Tulips on my ....
April 1, 2007 at 11:54 AM
by Ashleigh
I planted these in the autumn and they sat on the balcony full of promise for a whole six months.
Finally, an explosion of flowers.
I have so much to write about. I keep thinking about posts covering all kinds of interesting things like:
- the 37 year old forensic pathologist who turned up at my Dutch class. Who can't work here because her certification is not recognised in Holland, who did a total of 13 years of study to attain that qualification. Who doesn't want to recertify because it will take another 8 years. Who looked at me like I was insane when I suggested that perhaps finding enjoyment in volunteer work might be something for her. Am I insane? It doesn't seem to me that lamenting one's life status (regardless of how very terrible it must be) can be a better option than doing something that might fulfill your life.
- the problems we are having with the football team where it seems like the club focuses only on those who have 'star' ability and those who win and forgets all the other kids. Maybe we need to find another club, maybe we need to find another sport. I don't know. It's distressing.
Alas, my weeks seem to have been filled with chores, dramas, classes, cleaning (ugh - you know, when the sun comes out you can see all the dust?) and lots of involvement at school.
So the interesting posts will have to wait and you'll get flowers and hot cross buns (coming later!) instead.
I have been ordered to make a Boston Cream Pie for Thursday when the Husband turns 34, and home made pizza with chorizo.
Comments
OK, let me be the first to take the forensic pathologist's side. The cost in time, money, and effort of obtaining an advanced medical degree is enormous--it can easily cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in the U.S. To then have a government suggest you do it all over again so they can issue you the same certificate you already earned is beyond frustrating. Why can't they just be required to pass board exam of some sort? I can understand why that woman isn't getting over it. It's huge.
Yes, volunteer work can be fulfilling if you find the right slot, but often volunteers are taken for granted, don't get to use their professional skills, or worse yet, apply their professional skills for free while someone in a paid position benefits from their work and indirectly gets credit for it.
...This from someone who is getting tired of writing for free...
Its great to read your comments - we are in NL for the second time around and I find its even more Germanic than 15 yrs ago. Its not our only posting but I think NL is one of the more difficult countries - I like the people individually but bureaucracy rules! Having spent 7 yrs in london hasn't helped!Keep writing, I can't always log in but its always entertaining. I sympathise with the forensic path, I knew a physio who couldn't work in NL although she was from another european country - so went home to re-establish her practice leaving husband in NL.
Ash: I'll be visiting London in June so will have another chance to have a look and remember why I like NL so much now! I was last there a year and a half ago and I was so glad to come home to calm Amstelveen!
If you are speaking to the forensic pathologist, perhaps you could suggest she write. I am certain she could put a new twist on murder mysteries. It is a pity that she thinks eight years is too long. She would only be 45yrs. As far as working a job is concerned, 45yrs. is young. I agree with you. It is much better to do something than nothing at all!
April 1, 2007 7:08 PM