55 connections dec2014

Connect International serves the international community in the provinces of Groningen, Friesland, Drenthe and Noord Holland.

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Supported by an international staff and Board of Directors, we provide quality relocation services and practical information to help familiarize international residents with all aspects of living, working or studying in the Northern Netherlands, as well as organizing events and activities to make connections.

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Connect International would like to welcome the following new members: Alice Colombari, Barbara Roder, Abby Baas, Corry Joldersma, Daniel Valesin & Sylvia Oliviera, Tram Anh Vu, Annika Sporrel, Ana Amparo Ruiz Molina, Mario Hernandez Tinoco, Suzy de Jong and Barbara Loomans.

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Jo in Us !You can register to become a Connect International member via our website. For a small yearly fee, you receive the Connections e-magazine newsletter delivered directly to your email inbox, you have access to the Connect International community through organized events, you can ask us any questions you may have and much more.

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Contact : Publ ica t ion Team:Connect Head Office:Gedemte Zuiderdiep 98, GroningenPostbus 16, 9700 AA GroningenTelephone: 050 7440087Email: [email protected]: www.connect-int.org

Publisher: Stephanie Fermor-PoortmanAssistant Editor: Margaret MetsalaContributers to this issue: Stephanie Fermor-Poortman, Alexandra van den Doel, Milena Stanojevic, Traci White, Carol Nieuwland-Goss & Lori McKinney.

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Everything you need to make yourself at home in the Netherlands

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DecemberCalendar

December 2014

Primary Education & Secondary Education SchoolsBasisonderwijs & Voortgezet onderwijs

North Netherlands 20 Dec 2014 t/m 4 Jan 2015 Week 52 t/m 1

Mid-Netherlands 20 Dec 2014 t/m 4 Jan 2015 Week 52 t/m 1

South Netherlands 20 Dec 2014 t/m 4 Jan 2015 Week 52 t/m 1

School Winter Holiday Dates

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DecemberEvents

CONNECT (Groningen, Friesland & Drenthe)

Connect for Coffee Date: 5 December 2014, 10:30 hrs@ La Place, V&D in Groningen

Parents Coffee Time Date: 9 December 2014, 10:30 hrs

CONNECT Noord Holland(Noord Holland)

CNH Kids & Coffee Date: 10 December 2014, 9:00 hrs@ the home of Sarah D, Oudorp

CNH Christmas Party Date: 13 December 2014, 20:00 hrs@ the home of Caroline, Alkmaar

Connect Crafts Club Date: 12 December 2014, 10:30 hrs@ IWCN, Gedempte Zuiderdiep 98, Groningen

Beads Weaving Workshop Date: 14 December 2014, 14:00 hrs

Parents Coffee Time Date: 16 December 2014, 10:30 hrs

Connect for Coffee Date: 19 December 2014, 10:30 hrs@ La Place, V&D in Groningen

CNH Kids' Christmas PartyDate: 17 December 2014, 14:00 hrs@ the home of Sarah B, Alkmaar

CNH Secret Santa Date: 17 December 2014, 20:00 hrs@ the home of Sharon, Alkmaar

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InformationCenter

by Alexandra van den Doel

Christians and non-Christians alike are (over) familiar with the way Christmas is celebrated in the UK and North America through the huge amount of films, books and the commercialisation of the day, but how do people in the rest of the world celebrate it?

Surprisingly similar is the answer; with food (and turkey is eaten far and wide including: Peru, Nigeria, New Zealand, Eastern Europe), family and friends, with decorated trees and homes, gifts (brought varyingly by baby Jesus, a witch, elves or Father Christmas, family members or strangers) and drink, with church and singing, and children play a large part too.

The celebration of Christmas across the world

“Christmas in Wales is not very different than an English one. We have the Christmas tree and enjoy the excitement of opening our presents on Christmas morning. Later in the day my grandparents would come over for a tummy bursting Christmas dinner of turkey, yorkshire puddings, pigs in blankets, veggies and lots of gravy!

