The countdown app on my phone says 13. Just 13 days to go until I fly to the Netherlands. “Could you maybe pick me up from Schiphol?” I ask my brother. “My flight is on March 3, so I’ll arrive on March 4…” He corrects me: “No, if you’re flying to the Netherlands, you arrive on the same day, because you’re flying against the clock.” I panic. “Oh, shit! Did I also book my hotel for the wrong…”

Yep. I had booked my hotel one day too late. Luckily, that was sorted out after a few emails with customer service.

Last month I gave you an update on Autastisch leven, where I mentioned that I had finished the first draft. Since then, I’ve received approval from everyone I interviewed, and I’ve gotten the first designed version from the graphic designer – so I could go through it once more with a critical red pen. I fine-tuned sentences and speech bubbles, and as soon as I get the updated version back, it will go to the proofreader – the one who takes care of the dots and commas.

You can still pre-order the book (in Dutch!), both the regular and the signed edition. The option to have your name included in the acknowledgments has now closed, since we’ve moved into the design phase. There are still 37 spots left for the free webinar on April 13 that you receive as a bonus with your pre-order – so don’t miss your chance!

Over the past few weeks, I’ve also had preparatory meetings for the talks I’ll be giving. Some of these lectures are private, at companies or organizations, but a few are open to the public as well. The one at Wende Apeldoorn is already fully booked, but there’s another event in Eindhoven in early April – I’ll share more details as soon as registration opens.

And of course, there’s my book launch! It will take place on March 31 at Broese in Utrecht. You can attend for free, but you do need to register in advance.

And I have something fun to share! A while ago, I was brainstorming ways to make sure my books end up with the people who really need them. Of course, I can donate books myself – but I don’t exactly have a money tree growing on my balcony, and I’d love to approach this on a bigger scale. So I thought: why not email the Autismefonds and see if they could help? They pointed me to their platform In Actie voor Autisme and invited me to start a fundraising campaign there.

Through this campaign, people can donate money so that we, in turn, can donate books to autism cafés, mental health organizations, supported living groups, and more. Our goal is to raise €1,000. We’re currently at €275, which is already a great start – but there’s still room for more! You can support the campaign here. (The Autismefonds will also be sharing the campaign in their newsletter and on their social media, so hopefully that will bring in additional donations as well.)

In general, my preparations are going smoothly and everything is moving along nicely – but sometimes you run into a setback. Yesterday, I received two cancellations for photo shoots in a single day. For the shoot day on March 21 in Zeeland, North Brabant, two out of three slots were filled, and I figured that third one would come soon enough. But now we’re back to zero.

We still have well over a month to go, so I’m sure it’ll work out – but I did decide that from now on, I’ll require a non-refundable deposit for every shoot. Probably should have done that sooner. Oh well. Better late than never.

I am so excited to be back in the Netherlands. When I paid for my hotel room recently, I was given the option to upgrade to a room with a private kitchen instead of a shared one. Obviously, I took it. So now I’m even more excited for my Dutch pasta, Chicken Tonight, and all the other typically Dutch comfort food that may not be culinary masterpieces – but definitely nostalgic. Natsukashii, as they say in Japan.

Of the two suitcases I’m allowed to bring on the plane, one is already completely filled with kimonos for Froufrous Vintage (my friend Léonie’s shop) and items I plan to sell on Vinted myself. My second suitcase will be just as packed with souvenirs, gifts, English-language books that I’ll be giving away at a talk, and even more kimonos – which means there’s barely any room left for my own clothes. So it looks like I’ll be shopping on Vinted and in thrift stores! I also want to order a few new pairs of glasses, because for once I’ll actually be in the country long enough to wait out the delivery time.

If I have any time left, I’d love to see if I can still score tickets for K3. I have to go to De Efteling, because I still haven’t been on Dance Macabre – and I can’t wait to see all my Dutch friends again.

Oh and if you’d like to interview me, have me as a guest on your podcast, radio or TV show, or book me for a lecture or other event: email me!