by Phyllis Larkin, Psy.D Geriatric and Family Psychologist XPATSIA.com Mom says in a panic, “They turned off the electricity. I don’t know what happened?” Unopened bills are piled on the counter. There are unnecessary new windows and doors on dad’s house, and the replacements were financed through a second mortgage on the house. Since the […]
By Beth Massa Soggy bits of red paper everywhere. Hardly distinguishable from the remnants of decaying leaves discarded by autumn’s trees and disregarded by Amsterdam’s street sweepers. “What’s all this red paper all over the place?” “Fireworks.” “But why are there so, so, so, many firecrackers?” “To banish all the bad spirits from Oud en […]
By Claire Fitzpatrick, D.C. First, a disclaimer: I must inform you that nothing that follows should be construed to imply that this plant, nor its constituents, cures or prevents any disease. Also, this article is not a substitute for going to see your doctor for a proper diagnosis of your health concerns. Before you use any […]
by Phyllis Larkin, Psy.D Geriatric and Family Psychologist XPATSIA.com Scenes from a Rockwell painting rush to mind when we think about the holiday season: the family tableau, cookies baking, ”I’ll Be Home for Christmas” playing in the background…These idealized images, sounds and smells all give us a romanticized version of holidays full of bliss, joy, […]
By Claire Fitzpatrick, D.C. In my office, I see people with shoulder pain, knee pain, headaches, low back pain, and neck pain. What most of us don't realize is that if our bodies find it necessary to shunt resources to areas of pain, it means the body understands that there is an underlying health problem […]
Approved Executive Board Minutes October 15, 2018 Meeting Attendees: Rhonda, Christine RH, Catie, Carol, Robin, Julie, Christine C, Amy Meeting Start Time: 11:20 a.m. Approval of the Minutes of the previous meeting Amy made motion to approve, Christine seconded, unanimously approved. Approval of New Associate Members Officer Reports President - Rhonda Discussed the last GM […]
by Claire Fitzpatrick, D.C. I recently received a wonderful email from a patient of mine. For years, he experienced debilitating back pain. He was often bedridden for two weeks at a time. When he first came to see me, he was suffering from such a flair-up. After three weeks of chiropractic care, his crippling spasms […]
by Beth van Amerongen What does Thanksgiving have to do with “Going Dutch”? Well, a lot, actually. If you are an expat living in the Netherlands and will eventually end up in the U.S., you are following in the footsteps of many of the pilgrims. In a nutshell, an English religious group, which was somewhat […]
by Danielle Tomich with Suzanne Vine (Just for fun, I've included song lyrics in italics, followed by a link to listen to the song. Just a few listens, and you’ll likely be enticed to make your travel plans to London.) You might be hoping "Hamilton" is all hype so you can save yourself a […]
Dear Tulip Talk Readers, And…it’s a wrap: my last issue as the editor of Tulip Talk. I’ll be repatriating to Boston in mid-January (brrr). Thank you all for your support and input this past year as Tulip Talk evolved with us. Your positive comments and generous contributions mean more than you know. I have truly enjoyed this […]
by Rhonda Jimenez Before we start making our shopping list for the XL Albert Heijn to find canned pumpkin and frozen turkey, let’s take a moment to take a closer look at our beloved holiday and its origins. Did the first Thanksgiving happen in Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts? Actually, the first Thanksgiving in America occurred in […]
by Phyllis Larkin, Psy.D Geriatric and Family Psychologist XPATSIA.com Last month we discussed ways to deal with a medical crisis from abroad. This month I will delve into the legal documents that should be established and/or reviewed to make caring from abroad easier on you and your loved one. This month we will focus on […]
Approved Executive Board Minutes September 14, 2018 Meeting Attendees: Rhonda, Ingrid, Catie, Anne, Amy, Christine RH, Julie, Kristin, Christine C, Robin (on phone) Meeting Start Time: 10:32 am Approval of the Minutes of the previous meeting Amy made the motion, Catie seconded, all approved. - APPROVED Approval of New Associate Members Discussed whether […]
by Danielle Tomich “Mama, hold ‘mine’ hand.” (We never did figure out where he got that —“mine” instead of “my”— maybe it was a foreshadowing of our feeble attempts to speak Dutch.) But as a child, our son Nick asked this often, and I was always happy to hold his soft, dimpled hand. Now 21 […]
by Rhonda Jimenez Craving the comforts of home? A juicy Black Angus burger? Read on, meat lovers. You don’t have to wait until you’re Stateside to enjoy a tasty burger. American burgers in Amsterdam may sound like a contradiction, but there are some tasty burger joints in the 'Dam. Here is a collection of some […]
