Interlude

"A few years ago, I was a kind of a dry leaf drifting in the wind, like a word lost in translation.

I have just posted something very special and important that happened to me today. It is about the approval of my project in Clavendo Media, News, and Publishing. My first approved project with them. Now I am here, I want to breath a bit after a very stressful weeks of working. To breath for me is to write. This is my relaxation. I want to save more stories about my Calvendo project for later, when my product is already in the gallery. I think I like to write about people I love, now that my life is now in The Netherlands, because without them, maybe until now I am still jobless, dull, and honest, I began to feel a bit hopeless. These people whom I owe all the happiness in my heart, the blessed life I have. They are my inspiration.

After our wedding, my husband took me back in The Netherlands for good. I left everything I have in the Philippines. I left my job, I left the congregation where I am regularly attending, I left many of my personal belongings, and I left my beloved family.

I am here as a scratch. I need to start building new friendships and upbuilding companionship, learn Dutch, adapt the Dutch culture, and be a nice family member to my Dutch family.

These are not that easy. How many times I cried because I feel so homesick and lonely. There were many nights that I cried to my husband because I do not know how and where  to start. I also want to be  happy. I am grateful I have my Dutch family and a few dear friends that are my source of inspiration.

Our long weekend in Veluwe, a treat of my beloved in-laws.

My Dutch family is really supportive while I am adapting a new culture.  In The Philippines, I grew up in a close-knit family, living in a first world country is far different. Most people are distant, indifferent and cold. I am glad that my Dutch family is good to me. They treat me like their own. They are also an inspiration for me to endure. My sister in law has spent most of her day off helping me in my Dutch lesson. My in-laws always have something for me and my family. Be it present or presence, dinner or even a vacation treat. As I come to know them more I feel it in my heart that they are all a wonderful person.

Dinner treat of my mother in law at Noordmolen Restaurant.

I also constantly remember my friends in our congregation. They are also an inspiration to me. Meeting is something to look forward to and one of the happy reasons is because they are there too. I am thankful to those who offer a ride when me and Burt needed it. I am encouraged by those who ask me to join them in the field service. It is my pleasure when some of them come and have coffee with me in our home.

After our meeting, with a Dutch sister from Italy and a friend in our congregation.

I can also count on these few good friends I have that even though they don't share my belief they have proven to me that their friendship is sincere and true. If they are reading this now, they know by heart who they are.

And most of all, I am thankful for the love of my husband and son. It is the sweetest thing when people call us family. A few years ago, I was a kind of a dry leaf drifting in the wind, like a word that is lost in translation. Feeling so lost. As what I have written yesterday: all things can turn out well, you only need patience for timing. In all the things that I have been through, that is proven true.

Me and Burt making return visit last summer.

I am happy now after finding myself again. I got lost and it was quite a long process in finding myself again but I am glad I remain in "the way". The Netherlands is now my home. My home away from home.