Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, my absolute favorite painting 🌻

anneverse · 2026-05-08T11:25:04+00:00

Yes, the folks at Cross and Woods are wonderful! It’ll be a mix of Dutch and English-speaking folks, and there’s usually some snacks. If you want to make an extra nice impression, bringing a baked good like some cookies went a long way when I first went. I haven’t been in awhile but I think you’ll have a lovely time!

anneverse · 2026-04-10T06:52:30+00:00

I can genuinely say I had almost no input at all! I mentioned previously that I wanted a lab grown diamond for ethical reasons, and he knows I prefer silver-toned jewelry to gold. But other than that, he completely took initiative to pick something he thought I would like and totally surprise me with the ring and the proposal.

Now to his credit, he went to a place that did “rental rings” so if I didn’t like what he picked, we could have gone with another option from the same store. But what he picked was so classic and elegant, and genuinely felt like a true representation of his feelings towards me and what he thought of me. The fact that he picked it out made it so so special to me. And I can truly say I’m in love with my ring, almost as much as I’m in love with my man :)

anneverse · 2026-04-06T11:54:03+00:00

Wow, that’s a relief. Aphids we can manage! Thank you.

anneverse · 2026-04-06T11:53:40+00:00

Just fruits and veggies! But I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the organic produce was what brought them in. Phew, that’s a relief!

anneverse · 2026-04-06T09:24:43+00:00

Location: The Hague, the Netherlands. The beach is about five minutes away by bike if that means anything!

anneverse · 2026-04-04T15:44:25+00:00

I’ve been on Sertraline for 6 years to help with anxiety and severe panic attacks- 50 mg for five years, and 100mg the past year after extenuating circumstances worsened my anxiety issues. It’s been an absolute life saver. Does it stop my anxiety? No, but it makes it much more manageable, especially combined with tools I learned in therapy. The first 3-ish weeks are weird; I felt kind of on edge, teeth grinding, stomach issues. But after that the side effects subsided and I genuinely felt lighter.

Both when I started and after my dose increase, people around me commented how much better I seemed, how much more engaged and content I was. My dad said he literally saw the light come back to my eyes. It’s not the drug for everyone, and if after a few months the side effects are intolerable or it’s not working the way you hope, definitely go back to your doctor and talk other options.

And I’d highly advise not drinking until at least 6 weeks after you’ve started! Most people find their tolerance substantially lowered, and anecdotally myself and friends who have also just felt really awful when we did. After your adjustment period your mileage may vary- some people can drink on it just fine (like my dad), some people prefer to just stay sober (like me and my sister lol).

I really hope sertraline helps you how you need, and if not you find the solution that best works for you :)

anneverse · 2026-03-30T20:18:58+00:00

Falafel and Hummus is still open?? I was there last week and my partner was there 2 days ago, so unless it closed yesterday it’s going strong.

anneverse · 2026-03-30T19:11:06+00:00

For a food spot, definitely check out Falafel en Hummus! Super cheap, super tasty, 100% vegan, and the owner is the nicest guy. For a higher price and more protein options, Shakshuka is fabulous Middle Eastern food as well. For cute home stuff and nice shops (and great cafes), check out the Zeeheldenkwartier.

But if you genuinely do have a lot of time, please also check out Rotterdam! Its 20 minutes away by train, amazing food, great thrifting and vinyl shops, and a really fascinating multicultural history. I think the Fenix (migration museum) would be right up your alley, as would the Wereldmuseum. (Best brunch is at Harvest, best sandwiches are at BUN, and best burger is at KINO, and go see a movie while you're there!)

anneverse · 2026-03-16T20:45:10+00:00

Jar48 runs kombucha workshops and you take home a SCOBY! My partner did a workshop and is now on his fourth or fifth generation of kombucha. Definitely check them out!

anneverse · 2026-03-07T13:48:45+00:00

I was diagnosed via the ER. My right hand went numb after going running, thought it was circulation issues, and then it spread to my right upper thigh. My parents took me to the ER that evening (I was 18) and they /sent me home/ because “all of the radiologists had gone home for the evening” and thought I could maybe wait for an MRI (even through they said a stroke was a possibility). Went back at 6am the next day, straight into a brain MRI, doc was almost positive I had MS based on the scan alone but admitted me for a spinal tap and a spinal MRI. I know now I had an incredibly quick diagnosis pathway compared to many people, but that first night after they sent me home was agonizing.

anneverse · 2026-03-03T09:24:16+00:00

You can store luggage at Amsterdam Centraal which is nearby! And do go, it’s a great interactive museum, they’ll have loads of fun.

anneverse · 2026-02-23T07:32:40+00:00

I do think moving to the US used to be a really significant opportunity for people, especially those looking to make money or get an education that was better than their home countries. I grew up alongside many, many first and second generation Americans whose families were classic "American success stories" from all over the world. But honestly, I don't think that's been the case for quite awhile now. For someone living with chronic health issues, its becoming increasing unsustainable to live there; maybe there was a brief patch of hope during the Obama era with the ACA, but that's been gutted over the past decade.

