50 connections may2014

Connect International serves the international community in the provinces of Groningen, Friesland, Drenthe and Noord Holland.

Attention Writers!Enjoy Writing?The Connections Newsletter is seeking volunteer writers who enjoy writing on a theme, informative articles, or opinions they want to share. Interested? Contact us [email protected]

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Supported by an international staff and Board of Directors, we provide quality relocation services and practical information to help familiarize international residents with all aspects of living, working or studying in the Northern Netherlands, as well as organizing events and activities to make connections.

ConnectingWorlds

Connect International would like to welcome the following new members: Janny Koetsier,Romana Schirhagl,Jennifer Bauch,Jingyi Liu.

Welcome New Members!Serv ices :

Jo in Us !You can register to become a Connect International member via our website. For a small yearly fee, you receive the Connections e-magazine newsletter delivered directly to your email inbox, you have access to the Connect International community through organized events, you can ask us any questions you may have and much more.Visit: www.connect-int.org

● Immigration services● Home search & set-up● Social events, activities & clubs● Career services● Business events● Books & guides● Information sheets● Knowledge database

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Contact : Publ ica t ion Team:Connect Head Office:Herestraat 106, Room 1.06, 9711LM GroningenTelephone: 050 7440087Email: [email protected] [email protected]: www.connect-int.org

Publisher: Stephanie PoortmanAssistant Editor: Margaret MetsalaContributers to this issue: Stephanie Poortman, Karen Prowse, Margaret Metsala, Traci White, Tomas Poortman, Milena Stanojevic, Carol Nieuwland-Goss & Lori McKinney.

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Connect Noord Holland (Alkmaar):Telephone: 06 25394234Email: [email protected]

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MayCalendar

May 2014

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MayEvents

CONNECT (Groningen, Friesland & Drenthe)

Connect for Coffee Date: 2 May 2014, 10:30 am@ La Place, V&D in Groningen

Writers Circle Date: 7 May 2014

Connect Crafts Club Date: 9 May 2014, 10:30 am

Photography Workshop Date: 9 May 2014, 4:00 pm@ Kolendrift 7. Please note that the Kolendrift street is only accessible for bikes.

Eye Make-up with Lysette Date: 11 May 2014, 2:00 pm@ office Connect International, Herestraat 106, Groningen

CONNECT Noord Holland(Noord Holland)

CNH Connect for Coffee Date: 9 May 2014, 8:00 pm@ the home of Begoña, Heemskerk

CNH Kids & Coffee Date: 14 May 2014, 9:00 am@ TBA

CNH Kids & Coffee Date: 21 May 2014, 9:00 am@ the home of Narelle, Noord Scharwoude

Parents Coffee Time Date: 13 May 2014, 10:30 am



Connect Crafts Club Date: 23 May 2014, 10:30 am



CNH Book Club Date: 21 May 2014, 8:00 pm@ the home of Caroline, Bakkum

CNH Connect for Coffee Date: 23 May 2014, 8:00 pm@ the home of Emma M, Alkmaar

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YourStories

by Carol Nieuwland-Goss

I am outside of my box. I have taken on a challenge that has me confronting some of my own personal fears head-on; some expected, some have caught me completely by surprise.

Along with my husband, I have signed up to cycle up Alpe d’Huez in France on 5 June 2014 as part of the fundraising for cancer research in The Netherlands. I confess I am not a cyclist by nature. I have always enjoyed bike riding for the exercise, good green-print, no parking fees. Now I am cycling at a different level: more intense,

The Challenge: Alpe d’HuZes

in full cycle gear, and learning cyclist etiquette for good reason. Having watched, cared for and loved both family and good friends subjected to the wrath of this fickle disease, I have felt helpless for too long and I needed to change that by taking action. For them, I am wholeheartedly committed to doing ‘something’ in the fight to stop cancer from killing.

