Dutch in Translation

"Ik doe al mijn best er kracht achter te zetten want ik verlang er zoo sterk naar mooie dingen te maken.– Maar mooie dingen kosten moeite – en teleurstelling en volhouden."     Vincent Van Gogh to Theo Van Gogh *      Recently, I have been collecting material about Van Gogh. Reading one of his letters got me thinking about beauty and happiness, and the struggle sometimes they require.        Depression.      Late September, I made an appointment with my huisarts (physician) to discuss my mild depression and what could be done so it wouldn't become a serious health issue. We had an interesting talk pointing out how I was out of balance trying to learn how to live with someone, take care of a house, and at the same time finding out who I would become. This was being very difficult since I was feeling lonely and alone. We agreed it would be helpful to have some sessions with a "prajtijkondersteuner". ...

I say hey, let's make a rainbow Look for a pot of gold I'll show you how to keep it nice and easy And even if a cloud comes forming on my love today There's nothing (nothing), no, nothing that could stand in my way It don't matter if it's raining Nothing can phase me I make my own sunshine And if … Have you listened to the song " I Make My Own Sunshine "? Let me help you. Watch and listen:      When one moves abroad, and for love, there are days when it is difficult to keep it all together. I wish I could say, " It's been easy, like a holiday!" Or maybe, "It's as wonderful as a dream come true!"  Truth to be told, my friends, is that some days you have to make your own sunshine.      Now, there are days when someone comes and brightens it. For me, Monday was that day. Why? Because on Monday, Olga Koltsova's article about me was published! And you know what? It was a gift, a much-needed one. The reason being? O...

"Youth is not enough. And love is not enough. And success is not enough. And, if we could achieve it, enough would not be enough."  Mignon McLaughlin Since I moved to The Netherlands, I have been constantly trying to find my place, and my bike . . .    Once upon a time, I had baked a nice and yummy cake. Despite this, I had the feeling that there was something missing to make it sumptuous and exotic, comforting and filling. Right then, I decided to explore and  search. I wanted to find that mysterious and desired ingredient. It turned out to be love. And lucky me! I found my sweetheart! He was far, 9000 km away. Nevertheless, that didn't matter since we were optimistic and in love. We drafted a plan and changes started to unfold, decisions were taken, adversity was overcome, and the new chapter of our lives was ready to take off. In order to have my new cake, I only needed to update the recipe and start baking!  Obviously, I thought I was prepared f...

    I burned my ships.     It is said that when Hernán Cortés landed in Veracruz in 1519, he ordered his troops to set the ships on fire. Why would that be? Well, it is actually very simple. There would be no way back or, at least, it would be more challenging to retreat than to fight back. (Worth mentioning too is that this is just one example in history where this decision has been made.)  Starting today, I will tell you the story of a  Mexican girl who burned her ships and moved for love to The Netherlands. This is me, Laura. Welcome to  Dutch in Translation.