(My) Life Is Amazing.

I'm told that there's a city in Brazil that will stay up for the first sunrise of the new year, and clap. Clap. Clap to thank god for creating such a beautiful thing.

This year, will you repay the universe for how awesome (your) life is?

Because I Want To.

I'm regularly asked, "Why?".

Why did I move to Australia? Why am I living in Holland? Why not live a normal life the way my wonderful parents raised me?

Most people in similar situations have reasons. But when I answer, "Because I want to..." the listener instantly looks perplexed. Is this an unacceptable response?

Some inspiration for today:
If you are confident, they will say you are arrogant.
If you are deliberate, they will say you are too sure of yourself.
If you have a sense of purpose, they will say you are self-absorbed.
If you know who you are, they will ask, “Who are you, anyway?”
If you believe in kindness and compassion, they will say you are naïve.
If you are a dreamer, they will say “join the real world.”
If you are a rebel, they will try to shut you down.


The instructions include:
    rein it in
    slow it down
    wait it out
    pull it back
    take your time
    play it safe


But you will know.
They are envious because they want what you have.
They are afraid of change even as they crave it.
They are projecting their own regret into resentment of you.
It’s not all bad news: some of them will sort themselves out and end up joining you. Because you are a good person and have had plenty of false starts of your own, you’ll understand and welcome them warmly. "We’ve missed you!", you’ll say, "It’s about time you made it."

Untitled

Didn't feel like writing on such a beautiful day...

 

On My Merry Way

So much happens in my life every day, I always have a hard time deciding what to write about first. Here goes...

Housing!

I've landed on my feet! My new flat is in a beautiful old Amsterdam style building. Most locals don't appreciate the steep Dutch staircases in these very thin, vertical city dwellings; I however find them so quintessentially Amsterdam I have a small grin each time I nearly tumble to the bottom. Located in De Pijp (near Sarphati Park and most of Amsterdam's finest eateries) I feel incredibly central to just about everything. My room mates both live in London, so the place is mostly mine, especially on the weekends. Beginning on the second floor, our gorgeous terrace is attached to the newly remodelled kitchen. The fourth floor is a  large furnished rooftop with a view - here lives the barbecue. My favourite bit is the bathroom, which has been modernized with every comfort imaginable. I enjoyed my first night in the bathtub, next to the large Dutch window overlooking the gardens from my third floor perch.

I was very fortunate to arrive when I did - the colours of fall were in full effect and the trees hadn't begun to shed their reds, yellows and coppers for the winter. Sarphati Park is a beautiful and active place, and witnessing sunsets before and after the autumn leaves has been a small highlight in this beautiful city.

My utmost thanks and gratitude to Carola and Michael - both were willing to host me for an undetermined amount of time, and they were the most accommodating hosts I could have ever asked for. Until the world ends, I won't forget how amazing you two are.

And if you are reading this, I'm sure I've extended the invitation before - now you know what to expect. I sincerely look forward to welcoming you to my home whenever you may arrive. (But please book in advance.)

The City!

I haven't been lost since Thursday.

I absolutely love riding my trusty Gazelle around this city filled with character. The sound of my bell is guaranteed to be accompanied by a smile, and not even the frigid temperatures can reduce my excitement to hit the bricks. I have been learning the city quickly, sometimes simply riding around and making note of landmarks, canals and public transport.

I am preparing to acquire my Museumkaart, so I can browse the many (many) famous museums and landmarks here. From Van Gogh and Rembrandt to the Anne Frank house and the Heineken Brewery there will be plenty to keep me busy through the winter.

Speaking of winter, this will be my first. Growing up in the Sonoran Desert hasn't exactly prepared me for temperatures near zero. And the last time I saw snow, I had the distinct feeling I might never feel my toes again. But I have already noticed myself quietly appreciating the small nuances of winter. Arriving home with a frozen face, I absolutely love taking a minute at the coat hooks  to remove scarf - gloves - coat - hat - jacket - shoes -  all while deciding which tea will soothe my soul. (Citrus with a heavy helping of fresh honey, perhaps?)

I have been furiously accumulating friends, and a night without an invitation has been a rare occurrence. I have found myself dancing on stage at a nightclub, drinking wine at a decidedly posh & artsy commune, and sharing pints in a dimly lit & ancient 'brown bar'. A highlight was being invited to Museum Night, which was a very lively and entertaining reason to drink alcohol, at very late hours, in 45 of Amsterdam's most incredible museums.

The recent arrival of Sinter Klaas was a confusing affair, but with the help of David Sedaris I am no longer culturally ignorant. If you just have to know what the hell is going on with these painted Dutch folk, spend a few minutes here and have a laugh. (It's all true...)  The important bit to know is that Sinter Klaas (and his horde of Zwarte Pietes) has arrived in Amsterdam from Spain, and until the 5th of December I'm supposed to be full of holiday cheer.

Jobs
The hunt for jobs has really just begun. It's been exactly two weeks since I've landed in Holland, and I think I've accomplished a great deal in a very short time. I've only spent a small amount of effort on the job front so far, but now that I am writing from a residence to call my own, I have no more excuses.

