Upcoming adventures

So I am happy to write about my upcoming adventures. Its a blessing to be able to have to travel. Especially within the next couple of weeks. I will be visiting 3 countries within 2 weeks from Dec 21 to Jan 5. I hope it won't stress me out that much to be able to travel that much.Luckily I don't need to back in Enschede in between my travels because my host parents are also home for those dates.

I can't wait to see my uncle for the first time and meet my cousins also. It will be a good family Christmas after all. They live in Sonderborg, Denmark. So I will be taking a train from here to a town in northern Germany which is close to where the live to be pick up. Then its off to Budapest, Hungary to ring in the new years then after it will be attending an event in Antwerp, Belgium then heading home.

I was lucky enough to go to a Christmas market today with a friend. It was amazing. It was located in Munster, Germany which is an hour car ride away. The city centre look like a story book with all the buildings and their architecture. It was like walking in a dream or just seeing a puzzle. The buildings where very nice and it was very beautiful to look at. The market was nice. I tried some warm wine with different spices in there. Its called "ghuhwein," it had a taste that I was not use too, but it was good and something new to try.

My first "Ghuhwein" and I got to keep the mug

Got to listen to some church music

The organ.. amazing

Who is this??... Its Santa Claus

I got to be on the sled in front of Santa

In front of manger

Its been 2 months

It has been 2 months now. And oh wow, it have been a good experience so far. Yeah I know I haven't update this lately, just because I found the week to be boring or me being to tired from traveling.

The last couple of week has been busy since my last post. The baby was home every day with me well except Thursday. I felt like I didn't have enough time to myself at some time. But with her being here made it more fun because I love spending time with her. And this Sunday the family is celebrating SinterKlaas. He is like Santa Claus but he comes from Spain. Sinterklaas ends on Dec 5. So with tradition, the kids set their shoes under the fire place and they wake up the next morning to find presents. Its like Christmas but early. Sinterklaas actually means Saint Nicholas.

This weekend I won't be going any where because I have to work tomorrow so I have today off. Hopefully after this weekend I can go to the Christmas Market in Germany, I heard they are really big and its really nice there. And I can't wait to go ice skating with the boy... He tell me he is really good so he can teach me how to ice skate, hopefully I don't hurt myself.

So yesterday was Thanksgiving and of course here in Holland they don't celebrate Thanksgiving because its an American thing. But I was glad to be able to face time my family and some friends. I miss not being there to celebrate but I am always thankful for what God has given me so far. I think the toughest thing about being away would be not being there for the holiday season and I miss Christmas songs on the radio. Most people here don't decorate for Christmas until after Sinterklaas is over. I feel like time is just flying by now.

That its for now.. I hope you guys had an awesome Thanksgiving and was able to watch some football =). Love you all and miss you

a late post indeed

Sorry... Due to this weekend I did not have time to post a new blog by Saturday. During the week was normal. I turned 25 last Tuesday and it was very nice. I was homesick because it was my birthday and I miss all my friends and family.

Infront of the Couch Surfing graffiti with the group

 I traveled to Eindhoven this weekend for Glow. It was very fun and I met a lot o people. I did couch surfing which is a good way to meet the locals and meet other travelers. The pictures will be on facebook.

It was nice to finally getting out of Enschede. I also took the train for the first time (eek). It was a little scary at first because everything was in Dutch. Luckily I met a girl on the train that helped me out. She was just heading home to her parents for the weekend. I think she said she is 19 and of she thought I was like 20 or 21. I think I have gotten that a lot here. I think getting use to taking the train now. It was pretty easy. I can't wait for more trips =).

To sum up... This weekend was really fun and exciting to start off my traveling.. There are more places to go later and I can't wait.

Much Love

Really feel like not writing....

This week has been normal and boring to a point with work. The mom is gone all this week with being in DC and won't come back until Friday. Which means the baby is here with me all this week but I am hoping she will go to daycare for part of the day on Monday and Tuesday. I only can handle so much of her time and trying to get work done. The baby is sick now, with a ear infection. I am praying that I don't get sick from her.

What I am looking forward to is my birthday and also to go to Eindhoven on the 9th. Its going to be the first birthday away from Iowa and from family and friends. I can't believe I will be 25 (I think I will write a special blog on my birthday). I'm not sure what I am doing yet but I hope its going to be fun and well details will come that night. I also think that day will be hard for me because I won't have you guys here with me and not being able to do my traditional out to dinner with the girls for my birthday. I cannot wait to take the train (yes its weird but I haven't been on a train.)

I should end it for now because I have nothing else to write beside telling you guys about the weather here (which is warmer then Iowa right now.) But with the rain and the wind its cold. I miss you guys lots.

