Expatriate Bitching Living

In response to:where are? what next?

2009-10-24T19:53:10+02:00

I'm an american living in the netherlands and wasnt sure if you were still here or not..but wanted to say Hello and can relate to some of your frustrations..

In response to:Handbags

2008-11-04T03:25:49+01:00

We sell replica designer handbag at Evoguemall

In response to:where are? what next?

2008-03-17T20:33:51+01:00

Hello stranger.
So sorry things are no more certain for you but well done for sticking your ground, I really hope you can find a better compromise.

In response to:Expat living

2008-02-17T11:34:57+01:00

I think the only thing that scares me at the moment is trying to find somewhere to live.. Im thinking I need to get a place first, but don't know how to do that whilst im over here.. Work im going to try and find the first month im out there, im hoping its not going to be that hard, even though my dutch sucks, lol. Thanks for the links, have just got back from Amsterdam so will have to give access a ring and get some info over the phone.

My friends are in Zutphen, and yes, definately cheaper and im guessing more accomadation as EVERYONE wants to live in Amsterdam!

In response to:Expat living

2008-02-17T11:31:54+01:00

Yes, Gelderlands is probably more beautiful and certainly cheaper to live in than the Ranstad, but its also quieter, more religious and less international.

Amersfoort is a beautiful medieval centered city with lots of new "city" developments to the North - Hoogland, Vathorst. Its easy to commute from as the train station is central and gets you to Schipol in 45 mins and Amsterdam in under 30 mins and there are some international employers in the area.

Re the websites I sent, ACCESS is an organisation that helps foreigners to settle and if you visit Amsterdam arrange a visit to meet one of their volunteers to talk about moving here - they really are a mindful of information and support, plus the books they sell are very good reference guides for moving over here.

In response to:Expat living

2008-02-17T11:28:22+01:00

If you feel you want to try living somewhere else so much, then give it a try. Do as much preparation about living in Holland as possible before you move. Take the rose coloured specs off first. The reality of living somewhere everyday and experiencing for a holiday are very different.

http://www.expatica.com/nl/main.html

http://www.access-nl.org/

Also check out one of my "friends" blog - Cocktailer - she's based in Amsterdam

In response to:Expat living

2008-02-17T11:22:10+01:00

Didn't realise you were in the Gelderlands too, have been through Amersfoort on my way to Zutphen. :)

In response to:Expat living

2008-02-17T11:18:57+01:00

Im from the UK too, I always spend my holidays in Holland and really love the country. maybe im seeing it through rose tinted spex at the moment as I havent had the experience you have, im hoping to have that soon though. Its nice to see you have had experience of other countries to though. Its a shame you miss Calforia so much though..

In response to:Expat living

2008-02-17T11:15:32+01:00

Hi EFW (interesting story there I imagine)

Very different places - from A - Z literally. Have you visited both?

I'm English, raised between Yorkshire and Surrey as a child, spent time in Israel, went to London for Uni and never left until 2002 when followed him to Dublin, 2004 Holland, 2006 California, 2007 Holland again.

I have to admit its a great country to live in lots of ways but in others I find I'm very bored and a little fed up at times with Dutch bloodymindedness/ directness. Plus I miss California - I felt very at home there.

In response to:Expat living

2008-02-17T11:08:06+01:00

I want to go and live in Holland soon, Im torn between Amsterdam and Zutphen in Gelderlands, Im going to look forward to reading your experiences. Where are you originally from?

In response to:School - its getting better

2007-10-31T17:39:43+01:00

That's good news :yes:

In response to:School Year 2

2007-09-09T01:33:02+02:00

Hope that your boy has settled down into his new class now, yes it is unfortunate that he took your promise so literally. Sometimes it is hard for us to remember what it feels like to be 4years old and unable to control things that affect our lives.

In response to:School Year 2

2007-08-28T15:27:12+02:00

Well that's more proof that something very odd happened there and that teacher isn't worth the paper her contract is printed on

In response to:Here again

2007-08-26T12:31:55+02:00

Thanks. I think we'd have had a miserable holiday if the rain had stayed as per July. Thankfully we were lucky!

If boy cheerfully goes into school for a continuing period it will be the first time since he started at creche at 9 months!!!!

Fingers crossed!

