December 28, 2008
Winter
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!
December 22, 2008
Traveldreams
#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)
5 years
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 will go back to school/university at some point - as I'm pretty sure that in a few years' time I'll want to be doing some kind of studying again. And the idea of starting work on a PhD did cross my mind when I graduated but I wanted to start working in a regular organisation/company first. That doesn't mean I won't ever still go back to this idea.
I can absolutely think of several ideas to write a PhD on. But then again, it sounds like an insane amount of work - and something I can't handle quite yet, nor in the next few years.
Anyway, check back with me in five years!
Interesting prediction.
It isn't completely unlikely that I will go back to school/university at some point - as I'm pretty sure that in a few years' time I'll want to be doing some kind of studying again. And the idea of starting work on a PhD did cross my mind when I graduated but I wanted to start working in a regular organisation/company first. That doesn't mean I won't ever still go back to this idea.
I can absolutely think of several ideas to write a PhD on. But then again, it sounds like an insane amount of work - and something I can't handle quite yet, nor in the next few years.
Anyway, check back with me in five years!
December 13, 2008
Home improvement
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-i
And this for on the wall: no picture possible but go here and have a look at the canvas with title 'O-Kinawa' (second row, third from left).
Well - maybe not all in the same space....
And oh yeah, I first need to find a house....
Such as this table from Habitat (great shop btw, only discovered it last week - we don't have it here)
This lamp from Aba-i
And this for on the wall: no picture possible but go here and have a look at the canvas with title 'O-Kinawa' (second row, third from left).
Well - maybe not all in the same space....
And oh yeah, I first need to find a house....
December 08, 2008
Changes
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 am I. But I've decided to do it completely my way, take it slow and easy, see how I get on and not pay attention to anyone else. It'll be the only way for me to make it work.
Scary though. I'm not quite sure what's going on with me lately.
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 am I. But I've decided to do it completely my way, take it slow and easy, see how I get on and not pay attention to anyone else. It'll be the only way for me to make it work.
Scary though. I'm not quite sure what's going on with me lately.
December 07, 2008
Dusseldorf: for your regular Japan-fix
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 Japanese shops (stocked up on food, and some manga for old times sake) and then queued up (as of course you should) for great ramen. Yummm.
Germany is so close, but it's interesting to see the many small differences. How people act and respond to each other, what's normal behaviour when going out etc. We talked about these differences a lot - comparing it to Japan and the Netherlands. And I actually learned some new things about Japanese customs etc as well. And my Japanese is a bit improved again - now to keep it up!
It was good being away though. It sounds very smug maybe but my weekends seem to be really good the last few months. Great stuff.
(more pictures are here of course)
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 Japanese shops (stocked up on food, and some manga for old times sake) and then queued up (as of course you should) for great ramen. Yummm.
Germany is so close, but it's interesting to see the many small differences. How people act and respond to each other, what's normal behaviour when going out etc. We talked about these differences a lot - comparing it to Japan and the Netherlands. And I actually learned some new things about Japanese customs etc as well. And my Japanese is a bit improved again - now to keep it up!
It was good being away though. It sounds very smug maybe but my weekends seem to be really good the last few months. Great stuff.
(more pictures are here of course)
December 03, 2008
Balance
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 tasks).
It also means that at the moment I have a very heavy workload, but that's okay. Mostly because I can't decide what part of it to cut off. That, of course, means I'm making long days, hectic days, stressful hours behind the computer trying to figure out where to start on my to do lists, and rushing from one meeting to the next. It's not helping that at the moment my colleague who I do part of the work together with is mostly out of the office due to personal reasons.
Despite all the above, I get rewarded for it as well - and it's absolutely starting to pay off. Which is great and makes it worth it as well.
But it's becoming harder to keep a balance between work and personal life. Maybe this is also partly because of the dark days and the dreary weather. But it's difficult being in time to meet a friend after a day of work. I've quit a course I loved because it just became impossible to combine.
My job isn't even as hectic and chaotic as some others I know, and I'm happy that I have the flexibility to be able to focus on it for now. Life is better than ever which is great. But still.
Then again, maybe I just need a holiday - hopefully in January!
[hm, this turned into babbling, sorry!]
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 tasks).
It also means that at the moment I have a very heavy workload, but that's okay. Mostly because I can't decide what part of it to cut off. That, of course, means I'm making long days, hectic days, stressful hours behind the computer trying to figure out where to start on my to do lists, and rushing from one meeting to the next. It's not helping that at the moment my colleague who I do part of the work together with is mostly out of the office due to personal reasons.
Despite all the above, I get rewarded for it as well - and it's absolutely starting to pay off. Which is great and makes it worth it as well.
But it's becoming harder to keep a balance between work and personal life. Maybe this is also partly because of the dark days and the dreary weather. But it's difficult being in time to meet a friend after a day of work. I've quit a course I loved because it just became impossible to combine.
My job isn't even as hectic and chaotic as some others I know, and I'm happy that I have the flexibility to be able to focus on it for now. Life is better than ever which is great. But still.
Then again, maybe I just need a holiday - hopefully in January!
[hm, this turned into babbling, sorry!]
November 30, 2008
Kitchen experiments
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 next cooking challenge!
(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 next cooking challenge!
November 18, 2008
November 09, 2008
Flower in the pocket
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/ Dare mo shiranai.
'Nobody Knows' is about four siblings living in Japan, whose mother has left them to fend for themselves. Absolutely beautiful film, but very sad also. 'Flower in the pocket' is much less sad luckily, but is about two brothers, who basically also have to look after themselves. The stories have very different plots and endings, but interesting to see the similarities.
What was also good about it is that it gave a good idea of the complex society in Malaysia. The boys are Chinese Malaysian, and speak Chinese with their dad and between them both. Only the older boy speaks Malay and can communicate with some of the other kids, and people in the movie. Then a doctor who appears seems to speak only English, but can understand the father speaking back in Chinese. Malaysia has a very mixed, and complicated, society which I've also written about when I was there earlier this year and it's very apparent in this film.
Definitely a recommended film.
November 03, 2008
Bruxelles
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 I was in Japan (and voted from there) surrounded by a fairly pro-constitution crowd of Dutchies. I was shocked to find out what had actually happened in the Netherlands in the run-up to the referendum.
This also means that I was quite curious to finally go and see the institutions where it happens, hear more about how it works, and talk to the people working as part of this circus. During the day, we spoke to lobbyists, government staff, EU staff, journalists, politicians - so it gave a fairly varied image of what goes on. But of course, all of these people broadly support what happens in Brussels; they wouldn't be doing their particular jobs if they didn't I guess.
Nevertheless, an interesting but exhausting day. Back to semi-regular work tomorrow!
The above picture is taken from the main entrance of the building of the European Council: a huge balloon with all the European flags going around it.
November 02, 2008
Four
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!
Oh well, let's see if I can manage another four!
365
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? ;-)
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? ;-)
October 20, 2008
More food
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.
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.
October 19, 2008
A new career: restaurant reviewing
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 - 'legitimately' commenting on every tiny detail: from lighting to tempura to toiletseats.
On the other hand, looking back there was hardly any food that we really liked. If we would have been there just to eat and chat I don't think we'd have noticed so much.
The restaurant is very highly listed in several rankings, but apart from the interior and the presentation of the food I fail to see why. It seems the restaurant sees itself as 'modern style Japanese' except that about 80% of their menu is very traditional. The traditional Japanese dishes are nice, not exceptional (although we didn't have any sushi or sashimi so maybe that is better and the bento-boxes did look amazing from a distance). And we didn't like any of the more experimental dishes. E50 becomes a lot for a dinner like that....
Luckily the dessert made up for much of it. Very yummy ginger cheesecake with chocolate icecream. Mmmmmm. And surprisingly good tempura icecream for my friend.
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 - 'legitimately' commenting on every tiny detail: from lighting to tempura to toiletseats.
On the other hand, looking back there was hardly any food that we really liked. If we would have been there just to eat and chat I don't think we'd have noticed so much.
The restaurant is very highly listed in several rankings, but apart from the interior and the presentation of the food I fail to see why. It seems the restaurant sees itself as 'modern style Japanese' except that about 80% of their menu is very traditional. The traditional Japanese dishes are nice, not exceptional (although we didn't have any sushi or sashimi so maybe that is better and the bento-boxes did look amazing from a distance). And we didn't like any of the more experimental dishes. E50 becomes a lot for a dinner like that....
Luckily the dessert made up for much of it. Very yummy ginger cheesecake with chocolate icecream. Mmmmmm. And surprisingly good tempura icecream for my friend.
*Peep*
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*
*PEEP*
October 13, 2008
Primary school
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 has to do with export. It sounds more complicated than it is and I am pretty sure I'll be fine tomorrow.
And with that attitude I started going through my course book and old exams this morning, until I came to the calculation assignments.
"You are sending 1000 flowerpots and 1500 chairs to the US. Your transport costs are E2500. Your agent receives a 15% commission. The exhange rate USD-Euro is 1-0.87. What are your total costs in USD?"
Why??
I still don't get why every exam holds three of these questions but it took me a while to get out my math skills from 8th grade and work it out properly.
*Sigh*
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 has to do with export. It sounds more complicated than it is and I am pretty sure I'll be fine tomorrow.
And with that attitude I started going through my course book and old exams this morning, until I came to the calculation assignments.
