Party Time (NOV - DEC)

This year I was invited for Thanksgiving again by coach Jodie. Like last year it was not traditional, with Polynesian food and it being held on a different date. That day we had to get up really early for our very last game and the party went on till late, so it was a very long, tiresome day. I also celebrated Thanksgiving with my family at Quirine’s house. Since Emy already had guests over at her house, I stayed with Qui and helped her cook. For the ‘borrel’ she made Dutch kroketten! Yum! She made us a delicious meal with a nice and fat turkey and gave her own spin to all the traditional dishes.

In addition, I celebrated ‘Sinterkerst’ with my roommate Anouk. We decorated our apartment, made Dutch pancakes, watched a movie and exchanged gifts. I bought her a bike light and a tall mirror, and she got me batting gloves. Since we are both Duchies, both our parents sent us a big box of pepernoten and such goodies. We ended up having so many! Anouk also got some special ones, like Stroopwafel, M&M and Limoncello flavored ones.

I also had a Christmas party with my team. It was held at coach Jodie’s house around brunch time, so she made us pancakes, eggs and bacon. I also brought some pepernoten for everyone to try since there was no way I could finish them all by myself. We could do some coloring, but I didn’t want to until coach said we could win gift cards! Of course, I suddenly was interested and I ended up winning the $15 movie theater card. There was also a game called forbidden word. The word ‘gift’ was forbidden to say. If you did say it, then whoever noticed it is allowed to take your pin. The one with the most pins at the end wins. The majority lost there pin because T-Mac kept asking: “What can you win with the coloring contest?” Well, gift cards.

Like last year we are fundraising for softball gear. We went to sit in the audience for America’s Funniest Home Videos, just like last year. The organization will give you $20 per person for it, since I can understand no one willingly wants to spend three hours fake-smiling. Last year we went while my mom and her friend Karin were visiting. They ended up being on tv several times! Even though I had to switch seats like a hundred times, you could only see the back of my head. This year I was chosen for the front row, where you supposedly get filmed most. We’ll see if I’ll have my minute of fame, the episode airs in January. Last year I shook Alfonso Ribeiro’s hand (you might know him from The Fresh Prince of Bell Air), and this year I did so twice.

One day I was casually talking to my sister on the phone, until my mom suddenly took over her phone. She asked if I wanted to go home for Christmas! Yes, of course! That was such a nice surprise! The first day back, it was not as cold as I expected. Unfortunately, there was a flu epidemic and soon enough I got sick. Luckily all my friends had school the first week, so I didn’t have too many plans anyway. The whole family has been sick for a few days, and unfortunately Chelle and I got sick during Christmas. We still got to make it a special day and mom made us a delicious meal. Her ham is something you can look forward to all year. I did some fun winter activities, like ice-skating and (indoor) skiing, since that’s hard to do in California. My friend, Ilse, has her birthday on October 31st, so I spend part of new years at her house. I went home early, because I had a morning flight on January first. I also preferred to start the new year with my family.