For a person, coming from a small country like The Netherlands and speaking a language the rest of the world doesn't understand, learning English early is crucial. Now it is my second language. I use it all the time reading books, watching movies, listening to podcasts, talking to people, writing this bio.

But my interest in languages went further. In highschool I also learned German and French and later in life I studied Russian and Spanish. In 2020 I emigrated to Norway, so I learned Norwegian (Bokmål) and now consider it my third language.

Besides learning languages I also love to teach them. To find different ways of learning for different people. I taught in adult education, at companies and at a democratic/Sudbury school. At an elementary school I helped children with reading difficulties and worked at the school library. I also read a lot to children, both professionally and at home, so I have a great sense for the language in children's books.

My other interests include literature, children's literature, culture, museums, tourism, (alternative forms of) education, sustainability, alternative forms of living, healthy lifestyle, vegetarian/vegan food, personal finance.