tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61771090124899722242024-02-07T11:18:13.565-08:00anamcginleyAnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11285013130406498990noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177109012489972224.post-80346915200119918932015-10-07T02:14:00.000-07:002015-10-07T02:14:49.893-07:00Alien Connections<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On Sunday afternoon I set out to collect a second hand bike
that I had paid an elderly gentleman for the previous day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He lived in a flat that was part of a large
subsidised housing block in a new suburb on the outskirts of Haarlem. I suspect
that the block was constructed during the ugly 1980s, for it was totally devoid
of any charm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What it lacked in charm,
it seemed to have replaced with a lively street scene, busy with dark haired
children shooting hoops, riding bikes and running amok.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The walk to this outer suburb had taken me over an
hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along the last section of the
journey, a woman waiting at a bus stop interrupted me to ask the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was later middle aged, with a head of
faded rusty hair, and the face of someone who had experienced many hard
days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon hearing my botched efforts at
speaking Dutch, she put her hand on my forearm and asked me where I was from. Her delight at finding a similarly displaced
soul was obvious.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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In five fast minutes, she told me that she was from
Budapest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had moved to the
Netherlands when Hungary offered her nothing more than a life of hardship and
poverty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her Dutch was perfect, at least
compared to mine, yet she was easily identifiable as a fellow <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">allochtoon</i> – someone not Dutch, an alien.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a familiar conversation about boring
local food, missing family and friends, and that nebulous feeling of not really
belonging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
It was that feeling that connected two strangers on a bus
stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bus arrived and I waved her goodbye
as she boarded, plonked on a seat and smiled at me through the window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I continued on my journey to collect the bike,
feeling very human.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11285013130406498990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177109012489972224.post-80094864849942497912015-05-29T10:23:00.003-07:002015-05-29T10:25:44.325-07:00Till Death Do Us PartHuffington Post Blog piece live 29 May 2015<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ana-mcginley/till-death-do-us-part_b_7466876.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ana-mcginley/till-death-do-us-part_b_7466876.html</a>Anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11285013130406498990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177109012489972224.post-21168453972904117352015-05-21T23:55:00.001-07:002015-05-29T10:25:15.308-07:00How to Deal With Your Aging Parents When You Live Abroad<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ana-mcginley/aging-parents-live-abroad_b_7137858.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ana-mcginley/aging-parents-live-abroad_b_7137858.html</a>Anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11285013130406498990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177109012489972224.post-87752396123933950792015-05-21T23:53:00.000-07:002015-05-29T10:25:27.571-07:00The Train to Somewhere<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ana-mcginley/the-train-to-somewhere_b_7341792.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ana-mcginley/the-train-to-somewhere_b_7341792.html</a>Anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11285013130406498990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177109012489972224.post-15326407708557975972014-11-18T00:07:00.002-08:002014-11-18T00:07:30.288-08:00Universal Position<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchZS_gOxZ7Uhmm-C-HGM8IEydxHIGlQv-5b0AnIDMcwZHlLeqIP8hCXncB8b-XySFC9ofhqnKoQUtJtdE6av5WUE51DFpGYxi6nKMaEoi7nuZsOE1jQOnHDVqnRT0aD0hdCLAtq78IO-y/s1600/blogquote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchZS_gOxZ7Uhmm-C-HGM8IEydxHIGlQv-5b0AnIDMcwZHlLeqIP8hCXncB8b-XySFC9ofhqnKoQUtJtdE6av5WUE51DFpGYxi6nKMaEoi7nuZsOE1jQOnHDVqnRT0aD0hdCLAtq78IO-y/s1600/blogquote.jpg" height="321" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11285013130406498990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177109012489972224.post-53711097572740264712014-06-21T08:00:00.000-07:002017-05-16T06:24:26.706-07:00PORTFOLIO<h2>
List of Published Works (2012-.....)</h2>
<h3>
A'na McGinley</h3>
<br />
<a href="http://www.expatica.com/nl/news/news_focus/Dutch-ecological-footprint-one-of-heaviest-in-Europe_229167.html">http://www.expatica.com/nl/news/news_focus/Dutch-ecological-footprint-one-of-heaviest-in-Europe_229167.html</a><br />
<a href="http://www.expatica.com/nl/education/higher_education/Study-in-the-Netherlands-grants-and-scholarships_15066.html">http://www.expatica.com/nl/education/higher_education/Study-in-the-Netherlands-grants-and-scholarships_15066.html</a><br />
<a href="http://www.expatica.com/nl/housing/where_to_live/Living-in-Maastricht_17977.html">http://www.expatica.com/nl/housing/where_to_live/Living-in-Maastricht_17977.html</a><br />
<a href="http://www.expatica.com/nl/housing/where_to_live/Where-to-live-in-Leeuwarden_17972.html">http://www.expatica.com/nl/housing/where_to_live/Where-to-live-in-Leeuwarden_17972.html</a><br />
<a href="http://www.expatica.com/nl/housing/where_to_live/Where-to-live-in-Groningen_17973.html">http://www.expatica.com/nl/housing/where_to_live/Where-to-live-in-Groningen_17973.html</a><br />
<a href="http://www.expatica.com/nl/housing/where_to_live/where-to-live-in-delft_9138.html">http://www.expatica.com/nl/housing/where_to_live/where-to-live-in-delft_9138.html</a><br />
