tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89409222012-02-16T22:58:44.654+01:00machirudanoreply@blogger.comBlogger5921100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-49143815487884589332012-01-23T11:51:00.000+01:002012-01-23T22:49:36.610+01:00

Delhi/ on the back of a bicycle rickshaw Originally uploaded by macchi.India had never really been on my list of places to visit. Somehow it didn't appeal, and had no particular interest in going there. This changed over the last few years, through books I've read, movies I've seen and work I've done which involved India. This was reinforced by a very short work trip to India - 3 days in Delhi, 3

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-29125901080879605602011-12-19T21:10:00.003+01:002011-12-19T22:15:14.327+01:00

Foggy Shenzhen Originally uploaded by macchi.Last year I was in Beijing for a few days, and wanted to see at least a little bit of a new part of China. So, I flew to Guangzhou to tour Guangdong for a day with a colleague. Guangdong is a province which is part of the Pearl River Delta, the most important economic region in China. A LOT of the things in your home will have been produced here (or

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-11013861512555082332011-12-04T22:42:00.002+01:002011-12-04T23:01:25.499+01:00

late night supper with sweet milktea/KL Originally uploaded by macchi.....Following my earlier post I've been looking at some of my Flickr series of trips to Asia. And I'm going to share some of my most memorable moments during those trips with you here. First up: Kuala Lumpur, where I visited for work in June 2008. It was my first time to this country, and I only spent a short week there mostly

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-43836037440543426022011-12-04T14:22:00.005+01:002011-12-04T23:03:21.500+01:00

One of my colleagues asked me maybe a year ago "how I know so much about the countries I work on". At that time the question struck me as odd. Sure, I might know a fair bit about the geographical region I deal with in my job but isn't that supposed to be normal? The question keeps coming back to me over the last few months, also because of comments other colleagues have made to me. Such as that I

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-202012696711731152011-11-13T21:56:00.003+01:002011-11-13T22:23:39.007+01:00

Following another No Impact Week where I've followed online discussions more than participating myself again, I suddenly find myself trying something new: making my own cosmetics. While I know that there is loads of bad stuff in conventional cosmetics (see, for example, The Story of Cosmetics), I also find it hard to find products that seem better. But making my own also seems like a lot of work,

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-85060833572468785982011-11-10T00:06:00.002+01:002011-11-13T21:55:59.852+01:00

gansu mountains Originally uploaded by macchi.I just finished reading a book on urban development in China (this one) in which a Dutch journalist and architect explore the inland second tier cities in China. All cities that most of us have never heard of. I have visited two of them (Xi'an & Lanzhou) and my work has offices in another two. But the rest..... more than any other book this one makes

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-59050333984940787112011-11-05T20:46:00.003+01:002011-11-05T20:58:00.253+01:00

I love weekends which just seem to fall together perfectly. After a tiring Friday I was happy to hang out on my couch with cancelled plans for drinks. The rest of the weekend consisted of mostly vague plans also. In a way anything could happen.[apologies for the smug post from here on!]So far, it feels like one of those weekends that make me just really happy with life. I love my house and love

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-64812590699197239522011-10-30T15:12:00.001+01:002011-10-30T15:12:58.847+01:00

Landgoed de Haar/inside the chapel Originally uploaded by macchi.Last week was another weekend of perfect autumn weather. Bright blue sky & sunny - great for wandering around a bit of the Dutch countryside, where we visited Landgoed de Haar. I had been before, I realised when I got there, but it was stunning with the first trees changing colour, the bright light, and the beautiful castle.The

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-91271590752466400002011-10-27T23:59:00.002+02:002011-10-28T00:04:48.778+02:00

Last week a friend and I decided to go see Pete Philly play at a local club tonight. I had heard his album online and always enjoy live music, so was expecting a good night.Wow. SO much better than expected. What a good artist, and great band. Definitely a good choice to go! I now also have a signed CD, woohoo!The album is still available for a listen at Radio 6, an online soul/funk/jazz

machirudanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-49679705561439155372011-10-24T18:06:00.003+02:002011-10-26T23:32:53.921+02:00

Over the last few months I've been struck by how automatically your personal identity translates into "What do you do for a job?". I know that I am partly guilty of this as well and that I often run the risk of finding my work more important than a lot of other things. But it's clearly not just me. Why is the first thing people ask "What do you do?". In my drama class, people would introduce

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-4759817120817476512011-09-23T22:34:00.004+02:002011-09-23T22:37:14.862+02:00

... all my close friends would be living close to each other in distance as well. I currently have two friends visiting who I have known for 10 years, and in that time we've caught up several times across the world - because we do live on opposite sides of the world.It is so good having them here. Laughing, talking, discussing each others' lives, drinking, dancing, eating. I already miss them

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-31282101155052200292011-09-14T21:49:00.002+02:002011-09-14T22:02:42.681+02:00

