i recorded a lovely video for you about how life is going... but i tried to upload it and it does not work. I tried like 3 times.. and each time i let it load for like more than an hour, but no succes... and one time it went like 2.5 hours and then it said, "upload failed..." so i guess theres gonna be no homemade videos on this blog! sorry...
so anyways lifes still moving forward. met a south african nanny today... and i helped a lost english speaker at a train station. I felt pretty cool telling him what train to take and when to get off! haha, it was great! and then i had someone to chat with for the 10 minutes before my train left! I love english speaking strangers... and people who are also travelling and get just as confused as i do by the crazy unorganized public transportation system here!
I'm home alone for the weekend! no kids, no parents, just me and my holland home. Its a pretty weird feeling that tonight i'll be sleeping in a house all alone so far away from anyone i know. Its kinda wierd becaues if i loose my cell phone, or keys this weekend I have no where to go... except i do know one of davids friends who live near here... and i could always go to my lovely anglican church! haha, lets hope the keys stay tucket in my purse's front pocket... and my phone sticks close by too!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
killing time before his train left! goodbye arron! see you next year!
me:) looking into the distance... just following arrons ap photo instructions
eating our kibbling while watching horse races! good times.
Mr Poffretjes
Me and arron... On the church tower in Voorschoten:) (my town for those of you who get confused with all these places)So... where to begin.
I have not written in a few days! I've been too busy enjoying myself.
Yesterday Arron was back in town before flying out this morning.
In the morning right after breakfast I headed out to the horse market with Chris and David. Sara had to stay home because she is sick! so Carolina stayed with her and the baby in the morning. We came back around 11, and arron called right as i walked in. He told me what train he was taking and I headed over to the station to meet him! When he got here I showed him my house and room and such and then we just chilled until lunch time.
After lunch we were given our freedom! Even though Wednesdays are one of my "on" days, they let me go out and explore with Arron. We climbed the church tower and explored the market. We got icecream and Poffertjes and we also got some yummy yummy candies! I ate way to many... When we returned home at 3 it was our turn to stay in and watch sara. it went well at first. We drank some tea and watched some mary poppins... then we decided to play cards:) When arron was teaching me the second trick Sara started crying from up in her room! and there was nothing i could do to stop her screaming . Poor arron was just sitting at the kitchen table while i tried to console her in her room. We phoned her mom and seh talked to her on teh phone and then came home. I was very gratefull when she pulled in with her bike.
Then it was our turn to go out again. We went to the horse races. They shut down this long street and put some sand on it and then it becomes a race track. I bet on number 15 to win! but he didn't win, so i lost my money. silly gambling, you always loose your money. Arron also didn't win. His horse lost too. At the horse races i made arron try herring... but we also got kibbling so he had something to eat other than raw fish.
Then after the horse races we headed home for dinner. Chris picked up indonesian food and lots of it even though we all were not that hungry. Me and arron went biking after dinner but i failed at showing him i know my way around because we were quite lost but we did eventually find the lake. We just chilled and talked walking ankle deep in the water and it was so nice to have meaningfull conversations with someone i know! When we came home we looked up what train he should take home and then headed off to the train station to just chill and wait for it to arrive. We took some lovely pictures that you can check out on my facebook profile under the album "travels". you'll have to go to the end of the album to see the newest photos.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
3 boys my age:)
Yesterday I boarded a train to Delft where a guy named Matthias was supposed to be waiting for me at the station. I realized once i was on the train that i forgot to look up a picture of him on facebook so i had no idea who i was meeting other than his name was matthias. Train stations always have two entrances, one from each side direction so I went to the left entrance and looked around but there was noone there. I called him and then he said he must be on the other side so i headed over there for the akward TWO cheek kisses. I was confused and thought it was three so it was quite funny! I was glad when it was over and we could move on with the afternoon.
He then pulled out his map and told me to pick where we should go. He was very organized and had already facebooked me a link to all of the "things" we could do and see while in delft. So i picked to go to the old church.. and the new church. They were insane. All important people were burried there and we just walked over the graves. The floor was made up of graves! it was quite wierd just walking over famous dead people. When we went to the "new" church, it was not new at all! it was massive and had the tallest bell tower i've ever seen. It was beautifull!
We then went to see the Royal Delft Blue pottery "factory" everything there is made by hand and i mean EVERYTHING. The molds for the clay figurines, the clay, the glaze! It was so cool!
when the parking meter ran out i thought i'd head home kinda early and just have a chill night before my "work week" started, but instead he invited me to his house for dinner with the fam:)
the only condition his mom made was that we needed to cook dinner and Matthias made me choose what to cook! It was quite interesting grocery shopping because i had no idea what to make. I picked the vegetable first! My favorite:) brocolli. Then of course i prefer chicken with my brocolli, so we picked up some chicken breasts followed by some rice. It turned out to be a delcious dinner but they wanted something canadian and i have no idea what to cook thats canadian... so it was labeled canadian. He had such a nice family... three boys all around my age. one 21, one 19, and one 17:) and they all spoke english so i was happy with that.
At dinner we disgused video games and i told them that i've played halo but am probably the worst video gamer in the world so after dinner they wanted to see my skills so we played some world of warcraft! haha, i actually got some kills and was quite proud of myself! It ended up boarding the train around 945 and didn't get home till 1030... and then of course i had to go on teh computer and do random evenign things still so it ended up beign a late night and a very difficult morning! and now... i woudl love to be having a nap, but since the kids are in my care, thats not really possible!
He then pulled out his map and told me to pick where we should go. He was very organized and had already facebooked me a link to all of the "things" we could do and see while in delft. So i picked to go to the old church.. and the new church. They were insane. All important people were burried there and we just walked over the graves. The floor was made up of graves! it was quite wierd just walking over famous dead people. When we went to the "new" church, it was not new at all! it was massive and had the tallest bell tower i've ever seen. It was beautifull!
We then went to see the Royal Delft Blue pottery "factory" everything there is made by hand and i mean EVERYTHING. The molds for the clay figurines, the clay, the glaze! It was so cool!
when the parking meter ran out i thought i'd head home kinda early and just have a chill night before my "work week" started, but instead he invited me to his house for dinner with the fam:)
the only condition his mom made was that we needed to cook dinner and Matthias made me choose what to cook! It was quite interesting grocery shopping because i had no idea what to make. I picked the vegetable first! My favorite:) brocolli. Then of course i prefer chicken with my brocolli, so we picked up some chicken breasts followed by some rice. It turned out to be a delcious dinner but they wanted something canadian and i have no idea what to cook thats canadian... so it was labeled canadian. He had such a nice family... three boys all around my age. one 21, one 19, and one 17:) and they all spoke english so i was happy with that.
At dinner we disgused video games and i told them that i've played halo but am probably the worst video gamer in the world so after dinner they wanted to see my skills so we played some world of warcraft! haha, i actually got some kills and was quite proud of myself! It ended up boarding the train around 945 and didn't get home till 1030... and then of course i had to go on teh computer and do random evenign things still so it ended up beign a late night and a very difficult morning! and now... i woudl love to be having a nap, but since the kids are in my care, thats not really possible!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Marie and Miniature Holland
I met a girl from Canada yesterday, her name is Marie. We went to do touristy things together in The Hague! First we went to see Miniature Holland. It took us like 3 hours to go through it all... and we had our little english guide booklets and we just walked around looking in awe at all the cool things there are to see in Holland. We bought a 10 cent mars bar from the miniature mars bar chocolate factory and the line up was all little kids... and then us... not so little:)
AFter our visit to the miniature world of holland we headed to the Peace palace where the International court of justice is held (part of the UN) It was cool to see but seeing it was a sunday it was not open for a vist... so we just got to look from the front gates:)
we then headed to the canadian embasy... although i dont think i took a picture. Hopefully I will be headed near there to the Swedish embassy soon to pick up my Visa!
Then of course we did a little shopping... but seeing as most shops close at 5.. and it was already 5, there was not much shopping to be done, so we headed to a nice city square to find a nice restaurant to eat at. I had chicken with spicy peanut sauce salad, and of course frites with mayo. It was delicous. I also had an icetea becaue i can't get enough of the fizzy ice tea wonderfullness here. something i think definitally should be sold in Canada!
today i am off to delft to meet Matthias, a friend of saras from YWAM... so that should be exciting:)
I'll post some pictures of yesterday soon... they are already on my facebook page if you want to see more!
