My Thursday

[kneeshooter]

As dilligent readers will remember, yesterday I had an interview in Amsterdam. No news on the job yet, but as part of getting there for 10:00 CET I had to get a plane from Birmingham at 6:20 BST. This shouldn't be too bad - check in online, boarding at 5:45. I was pretty happy with getting up about 4:15, having a shower etc. and then getting out of the house at 5:00 to drive to the airport.

Only what really happened was that I pushed my alarm clock under the pillow when it went off and woke up again at 4:57.

Never have I gotten out of the house so quickly.

In the end I was in the terminal building by 5:30, which isn't bad considering...

And the interview? Seemed to go ok - and I am trying to suppress the "fear of change" that moving overseas would mean to my social life and hobbies.

Comments

[mrssshhh.livejournal.com]

My brother officially works for a company in Leeds, but about 40 of his weeks in the year are spent in Holland, and another six or so in the US. He spends roughly half of his weekends back here in the UK.

Now if, like me, you have been previously used to living distant from 99% of your circle of friends, this isn't such a huge change. Weekdays are for living your life and working, and the weekends feel so much better and more special for it.

I'm honestly not sure how it would work out for you - I know you've spent at least the last few years among friends almost constantly.

At the very least, if you do go to parts forn and want a way to keep a level of close contact... there's always Warcrack. I know the Crab would undoubtedly clack his claws in joy at having you as part of his flock.

[woodbrook.livejournal.com]

Might I enquire the potential impact on wedding photography (could you reply via email as I'll forget to check here)

[kneeshooter]

None at all :-)

[berrega.livejournal.com]

If you more to Amsterdam I'll come and visit you ;-)

[atropa42.livejournal.com]

amsterdam? blimey!

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Heh, reminds me of my sudden departure from New Orleans last year, that was scary. I got to the gate with five minutes to spare. Good thing it was an internal flight...

As someone who's done this step (left a city and a well-established group of friends behind to work abroad) 10 years ago, I have to say it's not that bad and the experience has been worthwhile. With modern transport options, Amsterdam isn't much further away than if you moved to, say, Scotland. Most Dutch people speak English very well (definitely better than in the rest of Western Europe, possibly except Scandinavia) so the language barrier shouldn't be that much of a problem, either.

Good luck!

[5threplicant.livejournal.com]

I'd imagine you'd be okay. When I moved to Sweden I was a little concerned about that kind of thing but I found that, being in a different culture, I found myself reacting to things in a different way. Things I didn't like happening to me in the UK were bearable in Sweden cos the difference in culture made the whole experience a little 'unreal'. Then, once I'd settled, it was just like home - god, I miss the place.

Plus, the dutch are (apparently) the best non-native english speakers in the world, just above the Swedes. Then, who knows? The Americans? (Hoho! See what I did there?)

[laurah1893.livejournal.com]

Oh I agree the Dutch speak perfect English with almost no accent. They have trouble with the "th". I could understand them way easier than any British person.