Somehow it feels as if it's the start of something, anything new.My attitude to my current job has changed dramatically over the last few months, I've come out of the summer with some new insights and lessons learned, and I've started two new things this week which I hope to continue with regularly. Yay. Happy. Hopefully this will give me back some of that energy which seems to have become lost

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-75712459836542709552011-09-14T00:38:00.003+02:002011-09-14T00:47:53.912+02:00

Indrukwekkend. Eigenlijk is het gewoon een debatavond. Maar met een beetje extra.En dat is te zien. Een uitverkochte Rabozaal van de Stadsschouwburg. Een overwegend jong publiek, met hippe brillen en kapsels. En dat voor een avond gewijd aan de nieuwe megasteden in China, waar wij nog nooit van gehoord hebben. Daan Roggeveen & Michiel Hulshof begeleiden ons door de avond, we zijn hier tenslotte

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-34028041895093289762011-09-11T12:38:00.003+02:002011-09-11T12:49:09.730+02:00

More cranes Originally uploaded by macchi.It felt strange including the second event which I am thinking about today in the previous post as it is so different from 9/11: the natural disaster which hit Japan on 11 March 2011. This is one that became very personal as Japan and its people and society is so close to my heart. I was woken up that day, which I had taken off from work, by a text

machirudanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-18321289736437064432011-09-11T12:19:00.005+02:002011-09-14T00:49:53.268+02:00

NYC/ view from the Empire State Building across Lower Manhattan Originally uploaded by macchi.Today remembers two major events, and I would almost say that they both have changed the world. For both I still clearly remember where I was and what I was doing.11 September 2001 - I was at home, on the phone with a friend talking about a newsletter we were publishing for our studentclub. At one point

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-18163074204230141162011-09-05T21:52:00.000+02:002011-09-05T22:40:13.807+02:00

Why is change so slow? Why does it take so much time? I'm not talking about collective change - it kind of makes sense that that takes a lot of time: convincing a lot of individuals to do something they've always done differently and then actually doing that. But personal change - even for things you believe in and are committed to. Almost two years ago I took on the challenge of No Impact

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-30366631624006624632011-09-03T20:56:00.004+02:002011-09-03T21:01:36.249+02:00

I am not a particular Jason Mraz fan, but sitting in the sun this afternoon and enjoying one of the final summer days this year, this song jumped to mind. And mostly, because of a Slovakia memory. You must really be famous - or at least have a really really likable song - if your song comes on the radio in a small mountain cottage in the High Tatras in Slovakia and everyone (really, everyone

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-3624615142395545572011-08-27T19:09:00.002+02:002011-08-27T19:11:17.386+02:00

Amazing what some sun (after a long day of rain), a phone call with a close friend, a glass of wine and the prospect of yummy food can do on a lazy Saturday. Feeling a lot better right now. Time to head into the kitchen for that lasagne.

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-89012098721119833992011-08-22T20:37:00.001+02:002011-08-22T20:37:31.635+02:00

High Tatras Originally uploaded by macchi.I was talking about mountains yesterday, right? Some of these is what I had spent the day around. Pictures aren't great. But that day convinced me of my holiday plans for next year: a mountain hiking trip to see a bit more of this. The trail I was following basically headed straight into this picture.... but I didn't think it was a very good idea to do

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-16527680918123242102011-08-21T21:29:00.002+02:002011-08-21T21:52:02.395+02:00

[uploading some short thoughts from Slovakia] Sitting on a terrace on a mountain of the High Tatras, looking out over the flat land stretching out at the foot of this mountain range, I feel really happy. I'm enjoying a beer with a great view after a day of hiking in some of the best mountain scenery I've seen. And, it didn't even rain. These moments, or rather days, are what make me go

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-57445035637256991162011-08-06T19:41:00.001+02:002011-08-06T19:45:20.188+02:00

I spent the day on the Kagerplassen with some good friends on a sailing boat. They did pretty much all of the sailing. I provided some food, and company :-)And can you see the touch of blue in the left hand corner. Yes, we actually managed to get some sun today.Good day.

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-60121922722488440182011-08-04T23:25:00.003+02:002011-08-04T23:31:14.438+02:00

I am just home from four days of very slow travel - walking along the Dutch coast. A trip that took two hours on Monday by train, has added up to nine days of walking.We've speeded up life so much - because this was a regular train. Two hours by highspeed train will get you much further. Two hours by plane will take you further still, which I'll find out soon as well.But I have come to really

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-32862314350960401942011-07-31T21:31:00.002+02:002011-07-31T21:33:02.398+02:00

Bag packed? CheckBikini recovered? CheckGreat weather forecasts? CheckOff for a few days of gorgeous Dutch seaside, yay.... Go!

