Where have I been?

I think three seasons have passed since I last posted here. I could blame a shortage of time or that I hate posting pics of myself these days (I really do), but the truth is I’ve had zero creativity outside of work and have had so much to say, yet so little drive to do so.

But here I am, ready again to start penning about my adventures, learnings and life here. After my largely annus horribilis in 2023 with wonky mental health and work toxicity that I was delighted to put in my past, this year has been pretty good, even when the world has felt anything but.

There have been highlights: Several trips to Paris, good health, great runs and marathons, work colleagues who make me cry with laughter, a summer holiday in Italy, kids thriving at school and in life, weekly baking, learning how to better decorate cakes and cupcakes, regular gatherings with good friends, meeting up with SA family, and my dad and his wife in NL for over a month, before a possible relocation here next year.

A few months ago, I did the “inburgering” (integration) tests, a requirement for getting Dutch permanent residency or passport. The tests I did were A2 level, and included reading, writing, speaking, listening and Dutch culture and society. Technically, I don’t need a Dutch passport thanks to my ancestral Lithuanian passport, and I often get asked why I’m going through the motions of going Dutch (literally). My answer is because my husband and kids will have Dutch passports, and if I’m here for the long run, it feels right for me to go this route. And, since I have minor trust issues, I’d like to “safeguard” myself as much as possible.

On the topic of speaking Dutch, or in my case, only being able to string together one short sentence at a time. I’m starting 1:1 speaking sessions. The only way out this non-verbal rut is to put myself in a vulnerable space where I can’t hide behind another student to avoid speaking, and to get comfortable with the discomfort of making mistakes.

This week, I’ll be bringing back my “Expat Series” posts, in which I chat to women who have moved from South Africa to the Netherlands. I’m also planning to publish more content, plus some other things, in between my day job, puzzle building, baking, running, dusting and folding laundry. And speaking Dutch, of course.

A day in Delft with my dad

Views on a morning run

The final piece of our Paris puzzle

Rebecca in Delft

The blue heart in Delft

More pretty running views

Amsterdam Marathon finish