So tonight I was happy to find that the movie Twister was on TBS. A perfect movie to relax to on a Friday night. All I can think about when watching this movie is my time as an undergraduate college student: it would rile up the meteorology students so much if you even mentioned this movie, due to it being so inaccurate. (I just remember them talking about exactly what happens to your body if you are inside a F5 tornado, tied down or not…)
Posts Tagged With: Moving
Reflections (Or: 6 months to go)
Yesterday I was idly looking through my WordPress widgets – the things on the right like the categories, search box, signup, etc. I came across the Milestone one and decided to open it. This is the widget that says how many months/days are left until the big day. Currently it counts down to Christmas day, but I will change that once we officially book the plane tickets.
When I opened up the Milestone widget, I found myself chuckling a bit at the message that will be displayed on the day the countdown expires… but I will leave that big reveal until the big day. I am trying to imagine December 18, but it’s sort of hard even though it is so close.
Forms (Or: Staring at IND.nl)
Some amusing things I learned staring at IND.nl’s Residence Wizard:
- I need a Regular Provisional Residence Permit (mvv)… oh wait, no I don’t. Americans are exempt.
- I need a tuberculosis exam… oh wait, no I don’t. Americans are exempt.
- I need to take the civic integreation examination (on Dutch language and society)… oh wait, no I don’t. Americans are exempt. (At least in the beginning.)
- Regular Provisional Residence Permit (mvv) is a separate thing from a residence permit (temporary, continuous, or permanent). Couldn’t use a different translation for mvv, huh?
- Everything costs money. And no, you can’t get out of the fees. (Duh. I have to wonder who is reading this form thinking they actually can.)
- I need to report to the police in the municipal authority where I am staying within 3 working days of arriving.
- The first residence permit type I apply for is temporary – within 8 days of arriving.
- I need health insurance that covers me in the Netherlands if I want a residence permit… I seriously hope I don’t need to get health insurance in that 3 working day window when I first arrive. 😉 Doubtful though.
- I get a sticker on my passport to say that I am lawfully residing in the Netherlands. Suh-weet.
- “The IND [immigration office] will assess your application for a residence permit. This procedure may take some time. … The IND can, in principle, take 6 months to make a decision.” Ouch.
- If I manage to get a temporary residence permit, I need to reapply before it expires at the end of the first year, and the following year, etc.
- After 3 years I can apply for a continuous residence permit.
- After 5 years I can apply for a permanent residence permit – if I take and pass the civic integration examination. (Really? You let me hang out for 5 years before you decide to test my Dutch? I would think it should be sooner — but I’ll hold my tongue.)
Also within the document I found a website, though I haven’t peeked at it much yet:
http://www.newtoholland.nl/
60 posts (Or: 2 months down)
So this is the 60th day that I have been writing blog posts regarding the Netherlands (and all its various things to love). But to get to the Netherlands, there are a lot of things to be done. Marco and I have a Google Docs document for “stuff to buy and do” — for things to do before I get there and things to buy after I do.
Some highlights of random things on my mind:
- figuring out how to fit everything into a limited number of suitcases – primarily so I know if I have to ship anything through the mail
- forms I need from the United States (including, apparently, a form that says I am not yet married, for the upcoming wedding next summer)
- forms I need to figure out for the Netherlands – residency permit, etc
- stare at ind.nl’s residence wizard (IND = Dutch Immigration)
- learning Dutch on a daily basis, more than just 3x a week as it stands now
I am also moving forward with trying to finalize Friday, December 14th as my last work date (rather than Friday the 21st). That would be the last day of finals for the students, as the following week only the administration and staff are on campus. I have to do this now-ish because the yearly administrator work contracts will be sent out in April. Normally we work a yearly August 15 – August 14 type contact but I already told them I will be moving after the fall semester.
Morale of the story: it’s going to be an interesting year!
Here’s a random picture of Amsterdam, though I have no idea where I was when I took it. But it looks like a relaxing activity!
Paddle boats in Amsterdam
Here’s to a lot more posts in the coming months!
Life in the Hague 