Oh, oh...yes I know...it's been too long...I have truly neglected this blog ever since I got on that plane taking me back to the Netherlands...
Now I have already left the rainy and cold Netherlands to enjoy the rain and cold in Germany! As you all know I've started a new study (Psychology) at the uni in Münster and I'm renting a room for the time being to avoid the commute.
I don't have a computer at my room yet but I really, really need to change that!
I knew I would have to be more self sufficient at the uni but THAT self sufficient?!
No Prof. hands out anything! They tell you to go online and there (wherever that is!) one would be able to find the lesson and print it to prepare for the next lesson or reflect on the one that has just taken place! And how am I supposed to find everything and everyone??? Room 2.245a...Mhhh...where could that be?? At this point I'm sticking to spotting other freshmen and following them. Works. Sometimes. I've ended up in a 3rd semester class at one point...no, the girl wasn't in my year...
And what about all that partying??? No human person can do it ALL! And get up at 6.30 in the morning! Cooking for one person - works, if you are one huge person, with a humongous appetite...otherwise, leftovers for the rest of the week...yammy!
Mensa ( ) food...cheap, sometimes really good but sometimes really, really bad!
Well, some more first impressions soon! This German keyboard is killing me! Where is the f*******....Y?????!!!!!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Friday, August 31, 2007
Cookies in the kitchen
Just a short but funny story...
L came home today after grocery shopping and went to the living room to take care of the baby. Meanwhile I brought in the bags and placed an open pack of cookies on the kitchen counter. When I was done I went into my room to check on something...
In the meantime L heard strange noises coming from the kitchen..."Aaah, how nice Sabrina is bringing in the groceries...Oh, she found something she likes in one of the bags - sound of ripping bag-oh my, Sabrina found something she REALLY likes, she's digging right in, tearing the bag appart!...strange, Sabrina must be hungry...or could it...could it....SABRINA!!
Ooooh nooooo!! MONA!!!
Yep Mona got the cookies before anyone else could and you can't really blame her! She's on medicine that makes her super-hungry, so hungry in fact that she ate ant repellent the other day (it's filled with peanut butter and oil) and we had to call the emergency hotline for animals (after 10 min and 58$ we knew she would be OK)!
L came home today after grocery shopping and went to the living room to take care of the baby. Meanwhile I brought in the bags and placed an open pack of cookies on the kitchen counter. When I was done I went into my room to check on something...
In the meantime L heard strange noises coming from the kitchen..."Aaah, how nice Sabrina is bringing in the groceries...Oh, she found something she likes in one of the bags - sound of ripping bag-oh my, Sabrina found something she REALLY likes, she's digging right in, tearing the bag appart!...strange, Sabrina must be hungry...or could it...could it....SABRINA!!
Ooooh nooooo!! MONA!!!
Yep Mona got the cookies before anyone else could and you can't really blame her! She's on medicine that makes her super-hungry, so hungry in fact that she ate ant repellent the other day (it's filled with peanut butter and oil) and we had to call the emergency hotline for animals (after 10 min and 58$ we knew she would be OK)!
Walking it off...
As my time here in Nashville is coming to an end it's necessary to evaluate my eating habits and their inevitable consequences (a.k.a tight pants)...
You are thinking about the hot dogs, burgers or my-not-so-secret-addiction to french fries (I've only had fries twice! Ok, maybe 4 times...), but I must say I've been rather good with the junk food (what an aweful name for such a...)!
Well, it's not enirely my will of steel that's responsible for that, but rather the family's better eating habbits...
Lot's of organic, localy grown or produced food, nothing processed and if we have to eat out it's always been rather good choices like sandwiches.
Aaah, sounds good doesn't it?! But L is also spoiling me! Fresh hard-crusted bread, black forest ham, French and Swiss cheeses, Italian salami...and always a bag of yummi chips in the pantry...T send us German chocolate and I've got Dutch stroopwafels...
In short, something needs to happen these last couple days!! Most of you, who know me well, also know that I truly HATE exercise! It's no fun being an exercise hater, I can tell you that! First because you always worry about what and how much you eat, because you KNOW you won't work out later that day/week/month.
Second, because people just expect you to exercise even if you don't like it, because it's HEALTHY!
Well, having my darms cleaned out is healthy too, but I don't do that twice a week do I !?!?
Aaah, I know what you're thinking: "How can she be blind to all the benefits that come with regular exercise??" Well, I'm not! I just don't like the idea of having to do it to stay fit. I like to be active, walk, bike places, carry kids, run up and down stairs but all of that as part of a regular routine and not pretending to walk or run up steps in the artificial environment of a gym!
But the Swiss cheese, German ham and Italian salami need to get off my hips so I've started to walk places! To the pool (by the way swimming laps is one the most boring things I've ever done!), around the neighborhood, to the supermarket...
Sometimes I even take one of the dogs for an additional evening stroll (well, it has happened once and I think I will do it again...). And this is fun! I see many interesting houses and their interior, meet interesting and somtimes strange people on my walks (old lady walking her dog, young landscaper...) and I think, think, think!
About going home, meeting friends, starting a study, starting to really exercise -let's face it, I'm not getting any younger and my arms won't stop wobbeling by themselves -living in a different city, having a house, having a dog, having a baby (in that order preferably)!
But once I've thought about all of these I start thinking about what I could have for lunch...just a banana!! Or maybe first a banana and if I'm still hungry a piece of dry bread...or just with a little bit of butter on it...mmhhh, we do have this good ham and the cheese might go bad...one or two slices won't kill me!
Yes, I'll have a banana and a sandwich with ham, cheese, salami and... some cucumber - I want to be healthy after all!!
You are thinking about the hot dogs, burgers or my-not-so-secret-addiction to french fries (I've only had fries twice! Ok, maybe 4 times...), but I must say I've been rather good with the junk food (what an aweful name for such a...)!
Well, it's not enirely my will of steel that's responsible for that, but rather the family's better eating habbits...
Lot's of organic, localy grown or produced food, nothing processed and if we have to eat out it's always been rather good choices like sandwiches.
Aaah, sounds good doesn't it?! But L is also spoiling me! Fresh hard-crusted bread, black forest ham, French and Swiss cheeses, Italian salami...and always a bag of yummi chips in the pantry...T send us German chocolate and I've got Dutch stroopwafels...
In short, something needs to happen these last couple days!! Most of you, who know me well, also know that I truly HATE exercise! It's no fun being an exercise hater, I can tell you that! First because you always worry about what and how much you eat, because you KNOW you won't work out later that day/week/month.
Second, because people just expect you to exercise even if you don't like it, because it's HEALTHY!
Well, having my darms cleaned out is healthy too, but I don't do that twice a week do I !?!?
Aaah, I know what you're thinking: "How can she be blind to all the benefits that come with regular exercise??" Well, I'm not! I just don't like the idea of having to do it to stay fit. I like to be active, walk, bike places, carry kids, run up and down stairs but all of that as part of a regular routine and not pretending to walk or run up steps in the artificial environment of a gym!
But the Swiss cheese, German ham and Italian salami need to get off my hips so I've started to walk places! To the pool (by the way swimming laps is one the most boring things I've ever done!), around the neighborhood, to the supermarket...