"You are sending 1000 flowerpots and 1500 chairs to the US. Your transport costs are E2500. Your agent receives a 15% commission. The exhange rate USD-Euro is 1-0.87. What are your total costs in USD?"
Why??
I still don't get why every exam holds three of these questions but it took me a while to get out my math skills from 8th grade and work it out properly.
*Sigh*
October 11, 2008
Pretty Cool People Interviews: Miranda July
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 friend.
July seems to be a truly creative spirit and I love how she makes very ordinary situations very unordinary, in her movies, her books and her other projects. One of which I learned about today when a fellow-fan saw the book I got.
This project (Learning To Love You More)is discussed in the video. It looks like so much fun. Go watch it, and go read the book and go see the movie.
October 05, 2008
October 03, 2008
Three things:
1. Darbuka
Yesterday (well, officially, since last week) I started my latest experiment: I'm now learning how to play the darbuka. It is an Arabic drum, played with your hands - so in a way similar to an African djembe.
I was exhausted on my way there, and could only think I'd made a big mistake. The place where the course is at is at night, at least an hour away from work, and my house is in the middle. Not exactly smartly located.
But I left with lots of new energy and excited about everything that has been going on. Great feeling!
2. 2 & 3 October
I really don't fit in this town - I almost hate these two dates, but they are on which the biggest party in my town gets celebrated. Despite the bad weather, it took me half an hour to get home tonight (instead of the 7-minute bike ride) trying to find my way through drunken, screaming people and through neon lights and lots of noise. Ugh. One more day to go.
3. Travel (hey, why not)
Actually, it's work. I'm working on a project next to my regular day job which is great to do, very challenging, but very fun and I'm learning a lot from it. I had considered the possibility of travelling as part of it but it didn't really seem probable. Until a colleague of mine from this department that I'm working for starting talking about it himself. Hmmmm. Unfortunately the best opportunity clashes with another work trip (woe is me...) but I'm definitely going to work something out for this! India, here I come :-)
Yesterday (well, officially, since last week) I started my latest experiment: I'm now learning how to play the darbuka. It is an Arabic drum, played with your hands - so in a way similar to an African djembe.
I was exhausted on my way there, and could only think I'd made a big mistake. The place where the course is at is at night, at least an hour away from work, and my house is in the middle. Not exactly smartly located.
But I left with lots of new energy and excited about everything that has been going on. Great feeling!
2. 2 & 3 October
I really don't fit in this town - I almost hate these two dates, but they are on which the biggest party in my town gets celebrated. Despite the bad weather, it took me half an hour to get home tonight (instead of the 7-minute bike ride) trying to find my way through drunken, screaming people and through neon lights and lots of noise. Ugh. One more day to go.
3. Travel (hey, why not)
Actually, it's work. I'm working on a project next to my regular day job which is great to do, very challenging, but very fun and I'm learning a lot from it. I had considered the possibility of travelling as part of it but it didn't really seem probable. Until a colleague of mine from this department that I'm working for starting talking about it himself. Hmmmm. Unfortunately the best opportunity clashes with another work trip (woe is me...) but I'm definitely going to work something out for this! India, here I come :-)
September 28, 2008
Quiet
What I've been up to for the past two weeks? Work, work, work.
This weekend has been all about doing nothing, catching up on my house, and meeting up with a few friends.
I feel as if from now on I can take more time for myself again, after a hectic couple of months: changing roles at work, planning a holiday, dealing with post-relationship stuff - but I hope that from now on I can focus on trying out some new things again, enjoying my own house, not being glued to the computer, etc etc.
Pictures of the trip are coming, sorted them out tonight, now only need to find the time to upload them.
This weekend has been all about doing nothing, catching up on my house, and meeting up with a few friends.
I feel as if from now on I can take more time for myself again, after a hectic couple of months: changing roles at work, planning a holiday, dealing with post-relationship stuff - but I hope that from now on I can focus on trying out some new things again, enjoying my own house, not being glued to the computer, etc etc.
Pictures of the trip are coming, sorted them out tonight, now only need to find the time to upload them.
September 14, 2008
Home, but not quite
After a long and hectic trip back to the Netherlands, I am finally home again. But it doesn't quite feel like it as I am not surrounded by mounds of laundry and cool new things that I bought. The only thing in my house physically reminding me of my trip right now is a poster of the Guggenheim museum. Everything else is in my backpack - which is lost.
Statistically speaking, I'm sure it will turn up, but I'm getting slightly anxious now and am starting to think of things I need to buy tomorrow if it doesn't show up soon!
Very frustrating. The not-so-fun side of travel.
Statistically speaking, I'm sure it will turn up, but I'm getting slightly anxious now and am starting to think of things I need to buy tomorrow if it doesn't show up soon!
Very frustrating. The not-so-fun side of travel.
Three's
Highlights
* US Open Final
* Seeing whales do somersaults
* 25C weather 2,5 weeks straight.
Disappointments
* a non-public 9/11 memorial
* not seeing any non-city
* many many sites under renovation (mostly disappointed about the Congress and the UN Security Council)
Best dinners (not necessarily best food, though)
* at Annapolis wharf
* at Brighton Beach
* at The Garage
Surprising sights
* US network television
* Squirrels! Everywhere!
* a man praying in a nightshop
Most impressive sights
* the view from the Empire State Building
* the Guggenheim museum
* Library of Congress
Best shops
* Kenneth Cole
* Urban Outfitters
* St. Mark's bookshop
* US Open Final
* Seeing whales do somersaults
* 25C weather 2,5 weeks straight.
Disappointments
* a non-public 9/11 memorial
* not seeing any non-city
* many many sites under renovation (mostly disappointed about the Congress and the UN Security Council)
Best dinners (not necessarily best food, though)
* at Annapolis wharf
* at Brighton Beach
* at The Garage
Surprising sights
* US network television
* Squirrels! Everywhere!
* a man praying in a nightshop
Most impressive sights
* the view from the Empire State Building
* the Guggenheim museum
* Library of Congress
Best shops
* Kenneth Cole
* Urban Outfitters
* St. Mark's bookshop
September 05, 2008
D.C., etc.
I'm on my last day in Washington, D.C. and it's been different than expected. It isn't the overwhelming city reflecting world power that I thought it would be. I had partly expected a city resembling Moscow, not in style but in feeling. Huge, overwhelming, giant - with a clear sense of all the money and power there is located in those blocks.
Washington isn't like that. Yes, there are a lot of big government buildings and the roads are big and almost look built for tanks (like in Moscow and Beijing). But the buildings look antiquated to me, huge but built to remember and not to use and work in. They don't feel real, only seem to be a tourist attraction while the actual power goes on somewhere else.
A little bit of a disappointment. But, the weather is amazing, the museums are free to go in and wander around, I am catching up with some people here and am mostly relaxing and unwinding. Very very good.
Washington isn't like that. Yes, there are a lot of big government buildings and the roads are big and almost look built for tanks (like in Moscow and Beijing). But the buildings look antiquated to me, huge but built to remember and not to use and work in. They don't feel real, only seem to be a tourist attraction while the actual power goes on somewhere else.
A little bit of a disappointment. But, the weather is amazing, the museums are free to go in and wander around, I am catching up with some people here and am mostly relaxing and unwinding. Very very good.
August 31, 2008
Hm, a problem?
I like Boston. I really like it - it's diverse, the people seem relaxed, it's well taken care of, and it has something to offer for everyone.
But I have a problem. One that I was afraid would happen. And one of the reasons why I chose to be out on a ship for four hours and be very cold and wet yesterday (but see whales!). I am fed up of being in a city, of being surrounded by too many people, of too much time spent waiting for subways and buses.
I am hoping that being on a train non-stop for eight hours today will get rid of this feeling. No constant need to interact with people, just me and my book. Because I have another two weeks of city ahead of me....
But I have a problem. One that I was afraid would happen. And one of the reasons why I chose to be out on a ship for four hours and be very cold and wet yesterday (but see whales!). I am fed up of being in a city, of being surrounded by too many people, of too much time spent waiting for subways and buses.
I am hoping that being on a train non-stop for eight hours today will get rid of this feeling. No constant need to interact with people, just me and my book. Because I have another two weeks of city ahead of me....
August 30, 2008
August 27, 2008
First impressions
Part of the reason for me to go to the United States is to see if America is really as crazy and weird as the media (and some Americans) have led me to believe.
So far, I've seen plenty to surprise me.
The madness started this morning when I had to answer a series of 'security questions' after checking in for my flight to NY in Zurich. I still don't really see the point of asking people if they are carrying a bomb and I was quite bemused by the range of questions.
Getting into the city after that was easy, and walking up from the subway I couldn't stop thinking that it really is all just like in the movies.
My friend's apartment is in the middle of East Village, and we spent the evening reminiscing about our last encounters (this is the fourth continent we meet at) and how she likes New York to live in.
But before I got to see her, I needed to waste some time away. Part of me was too excited to do nothing, part of me was too tired after the 5am start. As a compromise, I'm writing this in Washington Square Park: watching people, drinking iced coffee, and being generally amazed and entertained by the goings-on around me:
- there are squirrels in the park! In the middle of NYC!
- a girl next to me was trying to study while letting out her dog for a walk. Uhm, right. How's that for procrastination.
- I've already scored my first phonenumber. Although I don't think I should be boasting about this one.
