Worldly Chatter

Koninginnedag has been a Dutch tradition for years. It started with Queen Wilhelmina on her birthday on August 31^st but when Queen Julliana took the throne it was changed to her birthday on April 30^th. When Queen Beatrix took the throne she left Queen’s Day on April 30^th partly in honor of her mother and partly because her birthday was in January. It is mainly an outdoor even so it wouldn’t really work out well in January. The Queen and her royal family pick a town and go about the people while the people pay homage to their old traditions and show off their town. It is quite a sight let me assure you! But the festivities don’t start on konninnedag; they begin the week prior and will go on until May 5^th, bevrijdingsdag, liberation day here in Holland. On the Monday before town set up their carnival rides and slot machines. All the carnival games and rides that can be squeezed into the town center along with beer stands, food stands and all sorts of fun stuff! People and store windows wear orange in honor of the Royal House of Orange and the Dutch flag is hung all over the country. In a nutshell it is tradition and pary time!
All week they had the carnival here in Hilversum but last night, Konginnenacht or Queen’s Day Eve, the party started with DJ Jean! Wow, the dancing and music that went on until one in the morning! Hilversum was packed with people of all ages; food, drinks, dancing and even the weed was present! Dutchie and I went grabbed a beer and listened to some music for a while, dancing and watching the girls dance on stage with their poles. After went further down the street where we went on the bumper cars! Now that was fun! After we walked around and got some more beer and hamburgers and slowly made our way back to the music. Along the way Dutchie tried to win me something at the claw machines. You know the ones where you put gobs of money in to watch the claw go down and attempt to grab a prize. Dutchie was unsuccessful but had a ball trying! People came up to us out of nowhere, asking if we were together, zijn jullie een setje? First time it happened a not so sober man waiting in line for the ATM machine like us just asked us out of the blue. Then while we were sitting with our beer another not so sober man and his friend came and asked us and also wanted to know why we weren’t with the music. Dutchie explained we were, we went to the bumper cars and was making our way back. The whole conversation was hilarious! I suppose it was one of those things you had to be there for!
We finally made our way back to the DJ and danced some more! The lights, music and smoke mixed with sweaty drunk and stoned people was crazy fun! Dutchie, who is into country, needed three beers in her before she could dance to techno DJ music but she finally danced with me, for a moment anyway.

Can’t fault a country girl who gets lost in the lights now can I? We finally made our way back to our house around one where we had a cup of coffee and crashed for the night. We have Koninginnedag today! Need the rest to take on Hilversum again! Today though will be the traditional markets of old crafts and the free market. Tonight will be more music and fun! I am off to enjoy the day!

koninginnedag, koninginnenacht, Queen’s Day, House of Orange, Huis van Oranje, Hilversum, Netherlands, Nederland

While it might not be the case all over the world, a lot of countries have strict policies about marriage; Holland just happens to be one of those countries. I, as a non-Dutch National, have no right to marry Dutchie unless the IND says I can so we have to ask permission to marry. Now that I have my permit in hand we can do just that. So last night we headed to the Publiek Zaken (public office) with our folder that contains everything we have on the IND and our paperwork. We were going prepared as we weren’t entirely sure what we would need to give them. We talk to the receptionist and she gives us a number and we take our seats in the waiting area. I am reminded of the dings that I heard Monday while waiting to pick up my permit. The dings are back! I hear them and watch the screen tell me what’s new in Hilversum all over again. Patience is the key when you are anxious to do something right away. At least this time I had Dutchie waiting with me. Then finally it is our turn and back to booth four!
Dutchie explains what we need as she hands the gentleman our application. It seems they don’t see this particular form often as he looked shocked to see it and the woman I dealt with on Monday had never even seen it! However, unlike Monday, he knew what to do with it! Now when I say we have to apply and ask permission to marry I mean I personally am doing it. I had to hand over a copy of my permit and my birth certificate plus the form Dutchie and I had filled out. Nothing was required of Dutchie at all so it seems the only reason she was there was to better translate everything! So the kind man copies what is needed, gives me a copy of my own permit with stamps and signatures to prove that I actually applied. He explained that the IND now has to review the application and make sure everything is up to par. I am not sure how it wouldn’t be as I only just got my permit but what can I do about? They have a system and I must abide by it right? Then he states this process will take 6-8 weeks. Are you kidding me? Absolutely everything is up to par; it had to be just to get my permit! It took time to get my butt over here, get my permit process and time to actually get it. I shouldn’t be surprised. Besides I can’t complain. I can actually marry Dutchie! My country says we can’t but hers says there isn’t a problem; her country is actually nice that way. I mean she could have been from Belgium where you can’t marry someone outside the country if you’re gay so I am thrilled here! So now we wait, again. At least now my application is in and by September I will be a married woman!