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-65912490531405561302011-07-30T18:17:00.003+02:002011-07-30T18:18:58.916+02:00

Are you someone who makes more decisions based on the Head, or on the Heart?I'm more of a Head kind of person. And I'm trying to live more by the Heart. Trying. Because sometimes this is pretty difficult.Or maybe the Head is better in some situations anyway?Sigh.

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-89458393196444289732011-07-29T20:47:00.003+02:002011-07-29T21:00:14.112+02:00

Today was my last day at work for the next two weeks, which always means a long list of stuff to finish and leaving as little work as possible for the colleague who will cover for me. When I walked in to the office it turned out that all our systems were down. When this happened the last time (only last month, grrr) it took all morning for them to bring everything back online.Cue short panic to

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-24516053457637312082011-07-28T23:43:00.003+02:002011-07-28T23:52:13.611+02:00

Tonight I read this article: how do you find your passion? And keep it alive?Apart from some of the other things in there, I'm taking on his last challenge: to blog. Because, why am I not writing here anymore? More than 6 years of at least monthly writing has changed to ..... silence.So, I am going to use this place as a type of online memobook - writing about things I see happening; things that

machirudanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-14502876128017797332010-12-13T22:36:00.001+01:002010-12-13T22:39:07.591+01:00

Vervreemdend. Drie dagen na de dansvoorstelling LaLa#4 is dat het woord wat me nog het meeste bij blijft van deze voorstelling.Vervreemdend in geluid. Vervreemdend in beeld. De openingsscene is bijvoorbeeld een alleen dansende vrouw – maar van haar zie je alleen haar benen. Haar bovenlijf wordt volledig opgeslokt door een verzameling ballonnen bij elkaar gehouden door een donker omhulsel. Maar de

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-65622581837544922282010-12-12T17:58:00.004+01:002010-12-12T18:03:05.526+01:00

Winter was well and truly here last week. The city looked gorgeous, under a white blanket of snow.I'm now hoping we will jump straight into spring. [But with the current forecast for the week, and the fact it is only mid-December, I guess I have to either suck it up or emigrate]

machirudanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-21683199404763968022010-12-05T22:38:00.004+01:002010-12-05T22:52:05.785+01:00

on the beach Originally uploaded by macchi.At the beginning of September, I spent a weekend on the Dutch island of Vlieland. It was for me the first time to go there which was a good reason in itself. But the main reason was the Into The Great Wide Open festival. Fantastic weather, great atmosphere and some really good music. We've already booked accomodation next year! (now to get the tickets

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-85098969401601333192010-11-28T23:20:00.003+01:002010-11-28T23:36:53.316+01:00

Coming back to this blog after 6 months is kind of interesting. I guess over the past years it really has become kind of a diary, where I talk about the things I'm busy with and think about.Yesterday, I wanted to use 'The Future' as a new tag. Or so I thought. It turned out the tag already existed and I used it a couple of times in the years before. In one post I talk about the prediction a

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-64708054258916184982010-11-28T23:13:00.003+01:002010-11-28T23:17:36.433+01:00

This weekend I've been reading about Africa, through a friend's blog and her adventures there over the last few weeks/months. In one of her most recent posts she talks about Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I have never heard of her, but am now intrigued to read her books. Especially after listening to the following talk, with a message so true.

machirudanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-37390128565431051692010-11-27T23:37:00.002+01:002010-11-27T23:59:37.483+01:00

Dongguan/ New South China Mall Originally uploaded by macchi.One of the highlights of IDFA was seeing a showing of Utopia in Four Movements. A special screening with live narration from the director and live music by a band as the images were playing.In four chapters, it talks about different interpretations of utopia - not so much the search for an actual location but efforts that people have

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-20888247004026688612010-11-27T22:53:00.003+01:002010-11-27T23:34:58.532+01:00

The title of my last post - again a month ago - and the final paragraph of that same post, talk about inspiration.Because of the things I'm doing. Because of the people I'm meeting. Because of the conversations I'm having.For the past 1,5 weeks I've been on a break from work. Much needed as it has been - again - far too busy and hectic for my own good. [Everytime I go back to work after a short

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-21203242442105647782010-10-26T22:08:00.003+02:002010-10-26T22:42:13.492+02:00

First of all - WOW. I can't believe it has been over 6 months since I last posted here.Now that I have said that, hopefully I'll stick around for a while this time.I feel like starting to write again. There's a lot going on - lots of fun projects, many potential changes will happen professionally - and I feel like I should start writing this blog again.Some examples:* I'm helping Cheruchan with

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-66454656137657740152010-04-04T11:49:00.004+02:002010-04-04T13:36:50.829+02:00

After a week, well 5 days, in China you would think I would be back with tons of stories about all the strange things which can only happen in China. Unfortunately, not this time.As I already predicted, this was one of my most intense work trips so far. Usually I have at least an afternoon to sightsee, or I arrive a day early to get a feel for the city. This time sightseeing was limited to