- a man is getting changed behind a tree.
- people really do wear Obama 2008 t-shirts in public.
I think I may get to like this city...
So far, I've seen plenty to surprise me.
The madness started this morning when I had to answer a series of 'security questions' after checking in for my flight to NY in Zurich. I still don't really see the point of asking people if they are carrying a bomb and I was quite bemused by the range of questions.
Getting into the city after that was easy, and walking up from the subway I couldn't stop thinking that it really is all just like in the movies.
My friend's apartment is in the middle of East Village, and we spent the evening reminiscing about our last encounters (this is the fourth continent we meet at) and how she likes New York to live in.
But before I got to see her, I needed to waste some time away. Part of me was too excited to do nothing, part of me was too tired after the 5am start. As a compromise, I'm writing this in Washington Square Park: watching people, drinking iced coffee, and being generally amazed and entertained by the goings-on around me:
- there are squirrels in the park! In the middle of NYC!
- a girl next to me was trying to study while letting out her dog for a walk. Uhm, right. How's that for procrastination.
- I've already scored my first phonenumber. Although I don't think I should be boasting about this one.
- a man is getting changed behind a tree.
- people really do wear Obama 2008 t-shirts in public.
I think I may get to like this city...
August 25, 2008
Ah, holidays!
I have fixed my final work thing. After freaking out all day it turned out to be over with in one phone call and four emails. That was definitely the best case scenario!
So, now that that is over and done with I finally feel as if I'm on holiday. Woohoo.
I have my first week fixed (NY -> Boston -> DC), I'm reading up about my destinations in my new travel guides (yes, multiple - why is there not one guide with all these three cities, apart from the huge USA-book?) and am listening to a brand new and very happy CD by the Black Kids (thanks to Autres Choses for the discovery!)
Bliss.
August 23, 2008
Huh, holidays?
This summer at work has been very busy. Getting used to a slightly changed position, suddenly having to work very closely together with a new colleague, still handling most things of my old position etc etc has meant that I haven't noticed anything of the so-called 'komkommertijd'. Non-existent in my line of work clearly.
It also means that I've really been enjoying my summer at work - and looking at all the things happening at my place of work, the timing of my switch couldn't have been better.
Now, I'm suddenly on leave for the next three weeks. It hasn't really set in yet, partly because I have one unresolved work issue nagging in my head. Should be dealt with by Monday, hopefully.
And then... I'm off to a whole new part of the world.
I don't really know what to expect of these 2,5 weeks in Northeastern USA. The organisation of it all hasn't been very relaxed, mostly because I don't usually organize but am now forced to. Timing is off, as I'm in the middle of Labor Day Weekend which seems to limit my options. And I want to rely on public transport as much as I can which seems to limit my options.
Next year - back to Asia/Eastern Europe/etc where I seem to be able to go without planning. Much better suited to my type of travel!
Expect stories about the craziness of the USA during the next few weeks though. Yay!
It also means that I've really been enjoying my summer at work - and looking at all the things happening at my place of work, the timing of my switch couldn't have been better.
Now, I'm suddenly on leave for the next three weeks. It hasn't really set in yet, partly because I have one unresolved work issue nagging in my head. Should be dealt with by Monday, hopefully.
And then... I'm off to a whole new part of the world.
I don't really know what to expect of these 2,5 weeks in Northeastern USA. The organisation of it all hasn't been very relaxed, mostly because I don't usually organize but am now forced to. Timing is off, as I'm in the middle of Labor Day Weekend which seems to limit my options. And I want to rely on public transport as much as I can which seems to limit my options.
Next year - back to Asia/Eastern Europe/etc where I seem to be able to go without planning. Much better suited to my type of travel!
Expect stories about the craziness of the USA during the next few weeks though. Yay!
August 13, 2008
Growing up
I'm starting a new adventure, and one that seems very scary: searching for a new house.
Which includes talking about mortgages, researching about what a new house will mean, walking through neighbourhouds in a fairly unknown city, and spending hours online on real estate sites.
This has always been something that I am not sure I would ever be doing, but somehow, strangely, now feels kind of right.
If anything, I'm really looking forward to discovering a new city, when I do finally move!
Which includes talking about mortgages, researching about what a new house will mean, walking through neighbourhouds in a fairly unknown city, and spending hours online on real estate sites.
This has always been something that I am not sure I would ever be doing, but somehow, strangely, now feels kind of right.
If anything, I'm really looking forward to discovering a new city, when I do finally move!
August 01, 2008
Tense
I just almost set my kitchen on fire. Twice.
I don't think I've ever seen such huge flames coming out of a fryingpan and I grew up in a professional kitchen so that means something.
No clue what's going on with me this week.
Everything seems to be going wrong (all little stuff, mind); I'm angry about the tiniest things; I drop everything; etc etc. Not to mention that work is completely chaotic, I don't get anything done, my to-do list is only growing and so on.
At least I took today off and spent a few hours outside, drinking coffee, reading, enjoying the sun - but this kitchen disaster has pretty much driven away that relaxedness!
Oh well. It's the weekend. I have a big trip coming up in a few weeks. And apart from this tenseness life is pretty good I guess. Still. It needs to go away. Any tips?
I don't think I've ever seen such huge flames coming out of a fryingpan and I grew up in a professional kitchen so that means something.
No clue what's going on with me this week.
Everything seems to be going wrong (all little stuff, mind); I'm angry about the tiniest things; I drop everything; etc etc. Not to mention that work is completely chaotic, I don't get anything done, my to-do list is only growing and so on.
At least I took today off and spent a few hours outside, drinking coffee, reading, enjoying the sun - but this kitchen disaster has pretty much driven away that relaxedness!
Oh well. It's the weekend. I have a big trip coming up in a few weeks. And apart from this tenseness life is pretty good I guess. Still. It needs to go away. Any tips?
July 27, 2008
Food obsessed
Well, obsessed might be a big word. But I seem to be very preoccupied with the need to be able to bake and cook properly.
Is this me re-lapsing into the '50s and thinking I will never get hold of a man if I can't use my kitchen properly?
Or is it the influence of Ms. Cookie?
Or is it my genes playing up? I am after all the daughter of a kitchen chef.
Whichever it may be I seem to be obsessed about gaining the ability to bake proper pastry/dessert/cake/etc. After a few failed attempts, I seem to have made a successful dessert last Friday. Yumm.
And I can't seem to cook just by putting some ingredients together, and always have to pull out a recipe from somewhere if friends come over.
Well, luckily this weekend all of the above did work well. But that doesn't happen much. But why do I bother? Why is it so important to be able to just whisk up this magnificent meal in the kitchen? Highly frustrating!
Oh, and for inspiration of this post I had a look at my food challenges from a few years ago:
* bake desserts and cakes;
* grow my own herbs;
* use more non-standard kitchen utensils;
* take better care of cut-out recipes;
* use more seasonal foods;
* cook more Japanese.
Well, except for #2 & #5 I'm improving so I'll stop complaining!
Is this me re-lapsing into the '50s and thinking I will never get hold of a man if I can't use my kitchen properly?
Or is it the influence of Ms. Cookie?
Or is it my genes playing up? I am after all the daughter of a kitchen chef.
Whichever it may be I seem to be obsessed about gaining the ability to bake proper pastry/dessert/cake/etc. After a few failed attempts, I seem to have made a successful dessert last Friday. Yumm.
And I can't seem to cook just by putting some ingredients together, and always have to pull out a recipe from somewhere if friends come over.
Well, luckily this weekend all of the above did work well. But that doesn't happen much. But why do I bother? Why is it so important to be able to just whisk up this magnificent meal in the kitchen? Highly frustrating!
Oh, and for inspiration of this post I had a look at my food challenges from a few years ago:
* bake desserts and cakes;
* grow my own herbs;
* use more non-standard kitchen utensils;
* take better care of cut-out recipes;
* use more seasonal foods;
* cook more Japanese.
Well, except for #2 & #5 I'm improving so I'll stop complaining!
July 24, 2008
Travelquestion!
In a little over a month I'll be spending a short three weeks in the US. Finally. I've talked about wanting to go for a long time, but now I'm actually going. Can.Not.Wait.
But - I can't really make up my mind where to go. I will most likely be spending the first four days or so in Washington DC (but just heard that the friend I will be seeing will actually be here until around the day I was planning to leave the city - so those plans might still change), a few days (up to 5 days, I think) somewhere else and a week in NCY. The problem is those couple of days in between. I'm reading and researching but can't really figure out where to go, what would be good (I want something non-city) and what is accessible enough (I don't want to drive).
[edit, i just re-read a message from DC and apparently I have use of a car while I'm there. Not sure if this guys knows what he's getting his car into, and not sure if it's such a good idea for me, but it gives me some more options maybe]
So, I need your help. Vote, on the left-hand side, and let me know what you would do.
(There is a very vague option of going up to Maine, but I don't expect that to happen)
But - I can't really make up my mind where to go. I will most likely be spending the first four days or so in Washington DC (but just heard that the friend I will be seeing will actually be here until around the day I was planning to leave the city - so those plans might still change), a few days (up to 5 days, I think) somewhere else and a week in NCY. The problem is those couple of days in between. I'm reading and researching but can't really figure out where to go, what would be good (I want something non-city) and what is accessible enough (I don't want to drive).
