Internationalism

Last night we had dinner with some MBA-days friends. These friends happened to be a Dutch/Pakistani couple, and they invited their Dutch/Pakistani friends as well. It occurred to me, like it has quite often since moving here, how rich with people and experiences our life is. It is possible to have international friends in America, of course, but it was much harder for me to get out of my comfortable circles of friends and find people from different places.

I began thinking about our diverse array of friends we’ve had since moving here and where they are from: The Netherlands (duh); Dutch who have been overseas in America, New Zealand and Australia, Africa, Central Asia, Eastern Europe; USA; England; France; Finland; Israel; South Africa; Nigeria; Sierra Leone; Cameroon; Uganda; China; Taiwan; Ukraine; Moldova; Pakistan; Mexico; Guatemala; Brazil…

We have friends scattered throughout the world, too. We could visit every continent and be welcomed into many homes on each.

As international as our friends are, there are very rarely times where we feel as if we don’t have anything in common. We have common interests and experiences in Holland to share with each other. Of course, we talk a lot about our own countries, too. For those who are Christians, we have that to bind us together as well. In the end, though, it comes to one thing. We’re all human, we all have a desire for relationships with one another, we all have our stories to tell, and we all have things to learn from each other.

Did I Already Blog About That?

Disclaimer: I’ve reached a point in this blog that I don’t remember what I’ve blogged about and what I haven’t.

So I haven’t been blogging a lot of things because I don’t want to repeat myself. Then I realized that I’m a mother and I’m over 30, so I have an excuse to repeat myself. Then I realized that most of my readership who has been with me since the beginning probably won’t remember anyway. Then I realized that I have lots of new readers.

So who cares…

Spring = Bike

I'm missing my bike. The sun has been out several days in a row, the birds are playing in the water, the lambs chasing each other, and the flowers are blooming along the side of the roads and in people's gardens. It is the perfect time of year to hop on my bike and explore my new surroundings, with my camera within easy reach. I'm glad Rebecca is sitting up pretty well...that means that it won't be long before she can hop on with me. For now, walking will have to do. It's a nice alternative, though! To walk pushing a baby carriage...

Springing Forward

Three related thoughts:

1. This weekend we sprung forward to Summer Time, so now I don't have to think too hard about how many hours behind people in the States are. It's back to normal.

2. Summer Time also means that it is nice and light much longer, which makes me happy. The gloomy days of February are long, long over...

3. Doesn't "Summer Time" make much better sense than "Daylight Savings Time", as Summer Time is known in the States?

Countdown

Keukenhof opens in 0 days.

And. It. Is. COLD. Outside. AND. Windy. But I saw the sun shine...

Now...how many days till Beth GOES to Keukenhof??

The Countdown

Keukenhof opens in 2 days.

And. It. Is. Hailing. Outside. Right. Now.

The Countdown

Keukenhof opens in 3 days.

And. It. Sneeuwed. Today.

What's That?

I ordered something on-line today from a German? company. I wonder if we'll get it, since 1) it is a Dutch website and I only undstood about 50% of what I had to do, 2) I never paid for it. and 3) on the confirmation, it said "leverbaar" under the Availability column. When I free translated it, the best it could give me was "liver bar". Heh?

A is for Available

Tagged again – and always by the same person. At least now some of my friends are keeping their own blogs…and you are IT.

A- Available or Single? No.
B- Best Friend? Dan.
C- Cake or Pie? Cake, cake, cake. Today’s choice is German chocolate.
D- Drink of Choice? Water.
E- Essential Item? Passport.
F- Favorite Color? RED.
G- Gummi Bears or Worms? Gummi Worms.
H- Hometown? Hancock, Michigan.
I- Indulgence? Taking pictures. I need a new camera, by the way.
J- January or February? Anything BUT February.
K- Kids and names? Rebecca Lenore and she is beautiful.
L- Life is incomplete without…? Knowing God.
M- Marriage Date? June 27, 1998
N- Number of Siblings? One.
O- Oranges or Apples? Granny Smiths.
P- Phobias/Fears? Big, scary spiders. (All spiders are big and all spiders are scary.)
Q- Favorite Quote? “guuuuh gggggguh eeeeeeeeeEEEEEEE” – daughter Rebecca
R- Reasons to smile? Sunny weather in Holland, sunny weather in Holland around tulip time, and sunny WARM weather in Holland.
S- Season? Spring.
T- Tag 3 people? Rachel, Monique, and Mindy
U- Unknown Fact About Me? My mom turns 61 today! Happy birthday, Mom! (Am I going to get in trouble for that?)
V- Vegetable You Hate? Mustard greens. Except that I don’t think I’ve ever tried them.
W-Worst Habit? Procrastination.
X- Xrays You’ve Had? Mouth, foot, suitcases.
Y- Your Favorite Foods? Raspberries. Moldovan raspberries, please.
Z- Zodiac? Libra.

Why'd They Do That?

How'd I miss this?? I think all State-side family members have an obligation to warn their expat loved ones of such drastic changes in the lives and times of...our...lives...and...times.

I'm a Little Teapot...

It is simply because children are living up to clothing manufacturers' expectations!

Check on these onesies - the top one is from Holland, the bottom one is from America. Both are for the same age. That's a lot of extra fabric for a 4 month old!

All together now: "I'm a little teapot, short and stout..."

Bejeebers - That's Expensive

I have hard evidence that things here are more expensive for babies. It's not just because finding a stroller for under $400 seemed nearly impossible when I first figured out we were pregnant. Well, it was possible, but there aren't nearly as many choices here than in the States.

Finally, though, my evidence has come in: I have a direct comparison. I found this toy, which Rebecca got in the States and continues to love here in Holland, at Baby Park. It was 69.99 EUR. That is $91! NINETY-ONE DOLLARS. As my Grandpa would say, "Holy Smokes."

The Countdown

Some people have graduations to look forward to this spring, others have their weddings. And still others, births of babies. Me? I have TULPEN!!!

Keukenhof opens in 17 days.

Last year, I took 697 pictures...can I top that this year? Remember, I have a little girl to take with me this year. (You should have seen how wide Dan's eyes got when I reminded him of that fact. And, we just bought a new super-sized external hard drive I get to fill up. If I can ever get my computer to admit it's there, connected and ready to receive files. I think it's jealousy issue. "MY files", my 600m says, "MINE.")