The Debates

Last week, CNN International replayed the You Tube Debates at a time when us expats could watch them. Although I watched them with interest, Rebecca was even more interested. I think she thought John Edwards was cute. I'm not sure what's up with the sock, though.

Oh, So Far Behind!

You should see how many posts I have lined up to write! My life is just so stimulating these days: changing foreign diapers; working foreign jobs; hosting, attending, and crashing foreign parties; mutilating foreign languages. So many good ideas, so little time. I think I’ll need to drink a nice big glass of Coke one night. It’ll make me so hyper I’ll be able to write for hours…

How Many Expats Does It Take to Change a Lightbulb?

More than two! I’m going on three years in this country, and I still don’t know how to buy a lightbulb. There are so many classifications! The one I bought most recently is labeled:
9 Watt
Economy
WW827
230-240V ~ 50-60Hz
E27 ES 6000h
425 lumen 60mA.

I was replacing an Economy 9 Watt bulb. And I even took the old one in to compare the bulbs. So WHY DOESN’T IT WORK???

Screens, Bugs, Bites, and Mosquito Nets

We have 7 windows and 2 doors in The Barn and only 2 of them have screens. Maybe I am spoiled because our home in America had 10 windows and three doors and all of them had screens. With summer finally here, our doors and windows are open a lot, allowing countless bugs into our home. This week, I’ve probably killed more mosquitoes and houseflies than I have in years. The most satisfying swat was the elusive mosquito in Rebecca’s room that bit her several times the last two nights. At least I hope there was only one…hmmm…I think it might be time for a mosquito net.

What IS That?

Is it...could it...be...hot? As in, I don't need to wear a jacket outside? As in, I have the delicious summertime sticky feeling and my hair must be worn up at all times? As in, the windows and doors can be wide open and there isn't a frigid draft making my legs ache? As in, it is HOT!

Zomertijd

It’s summertime in Holland, and if you have been reading my blog for at least a year, you know what that means. Holidays. Lots of holidays. One set of neighbors just returned from a four-week vacation in France, and the other set just left for a three week tour of Belgium. They both took their campers. We are homebound for now, having taken a few American vacations (1 week or less) earlier in the year. Of course, we had our epic tour of the States this winter, so don’t feel sorry for us.

I do know someone you should feel sorry for, though. One of our friends teaches, so the best time for him to take time off is during the summer, but he has trouble using it all. Of course, “using it all" means that he would use his NINE WEEKS of vacation time in July and August.

Independence Day

On Wednesday, shame on us, we weren’t proper Americans and didn’t even dress up in red, white, and blue. However, we four Americans did do something patriotic. The WWII Liberation Museum is near our home, so we toured it, learning about the battles in the area, namely Operation Market Garden, and the liberation of The Netherlands from the Germans by the Allies, which included, of course, Americans.

Then we visited the Canadian War Cemetary. Sobering.



Earlier in the day, Dan had been talking to a Dutchman about American Independence Day. This man proclaimed that, unlike Americans, the Dutch didn’t need an Independence Day, because they are independent already. Of course, he talks of a mindset and the long, glorified Dutch history. However, having toured these WWII sites and others, I would rather have an Independence Day than a Liberation Day. I’m grateful America hasn’t had a war like WWII on its soil: among other more important reasons, I wouldn’t do very well eating tulip soup for a whole winter, and I’m glad my wedding dress wasn’t made out of a castaway parachute.



P.S. And we did all this is the pouring rain, chilled to the bone. I’m getting pretty bitter about this weather.

Good Weather, Good Weather, Where Art Thou?

In most cities in America right now it’s not cold. In most cities in America right now it’s not raining EVERY day. In most cities in America right now, people don’t have to wear long pants, jackets, and boots. In most cities in America right now, the sun peaks out from behind the clouds before 9 at night.

America, please send nicer weather this way…quickly!

Emergency Rations

Dan visited an American business partner the other day and came home with a care package full of American food given to us by another American who was moving back to America. I now have some more nice American goodies in my cupboard.

Actually, I have a whole lot of American goodies in my cupboard right now. With so many people visiting us from America, we are well-stocked! I have to ask myself, though, when will I use them? I find much greater pleasure in opening up the pantry and seeing loads of American items like cream of chicken soup, Cheerios, and seasoning packets than I do in actually using them.

I confided in my mother-in-law, the expat for 26 years, this problem, and she could empathize. “It’s much better knowing you have the stuff,” she said. Nevertheless, I know I need to use this food. So, I took the plunge, and I opened a box of Cheerios. Throwing rations to the wind, I’m even going to eat them before they go stale.

Happy Birthday, America!

I’m trying to use America or American as many times as I can this week, as my Fourth of July celebration.