<a href="http://www.expatica.com/nl/housing/where_to_live/Where-to-live-in-Haarlem_17948.html">http://www.expatica.com/nl/housing/where_to_live/Where-to-live-in-Haarlem_17948.html</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/features/2013/06/here_comes_summer_the_dutchnew.php">http://www.dutchnews.nl/features/2013/06/here_comes_summer_the_dutchnew.php</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/features/2013/10/going_dutch_-_some_hints_to_fi.php">http://www.dutchnews.nl/features/2013/10/going_dutch_-_some_hints_to_fi.php</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/features/2014/01/from_tea_to_e-readers_english.php">http://www.dutchnews.nl/features/2014/01/from_tea_to_e-readers_english.php</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/features/2014/05/vermeers_girl_with_a_lego_earr.php">http://www.dutchnews.nl/features/2014/05/vermeers_girl_with_a_lego_earr.php</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/features/2014/06/hidden_like_anne_frank_childre.php">http://www.dutchnews.nl/features/2014/06/hidden_like_anne_frank_childre.php</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/columns/2014/06/post_2.php">http://www.dutchnews.nl/columns/2014/06/post_2.php</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/features/2014/12/giants-of-the-ice-age-in-amsterdam.php/">http://www.dutchnews.nl/features/2014/12/giants-of-the-ice-age-in-amsterdam.php/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/features/2015/04/how-to-deal-with-your-aging-parents-when-you-live-abroad/">http://www.dutchnews.nl/features/2015/04/how-to-deal-with-your-aging-parents-when-you-live-abroad/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/features/2016/01/meet-leading-dutch-authors-at-a-special-literary-event/">http://www.dutchnews.nl/features/2016/01/meet-leading-dutch-authors-at-a-special-literary-event/</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/expatpages/books/holland_handbook_20102011.php">http://www.dutchnews.nl/expatpages/books/holland_handbook_20102011.php</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/expatpages/books/how_to_survive_holland_1.php">http://www.dutchnews.nl/expatpages/books/how_to_survive_holland_1.php</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/expatpages/books/dutch_for_dummies.php">http://www.dutchnews.nl/expatpages/books/dutch_for_dummies.php</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/expatpages/books/how_to_be_orange.php">http://www.dutchnews.nl/expatpages/books/how_to_be_orange.php</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/expatpages/books/the_mobile_life.php">http://www.dutchnews.nl/expatpages/books/the_mobile_life.php</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/expatpages/books/the_hague_and_the_best_of_the.php">http://www.dutchnews.nl/expatpages/books/the_hague_and_the_best_of_the.php</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/expatpages/books/the_dutch_and_their_bikes.php">http://www.dutchnews.nl/expatpages/books/the_dutch_and_their_bikes.php</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/expatpages/books/the_harbour_master.php">http://www.dutchnews.nl/expatpages/books/the_harbour_master.php</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/expatpages/books/hidden_like_anne_frank_1.php">http://www.dutchnews.nl/expatpages/books/hidden_like_anne_frank_1.php</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/expatpages/books/amsterdam_3.php">http://www.dutchnews.nl/expatpages/books/amsterdam_3.php</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/expatpages/books/amsterdam_slavery_heritage_gui.php">http://www.dutchnews.nl/expatpages/books/amsterdam_slavery_heritage_gui.php</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/angel-of-amsterdam/">http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/angel-of-amsterdam/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/dutched-up-rocking-the-clogs-expat-style/">http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/dutched-up-rocking-the-clogs-expat-style/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/arrivals-departures-and-the-adventures-in-between/">http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/arrivals-departures-and-the-adventures-in-between/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/safe-passage/">http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/safe-passage/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/holland-flowering/">http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/holland-flowering/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/passage-of-the-stork/">http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/passage-of-the-stork/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/the-little-history-of-the-hague-for-dummies/">http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/the-little-history-of-the-hague-for-dummies/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/why-the-dutch-are-different/">http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/why-the-dutch-are-different/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/old-heart/">http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/old-heart/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/hieronymus/">http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/hieronymus/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/craving-dorst/">http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/craving-dorst/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/the-darkness-that-divides-us/">http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/the-darkness-that-divides-us/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/mr-miller/">http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/mr-miller/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/gliding-flight/">http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/gliding-flight/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/charlotte-brontes-secret-love/">http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/charlotte-brontes-secret-love/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/the-dyslexic-hearts-club-2/">http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/the-dyslexic-hearts-club-2/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/roxy/">http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/roxy/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/how-to-be-dutch/">http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/how-to-be-dutch/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/a-sample-of-gouda-photographs-and-hidden-narratives-of-gouda/">http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/a-sample-of-gouda-photographs-and-hidden-narratives-of-gouda/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/dear-mr-m/">http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/dear-mr-m/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/the-dutch-maiden/">http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/the-dutch-maiden/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/the-secret-diary-of-hendrik-groen-83-14-years-old/">http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/the-secret-diary-of-hendrik-groen-83-14-years-old/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/the-amsterdam-chronicles-def-con-city/">http://www.dutchnews.nl/books/the-amsterdam-chronicles-def-con-city/</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2013/05/20/10-fabulous-things-about-haarlem/">http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2013/05/20/10-fabulous-things-about-haarlem/</a><br />
