Derek finally takes a break and relaxes - this is what the holidays is about :-) We both had a great time seeing our friends and family - thanks for everyone who came to visit us. I think everyone agreed.... THIS WAS THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER :-)

Work and Lunch, everyone loves lunch

For those of you familiar with my choice of profession, you know that January 1 is the start of one of the most feared, sacred, and hectic times of the year. It is the time of year you wonder, why did I chose this profession? It is a time when you know your co-workers better than your spouse / boyfriend / girlfriend / mom and when you see the light of day from a squeaky chair in a somewhat odd smelling conference room (it is the smell that happens when 4 people sit in a room 14 hours a day – hard to describe, but you would know it if you smelled it). Some say it is a time of great growth and learning opportunities…. Which it definitely is, however, this thought is of little comfort when you are working at 5 pm on a Saturday or Sunday night (which I am now, thus this story for the blog)….

Saturday working protocol is learned as a staff person through the careful observation and analysis of the team members around you…. What is the dress code, what do people do, do people bring things to the office, how long do we have to work and most importantly, what do we do about lunch? Lunch is an interesting topic – work through lunch and leave earlier (but how much earlier really?) or stop for lunch (hunger definitely inhibits productivity) and be happy and content, but work later in the evening??? It is one of those philosophical questions that many teams have considered and struggled very similar to what is the meaning of time? And why is the sky blue?.

So, with the first Saturday of busy season occurring in the Netherlands, I (like a brand new staff person on her first day with the firm) wondered what the protocol would be. And (like a brand new staff person), I asked the senior these very important questions. But the real question in my mind was – what about lunch? What about lunch? (do they eat it, are we still working then, what do we do?) Uncertain of the answers, I brought with me my handy granola bar and a juice box and hoped for the best.

The day speed quickly by as it does when you arrive at 8 am and you you are diligently working on a project with a tight deadline, and soon, lunch time arrives. The team stops and I am instructed to walk to the larger conference room. I do and the large group of 10 are gathered around the table. The manager opens a bag and places on the table 7 bags of fresh rolls from the bakery. 10 rolls per bag. The senior pulls a container from behind his back and opens a cooler with small packages of lunch meat from the deli. Of the 10 packages that he had, I could identify 3 of the different types of meat.

So, as I watch, the team gathers around the bounty of food and after filling a glass with fresh cold milk (the standard lunch time drink over here), the sandwiches were prepared by placing a slice of meat onto the bread roll. After watching the team members do it, I was comfortable that I understood the process and could make my sandwich just like a pro. Three sandwiches later and I felt like a master and ready to face the rest of the day. I can’t say ever in the US I could ever imagine this happening. I think the team would revote as 1) sandwiches are much larger in the US and include several topping and condiments and 2) super sized cola was not involved. Need less to say, I enjoyed the approach and was thankful there even was food there. It made for a good start to the busy season. One Saturday down, only 13 more to go…. Hopefully it passes quickly!!!

The Christmas tree - ah it was good to be home 

Bryce opens gifts 

Mom and Hannah open presents