The wheels have started turning: lists have been made, schedules have been crafted and discipline is in full effect. I only get one chance to make this happen, and I'm already too attached to my bicycle to fail. I am attacking the job market and networking in every creative and unconventional manner I can dream up. Remember - with my visa status and requirements I've got more to prove than the average Joe - it's a good thing I've also got more to deliver.

Even with my lack of effort I have been receiving some interest. If any of it pans-out you'll be the first to know, but for now, Id rather not count my eggs (or chickens or something). But yes - I'm feeling optimistic as ever.

To-Do List

Of course the top three items on my list are to find a job. However, the schedule I've created for myself allows for afternoon sightseeing - some Van Gogh, Rembrandt and general tourist-ing should be good to keep my motivation up. Besides, riding the bicycle is good exercise.

Tot Ziens!

What A Day For A Daydream

My good friend Susanne said it exactly right when she told me, "Welcome to the Old World". This place is amazing - friendly people, tons of culture, astounding architecture, and bikes, bikes, bikes! I am off to a great start, and feeling optimistic as ever - I will make this happen.

I arrived at about 8pm on Tuesday night and had a long haul ahead of me. Unfortunately I had packed quite heavy, though I guess when I remember it is my whole life, and not just a trip, I realize 80 kilos really isn't so bad. I thought I would take a taxi to Carola's flat the first night, just to avoid the hassle of smashing all my bags around public transport. But, I was feeling good about life and decided to trade the 60 Euro taxi ride for a 4 Euro public transport extravaganza. Leaving Schiphol airport was easy enough by train, and luckily it wasn't too crowded. But then I had to board a very busy tram, which was a long rainy walk from where I departed the train. After leaving the tram, I had another very long rainy walk where I finally arrived at my temporary new digs - hot, sweaty and out of breath. Hopefully I won't need to move these bags around anymore.

I visited with Carola for a while, and then tried to sleep. Even though I felt quite tired, it was really only 3pm in my timezone, and my head was spinning with excitement and anticipation for what was next. Needless to say, I didn't sleep a wink and got going the next morning feeling like a zombie. Of course this  minor inconvenience wouldn't slow me down - I had plenty to do and not a day to waste!

I set off from Carola's house by tram and hit the ground running. First stop the AH grocery store (pronounced 'Ah-Ha') for some items needed at Carola's as well as a mobile phone. I got sorted quickly and headed back to the flat to get my phone turned on and activated. This is when I ran into my first language barrier - all the instructions were spoken in Dutch - and after about 45 minutes of trying everything, my phone was still useless. Luckily Carola came home earlier than expected and got me up and running in minutes! It was time to head into the city!

I made some bad decisions regarding food - and I didn't eat any for almost 48 hours.  Pair this with my sleep deprivation and things were moving very slowly. Even though I made such an error, I still impressed myself duly when I mustered the will power and patience to battle the long lines and poor customer service acquiring an OV-Chipkaart - my easy-come easy-go public transport card.

Usually I am very adventurous with cuisine, but in my state I needed something substantial and familiar so I crawled into the first burger joint I found for a feast! I had made my way into the heart of Amsterdam so with some fuel in my tank I decided to have a wander around the more touristy areas including the coffeeshops and red light district. The canals are beautiful and I just couldn't get enough of the bikes zipping past in every direction. I loved looking at the old world architecture and speaking to people from countries all over the world - so many cultures come together here it is almost unbelievable.

I sat down with some internet access and got productive again. I was on the hunt for a place to live - a task which may be more difficult than finding a job. Within hours I'd gotten a few replies, and I am well on my way to having a roof to call my own! Today I looked at a nice two-story flat in Nieuwendammerham, but didn't make a decision. On Sunday I have two places in the heart of the city which I am very excited about - one near Oosterpark and the other just outside of Staatsliedenbuurt. Not too shabby!

Feeing good I decided it was time for a break, and I felt I should spend a minute enjoying this gorgeous city - my new home. I met up with a Dutch CouchSurfer named Michael who has been living in Amsterdam for about 15 years - and this may have been my best move yet. He has a beautiful flat in De Pijp, one of Amsterdam's two most desired neighbourhoods. We shared some conversation at his place and then he offered me a room in his flat for as long as I needed it. It's not a place I could live long term, as the room is two flights of stairs away from a sink, bathroom, or kitchen - but if I find myself needing to vacate Carola's place I at least have another great option. Michael works in IT during the day, and has already graciously given me the keys to his flat and the invitation to use it as a "landing zone" whenever I need a place to use the internet or catch a quick nap (which I could really use today!). On my way out he also gave me the keys to my very first fiets (bicycle) and I couldn't help but point it into the city and get lost amongst the brick and cobblestone paved alleys and bikeways!