by Phyllis Larkin, Psy.D Geriatric and Family Psychologist XPATSIA.com You’re going about your life, and then the call or text comes: Mom or Dad is in the hospital and you have to make decisions quickly. Here is some practical advice that will help you determine what to do and when to do it. Don’t […]
By Lauren Mescon How can I possibly share all the great food experiences I’ve had in Amsterdam? My head almost exploded at the task …so many places, so little time! Here are a few of our favorites, loosely grouped by food type. From Michelin-starred restaurants to holes in the wall, this town offers it all. […]
by Claire Fitzpatrick, D.C. Fitzpatrick Chiropractic Joy Health and Body Some of us have trouble with moderation. I know I do. Like many of us, I tend toward an addictive personality. That means that, if I don’t watch myself, I get attached to people, behaviors, and things that aren’t good for me. If I let […]
by Phyllis Larkin, Psy.D. Xpatsia What is my role now? Moving abroad creates internal and external stressors that can’t be understood by those we love in the States. And those we love in the U.S. have stressors we cannot understand because we aren’t there. This lack of shared experience causes incredible emotional upheaval in most […]
by Allison Ochs, M.S.W. Change Edit Management When my daughter was eight, I went to pick her up from sailing on a Wednesday afternoon. I merrily walked through the harbor in my cute summer dress, very pleased with my life abroad. There I was on the shores of Lake Geneva, and my adorable daughter was sailing […]
by Claire Fitzpatrick, D.C. Fitzpatrick Chiropractic Joy Health and Body We are capable of creating symphonies of connections that carry us as if we were gliding on the surface of a great lake — when we live with full awareness of life’s sorrows and joys; its ironies and horror; its endless hilarity; and its perfect […]
by Rhonda Jimenez You’ve just arrived in Amsterdam and you have no idea where to shop for what you need. If only they had a Target! Here are some basics to help you survive without that Target or Walmart down the road. Here are a few go-to’s and tips to help you find what you […]
In accordance with the AWCA Articles of Association, Section 25, the Executive Board hereby presents notice of the following proposed amendments to the AWCA Bylaws to be presented at the October 1, 2018 General Meeting: It is proposed the first sentence in Article IV. Executive Board Duties, Section A, which currently reads: The Executive Board […]
by Vera Heijligers, Owner, Vera's Expat Resettling Advice “And then she knew: that you could become homesick for people, too.” —Beau Taplin, "Homesick" Here we go again. This is the time of year that we say goodbye to friends, places, houses and countries. For some, it’s just for the summer; for others, it’s more long-lasting and therefore […]
by Allison Ochs, MSW Edit Change Management When I moved to Europe as a 19-year-old, I knew one thing – I was American. I have since spent 29 years living abroad: my entire adult life. I am American, but I have changed. I'm feeling more European, specifically Swiss. Recently, I was working with a group […]
Below is the AWCA 2018-2019 budget that has been approved by the Executive Board. This budget will be voted on at our May 7 General Meeting. Should you have questions or would like clarification, please contact Robin Ford prior to Sunday, May 6, as the meeting agenda does not include discussion of the budget, only voting […]
These minutes have been approved by the Executive Board. Present: Beth van Amerongen, Martha Canning, Kristin DeLong, Robin Ford, Lauren Mescon, Audrey Mezas, Christine Rigby-Hall I. Officer Reports A. Treasurer - Robin 1. Budget - We need to create the budget to be approved at the May meeting. A lot of this will be done […]
These minutes have been approved by the Executive Board Attendees: Martha Canning, Christine Rigby-Hall, Traci Hortinela, Rhonda Jimenez, Mary Beth Holland, Meg Brew, Beth Massa, Lauren Mescon, Audrey Mezas, Lisa Janisch, Christine Collins, Kristin DeLong, Beth van Amerongen, Helene Garofalo, Danielle Tomich President Martha Canning called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m. FAWCO Interim […]
This is a draft. The minutes have not yet been approved by the Executive Board. Present: Beth van Amerongen, Martha Canning, Robin Ford, Audrey Mezas, Christine Rigby-Hall The meeting was called to order at 12:50 p.m. I. Approval of the Minutes of the previous meeting - the minutes were approved as presented. II. Approval of […]
These minutes have been approved by the Executive Board. April 9, 2018 Present: 41 members Meeting called to order by President Martha Canning at 12:15 p.m. A motion was made to approve the slate by Christine Rigby-Hall. Linette Burgess seconded the motion. The vote included the 39 members present plus 65 proxy votes submitted to […]