AFter our visit to the miniature world of holland we headed to the Peace palace where the International court of justice is held (part of the UN) It was cool to see but seeing it was a sunday it was not open for a vist... so we just got to look from the front gates:)
we then headed to the canadian embasy... although i dont think i took a picture. Hopefully I will be headed near there to the Swedish embassy soon to pick up my Visa!
Then of course we did a little shopping... but seeing as most shops close at 5.. and it was already 5, there was not much shopping to be done, so we headed to a nice city square to find a nice restaurant to eat at. I had chicken with spicy peanut sauce salad, and of course frites with mayo. It was delicous. I also had an icetea becaue i can't get enough of the fizzy ice tea wonderfullness here. something i think definitally should be sold in Canada!
today i am off to delft to meet Matthias, a friend of saras from YWAM... so that should be exciting:)
I'll post some pictures of yesterday soon... they are already on my facebook page if you want to see more!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Loose leaf tea (I think you should drink some while you read this)
Yesterday I explored amsterdam a little with a new found friend. We met online (i know that sounds sketchy) and then met up yesterday at amsterdam central station! its a massive station and i am surprised we ever found eachother. We hit it off quite well i would say. She is so normal and so kind. She is hungarian so I have to SLOW DOWN my speeedy english.
we first just walked around a bit. We went through the red light district and even though it was the middle of the day there were still "red lights" and just it was so sad. I cant believe that tourist go there to see it. I did... and i dont want to go there for the purpose of "looking around" ever again. Its not somethign you can just look at and be like ok, lets go see the next attraction! they are people, in windows or doors, wearing terrible things and then there are these sick men walking around "window" shopping! I hated it.
After the red light district we went shopping. I bought a pretty yellow scarf and a floral ruffly shirt from zara both for only 6 euros. There are crazy deals in July in holland! Its sale month here! So i am hitting up the shopping before august comes around and their fall collections start t o come out. After an hour or so of walking and shopping we headed to the favous vondelpark where we had a picnick lunch/dinner and just chilled sittting on the grass talking for a few hours. I couldn't believe that someone i had only met a few hours earlier i was able to sit and just talk with for like 2.5 hours, just doing nothing but talking! it was so nice to have found a friend. We are already plannign our next day together. Its gonna be a museum day. Anne frank house, Rijksmuseum, van goh musuem (i spelt that wrong) woops. WE are also going to have a cycling/ beach day. I am also excited for that:)
sometimes i wish i was here for more than two montsh because it feel s like by the time i leave i will finally have friends and stuff to occupy all my time and I will just be loving the life style of this crazy job of nannying... but o well. Sweden will be amazing. and i'll be back in holland for february;)
This morning I got to open my letter/ gift from sara that i have been waiting patiently to open. It was loosleaf tea and i am so pumped to be drinking it as i write this. Cream earl grey with some milk:) yummy yummy.
I also went to church this morning. It was english, so that was a postive... but it was anglican, so it was not really much like home. I drank wine for communion from the "communal" cup. We all drank from the same cup and it was quite odd how the service progresssed... but i think i have to go back there because they introduced me at the start of the service and i talked to the pastor afterwards for a while. so even though its not a church i would usually attend i think i'll be attending for the next 8 weeks:)
we first just walked around a bit. We went through the red light district and even though it was the middle of the day there were still "red lights" and just it was so sad. I cant believe that tourist go there to see it. I did... and i dont want to go there for the purpose of "looking around" ever again. Its not somethign you can just look at and be like ok, lets go see the next attraction! they are people, in windows or doors, wearing terrible things and then there are these sick men walking around "window" shopping! I hated it.
After the red light district we went shopping. I bought a pretty yellow scarf and a floral ruffly shirt from zara both for only 6 euros. There are crazy deals in July in holland! Its sale month here! So i am hitting up the shopping before august comes around and their fall collections start t o come out. After an hour or so of walking and shopping we headed to the favous vondelpark where we had a picnick lunch/dinner and just chilled sittting on the grass talking for a few hours. I couldn't believe that someone i had only met a few hours earlier i was able to sit and just talk with for like 2.5 hours, just doing nothing but talking! it was so nice to have found a friend. We are already plannign our next day together. Its gonna be a museum day. Anne frank house, Rijksmuseum, van goh musuem (i spelt that wrong) woops. WE are also going to have a cycling/ beach day. I am also excited for that:)
sometimes i wish i was here for more than two montsh because it feel s like by the time i leave i will finally have friends and stuff to occupy all my time and I will just be loving the life style of this crazy job of nannying... but o well. Sweden will be amazing. and i'll be back in holland for february;)
This morning I got to open my letter/ gift from sara that i have been waiting patiently to open. It was loosleaf tea and i am so pumped to be drinking it as i write this. Cream earl grey with some milk:) yummy yummy.
I also went to church this morning. It was english, so that was a postive... but it was anglican, so it was not really much like home. I drank wine for communion from the "communal" cup. We all drank from the same cup and it was quite odd how the service progresssed... but i think i have to go back there because they introduced me at the start of the service and i talked to the pastor afterwards for a while. so even though its not a church i would usually attend i think i'll be attending for the next 8 weeks:)
Friday, July 23, 2010
all in all a great success
So cookies today. Where to start. I wanted to make yummy delicious sugar cookies...but low and behold they no ingreadiants... and also they didn't want to wait for the two hours they take to chill in the fridge and i was no about to explain to them they could not roll them out and cut them up now! so we made these weird cookies that Carolina had a recipe for... with literally only 5 ingreadients.
Butter, Sugar, Flour, egg yolk, and a pinch of salt!
they turned out decently well... i would say thats because i am the sister of a pro chef! and her skills must be rubbing off. 
After cookies it was time for me to relax. "mom" took the kids grocery shopping with her so I took a nap while Carlijn (the baby) i was looking after just slept!
For dinner i made yummy chicken fajitas and it was so funny because they had no idea what to do with the stuff i put on the table. They watched how i put it together and then watching them role theirs up was hilarious. I wish i could show you all a video. They obviously dont eat that sort of thing often... or EVER. But they said it was good so i was happy.
Tonight I am home with the kids while the parents are going out for the first time since the baby. Carolina is very happy to put make up on, do her hair and get out! they took the baby though so all i have to do is be here and make sure the chillins stay in bed! I think I'm gonna make serious progress on my birthday gift for molly... and watch a movie too? maybe. we will see.
I am also talking to my new found hungarian friend at 9! and we are planning our day tomorrow! Can't wait to see amsterdam... although i've been there before i had like 12 Euros or soemthing left last time i was there so it will be nice to actually be able to buy something pretty if i see it!
I'll post some pics of my amsterdam adventures sometime tomorrow or sunday!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Mom this is for you:)
haha. so I am guessing you can tell the homesickness has found someone elso to attack because my posts are becoming fewer and far between. haha. I just have not had much extra time latley becaue i'm keeping busy during the day.. and then in the evenings i've been working on a birthday present for Miss Molly... and i've been running or biking for upwards of an hour so time really flies by after dinner... since we dont usually finish eating till 7 or so. Last night was thursday! my tv night... The mentalist is on in two back to back episodes... so there i was just enjoying my tea and speculas with my feet up and doing a bit of stuff for my lovely gift.
I think i'll tell you all a little about my cycling and running adventures, and what i've seen.
so two nights ago i was biking a familiar route around this lake... its like 21 km from my house to the lake... around it,.. and back again... and its beautifull. and when i biked past this sheep farm i was shocked that i never posted about this sheep farm earlier. so on my first time around the lake (last week sometime i think) i biked past this sheep farm and there was a dead sheep just laying on its back with its feet in the air right by the person mail box. It was disgusting. IN my mind i made up the story that this poor sheep had escaped its pen and ended up on this road/ bike path... and a silly car driving too fast and not looking out for escapi sheeps.. hit it. Then not knowing exactly what to do with this dead sheep... the kindly brought it to the mail box of the sheep farmers so they would have a nice surprie with their daily paper in the mornign! There was no new dead sheep though on wednesday so i could bike past without being traumatized!
