Manager Tools Effective Manager Conference Amsterdam

I just returned from the Manager Tools Effective Manager Conference in Amsterdam. I chose to attend this conference because I regularly listen to the podcast and thought it would be a good opportunity to (1) learn leadership skills and (2) develop a network of inspiring people in Europe.

The conference delivered in both respects. I learned a lot about the basics of management and leadership in a high energy format which really got me inspired. I learned and practiced a number of tools which I hope to use at work and in life.

I also had the opportunity to meet the other 60 conference attendees. These included IT managers, small business owners, consultants, academics, and even aid workers. Because many of us listened to the podcasts we had common ground which enabled a number of fruitful discussions and hopefully ongoing relationships. Three cheers for the podcast medium and its unique ability to create this kind of environment!

Dutch Lessons Take Two

Two of my New Year's resolutions relate to learning Dutch...

1. Take another Dutch course
2. Read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in Dutch

I started early on #1 and signed up for a course with my friend Becky who had a few Dutch lessons in Houston before moving here around the same time I did. We were both given a 10 minute assessment and we both tested into the Absolute Beginner's class. Last Wednesday was the first day of class and I was sooooo bored. It was way to easy. The course was also in Rijswijk which would mean me getting home at around 10:30 PM every Wednesday night.

I finally decided that private lessons are the way to go. At ITHA in Rotterdam (where we took our beginner course) a two person private lesson is almost the same price as an individual private lesson. Therefore I convinced Charles to sign up with me. Starting February 9, the Vaughns are making a second attempt to learn Dutch!

Goal #2 was suggested by a fellow expat who is also learning the language. Her Dutch teacher suggested that she read a simple book whose story she is very familiar with and she got great results. Even if it take me an hour to read a page and I have to use a dictionary for every word I plan to get through it.

Massive Holiday Picture Post

We're back from the holidays and we have a whole lot of photos to prove it. Here's the story in picture form...

Despite crazy fog in London, on the 23rd we finally made it to visit Charles' Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Mark. Ben (Charles' Dad), Anna (Charles' sister), and Micah (Anna's boyfriend) all flew in from the US and met up with us in Blewbury (a village outside Oxford)...



We spent a good part of the 24th in Oxford which was pretty cool for me because I got to see the location where the Great Hall scenes for the Harry Potter movies are films.



Elliot was an awesome tour guide and we promised him we would make an "Elliot" tag in our blog. We kept our word...although I am not sure how many other posts will get the tag. ;)



You can see all our Oxford pictures here.

The next day was Christmas which started out with tearing into our stockings. The goods included lots of chocolate, liquor-flavored coffee, and rubber ducks.



We had a proper Christmas lunch, exchanged gifts, and did lots of lounging. You can see all the pictures here.

The 26th = Boxing Day and Blewbury had a very interesting Boxing Day Parade. You can check out detailed views of a selection of costumes here.



After Blewbury, Charles and I made it to London for one night before heading back to Rotterdam with Anna, Ben, and Micah to celebrate the New Year. We enjoyed the complete Dutch experience watching the fireworks from our terrace with champagne, cigars, and oliebollen. You won't believe how long we had to wait in line to get these fried pieces of dough. The photo set including Ben cowering from the fireworks and Anna puffing on a cigar is here.



The fireworks were insane but we all had a great time...