Jan 18th 16:59, A happy moment! Writing a blog again after 9 years.. 😀
In May'23 Suren moved onstie to Netherlands. This time, unlike our UK-Sweden shuffle I decided to try for the same country as him. Amidst the chaos - Citibank project handover, getting release, Diya schooling in PSBB one of the best schools, managing things without Suren in Chennai, etc,.I stayed focus on completing my weekend fashion designing course at Dsoft :)After two months of trying and waiting, I finally got call from Bidyut and yes! Rabobank project in same location.. Cleared interview with Danny, Clifton and Bram. Yayy! Visa delays, started working at offshore from Sep'23 on regulatory project right from scratch (which is my fav). Meanwhile I rented out our sweet home, moved our car to mom's home and arranged driver, travelled to Delhi for visa, prepared for Diya dance program, shopping, did school process, short travel to native for Pongal and finally landed in Netherlands on 29th Jan'24. That's how I ended up in happiest place on earth!
With an goal to visit all 23 Schengen countries and move back to Chennai 😊 People joke about this plan but I have already ticked 12 so far. (Austria, Belgium, Czech Rep, France, Germany, Greece, Luxemburg, Holland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland) and others are still in bucket list :) Our favorite travel formula is simple - Go for a walking tour, bridge, churches, river, stalls, museums, food & break from work life!
People & work
Rabo office is huge and majestic from day one! I started liking the Rabo wow - Something I hadn't experienced in any projects before. Work was interesting, open, slow paced in a good way, less pressure, clear targets, team fun and just 1 office day.
Michelle was so nice. She once insisted in reception post an English notice when bike parking closed message was only in Dutch. My first real Dutch person experience was truly kind. Selva became my close buddy right from when I was at offshore..
They are refreshingly direct too! In the gym, an old lady scolded a girl for continuously chatting during the trainer's instructions ;) They are so proud of Dutch language and their culture! And super sensitive to fragrances! And I wonder how they never fall asleep in buses or trains :)
My favorites
Windmills, canals, Ducks, Forts, Ports, museums, trees, plants, flowers, tulips, hanging rose plant, and all the gorgeous houses with plants, lights and those iconic curtainless windows.. Like to see people (even guys ;) cooking in the kitchen, church bells strike, old shops, bike, transport, roads, gift shops, malls, Friday markets, ikea shopping & food, Fish kibbling, Berlin balls, silent dogs, lazy cats, the monthly emergency Alarm, sky, stars, moon and these long summer sunset what not! Damn! I even get Indian groceries here! From drumstick leaves to Dhoklas :)
Gym
My favorite is Berend! his body pump, core sessions are my absolute favorite. He switches songs for each exercise and whenever a catchy one plays, I note a word, search it later at home and add to my playlist in repeat mode: Snap! Rhythm is a Dancer; Tate McRae - It's ok I'm ok; Myles Smit-Stargazing; Gotye - Somebody I used to know; Teddy Swims - The Door;Sonny Federa - Mind Still; Daisies and many more I still need to find (or I’ll just ask him for his playlist someday!). Tats easier!Its a full one hour strength workout and he does every move with us with heavier weights, giving all instructions in Dutch. I understand handful of words. Like Langzaam, buiten, binnen, up, laag, build spieren. His classes always fills up pretty early, and people of all ages 20 - 60 years join, with huff and puff but love it!
Girls comfortably wear tank tops and shorts, people sunbathe in bikinis in summer - which i couldn't never do at all! And no matter rain or snow, someone is always running, jogging on canal side, roads, bridge. The fitness culture here is just inspiring!
Family & Friends
Most most favorite is how strongly families are valued here. Very likely Indian. Two or three kids on shoulders, or in bikes, everyone together. This is my absolute favorite here.. 😍 Early sleepers, 8 am office goers, and weekend party with friends and family till mid night! Their simple meals -just bread with cheese & a fruit, relaxed dinners and early wind-downs feel so balanced. Suren and Diya delay sleeping and drag beyond 11..Summer scene are the best: people reading with less clothing on lawns, swimming in canals, rowing, boating, celebrating king's day, liberation day with just music and stalls in huge crowd. And the number of board games they have - impossible to choose.They save wisely, spend smartly, and enjoy every holiday with family dinners and trips. How lovely!
Play grounds:
There are playgrounds everywhere, and people are always playing — football, baseball, frisbee — even at 11 PM and even in the rain. Weekend mornings are full of parents bringing kids for skating or sports. Suren loves his ultimate frisbee games, monthly competitions, TT after work, and winter ice‑skating. In Chennai he worked till late without any of this! Hope I could let him play wholeheartedly ;)
Biking
Rain, wind, snow, sun — nothing stops people here. Just pause, wear rain pants and ride on. Only thing I dont like is many use plastic bags as bike‑seat covers instead of actual covers!
Utrecht Hiking Community
I enjoy the monthly group walks led by Martin. New places, new people, new routes, beautiful views, fresh weather, and the fun of walking together — it’s become a happy little routine.
School:
Diya settled in quickly - new place, new friends, new curriculum - even she travels to school on her own, something impossible in Chennai. She continues violin, Bharatanatyam, swimming here as well and has also tried skating and ice skating, base ball.. No uniform, No hair plaits, and she absolutely loves the school trips
BIV
I got chance to work with fantastic person, my greatest support.. After months, received appreciation from my favorite manager and others. 💖Work was interesting, demanding and so fulfilling - and for the first time in my career I have worked beyond office hours.
With all the comfort, WFH and long hours on the couch, I gained 2kg like a true couch potato! So Sant gifted me a standing desk for my birthday- Now I stand and work instead :)
Feeling blessed for wonderful, magical year 2025 and welcoming 2026 with rare snow in the Netherlands! Time to scale up, learn new things.. Thanks Almighty! And grateful for everything!
