Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Help, mijn vrouw is klusser!

In the dutch TV is a program about DIY-men (Help, mijn man is klusser!), who start lot of projects in the house without finishing them. Then the wives and the kids get a chance to tell to the whole Netherlands (and Vlamisch Belgium) how difficult they have it and how the kids feet get cold when they wake up in the morning as there's no floor and how it's dangerous with all the electric cables hanging here and there.

I have showed extreme DIY skills this week and also finished my projects! First of all, I replaced our doorbell with a new wireless gadget, that makes an extremely loud sound. Second of all, I replaced our school-type-whiteboard in the hall with handy magnetic/chalkboard sticker thingies.

In addition that I know now where our tools are, how they look like and even how some of them work, I have also become a steady customer at our DIY store. 

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Running

I somehow got myself convinced that it would be a good idea to participate to a half marathon. Without more than few months training. Without good solid base of running experience.

The program I am following can be found here.

Oh, and I needed to skip the first week as there was no time for it since the event is so close-by :-D While there's a big chance I won't be able to finish the program, it has brought few nice things

1) the desire to actually go running and not seeing a 6km run anymore as something completely impossible
2) the broadening of my surroundings here, as I've needed to map out good running routes. I actually get to know the place where I'm living in geographical sense!

If the half marathon remains as an utopia, at least I'm well prepared for our town's running competition Bunnik's Mooiste (the most beautiful of Bunnik) that consists of 6 or 12 km legs. 

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Finnish Women's Weekend

This weekend it is time again for the yearly gathering of Finnish Women living in the Netherlands. Last year was my first time there, and I felt a bit outside of the group with the average middle age being quite above mine. On the first lunch I ended up to a table of women exchanging stories about giving birth in the Netherlands.. not exactly my cup of tea :)

I was already thinking of not going this year. However, we ended up going there as a group with three other girls around my age, so I thought to give it a try still.

The program consists of workshops, swimming, sauna and an evening party. The theme these year is "Aloha!". The weather forecast says, that it will be around zero degrees which feels like -15 C. Luckily we can stay inside :)

Friday, March 22, 2013

Heated discussions over heating

One of the big topics of discussion between foreign-dutch couples must be the heating. Why does it have to be so incredibly cold in dutch houses? I guess it comes down to the single-windows instead of triple glass and the fact that the houses are 100+ years old.

If I would be solely be in control of the heating, I would set it to +23 C.
If the Dutch guy would solely reign, he would set it probably to +16 C.

Therefore our compromise is around 18-19 degrees while we are home. But on some days, like these when it is really cold and windy outside, it is FREEZING! 

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Sauna'ing

I had a chance to visit a real finnish log sauna in the weekend. Of course it worked with electricity instead of firewood, but it didn't make it any worse. The sauna was located in the inner yard and while we were sitting outside cooling down with only our towels on, I couldn't help but to think what must the people living there be thinking. Crazy Finns.

One day I'm going to have my own sauna here. Maybe in our small garden. Or maybe we expand the house and convert the now-kitchen to be a sauna. Everyone must have dreams, right? :)

Monday, March 11, 2013

Thinking seriously of hiring an advisor

I need to fill my first tax return here in the Netherlands (as well as in Finland). While it is quite handy with a dedicated software, it is terrible when you need to consider all possible things in two countries. I mean, how many people know what was the exact balance of all their bank accounts all over the world on 1st January 2012.

I was growing more and more frustrated with every new screen. I noticed that I'm probably the exception of exception in all possible ways. However, the Dutch guy had a big grin on his face. He stated, that after seeing all the exceptions I needed to fill in, he will never worry again of being checked upon - as it is ME who the tax officers will be after.

Thanks. Now waiting for the Belastingsdienst to call me for an extensive interview.

Friday, March 8, 2013

Labelless

Discussion in a book club regarding the book "The Expats" by Chris Pavone.

X: "What is then an expat? Are we expats?

Y:  "For me expat is somebody who stays in a foreign country with the intention to go back to homeland in few years, like a sent employee."

Y: "Exactly, I don't see myself as an expat either. It's like I am here for good, I speak Dutch, I have a Dutch husband, Dutch children and when I go back to my home country it already feels different. Are we then immigrants? :)"
  
1ex·pa·tri·ate

\ek-ˈspā-trē-ˌāt\
: to leave one's native country to live elsewhere; also : to renounce allegiance to one's native country 




Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Politeness to the max

Taking a bus in Helsinki does not require any verbal communication - not with the driver and definitely not with the other passengers. If you happen to feel exceptionally happy and you say "Good morning!" to the driver, he probably just stares back at you without saying anything or completely ignores you. And if make the mistake to talk with the other passengers - well, then you are either drunk or in need of some medical assistance. This is where I have grown.

I took a bus instead of the train from Utrecht station for a change. I stepped in, showed my OV chipkaart and found a place to sit. Things were going smooth. At the next bus station people came in and they all greeted the driver. I was amazed as the thought of doing that hadn't even crossed my mind. My low point was achieved, when a 14-year old boy with too big clothes listening to music stepped in, took his speakers off and loud and clear said "Goeddemiddag" to the driver.

Now everybody (= the bus with 10 people) thinks I'm the RUDEST person in the whole of Utrecht!