Succes

Here in the Netherlands, instead of saying good luck, they say succes, as in veel succes, which translates to many (or much) success. To me that makes way more sense then saying good luck, because you are saying that you wish them success, to succeed. I'd rather succeed then have "luck", and wouldn't you rather succeed, thanks to your own abilities rather then "luck"

Although, today I could of used luck. Today was the closest thing to a "bad day" since I've gotten here. The day started alright enough, I woke up on time (and earlier then normal!) and I dragged myself to town hall, where I needed to find out how to get a social security number. Once there, there was a very nice lady, who gave me a number, and I waited. After about 20 minutes, she told me that there wasn't going to be anyone in that could help me, and I could come back between 11 and 2, or before 2 all this week. A little disgruntled, I left for work, planning to return on my lunch hour.

When I did return, around 12:20, I was very sad, but the lady wasn't working. So I needed to explain my situation again, and I got a number again, and I waited 20 minutes again. Then they called my number, and I explained my situation again. Then they told me that they couldn't help me. In order for me to get my number at the town hall I needed to be registered as a resident, and in order to register as a resident I needed to be planning on staying in Venlo for more then 4 months (aka have a 4 month+ long lease). So then I got a generic 0800 phone number for the tax office to call.

Well at this point I realized I was really hungry, and I had forgotten my sandwich at home :(. Luckily the town hall is literally around the corner from my flat. So, I decided to go home, get my sandwich and phone the tax office.

Once I had a bite of my cheese sandwich in my mouth, I was much less frustrated with the day, cheese sandwiches are awesome. I should have enjoyed that small moment of relaxation before becoming extremely frustrated.

I called the tax office, it was an automated system, all in dutch.
I was home alone, none of my roommates were home, so I pressed the last option (I do know my numbers) every time because I just wanted to talk to someone, and I thought that was probably the best chance. After pressing 3 three times, a lady answered. I started to talk to her in English, but she would only respond in Dutch. I don't remember much of this conversation, but the basic idea behind it was, she wasn't "allowed" to serve me in English, and I didn't have anyone that could speak Dutch for me around. Also, I had no idea what options that I had pressed in order to get her. So, I didn't even really know what department she was working for.

She FINALLY transferred me to someone else, but this time I was really frustrated, and perhaps on the verge of tears (perhaps over the verge). This lady was more helpful and actually would speak English to me! To my disappointment, she won't make the necessary appointment at the Tax office in Eindhoven for me, but I gave her my information and she said that someone would call me the next day between 12-3 to schedule it for me. I was still pretty frustrated that the matter wasn't completely resolved, as I really dislike any unknowns in my life, but what can I do.

By this time, I had been gone for much longer then hour I can take for lunch.

Later in the afternoon, a nice gentleman from the Tax office called and made an appointment for me, I was delighted to get that out of the way. I even got to make it before work Thursday (I hate missing work :P) so, perhaps I did have some luck after all.