[edit, i just re-read a message from DC and apparently I have use of a car while I'm there. Not sure if this guys knows what he's getting his car into, and not sure if it's such a good idea for me, but it gives me some more options maybe]
So, I need your help. Vote, on the left-hand side, and let me know what you would do.
(There is a very vague option of going up to Maine, but I don't expect that to happen)
De-stressing
I've just returned from spending a few days away from home, and my computer, and discovering an unknown part of my country: the Veluwe. Gorgeous area, and although the Netherlands never gets truly wild, I think this part probably comes as close as it gets. We even saw wild boars! Unfortunately all the cyclists on the third day were a bit annoying, so we were always looking forward to get off the asphalt and really into the woods again.
Some pictures below, and more on here, as always.
Some pictures below, and more on here, as always.
July 12, 2008
Gormley in NL
Hayward Gallery towards the London Eye
Originally uploaded by macchi.
I took this picture when I was in London just over a year ago. Reading the arts section of my newspaper today I discovered that he's now exhibiting in Rotterdam at the Kunsthal (www.kunsthal.nl). Cannot wait to see his work here. Rotterdam is probably also the best city in the Netherlands to have his sculptures exhibited in..... hope to have some pictures of that soon!
July 11, 2008
New traditions (2)
Despite my fairly frequent foreign travels I also love to see more of my own tiny country. Unfortunately I don't do that often enough.
Two years ago my mum and I decided that it would be fun to spend a weekend away somewhere - but instead of turning it into a fancy shopping trip (fun as well), we decided to go hiking in an unknown area of our own country. This turned out to be very fun so we've made it into a new yearly 'tradition'.
Last year's destination was very pretty, but it also turned out to be too hot - quite unbelievable for a Dutch summer.
In two weeks' time we're heading to one of my favourite parts of the country, but first we're finishing the previous hike. Very much looking forward to it!
Two years ago my mum and I decided that it would be fun to spend a weekend away somewhere - but instead of turning it into a fancy shopping trip (fun as well), we decided to go hiking in an unknown area of our own country. This turned out to be very fun so we've made it into a new yearly 'tradition'.
Last year's destination was very pretty, but it also turned out to be too hot - quite unbelievable for a Dutch summer.
In two weeks' time we're heading to one of my favourite parts of the country, but first we're finishing the previous hike. Very much looking forward to it!
July 07, 2008
Afghanistan stories
I recently stumbled onto a travel blog of a Dutch woman who is walking from Amsterdam to Tibet. Yes, you read that correctly, she's walking.
I found the blog at the time that she was walking through Tadjikistan - I just read her latest posts which are of crossing the border into Afghanistan. Although the stories and pictures are fascinating I can't stop thinking that you have to be crazy to be doing a trip like this....
Travel stories seem to fascinate me at the moment, especially those going through Central Asia. I just finished Colin Thubron's Shadow of the Silk Road which I loved. I especially liked that he doesn't only describe what he sees, but he really ties together the long history of the area and talks a lot about the people he meets. Now waiting is also 'On the Road to Kandahar' - a report by a military journalist (I think) of travelling Afghanistan and Iraq.
Fascinating stuff. And good for dreaming up new destinations (although I won't be bothering my boss for tickets to Kabul any time soon I think - but Kyrgystan or there abouts would be good.... but then I need a different job).
(ps, the blog is slow as I have very irregular connectivity at the moment. Oh, and no inspiration)
I found the blog at the time that she was walking through Tadjikistan - I just read her latest posts which are of crossing the border into Afghanistan. Although the stories and pictures are fascinating I can't stop thinking that you have to be crazy to be doing a trip like this....
Travel stories seem to fascinate me at the moment, especially those going through Central Asia. I just finished Colin Thubron's Shadow of the Silk Road which I loved. I especially liked that he doesn't only describe what he sees, but he really ties together the long history of the area and talks a lot about the people he meets. Now waiting is also 'On the Road to Kandahar' - a report by a military journalist (I think) of travelling Afghanistan and Iraq.
Fascinating stuff. And good for dreaming up new destinations (although I won't be bothering my boss for tickets to Kabul any time soon I think - but Kyrgystan or there abouts would be good.... but then I need a different job).
(ps, the blog is slow as I have very irregular connectivity at the moment. Oh, and no inspiration)
June 27, 2008
Cheese!
The theme of this week: cheese.
French cheese to be exact, and a little bit of Swiss. Cow's, goat's, soft, creamy, smelly, blue - you name it, we had it all.
One of the friends who was here this [s]weekend[/s] week is from France, and she brought half (!) a suitcase full of cheese (and wine, and foie gras, and saucisson - but mostly cheese). Great stuff. *sigh*
Everyone's gone now - the last person left for Japan today. It was amazing being together with all these people again. And after six years, no one has changed. At all. Definitely a special week.
I have a few leftovers in my fridge, so I might just have to invite some friends over for wine this weekend.
French cheese to be exact, and a little bit of Swiss. Cow's, goat's, soft, creamy, smelly, blue - you name it, we had it all.
One of the friends who was here this [s]weekend[/s] week is from France, and she brought half (!) a suitcase full of cheese (and wine, and foie gras, and saucisson - but mostly cheese). Great stuff. *sigh*
Everyone's gone now - the last person left for Japan today. It was amazing being together with all these people again. And after six years, no one has changed. At all. Definitely a special week.
I have a few leftovers in my fridge, so I might just have to invite some friends over for wine this weekend.
June 21, 2008
Sunday madness
After a couple of hectic weeks (break-ups, work travel, double jobs, and so on) I now have a week away from the office to do NOTHING. Well, nothing related to work at least - the next couple of days will be quite packed.
Such as tomorrow - Sunday.
A friend and I will be be spending the whole day picking up various other friends from airports and trainstations. By the end of the day there will be eight of us - flying and train-ing in from all over Europe - for a long overdue reunion. This group of people are the people that I spent most of my time in Osaka, 6/7 years ago, with. Although I've seen most of them within that time at least once, and usually more often, this is the first time that we are all together. Although I suppose to make it a real reunion some others should be added too.
I can't wait. The time that I spent in Osaka was amazing, and in large part due to these people. We have no plans, so I'm hoping for great weather *fingers crossed* to just be able to hang out along the canals and have fun. Woohoo!
Such as tomorrow - Sunday.
A friend and I will be be spending the whole day picking up various other friends from airports and trainstations. By the end of the day there will be eight of us - flying and train-ing in from all over Europe - for a long overdue reunion. This group of people are the people that I spent most of my time in Osaka, 6/7 years ago, with. Although I've seen most of them within that time at least once, and usually more often, this is the first time that we are all together. Although I suppose to make it a real reunion some others should be added too.
I can't wait. The time that I spent in Osaka was amazing, and in large part due to these people. We have no plans, so I'm hoping for great weather *fingers crossed* to just be able to hang out along the canals and have fun. Woohoo!
June 14, 2008
Malaysia pictures
Am making use of my first day at home to unpack and get some of my photos that I took online. Here are a couple to see, the rest with a few explanations are on flickr, as always.
View from KL Tower
Late night supper with friends on Saturday night - a great welcome to KL!
Palm trees all over the place, and now I finally know and understand where palmoil comes from.
View from KL Tower
Late night supper with friends on Saturday night - a great welcome to KL!
Palm trees all over the place, and now I finally know and understand where palmoil comes from.
June 13, 2008
Dear highly distinguished guests
One of the things that has most amazed me during this week has been the reception I and my colleagues have received at the various and many meetings.
While we would only be with two people of low to medium status, we would be welcomed by at least three - but more often many more - people, one of which would be a high-ranking official who did all the talking during the meeting. The others don't speak at all at these meetings, except for a particular daring employee who would pipe up to add something every now and then. It always made me wonder why these people were even at the meeting in the first place.
This morning my last meeting topped all of the others of this week: we were met by no less than seventeen (17!) people. The programme included breakfast, a 15-minute group photo shoot and of course lunch (there's always food included in whatever meeting you are at). Luckily the food was indeed good and the actual programme which was the reason we were there was very very interesting.
The lavish reception at so many (government) organisations has made me wonder why that happens. Of course there could be different reasons:
1) We really are incredibly important. We just don't know it ourselves;
2) Government receives disproportional respect in comparison to the value of our work;
3) There is a lot of hidden unemployment in Malaysia; or
4) People will use any excuse to get away from their mindnumbingly boring tasks.
Any other suggestions?
While we would only be with two people of low to medium status, we would be welcomed by at least three - but more often many more - people, one of which would be a high-ranking official who did all the talking during the meeting. The others don't speak at all at these meetings, except for a particular daring employee who would pipe up to add something every now and then. It always made me wonder why these people were even at the meeting in the first place.
This morning my last meeting topped all of the others of this week: we were met by no less than seventeen (17!) people. The programme included breakfast, a 15-minute group photo shoot and of course lunch (there's always food included in whatever meeting you are at). Luckily the food was indeed good and the actual programme which was the reason we were there was very very interesting.
The lavish reception at so many (government) organisations has made me wonder why that happens. Of course there could be different reasons:
1) We really are incredibly important. We just don't know it ourselves;
2) Government receives disproportional respect in comparison to the value of our work;
3) There is a lot of hidden unemployment in Malaysia; or
4) People will use any excuse to get away from their mindnumbingly boring tasks.
Any other suggestions?
