Homesick Ramblings

So, I've been a bit homesick lately. I'm not crying myself to sleep every night or anything...just a bit homesick. I think it's because we are gearing up for Christmas here, and while we have lots of fun plans that include German Christmas Markets, a trip to Copenhagen, and a visit from grandparents, we won't be seeing ALL of our family members and celebrating with them.  And as I've been pondering on all the things I miss about home, I've also been thinking about the things I love and don't love about here. So here goes:

1. SHOPPING--It's a totally different world over here when it comes to shopping. It's hard to find so many products that I never thought would be hard to find. And let's talk about customer service--or the lack thereof.  Yesterday, I was at the grocery store searching for corn meal. You would think that's an easy thing to find, right? Not really. So after searching and searching, I hunted down an employee and asked where I could find it. The guy literally just mumbled something, shrugged his shoulders, and walked away. I wish I could say I was surprised, but it's not the first time.
Also, here, you bag your own groceries with your own bags. This is a fine practice--everyone uses reusable bags, which is great for the environment. BUT, what's funny is, the cashier just shoves all your groceries aside and starts helping the next customer before you can even get your stuff in the bags. No offer of help. You're lucky if your bread makes it out alive.
All stores close at 6:00 during the week, and 5:00 on Saturday. The grocery stores are open until 9:00.  I walked into a store at 5:05 on a Saturday night, and I was chased right back out. They couldn't care less about making a sale. We tried to go out for ice cream last Saturday night with the kids, and the place was closed. So weird.  This has taken some getting used to. No late night, pre-Sabbath grocery store runs here! But for all the frustration it causes, I totally respect that the Dutch people value time with their family over work. The all mighty dollar (or Euro) doesn't rule here.

All that being said, I miss Target. A lot.

2. Driving--I've talked a little bit about this before. And while I don't have a nervous breakdown every time I get in the car, it still can be stressful. And while I've moved out of the "IKEA phase," I have not moved out of the "follow-the-blue-line-on-the-GPS-so-I know-where-I'm-going phase." Last Sunday, we had to take Trevor to the airport in Amsterdam. As we were leaving the airport, he calls me to say he has the house keys, so we need to come back. Panic immediately set in. I had already gotten back on the freeway, and it's never a simple get off the exit and turn around here. I scrambled to put it in the GPS, and proceeded to try and make my way back. Well, what should have been a 7 min jaunt, became a 20 minute nightmare as I made a wrong turn that put me on a different freeway heading the wrong direction. My GPS rerouted, and I was finally nearing my exit to the airport, and the exit was closed due to construction--tack on another 10 minutes.  So, of course, my GPS is by now thinking that I'm the most incompetent driver in the whole world.  It reroutes me again, and we finally made it back to the airport. As Trevor was handing me the keys, I looked down at my console, and there were MY HOUSE KEYS. I had left them there the previous day unknowingly. I almost started to cry I was so frustrated that I had gone through that whole rat race for nothing.  Add to the fact, it was fast Sunday, so everyone was hungry and anxious to get home, and I had a raging post-sinus infection headache. Not one of my favorite experiences thus far.

I feel like I need to say something positive after that rant. Have I said anything I love yet? Oh yes, the Dutch peoples' lack of love for money. Phew.

Last thing about driving...everyone drives the speed limit here. Well, pretty much everyone. It's not like the German Autobahn where you can drive as fast as you want. There are speed cameras EVERYWHERE. And they just mail you a ticket if you're caught speeding. This last summer we had some Australian friends visiting us in the States. They couldn't believe how fast everyone was driving and definitely going over the speed limit. I guess they have speed cameras Down Under as well! Now I know what they were talking about.

3. School--I have nothing but positive things on this one. The kids absolutely love their school. This is a big reason we wanted to move here. We just wanted a change. One of the things that always bothered me about the school my kids went to in the States, was how strict and controlling the environment was:  One recess. Walk in a line with our hands behinds our backs. Silent lunch. Bus everyone, even if you live right by the school. One-way halls (at the middle school). The crazy way they taught math.  Etc, etc. Don't get me wrong, we loved a lot things about our elementary school in Houston. But all the rules and processes, and the not-so-great middle school, were all factors in our leaving.

Here, I feel like it's just much more easy going, and kids are allowed to be kids. The field trips don't even require a signed permission slip! And they go on them all the time. Holly's class was doing a field trip last month, and they all walked there and back. WALKED. I couldn't believe it. They hit the park on the way back to the school, and even made a side trip to the police station to turn in a found cell phone. I love it. James' class is going on a field trip to a farm next week. The parents are dropping them off at the farm at the beginning of the day, and then they are taking public transport back to the school. They are teaching these kids, even at 4 years old, how to navigate through life without bubble wrap.

We wanted the kids to be more challenged, and they definitely are. Math is emphasized much earlier here, and my kids are definitely doing some catch-up. Because it's an international school, their peers are from all over the globe, which is so cool. It also means everyone is coming from different educational and language backgrounds, so the teachers are really good at teaching at a personalized level for each student. I don't feel like the teachers are teaching with a standardized test in mind. It's interesting, because the day is an hour shorter than my kids are used to, but they are super productive. They mix a good amount of play and learning.

4. Peer pressure at school--I feel like it's so much less here. It's not all about what kind of backpack or shoes you have to have because So and So has them. It's just a less materialistic existence. And I totally love that.

5. Eating out.  Europeans are not in a hurry when they eat out. It takes FOREVER to get a waiter to actually take your order, and then when you want to pay...sigh. It's frustrating for an impatient American. So, this is probably a positive thing, because we just don't eat out as much. Healthier and better for the budget. But that being said, I sure do miss Chickfila sometimes. I miss the convenience of running through the drive-thru on a crazy busy day. Drive-thru's here consist of McDonalds and Burger King--gross. And they are not fast. And something always gets lost in translation, so don't even try to order your chicken sandwich without mayo. Moral of the story--eat at home.  I've decided that Europeans are so skinny because they are STARVING, and also, they smoke. Whatever.

So there you have it. We miss all our friends and family, but we are happy to be where we are. What an amazing blessing this experience has been for us.