Who influenced the course of your life?

This weekend I spent time with my friend Arlette. Arlette was visiting from the US. She is Dutch but lives in Massachusetts. We both studied French Literature and Language from 1992-1997. We started together and graduated together. We both spent a year as an au-pair in France before starting our studies and then both studied a semester abroad during our studies.

While I lived my five years in the US I never visited Arlette (nice friend am I!!). She did come to DC once. This year, I had the chance to see her twice already. Without Arlette, I doubt I would have lived in the US for five years, meaning a lot of you might not have known me. Arlette is one of those persons who influenced the course of my life in an, I would say, significant way. At least one, I am very happy about.

After we graduated, I spent a year in Kenya, where she came to visit me. It was therefore more than logical that when she moved to the US, I would visit her there. At the time, the US did not attract me at all. Although I had returned from Kenya with the idea to remain in the Netherlands for a while, of course, I thought about visiting other countries for vacation. The US, however, was not at the top of my list. I actually am sure it was not at all on the list ... That list contained countries in Africa, Asia, maybe a visit to Australia but the US? Nope.

But then Arlette moved and her enthusiastic stories made me at least more curious about visiting the US. Arlette lived in Sunnyvale, CA. San Francisco was at a 30 minute drive (and a little bit more by the BART). So, I flew into San Francisco Airport (with that landing over the Bay!), and the moment I touched the ground, I was already in love.

Arlette loves hiking so we spent two weeks traveling around the most amazing National Parks in California, Utah, and Nevada. I loved the laid-back atmosphere in San Francisco. I LOVED San Francisco. So, I decided I would be back. A second and third visit followed in which I learned more about the US mentality and came to love the fact that you can start a chat with anybody, that people are so friendly, and that everything seems to be possible.

I don't know when or how it happened, but somehow, I decided for myself I wanted to live in the US for some time. The way to do that became Grad school and then the World Bank.

Currently Arlette keeps on inspiring me with her own business in sock dolls, among others. Check out her website at www.arlettelaan.com Those dolls are super cute! Arlette taught me how to make two kinds of them this weekend which was a lot of fun (Arlette's are much nicer by the way. Am still practicing!!).

So here is my question to you! Who changed the course of your life in a meaningful way? I am sure there are many people when you start thinking about it. Think about it and then send one of those persons a postcard this week and tell them (no need to blog about it :-) I am sure they will love to hear about it.

Have a great week!
Rose