In response to:Here again

2007-08-26T12:29:44+02:00

Thanks. I've got my fingers crossed! I hadn't realised how stressed the situation was making me feel and him on top of the "stay or go" issues. Post hol blues biting today a bit, but its better than I expected!

In response to:Here again

2007-08-26T09:35:23+02:00

You have been lucky with the weather over here Nic

It has been mainly dreadful.

It's always a weight from your mind when you know they are happy just to go to school.....

So a result all round then ;)

In response to:Here again

2007-08-26T07:26:07+02:00

I'm sooooo glad he's happier at school, bet that helps you get past the post-holiday blues a lot easier

In response to:Car!

2007-07-23T17:31:18+02:00

Hi Kevin

Yes, its finally here and perhaps the car knows -doesn't want to drive on the wrong side, doesn't like the thought of the weather!? The weather is awful in UK isn't it. Good job you're on an island it seems. Here in the flat queendom we're every ready for floods.

So here's to more sun or dry than rain for the first 3 weeks of August please!

There are plenty 4 seat converts on the market - VW Eon/aon whatever, Peugeot, Audi, Merc, BMW, Renault, Poker (Porsche) but he wants an italian job - he's paying what can I say.

In response to:Car!

2007-07-23T17:24:30+02:00

so the big trip gets ever nearer!
the weather's so awful here it's just as well you're not coming over just yet. should be fine by the weekend!
you can get 4 seater convertibles, i'm sure...maybe peugeot do one?

In response to:Oh sod it

2007-07-22T08:43:11+02:00

Thanks! Its been several months of worry unfortunately, think its beginning to settle but its not right.

Re jobs - feedback honestly given - I don't speak enough dutch and I don't have relevant/ recent work experience. Not said reasons are ageist, sexist

In response to:Oh sod it

2007-07-21T21:59:18+02:00

Gosh, sounds like a day in my life at the moment. But you have to think that all this stuff is happening in one go, meaning things will really improve for months to come.

With the job situation, I am confident it will sort itself out both for your husband and for you. You should just badger the recruiters to give you some feedback if you're not getting anywhere too - they can be a pain at times! :)

In response to:Oh sod it

2007-07-17T22:13:40+02:00

Not gone to bed just yet - I'm writing an assignment on women's mental health issues!!!

Thanks for your thoughts and hugs. Appreciate it!

In response to:Oh sod it

2007-07-17T22:07:58+02:00

I feel really bad for you. It must be so frustrating, and not being able to discuss it sensibly with him must make it 100 times worse. Hugs

In response to:Oh sod it

2007-07-17T21:54:50+02:00

Sadly, yes, many times in the past 9 months. Its now into not discussing it all and certainly I'm not getting any feedback on work anymore - I had asked him to have a meeting with his boss re our staying and that it would cost him our relationship. That happened last Monday as far I was told. I've not been told anything else since. I'm not the one who is ostrich like. There again its not my career is it.

Sorry been a bit bitter! Off to bed now.

In response to:Oh sod it

2007-07-17T21:51:00+02:00

Have you not told him how you feel?

In response to:Oh sod it

2007-07-17T21:40:43+02:00

Some days yes and since they've changed this blogdom I am not able to log in - have managed now only by going in by the URLs for my site on your comment email notification!

Car back in garage today and still not right, back in again tomorrow.

He asked me if I wanted dental cover as we have to change our health insurance as we move off expatriate benefits and I almost punched his teeth out - I just don't want to do this at all.

T's off from school his vacation started on 6 july and is driving me nuts - can't study, can't shop, won't behave when out. I am just feeling trapped about it all.

Still I saw a beautiful red squirrel today! Never seen one here before - he ran across my driveway into my back garden, up the side of the garage and into a large tree. That was lovely to see. Reminded me of childhood and Tufty the Road Crossing Squirrel.

In response to:Oh sod it

2007-07-17T21:27:55+02:00

Oh, dear, m'dear - are things that bad then?

In response to:Alan Johnston 110

2007-07-04T08:16:17+02:00

What great news to hear this morning!!!! Alan's released.

In response to:Oh sod it

2007-07-02T12:02:31+02:00

The weather sure is crap

In response to:Oh sod it

2007-06-30T15:24:40+02:00

Thanks Kevin.

Whats a smile?

Huup tha' hud a neece time in Yorksheere.