Just needed to be heard for a little while

jojo-baby

Thanks for the welcome everyone, much appreciated.
I am normally a very go out there and get person, with my old job i worked all over the world.
I made myself a cup of Yorkshire tea (the only thing I import, tea outside of the UK really is carp) and decided to go to Amsterdam and see a museum i wanted to visit, and then sat on the canals watching the equivalent of a M6 junction....
My original aim was to try and make friends with Dutch people as opposed to the huge ex-pat scene in Amsterdam, but maybe I will look at going to a couple of ex-pat things
@Pyxis, BF doesn't have one, but I know what you mean, I have decided that tomorrow I will fill my freezer with soup and maybe bake a banana cake, keep myself occupied.
And I have to take BFs car back to Amsterdam (i brought it back from his work to go to the colour run) and then will cycle home, which will be an adventure as I havent done it before and will get lost for sure!

Tonight I have a dinner with all of BFs friends, they are lovely, but I hate that they still have to change language for me, and I never feel 100% relaxed with them, but going is probably more healthy than sitting alone at home.

Last year I went through a period where I was very sad and it took a while to feel me again, and I dont want to get to that point again as it was no fun, so trying very hard to avoid that.

lostinrates

Jojo baby, Dutch looks and sounds very difficult to me.

Can you understand any? Often what I ask bi lingual people to do is to chat in their language and leg me reply in mine, if I cannot make full replies in the language. That way I'm starting at least to thing in which ever language. I have a Venician friend with a very strong Venetian accent that DH struggles with but I understand just fine ( I just 'get' that accent) and he understands but doesn't speak English, we speak so fast poor DH is often not understanding what's going on, though theoretically he is the only one who Should understand everything!

At home fir and I have dropped into speaking English almost all the time, we didn't used to. It feels rude with someone else living with us to speak in our own pigeon.

Pyxis

jojo-baby wrote: »

Thanks for the welcome everyone, much appreciated.
Last year I went through a period where I was very sad and it took a while to feel me again, and I dont want to get to that point again as it was no fun, so trying very hard to avoid that.

Goodness Jojo, don't be hard on yourself! You've had a huge life-change, moving to another country, and now I understand you aren't yet fluent in the language? Wow! That's enough to make anyone feel peculiar! I'd be a complete wreck! You have my admiration!

Perhaps Dutch language classes are the way forward, to get to know the language better, but also to meet others?

Ps. I know how to say 'clock' in Dutch! Isn't that clever of me? :rotfl: :D:D

DUKE

Hi jojo baby, could you learn the language? Even a few words would break down a few barriers. I travelled around a bit when I was young & felt very homesick, so I've got an idea what you're feeling. You've always got us here & you're welcome to pop in & tell us what's going in the outside world, it would be great if you could tell us of your adventures as I'm sure there's gonna be plenty to tell once you settle.

jojo-baby

lostinrates wrote: »

Jojo baby, Dutch looks and sounds very difficult to me.

Can you understand any? .

Yes i can understand quite abit, especially about boring technical things!!!
But once they start drinking and we are in a noisy bar and they are a bit drunk it is impossible.
BF and I try to speak some dutch at home, but we swicth back to english all too easily as his English is almost perfect, (like most Dutch) I am going on a Dutch course to improve things which starts soon.

jojo-baby

Pyxis wrote: »

Goodness Jojo, don't be hard on yourself! You've had a huge life-change, moving to another country, and now I understand you aren't yet fluent in the language? Wow! That's enough to make anyone feel peculiar! I'd be a complete wreck! You have my admiration!

Perhaps Dutch language classes are the way forward, to get to know the language better, but also to meet others?

Ps. I know how to say 'clock' in Dutch! Isn't that clever of me? :rotfl: :D:D

I dont even know that I dont think, I can only think of "horloge" which I think is a watch!

lostinrates

Speaking the language at home really makes the difference for me.

And if your partner is fluent it is really fun. Although, tends to centre around parts of the body quite heavily.

Other things I do, cause I like cooking, but also because its quite easy way to start, is to get a cookery magazine, there are pictures, and things you become familiar with eating out and in shopping. Reading the features about cultural areas becomes easier.

What it doesn't do, all this assimilation, is get you close friends really quickly or know where to get the things, or nearest equivalents of things you want that aren't mainstream.

jojo-baby

Thanks for all the messages guys, maybe I am expecting too much, I have joined a Capoeira class which is given in Dutch/portugese, which is often a little too much for my brain but there are friendly dutch people there so thats a good thing.

Maybe i am expecting too much too soon, who knows, I would love to be a regular poster with you guys but I have to warn you now, I will disappear sometimes, I still don't quite have a 9-5 job so fly away sometimes for work....

I hope everyone is having a nice weekend, here it is sunny at least, I hope you all have some sun too....

Pyxis

jojo-baby wrote: »

I dont even know that I dont think, I can only think of "horloge" which I think is a watch!

Hahahaha! It was a joke really, because the Dutch for clock is......klok!




What's capoeira?

DUKE

I'd love to know what countries you've worked in JOBA, (if I can call you that?) I'm obsessed with people in other countries do tell! In my past life I must've come from somewhere else, but not sure where yet hence my obsession with travel ....