wedding bells, Netherlands, American expat, Dutch IND, marriage application

Last night I got a phone call from an insurance company. I now have liability insurance. I have so much insurance its crazy! I have funeral insurance, liability insurance, dental insurance and health insurance. I have to admit I have never had so much before! I can recall working in America and having health insurance and I did have dental, though it wasn’t much. I can also remember how much it cost coming out of my pay check every two weeks. 40 dollars every two weeks for just the health, then there was the 10 every two weeks for the dental. After I was let go my insurance was going to cost me 300 dollars a month to keep it! My insurance including dental and psychological coverage will cost 150 euro a month. I take a deep breath just thinking about that number! My funeral insurance is going to cost 8 euro a month and my liability a little under 3 euro a month. I like those numbers!
All this before I am working, how to pay for it all? Well, right now Dutchie is. The IND states that she is responsible for me and absolutely everything I need and I am not allowed to ask for government assistance for a minimum of five years. I can live with that, I remember what it was like not working and needing help at one point in my life. It didn’t last long but I remember it well. This is so much for Dutchie and I have sat by watching the paycheck get smaller and smaller due to things I needed. While Dutchie has never complained about all the money it has taken for my permit and all my needs I have complained. I want to help with the costs but the IND has stated I was not allowed to work while I was being processed.
Though I have to admit something; having full coverage and it costing less than what it would have cost in America and not fully covered is shocking to me, overwhelming even. I can sleep sound and know I am covered for virtually everything. I am a natural klutz you see and it is good to know that anything I get myself into will be covered. The burn on my arm is testament to the fact that I am a klutz. I did that with an electric kettle, steam and boiling water can leave a nasty burn when you aren’t careful but anyway. I used to be one of those 42 million Americans uninsured and now I have full coverage. It is definitely overwhelming.

I received my first rejection email yesterday; I received another email this morning stating they were unable to open my resume. So I resent them the resume in the format best after the issue with the first one. He got back to me again thanking me for my quick reply and now he can open it. I am sending my resume online at the moment because I still have to wait two weeks to pick up my sofi-number, the number that is the equivalent to a social security number, you can’t do much without it. So until I get it I cannot go to agencies in person or fill out applications because the first thing they will ask for is that number. I want to be able to help Dutchie with the bills I create and the home that we live in. I want to be able to stand on my two feet and contribute. Alas I must wait another two weeks. But I will contribute; I have to for my own sanity and to ease the weight off Dutchie.
My insurance papers came in this morning. My goodness! OHRA Zorgverzekering and Yarden have sent me paperwork on my policy and forms to fill out. Dutchie is going to sit with me and go over it all because some of the Dutch is so foreign to me. While I type this Dutchie reads off all the things I am covered for and the list goes on and on! Physical therapy, glasses, birth control, organ transplant, hospital stay, if something were to happen overseas I am covered. This is great! I even have some cosmetic stuff covered! Now all I have to is get off my suction cup and make some money!

OHRA Zorgverzekering, Yarden, insurance, health insurance, psyc insurance, dental insurance, funeral insurance, expat, netherlands, American expat