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-7917555974733533102010-03-27T22:50:00.002+01:002010-03-27T22:55:49.591+01:00

Life is very busy right now. But the good part about it: I'll be in China as of Monday. Yay. Can't wait to get a quick fix of Asia again. It's been a long time. Unfortunately (and that's the bad part of the chaos right now), it's a work trip. I have a feeling this is going to be one of the most intense work trips I've done so far. Incredibly full schedule, but with some very interesting meetings.

machirudanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-27603890810395641812010-02-28T17:58:00.002+01:002010-02-28T18:08:46.711+01:00

I just noticed that my last post is from two months ago. Wow.And it's true - I haven't been inspired to write at all. Even though there's a lot in my head I can't find a way to get it down on paper (well, screen) in a way that makes sense. Some things that I have been occupied with: Den Haag. Trying to make this 'my' city and discovering what it has to offer. Sustainable living. And realizing

machirudanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-30074041520634914602010-01-03T23:28:00.002+01:002010-01-03T23:29:17.888+01:00

Vuurwerk Originally uploaded by macchi.Wheeeee! Happy new year everyone!2010.... a strange number. As someone already said: it's The Future. Can't wait to see what this year will bring (apart from flying cars).Didn't have any 'new' firework pictures of this year's fireworks extravaganza (we were almost in front of my place of work - a quiet residential/office area; felt strange being there) but

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-12169576272850440992009-12-21T22:10:00.001+01:002009-12-21T22:10:59.843+01:00

Latest musical discovery

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-88881029744805491362009-12-20T19:40:00.004+01:002009-12-20T20:50:07.194+01:00

As in a big part of Northern Europe I think, the weather had been insane here - it's been snowing on and off for four days, but today has been the heaviest snowfall yet. I can't remember a time when it stayed for this long. And there's more expected. My mum just called to tell me to bring my iceskates when I go to their place for the holidays this week as people are already iceskating on natural

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-1842717292818427142009-11-24T21:29:00.006+01:002009-11-24T23:34:02.925+01:00

One of the things I started doing when I moved into my new house was take a 'subscription' on a weekly vegetablebag from the local eco-supermarket (unrelated to the No Impact Week, even!).I'm really enjoying it. Although I don't mind cooking, I'm not very creative in my kitchen and usually make something standard with mushrooms/leek/zucchini/bell pepper. For the past month or so I haven't been

machirudanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-35827691221975328672009-11-23T21:45:00.002+01:002009-11-23T22:45:42.687+01:00

Uhoh - I realized I never continued my daily No Impact posts. I guess part of it is due to guilt - the last couple of days became a lot harder to properly 'do'. Day #5 was 'energy', day #6 was 'water'.But on those days I was also pretty much constantly out of the house which made it almost impossible (excuses, excuses - I know). But fact is, I can't turn off the lights in my office - they are

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-46392744348552939612009-11-11T22:44:00.002+01:002009-11-11T22:53:01.011+01:00

Today's challenge: eat local!This was actually difficult, and I don't think I've kept to the challenge very well. Part of the reason is that my work seems to limit my commitment to this week. Being in the midst of another manic week, I don't have much time to stop and think about other stuff while in the office. So when I only have 20 minutes to have a quick lunch, even if I take care not to pick

machirudanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-931614770955467902009-11-10T22:29:00.004+01:002009-11-10T22:38:59.382+01:00

Ah... an easy one! I don't have a car, and since I had no out-of-town appointments I could happily cycle to and from work. I've not been in an elevator either today, but that's helped by the fact I never have to be higher up than the fifth floor, which is still somewhat manageable.The trick is everything stacking up. Today is not just about transportation, but also about not creating any trash,

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-66806963627586013352009-11-10T19:55:00.003+01:002009-11-10T21:09:50.533+01:00

Over the past few weeks I've been talking and thinking with different people about sustainability, and 'greening up' my life a bit. Not because I'm being swept up by the hype, or because I want to be the next environmental hippie. But because it makes sense to use a little less energy if I don't need it, to eat vegetables which aren't sprayed with pesticides or flown half way across the world if

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-17975114559877779032009-11-09T22:38:00.004+01:002009-11-10T22:39:54.576+01:00

After an 'easy' first day of the No Impact Experiment, today was a bit harder. The challenge was to not create any trash during the day.And although for the most part I could manage fairly well (bring a mug to the office, eat fruit instead of wrapped snacks) I've discovered that living 'sustainably' takes planning. For instance, although I think I could manage lunch reasonably well in my office

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-20395911538837048232009-11-08T21:25:00.004+01:002009-11-08T22:18:07.028+01:00

The first day of my No Impact Experiment is about consumption - and listing the things you need to buy that week. But do you really need those things?I cheated a little bit as I didn't exactly start immediately when I got up (part of today is also collecting trash). When I did get around to making my list I got stuck very quickly.... I'm either doing something wrong - or I have a very low