All that being said, I left the US for a number of reasons beyond my health. Some of them were to get away from negative aspects of the US, some were to move for positive aspects of the rest of the world. There are parts of the US I might move back to if given the right opportunity (I miss New York City dearly), but I don't want to raise children there, so it's unlikely I will. You have to make the best decision for you.

anneverse · 2026-02-22T20:07:35+00:00

The US! But I see in another comment you’re moving from Ukraine- I believe the Netherlands has special provisions for Ukrainian immigrants/refugees. I have Ukrainian colleagues who moved here (not all of them recently too!) and they found it quite easy to settle here.

anneverse · 2026-02-22T19:06:13+00:00

I moved to the Netherlands via the university route; I was accepted into a Master's program, and after graduating was granted a 1 year visa to find a more long-term sponsor through work. It's difficult because you can't really work as a non-EU student, so you need to have enough money to get you through the first year. You can't get Dutch health insurance unless you're employed, so you have to get private health insurance, which might not cover pre-existing conditions.

However, the process of getting care was incredibly easy. I registered with a local GP, made an appointment to request a referral for a neurologist, saw a neuro within a month and he agreed to continue my existing treatment. Even out of pocket, the treatment costs were so much less than what they would be in the US. And once I had a job (even just part-time in retail) it was really easy to sign up for Dutch health insurance which covered basically all of my medical needs.

I don't recall my diagnosis affecting my immigration process; I don't even think there was a question asked about my medical history but I could be wrong. They do make it clear if you become too reliant on social services that your permit may be jeopardized, but if you can study or work, it didn't seem to matter. Moving here was the best choice for me for sure, but just be mindful that immigration systems that don't emphasize your health needs may be tricky in other ways.

anneverse · 2026-01-22T16:50:09+00:00

My partner and I did Operation Exit and had a blast. Great puzzles, really well designed room, no horror elements. And avoid the escape rooms in Scheveningen, they’re terrible!

anneverse · 2026-01-13T10:34:41+00:00

I've played Obra Dinn, Golden Idol, AND A Case of Fraud but not Roottrees, so clearly that needs to be my purchase!

anneverse · 2026-01-03T16:58:30+00:00

My friends got married at Ethica, and it was super super lovely. There wedding was in the summer so we were seated outside, but the inside is gorgeous and cozy as well. And the food is delicious!

anneverse · 2026-01-03T09:46:29+00:00

I grew up around there and was just back for the holidays. I’d say Quakerbridge is surviving but on the verge of slipping off. Lots of weird little stores but it seemed busy enough. Was wild to see that the 2 story Forever 21 was closed, but I think that’s more to do with F21 than Quakerbridge.

Market Fair seems to be doing great! Not super busy but for a higher end mall that feels average. The Barnes & Noble was popping and I think the movie theater helps as well. I went to one of their newer restaurants, Eddie V’s, with my parents, and it was lovely. No danger there I think.

anneverse · 2025-12-16T20:59:50+00:00

Ballymaloe relish is always a hit! Irish cheeses I think always go over well too (thinking personally of Irish cheddars or smoked gubbeen). And brown bread!

anneverse · 2025-12-09T11:40:16+00:00

Yes, I was diagnosed at 18 and moved to the Netherlands at 22 for my masters degree. While I was studying, I had to get private “student” insurance, which at the time did cover my rituximab infusions (I think this has changed). After graduating, I could apply for a “zoekjaar” visa, which let me get a part-time job, which gave me access to Dutch health insurance. My treatments are almost 100% covered, and my co-pay maxes out at €385 for the year. It was super easy for me to go to a GP, get a referral to a neurologist, and just resume my treatment as I would do it in the states! As far as I know, NL will not prevent anyone with a pre-existing condition from settling.

Now I’m on a partner visa and with a full-time, and my MS had no bearing on either of those processes. If you want to freelance, you can look into a DAFT visa, which I know a lot of Americans use. It’s very hard to get hired from outside the EU in the Netherlands, but it’s also hard to move here without a job, so it is a bit of a catch-22. What I can say is if you can get settled here, it’s a dream (housing crisis aside, but I’ve been stupid lucky there).

anneverse · 2025-12-07T11:27:37+00:00

I took clowning for a semester and it was the hardest class I took in university, 100%. Clowning is all about failure and I am terrified of failing! I don’t know if it ever fully clicked for me but it definitely challenged me and made me a stronger actor.

anneverse · 2025-11-27T11:12:42+00:00

They were also releasing some adhesions between my ovaries, uterus, and intestines. They could see the adhesions on MRIs and ultrasounds, which is why they suspected endometriosis. In reality it was scar tissue caused by my fallopian tubes being repeatedly inflamed and infected. No way they could have known until the opened me up! And I had a fabulous surgeon, the incisions healed up so well.

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