JANUARY
New Year Ushered in with Fanfare and Friends
Along with the traditional fireworks, we also got to enjoy the Rininger family’s company as we marked the beginning of our 4th year in Holland.
FEBRUARY
Snowboard Injury Takes Its Toll
Jonathan-still smiling because he chose to ski, while snowboarder, Ian, brought new meaning to the term “winter break.” A fractured collarbone on the second day meant an early end to his vacation as well as his high school spring track season.
MARCH
Neighbors Reunited
Surprisingly enough, half the Fernandez family (Marianne and Jennifer along with Marianne’s sister, Theresa) made it across the ocean for a Spring Break visit.
APRIL
Flower Parade with American Touch
The floats are created by volunteers with 1.5 million flowers, mainly hyacinths and narcissus. The float on which Melissa and friends helped won the prize for “Beste Steekwerk” (best job of sticking the flowers into the frame).
MAY
Matt in Provence for Golf Getaway
Though Matt was there to play golf and not watch Formula One racing, he could hear the cars racing around Monaco from this vantage point.
JUNE
Study Abroad Ends
Ian graduated high school from the American School of The Hague and was repatriated back to the U.S. in August to attend university at VA Tech as an engineering major.
JULY
What's a Hokie? I am!
We found out at New Student Orientation that "Hokie" has nothing to do with a turkey. It was coined by O. M. Stull (class of 1896), who used it in a spirit yell he wrote for a competition. Now the official definition of “Hokie" is a loyal Virginia Tech Fan including their mascot which evolved from a turkey.
AUGUST
College Drop Off
While Ian’s move to the VA Tech campus was a stressful and emotional time for Melissa, she spent several relaxing days hiking trails near Blacksburg, VA in the Jefferson National Forest with her parents, Tom and Gretchen.
SEPTEMBER
Following the Pastoral Visit of Pope John Paul II in Poland
Our mode of transport was by bicycle rather than Pope-mobile and only small barking dogs heralded our arrival in various towns, but it was a divine journey for Melissa and her friends through the southern Polish countryside experiencing the beauty of the Tatra and Pieniny Mtns.
OCTOBER
Muggles Attempt to Visit Hogwarts
Melissa and Amy late for Snape's Potions Class
Platform 9 3/4
GREAT WALL JAZZ, Beijing, China
This year's Association for Music in International Schools Honor Jazz Band Festival was hosted by the International School of Beijing. Matt and Melissa were able to see Jonathan perform along with doing some sightseeing of the area. The Great Wall of China is an amazing sight to see and the rickshaw rides were fun, too!
NOVEMBER
RIDER'S CHOICE
There won't be many presents under the tree this year, but I think the boys are happy with their choices.