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-12456609181073453472009-11-08T21:22:00.002+01:002009-11-08T21:24:29.355+01:00

Have you ever considered how much trash and waste you produce in a week? How much energy you use in your house? Basically, how big your carbon footprint is? Inspired by Cheruchan's No Impact Week, I got curious and I'll be spending a week - starting today - to become more aware of my impact on the environment, and more importantly, what I can do to decrease that. But also how I can fit it in in

machirudanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-87268400929313430772009-11-04T22:23:00.002+01:002009-11-04T22:26:25.397+01:00

Getting to know my new city - and discovered the local hiphop crew apparently.Via Ongetemd

machirudanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-12123991184019325582009-09-06T18:15:00.003+02:002009-09-06T18:26:13.522+02:00

A new month, September. It's hard to believe that time is going by so quickly.Summer's over (and very clearly also) - but it barely feels like I have had a summer: I haven't seen the beach, I have had 2 barbeque's at most and I've spend most of my time at the office. I guess I've done something wrong this season.This month is the start of many new things though. I'm very excited, not too stressed

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-69539165072839834082009-08-25T22:33:00.006+02:002009-08-25T22:48:23.419+02:00

My mum and I went walking in the eastern part of the Netherlands for a few days last month. Lovely! I love how everything is so green! (well, how could it not be with the rain that we got..... )[edit: these pictures turned out too tiny, but for more, go to flickr]

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-46202089028833759232009-07-19T16:00:00.003+02:002009-07-19T16:05:01.973+02:00

I really have been neglecting this blog, but I'll pop in to share some big news:I'm buying an apartment. Woohoo!Still can't quite believe it, somehow it has felt as if I'd never really get around to it - but somehow it has suddenly happened within a week or so.I've been going crazy at Floorplanner trying to see what interior will make the most sense, but I've wisely retreated to the stack of

machirudanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-9071318535316439592009-06-22T23:51:00.001+02:002009-06-22T23:51:32.656+02:00

I'm trying to write up a speech for tomorrow night (yes yes, I know) and while searching for information I found this clip of a Kodo song. I absolutely LOVE it. They're apparently playing in Antwerp (Brussels?) in the summer and tickets are really expensive but this is starting to tempt me....Okay, time for a re-play.

machirudanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-36091807453601509432009-06-20T22:04:00.002+02:002009-06-20T22:14:52.319+02:00

Wow, I've been very quiet lately posting on this blog. I'm still around. And well, no news is good news. I guess I'm not very inspired right now to write big stories here.A few quick things:* my first Bucharest post is now updated with a couple of pictures, but everything else can be seen in my Romania and Budapest sets.* no definite plans on new foreign travel, though I'm taking a week in the

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-90666007869150332282009-05-31T19:01:00.003+02:002009-05-31T19:09:46.678+02:00

My parents came to visit on Ascension day last week - so we took advantage of the weather and visited estate De Horsten after cheruchan's recommendation.

machirudanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-20993816698290995592009-05-07T21:43:00.000+02:002009-05-10T21:51:53.883+02:00

After today's continous journey I finally made it back to Bucharest. Although I was considering sidetrips to Halmyris and/or Istria still, in the end I went straight back - thinking that I'm done adventuring and that it's time to just go home. Even considering of pulling my flight forward a few hours.It's funny to notice how quickly a mood can change. After having checked in to the closest option

machirudanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-65842368920681658432009-05-07T21:06:00.001+02:002009-05-10T21:45:08.402+02:00

Visiting the Danube Delta was high on my wishlist for this trip. I'm not a bird person but the area sounds beautiful so after leaving L. in Bucharest on Sunday I departed for a new adventure: reaching Sf. Gheorghe - and maybe more importantly - coming back to Bucharest in time for my flight home.All the ferry schedules I had found, gave different information so after arriving in Tulcea (an

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-77438294624886701842009-05-06T20:30:00.000+02:002009-05-10T21:06:09.748+02:00

It already feels weeks ago since I was in Budapest, while in reality it's only been about 8 or 9 days. I haven't managed to write anything about it yet, and having seen so many other places in between I'm finding it difficult to think back to it. I wonder how people on a 6-month RTW do it - and not let each city go up into the next one. Or maybe that is what happens but no one wants to admit it..

