| Author | Message | ||
     Rebecca Raines Citizen Username: Robin_realist Post Number: 369 Registered: 10-2003 |
I've always wanted to have a thread here and now I have something to talk about: We're moving to The Netherlands. Yes that's right. It's a tiny country on another continent where people wear clogs (rarely) and use windmills to keep the water out because it's mostly below sea level. I've already given notice at my job (The Maplewood Library) and starting throwing out bags of garbage in preparation of moving. I was shocked to see that Waste Management took all four extra bags of garbage Friday. Some of them were heavy. It only makes up for all the times I only put out one kitchen garbage bag. I've moved 8 times as an adult and know how to clean out and trim down, but this is going to be difficult. R | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 1925 Registered: 1-2004  |
Rebecca- The library and town will miss you! Good luck in your new adventure and stay in touch! | ||
| shh Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 2844 Registered: 5-2001 |
Wow. Give us details! Is it a job related move, family, other? When are you leaving? | ||
| Joan Supporter Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 5962 Registered: 5-2001 |
Becky: I was going to ask if you were moving when you made that post about including Jay's desk in your moving sale. I know I will miss you and I am sure many others will too. Please stay in touch with us. One nice thing about MOL is that you don't have to remain in bricks and mortar SO/M to remain a member of our virtual community. Perhaps this blog should be renamed postcards from the Netherlands. | ||
| Rebecca Raines Citizen Username: Robin_realist Post Number: 370 Registered: 10-2003 |
Thanks for the nice words. My spouse has taken a job working for OPCW. It's part of the UN so we'll live in The Hague. It's a three year position so we're renting our house and hoping to come back here after. We have to be there October 3 so I'm in a rush. Mostly things dealing with preparations to the house. We're planning a little face-lift to a couple of rooms to make them more 'done' looking and we'll just put down carpet in stairs and hallways rather than have all the floors done again. These things take time just to set up, but for the amount we need to ask in rent I think people expect painted walls and carpeting, working appliances, etc. I haven't been around MOL much because I've been getting the feel of NL by reading Expatica.com's message board. Great info there, but the message board is gigantic. I really hope someone keeps up with the programming at the library. I just don't think anyone there is interested and they'll need to hire the right person for very little pay and no budget to work with........oh well, not my problem anymore. I got things rolling and that's all I can do. Maybe I'll change the thread title after I'm 'flown'. R | ||
| SoOrLady Citizen Username: Soorlady Post Number: 2439 Registered: 9-2003 |
And what about little K... staying in college here? Going with you for a European degree? | ||
| Rebecca Raines Citizen Username: Robin_realist Post Number: 371 Registered: 10-2003 |
Since she just came back from a semester in Australia, she seems content to return to MHC this fall. She'll graduate next June. We're putting enough stuff in storage (in MA) for her to furnish a small apartment and she gets my car now! She's all set to go to grandma's at Thanksgiving, to our place in NL for Winter Break and off some place with her friends for spring break. It will stil be hard, but we can cope. R | ||
| Rebecca Raines Citizen Username: Robin_realist Post Number: 373 Registered: 10-2003 |
Taking a break from sorting and cleaning closets. A big dilemma is regarding electric and electronic items. I don't know the difference, actually or if that matters in my situation. The problem is the current in NL is 230volts. I know I can't take my TV, won't work even if I figure out the volts, etc. What I do think will work are small items like lamps, but you have to have plug adaptors and a converter/transformer equal to each appliance's needs. This makes it cost prohibitive to just take all your old stuff.......they all say: sell it, leave it and buy new when you get there. I'm okay with that for some things: mixer, coffee maker, etc. But.....I love my lamps and I really love my CD player (it holds all my CDs at the same time and has it's own amplifier and speakers) I don't think I can leave it behind, but I'm hearing horror stories about fried circuits, etc. I just found a source for a huge variety of transformers. Now to figure out how big....some of them are over $100 and it doesn't make sense to do that. This is all so complicated. Maybe I'll think better after I have some food. Lunch time. R | ||
| jem Citizen Username: Jem Post Number: 1353 Registered: 5-2001 |