So you can see why I'm feeling so good and optimistic! In my first day as a sleep deprived, under-fed zombie I still managed to:

• Get a mobile phone
• Get a Chipkaart and understand public transport
• Get three potential places to live
• Get a room in De Pijp (if all else fails)
• Get my first bicycle
• Enjoy Central Amsterdam
• Update my resume with a new address and phone number

Today I am on the job hunt. I am writing this from one of the nicest libraries (Bibliotheek) I've ever been in. Once this post is finished I will start sending my resume out to anyone who needs it. I am really hoping that since I now have a local address and phone number I will begin to receive more interest, and I can start earning very soon. The general response that I get from people here is that I won't have much trouble finding employment - I sure hope they're right!

Until next time, tot ziens!

Ik Ben Aangekomen!!

Safe and sound, me and all of my belongings are enjoying the most wonderful CouchSurfing host evar, Carola. The trip wasn't bad, the plane food was top notch as always, and the weather was a bit of a drizzle.

Communication may be spotty for me over the next few weeks (months, years?), but I love to receive emails and comments from you all! Tomorrow morning I get my first daylight glimpse of Amsterdam, and I will be working diligently to start crossing items off my to-do list...

Tot Ziens!

The Home Stretch

It wasn't easy.

In between helping my sister move to her beautiful new home, going to concerts with my brother, wake surfing with Brian, moto-crossing with Tyler, private track-days and fancy golf resorts with Rob, I've actually found some time to pack and organize my life.

I really had a blast back here in the States, and especially Arizona. When it comes to friends, I feel like I never left AZ; everyone is warm and welcoming and we haven't skipped a beat. It is really nice to fit in somewhere, to feel comfortable and to have good company. I think I made good use of my time too - I managed to update my resume and save some cash working a great job in Chicago, plus I got to tour the US in a little red racecar. I spent time with my Father in PA and made some new friends along the way. I believe this trip back to the US was just as important and fulfilling as any other leg of my travels. But alas, it is time to go - which seems to bring on a host of emotions.

I am ready and excited to start a new challenge in Amsterdam. I am hopeful and prepared to make my life there just as meaningful as it is here. I am looking forward to the opportunity of making new friends, gaining new hobbies, and doing work that is rewarding.

So on Monday it all begins. Monday I will throw myself in the deep end and see if I can swim. Monday I will say goodbye to my comfort zones and begin working harder than I've ever worked before. Monday is the day.

Here I come - or go - again.

Not So Far From Victory

Today's inspiration...

The Road Ahead or The Road Behind
by George Joseph Moriarty
Sometimes I think the Fates must
Grin as we denounce and insist
The only reason we can’t win
Is the Fates themselves that miss

Yet there lives on an ancient claim
We win or lose within ourselves
The shining trophies on our shelves
Can never win tomorrow’s game
You and I know deeper down
There’s always a chance to win the crown

But when we fail to give our best
We simply haven’t met the test
Of giving all, and saving none
Until the game is really won

Of showing what is meant by grit
Of fighting on when others quit
Of playing through, not letting up
It’s bearing down that wins the cup
Of taking it and taking more
Until we gain the winning score

Of dreaming there’s a goal ahead
Of hoping when our dreams are dead
Of praying when our hopes have fled
Yet losing, not afraid to fall
If bravely, we have given all

For who can ask more of a man
Than giving all within his span
Giving all, it seems to me
Is not so far from victory

And so the Fates are seldom wrong
No matter how they twist and wind
It is you and I who make our fates
We open up or close the gates
On the road ahead or the road behind.

One Month To Go

It's been getting quite cold here in Chicago as of late, and even though I am not prepared for the weather I have been enjoying myself as usual. Besides, it gives me reason to wear my favourite suit; the jacket is quite warm. And I've finally grown tired of driving all the way into the city regularly, so I've made some new friends out in the 'burbs for when I just feel like having a drink with a friendly face. Turns out these midwest country folk know how to have fun too.

Of course I haven't slowed down at work, in fact I've probably picked up the pace because I almost feel criminal for leaving my wonderful employer. I'd really like to be able to finish the project I am working on, but as with many corporate gigs the project continues to become larger and more unwieldy with each meeting or conference call. None the less, I show up on time each day and put in my best effort with a smile. I've yet to hear if they plan to get a replacement who I can help to ease the transition, but with only two weeks to go I hope they're making progress.

Home life has been getting a bit hectic lately as well, my amazing hosts are going through some rough patches with family health, so I've been doing my best to pitch in whatever help I can. Unfortunately I'm not too great with 4 year olds, and so I urge them not to trust me all alone with theirs. But they've also been gearing up for a big move, so today we painted a few rooms and began getting this house ready for renters. Tools I understand - 4 year olds bewilder me. They treated me to a wonderful dinner at a gourmet Mexican joint to say thank you. Of course it wasn't necessary, I don't think they realise just how grateful I am to them for letting me live a life of luxury in their beautiful piece of suburbia. But it's a bit sad to be leaving, they've become great friends of mine as well so it was good to spend some time just relaxing at one of their favourite spots.

