When I mention the premise of my book, people usually ask one of two questions: how many of the 178 nationalities in Amsterdam do you feature, and how did you come up with the concept. The answer to the first question is fairly straightforward, 41. The second one requires a bit of an explanation. Read more to find out what inspired my upcoming book.
Four years. That is precisely how long I have been living in the Netherlands. My days are pretty routine, just like any other day in any other country. I wake up, spend majority of the day working, exercise, eat and sleep. Sometimes I mix in social engagements or other leisure activities. Every so often it feels as if I’m in this dream-like state, where any moment I’m going to wake up in my childhood bed in Detroit. I’m not where I grew up, though. I am not in the United States. I am in Holland.
Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is a time to “honor household and heavenly deities, as well as ancestors.” The holiday brings everyone together, with family members often sharing a great meal around the table. Wherever you are in the world and however you decide to celebrate, may 2015, the Year of the Goat, bring you happiness and good fortune!
Welcome! Thank you so much for taking the time to read my Blog. With this introduction, I would like to keep this short and discuss what you can expect in future posts. I plan to use this outlet to address and write about various subjects related to my book. The book looks at the life stories of expat restaurant owners in Amsterdam.
The Blog will cover different topics, ranging from personal history, childhood stories and fun anecdotes to cultural observations and life as an expat in Amsterdam. Posts will also feature food-related subjects, such as recipes and other kitchen adventures. It is a place not only to dig a little deeper but also to start a conversation, educate and learn along the way.
I look forward to communicating with you and keeping you posted on my progress. Thank you for joining!