It’s been three months since we arrived in the Netherlands. Our lives have felt busy, but in retrospect, most of our effort has simply been daily logistics. We moved into our rijtjeshuis (basically a small townhouse) on March 1st and feel reasonably settled. We’re still awaiting the arrival of our car and possessions (three months!!), but the bi-weekly explanations that it will take another two weeks have become so regular as to be unremarkable.
Throughout March, Chris was consumed with studying for the massive exam that will allow him to practice as a chiropractor here. It was with great relief that he finally took the test in early April and now has guiltless free time before re-starting language classes next week. I occupied myself learning and practicing Dutch, which means that I can now reliably read cooking instructions, marking a dramatic improvement in our menu variety. I watch kid’s TV-news and read young adult fiction for practice, so my world is delightfully devoid of politics and full of baby pandas and innocent first romances. It’s quite lovely.
Walking around old Amersfoort on an early spring day.
The biggest challenge over the past two months has certainly been our work lives. For Chris, the crazy chiropractor exam. For me, still figuring out how to position myself here. I brought enough work with me to not be super-motivated work-wise, but not enough to feel like I shouldn’t be super-motivated (as one friend would say, I’m “should-ing” all over myself 😊). I have new ideas and a vision of where I want to be – the type of work, the balance, the energy – but getting there feels exhausting. Daily, I remind self-judgey-Vicki that while language learning and logistics aren’t capital-W Work, they are still intensive and tiring...so back the heck off! On the plus side, while feeling out entrepreneurship here, I’ve connected online and in-person with some truly lovely, supportive, and savvy women, which is a very encouraging start.
On the home front, spring is in full force in Amersfoort (Vermonters, you might want to skip this paragraph). Crocuses in early March gave way to daffodils and now to abundant tree blossoms and cut grass smells. The window is open as I write this. Daylight already lasts until past 9 pm. We've agreed that we accidentally arrived in the Netherlands at the right time, because our environment is only getting prettier as we get settled. We've adopted a football team and are enjoying their last home matches; we have plans for longer bike rides and more local sightseeing as the weather improves; and the old center of Amersfoort has dozens of outside cafes for easy refreshment. Now all we need are the summer clothes held hostage in our car...
Happy Spring (sorry, Vermont)!
Liefs, Vicki & Chris
An afternoon bike ride along the river out of town. Coming from Vermont, the population density here has been quite an adjustment and it's nice to discover quiet natural spaces.
We've become proud supporters of our local professional football team. Go FC Utrecht!!!!!!
Chris's chiropractic office sponsors a local amateur football team in Nijkerk. Somewhat more brute force than ball skill, but a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon!
A street fair in Nijkerk (Chris works in the white building on the right).
Abundant tree blossoms. The Dutch are absolutely crazy about their flowers, indoors and out!