Much love till next time

A month has gone by pretty fast....

So this week was a pretty easy and quiet week. The boy is on vacation from school so mom and dad are home this week also. I only have to do some of the light house work and setting up tables, some cooking, and laundry this week. Other than that I have been enjoying my free time mostly biking or being outside and also hanging out with my new friends.

My winter coat

I got my first birthday present from my host mom. She bought me a new winter coat when we went shopping in Germany. That night we went to eat at a 5 course restaurant. It was very good but I had to stop at 4. I couldn't have anymore food. I also started to clothes shop again (yikes) meaning I will have to get rid of clothes before I leave. Which I am going to donate the clothes I won't take with me home to the church. I know jeans here are gonna be hard to find because they mostly have skinny jeans for girls.







I went to my first women's time at church and it was very good. It was nice to have my life fill with godly women. I miss New Life and all the women who have inspired me and been there for me. You guys change my life in a way that I never thought was possible 

Was stuck behind this truck for about 10 minutes I think

I was able to visit the Dutch army base this Saturday with my friend. It was good and it was nice to have a Saturday away from Enschede. I also went to buy a birthday card and a present for the boy who is finally 10. My friend help write in Dutch a good birthday wish.












I been reading (still reading) my book "Beyond Boundaries," its taking awhile for me to finish but I feel like every chapter means something to me. So I been reading it when I don't feel right for some reason. I guess that it is for now. Talk to you guys later =)

Week 3

So this week is about the same as the last 2 weeks.(Sorry for the late post)

I went to the zoo on Saturday with the mom and baby. Let just say I was miss the Omaha Zoo more. This zoo here was small and has less animals, but it was fun walking around. The baby favorite animal is the elephant. She was very happy to see those.

 

 

Reindeer

She has been undressing her baby doll all the time

 (luckily not her clothes)

She is also sick this week. Mostly diarrhea and a little bit of fever. Also she is not eating a lot either. I feel sad for her but she is still a happy baby when she is sick.She still has lots of energy and wants to play every time.
I haven't been feeling well for the past few days either, I think its all the food I am eating here and I am not use to it. I also had dutch chinese food and it was different somehow.  So on Monday should be interesting because the boy has a week vacation from school and I think mom and dad are home too (which means I don't have to  as hard as I have been doing this week)


Church was fun on Sunday. I met more people now and I join the choir. I went to the choir practice that they had before the worship night, it was good. I think my favorite song is "Everything na double double," and I learn "Mjin god is goede" in dutch.

So as for me and Phillip, we are done. I guess he chose to follow his pastor and his church advice. Sorry for ranting about his church, I just don't like that church one bit. I don't see going to a church that condemns you is going to church at all. I feel like you should have a freedom of choice in church and the church should show you grace for when you mess up. You shouldn't try to live up to the church standard because its impossible. A church should accept who you are and help you grow with God.

I am fine with it because I told God that he could take this relationship from me and I'll be okay with his decision.

I'll leave with you this " Ik hou van je"

Week 2 =)

To start off. I had my first weekend off. I went to the market on Saturday morning which is like the farmers market that we have at downtown Cedar Rapids but here they have it every Tuesday and Saturday. The sell a lot of fruits and veggies along with clothes and accessories.I couldn't take any pictures yet because I am still afraid of falling on my bike and breaking my camera. Hopefully next Saturday I can get some good pictures for you guys.

I went to the ITC church on Sunday. It was good but I got lost while trying to find it. It was hard for me to ask for direction because here in the Netherlands, people just assume that I speak Dutch. I stop a guy on the street and his English was not as good. He can speak 6 others languages but English was not one of them (sad). So he walk me to the Hospital because the Church was close to the Hospital. So when I found the Hospital I just walk around until I found the church.
Well at the church was like a mix of services all together, it was very long 1030 to 1200. I got a big welcome from the members there now and told them a little bit about myself. They seem nice so far. I'm home wherever I go with God =).  I'm hoping to go to their college bible study at one of the house of one member (first I have to find it).

She brings me happiness and always keep me busy

Having my first weekend alone was hard because I was not busy and the family wasn't here. I got really homesick this weekend. But luckily they will be here this weekend and I will be going to the zoo on Saturday with the mom and baby. I can't wait because I need to get out of the house more and go exploring.

I am starting to meet other nannies in the area. And some nannies are not with the agencies here because since they are a European Citizen they can go work in other countries without an agency if they wanted too. I'm looking forward to meeting these other nannies and also with the possibility of traveling with them in November. I plan on going to Eindhoven for the Glow Festival the second week of November as a treat for myself and a present to myself =). Because by that time  I will be already 25 (its less than a month away). I never thought of having a birthday abroad before without any of my closest friends but I will have find a way to enjoy that day.