Also i see lots of other bikers. Its interesting thinking about their lives as they cycle past. Some are wearing the legit spandex suits on really fast "tour de france" bikes... and are with big groups of other cyclers just zooming around! other old people are out for their evening cycle ride and are just going nice and slow and enjoying the scenery. then you have some teenagers... who you can tell are not biking for the sake of biking...but are going somewhere. And then theres me. riding a mother bike (one with a seat for a kid attached to the back), wearing some tights and a tank or t-shirt... just biking along .... trying to go fast and be hardcore... but its a little difficult when your not a pro biker.. and your bike is not designed fo r speed:) haha. I also look ridiculous becaues i sing while i cycle. I used to stop singing when people would bike past.. but that didn't work to well because its a really busy path so i could never sing more than a few lines or so before someone would bike past... so now i just keep on singing! Its quite enjoyable.
Now what else is new in this life on this side of the world... well i'm meeting a hungarian nanny on saturday who lives outside of amsterdam... north of it... and i live south of it... so we are meeting in amsterdam for the day to explore! I"m quite excited about it:) I am also going to church on sunday and then after church I am meeting a Canadian nanny from Halifax who is here for a year or so.. .but she knows one of saras dutch friends from YWAM... so thats how we got in contact. she lives in the hague... a 13 minute train ride from my town:)
other than that life just goes on. Yesteray i took my first nap here and man was it amazing. I was so tired... not sure why other than that i get up at like 630 each day and each night seems to be later and later. today we are planning on baking cookies in the morning, and then in the afternoon some family friends are coming over for afternoon coffee... and to see the baby and it is a friend of David so that means the children will be occupied for the afternoon.
It is quite crazy that July is almost over... and I only have 6 weekends left here! I hope to see amsterdam twice. Utrect, Delft, Den Hague... all once. (maybe the hague a few times because i live so close and there is great shopping)
other than that I am just taking this opportunity to be not "busy" for like 8 weeks. to have time for running... and reading, and blogging... and writing letters by post! and caring about people... even though i am so far away. Lifes a whirlwind but this 8 weeks is the eye of the storm.
Mom, (and amanda) I hope you enjoy your morning reading since you are most likely in bed as i write this but it will be all ready for you enjoyment by the time you wake up!
I'll try to keep you posted more frequently even if its just short becaue no one likes to have their routine thrown out of wack!
I think i'll tell you all a little about my cycling and running adventures, and what i've seen.
so two nights ago i was biking a familiar route around this lake... its like 21 km from my house to the lake... around it,.. and back again... and its beautifull. and when i biked past this sheep farm i was shocked that i never posted about this sheep farm earlier. so on my first time around the lake (last week sometime i think) i biked past this sheep farm and there was a dead sheep just laying on its back with its feet in the air right by the person mail box. It was disgusting. IN my mind i made up the story that this poor sheep had escaped its pen and ended up on this road/ bike path... and a silly car driving too fast and not looking out for escapi sheeps.. hit it. Then not knowing exactly what to do with this dead sheep... the kindly brought it to the mail box of the sheep farmers so they would have a nice surprie with their daily paper in the mornign! There was no new dead sheep though on wednesday so i could bike past without being traumatized!
Also i see lots of other bikers. Its interesting thinking about their lives as they cycle past. Some are wearing the legit spandex suits on really fast "tour de france" bikes... and are with big groups of other cyclers just zooming around! other old people are out for their evening cycle ride and are just going nice and slow and enjoying the scenery. then you have some teenagers... who you can tell are not biking for the sake of biking...but are going somewhere. And then theres me. riding a mother bike (one with a seat for a kid attached to the back), wearing some tights and a tank or t-shirt... just biking along .... trying to go fast and be hardcore... but its a little difficult when your not a pro biker.. and your bike is not designed fo r speed:) haha. I also look ridiculous becaues i sing while i cycle. I used to stop singing when people would bike past.. but that didn't work to well because its a really busy path so i could never sing more than a few lines or so before someone would bike past... so now i just keep on singing! Its quite enjoyable.
Now what else is new in this life on this side of the world... well i'm meeting a hungarian nanny on saturday who lives outside of amsterdam... north of it... and i live south of it... so we are meeting in amsterdam for the day to explore! I"m quite excited about it:) I am also going to church on sunday and then after church I am meeting a Canadian nanny from Halifax who is here for a year or so.. .but she knows one of saras dutch friends from YWAM... so thats how we got in contact. she lives in the hague... a 13 minute train ride from my town:)
other than that life just goes on. Yesteray i took my first nap here and man was it amazing. I was so tired... not sure why other than that i get up at like 630 each day and each night seems to be later and later. today we are planning on baking cookies in the morning, and then in the afternoon some family friends are coming over for afternoon coffee... and to see the baby and it is a friend of David so that means the children will be occupied for the afternoon.
It is quite crazy that July is almost over... and I only have 6 weekends left here! I hope to see amsterdam twice. Utrect, Delft, Den Hague... all once. (maybe the hague a few times because i live so close and there is great shopping)
other than that I am just taking this opportunity to be not "busy" for like 8 weeks. to have time for running... and reading, and blogging... and writing letters by post! and caring about people... even though i am so far away. Lifes a whirlwind but this 8 weeks is the eye of the storm.
Mom, (and amanda) I hope you enjoy your morning reading since you are most likely in bed as i write this but it will be all ready for you enjoyment by the time you wake up!
I'll try to keep you posted more frequently even if its just short becaue no one likes to have their routine thrown out of wack!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Grandparents and pretty doors
Yesterday I had a very relaxing day after my weekend. The kids were off to daycare and then i was off to get my shots! After the visit to the hospital I headed to a store I found and love to purchase a small gift for a friend of mine that i saw on a previous visit to this store!
once home again i organized a few things and did my monday "chores" I vaccumed, folded laundry cleaned up the kitchen.
I then proceeded to make my way through Leiden MAPLESS! I was quite proud of myself because i was able to find my way around even though i forgot my map at home. On a wrong turn i found these lovely doors! i think they are beautifull and don't fit into their surroundings at all. Its right near this amazing church and all cute homes with lovely doors.
I also ran into some shakespear. In english of course so i read it and througoughly enjoyed it and took a picture.
once home again i organized a few things and did my monday "chores" I vaccumed, folded laundry cleaned up the kitchen.When it was time to get the kids from daycare there was a surprise! we were going to the beach for a swim and then we would go out for dinner at the restaurant on the beach! quite exciting and a nice break for me. Once again i would be able to avoid my child watching duties. I went swimming, read my book, and then helped keep the baby happy by walking with her in the stoller and trying to get her to fall asleep.
Dinner was amazing! I love the ice tea here. It has fizz! Much better than fizzless ice tea. I dont know how ill go back!
Monday, July 19, 2010
No barricades necessary
This weekend I headed to the opposite side of Holland to visit some people i have never met before.
Linda was first. She knows Sara from YWAM in australia where they were on the same team so sara packed a gift for her along with me and told me I had to get in touch with her, so i did. I took a two hour train ride to a tiny town called Twello where I boarded this "station bus" which was really more like a little van/ bus thing and I was the only one at the bus stop. When i got on the driver told me we had to wait a bit because the girl who takes the bus each day was just finishing up getting groceries so we would wait for you. Haha.. when she got on the bus it was like her and the bus driver were best friends. she even gave him some fruit for his cooler, pears and bananas. It made me smile. She then attempted to teach me dutch words while we drove along. When i got off in Epe, I stood there looking around and was hoping that Linda would be there to meet me. She was but at the bus stop on the other side of the street. We then walked around the market in Epe, bought some dinner and then i rode on the back of her bike. It was my first ride on teh back of a bike experience while here in Holland! Her house was fun we talked lots watched a movie, cycled lots and got stuck in rain storm where we hid under trees to wait it out so we could finish cycling home. She gave me a tour of the YWAM base that she works at in Heidebeek, not the amsterdam one. It was actually quite fun at her house even though I had never met her before. Then it was off to Roeloffs, I boarded the train for a 2 hour ride and headed off to Enschede, a town only about 15 minutes from the Germany boarder.