Wow, Becky. Last time we spoke to P. he had mentioned that this might be in the offing. Sounds exciting, but we'll miss the two of you, as will many others in Maplewood. I lived overseas many years ago, and friends lived in Paris for several years more recently. Definitely best to buy new electric/electronic stuff to use there. Just store the things you like and they'll be here when you get back. | ||
| Barbara Citizen Username: Blh Post Number: 522 Registered: 5-2001  |
Becky Can you use your spare time to scout out some books for Two Towns: One Book? What will we do without you? Best of luck, and we look forward to welcoming you home, Barbara | ||
| Rebecca Raines Citizen Username: Robin_realist Post Number: 374 Registered: 10-2003 |
Thank you Barbara. JEM, I didn't think he mentioned this to anyone, but it's been in the making a long time. We just had no idea whether they would follow through. Apparently the Dutch have to work through every possibility at meeting after meeting before they can make a decision. They don't seem to like this any better than we do, but it seems essential to their work process. They seem so nice and not that much different from other cultures, but everyone says prepare for culture shock, they are much more different than you think. I'm going at this with an open mind. I'm also not planning on working for awhile, if at all. Just take time to settle in good and learn some Dutch. R | ||
| doulamomma Citizen Username: Doulamomma Post Number: 505 Registered: 3-2002 |
Was thinking about your much-loved lamps - maybe you can just get them rewired when you get there & then again when you come back here...I have done my own from kits & it was no big deal. Best of luck - how exciting! | ||
| Rebecca Raines Citizen Username: Robin_realist Post Number: 375 Registered: 10-2003 |
Great suggestion, doulamomma! I'm going to need to be creative to make this whole thing work for me. I'm usually okay with this. After all we're taking our cats and our own furniture, most of it anyway. I'm going to get to ride a bike or tram to the beach any day I like. I've installed light fixtures, so why not rewire a few lamps? On another note: my garden is doing really well. Although we're just getting our first tomato, we've had squash and cucumbers for awhile and some strange little eggplants. R | ||
| doulamomma Citizen Username: Doulamomma Post Number: 511 Registered: 3-2002 |
I know you'll be crazy-busy when you get there, but I would love to live vicariously through your blog if you continue it about your new life/culture shock/wooden shoes etc... | ||
| Rebecca Raines Citizen Username: Robin_realist Post Number: 376 Registered: 10-2003 |
If I keep up with this over the next 8 weeks, I don't see why I wouldn't continue when we arrive. I'm sure I'll have lots to say and not very many people to talk to. I'm used to talking a lot in my job and need to talk things through. My spouse is going to be sick of me after about a week. I hope to have lots of interesting experiences to share here. R | ||
| Duncan Supporter Username: Duncanrogers Post Number: 4688 Registered: 12-2001  |
Rebecca This is so fantastic and scary and wonderful and, sadly, a loss for the library. I hope you have a great experience there and do keep us updated with things. IMHO there is nothing like being a citizen of the world, and while startling this seems a great opportunity. I do hope you have a wonderful time and a great experience. Thank you for helping me get my film some exposure, I will miss having your support there as more films come finished. But thats just me being selfish. The Library's loss is The Hague's gain | ||
| Rebecca Raines Citizen Username: Robin_realist Post Number: 377 Registered: 10-2003 |
Thanks Duncan, it's been my pleasure and headache to get the ball rolling on adult programming at the Library. Friday Night at the Movies Modern and the extensions like Summer Shorts have been some of the most fun things I started. I really hope they continue to develop without me. I look forward to hearing about your further film adventures here on MOL. R | ||
| Rebecca Raines Citizen Username: Robin_realist Post Number: 385 Registered: 10-2003 |