So yesterday was an interesting day for me. Now that I have my permit Dutchie and I have to get my life here in the Netherlands going. I made out a resume the other day and started applying for work. Learned two things in this; one, even though you have the latest edition of Microsoft office not everyone else does, so change the format. I applied to five jobs; someone got back to me and said they couldn’t open my resume. So I changed the format and presto, she can open it. Now I don’t know if the other four can open it but you live and learn so I move on with the format and send more out today! The second thing I learned is this. The expat world and the jobs within this world are competitive and hard to come by. Good to know I suppose. I know I will find work, where that might be remains to be seen but I have hope. I know all will be well with the universe! It’s only been two days since I got my permit. I need some patience.
Yesterday Dutchie called the insurance company so that I might finally be insured in Holland. Now because I am an expat, protocol requires that I have psychological coverage. Why? Expats have a reputation of getting depressed once they have moved and attempted to settle down. Not all mind you but enough for the government to say that we must be covered. Ok fine, plus I have dental so now my coverage is better than Dutchies. I find that kind of funny. Papers are being sent to me so that I can sign them, give them a copy of my permit and I am insured! Another thing scratched off our list of things to do.
What I was misled about when I received my permit was the thought that my sofi-number would be on my permit or at the very least, with it. No, not the way it works. Dutchie learns via the internet what we have to do. Since there are so many just like me wanting a sofi-number you have to call and make an appointment with the tax people to pick one up. I have an appointment to go to Utrecht in two weeks to pick mine up. I can wait two weeks right? I mean I have waited this long after all. In the mean time I can put my resume out there, continue to edit my book and write. I can get on the horn with the town of Hilversum to set me up with my integration courses. So far so good! Two days of owning a permit and I feel I am right on track, for the most part anyway.
Then came last night when a man from the company Yarden came to our door. He had an appointment with us to update Dutchies insurance policy. What policy might you ask? Funeral insurance was the topic of the evening! Just like in America you have health insurance and life insurance. Same here except that you also have funeral insurance. What this means is that every month Dutchie pays Yarden money and she is covered in case she dies. They step in and cover her funeral, flowers, coffee, cakes, casket (or urn) and everything that goes with the event of someone dying. It is not a part of life insurance.
So a man named John comes over, we offer him coffee and sit down to do some paperwork. We drink our coffee, have a cigarette and get down to business, sort of. Will I be buried or cremated? Cremated. Will you be cremated here or in America? Here I state. This is an extension of Dutchies policy and he revises it all to fit me and my wants. I can go onto the site, log in and go into great detail the things that I want. If I have any questions I can email or call John. Dutchie signed the papers and I was insured. I am now officially insured for life and death. Now mind you we chatted while doing all this. Discussing the same practices in America and how expensive they are and we talked about life insurance. We finished our coffee and shook hands. Dutchie and I will now pay 16 euro a month for both of us to be taken care of in the event of our death. I am insured and now I can ride in the front of the bus if I want! I am covered!
We talked about what would happen in the event of my death over a cup of coffee and finished off with a joke. I can tell you I have never had this kind of evening in America! The expat life is finally beginning and it starts off with the discussion of my death over coffee. What a way to start!

Insurance, Funeral insurance, Yarden, Netherlands, Expat

When Dutchie, my mom and I were in NYC there was a picture taken of my mom and Dutchie. When we developed the picture we saw there was a sign which read ‘because saying “I got this in Europe” never gets old.’ We got a good laugh out of it while looking at Dutchie. Saying I got her in Europe never gets old! But anyway, a while back for her birthday and Christmas we had sent her presents; clothes and jewelry that Dutchie picked out on our hunt for the perfect gifts for the family since we couldn’t be there. It was a hit! Mom got to go to work with her new clothes and jewelry and everyone asking her where she got it, “it’s from Holland!” How cool does that sound, really! So a while back my step father and mom sent us money so we could send them coffee pads and a necklace for a co-worker of hers. Coffee pads are cheaper here and better so we bought thirty bags of coffee pads and a really nice necklace for mom’s co-worker. Now her friend could say it’s from Europe and beam. It’s like saying some of the clothes I wear are from America, Europeans love hearing it! There is just something about saying it’s from a far away land. So the postal service is a part of our life as well as my families.
So we packed up the three hundred coffee pads and a necklace. It was less than five kilo so it would only cost 31.50 euro and be there in 4-6 days! Step father and co-worker would be happy people in days! No, not the case! Dutchie sends out the box on a Monday, we let them know and happy faces were worn. A week goes by and we get an email. Where is the box? So we get the tracking number and go online. It has safely left Amsterdam and is in JFK. Well it should only take a day or so we gathered. Another four days and we receive another email. So we check again and get the same message. It is in JFK. Now my mom is on the war path. She calls the postal service. They say they have no trace of the box. Are you sure you have the right information? So we send her the tracking information we have, again. We tell her it was sent overseas by the company TNT. They did their part with great speed. It’s the USPS that seems to be dragging their feet. She calls and calls. She goes online as does Dutchie. Where oh where could our box be!
It took two weeks to get to her post office! It sat at JFK for ten days! When asked why it took so long, they had no answer. The box wasn’t tampered with so it couldn’t have been security. Now we have sent boxes before and only once before did it take this long. I have received CD’s, clothes and even Easter candy from mom. Dad has sent and we have sent stuff. Because after all, saying you got it overseas never gets old! Well, don’t always expect that when you live overseas that the stuff you want to send your loved ones will get there on time! When dealing with the USPS we have learned they aren’t always reliable. Just a hunch but I bet most Americans already know that! Oh the hair we wanted to pull out but when mom checked her PO Box two weeks later and saw it she drove to her job and handed it to her friend. Everyone went, where did you get that? Well, my daughter sent it over from Holland. Ah, her and her co-worker beamed! Wow, that’s nice; I wish I could get something from there, wish I could go myself! It truly never gets old now does it!

