I have voted in every election I have been eligible to do since I turned 18 years old. And when I say every one, I mean every one. Every municipal election, every run-off, every one. When I moved to Texas from Canada, I voted by mail. The day I became a naturalized U.S. citizen, I … More Absentee Voting
The first year we were here was tough on me. For the first time in my adult life, I was not working and was entirely financially dependent on another person. I hated it. I wasn’t ready for the feelings it would create. I looked for appropriate roles here, but without being fluent in Dutch, working … More New Chapters
One year ago today we landed in The Netherlands. Since then it has been a year of ups and downs. For me, I think not working has been a big part of an adjustment, whereas the husband and daughter have a place to be every day and get to interact with people, I don’t. So … More First Year Reflections
I am sorry to be extra quiet here lately. Lots has been going on, but I am also back to feeling pretty terrible most of the time. Interestingly, as I have started to be me open about it with my friends here, a surprising number have told me that they too were never sicker than … More The Hague Plague
This morning I was at a coffee meeting for fellow expats at my daughter’s school. There were a few new parents there, who arrived during the winter break. So, we got a chance to welcome them and pass along some initial tips. We talked about travel and the weather, which is really cold and rainy … More Living in Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood
In 1969, Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross published what would become “the” book on processing grief – On Death and Dying. Since then, her original five stages have been revised to seven stages, and applied not just to grief associated with death, but other situations you encounter in life. Shock Denial Anger Bargaining Depression Testing Acceptance As … More 7 Stages of Grief
People keep asking me how I feel about our big move. Honestly, I have all the emotions you might expect – excited, scared, overwhelmed – so that is what I tell them. But then the follow up question is how am I coping with all of this, and that answer is surprisingly simple “I’m the … More “I’m the mom”
Red, White and Tulips 