BlondebutBright

Sitting still

2012-01-22T09:41:00.000+01:00

A traveling hiatus. A year of sitting still. This is what I'm contemplating at the start of 2012. Why does that make me so uncomfortable? It may sound crazy, but I certainly wouldn't miss visiting new places. In fact, after our last trip - five weeks, seven hotel rooms, seven airports and eleven cities - all with a 16-month-old in tow - I could use the break. No, it's not any overactive sense of

A tribute to Helmer

2011-11-30T12:10:00.000+01:00

Last month I received some terrible news: My dear stylist, Helmer, had passed away suddenly. Helmer + Friends is one of my favorite places to visit in Amsterdam. Finding Helmer in 2004 was like winning the hair stylist lottery. He was a benevolent expert, and every time I left, I was thrilled with my hair. Anyone who’s ever had a haircut knows the rarity of that feeling. Soon after I blogged

I did it!

2011-11-25T13:14:00.000+01:00

You Review

2011-11-07T14:36:00.000+01:00

I recently discovered a great excuse to read books: the American Book Center's You Review program. Every few months, they post a list of soon-to-be-released books. If you're interested in reviewing one, you just send an email, and if you're the first, the book is yours, for free. If you submit your review on time, you also get a small gift certificate to spend on ABC merchandise. What a deal! I

NaNoWriMo day four: bruised but confident

2011-11-04T16:14:00.000+01:00

I'm on day four of NaNoWriMo, and I'm proud to report that my word count passed the 10,000 mark this afternoon. 10,000 words! In four days!! I'm not wildly proud of what I've written so far, but I'm focusing on quantity over quality. This is my first time, after all. So how did I do it (so far)? I think I may have found the magic formula for success in NaNoWriMo. Ready? Here goes: The day

Ode

2011-10-28T09:39:00.000+02:00

I'm three weeks into attending the Writer's Studio Amsterdam. It would be an understatement to say that I love it. Each week, we write about 500 words with the goal of emulating a particular narrative voice. It's just a sample of writing. It is not meant to be a finished or titled, though what we imitate is a published piece of fiction or poetry. This week's assignment is based on Barbara Hamby's

NaNoWriMo 2011

2011-10-20T09:54:00.001+02:00

Five years ago, I wrote the words: I'm still waiting for a November in my life where writing 50,000 words for fun is possible. I think that moment has arrived. I'm proud to announce that, for the first time since 2005, I am participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). I've been gearing up for a couple months now and I am determined to meet that 50,000 word count by the end of

Exploring the Noordermarkt

2011-10-15T19:56:00.000+02:00

I've been in Amsterdam three times this week. I guess you could say I'm growing nostalgic. The third visit was earlier today. It was chilly but bright and sunny - the perfect combination for a stroll around some of the markets that Amsterdam is famous for. I participated in a little activity called La Douce Vie Cooking Culinary Walk. I decided it's high time I learn more about the food -

Urban knitting, Leiden style

2011-09-29T21:36:00.000+02:00

It's no secret that I have negative feelings about the Leidens Ontzet. But today I discovered one small celebration of the event that made me happy. This morning, in the midst of the growing chaos, I crossed the Waaghoofdbrug and saw an incredible urban knitting project.

48 hours with Mohamed

2011-09-11T19:49:00.000+02:00

I spend the weekend of September 11th sharing a hospital room with Mohamed. Mohamed is a 16-month-old boy who happened to be going through the same surgical procedure as Adrian, my one-year-old. Parents and sons checked in together and we greeted each other awkwardly, aware of the tiny space and intimate experience we would share for the next 48 hours. Within minutes, our boys were playing

Reykjavik's Laundromat Cafe

2011-09-04T14:45:00.000+02:00

We'd been in Iceland less than 24 hours and we already had a full load of dirty laundry. The baby was in his car seat dressed in a onesie and an adult-sized sweatshirt. We ducked into our hotel and asked if there was anywhere we could wash clothes. We were directed to a cafe in the center of town. With vague directions, we took the drive into Reykjavik. Isidro carried Adrian and I carried the

Ten years and one baby later

2011-08-26T09:11:00.000+02:00

Ten years ago today, I arrived in the Netherlands, about to begin my experience as an international student. Icelandair was the only airline that would sell a one-way ticket, so we stopped over for a couple hours in Reykjavik. As the plane landed in the sunrise, I remember staring out my window at glorious pink hued beauty. Though convinced of my maturity, I was relieved that my parents had

Endpoint: Vondelpark

2011-08-11T22:12:00.001+02:00

A few weeks ago, I took the train to Amsterdam for a singular purpose: to visit the Vondelpark. I went straight from Leiden Centraal to Amsterdam Centraal, and hopped on tram 1, 2, or 5, destination Leidseplein. Being on the streets of Amsterdam – more of a rarity nowadays than I care to admit – always floods me with memories from my five years as resident. The tram rumbles by Dam Square and I

On writing

2011-08-07T19:38:00.001+02:00

"Write while the heat is in you. The writer who postpones the recording of his thoughts uses an iron which has cooled to burn a hole with. He cannot inflame the minds of his audience." - Henry David Thoreau