USPS, TNT, Netherlands, USA, Expats, Packages, presents

It started Saturday morning when Dutchie got the mail. There it was! The Hilversum seal on a white envelope with my name on it! Dutchie ran upstairs screaming it’s here, it’s here! Are you kidding me? Don’t play with me was the first thing out of my mouth. I grabbed the envelope and read the contents. I was picking up my permit on Monday! We jumped around our kitchen like a bunch of school girls! The wait was finally coming to an end! My Dutch residence permit just two days away from my finger tips! Well, two days can be a really long time! Dutchie is sick so we didn’t do much this weekend which made the weekend go by just a tad slower. Not an issue mind you, tending to Dutchie is never something I mind doing. We raced the weekend away with Burnout Revenge and watched movies while Dutchie attempted to get better.
Now Monday morning and Dutchie is getting ready for work while I tend to a few things around the house. My nerves are killing me! The suspense was so much; like an intense movie that has you on the edge of your seat the entire time! Dutchie leaves and it is only 20 minutes to 8. The office doesn’t open until 8:30. I get in the shower and get dressed. Soak the dishes, take out the trash and start a load of laundry. It’s now 8:35. Time to go!
The walk there was filled with Evanescence screaming in my ear and a cigarette I had steamed at some point. Just a ten minute walk and I was there. That’s when you take a number and wait your turn. They ding a number and direct you to a booth, ding after ding. You wait, and wait, listening for the ding that means you are up. It seems like an hour but really it has only been minutes. Then while looking at the screen that reads off numbers and tells you what you can do in Hilversum my number pops up! Booth four, it’s the moment Dutchie and I have been waiting for months now. I walk up and hand her the letter I received on Saturday. She looks my name up, checks my passport and tells me to sign here. I sign and she hands me my permit. Have a good day ma’am. That was it! The suspense, the waiting, the dings and that was it!
I now sit here looking at my permit. The permit I applied for in October, the permit Dutchie have been wanting since my first trip to Holland and the decision was made that I would live here. The entire walk home I kept thinking ‘Oh my God’ with not much else getting in my brain. Oh my God was all I could come up with. Once I hit my street I thought about making a cup of coffee and turning on the scanner but the ‘Oh my God’ kept running in my head like a broken record.
What does this mean to me, to Dutchie? This means I have a resume (CV) to write, applications to fill out and wait for them to send me information on my integration courses. I can finally work! I can finally contribute to the house and our family! I will now be a contributing member of society once again! The feeling is overwhelming and surreal. It has finally happened and I sit here excited, a little scared and silent as I process all this in my brain and try to push out the ‘Oh my God’.
I know it will be a different process than when I was in the US. I am a little scared and nerved at the process before me but also I am excited, I feel liberated somehow. I have so much ahead of me now and I look forward to all of it, even if I am a little scared, it is worth it all. The wait has been worth it. I have my permit finally! Holland here I come!

Dutch Residence Permits, living abroad, Netherlands, Expats, Immigration, Integration, Nederland

Camping, I’ve done it on several occasions in my life. I have slept in a tent, having it flooded while I slept, and I have slept soundly and dry in a caravan. The Dutch are big on their camping. People love to go out camping for a week or six weeks. There are those die hard campers who have grounds that they call their summer home year after year. Yet for the Dutch, it isn’t with a tent. Let me introduce you to the world of Dutch caravans!
Camping Jachthaven Uitdam is fifteen kilometers outside Amsterdam and has tons to offer. Walking, cycling or boating and the grounds come fully equipped for your caravan, grocery store and a place for the kiddies to go! Now, the caravan is particularly important to the camping life here in the Netherlands. Each park that has a lot for your caravan, big or fold-up, and a means for you to power it up and have gas and plumbing is a winner to the Dutch, they aren’t big on tents you see. Another park is Gaasperpark on the Gaasperplas (Gaasper Lake). Twenty minutes from Amsterdam it has similar features to the other park but with one rule to go by. No powerboats or motorbikes. This is strictly for cycling, rowing, sailing and anything that doesn’t require an engine on the trails and waters. My point, the outdoors is a great way to spend your time in Holland! But before you start clicking on links and planning let me teach you about the caravans you could rent, or buy if you live here.
Vouwcaravan; they are very popular for the light traveler or the person with not a lot of space. It literally means folding caravan. First time I saw it I was a tad puzzled, what was this box I thought! Then I remembered the vouwfiets, folding bikes, and laughed a little; with a country so densely populated that so small they find a way to fold just about anything! It has enough space for a small family and when you’re done fold it back up and hitch it to the back of your car and go.
You also have the tourcaravan and stacaravan! Stacaravan is literally stay caravan. Dutchies, who are big on camping yearly will by a massive stacaravan, rent or buy land on camp grounds here in Holland and make that their home away from home! Dutchie told me of a family member of hers who did this. They went up in size until they ended up with a massive stacaravan and now is fully furnished for their get-a-ways! Grounds to put your put your home away from home can be found all over Holland! You can also find a stacaravan on campgrounds that have them permanently on site for those who don’t own or rent but just want a place to vacation. I wouldn’t argue doing this!
Then you have the tourcaravan. Tour caravans, travel caravan, either translation with do just fine. You guessed it; these caravans go where you go! These are particularly popular to rent or buy for the Dutchie, tourists who love to travel Europe! Dutchies love these to go to Austria, Germany and elsewhere in Europe. You can easily search on the web to rent one and get great package deals. Skiing packages, mountain climbing packages and more! But you cannot forget to pack!
The Dutch rarely go anywhere without a caravan full of Dutch goodies. Hagelslag (sandwich sprinkles), pindakaas (Dutch peanut butter) and Dutch kaas (cheese) are a must! (You can see they love their sandwich stuff!) Never forget the coffee! Just like the English have tea time, the Dutch have koffietijd (coffee time)! You can usually count on a community of campers either here in Holland or elsewhere getting together for koffietijd and a party in the evening to have some fun! So rent a tourcaravan, grab the hagelslag and koffee and travel! It’s better than sleeping in a tent that floods when the Dutch rain comes!

