I was a very nervous child. I often blinked my eyes. I picked my nose. I involuntarily shrugged my shoulders. I reached into my pants to shift my genitals. Some of my behaviors may have been natural for my age, but they weren’t socially accepted. I wasn’t …
The right or the permission to be?
Being Dutch and having been taught English from a young age, I find it fascinating to live in Germany and learn German. The more I learn about the language, the more similarities I see with Dutch and English. Sometimes, people teasingly say that Dutch is …
During the final stages of my PhD, I felt totally overwhelmed. I had been struggling to finish a research project I initiated several years prior. The results from my computer simulations were puzzling me, and my article on them was rejected by my journal of …
I am staring at a blank page. A blinking cursor is waiting for me. Where should I begin? What should I write? I type a few words, but I don’t like their sound and delete them. I insert half a sentence, make it to the first conjunction, and start over again. …
I want you to agree with me. I desperately want you to agree with me. I want you to see me, hear me, acknowledge me, and appreciate me. While I am at it, I might as well say that I want you to praise me. I want you to praise me for what I do, for what I …
Earlier this year, I applied for my dream job. I wasn’t only very enthusiastic about the vacancy, but I also believed I was a great fit for it. Applying was a breeze. I had recently updated my CV and online job profiles. All I needed to do was turn my …
When I was planning to move to Germany back in 2018, DeepL had recently introduced its online translator. DeepL’s ability to turn German into Dutch and vice versa immediately astounded me. It was miles ahead of Google Translate and especially shone when …
I am extending my arms to you, holding a little candle in my cupped hands. The candle is spreading a glowing light and radiating warmth. It is also spreading a warm feeling. The little candle is my gift to you. With it, I am sharing my light, offering it to …
All the goals I’m not going to pursue anymore
I don’t know when I picked up on this idea. It might have been while doing crafts during childhood. Maybe it happened while working on school assignments. It could also have occurred while learning to play an instrument or doing sports. I do know this. I …