Day 47: Efficiency

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Here are two things that we’ve run into here that don’t make all that much sense to us. One, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV in the States) – or the RDW, as known in the Netherlands, and secondly, the lack of use of credit cards.

Waiting for our turn at the DMV equivalent, drinking a cup of complimentary espresso. Not bad!

Today we had to drive to Rotterdam to prove that we live in the Netherlands, after we’ve already proved that we live here and have proof with our residence card. But we had to drive an hour plus to take our paper and another paper to show proof that we can be here and get our car out of customs. But we didn’t get our car out yet – we have to wait until tomorrow for our highly paid consultant to bring over the Title document that we shipped with the car, directly to the RDW. Once they receive this document, they’ll issue Dutch license plates which will take another 5 days. Everything takes more time than necessary and no one really has an answer as to why this is so. They just say, it isn’t possible. And so we wait. And wait. We paid another fee to register our car here but this leads to my next hmffff… ( I”m sure it’s like this for foreigners coming to the United States DMV as well, yet it just doesn’t feel all that foreign to me.)

When you want to pay for something, in the States you can use your credit card. Here, they don’t really allow you to use a credit card. Everything has to be from a debit card with a PIN attached. Or, I just haven’t figured out how to use a credit card yet, but I don’t think that is the case. However, you can load separate money on your debit card to act as a ChipKnip – which I think is more like a credit card, but I’m still not sure. Hopefully someone will explain it to me and I’ll be able to park with my ChipKnip card. I don’t understand why they don’t allow credit – it’s just not possible! And if you’re a foreigner, it’s really not possible to pay but with cash! Crazy, right? Or just different? Hmmfff…

You can’t use a credit card to pay! Normal!

10Sep2012

Day 46: Going Home

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The London Eye

Tonight we flew home from London to Amsterdam. The idea of going home felt a little bit strange. When I asked the kids if they felt like they were going home, they said no. They said that home was back in Sunnyvale. And when I asked if they were excited to see their friends, they were hesitant. Juliana said her friends were in Sunnyvale and she missed those friends. Not that she doesn’t have friends in Amsterdam, but she doesn’t have a history with the new friends yet – the history that makes you long for the shared experiences and casual laughter that feels normal. We still have to create those. And when we do, I think Amsterdam will feel more like home. We’ll have more of a sense of attachment, that we don’t currently have and I think that’s probably normal.

For me, I felt ready to go home (to NL) because this is where I’m creating our new routines, establishing connections, and getting settled. I have work to do, and I like to be busy and I’m eager to build new structures. But it doesn’t quite feel like that home feeling like Sunnyvale does either – and by that I mean, our home here in NL doesn’t give us the comfort of returning to a familiar place when returning from afar. We’re still learning and adapting. It still felt nice walking in the door, and actually seeing a neighbor walking up to her door at the same time as we arrived, but it definitely had a different feel. So I feel like we’re in the process of making this our home, but our hearts are still in California. Does that make sense?

P.S. I forgot Trinity’s birthday while we were away – forgot to look at my birthday calendar and to even think of birthdays! So a belated, happy birthday, to my niece and I’m so sorry we forgot to call you!! I hope you enjoyed your special day!! xo

9Sep2012

Day 45: London

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We couldn’t have asked for better weather in London. The last time we were here the weather was great too – we like to think the sun is following us from California, like we have something to do with it!!

Nate and Becky and Winston have a beautiful home overlooking the water and have made us feel so welcome. They also are great planners and tour guides and took us through the city, showing us just a few highlights for our short weekend. We took the Underground Tube, went to Hamley’s, stopped by Buckingham Palace, walked by the Tower of London, shopped at Liberty and sat on the terrace watching people walk by. We’ll definitely come back for a longer stay where we can be more touristy – but this trip was mainly to spend time with our family. Becky’s brother, Anthony and his girlfriend Emma, joined us for dinner, later in the day. I love how our families are integrating – the last time we were all together was last year at the BIG wedding. Seeing Charlie get a piggy back ride on the back of Anthony’s back made me smile… he has a new ‘Uncle’! Can’t wait for them all to come to Amsterdam next month!
Charlie and Winston on the Terrace.

Tower of London

The Horse Guard, Heading to Buckingham Palace

Hamley’s Queen made out of Lego

Beautiful Sunset at Limehouse

Family Dinner at an Indian Restaurant

8Sep2012

Day 44: TGIF!!

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I’m so glad it’s Friday!! We are beginning our European Vacation Series (sounds like a cool class you’d want to take, huh?) today and are going to see Nate and Becky and their cat Winston, in London. This will be the kids’ 7th country they’ve visited during their short lives. I hope we can quadruple that number!

I’m not sure if I’ll have internet access, so in case I’m unwired, I’ll catch up with the daily blog when we return. I hope you have plans for a fun-filled, learning adventure weekend!

Tot siens!

6Sep2012

Day 43: We’re Still Learning

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6 weeks ago today we arrived in the Netherlands and we’ve learned a ton and still have a long way to go!