One special Christmas tradition from my family is that every year on Boxing Day, we would walk up Moel Famau, a hill (almost a mountain) in North Wales and you have an amazing view from the top and usually some snow, even if down in the valley is all clear.” Stephanie, Wales- Happy Christmas, Nadolig Llawen, Nollaig Shona Daiobh, Nollaig Shona Dhuit, Nollick Ghennal, Merry Xmas, Happy Holidays!

United States of America, Canada and United KingdomWe all know the roast turkey dinner, presents under the decorated Christmas tree, family gathering, (ideally) snow and carol singers, as well as Father Christmas/Santa Claus. Regions within the countries and families also have their own variations on a theme.

Christmas 1990, Stephanie is the child on the right.

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InformationCenter

arrival of Jesus and especially for the presents as, according to the tradition, he brings the presents. Gift-giving is done after/before the meal; it depends on the familiy's tradition. Singing carols around the tree is also popular; we listen to songs such as Silent Night. Religious people go to church at midnight and it is normally very busy at that mass. The traditional Christmas meal is fish soup (we call it Fisherman's soup), and for a main meal we also eat fish or turkey. On the 25th, it is a smaller celebration for us. Normally families stay together and have big meals together. We also eat stuffed cabbage on these days. On the 26th we normally see friends or again just stay with family. We do dream of a white Christmas but unfortunately it doesn't always happen every year; snow tends to fall more in January or February. If it is cold enough, then we have ice-skating rinks throughout the holidays.” Heni, Hungary - Boldog/Kellemes Karácsonyt!

The Netherlands, EuropeChristmas in the Netherlands is changing. Previously it was a sober religious feast, with a visit to church and possibly a special meal (often rabbit, jugged hare or pheasant) with close family and visits to (elderly) relatives on the 26th. This is known here as Tweede Kerstdag (2nd Christmas Day). Elsewhere it is known as Boxing Day or St Stephen’s or simply the day after Christmas! Nowadays though the ‘Kerstman’ is likely to visit, filling stockings for the children and there may be gatherings with family and friends to do some ‘gezellig gourmetten’.- Fijne Kerstdagen, Zalig Kerstfeest, Noflike Krystdagen!

Hungary, Europe“Here is a small description: people decorate their houses and start to cook and bake on the 24th (or in some cases we bake beforehand: we have a traditional cake called Beigli, this is a roll filled with poppy seeds or walnuts). We only decorate the tree with ornaments on the 24th and put the wrapped presents under it. We also have szaloncukor, which is a typical Hungarian sweet used to decorate the Christmas tree. It is normally jelly or marzipan-covered chocolate wrapped in special paper. On the Eve of 24th, young children are waiting for the Traditional Beigli cake from Hungary.

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InformationCenter

Zimbabwe, AfricaChildren bring presents to children in hospital.

Madagascar, AfricaChristmas is seen as the time to baptize children in mass ceremonies as well as visiting elders and other people in the community commanding respect.

Congo, AfricaLong religious plays are performed telling the bible stories from creation to nativity.

Nigeria, AfricaHomes and churches are decorated with palm leaves and a special Christmas cake is eaten.

Norway, EuropeNorwegian Christmas dinner consists of fish, potatoes and rice porridge with almonds as well as gingerbread. Children go door to door asking for sweets and a special Christmas cookie, Sand Kage. Presents are brought by Nisse, an elf or gnome that traditionally guarded the animals. - God Jul!

Italy, EuropeChildren go door to door singing and reciting Christmas poems, often dressed as shepherds in the Christmas period. Gifts were traditionally brought by Befana, a kind but ugly witch but, more often now under the influence of media and commercialisation, by Babbo Natale (Santa Claus). Traditionally there was a 24-hour fast before sitting down to a big family meal on Christmas Eve.- Buon Natale!