Sometimes I even take one of the dogs for an additional evening stroll (well, it has happened once and I think I will do it again...). And this is fun! I see many interesting houses and their interior, meet interesting and somtimes strange people on my walks (old lady walking her dog, young landscaper...) and I think, think, think!
About going home, meeting friends, starting a study, starting to really exercise -let's face it, I'm not getting any younger and my arms won't stop wobbeling by themselves -living in a different city, having a house, having a dog, having a baby (in that order preferably)!
But once I've thought about all of these I start thinking about what I could have for lunch...just a banana!! Or maybe first a banana and if I'm still hungry a piece of dry bread...or just with a little bit of butter on it...mmhhh, we do have this good ham and the cheese might go bad...one or two slices won't kill me!
Yes, I'll have a banana and a sandwich with ham, cheese, salami and... some cucumber - I want to be healthy after all!!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Gefeliciteerd!
...which means "Congratualtions" in Dutch!
Well, who am I congratulating?!
The ever so sweet boyfriend of mine! Why? Because I'll be coming home soon and he'll have me back!
No, just kidding! Well, I will come back but that's not the reason...
As some of you know T is busy with his last year of his PhD at the UT (University of Twente) and therefore already job searching...
The search is OVER! Yep, before it really began, it's over already!
T went through interviews with a Dutch (research) company called TNO and got a job offer from them about 4 weeks ago...
BUT at the same time the University where he does his PhD also approached him and asked if he might be interested in a position as an assistant professor!! Uuuuhhhh!!! How amazing is that!
It's exactly what he would want to do: be in the academic world, do research, teach, create and work in new groups...
BUT (another one...) he can only be an assistant prof once he has a PhD...
BUT they would like him to start right away anyway...!!
So after many meetings and talks with his advising professors, people from his department (math) and the guys from the other department (management) they decided that they WANT to hire him right away, starting the 1st of Sep!
T will "stretch" his PhD out and only spent (and be payed) 50% of his time working on his research for the PhD. The other 50% of his time (and money) will come from his teaching until he finishes the PhD.
It's just great! Not only because T has the job of his dreams but also because we can still live together, which was a worry since I will start studying in Münster. We'll probably move there eventually and commuting will be doable!
Again, CONGRATULATIONS and good luck at your first day of school...ups....I mean work, of course ;-)
Well, who am I congratulating?!
The ever so sweet boyfriend of mine! Why? Because I'll be coming home soon and he'll have me back!
No, just kidding! Well, I will come back but that's not the reason...
As some of you know T is busy with his last year of his PhD at the UT (University of Twente) and therefore already job searching...
The search is OVER! Yep, before it really began, it's over already!
T went through interviews with a Dutch (research) company called TNO and got a job offer from them about 4 weeks ago...
BUT at the same time the University where he does his PhD also approached him and asked if he might be interested in a position as an assistant professor!! Uuuuhhhh!!! How amazing is that!
It's exactly what he would want to do: be in the academic world, do research, teach, create and work in new groups...
BUT (another one...) he can only be an assistant prof once he has a PhD...
BUT they would like him to start right away anyway...!!
So after many meetings and talks with his advising professors, people from his department (math) and the guys from the other department (management) they decided that they WANT to hire him right away, starting the 1st of Sep!
T will "stretch" his PhD out and only spent (and be payed) 50% of his time working on his research for the PhD. The other 50% of his time (and money) will come from his teaching until he finishes the PhD.
It's just great! Not only because T has the job of his dreams but also because we can still live together, which was a worry since I will start studying in Münster. We'll probably move there eventually and commuting will be doable!
Again, CONGRATULATIONS and good luck at your first day of school...ups....I mean work, of course ;-)
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
I'm in !! Or am I...?
YAYA!!
As you all know I applied at the University of Münster for the study of Psychology....aaahhh, you guessed right!
I got in! I got in! I got in!
It turns out that the uni had more applications this year then ever before (about 2000, but they can only accomodate a total of 6000 students) and therefore the grade average was pushed higher and higher!
Good thing I didn't know about it, otherwise I would have worried non stop...
Just some days ago the letter arrived in Enschede and T. set out to Münster to sign me in, since it had to be done in person and at the end of that very week! We were both a bit worried that he might not be able to sign me in after all or that some of my paperwork wouldn't be approved (especially the health insurance). T. even asked a German friend if she would be able to come to the rescue if need be, but he managed just fine by himself!
Thanks to TK anyway! You're such a good friend and that brunch in Münster is a must ;-)
Thanks sweet boyfriend for arranging everything! And keep up your German ;-)
But-aaaah, yes, there is a BUT...I was still worried...What worried me? Well, something very common...something that all of us have encountered in the past (if not- you will!), something that can make you sweat or ruin your day, make you cry and shout out loud...
HUMAN ERRORS!!!
You know what I mean! You pay your bill but still get a reminder to pay said bill plus the late fee. You spent half a day trying to figure out what went wrong, trying to find the bank statement that proves you paid, calling a thousand people, listening to boring music while being on hold, you panic, sweat, worry...only to hear: "Aham, yes, there seems to have been a problem with... a new employee/ our computer system/ the mail...sorry about that..."
This kind of thing has happened to me before, so naturally I worry!
My student funding application was apparently lost/never received which led to me panicking and filling out all the paperwork again (don't worry F. (T's papa), I did make a copy of the first paper and it was no big deal, just trying to prove my point :-)) only to hear:" Oh, we thought your name was...it was here, in a different drawer."
So, even though T. had signed me in I was still worried...but yesterday came... the BILL! They want me to pay! Which means they have processed my data, I'm in the computer, in a file - I'M IN!! Well, when T. has paid my bill I will be in...;-)
The semester starts on the 1st of October and I still need to figure out how we'll do this...move to Münster by myself, T. and I moving, staying in Enschede and commuting???
Thoughts?!?!
As you all know I applied at the University of Münster for the study of Psychology....aaahhh, you guessed right!
I got in! I got in! I got in!
It turns out that the uni had more applications this year then ever before (about 2000, but they can only accomodate a total of 6000 students) and therefore the grade average was pushed higher and higher!
Good thing I didn't know about it, otherwise I would have worried non stop...
Just some days ago the letter arrived in Enschede and T. set out to Münster to sign me in, since it had to be done in person and at the end of that very week! We were both a bit worried that he might not be able to sign me in after all or that some of my paperwork wouldn't be approved (especially the health insurance). T. even asked a German friend if she would be able to come to the rescue if need be, but he managed just fine by himself!
Thanks to TK anyway! You're such a good friend and that brunch in Münster is a must ;-)
Thanks sweet boyfriend for arranging everything! And keep up your German ;-)
But-aaaah, yes, there is a BUT...I was still worried...What worried me? Well, something very common...something that all of us have encountered in the past (if not- you will!), something that can make you sweat or ruin your day, make you cry and shout out loud...
HUMAN ERRORS!!!
You know what I mean! You pay your bill but still get a reminder to pay said bill plus the late fee. You spent half a day trying to figure out what went wrong, trying to find the bank statement that proves you paid, calling a thousand people, listening to boring music while being on hold, you panic, sweat, worry...only to hear: "Aham, yes, there seems to have been a problem with... a new employee/ our computer system/ the mail...sorry about that..."
