April Fool's Day

Hello again everybody!

It's April Fool's Day. Did anyone play jokes on their friends or family? Or is that mostly just for kids? I never really got into playing tricks on people. I guess because I didn't like it when I got tricked. Do unto others, and all that jazz. I did like the jokes though that you see sometimes. Funny, ridiculous things sometimes, but good for a laugh!

April 1st is also the anniversary of me moving here to The Netherlands. I have lived here for 4 years. FOUR years! I can't believe it's been that long. It has flown. When I moved here, I had the thought that it would take me about 5 years to get adjusted to living here. Learning the language, getting used to Dutch customs, etc. Well, now that it's closing in on 5 years, I'm thinking it will be more like 10 years. I knew it wouldn't be an immediate fit-in, but it's definitely taking me longer than I thought. Hopefully at 9 years I won't feel like I need to extend the time line again!

In addition to not liking being tricked, I have another reason to not like April Fool's Day all that much this year. Remember me telling you about the staff changes at work, and having some troubles there? I suppose all good things must come to an end. As of today we all are laid off. Not that there were very many of us left to let go, but still. It's a sad day. We don't know if it's going to be temporary or if it will be permanent. Time to polish up my resume, huh? It figures that this had to happen now, just when I was starting to take more lessons there in order to improve my Dutch. *sigh* I am hopeful that it is a temporary thing, and I'll just be on vacation for a few weeks. I think I am the only one with that attitude, though.

Denial...isn't that a river in Egypt?

Anyways, to cheer me up today, I went to the Farmer's Market this morning downtown. They have it every Wednesday and Friday morning, rain or shine. It's been probably a year since I went last. I forgot what fun it is! All sorts of booths set up. Fruit, vegetables, clothes, fabric, purses...you name it, you can get it at the Market here. I really like going in the Spring. SO so so many flowers. Oh, such beautiful flowers! I should have taken my camera with me. If I go again in this month, I will, I promise! But the cheerful thing I did for myself was to get these beauties.

 

a deep purple tulip

As you know, tulips are my favorite flower. There is no better time of year to indulge in a bit of cheer for myself, right? The most difficult thing about them is picking a color! White, pink, purple, red, yellow, mixed??!! Which do I choose!!!???!!! I ended up with the purple this time. Lovely.

How has Spring been for you there? I heard that there was some snow the past few days on the East Coast of the States...was there a lot? I hope not. Hasn't there been enough snow this season to last like ... uhh... 12 winters? Yeah, that's what I thought. Spring here has been very very mild so far. Barely any rain, and quite warm temperatures. 

Ok, I'll stop bragging about my oh-so-fine weather now.

It even smells like Spring. Blooming trees, grass growing and getting cut. Take a deep breath in...aaaaahhhh. So nice after a long winter, no? Hopefully it smells good where you are too! If not, would you like me to bottle some of our air and ship it to you? I can do that.

In my next post, I'll let you know how my knitting progress is coming along. Can't wait to show you!

Have a great weekend all, and don't let anyone play any tricks on you!

xxx