<a href="http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2013/05/26/nine-dutch-properties-on-the-unesco-world-heritage-list/">http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2013/05/26/nine-dutch-properties-on-the-unesco-world-heritage-list/</a><br />
<a href="http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2013/05/29/nine-things-non-dutch-children-love-about-living-in-holland/">http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2013/05/29/nine-things-non-dutch-children-love-about-living-in-holland/</a><br />
<a href="http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2013/06/03/the-five-most-popular-names-for-dutch-girls-and-boys/">http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2013/06/03/the-five-most-popular-names-for-dutch-girls-and-boys/</a><br />
<a href="http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2013/06/04/nine-really-long-dutch-words/">http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2013/06/04/nine-really-long-dutch-words/</a><br />
<a href="http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2013/06/05/14-dutch-surnames-which-you-are-glad-are-not-yours/">http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2013/06/05/14-dutch-surnames-which-you-are-glad-are-not-yours/</a><br />
<a href="http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2013/06/14/11-childrens-book-characters/">http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2013/06/14/11-childrens-book-characters/</a><br />
<a href="http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2013/07/03/10-influential-dutch-furniture-designers/">http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2013/07/03/10-influential-dutch-furniture-designers/</a><br />
<a href="http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2013/07/08/seven-essential-foods-the-dutch-take-on-holiday/">http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2013/07/08/seven-essential-foods-the-dutch-take-on-holiday/</a><br />
<a href="http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2013/07/20/12-dutch-top-models/">http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2013/07/20/12-dutch-top-models/</a><br />
<a href="http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2013/08/10/10-key-facts-about-the-dutch-population/">http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2013/08/10/10-key-facts-about-the-dutch-population/</a><br />
<a href="http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2013/09/08/15-dutch-sportsmen-and-women-whove-won-at-least-two-olympic-golds/">http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2013/09/08/15-dutch-sportsmen-and-women-whove-won-at-least-two-olympic-golds/</a><br />
<a href="http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2013/09/19/11-dutch-islands-and-four-sandbanks/">http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2013/09/19/11-dutch-islands-and-four-sandbanks/</a><br />
<a href="http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2013/11/11/10-tall-dutch-things/">http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2013/11/11/10-tall-dutch-things/</a><br />
<a href="http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2014/01/08/nine-smells-which-make-us-think-of-the-netherlands/">http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2014/01/08/nine-smells-which-make-us-think-of-the-netherlands/</a><br />
<a href="http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2014/04/09/twelve-of-the-most-popular-tulip-varieties/">http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2014/04/09/twelve-of-the-most-popular-tulip-varieties/</a><br />
<a href="http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2015/01/28/10-inspirational-dutch-women/">http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2015/01/28/10-inspirational-dutch-women/</a><br />
<a href="http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2015/05/20/eight-influential-dutch-thinkers/">http://netherlandsbynumbers.com/2015/05/20/eight-influential-dutch-thinkers/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.expatarrivals.com/article/book-review-the-emotionally-resilient-expat">http://www.expatarrivals.com/article/book-review-the-emotionally-resilient-expat</a><br />
<a href="http://www.expatbookshop.com/book-reviews/review-of-the-emotionally-resilient-expat-on-expat-arrivals/">http://www.expatbookshop.com/book-reviews/review-of-the-emotionally-resilient-expat-on-expat-arrivals/</a><br />
<a href="http://issuu.com/americanhour/docs/aib_autumn_2013_combined/20?e=2929931%2F4989430">http://issuu.com/americanhour/docs/aib_autumn_2013_combined/20?e=2929931%2F4989430</a><br />
http://globallivingmagazine.com/ nov/dec2013 issue, pg60, Review "Sunshine Soup"<br />
<a href="http://www.expatwoman.com/dubai/monthly_reviews_Book_Review_Drinking_Camels_Milk_in_the_Yurt__12031.aspx">http://www.expatwoman.com/dubai/monthly_reviews_Book_Review_Drinking_Camels_Milk_in_the_Yurt__12031.aspx</a><br />
<a href="http://www.expatwoman.com/azerbaijan/monthly_reviews_Book_Review_Drinking_Camels_Milk_in_the_Yurt__12031.aspx">http://www.expatwoman.com/azerbaijan/monthly_reviews_Book_Review_Drinking_Camels_Milk_in_the_Yurt__12031.aspx</a><br />
<a href="http://clew.lu/2014/05/28/sorcerers-and-orange-peel/">http://clew.lu/2014/05/28/sorcerers-and-orange-peel/</a><br />
<a href="http://clew.lu/2014/09/24/morning-comes-and-also-the-night/">http://clew.lu/2014/09/24/morning-comes-and-also-the-night/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1231509935">https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1231509935</a><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1253608378">https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1253608378</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ana-mcginley/aging-parents-live-abroad_b_7137858.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ana-mcginley/aging-parents-live-abroad_b_7137858.html</a><br />
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ana-mcginley/the-train-to-somewhere_b_7341792.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ana-mcginley/the-train-to-somewhere_b_7341792.html</a><br />
