isn't there a saying about looking through rose colored glasses? well, anyway... the glasses in these photos are anything but rose colored... they are my dad's old safetly glasses and let's just say they have been very "loved" by my kids. my dad gave them to me because i have often been referred to as a nerd (and proud of it!) and had one photo taken as a teenager wearing these glasses (no - i WON'T be posting that photo!!!)
anyway - yesterday my post stated that we have been living in the Netherlands for 1 year. phew! and while the post was very upbeat about our overall experience - i wanted to be honest and say that it has not been all "rosey"... "peachy"... however you want to say it. don't get me wrong - it's been a great overall experience.
.... but there's those times in the last year where i have wondered... when we first moved here - we did not have internet, telephone, bikes, or a car so for almost a week i wondered if ross would come home in the evening to his crazy family? would he bring us some food from the grocery store because we were bored all day and ate all the food? how am i going to keep all 4 kids quiet while we stand before immigration? how many trips will i need to make to the town hall? why do i have to go to the grocery store 3-4 times a week? why do i have to remember to bring my own shopping bags.... or pay 50cents per bag to buy some at the register? why do i have to go to 3 different stores for toilet paper - light bulbs - trash bags? wouldn't it be so much easier to do a 1-stop shop at wal-mart!?! why do i have a flat tire on my bike AGAIN? what in the world is the person yelling at me in dutch when my big van is taking up too much space on the road AGAIN? does that truck need to just randomly stop and unload - right in the middle of traffic? i wonder what that sign says in dutch? is that person staring at me because i have 4 kids or because we are speaking english? why do i have to remember a 50 cent piece to rent a grocery cart EVERY time i go shopping? why ME?
but there is one answer i am sure of - it's a different way of life and different is GOOD! it's a chance for me to look at things in a different way and i'm glad for that opportunity. taking things as they come and surviving day by day is how i've done it!
i still can't stop laughing at the pictures above!!!!! by the way - while capturing these photos - one side arm of the glasses actually broke! will this be the end of the glasses? i hope some tape and glue will keep the glasses alive :)
2 comments:
Ah, you have reached the pinnacle of nerd-dom when you have glasses with tape on them!
I can't believe it's been a year. I love that you see the bothe the good and bad about living abroad. I know it hasn't been easy but I'm so glad that you're able to see the roses even among the thorns.
I miss you, my friend!
Congrats on your anniversary! You guys are making such great memories. I know many women, that would never be able to do half of what you're doing! You rock! I loved living overseas and we're trying to get back. But I have a feeling by the time we get back there, you will be back in the states. Miss you!
-Maritza
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