So, I am still working on the idea of balancing my life. I need to stay busy, since that is how I have always been. But, I need to allow Eileen the space to have play time and nap time. I need to see as much as I can, so that I don't kick myself for not doing more while living in Europe. I need to not drive myself crazy (which knowing me is likely no matter what I do).
This week, I had planned to go to the Jewish Museum in Amsterdam. It might have included a tour of the Portuguese Synagogue. I had lined up some friends to travel with me on the train. I figured it would take 3/4 of the day and screw up Eileen's nap schedule, but with Eric on travel for a couple of days, that would be for me to deal with -- so hopefully it would yield: fun for me, some fun and new stuff for Eileen, maybe some Channukah gifts, new stuff for my friend, and no down side for Eric. Then my friend was dealing with illness in her family (of the flu type), so suddenly, it became too much adventure for one parent to handle.
Wait, I hear you crying out: are you the same woman who willingly flies internationally with that baby/toddler? Did you not end up overnight in Dublin without planning it? Do you not manage yourself and Eileen fine over multiple flights into many cities, managing luggage, toddler, seat, and all and rental cars? Why would you be fine with all that, plus jet lag and not a 1.5 hour train ride each way to see a museum in Amsterdam. Good points all...
Yet, we spent the day playing at Hemelrijk in the morning and with the neighbor's dog in the afternoon.
I think part of the reason that I am not confident here has to do with the fact that we just don't use restaurants much. They are for date night and maybe for coffee/lunch. Hardly ever for dinner other than date night. So, I have to factor in that I will be cooking something. And usually (as in 19 out of 20 dinners or so) I do better than hot dogs or insta-dinner. So, if I am home, I am looking at spending at least some of my energy cooking something. That means conserving some energy.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Back here for the Jewish Holidays
I have just returned from 9 days in the States with my little family attending my cousin Bonnie's lovely wedding weekend and seeing my Idaho in-laws.
The Jewish New Year starts this evening (all Jewish holidays start at sunset, unless they are minor fast days...but that is another story). I will probably spend tonight at home with a festive meal and my family -- this sounds more like a holiday than traveling to Tilburg either by myself or with a crabby toddler. Tomorrow I will go to Tilburg -- possibly by myself.
Somehow, holidays are a reminder of both the old family traditions (a sweet new year with Baskin Robbins at my grandparents' home in Chicago), and the fact that I am defining my Judaism as I go along.
To that end, I am planning a journey to the Amsterdam Jewish Museum for next week (I hope). This is a complex of Jewish sites that are no longer (with the exception of the Portuguese Synagogue) actively used. The Netherlands was very receptive to Jewish refugees from Germany and Austria at the beginning of the War, but by the end more than 80% of all Jews were dead. That means that there are an awful lot of Jewish sites that are now repurposed. That said, the Dutch have done a marvelous job of coming to terms with their past. There are monuments everywhere. They were at best embarrassed and mostly morally outraged that their tolerant society was overwhelmed by the Germans.
Some of my friends know that I am not really an Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jew -- I am about 1/4 that. The rest is either German or Spanish. I am at least Sephardic tracing through my Mother's line (Eric has been doing Genealogy) and possibly elsewhere as well. That line left the North West coast of the Netherlands some time in the 18th century. So, I guess some of my wish for traveling to the Jewish Museum is to find my roots.
Also, it is time for me to start looking for holiday gift ideas, as it takes a while for things to get back to the States.
The Jewish New Year starts this evening (all Jewish holidays start at sunset, unless they are minor fast days...but that is another story). I will probably spend tonight at home with a festive meal and my family -- this sounds more like a holiday than traveling to Tilburg either by myself or with a crabby toddler. Tomorrow I will go to Tilburg -- possibly by myself.
Somehow, holidays are a reminder of both the old family traditions (a sweet new year with Baskin Robbins at my grandparents' home in Chicago), and the fact that I am defining my Judaism as I go along.
To that end, I am planning a journey to the Amsterdam Jewish Museum for next week (I hope). This is a complex of Jewish sites that are no longer (with the exception of the Portuguese Synagogue) actively used. The Netherlands was very receptive to Jewish refugees from Germany and Austria at the beginning of the War, but by the end more than 80% of all Jews were dead. That means that there are an awful lot of Jewish sites that are now repurposed. That said, the Dutch have done a marvelous job of coming to terms with their past. There are monuments everywhere. They were at best embarrassed and mostly morally outraged that their tolerant society was overwhelmed by the Germans.
Some of my friends know that I am not really an Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jew -- I am about 1/4 that. The rest is either German or Spanish. I am at least Sephardic tracing through my Mother's line (Eric has been doing Genealogy) and possibly elsewhere as well. That line left the North West coast of the Netherlands some time in the 18th century. So, I guess some of my wish for traveling to the Jewish Museum is to find my roots.
Also, it is time for me to start looking for holiday gift ideas, as it takes a while for things to get back to the States.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Away again...
I am heading off with the family for a wedding and a really quick turn in Idaho. I just downloaded my photos from Scotland tonight and they leave a lot to be desired (e.g. I have only one photo from Edinburgh -- the gate that I found interesting at the Botanic Gardens). I am hoping that Eric has better photos. Otherwise, we will just have to order some Scotland postcards for our scrap book :-)
-----
One of the great things about being associated with the American military overseas is the astounding generosity of people back home. The family received a care package from Project Mot today. They sent us one at Passover as well. We have honey and lots of other sweet treats for the new year. So, to those who donate to those care packages, know that they are appreciated wherever they fall.
-----
One of the great things about being associated with the American military overseas is the astounding generosity of people back home. The family received a care package from Project Mot today. They sent us one at Passover as well. We have honey and lots of other sweet treats for the new year. So, to those who donate to those care packages, know that they are appreciated wherever they fall.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)