2 hours and 11 minutes, the laptop battery says, so I'll be brief.

I saw Martin this morning and gave him Jolanda's telephone and my converter; we had Turkish pizzas and walked around in the nasty weather, just talking. It was good to see him again, and it sounds like things are going well for him. He's thinking about doing some sort of computer-oriented program of study in the near future.

I also saw Linde, which was great, as usual. She's always so busy that it's great when we do get to spend some time together. We walked around the outdoor mall, visited her brother and sister at their jobs, and ate a light dinner at her house - soup and baguette bread with various spreads (the Dutch know spreads, let me tell you), plus some pistachios and chocolate-covered raisins. I was thinking about it, and I realized I've been friends with Linde for over three and a half years now, which is a long time in the world of college students who change classes every semester and apartments every year. And really, I just love her whole family, and house, and lifestyle... if I had to pick a 'second family' besides my own, they'd be it.

Linde also offered to take me to Schiphol - have I mentioned that I love her? - so I'll spend my last night at her house and then we'll take the car to the airport. We still have to get up around 5:30, but it saves an hour, and is far less stressful (physically and mentally, LOL... I have 4 bags, all heavy.)

Speaking of physical stresses, I seem to have pulled a muscle in my upper back somehow - not sure how I did that.

Also, one more thing to do upon my return: buy new New Balance shoes.

Gotta save some battery power for the next three days... see ya...