Time Off

I will be taking a break to recharge after all the craziness of the holiday season. I am definitely looking forward to unwind and enjoy the nice sunny weather surrounded by family and friends. It will also be a good opportunity to look back and appreciate what this year has brought me. It has been a good year despite all the uncertainties of moving to a non-English country and the adjustments that came along with it. I believe in the end, everything worked out well despite all the hassles particularly the tedious immigration process. The five month respite provided me a chance to fully enjoy my husband's company, find my way around the country (yes, been traveling a lot even on my own), know my MIL better, meet new people, network for jobs, learn to cook, host a LOT of visitors and even accept a small project for a company I used to deal with (thank goodness for the internet). It has been quite awhile since I had a long break, (i.e. from working) and just be able to do stuff that I normally do not have the time to do. The best luxury for me was just being able to sleep late and wake up at my own pace. I must also say that throughout those months, I have never appreciated my husband more--his love, support, patience, generosity and most of all his warm acceptance of my family and friends (even if it meant a lack of privacy for several days). I have also met a few people I enjoy hanging out with here in the Netherlands. In retrospect, the five months have been quite productive as it provided me the opportunity to do a lot of things at my own pace and helped me settle in my new home. I am also looking forward to the coming year. First, I am very excited to be with family and friends and sort of celebrate an extended Christmas celebration. I am done with my shopping and quite excited to see my nephew and nieces. I couldn't really resist spoiling them. Looking for gifts in the Netherlands was quite challenging--the only way I could get an English version of SIMS2 was through Amazon UK and the Mighty Beanz I got from of all places, Hamleys at Schiphol Airport! Second, I will be starting my Dutch language classes (finally!!). Fortunately the college is doing an experimental fast track program called Intensieve Taaltraining for people with higher educational attainment. The first 12 weeks will be intensive where we have to render 30 hours a week (as against the standard 15 hours), and this will even include an everyday conversation lunch with the instructor. I am just happy to be included in this group of 10 people not only because the participants will have an equal pacing but also because we may be able to finish the requirements for the inburgering course (integration programme) at a much shorter period. The only drawback is that I have to cut short my vacation and will still miss two weeks of classes. However, I have been in touch with my instructor and she gave me the books to work on. Ironically, my husband and I are now considering exploring other opportunities outside the Netherlands so perhaps in the future, I won't even need to learn the Dutch language. But plans can change and learning a new language can always come handy. Finally, there is a possibility for another short term project depending on the agreed schedule, given that I have to fully devote the first 12 weeks to my language classes. Sometimes I do wonder why things or opportunities have to happen all at the same time! With all of the things coming, I definitely can't wait to have a great vacation, absorb as much sunshine as possible, be with people I love, and be pampered until it is time for me to face reality again. Despite the uncertainties for the future and the recent tragedies that befell several countries, I am still hoping for the best for 2005. I am still hopeful that things will be better for all of us, and that for every challenge there is always an opportunity to improve ourselves. I shall return.