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-26314294369785448932009-05-05T11:25:00.000+02:002009-05-09T11:31:31.537+02:00

Last week in Sighisoara I spoke to someone who was telling me how great the Danube Delta is, and that the small villages on the coast feel like the end of the world.I am now in Sfante Gheorghe (or, St. George) and it does feel a little like the end of the world. It's only reachable by boat, in the village itself I've seen maybe three cars (the main form of transport is horse and carriage, and

machirudanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-20735307057426753912009-05-03T17:00:00.002+02:002009-06-20T20:14:53.280+02:00

I've had an afternoon on the bus to think about what I want to write about Bucharest. The city doesn't have a good reputation: grey, dreary, full of communist remains and not-so-safe. At least, that's what I was expecting. With a friend living in the city at the moment this weekend was the perfect opportunity to find out what holds true of the above image. As it turns out, not much. The word that

machirudanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-184348223040660702009-05-01T10:00:00.000+02:002009-05-02T19:33:02.040+02:00

Usually, when I travel by myself, I start writing up the various things that happen, impressions from different places and people. So this notebook has become a fixed part of my must-pack items.Somehow this trip doesn't do that. I've started off two, three stories - but I have no inspiration to write any further than the first paragraph. Is this country not inspiring enough?The landscapes I

machirudanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-7909502313358079942009-04-28T19:38:00.000+02:002009-04-28T19:41:23.145+02:00

Only a very quick post to say that Budapest is a gorgeous city and Romania so far is beautiful (though I've mostly seen it from trains for now - hope to change that tomorrow).

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-47130761355079841562009-04-18T19:08:00.001+02:002009-04-18T19:08:11.987+02:00

I'm not a huge fan of female singers but this girl sounds pretty amazing. 19 year old, from Belgium.

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-87843981045595951522009-04-12T20:55:00.006+02:002009-04-12T21:24:01.603+02:00

Despite the Easter holidays I'm having a very relaxed and quiet Sunday. This holiday doesn't mean anything special to me personally other than an extra day off. I had considered going to see my parents but as I had been there only two weeks ago, and I've had a really busy couple of weeks, I decided to stay at home and just relax. That has worked perfectly. I spent the morning sleeping (after two

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-63354153270109748562009-04-12T19:50:00.002+02:002009-04-12T19:52:43.997+02:00

machirudanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-86611013054044887522009-03-27T21:51:00.005+01:002009-03-28T00:28:03.925+01:00

The more I discuss this spring's holiday plans with people, the more I get the feeling that I have a pretty strange travel style compared to a lot of other people.The current trip is probably a good example of this.It all started with having earned up enough frequent flyer miles to qualify for a Europe-flight. So I thought I'd spend that this spring on a trip to somewhere not too obvious (like

machirudanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-29500980987604481152009-03-24T23:02:00.001+01:002009-03-24T23:02:08.782+01:00

I've re-discovered an old favourite - playing taiko! I joined a local group yesterday, and practiced this song. Can't wait to go back again last week. I love percussion.

machirudanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-87422145046301766002009-03-01T15:39:00.001+01:002009-03-01T15:39:12.349+01:00

More new music - found this in the shop today. Very happy with this discovery!

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-39268678113742735982009-03-01T13:46:00.001+01:002009-03-01T13:47:33.715+01:00

Happy Up Here from Röyksopp on Vimeo.Am looking forward to the new album, but am also hoping that it will be more and better than just this song....

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-15598344320739920252009-02-21T18:44:00.001+01:002009-02-21T18:48:53.988+01:00

As always, more here!

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-13542899519192521302009-02-19T13:04:00.000+01:002009-02-21T13:05:47.993+01:00

It turns out that I'm a bad shopper. On my last night here I'm trying to find some cute souvenirs for some friends. I usually find my buys by accident and I don't care much for the tourist shops and markets. This time I've had to resort to those anyway, but I'm not succeeding at all. Everything's so ugly and kitschy. Yuck.

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-12894010557242490802009-02-18T11:51:00.000+01:002009-02-21T13:06:09.884+01:00

Today was strange - the day started out as planned but slowly all afternoon and evening plans got re-scheduled. So I took the afternoon off after lunch. Well-deserved, I thought.One of the areas in the city which has been increasingly popular and been covered in the Western media is District 798. A part of the city with loads of galleries, showing mostly contemporary Chinese art. Some are

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-65459436405075669762009-02-17T10:59:00.000+01:002009-02-21T11:14:19.796+01:00

After six days of continuous company, entertainment and a planned schedule I am now in Beijing and actually by myself this evening. Which means: wandering through Beijing streets in increasingly heavy snow in search of food.This trip has, so far, been good but strangely I still don't feel as if I've really been in China. And I'm starting to like that feeling less and less.Some of it has to do

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-5684956439941603402009-02-16T10:50:00.000+01:002009-02-21T10:56:44.664+01:00

* Unit 731 - Harbin hosts one of the most gruesome remains of Japanese aggression during 1932-1945. At least 3000 people, maybe more, died in experiments that were performed on them to study the effects of biological war germs. They had stuff injected in to them and they'd be watched to see what happened. Then they'd be cut open. And anything in between. The Japanese destroyed it at the end of

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-9788571797101962512009-02-14T10:45:00.001+01:002009-02-21T10:58:57.987+01:00