camping, caravans, stacaravan, vouwcarava, tourcaravan, campers, Netherlands, Europe, Holland campgrounds, Europe campgrounds, Camping Jachthaven Uitdam, Gaasperpark, Gaasperplas (Gaasper Lake), Tourist activities

Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund

April 16, 2007, will be remembered as one of the darkest days in the history of the Virginia Tech community and the world beyond.

To remember and honor the victims of those tragic events, the university has established the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund to aid in the healing process and generate financial support.

The fund will be used to cover expenses including but not limited to:

• Grief counseling
• Memorials
• Communication expenses
• Comfort expenses
• Incidental needs

If you plan to give, please click the link below:

There was a multinational poll done on whether the US could be trusted to act responsible on an international level and majority of participants said either not at all or not very much. Just a couple stated overwhelmingly that they could. In the same poll it showed that 3 out of 4 Americans feel that the country has taken on the roll of global enforcer more than it should. A lot of the mistrust grew sharply with the start of the Iraq war. Apparently there was already some apprehension there.
No surprise really, even the Americans are losing faith in the president and the conflict. Congress is at odds with the president and that isn’t going unnoticed by the international community either. It seems that the US has been placed under a microscope and the world is looking in trying to see what else to admire, pick at or simply stand around and watch the show.
I found the article interesting because it shows how the world has been watching America and every decision it makes. How the world is changing its opinions and I often wonder if Americans see what the rest of the world sees. I can recall living in America and having an opinion, a certain amount of loyalty to the country and every decision it made. Whether I liked the decisions or not it simply was that you acknowledged the difference in opinion and moved on. So many like me silently disagreeing but not many wanting to rock the boat. You see it on the news when someone disagrees loud enough, it makes headlines. The poll was done over the course of a year and involved 18 countries. Prior to that countries formed their opinions, their citizens questioning everything and seeing how differently things were done in America verses elsewhere. The world has always watched and formed its opinions. Why is it only recently that Americans have started to see how the rest of the world sees? 3 out of 4 Americans feel the role of global enforcer has been taken on more than it should according to the poll. When the elections were held last year they made enough noise to change powers in Congress. Now Congress and the White House are at odds on just about everything. President Bush was elected twice so clearly enough Americans believed in him and his stance to vote him in again. But what has changed in the past two years to make Americans change their view point and join what most of the world already thought?
I sit in an interesting position where I can see from an international perspective how my country is viewed and at the same time see how Americans view it. I know that while I lived state side there was this air of patriotism, whether right or wrong you stick by your fellow American. Maybe it is finally coming to where enough of those fellow Americans see collectively therefore the whole perspective changes. It just takes time for all to get on board. Maybe that’s how it took so long because over the years there have been people staunchly against the war, or the President but not enough of them saw what the rest of the world saw to make the kind of change that has been slowly happening since Jan.
With all this, I am wondering since the US isn’t trusted internationally, is it trusted domestically? Do Americans trust what is going on inside their own country? I haven’t been back to the states since August so it’s hard to get a more personal perspective when you’re out of the loop. I hear from friends and family that it isn’t but still curious as to what the majority think.

