I decided to get out of the house today and enjoy this beautiful city. I spent the morning at the Natura Artis Magistra.

l am feeling a little homesick today. Tomorrow is my birthday and while I’m not missing the US; I am missing the yummy foods I would have on my birthday. Even though I lived alone, I’d get myself a vanilla cake with buttercream frosting. I would stop at Walmart, Publix, or Giant. (Always preferred Giant) and buy a little cake. I never needed the birthday song, but the cake was always comforting. I usually made some Lasagna as it’s my favourite and just have a quiet night.
I never ever realised how this was not possible outside the US. I have desperately searched for “birthday” cake in Australia and now in The Netherlands and I just can’t find it. It’s been frustrating, but my husband has always found a different treat. Even for our wedding, when I asked about “wedding cake” they offered me fruit cake. I wanted a simple vanilla wedding cake, but instead had to settle for chocolate mud cake. They don’t have typical sponge cake and the sponge cake they do have is just not what I wanted.

Now, tomorrow is a milestone birthday for me. I /want/ a good birthday cake. I looked on Google because I wanted to find some actually peanut butter, not Dutch peanut butter for a recipe. I googled UK foods Shop in Amsterdam and found a British Food Shop. I was so excited when I clicked on the link and found Duncan Hines cakes and actual icing. My hubby promise a shopping trip there soon.

I might not get there in time for my birthday, but I’ll be there soon.

On Monday, I’ll be taking the first part of the UK NMC exam. While I’m not overly fussed about the exam, I am studying a little. I do need to succeed on this exam. If I can’t get a job in Amsterdam in the next month or two,  I’ll do travelling in the UK. Next month, I am taking an intensive Dutch Course, so that might actually help with the job hunt. Right now, I’m getting our apartment set up and having fun with that.

Dutch apartments are completely bare when you rent them. You need to put flooring down, paint the walls, and even put your own lights up. It can be rather frustrating, but enjoyable at the same time.

I’ve spent heaps of time at IKEA and I’m actually enjoying the decorating. Hopefully, I can start a job after the majority of the work is done.

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Well, my husband and I ended up moving to Amsterdam 4 weeks ago. I had never been to the city before and I was a little nervous, but I fell in love. It’s beautiful, but it will be difficult to find a job. Once I get our home in order, I’ll start my job search with intent. I think it may be the chance for me to try something new. I’m learning Dutch and am excited to get settled after 4 weeks in a hotel.

It has been an emotionally exhausting week. We are preparing to move overseas and I can’t imagine what it will be like not to live in Australia any more. I had originally imagined that we would settle here and retire here, but that just isn’t my path or my husband’s path. We both have the travel bug and we both love to explore new cities far too much. Maybe some day I’ll come back to Australia, but until then, I’ll be missing the view of the opera house from the roof. I’ll be missing snack packs and meat pies and all things Aussie.

But a new Adventure is on the horizon and I can’t wait to get it started. We leave for Paris in 2 days and arrive on Monday. After 5 days in Paris, We move to Amsterdam.

I am so ready and so scared. I love this feeling.

Everything is about to change for us. My husband has a job offer in Amsterdam. Never in a million years did I imagine we’d not be moving to London. I’ve been gearing up for this move for the past 8 months and now our path has changed. We are moving to Amsterdam. I’m scared and nervous, but beyond excited.

I know I won’t be able to be a nurse in Amsterdam, but it doesn’t really matter. I’m ready to try something new.

While I know I’ll be okay, but it doesn’t mean I’m not worried.

We can do this…

I’ve worked 14 days in a row and I am so tired.

I just keep thinking only 12 work days left before we fly to Paris…I can do this.

I hope.

I feel like I barely have a spare moment as of late. We have three weeks before Go Live and it will be a hectic few weeks. I had a strange realisation yesterday. I don’t miss patient care. Whenever I’ve been in different roles, I’ve always started missing patient care after a few weeks or even missing being the charge nurse. But I haven’t had a single pang of regret since starting my new role. I’m really hoping that the UK job comes through because I don’t think I want to go back to patient care, but I’m also scared not to be in a typical nursing role. It will be a huge leap of faith for me, but if I don’t try now…I doubt I’ll ever have another chance. Either way, we are going to London in June. I’ve had so much fun researching flats and the best places to live. I’m grateful we visited London last year and spent 10 days because I actually recognise most of the different places we have looked.

I am considering this weekend my last downtime before we go live with the new EMR. I have no plans other than tidying up the apartment and going to a sausage sizzle while my husband votes. I’m sad to think that in a little over two months we won’t get to enjoy the Aussie winter and will be entering right back into summer, but English summers probably have nothing on Australian summers.

Time to relax and enjoy the weekend!

Also, Facebook reminded me that 3 years ago today, I was in New Orleans with my beautiful, amazing sister Brandee. How I loved that trip and all our trips together, but I’ll never forget because I have two tattoos to remind me! 

My husband and I had the perfect day yesterday. We got up early; a huge feat for a Saturday morning, and headed into the city to caught the ferry to Shark Island. Although it was raining when we left, the weather cleared quickly and the clouds parted. We arrived on the island and we were alone! It was perfect. We spent the next 45 minutes relaxing in the large gazebo in the middle of the island. When other visitors started to arrive, we moved to one of the more secluded picnic shelters where we could snuggle and read in peace.

Not only did we enjoy a lovely picnic, but the views were astounding. We read for some time before I decided to explore the path around the island. I took my camera and wandered around for awhile while my husband read and decided to climb some of the trees to get a better view and to read high in the tree.

I found all kinds of hidden treasures on the island and enjoyed the gorgeous Sydney weather. We had lunch and coffee in the city after returning from the island.

After the fun in the sun, we were too exhausted to go to Mardi Gras, but instead curled up and watched Big Hero 6. ..such a cute movie.

It has been a crazy few weeks at work and I expect it to just get busier, but it is also very exciting. I think time will pass very quickly and I hope to have everything set for our future in the next month.