Student - November 8, 2012
Grown-up
Last Monday I had a nice chat with two Dutch boys who had just started their Bachelor this September.
Dries said that he had signed a two-year contract for the iPhone; in the second year he will have to pay €30 per month. 'Wow, zo duur,' I exclaimed in Dutch. 'Ja, but that's the cheapest package I'd found,' he said. His words made me think of my earlier self. 'That's the most cost-effective one I've found,' six years ago I said something similar to beg my parents for a Motorola E2. It seemed the 'Derek' in 2006 had a lot in common with these two Dutch boys in 2012. But is that a fact?
Later Dries and Kevin moved the topic to part-time jobs, which are their resources of living expenses. As they told me, Dries works for a callcenter and Kevin works at a sports shop in the weekend; Dries earns around €500 euro per month while Kevin earns €140. 'Are you jealous of Dries' job?' I asked Kevin. 'No, not at all,' he said, 'instead I'm very happy that last week they extended my contract from three months to one year.'
I read the sincere gratification in his eyes, and I was surprised he had taken 6 years less than me to learn how to appreciate his own life. These 18-year-old Dutch are much maturer than I was at 18, when I still didn't how to earn money and treasure what I had. Nevertheless, I'm happy I've grown up and known how to live comfortably with my antique Nokia 2330.
Now I'm wondering six years later how these two guys would be. Look forward a talk then with them.
Vid of the Week Do you still have no idea about Dutch Lady? Here is a short clip.