Charlie is learning to be a better reader and it’s hard. He doesn’t want to do it and is practicing every avoidance technique possible. He’s figuring out how to function with longer school days and substitute teachers. He misses home the most and all his friend’s and he’s learning to adapt.

Christian is learning how to explain his thinking and thought processes as part of the International Baccalaureate learning process, even for simple math problems and it’s harder than it sounds. And it is frustrating and rewarding and takes a lot of time.

Juliana is learning how to play volleyball and didn’t want to do it because she didn’t really think she was good at it. She pushed through her fear and tried out for the team and made it! Now she’s excited to practice and learn more.

Jeff is learning how to build a company in a new land where many things are not possible. There are forms and documents to translate and fill out. There are delays and differing instructions from agency to agency. And everything takes more time than usual. It’s challenging to figure out the system. But he’s doing it and figuring it out, despite the daily frustrations.

I’m learning how to cross the street, drive, and park a car, to navigate on a bike, and figuring out the tram system. Don’t laugh! It’s taken me awhile to know where to stand and where to look and who has the right of way and when. The parking spots are small and most people back in to their parking spot, in order to be able to get out. Wish me luck when my minivan arrives! I’m getting better, with less anxiety on a daily basis. Transportation is where it’s at for me today.

I guess what I’m learning is that we’re all learning and practicing and it takes work, lots of energy and patience. There have been a few tears, a few yells, but no one has given up and everyone keeps trying. We have a lot to learn and I’m proud of my team!

What are you learning today?

5Sep2012

Day 42: Speed Dating and SUP

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There was a blog the other day written by another expat that talked about speed dating – but it’s about women who are looking for a new Best Friend Forever! (BFF) or several new friends. I love this concept and think it’s something most of us do quite frequently. Unless perhaps you’re Dutch or grew up and still live in the same small town with your old friends and your extended family and don’t really have a need to make NEW friends, because your social network is so tight.

So many of us at the kids’ school are all in the same boat – some of us here a year or two or 5 or longer, some just arriving, some getting ready to move. For the newbies (like me) I definitely have to put myself out there and “date” as many woman – to find new friends and establish new workout routines, and homework play dates, and coffee get togethers, and GNO and such. For the old timers, they have to date again, because it’s like they’ve been divorced when their friends move back to their original homes or new expat assignments. They have to meet new friends to fill their date cards. And so we go… to the PTA Newcomer’s Coffees, and out to group lunches, shopping at the farmers’ markets and trying out new gyms. Lots of fun dating, but boy, my paper piles, laundry, and clutter are collecting higher and higher!

A gorgeous day to lunch outside, with new friends – swapping stories and sharing ideas about how to make it in “this world.”

After my “first shift” was through, I rushed back to school to pick up the kids to go and fix J’s passport photo for her residence card. We stopped at the Kings Almarkt – an American store super find! They have so many things we love and today we picked up miniature ice cream cones. Char was so happy!

After getting the kids settled and homework started, Jeff was so sweet to drive me over to the Ijburg, to test out a new paddle board with Morene. While I paddled, he took the kids to dinner and waited for me. I think we all had a good time. The kids love being spoiled by their dad. I loved the traditional, orange Boga, touring board and might have to get one when our car arrives, which could be any day. I loved being on the water, getting a workout and enjoying the sun shining and reflecting on the water, even if it was cold!

Hope you have a good day and take care of your girlfriends!!

xo Adriana

4Sep2012

Day 41: Yin and Yang and What I Love About the Dutch

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So Ikea… what thoughts come to mind? For us, it’s mixed – great, functional, inexpensive way to set up a house quickly, when all things go right. BuT — when things aren’t right, IKEA stinks!! IKEA does not know what customer service means and they try to be helpful, but they are not and they create a nightmare that won’t go away. We’ve had a table wrapped in cardboard in our kitchen for 1 month now, waiting for them to come and pick it up so we can get our money back. We’ve called Customer Service multiple times and no luck. They keep saying they are too busy and they might try to call us another day and to wait and that it’s not possible, and blah blah blah. Well, today – we squished the bits and parts into our rental car by folding down the back seats, and brought it back ourselves. We waited and waited and explained our story again and again and we’re glad to say we got our money back and got rid of the bad table. This made me very happy and we learned to do things for ourselves and not wait and to not listen to their it’s not possible stories.

So after the nightmare ended, we went over to the Woon Mall – an indoor furniture and household goods shopping center near the Amsterdam Arena. We walked into a store to buy sheets for the beds and to inquire about what to do about the seam between the two mattresses that make up a king sized bed. You see, king sized beds don’t seem to exist here. Instead, you buy two twin size mattresses and put them together – sort of like in I Love Lucy where Ricky and Lucy have separate beds, but here you just smoosh ’em together to make one big one, throw a Molten (bed cover) over it and a sheet, and supposedly that works. But there’s a crack – and you fall in it. So today, the nice lady, Carla – at the Droom Domein showed us a wedge that you can put in the crack – I guess others have this problem too. And she helped us pick out sheets and was so kind and friendly and was the yang to our Ikea ying.

The Wedgie!

