Yipes!

The AWC is a philanthropic organization sponsoring a number of charities, most notably our contributions to breast cancer research and treatment in the Netherlands. This is a cause near and dear to all of us (remember the Heart Pillow Project?) and we are continuing with our participation in fundraising for breast cancer.

As the Club's President, I am the ambassador to events in which we collaborate with other organizations and/or sponsor. This means some public speaking, which I dread. (I spoke at last year's 9/11 ceremony and found it to be really tough). And yes, I am aware that as a drama major I've never really had any anxiety about being on stage and performing. But in a role and with a script and blocking that has been rehearsed for a long time, it is quite different. And by the way, since college I've always found auditions very nerve-wracking. Anyway...

In just over a week I have to give a speech at an art auction (Christie's will be auctioning a painting acquired through a "friend of the AWC") in The Hague - it is a reception to which well over 100 people are confirmed to attend, and many of them are diplomats and high society folk - oh my God - what have I gotten myself into? The reception is the closing of a month-long art exhibition that has been ongoing for the month of September leading to October which is the 7th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the Netherlands. A pretty big deal. I agreed that the AWC would sponsor it so I'll be front and center, representing the Club. No pressure.

I did have to give a brief address to the Membership at our Sept 10 Kick Off meeting, but this was not much more than some simple introductions and a few reminders. This is quite a bit different. At least for me.

I can do this, but it won't be entirely comfortable. I've got to work with a colleague to learn the proper protocol for addressing and meeting some of these dignitaries. Well, I'll wear something spectacular and turn on the ol' New England charm - it'll be an experience!

It'll be a good warm up for my presentation of the new U.S. Ambassador when she addresses our Members at a meeting in November.

Any sage advice, my friends and family??

Full circle more than a year into our assignment...Prinsedaag has come and gone again

Sorry to have been lax in my updates! I have been a busy bee with the AWC, and on September 10 we held our semi-annual Kick Off meeting - my first public event as President (and one which required a speech - argh!). Our speakers included the Mayor of Wassenaar and the new US Consul General. Not bad. And it went well. Very well.

Among other things keeping me occupied, on September 11 I attended the annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at the American School here in Wassenaar, and on Sunday, Sept 13 I attended a Gallery opening at the Club at which I unveiled a painting donated by "friend of the AWC" artist John Proctor for an auction supporting breast cancer research in the Netherlands (to be auctioned at the Oct 1 reception mentioned above).

I have also continued with my Dutch lessons and am making good progress. Hmmmm - just more than 1/2 of the way through our assignment, I can string some sentences (and even paragraphs) together. I'm reading very short stories as well, but looking up vocabulary makes this a slow process. By the time I have any real grasp on the language it'll be time to move on from Holland (where, by the way, is the only place where this bloody difficult language is of any use at all!)

I will be meeting the new U.S. Ambassador in a few weeks - but I'll post about that as it happens.

As I did last year, I attended a luncheon held by the AWC on Prinsjesdaag (the second Tuesday in September), which is the day the Queen opens parliament here in The Hague. This involves a huge procession which escorts to Queen to parliament, where she addresses the country, and her return trip. Inside the restaurant, a Dutch woman narrates for the guests (first in Dutch and then in English) what is happening, who is passing by, and she also dictates verbatim the Queen's actual address (just in Dutch :)

The luncheon is held in a wonderful Indonesian restaurant (a delicious rijstaffel buffet) which is located on the corner of the street along which military personnel (some on foot and some on horsebac), members of the Royal Family and, of course, Queen Beatrix herself pass in her golden carriage pass on their way to Parliament. Our event is held on the second floor which is perfect for bird's eye viewing without having to be on the street level trying to see around and through the elbows of some very tall Dutch folks! For a few hours the streets surrounding the area where the procession takes place are closed and thousands of people come to watch, many donning their orange hats and boas to signify their "Dutchness" :) I wore a simple, elegant orange scarf and some jewelry with orange stones - all of which were gifts from my mother-in-law - lovely and classic :o)

This year the AWC invited members of the BCH (British Club of The Hauge), the IWC (International Women's Club) and the PWC (Petroleum Wives' Club) - (yes, the Club names are approaching being outdated as neither are all wives, or even women, for that matter). The picture above is me with the current President, Patricia Hollamby.

It was a relaxing day and I took photos of everyone and made this little film. Enjoy!

The p