"Say yes and you'll figure it out afterwards." - Tina Fey
My new motto. Saying yes when being invited out or seeing something that looks interesting to do. I tried it in Nevada when I first moved out there, but let me tell you. There’s a lot more to say yes to in Amsterdam when everyone you know is new to the area! I've been going out for drinks, trying new foods, meeting new people. All in all a successful transition to Amsterdam life so far!
I also found heaven in a store ^^^ kitchen heaven. Never have I been so excited to spend way too long in a store since William Sonoma, and oh my I think this one is better. Wall to ceiling, row after row, of kitchen appliances, tools, accessories. Friends, dreams do come true. So of course, to test out my new tools I made chocolate chip banana bread! Of which you can only buy chocolate chips from the British and American export store. Add it to your list of things to bring along with vanilla extract!
& I had my first visitors last week! As part of their European trips I got to see both my cousin and some friends as they passed through Amsterdam. It's surprising how good it feels to see a familiar face even though I've only been gone 6 weeks. I was glad to see them all and just chat like old friends, since I only have new ones here.
This past weekend, while I keep saying I'm going to get out of Amsterdam for a day, was yet another weekend in the city. Although the weather was decent, more so than any other weekend yet! Errands as usual on Saturday but the I met up with a coworker to bake some magic and drink some wine. Not pictured, but we made the Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Brownies (family pride) with some alternate ingredients due to the location and availability. Heavy Cream doesn't exist and Raspberry Liqueur or Chambord is impossible to find. So with whipping cream and strawberry liqueur in hand, we got to work. Other than some of the brownies sticking to the pan, it was a success. I'm slowly learning what my alternate ingredients are for baking in the Netherlands (& Europe as a whole).
Sunday was another "say yes" moment. I happened upon a group call RUMOURS on Facebook which is for expat international women and entrepreneurial women from around the globe. The creator and host was planning a brunch in Amsterdam at this place called Bar Botanique. It was a great event and atmosphere and now I have some non-work connections in Amsterdam to make plans with!!
This week so far has been long but informative. A group of us (ranging from 3 weeks to 3 months with the company) got to sit through orientation. We got some more insight and also got to provide feedback on the many facets and parts of the company. It was really great to get some more insight on everything we do.
All in all, fantastic couple of weeks! Talk to you all again soon! (Hopefully sooner than the last break.)