Egypt, AfricaCoptic Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7th with a special church service followed by eating a special meal: fatta (meat and rice). This is very welcome as Christmas is preceeded by 43 days of fasting. Children receive money for sweets and toys.

Malawi, AfricaChildren go singing from door to door.

Befana, the kind ugly witch from Italy.

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InformationCenter

South Africa“I am from South Africa where it's summer during Christmas time. So no white Christmases (I think a white Christmas is soooo overrated and boring). My family (incl. grandparents, uncles, aunts, etc) usually come together on the night of the 24th (Ou Kersaand) and we celebrate it by eating a fancy dinner with tons of meat and Christmas fruitcake. We have a Christmas tree and give gifts to each other. We do not believe in a Santa, but know that the gifts are from each other. We give gifts out of thankfulness for the great gift God gave us in Christ. We would read the Christmas story out of the Bible and sing together some Christmas carols. On the 25th we would all go to church for the Christmas sermon. Afterwards we would set a table in the garden and have a great lunch. We would swim in the pool and eat watermelon. A lot of South Africans also go to the beach.” Lize , South Africa- Geseënde Kersfees', Sinifesela Ukhisimusi Omuhle Nonyaka Omusha Onempumelelo, Krismas Njema Na Heri Za Mwaka Mpya, Okrismesa iwa, ciid wanaagsan iyo sanad cusub oo fiican !

Australia and New Zealand“When we have a big family gathering, Christmas lunch is always an

enormous spread of cold meats (that my mum roasted in the days prior), and piles and piles of prawns, all accompanied by champagne. It's always bubbles at Christmas. Then we're all so full afterwards we snooze on the grass in the shade or swim. Suddenly it's dinner time and we eat crayfish sandwiches with more bubbles. It's also tradition in rural Australia to go to the pub in the morning, as the publican is usually paying! “ Nerissa , Australia- Merry Christmas, Kia orana e kia manuia rava i teia Kiritimeti e te Mataiti Ou!

Korea, AsiaNearly 25% of South Koreans are

InformationCenter

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Christian, but it is a relatively new religion there and Christmas is celebrated very much along anglo-saxon lines. The main meal however includes Korean staples, kimchi and bulgogi. - Sun tan chuk ha!

India, AsiaIndia only has a very small Christian population, but they decorate banana or mango trees and candles are lit. The time of year is used for gift giving and charitable giving.- Natal ni shub kaamnao, Shubh Naya Baras!

Peru, South AmericaBig parties with food (turkey, tamales and apple sauce), drink (champagne for the grown-ups and hot chocolate for the children) and dancing are held on Christmas Eve (Noche Buena) and Christmas Day is used for sleeping off the night before as well as exchanging gifts with family and friends.- Feliz Navidad!

Brazil, South America“We have dinner together with our family on the 24th. There's not really a special food, but turkey is widely eaten this evening. Many families (and friends) organize a secret santa during the Christmas season, and we trade presents that evening. If there are

small children, Santa always comes secretly bringing presents to them, usually still during the evening. When I was a child, Santa brought the presents to our bed and we found them in the morning. We sing together and listen to Christmas songs that evening too. The decoration is not different from the European, and some people even put snow-cotton on the pine trees. What I find very nice during this time is that the post office organizes a service to receive letters from kids whose families otherwise wouldn't be able to buy them presents. Any citizen can take a letter home and send the kid the wished gift.” Daiana, Brazil - Bom Natal!

I am very much indebted to those people who took the time to share the way their family or country celebrate Christmas with me and the many sources on this subject on the internet. Alexandra van den Doel- Gajan Kristnaskon! (Esperanto)

LifeExperience


Your Stories


Having a baby in the Netherlandsby Milena Stanojevic

I am sure that some of you reading this article are pregnant (congratulations to you) or planning it in the near future. The most important thing you need to keep in mind if you would like to have children in the Netherlands is that the pregnancy and birth are treated as natural events. The Dutch health system will not spend a lot of money on you while pregnant. You will not have frequent screenings and ultrasounds; in fact you will not see a gynecologist unless there are complications. To make the experience fully natural, painkillers during labor are also seen as totally unnecessary. You will be totally integrated if you decide to have the baby in your living room.There are two main birth options in The Netherlands: a home birth assisted by a midwife or a hospital birth assisted by a clinical midwife or gynecologist and arranged in advance by your doctor.