We snap chat <3

Wow I can't believe I made it through my second week. Can you believe it?? I am starting a count down because I miss you guys so much and Phillip too.. Having a long distance relationship is the biggest test that I will ever face. I've learn a lot about myself this past week and will continue to learn about myself as the year progress. I know some people that can do the long distance thing but to tell you the truth this is my first long distance relationship and its difficult at times because there are days when I just need to hear his voice but I can't. I can now say he is my other half (we are both very stubborn and won't give up easily). I guess it makes me appreciate our relationship more every time we talk on the phone or Skype each other. Putting my trust and faith with God in this relationship (which is hard).50 weeks left =)

My next mission is to learn how to drive the car (manual drive) and learn dutch... I can recognize some Dutch words like "alles goed" which means how are you (I think). That is how I translate it. But I can't pronounce it yet.

Till next time... Much love from me <3

Survived the first week

Beside learning how to bike again and getting injured. I survived my first week working. I have become a master of laundry everyday and cleaning. Still trying to master ironing clothes and cooking. I found out that I am horrible at ironing clothes. I never ironed clothes back in Iowa. I am starting to get use to the routine everyday. (Now I understand what it is like to be a stay at home mom 24/7.) I want to do that someday when I have my first child.

brother sister love

These are the two kids. As you can see she is tackling her older brother. They are both sweet and the 20 month old is learning my name and getting use to me. I took her on a walk on Wednesday and she really enjoy it. She is full of energy though so is the 10 year old boy.

Their mom works for the Dutch government. She is like the Secretary of State and she gets to travel every where. I think in a couple of weeks she will be heading to Moscow. She is not really home often because Enschede is about 2 hours away from her job so she stays in Den Haag for the week. Dad works in an office (I'm not sure what kind.)

Back yard

 It is still so green here for being Fall. I miss the colors of fall like red, yellow and orange leaves. I guess here the leaves do not change color. The weather is cold... and I mean really cold. It is not like Iowa right now with the weird weather that you guys are having. Don't let the sunshine fool you, the wind can be harsh.

This weekend will be my first weekend off. I am meeting with another nanny today after the family leaves for a weekend get away. Her name is Linda and she is from Germany. The family said very good things about her and she has been good to their other nannies in the past. I'm hoping to go to church this Sunday (if I could find where it is located). I think the fun of it is getting lost on my bike but I have to get use to finding the house first before I decide to take off and go on an adventure on the bike in town. So this weekend will be an adventure and I am going to explore the town and meet new people.

God put me here for a reason it could be for me learn, grow and trust. I still have problem in the trusting areas especially leaving everything to God to take care of like right now. I know he will provide good fellowship for me but I just want it now.

Overall I'm done being jet lagged, now is just the fact of being home sick a lot and some days are very hard because I don't many people here yet and I wish that it was easy to call all my friends when I have a problem but its not. I know it will get easier once I start meeting people and making plans when I don't have to work and I don't plan to travel on the weekends until November.

I love you guys back home and miss you lots.

Bike riding is hard

Today was the first time I got back on a bike and let me tell you its been a while. I think its also a mind game. I have to get use to riding a bike now but its hard. I got my first injury today. A scrape on my knee from falling down.







Here in Enschede, they ride bikes a lot. Its not like Iowa where we just drive cars and there no bike lanes and the drivers don't even pay attention to bikers (even though they should). Here bikers are very important and drivers have to pay attention to bikers.

Last night in Iowa =(

Thank you friends for making this an awesome night for me before I take off. I feel like this week has been hard preparing and trying to say "goodbye" to everyone. I haven't been sleeping much either and I feel like its stress related to this trip.
As many of you already know I will be gone for a whole year from Cedar Rapids (my home). I finally call this place my home and its where I want to be after this job ends. When I was little I always so much just to leave IOWA because I didn't like it here. I was a brat and just wanted to move far away as I could from IOWA. And now I am leaving temporary and its really hard because I have met so many awesome people who are in my life now.
I have an amazing second family who are my church family who has gotten to know me this past year and so on and seen me grow. I'm blessed and I am grateful to meet a bunch of people who is willing to help me grow in Christ.
We will keep in touch via facebook, snail mail, skype or even email. Some of you don't have my skype yet I'll put them at the bottom of this blog. If you want a snail mail, please email me your address (thanks a million).  I guess to end it by saying thank you to an amazing group of people and I love you guys all. I'll see you guys soon

skype: brownxeyedxgirl
email: annie.chong@gmail.com