This kind of thing has happened to me before, so naturally I worry!
My student funding application was apparently lost/never received which led to me panicking and filling out all the paperwork again (don't worry F. (T's papa), I did make a copy of the first paper and it was no big deal, just trying to prove my point :-)) only to hear:" Oh, we thought your name was...it was here, in a different drawer."
So, even though T. had signed me in I was still worried...but yesterday came... the BILL! They want me to pay! Which means they have processed my data, I'm in the computer, in a file - I'M IN!! Well, when T. has paid my bill I will be in...;-)
The semester starts on the 1st of October and I still need to figure out how we'll do this...move to Münster by myself, T. and I moving, staying in Enschede and commuting???
Thoughts?!?!
Monday, August 27, 2007
Pictures
On behalf of Sabrina I will post some pictures here. At first, I thought I'd add the pictures to the stories they belong to, but that would mean that everyone would have to go through all the messages to look at some pictures and that is not the easiest way. So here is a lineup of some pictures of Sabrina in the US. Have fun looking at them to get a view on how life is in the US for Sabrina.
The family on the fourth of July.
Sabrina's birtday
Don't they look cute together (Hmmm...)
Downtown with R.
Family members
Harry Potter night
The smallest and cutest one
Some more impressions
Well, I hope you all enjoy the pictures, I sure did, now it is just two more weeks and then I can take a picture of Sabrina arriving in NL again. That's a picture I'm certainly looking forward to.
The family on the fourth of July.
Sabrina's birtday
Don't they look cute together (Hmmm...)
Downtown with R.
Family members
Harry Potter night
The smallest and cutest one
Some more impressions
Well, I hope you all enjoy the pictures, I sure did, now it is just two more weeks and then I can take a picture of Sabrina arriving in NL again. That's a picture I'm certainly looking forward to.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Hot, hotter, the hottest!!!
Today was officially the hottest day in Nashville since 35 years : 107F !!!
Remember my nagging about the AC?? Forget all about that!! I looooove the AC! Wouldn't know how to survive without it at this point... Just driving to the pool, these 7 minutes in the car, are already too much - even with the ac on IN the car!
I got a good bit of tanning done today, more then I wanted, and am now the proud owner of bikini marks on my neck and shoulders and a really red nose! If it weren't summer time you could mistake me...aaaah, I know, you saw that one coming the moment you read "red nose"... oh, well, it's nice to slip Rudolph in during this heat and drought, makes me think of days to come...
Cold, cold, wet rainy days in the Netherlands...aaahhh! No, I'm not really looking forward to THAT but it will be nice to be able to walk to the mailbox without having to change your shirt!
How is the weather over there anyway? J., I read that you have booked a vacation in Egypt? You know it's HOT there?! Well, if the weather in NL is a typical Dutch summer then I guess you might want just that ;-)
Remember my nagging about the AC?? Forget all about that!! I looooove the AC! Wouldn't know how to survive without it at this point... Just driving to the pool, these 7 minutes in the car, are already too much - even with the ac on IN the car!
I got a good bit of tanning done today, more then I wanted, and am now the proud owner of bikini marks on my neck and shoulders and a really red nose! If it weren't summer time you could mistake me...aaaah, I know, you saw that one coming the moment you read "red nose"... oh, well, it's nice to slip Rudolph in during this heat and drought, makes me think of days to come...
Cold, cold, wet rainy days in the Netherlands...aaahhh! No, I'm not really looking forward to THAT but it will be nice to be able to walk to the mailbox without having to change your shirt!
How is the weather over there anyway? J., I read that you have booked a vacation in Egypt? You know it's HOT there?! Well, if the weather in NL is a typical Dutch summer then I guess you might want just that ;-)
People...
As you know I spend at least a couple of hours at the pool with the boys every day. It's important for them to get out and about and even more important that they are dead-tired by the time we're done ;-)
There are many, many colourful characters at the pool and I've decided to introduce y'all to one of them: the HATMAN!!
He's a young guy, maybe about 25 years old who works at the snackbar at the pool. He has long, curly black hair and wears a wool hat every time I see him. The other day he's walking on the other side of the pool when No. says: "Hm, he's wearing a different colour today..." And sure enough, he is. As we dutyfully exchange our "howareyoudoingreatandyou's", I tell him that the boys are keeping track of the colour of his hats. "Aaaah!" he says, "The hats...I buy them at this place in Hillsborough."
And now it comes, he looks me straight in the eye and says:
"I'm a drummer you know." Ah, yes, a drummer....mh, and that does explain the wool hats in the crazy summer heat?? Apparently! I nod knowingly AS if I REALLY understand about the hats and being a drummer for different bands and working days at a pool club.
But let me ask you, just WHAT do wool hats have to do with being a drummer? Is it a "thing" for drummers to wear hats? Does it protect their ears from unwanted noises? I honestly have no idea, but what do I know about the music world?
After all, Nashville IS music city and if drummers here wear funny wool hats...
Still, I don't get it. Isn't it like me saying :"Yeah, I own many pairs of shoes, but then I WAS born in July.....!"
Now, you go and figure that one out!
There are many, many colourful characters at the pool and I've decided to introduce y'all to one of them: the HATMAN!!
He's a young guy, maybe about 25 years old who works at the snackbar at the pool. He has long, curly black hair and wears a wool hat every time I see him. The other day he's walking on the other side of the pool when No. says: "Hm, he's wearing a different colour today..." And sure enough, he is. As we dutyfully exchange our "howareyoudoingreatandyou's", I tell him that the boys are keeping track of the colour of his hats. "Aaaah!" he says, "The hats...I buy them at this place in Hillsborough."
And now it comes, he looks me straight in the eye and says:
"I'm a drummer you know." Ah, yes, a drummer....mh, and that does explain the wool hats in the crazy summer heat?? Apparently! I nod knowingly AS if I REALLY understand about the hats and being a drummer for different bands and working days at a pool club.
But let me ask you, just WHAT do wool hats have to do with being a drummer? Is it a "thing" for drummers to wear hats? Does it protect their ears from unwanted noises? I honestly have no idea, but what do I know about the music world?
After all, Nashville IS music city and if drummers here wear funny wool hats...
Still, I don't get it. Isn't it like me saying :"Yeah, I own many pairs of shoes, but then I WAS born in July.....!"
Now, you go and figure that one out!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Near accident
On Saturday I was free to do Sabrina-things until later that evening, so I drove down Westend, turned right on Edgehill and was soon passing the housing projects on my way to R.'s house. We had planned to go downtown and pay a visit to the Ryman Auditorium which was once the home of the Grand Ole Opry.
As we pull out of her driveway about to take a right, I see two faster cars coming from the opposite direction but wanting to turn into the same street. Since I hate having impatient drivers breathing down my neck I let them go first and followed. Both cars turn right almost at once to park - or so I thought...
The driver of the first car decides that parking isn't such a good idea after all and starts to try and turn his car around at full speed not noticing the big, old, brown Volvo in his way!
I step on the breaks with both my feet, noticing with a sideway glance, that cars are parked to my right, so I can't just throw the steering wheel around.
