Category Archives: Culture

Amsterdam Asps

by Eric Posted on January 28, 2023

We were already a family when we moved to Amsterdam in the last week of January, 2003. Marci and I had been married for almost five years. Elliot was ten months old. Still, we really grew as a family during … Continue reading →

Posted in Amsterdam, Children, Culture, Culture Shock, Elementary School Age, Europe, Family, Home, Introspection, Marriage, Nostalgia, Photography, Preschool Age, Recommendations, Recommended Browsing, The Netherlands, Young Adulthood | Comments Off on Amsterdam Asps

Dutch Winter

by Eric Posted on January 27, 2023

Have you ever observed the Dutch obsession with speed skating? Most Americans would only encounter this during the Winter Olympics, if that. But it’s definitely a thing. I’ve heard at least one sports announcer suggest that the Dutch care so … Continue reading →

Posted in Amsterdam, Culture, Culture Shock, Europe, Family, Introspection, Nostalgia, Recommendations, Recommended Browsing, Recreation, Sports, The Netherlands, Traditions, Weather | Comments Off on Dutch Winter

Bijzondere Mensen

by Eric Posted on January 26, 2023

I’m still reflecting on the fact that it’s been twenty years since our family moved to the Netherlands, in late-January 2003. Our Amsterdam years included so many formative experiences. But even more than formative experiences, I’d say we were shaped … Continue reading →

Posted in Amsterdam, Amsterdam50, Culture, Culture Shock, Europe, European Missions, Family, Introspection, Nostalgia, Recommendations, Recommended Browsing, The Netherlands, Young Adulthood | Comments Off on Bijzondere Mensen

The Ideal versus the Actual

by Eric Posted on January 25, 2023

It’s easy to idealize our Amsterdam years. Marci and I were so full of youth and ambition when we moved. We truly learned how to be a family, there in the Netherlands. And I suppose it often felt idyllic because … Continue reading →

Posted in Amsterdam, Amsterdam50, Culture, Culture Shock, Europe, European Missions, Family, Introspection, Ministry, Nostalgia, Recommendations, Recommended Browsing, The Netherlands, Young Adulthood | Comments Off on The Ideal versus the Actual

Twenty Years Since our Week of Destiny

by Eric Posted on January 24, 2023

This week marks twenty years since the period in our family’s life which I sometimes call our “Week of Destiny.” That was the week in which we raised the last of our financial support. It was the week we closed … Continue reading →

Posted in Amsterdam, Amsterdam50, Culture, Culture Shock, Europe, European Missions, Family, God, Home, Introspection, Ministry, Nostalgia, Recommendations, Recommended Browsing, The Netherlands, Transition, Young Adulthood | Comments Off on Twenty Years Since our Week of Destiny

FOBO and Other Trends Spotted

by Eric Posted on January 19, 2023

I love trend-spotting. There’s something about a new year and a new semester at Kent State University that makes for ideal trend-spotting conditions. Maybe it’s the Winter Break, where we all had some extra time to rest and reflect. Maybe … Continue reading →

Posted in Adolescence, Church, COVID-19, Culture, H2O Kent, Introspection, Nostalgia, Social Issues, Transition, Trend-Spotting, Young Adulthood | Comments Off on FOBO and Other Trends Spotted

Can’t Stop Won’t Stop

by Eric Posted on January 9, 2023

I recently finished reading Jeff Chang’s book, Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation. It was recommended to me by my friend Mark. Even though I’m a slow reader, I had some extra time off over Kent State University’s … Continue reading →

Posted in American Politics, Culture, Music, Politics, Recommendations, Recommended Reading, Social Issues, The United States of America | Comments Off on Can’t Stop Won’t Stop

My Top Ten Family Moments of 2022

by Eric Posted on December 31, 2022

It’s that time of the year for retrospection. After posting my Top Ten Songs of 2022, Top Ten Books of 2022, Top Ten Hikes of 2022, and Top Ten Ministry Moments of 2022, it’s time to conclude these rankings with looking back on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adolescence, Aging Parents, Children, Family, Home, Introspection, Marriage, Nostalgia, Photography, Recreation, Traditions, Transition, Young Adulthood | Comments Off on My Top Ten Family Moments of 2022