In both cases, a midwife is the only one who closely follows your pregnancy. The first thing you have to do when your pregnancy test turns positive is to find a good midwife (verloskundige). She makes sure that you stay healthy (both physically and mentally), she monitors the baby, gives advice, she is there during a home birth, and she also takes care of you and the baby in the first few weeks after the delivery. In case your midwife has any concerns, you will be referred to a gynecologist or a hospital.

Whatever type of birth you choose, be prepared to go through the biggest part of the labor on your own. The midwife will come over when the contractions become unbearable, and the hospital will tell you to leave the house only

when you think the baby will be born on the way in a cab. Around 30% of women in the NL choose a home-birth, 20% will have a hospital birth but return home the same day, and the remaining 50% give birth at hospital and have a stay of 24 hours or longer.

Below three expat mothers share their experiences of being pregnant in the Netherlands. If you have questions about having a baby here in the northern Netherlands, please visit our Parents’ coffee morning. You will be given firsthand information by new expat parents.

Marja (age 30, Slovenian)“Being pregnant in NL was a nice experience. I enjoyed going to HypnoBirthing classes and pregnancy yoga. I didn't have any problems so it was a pleasant period. I enjoyed the freedom to choose how and where I would like to give birth. This not necessarily a medical procedure as many women in the Netherlands also

Your Stories


be growing enough and quickly referred us to another doctor so I had the rest of my check-ups at the Martini hospital. They were equally helpful and supportive and also spoke in English. Overall I was really happy with the support we received from the whole health system during the pregnancy. My baby was breech (feet first) so we decided to opt for a c-section delivery. It was scheduled to be a Friday but I had to go in unexpectedly the Sunday before. The doctors decided that the baby should be delivered that day, and I was still able to have the c-section, even though it was slightly unplanned. The whole surgery and recovery went perfectly. I was even able to have the baby with me straight after he was delivered which isn't always offered with a c-section. The staff at the Martini hospital was really helpful and we felt like we were well taken care of the whole time. We also had a private room so my husband was able to stay with me and the baby the whole time we were in the hospital.”

Mia (age 40, Croatian)“My prenancy experience was a bit strange, just having midwives... I admit even though I had no problems I still didn't feel completely reassured they would recognize a problem if there was one. I really didn't feel very supported, nor special through pregnancy; they

give birth at home. I had enough support from my GP and the health system; however, it was expected of me to take initiative if I thought something wasn't going well. I appreciated this freedom instead of constantly being bombarded and controlled by medical checks. The mental health care for newborns is at an extremely high level in the Netherlands.”

Molly, (age 27, American)“At first I was a bit nervous about being pregnant/having a baby in the Netherlands because I didn't know how things worked here I had heard it was common to have your baby at home which I definitely didn't want to do. But my pregnancy was really easy - I wasn't sick at all in the beginning (or throughout) and didn't have any complications until the end, and those were minor. So for me, being pregnant here was very enjoyable. When you are pregnant in the Netherlands, you don't go to your GP. Instead you go to a midwife (verloskundige), which was something that was new for me. I was very happy with our midwife practice. I could call them with questions any time and they were always really helpful. They were also happy to speak English with us which was a huge plus. Towards the end of my pregnancy they were worried that the baby might not