And of course in between all of this I am still finding time to continue making my way to Europe. It's been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster since day one, sometimes I really feel like I'm on the top of the world, and nothing could possibly go wrong. I've got the right attitude, I feel like I've done my due diligence, and I know I am good at my job. Other days I wonder why the hell I am even considering such a task, I mean, do I really even want to go to Europe? It's not like I've ever been there. I envision sleepless nights wondering if anyone will want to hire me. Shit, sometimes I envision the possibility that there won't even be jobs available, and I'll simply remain stationary, stuck running on a hamster wheel working hard without any progress to show for it. Of courser I try to talk myself out of this menatality, I try and remind myself how I felt yesterday when I was on top of the world, but then the other host of issues arises, like bank accounts, mobile phones, living arrangements, making friends, regaining hobbies - and it all seems a little overwhelming to attempt all by myself. Who the hell am I anyway?

And now is when I give you my progress report - but I must warn you - there hasn't been much progress.

The one place that I have come a long way is in the realm of contacts, my friends in Europe have been helping me out so much, sometimes I feel like they are working harder than I. Amazing folks have been really sticking their neck out, either sending my CV around to colleagues and acquaintances or volunteering their family members to help me with simple matters such as mobile phones and bank accounts. It's this confidence and assurance that has really kept me going, and I can't wait to fulfill their expectations of living a happy and successful life in Europe.

Thanks, you all know who you are.

Regrettable Resignation

I gave my boss one months notice that I would be departing his employment, and I was touched when he returned my resgination letter with the following reply:

Brian,
Of course I am very sad to see you go. In the short time that you were here you really impressed me with your knowledge and work ethic. I was so excited to finally have someone that I could truly count on, that dove right in and figured things out, and actually accomplished things! Though like a lot of things in life, it must have been too good to be true. :) I do appreciate everything you’ve done and hope to work with you again someday. Call me anytime if you need anything, or if you are back in the States and need a job. If you need a reference you can give them my number and I’d be glad to give you a good recommendation. Good luck with your next big adventure. I hope you finally find what you are searching for. :)

For anyone reading out there, let it be known that I also sincerely enjoyed working for him, and was grateful for the opportunities I was afforded during my short tenure at AT&T Labs. It is with regret that I leave such a wonderful environment. Alas, I am the most stubborn person you know and I just can't shake the idea of starting a new life in The Netherlands.

One Head, Seeks Roof...

I remember being surprised at the difficulty we had finding a residence upon arriving in Australia, and somehow I managed to overlook this as a critical stage in my planning. You see, here in the States finding a residency can be a bit of a tedious pain in the ass, but there certainly isn't a lack of options - and if things look really grim there are always those impersonal, mass produced character-lacking apartment complexes just outside the city, coming to a 'burb near you. My bank account hasn't dried up quite yet, so it only seemed natural to be more concerned about visas and employment - because after all -  these items are subjective and I have to earn them - but a residence should simply be a matter of signing a lease and ponying up the cash, right?

In Amsterdam the housing market is heavily, heavily regulated by the government, and according to Wikipedia 55 - 80% of all housing is owned by HOA's - government sponsored HOA's. The city itself is subdivided into many small neighborhoods, and until I arrive on the scene it's going to be difficult to decide if the place I'm looking at is a good place - imagine the excitement of moving to L.A. only to learn later that Compton isn't quite the Long Beach neighborhood Google Maps would have you believe... Hopefully this won't be too big of an issue for me, I've already amassed a fair support network in the city who would be willing to steer me in the right direction, perhaps even go check out a particular place for me if needed. But wow I sure am getting ahead of myself. How about we go back to the list format, and peruse our options...

Option #1 - A (more than) Friendly CouchSurfer
A few weeks ago I put out a message to a handful of CS'ers who seemed like the kind of roommates I would be excited to have. I went way out on a limb asking them to help me begin my new life - and as expected I received many a wonderful, elegant and helpful response with links, resources and ideas to help me on my way - but no takers. Until now! An Amsterdammer by the name of Carola has signed up for adventure, and agreed to be my flatmate for at least a couple of weeks, while I get myself sorted.

This is really a great option for me - I mean, I'll have a local who understands what is going on and speaks the language. I'll have a friend -  and of course everyone reading this knows how important friends are in my life. Who knows, maybe I'll even be invited to a barbecue or a movie with her mates, and that'll really help me recharge the batteries in between job hunting a paperwork filing. But there is some trepidation on my part - mainly, it is adding one more GIANT item to my list of things to do once I am in the country, and finding a place to live seems to be a very challenging obstacle. What if I could find a place to call my own before leaving these here lower 48? Then I could focus strictly on getting a job and  visa, which are pretty big priorities - the top 3 items on my to-do list, remember?

Option #2 - Start Enquiring About Rental Properties
I feel like I should at least put my feelers out there on the myriad of places available online, some of them even marketed to expats moving from abroad. This is difficult firstly because of the time differences. Of course I could run the whole thing electronically - I'm no stranger to email - but a phone conversation with the lessor or the agent would surely make me feel a bit more confident about sending money to a foreign country that I have never set foot in.

