host Radiate. We had a potluck/goodbye night. I ate so much! I tried every dish and they were all amazing! I was scared how my stomach would react, but I was brave and tried everything. We hung out for a while and then played silent football. We have a blast playing that game! Sadly, it became time for people to leave. I had everyone write a message and their email for me in a book. One by one I had to say see you later. Everyone in this group means so much to me. It kills me that I just get to know everyone and then I have to say goodbye. SUCK! On a positive note, I have places to stay all over the world now. I have a lot of great memories with Radiate and I was truly blessed to be part of this great group.

My last full day in Leiden today… SAD! I had my last graphic design class and it went rather well. I was glad that I ended up taking this class rather than my internship because I learned a lot and it challenged me in my creative process. After class, Melissa and I met up with Emma to have one last coffee time together. Then Anna came for a bit as well. It was fun to talk. When I said goodbye to Emma and Anna, I surprisingly did not cry. The reality of me leaving Leiden has not hit me yet. I will miss them both very much! They are such great girls

At 4pm the class had an option to go canoeing on some of the canals of Leiden. It was really fun! I was in the back and I felt like a white water rafting instructor because I had to guide the boat. But except from keeping the people in the boat away from rapids and rocks, I had to keep us away from the canal walls and other boats.

As a class we went out to eat at a Chinese restaurant. The food was good (yes for even being Chinese) and I had fun talking about the memories we have made here in Leiden. Once we were done eating, everyone went back to Central for some drinks. Sadly, the time to say goodbye came. My class was a great group and everyone got a long so well. I am going to miss not seeing them around campus next year.

My bags are packed and under weight (thankfully) and my room is bare and clean. I will say goodbye to Hugo (my dorm) at 7:40am tomorrow and goodbye to Leiden at 8:13am. Good times Leiden. Good times indeed!

Well the next time I will write I will be in Iowa! Here are my flight numbers and times.

Thursday, May 20

Amsterdam—Chicago KL0611
11:10am (4:10am Iowa time)—12:40pm   8hours 30minutes

Chicago—Des Moines  United6334
4:27pm- 5:36pm

Please continue to pray for safe travels not only for me, but my fellow abroad friends. See all of you back in Iowa!

Final Project: Inside Out

Here is my final project for Photography. I took these pictures in black and white with a high contrast. I like taking black and white photos with a high contrast because it brings out textures and details. Enjoy!

http://depenningk1.jalbum.net/Kathryn/.

Favorites from Photography
Here are some of my favorites from the assignments during the semester.

http://depenningk1.jalbum.net/Favorites%20from%20Photography

(you will have to copy and paste the last link to make it work)

The ash cloud has found its way back to disrupting Europe airways. Amsterdam is now closed (hopefully will open back up this afternoon at 2:00pm).

Please pray that this ash cloud will go away so that I can come home on Thursday. Thanks!

Wednesday was very cold and rainy out. For the first time in graphic design this semester my instructor let us go get coffee to warm up. We were really happy that he finally let us do that. After class, I met Hillary to eat lunch at Bagels and Beans for the last time. I am going to miss that café and its yummy bagels. For the rest of the day I worked on my Dutch Art paper that was due on Thursday.

Thursday I handed in my Dutch Art paper. It felt good to be finally done writing papers for the semester. Now just have to study for tests and work on projects. I worked on photography that afternoon. That night Hillary, Addie, Sarah, Sarah, Melissa and I watched a movie and just chilled. I am going to miss our movie nights together.

Friday I did not feel well at all. I had chills and my stomach felt weird. I haven’t got much sleep lately so that is probably a result from that. I had my last class trip that day. We went to Den Haag (The Haag). First stop was to a museum. We then got to go to the Peace Palace. That place is beautiful! Marble floors, wooden ceilings, colorful carpets… everything donated from different countries. I was confused most of the time during the tour because 1) I didn’t feel well so I didn’t listen very well, 2) our tour guide talked really fast and was not clear on things, 3) I got distracted by the wonderfulness of the rooms. The Peace Palace was made so that countries did not have to go to war to solve problems. This was the “peaceful” way to settle things. It’s hard for me to describe what goes on there through writing, so I will tell you when I get home.

Hillary’s Mom and Aunt arrived in Leiden Friday morning. For supper that night we went to the pancake house. My last Dutch pancake here SAD! I can’t wait to make them for Dad when I get home. After supper, I took it easy and went to bed early.

Today Melissa and I went to the market and did some shopping. I got stroopwafels to bring home and some small gifts for people. For lunch we ate at Einstein’s, last time for that place too. We did a lot of walking today. Back at the dorm and I got some things ready to pack or give away. This weekend I will be studying and packing.

