Visit home...

I will be flying in to KCI on Monday, December 11th. My plane arrives at 4:30pm!!!

Only a couple more days!

Sinterklaas Surprise

This Sinterklaas surprise was in my mailbox today at work. It's a big chocolate letter C. The magazine behind it was also in my box. Unfortunately it's in Dutch, but I think it says that EY is supporting a part of the Olympics.

six days...

Only 6 days until I come home! I can't wait to see everyone!!!!

(Lynsey, where are you my love?!?!?! I haven't heard from you in awhile--you must be working your butt off for my mommy dearest. Watch out for the wire hangers,...or no hangers at all. I'm not sure which is worse.)

miss you mcbkk!

Sinterklaas

Instead of Santa Claus, the Dutch children get a visit from Sinterklaas. This is a picture of him I found on Wikipedia since I haven't actually seen one yet.

However, I did see these guys in Eindhoven playing for a huge crowd.

"Zwarte pieten" (Black Petes) are Sinterklaas's helpers. According to most Dutch, they are black because of sliding down chimneys.

Sinterklaas visits the children on the eve of his feast day, December 6th. They put out their shoes by the fireplace and when they wake up, they have gifts waiting for them.

Because of this holiday, EY employees get off work at 3:30pm. : ) Works for me!

Maastricht Winterland

On Saturday, December 2nd, Charla and I went to Maastricht, Netherlands to see the winter/Christmas festival they have each year. Here are some pictures of the Maastricht Winterland:

There were many little shops and food stands strewn throughout the square.

This is the ferris wheel that we rode for 3euros. It was breathtaking to see the city from that far up.

This is one view from the ferris wheel. How gorgeous!

There was a huge ice skating rink that Charla and I decided not to grace our presence upon.

We are drinking "gluhwein"--a warm wine they serve during the Christmas season.