In flight infant

2011-07-25T10:22:00.001+02:00

When's the last time you did something for the first time? This weekend, for the first time, I took a long haul flight alone with 10-month old Adrian. Given my propensity for drama, in the weeks before the trip I fretted, stressed, and imagined exhausting scenarios. When the day finally arrived, I was a bundle of nerves. How would I eat? Pee? Sleep? What if my seatmate was radically opposed to

On novels

2011-07-19T23:59:00.004+02:00

Novels are works "in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed, in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature, the happiest delineation of its varieties, the liveliest effusions of wit and humour are conveyed to the world in the best chosen language." -Jane Austen

Bagels, beans, and gender

2011-06-25T13:28:00.003+02:00

I'm a regular at Bagels & Beans. I love that place. The coffee is unbelievable, the atmosphere is great and I've written many blogs, short stories and most of my first (and last?) academic book sitting in the back. Instead of identifying the toilets with "dames" and "heren" or "male" and "female" my favorite Bagels & Beans location displays gender symbols. Though they have been in use since the

Conquering Preikestolen

2011-06-09T16:36:00.006+02:00

I am clearly not an experienced hiker, evidenced by the lazy mental picture that appeared in my mind when I heard the trek to Preikestolen would take four hours. Two hours there, two hours back. No sweat, I thought. We'll be traipsing along a slightly inclined path, oohing and aahing at the views. Twenty minutes into the hike my expectations were adjusted. As we scrambled over giant boulders and

Expat views on Libya

2011-05-05T12:20:00.002+02:00

Here's an article I wrote a few weeks ago about the situation in Libya:As a Minnesota native living in the Netherlands, people often ask me what Europe’s opinion is about the recent military action in Libya. Being part of an expatriate community means that whenever a global event makes its way into conversation, I get a cross-national take on the matter. It was interesting to learn that there isn

Academic life in the Netherlands

2011-03-18T18:32:00.002+01:00

Life in the Netherlands has not only cemented my identity as an expat. Since 2001, I have been a part of the Dutch academic system. My journey has taken me from a bright-eyed, enthusiastic master's student, to a determined and sometimes desperate PhD student, and finally into the grown-up world of employment as an assistant professor.I am often asked how I have managed to stay here - rooted in a

First food: A photo essay

2011-02-26T14:05:00.001+01:00

Amsterdam vs. Leiden

2011-02-06T10:29:00.004+01:00

2011 marks the start of my fifth year in Leiden. Since I spent a little more than five years in Amsterdam before moving here, it seems fitting to write a post comparing life experiences in the two cities.Getting aroundIn 2001, moving to Amsterdam from the Midwest was a huge culture shock in terms of transportation. I went from a car-loving culture to remastering the art of bike riding. Once I got

Five things I'm thankful for in 2010

2011-01-01T05:26:00.002+01:00

Yes, it's all related to that pregnancy and baby crap again. Funny how that happens. I promise to bring more variety to the blog next year. But for now, one last round of fuzzy thoughts:Adrian. I was a babysitter from the age of 11 until 28. I've changed a lot of diapers, played a lot of games and doled out a lot of affection for the little ones I helped raise. But nothing could prepare me for

The Cologne Christmas Market

2010-11-28T11:53:00.014+01:00

On Saturday, and for the second year in a row, I visited the Cologne Christmas Market. Last year we arrived to the Weihnachtsmarkt with no expectations and were delighted by the intimate, festive atmosphere. Visitors are never more than a few seconds away from another market stall full of charming gift ideas, delicious food, or steaming gluehwein. My favorite memory was purchasing fresh

Kraamzorg

2010-10-22T08:03:00.001+02:00

It's been eight weeks since Adrian's birth. The early days are already a fog. Like any woman who has given birth, I can tell my story in excruciating detail. But I also stop and wonder - was that really me? The experience was so intense that it almost seems unreal.I think about heading home from the hospital. I hadn't really slept in three days, and they were putting me in charge of a newborn? I

The birth of attitude change

2010-10-04T08:14:00.004+02:00

Giving birth in the Netherlands has radically altered my attitude about the Dutch. Anyone who knows me or who has followed this blog over the years will understand that this was quite unlikely. But having a baby here has opened my eyes to one example of how the Dutch system actually works, and has made me aware of how much I was living on the expat fringe.My son Adrian arrived on August 26, 2010,

Pregnancy in the Netherlands

2010-07-28T18:31:00.002+02:00

In my early years abroad I was already hearing scary things about giving birth in the Netherlands. Mostly ghastly things like "You'll never get any drugs, you know." "They'll let you labor for 50 hours and will never even consider a C-section." "You have to give birth at home although women often are rushed to hospital because of complications."I shuddered at the thought of being treated so

The first child

2010-07-26T08:55:00.000+02:00

A couple months ago, I visited the US and hoped to discover the cultural differences between being pregnant in the Netherlands versus my native Minnesota. The short answer? There isn't really much to mention. Sure, I'd say more strangers asked about my due date in the US - here that seems to be reserved for people who are acquainted with me at least in passing. But I have been largely spared the

