03.15.09
Posted in Belgium, General at 17:18 by Staci
Having lived in “furnished” apartments till now, one fails to appreciate just how many of the “necessities” you don’t own till you walk into your new place and it is empty. Completely (Actually, here is not as bad as Amsterdam where they take the light fixtures off the ceilings and walls!). Anywho, having no furniture, or kitchen items, or extra bedding, etc. can be a bit problematic when you want to sit down to watch TV or eat:-) Hence, besides the fantastic loan center of “Jon & Christine’s Attic” we have made at least 3 trips to Ikea now. I think 4.
Yesterday, Jon & the family were nice enough to call us for a visit and ask if we had errands to run. Originally, I just planned to walk to some nearby shops, but instead we took advantage of this opportunity. Fast forward to a trip to an Appliance Outlet to look at washer/dryers (we’ve been able to go 2 weeks without doing laundry and still have fresh undies, which either means we have a lot of underwear or we aren’t wearing any…you can decide). Then we realized we better take measurements of the stairwell, elevator and utility closet before purchasing a machine that might end up sitting out in the back parking lot where we would just stare at it from our living room window.
Next we tried to find a non-existent home store on the south side of town, and when that did not pan out we headed to Ikea instead. 4 hours later we left Ikea!!! FOUR hours! Mind you we did eat when we first arrived. Jon and Jeff LOVE, and I mean LOVE, the meatballs there. Since the coke sucks, we had beers instead. Have I mentioned I love Ikea? Then the journey through the endless halls of Ikea began.
We started by going against the flow of traffic. I do not recommend this technique. It is dangerous. We only made it through the kids section and part of the storage area, before we took the short cut to the start. Much safer. Hours later, we had selected a shoe storage bench, a duvet and cover for guests (hint, hint!), tupperware, oven mit, and who knows what else-it’s all foggy now. By the time we left, the guys were ready to kill somebody. Marcus had one meltdown and then promptly fell asleep. I had to sign and speak garbled French and English to the cashier to take off the bowls which somehow ended up being 5 euro/each instead of 1.50. We were all drained. And the scariest part is that since unpacking things today, I realize we still need stuff from Ikea!! AAAhhhhhh!!!
The goal for next time – borrow the car so Jon doesn’t have to be tortured again. Only take Jeff for heavy lifting and so there is room to pull down the backseat and I can finally buy my full length mirror, instead of dressing in our elevator:-) Have a list and stick to it! Then maybe we won’t need to spend 4 hours there. And some day we might finally be settled.
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07.20.08
Posted in Belgium, General, Personal at 03:55 by Jeff
I don’t know what else to say. Let’s face it, most people who read this blog are here to read Staci’s words, not my random ramblings. At least that’s how I see it.
Anyways, we’ve (I’ve) moved out of the apartment in Amstelveen and am temporarily located in Belgium at Jon & CJ’s. I’ve got a room to myself, and only have to baby-sit Marcus for a couple days next week or the wk after. (I forget which.) It shouldn’t be too big of a deal, except I’ve never had to change diapers or feed the kid. Other than that, smooth sailing is expected. (Just kidding. I’m sure the pooping of diapers will send me into a panic. Good thing they’ve already hired their babysitter to cover during the day while I ‘work’, Jon is at work and CJ is in Singapore for work. Good thing they understand that ‘working from home’ isn’t (usually) a euphenism for ‘watching TV while co-worker’s 4500 miles away are productive.’
I move into the new place in the heart of Amsterdam August 3rd. Those of you that want the address (and that I haven’t emailed it to yet) can email us for it at your leisure. (This means that I may have forgotten people and emailing me reminds me that 1. people read this blog, and 2. I’m getting old and forgetting people.)
That should do it for now. If you’re thinking of us, we thank you, because we’re thinking of you. Hell, even if you’re not thinking of us, we’re still thinking about (and missing) all our friends back home, and are grateful for the love and support are friends and family have sent our way.
Ok, time for another late-night beer. I’ll get all the sleep I need when Staci comes back I get old the Rebels defeat the Empire CJ makes me take care of Marcus.
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12.02.07
Posted in Belgium, Fun, Sport at 13:16 by Jeff
One of the great things about being a Buckeye is that you get to yell O-H! just about anywhere in Columbus and someone will respond I-O! That doesn’t happen here in Amsterdam, but that didn’t stop us from enjoying the game (Staci would say I enjoyed it a little TOO much, but that’s not important right now) with some fellow Buckeyes (ok, so it’s Jon & CJ again, but so what.)
Like the Buckeyes, we traveled to a distant location for this game, though unlike the Buckeyes, it was a friendly field (Jon & CJ’s in Belgium.) Following the concert, we stayed with them. We awoke at the crack of 10A for Kegs & Eggs. Yup, Kegs & Eggs, and the beer wasn’t shitty Milwaukee’s Best or Bud Light. We started the morning with Jon making some bacon and eggs just like they do at the campus bars: cold and tasteless, while enjoying some Stellas. CJ didn’t, as she seemed it was important or necessary or something to remain sober for the sake of their 10mth old son, Marcus. (They’re coddling this kid. Hows he every going to make it if he doesn’t learn to do things for himself.)
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11.25.07
Posted in Belgium, Fun, Travel at 22:15 by Jeff
In keeping up with our jet-setting ways, Staci & I headed out of the country again to catch a concert the night before the Ohio State/Michigan game. Turns out Amsterdam (and The Netherlands) is a pretty boring place. Ok, not really, but you’d think so with how often we seem to be doing fun stuff elsewhere. This time the fun thing was heading to Antwerp, Belgium to see Kaiser Chiefs and Silversun Pickups with, who else, Jon & CJ.
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