General Update (a little late in posting)

After last week’s adventures, things have been pretty low-key in the Martens-Millar household. So not having too much to say, I just wanted to give an overall update of what’s been happening.

•       Easter- This weekend was Easter and being in the Netherlands, Gearoid had a 4-day weekend. It was really nice to have him home and it helped that the weather was beautiful. We’ve had more than a week straight of pure sunshine and warmth. We thought about taking a day trip to Belgium but decided that for this brief vacation we would enjoy the comforts of home. We also had a ton of Easter chocolate to get through. From what we gather, Easter in the Netherlands is a time to spend with friends and family. Our landlords had non-stop visitors all weekend long. There are also special sales on Easter Monday. I happened to be in the town center on Monday and enjoyed watching the crowds, listening to Dutch polka music, walking through a giant balloon tent shaped like a yogurt cup (they were passing out free yogurt), and buying some of the recently picked regional strawberries. I think the nice weather contributed to the festive atmosphere. 

•       Immigration- I am still on a tourist Visa here in the Netherlands. We’ve made a couple of calls inquiring about paperwork and the responses have been disappointing. I finally got a person and not an automated voice in regard to my apostille that I requested back in January. Instead of being mailed to my house as requested, it was mailed back in March to the U.S. consulate in Amsterdam. When I called the consulate, I was told they had received it but it was damaged and they have requested a new one. Nobody bothered to inform me of any of this. Then Gearoid’s HR person called the immigration office to find out where my registration and work permit are. The response they gave went something like this,” It should be ready but it’s not. I don’t know why.” So at this point, nobody knows why my immigration paperwork hasn’t been processed. At least it’s not just me. A more recent phone call revealed that my paperwork was misfiled and the processing of my immigration status hasn’t even begun.
•     Gearoid’s work- Gearoid’s work is going well. He likes his office and the people he works with. In fact, a new colleague recently moved to Nijmegen from the same neighborhood I lived in the States! What a small world.  Gearoid’s days are filled with finishing articles to submit for publication, finding funding for future research back in Africa, and preparing for his one class a week.  It really is a good work environment for him.
•     Natasha’s hobbys- I’m still taking Dutch classes twice a week and am hopefully (fingers crossed) closer to getting a language buddy. I’m sharing another American’s buddy next week and I’m excited to use my Dutch which basically consists of ordering at cafes and talking about the weather. The bike lessons are going well. I mostly direct women from driving into the bushes because the language barrier prevents any actual advice but it’s nice to feel like I’m contributing in some way. I also recently joined a planning committee for a festive day at the refugee center. The day should include a football match, music performances, children’s activities, and pampering for the women. So far planning has been good- mainly because our first meeting was in English- but I’m excited to help other people living in limbo in a foreign country. For all my complaints, I know and appreciate that I have an immensely easier situation than these people.
•       Socks- For about 8 years now, I have been an off/on knitter. I would go through phases in which I would spend a few months on a scarf or a pair of socks. I spent most of last year knitting a blanket. Most of my knitting was done while I was watching bad TV or movies so I would feel a little productive but often I was too tired after work to do more than a couple of lines. Well not working has boosted my knitting productivity. In the last couple of months I have knitted 4 pairs of socks with more to come. Gearoid and I debate whether I can sell them but most likely (SPOILER ALERT) they will be Christmas gifts for friends and family.

•       Bluntness- Most of our Dutch culture books warned us about how the Dutch are blunt and it often comes across as rude to people from other countries. My landlady, who enjoys practicing her English with me and letting me walk her Great Dane puppy (I enjoy it too), has even mentioned to me that she doesn’t want to say anything inadvertently rude to me. Those of you who have met my family and boyfriend know that it takes a lot to offend me and the blunt comments I have experienced (i.e. You gave up your job to move here with him!) have appeared merely inquisitive. However, recently I don’t know if I was especially sensitive or if people have been actually rude. In the town center last week, a shirtless thuggish looking man yelled “F**k you b**ch” at me after I declined to speak Dutch or English with him. However, the sly comment from a woman saying the Great Dane puppy was smarter than me because it understood Dutch stung a little more. I’m leaning towards rude.
•             Bugs- I have always been a bug magnet. If there are 10 people in the room and 1 mosquito- I am the one that gets bitten. I don’t even have to be in the room. With the warmer weather come bugs. We have large beautiful windows that are our only source of fresh cool air in the house, so we keep them open most of the time. The problem is the windows don’t have screens and so bugs have been travelling through our house. I don’t find these bugs as offensive as the ones that think I’m a human windshield while riding my bike. While cycling from place to place, I avoid bugs in the eyes and mouth with sunglasses and a closed mouth. However, a quick glance at my shirt reveals an assortment of bugs just hanging out and catching a ride. If you haven’t seen it before, check out Bee Movie. There is a scene on a windshield that perfectly describes what’s happening on my shirt( including Chris Rock’s voiceJ ).

Sorry for the boring blog. I hope to have more exciting things to post very soon!