Maybe this post should be titled 'Robin Realist flies off'. If you don't like griping, don't read this. I have a few things to say regarding the recent fiasco of the shabu shabu thread. I made the mistake of starting the thread with an open-ended title and was criticized and made fun of. I don’t appreciate it. I don’t think these people deserve the extra attention of being read, but I do have some comments: If I responded nastily to everything each person posted that was an irritation to me, the board would be cluttered with grammatical and spelling corrections, lectures on listening to others’ opinions and thinking before you speak/post. Not to mention my biggest pet peeve, which is purposely misspelling dirty words so they don’t get blocked. Criticizing and especially ridiculing people for the things that simply irritate you is just a waste of time and brings a really negative tone to what should be a friendly, positive, HELPFUL place to visit. When people make these negative comments, other board members should call the person on it and shut them down. I appreciate those members who came to my defense. I know so many people who have a lot to say, but are reluctant to post because they might be ridiculed or criticized for their opinion. This has been discussed before. It's not just about rules against personal attacks, it's about being rude. Is it just a prerequisite of MOL that you be thick-skinned? I really hope not. But this has happened to me more than once and now that I don’t need to post info for work anymore, I won’t be starting any more threads. In any public situation how do you shut down rude people? Peer pressure works best. Something to think about. Gotta go, R | ||
| Rebecca Raines Citizen Username: Robin_realist Post Number: 386 Registered: 10-2003 |
As it turns out, doulamomma's suggestion to rewire the lamps is actually fairly practical. Not terribly expensive, so they say on Expatica. Thanks for the suggestion d. Currently we're getting an understanding of the almost non-existent rental market in Maplewood. I think that works to our advantage. We're also somewhat relieved that the realtors seem to think leaving several of our largest pieces of furniture in the house won't be a deterrant (sp?) to renters. The large cabinet in the living room actually looks like it was made for this house and the wicker furniture can be moved to the attic if necessary. The woodworking bench was built in the basement and isn't removeable even if we wanted to. We've just started sorting and packing things the daughter will take to college or put in her storage. That will take awhile, but I'm done with the basement and it's never looked better. I still have 3 1/2 boxes of Christmas decorations and I really tried to cut back! I'm just a decorating person, I guess. With all the culling going on in the house, there's almost more in the garage for the moving sale than inside! I really hope we have good weather on the sale days. R | ||
| something witty Citizen Username: Buckneja Post Number: 159 Registered: 1-2003  |
R-- Was trying to put myself in your shoes; we just moved across town and THAT was trying. I can't imagine the psychological stress you must be feeling. Do you even have time to think about how you're going to feel after you move? Knowing it may just be temporary in the long run must help(though 3 years is a long temp stint!). In terms of keeping up with friends overseas, you can look into getting a program that enables computer to computer calling for FREE. I use SKYPE to talk to my friend and colleague in Bosnia. see the link http://www.skype.com/ We get tons of work done and chatting about life too; she's on a year's sabbatical there while her boyfriend is doing Relief/Aid work. Once we talked for more than an hour. ALL FOR FREE. Don't need any other equipment, save a computer which appears to be "had" in your case! I think most computers nowadays have a mic built in. happy sorting and culling. We'll come to your sale days. Promise. | ||
| Rebecca Raines Citizen Username: Robin_realist Post Number: 387 Registered: 10-2003 |
Thanks Witty, I've just finished cleaning out another quarter section of attic. It's great to have that space while you're in a house, but it's horrible to clear it for moving. It's almost all junk, but you have to look at every item to see. I was reading something about SKYPE on Expatica. You just need a computer with sound, correct? Most people I know have computers except for my parents and sister. Next to my daughter, they are the two people I talk to most. Maybe they'll get computers soon. R | ||
| something witty Citizen Username: Buckneja Post Number: 163 Registered: 1-2003 |
Try getting your parents and sister to look on ebay or some of the free stuff sites... there may be companies or individuals giving away computer equipment as they upgrade! You could also try Craig's list. Have fun today! You've done the basement, and now you are in the attic... then all that's left is in between. Are you shouldering the bulk of this task? Sounds like it. Enjoy the memories/memoria as you go through it all...but don't get sucked into trying to keep it all! | ||
| Rebecca Raines Citizen Username: Robin_realist Post Number: 388 Registered: 10-2003 |
I don't seem to have a problem throwing things out or selling. It's the other two. They don't consider they have as many possessions (depends on who you think 'owns' the mixer, etc.), but the ones they do have they don't really want to part with. It's a process that we'll work through. Paul is actually busy painting. We'll carpet the stairs and halls before we go and want the walls painted first. R | ||