Roeloffs. When i got off the train in Enschede I saw Roeloff waiting there for me looking around for me, but I blend into the crowd of people. He does not blend in so much. I saw him right away! haha. You might be thinking... Who is this guy, and where do you know him from. well he is going to sweden with me, and i asked my base director if there are any students coming from Holland and she gave me his email, so I got in touch and vwa la! There i was meeting him at the train station stuck there for Saturday and sunday! We went grocery shopping for dinner first and already then i had a taste of how strange he was. He just bought random things to throw together because apparently cooking is fun and with a little common sense you can throw practically anything together and it will taste good. Thats his perpective anyways. We made a salad and in it there was lettuce, tomatoe, canned tropical fruit, and yogurt. What a weird combo, but i ate it. The rest of the meal was more normal... we had rice with some sauce from a can mixed with meat and more tomatos. It was all just a little odd. after dinner we just chatted for qutie some time about life, and why we are going to YWAM, and where we hope to be in the next five years... that kind of stuff. Then we watched a movie.
So this might sound quite regular to you but it was so odd. I would find myself randomly laughing an trying to hold it back because i was only laughing at the fact that i was staying in this disgusting batchelor pad overnight and it was hilarious that i was there. He told me that they do not wash dishes with soap. Just rinse them with water and use them again. About once a week they use the soap. They also only clean up once every two weeks which was quite evident by the state of the floors and counters and bathrooms... oh the bathroom was very grose! His roommate was away for the weekend so i got to sleep in his room but I am almost 100 % postive that they did not change the sheets so i slept on top of the blankets and slept terribly because whenever i woke up i was so grosed out that i was sleeping there and just wanted mornign to come so I could get out of bed.
Sunday we went to church and God knew i was sick of dutch so he sent an english speaker that week. So it was fabulous. I could jsut listen and then the dutch people had to wait for the translation! I also knew 2 or 3 of the songs and although they sung in dutch i belted it out in english. It felt so good to just sing and worship becaue i have not been to church in the past 2 sundays i've been here! this weekend I will be going to an english church about 10 minutes walk from my house so i am pumped for that! Anyways sunday passed by quickly. we went out for icecream after church with one of his friends and just chatted there for a good 2 hours! then when we went home we ate lunch and then looked up flights for Sweden. That was interesting I think i'll be able to get there for under 200 Euros which would be fabulous! but packing is going to be a serious difficulty because travelign in Europe they only allow you to take about half as much as travelign in North America! Uh oh... i'll have to pay extra because there is no way i can fit all mystuff into only 1 bag!
So yeah anyways long story short my weekend was hilarious, Roeloff was Hilarious and i laughed alot to myself. I enjoyed my 8 hours of train riding and read lots of the bible and took some good old train ride naps! Gotta love those.
mom, I think you will understand what the title means :) Haha, I hope you didn't worry about me!
Linda was first. She knows Sara from YWAM in australia where they were on the same team so sara packed a gift for her along with me and told me I had to get in touch with her, so i did. I took a two hour train ride to a tiny town called Twello where I boarded this "station bus" which was really more like a little van/ bus thing and I was the only one at the bus stop. When i got on the driver told me we had to wait a bit because the girl who takes the bus each day was just finishing up getting groceries so we would wait for you. Haha.. when she got on the bus it was like her and the bus driver were best friends. she even gave him some fruit for his cooler, pears and bananas. It made me smile. She then attempted to teach me dutch words while we drove along. When i got off in Epe, I stood there looking around and was hoping that Linda would be there to meet me. She was but at the bus stop on the other side of the street. We then walked around the market in Epe, bought some dinner and then i rode on the back of her bike. It was my first ride on teh back of a bike experience while here in Holland! Her house was fun we talked lots watched a movie, cycled lots and got stuck in rain storm where we hid under trees to wait it out so we could finish cycling home. She gave me a tour of the YWAM base that she works at in Heidebeek, not the amsterdam one. It was actually quite fun at her house even though I had never met her before. Then it was off to Roeloffs, I boarded the train for a 2 hour ride and headed off to Enschede, a town only about 15 minutes from the Germany boarder.
Roeloffs. When i got off the train in Enschede I saw Roeloff waiting there for me looking around for me, but I blend into the crowd of people. He does not blend in so much. I saw him right away! haha. You might be thinking... Who is this guy, and where do you know him from. well he is going to sweden with me, and i asked my base director if there are any students coming from Holland and she gave me his email, so I got in touch and vwa la! There i was meeting him at the train station stuck there for Saturday and sunday! We went grocery shopping for dinner first and already then i had a taste of how strange he was. He just bought random things to throw together because apparently cooking is fun and with a little common sense you can throw practically anything together and it will taste good. Thats his perpective anyways. We made a salad and in it there was lettuce, tomatoe, canned tropical fruit, and yogurt. What a weird combo, but i ate it. The rest of the meal was more normal... we had rice with some sauce from a can mixed with meat and more tomatos. It was all just a little odd. after dinner we just chatted for qutie some time about life, and why we are going to YWAM, and where we hope to be in the next five years... that kind of stuff. Then we watched a movie.
So this might sound quite regular to you but it was so odd. I would find myself randomly laughing an trying to hold it back because i was only laughing at the fact that i was staying in this disgusting batchelor pad overnight and it was hilarious that i was there. He told me that they do not wash dishes with soap. Just rinse them with water and use them again. About once a week they use the soap. They also only clean up once every two weeks which was quite evident by the state of the floors and counters and bathrooms... oh the bathroom was very grose! His roommate was away for the weekend so i got to sleep in his room but I am almost 100 % postive that they did not change the sheets so i slept on top of the blankets and slept terribly because whenever i woke up i was so grosed out that i was sleeping there and just wanted mornign to come so I could get out of bed.
Sunday we went to church and God knew i was sick of dutch so he sent an english speaker that week. So it was fabulous. I could jsut listen and then the dutch people had to wait for the translation! I also knew 2 or 3 of the songs and although they sung in dutch i belted it out in english. It felt so good to just sing and worship becaue i have not been to church in the past 2 sundays i've been here! this weekend I will be going to an english church about 10 minutes walk from my house so i am pumped for that! Anyways sunday passed by quickly. we went out for icecream after church with one of his friends and just chatted there for a good 2 hours! then when we went home we ate lunch and then looked up flights for Sweden. That was interesting I think i'll be able to get there for under 200 Euros which would be fabulous! but packing is going to be a serious difficulty because travelign in Europe they only allow you to take about half as much as travelign in North America! Uh oh... i'll have to pay extra because there is no way i can fit all mystuff into only 1 bag!
So yeah anyways long story short my weekend was hilarious, Roeloff was Hilarious and i laughed alot to myself. I enjoyed my 8 hours of train riding and read lots of the bible and took some good old train ride naps! Gotta love those.
mom, I think you will understand what the title means :) Haha, I hope you didn't worry about me!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Great Day
today was my first GREAT day. I thoroughly enjoyed it! I woke up in the mornign and made myself the most delicous pooridge and then toast and bread for the family. They think eating pooridge is weird but i dont mind. I love it! I have rasberries and blueberries in it so it has such good flavor. The rasberries break up into little bits and make the whole pooridge taste delicous and then bites with blueberries are such a treat. After breakfast it was off to daycare for the children:) I love the job of dropping them off and thinking to myself... "man am i happy i have a day free"
chris and carolina had a doctors appointment for the baby in Leiden so I went with them and then just explored the city. I didn't go back with them but spent the day walking around, looking at a crazy church and town hall... and of course SHOPPING.
I made such great purchases. jeans for only 15 euros. such a great deal because it was a very expensive store with such amazing deals. I also got two shirts from there. then i went to this new department store... which i will visit again soon... and it had like everything 70 % off. I bought a really cute jean jumper type dress along with some beautifull floral tights and a lovley leather shoulder bag! I was so happy with my purchases. I also went out for lunch and a coffee shop called beans and bagels where i had an avocado and tomato bagel and an expresso (I really dont like expresso i realized a little too late though)
when i got home it was chill time for a few hours till I had to pick up the kids... But carolina was feeling better so she took on the task of picking up the children while i made dinner (thursdays are my night) it was exciting to cook something that i know i like and tastes like regular home food) and it felt good to be busy with somethign other than looking after kids. I like to do the "home" tasks like cleaning, cooking , laundry, etc rather than looking after the kids so any chance i get to do "work" i take!
after dinner I decided again against running or biking. I just dont feel like it! I figured i walked enough today so thats good enough but really truly i should be running! because i need to be in shape in september for backpacking.
anyways that all for today. i might not post much this weekend but be excited for some fabulous stories after my weekend away to the east! I can't wait. I leave tomorrow to visit Linda (saras dutch friend from YWAM) and Roelof (a guy who is going to sweden with me for YWAM) It is exciting to get out of the house and be stretched by meeting new people. I am thinking there might be just a few akward silences over the weekend.
chris and carolina had a doctors appointment for the baby in Leiden so I went with them and then just explored the city. I didn't go back with them but spent the day walking around, looking at a crazy church and town hall... and of course SHOPPING.
