A New Me
Posted: March 29, 2011 Filed under: Memoirs | Tags: Charlotte, Dutch, English, Names, Sharlette, US 8 Comments »This move to the US has really changed me…
New BFF: “It’s so nice to meet you. What did you say your name is?”
Me: “Charlotte.”
New BFF: “Say again?”
Me: “Sshhaaarlut!”
New BFF: “Sharlette?”
Me (deciding we are not going to be BFF’s after all): “Yes.”
I may need speech therapy or the dentist to fix the gap between my teeth, but at least in The Netherlands I was able to pronounce my own name.
One time, at the playground, a mom managed to ask me to repeat my name seven times. I don’t even remember if she finally got it right, or that we left it at Sharlette.
Picking a name for our girls, my first requirement was for it to be pronounced the same way in Dutch as in English. I didn’t want my children to go through what I’m going through.
And now, with ‘Pippa and the Kids’, I can tell everyone in my new country about it and be sure I’ll get some hits…
Not Black, But Abroad
Posted: March 17, 2011 Filed under: Books | Tags: Black and (A)broad, Carolyn Vines, cultural differences, The Netherlands, US 10 Comments »Yesterday, the perfect inspiration for Pippa and the Kids arrived in a little package from The Netherlands. My high school friend who has been following my blog, sent me a book called “Black and (A)broad: traveling beyond the limitations of identity“. The author, Carolyn Vines, is a black woman, who left the US to live with her white Dutch boyfriend in The Netherlands.
Hmmm, wait a minute. Let’s turn around the colors and countries. Sounds pretty familiar to me.
When I set up this blog, the idea was not only to write about stuff that interests me, but also to write about my experiences as a Dutch mother and wife, raising a bicultural family in the US. So far, the latter has yet to be developed. But trust me, so far I have already experienced many cultural differences, which are dying to leave my head to come alive on screen.
In the meantime, I was just wondering…
To my American girls:
- Have you ever heard Dutch girls discussing the cut and carat of their diamond engagement ring?
- Have you ever heard of the word ‘gezellig’?
- Did you know bread and potatoes are not ‘evil food’?
To my Dutch girls:
- Have you ever been pregnant and able to pee in a clean bathroom, anywhere?
- Have you ever had a doorman?
- Have you ever chosen your job to meet your future husband?
Stay tuned for more…
Chips + USA = Chunks
Posted: March 15, 2011 Filed under: Food | Tags: candy bars, Cincinnati, cookie dough, Europe, Greater's Ice Cream, truffled popcorn, US Leave a comment »Ever since I moved to the US, I have gotten to know a whole different side of food. Love eating the dough when making a pie? Why not make cookie dough balls covered with chocolate, and add them to the product line! Love deep fried food? Why not deep fry candy bars! Truffled popcorn anyone? And ever dreamt of eating chocolate chip ice cream, and discovering a big chocolate chunk in your cup? Well, that’s where Graeter’s came in…
Lucky me I found a husband who spent a few years in Cincinnati, Ohio. The first time I went there with him, Greater’s Ice Cream was part of the tour. Actually, I don’t remember anything on his tour not being food related.
Yes, Ben & Jerry’s is cute. And yes, spotting the Van Leeuwen truck in Soho always makes for a pleasant surprise. But you have never had anything like this. Black Raspberry Chip ice cream, full of those big chocolate chunks you’ve been dreaming of. Sometimes, I actually think Europe is missing out on a few things…
And, yes, they deliver.
