All Entries in the "Expat Life" Category
Ask an Expat: Our version of the first day of school
School books and supplies for five classes. In recent weeks, I’ve had a number of people ask me about Roxi school, so I thought that was probably a sign that I should do an update… Roxi’s books arrived on Friday. The larger packet on the right contained her science kit–we haven’t had a minute to [...]
Ask an Expat: My new “carpool” commute
For the six years Roxi was in school in Houston, I drove morning and afternoon carpool most every school day. In the morning, I drove in rush hour traffic for 20-30 minutes (each way) and prayed a traffic jam wouldn’t cause Roxi to be tardy (the dreaded “T” word). For an hour each afternoon, I [...]
V&A museum and unpacking update
This amazing chandelier is a glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly. Last week, I spent a day at the Victoria and Albert Museum. I specifically went to look at the fashion and costume exhibits because Roxi and I are really into sewing right now. Well, gathering ideas for sewing anyway ;-) While I was there, I had [...]
Butterflies
If you look carefully, you can see Roxi’s school bus (really a coach bus) through the trees. And just look at these trees! So different from February or even May. Gosh, it’s so exciting here lately! I told Mr. DJ that I have butterflies in my stomach when I think about next week. Good butterflies! We [...]
A day for fond farewells and the beginning of an exciting new chapter
Roxi after her voice concert on Monday. Last day of school, and a half day at that. Roxi is dreading the goodbyes, but I reminded her that it’s only goodbye-for-now. With these travel-savvy kids, you never know when paths will cross again. Still, it’s hard to say farewell to those you are used to seeing everyday. [...]
Ask an Expat: Drowning in papers and all our worldly possessions
I could use about 50 of these. Fortunately for us, there isn’t a lot of paperwork for us to fill out for our return to the UK. Our visas are current and my husband works for the same company, so at least those important bits are taken care of. The paperwork I’ve been messing with [...]
Taking a break…
I still haven’t mastered the art of cycling on slick streets while holding an umbrella. Leiden, Netherlands. Well, friends, I am going to duck out for a bit. Hope you all have a lovely week, and for those of you in the Netherlands–have a fantastic four-day weekend! Related posts Would you like the see the [...]
Ask an Expat: Letting go and moving forward (or I’ve moved past senioritis, thank goodness!)
Roxi and I enjoyed coffee and this view from La Place’s balcony yesterday. V&D, Den Haag Centrum. Yesterday was Liberation Day in the Netherlands. It used to be celebrated every year, but in 2000 someone decided that it only would be celebrated every five years. Hmm. Anyway, I thought that city workers would be on holiday [...]
Roxi in Turkey
A couple of weeks ago, Roxi had the most amazing experience–she flew to Ankara, Turkey to participate in the AMIS International Honour Band and Choir Festival. Roxi and 12 other students (6 choir, 7 band) plus their chaperones flew out of Amsterdam early Wednesday morning. They arrived in sunny Ankara later that afternoon. Most of these [...]
Ask an Expat: Ice in drinks
In the comments from last week’s Ask an Expat, Julia left me this question: I think it’s interesting that you want less from the U.S. I don’t know what I’d miss the most if I left. Maybe ice since I hear that you can never get ice in your drink in Europe. Is that true? [...]
