September 25th “Without traditions, our lives would be as shaky as a fiddler on the roof.” This is according to Tveye, the Jewish Papa from Fiddler on the Roof. If Tveye is right, the thing that grounds and anchors our days, lives, and roles, is… tradition! In the 7 minute long clip of Tveye singing … Continue reading →

September 10, 2012 Frans and I attend a church here called Crossroads. It’s international, English-speaking, although the  majority of attendees are Dutch. The church meets inside an elementary school, the sermons are preached and songs are sung in an auditorium, bleachers and chairs on all four sides facing the inner square where the pastor preaches … Continue reading →

September 5, 2012 Recently I finished the book Tulipomania by Mike Dash. Like any nerd or writer, or potential citizen, I bought books that would help me understand my new country and culture. There used to be a Tulip Museum here in Amsterdam, and when I was visiting last December, and skeptical about a whole … Continue reading →

September 4, 2012 I am an American living in Amsterdam. A Floridian living in Oud Zuid, to be specific. I married a Dutchman, my Dutchman. We met in Knoxville, Tennesee over a year ago at a wedding of our friends. He stood for the Danish groom. I roomed with the American bride as a student … Continue reading →