Not only was she helpful and kind, but after we made our purchase, she invited us to sit down for a (Nespresso) cup of coffee. She said we should sit and relax and take a moment to enjoy a cup of coffee and that she would serve us. And then she sat and talked with us and it felt so weird and so comfortable at the same time. It made me wonder if people in the States would take the time to have a drink and relax while shopping. We loved it and really enjoyed the customer service and the personal connection that she made. When we went out to do a bit more shopping, she invited us to leave our packages and to come back when we were done so that we wouldn’t have to carry them.

I love that the Dutch people slow down and drink coffee and just enjoy each other’s company in the middle of the day. My mom always has coffee on at her house, but I never really thought about it until today. It’s just something we do. When she comes to visit, I always have the coffee ready too. It’s our tradition and our little connection. I’m going to extend this tradition… Who wants to come over for coffee? Come on by, and I’ll brew you a cup or two and we can sit and chat and be Dutch together. xo

3Sep2012

Day 40: Happy Birthday to my Papa!

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Today is my dad’s birthday! He’s having his friends over for a BBQ and my mom is making shish-kebobs! He also went to pick up his trailer as he and my mom are taking a road trip in a couple days. I love how adventurous they are and how they keep on moving. Hmm… I wonder where I get it from?

Actually, I get a lot from my dad – and I’ve learned a lot from him as well. He’s always playful and loving. He always makes time for his friends. He always has smiling eyes when he greets his friends and family, where the people he is sharing time with know deep in their soul that he loves them. I love this about him.

He’s taught me to always look on the bright side, and to stay positive. And if any of us ever get discouraged, he just reminds us that in 10 years, will it all really matter? Will we really remember THIS moment? Good advice to keep calm and carry on.

He taught me to only loan something to someone if I didn’t expect to get it back – it’s better that way to keep your friends when you don’t have high expectations. I like that.

My dad is adventurous and athletic and always tries new sports. He plays handball, rides motorcycles, rides mountain bikes, kayaks, fishes, and plays tennis to name a few of his recent hobbies. If he’s ever hurt, he’ll just say, “You can’t hurt steel!” and laughs. I love that.

My dad is stil supporting his family and is encouraging and loves his grandkids. My kids are always excited when Opa comes to town, because he’ll actually go outside and play with them, play hide and seek, tease them and tickle them, and take them to the park to run around and take them for ice cream and donuts for breakfast.

My dad genuinely loves my mom and his family and would do anything for all of us. He is very protective and loving – great qualities in a man.

I love you Pops! Happy birthday, and many many more!! Today, we celebrate wonderful YOU!

xo Adriana

Jeff and I sat outside on this gorgeous day at a restaurant at the Ouderkerk an de Amstel.

Family bike ride, after dinner. So much fun!

2Sep2012

Day 39: Exploring North Holland and the Zuiderzee Museum

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We spent the day together on a road trip up to Northern Holland to explore the Zuiderzee Museum. If you haven’t been there, it’s a great place to take the family as there are a ton of hands on activities and different things to see and do. The Zuiderzee Museum recreates what life might have been like in 19th Century Dutch life. Some of the buildings are recreated and some were moved from other locations to sit and be part of the Zuiderzee village. I’ll post several pictures to share a bit about what it’s like, in case you might like to also see it.

Cheese making

A clog boat floating on a canal

Making a clog boat

Would you wear these Delft high heel shoes?

Dressing Down

Dressing up!

A water view of the village. So pretty, right?

Me, a little frightened! Actually, a Gaper, that was typically found outside a pharmacy building. Isn’t this funny? There were several different ones and they all made me smile and creeped me out a bit.

A hungry fish, we gave our last bits of cheese too.

Hanging out on the bridge

Good, ol’ fashioned fun

Making a jump rope together.

My little mermaid!

Playing old-fashioned games together

Even I got to laugh and cry from all the fun on this old fashioned see saw!

My silly angel!

Windmill in the sunshine – I love this image. Such a great day. Namaste.

1Sep2012

Day 38: Sun Shining = Go Outside

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When the sun is shining, it feels like you’re wasting money if you’re not outdoors. Or, I guess you’re wasting sunshine and it’s a precious commodity in the Netherlands. But still, our family was enjoying the slow morning and not quite in a rush to get out of the house.

A lazy morning gave us time to make pancakes – or as the Dutch say, Pannen Koeken. Kids loved ’em.

We had planned to go to the Zuider Zee Museum, but as soon as we mentioned the word “museum”, our littlest little angel started to throw a conniption fit even if it would be the most fun. What is a conniption fit, anyway? I just know my parents always said that… but I’m sure you can imagine what I mean. I think we needed a little down time this morning so we just hung around until lunch time, and decided to head into Amsterdam for a canal cruise instead. The weather was so gorgeous, that we needed to be outdoors and being on a boat was the perfect way to spend the afternoon. Anytime you put me in the sun and on the water, I’m happy. And if the mama’s happy, everyone is happy!

This beer boat made me smile!

Imagine having to parallel park here on the canal. In the rental car, they have these metal pokey sticks that you can use to break the window in case you drive into a body of water! Scary!!