Your Stories

treat it like a normal human function and don't give it too much attention. In a way it's cool, but still I did want to feel a bit more special (smiling); however, with no problems, I am pretty proud of the whole experience. I had my older boy in NY, USA in hospital surrounded with 101 people. (They all came to see that strange woman who didn't get an epidural, so this was a completely different situation). A few months into my pregnancy here, the idea of having the baby at home grew on me, so I decided to give it a try. It was a bit surreal and really peaceful. No sitting in a taxi in labor, no decisions about

epidural. The best part of my experience is that your life continues uninterrupted...my older son just woke up in the morning and baby brother was just there. Life went on... The only real down point for me was a lack of choice. What if I was more scared, more worried?! I would love that there is an option, that you arrange for a private gynecologist appointment if you wish for it, if you miss your appointment for echo (that actually happened to me), if you ever feel scared. But that is not a part of the Dutch mentality it seems...”

‘Nee/Nee’ or ‘Nee/Ja’?


Information Center

by Stephanie Fermor-Poortman

Your average house in the Netherlands that has no sticker will receive on average about 36 flyers every week through their letterbox. Over a year that is 34kg of advertising materials, of which half ends up in the waste paper bin having never been read.

available free of charge; just pop in and ask at the information counter. Or you can call 0900 202 5095 (calls are charged at 0,25 per minute), but the phone system is only available in Dutch.

You can also order them online at a few places for a small fee. Loesje sells 'Geen Reclame S.V.P' stickers (same as Nee/Nee stickers) via their website for €2 including shipping. http://shop.loesje.nl/diversen/geen-reclame-brievenbussticker

If you have a sticker but still want to check out the local deals at supermarkets, you can also read many of the leaflets online or through apps. Visit www.reclamefolder.nl to read them online or search for their app in your appshop.

Some people like receiving the leaflets, brochures and free local papers, but if you find them a nuisance, or want to reduce your amount of waste paper recycling consider adding a 'Nee / Nee' or 'Nee / Ja' sticker to your mailbox.

What do these stickers mean?A 'Nee / Ja' sticker means that yes, you would like to receive the free local papers, but no, you don't want to receive leaflets, brochures and advertisements. A 'Nee / Nee' sticker means that you don't want to receive any mail that is not personally addressed to you, so no leaflets or free local papers. If you have no sticker on your mail box, then you will receive all the bulk mail, leaflets and free local papers. Regardless of what sticker you put on your door, you will always receive personal post.

If you don't want to keep receiving those stacks of leaflets and newspapers, where do you get one of these stickers? Many city halls (gemeentehuis) have the stickers

Food for Thought


‘Tis the Season to Be… By Carol Nieuwland-Goss & Lori McKinney

Jolly…merry…traveling…partying…with family and friends! No matter how you find yourselves celebrating the holidays, we want to start off the season by wishing you much happiness and joy. For many of us, the holidays find us centered in our kitchens as we are busy cooking, baking and putting together scrumptious feasts for all to enjoy.

Which brings us to plotting the menus, a task that can be both daunting and fun. Inspiration can be sparked from all directions. It can be a childhood memory and wanting to recreate that for your own children; it can be a table setting that sparks colors or a theme; it can be the all-time favorites that roll around once a year to indulge in. Whatever inspires, tap into your intuition and unleash the creativity to put together a memorable holiday.

Here’s what is on our holiday food list:

Sugar cookies with colored icing & sparkles (use festive cookie cutters for various shapes). Here is a recipe/link: http://goo.gl/LjyoZF

Spiced nutsSeasoned popcornMulled ciderProsecco or champagne with pomegranate seedsPies – cherry & pumpkin (tip: easily substitute butternut squash or sweet potato for pumpkin.) Warm brie with walnuts and cranberry sauce

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Of course, bringing the children into the kitchen can be a whole lot of fun for everyone too! Here are some ideas of things to make:

Write words with an icing pen (Joy, Merry, Peace, Love, etc.).

Bake a gingerbread man/woman (use speculaaskruiden for seasoning).