And still the guy doens't see us!!!!
He keeps turning until I'm certain we will crash... Well, we didn't, as the title of this entry reveals, but it was only the strong breaks and reflexes that prevented this. If I would have driven the other car, we would not have made it, it's breaks are not nearly as good.
So as I come to a screeching halt I scream louder then even I thought I could. I scream like a mad woman, leaning out of the open car window:
AAAAAAARRRRSCHHHHHHLOOOOOOOOCHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I guess instinct kicked in & I cursed and screamed in German (assh... for all non Germans, was my word of choice). The guy in the car just looks at me and does a tiny wave, which doens't do anything to calm my temper:
GLABSCHDE DESS, ARSCHLOCH!!!!!!!!! ("can you believe this assh...").
As we drive on, hearts still racing, I look at R. and suddenly I think I can hear her thoughts... "How can such a small woman make such a horrible noise..."??
Well, as they say, silent waters are deep and small women can make extremely horrible noises...
As we pull out of her driveway about to take a right, I see two faster cars coming from the opposite direction but wanting to turn into the same street. Since I hate having impatient drivers breathing down my neck I let them go first and followed. Both cars turn right almost at once to park - or so I thought...
The driver of the first car decides that parking isn't such a good idea after all and starts to try and turn his car around at full speed not noticing the big, old, brown Volvo in his way!
I step on the breaks with both my feet, noticing with a sideway glance, that cars are parked to my right, so I can't just throw the steering wheel around.
And still the guy doens't see us!!!!
He keeps turning until I'm certain we will crash... Well, we didn't, as the title of this entry reveals, but it was only the strong breaks and reflexes that prevented this. If I would have driven the other car, we would not have made it, it's breaks are not nearly as good.
So as I come to a screeching halt I scream louder then even I thought I could. I scream like a mad woman, leaning out of the open car window:
AAAAAAARRRRSCHHHHHHLOOOOOOOOCHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I guess instinct kicked in & I cursed and screamed in German (assh... for all non Germans, was my word of choice). The guy in the car just looks at me and does a tiny wave, which doens't do anything to calm my temper:
GLABSCHDE DESS, ARSCHLOCH!!!!!!!!! ("can you believe this assh...").
As we drive on, hearts still racing, I look at R. and suddenly I think I can hear her thoughts... "How can such a small woman make such a horrible noise..."??
Well, as they say, silent waters are deep and small women can make extremely horrible noises...
Friday, August 10, 2007
Believe it, or not...MORE presents!
Who would have thought, that so many days after my birthday, presents would still be arriving for me?? I didn't! It was therefore a great surprise when No. brought in a big envelope from the Netherlands!
Thanks J.!!!!! My American-friend-living-with-her-Dutch-husband-in-NL sent me, not just one, but 4 (!!) necklaces!
When I opened the presents with the boys many ooohhs and aaahhs could be heard. All three of them were wondering just HOW MUCH all of these necklaces cost and that my friend must have spent all her pocket money, when H. turned to me and said: "But you deserve it Sabrina" Ooooohhh!!!!! How sweet is that!
And in order to do the present justice the boys decided that I should start wearing the necklaces immediatly. So we all went into my room and I had to try them on in front of the mirror, because we couldn't just choose any necklace... it had to match my outfit for the pool (shorts & shirt...)-according to No. When we had all agreed on the necklace (brown and gold glass) No. looked at me and said: "Now you look all poolish, you know, just the right style to go to the pool !"
Well, thanks again J.! It's just lovely and I'm wearing them every day so far (even almost broke one already...)!!
They totally work with the new wardrobe I'm acquiring while I'm here - and before you even ask, yep, I'll probably ship some of my stuff home in the end...could have known...
Thanks J.!!!!! My American-friend-living-with-her-Dutch-husband-in-NL sent me, not just one, but 4 (!!) necklaces!
When I opened the presents with the boys many ooohhs and aaahhs could be heard. All three of them were wondering just HOW MUCH all of these necklaces cost and that my friend must have spent all her pocket money, when H. turned to me and said: "But you deserve it Sabrina" Ooooohhh!!!!! How sweet is that!
And in order to do the present justice the boys decided that I should start wearing the necklaces immediatly. So we all went into my room and I had to try them on in front of the mirror, because we couldn't just choose any necklace... it had to match my outfit for the pool (shorts & shirt...)-according to No. When we had all agreed on the necklace (brown and gold glass) No. looked at me and said: "Now you look all poolish, you know, just the right style to go to the pool !"
Well, thanks again J.! It's just lovely and I'm wearing them every day so far (even almost broke one already...)!!
They totally work with the new wardrobe I'm acquiring while I'm here - and before you even ask, yep, I'll probably ship some of my stuff home in the end...could have known...
Monday, August 6, 2007
Late present!
Just some days ago the mailman actually made the trip up to the front porch and didn't run away, even when the two dogs, Mona and Rosie, were barking their heads off...
AND he was holding a package for ME!!! Packages are nothing unusual at this house but none have arrived for me so far...
T. and his parents had decided that I should get a birthday present after all, even though I told them that it wouldn't be necessary... well, quite modest of me, really, but I was exceptionally happy to receive my present!
I got a lovely shell ring, purchased, no doubt, at my new-favourite jewelry store in Enschede (thanks to MJ for dragging me in there!!) and cream-coloured, naturally grown pearl earings - both things really, really great!! I wear it whenever I get the chance and when I'm NOT holding the baby, since she would pull the pearls right out of my ear... yes, learning life-lessons over here...
Well, I guess all I want to say is thanks to E., F. and T. for not listening to me... just that one time ;-)
AND he was holding a package for ME!!! Packages are nothing unusual at this house but none have arrived for me so far...
T. and his parents had decided that I should get a birthday present after all, even though I told them that it wouldn't be necessary... well, quite modest of me, really, but I was exceptionally happy to receive my present!
I got a lovely shell ring, purchased, no doubt, at my new-favourite jewelry store in Enschede (thanks to MJ for dragging me in there!!) and cream-coloured, naturally grown pearl earings - both things really, really great!! I wear it whenever I get the chance and when I'm NOT holding the baby, since she would pull the pearls right out of my ear... yes, learning life-lessons over here...
Well, I guess all I want to say is thanks to E., F. and T. for not listening to me... just that one time ;-)
Friday, August 3, 2007
I'm walking...
Well, for some good old fashioned exercise, to get to know the neighbourhood and breathe some fresh air, I've decided to go for a walk this afternoon. Oh, and of course the fact that there was no car available and I really wanted to spend some money...;-)
L. told me about this art store that has prints of one of my favourite American artist. " It's really close by, only about half a mile to walk." Half a mile? That's nothing! Come on! Half a mile! I'm used to walking EVERYWHERE, hell, I'm used to biking EVERYWHERE, yes, in ALL weather conditions - I'm making myself out to be quite the outdoorsy type, exercise loving, constantly moving, quite funny if you think of the real me...(motto: I'm in no shape to exercise and let's take the car)
So, I've not only convinced L. that half a mile is nothing for me, but I actually believe it myself. After all, I have no clue just how far half a mile really is, and for all of you who jog thousands of miles in all weather and want to tell me just how many kilometers a mile is - DON'T!!