| Rebecca Raines Citizen Username: Robin_realist Post Number: 390 Registered: 10-2003 |
We had a very nice meal at a Japanese/French fusion restaurant in Montclair last night. They did a lovely job on the presentation, the food was perfect and the sauces complemented the food just right. Wonderful meal. We spent the afternoon going through boxes of kid toys and stuffed animals. I cannot believe how many dolls and toys we have to sell. Take note moms, some of these stuffed animals still have the tags. Can you say holiday presents? We don't actually have that many toys, but we decided to give up the little table and chairs. We're keeping the dollhouse in storage. It's all about choices. I'm sure I'll get there and still have waaaaaay too much junk. The garage door is fixed, used a guy named Mike. We'll probably have him back for a few other small jobs. I don't know why, but several of our third floor doors don't have doorknobs. I think they were used to replace others downstairs when they broke, etc. We also want to put a couple of new locks on the outside doors. The list goes on. R | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 8944 Registered: 1-2003  |
Are you, perhaps, talking about the Thai/French fusion place? That place is excellent. | ||
| Rebecca Raines Citizen Username: Robin_realist Post Number: 391 Registered: 10-2003 |
No Tom, I don't know that place. We went to AoZoRa at 407 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair. 973-233-9400. It's Japanese/modern French. We found it in Zagat's. It had a rating of 29 for food plus numbers in the 20s for decor and service, I believe. We were looking for something very special for this particular birthday dinner. It was fantastic, although that part of the street has some vacant stores, laudromat, etc. Not really lovely. They do sushi, etc. and everything has great sauces for added flavor. Presentation was also excellent. What's the name of the Thai/French place? | ||
| SoOrLady Citizen Username: Soorlady Post Number: 2473 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hope Miss 21 enjoyed a glass of Saki or two... glad you found a wonderful place to celebrate! | ||
| LazyDog Citizen Username: Lazydog Post Number: 72 Registered: 6-2005  |
Rebecca, responding to your earlier post r.e. electronic items..to go from 110 to 220-230 volts you'd need a transformer. In my experience (being from across the pond) it's not worth it. If you can maybe loan PC's etc to friends and obtain a "cheap" PC in Holland this may be the better way to go. Another MOL'er, Ukelalio, has spent time in Holland on a nbr of occasions...maybe PL them for advice ? | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 8952 Registered: 1-2003 |
Your computer is one of the few things that will work in Europe. You just need new power cords. The power supplies adapt to 110 or 220 volts and to 50 or 60 Hz. | ||
| Rebecca Raines Citizen Username: Robin_realist Post Number: 395 Registered: 10-2003 |
I've been getting advice from members of the message board at Expatica. I think we'll take our tv. It needs a couple of adjustments and a transformer, but plays our DVDs so we'll stick with it. We'll probably take several smaller transformers for our lamps until we get them rewired. The transformers use more electricity and I don't want to have outrageous bills. But I seriously doubt they'll have any lamps I will like. Ikea is not my style. Other than that we're selling off or storing all appliances and other electrical items as well as a bunch of furniture and decorative stuff. I still have three boxes of Christmas decorations. I packed my delicate ornaments in Harry and David fruit boxes and they take up a lot of room, but won't get broken. I'm currently considering the weather/climate problem. Not that I can change the weather there, but many more people have problems with SAD because of the lack of sunlight. What do you think about those full-spectrum lamps? The ones I've seen are terribly ugly. Can one just buy bulbs to put in regular light fixtures that work the same way? R | ||
| Rebecca Raines Citizen Username: Robin_realist Post Number: 396 Registered: 10-2003 |