June 12, 2008
Chinatown
Sitting in Chinatown, on Jalan Petaling, KL finally feels like Asia. Hot and sweaty, a monk wandering the street in the midst of hawkers selling almost-real LV, Gucci, Adidas. Chaos, too many people, too much noise and light.
This is my final night in KL. Pretty much as I expected and feared it has been a week mostly without sightseeing. Many early nights caused by long and exhausting days, leaving little energy or time to venture out into the unknown. Today wasn't much different except for the urge to see one other part of town before I head out tomorrow night.
Not being able to sightsee doesn't mean that I haven't seen anything of the country though. If anything, this has probably been a much better week to learn about Malaysia than if I would have been backpacking. Maybe by talking and talking and more talking to many different people you find out more about a country than by seeing temples and palm trees.
Talking with NGO-workers, for example, who are explaining the complexities of Malaysian politics and the need for more transparency. And then, at lunch, the Indian woman of this group starts going off on Muslims and how we have to stop them from taking over the world. Right...
Or the couple, Chinese Malaysians, of which the woman speaks and writes Cantonese and English fluently but no Bahasa Malaysia at all. And the man speak and writes English and Malay perfectly but only speaks (and doesn't write) Cantonese. They commute into Singapore daily from Johor, on the southern tip of peninsular Malaysia.
Or Malaysian politics - which seems like a complicated maze as well. Current Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi is under heavy criticism after his party lost heavily in the general elections in last March (though they still have a majority in parliament). He's apparently sometimes compared to a Malaysian version of Gorbatsjev - opening up the country but currently risking his own position as a result of that. He's inherited many big issues from previous PM Mahathir Mohamed (also known as Dr. M). Although he built up the country so it now has 6%-plus annual economic growth things such as corruption and non-freedom of press became normal throughout the country. He also left the country with a heavy car-dependence. Obsessed with creating a domestic automotive industry, he heavily protected this industry and promoted individual car ownership. Now, in a time of record-high oil prices, Malaysia is also suffering. With the country dependent on cars, fuel subsidies were finally mostly removed last week causeing fuel prices to rise with 41%. Combined with the worldwide increase of food prices and an expected big hike in electricity prices next month, Malaysians are not a happy people right now.
This moment is an interesting time to be in Malaysia - not only for the ecnomic and political situation but also societal. The Indian and Chinese part of the population (making up almost 40% of the total population) is seeing the country transformed into a more Muslim-state, and the local Malay population (also called bumiputra's) gets advantages on all kinds of things: from favourable interest rates on mortgages to entry into government jobs and so on. At the same time, all population groups in Malaysia claim that the beauty of the country is that different ethnicities can live together peacefully. Yes, but only to a certain extent it seems. There's a lot of frustration hidden underneath that surface and it will be interesting to see how that will change in the coming years.
This is my final night in KL. Pretty much as I expected and feared it has been a week mostly without sightseeing. Many early nights caused by long and exhausting days, leaving little energy or time to venture out into the unknown. Today wasn't much different except for the urge to see one other part of town before I head out tomorrow night.
Not being able to sightsee doesn't mean that I haven't seen anything of the country though. If anything, this has probably been a much better week to learn about Malaysia than if I would have been backpacking. Maybe by talking and talking and more talking to many different people you find out more about a country than by seeing temples and palm trees.
Talking with NGO-workers, for example, who are explaining the complexities of Malaysian politics and the need for more transparency. And then, at lunch, the Indian woman of this group starts going off on Muslims and how we have to stop them from taking over the world. Right...
Or the couple, Chinese Malaysians, of which the woman speaks and writes Cantonese and English fluently but no Bahasa Malaysia at all. And the man speak and writes English and Malay perfectly but only speaks (and doesn't write) Cantonese. They commute into Singapore daily from Johor, on the southern tip of peninsular Malaysia.
Or Malaysian politics - which seems like a complicated maze as well. Current Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi is under heavy criticism after his party lost heavily in the general elections in last March (though they still have a majority in parliament). He's apparently sometimes compared to a Malaysian version of Gorbatsjev - opening up the country but currently risking his own position as a result of that. He's inherited many big issues from previous PM Mahathir Mohamed (also known as Dr. M). Although he built up the country so it now has 6%-plus annual economic growth things such as corruption and non-freedom of press became normal throughout the country. He also left the country with a heavy car-dependence. Obsessed with creating a domestic automotive industry, he heavily protected this industry and promoted individual car ownership. Now, in a time of record-high oil prices, Malaysia is also suffering. With the country dependent on cars, fuel subsidies were finally mostly removed last week causeing fuel prices to rise with 41%. Combined with the worldwide increase of food prices and an expected big hike in electricity prices next month, Malaysians are not a happy people right now.
This moment is an interesting time to be in Malaysia - not only for the ecnomic and political situation but also societal. The Indian and Chinese part of the population (making up almost 40% of the total population) is seeing the country transformed into a more Muslim-state, and the local Malay population (also called bumiputra's) gets advantages on all kinds of things: from favourable interest rates on mortgages to entry into government jobs and so on. At the same time, all population groups in Malaysia claim that the beauty of the country is that different ethnicities can live together peacefully. Yes, but only to a certain extent it seems. There's a lot of frustration hidden underneath that surface and it will be interesting to see how that will change in the coming years.
June 09, 2008
KL
After having spent 1,5 days in Kuala Lumpur so far, I've decided that this isn't Asia. There isn't any of the chaos, the weird looks, the tons and tons of people, the big differences in old & new, the lights and sounds that I am used to in random other Asian cities (Bangkok, Shanghai, Tokyo - to name a few).
Of course, it's also not Europe. Something in between, though I'm not sure what.
Or I've just been looking in the wrong places so far, I hope to discover that during the rest of the week.
Of course, it's also not Europe. Something in between, though I'm not sure what.
Or I've just been looking in the wrong places so far, I hope to discover that during the rest of the week.
June 08, 2008
Palm trees, palm trees, palm trees
That was pretty much all I saw while getting closer to the airport at Kuala Lumpur, and on the drive from the airport to my hotel. I'll be getting a closer look on Friday - when I'm visiting an oil palm plantation - which is what almost all of these palms are used for.
And also: my room is on the 20th floor and looks out straight to KL Tower and the Petronas Twin Towers! Pretty amazing view, pictures to follow of course.
Work starts tomorrow - last night was spent catching up with a Malaysian friend and his family who I met 13/4 years ago in Australia. Great way to get introduced to KL and Malaysian food, and of course to see an old friend again after 10 years. Today, more good food with a colleague and her family at lunch. A few work things that didn't go so great, which is why I'm now at a computer, but will be off to do more sightseeing soon.
And also: my room is on the 20th floor and looks out straight to KL Tower and the Petronas Twin Towers! Pretty amazing view, pictures to follow of course.
Work starts tomorrow - last night was spent catching up with a Malaysian friend and his family who I met 13/4 years ago in Australia. Great way to get introduced to KL and Malaysian food, and of course to see an old friend again after 10 years. Today, more good food with a colleague and her family at lunch. A few work things that didn't go so great, which is why I'm now at a computer, but will be off to do more sightseeing soon.
June 03, 2008
'The unvoiced question'
A hundred reasons clamour for your going. You go to touch on human identities, to people an empty map. You have a notion that this is the world's heart. You go to encounter the protean shapes of faith. You go because you are still young and crave excitement, the crunch of your boots in the dust; you go because you are old and need to understand something before it's too late. You go to see what will happen.
The above is from the introduction of Colin Thubron's Shadow of the Silk Road. Possibly pretentious but I do recognize a lot in it - why do I travel?
The book started off in Xian, and the first 80 pages detailed the 2,5 weeks that I travelled two years ago to Dunhuang in Gansu province in China. But he continues on, and at the moment he has just arrived in Kyrgyzstan....
I wonder when I will be able to continue that journey out of Dunhuang. I would love to know what is beyond those dunes.
May 27, 2008
The other side
Remember the internal vacancy I applied for a while back? Well - I got it. No surprises there but it will be a hectic couple of weeks. Getting used to a 'new' country and trying to finish the stack of work that's still waiting for my current ones.
The week in KL has now turned into a slight dilemma though. Going there is part of my job - because I have Malaysia in my set of countries. Except that as of the day I return from KL, that isn't the case anymore. Oops. I think my colleagues in KL might not be very impressed with the news.
Oh well. My manager agrees that this is what happens, and I'll just have to make sure to write a good trip report for my successor.
The week in KL has now turned into a slight dilemma though. Going there is part of my job - because I have Malaysia in my set of countries. Except that as of the day I return from KL, that isn't the case anymore. Oops. I think my colleagues in KL might not be very impressed with the news.
Oh well. My manager agrees that this is what happens, and I'll just have to make sure to write a good trip report for my successor.
May 26, 2008
Oh, about Saturday
Feist was kind of disappointing. The faster songs were good, I really liked those. But then she'd do two really slow songs - one by herself, and one with the band - which was cutesy but really not very well done I though.
The instant VJ'ing was usually much more interesting but the consultant in our group kept saying how they could save so much money by being more efficient and just taping it. Was fun to figure out what the girls were trying to visualize though.
Oh well. The rest of the night was lots of fun, so it's all good.
The instant VJ'ing was usually much more interesting but the consultant in our group kept saying how they could save so much money by being more efficient and just taping it. Was fun to figure out what the girls were trying to visualize though.