I don't want to know, and I want my suffering to be appreciated!
So I get changed and look all cute when I set out on my adventure!
This will be fun! Out without the kids, walking in the sunshine, enjoying the warm air, smiling to myself...oops, forgot the sunglasses, man, my eyes really start hurting, it is exceptionally bright today...no longer smiling, more squinting...
Once I've reached the main road my smile is gone...
WHAT was I thinking???? WALKING!!! It's hot, the sunshine is burning my nose and shoulders, the warm breeze has turned into exhaust wind. The smile is a frown and suddenly there is no more sidewalk! I'm walking on the street, cars beeping at me (I did look rather nice, if I may say so myself...) and strange men on benches, doing god only knows what, stare at me!
On top of that it's not NL we are talking about here folks! This is serious walking! Up and down hills! Don't ever wear flip-flops on an outing like that! Never! No matter how well they match your outfit! I was actually scared at one point that my shoes would fall off because the glue might melt or they might get stuck to the road because the road melted - this has really happened to L., so it's not too unreasonable for me to think that! But you do know how these nightmare thoughts suddenly pop up and you come up with these possible and impossible scenarios. I think it also didn't help that I wasn't sure if I was walking in the right direction... Left or right at the big crossing? Gosh I wish I would have paid attention to the instructions given by L. But all I EVER remember when somebody gives me instructions are the first 2 things: at the end of the street take a right, first stop sign left and then......peeeeeeeeeeep........lost me! Usually I just stop again and ask somebody else and that's what I keep doing till I've reached my destination. Not today though! I tell myself that I will wait and see if the store is just behind that next hill...and it is!
When I finally reach the shop and spend some money on something I feel relieved...aaaaahhh...it has all been worth it!!
Some of you might recognize the symptoms...yes, I AM A SHOPAHOLIC, and not ashamed to admit it! It has been too long! This was my first buy since the Ann Taylor all-on-sale-for-almost-nothing shopping spree 3 weeks ago!! Who can blame me!
After a cold beverage from our Starbucks friends (wink, J.) and some chocolate bar for the road -purchased at a pharmacy - (the things you can buy at a pharmacy!) I make my way home...
How come walking back is always faster? Or does it just seem faster to me, because I hold a chocolate bar in one hand and a shoping bag in the other?
Life is good...walking is fun, half a mile really isn't that far... I enjoy the sunshine, the warm breeze and I smile...
L. told me about this art store that has prints of one of my favourite American artist. " It's really close by, only about half a mile to walk." Half a mile? That's nothing! Come on! Half a mile! I'm used to walking EVERYWHERE, hell, I'm used to biking EVERYWHERE, yes, in ALL weather conditions - I'm making myself out to be quite the outdoorsy type, exercise loving, constantly moving, quite funny if you think of the real me...(motto: I'm in no shape to exercise and let's take the car)
So, I've not only convinced L. that half a mile is nothing for me, but I actually believe it myself. After all, I have no clue just how far half a mile really is, and for all of you who jog thousands of miles in all weather and want to tell me just how many kilometers a mile is - DON'T!!
I don't want to know, and I want my suffering to be appreciated!
So I get changed and look all cute when I set out on my adventure!
This will be fun! Out without the kids, walking in the sunshine, enjoying the warm air, smiling to myself...oops, forgot the sunglasses, man, my eyes really start hurting, it is exceptionally bright today...no longer smiling, more squinting...
Once I've reached the main road my smile is gone...
WHAT was I thinking???? WALKING!!! It's hot, the sunshine is burning my nose and shoulders, the warm breeze has turned into exhaust wind. The smile is a frown and suddenly there is no more sidewalk! I'm walking on the street, cars beeping at me (I did look rather nice, if I may say so myself...) and strange men on benches, doing god only knows what, stare at me!
On top of that it's not NL we are talking about here folks! This is serious walking! Up and down hills! Don't ever wear flip-flops on an outing like that! Never! No matter how well they match your outfit! I was actually scared at one point that my shoes would fall off because the glue might melt or they might get stuck to the road because the road melted - this has really happened to L., so it's not too unreasonable for me to think that! But you do know how these nightmare thoughts suddenly pop up and you come up with these possible and impossible scenarios. I think it also didn't help that I wasn't sure if I was walking in the right direction... Left or right at the big crossing? Gosh I wish I would have paid attention to the instructions given by L. But all I EVER remember when somebody gives me instructions are the first 2 things: at the end of the street take a right, first stop sign left and then......peeeeeeeeeeep........lost me! Usually I just stop again and ask somebody else and that's what I keep doing till I've reached my destination. Not today though! I tell myself that I will wait and see if the store is just behind that next hill...and it is!
When I finally reach the shop and spend some money on something I feel relieved...aaaaahhh...it has all been worth it!!
Some of you might recognize the symptoms...yes, I AM A SHOPAHOLIC, and not ashamed to admit it! It has been too long! This was my first buy since the Ann Taylor all-on-sale-for-almost-nothing shopping spree 3 weeks ago!! Who can blame me!
After a cold beverage from our Starbucks friends (wink, J.) and some chocolate bar for the road -purchased at a pharmacy - (the things you can buy at a pharmacy!) I make my way home...
How come walking back is always faster? Or does it just seem faster to me, because I hold a chocolate bar in one hand and a shoping bag in the other?
Life is good...walking is fun, half a mile really isn't that far... I enjoy the sunshine, the warm breeze and I smile...
central air....brrrr
Some of you have heard me complain about, or even suffered yourself, from the temperature in my house in NL: freezing cold in the winter (thanks heating blanket! BEST buy ever!) or the sauna it becomes once temperatures go up.
But this is nothing compared to the crazyness of CENTRAL AIR! For those of you not familiar with the term, let me explain: it's just like central heating, so there are vents in the floor in every room of the house and cold air comes out of them in summer, hot air in winter. One would think that I would quite enjoy that...NO!
It's aweful! Outside it is hot, hot, hotter, you sweat just bringing in the mail, but when you enter the house... within minutes I'm off to my room to put on socks and a warm sweater! I used to sleep with 5 (!) blankets at night until I covered the vent with towels. Entering any building in your summer clothes is just foolish! You immediately notice who works there (long pants, real shoes) and who just comes for a visit (shorts, flip-flops, rubbing arms to stay warm, blue faces).
Don't even get me started on the energy wasted on central air! Why would anybody need to keep it a crisp 67F in an office building at night when there is nobody in the building??
I do like my own ac to keep my bedroom from turning into an oven, but this is too much! I prefer to keep cool the old world way: open windows early in the morning, close shades and live in darkness inside the house all summer, create a breeze by opening all windows late in the evening, drink ice-cold gin and tonic ! The only way to really enjoy summer!
But this is nothing compared to the crazyness of CENTRAL AIR! For those of you not familiar with the term, let me explain: it's just like central heating, so there are vents in the floor in every room of the house and cold air comes out of them in summer, hot air in winter. One would think that I would quite enjoy that...NO!
