Well... I'm sitting here with my latop at 9.50pm, Klaas is watching soccer (called 'voetbal' over here) and The Netherlands are winning, so all is well :P
I'm starting to feel more 'at home' here, although at times I do get very homesick, and miss being able to speak English and visit my dear ones whenever I feel like. We have an Australian flag hanging up in our 'living room', a boomerang sits on the windowsill, and I still have a tiny bit of milo left (no vegemite, unfortunately) so there are bits and pieces here that remind me of home.
Sometimes I Skype my family, which is really nice. Last Sunday most of the family was home (minus Max & Melissa) so we had a family chat session. Was great to still feel like 'part of the pack' even though we're 15000km away.
We have worked hard at making our rooms at the top of the stairs homey, as much as is possible with the limited space that we have. We went to Ikea with a voucher that we got from our wedding and bought a new rug and a coffee table.
The glass jar from our signing table at the wedding is now on the table...
A 'forget-me-not' from a dear friend sits on the windowsill...
And we hung a few of my pictures up...
The rest of my stuff comes on Thursday (HOORAY!!) and I'm still trying to decide what I'm most excited about - being able to snuggle on the couch, having a queen sized bed again (instead of two singles), or having my piano. My kitchen stuff also comes, so I'll have my mixer again, and my cake pans so I can bake again! Klaas' parents bought an oven for me to use and I'm really looking forward to using it! Baking gives me a sense of satisfaction, having accomplished something which others can enjoy too. It brings me right back to my childhood, when mum would let me sit on the kitchen bench so I could watch her make biscuits and cake every Saturday.
Life is different here, to be sure. People speak a different language, tobacco is available next to the counter, alcohol can be bought in any old supermarket and cars drive on the 'wrong' side of the road. There are things that I don't like so much (like not being able to buy milo or tea leaves) and things that I do like. One things that's great is that, at least on the street we live on, everyone knows everyone. We go for walks in the evening and when we see certain neighbours we will stop and talk. It's very 'gezellig' (and no, 'cozy' doesn't quite cut it ;)).
Last blog post I promised some pictures of our 'second wedding'. The credit for these two images go to our very generous friend, Marc.
On the steps of the 'Borg Verhildersum' - an old 17th century manor house
On a bridge near the borg
We had perfect weather - the sun shone all afternoon, and there was only a very light drizzle in the morning. Klaas' relatives and friends all came in the evening, and there were a LOT of people who I didn't know!! My family also made the trip up here (my Uncle Cees and his wife Yolanda, along with my Opa, Oma and two aunties) and I really loved having a little part of my family there with me.
In the last week we also travelled to Breda for my Opa Muilenburg's birthday (they are visiting Holland at the moment). I met MANY of my Dutch relatives (I don't remember half of them anymore) including two of my cousins (sons of Uncle Cees) and their families. I would put up some photos, but it's getting pretty late, so I am going to have to leave it there.
When my things come in the shipping container I'll upload a few photos :) (as well as some from Opa's birthday) I can't wait!!