Oh well. The rest of the night was lots of fun, so it's all good.
Guidebooks
I guess you could say I'm a little bit addicted to guidebooks. Although I try to keep it simple - so when I'm just in a new city for a day or two I won't bother. And I try to borrow books from others if I'm really really broke.
But anyway - I bought a guide book to Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, because well - even if I'm there for work, I'm still there for six days which in my mind warrants the book (not that I've actually looked at it yet of course).
Except that I'm not actually in KL for six days.... out of the preliminary five day working schedule, I think I'm only spending 1,5 days in the city itself. Very excited, although to be fair I think meetings in the city for an extra day would be more useful workwise. I've been a good girl and suggested that to my colleagues as well. We'll see what happens.
But still - I really should've bought the full-on Malaysia guide apparently.
But anyway - I bought a guide book to Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, because well - even if I'm there for work, I'm still there for six days which in my mind warrants the book (not that I've actually looked at it yet of course).
Except that I'm not actually in KL for six days.... out of the preliminary five day working schedule, I think I'm only spending 1,5 days in the city itself. Very excited, although to be fair I think meetings in the city for an extra day would be more useful workwise. I've been a good girl and suggested that to my colleagues as well. We'll see what happens.
But still - I really should've bought the full-on Malaysia guide apparently.
May 21, 2008
Feist - My Moon My Man
Months ago a friend got a group of us tickets to a FEIST-concert. I am finally getting around to listening to her on YouTube. Sounds as if it'll be a good night on Saturday!
May 17, 2008
Dreaming of....
New York.
With summer coming up and everyone asking what my plans are for the summer (none) I am slowly starting to think of some new travel plans. Unfortunately the Malaysia trip offers little chance of doing much touristy (although an old friend is coming up to KL for the weekend with his wife and kid to meet me, yay!) and I don't want to go away during the schoolholidays and high season in July/August.
But: New York & Washington DC and surrounds at the end of September/early October.
The more I think of it, the better this is sounding.....
Now I just need to wait for my finances to sort themselves out and to know whether or not I'll be travelling by myself and I can start contacting my friends there to see if they'll be around. Hurrah!
With summer coming up and everyone asking what my plans are for the summer (none) I am slowly starting to think of some new travel plans. Unfortunately the Malaysia trip offers little chance of doing much touristy (although an old friend is coming up to KL for the weekend with his wife and kid to meet me, yay!) and I don't want to go away during the schoolholidays and high season in July/August.
But: New York & Washington DC and surrounds at the end of September/early October.
The more I think of it, the better this is sounding.....
Now I just need to wait for my finances to sort themselves out and to know whether or not I'll be travelling by myself and I can start contacting my friends there to see if they'll be around. Hurrah!
May 12, 2008
From the water
I love being on the water and seeing a city that way. Even though I've lived here for 11 years, on and off, I've never been on a canal cruise or boat in the many canals we have here. So, today was a first. Lovely weather, and it was really nice seeing some new places, or some old places in a new way.
Old?
According to my friends, I am officially 'old' as of tomorrow. To aid me in my seniority I have been given the above 'rollator' (sorry, my English doesn't include a proper word for this walking aid). Do pay attention to all the details though....
May 09, 2008
@ home
One of my favourite places in my house is a tiny little covered patio thing at the back of my house. Except that I never use it for much more than storing junk. And for parties. So am making it look nice-ish again which is reminding me how I really should use it so much more. Don't you love the red of this huge lantern that's there?
May 06, 2008
*fingers crossed*
I'm sending off an application to an internal vacancy (very similar to my job actually) first thing in the morning to my boss.
I have to admit that I think I've written a kick-ass letter and that probably I needn't even try so hard but this was actually fun! (Who'd have thunk?)
Hopefully this will work out. If not, ah well - I love my current countries and current job so that's okay too.
That sounds sickeningly good, doesn't it. Yuck.
I have to admit that I think I've written a kick-ass letter and that probably I needn't even try so hard but this was actually fun! (Who'd have thunk?)
Hopefully this will work out. If not, ah well - I love my current countries and current job so that's okay too.
That sounds sickeningly good, doesn't it. Yuck.
May 05, 2008
Cake #1
Today was experiment #1 for the below birthday cake. Inspired by cheruchan, we looked up some recipes together and started work on a summery strawberrycake with orange mascarpone. (recipe in Dutch here).
Although it turned out not completely as we expected, it tasted pretty good. Maybe next time a smaller baking tin, more mascarpone and real dough.
Unfortunately not really suited to what I need it for. But at least I have a yummy dessert after tonight's dinner!
Although it turned out not completely as we expected, it tasted pretty good. Maybe next time a smaller baking tin, more mascarpone and real dough.
Unfortunately not really suited to what I need it for. But at least I have a yummy dessert after tonight's dinner!
May 04, 2008
Birthday cake
It's time for a new culinary experiment - please send all good (and simple!) recipes for yummy cakes my way, so I can attempt to make the most delicious (and do-able) sounding option.
Ta!
Ta!
Sukiyaki Western
I just read DJBroadcast's review of Miike Takashi's latest movie Django - sukiyaki western. I had no idea it was programmed at last month's Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival but it sounds great. Definitely want to see this now.
Late discoveries like this always make me realize there's too much that I want to do. Aargh.
Late discoveries like this always make me realize there's too much that I want to do. Aargh.
A Dutch Golden Week
In Japan the first week of May is called 'Golden Week' as it contains three or four public holidays in one week - this year it's about 10 days as my friends tell me.
Here in the Netherlands we have had our own Golden Week this year - Queen's Day, Ascension, a Friday in between on which my company closed down, a weekend, and Liberation day tomorrow where government employees still have the day off. Six days in a row - talk about a Long Weekend.
What I did? Nothing. And it was bliss.
Spent Queen's Day being stuck in the house trying to get better from a bad cold but the days after that were spent lounging around Amsterdam. I love wandering through the city and every time I'm there it strikes me how much variety of things to do and of places to go there is. Were it not for work being in the opposite direction I might actually consider looking for a place there... (that, and the fact that I can't afford this city).
Breakfast outside in the sun, shopping and discovering new fabulous shops (and not being able to decide what to buy therefore not buying anything which I now regret), Hoegaarden and good conversation, good movie (if you're interested in a story about how immigrants are part of - or rather not part of - Western societies, It's a free world is pretty good. Very timely and realistic), and so on.
Back home, shopping for fresh flowers (I love this time of year), fresh food - trying out new recipes at home, chilling out, reading books, and getting excited about next week's party. Wheee.
Here in the Netherlands we have had our own Golden Week this year - Queen's Day, Ascension, a Friday in between on which my company closed down, a weekend, and Liberation day tomorrow where government employees still have the day off. Six days in a row - talk about a Long Weekend.
What I did? Nothing. And it was bliss.
Spent Queen's Day being stuck in the house trying to get better from a bad cold but the days after that were spent lounging around Amsterdam. I love wandering through the city and every time I'm there it strikes me how much variety of things to do and of places to go there is. Were it not for work being in the opposite direction I might actually consider looking for a place there... (that, and the fact that I can't afford this city).
Breakfast outside in the sun, shopping and discovering new fabulous shops (and not being able to decide what to buy therefore not buying anything which I now regret), Hoegaarden and good conversation, good movie (if you're interested in a story about how immigrants are part of - or rather not part of - Western societies, It's a free world is pretty good. Very timely and realistic), and so on.
Back home, shopping for fresh flowers (I love this time of year), fresh food - trying out new recipes at home, chilling out, reading books, and getting excited about next week's party. Wheee.
April 29, 2008
Silence...
Looking at the blog it has been very silent here huh....
So, what has been happening:
* work is great - the event I mentioned in my previous post went pretty well; the project I've been working on for the past few months is finished, but I'll be continuing with it in a project management role; and am going to apply for an internal vacancy - very similar to what I do now but it's bigger and better, obviously.
* weekends have been relaxed without major events. Quite good actually.
* and I'm now on the eve of a six-day weekend. Bliss. Three holidays coinciding and a weekend in between makes for almost a full week of doing nothing. Well, I'm sure it'll fill up soon enough with a dj-gig of Simian Mobile Disco, helping friends in their new house, and mostly just hanging out in the city (although I don't know which one yet).
Oh, and did I mention my worktrip to Malaysia is booked? Woohoo!
So, what has been happening:
* work is great - the event I mentioned in my previous post went pretty well; the project I've been working on for the past few months is finished, but I'll be continuing with it in a project management role; and am going to apply for an internal vacancy - very similar to what I do now but it's bigger and better, obviously.
* weekends have been relaxed without major events. Quite good actually.
* and I'm now on the eve of a six-day weekend. Bliss. Three holidays coinciding and a weekend in between makes for almost a full week of doing nothing. Well, I'm sure it'll fill up soon enough with a dj-gig of Simian Mobile Disco, helping friends in their new house, and mostly just hanging out in the city (although I don't know which one yet).
Oh, and did I mention my worktrip to Malaysia is booked? Woohoo!
April 13, 2008
A new week: exciting things
I'm quite excited about this upcoming week. It's going to be really busy, no doubt, mostly at work - but it's filled with fun stuff.
Tuesday is mostly when all of that is happening.