Here is my final schedule:

Monday: 9:00am-9:20am—Netherlands oral exam
2:00pm—Photography final class and portfolio due

Tuesday: 2:00pm-2:30pm—Dutch Art oral exam
7:00pm—Goodbye Supper with Radiate

Wednesday: 10:00am-1:00pm—Graphic Design final class and project due

Prayers would be much appreciated for my last 5 days here in Leiden. Pray that my finals will go well. Pray that I can say goodbye to all the people that I have become friends with. Pray that my flights will be on schedule and safe. Pray that I will enjoy my final times here and to keep my head up. DANK JE WEL!

The Final Countdown by Europe

Saturday, I took it easy all day. I slept in, cleaned my room, and then started working on my Netherlands paper. I was writing about Dutch weddings (the process and what a typical wedding day looks like). About halfway through I got stuck and could not think of what else I should write. So I decided to watch 2 movies and go to bed.

Sneller still has a popped tire so I walked to church on Sunday. All the women in the church got roses since it was Mother’s Day. I even got a rose because they said someday I will be a mother and that I deserve a rose. Emma gave the message that morning. She talked about baptism. It was really interesting how she presented it. She compared baptism to a wedding to help people get a better understanding of it. At the end of the sermon, Emma threw a bouquet of flowers into the audience to show an example she was talking about. Surprisingly the bouquet fell right into my lap… no one tried to grab it in midair. So I felt pretty special.

After church I was determined to finish my paper. I was on the 5^th page when it was time for me to go have supper with Anna and Melissa. We went out for pizza at the pizza place that I first went to this semester. It was the first restaurant I had been to where no one with me knew how to speak or read Dutch. This time around I felt way more confident in this restaurant—I know how to read some Dutch words, I can order in Dutch, and I knew how to ask for the bill. I was very proud of myself. I got the Hawaiian pizza (pineapple, peaches and bananas on it). After supper Melissa, Anna and I played a couple card games and just hung out for a while.

I called Mom to wish her a happy Mother’s day! Then I called her again when she was at Aunt Barb’s house for lunch and talked to everyone on the speaker phone. It was good to hear their voices.  I finally got my Netherlands paper done at midnight. I was so happy to get it done!

Monday—Last full week of classes! I got a great surprise this morning; my new ATM card came in the mail finally! YAY! Now I can get some cash and not worry anymore. In my Netherlands class we talked about if we have had culture shock here, what we have learned (about the Dutch and American culture), and what we will miss. Then Steef and Dennis talked to us about having culture shock when we get home, what we are looking forward to or not looking forward to when we arrive in the States, etc. I am not looking forward to having culture shock at home. I don’t think I have had culture shock here really, but I could be wrong.

Around noon the second largest bike race in Europe (after Tour de France) called Giro d’Italia went through Leiden. People we lined up along the streets to see the bikers. It was pretty cool to see and apparently a big deal. After my photography class a group of us went to Jacketz for supper. The owners were sad that it was our 2^nd to last Monday to eat there. I got the chili con carne bake potato, which was very good and very filling!

Like every Tuesday here, I had a long list of things to do today. I went to Central to work on my graphic design homework. The sun was out so I decided to do some window shopping before I meet some people for coffee time. My friend Andrew (from Australia) wanted to have coffee with me and Hillary because he won’t be here for the next two weeks to say goodbye to us. It was great having coffee with him and just hanging. I told him that someday I will come visit him in Australia and he can come to Iowa anytime. I took Sneller (my bike) to the bike doctor to get her back tire repaired. She is all better now…I have missed her!

Tonight Radiate met before our regular meeting time and went out to eat at a small café. It was really yummy. We then came back to my room where we took time to pray for everyone and yeah… a lot of great stuff happened tonight. God loves me! How awesome is that?!?!?!?!??!!!!!! I am going to miss everyone from Radiate! I honestly don’t know what I would do without them here! Time for bed for me! Good night everyone!

My parents are throwing me a welcome back party and I would love to invite you! You have been so faithful about reading up on my adventures in Leiden, so please come to the party!

It will be a hot dog roast, which is something I have been wanting to do for a very long time after arriving in Leiden.

When: Sunday, May 23
Time: 2:00pm-?
Where: The Nunnikhoven’s pond (Dutch Meadows Landscape and Garden Center)
100 1/2 Vermeer Road Pella, Iowa

Bring: Lawn chairs/blankets and an “American” dish to share

(Hot dogs, drinks, and smores will be provided)

If you have any questions, call 641-594-2919 or email me at depenningk1@central.edu

Hope to see you there

On Wednesday, everyone in the Central program hopped on a train to Brussels, Belgium. It was a 2.5 hour train ride. I read my book the whole time and just relaxed because I knew I was going to be on the go a lot for the next 3 days. Once in Brussels, we walked to our hostel and dropped off our bags. Our hostel was on a side street from the main shopping streets—great location. We had time to get some lunch before our first activity. For dessert I had my first Belgian waffle with just chocolate! YUM!