I made such great purchases. jeans for only 15 euros. such a great deal because it was a very expensive store with such amazing deals. I also got two shirts from there. then i went to this new department store... which i will visit again soon... and it had like everything 70 % off. I bought a really cute jean jumper type dress along with some beautifull floral tights and a lovley leather shoulder bag! I was so happy with my purchases. I also went out for lunch and a coffee shop called beans and bagels where i had an avocado and tomato bagel and an expresso (I really dont like expresso i realized a little too late though)
when i got home it was chill time for a few hours till I had to pick up the kids... But carolina was feeling better so she took on the task of picking up the children while i made dinner (thursdays are my night) it was exciting to cook something that i know i like and tastes like regular home food) and it felt good to be busy with somethign other than looking after kids. I like to do the "home" tasks like cleaning, cooking , laundry, etc rather than looking after the kids so any chance i get to do "work" i take!
after dinner I decided again against running or biking. I just dont feel like it! I figured i walked enough today so thats good enough but really truly i should be running! because i need to be in shape in september for backpacking.
anyways that all for today. i might not post much this weekend but be excited for some fabulous stories after my weekend away to the east! I can't wait. I leave tomorrow to visit Linda (saras dutch friend from YWAM) and Roelof (a guy who is going to sweden with me for YWAM) It is exciting to get out of the house and be stretched by meeting new people. I am thinking there might be just a few akward silences over the weekend.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Hellen Keller
tonight i was breifly looking through photos of mine and decided that doors and windows are beautifull, especially red ones.
it reminded me of my grad quote, but i dont have it here so i'll have to summarize
it reminded me of my grad quote, but i dont have it here so i'll have to summarize
Helen Keller said that in life doors are shut and our plans are ruined but
there are always new windows opened for us when our doors are shut. The only
problem is that we are too busy foccusing on the closed doors that we fail to
notice the new "windows" or opportunities that are now present.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Things that are dutch
*Birth Announcements*
they send cards to everybody! and I mean tons of people... and then wait!those people all send cards back.
*Shoes Inside*
we are always wearing shoes. You go outside and then come back inside and the whole time you are wearing your shoes. We don't take them off till bed time! or if your feet are on the couch
*Raw Herring*
today for lunch we ate raw herring. Definitely something dutch. You literally just get a whole fish with its head cut off and its guts taken out but it still looks very much like a whole fish... and then you put it in your mouth and eat it. I actually liked it and would definitely eat it again.
*Coffee*
when i say coffee i really mean espresso because coffee here is so strong and so flavorful. I am sticking mostly to tea because I don't want to become dependant on coffee but when i stay up till 12 and get up at 6 to phone home it really catches up on you.
*Biking*
We bike everywhere here and so does every other dutch person. there are crazy biking lanes and crazy right of way laws for cyclists. It is really truly one of the main forms of transportation here in all weathers.
*Small Fridges*
There fridge is so small that it is impossible to fit much more than the days food. Each day or two we go and buy groceries for the next couple days. I find this a little frustrating, but i do love to grocery shop so it works out ok. Its also nice that nothing gets lost in the fridge and goes bad because there is nowhere to hide in such a small fridge.
*Keys*
Everything here locks, and you cannot get in the front door of houses without a key. The door handle does not turn, you need to put in the key turn it a certain way and push and thats how a door here is opened from the outside. That means if you forget your keys inside... good luck getting in. Our two neighbors have spare keys incase that ever happens.
Starting Small!
I decided yesterday I am not very good at starting small!
I know that may sound strange, but in all honesty I tend to jump into things that end up being bigger than i expected them to be.
Take moving here for example. Most people would start smaller, maybe leave for 6 months or less or go to school where they can come home during reading break and christmas break. BUT ME? I leave for 8 months all by myself to a country where I can't speak the language and have to take care of kids who don't understand me, and then I go straight to another strange country where I will learn! and hopefully not be homesick like I am here.
Another example of my starting out bigger than I want is running. I tend to overdo it on the first go. Yesterday I was feeling sad but didn' t want to be sad so i decided i'd go for a run because it was not too hot and there was just a rain storm so it was beautifull outside. And it was nice and windy and fresh! So i just went without really planning my route. I planned on doing a 6-8 km route in the countryside becuase there are tons of bike and jogging paths that are so so beatifull. So once I had been running for 6km... and getting a little lost I asked someone how to get back to voorschoten (my town) and they pointed me the way I came. So instead of finishing my loop with only about 3 more km... I had to run all the way back the way I came! more km;) so 6+6 = 12! wow. thats a lot to run for the first run in months! I even have a fairly good sized blister on my big toe... so I wont be running tonight. I'll try biking. You can make up more ground easier by bike!
I know that may sound strange, but in all honesty I tend to jump into things that end up being bigger than i expected them to be.
Take moving here for example. Most people would start smaller, maybe leave for 6 months or less or go to school where they can come home during reading break and christmas break. BUT ME? I leave for 8 months all by myself to a country where I can't speak the language and have to take care of kids who don't understand me, and then I go straight to another strange country where I will learn! and hopefully not be homesick like I am here.
Another example of my starting out bigger than I want is running. I tend to overdo it on the first go. Yesterday I was feeling sad but didn' t want to be sad so i decided i'd go for a run because it was not too hot and there was just a rain storm so it was beautifull outside. And it was nice and windy and fresh! So i just went without really planning my route. I planned on doing a 6-8 km route in the countryside becuase there are tons of bike and jogging paths that are so so beatifull. So once I had been running for 6km... and getting a little lost I asked someone how to get back to voorschoten (my town) and they pointed me the way I came. So instead of finishing my loop with only about 3 more km... I had to run all the way back the way I came! more km;) so 6+6 = 12! wow. thats a lot to run for the first run in months! I even have a fairly good sized blister on my big toe... so I wont be running tonight. I'll try biking. You can make up more ground easier by bike!
Monday, July 12, 2010
HOME?
I am torn between how to get over this homesickness thing... This weekend I stayed with Nancy at her Omas house and it was nice to be out of the house but at times I did miss the routine I had started to establish. By today... monday morning i decided i really liked it there and the sense of a family around me like i have at home.
When i got back to my holland home i was struck again with these sucky feelins of beign so homesick. I dont know what to do becaue i can't be alone all the time and seeing people is so great! but then after i return "home" its tough again. Maybe this time the adjustment will be quicker...
Only 58 more days here! thats do able I think.
If you reading this want to post suggestions for activities or crafts to do with the kids that would be great! or if you have "challenges" for me to do on my days off it would be fun to have to try and acomplish somethign... and i can take pictures and show you i've completed the task:)
keep commenting! i love reading what you write!
When i got back to my holland home i was struck again with these sucky feelins of beign so homesick. I dont know what to do becaue i can't be alone all the time and seeing people is so great! but then after i return "home" its tough again. Maybe this time the adjustment will be quicker...
Only 58 more days here! thats do able I think.
If you reading this want to post suggestions for activities or crafts to do with the kids that would be great! or if you have "challenges" for me to do on my days off it would be fun to have to try and acomplish somethign... and i can take pictures and show you i've completed the task:)
keep commenting! i love reading what you write!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
I dont like beer or loosing
Today i had my first legal drink ever. My first drink ever! and I had beer. Gross! I just thought it would be suitable seeing as i was watching the final match and i am in Holland so i had none other than the classic Heineken.
We lost! I am sure those of you reading this already know that but i figured I would state the obvious. That way when I read this another time I'll remember the sad fact that the once in a lifetime opportunity to be in Holland while we win the world cup is gone with the wind. O well.
We lost! I am sure those of you reading this already know that but i figured I would state the obvious. That way when I read this another time I'll remember the sad fact that the once in a lifetime opportunity to be in Holland while we win the world cup is gone with the wind. O well.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Today was another good day. Nothing specacular but I had a good time. In the morning i saw the Kinderdijk which was so cool. The windmills were so beautifull and I learned about what they were used for! Its also incredible that people live in them and one that people were living in was built in the early 1700's. I think thats crazy.