* the last week or so in the office has mostly been taken up by the preparation of Tuesday's event - something that came up last minute, officially speaking isn't really part of my actual work and I think just about everyone thinks I'm crazy for continuing to think I/we could pull this off. It's one of the biggest things so far which I've had to do, and despite all the negativity of the last week I think I've managed to put together a great programme. Hopefully my inbox tomorrow will be filled with lots of emails of people attending and there won't be any cancellations of speakers. *fingers crossed*
* when I come home from that event, I will suddenly find my house occupied by a temporary flatmate - my boyfriend. I don't think I've ever really lived in such close proximity with someone else (because my house really is tiny). I'm probably overanalyzing it, and I really do look forward to it, but well - it'll be an interesting experiment!
Tuesday is mostly when all of that is happening.
* the last week or so in the office has mostly been taken up by the preparation of Tuesday's event - something that came up last minute, officially speaking isn't really part of my actual work and I think just about everyone thinks I'm crazy for continuing to think I/we could pull this off. It's one of the biggest things so far which I've had to do, and despite all the negativity of the last week I think I've managed to put together a great programme. Hopefully my inbox tomorrow will be filled with lots of emails of people attending and there won't be any cancellations of speakers. *fingers crossed*
* when I come home from that event, I will suddenly find my house occupied by a temporary flatmate - my boyfriend. I don't think I've ever really lived in such close proximity with someone else (because my house really is tiny). I'm probably overanalyzing it, and I really do look forward to it, but well - it'll be an interesting experiment!
Japan re-visited
This weekend a Japanese friend who's now currently living in Duesseldorf came to visit.
This meant having to find out how well my Japanese has kept up after 2,5 years, going on three, of being out of Japan and not having had any significant Japanese language interaction aside from an occasional afternoon. Well, not as well as I had hoped, but also not as badly as I had feared. So it's a mixed positive, I guess.
As a ticket to Japan is nowhere in sight, I'll have to make do with a weekend in Duesseldorf sometime in the coming months for some shopping and what is supposedly the best ramen in Europe. Yumm!
It also reminded me of some of the peculiarities of Japan - constant apologizing for things that cannot be helped, very conservative ideas about relationships, work, travel etc. A reminder of why I don't want to live there long-term. And a reminder that I need to install Japanese language software on my computer again (long long overdue) so I can communicate with friends in Japan again.
But it's always fun to see your own town through someone else's eyes again - the pretty canals, the mostly smiling people, the relaxedness of Dutch cities (well, at least these last two compare favourably to Germany apparently!).
This meant having to find out how well my Japanese has kept up after 2,5 years, going on three, of being out of Japan and not having had any significant Japanese language interaction aside from an occasional afternoon. Well, not as well as I had hoped, but also not as badly as I had feared. So it's a mixed positive, I guess.
As a ticket to Japan is nowhere in sight, I'll have to make do with a weekend in Duesseldorf sometime in the coming months for some shopping and what is supposedly the best ramen in Europe. Yumm!
It also reminded me of some of the peculiarities of Japan - constant apologizing for things that cannot be helped, very conservative ideas about relationships, work, travel etc. A reminder of why I don't want to live there long-term. And a reminder that I need to install Japanese language software on my computer again (long long overdue) so I can communicate with friends in Japan again.
But it's always fun to see your own town through someone else's eyes again - the pretty canals, the mostly smiling people, the relaxedness of Dutch cities (well, at least these last two compare favourably to Germany apparently!).
April 05, 2008
Weekend
While usually having my weekends filled with travelling all over the Randstad, busy with meeting people and so on, this one contains nothing. And for once, this is very very good.
Apart from meeting one friend for coffee/wine this afternoon, and lunch tomorrow with cookie, I am spending my time on (lots of) sleeping, reading the paper and books, (a little bit of) studying, writing some things down which I can't seem to say, sorting out photo's from two years of travel, slowly preparing next week's presentation, cooking, etc etc.
Perfect.
Apart from meeting one friend for coffee/wine this afternoon, and lunch tomorrow with cookie, I am spending my time on (lots of) sleeping, reading the paper and books, (a little bit of) studying, writing some things down which I can't seem to say, sorting out photo's from two years of travel, slowly preparing next week's presentation, cooking, etc etc.
Perfect.
April 02, 2008
Belonging
Tonight I was interviewed by a sociology student working on her master's thesis: on the importance of 'feeling at home' in a multicultural society - how important is it really that migrants consider their adopted country their proper home, and how does this differ to 'transnationals' and their sense of 'home'. Apparently I am a 'transnational' and so agreed to do this interview.
What do I consider home? That one's easy - the Netherlands. Despite having lived in different countries, and fully expecting to move abroad for some time again in the future, I can't imagine the Netherlands not being my home.
Why do I feel that so strongly though? And I do feel 'at home' at other places too, so what do I need in a place to make it feel that way?
Questions that I've mostly only thought of in relation to Japan and why I couldn't live there long term: because I don't feel I fit in to Japanese society.
What I need to feel at home somewhere, to feel a sense of belonging is having people I care about and who are important to me close by, a comfortable lifestyle, an open society but most of all I need a society that I feel a part of, that I can actively participate in through associations, debates on current affairs, politics but also by being respected for who I am and for being 'me' in that society.
What do I consider home? That one's easy - the Netherlands. Despite having lived in different countries, and fully expecting to move abroad for some time again in the future, I can't imagine the Netherlands not being my home.
Why do I feel that so strongly though? And I do feel 'at home' at other places too, so what do I need in a place to make it feel that way?
Questions that I've mostly only thought of in relation to Japan and why I couldn't live there long term: because I don't feel I fit in to Japanese society.
What I need to feel at home somewhere, to feel a sense of belonging is having people I care about and who are important to me close by, a comfortable lifestyle, an open society but most of all I need a society that I feel a part of, that I can actively participate in through associations, debates on current affairs, politics but also by being respected for who I am and for being 'me' in that society.
March 29, 2008
Caved in
I promised myself a few months ago that I needed to stop buying books for a while because of the ever-increasing stack of unread books on my shelf. Plus all the books that I borrow from friends.
It had been going pretty well, slowly moving through that stack, and keeping away from bookshops. Until last week.
I am now the proud owner of Colin Thubron's Shadow of the Silk Road, which had been on my wishlist for a while, and De Russische Kater by Laura Starink - after having seen her speak in a very interesting debate on contemporary Russian politics a few weeks ago.
I vaguely remember claiming that my Russia-fascination would be done with after my last trip to Russia exactly a year ago. I guess that hasn't happened huh. Oh well. Am now off to Amsterdam to see a documentary on Anna Politkovskaya to keep up the theme.
It had been going pretty well, slowly moving through that stack, and keeping away from bookshops. Until last week.
I am now the proud owner of Colin Thubron's Shadow of the Silk Road, which had been on my wishlist for a while, and De Russische Kater by Laura Starink - after having seen her speak in a very interesting debate on contemporary Russian politics a few weeks ago.
I vaguely remember claiming that my Russia-fascination would be done with after my last trip to Russia exactly a year ago. I guess that hasn't happened huh. Oh well. Am now off to Amsterdam to see a documentary on Anna Politkovskaya to keep up the theme.
March 27, 2008
Why I love my job
Although I've been in this new job now for 7/8 months I am still really enjoying it. I am amazed at how quickly life turned around last August, that all of that is still lasting, and I usually walk out of my office quite happy after another interesting day.
I just wrote a rundown of all the different things I did today to give you an idea of why I love my job. Boring, I know. But, since I recently discovered that this blog is not nearly as anonymous as I thought it might be, I won't bother after all. You'll have to take my word for it that it's fun and exciting.
And the best news of this week: my work trip to Kuala Lumpur is pretty much fixed! Woohoo.
I just wrote a rundown of all the different things I did today to give you an idea of why I love my job. Boring, I know. But, since I recently discovered that this blog is not nearly as anonymous as I thought it might be, I won't bother after all. You'll have to take my word for it that it's fun and exciting.
And the best news of this week: my work trip to Kuala Lumpur is pretty much fixed! Woohoo.
March 25, 2008
March 23, 2008
Taxes
I'm pretty bad with keeping track of where my money disappears to, but am fairly punctual about paying bills. So, a few weeks ago I got told by the tax office that I have to pay back some money after some recalculations (all things that I was expecting) which I did almost immediately.
I just checked into my bank account and noticed that they've re-transferred more than the amount they asked me to pay back to my account claiming I overpaid them.
Huh?
I should do the right thing and find out what's going on, I guess?
I just checked into my bank account and noticed that they've re-transferred more than the amount they asked me to pay back to my account claiming I overpaid them.
Huh?
I should do the right thing and find out what's going on, I guess?
Review: Persepolis
I just finished watching the new movie Persepolis. I have wanted to see it since it premiered on the Rotterdam Filmfestival in January, but knowing that it would come out in the cinema's I didn't bother seeing it then.
It's an animated movie after the graphic novel with the same title of author Marjane Satrapi. It recounts her life growing up in Iran after the 1979 revolution, and coming to Europe for highschool. Great insight to a major historic event from a personal point of view.
While I enjoyed the movie I think the very simplistic drawing did harm the presentation of the story as a movie. Although I haven't read the book (but a friend of mine apparently has it) I imagine it to be much more powerful on paper. Even though less is sometimes more, I feel that on screen you need more visual power to convince the viewer - and this is one of those cases.