The mission of the organization, Alpe d’HuZes (AD6), is to support and promote (scientific) research on all forms of cancer, with the goal that cancer patients can live longer and enjoy healthier and happier lives. No question, this is an ambitious mission and they have made a difference since the first year in 2006 , with money raised going toward funding

educational and laboratory research of all kinds. It feels unfathomable to imagine, but the reality is that we may never really find a cure for cancer. What we are doing and will continue to do, is provide the funds to pursue the path of science and research so that we can find an effective way to help cancer patients live successfully with cancer.

The motto of AD6 is “giving up is not an option” (‘opgeven is geen optie’), simple, poignant & spot on. How true that applies for so much in our lives aside from fighting cancer. Cycling has been physically and emotionally challenging for me as I have been confronting my own fears such as cycling in a mass group of 5000 cyclists (mild claustrophobia); failing to

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YourStories

release my shoes from pedals in time before falling while locked in (this terrifies me); forgetting to breathe (small anxiety attacks), and while I am staying true to the motto, I have adapted my way of continuing with this challenge. For health reasons I will now be walking the Alp two times instead of cycling. My training continues over the next 7 weeks with cycling in the Ardennes, Utrechtse Heuvelrug, Noord-Holland and Limburg, as well as at the gym and walking.

It is individual. There is no ‘one cure fits all’ treatment. We must never give up. We’re worth it. Every single one of us is worth the fight. I am doing this in honor of my Dad, Liz, Virginia, Judi, Annemarie, Esther, Ingrid, Denise, Florian, Michael, and Suz. Giving up is not an option!

For more information about Alpe d’HuZes, http://www.opgevenisgeenoptie.nl. If you would like to sponsor me, that would be greatly appreciated, thank you! http://deelnemers.opgevenisgeenoptie.nl/acties/carol61/carol-nieuwland-goss

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Your Mobile Vet in Noord Holland

EntrepreneurFeature

by Lori McKinney

Pets- those amazing creatures that offer us unconditional love, and become members of the family. We want the best for them, just as we do for anyone we love. Claire Regan of Dierenarts Noord-Holland, is the vet to my own four-legged members of the family. I was honored to be able to interview her about her mobile veterinarian practice.

-Your love of animals shines through in your work. Could you tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to go into veterinary medicine?I guess the real reason I became a vet lies in a deep emotional connection to animals from my childhood. Animals always fascinated me and I have always had a strong instinct to help and protect them. Animals are so innocent and bring so much joy to us so, for many different reasons, animals strike chords within me that I must answer.

I learned how to help them by going to vet school. In fact, the reason I wanted to be a vet in the very beginning was to save endangered species in Australia. At the time these were the Striped Sugar Glider and the Eastern Spotted Quoll.

After qualifying in 2001, I left Australia for England to work/travel for a year. After many adventures all over the world as a vet, I am now here in Holland with my wonderful boys. It was probably the scariest thing I have ever done and it certainly wasn't easy! Starting a business in a foreign

country and not able to speak the language above toddler level was a huge challenge. I am very grateful to all my clients, especially the first ones who literally taught me how to speak Dutch! Thankfully, animals have no language and I can communicate with them on their own terms, in their own homes, plus get a clear picture of the health/welfare of the animal. Fortunately, here in Holland 99% of pets live in relative luxury so there aren’t many welfare situations. I’ve done volunteer work overseas (mostly

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EntrepreneurFeature

Greece and Spain), and have seen first-hand the unfortunate circumstances of unwanted animals.

-You are one of the few mobile veterinarians in this country. Could you explain the importance of being a mobile vet, the type of services you offer, plus what it means for the pets and their owners?Being a mobile vet gives peace of mind to clients that their animal will be handled in front of their eyes in the comfort and security of their own homes. We can perform most procedures at client’s homes depending on where they live and the complexity of what needs to be done. We perform all services that a normal practice does: vaccinations, nail clipping, micro-chipping etc., and of course, treating sick animals. One of the questions I am often asked by clients is if their homes are clean enough for surgery and the answer is “yes” 99% of the time. We provide our own sterile equipment, etc. When there are more invasive or complicated surgeries such as: large tumor removals or open stomach surgeries, we always do those at the practice where everything can be measured and monitored. Often pet owners come to the clinic and wait, plus there is also an option for them to watch their pet’s surgical procedure.