This currently sounds like a great option to me, it offers some level of comfort that I will have an office to run my life from. I imagine there will be many late nights sorting through government paperwork, bank details, mobile phone plans, and of course CV and cover letters to arrange regularly. It's not that I couldn't do it at Carola's place, but being extra clean and respectful while sleeping on her couch just adds one more layer of complexity (I really shouldn't complain, should I?). I just think it would be easier to have the ability to spread out, and make a small disaster area until I have some semblance of a normal life to cling to.

The problem arises when the real estate agent, or lessor realizes that I'm an un-knowing out-of-towner, and rapes me for double what the place is worth. The problem arises when I find out that I've signed a long-term lease on a place with a toilet that doesn't work, or a rat infestation. The problem arises when I step off the plane and find out that the previous tenants have yet to vacate. It's just a bit scary to send money and put pen-to-paper without seeing, feeling and knowing the place.

Option #3 - Find A Place To Squat
This isn't as bad as it may sound - what I mean by squatting is a roommate situation where I am unable to 'register' with the government. (I'll talk about registration later.) This situation would be very similar to living with Carola, except I would have a bedroom instead of a couch, and it would provide me with a more long-term solution than what Carola has graciously offered. At the moment this is my least exciting option, because even though it provides me some personal space, and I won't really have to sign any long-term paperwork, I can't move on with being a productive member of society until I can register with the government. No registration --> no visa, no bank account, no health insurance, no mobile phone. This is still a valid option though, because it may be months before I find a job, need a bank account, and need to register with the government.

But, just as with living with the possibly the most amazing CS host ever, it adds to my list of things to do once I'm in the country, and I'd like to have as much done as possible before I get off that plane.

So clearly I am leaning towards option #2 - just get it over with and suck up the cost and responsibility in order to ease my transition to a Dutch lifestyle. I think I've got enough on my plate as is, and I am trying my best to avoid a complete mental breakdown after arrival. Now that we know my options, lets explore the bureaucratic, governmental, and administrative side of whats involved with finding that roof for my noggin'.

Remember when I mentioned the MVV (Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf)? Here we go again...

MVV --> Residence Permit --> Registered. (At least this is my best guess as to how it works.)

So the MVV isn't required for US citizens, though I have read in some places that I can still get it - it's optional. I've also read that it can take at least three months to obtain the MVV, and I've certainly crossed that barrier. Some sites even call the MVV a "permission to apply" for a residence permit, and without the residence permit, I cannot legally register a property. One site goes so far as to say, "you cannot simply walk in and apply for a residence permit, you must have gained a permission to apply before arriving in A'dam".

One thing I am quite sure of though, is that I am 100% unable to gain a legal residence until I have a residence permit - and I am almost certain that the only place you can apply for the residence permit is in the city hall of the specific area you will be living (like, neighborhood specific - 'Amsterdam' is not specific enough). I also read that these kind of things must be applied for within three days of arrival in the country - how would I know exactly where I am going to live after only getting off the plane three days ago?

This also kind of puts a damper on my favourite option #2 up there - if I have to walk into City Hall to get the permit, how can I sign rental agreements while I am still in the States? Perhaps I can still make a deal with the lessor, and at least have a handle on the location, only having to worry about the process of becoming legal, and not having to spend my days searching for a place.

So there you have it - this is what I know about roofs, walls and everything in between over there in Holland. Not much. I have however posted a few questions to forums, and sent an email or two to some folks who were nice enough to let me bother them about these things. If these items fail (or don't happen quick enough for my impatient self), then I'll stay awake late into the night and call the IND over in Holland. They should have some answers, right?

Am I over-preparing?
I remember poring over blogs, government websites and lonely planet books before setting off into Asia. I spoke with friends, I queried travelers, I even prepared documents, lists and spreadsheets with information to make sure I wouldn't end up in dire straits. But once I got there, everything fell into place. Things that I had decided were completely outrageous (like buying and riding a motorcycle through the highlands of Vietnam), just kinda happened with the least of effort. I don't think I even once consulted all of that information I had meticulously compiled, and things seemed much clearer and simpler when I was standing at the gates shouting, "Let Me In!"....

Ugh, I need a Heineken.

You're Doing It Wrong...

Last night, while I lay thinking here,
some Whatifs crawled inside my ear
and pranced and partied all night long
and sang their same old Whatif song...
-Shel Silverstein

In this land of opportunity, people sure do have a samurai like ability to zero-in on the negatives (myself included). The conversation is immediately and routinely steered towards the uncertainties, and it reminds me why I've decided I'm not meant to live in this place. I don't think we have stopped dreaming big dreams, but it sure feels like we've forgotten how to assume the risk, buy the ticket, and take the ride. Imagine what you'd try to accomplish if everyone around you was positive and encouraging, and failure was considered a learning experience?


What If it all goes according to plan?

Education First, Questions Second

Options, Options Options - time to get educated.