International mistrust over US, US foreign policy, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Christopher Whitney, International poll over trust on America

As some of my readers are aware, I met my Dutchie on-line. Goodness, it has actually been nearly seven years since we started speaking and six since the first time we met. It took five years to get my American bottom over on this side of the pond and during that time the internet and phone companies became tools for staying in touch. Once I moved here I was so pleased that hours wouldn’t be needed to write emails and IM’s, the phone bill wouldn’t be so painful to see at the end of the month. Then I did a little rethinking.
I cannot isolate myself from friends and family just because we are an ocean away. It seems that once you start using the internet for communication it simply never stops! I call my mother about once a week, my father almost the same. Then the friends I want to stay in touch with. How did I ever think that the internet wouldn’t be an important part of my existence any more I just do not know? Delusions I suppose. I still look at the phone bill every month and see how much damage I did that month it some attempt to make the Atlantic Ocean’s vast space not so when keeping in touch with the family. I still sit here on the computer and rummage through emails and IM’s. I can remember a time when I wanted no part of computers, now I don’t know what I would do without it!
It has been some time since I first crossed the ocean in order to find Dutchie and the life I wanted and I still get surprised at the power of the internet. I am now in my twenties and I came across a face I hadn’t seen since I was thirteen years old! A dear friend I got in so much trouble with and truly loved having in my life. This was a time when computers and Yahoo didn’t exist in our world, just our rooms and as much of the outside world as our parents would let us see.
It has been a little over ten years since we lost touch for circumstances out of our hands, being children. And just like that, with a click of a mouse, I had seen my long lost friend and the emails started! MySpace is the place to find all those old high school buddies now a days and I fell right into the flow that MySpace gives us when attempting to keep in touch, people across town or a continent away.
Since we only found each other this week there is much to share! I honestly never thought I would find her again. It had been too long I reasoned, I was on the wrong side of the pond. Who would have foreseen this? Even though I live in Europe I am not lost to those I love and can even find old familiar faces now and again. So I pay homage to the communication age! I am corny I know but ever so grateful!

long distance relationships, MySpace, friends, long lost friends, expats, living abroad, expat life

I sat dumbfounded watching the news on CNN last night. Naturally it was all over CNN international but when I turned on the Dutch morning news they had the story going; a correspondent there on the scene relaying via phone. I get on my computer and read the story on Dutch newspapers. For the most part American news doesn’t hit headlines unless pertaining to the war or something drastic like this. The relevance to everyday affairs isn’t important on a larger scale to most European life.
32 people dead in a school shooting at Virginia Tech, it shocks people and they can’t help but talk about it on forums and online sites where the news can be read, Dutch and expat alike all asking the same questions. Why wasn’t the school shut down after the first shooting? Why did it seem like such sloppy organization on the news? Why were these kids being evacuated right after the first shooting, thus minimizing the threat? So many assumptions on the part of law enforcement, they had thought the shooter left campus, that it was a domestic issue. Does it matter? Shouldn’t the school have been shut down anyway? Rather a panic on campus than this so many say. Questions I am sure Americans are asking as well. What seems to be a hot topic this morning however is why does it happen more often in America than anywhere else?
While searching one can easily find school massacres dating back to the fifties, a handful in Germany, the Middle East and Canada but the majority reported happen in America. Further still, some are saying is that a good portion of school shootings that happen in America occur in mid-western and southern states where the pride of the right to bear arms is practically worn on their sleeves. Doing a little googling I come to find out that it isn’t just the south where tradition in owning a gun goes way back but throughout the east coast and west only seeming to be minimal in the central states.
If it happens mostly in America, why isn’t America looking at this? Why won’t they see the bigger picture? I as an American don’t have that answer but do ponder the same questions. Why is it so violent over there?
They haven’t released the name of the man who has done this; they are still tossing the idea of whether it was one or two shooters and only confirm the number dead and injured. Services and counseling are being offered at the college though classes are for now canceled. Across the world people wait for answers and wonder why more wasn’t done. Is it wrong for the rest of the world to criticize what law enforcement in this case? Is it wrong for the rest of the world to sit by and watch America fall at the seams in its own schools and question why; ponder why more hasn’t been done to protect the youth?

school shootings, Virginia Tech shooting

*each bubble on the map represents one shooting that took place.. numbers go as follows 1 - most recent.. Click on map to go directly to site for more details.*