We've just spent the day painting our stairwell. We're very happy with the result. We're putting in carpet on the stairs. Finish it off, save the wood and reduce the noise all at once. I've done a little more research on the full-spectrum lights and the individual bulbs don't have any documented evidence that they actually help with SAD. Taking a one hour walk outside, even if it's overcast, is just as effective as the light box therapy. I prefer being outside anyway. Along with all the other premoving worries we've had some good news regarding renting our house. It looks like we can get a pretty good price for it and there are very few rentals in Maplewood, but lots of people wanting to come here. It seems like we should be able to find someone who want to live in a big old house for a couple of years. It's cheaper than buying here and since buying is such a permanent commitment for people, it might work well as a trial or a corporate move, etc. We've had some other things to deal with this week. A couple of weeks ago we took in a stray kitten and found a good home for it with a couple of fellow MOLers. Well it's sister turned up here this week. What is this? Do these animals come to us out of instinct or is someone dumping them in our area on purpose? This little girl is about 11-12 weeks old and looks just like the other, mostly pale grey, but has more white. She's much more timid than the other one, but sweet and will sit on a pillow on your lap purring while you stroke her. As soon as you stop, she runs behind a plant to wait for whatever will happen next. She may have been mistreated, she startles very easily and has a hitch in her walk, but she loves to be touched and purrs nicely when you stroke her. She's going to need a peaceful, quiet person or two to bond with. If anyone is interested, please call me. I'm in the phone book. We cannot take three cats to the Netherlands. Two is our limit. This must be the worst year ever for stray cats. We've lived here eight years and never had a kitten turn up. Now we've had two in three weeks. What are people thinking? R | ||
| Rebecca Raines Citizen Username: Robin_realist Post Number: 400 Registered: 10-2003 |
I posted a kitten needs home in the Please Help section this morning. Our little squeaky kitten is looking very good today. She's fluffed up quite a bit since she's had some good food and a peaceful place to sleep. We 'de-flead' her yesterday also and she's been grooming some. She's going to be a very loving cat. Even when she was scared to death after we first caught her she never tried to bit or claw us. Now she can't get enough hands-on attention. Today we'll finish a little touch up on the stairwell and call it done. We're still trying to decide how far to go on sprucing up the kitchen. We were thinking cabinet refacing, but may just put in new countertop and replace all the drawer runners and door hinges. The major kitchen overhaul we've been saving for will not be happening. One the other end we'll be looking for a town house to live in. They call them row houses. They seem to be very big on stairs. The things in our price range seem very nice; everything looks new and very clean. Big on clean. Not that I'm not big on clean. It's just that I usually have other things to do. Cleaning is not my top priority. I'm still concerned about taking too much furniture, but we can't leave our antiques. They won't fit in storage and I just can't leave them sitting in the house. My dad would be really upset. Besides, antiques are our personality style-wise. We'll squeeze them in somewhere. R | ||
| Rebecca Raines Citizen Username: Robin_realist Post Number: 401 Registered: 10-2003 |
Okay, here are some things I'm learning about the Netherlands and what's not available there. I realize that I've taken for granted all the convenience items we have available. So here's what they say: No ziplock bags or decent plastic wrap, baking soda is very difficult to find, frozen dinners are few and far between (okay with me), round cake pans (I'll take my own, but don't bake that much anymore), shaving cream is very expensive, and they don't sell syrup. TV is not great, no HBO or Cinemax(don't watch them anyway), sliced cheese (well you can have it sliced, but it adds a lot to the cost), paper towel roll is smaller, as are the ironing boards and printer paper. There are no malls. You go to separate stores for separate types of items, toiletries, food, paper goods, cooking pans, etc. They also do not have peanut butter cups, which doesn't surprise me. That seems to be an American thing. I know they use peanut butter a lot in Africa and the American South. I wonder if the peanut butter and chocolate combo developed through our history alone. They don't do it in Australia either and think it's really weird. We had a nice meal tonight at a new restaurant in Millburn called Cafe Monet. Located just acros from the rose park as you come back towards us on Millburn Ave. They are open, but don't have paintings hung or a sign above the door. Good service, escargot was good, if a little strong olive flavored, salmon with ratatouille(sp?) was lovely. Our reward for finishing the stairwell today. R | ||
| Antje Petersen Citizen Username: Hannah Post Number: 7 Registered: 7-2005 |
