Random thoughts from a Moose

This section will contain "random thoughts from a Moose", detailing my thoughts on the overall "international experience." Keep checking back, as I'm sure the list will grow since this Texan girl isn't very well traveled yet and is still taking everything in....HA! :-)

1. Why is the Netherlands referred to by so many people as "Holland?" I can understand shortening names of countries, etc., but nowhere within the name of the Netherlands do you get "Holland." I did some quick Googling and wikipedia offers this explanation, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Netherlands but I'm still not satisfied with the answer. I think it's odd that some people call it the Netherlands and some call it Holland...
2. Why is it that in every bathroom in America you have no less than at least two electrical outlets, but in Europe (including the UK) I've yet to find a bathroom (or even a mirror for that matter!) with one within even 10 feet??? How's a girl supposed to do her hair??? HA! Have I just not found the right bathroom yet and electrical outlets really DO exist in bathrooms in Europe???
3. Why did the passenger train system DIE in America? Europe TOTALLY has the right idea by connecting all of its cities in a very efficient fashion through the rail network. You can hop on a train to go anywhere SUPER quick! It's great!
4. I love the fact that today in the Netherlands/Holland/whatever you choose to call it (see post #1 from this list....) it finally got up to 60 degrees and everyone around here is stripping down their clothes, eating outside at cafes, and walking along the streets with ice cream cones like it's a "warm summer day" or something. It kills me! :-) As for this Texas girl, I'm still bundled up in my fleece, jacket, and pashmina! Brrrrrrrrr! ;-)
5. Why is the "wash cycle" of washing machines in Europe at least twice as long (if not MUCH longer!) than wash cycles in the U.S? Do our clothes not get as clean in the U.S. or something? Stuart said he recently read an article that washing machines in Europe are much more efficient than machines in the U.S., but I can't understand how since they're much smaller and the cycles are so much longer. Hmmmmmmm........