On Thursday Senators Kennedy and Smith introduced Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act or now known as the Matthew Shepard Act. This act would strengthen the ability in investigating and prosecuting hate crimes against sexual orientation, gender identity and disability. It would give federal authorities the go ahead to help local law enforcement in such cases if they ask for it. It was introduced last month in the U.S House of representatives by Rep. John Conyers Jr. and Mark Kirk, R-Ill. For over a decade such acts have been introduced and dropped and introduced and dropped again. In some cases it has passed both Senate and House but never together. Why is that? Why not pass a bill that would protect all Americans?
The Matthew Shepard Act was named after the 21 year old who was beaten to death in a remote area of Laramie, Wyoming in October of 1998 because he was gay. He was robbed, severely beaten, pistol whipped, crushing his skull, and then left hanging like a scarecrow on a fence for 18 hours before Matthew Shepard was found by cyclists. He died a five days later never regaining consciousness. The two men charged and convicted attempted to use a ‘gay panic’ defense but was unsuccessful. Because there was no hate crime laws in Wyoming the boys could not be charged with a hate crime and people tried to get new legislation enacted in Wyoming as well as on a federal level. It is because of this crime and many others that go on all across America that law makers want this pushed through. There is just one problem, with America a fighting ground for gay rights some aren’t sure that the act will go through.
Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Oregon, co-sponsor of the bill, feels that by putting Shepard’s name to the bill will be more successful and when asked about potential opposition from religious groups that disagree with homosexuality he said that should not be a problem. “This act is about the prosecution of crime, not prohibition of speech unless they believe part of their religion is the practice of violence against others, they should not be affected by this bill.”
If there shouldn’t be a problem then why has it taken so long to get passed? A decade of trial and error, pass and fail is showing that there have been a few people in office who didn’t want this bill, or any version of it, to pass. Is protecting American subject to whether someone likes or dislikes something about them? It’s what it sounds like to a lot of activists, if it wasn’t an issue it would have made it to the president’s desk by now. They have a point with this one.
Judy Shepard was honored and touched that her sons name would be used as the name for the bill. Since her son’s death she founded the Matthew Shepard Foundation: Embracing Diversity. She was present when the bill was introduced and is active in the gay and lesbian community and fighting for the equal rights for all; making something good out of something so evil.
If we all want equal protection under the law why has this bill taken so long? It isn’t even passed yet, simply introduced again. Will things be different this time around with a new congress in session? Will it get vetoed by President Bush who doesn’t hide his feelings about the gay community? Just as times before now all there is to do is wait.

Matthew Shepard, The Matthew Shepard Act, Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, Laramie Wyoming, hate crimes, hate crimes laws

Today Prince Willem Alexander headed to town hall to register the birth shortly before ten while reporters and well wishers flooded the town hall grounds of Den Haag; Ariana Wilhelmina Maxima Inez is her registered name and she will be referred to as Princess Ariana.
So what is in a name anyway? My name means listener and because I am the only Samantha in my family I have no legacy in that name to carry on. My brother is named after both grandfathers so he has a legacy in his name. Royal families like to stay within family tradition; a new name here and there but usually carrying on a name of family members past.
Ariana was chosen because her parents wanted to keep a theme of “A” within their children’s name. Maxima and Inez come from her mother’s family and then there is Wilhelmina. Wilhelmina Koningin der Nederlanden (1890-1948) was the first Queen of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and is where Princess Ariana gets her second name. Any royal family is particular and articulate about the names of their children. They carry on the family name and history and represent that country. Was it any accident to be named after the Queen? Absolutely not, my brother’s name represents both my parents’ fathers as he was the first born son on either side thus representing my mother’s family as well as my father’s family. It was a clear conscious decision just as the royals do with their names.
Prince Willem’s first born Catharina-Amalia Beatrix Carmen Victoria bears the name of her ancestors as well. Princess Amalia, as she is called, has her name popping up a few times in the Oranje-Nassau family tree. Amalia van Solms (1602-1675) was the wife of Frederik Hendrik. Amalia van Sachsen-Weimar (1840-1872) was married to Prince Hendrik and was the uncle of Queen Wilhelmina. Catharina-Amalia can be dated all the way back to Willem van Oranje. Queen Beatrix, current Queen of the Netherlands, was touched and honored that her granddaughter would carry on her name.
The Dutch Royals have a massive family tree and can be dated back into the 1500’s when the name first came up when the Low Countries provinces were ruled by a Stadholder. There appears throughout the history of the Netherlands a series of names. Back in the 1100’s is was Dirk, 1200’s saw a series of Floris’s and then Willem which is the most common male name found in the Dutch Royalty. Once the crown Prince takes the throne he will be Koning Willem IV.
I was watching the announcement this morning and was astonished at the names that rolled off his tongue like it was the most natural thing to do! I have a first, middle and last name while Dutchie only has a first and last. Once I marry my name will be hyphenated with my last and hers together. She will do the same with my name thus becoming the first Dutch Schmalfuss. Names are always interesting, they say a lot about who we are whether we realize it or not. Why do royals feel the need to add name after name while we common folk only have a first and last, some even having a middle name? Does it speak prestige to have such names followed by titles? History, place in society, cultures and family all play a role in what we are named. It all becomes our name and a piece of who we are and become. So what’s in your name?
Previous post found here.

