I can’t believe I haven’t had much time to post. I have been incredibly busy over the last few months…or exhausted. I think it is a combination of both. I am getting used to a 3 hour daily commute and attempting to gain any sort of comfort level with my new position. Happily, I made it through the 3 month probation with flying colours. Now, the learning curve keeps getting steeper and I only hope to manage until I reach the peak.

Whilst I am no longer working with patients at the bedside, I am using my charting skills to determine where faults and clinical risks may be occurring. On a daily basis, I investigate, test, and shockingly sometimes figure out the issue quickly .Other days are utter frustration, but I am not alone in this.

I love the job, frustrations and all, and am looking forward to growing as an Application Analyst. I will attempt to keep up with this blog as it is a great means for me to express frustration and move on.

 

Gareth and I are settling in. It’s been a very busy few weeks. Time is flying. I am attempting to get used to my commute and my new jobs. I purchased a bike 2 weeks ago and have been riding from Windsor station to work. I pass Windsor Castle on a daily basis and my office window has a view of part of the castle.

I am exhausted so I’ll update this weekend after Gareth’s birthday.

Gareth is flying home tonight! I am so thankful. I have missed him so much over the past ten days. We already decided that we are never doing this again. We won’t be separated again. I will see him in 8 hours!

So I had a pretty rough weekend. Gareth left for the United Kingdom a week ago and I went for my biometric permit appointment the same day. I was alone in The Netherlands and didn’t have a passport as it was with Immigration as they were reviewing my visa application. On Monday, I received word that my application would be returned the next day. I was excited, but incredibly nervous. I waited all day Tuesday. Called the delivery company when I saw the description “On Hold” under my tracking. I was feeling very panicky. It was a new feeling for me.

When I contacted the company, I was told my package would arrive between 2 and 6 pm. Of course, when 6 pm arrived, my nerves took over. I was shaking and so worried.

Finally, I decided to order food in and when it arrived about an hour later, I let the delivery person in and immediately after, my parcel arrived.

I was so scared. My heart raced as I opened the envelope. I pulled out my passport and flipped through it searching for my work permit. After a few seconds, I pulled out the decision letter and…

I GOT MY WORK VISA!

I literally hugged my passport and cried. Luckily, Gareth was online and trying to help me stay calm.

What does this mean?

It means I am an Application Analyst. 😀

And I can live and work in the United Kingdom for the next three years.

Gareth got a job offer last Friday at 7pm our time and shortly after we received the news, Gareth contacted a realtor about a flat posted on their site. Unfortunately, that flat was already gone, but fortunately for us (!), the realtor spoke of another flat and it is perfect for us! It’s much larger than the other flats we looked at and it is pet friendly. We put a hold on it the next day.

Gareth leaves for London next Wednesday and I will finish up in The Netherlands; following on the 15 June. I’m going to go via ferry with Kleine and Pompoen. It should be an interesting experience. For me, it is much less stressful than taking them via plane. I was dreading handing the cats over to be placed in the belly of the plane. I just couldn’t do it.

I go for my appointment next week and we’ll be using priority service for my work visa as our residency permit expires on the 15th.

Wish me luck…this is going to be a crazy few weeks.

 

I have to say Gareth and I are having a very “deja vu” experience this May. It seems to be a repeat of last year. Last year, we were planning to go to the UK and work on getting a work permit for me once we got there. Instead, with 4 days to go before our flight, we ended up deciding to go to The Netherlands. It was a shock to our families and to us! We had never expected/planned to end up in Amsterdam, but after nearly a year here, I have to say I love the country. Even if it doesn’t afford me certain necessities.

Once more, we are in the exact situation. We were planning on moving to Ireland as soon as my registration came through. Instead it seems we are heading to London as I got a job offer! I had interviewed with a company nearly 18 months ago. The process was going well until I was offered a seconded position as a Project Coordinator. The company had an advantage with me in the new role, so the interview process was halted.

In January, it started back up!

At the same time, I was working on my Ireland Registration. I was wary of not pursing a nursing position if this new role fell through again!

Two weeks ago, I received an offer and we have started the visa applications and started looking for flats in Windsor. Fingers crossed that all works out. Both Gareth and I really want to be centered in the United Kingdom!

 

 

Before we leave Amsterdam, I want to make sure I’ve done everything I wanted to whilst in this country.

What’s left to do?

In de Olofspoort

Artis

Van Gogh Museum

Fault in our Stars Bench

Anne Frank House

VondelPark

NEMO

Heinekin Experience

 

I think that’s my list of things to see in the next month. Some are return visits, but so worth it.

 

I’m so excited I can barely contain myself. I’m trying to hold it in until everything falls in place, but do you know how hard that actually is?! In three to four weeks, everything will be sorted and I’ll be on our way to our new home. Gareth will be a few weeks behind me to finish up here in Amsterdam. In the next few weeks, we need to pick up the kittens’ passports, get them used to their new carriers, sell all our stuff (if we can’t get a decent moving rate), and paint and pull up the floors. No easy task, but it will be worth it in the end when I finally start my new job!

Until then, we are touring around the country. Yesterday was King’s Day, so much fun, by the way! And Friday, we are off to Keukenhof. I can’t wait!

 

This is our home for just a bit longer. By the end of the month, we’ll have a better idea of what’s happening with our future. I will miss the Fietspad so much. I absolutely love riding my bike. Never imagined I would say that again, but I am. I’m ready for our next adventure. Bring it on!

It’s been a long few weeks. Never before have I been so thankful for Spring to arrive. The dull grey skies have been unending. Also, I’ve been waiting for news and the wait seems to make time passing go much more slowly. A couple weeks ago, I decided I need to get out of the house and away from the computer for a bit. I booked at tour to Keukenhof in South Holland.

Luckily, the weather cooperated and it was a gorgeous day!

I  have been wanting to visit tulip fields since our arrival in The Netherlands, but after waiting 10 months, I finally had the chance to see the awe inspiring landscapes. Unfortunately, many tulip fields weren’t in bloom, but Gareth has agreed to a trip down in a week or two for a picnic and exploration of Keukenhof.

 

BUT I saw some beautiful tulips! It was an experiences I won’t soon forget.