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ana-mcginley/till-death-do-us-part_b_7466876.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ana-mcginley/till-death-do-us-part_b_7466876.html</a><br />
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ana-mcginley/the-hat-peeking-over-the-steering-wheel_b_7628628.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ana-mcginley/the-hat-peeking-over-the-steering-wheel_b_7628628.html</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://clew.lu/2015/05/05/expat-issues-aging-parents/">http://clew.lu/2015/05/05/expat-issues-aging-parents/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.expatclic.com/2015/05/how-to-deal-with-your-ageing-parents-when-you-live-abroad/">http://www.expatclic.com/2015/05/how-to-deal-with-your-ageing-parents-when-you-live-abroad/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://thedisplacednation.com/2015/09/15/booklust-wanderlust-the-story-of-jo-parfitt-and-her-expat-press-summertime-publishing/">http://thedisplacednation.com/2015/09/15/booklust-wanderlust-the-story-of-jo-parfitt-and-her-expat-press-summertime-publishing/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://delta.tudelft.nl/artikel/panta-rhei/32358">http://delta.tudelft.nl/artikel/panta-rhei/32358</a><br />
<a href="http://www.delta.tudelft.nl/artikel/prometheus-sinterklaas-party/32471">http://www.delta.tudelft.nl/artikel/prometheus-sinterklaas-party/32471</a><br />
<a href="http://delta.tudelft.nl/artikel/sinterklaas-zwarte-piet-and-prometheus/32527">http://delta.tudelft.nl/artikel/sinterklaas-zwarte-piet-and-prometheus/32527</a><br />
<a href="http://www.delta.tudelft.nl/artikel/phd-students-create-new-mooc/32807">http://www.delta.tudelft.nl/artikel/phd-students-create-new-mooc/32807</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.talkinbusiness.nl/2017/04/the-future-is-sunglasses-bright-for-sbe-alumnus-lars-pacbier-and-his-company-fb4/"> http://www.talkinbusiness.nl/2017/04/the-future-is-sunglasses-bright-for-sbe-alumnus-lars-pacbier-and-his-company-fb4/</a>Anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11285013130406498990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177109012489972224.post-43334707520188719502014-06-20T22:53:00.000-07:002014-09-09T11:54:05.454-07:00Hanging Out in Dutch Saunas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Last week I
spent a few hours at our local sauna with my husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike many people of Northern European
origins, the idea of hanging out and sweating buckets in the company of nude
strangers – has low appeal to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The double
pass to the sauna (valued at 80euros) was a Christmas gift from my spouse and
facing its expiry date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hate waste,
and, the challenge of extending my comfort zone to a place of nervous laughing
is something I find difficult to resist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Anticipating
that going to the sauna on the weekend may be equated to going to the markets
to choose meat that you plan to cook at home,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I arranged childcare for a Thursday night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Further, I was plucked like a hippy chicken
with bonus clean cut toenails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In usual
fashion, my husband had showered and shaved, that morning, before going to
work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">We handed in
the voucher at the reception desk, climbed the stairs, and discovered that
there was only one unisex change-room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Disrobing, we were stumped by not knowing the protocol for body coverage
during the short journey down the stairs, through the restaurant into the sauna
area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My husband was all for wearing flipflops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ignored his assertion that draping a towel
around myself would cause the other customers to feel uncomfortable, and
adorned myself in three items:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>two flip
flops and one towel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon I felt smug
that I was not the one feeling stupid, or having to return to the change-room
for a towel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">So fine, we
make it to the sauna and issue salutations to the other patrons while
maintaining eye contact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ditching towels
and shoes, we shower and head into the sauna box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About six dripping naked people were sitting,
lying, and conversing in this small ridiculously hot space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although my eyes were mostly closed, I do
know that I was surrounded by a mix of gender, age and tattoo coverage. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An older, larger lady had taken over a whole
bench by prostrating herself. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two guys
were having a heated conversation about which neighbourhoods were easier to
demand higher fees as house painters (yes, it is true – non-Dutch people are
worth more money). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">An old bald
gentleman joined the party, stopping to throw more wood onto the sauna, before
squeezing onto a lower bench.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he sat
down I noticed that he had a catheter (with plug, not bag) attached to his leg
by an elastic band.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My eyes popped open
in disbelief and my stomach valves loosened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To me, a catheter seems to be an accessory not really welcome in even a
Dutch sauna or spa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like a
swimsuit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or socks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or a diaper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But this is the Netherlands – a land of tolerance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My reaction once again proves that I will
never truly be ingrained within the culture of my adopted homeland.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Giving
ourselves few long minutes to camouflauge any discomfort we may have felt, we
left the sauna and headed to the showers to cool off and debrief, before