Dutch Royal Family, Huis van Oranje-Nassau, Orange-Nassau, Prince Willem-Alexander, Princess Ariana

Whether you get the concept of global warming or not; believe it’s just tree hugging people going to extreme or believe it is real the Dutch see it as a serious concern and have been taking steps to ensure its country’s survival. Polar ice caps are melting and it is causing the sea to rise. It can be felt on the river Rhine and it can be felt along the Delta works as rising waves crash into the Dutch’s defenses to keep their feet dry. The Netherlands is known throughout the world as a low lying country, 70% of the land is either below or at sea level. They are also know for their ingenious ways of keeping back the sea with their dams, dikes and other defenses surrounding the coast and their knack for taking back land from the sea. According to the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, rainfall in the Netherlands could increase in the coming century by up to 25% and the sea level rise by more than three feet. While they would love nothing more than to keep their precious land from Mother Nature but they have come to realize the day might come where they can fight no more and have to give back that which they have fought so hard for. So if it is a losing battle in the end and it is inevitable they will lose land to the North Sea why fight? We will simply live on the water!

On a small estate on the banks of the river Maas, south of Arnhem, Factor Achitecten as designed homes for developers Dura Vermerron. They were designed so that when the river breaks it banks each of the 37 homes will rise on a pair of 15-foor concrete piles to escaoe the torrent. As the water recedes the homes will drop back down to solid ground.
Architect Art Zaaijer has designed homes for building company Ooms Bouwmaatschappij and these also float. They are build on a floating platform made of Styrofoam wrapped in a thin shell of concrete, the floors and walls are fashioned from lightweight prefabricated wooden panels and the facade is clad in coated aluminium ultimately making the outer skin maintenance free. They want to create whole new water-based quarters for Hollanders. One such prominent area is the new Ijburg district of Amsterdam. The company will provide floating offices, schools, hospitals and transport facilities.
Of course homes and offices aren’t the only concern of the Dutch. Where would all the cars go? On roads of course! These roads are in progress right now but the idea is rather simple. Take pieces of road made of durable lightweight material and link them together you have a road to cross the water on. They can float with traffic and can be taken down if need be. Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam is below sea level and developers want a way to make floating runways for planes to land and take off safely. Will all of Holland be floating in the decades to come? It’s better that than the alternative. The Dutch have always been inventive when it comes to the waters around them, having to give some land back hasn’t stopped them from being creative and keeping their people nice and dry.

Flood homes, Factor Architecten, Aqua Villa - Ooms Bouwmaatschappij, global warming, Netherlands, Global warming in the Netherlands, Boat houses, House Boats

Prince Willem Alexander and wife Princess Maxima have done it again! Another girl added to the Dutch Royal family. The little cutie was born last night around ten and both mom and baby are doing fine. Prince Willem Alexander came out to the press room of the hospital to show off his new pride and joy to reporters this morning with a smile that wouldn’t go away. She came into the world weighing 4,135 g, measured 52 cm and as proud daddy said this morning, was born with the typical Oranje nose!
Queen Beatrix was seen beaming as she drove away from Bronovo Hospital in Den Haag after seeing her newest granddaughter. This is Queen Beatrix’s 7^th granddaughter out of 8 grandchildren. Princess Maxima’s parents were also at the hospital shortly after the birth. Prime Minister Balkenende made a formal broadcast late last night on both radio and television telling the Dutch public the news of the third daughter to the royal couple and fourth in line for the throne. Right now we do not have a name for the kleine meisje (little girl) as is customary until her birth is registered with town offices in a day or so.
The royal family is loved and popular with the Dutch people and news is a buzz on the latest addition. Last night reporters hung around the hospital to get pictures of the family and a first glimpse of the baby. Catharina-Amalia and Alexia were left at home but will be seeing their sister as soon as mom and baby are brought home from the hospital.
Being from a country that doesn’t have a royal family I find myself rather interested in them and what it is they do. I enjoy history and the cultures I find myself in and this wasn’t any different. Dutchie brought me a DVD of their wedding back in 2002 and it was quite a sight! Then again since I intend on becoming a Dutch National in reality I am just learning the Dutch way. Do as the Romans do as the saying goes. Each Dutchie has his/ her place in Holland as does the royals and the Dutch seem alright with that. They like their royal family and have no intention of changing what has been for so long now. The Royal family is a part of their culture, their heritage. The Netherlands is ruled by crown and parliament, as Dutchie informed me, they help make what Holland is; they go hand in hand. So congratulations to the proud parents and welcome to the world kleine meisje!
Announcement of kleine Meisje Here is a video clip of Prince Willem Alexander at the hospital with his baby girl. Video property of www.nu.nl

Prince Willem Alexander, Princess Maxima, Netherlands, Dutch Royal Family