I arrived back home from Schiermonnikoog late Fridaynight. Totally beat, but very fulfilled as well. I was SO tired, but I had the most wonderful week. Physically exhausted, but mentally totally recharged. A great feeling and a long time ago that I felt like that.

The group that joined us at the course was of a higher level and a higher median age than we usually bring. Most of them over 45 and very worldwise, very social and very respectful towards people. I had the most interesting conversations, was respected for all the work I had done at the course and I felt really good thru out the week. I don’t think I’ve ever felt more respected as a management-assistant nor a woman as I did this week. No nasty sexually loaded remarks, just compliments about my competence and nice personality (well, and my looks, but in a respectful way). I am so happy to have experienced that it IS possible in Dutchyland. Even from the Dutch men!

• I was sent out on several errands from buying calculator batteries, thru a Schiermonnikoog flag, to shoelaces. Shoelaces? WTF! Typical male. Just bringing the one pair of shoes… Tsk! Read my lips: “You can never have too many shoes (nor shoelaces)!“

• US Participant: “So you’ve been single for over 5 years? How come?“- DutchBitch: “Well, maybe I am just too picky” – US Participant: “Well, and so you should be. Shit! You have a right to be. Look at yourself!“

• I was offered the holiday home of the French professor anytime I want to, as he had gotten wind of the fact that I am not able to afford a summer holiday with The Kid anymore. He also promised me that whenever I come to Paris with The Kid he’ll show us around Paris.

• UK participant: “You’re divorced? So you were brave enough to take that step. Wow” – DutchBitch: “Ehm.. yeah, I guess” – UK participant: “I could never do that. I’m scared of my wife. She’ll come after me with an axe or whatever. I’m too wimpy for that.“

• I have never EVER seen anyone stuff as much food in his face as one of the participants from Oklahoma City. Is that, like, normal for Oklahomans? If it is, I think I might bolt out of joining them at the international meeting in Oklahoma City next May.

• Our Italian professor from Milan was a gifted piano player and played the piano in the bar, next to the roaring fire in the fireplace every night. Pop classics just out of the top of his head. Gotta love that!

• US participant: “Will you come and work in Vermont? We could use someone as competent as you!” – DutchBitch: “Ehm…” – French Participant: “She can’t. She’s already coming to work in Paris!” – The Boss: “Stay away from her. She’s ours!“

• I think the Norwegian participants forgot to bring their vocal chords. I hardly heard a peep out of them all week. I am amazed at how hard it is for some people at that level to socialize.

• On Wednesdayevening 2 directors of the Dutch Bloodbank Organization visited us for one evening. Half of our participants came from their organization. One of them told me a hilarious story about him being taken to a special “spa” by his Hanoi host at a conference a few weeks ago… The part where he got worried about the prupose of their visit, he felt that he still couldn’t say “No” to the gift of his host, and the Hanoi professor stuffing some money in his shirt pocket before sending him off inside the “spa” drove me to tears from laughing. Seriously, I had to go to the bathroom to make sure I didn’t pee my pants.

• DutchBitch stepping off barstool and “adjusting” her jeans a little cuz they had crept up a tad. Director of Bloodbank: “What are you doing?” – Dutch participant: “Yeah! What áre you doing?” – DutchBitch: “I am adjusting my jeans, sheesh!” – Dutch participant: “Stop doing that. It’s raising my bloodpressure” – Visiting Director of Bloodbank: “Yeah, with me too. Phew” – DutchBitch: “Sheesh, just look the other way, guys!“

• One of the directors of The Dutch Bloodbank was kinda tipsy. I was sitting next to him at the bar with one of the Dutch participants. When his colleague told the Hanoi story, he had to laugh so hard he lost his balance and dropped off the bar stool… The Dutch guy and I managed to both grab one of his arms and lifted him back on the bar stool before anyone really notices. He hugged us and said: “You are my friends!“

• All groups at the course had to do a presentation. Shoelace guy made us all pee our pants from laughing by putting a scientific publication reference at the bottom of his slides: “Merkin et al. Pub Med Int 2007: 23; 134“. I guess he was present at the merkin-conversation earlier in the week.

• Though it’s too crazy for words, it’s a nice feeling when people are battling eachother for the seat next to you at breakfast, lunch, dinner and in the tourbus… And getting a standing ovation at the last course day from all the course participants for all the work I had done isn’t a bad feeling either… Both Total Ego Boosts!

• When the ferry arrived at the main land one of the Dutch guys that I had gotten to know pretty well (shoelace guy) said his goodbye’s. He came up to me, kissed me on the cheeck, and said: “Thanks for a great week and you are a wonderful woman. You are the sweetest“… Awwwww… So sweet!

• And last but not least: WTF is up with falling for a guy that is totally NOT your type! Holy Shit! Yup… I sat opposite him at the party on Saturday… he looked at me intensly from accross the table at some point and “DANG!”… Then again on Wednesdaynight we met up and I spoke to him a lot, funny anekdotes, serious life stuff, and he at some point did it again -I don’t think a man has ever looked at me like that before, ever- and “DANG” again! Come on! That can’t be happening! I don’t even like him! He’s arrogant… full of himself at times… He’s too old… And still he totally fucked with my head… all week… Fuck that! Let’s hope he’s married, so he’s out of the question. Fingers crossed…

If you are possibly interested in seeing everyone’s happy face (not sure if that’s cuz of the fun course or the fact that they were going home). The group pic is HERE.

That’s all for now. I’ll continue crashing now. I am still totally exhausted, this while I still need to finish Sinterklaas shopping… And ehm… who made it become December all of a sudden, when I wasn’t looking! Sheesh! Anyway, have a great Sunday. Normal service will possibly resume tomorrow… I think…