For me, it’s important that people have a choice over what happens to their own animal. Helping them choose the best decision is my goal with every case. Many of our clients are the elderly and disabled or those who simply have no transportation. Our fees are in line with what you would pay at a traditional vet with the exception of a small travel fee.

In a nutshell, we take the stress out of the experience and make it a cozy, pleasant one in the comfort of each person’s home. Our clients seem to love it, and naturally we have formed some pretty close bonds with our clients as we get to know them, their families and pets. Overall, it’s usually a very positive experience for the owners, their pets, and also for us.

Thank you Claire, for sharing your love and passion for animals and veterinary medicine with us. You can learn more about Claire and Dierenarts Noord-Holland by following them on Facebook at, http://goo.gl/rpqxKZ, or by visiting her website (in Dutch) www.dierenartsnoord-holland.nl.

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From Argentina with loveby Milena Stanojevic

Diezijn-Leuk, mentioned in the April 2014 issue of Connections, was again a great success. Even rain could not stop people from coming and visiting this amazing market of handmade products. Among some 100 participants was also the stall of Casa Pampa.

Casa Pampa presents, as the owner says, products made with love from Argentina. And all the items are either designed or carefully selected by Juud.

So Juud, first of all, how did you end up in Groningen?A few years ago we moved to Groningen for my husband’s work. He is a general practitioner (GP) in Bedum, a village north of the city Groningen. Furthermore it was also time for new adventures with our two young children after 14 beautiful years in Amsterdam. An official goodbye to our student- and young urban professional life and a warm welcome to a permanent family life in the north of the Netherlands.

How did you come up with the idea of starting Casa Pampa?The idea developed when my Dutch father moved to Argentina ten years ago when he retired. Since his moving I travel to Argentina every two years. During my visits Casa Pampa developed from a love for the robust and elegant products from South America. I was inspired by the authentic crafting skills of Argentine artisans and their use of natural basic

materials. With Casa Pampa I found the perfect way to bring a little piece of Argentina to the Netherlands. Can you tell me more about the products? What inspires your designs, where are the products made, and by whom?Casa Pampa provides a limited collection of products made with love in Argentina. Natural quality materials; 100% leather, wood and wool. Most of

EntrepreneurFeature


the products are handmade, making every product unique.

The products contribute to a little job creation in Argentina and in the Netherlands. Most products, like the beautiful vibrant colored pillows, are made by artisans in Salta, in the north of Argentina. The leather belts and accessories are designed by myself and made in Córdoba, in the centre region of Argentina.

How difficult is it to have an on-line store? What kind of marketing tools do you use?My webshop is made through Tictail, an easy and free online shop solution, a great way to start a little shop, which I use for selling and display for a few of my products. Most of my sales are done on markets, home sales or direct buyers. I like the personal contacts. It is not my intention yet to run a professional online store,

The making of the belts:

EntrepreneurFeature


which brings a lot more to it. This way it is small and I can focus on the fun of making people happy with a unique present or product. I promote my webshop through social media, like Instagram, Facebook (www.facebook.com/MadebyJuud) and a blog (www.madebyjuud.com)

Do you think that the Northern Netherlands is a good market for the original products and the small entrepreneurs like yourself? The Northern Netherlands is a good place to base a studio and storage. In Amsterdam I could have never stocked all my products in my apartment. As we are able to live bigger here in the north of the Netherlands I have enough space to store my products and a nice working space. Also, other expenses are lower than what we were used to in the centre of the Netherlands; therefore, I have more financial opportunity to combine Casa Pampa with being a full-time mother and

partner which I love doing the most.The Netherlands is a small country so I can easily drive to other places if needed for sales.

“Do what you love, and love what you do!”