Central had planned for us to go to the U.S. Mission building to meet with a U.S. diplomat; however Vice President Biden was in Brussels visiting the EU Parliament and ruined our plans. The U.S. diplomat came to our hostel and talked to us. He told us what a “normal” day was for him (saying there really is not a normal day) and then we got to ask him questions. It was cool to talk to him, but I was very tired after his presentation.

Time to walk around Brussels. I was surprised how hilly Brussels was. I have become so use to how flat the Netherlands is. Good work out climbing the hills. For some reason Brussels has a famous peeing boy fountain. We went to see it and I was surprised how small it was. You can get a chocolate replica of the peeing boy, a key change, t-shirt, you name it. I then had second Belgian waffle of the day with strawberries, chocolate and whipped cream. That night a group of us went to a bar that hold the world record of the most flavored beers—2,004. I had a strawberry flavored beer and it tasted pretty good. I only had one beer while some had several. One girl got a little out of control and some not so good things happened that night… All is well now.

Everyone, including myself, was very tired Thursday. Someone brought up the fact that I only had exactly 2 weeks from Thursday before I was back in the States. WOW. We did another city tour of Brussels that day. First stop was to a memorial for the unnamed soldiers of Belgium. Some French veterans were there honoring the loss of some of their allied men. We got to see the U.S. Mission building and the Royal Palace, which are on the same block. After climbing a huge hill we arrived to a church and listened to some really nice organ music. Steef gave us 3.5 hours to do whatever we chose before we had to go to the EU Parliament. I had some lunch, another waffle (again with strawberries, chocolate, and whipped cream), did some clothes shopping (got a shirt, t-shirt, and a tank top dress), and bought some lace.

The EU Parliament building is HUGE! Once inside we had a information session. We were informed that we had just missed seeing Vice President Biden because he spoke at the EU meeting that morning. Oh darn. We then got to go into the meeting hall to see where the action happens. Pretty cool. That night some people went out again to the bar. I stayed back and hung out with Melissa. We watched TV, played some games and just relaxed.

Next stop Brugge. Brugge is very lovely and I would live there except there are too many tourists for my liking. We stopped at some wonderful churches and just walked around. I bought some Belgian chocolates to bring home for everyone to try. Before I left Brugge, I had one last Belgian waffle with caramel and whipped cream. I am going to miss those waffles. After a very long train trip, we finally were back in Leiden.

I had a great time in Belgium and hopefully I can go back there someday. I was tired and ready to relax! My days here are coming to an end. Papers are due this week and then time for finals. Please pray that I am able to balance school work with my last to-do lists. Also pray for my travels home—that my flights stay on schedule and for safety. Thanks

Monday was rainy again. It felt like February winter weather. In my Netherlands class we had a Dutch speaker. This man actually went through the Central program for a year back in 2002-2003. He is now doing his masters in Amsterdam and focusing on Dutch immigration to the United States of America. It was really cool because Pella, Iowa was actually one of the main settling places for the Dutch. We talked about traditions. RCA vs CRC—this made me laugh because people from Pella knew about these 2 church groups and the others had no idea about them or did not know their past. I really like learning more about the past of the RCA and the CRC. I told the man about people calling people who went to the CRC as Offies—apparently it comes from a Dutch word? We then talked about Tulip Time and how it is really Dutch American and not actually Dutch. It was a fun class.

After class I discovered that Sneller (my bike) had a very flat back tire. So now I will have to get her fixed when I get back from Belgium. The weather was so crappy out no one wanted to go outside. I did not want to go to photography, but I went anyway. Once class was over with, I worked on some homework and read the new book I got on Queen’s Day. It is called the Kommandant’s Girl by Pam Jenoff and is set during WWII. It is a good book.

Today I had a long list of things to do. Clean my room-check. Do laundry-check. Get some groceries-check. Buy train tickets to Belgium-check. Pack for Belgium-check. Start working on my Netherlands paper-check. I was happy to get all of the things on my list done! Tonight at Radiate it hit me I only had 2 Radiates after this! Sad! A lot of bittersweet thoughts are going through my head lately.

I am enjoying every last moment I have here in the Netherlands. I am really excited to be going to Belgium for 3 days this week with my class. I am trying to spend time with all my new friends and just take everything some more. I love Leiden and the people who live here!