Where did December go?

If you're anything like me, you may be wondering what happened to the glorious month of December. Looking back at it, I would say that my December was characterized by a strange combination of writing papers, good food, visiting friends and family, becoming violently ill, and returning to Amsterdam to start the year off with some good, old-fashioned relaxation.

This picture does a good job describing the first half of the month:
(notice all the papers, books, laptop, dog-on-head indicating need for vacation...)

Whereas this photo is more characteristic of the second half, and the new year:
(needless to say, the Escher museum in the Hague is really, really fun!)

Now it seems, with the opening of a new year and a Masters thesis ahead of me, that it's time to head back towards picture number one. I am quite excited about the challenges and potentials this next year holds... who knows where in the world I will be at this time next year!