News from the Netherlands

Site Redesign

      This site is totally redesigned and I've added a new menu in the left frame rather than having various menus on each page. If you see a closed book, it means that there are sub-headings with links to more pages.
     I'd really like your com-ments about the new design and navigation. My e-mail link is included at the bottom of this page.

New Sponsor

       You may have noticed on the opening page of this site that we now have a sponsor! It's "Bean", the little fellow that Hein designed that took on a personality of it's own. He now has his own site:
Beanthings

       You might enjoy seeing how he was born and checking out his latest antics. If you know of a good graphic or fun site feel free to recommend the site for a "Bean Sticker". If chosen the site will be listen on the "Bean Stars" page with a link to the site. Just send it in to "Bean" for consideration.

Eleven Months

       I've been here almost a year now (time flies) and am beginning to feel at home. At first everything was strange to me because there are so many differences here if compared to the US. Some things just can't be bought - like Chocolate Chips - so a few friends have sent me "care packages" and now I'm able to bake my favorite cookies.
       Living in a different country with so much to learn has given me an entirely new respect for the people from countries all over the world that went to live in the US. It's not easy getting used to an entirely new way of life and a new language.

Back to School

       Started school to learn Dutch in September. Now there's a real challenge! The teacher speaks only Dutch in the class, so it's really hard to follow along with what's going on. About the time I figure out what she's been talking about, she's on to the next subject.
       A lot of the words sound like the equivalent English words although it isn't easy remembering which ones. Then the structure of the sentence is totally different and sounds backwards to those of us from the US. I'll learn, though.
      The students in the class are from many different countries - Iraq, Hungary, China, Israel, Mexico, Canada. It's interesting talking to them (or trying to) about their home lands. There was one girl from the US - Pennsylvania - but unfortunately she had to drop out. Hope to keep in touch with her.

Weather

       The weather hasn't cooperated much during my first summer in Holland. I kept getting the weather reports from Phoenix, AZ and just longed for some of that heat. What I'm told is that the Netherlands is usually warmer than it has been this summer and quite a bit drier. July actually set a record for rain and if we would have had one more day of rain in July, it would have been the wettest since they have been recording the rainfall. Just my luck! So I look on the bright side and realize that Holland probably wouldn't have so many pretty flowers if it didn't have the rain.
       Now it's Fall and we're about to go into Winter and I'm looking forward to what that will bring. I understand that Holland doesn't have as much snow as some other parts of Europe, but that when it does happen it's absolutely gorgeous like a picture on a Christmas Card.

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Things to Come

       We've visited more places that have either been included in this redesign or are coming soon. I'm continually amazed at the number of places that are here in Holland to see. Here are a couple of places that either have been added or will be added soon.