Later on in the day we took the waterbus from alblasserdom to dordtrect. It is such a beatifull city, so pituresque! I bought sandals, because I want to look european. Everyone here wheres these certain type of sandals, and I found some for 20 regularily 32 so i was quite happy and bought a pair! It was my first purchase other than shampoo, conditioner, nail files, postcards etc. It felt good to buy something for me. I need to find a pair of jeans while abroad but it might be difficult becaue I don't know which store is best for jeans like i would if i shopped at home... O well, I guess i'll just have to do some shopping around and find the best deals. I'm still not used to shopping alone though, theres noone to ask whether something is too weird, or if its buyable. This whole alone thing is the thing I just don't like at all!
I'll add some pictures of the kinderdijk in a seperate post because its a little easier:) HOpe you find it just as beautifull as i did;)
Later on in the day we took the waterbus from alblasserdom to dordtrect. It is such a beatifull city, so pituresque! I bought sandals, because I want to look european. Everyone here wheres these certain type of sandals, and I found some for 20 regularily 32 so i was quite happy and bought a pair! It was my first purchase other than shampoo, conditioner, nail files, postcards etc. It felt good to buy something for me. I need to find a pair of jeans while abroad but it might be difficult becaue I don't know which store is best for jeans like i would if i shopped at home... O well, I guess i'll just have to do some shopping around and find the best deals. I'm still not used to shopping alone though, theres noone to ask whether something is too weird, or if its buyable. This whole alone thing is the thing I just don't like at all!
I'll add some pictures of the kinderdijk in a seperate post because its a little easier:) HOpe you find it just as beautifull as i did;)
Friday, July 9, 2010
Home
Its weird how my new home in Holland is actually starting to become my home. I have somewhat of a routine established and although its odd and much different from home, i found myself missing it when i switched houses for the weekend. Its wierd how I hated HOlland the first few days and everyday i learn to love it more. Its weird that somewhere i never thought i could feel comfortable is now becoming somewhere i feel i fit:)
this weekend i am staying at nancys house in Ablasserdom! at oma timmermans house! its weird seeing pictures of corwin and his family all hanging in the house:) I am excited to get out of the house for the weekend and just have the chance to spend time with people. I'm also going to see the kinderdyke (thats spelled horribly wrong). It is the most famous windmill area in Holland with tons of windmills aparently. Also I think we will go and watch the soccer game somewhere cool like a bar or something of that sort:) it will be good times.
I dont know how much i'll write the next few days but dont worry... I am still alive my schedule is just off and I dont know when i'll have the chance to use internet!
I am becoming less and less homesick everyday. I think eventually I will be used to it here... maybe just before i leave though:)
this weekend i am staying at nancys house in Ablasserdom! at oma timmermans house! its weird seeing pictures of corwin and his family all hanging in the house:) I am excited to get out of the house for the weekend and just have the chance to spend time with people. I'm also going to see the kinderdyke (thats spelled horribly wrong). It is the most famous windmill area in Holland with tons of windmills aparently. Also I think we will go and watch the soccer game somewhere cool like a bar or something of that sort:) it will be good times.
I dont know how much i'll write the next few days but dont worry... I am still alive my schedule is just off and I dont know when i'll have the chance to use internet!
I am becoming less and less homesick everyday. I think eventually I will be used to it here... maybe just before i leave though:)
My children...
Here are my little children. They are as mischevious as they appear to be.
At the park where I met my new boyfriend
Playing at Oma's and Opa's with their old toys
When we took the bus to their grandparents house sara slept the way there... and the way back! 
chilling in the garden (thats what they call backyards with grass)
At the park where I met my new boyfriend
Playing at Oma's and Opa's with their old toys
When we took the bus to their grandparents house sara slept the way there... and the way back!
chilling in the garden (thats what they call backyards with grass)
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Good Day
Yesterday was what I would call a good day here. Not on home standards but in Holland even if its decent I'll label it as good. I got to get out of the house and speak english!
I visited Arron Griffeon in a town called Gouda. And yes i did buy some cheese while there!
I took the train there and they met me at the station because they drove there. I had to take 2 trains and transfer once in Den Hague! It was quite the journey. When i got off in Denhaag I had no idea what train I had to take next, but i knew it left pretty quick so I started to freak out a little bit.. but after a bit of a freak out and nervousness that I would have to catch the next train in half an hour and would be late for meeting Arron, I did find the right platform to leave from!
We spent the morning just exploring the market, walking around, and doing a little shopping. After a while our feet were getting tired so we went to a restaurant/cafe and had some pop! It tasted so good and it was nice to just be with people and chat!
Dont take the presence of people and someone to talk to for granted! I've learned that. Embrace the chance you have to share with people about your life, and here about theirs. When your alone and there is no one who cares about the adventures of your life and no one to talk to its hard so when you have that person or support of someone who just wants to be with you, BE WITH THEM!
Anyways enough on that tangent and words of wisdom I've learned while here! Seriously though, It was just so nice to have someone who knows me, and cared how i was doing. It was nice to just be able to talk about random things and walk and have someone to say " wow, thats pretty! or wow, thats a nice store" to. Like when walking by myself and I see something cool its like, wow Heidi thats nice! But i wish there was someone here who I could share all my wows with.
After we went to this cool park to eat lunch and it was beautifull! I took some really cool tree shots with Arrons AP art photo taking skills. It was fun!
At 3 arron and his family had to go, but I didn't want to head home yet because theres nothing to do at home. I was sad saying by to them! It brought back the severe homesick feelings once again. I tried to go shopping but there was no one to try it on and tell me it was nice. No one who cared! so I was too sad to be alone so I headed home. On the walk back to the station I talked to someone who I was walking beside. I was so proud of myself for making a conversation with a stranger. My first one that didn't involve asking for directions or which train i was supposed to take. It was nice to have someone to walk and talk with.
On the train I sat down and behind me was this guy sitting, and when i looked back, he was looking forward so I asked him if he speaks english. He said he knew it a little so I asked if I could come sit by him and chat. he said sure and moved his bags for me to come sit beside him. He was so nice and friendly and again I was so happy to be talking to someone even though we didn't know eachother at all. It was just great to be able to here my voice outloud because i realized at home i talk alot. Even on "quiet days" and here there is no one to talk to. I miss how my voice sounds when I'm talking about something that matters with someone I love. I know it may sound wierd to miss your own voice but when you never talk the sound of your voice becomes a beatifull thing!
I'm going to try and make today a Good day too! and then comes the weekend and I have great plans! I will tell you all about them once they occur!
I visited Arron Griffeon in a town called Gouda. And yes i did buy some cheese while there!
I took the train there and they met me at the station because they drove there. I had to take 2 trains and transfer once in Den Hague! It was quite the journey. When i got off in Denhaag I had no idea what train I had to take next, but i knew it left pretty quick so I started to freak out a little bit.. but after a bit of a freak out and nervousness that I would have to catch the next train in half an hour and would be late for meeting Arron, I did find the right platform to leave from!
We spent the morning just exploring the market, walking around, and doing a little shopping. After a while our feet were getting tired so we went to a restaurant/cafe and had some pop! It tasted so good and it was nice to just be with people and chat!
Dont take the presence of people and someone to talk to for granted! I've learned that. Embrace the chance you have to share with people about your life, and here about theirs. When your alone and there is no one who cares about the adventures of your life and no one to talk to its hard so when you have that person or support of someone who just wants to be with you, BE WITH THEM!
Anyways enough on that tangent and words of wisdom I've learned while here! Seriously though, It was just so nice to have someone who knows me, and cared how i was doing. It was nice to just be able to talk about random things and walk and have someone to say " wow, thats pretty! or wow, thats a nice store" to. Like when walking by myself and I see something cool its like, wow Heidi thats nice! But i wish there was someone here who I could share all my wows with.
After we went to this cool park to eat lunch and it was beautifull! I took some really cool tree shots with Arrons AP art photo taking skills. It was fun!
At 3 arron and his family had to go, but I didn't want to head home yet because theres nothing to do at home. I was sad saying by to them! It brought back the severe homesick feelings once again. I tried to go shopping but there was no one to try it on and tell me it was nice. No one who cared! so I was too sad to be alone so I headed home. On the walk back to the station I talked to someone who I was walking beside. I was so proud of myself for making a conversation with a stranger. My first one that didn't involve asking for directions or which train i was supposed to take. It was nice to have someone to walk and talk with.
