Welcome to the first blog of 2022! I guess I could also say happy new year, but we all know it’s a little late for that. Whoops. But, this means there is quite a bit to tell you guys, so here it is.

Where we left off was me going home before Christmas, to stay a whole week at home, spending the holidays with friends and family, which was obviously amazing. Even though I had a packed schedule to meet everybody, I thoroughly enjoyed it. And besides the fact that the Netherlands were in a heavy lockdown, so we basically couldn’t go anywhere, I got to go to some new places. Outside places, of course! It was a bit funny though, to see all the familiar spots of my hometown to be the same, which was comforting and a little weird at the same time. All cliches are true in the end after all, you are the one that changes, not your surroundings.

New year’s was a fun one, with the typical Dutch traditions as oliebollen, dance parties and (illegal) fireworks. Out with a bang, and back to the snow.

I flew back to Rīga on Sunday morning, this time around my mum dropped me off at the airport to wave me goodbye. I have to say, it wasn’t that easy, going back now. I guess when you have spend a long time away from home and then to go back to your loved ones, you want to stay. But I am not finished here yet, so let’s go back to school!

The snow started to melt a little, making me happy a first, but that mood changed very quickly. First off, it is so slippery! Thank the gods I changed my oldest dr. Martens without any profile on the soles for (slightly) newer ones, because I wouldn’t have survived otherwise. Second point, our flat is on the top floor. Meaning we are under the roof. And the snow is melting. Giving us a little waterfall indoors. Just what we needed after coming home. We called it in, and was fixed in no time.

I didn’t got that much time to feel homesick, for my lovely-not-so-little brother Ko was coming over! It was gonna his birthday on January 15, and he wanted to celebrate it in Rīga. So on Friday morning, I picked him up from the airport and went into the city center. We rented a small flat in the middle of Old Town, next to one of the churches, so the view was amazing. We strolled around town, careful not to fall on our asses, for it was still icy. Kids in the park loved it, naturally. Us Dutchies, not so much. But the sun was showing her face, giving us a little warmth. We met up with Rasa to have dinner and some pre-birthday drinks. It had been a while for me to go out and to go to an actual bar, and I was loving it. On Saturday, Ko his birthday, we went full tourist mode and explored the city with Rasa. We went to one of the museums, where we were a little disappointed by they’re not so big assortment of ancient art. What they had was pretty cool, it was just advertised as so much more. Nevertheless we had fun.

Next day, we went to the zoo. We dropped our backs off at the busstation, not wanting to carry it with us the whole day. Ko especially, but me as well, have this thing were we just want to go the zoo if there is an opportunity. We took the tram to the edge of Rīga, and when we got there, it was a quick way in. It wasn’t that busy, for it being a grey and rainy day. But that also meant not all the animals were outside. We got to see most of them, so two happy but freezing kids. We just have to back some time in summer, to get the not so gloomy experience.

It was time for us to get the bus to Preiļi, to show him where I have spend my time lately! I showed him the park and most important spots in town. It didn’t take us long to go back to the flat to chill a little and get the bus back to Rīga. His flight was early in the morning on Tuesday, so we decided to go back and stay there for the night. On Tuesday, I went with Ko to the airport to say goodbye there, and took the early afternoon bus back home. After three almost 4 hour busdrives in 3 days was a bit much, but all worth it to have spend time with my little bro.

After that weekend, we heard there were going to be some changes at school, so it was time for me to return to pre-school! I missed those little buggers, although the school kids have kinda grown on me too. But no worries on that part, for my English lessons with them are still on the menu. The snow has returned in full blast, so it is sled rides and mouthfuls of snow hours on end for them. To make it more fun and colourful, the teachers came up with the idea to paint the snow wall, only to have it end up being everywhere.

The learning hours in pre-school have a weekly theme, and every day they learn something new about the subject. Even when there is a birthday, they learn about the seasons, the months of the year and how a year is us going around the sun with the earth. We make a usually super sweet treat, like cake or something in that spirit, to eat it as the afternoon snack. The kids give flowers to their birthday classmate, so show their appreciation and friendship.

After a few weeks of hard work, Lena and I needed some time away from Preiļi and decided to go for a weekend of relaxation in Rīga. We booked a hotel with spa facilities, for the optimal chillness. With a visit to the cinema and the former KGB headquarters/prison, we felt energised to survive the, hopefully final, winter months. I do have noticed there are more daylight hours now, the birds are singing when I wake up, and the sunrises and sunsets are as pretty as ever.

Talking about birthdays as well, mine is coming up soon! Next Friday, one of my best and closest friends is coming over to celebrate, not leaving me until we have partied our asses off. Or something in that spirit, with what is possible with the restrictions.

Any ways, I just have to survive a few days this week in school, and then off to Rīga again it is!!