Back go blogging: The NT2 diploma

Ready to follow a new road in my Dutch integration

 It's been a very busy year for me - juggling one full time jobs and two part time, going to school, travelling, being a wife and a trying to met expectations. I guess you notice it from the lack of blog posts. But finally I can breath again with a little free time on my hand before I start getting busy again. I miss this blog.

Pat of my crazy schedule last year and early this year was the one year inburgering cursus that I took in preparation for my Nederlands als Tweede Taal exams. I signed a one-year contract with the gemeente who gave me the free course. I was very thankful to the Dutch government of course, for that opportunity but it took toll on my energy and my time. I was stressed every week and at some point I wanted to stop already. According to my contract, I need to pass my exams before May 2013 so I didn't need to hurry. I was saying the state should cut me some slack because I've only been in the country for two years and has only started school in May 2010.

But the sooner I passed, the sooner I can concentrate on other things - for example building my career. I gave up my driving lessons and tried to concentrate on my jobs and school. And this July, I took the dreaded exam, along with hundreds of students who are required to learn the complicated Dutch language.

I was already prepared to fail at least two of the four parts - the speaking and writing. I had a terrible case of mouth sores, which manifest itself whenever I am stressed. And during exam weeks, I had mouth sore the whole month and was mostly on soup and soft diet. My concentration was not at best.

I was only thankful that finally, classes are over and I can focus my energy on other things. Fortunately luck was on my side and on August 1oth, a day before my birthday, I received one of the best gifts in my 27th year on Earth - my NT2 diploma!

Before I got the diploma, I can converse in Dutch but only to select people and whenever I am under chocolate or when I want to impress and acquittance after saying that I've only been here for two years. For usual conversations, I'd rather talk in English. I was dead afraid of making mistakes. But now I am more confident speaking Dutch to just anybody - even customers and suppliers at my office. The proof from the government gave me that freedom not to be afraid and just continue on building on my skills. In a way, it made me happier.

The last year had taught me a lot and gave me adventures that I never imagined I'd have. But that's for the next post. I can say that Im now well immersed but true to the spirit of this blog - I never stop shopping and cooking, only now I tend to overspend a little bit. Take that as a reward of all the efforts in living in my new home.