A very special guest

2010-07-16T08:18:00.001+02:00

We are awaiting the arrival of a very special guest. Some time ago he announced he would like to stay with us for an extended period of time, and we enthusiastically agreed.We've had months to prepare for his arrival, but at the same time, we don't know exactly when he will get here. He wouldn't say; he would only give us an estimate. Normally this would be unacceptable behavior - after all, we

Perceiving the baby bump

2010-05-16T16:07:00.000+02:00

For almost nine years, I have reveled in the cultural comparison that follows me between the Netherlands and the US. I like to think that countless trips back and forth have strengthened my powers of observation, though now the changes are more predictable once I step off the plane. Quick example: generally speaking, the Dutch smile less, chat less, and don't apologize for bumping into you on the

Discovering my comfort zone

2010-05-01T21:58:00.000+02:00

Last week, I traveled to Amsterdam by train. Though it used to be my daily reality, experiencing Amsterdam has become a rarity. After moving to Leiden in 2007, I only commuted to A'dam for about 1 1/2 years before my new job started in Rotterdam. Yet the other day on the train I was overcome with the sensation of heading to a familiar, comfortable place. Why was this, and why has it never

Egg code

2010-04-25T11:00:00.004+02:00

I just published this one over at Trippist, but I'm so excited about this resource that I'm also adding it here. I've also added a link to ei-code on the sidebar.Have you ever wondered about story behind the eggs you just purchased at the Dutch supermarket? How do you make your selection? By price? Is there some other indicator that you use? I’ve recently learned that all eggs made in Europe have

A tribute to the weekend

2010-04-20T17:08:00.002+02:00

...and a couple hours spent relaxing near De Kaag. Spring is here!

Learning to drive in the Netherlands

2010-04-15T09:50:00.003+02:00

Recently I spent a few hours learning how to drive. My instructor was Stefan, a laid-back Dutch guy who didn’t seem to believe my early claims of having a Minnesota-issued driver’s license for the past 16 years. Despite my assurances, he started from the beginning. I was taught how to adjust the seat and mirrors, and learned the necessity of the 10 & 2 hand position on the wheel. I learned where

Health care progress

2010-03-22T15:50:00.005+01:00

It passed! It's not perfect, but it's a great first step. I'm happy. Actually I think it's the best possible result given the ridiculous behavior of US politicians over the last year. The Consumerist has a great summary of what will change, in case you need a quick refresher:Under the plan:-Insurance for families of four making up to $88,000 (or 400% of the federal poverty level) will be

Even the lamp posts are tired of winter...

2010-02-23T16:45:00.002+01:00

Thoughts on Eating Animals

2010-02-09T16:24:00.003+01:00

A couple weeks ago I had the privilege of hearing Jonathan Safran Foer discuss his new book, Eating Animals. Jonathan came to Amsterdam and spoke at an event sponsored by the John Adams Institute. Here's a brief summary of the book, from the website:Like many others, Jonathan Safran Foer spent his teenage and college years oscillating between omnivore and vegetarian. But on the brink of

Why I wish I could be in Iowa this weekend

2010-01-21T08:12:00.002+01:00

Iowa, the setting for the great documentary King Corn, is hosting the Oneota Film Festival this weekend. How I wish I could be there! With free admission (donations encouraged) visitors can look forward to: ...two days packed with almost 25 hours of feature-length and short films about sustainability in food, energy, and living – plus eco-tourism, short comedies, and local productions. Some

A food education in 2010

2010-01-21T07:55:00.003+01:00

It started a couple years ago, when I was interviewing web campaigners from a variety of animal rights activist organizations. In the process of interviewing it was impossible (in fact, part of the job) to peruse the content of their websites. There I encountered startling information and often graphic videos portraying how animal products are produced but more importantly, how those animals are

The teacher

2009-11-10T19:17:00.003+01:00

Het hoofd van een Leeuw is harig. The head of a lion is hairy.On the journey home tonight, I sat stoically in the aisle seat. I refused eye contact as she slung her violin overhead and squeezed by me with a sigh. I shrunk deeper into my book and pushed my headphones into my ears, willing out the grating chatter from three teenagers in my vicinity.She drew out a stack of papers and began reading.

Cultural difference

2009-11-05T07:30:00.002+01:00

Yesterday I had the privilege of meeting a fellow academic who was originally from Nigeria. Well, from Nigeria, but he had been living in the Netherlands for 20 years. That meant a passport, perfect Dutch...but still a frustration with what he saw as a somewhat stilted culture. The conversation went something like this:Him: Yes, I like it very much in Holland! But sometimes - well, people don't

The Leiden escape

2009-10-04T15:27:00.007+02:00

The people of Leiden conquered the Spanish in 1574, and the Dutch never seem to tire of celebrating. The victory has resulted in a rowdy festival, held annually from the afternoon of the second of October until the last drunk has passed out on the fourth. I recognize that the vast majority do not see this as a problem – after all, who doesn’t enjoy winning large stuffed animals, stuffing

The Uneasy Alliance

2009-07-28T18:16:00.006+02:00