We spent the last night in Harbin in a local nightclub. Or rather, a wannabe-nightclub. From the surface it seemed normal: pletny of dressed-up people, fancy interior, expensive drinks and very loud dance music. Except, there was no dancefloor, big bowls of fresh fruit and popcorn were on the tables and - most importantly - there was no space to dance. So strange. Especially because it wasn't

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-22492235479214960242009-02-12T10:41:00.000+01:002009-02-21T10:44:16.454+01:00

I'm at the end of my first proper day on my work trip - but it feels strange. I miss the amazement, fascination and adventure of when I was first in China 2,5 years ago. Not that it's become bland - I just don't feel 'in' China - being in a fancy hotel all day and night.The first time I properly felt in this country was when going to the toilet in tonight's restaurant...

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-33130305281189738842009-02-10T19:09:00.000+01:002009-02-21T10:40:58.318+01:00

[I guess I really only write things when I'm travelling - I just opened this notebook to see the last entry of New York in September. Hmm.]----I'm on my way to Bijing, 20 minutes away from landen, for a week of work and China. And while staring out at the desolate mountains below, I can only wonder why this isn't a real trip - instead of a suitcase with business clothing I should have a backpack

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-20361441722992771442009-02-08T21:46:00.004+01:002009-02-08T21:54:13.307+01:00

Wow, it's been ages since I've posted anything substantial here! So, a quick rundown of the past few weeks:> I quit the 365-project. Too much hassle of always having to think 'I need to take a picture!' while I wanted to just enjoy whatever it was that I was doing at that time without taking pictures.> Work is really busy, but really good as well. It almost feels as if I'm (almost) playing with

machirudanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-71317390784248154882009-01-18T21:59:00.001+01:002009-01-18T21:59:00.404+01:00

Today's music discovery - Belgian band A Brand!

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-4513694072163664242009-01-03T00:18:00.003+01:002009-01-03T00:20:36.235+01:00

Woohoo, I made it through another month of daily pictures.I'm cheating slightly on this shot from December, but hey, I'm not nerdy enough to figure out how to do it differently.

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-58791878120008326502009-01-01T22:09:00.002+01:002009-01-01T23:50:14.176+01:00

The new year is traditionally welcomed in the Netherlands with a lot of fireworks going up in the sky. This year I was watching everything from a rooftop terrace, great views!For all of you reading, I hope 2009 will be a fabulous year with lots of good and new adventures.

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-57649062417775869952008-12-28T18:57:00.002+01:002008-12-28T19:24:53.590+01:00

Pictures from this afternoon's long walk at the beach - I love this winter weather: very cold, but blue skies and not too windy. I hope it'll last for another few weeks. I can't wait to go ice skating again!

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-47771910286909761012008-12-22T22:37:00.001+01:002008-12-22T22:37:47.829+01:00

#51 Originally uploaded by macchi.I love maps. This is in one of our offices - one of many spread out in the rooms on our corridor. I love just standing in front of them, and fantasizing about all those places that are still left to go to. (Although it'll be a while before I can get to this part of the world, I'm sure)

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-12383624516325008552008-12-22T22:23:00.002+01:002008-12-22T22:31:19.186+01:00

I had lunch yesterday with two friends and in the course of the conversation we came to talk about what is in my future, work-wise. I'm trying to think back how we got there - apart from the regular 'life is so good' talk - but anyway, apparently I am going to be working on a PhD at some point. Or rather, at some point within five years.Interesting prediction. It isn't completely unlikely that I

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-51770489512969510202008-12-13T16:17:00.005+01:002008-12-13T16:34:09.501+01:00

After an unexpected surprise from my parents (my parents are strange = fact), I am fantasizing about all the cool stuff I want to furnish my new house (yet to be found).Such as this table from Habitat (great shop btw, only discovered it last week - we don't have it here)This lamp from Aba-iAnd this for on the wall: no picture possible but go here and have a look at the canvas with title 'O-Kinawa

machirudanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-49530779076424530732008-12-08T23:05:00.003+01:002008-12-08T23:20:58.161+01:00

I've talked about it for months, if not years, but I don't think I had expected myself to do it. I got everything I needed earlier this summr, but it's been sitting in a corner in my bedroom since.I don't know what got into me last week, though, but I actually walked inside and joined up. So now I have a one-year membership to the local gym. Eek.Most of my friends are quite surprised, I think, as

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-69870187538495386612008-12-07T22:21:00.005+01:002008-12-07T23:08:41.398+01:00

I spent this weekend in Dusseldorf, to visit a Japanese friend who lives there. When I ever get homesick for Japan, I now know where to go!It was good catching up with my friend - someone who I met by accident a few years ago in Tokyo, but I'm happy that we got back in touch now that she's living in Germany.Dusseldorf has a big Japanese community so we spent Saturday lunch time browsing the

machirudanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-41223260737220811752008-12-03T22:30:00.003+01:002008-12-03T22:43:45.223+01:00

