So far, so good!

It’s been roughly a month now since I moved here to start my new job. And as anyone who’s moved to another country knows, it takes a while to find your feet. But I’m slowly getting there. I feel more comfortable and at ease than I did a month ago, at least! At the moment, it’s a case of so far, so good! Hopefully it continues that way!

And even though it was clean and comfortable, and the staff were quite friendly, living in a hotel room for the first two and a half weeks, really took its toll at times. From not being able to cook for yourself, to room service tapping on the door just as you’re about to jump in the shower. It was a relief to finally get the keys to my own apartment.

Then the next hurdle comes with having to set up utility bills and necessary insurances. Phoning the necessary companies and having to ask them to speak in English once they’ve done their ‘Good morning, thank you for choosing our energy company.’ Well, I assume that’s what they were saying anyhow! It honestly makes you feel so rude and arrogant!

Always a cringeworthy moment when asking! You move to another country and ask that the native people of that country speak your language! Although saying that, most Dutch people I’ve met so far say they don’t mind speaking English and are pretty much used to switching it to speak with foreigners. One lady said if she were me, she wouldn’t bother learning to speak Dutch, why bother when everyone speaks English!

But, I feel I should try at least. For one thing, it’s completely ignorant. And for another, why bother moving to another country if you are not going to immerse yourself in pretty much all aspects of its culture! I say pretty much all aspects because the one thing that is typically Dutch that I’m not particularly keen to try is the herring!

With all the necessary forms, paperwork and setting up direct debits done, I can concentrate on making this little apartment a home. I say ‘little’, what I really mean is tiny or minute! But it’s a space of my own, and for the time I’m here, I can at least make that space homely.

It’s a furnished flat. So I don’t need to worry about buying furniture, etc, which is one bonus, even if some of the décor is somewhat questionable. And, as I’m only on a temporary contract at the moment, I’m not sure how long I will be here yet. So, I don’t really want the hassle and expense of buying such things and wondering what the hell to do with it all if I’m only here for a few months.

So, I’m making this furnished flat my own! Starting with what can only be described as an urn with two smaller types, the same pattern as urn vases, on either side of the urn, on top of a high bookcase in the living room. I just have to take them down, wrap them in newspaper and place them at the bottom of a cupboard. I can’t tell you how relieved I was to find that they were empty!

Then, to accompany the urn and matching vases, I just have to put a lamp shade that the landlord placed behind the TV in the cupboard also. For one thing, I wouldn’t use it, nor does it go with anything in the room! Leopard print lamp shade – each to their own! It reminds me of a certain aunt of mine, who would love it and make it pride of place in her living room. Like I said, each to their own! Every time I look at it, it reminds me of her. In the bottom of the cupboard with the urns it goes.

I bought a throw for the sofa, and the rest isn’t so bad. Plus, it’s all so tiny, I’ve run out of room in one of the cupboards already!

And as I begin to make this little apartment more my own for a while, it helps to make me feel more settled into my new environment. Already, I like it here. There’s so much to see and do. I may even begin to start branching out a bit and explore some of the nearby cities that I haven’t been to yet. Transport is also great here, and pretty much always on time. I haven’t experienced any delays. Makes for exploring all the easier when planning more trips to other cities and countries.

Anyway! Not forgetting the actual reason why I moved here! And how is the new job going? In a word, so far I love it!

I was a bit dubious at first, especially as it all happened so fast with the interviews and start dates, etc. But I feel like I’m settling in and getting to grips with the slightly different ways of doing things here. My ICT skills definitely need improving somewhat! I feel a bit out of touch at times! But having said that, my new team have been so welcoming and helpful. I’ve received well wishes and even flowers, which is sweet. And it’s quite a large team. With teachers from various different places. I love hearing all the different accents (who doesn’t like an accent?).

And my class? Well, so far, so good! They are all little darlings! The class size is a bit smaller compared to the UK too, 20. So, it’s nice to feel that you can actually get to know them as individuals as well as a whole, and meet their learning needs much more effectively! There haven’t been any little, quirky stories to mention as such yet. But once we all get more settled into routines and a new teacher, etc, I’m sure there will be! Most probably at my expense, too, as per usual!

As for my next planned step of living here and embracing the culture, dare I say it. Is to at least think about purchasing a bike!

I have been walking a lot more than before I moved here. But one of my reasons for wanting to move to the Netherlands was the healthier lifestyle. So I’ve been walking to and from work most days, which takes about 25 minutes. The weather is still good at the moment, so it’s nice to walk in the sunshine.

But something tells me I’ll opt for language lessons first before bike riding – I barely have any coordination! But, we’ll see! So far, so good! Hopefully it continues that way.