Dit jaar zal ik Nederlands leren

---

So this year, I decided, will be meaningful for me.
I realized that where I am right now in my life, nothing is tying me down. So I am taking advantage of that and have subletted my apartment in Toronto and have moved to holland to learn Dutch and my roots (aka mom). Why would anyone want to learn Dutch? No one really speaks Dutch. About 27 million to be exact. I want to learn Dutch though, because I feel like it's part of me and whenever I hear people speaking it I have this feeling if jealousy. I WANT it too. Mom didn't speak too much Dutch to Kim and I growing up because she was still learning English I think. So now it's my turn to learn. This is what will help make this year meaningful for me.

I'm currently enrolled in a Dutch course that takes place Monday and wednesday nights from 8-10pm. It's a small group, which is nice, and Trix (mijn lerares, or my teacher) only speaks Dutch. We are only allowed to speak Dutch. This is good because I need to get over my fear of speaking it. I have the best environment to come home to as well- a very supportive uncle and cousin who can speak to me in Dutch and answer all of my questions.
English television channels are also a plus because they have subtitles here.
As much as I love it here, I had to make some sacrifices to come here like leaving Conor and all of my friends as well as quitting my job and thus making a scary leap in what is hopefully
the right direction.

It's only been a week since I got to holland so not a whole lot has happened although I do feel my Dutch getting stronger already. I'm learning that I need to get out of my own way and to speak even when I might be saying something wrong because I dont want to leave from this experience wishing I would have tried harder from the beginning.
Right now my days are filled with translating Dutch words that I hear, walking a lot, going to museums and reading the Dutch and English explanations and learning new words, listening to conversations on the train, eating candy, lots of old goat cheese on toast, and of course the worst part of it all- finding a job. I think as long as I don't have to work in another shoe store I will be fine.
Hopefully I can put photos up soon as well as another blog. Hopefully they won't all be as boring as this one.
Here is to everyone reading this and a meaningful 2011!
kusjes,
Elke

---