Sunday, November 18, 2007

The journey is the destination


Dear all,

Life is never a perfect picture.
I have been complaining a lot lately, to my friends and to myself, about New York and work. Don't get me wrong, I still love the city and do not regret my decision of coming here.
New York drains you of your energy. The city is always alive, always moving, always loud. People always seem to be in a hurry. Sirens everywhere, but that is the way the city is. After three months and a half here, I need to get out of the city. And I don't think I am the only one like this. I looked for a place to go during Thanksgiving weekend, but of course, everything is booked or too expensive as most Americans will be travelling to their families. So I decided the go to Belgium for three days. It will be nice to see my parents again and there is a also a very important friend that needs me. I will go back to NY exhausted but at least I will be relaxed.

Work has been extremely busy lately. I thought it would quiet down after my last trip to Boston but I was mistaken. Don't worry I am not falling back into my old habits of working over 50 hours per week. I do my hours but rarely leave my desk.
My colleagues and I went out this week and we had a blast. That definitely improves the team spirit. We help each other out as much as we can and have good laughs at work. But Euroclear will be Euroclear. Some of you know what I mean.

Living alone has been wonderful. I cannot express how good it is not having to share an apartment anymore. I do what I want, when I want. Again, I am not saying I did not enjoy my time with my roommate in Belgium, but I am over that.

My last business trip to Boston was a blast. Hard to believe, I know. I enjoy working with one of my clients a lot. We had diner and drinks together. They are good people.

Central Park still remains my favourite spot of New York. The leaves finally bear those beautiful fall colours as temperatures dropped. Gusts of freezing winds reminds every three days how cold winters can get here. I hope it snows. A white Christmas has been very rare in my past.

Well, I hope you are all OK.

Latest pictures can be viewed on http://picasaweb.google.com/Rudiinthecity/AnotherDayAnotherDollar
They will show how much fun my colleagues and I had this week.

Take care.

Rudi