You also have a blog, and you love photography. Can you tell me more about that?With my visual log (blog) I can combine my love for photography, travels and random things I admire with Casa Pampa inspiration. I’m looking forward to more travels in the future and more photography. Maybe a course at Fotoschool Groningen, a nice place (which I can suggest!) based in the centre of the city. www.fotoschool.nl

InformationCenter



Information Center

The fourth and fifth of MayBy Tomas Poortman

On the fifth of May, the Dutch celebrate Bevrijdingsdag, or Liberation Day in English. It is a national holiday, which means that schools and most government institutes are closed. On this day the Dutch celebrate the end of the German occupation during World War II, because on the fifth of May they were liberated by Canada. Technically, however, Germany surrendered on the eighth of May, the date on which most other European countries celebrate the end of the war.

There are many forms of celebration of this day, the most famous two being Bevrijdingspop in Haarlem and Bevrijdingsfestival Overijssel in Zwolle. But in your local city there’s bound to be an event or two as well. The website of your Gemeente will either have information on their website, or a link to another website with the information.

Another important aspect connected to the end of the war is Dodenherdenking, or Remembrance of the Dead in English. On every fourth of May at 8pm the Dutch take two minutes of silence to remember those who died during World War II and in wars since. Unlike Liberation Day, the fourth of May is not a national holiday.

There are many places across the country where Dodenherdenking- ceremonies are being held, but the most famous one is on the Dam Square at the National Monument in Amsterdam. The royal family and several ministers of the Dutch parliament are also present at this ceremony, and the entire ceremony will

be broadcast live on several Dutch television channels.

A special Remembrance of the Dead ceremony is also held every year in Kamp Westerbork, a former concentration camp during World War II, where a large group of people (more than 4000 people last year) walk silently (a so-called ‘stille tocht’) from the entrance of the camp to the National Monument on site, 500


Information Center

As in previous years there will be many countries culinary represented. This year there will be foodstalls from e.g. the Netherlands, Italy, France, Germany, Belgium, Great Britain, Spain, Scandinavia, Russia, Asia, The United States and South Africa, etc. There will also again be a large fleamarket and bookmarket.

This year there will be several sports activities, a raffle, and live entertainment.Also a "Gameland" for younger children and the school’s International playschool “Little Europe” where there will be drinks, snacks and fun activities for them.

So please come on the 18th of May 2014, from 11:00 to 16:00 hrs. to the European School Bergen, Molenweidtje 5, Bergen NH, for a great fun day out for the whole family! Entry is free.

We are very happy to welcome you!!!

For more information : www.europeanschool-parents.nl

Euromarkt 2014 : Europese School Bergen NH

metres further up. In the next Connections Magazine there is planned to be an article devoted to Kamp Westerbork on its own.

The events described in this article are all free and most local events will be

free also. However, do keep in mind that especially the more well-known events will attract a lot of visitors, so for a good spot in either a remembrance ceremony or one of the festivals you should check at what time you want to arrive.

Places to goThings to see


Airbnb - Air Bed and BreakfastBy Traci White

Airbnb is a trend where people can rent out a room in their home for guests to stay. It’s a new way for people to turn empty space in their home into a monetized asset.

Since the recession began in 2008, mini economies have taken the place of more traditional consumer and product relationships. Etsy is a good example of artists and crafters around the world using the site as their online store to sell their often custom-made items directly to a customer, and Fray is a medium for handy people to offer their services.

Airbnb is one of the most successful concepts developed as a result of the changing economy: founded in 2008, there are more than 600,000 properties available through the city around the world, primarily in Europe and North America. It was recently valued at $10 billion, and it may soon make an IPO. But in some cities - for example New York and San Francisco, where the company was actually founded - renting a property for less than 30 days is actually illegal due to potential risk of abuse. In New York City from July onward, an additional tax will be charged to Airbnb users staying there.