What I want to do is call the embassies, email other expats, and call friends in Europe to get all the information delicately served to me on a silver platter, but of course, this is the wrong attitude. Lest I forget the internet is an amazing resource, and with some time and effort the information I need is surely out there. So before I begin using up other people's time, I feel it absolutely necessary to put in my due diligence researching what I can and getting as educated as possible before picking up that phone. Past experience shows that intelligent questions are much more well received by the voice on the other end of the phone; I know if you were calling me, I would appreciate it if you had some basis of understanding prior to asking for my ever valuable time. There is one item, in bold letters, and I've made it the top 3 items on my to-do list - visas. (OK, so maybe I spend some time looking at awesome pictures of bicycles in Amsterdam, but hey, it's my motivation to keep digging through government websites, alright?)

So in an effort to organize my thoughts before dialling the embassy, here goes..

Visa Option #1: Skilled Migrant Visa

The holy grail of visas, this one is by far my best option, though it is likely the most difficult to obtain. This is equivalent to the Sponsored Visa I had in Australia, and before I can even begin thinking about this type of legality I must have a job offer from a company in Holland. Furthermore, the visa is applied for by said company, they take on quite a bit of responsibility for me, and of course as with any government involvement fees are involved. Also the employer must have "been granted access to the highly skilled migrant procedure by the IND", which to me, means that they must have done this before.

This is a tough cookie to crack, I mean, not only does the employer have to jump through hoops filling out paperwork, submitting applications and paying fees, but they are actually responsible for me and any mischief I stir up in their country. My understanding is that the visa itself isn't even issued to me, but instead it is issued to my employer - it simply has my name on it. The employer is required to petition the government claiming that they were unable to find a suitable candidate in all of Europe, and that is why the position is being extended to an outsider. And even if the company is willing to go through all of this, we all have to wait on the edge of our seats until a decision is made (some websites say this can take up to 4 months! others claim two weeks...) before I can work a single day! I'd better be damn good at my job!

Visa Option #2: DAFT

No I'm not joking, it's called DAFT and it stands for Dutch American Friendship Treaty. It's really aimed towards self employed individuals who want to start a business of their own in Holland. It's not particularly difficult to obtain (it seems), and it would allow me to stay long-term. It wouldn't be my first business, and hopefully it will be as successful as my last. The most time consuming part is making the business plan which will be reviewed by the Dutch government. Of course I don't want to start another business right now, but in the technical field there are actually tons of contract work options available (kind of like the one I'm working now, in Chicago). If I own my own business I can apply for these as an independent contractor and hopefully earn some decent wages. The idea wouldn't be to keep this up long term, but once I am making some waves in the industry and producing brilliant work, perhaps employers will be slightly more inclined to tackle that mound of paperwork regarding the Skilled Migrant visa... 

The first thing that jumps into my brain when considering this option is TAXES. Holy crap do I hate taxes, and even though I'm sure it's simpler than US tax law, it still doesn't excite me to become a part-time accountant in addition to the thousand other things that are going to make my first year in Holland very, very busy.

Visa Option #3
I guess I could be an illegal alien and sell goods on the black market... Now the question is, do the Dutch need Dr. Pepper and Hersheys?

MVV - WTF?
The MVV (Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf) is sometimes referred to a 'Temporary Residence Permit', and gets called upon in some resources and not others. This whole emigration thing would be a relatively straight forward process if I didn't continually see this MVV thing crop up in random places. Some information tells me that since I am from the USA, an MVV is not required. But then I've read some other documents that claim an MVV is actually optional, and it seems that it may ease my fit into the mold - and make obtaining that HSM visa easier. ('you can decide, after all, to commence an MVV procedure for a foreign national who is not subject to an MVV requirement.')


What I do know is this: If I obtain a valid MVV than I am able to work as soon as I arrive in Holland - though a proper application for the HSM visa will still be required. If I don't have an MVV, I can't begin work until after a decision is made on the HSM visa. I am having a hard time finding information on the MVV, so I need to call the IND, in Holland, and the timezones are making it difficult.

As expected, obtaining an MVV is more complicated than applying for a VKV. Before completing your MVV, your Dutch host institution has to be advised by IND (Dutch Immigration Service) and if they accept your request, you must apply in person at the Dutch consulate or embassy in the country you legally reside. Note that the procedure is much more costly (250 to 433 euros) and since this entry visa is actually a sticker in your passport, it can not be obtained when you are in the Netherlands.

No matter where I read, requirements seem to be circular. An MVV requires a residence, but a residence requires a visa, and a visa requires a job - but it seems reasonable that a job would require a residence. Oy.

Residence and Registration
This is an area where I need to do some more heavy lifting. From blogs I have read (but no 'official' sources as of yet) many things are dependent on me having a legit, legal residence. And once I have found this residence, just as all Amsterdammers must, I need to register with the government. This registration provides many functions, and cements my eligibility to submit other forms, such as visa applications and, maybe, an MVV? The problem is, Amsterdam may be one of the most densely populated cities in all of Europe, and the outlook on finding a good, legal residence seems grim. (Most housing has a waitlist over 5 years!) More on this with my next post, hopefully I'll have a better understanding. If you know of any good resources concerning housing - please, please drop a line in the comments.

This Is Me & Pim...

Riding On top of a Truck:

Riding Behind two Water Buffalo

Riding on a Tiny Scooter

Let's go ride some bicycles in Amsterdam. Fietsen. 

