joyreturns

Even though I live in Holland for more than 24 years, I still consider myself first and foremost Canadian. I am a west coast woman, who still daily misses her coastal mountains, and forests. I lived in and around Vancouver until my late twenties. Met a dutchie, and eventually moved here. It was a HUGE change for me, but thanks to caring family and new friends I learned the language, and learned to laugh at my mistakes, and misunderstandings of the dutch culture and traditions. For me the best way to adjust (here they call it "inburgering) was just to dare to make mistakes, and learn from it. My "canadjen" accent will always be there, so will my memories of my first love, and my real home...Canada. Holland is great, but totally different to Canada. Accept those differences, and try to see the special qualities and uniqueness of what Holland has to offer...equally special and beautiful. I am lucky....I have TWO homes...the life I have here with my family ....and my life in Vancouver, with my family who are still there. The best of BOTH worlds.