It's aweful! Outside it is hot, hot, hotter, you sweat just bringing in the mail, but when you enter the house... within minutes I'm off to my room to put on socks and a warm sweater! I used to sleep with 5 (!) blankets at night until I covered the vent with towels. Entering any building in your summer clothes is just foolish! You immediately notice who works there (long pants, real shoes) and who just comes for a visit (shorts, flip-flops, rubbing arms to stay warm, blue faces).
Don't even get me started on the energy wasted on central air! Why would anybody need to keep it a crisp 67F in an office building at night when there is nobody in the building??
I do like my own ac to keep my bedroom from turning into an oven, but this is too much! I prefer to keep cool the old world way: open windows early in the morning, close shades and live in darkness inside the house all summer, create a breeze by opening all windows late in the evening, drink ice-cold gin and tonic ! The only way to really enjoy summer!
Monday, July 23, 2007
camping chaos
On Wednesday afternoon the whole family left for a camping trip to "Fall kreek falls " in Tennessee, just about two hours away from Nashville. L. thought a camping vacation would be great fun for everyone and also cheaper than a regular vacation...oh, well...they had to buy a big family tent (600$), mats to sleep on, a cooker, dishes, shoes, bagpacks and many other little things that just kept adding up!
This was a very short trip (4 days) to try everything out, see how camping works out and get away for a bit. But when I say they whole family went, I mean EVERYBODY: the parents, three boys, the baby, me, grandpa and the two dogs.
Before the big day things had to be bought, tried out, repacked, cleaned, organized...so L. was washing laundry non-stop and just being busy, busy, busy...
Of course, by the title, you can guess that things did not go as planned... All the camping stuff was in the garden airing out, when it started to rain ! Naturally we were all out of the house and everything, from the tent to underwear, was WET!
The next day we wanted to leave after lunch....done that, left at about 5pm...why? One of the reasons was that the rental car the family had for the trip decided to break down on a last-minute trip to the supermarket...
We arrived way too late to still set up tent, so everybody slept in the hotel.
The next couple of days are a blur of rain, rain, rain, fear of drowning in my own little (30 year old) tent, which was -what a suprise- not waterproof! At least not for the amount and strength of the everlasting rain! At one point I found myself alone and responsible for three 9 year olds, a 6 month old baby and a 70something grandfather who kept talking angrily in a strong eastern european accent about how he had told them where to put the tent... yep, the family tent got flooded too...
The parents just went down (did I mention we camped in the middle of the woods, far away from any...oh, well, not THAT far, but still!) to get firewood when this rain started, but when they returned I was SO glad! Fears about the baby swallowing something or grandpa slipping were just too much for me!
Of course the fun did not stop there! One of the dogs jumped after another dog and went flying of a cliff, hanging on a harness, suspended in mid air until it fell into poison ivy, L. locked the car keys inside the car with the lights on and had to get a park ranger to break into the car, H. broke a finger, Tilly got bitten by spiders...
BUT-there were good times too! Roasting marshmallows over the fire and...well, really, that's it ;-)
This was a very short trip (4 days) to try everything out, see how camping works out and get away for a bit. But when I say they whole family went, I mean EVERYBODY: the parents, three boys, the baby, me, grandpa and the two dogs.
Before the big day things had to be bought, tried out, repacked, cleaned, organized...so L. was washing laundry non-stop and just being busy, busy, busy...
Of course, by the title, you can guess that things did not go as planned... All the camping stuff was in the garden airing out, when it started to rain ! Naturally we were all out of the house and everything, from the tent to underwear, was WET!
The next day we wanted to leave after lunch....done that, left at about 5pm...why? One of the reasons was that the rental car the family had for the trip decided to break down on a last-minute trip to the supermarket...
We arrived way too late to still set up tent, so everybody slept in the hotel.
The next couple of days are a blur of rain, rain, rain, fear of drowning in my own little (30 year old) tent, which was -what a suprise- not waterproof! At least not for the amount and strength of the everlasting rain! At one point I found myself alone and responsible for three 9 year olds, a 6 month old baby and a 70something grandfather who kept talking angrily in a strong eastern european accent about how he had told them where to put the tent... yep, the family tent got flooded too...
The parents just went down (did I mention we camped in the middle of the woods, far away from any...oh, well, not THAT far, but still!) to get firewood when this rain started, but when they returned I was SO glad! Fears about the baby swallowing something or grandpa slipping were just too much for me!
Of course the fun did not stop there! One of the dogs jumped after another dog and went flying of a cliff, hanging on a harness, suspended in mid air until it fell into poison ivy, L. locked the car keys inside the car with the lights on and had to get a park ranger to break into the car, H. broke a finger, Tilly got bitten by spiders...
BUT-there were good times too! Roasting marshmallows over the fire and...well, really, that's it ;-)
Birthday and Harry Potter
First of all, thanks to all of you who have remembered my birthday (20st July) and sent me cards, flowers, emails and left me messages on the am !!!!
Don't worry if you have forgotten about it...just make it up to me with an extra special birthday present once I celebrate properly ;-)
The day was busy, busy, busy!!
In the morning all three boys came running down the stairs shouting and singing a happy birthday my way. L. and I picked them up around 11 am from climbing camp and after visiting the hospital for a check up (for Ni.) we went to the the movies and saw "Ratatoui". We had a nice dinner out at the "cheescake factory" which is a great place to eat out with kids since it's so busy and noisy there - nobody cares if kids get a bit louder or a baby cries. Taking home some delicious cheese cake was a must, even if 4 pieces came up to 27$...
The boys were great but also a bit sad, because they knew that I would go to the bookstore at night to pick up the new Harry Potter book. Of course they had seen the adds from the bookstore and read all about the party that would go on there that night. But L. and I kept telling them that they were way to young to be staying up that late...Once everybody was asleep however, we moved around the house searching for the boys old HP outfitts and wands.
At 9.45 L. went to wake them up saying " You're a wizard....". Ni. and H. looked at us and when I told them that they would get to go to the party and dress up, they flew down the stairs and excitement was in the air!
As for No...he was sooo sleepy! When we finally got him downstairs he wanted to go to the party in his PJ! All dressed up and driving to the store he kept asking if we could not just leave him in the car to sleep some more. Once he got out of the car and saw all the things going on in and around the book store he was wide awake!!
There were animals to look at and touch. you could get sorted into houses (Slytherin for me...oh, oh...), practice your beater abilities, tattoo the dark mark on your arm or have your furtune told...It was great!
We got my book at midnight and I read the first 3 pages to them. Of course at home I read on and finished the book on Saturday evening around 8pm...It was a great read and fortunately L. and Tom have also finished already so we can talk about it!
All in all it was a nice birthday, even though I missed celebrating at home with all my friends but I hope to be able to do that some weekend in September!
Don't worry if you have forgotten about it...just make it up to me with an extra special birthday present once I celebrate properly ;-)
The day was busy, busy, busy!!
In the morning all three boys came running down the stairs shouting and singing a happy birthday my way. L. and I picked them up around 11 am from climbing camp and after visiting the hospital for a check up (for Ni.) we went to the the movies and saw "Ratatoui". We had a nice dinner out at the "cheescake factory" which is a great place to eat out with kids since it's so busy and noisy there - nobody cares if kids get a bit louder or a baby cries. Taking home some delicious cheese cake was a must, even if 4 pieces came up to 27$...