I'm comin' for ya Pim....

Page 1

So here it is, on November 1st I will touch down in Amsterdam, North Holland, The Netherlands. I will be in for the possibly the biggest challenge I have ever taken on in my life, and a big part of that reason is the fact I will be going it alone. You see, when I decided to up and move to Australia, I had an incredible support network. Not only did I have two amazing individuals moving with me, but my friends and family were encouraging, even motivational and excited for me. This time around it's not quite the same. I think my friends and family have become accustomed to me doing this kind of thing, and maybe they assume I've got it all figured out. Or perhaps they really don't want me to go, and truthfully after 3+ years abroad I am almost inclined to stay here and spend time with the people that matter most in my life. So why do I still choose to go with all these barriers to entry? I haven't even begun talking about the enourmous task of immigration, job searching, apartment hunting, transportation, interviews, mobile phones, bank accounts, AHHHH!

 Even though I feel like I should have gotten started on these things earlier in life, I realize that just as when I started 'round the world, I currently don't have any responsibilities that would stop me from chasing these silly dreams of mine. No children, no girlfriend, no material possessions, no leases or insurance - the time is right. And if you know me well, you know how much I love a good quote. I don't want to be haunted for the rest of my life by Mark Twain,

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

So why Amsterdam? 
As I've mentioned in earlier posts, I was most excited about the food, culture and beverages found in Belgium, but the more I searched and the harder I worked at finding a job, the more it seemed that Dutch employers were giving me more credence. And even though I have started studying Dutch, English is widely used and most people claim that I won't really need Dutch at all. I talked to my friends in Europe, and others who have simply traveled there and it was easily agreed that Amsterdam is one of the most vibrant and lively cities on Earth. So it's come down to hopping a flight, and spending every waking minute trying to find a job without giving in to the urge of riding a bicycle through town, eating an apple strudel and visiting the beautifully historic (and thoroughly modern) sights until I have become established. If all goes well, I'll have plenty of time to have fun later.

 So the gears have started turning. November is closer than I think. I hope to use this blog as my personal brainstorming medium. I will try and post all the information I'm learning about Amsterdam, and where my efforts will need to be placed before setting sail and once I'm on the ground. A huge part of my research lately is blogs, so I have also decided to make this blog public and searchable. In reading other's blogs about their move abroad I was amazed to see how many friendly strangers were willing to post comments and offer suggestions, correct errors and provide inspiration. I'm hoping that my blog will also become a blip on someone's radar, someone who is as excited for me as I am for myself, someone who has done this before, or in the future, perhaps it will be a great resource for someone who is trying to do the same.

 I have spent almost 5 hours today on blogs and my head is spinning with new information. I want to write it all down, get organized, weed through my thoughts, but I think this post is long enough as is. And so I will leave you with a request - a very big, important and serious request.

Please help me. 

Obviously not everyone reading this has moved to Amsterdam, so logistics and legal work aren't exactly what I am looking for (but if you've got it...). I'm asking for support, for motivation, for inspiration. I need someone to pad my ego, to tell me I've got it all under control, that things will work out exactly as they're supposed to. I need someone to tell me not to throw in the towel when it's all starting to seem like too much, when I'm unable to find an apartment, or when an employer just won't hire me. And sometimes I just need someone to listen. Someone to let me ramble about all the billion things bouncing around in my head - it's amazing how thinking out loud can mitigate what seemed like unconquerable battles. I look forward to hearing from you in the comments.

Temporary Grind

Though my résumé was only supposed to be posted on European websites, it seems that the address field had gained me search visibility here in the States, and so I am inundated with calls and emails for stateside positions. In the IT field these days it seems nobody is into locating and hiring independently, and 'head hunters' (staffing and HR companies) do all the work. These people are incessant with their calls and emails and finally one of them got through to me.

Having a bit of fun with the offers I was receiving, I began throwing out salary indications that were well outside of my skill level - figuring I wasn't interested in taking the position anyway. You can imagine my surprise when one of the recruiters told me that the technical manager was interested in a phone interview with me! I resisted at first, but the position was based in Chicago Illinois, a place that always held some level of appeal for me. Of course the interview went splendidly and when I was offered the position I jumped in my car and headed to the Midwest - summertime in Chicago is shaping up to be something spectacular.

My current role is as a Network Engineer working in the 'Custom Managed Services Development & Integration' lab for AT&T. For the most part we develop and test new technologies that will be deployed for large clients (such as Shell and GM), and then we create the documentation for the lower level techs to implement and maintain the new technology in the field. After a test case is proven to work, we will produce a set of rules and make the service a 'standard product offering' for other large clients of AT&T. I will stay here for a little more than 3 months, before I continue chasing my dreams of a European lifestyle.

On November 1st, 2011 I will touch down in The Netherlands, and resume my job search on the ground. Perhaps the Dutch employers weren't convinced of my motivation to come make a new life in Holland - showing up with résumé in hand should help to show them otherwise. Or perhaps my cush living conditions afforded to me by my absolutely wonderful and gracious Aunt & Uncle had made me lazy - but flying across the globe will certainly increase my motivation to find work ten-fold. Either way I will continue my quest - nothing shall deter me and I can't imagine a circumstance that will wipe the smile from my face or diminish my resolve to chase these dreams of mine. 

