It's been a good day. For one, I made a 60k placement. It's my first big placement and it feels gooood.
"Ik ga direkt na huis. Daag, jongens. Doooie!" I called to my team mates before hopping on my bike after hockey. It was while listening to the radio on my MP3 player that I suddenly realised - as of yesterday - I have been living in the Netherlands for one year.
I have to admit, it's been a great year. Despite the visa issues, and the relocation issues, and then the visa issues again... the reems of paperwork and bureaucratic redtape... despite all that, I've found a good job, with good work mates, and I've learnt a whole lot about commercial business, targets, commission rates and even some financial formulas in Excel (that was a beeg learning curve). Mills and I have built a solid social network - to the point that I honestly don't have time to see everyone on a regular basis. We've travelled, we've kept active and I'm certainly fitter than I ever was in the UK or even back in Joburg.
I've re-learnt to ride a bike. I can confidently cycle with at least one hand in my pocket (this is a very big personal milestone). I can hold a semi-decent conversation in Dutch, I can certainly understand and read it with ease. This is a big thing for someone who spent 12 years of their education going out of their way to NOT learn Afrikaans.
This evening, the full moon was clearly visible and the mist hung low around the trunks of the trees in Haagse Bos. It was mystic and eery. And, while cycling home listening to the chilled tunes on VeronicaFM, I realised that I've learnt a lot in the last year.
I had one of 'those' moments. It's been good.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
6 comments:
Good for you! Lekker to have those moments
I'm so proud of you! You are lucky to have had such a great year, especially, as you say, after the difficult start to it. You go girl!!
Good stuff!! By the way, who is Veronica of Veronicafm?
I couldn't rightly say, DWD - I thought it was random too, when I first arrived. I like saying it though... it's pronounced Veh-rrroh-nica. Like the French rrrr.
It is lovely to hear that you have had a great year. There is nothing as good as hearing such an upbeat positive attitude.
Happy anniversary! I've been in the UK 2 years and 4 months now, and I'm happy to say I still have those moments too. May there be many more for us both :-)
Post a Comment