American in Europe

Yesterday I promised that I would introduce you to the lovely ladies of our May's expat brunch.Some of these ladies you have met before, some are going to be new. Go follow them, I love them all. I especially love that unlike some other groups I have been apart of, this group has yet to turn into a negative complaining place. I want it to stay this way forever. 

Our second expat brunch took place last Sunday. I look forward to these brunches all month long. For me, it is a much needed girl's day in a hectic, hectic schedule. What I love the most is the fact that I have a standing date to reconnect with old friends and to meet some great new ladies. I am amazed that so far everyone has meshed so seamlessly together. It is truly a highlight in my life each month.

In the year and a half that I have lived in the Netherlands, the Verlo and I have had two guests. My mom and my godmother. This makes me really sad, because I miss my friends and family and I love it here so much, I want to show everyone my life. I understand though, if I would have followed a traditional path in life, I would have graduated with the rest of my friends at the height of the recession. We are all trying to figure out how to bounce back from entering the job market at a terrible time.

It's funny how much a place can change you. When I lived in Georgia, I used to avoid going out in the Summer. I have really, really, really sensitive skin and the weather was just too harsh. Now, that I live in the land of cold winters and perpetual rain, I covet my summery days. 

I love movies, in fact perhaps I should have gone to film school. Perhaps it is the escapism, but I think I just love to see the beauty in the films. In the Netherlands, we either get movies in theaters 3 days before they come out in the States, or months and months after. Which is why I got to see Hunger Games before all my friends back home, and why I just saw Silver Linings Playbook. Both of these star Jennifer Lawrence, and the later of which may qualify as one of my new favorite movies of all time. 

Getting straight A's is not a thing here in the Netherlands. School's here give you grades on a 10 point scale. Anything above a 5.5 is passing, anything above a 7 is considered good. I was told to never expect a 9. This took some adjustment as my whole life until I moved, I was on a number system, and then A's were 4 points, B's were 3 and so forth. 

I have officially turned into my mother. I don't know if it is homesickness or nostalgia, but lately I have been listening to a lot of bluegrass, folk and old school country. For years, I would bellyache on car trips when it was mom's turn to pick the music, my worst nightmares would be hearing Bonnie Raitt, Emmy Lou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt with my mom singing with her low, low singing voice. Yes, I was a pain in the ass, ungrateful teenager. Now I quite like my mom's singing. 

Yesterday, we here in the Netherlands welcomed in our new monarchs. That's right, we now have a king, King Willem Alexander. I could go more into the monarchy, and maybe one day I will, but what is important for now is that yesterday was not only Queen's Day, next year we will have King's Day, but that it was the last one for the foreseeable future. Last year, the Verlo and I braved the trains and ventured up to Amsterdam.

With the success and general merriment of our last blogger brunch, Lily and I have already started organizing the May edition. Open to bloggers of all ages, expat, and blogging experiences, won't you join us on May 19th for brunch in Amsterdam? 

Just as a refresher, here are the aims of the brunches:

I can't believe it has been a week since the last time I talked to you guys. To be fair, as the Verlo pointed out last night, he hadn't seen me in a week either. Clearly something has got to change if I haven't had a home cooked meal in about a month.Luckily, next week is a welcome break. I have the whole week off of school to celebrate my favorite Dutch holiday, and I am only working three days! Looks like it is time to go back to my meal planning ways, which is what today's links I love is all about.