The boys were great but also a bit sad, because they knew that I would go to the bookstore at night to pick up the new Harry Potter book. Of course they had seen the adds from the bookstore and read all about the party that would go on there that night. But L. and I kept telling them that they were way to young to be staying up that late...Once everybody was asleep however, we moved around the house searching for the boys old HP outfitts and wands.
At 9.45 L. went to wake them up saying " You're a wizard....". Ni. and H. looked at us and when I told them that they would get to go to the party and dress up, they flew down the stairs and excitement was in the air!
As for No...he was sooo sleepy! When we finally got him downstairs he wanted to go to the party in his PJ! All dressed up and driving to the store he kept asking if we could not just leave him in the car to sleep some more. Once he got out of the car and saw all the things going on in and around the book store he was wide awake!!
There were animals to look at and touch. you could get sorted into houses (Slytherin for me...oh, oh...), practice your beater abilities, tattoo the dark mark on your arm or have your furtune told...It was great!
We got my book at midnight and I read the first 3 pages to them. Of course at home I read on and finished the book on Saturday evening around 8pm...It was a great read and fortunately L. and Tom have also finished already so we can talk about it!
All in all it was a nice birthday, even though I missed celebrating at home with all my friends but I hope to be able to do that some weekend in September!
Friday, July 13, 2007
oh well...
The other day L. and I went out later in the evening to buy some flowers for my window...nice thought.
But we never actually made it into the flower shop...
Now, you wonder, how could that have happened...
Going down the rather old wooden stairs of the shop I slipped, popped my knee cap out and in and out and in, fell, landed on my bottom and hit the stairs with my lower back...
A very loud scream later I could hardly believe what had just happened, this was supposed to be a fun outing!
I sent L. off to get the things she wanted, but she returned not much later, insisting that we would go home immediately. She had to bring the car around, since I could not walk very well. Back at home I got pain killers and ice to put on my knee and A. searched the garage and found my crutches - which I only used that very night.
But, not to worry!!
I'm doing much better already! Since my knee had swollen to the size of a water melon (ok, some exaggeration here, for dramatic effect ;-) ) I did not drive for some days or try to chase the boys around. The swelling has gone down and the pain is reasonable. This unfortunately happens to me every once in a while and chances increase when I put on some more weight (more for my knees to support). So I guess I should really not join the boys in ice cream after dinner every night, chips for lunch and triple cheese sandwiches...
Hopefully I will be pain-free soon and able to walk normally. I do have health insurance while I'm here but I'd rather not have to use it, if you know what I mean. Normally I recover fast, but I expect it to take some more time, since I can't really rest my leg as well as I should.
So, that's that ! Got the drama over with, on to other things!
But we never actually made it into the flower shop...
Now, you wonder, how could that have happened...
Going down the rather old wooden stairs of the shop I slipped, popped my knee cap out and in and out and in, fell, landed on my bottom and hit the stairs with my lower back...
A very loud scream later I could hardly believe what had just happened, this was supposed to be a fun outing!
I sent L. off to get the things she wanted, but she returned not much later, insisting that we would go home immediately. She had to bring the car around, since I could not walk very well. Back at home I got pain killers and ice to put on my knee and A. searched the garage and found my crutches - which I only used that very night.
But, not to worry!!
I'm doing much better already! Since my knee had swollen to the size of a water melon (ok, some exaggeration here, for dramatic effect ;-) ) I did not drive for some days or try to chase the boys around. The swelling has gone down and the pain is reasonable. This unfortunately happens to me every once in a while and chances increase when I put on some more weight (more for my knees to support). So I guess I should really not join the boys in ice cream after dinner every night, chips for lunch and triple cheese sandwiches...
Hopefully I will be pain-free soon and able to walk normally. I do have health insurance while I'm here but I'd rather not have to use it, if you know what I mean. Normally I recover fast, but I expect it to take some more time, since I can't really rest my leg as well as I should.
So, that's that ! Got the drama over with, on to other things!
Sunday, July 8, 2007
4th of July
What a day, what a day...
All dressed in red and white we decorated the boys bikes and Tilly's stroller for the neighbourhood parade.
L. baked some cookies and everybody in the neighbourhood brings something to the parade. It's just kids on their bikes, with parents and their strollers walking up the street, turning around and walking back.
Of course there were lots of decorations and some people were dressed up from head to toe, with American flags, hats, earrings...
After the parade there was music and of course the singing of the national anthem. All food and drinks were free, so we had hotdogs, salads, cookies...basically too much of everything!
Around 5pm, after a break in the early afternoon, the whole family went to a BBQ at a friends house. There I had the chance to meet a Dutch couple again that works at Vanderbilt. An. and G.-J. are in Nashville since a year and live close to the A.'s. We already had them over for dinner one evening and had a nice time. They invited me over for a game night already...too bad Tom isn't here...
I could not eat much at the BBQ since I already had soooo much to eat in the morning, but I got the impression that the 4th of July is mostly about eating and drinking...;-)
Just after 9pm a small group of party guests decided to climb up a hill (mountain in NL :-0 ) to watch the fireworks downtown. It was worth all the trouble! The boys really enjoyed staying up late and they got to see the fireworks for the first time !!
All dressed in red and white we decorated the boys bikes and Tilly's stroller for the neighbourhood parade.
L. baked some cookies and everybody in the neighbourhood brings something to the parade. It's just kids on their bikes, with parents and their strollers walking up the street, turning around and walking back.
Of course there were lots of decorations and some people were dressed up from head to toe, with American flags, hats, earrings...
After the parade there was music and of course the singing of the national anthem. All food and drinks were free, so we had hotdogs, salads, cookies...basically too much of everything!
Around 5pm, after a break in the early afternoon, the whole family went to a BBQ at a friends house. There I had the chance to meet a Dutch couple again that works at Vanderbilt. An. and G.-J. are in Nashville since a year and live close to the A.'s. We already had them over for dinner one evening and had a nice time. They invited me over for a game night already...too bad Tom isn't here...
I could not eat much at the BBQ since I already had soooo much to eat in the morning, but I got the impression that the 4th of July is mostly about eating and drinking...;-)
Just after 9pm a small group of party guests decided to climb up a hill (mountain in NL :-0 ) to watch the fireworks downtown. It was worth all the trouble! The boys really enjoyed staying up late and they got to see the fireworks for the first time !!
Sunday, June 24, 2007
First impressions
When I pictured the A's house I thought it would be...well, different from when I left 5 years ago.
I know it's hard to believe, but it actually is pretty much the same!
L. was very disappointed that she didn't manage to set everything up for my arrival.
She was ill for many years, feeling sleepy, having no energy and it took the doctors about 4 years to find out what was wrong and get her the right medicine. Just when she started to feel all energetic again... she thought she was fighting a cold...well, she was pregnant and on bedrest for much of her pregnancy. When I arrived they had cleaned out the office, so all that stuff is now in the dining room...I slept on an air mattress at first, but now I have a high wooden bed with many drawers to store all my stuff...
All in all it's a bit messy but very comfortable and I feel very much at home! It's just impossible to keep a house nice and shiny with 4 children, two dogs and grandpa in the pool house...
