kristininholland

I Promised Snow

When we had made our decision to move to the Netherlands, we developed a game plan on how to best acclimate our almost four year old to the world changing news: He would soon be leaving the land of his birth, his American family and friends, and the sunny central coast of California, home toContinue reading “I Promised Snow”

Ezra learns about the Helaal

I remember being in a classroom as a child, but I don’t remember school wide projects focused on one theme. Perhaps those early years in college spent with the reggae band Jah-Bone had a blurring effect on my early childhood memories. Yet this memory of Ezra’s school is clear and fresh, so I’ll write aboutContinue reading “Ezra learns about the Helaal”

Commuting by Bike in Holland

Upon arrival, one of the first things our Dutch family provided for us, besides a ride from the airport and a place to sleep, was a pair of bicycles. Nice bikes. Not a gift, but bikes on loan until we had our own. It seems a Dutch man without a bicycle is like an AmericanContinue reading “Commuting by Bike in Holland”

Re-entering the Fray

I’ve seen movies where someone is treading along and then all of a sudden their world changes drastically. This past weekend, we had two such moments; perhaps not film worthy moments, but in the sphere of our Dutch existence, an ode to Dylan’s times, they are a changing. Friday, Arie headed to Amsterdam for aContinue reading “Re-entering the Fray”

Dutch Friends, Dutch Sandstorms and Buurvrouws

This past weekend we visited friends in Amsterdam. I was especially looking forward to our visit, as I like the way Arie Jan settles into a rhythm with these friends, despite a gap of a year or so between visits. Gonnie and Arie were in the same philosophy program together, and there is something special about having friendsContinue reading “Dutch Friends, Dutch Sandstorms and Buurvrouws”

Noordermarkt, Proust and Overhead Lamps

This past Saturday, we headed to our old digs of Amsterdam to go on a walkabout and meet up with friends. As we left Central Train station and headed into the city, I excitedly pointed out old landmarks: “There’s the street I would take to bike to Dam Square,” or “this is the canal that has that little vegetarianContinue reading “Noordermarkt, Proust and Overhead Lamps”

Thoughts on Egypt and their Military

Over the past few weeks, I have skimmed articles in Dutch newspapers about Egypt. The pictures speak a thousand words, but in this case, I had one thing wrong; I had envisioned the high number of injuries as a result of brute military force. Yet, the pictures did not show a line of soldiers withContinue reading “Thoughts on Egypt and their Military”

An Ugly Crack in Dutch Hospitality toward Asylum Seekers

Wednesday in Dutch class, the teacher circulated copies of a daily newspaper, and in pairs, we chose articles to read from the paper. Each pair was to give a summary of the article to the class and share five words they found moeilijk (difficult). Sounds straightforward enough. Although two women chose a harmless article about aContinue reading “An Ugly Crack in Dutch Hospitality toward Asylum Seekers”

Vicarious epiphany: Insights from The Art of Living and the process of letting go

Okay. The process of letting go is far too complex to be solved in any one blog post. Yet, I feel compelled to share with you what I experienced a few days ago in an “Art of Living” based meditation http://nl.artofliving.eu/ I was provided a little bit of wisdom that is already working wonders in my ability to breatheContinue reading “Vicarious epiphany: Insights from The Art of Living and the process of letting go”

Mijn Nederslandse les

I have signed up for Dutch classes designed for foreigners like myself who have a child attending a Dutch school. The course if offered for free to the mother’s of children at the school who need to learn Dutch. There was no mention of fathers. Only mothers. And, there are only mothers in my class.Continue reading “Mijn Nederslandse les”