I don't write about my work that much here, in contrast to what I used to post about 1,5 years ago and before. That's mostly because it's going annoyingly well so it'd get very boring to write about.I am still really enjoying what I do, I meet very interesting people, the work is very diverse and an increasingly large part of it is challenging me more and more (because I'm taking on more complex

machirudanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-22745957105360246402008-11-30T20:51:00.006+01:002008-11-30T22:37:07.237+01:00

One of the things I've wanted to be able to cook for a long time has been pumpkin soup. Pumpkin has only become more popular to cook with here over the last few years but I love it. But somehow, doing something with pumpkin myself was very daunting.(I don't know why this last picture is on its side, but I'll figure that out later)It turned out quite well though, so I'm very happy :) On to the

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-44084372968652247962008-11-30T20:45:00.005+01:002008-12-01T20:07:29.426+01:00

(I've used an extremely roundabout way to get the above picture in here - if you want to see the above pictures better, go here!)

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-74337633853170601132008-11-18T21:59:00.001+01:002008-11-18T22:04:42.578+01:00

machirudanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-5519576142593334782008-11-09T18:02:00.004+01:002008-11-15T19:42:36.710+01:00

Yesterday Last week, I saw the movie "Flower in the Pocket" - one that I have been curious about this year as it was playing at the Rotterdam film festival in January and won a big award there. By accident I discovered that it was on television late last Saturday night.It's a very nice movie but what struck me most was the similarity in story (partly) and atmosphere to the movie Nobody Knows/

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-60552594750417962142008-11-03T21:28:00.002+01:002008-11-03T21:49:43.138+01:00

Today, I spent the day in Brussels visiting some of the main EU institutions.A very long day, arriving in Brussels at 10am, leaving at 6pm, listening to presentations and asking questions non-stop in the meantime. I've always been a supporter of the European project. When the referendum on the European constitution (a horrible name for the Lisbon treaty) in 2005 was voted down in the Netherlands

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-8003572416925809372008-11-02T12:52:00.002+01:002008-11-02T12:54:38.835+01:00

I just realized that I am today starting on my fifth year of this blog. I'm quite surprised that I've managed to keep this thing up for four full years already! It's probably turned into quite a strange & partial reflection of my life over the past couple of years.Oh well, let's see if I can manage another four!

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-64552479314103514792008-11-02T12:41:00.002+01:002008-11-02T12:46:28.036+01:00

I tried to do this a year ago (here) and failed.So, I'm attempting again - inspired by a group of other internet acquaintances. My pictures will be up at flickr, of course. I'm hoping that this will encourage me to be a bit more active and creative with my camera, instead of only taking pictures when I'm travelling. Anyone want to take bets on how long I will last? ;-)

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-48984070897278562012008-10-20T19:50:00.002+02:002008-10-20T19:51:42.667+02:00

Yesterday's dinner Yummm.Although looking now at the last picture I don't think any Japanese person would guess that is Japanese curry but it does taste the way it should.

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-59948572706807950972008-10-19T15:02:00.000+02:002008-10-19T14:27:53.291+02:00

On Friday a friend and I started the weekend with reservations at an apparently well-known Japanese restaurant in The Hague, Oni.Armed with a notebook and an empty stomach, I was very much looking forward to some fabulous Japanese food. And in case you are wondering, 'why the notebook?', we were going to review the restaurant for a newsletter of a small club. It really was a lot of fun - '

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-7939161521868554622008-10-19T11:59:00.000+02:002008-10-19T14:26:53.832+02:00

My fire alarm seems to be broken. And as a result it gives off a horribly harsh *peep* every minute or so. Somehow I managed to make it stop on Wednesday night, but since starting up on Friday again I can't get it to switch off. Even my landlord is at a loss, but I do really hope he'll be by some time today again to come and fix it. *PEEP*

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-42891422861888193572008-10-13T22:51:00.002+02:002008-10-13T23:10:48.250+02:00

Strangely, I have an exam tomorrow so I have spent the day at home on study leave to prepare for it. I had kind of forgotten about it, until I registered two weeks ago and the lady on the phone wished me luck studying. Uhm.... oh right.What I am studying? INCO-terms, export marketing strategies, customs documents, letters of credit and other forms of documentary credit, and so on as long as it

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8940922.post-31120095965743392222008-10-11T21:34:00.002+02:002008-10-11T21:40:24.587+02:00

For today's birthday friend I got Miranda July's collection of short stories No one belongs here more than you, a book I found for myself about a year ago and which I had to buy instantly. Miranda July is also the director of the movie 'Me And You And Everyone We Know' - a movie I completely loved, and so I couldn't leave the book in the shop. And it seemed like the perfect book for today's

machirudanoreply@blogger.com0