Den Haag – Page 3 – kristininholland

5 Museums in 6 Days Poopoo Head!

Whenever European friends came to visit us in the U.S., our provincial town of Santa Barbara seemed like a little hiccup on their tour de force itinerary: Hiking Half Dome in Yosemite, photographing the bubbling mudspots and geysers of Yellowstone, craning their necks skyward under General Sherman in Sequoia National Park, The Getty Museum, San Francisco’s De Young Museum, Hollywood and so forth. IContinue reading “5 Museums in 6 Days Poopoo Head!”

Following your Passion

I once dated a very talented musician from Los Angeles, and when I asked him for advice on how to be a great sax player, he had just two words for me: just play. They say that when you’re uninspired, to go forth anyway. They say that if you want to make the transition from mediocre to goodContinue reading “Following your Passion”

Going to see the Swami

Swami Sukhchaitanya was scheduled to speak from 1:00-4:00 p.m. on the third floor of a vacant office building in Den Haag. As we drove with a friend through the gray afternoon on our way to the event, we talked about the Art of Living. I have only been to one Art of Living event before,Continue reading “Going to see the Swami”

I’ve been Prined!

Last Sunday we decided to skip church and go see a swami instead. Skipping church, when your house is attached to a church, is no easy feat for an x-Catholic. Because even though I am an independent adult, that stereotypical guilt pops up like a self-flagellating nun on my shoulder, honing in on my every action. Do you hear those peopleContinue reading “I’ve been Prined!”

Default Parenting versus Compassionate Parenting

Parenting Parenting is challenging and unlike any job I’ve ever had. You must be equipped to deal with everything from tantrums to booger flicking, trying to explain who or what God is and why people die, make vegetables and fruits more appealing than icecream and candy and develop an infinite amount of patience. But sometimes the challenge liesContinue reading “Default Parenting versus Compassionate Parenting”

Our First Visit from the U.S.

Wednesday afternoon at 20 minutes after one I looked out the kitchen window and saw Lauren and Nico walking up our street, small travel bags over their shoulders. I knew they were coming. I had known for months they were coming. But seeing them there, within the context of our new Dutch lives, sent aContinue reading “Our First Visit from the U.S.”

Fire Engine, Police Car, Ambulance

Fire Engine In honor of Queen’s Day, April 30th, we hung the Dutch flag along with an orange banner on the flag pole outside the church. But instead of flapping gently in the breeze in honor of Queen Beatrix and the former Queen Juliana, the flag entangled itself in a large branch of an adjacent tree.Continue reading “Fire Engine, Police Car, Ambulance”

Shopping like a Dutchie

It is the subtle, day to day differences that bring home the fact you are not in Kansas anymore, but living in a foreign country. Our trip to the Dutch grocery store Albert Hein yesterday made this all too clear. First, the entire store is like a never ending Dutch lesson. Even if you know the basics–banaan,Continue reading “Shopping like a Dutchie”

Flower Power

I have received more bouquets of flowers in our last few months in Holland than I did in the last few years in the United States. Poor thing, you may think. She must not have a very romantic husband. On the contrary, my husband can be very romantic, but spontaneous bouquets of flowers have neverContinue reading “Flower Power”