Day 171 of 364 - Sat 1/21: Barn Dance?!?

Word of the day:   Schuur  (Barn)

Who knew the Dutch like to hang out in Barns and hold barn dances!?!? Ha... I kid!  But we did attend a New Year's celebration with some of Steve's co-workers in a barn that had been renovated and is now able to hold events comfortably. Sorry to disappoint but there was no line dancing or any dancing for that manner. Just appetizers, drinks and dinner. Dinner was a dish similar to chicken pot pie, but here they called it Queens Pie. I can't remember or find how it was said in dutch though.

Till next time...
Sarah

Day 169 of 364 - Thur 1/19: And we're back!

Word of the day:   Vlucht   (Flight)

After a flight that started Wed afternoon in Chicago fast forward to Thurs morning due to the time change. The flight was not overly long, but following my flight I had a 2 1/2hr train ride. Once at my place I took a few hours nap, and waited for Steve to come home from work.

We then headed out for dinner to celebrate my return. (Steve was really worried that I may not return and just stay in Chicago. But I have told him we have some amazing trips coming up and that the worst of winter weather has to be over, so we are now on an upswing again... fingers crossed.)  We ate a bunch of yummy tapas plates at Tapas y Mas.

Then along our walk home I noticed something I don't think you see too often, if at all, in the States.

One of these things is not like the others, One of these things just doesn't belong,Can you tell which thing is not like the others, before the song is done?

                     Then not even kidding, I see another one parked outside a bar about 5 doors down!

Till next time...Sarah

Day 139 of 364 - Tues 12/20: Home Sweet Home

Word of the day:     Luchthaven    (Airport)

I can't believe it has been 4 1/2months since getting here. Wow how time flys!  But more importantly...

Tomorrow is a BIG day... We are heading home for the Holidays! I am so excited, and more than ready!! I can't wait for some of the small things I have missed... driving a car more often, American restaurant choices and service, and Pumpkin Spice lattes!   Yup, Starbucks at the airport will be my very first stop once we are off the plane!!   Of course Steve has said, "what if they don't have it?" ... my response, "They will, and if not I will be getting an Eggnog Latte."  (Many of those will be consumed over the almost month I will be home.)  Tis' the Season.

But of course the BIGGER things I have missed are FAMILY and FRIENDS! I can't wait to see everyone!!!

I guess I should also mention I will be taking a break from the blog while home, so my next entry won't be until the end of January... Merry Xmas and Happy NY to you and your family!

Till next time... in 2012!

Sarah

Day 136 of 364 - Sat 12/17: Dubbele Zeepbel

Word of the day:   Ingezetene     (Resident)

Today we went back to the Aachen xmas market, since Jamie and Kim invited us to tag along, and it was supposed to be decent weather. Again we had the apple cake-like dessert, and milled about with our coffees in hand. No mulled wine this time... none of us really care for it.

Later in the evening we headed to dinner with Kim and jamie at Le Courage to celebrate our own early Xmas, New Year and that we made 5months living here in the Netherlands! Dinner was great and each of us chose the wine flight paired with each course. Kim and my favorite was the Cab served with our main course -- filet. Delicious! I don't know the maker of the wine, but Kim took a pic so I will have to get it later :)

After dinner we headed out for a few more drinks at Zondag and a night of craziness!!

Till next time...

Sarah

Day 133 of 364 - Thur 12/15: Apologies

Word of the day:   Sorry  (Sorry)

Well I made it 108 days with continuous blogs (surprised I made it that long) but I am sorry to say that I am taking this blog in a slightly different direction. I will now only blog on days that something "eventful" takes place. It is getting a little more difficult on a daily basis as the weather gets colder. I am just not that adventurous on a daily basis.  As I mentioned in a previous blog, hibernating is pretty much what I have been up to as of late, and I am sure you honestly don't wish to hear on a daily basis that I worked, worked out, watched GMA, did laundry, etc. So I will spare you the boring reads :)

Till next time...
Sarah

Day 132 of 364 - Wed 12/14: Cookies!

