Sarah, fellow plant enthusiast and horticulture major, felt the need to inform me that her friend, who lives in Tulip-a-gogo land, said that there is no one living there with that name. However, I have researched (see: Googled "mackenzie the netherlands") this topic and essentially the only way you see the name "mackenzie" associated with the Netherlands is as a last name. Joy, boundless joy, and thank you, Mom.
This should not come as a surprise to me, as Mackenzie and variations thereof are quite common surnames, especially in Canada and Ireland. However, this has already caused complications with correspondence. When my Dutch buddy E-mailed myself and the other person he is buddies with, the salutation was "Dear Marie Louise and Rose." I do not blame my buddy, as when I got accepted and heard from my exchange coordinator in the Netherlands, the salutation was "Dear Anna [UW advisor], Rose (?)." Yes, Rose (?) was my name, but clearly my Dutch advisor was confused as well.
Although Sarah's suggestions of Kitty, Julie, Giulia and others are tempting and there could be more confusion in store, I think I will stick to what my passport says.
Now that that issue is settled, I still have to pack my life away into a suitcase and hiking backpack. What does one bring to the Netherlands for four and a half months, which span January to May? A variety of things, as well as self-laminating luggage tags that have my name, address, home telephone number and E-mail address in Sharpie on florescent pink card stock. I am putting all my hopes on the fact that I will be able to discern my nondescript, silver Swiss Army luggage from all the rest of the ribboned and taped luggage on these luggage tags. I am also pinning my hopes on the fact that if my luggage gets lost in the Black Hole also known as O'Hare International Airport, some Good Samaritan will send my luggage to my house. Which will not help me if I am in the Netherlands. I'll let you know how that goes.
Tomorrow (which is currently 10 minutes away) I get to look forward to pedicures with my wonderful cousin Amber (because you know, I must have beautiful feet when it is 26 degrees outside and I will be walking around in snow boots) and dinner with the family at the restaurant of my choice. You: The restaurant of her choice, that sounds fantastic! Me: I hate making decisions and thus will procrastinate on making this decision until about noon, at which time my mom will call asking if I have made a decision because if I want to go to a place that requires reservations, we need to make them now.
Welcome to my plant-loving life!
Mackenzie, American Plant Lover