On the train I sat down and behind me was this guy sitting, and when i looked back, he was looking forward so I asked him if he speaks english. He said he knew it a little so I asked if I could come sit by him and chat. he said sure and moved his bags for me to come sit beside him. He was so nice and friendly and again I was so happy to be talking to someone even though we didn't know eachother at all. It was just great to be able to here my voice outloud because i realized at home i talk alot. Even on "quiet days" and here there is no one to talk to. I miss how my voice sounds when I'm talking about something that matters with someone I love. I know it may sound wierd to miss your own voice but when you never talk the sound of your voice becomes a beatifull thing!
I'm going to try and make today a Good day too! and then comes the weekend and I have great plans! I will tell you all about them once they occur!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Simple Pleasures
I need to think about little thigns while I am here! The simple pleasures that bring me joy. Thats hard thing to do because I am a bigger picture thinker. I dont like to take only one day at a time. So now for the sake of me trying to look on the postive side I'm going to make a list of only good things
- I'm going to see Arron today! I hope... if I dont get lost in the process.
- Nancy and me are doing something this weekend and she is even coming here to pick me up so I dont have to try and find her with out getting lost
- The kids have daycare 2 days/week and I dont have to watch them on Saturdays or Sundays so really I just have one day left with them this week!
- I ate two pieces of bread for lunch yesterday and ate dinner. Maybe I am slowly getting back an appetite.
- Roelof emailed me back and we may be hanging out in 2 weeks so that gives me one more thing to look forward too.
- I went grocery shopping yesterday and bought oatmeal so I can start to make pooridge in a few weeks once I am able to eat without being nauseous.
- I biked somewhere today and I didn't even get lost! I kind of know where I live now!
So thats me looking on the Brightside. at least attmepting too. I had great adventures today but I'll write all about them later.
Oma and Opa save the Day
Today started a little rough with waking up again at 5:30 and just not wanting to start the day! But then I got to go grocery shopping for the mom while the kids played in the house with a friend of theres. After that I made lunch and we ate together... then comes the fun part. We rode the bus 40 minutes to the north end of Leiden where their grandparents live and spent the day with them. This made my job easy because Oma was in charge. We just played at their house for a while and then headed to the animal park and to buy new sandals.
Now the funnies part of my day! A man hit on me at the kids animal park where i was watching the kids. He had two kids of his own and still hit on me. This is an excerpt from our conversation
Him, "hey you speak english?"
me, "yeah,"
"where are you from?"
i'm from Canada, Your from here?
I'm from Morroco... but I live here now.
Then our conversation got a lot more intense really fast... He asked me if I come here often... I said no, its my first time, just at the grandparetns for the day. Then he told me he works at night but takes the kids to the park everyday around 3...
I'll be here tomorrow... He said to me. At 3;)
And i was like oh... well maybe we'll see you again... so weird!
Then 10 mintues later on in our conversation he came back after pushing his boy on the swing and told me I looked really nice! In a super creepy way with a weird look on his face. He then told me he hopes to see me again and proceeded to tell me more about his schedule, and when he works, and when he is at the park! sooo wierd! so anyways i thought i'd show you all a photo of my lovely new boyfriend from morroco who must be at least 30!
I took this photo of him stealthily... LIke i was pretending to take a picture of David and Sara's cousin aimee in the background. Haha. So yeah not the greatest guy to hit on me. If only he would have been younger and just wanted to be my friend!Tuesday, July 6, 2010
What a mess!
This morning started out just fine with me waking up at the usual 5:20... and trying to fall back asleep. I did this morning and when I heard the kids waking it was my cue to get up and dressed and down to their room to help them do the same. We had breakfast and it was the first meal I could eat without feeling nauseous since I got here so that was great!
Then after breakfast Carolina told me she was going backupstairs with the baby and Chris was off to work so I was in charge of the children. So we packed our bag with rollerskates and snacks and of course sunscreen and were headed to the park. Once we were out the door the kids had a melt down. The boy would not budge from hiding behind the door and just kept repeating the same thing over and over again but of course I had no idea what he was saying. Its especially frustating because I can't use any parenting techniques because they do not know what i'm saying to them. Like usually if one kids pouting I just pout back or say something like, fine you can stay here and cry and we'll go have fun rollerskating at the park! and then start walking and they always follow. But nothing worked because we both had no idea what the other was saying! so I came back inside and asked Chris who hadn't left yet to help out. Then we ended up just staying home because he wouldn't do anything else but play in the backyard. If all i do for the next eight weeks is play tag or soccer in the tiny tiny backyard I dont know what i'll do! It is honestly just so boring! I wish I could communicate.
Then after breakfast Carolina told me she was going backupstairs with the baby and Chris was off to work so I was in charge of the children. So we packed our bag with rollerskates and snacks and of course sunscreen and were headed to the park. Once we were out the door the kids had a melt down. The boy would not budge from hiding behind the door and just kept repeating the same thing over and over again but of course I had no idea what he was saying. Its especially frustating because I can't use any parenting techniques because they do not know what i'm saying to them. Like usually if one kids pouting I just pout back or say something like, fine you can stay here and cry and we'll go have fun rollerskating at the park! and then start walking and they always follow. But nothing worked because we both had no idea what the other was saying! so I came back inside and asked Chris who hadn't left yet to help out. Then we ended up just staying home because he wouldn't do anything else but play in the backyard. If all i do for the next eight weeks is play tag or soccer in the tiny tiny backyard I dont know what i'll do! It is honestly just so boring! I wish I could communicate.
Monday, July 5, 2010
The icecream shop
Who would have known that something as simple as an icecream shop would save me from getting very lost!
I talked to Justin this morning and he told me to go on an adventure and get out of the house, so I did. I asked if I could go biking and I was given maps of the area and set loose. I found the centre of the town I'm living in, but its small so I decided to bike farther, about a half an hour to Leiden just a little north of where I am. It took me a few attempts of looking at the map and retracing my steps to find my way to Leiden but i managed. When there I was a little overwhelmed because it is a city, not just a small town like where I live and the bikers are nuts. We had seperate lanes and I even went through a traffic circle only for bikes and there was a stop light seperate than that of the cars. There was the regular traffic lanes, the bike lanes and then the side walk. Its actually insane how people bike here. I am much more scared of bikes than of people because I haven't a clue of what all the signs mean so its a little scary at times.
On my way home after coffee and shopping for some necessities like toothpaste shampoo, conditioner and hair jell I tried to return home. I found my town back just fine but then I had no idea how I had gotten from my house to the edge of town. So I just biked and hoped I'd recognize something... but I didn't and felt like I had gone too far so I stopped and turned around. On the way back I was going slower and just really looking around for any signs of familiarity. Then there was the Icecream shop I had gone to the night before. I was so happy to see it... and even happier when I remembered how to get home from there. Oh the adventures. Next time I think I'll take the train because then I just have to remember stations and how to get to and from the station, but not a million street names that are too small to appear on the map!
So that was nuts.
Tonight I learned a little more dutch. We played tag and it was so much fun. I learned how to say, I'm it, or you're it... haha and then at bed time I got to read sara her nightime book so we read the word book they had given me when I arrived. I would point at a picture and attempt to sound out the word, and then if i was wrong she would say ne.... and then repeat it correctly. For some words i started to teach her the english words as well. We are sharing our knowledge with eachother and she's only 3. Who knew i could learn dutch from a 3 year old.
Also tonight I started to feel a little more at home. I didn't just hide out in my room after dinner but I went and talked with my "parents" and there was CSI on Tv followed by Bones which is one of my favorite shows ever. Although I didn't really watch because it was too quiet and we were busy talking it was nice to feel like I am atleast in the same universe! And there are still my detective shows on! And with dutch subtitles so maybe if I pay attention i'll learn a little more to read and such.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Heidi Poppins
Thats what my little children call me. Its really cute... I will try and get some photos of them up today but we will see how that goes. They are gone at daycare so I have the day free:)
I am hoping they will all of a sudden just start to get english! or i'll start to learn dutch! because otherwise I will get lonely pretty fast because I talk to them lots but they dont know what i'm saying... and they talk to me lots but i dont know what they are saying...
Yesterday they learnt a few lines!
"lets go" they use this frequently and repeat it over and over again when we are about to go somewhere. I think they are excited that they can say some things that i understand
"hello" They dont say this to much but they know how. Everytime i come back downstairs or I come by them the little boy David waves at me and says "Hello"
They also say goodbye, but I'm not going anywhere so I don't know when they will use this next.
