Update

This is my fourth week since I've moved to Amsterdam, and my sixth week since I moved to Holland (I'm going to stop counting pretty soon). CRAZY. Here is the updates, thus far.

Language classes are going well still, I think. I am as impatient as ever, but I am constantly learning so with that I am happy. If I ever need a self esteem boost, I can just ask Michiel what he thinks of my progress. He is so enthusiastic and proud of me haha. Today he was telling his friend my life story. He got everything right except he said I was from Africa. Marlies & GertJan are also so encouraging, it is obvious they like me here and that makes it so great to have it go both ways like that. The situation is quite perfect, if you had any doubts please squish them now. I talk to the kids all in Dutch so that is good practice, but they will not correct me unless I make them. But whenever I talk to adults (Jenny, Ed, GertJan, Marlies...) I get my fair share of education haha. So much to learn and damn it I'm an American and I want it NOW. But, here I am, chapter 3. Test results: I passed the big test, but the teacher decided not to move me up after all. Long story, with a lot of unhappy GertJans and Ashleys, but in the end, I can still learn from level 1 so I will do what I can with it. There is always something else to learn.
Also, since we're talking about language, should I tell you or should I not tell you, that a native Dutch speaker is beating me at WordFeud (scrabble for smart phones)... in ENGLISH? Beating, and has beat - current and past tense. It has gotten funny to me now. I think I should just live on moon and use the Morse code or something. But I think my slang is catching on.

GertJan and Marlies bought me a plant yesterday. Quite nice. I think I'll get more of them. Livens up the room a bit. I'm so plain I dont even think of what I could add to the room...think I need a Jacqueline to decorate for me or something.

I went on my first run last week. It was the most beautiful run I've ever been on - ran along the beach. If I had time, I'd go there every day. Sit and watch. Sit and watch. It really is lovely here in Ijburg, so close to the water, and so windy.

Got back from another great weekend in Schiedam. Always hard to leave, but good to come back to. Parting is such sweet sorrow. haha. (We all have our melodramatic moments, right?) But also, it is great to be with the kids and talk more with Marlies and GertJan, so I admit, I have it pretty good.

Love to all.