Word of the day:    Koekjes   (Cookies)

Continuing to get into the Christmas Holiday spirt Kim and I decided it was a great idea to make Christmas cookies. While listening to xmas music we slaved away mixing, cutting, rolling and decorating! Some were done with xmas themed cookie cutters found here in the cabinets, others rolled to form candy canes with food colored dough, and then decorated with some red and green sprinkles I brought from home. Yummy!!

Till next time...

Sarah

Day 128 of 364 - Sat 12/10: Trip #8 -- Prague, Czech Republic

Word of the day:    Klok    (Clock)

Again the weather has cooperated with our travels. Though it was only upper 30s- low 40s, the sun was shining and we were bundled up!  We were hoping to do a segway tour of the city, but they were booked and the other place was a little shady looking so we just hoofed it! And hoofed it we did. I am pretty sure today alone we walked well over 5miles.

We headed back to the Charles Bridge area and over the river to the Castle district of the town. Then it was time for more goulash and dumplings!!

Till next time...
Sarah

Day 127 of 364 - Fri 12/9: Trip #8 -- Prague, Czech Republic

Word of the day:     Varken    (Pig)

Today we flew to Prague for our last weekend trip before heading home to the US for the holidays. We really, really liked Prague! It had a familiar feel to it, reminding us right away of Chicago. I think the Chicago part came bc some of the food is more familiar from home.. similar to some Polish food.

 

 

After checking into our hotel we headed to the Old Town Square where the city's Christmas market was taking place. I was sure I would find a few of the gifts I was hoping to find at such markets! 

 

 

We first bought a cup of Svařák (mulled wine), and then headed to the stand selling "Old Prague Ham" which was smoked over an open coal grill.   It was then for the first time we felt like "taken" tourists... Urgh! In Prague they use Korunas (Crowns) as their money, so it was a different conversion rate, and a lot of the ppl speak only broken English so a bit more difficult to communicate. Steve placed his order and was given enough to feed a small family! (let me remind those of you who don't know, I hate Ham! I will eat all other versions of pork, but ham has a flavor I strongly dislike!) The total came to 4.90, but when you convert that it comes to over $20!!!  Oh well... Steve LOVED it, and did a pretty good job polishing it off!

Next up... some walking. Thru the very windy roads we went and over to the Charles Bridge. This bridge overpasses the Vitava River and provides a wonderful night view of the Prague Castle all lit up! Ater a few pictures with my now tempermental camera once there is no natural light we headed to a restaurant that was recommended to us. This restaurant's vibe and architecture very much reminded me of Chicago, as did the food. I hadn't eaten lunch nor the ham so I ordered a snack -- salad and a side of dumplings. Yum!!

After more walking it was then time for a late night dinner of beef goulash. YUM!!! If you have never had beef goulash, it is a bit like pot roast.

Till next time...

Sarah

Day 125 of 364 - Wed 12/7: Still Only Rain

Word of the day:    Hagel    (Hail)

Still no snow here in the Netherlands?!? We instead enjoyed multiple periods of hail today!

Till next time...
Sarah

Day 122 of 364 - Sun 12/4: Cue the Christmas Music!

Word of the day:   Markt       (Market)

Finally the Holiday season is upon us, so I was really excited to head to a Christmas market!! We drove about 30mins to the town of Aachen, Germany. It is supposed to have one of the best Xmas markets in Germany.  The market was festive and just as I expected, but I was a little disappointed bc I didn't find anything :(   On the upside, Steve and I did enjoy walking around with our coffees and the tasty apple pastry treats.

Till next time...
Sarah

Day 112 of 364 - Thur 11/24: Thanksgiving

Word of the day:   Kalkoen    (Turkey)

Turkey is not easy to come by in the Netherlands, not in the form of whole bird nor in lunchmeat, so it will be Roast Chicken for Steve and I this year.  Though it was not the same w/o family, it still felt like a holiday. And in the 23rd hour yesterday, Steve (and I) were surprised that he was able to take today and tomorrow off!