The concept is a slightly dressed down version of staying in a real B&B, but often costs far less. For example, I’m going to Genoa for a wedding this summer, and hotels and inns in the

area are already around €100 a night – I’ve found lots of clean, private rooms available through airbnb for half as much. I’m planning to book this afternoon! Sometimes, the owners of the homes are there during your visit, but often people book airbnb and stay there as the only guests in the house, except for house pets! It depends on what you’re looking for, but getting to cuddle some critters is another perk that most hotels don’t offer.

Here in Groningen, there are 247 Airbnb properties. Nada and Hertzog rent out a loft room in their house in the Oosterpoort, and have been doing so since February of 2013. She and her husband are originally from South Africa and have been living in the Netherlands for 18 years, and they actually stay at airbnb’s around the world when they travel. “It’s a cheap way to go on holiday,” Nada says.

Their room is on the top of the list of available rooms in Groningen, and for €38 a night, it’s not hard to see why. That price means that their listing is popular, but Nada says it’s not something that she could make a living doing. Positive reviews from guests ensure that the listing remains high,

Places to goThings to see


and being a people person is more or less a prerequisite to offer space in your home as an airbnb. “I like to meet people, and you really have to be pretty laid back to let them use your bathroom and your kitchen. Being open minded helps.’

Even though she has lived here for years now, Nada actually says that offering an airbnb room has made her more aware of what’s happening in Groningen. “Most of our guests come because they have a connection to the

RUG, like doing master’s classes, but some come for concerts and events, like Noorderslag and Noorderzon.” She says that while many of their guests come from Europe, they have had visitors from Australia, North and South America, and China stay in their home.

Are you traveling this summer and want to consider staying in an airbnb? Check out www.airbnb.com and see what’s available in your holiday destination!

Food Well-TraveledBy Carol Nieuwland-Goss & Lori McKinney


Food forThought

I’m Carol Nieuwland-Goss, native Californian who leaped to Holland for love in 2002 with my Eggman. Part of settling into expat life involved starting a new relationship in Dutch with foods: what is it, how to shop for it, how to prepare it, and will I ever find it again? Twelve years on, my food adventures continue on a much happier and fun beat as I make my way around the markets, the shops, and the off-beat little ethnic shops that are tucked in and stock up on edible treasures that, when used, will take a dish to a whole new level. New discoveries both delight and surprise, while the old and familiar offer comfort and security. Writing and photography are passions of mine, food photography being my most recent focus.

I’m Lori Sepp- McKinney, originally from coastal Mississippi, who also took the leap of love in 2002 for my now husband, Marcel. As Jamie Oliver says, “Good food is a global thing, and I always find that there is something new and amazing to learn.” Carol and I share that vision, and we want to share it, with you! Also, like Carol, a few of my passions are photography, writing, great food, and a sense of adventure- the latter being something that has definitely come in handy while sourcing ingredients here in the Netherlands. Whether it’s creating old favorites from, ‘home’ or the inspiration of learning new techniques including new cuisines, we love the process and are excited to share with you.


Food forThought

So much can get lost in translation from one’s native language to Dutch. Ingredients that we took for granted and were easy to find on the shelves of any supermarket back home are now an epic treasure hunt to find the equivalent versions here in Dutch supermarkets. Some items are neatly tucked in the Dutch supermarket shelves e.g. such as ‘allspice’ - which is known here by the name ‘Piment’. Also, that ever-so-elusive orange box of Arm and Hammer baking soda? Most Asian supermarkets, which can be found in most towns, carry it for around a euro.

The same with double-acting baking powder. Various sized containers

(depending on the store) can be found in the aisles of your local Asian supermarket or Toko (Amazing Oriental is a great one, with several stores across the Netherlands, visit amazingoriental.nl to find your nearest one.)

Next month we will be sharing our experience during a trip to the Amsterdam Noordermarkt- plus a few summer foodie favorites, just in time for BBQ season.

We hope to make your food journey more adventurous and fulfilling as we share our knowledge and experiences with you.

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50 connections may2014