Amsterdam -- the insomnia edition
Hello all:
O.k. So where to begin. Oh. AMSTERDAM!
Basically, "we are not in Kansas (or Juarez) anymore, Toto!" (for that skit, Jake played
Toto, which involved him sitting on the couch and growling)
Ams could not be any more different -- where Cd. J had blazing bright sunlight, AMS has lovely gray mornings. Where Cd. J was bone dry, AMS is the moistest of squishy organs chugging along doing its job. Where CD. J was all cars and narco-fear, AMS is all bicycles and . . .
People -- I have post-Juarez stress syndrom.
case in point -- during a quick rain/hail shower, I jumped when said hail "tapped, tapped, tapped" on our front windows. My body thought they were stray bullets hitting the wall/window and I ducked and covered. Jake did not see this bit of theater.
I also have been having home invasion nightmares, another reason why I am having trouble sleeping (compounded with jet lag). We have an alarm system, but do not know how to set it yet. Plus, the windows have no bars on them, which should be a good sign. . . but.
Also, when we walk around, Jake likes to shout "Watch out!" because he is afraid I am going to get run over by a bicycle. The bicycle in question is usually a good 20 feet or more away, and is traveling at speeds in which even I can cross in front of without a 'squish' incident. Having someone just randomly shout things when I am obviously AWARE of the situation just makes me jump, thinking there is something else going on -- like snippers on the roof tops.
so, in other news:
OUr apartment is the largest one we have ever lived in -- directly across the street is a branch of the British School, so kids and parents walking to school each morning is a welcome site. It is a three bedroom -- I was able to request that one bedroom be set up with a desk (which is huge, the desk I mean) and once our house hold effects arrive, I will set up the Ivar shelves and unpack the books. (18 boxes of books, Jake keeps pointing out. There but for the grace of God--It could have been 36 boxes if I was not using all my self control over the last three years). HHE (household effects) should arrive third week of January. OUr Unaccompanied Air Freight should arrive this week, so basic kitchen supplies that I wanted on arrival, our own pillows/blankets/sheets, a rug, and assorted essentials will be here before Christmas! I also packed all of our Christmas decorations, so that will keep me busy.
We have a spare bedroom and air-mattress, so you are all invited! I should be de-toxed from Mexico enough that I will not run around shouting "Duck and Cover!!" every time a car has a misfire. But then again, that might be entertaining.
Jake is one of five U.S. officers at post -- one of the other officers and his family live a 15 minute walk away. They served in Caracas, for their first tour: previous to State Dept., they lived in EL PASO while he was serving in the Army, at Fort Bliss. So, most of our conversations so far have been EP bashing sessions. They speak Spanish to their 2 year old, and also served in a not so great first post. They are a cute couple who dress well, which makes me thing we look like rumpled schlubs in contrast. Hoping to lose more weight and rock some cute outfits. But I think the El Paso discussions and Spanish also are contributing to my post trauma.
Which brings me to my Sally Brown "all I want is what I have coming to me! All I want is my fair share!" moment -- Two Years in Amsterdam is not adequate compensation for two years of Juarez. I already feel slightly cheated out of six months of language, as well as a consular course I was considering taking. If I had the con course, then I would be eligible for a better position at the consulate. Not that I WANT to work there as a first choice, but options need to be open. Once our own internet is up and running, i will start blanketing the colleges and universities with e-mailed versions of my C.V.. Lieden is a 20 something minute train ride from our train station (Amsterdam Zuid -- World Trade Center).
But I will stop complaining -- two years in Amsterdam is amazing when one considers that it COULD have been two years of Crapistan, or other places of bullet dodging.
O.k. -- enough for now.
O.k. So where to begin. Oh. AMSTERDAM!
Basically, "we are not in Kansas (or Juarez) anymore, Toto!" (for that skit, Jake played
Toto, which involved him sitting on the couch and growling)
Ams could not be any more different -- where Cd. J had blazing bright sunlight, AMS has lovely gray mornings. Where Cd. J was bone dry, AMS is the moistest of squishy organs chugging along doing its job. Where CD. J was all cars and narco-fear, AMS is all bicycles and . . .
People -- I have post-Juarez stress syndrom.
case in point -- during a quick rain/hail shower, I jumped when said hail "tapped, tapped, tapped" on our front windows. My body thought they were stray bullets hitting the wall/window and I ducked and covered. Jake did not see this bit of theater.
I also have been having home invasion nightmares, another reason why I am having trouble sleeping (compounded with jet lag). We have an alarm system, but do not know how to set it yet. Plus, the windows have no bars on them, which should be a good sign. . . but.
Also, when we walk around, Jake likes to shout "Watch out!" because he is afraid I am going to get run over by a bicycle. The bicycle in question is usually a good 20 feet or more away, and is traveling at speeds in which even I can cross in front of without a 'squish' incident. Having someone just randomly shout things when I am obviously AWARE of the situation just makes me jump, thinking there is something else going on -- like snippers on the roof tops.
so, in other news:
OUr apartment is the largest one we have ever lived in -- directly across the street is a branch of the British School, so kids and parents walking to school each morning is a welcome site. It is a three bedroom -- I was able to request that one bedroom be set up with a desk (which is huge, the desk I mean) and once our house hold effects arrive, I will set up the Ivar shelves and unpack the books. (18 boxes of books, Jake keeps pointing out. There but for the grace of God--It could have been 36 boxes if I was not using all my self control over the last three years). HHE (household effects) should arrive third week of January. OUr Unaccompanied Air Freight should arrive this week, so basic kitchen supplies that I wanted on arrival, our own pillows/blankets/sheets, a rug, and assorted essentials will be here before Christmas! I also packed all of our Christmas decorations, so that will keep me busy.
We have a spare bedroom and air-mattress, so you are all invited! I should be de-toxed from Mexico enough that I will not run around shouting "Duck and Cover!!" every time a car has a misfire. But then again, that might be entertaining.
Jake is one of five U.S. officers at post -- one of the other officers and his family live a 15 minute walk away. They served in Caracas, for their first tour: previous to State Dept., they lived in EL PASO while he was serving in the Army, at Fort Bliss. So, most of our conversations so far have been EP bashing sessions. They speak Spanish to their 2 year old, and also served in a not so great first post. They are a cute couple who dress well, which makes me thing we look like rumpled schlubs in contrast. Hoping to lose more weight and rock some cute outfits. But I think the El Paso discussions and Spanish also are contributing to my post trauma.
Which brings me to my Sally Brown "all I want is what I have coming to me! All I want is my fair share!" moment -- Two Years in Amsterdam is not adequate compensation for two years of Juarez. I already feel slightly cheated out of six months of language, as well as a consular course I was considering taking. If I had the con course, then I would be eligible for a better position at the consulate. Not that I WANT to work there as a first choice, but options need to be open. Once our own internet is up and running, i will start blanketing the colleges and universities with e-mailed versions of my C.V.. Lieden is a 20 something minute train ride from our train station (Amsterdam Zuid -- World Trade Center).
But I will stop complaining -- two years in Amsterdam is amazing when one considers that it COULD have been two years of Crapistan, or other places of bullet dodging.
O.k. -- enough for now.