tackling the remaining areas on offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All up, we managed to stay involved in this <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">relaxing and rejuvenating exercise</i> for about one hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I use italics because I never really made it
into the relaxation zone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was nauseous
from the heat, in pain from the cold, and freaked out that I may end up with
tinea on my private regions from the steam room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Our
neighbourhood sauna is like most saunas, I guess. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hot wooden room; wet and steamy tiled room;
ice-bath; warm bubbling spa; salt scrub area;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>showers and large buckets of cold water; outside nude area; relaxation
lounge; and, small café with television.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Except for the roof top butt naked zone, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we partook of everything on offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The highlight for me was having a beer while
wrapped in a towel, facing a room full of nude folk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is an image that doesn’t come up too
often in my average week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Here is a
confession.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am from a large island in
the Southern Hemisphere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grew up near
the beach. Just like all my female friends, I was mortified if my mother took
off her swimsuit and was naked in a women’s only changing room at the beach or local
pool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like all Australian women of my
age (younger than you think), I was highly skilled in switching an entire set
of clothes while having a towel wrapped around myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nudity was for tourists and old nutters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">A
second<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>confession is that I have been to
other saunas around the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In New
York, I had a limited membership at the Russian baths on 10<sup>th</sup> street
in Manhattan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This weekend evening
sessions were extremely popular especially with singles and gays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At all times, patrons had to be clothed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Men wore the shorts and women dressed in the
green dressing gowns issued as you entered the reception area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both sexes worn plastic flipflops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By comparison, during a stay at a Helsinki youth
hosteI, there was some obvious disgruntlement caused by me wearing a swim
suit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really, it was a hot cupboard
filled with nude people - looking at me like I was the odd one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">So why is it
that people who grow up in the colder areas of Europe are so keen to be naked -
together?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My uncle and aunt, both in their
80s, recently gave up membership to their much-loved naturalist club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the uninitiated, this is a nudist, and
not gardening, club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it a unquenched
need for vitamin D?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it a reaction to
growing up in a Calvinistic society?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is
it just seeking tactile freedom denied many months of the year due to the cold
climate?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or is it plain
exhibitionism?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The flipside
to these questions is why do Asians, Americans, Australians and possible
Africans all have issues with public nudity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is a coincidence that these are all A-cultures? (sorry, obvious
joke).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we seriously prudish about
our bodies and other people’s bodies?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Have we separated the naked self from being part of our humanity? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Many
questions and ideas to ponder alone in the bathtub, or with a group of naked
people in a sauna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me, the need to
expose myself remains non-existent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
isn’t about being embarrassed about my own body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is about an unspoken intimacy with strangers.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More, it is about seeing the same face
serving me at the bank, and feeling uncomfortable that I know a secret about
them and vice versa. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11285013130406498990noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177109012489972224.post-82579863878264162252014-05-21T12:50:00.000-07:002014-05-22T03:07:58.138-07:00Hipsters<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><i><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hipsters aren’t all good-looking stylish
superior trustafarian talented lazy party-addled self-doubting snobby
multi-sexual artistes.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></b></i>
www.elephantjournal.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m going to get myself one of those
hipsters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are so adorable with
their smooth hair, neat beards, tidy tattoos, and earnest eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love their retro clothes – all pressed and
buttoned correctly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dedication to arts and crafts is so cute, even if their desire to become financially independent from their hobbies is unrealistic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Using old fashioned bikes to get around,
eating bio-organic museli, drinking green grass juice – mindfulness without the
need to conform to the rules of Buddhism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, they do seem to be a serious bunch, but this is just part of being super cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hipsters actually
