Fall Over Amsterdam

It's been lovely walking home to our new abode these past few weeks. The leaves in the park are vibrant and I love crunching and kicking them under my feet. Not to mention, Amsterdam is experiencing a warm spell and it's just all too pleasant. Now if only the dog and the baby were here to enjoy the fun...

Here, There, Everywhere.

It's not that I don't want to be at home in Amsterdam. It's more that I want to be so very many different places at once.

I wish I could hold a party for places and have them all at the table.

Dutch Programs for Pregnant Women

Everywhere requires adjustment from the place before. Even though I find Amsterdam to be a pretty close ideological match to San Francisco there have obviously been several areas where I've gone from confusion, to learning, adjusting, and finally understanding; of course the Dutch method of dealing with Pregnancy is no exception.

First off, there is a huge push here for home births. Everyone is assigned a midwife, and I've heard of people having to switch midwifes simply because they were being overtly pressured away from their choice of hospital birth. As with many arguments, there is scientific evidence on both sides; but in this case, most people recognize the mothers comfort should override others ideals. Second off you have the government required home inspection and post care nurse. This sounds much more fascist than it is, it's actually quite wonderful and shows the level of importance put on the safety of the child. Some people think that this could be invasive, the government should be less involved, smaller, etc; but I think there is also evidence that people just can't always be trusted, whether it be due to ignorance or negligence having a nurse come to your house and inspect your preparedness isn't such a bad thing. After the birth another nurse (Kraamzorg) will be at the house for 8 days to help with light cleaning, cooking, teaching you how to bath and breastfeed, etc. Historically these tasks were cared to by family, but times have changed and many find their families further and further away.

The one thing that has made me feel the most at home (and at ease) was Pregnancy Yoga with Lillith Turk at the the Active Health Center. I'm a bit biased because I LOVE YOGA. The class I've been taking is in English and just lovely. It is the one thing that feels like home. The studio could be in California, Vermont, Venezuela, or Amsterdam. In the studio there is no discussion of which birth method is best, no pressure to adapt to a new system, no need to explain why you have chosen a different system; just neutral discussions, stretching, and relaxation.

I highly recommend this class/series to any English speaking expectant Mother in Amsterdam. Our class was full of women from all nationalities and Lillith welcomes new students to come for a free trial class :)

Enjoy!

Amsterdam Charm

I took this recently with Hipstamatic on my iPhone. Fun! Charming!!

More links for Amsterdam Expats

This is a swell updated guide for expats that my Venezuelan friend put together....there is some overlap with my previous list, and some more detail in areas I formerly left out...

Not only are these links for job seekers, there are also social groups, and other general living info. Coming up on my year anniversary of living abroad in Amsterdam, I can say that a lot of my expat friends needed a few years to settle in; and many of them ended up starting their own companies with much success. The global job climate has changed so much in the past decade. Many cultures are leaning more towards a localized workforce and I've had several friends tell me that although they were hired abroad 4-5 years ago, they are not sure they would have the same opportunities now.

Enjoy!

English Language Jobs
Undutchables
Netherlands Jobs 77
Xpats Jobs
Just Landed (Netherlands Jobs Link)
Via Via
Depart Jobs
Intermedriar Jobs
Together Abroad
Pay Scale
Times Jobs
Experteer International jobs
Work from home style jobs
Marketing jobs in English
Freelance Jobs in the Netherlands
More Freelance Jobs in the Netherlands
Bright Connect
Another Freelance Job site for the Netherlands

Common and most used agencies/websites:
Monsterboard
Unique
Undutchables
Jobs in Amsterdam
Expat Jobs
Michael Page (HUGE International Recruitment company...specializes in Financial sector)

List of job recruitment agencies:
I AMsterdam Job Recruitment page

General info (living, business, city, health, family, etc):
Expatica
Expatax
I AMsterdam


Success!

A Paradox

On the one hand, I love vintage. Antiques. Classic styles and beauty that was built to last. Sturdy wood. It will last the ages. It's heavy. Oh, it's so heavy. And it doesn't fit in a suitcase. That is the paradox. I love Vintage style, but I live a mobile lifestyle. Maybe one day I'll have the means (calling all creative partners) to design some lovely vintage inspired pieces that also fold into your pocket; in the meantime I'm going practical and have been looking at baby gear that is great for creating a baby space, any place.

Here are two of my favorites, first the Mawok Baby 'Hammock':



The Mawok Baby 'Hammock' from Sweden can be attached to any door to create a sleeping space that allows for gentle rocking. It's portable and looks amazing. If only there were a folding 'stand' that would allow it to sit on the floor, where you could rock it with your foot while eating (for example)....still, a great product.

Secondly, the Graco Element Pack n' Play with Bassinet attachment:



This product has great reviews as a portable playpen and sleeper. The Bassinet function allows for newborns to be safe and easy to reach, while it can also be used up to 2 years (30 lbs) as a crib. A flexible, versatile, mobile win.

Maybe not the most romantic items, but a bit exciting...yes?

Spring in a Nutshell

I've let the blog fall wayside, and I'll keep this recap short and simple.

Immigration takes strength and can be quite a rollercoaster. The first 6 months can be likened to any other major life struggle. I'm coming out of it with the same feeling that I had around 6 months after a devastating house fire. I lost everything, my past, my comforts; all in one night. Immigration felt a bit like that. And now, as I move further and further from the moment of change; growth and learning are coming into site. I could probably write a book about this form of loss and growth. I know I'm not the first one to experience it, and it can come through so many different ways....

We took a famously long Dutch vacation for the better part of the Spring. It was lovely and exhausting, as just before embarking we found out I'm pregnant. Needless to say the pregnancy has kept me busy enough and I can't complain about not working right now :) Having said that, expect to see a lot more 'having a baby in a foreign country' and 'being a pregnant expat' type of entries. I'll still try and keep them loaded with links and info.

So in a nutshell: I'm pregnant, we had a wonderful long holiday while the man and I are still but two, the days are long, and the sun is plentiful <3