Salt dough ornaments (use cookie cutter shapes)…here’s a recipe/link: http://goo.gl/VPqtQV

The holidays are not only about receiving, but also for giving. Pass on the jolly spirit to others by making donations at your local food bank,

Food for Thought


baking cookies/breads for a neighbor, or surprising your post lady/man with a plate of goodies.

As always, we love to hear back from you with suggestions, ideas to share, or a compliment. We can be reached at [email protected]

Many happy cheers to you all and may all have a most merry & festive holiday season wherever you are!Proost! Lori & Carol

A favorite way to get the house smelling festive is by using spices – orange/apple peel, rinds of lemon and rosemary, put a blend of these into a pan, or big tea kettle, add enough water to cover and set to low temperature on the stove and quite quickly your home will smell wonderful! Perk: no additives or chemicals involved – it is all-natural! **for safety: please check periodically on water level in pan so as not to burn. Simply add more water as needed. Enjoy!

Bonus Tip: To keep your holiday events as “stress-free” as possible, you may want to incorporate a few of these into your planning: Mix cookie doughs or pie crusts several days before the planned baking day and store in the fridge. Make casseroles the day before - store them in the fridge and the following morning bring to room temperature and bake. It’s all about making memories and having fun, so enjoy!

Tip of the Month


BookReview

Dutched Up! Rocking the Clogs Expat StyleBy Alexandra van den Doel

Dutched Up! Rocking the clogs expat style is a book that came out earlier this month. It was written by various expat female bloggers in The Netherlands.

What is it about?Various female bloggers from North America, Australia, the UK, the Philippines, India, Switzerland, Poland, Romania, Greece and Nigeria share snippets from their lives as expats in The Netherlands with topics ranging from the ubiquitous bikes to the Dutch obsession with “doing normal” to food and shopping, birthdays, doctors and even childbirth.

Who is it for?For any expat that is thinking of or has already joined their Dutch partner here or is thinking of coming to the Netherlands to live. Personally, I would read the book before coming and probably not understand a lot of it (for example most of the Dutch language references are not translated) and then read it again after I have been here a while and then TOTALLY get it!

Who wrote it?A list of the authors can be found on Amazon at: http://goo.gl/TVay3r and at other sites selling the book. They are all female bloggers with existing sites and I like that the book lets you know about their blogs so that if you are more interested in crocheting or food,

being a (young) mother in The Netherlands, any of the other topics they specialise in, or just if you enjoy one of the writing styles more than the other, you know where to go.

What did I think of it?Although it is a good book for dipping into, depending on what topic you want to tackle that day, I read it in one go in a morning and literally laughed out loud, cried, tut-tutted and recognized so much. Although the book touches on the standard “circle parties”, Dutch


BookReview

“directness” and of course biking, and the “gggggggggggg sound”, it manages to escape the clichés and, by providing such personal stories, it gives a fresh take on things.All the writers are female and as far as I can tell the vast majority are mothers which tends to slant the book’s take on things a bit.

The writing styles vary (although the overall quality is very good), which makes it more personal and also allows

for everyone to find something that appeals.

If you are feeling a little lost and alone as a “foreigner” to the country this is a wonderful book full of others who “get it”. Even if you are fully dutched up and rocking your own clogs in a big way, you will be able to have a good laugh and a cry over this book and maybe be introduced to some fabulous new blogs to follow at the same time.

October photo walkBy Traci WhiteDuring the third photo walk so far this year, I got to spend some one-on-one time coaching Nafise as we walked around the Zernike campus and tried out lots of different principles of photography: exposing for highlights or shadows, using back lighting and direct

in the midst of the straight and curving lines of the surrounding campus. Nafise's enthusiasm and dedication to learning was great to see, and I think the photo shows that she learned some of the main principles of photography very quickly!

light, incorporating the rule of thirds in composition, and using color and lines as strong elements of a picture. I chose this photo as my favorite that Nafise took during the photo walk back in October because the exposure value is perfect: nothing is too bright or too dark but there is enough contrast to make the bright green Linnaeusborg building stand out

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