So I woke up at 515 this morning because of some good old jetleg and I am hoping that I will be able to stay up later tonight so that I can sleep in longer tomorrow... but tomorrow is my first day of actual responsibilities I think so maybe I should get up on time.
Haha... just a side note but I just spell checked this and it all came up as spelling mistakes except a few words because it thinks I am writing in dutch. But i'm not.
Safe and Sound
This is the view of the neigborhood yards from my bedroom window. Its like there is a square of houses and then the inner section is all divided into yards. the picture does not due justice because its honestly such a cool view.
And here is the backyard where I ate lunch/breakfast/dinner today. I had missed alot of meals in a row because airplane food is disgusting and I felt nauseas in the airport and nothing looked goodenough to spend the big bucks on.
This is my bedroom... I have just started to unpack my things. But some things just don't belong anywhere.
Those of you who think we have steep stairs at my house in abby.. you have know idea how difficult it was to lug my suitcase up these stairs! It was such a workout I had to take a break in between bags. The top picture is to the main floor... and the bottom picture is the staircase up to my room on the third floor. I can't believe that this little house has three floors and the stairs literally are like ladders
Fire men in Chicaco O'haire
Fire men! They were all decked out. Some were carry big axes and all sorts of equiptment that I have no idea what it all was.
Airport adventures... My flight to calgary was very very empty... there was noone in the rows around me.
Then in calgary everyone apparently was going home becaue I am almost positive I am the only person from my flight who stayed in he airport. I made friends with a lovley securtity guard. He was old and couldn't speak great english:) but so kind! he showed me where the best sleeping locations are and explained to me the process of how to pick up my bag in the morning and where to go and what time i would be allowed to go to my gate. I then went to sleep. but I was a little concerned because i had no alarm and the airport was so quiet and i was so tired i thought i might sleep past 5am... but not to worry... it was freezing so i slept terribly... maybe an hour in total... but o well.
then my flight to chicago was uneventfull besides it was full and i was beside two girls but I am pretty sure we didn't say even one word to eachother...
now comes the kinda funny part. I got off my plane and the airport is crazy big. like I am terrified to walk around because there are so many people everywhere, and my flight is not yet listed on the departures board so i had not idea where to go. I asked a lady and she sent me to stand in a line for the shuttle service to a different terminal. So i got on and went over there and then tried to find custmer service beause i still had no idea whate gate i was supposed to be at. then the man looked up my flight, told me that my bags will be in HOlland when i get there and sent me back on the shuttle to the terminal and same gate i had just got off from! Kinda annoying but not a big deal considering i got here at a couple hours a go and i dont leave till 7 tonight. lots of time to kill:)
Then i found a place to sit and take out my lap top and all of a sudden it smelled like fire and like 20 mcdonalds employees came running and it was all smoky in the air. Then i heard there was a fire at he mcdonalds which was right beside the gate i was sitting in and like 5 fire trucks came and these fire men just started coming out of random doors... im not sure how though becaues we were like on teh second story... and they were walking on the ground and then all of a sudden they were right beside me:) they have cool colored trucks. (yellowy greenish) and cooler uniforms than our firemen. Plus its just cool that it says Chicago fire department on their jackets... but you probably dont appreciate that as much as me becaues we all know i love firemen:)
Then in calgary everyone apparently was going home becaue I am almost positive I am the only person from my flight who stayed in he airport. I made friends with a lovley securtity guard. He was old and couldn't speak great english:) but so kind! he showed me where the best sleeping locations are and explained to me the process of how to pick up my bag in the morning and where to go and what time i would be allowed to go to my gate. I then went to sleep. but I was a little concerned because i had no alarm and the airport was so quiet and i was so tired i thought i might sleep past 5am... but not to worry... it was freezing so i slept terribly... maybe an hour in total... but o well.
then my flight to chicago was uneventfull besides it was full and i was beside two girls but I am pretty sure we didn't say even one word to eachother...
now comes the kinda funny part. I got off my plane and the airport is crazy big. like I am terrified to walk around because there are so many people everywhere, and my flight is not yet listed on the departures board so i had not idea where to go. I asked a lady and she sent me to stand in a line for the shuttle service to a different terminal. So i got on and went over there and then tried to find custmer service beause i still had no idea whate gate i was supposed to be at. then the man looked up my flight, told me that my bags will be in HOlland when i get there and sent me back on the shuttle to the terminal and same gate i had just got off from! Kinda annoying but not a big deal considering i got here at a couple hours a go and i dont leave till 7 tonight. lots of time to kill:)
Then i found a place to sit and take out my lap top and all of a sudden it smelled like fire and like 20 mcdonalds employees came running and it was all smoky in the air. Then i heard there was a fire at he mcdonalds which was right beside the gate i was sitting in and like 5 fire trucks came and these fire men just started coming out of random doors... im not sure how though becaues we were like on teh second story... and they were walking on the ground and then all of a sudden they were right beside me:) they have cool colored trucks. (yellowy greenish) and cooler uniforms than our firemen. Plus its just cool that it says Chicago fire department on their jackets... but you probably dont appreciate that as much as me becaues we all know i love firemen:)
Here is a photo of the mcdonalds employes surrounding me!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
I can't hear you.
When my ticket was purchased I was labeled as deaf. I'm not sure why but I never knew until after I checked in and dropped off my bag. When we were checking in I was distracted so my Dad did all the talking to the lady but she was acting bizarre. She was always coming really close to talk to me, and making sure i could "read her lips" when she spoke. She was whisperng the whole time I guess in order not to offend my family... Once were had checked my bags which proved to be difficult becaues she kept trying to talk to me and was invading my space... we were taking a picture by a stuffed moose, and my mom was holding my papers and such, and my mom was like, hey Heidi... your deaf... and then it all made sense. I laughed so hard. My stomach was so sore afterward, and all of us were just in hysterics. I laughed so hard i cried. I never imagined crying due to laughing at the airport... I had always imagined crying because I'm sad...
In calgary after my long layover... I was called to the front desk at the gate before my flight and the lady asked me some dumb questions... i'm guessing that she was trying to see if i was deaf or not... Then I could tell she was nervous to ask me something, so she turned the computer screen my way so I could read it... and she asked if i was deaf... haha.
Now its removed from my ticket... which i sad because i liked being talked to slow and looked in the eye when talked to. Its been an adventue so far... more later.... and some pics of cool firemen:)
In calgary after my long layover... I was called to the front desk at the gate before my flight and the lady asked me some dumb questions... i'm guessing that she was trying to see if i was deaf or not... Then I could tell she was nervous to ask me something, so she turned the computer screen my way so I could read it... and she asked if i was deaf... haha.
Now its removed from my ticket... which i sad because i liked being talked to slow and looked in the eye when talked to. Its been an adventue so far... more later.... and some pics of cool firemen:)
Friday, July 2, 2010
Goodbye
Yesterday I said to significant goodbyes and then today, a whole pile more. I hate it. I truly do. I hate it because I don't know when I will see them next, or how they will have changed, or how I will have changed. I decided I'm just not a big fan of lots of changes all at once. I am so excited. I am so so so excited to be in a different culture, with a different language, and I get to meet people, and shop and experience Holland. I can go visit people, and people watch, and go running and use a dutch bicycle. Just in my mind right now the cons of going away outway the pros but I am sure that once I get there I will realize that the pros really do outway the cons and that I'm gonna have the time of my life! I think I really just need to walk through security and settle down in my terminal with my carryon in hand and my magazine and my candy's and such and just be.
A lot has happend in the last month;
A lot has happend in the last month;
- First prom which had been anticipated since I was five and then was the time of my life and over in a flash.
- Then two failed attempts at a grad campout and the experiences that came with that.
- Then commencment. My speech, walking across the stage, realizing that I am truly done with High School and my life holds a multitude of unknowns.
- and now.. LEAVING. Its gonna be great. It really will. But I still have to go through the motions of saying goodbye. Otherpeople leaving has never been that hard for me, but being the one to leave is weird because you are definitally directly affected.
All in all though its been a great last month, and my Farewell today/night was a blast. A little red rain combined with fireworks and soccer and of course dont forget those glowsticks. The beach was a blast and God kept the rain away from us all day long. It seemed to run the other way!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)