Lessons learned

1) Do not judge a book by its cover… even when it comes to food.

Went to the store and was looking for healthy options. Found whole wheat wraps and was ecstatic because I am not a huge fan of bread and have been living off sandwiches. Instead of lunch meat I wanted to get chicken. Bought some chicken breasts but also found some chicken cut up in two serving dishes. Perfect for wraps on the go! The next night I went home and made a wrap with lettuce and my pre-made chicken breast. Even got a little fancy and warmed the wrap up. It smelt a little odd but I googled a few words and it was smoked so assumed just smocked chicken. Took a bite and chewed and chewed and chewed. Was an awful flavor and definitely NOT chicken. So terrible I threw all of it away. I googled the words a few times but could not figure out what I had bought. Asked at work the next day and found out that it was smoked pork fat. I asked what they would possibly use it for and my boss said she would never by it but maybe soup? Or to fry? GROSS!!!! Looking back, not sure why I assumed chicken but it looked just like it and by all of the other chicken. Lesson learned!

2) ALWAYS have an umbrella when you are in Amsterdam.

So far over the last month it has only rained 3 or 4 times. Of course it has been the days that I did not have an umbrella. The first time I had checked the weather on my phone and saw sunshine. Decided not to carry an umbrella to work. Took the tram and then the train. When I got off the train and went outside to walk to work (15 minute walk) I realized it was raining. Came out of nowhere!! Had no option but to walk through it. Figured it wasn’t pouring but little did I know it would start. Had just straightened my hair and put on makeup that morning but when I walked into the office I was looked disheveled. Tangled, wavy hair and makeup down my face. Made me think of Rick (co-worker back home) because he would have had a few comments to say about my appearance. Of course everyone else in the office had an umbrella or had driven their car into the parking ramp and they all looked perfect. I tried to fix my hair/makeup in the mirror but you know you still look terrible when your boss brings you an umbrella the next day as a gift. I actually already have two (very nice ones from Morgan and Chris, Brent’s “Favorite” aunt) but she said that I must always have it with me.

The rain also caught me another day… without my umbrella but at least this time I was going HOME from work : )

3) Last one is not really a lesson learned but a new appreciation of my washer and dryer back home

I made it almost a month before I did laundry over here. If you are wondering if I have enough underwear to make it that long, the answer is yes. Anyways, last Friday I wanted to get some laundry done before Brent arrived. Did a load when I got home from work. Took almost 3 hours and when it was done it still looked like there was a lot of water in the washer. I hesitated but cracked the door. Water rushed out everywhere. UGHH! Shut the door, cleaned up and decided that maybe I would wash it again on a different setting. Not sure why the water would not drain. I looked up the manual online in English and could not figure out what the issue could be. Also translated every work on the machine and kfigured out which setting was spin and pump out water. Tried again with no luck. On Saturday Brent and Julie (coworker who stayed the wknd) tried to help. At this point my clothes had been sitting in gross water and it stunk. Had to wash it all by hand in the sink and tub. Joked that I felt like Laura Ingalls Wilder!
I finally called the contact for the apartment and a repair man came out on Monday. Turns out it was not user error. The drain and drain motor were clogged. Thankfully now it seems to be working. Still takes about 3 hours and have to line dry my clothes so they get a little crunchy. Makes me really appreciate my huge new front load washer and dryer back home.