"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." Albert Einstein

Well I now own two more bicycles than I ever thought I would! I had thought one would be sufficient, but the 25 minute walk from the train station to the job site is a hell of a lot easier (and quicker) now that I have a bike. You know how everyone makes references to “it’s just like riding a bike” when talking about remember how to do something? Well let me tell you, remembering how to ride a bike without riding into traffic, people, or other cyclists is a steep learning curve! But I digress - it’ll be a good thing once I’m adjusted and used to it.

I know I’m a bit late in giving you all an update this week. It’s been a crazy crazy week - more so than the last one! Hopefully I’ll be able to get in the swing of things now. The first week of work was interesting, to say the least. I’m working on a project in Haarlem, which is about 20 minutes outside of Amsterdam. Easy commute (now that I have a bike!) and a very quick paced project with the possibility to continue working on more buildings on the campus. The train station / project is also located next to an IKEA, which is both fantastic and possibly the most dangerous store to be so accessible daily after work. Most of you know I left the US with only my suitcases. That means I have zero appliances or kitchen gadgets with me (my poor parents are storing all of my kitchen). So while my apartment is furnished, you can bet it doesn’t quite meet my standards for cooking and baking.

Speaking of: I FINALLY HAVE AN APARTMENT!

After a stressful week of apartment searching and waiting, I signed the contract for my apartment and got the keys this past Friday! I spent the weekend moving all of my things in and running so many errands to make sure I got the necessities to start living. Priority one was buying a coffee machine - because let’s be honest, I wouldn’t survive without my morning coffee. So, I decided to treat myself to a Nespresso machine and enjoy every 5am morning before work a little bit more.

New Neighborhood and Digs!

I’m still learning some of the ins and outs of living in Amsterdam. So many people here have made comments about things to think about, like a mosquito bed net for summers when you sleep with the windows open, or buying a big fan before April as they start to sell out as summer approaches! And of course, I need to remember that I’ll be cooking everything in CELSIUS - pray that I remember that one when baking….

Also, did you know that you have to go to maybe 4 different stores to buy things you would normally be able to get in one store in the US? Toilet paper? Don’t go to a home goods store, or a pharmacy. Have to get that at the grocery store! Grocery stores don’t have pharmacies in them here, or any daily use products that you could get in say a Safeway or Giant. It’s a different kind of learning curve here - and making sure to remember where to go for what! Truly, exploring every store is a requirement to determine where to go for what.

No matter what, it’s an ongoing adjustment, but fun learning how to live in Amsterdam. It’s only been a couple of weeks, but I feel like I’m acclimating here already. Now it’s time to get out and meet some new people!

“Every moment is a fresh beginning.” —T.S. Eliot

Well, it’s been nearly a week, so it’s time to check in again! It’s been a fun and crazy week. After my 2 week east coast travel extravaganza, my body gave up over the weekend. So with Friday-Sunday shot, Monday was long overdue for a fun day to explore the city!

After a fun Monday came a stressful and arduous Tuesday apartment hunting! The rental market in Amsterdam is INSANE! Apartments will get listed and contracted within 1-2 days. So any apartment I choose will have to be same day! The pressure is on. Hoping to have a place locked in by Friday! 

Today I got my temporary residence permit (so I can actually start work on Monday!) and switched hotels to be closer to the office at least for this next week. I’ve got more apartment showings to go to tomorrow and then a free long weekend! 

The only question is, what should I do this weekend?! Maybe a day trip to Rotterdam? The Hague?

OR GOUDA FOR SOME CHEESE???