Hello Rebecca, we are in the same position except we are moving from europe to SO/M and I think I can help you with some questions since we have lived in the Netherlands in Amsterdam and if you have some question do not be afraid to ask or if you like you can call me. We are living at the moment in Osnabreuck this is a nice city, only 80 km from the NL border and we did go quite often to shop in NL. Here is a Link for you and your friends here in the chat to look at where you can go and by good food http://www.ah.nl/ everything is written in dutch but you get used to it and will be able to understand it realy fast and the good thing is most people in NL speak engl. this was the way I got around the first few month. The TV is not so bad the good thing is everything is in engl. with subtitles in dutch like movies and soaps from the USA or UK. For the news you are able to watch CNN and you can also use this here http://tv4all.com/ to watch some local news. | ||
| Rebecca Raines Citizen Username: Robin_realist Post Number: 402 Registered: 10-2003 |
Great! What a coincidence that you are coming here just when we are leaving! Have you bought a house or are you doing an exchange? We love Maplewood and hope to return here so are renting our house until then. Do you have children? If you do, you'll especially like all the things you can do with them here. And it's so close to the city. Go in regularly to see shows or visit the tourist sites or just to ride the trains. There are great things to see at so many stops. Grand Central Station is a must. There's nothing quite like it. Thanks for the suggestions on tv and products. I'm not really worried about not having something. I mostly listen to the BBC over the internet anyway and don't watch that much TV. We have a shelf of DVDs to watch if we want. I plan to take classes in Dutch as soon as we get there, but we're listening to tapes in the meantime. My spouse is picking it up quite easily. I'm a mimic and can pronounce things in most languages, but the flem/gutteral sounds are hard for me. When are you coming and do you have any questions about M/SO? Would you like a kitten as a housewarming present?  R | ||
| Antje Petersen Citizen Username: Hannah Post Number: 8 Registered: 7-2005 |
Thanks for the information. Did you get my private mail? It would be realy nice if we could talk on the phone so we can exchange our knowledge. Antje | ||
| Starletta8 Supporter Username: Starletta8 Post Number: 83 Registered: 10-2004 |
Wow, congrats! I've looked into working at The Hague in the past, given my interests in the international legal community. You'll love the Netherlands. I only visited for a short amount of time, but I have relatives who lived there for several years and loved it. A few observations: -Like most of Europe, bottled water is relatively expensive. Just remember sparking/still when you order! - A/C isn't as common. - get ready for a lot of stairs, especially in Amsterdam. Real estate is at such a premium that everything is vertical. - Good, good beer! - Like Antje said, most people speak English. It's a good thing, because Dutch isn't the easiest language to pick up by ear. Since your husband is working at the Hague and connected with the UN, French will also be incredibly useful for him. Also, the Dutch people are quite friendly and willing to speak English, especially if you attempt a few words of Dutch. - Lose all of the stereotypes Americans hold, particularly of Amsterdam. Visit there once you get a chance- it's a georgeous city of canals,fantastic architecture, and amazing art (Van Gogh, Rijks Museums). Good luck, and please keep us updated! | ||
| Rebecca Raines Citizen Username: Robin_realist Post Number: 403 Registered: 10-2003 |
Antje, I got your PL. I'll talk to you soon. Very busy schedule today and tomorrow. We'll work out a time. Starletta, I'm not one for stereotypes anyway, so won't have too much trouble with that. I've been the Amsterdam twice and Den Haag also on the second trip. I enjoyed myself both times. I was also able to spend a day wandering around a small village and found myself comfortable even though I was obviously a rather strange visitor to them. Not many tourists in that particular area. I expect we'll also interact with a lot of international people. I'm sure I'll be surprised about things, but I figure the more I learn now, the less surprises. R | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 7150 Registered: 4-1997  |
Bring a few extra bucks (kroners?) for gas http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/global_gasprices/ (Netherlands is #1 in gas prices) | ||
| Rebecca Raines Citizen Username: Robin_realist Post Number: 406 Registered: 10-2003 |
The main reason we won't be getting a car. Besides, public transportation is really great. I don't mind the tram or bus, as long as it's clean and I don't have to wait an hour for it. By the way. I found a home for Cricket. Someone I work for decided she would take her. Thanks everyone for looking for a home for her. I appreciate all the help. R |