Like I was saying.... I made a roast chicken, home-made stuffing, crannberries, a mandarin orange salad and dinner rolls.

Then it was time to relax, and enjoy typical American traditions of football and movie watching!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families. I hope everyone had a wonderful day and meal!

Till next time...
Sarah

Day 108 of 364 - Sun 11/20: Trip #7 -- Paris

Word of the day:   Tuin    (Garden)

Leaving Paris :( but before doing so we headed to Versailles. Again, another gorgeous, above average temps for this time of year day!!! (We have been soooo lucky with our travel weather since getting here in August)


Versailles is a suburb of Paris, some 20 kilometres southwest of the French capital. The court of Versailles was the centre of political power in France from 1682, when Louis XIV moved from Paris, until the royal family was forced to return to the capital in October 1789 after the beginning of the French Revolution. Versailles is therefore famous not only as a building, but as a symbol of the system of absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime.


We went to the Chateau de Versailles and just walked the grounds soaking up the sun and taking in the scenery and people watched! We even saw a family of 5 running with their small kids... I am talking they must have been between the ages of 5-10 at most, and they were running! ... Farther than I usually care to run. I couldn't believe it.

Till next time...
Sarah

Day 107 of 364 - Sat 11/19: Trip #7 -- Paris

Word of the day:   Vogelperspectief    (Birds eye view)

It's gonna be another crisp, yet sunny Fall day here in Paris!! Today started out with one of Steve's and my favorite activities when touring cities.... riding the hop on/off bus! It is such an easy way to see everything and really get a feel for the layout of the city. We chose to sit up top, so of course when driving without a roof it can be a bit chilly, but we were prepared! (Steve later put on a hat)

Steve told me I looked like a movie star... I think more Polish Pollak! 

Steve later put on a hat

After our morning round on the bus, it was off to the Eiffle Tower for lunch and some up close views! Lunch was delicious at Le Jules Verne, and offered some wonderful bird's eye views of the city!
(Note: we did not make it all the way to the top, but hope to do so when we return with some of our visiting guests.)

Then it was back to the bus to let our multi-course meal settle! Followed by some more hopping on and off, and then a lot more walking later that evening. Paris is such a great place to just walk and take in the scenes! Another trip I think we walked well over 5 miles on!

It was another late night dinner- more French Onion soup!!! bruschetta, glass of champagne and a bottle of wine. I think both Steve and I agreed that tonight's soup at Carmine's was our preferred between last night and tonight, but don't get me wrong both were delicious!

Till next time...
Sarah

Day 106 of 364 - Fri 11/18: Trip #7 -- Paris

Word of the day:   Toren    (Tower)

In the car on our way to Paris! It is about a 4hr drive, so we left around 10am. Once there we checked into our hotel, which was about 4 blocks from the Eiffel Tower, so of course that was our first stop once we ventured out. As mentioned in yesterday's entry the weather this weekend was going to be nice... today- sun and in the mid-50s...perfect for walking around! Well, we didn't actually go to or in the Eiffel Tower bc we have plans for that tomorrow, but we did manage to take a picture as we walked by it.

We continued our walk around the city, over the Seine River and into the Louvre part of town. We stopped for a drink and some appetizers, and then headed to the Louvre for their evening hours. Yes, I saw the Mona Lisa, and I can't believe how many panes of glass are in front of it! Most people when they see it are surprised at how small it is, but I thought it was about right, maybe just a tad bit smaller than expected??

After the Louvre we walked a bit more along the river and headed back toward the Eiffel Tower. It is definitely sooooo pretty at night! And there I went snapping away with my camera. Though I should note, it seems to be partially broke now and the flash isn't working on all settings at night.. urgh! Of all the places it would decide to break... urgh! (Hopefully I have been a good enough girl this year and Santa will bring me a new one :) )


After the tower we were a bit hungry and headed to a restaurant by our hotel for some French Onion soup... Yum!!!


Honestly, I couldn't get enough of the tower!!! And I can't wait to order another picture canvas, definitely will be getting one of the tower for my collection of travels canvases.

