Culture and Politics – Possibly Netherlandish.

Why voting matters to me

I don’t think someone can truly understand how much the culture they’re from impacts them unless they leave it. While I’ve been gone from the US for seven years now, still so much of who I am, how I think, wish, dream and steer my way through life is partly a product of where IContinue reading “Why voting matters to me”

Vacation: The Netherlands vs. the U.S.

The Dutch refer to the first Saturday in August as “Zwarte Zaterdaag” or Black Saturday. It’s called “Black Saturday” because everyone hits the road (asphalt) to go on vacation. On August 1st, there was a traffic jam in France that was nearly 900 km (560 miles) long. Last year, the traffic jam was even worse.Continue reading “Vacation: The Netherlands vs. the U.S.”

It’s getting better

(Front page of a newspaper in Leeuwarden in March 2013. The article was just existing quotes from celebrities such as Justin Timberlake, Madonna and Betty White in support of gay marriage.) When I wrote this yesterday, I was a little excited. I realize now that the rulings are a mixed blessing; they didn’t change muchContinue reading “It’s getting better”

Ik ben trots op y’all

Yesterday made a hero of Wendy Davis (and rightfully so), but I wanted to give some props to the folks in Austin to stayed until 2 or 3 in the morning to back her up. I’m extremely proud of my friends who volunteered their time at a moment’s notice to stand up for what theyContinue reading “Ik ben trots op y’all”

Koninginnedag!

When I moved here in March, I wanted to have this blog up and running by Koninginnedag. That was yesterday. Koninginnedag (pronunciation: cone ing in a da – it’s actually super fun to say), means Queen’s Day, and it’s a national holiday here – schools and businesses are closed. This year is remarkable because QueenContinue reading “Koninginnedag!”