Speaking English

A lot of people have not heard of Maastricht, I hadn't before we moved there in 2009. Heck, my geography is so bad I had to look at a map to see exactly where the Netherland was! (I think the Catholic schools failed me in the World History department...) But, apparently Maastricht, which is located in the southern part of the Netherlands, is a very attractive location for companies from all over the globe. Because of this, I was able to meet hundreds of other Expatriat families and become friends with dozens of wonderful and intersting ladies.

Something striking that I will take away from my experience for years and years to come, is the English. Those ladies from England. As an American raised in the United States, my history of England is very...well, non existent. It was drilled into our heads "the British are coming!", the red coats, and that we won our independance in 1776, but really other than that, I am pretty ignorant of the English. We had an opportunity to go to London in 2010 on one of our many mini-breaks and it was by far one of the best European cities we visited. The people were great, the shopping outstanding, the food - delicious - fish and chips!, and just an all around wonderful city.

As I said earlier, I met a lot of fascinating expatriate ladies. From Isreal, Russia, Japan, Germany, India, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and more. But, there was a very large population in Maastricht from England. Americans are different from the English, but one obvious commonality is that we both speak English. Or, so I thought.

Here is some of the "new" English I learned while living abroad:

Boot (trunk of the car)

Bonnet (hood of the car)

Telly (TV)

Nik Naks or pants (underwear)

Tap (facet)

Ta (thank you)

Lift (elevator)

Jumper (sweater)

Pushchair (stroller)

Pram (stroller)

Falling (getting pregnant)

Trousers (pants)

Naff (anorak)

chocablock (traffic on the road)

moreish (very yummy)

wingeing (whining)

motorway (highway)

poorly (not feelig well)

crsips (potatoe chips)

I want a go (I would like a turn)

Every time I heard one of these English-ism from one of my friends, it always gave me a little chuckle (that's a laugh for the English reading this ..ha ha). They were all wonderful women and I hope that our friendship continues across the miles.

Cheers!

Easter

Since we moved back I have been very behind in my blogging. We have been back a few weeks and I finally feel like we are getting into the swing of thing.

We had a fabulous Easter in Maastricht. I love the kids innocence with this holiday, much like Christmas. There is a certain magic about it.

The kids riding the canon outside the Maastricht city walls after Sunday service

Katie outside the church gates

Beautiful Maastricht

The best picture I could get of Andrew

After the egg hunt in our garden Easter morning

Ready and waiting by the glass door to the garden

Found one!

Opening Easter baskets

Dying Eggs

Katie and Grandma

Very serious

Very proud

Silly Hair Day at School

The kids school in the Netherlands had a fundraiser. Pay a euro, wear your hair silly.

It was fun...and silly!

Back

Andrew wanted to sleep with Katie.

Park of his separation anxiety we think.

We arrived safe and sound back in the good ol' USA with little drama on Saturday April 30th. Like clockwork, we went through one week of jet lag...the kids getting up at 3am the first few days, then 5am and then gradually it got back to normal. -- Andrew at 6am and Katie around 7:30am.

Now, 3 weeks later, we are getting into a good routine and starting to feel like we are home. (At least I am). Andrew is having the most difficult time adjusting. To him, Maastricht was the only home he knew. We moved when he was nearly 15 months old. He misses his friends, places, school, neighborhood, ad so forth. And, as most of you know, he is very verbal so he is not afraid to tell me all about what he misses on a daily basis. Katie has adjusted very well. She is excited about seeing her friends, playing tee ball and learning to ride a bike!

All in all we are doing well. More blogs to come.