Settling is not an option.

For now, I continue working hard and making friends in Chicago. In between festivals and friends I have been using every spare minute learning Dutch and applying for jobs in Europe. Every day I wake up excited about what the day will bring: the weather is great, the work is rewarding, and the music can be heard on every street corner. Until next time, Tot Ziens!

I've Got To Admit It's Getting Better...

As expected, I aced my Security exam, only missing one question. ONE STUPID QUESTION! 100% would have been pretty sweet, but I guess I shouldn't complain. Time to decide what my next move is. My original plan was the Professional level certification, this test was simply a pre-requisite, but Cisco has recently changed the curriculum and the books won't be available until September. Of course I can't just sit restless without progressing in some fashion....

On the job front, things haven't been going exactly to plan. See in all my research and understanding of work permits and visa situations in the EU, I've learned that I would be better off to begin the process from here in America. Once I set foot in Europe with a tourist visa the process becomes a bit more complicated, and much more time consuming. That's not to say it won't be possible, but in all my efficiency I know that a job offer now will make my employers life much easier. Alas, even though I have applied to more than 30 positions in 5 countries I have received only one callback, which quickly faded into non-communication when they realized I was still in the states.

Strangely I am anxious - even excited - to get back to work solving problems and conversing with like-minded professionals. I have been receiving up to 5 calls each day with job offers here in the states, and though some of them are enticing, I almost feel like taking a job here would be giving up on my dreams. I haven't lost confidence that I can find that job waiting for me in Europe, I am simply growing impatient - not to mention the thought of $5,000+ flying to and from Europe waiting for immigration and work permits doesn't excite me. So, I've formulated a new plan.

Today is my first interview for a short-term position here in the states. The job is right up my alley, and even though I haven't interviewed yet I am sure that the job is mine if I want it (my super-awesomeness extends past being able to scale mountains and jump off bridges). This will allow me to pad my resume with some more recent work experience, and it just might pay me enough to support my trips across the Atlantic so I can continue to pursue my dreams of a European lifestyle.

Even though I have stepped out of 'travel mode' for the time being, rest assured I am still smiling every day and enjoying the adventure.

Gone Fishin'

As planned, I have started the hard work involved with living and working in a foreign country. At this point I am excited about Belgium, but my requirements aren't so strict - anywhere in Europe will do. As I have verbalized to most of you, I have never been to Europe and think the best way to experience the place is as a resident. Two, maybe three years expanding my résumé and knowledge of networking will allow me to utilize the weekends for getting the most from this history and culture rich continent. Not to mention after a year of socializing I am strangely excited to be going back to work - I love my job.

Step 1: Getting my résumé / CV in order.
This is one of those things that I always knew I should update on-the-fly, instead of trying to recall every project, accomplishment and client that helped shape my expertise to where it is today. Being a perfectionist doesn't help much either, I have a hard time telling myself it's good and done - because I know it can always be done better. Perhaps in Europe I'll start my fluid résumé and make my life easier.

Step 2: More Certifications.
Being out of the IT game for over a year doesn't look good from an employers standpoint. I have started in on a security track, and hope to have a shiny new accreditation to show employers I haven't forgotten everything or fallen behind in this fast paced business. I actually enjoy this part, and I have a hard time tearing myself away from the books to finish up my résumé, or apply for jobs. I love this networking stuff.

Step 3: Apply for Jobs.
This is the where I am at today. I am well on my way to getting a new certification (should be easy), and my résumé is in an acceptable state. Now it's time for fishin'. I'll throw my line in as many ponds as possible and hope I get a bite. This is hard enough on home turf, throw in the added work and responsibility for an employer to battle immigration and work permits, and I'd better jiggle the crap out of that lure. Oh, and I don't speak the language in Belgium (none of them) - why do I do this to myself?

So far it doesn't look hopeful, but that doesn't mean I have lost hope. My resolve is strong as ever, and I won't throw in the towel easily. Anything worth having is worth working for, and a few unhelpful embassy employees won't scare me away from attempting the impossible. I can't be the first guy motivated enough to take on such a project - can I???

Can You Help Me?
Know anyone working in the IT industry? Know anyone living in Europe? Got any good advice for me? The work permit / visa process for the EU and the Schengen Area is a pain in my butt, has anyone dealt with this process before? I'm hoping my prospective employer and I can find a way to speed up the 3 month process - who wants to hire me if I can't start for 90 days? Not to mention they have to undertake paperwork during my absent period - see what I mean about being an expert fisherman?

Have you worked with me before? Beefing up my arsenal with well written Letters of Recommendation can get me a long way towards proving my worth. Have you got some spare time?

Well I know it was the motto for my previous blog, but I've gotta roll it over - I am still travelling after all...

Wish Me Luck!

Here We Go Again...

Not sure what I'm chasing,
But I know I've got to get it.