You've Got a Friend in Me
Originally written on November 23, 2009
Originally written on November 23, 2009
So today Ian and I got to have an adventure after school. Instead of driving home as usual, we got to take a bus to the station and then catch the train home to Assen. (Why? Because Esther and Sara were using the car.) Buses and trains are not how Ian usually travels, so he was rather excited about the commute home.
Sometimes I really wish I could see the world through that six year old's eyes... So much awe and wonder. I wish I could hop on a bus and be completely ecstatic about the ride ahead. Or even look out the train window in half of the amazement he did....
Anywho, while walking from our bus to the station, Ian had all of his school bags. Between his gym bag and his regular backpack, things were getting tougher for him to manage the more we walked. So he finally asked me if I could carry his backpack. My response to this was, "Of course, but only because you asked so nicely and you're such a good friend." When Ian heard this, he looked at me, eyes wide, and said, "I'm your friend? Really?". It was the cutest thing. Especially when I reassured him that he was one of my better friends here in the Netherlands and a coy little grin spread across his face.
It's the little moments like that make me so happy to be here. :)
...So the fact that Berna De Boer is telling me how to speak Dutch in Dutch only confuses me and loses me more...
So yeah, I guess most of my weekend and next week will be spent listening to Dutch dialogues and making vocabulary flash cards...
(For those of you who don't know me, let me just say that the above statement is hopeful, but highly doubtful, thinking.)
So come that Wednesday at 9* o'clock in the morning, I urge you all to say a little prayer for me.
*For those of you in West Tennessee, that would be 2 a.m. And for those of you in East Tennesee, that would be 3.
Sometimes I really wish I could see the world through that six year old's eyes... So much awe and wonder. I wish I could hop on a bus and be completely ecstatic about the ride ahead. Or even look out the train window in half of the amazement he did....
Anywho, while walking from our bus to the station, Ian had all of his school bags. Between his gym bag and his regular backpack, things were getting tougher for him to manage the more we walked. So he finally asked me if I could carry his backpack. My response to this was, "Of course, but only because you asked so nicely and you're such a good friend." When Ian heard this, he looked at me, eyes wide, and said, "I'm your friend? Really?". It was the cutest thing. Especially when I reassured him that he was one of my better friends here in the Netherlands and a coy little grin spread across his face.
It's the little moments like that make me so happy to be here. :)
F is For...
Originally started on November 30, 2009
Originally started on November 30, 2009
..I'm F'ing F'ed.
This morning in Dutch class, I learned that we will have our first test on Wednesday, December 9th.
Shit.
I am so far behind in that class that I am beginning to doubt that there is any hope for me at all. Every Monday and Wednesday, it takes every fiber of being in me to go sit in class and listen cluelessly as my docent* teaches in Dutch...
*docent= teacher in Dutch
I don't know Dutch.
I don't understand (most) Dutch.
And many times, when Dutch is spoken to me, I can't even tell where one word ends and the next begins.
This morning in Dutch class, I learned that we will have our first test on Wednesday, December 9th.
Shit.
I am so far behind in that class that I am beginning to doubt that there is any hope for me at all. Every Monday and Wednesday, it takes every fiber of being in me to go sit in class and listen cluelessly as my docent* teaches in Dutch...
*docent= teacher in Dutch
I don't know Dutch.
I don't understand (most) Dutch.
And many times, when Dutch is spoken to me, I can't even tell where one word ends and the next begins.
...So the fact that Berna De Boer is telling me how to speak Dutch in Dutch only confuses me and loses me more...
So yeah, I guess most of my weekend and next week will be spent listening to Dutch dialogues and making vocabulary flash cards...
(For those of you who don't know me, let me just say that the above statement is hopeful, but highly doubtful, thinking.)
So come that Wednesday at 9* o'clock in the morning, I urge you all to say a little prayer for me.
*For those of you in West Tennessee, that would be 2 a.m. And for those of you in East Tennesee, that would be 3.
A Holiday Song
Originally written December 1, 2009
Originally written December 1, 2009
So we are gearing up for the SinterKlaas holiday around here. And in honor of it, Ian taught me this song tonight before going to bed:
Sinterklaas kapoentje
Gooi watin mijn schoentje
Gooi wat in mijn laarsje
Dank u, Sinterklaasje
Gooi watin mijn schoentje
Gooi wat in mijn laarsje
Dank u, Sinterklaasje
Twas the Night Before SinterKlaas
Originally started on December 4, 2009
Originally started on December 4, 2009
And all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring.... Well, except for me blogging.
So tomorrow is the typical Dutch holiday SinterKlaas.
Thus, we have all left a shoe in the fireplace in hopes that Sinter Klaas and his Zwarte Peiten* will leave us some gifts and goodies...
*His black helpers.
The kids and I can't wait to see what we find stuffed in our shoes come morning!
And don't worry, I'll be sure to fill all you readers in on tomorrow's festivities!
Not a creature was stirring.... Well, except for me blogging.
So tomorrow is the typical Dutch holiday SinterKlaas.
Thus, we have all left a shoe in the fireplace in hopes that Sinter Klaas and his Zwarte Peiten* will leave us some gifts and goodies...
*His black helpers.
The kids and I can't wait to see what we find stuffed in our shoes come morning!
And don't worry, I'll be sure to fill all you readers in on tomorrow's festivities!
We Wish You A Happy SinterKlaas!
Originally written on December 5, 2009
Originally written on December 5, 2009
Happy SinterKlaas!!
This morning I awoke around 9 a.m.--which is a complete miracle for me on a Saturday morning. I guess it was the anticipation of seeing what Sinter Klaas had left in my red Converse!
When I went downstairs to the living room, this is what I saw:
Sinter Klaas and his Zwarte Peiten had indeed left us all some goodies!
The kids and I all got chocolate letters (for our names), which is a very typical SinterKlaas gift. We--Esther and Stefan included--also each got one small gift each.
Since my family here is actually Swiss, they don't celebrate SinterKlaas as much as the Dutch do. In a Dutch home, today is the done when all gift-giving is done. That way, Christmas is reserved solely for the celebration of the birth of Christ.
(...And that just reminds me of what Tom Harrison always says this time of year: "Remember the Reason for the Season!")
Thus, this not being a traditional Dutch home, we did not do as much for the holiday. However, we did spend the evening after dinner taking in one of my favorite Christmas movies... Home Alone! Oh how I loved that movie as a kid! "Keep the change you filthy animal!" Anyone remember that line?!?!
So though you weren't celbrating in America, I hope you all at least had a wonderful day!
This morning I awoke around 9 a.m.--which is a complete miracle for me on a Saturday morning. I guess it was the anticipation of seeing what Sinter Klaas had left in my red Converse!
When I went downstairs to the living room, this is what I saw:
Sinter Klaas and his Zwarte Peiten had indeed left us all some goodies!
The kids and I all got chocolate letters (for our names), which is a very typical SinterKlaas gift. We--Esther and Stefan included--also each got one small gift each.
Since my family here is actually Swiss, they don't celebrate SinterKlaas as much as the Dutch do. In a Dutch home, today is the done when all gift-giving is done. That way, Christmas is reserved solely for the celebration of the birth of Christ.
(...And that just reminds me of what Tom Harrison always says this time of year: "Remember the Reason for the Season!")
Thus, this not being a traditional Dutch home, we did not do as much for the holiday. However, we did spend the evening after dinner taking in one of my favorite Christmas movies... Home Alone! Oh how I loved that movie as a kid! "Keep the change you filthy animal!" Anyone remember that line?!?!
So though you weren't celbrating in America, I hope you all at least had a wonderful day!
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