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Four months in....

  When I found out that I was moving to Nijmegen for a year, I had some wonderful notions of things that I wanted to do in my year. I wanted to blog three times a week, rent a bike and cycle around the countryside, visit different cities whenever I had a day to myself. Well, reader, I failed miserably on all three counts, but I am not even the least bit sad about it.  Initially, when I moved here, I was a little bit worried about leaving my very new husband behind before we had even made it to our first anniversary. I was worried I would be accused of 'abandoning' the man I love with all my heart, accused of being a bad wife and partner. I was afraid that he would resent me choosing a year of adventure even though I knew he was my biggest supporter. I was afraid I would resent myself for leaving him behind even though we decided together it was the right decision. Just before I went, I visited some wonderful friends of mine, and we spoke about a time when they were in differen...

Has it really been a whole week?

I realised when speaking with Stuart earlier that I have already been in the Netherlands for a week! A week! How has that happened so quickly? It is said that time flies when you are having fun, and you know what? I am having an absolutely fabulous time.  I was given the warmest of welcomes on my first day of work and my new team gave me a wonderful welcome gift. It has been so nice taking the last few days to get to know my new co-workers and to learn a few words of Dutch too! Goodbye (doei!) and doorknob (duerknop) being two of my favourites. Nijmegen is a beautiful city. I have barely tapped into it and already I love what I see, smell and hear. One thing I have to say about the Dutch is that they love a sandwich and a pastry. Greggs would hang their heads in shame in comparison to what the average Dutch shop has to offer for lunch.  I had a wee sleep-in this morning, and didn't have time to make my lunch, so I nipped to the little shop next door to my work at lunch time. O...

Two months in!

Greetings from Nijmegen! The past two months seem to have just flown by. I can hardly believe that it has been this long since I arrived here dragging my two suitcases across the country!  Life in Nijmegen is going really well. I have found the Dutch to be a warm and hospitable nation, with an amazing amazing ability to be blunt and hilarious all at the same time. You definitely know where you stand in the Netherlands! Work has kept me busy, and has been fabulously rewarding. I get to speak with Stuart nearly every evening and I feel like a schoolgirl counting down when I next get to see my husband. 14 in case you are wondering.  We saw each other two weeks ago, and it was the best thing. My excitement and impatience while waiting for my luggage reminded me of how I felt just before I walked down the aisle on our wedding day. I think we have both adapted really well to our current situation, and I actually think that after so much time squished into our flat during lockdowns e...