The boys are a lot of fun! Since they are 9 years old now, they don't need adult supervision at all times. They are all very creative and have just started to write short stories / novels:
No. : Isenderon - The last of the Nordic myths - Book one: The cliff
Ni. : Kakumaera and the magic coconut and the evil tiger
H. : The golden book, Napoleons slippers and others
They all have swim lessons at the pool where the family has a membership and their piano teacher comes to the house once a week. For H. there is another appointment on Thursdays, he has to go to physical therapy. I help with their reading, watch them practice piano and cook together with them. At their age they actually are a help in the kitchen!
Today the boys were allowed to carve with theis pocket knifes and they set up a tent in the garden with their father. All three of them planned to sleep there tonight but ended up going to their own beds. H. was not sure about the whole thing in the first place. He kept saying:"I'm just not sure about this. I wish somebody woud stay out there with us and stay awake the whole time." It was also really hot in the tent so one can blame them.
And then there is baby Maddy/Tilly !! The sweetest thing you have ever seen! She has just celebrated her 6 months birthday on the first of June! She talks to herself nonstop, giggles and is a very happy baby. She just started sitting up and rolling over. L. thinks she might start walking before I leave! Today she took her first swim in the pool and we took many pictures to prove it! She loved it and so did Ni.,No. and papa A. The thrid brother H. is still not sure what to think of the baby but when he thinks nobody is looking you can see him watching her, smiling...
I know it's hard to believe, but it actually is pretty much the same!
L. was very disappointed that she didn't manage to set everything up for my arrival.
She was ill for many years, feeling sleepy, having no energy and it took the doctors about 4 years to find out what was wrong and get her the right medicine. Just when she started to feel all energetic again... she thought she was fighting a cold...well, she was pregnant and on bedrest for much of her pregnancy. When I arrived they had cleaned out the office, so all that stuff is now in the dining room...I slept on an air mattress at first, but now I have a high wooden bed with many drawers to store all my stuff...
All in all it's a bit messy but very comfortable and I feel very much at home! It's just impossible to keep a house nice and shiny with 4 children, two dogs and grandpa in the pool house...
The boys are a lot of fun! Since they are 9 years old now, they don't need adult supervision at all times. They are all very creative and have just started to write short stories / novels:
No. : Isenderon - The last of the Nordic myths - Book one: The cliff
Ni. : Kakumaera and the magic coconut and the evil tiger
H. : The golden book, Napoleons slippers and others
They all have swim lessons at the pool where the family has a membership and their piano teacher comes to the house once a week. For H. there is another appointment on Thursdays, he has to go to physical therapy. I help with their reading, watch them practice piano and cook together with them. At their age they actually are a help in the kitchen!
Today the boys were allowed to carve with theis pocket knifes and they set up a tent in the garden with their father. All three of them planned to sleep there tonight but ended up going to their own beds. H. was not sure about the whole thing in the first place. He kept saying:"I'm just not sure about this. I wish somebody woud stay out there with us and stay awake the whole time." It was also really hot in the tent so one can blame them.
And then there is baby Maddy/Tilly !! The sweetest thing you have ever seen! She has just celebrated her 6 months birthday on the first of June! She talks to herself nonstop, giggles and is a very happy baby. She just started sitting up and rolling over. L. thinks she might start walking before I leave! Today she took her first swim in the pool and we took many pictures to prove it! She loved it and so did Ni.,No. and papa A. The thrid brother H. is still not sure what to think of the baby but when he thinks nobody is looking you can see him watching her, smiling...
Thursday, June 21, 2007
It's done! I'm here! I thought this day would never come...After a good 20 h of traveling, feeling sick and horrible pain in my ears I landed in Nashville, TN!!
But let me begin at the beginning...
I left Enschede on Sunday morning together with MJ to go to J.'s appartment in A'dam. We had a great day walking around the city and MJ actually showed me some touristy things I had never visited before...
Unfortunately I had left J.'s instructions on how to get from the city to her place at the appartment, so we ended up guessing where to go. After traveling by tram into the general direction of the flat we took out the map and discovered the street just by name recognition. To get me into the American spirit we had dinner at the Mac...
Early the next morning we traveled with the tram and train to the airport. When I was checking in they scared me for a moment telling me that they thought I could only stay in the US for 60 days without a visa. Well, they soon found out that this was wrong and that it's OK for me to stay up to 90 days.
I found out that security has increased a lot! The questions they asked you would not believe !
" Who booked this flight? How long do you know this person? What does she do for a living? How old are her children? Where is your boyfriend? What does he do? How long have you known each other...." and all the time this woman gave me a strange look, as if she didn't believe a word I said.
My flight was OK and since we landed early in Nashville I saw the boys before they saw me. They really have grown up, well it's been 5 years...
After doing some shopping we went home to L. and the baby - the cutes thing ever, I want one ;-) no worries Tom, just teasing- had a nice dinner and talked for some time before I went to bed.
The last couple of days I've gotten to know the family routine, cooked delicious meals for all of us with the help of the boys, read a lot with them and helped with their piano and swimming lessons. It's a bussy, sometimes crazy house, but nice to be a part of it.
More about the family and all the happenings next time!
But let me begin at the beginning...
I left Enschede on Sunday morning together with MJ to go to J.'s appartment in A'dam. We had a great day walking around the city and MJ actually showed me some touristy things I had never visited before...
Unfortunately I had left J.'s instructions on how to get from the city to her place at the appartment, so we ended up guessing where to go. After traveling by tram into the general direction of the flat we took out the map and discovered the street just by name recognition. To get me into the American spirit we had dinner at the Mac...
Early the next morning we traveled with the tram and train to the airport. When I was checking in they scared me for a moment telling me that they thought I could only stay in the US for 60 days without a visa. Well, they soon found out that this was wrong and that it's OK for me to stay up to 90 days.
I found out that security has increased a lot! The questions they asked you would not believe !
" Who booked this flight? How long do you know this person? What does she do for a living? How old are her children? Where is your boyfriend? What does he do? How long have you known each other...." and all the time this woman gave me a strange look, as if she didn't believe a word I said.
My flight was OK and since we landed early in Nashville I saw the boys before they saw me. They really have grown up, well it's been 5 years...
After doing some shopping we went home to L. and the baby - the cutes thing ever, I want one ;-) no worries Tom, just teasing- had a nice dinner and talked for some time before I went to bed.
The last couple of days I've gotten to know the family routine, cooked delicious meals for all of us with the help of the boys, read a lot with them and helped with their piano and swimming lessons. It's a bussy, sometimes crazy house, but nice to be a part of it.
More about the family and all the happenings next time!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
The beginning
Hello all!
The start of a new blog and also the start of a new adventure!!
On the 18th of June I will fly to Nashville, Tennessee to go to the A. family.
This site will be filled with reports of all the exciting things I will do there and hopefully you will then send me a report of all the things that are going on in your lives as well!
The start of a new blog and also the start of a new adventure!!
On the 18th of June I will fly to Nashville, Tennessee to go to the A. family.
This site will be filled with reports of all the exciting things I will do there and hopefully you will then send me a report of all the things that are going on in your lives as well!
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