love unstated fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>often treat themselves with <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> E</span>uropean cigarettes and old man beers,
especially after working a shift at a busy café. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their music sounds like something my parents
enjoyed, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>spinning records and sipping ginger wine with the disapproval of their own parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Most of all I love that they pretend to live in an alternate world, rejecting the
mainstream to develop their own self-identity wearing op-shop clothing
treasures and rehashing the 1960s lifestyle, minus the offensive political
doctrines on issues like gender or race
or sexuality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope that when I get myself a hipster it
will be like living with my Dad before I was born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A time when he wore a beard and side-part; listened to his own cool music; knew how to make pizza dough by hand; rode a
bike or took the bus as was fitting to his (financial) means; smoked Camel
cigarettes; drank German wine from funny shaped green bottles; and dated a
woman with smoky eyes, feminine clothing and cat-eyed sunglasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, I think getting a hipster would be
fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A 20-something guy with a top-knot
or a brill-creamed ‘do and matching beard, with plaid shirt, skinny pants and
decent shoes – to help out with the cooking, gardening, morning expresso – and maybe
a touch of knitting if needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hmmm, that
could be a fun addition to the house. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This one looks like he knows his way around an ironing board....</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Photo by Christian Rodriguez via Pinterest</span></span></div>
Anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11285013130406498990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177109012489972224.post-21528930498672750722014-04-18T09:35:00.002-07:002014-04-18T09:35:45.502-07:00Asbestos Awareness Week<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> 1-7 April 2014: Asbestos Awareness Week </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Growing up in old Australian houses, with asbestos in the roofing - means that we were all at risk of developing mesothelioma. Spend a minute thinking about the people who were not so lucky, and then resend the link. Make the people you know aware of the dangers of asbestos.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mesothelioma.com/heather/awareness/#.U1FSZVGSw00">http://www.mesothelioma.com/heather/awareness/#.U1FSZVGSw00</a>Anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11285013130406498990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177109012489972224.post-33753372514796141282014-01-11T03:27:00.000-08:002014-01-11T03:28:02.493-08:00Patience<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
I don’t have any. This is a problem for me. Daily. I start the day impatient with the coffee machine. I end the day impatient that I can’t fall asleep instantly. Yes, I know. I am not a Zen person.<br />
<br />
In retrospect, I have always been short on patience. My childhood memory of waiting for my parents to collect me from school or some other activity still cause me angst, especially as my parents are a little lax with time. Hence, my preference was to do things solo and in my own prompt pace. Obviously parts of my personality could be labeled type A.<br />
<br />
Relief from impatience arrived during my university days. Maintaining impatience when everyone around you is chilling out, hanging with friends, listening to music and drinking beer – is really difficult. This cure stayed with me for years.<br />
<br />
Post graduation I became more focused and with some lucky breaks, was able to attain a satisfying, albeit short-lived, career in mental health. My newly acquired patience enabled me to work with clients slow on telling their stories and understanding their reality. Better still, having patience meant that I could sit through innumerable, mind-paralyzing meetings without pulling off my fingernails or stabbing colleagues with a pen. <br />
<br />
Time moved on, and these wage-earning days were terminated by marriage and subsequent relocation to an unfamiliar country. Just as my suitcase was finally ready to be stored, I discovered I was pregnant. Undoubtedly, having the luxury to experience pregnancy and motherhood unencumbered by the necessity to go to work each day – is not something to complain about. Yet as my former self transformed into wife and mother, my patience began to dwindle. Long days at home without mental or social stimulation, had me longing for something to reignite my intellect and rediscover my former self before becoming a parent and spouse.<br />
<br />
Five years on, I returned to my home country with my husband and our brood of three young children. Being desperate that like my breasts, my brain would never return to its former glory (working capacity) state, I located suitable childcare and a part-time job. The focus (and stress) of reestablishing myself within the workforce and catching up on new developments provided the mental stimulation needed to calm my anxiety levels. My patience returned. Again I could work effectively with my clients; survive the drudgery of meetings; and return home with a renewed appreciation and love for my family. My sense of life satisfaction was comfortably hanging in the black.<br />
<br />
It is time for my second confession. I am addicted to change. I especially love the challenge that comes with larger changes – like moving to countries foreign in both culture and language.<br />
<br />
Yes, the opportunity to deconstruct our familiar, satisfying life and to jump feet first into the unknown arose. We grabbed it. I figured that now I had the experience necessary to allow me to maintain my own sense of satisfaction in this new life. My first focus was to ensure that each member of the family was ‘sorted and settled’, and then I would move onto myself. So what happened? The obvious: another baby, a beautiful little girl that we adopted. Again my life became hectic with just the commitments of being a parent to four kids. I squeezed in a Masters degree, charity and committee membership, and a small teaching job. And then we were transferred to another country for twelve months. And then transferred to a new continent…<br />
<br />
