Living abroad or living in a different place than where you grew up can be extremely rewarding. You get to learn about different cultures, tastes unique foods, have new experiences, make new friends and a lot more. But living away from your hometown can also be quite challenging, especially during a pandemic. Many of us […]
Where Is the Netherlands, and Why Does This Country Confuse so Many Of Us?
Please take note that this post may contain affiliate links. When I met my Dutch partner almost four years ago, I had never heard of the Netherlands. All I heard about was Holland and Amsterdam. I am not alone in this thinking. When I visit other countries, even in Europe, saying that I live in […]
6 Less Known Places to Visit in the Netherlands
Please take note this post may contain affiliate links. If you’re anything like me, you’re probably not that interested in visiting big cities and famous tourist destinations. You probably want to find the places that the locals go to chill and all the charm that comes with daily living. Famous tourist spots are notorious for […]
Has the Idea of Buying a House in the Netherlands Got You Stressed Out? 5 Tips to Navigate the Market
Buying a house in the Netherlands? Is your heart beating out of your chest reading that? Then you’re probably a person trying to buy a house right now in this crazy market. If I am being completely honest, I have never purchased a home. Before I moved here, my Dutch partner already bought a home […]
Alcohol and I Aren’t Friends and I’m Not Going to Apologize For It
When I was a little kid, my parents would let me have a sip of beer or wine once in a while. I always hated it because it tasted gross to me. As I grew older, I developed a taste for the finer things in life, aka, anything alcoholic. As time went on, I noticed […]
An Ode to Everyone Working In Social Work
When I was a teenager, I got myself placed into foster care. My parents weren’t doing their job, so I reached out to my oldest sister. She helped me contact social services and get placed with her foster parents. In America, unless there are clear signs of abuse, it is almost impossible to take a […]
Healthcare Isn’t Free Anywhere, Not Even in Europe
Someone recently commented on a post of mine saying that, of course, I can be happy because healthcare is free in Europe. And this comment isn’t a one-time thing. I get it often. That really upset me. I too grew up thinking healthcare is free in Europe, but that really isn’t true. It’s actually a […]
This Is Why You Should Be Saying No More Often
A lot of us are people pleasers. I usually tend to say yes instead of no, even when I don’t want to. Where I’m from, the USA, we are taught to have three side hustles in addition to our full-time job. We are told to say yes at work, no matter how overburdened we become. […]
10 Ways to Save Money According to the Dutch
Please take note that this post may contain affiliate links. When it comes to spending money wisely and saving money, Dutch people have got it down. They are great at allocating their money in the most effective manner. Many people around the world call them cheap or stingy. I call them smart. Living within your […]
5 of My Unpopular Opinions About the Netherlands
The Netherlands is a wonderful place to live. There are beautiful fields everywhere. Sheep are used to mown most parks and fields instead of lawnmowers. There are cute old windmills everywhere. People cycle to work, school, shopping, and more instead of driving. The country is known for its amazing cheese and beautiful tulips. The work-life […]