Till next time...
Sarah

Day 105 of 364 - Thur 11/17: Getting Ready

Word of the day:   Wasgoed    (Laundry)

Doing laundry and getting packed up for another weekend trip to.... PARIS! I can't wait, and we are expecting above average temps and sun for the weekend!

Till next time...
Sarah

Day 104 of 364 - Wed 11/16: Got Nothing

Word of the day:   Niets    (Nothing)

I've got nothing. Stayed home all day and didn't venture out anywhere.

Till next time...
Sarah

Day 103 of 364 - Tues 11/15: Only Tuesday?!?

Word of the day:   Typisch    (Typical)

Another typical week day... working out, grocery shopping, few hours of work, making dinner and watching some tv before bed.

Till next time...
Sarah

Day 102 of 364 - Mon 11/14: Ikea Again

Word of the day:   Overwinteren    (Hibernate)

Now that the weather is starting to get cooler there will be less exploration on my part, and more hibernation!
So weekday blogs may become a bit more boring than they already are... sorry! 

Went back to Ikea and purchased a new area rug for our living room, bc the other one was so old and matted looking that I couldn't take it any longer! My new find was pretty cheap, and I am much happier now!

Today is also my sister Amy's Bday! Happy Bday!! Sorry we couldn't be there to celebrate with you.<3ya xoxo

Till next time...
Sarah

Day 101 of 364 - Sun 11/13: DIY projects continue

Word of the day:   Schilderij    (Painting)

Today was another overall lazy Sunday following another of our date nights. We had gone to dinner at Barsserie Appart, which was delicious, and followed it up with a stop in a local bar for a couple more drinks.

Per this past week's entries I continued with my DIY projects around the place and painted the back of this plain, boring, light colored wood. Just enough to give a little color to the oh so stark white of this place.

Till next time...
Sarah

Day 100 of 364 - Sat 11/12: Guest writer: Steve & his take...

Word of the day:   Schoorsteenveger    (Chimney Sweep)

Today marks another day for Dutch celebration! It is a slightly different take on kicking off the holiday season than in the US (i.e. Macy's parade) Here they have a guy called Sinterklaas that comes by boat "from Spain" and seems to do a quick sweep (appearance) of the town to check-in with the kids and give them one last reminder to be good. Though this same man is allowed to kick, use branches to lash children, AND if they were really bad he can put them into his sack and take them back to Spain with him. Hmmm, right?!?!

Well now let's have Steve share his thoughts, or rather of others...

“It is not racist!”

That’s what my co-workers told me when I showed them one of my videos of Sinterklaas (aka St. Nicholas) parading through the streets of Maastricht.  Usually I tell people that the cultural differences between the Netherlands and the United States are quite small.  However, Sinterklass happens to be one of the larger ones.  Simply watch this video:

 Yes,  that is a bunch of grown men and children dressed up in blackface.  They are playing the part of Zwarte Piet (which translates to “Black Peter”) who according to Wikipedia:

“is a servant of Sinterklaas, usually an adolescent in blackface with black curly hair, dressed up like a 17th century page in a colourful dress, often with a lace collar, and donning a feathered cap.  Sinterklaas and his Black Pete usually carry a bag which contains candy for nice children and a roe, a chimney sweep's broom made of willow branches, used to spank naughty children. Some of the older Sinterklaas songs make mention of naughty children being put in the bag and being taken back to Spain.”

My co-workers defend the blackface by saying “its  because they climb down sooty chimneys”.  I reply with: “oh yeah?  Why are his clothes so clean?!?!?"  No response.

Here is a humorous take by the comedian David Sedaris that a friend passed along:
YOU MUST WATCH THIS (IF YOU WANT A LAUGH!!!) sorry there are 3 links to the video-- in total it will take you 15mins to watch, but pretty funny!

Part 1:    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbJpRLhaSqs
Part 2:    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU1D1HKTDCY
Part 3:    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g17Pl7MFMco

Till next time...
Sarah & Steve