It has been 15 years of changes. Everyday I still feel the impatience of not reaching a potential that I crave, yet can’t clearly identify. My lack of patience could be interpreted by a lack of acceptance of the traditional role of wife and mother. I agree with this, but it does sting. I prefer to think of it as the expat partner phenomena. Expat partners tend to be well-educated, professional people – who join their partners on an adventure to live internationally, but who are not able to realize their professional potential in this new life due to various factors, including responsibility to raise children. For most women, becoming a stay-at-home mother did not make it into the top ten of personal goals we set ourselves.<br />
<br />
Next move? For me, there are no more babies or planned international relocations on the horizon. The kids are settled and I have learnt enough of the local language to do what I need to do without looking too foolish. Returning to my previous career is not an option. The local system doesn’t have a place for me, and I don’t have enough enthusiasm to hassle the system to make me a place. Mental stimulation comes via observing and writing. Luckily I don’t need to support myself – or this would not be an option. Impatience is now triggered by a lack of time to sit and type, uninterrupted. It comes from internal struggle I have to create a new self-identity. With perseverance, hopefully my patience will return and I will be satisfied with my life, wherever it is based.<br />
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Anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11285013130406498990noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177109012489972224.post-27468065373378415472014-01-05T12:32:00.000-08:002014-01-06T12:45:12.993-08:00Insults<div class="MsoNormal">
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<br /><br />Last month there was a story in Dutch newspapers about a local punter charged with insulting the policeman who confiscated his can of beer. For his insult of choice: “mierenneuker” or “ant-fucker”, the man was fined 250euros. Seriously. Even in this passionless country, throwing "ant-fucker" as an insult is ridiculously lame. I suspect the judge gave the fine to punish the guy for being pathetic. <br /><br />The art of swearing, cursing and verbally insulting someone is culturally dictated. For example, Italians are masters in the field – due to the color, sound and dramatics incurred in their verbal assaults. To understand the true translation of an Italian insult, the recipient needs to comprehend both the Italian language and deaf sign language. <br /><br />Actually in most cultures there exists common themes in verbal abuse. Generally these themes aim to demean a person by claiming sexual relations with the wife, sister or mother of the individual. Accusing someone of being in a sexual relationship with the family pet, is another repeated theme of abuse found in many cultures.<br /><br />While these common themes are also espoused by emotional individuals found in football stadiums, bars and on the streets of Amsterdam and other Dutch cities, Dutch verbal abuse tends to focus more on inflicting cancer or some other illness on someone. So, be offended if during your next trip to the Netherlands, someone yells at you “val dood vuile kankerhoer” (translation: drop dead stupid cancer hooker). Similarly, “Ik laat een scheet in jouw richting” (translation: I fart in your direction) – although you should probably put some distance between you and your abuser in this instance. Taking offence should be short-lived though – as translating the assault should remove all sting intended, and identify the abuser as a pathetic fool. <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11285013130406498990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177109012489972224.post-72134842657536782582013-12-08T12:20:00.000-08:002014-01-06T12:48:07.064-08:00Spinning<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3YG1ELjCRezSN6UHd65Hs8b8H4LEPcHK5ogOTr7k_Uj0OhKdvXdqlRgLZsb8ttHOGRhBgkc98kmToNPuMV8YdwIUS16CusVLOVbI8s23yUK4LRGrLj2xXFw6i5Wnp1YlqITB3LHzr1QO/s1600/bicycle-funny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3YG1ELjCRezSN6UHd65Hs8b8H4LEPcHK5ogOTr7k_Uj0OhKdvXdqlRgLZsb8ttHOGRhBgkc98kmToNPuMV8YdwIUS16CusVLOVbI8s23yUK4LRGrLj2xXFw6i5Wnp1YlqITB3LHzr1QO/s320/bicycle-funny.jpg" height="205" width="320" /></a></div>
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Saturday morning and I am back home after my regular spin class at the gym. For the uninitiated, a spin class is basically a group workout on stationary bikes accompanied by pumping music and screeching instructor. Spin classes are also called RPM - if the gym has purchased the license to use the internationally registered and recognized <i>Les Mills</i> program. My gym is stingy. No water fountains and no <i>Les Mills</i>. Instead each Saturday, the quality of the class is dependent on the Friday evening activities of the instructor. Truthfully I have witnessed this particular instructor coming into the gym drinking a can of Red Bull and smoking a cigarette. Yet being the Netherlands, the crowd is tolerant of mediocrity. I also don’t mind. Not only do I generally get a little sweat happening, my brain is stretched trying to translate the Dutch instructions, and I have my own personal challenge to not look at the clock in less than five minute intervals. <br /><br />I too like to keep the tension tight in my exercise schedule. That is why I exercise Saturday morning. Niggling headache and dry mouth always disappear when my body takes over the pain. I am generally good as long as I keep my eyes diverted from the floor-and-wall length mirrors, and nobody requests the dvd of the Grand Canyon route that induces nausea with all the sudden turns and sharp dips. The secret to survival, as it is for many occasions, is correct caffeine dosage beforehand.<br /><br />My spin class colleagues don’t really know what to make of me. My dedication is questioned because I refuse to buy either cycling shoes or cycling pants. My reason being that, without a car, I spend hours each day on my ‘real’ bike - without lycra padded pants or cycling shoes. Why would I buy the gear to sit on a stationary bike in a gym for an hour a week? Just like I pretend to ride up a mountain, I can also pretend that I am wearing sponsored <i>Tour de France</i> cycling gear. <br /><br />In my warm house, after a short cycle in the cold rain back from the gym, I acknowledge that this surreal, physical activity is something that my kids will one day make fun of, – like I made fun of Olivia Newtown John and the roller-skating fitness craze that followed her film, <i>Xanadu</i>. It obviously made sense at the time, and like spinning classes, the release of endorphins makes the body feel good while the brain takes a little break from making sense of what we are doing and how foolish we are doing it.Anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11285013130406498990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177109012489972224.post-1216476304571348662013-11-13T02:45:00.001-08:002013-11-13T02:45:40.447-08:00Watching<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLH9FtA2mzeuPhyphenhyphenmXteQZiEtePoap4GYCRjPn40mRG1qbIo1xXL85ALxE-sEbkkKjZ6_52QH5emPwVMvcXRPWN3W8f-jlDKlglBdK4jWdQcBBdfLLzMJ8Zfp_9k-F0kdQCmowwWcjppXn/s1600/old+man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLH9FtA2mzeuPhyphenhyphenmXteQZiEtePoap4GYCRjPn40mRG1qbIo1xXL85ALxE-sEbkkKjZ6_52QH5emPwVMvcXRPWN3W8f-jlDKlglBdK4jWdQcBBdfLLzMJ8Zfp_9k-F0kdQCmowwWcjppXn/s320/old+man.jpg" width="289" /></a></div>
