Spring is a time of rebirth and a time of reinventing. Unfortunately for me, I’m still sick, I can’t spend time outside without being too cold and coughing up a storm. How else can I pump myself up without being able to bask in the sunlight? By doing my nails! It seems like a trivial thing, I know but there’s something about painting my nails that’s both comforting and rejuvenating. So while I can’t enjoy the spring flowers all day, at least…
Spring is finally here and with it comes the warm sun, balmy breezes, and bright evenings that extend past 9pm. As with any season, the Dutch have adapted to make the most of it and that includes bringing the natural freshness of the outdoors inside. So how exactly do they make their homes feel like an outdoor retreat? Keep windows open First things first, open as many windows as you possibly can. This is a simple and obvious method but…
I’ve been out of commission for most of this week thanks to a sudden flu attack. While I’m not 100% over it, I still have some things to do before the weekend. So what’s the best way to get a jump on things even if you still feel lousy? Get clean One of the first things I do after being sick is clean everything. I wash my sheets and wipe down anything I might have touched. It seems like a…
When you think of traditional noble families and the sprawling castles they called home, you can’t forget the massive plots of land they kept for entertainment. Most nobility had the coin to keep large gardens and Erenstein Castle (this page is in Dutch!) is no exception. Dating back to the 14th century, this castle is kept so well that it looks and feels relevant today. It probably doesn’t help that it doubles as a hotel but still. A part of Dutch…
Fall Out Boy, live at AFAS… How can I convey just how long I’ve waited to see these guys live? The lights dimmed and a beautiful CG ocean popped up on the big screen with a timer in the upper right corner. The audience didn’t even wait to start screaming. Once the timer had dropped to zero, a voluminous sheet descended and the band emerged from within. I have three bands that I adore and would follow forever. Fall Out…
Spending time with family is very important to the Dutch. Since The Netherlands is such a tiny country, it’s pretty easy for family to get together for the holidays. One very popular and easy to prepare meal setting is the gourmetten spread. I’ve mentioned it previously but I’ve never talked about how to recreate one. If you come from America, picture something like a Korean BBQ at home. You gather together and spend time chatting in a comfortable environment with friends…
Vondelpark is huge. Wait that might be an understatement. Vondelpark is colossal! It’s also a real landmark of Amsterdam and one that should be on every to do list. It’s 120 acres of lush life right in the heart of the city. With so much to see and do, it can quickly become overwhelming. However I’d like to share some tips to help make it an enjoyable experience. How to get there Thankfully Vondelpark is accessible in a number of ways.…
Finally. I know you’re taking to show yourself in The Netherlands but at least I know you’re here. I haven’t been more excited for you to arrive. There are a number of reasons I’m so thankful for your arrival. First and foremost because of the warm weather. While I enjoy wearing hoodies, it can get old after 6 months. I want to wear shorts and sneakers again. I want to feel light and free when I leave the house. I…
One of the most important things about moving to a new country, is learning the language. Understanding the world around you is a very human thing. We’re curious and most of us actively seek knowledge on a daily basis. Thinking about new words, grammar rules and vocabulary often gets me thinking on where those words originated. I often discuss these topics with my Dutch tutor and there are days where she’ll need some time to think about a Dutch word’s origin.…