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There is a strange old man sitting at the table opposite
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He seems to be chewing his cud,
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sweater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was wearing an Andy Capp
hat, now removed to expose a shiny pate fringed by the remaining vestiges of a
former hairstyle. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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We are both in the hospital cafeteria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a dull place with fluorescent lighting
and an uninspiring menu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am typing on
my laptop and he is waiting for the coffee and sausage rolls that his female
companion is bringing to share with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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He watches me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
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or fascinated by my activity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
strange noise he emits as he eats is distracting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We continually sneak glances at one another,
seeking more information or more evidence about the other. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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His female companion, most likely a long-term spouse based
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<br /></div>
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Now ready to leave, she busses their tray while he redresses
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12 November 2013<o:p></o:p></div>
Anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11285013130406498990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177109012489972224.post-47668427387331989412013-09-29T21:45:00.002-07:002013-10-11T04:35:49.011-07:00Writing....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMmN-6edb7-w-wDa5VdvGJAd1tKUc6ntaAMpuxRpOh1N5kGhx3IOdlR13LQw_vT5ovn_uL_xABWDSFWo7o1Ix3vGbIrj8RVaTdRx5YgrPUcCrkBlWNfFnsiLIwF4ITQyTDG_zDmOe6O4j/s1600/blog+quote3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMmN-6edb7-w-wDa5VdvGJAd1tKUc6ntaAMpuxRpOh1N5kGhx3IOdlR13LQw_vT5ovn_uL_xABWDSFWo7o1Ix3vGbIrj8RVaTdRx5YgrPUcCrkBlWNfFnsiLIwF4ITQyTDG_zDmOe6O4j/s640/blog+quote3.jpg" width="408" /></a></div>
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Sitting in front of my computer inside a warm house, watching the rain continue to pelt the outside world - is an ideal time to pull thoughts from my head and translate them into words on a page. It is also a perfect setting to just lie on the couch and read already created literary projects. Darn the dilemma of rainy days.Anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11285013130406498990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6177109012489972224.post-25790094550161596352013-08-16T06:36:00.000-07:002015-01-07T06:23:07.903-08:00BIOGRAPHY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzY0DWIkMsuLEJBCq5jr7b2R9E5dWZQNeJQVo2B3t9hJRjVU-EnY6J4y6OZ7xEJxRjQkXeupuITwYh75XaILKzkDiwD49gb1c7lcTh3ZDDH6pxFReU9sSFsM9ZvgI6gVdf0baog5znksib/s1600/Photo+on+17-04-13+at+13.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzY0DWIkMsuLEJBCq5jr7b2R9E5dWZQNeJQVo2B3t9hJRjVU-EnY6J4y6OZ7xEJxRjQkXeupuITwYh75XaILKzkDiwD49gb1c7lcTh3ZDDH6pxFReU9sSFsM9ZvgI6gVdf0baog5znksib/s320/Photo+on+17-04-13+at+13.24.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ana McGinley is an Australian with a love of being immersed in cultures that she doesn't understand. She enjoys the thrill of being squeezed on buses with squawking chickens and their owners; eating foods she can't recognise; being part of conversations that sound like musical clacking; and watching people move oddly for reasons unapparent. These reasons are the same for why she has four children and one husband - all born in different parts of the world - and together, all providing that same feeling of belonging to something that causes confusion.<br />
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Ana has a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters in Social Work. She has worked extensively with older people suffering memory loss or mental health issues. Ana has taught Singaporean university students about human development, and consulted on dementia projects for Dutch architectural students. She has written columns on social issues for expat magazines (Singapore); and articles about Dutch cities and culture for Expatica.nl.<br />
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Currently living in the Netherlands, Ana contributes regularly to DutchNews.nl as a writer and reviewer. Her book reviews for Summertime Publishing and Mosaique Press can also be found on websites listed on the portfolio page. Ana blogs about memory loss (<a href="http://www.memoryextracts.blogspot.com/">www.memoryextracts.blogspot.com</a>), Haarlem (<a href="http://haarlemreviewboard.wordpress.com/">haarlemreviewboard.wordpress.com</a>) writing, travel, and being the alien in an adopted land. <br />
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Long term plans include being able to write uninterrupted during the daytime hours (and being paid copious amounts of money to do this); moving to a Mediterranean island and waking up every morning to the sun shining on her face and the smell of the sea enticing her to 'come on in'; making goat cheese to go with the evening wine; spending one month in an unfamiliar country every year; and learning some patience.Anahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11285013130406498990noreply@blogger.com0