Especially the beginning of the movie felt too much like a documentary and too slow-going to really catch my attention. Maybe this is also because the beginning describes a period in Satrapi's life when she's still very young, and things seem to be moving faster as she gets older. And I started to enjoy it more as the story continues as well.
It is a very interesting part of history though, and I love the way that this story shows a little bit of that. And it has made me interested to know more about the actual happenings and history of this part of the world. Nevertheless, I do think I'll like the book better.
It's an animated movie after the graphic novel with the same title of author Marjane Satrapi. It recounts her life growing up in Iran after the 1979 revolution, and coming to Europe for highschool. Great insight to a major historic event from a personal point of view.
While I enjoyed the movie I think the very simplistic drawing did harm the presentation of the story as a movie. Although I haven't read the book (but a friend of mine apparently has it) I imagine it to be much more powerful on paper. Even though less is sometimes more, I feel that on screen you need more visual power to convince the viewer - and this is one of those cases.
Especially the beginning of the movie felt too much like a documentary and too slow-going to really catch my attention. Maybe this is also because the beginning describes a period in Satrapi's life when she's still very young, and things seem to be moving faster as she gets older. And I started to enjoy it more as the story continues as well.
It is a very interesting part of history though, and I love the way that this story shows a little bit of that. And it has made me interested to know more about the actual happenings and history of this part of the world. Nevertheless, I do think I'll like the book better.
March 16, 2008
On books and such
Reading this review, on the recently discovered blog Neojaponisme, about the new winner of this year's Akutagawa prize in Japan made me realize that I still have a shelf of Japanese books to read.
The book reviewed, Chichi to ran ( Breasts and Eggs), sounds very interesting. It reminds me a little of a previous Akutagawa-winner, the book Snakes and Earrings by Hitomi Kanehara. The way the new winner appears to be written, and the topic it is on, seems to be pretty refreshing - which Kanehara did a few years ago, but completely differently.
I haven't read any of these books in the picture for over two years. I should really start getting back into it, if I want to be able to maintain my Japanese (reading) skills. The last two years have just been too hectic to be able to focus on books like this. Today felt different. I've been cleaning out my house, getting rid of a lot of things, and it feels as if the restlessness is well and truly gone. Who knows, I might be able to sit down for one of the books from that shelf again. Or maybe really start thinking about a project? Plenty of ideas... which is very good.
The best part:
(shamelessly borrowed from B. and M., who actually used their camera while on ski's/snowboard. Thanks!)
March 15, 2008
Spring is in the air
I love this time of the year. You can feel it's getting warmer (despite the occasional storm), birds are singing and people are walking around the city with a big smile.
First time to wear open-heeled shoes.
First time to put away my wintercoat as it's too hot to wear it.
All that combined with strolling the market, buying fresh flowers, olives, yummy food. Planning an impromptu evening with friends, after still being on a slight high from a fun night in the pub the evening before.
*bliss*
First time to wear open-heeled shoes.
First time to put away my wintercoat as it's too hot to wear it.
All that combined with strolling the market, buying fresh flowers, olives, yummy food. Planning an impromptu evening with friends, after still being on a slight high from a fun night in the pub the evening before.
*bliss*
March 12, 2008
*bounce bounce* [2]
It's one of those days again - bouncey, happy, chaotic, but fabulous.
I don't know if it's just a good day, or if it's the light, or if it's the little things that happened today (dress compliment from a random stranger, work compliments, exciting projects) but I'm pretty much dancing through my house tonight.
Not even the stack of tax letters and various other boring and frustrating administration papers can get me down.
Whereas over the past few weeks I've been locking myself up a little bit, not going out much during the week, early nights and keeping my weeks pretty empty - from now on my agenda is rapidly filling up with loads of fun appointments with friends and events to go and do. And I can't wait. Yay. Looks like I'm returning more to 'me' again.
I don't know if it's just a good day, or if it's the light, or if it's the little things that happened today (dress compliment from a random stranger, work compliments, exciting projects) but I'm pretty much dancing through my house tonight.
Not even the stack of tax letters and various other boring and frustrating administration papers can get me down.
Whereas over the past few weeks I've been locking myself up a little bit, not going out much during the week, early nights and keeping my weeks pretty empty - from now on my agenda is rapidly filling up with loads of fun appointments with friends and events to go and do. And I can't wait. Yay. Looks like I'm returning more to 'me' again.
March 09, 2008
So....
So, back from the skitrip. I actually survived 6 days of skiclasses despite the occasional (regular?) relapse into thinking what I was thinking being there.
But it was fun. I managed to get off the mountain pretty smoothly on the last day (though not quite the way we were taught), the group of people was fun and the weather was mostly pretty good.
The best part? The amazing views on top of the mountain. Absolutely stunning.
So, on to thinking about a next trip: London in June/July is pretty much definite. Yay.
But it was fun. I managed to get off the mountain pretty smoothly on the last day (though not quite the way we were taught), the group of people was fun and the weather was mostly pretty good.
The best part? The amazing views on top of the mountain. Absolutely stunning.
So, on to thinking about a next trip: London in June/July is pretty much definite. Yay.
February 25, 2008
A revelation
During the time I was jobhunting I got my hands on a lot of tips and suggestions on how to do good interviews. Good bodylanguage, ask questions, be confident, etc etc.
Not until this week did I realize how much of a difference it really makes. Over the past 1,5 weeks I've been doing interviews for a vacancy at our department with my manager. Very fun, but very weird to suddenly be on the other side.
And although I've always taken in the advice I've gotten and tried to keep it in mind and act on it as much as possible during interviews, it wasn't until I could see these tips and tricks from the other side that I could really understand the difference.
# Sitting crossarmed in a corner not moving is not the way to show you really are motivated for the job.
# No one asked questions at the end - I thought that was compulsory? I couldn't believe it.
# Only one person really came across as very confident, well prepared, knowing what he wants and so on. He's definitely through to the next round.
Interesting (and fun!) to do though... and I have lots more inspiration for the workshop I'm hosting in April.
Not until this week did I realize how much of a difference it really makes. Over the past 1,5 weeks I've been doing interviews for a vacancy at our department with my manager. Very fun, but very weird to suddenly be on the other side.
And although I've always taken in the advice I've gotten and tried to keep it in mind and act on it as much as possible during interviews, it wasn't until I could see these tips and tricks from the other side that I could really understand the difference.
# Sitting crossarmed in a corner not moving is not the way to show you really are motivated for the job.
# No one asked questions at the end - I thought that was compulsory? I couldn't believe it.
# Only one person really came across as very confident, well prepared, knowing what he wants and so on. He's definitely through to the next round.
Interesting (and fun!) to do though... and I have lots more inspiration for the workshop I'm hosting in April.
February 19, 2008
Excitement
Okay, this is helping a lot to make me more excited about a week in the snow. Wheeee!
Now this is actually starting to look like fun.
Now this is actually starting to look like fun.
February 18, 2008
New discoveries
It's a Monday night and I'm slowly trying to catch up after an action packed weekend. This has been such a good one, really full but luckily only with good stuff, lots of different people, gorgeous weather - what more do I want?
On top of that, I spoiled myself with a fabulous new cookbook!
Not just on Russian food, but also on food from Georgia, Armenia, Ukraine and... Azerbaidjan.
I'm SO excited. Can't wait to try it out. But, in case that doesn't happen (fairly likely actually), at least it will look good on my shelf of other cookbooks with food from various places of the world. Yay!
On top of that, I spoiled myself with a fabulous new cookbook!
Not just on Russian food, but also on food from Georgia, Armenia, Ukraine and... Azerbaidjan.
I'm SO excited. Can't wait to try it out. But, in case that doesn't happen (fairly likely actually), at least it will look good on my shelf of other cookbooks with food from various places of the world. Yay!
February 11, 2008
Mooi
de lucht is van glas vandaag
de lucht is een fles
en erin dobbert een geest
gemaakt van bevroren zonlicht
van dichter wtr.
de lucht is een fles
en erin dobbert een geest
gemaakt van bevroren zonlicht
van dichter wtr.
February 08, 2008
Weekend fun
This weekend is again one of those which is filled with lots of fun and interesting stuff. I'm trying to be quite the intellectual though with, instead of parties and concerts, lots of lectures and debates.
My afternoon plans for tomorrow will be a new experience.
My university celebrates its establishment on February 8 (433 years today) and tomorrow I will be attending some of the events organized for alumni. It should be fairly interesting and I'm quite curious what it will be like. At least it's an interesting programme with a lecture on 'The mythes on the influence of Europe' and later on a workshop on 'Presenting with conviction'. Fits right in with some other stuff I've been doing.
More alumnistuff that evening when I have to put some people back on track. Not really looking forward to that though.
But! Sunday is looking great:
* 60 years of Magnum Photos at SMCS
* sushi, or something similar. yummm.
* Putin, Gorbatsjov and anything Russian in between at the Rode Hoed
My university celebrates its establishment on February 8 (433 years today) and tomorrow I will be attending some of the events organized for alumni. It should be fairly interesting and I'm quite curious what it will be like. At least it's an interesting programme with a lecture on 'The mythes on the influence of Europe' and later on a workshop on 'Presenting with conviction'. Fits right in with some other stuff I've been doing.
More alumnistuff that evening when I have to put some people back on track. Not really looking forward to that though.
But! Sunday is looking great:
* 60 years of Magnum Photos at SMCS
* sushi, or something similar. yummm.
* Putin, Gorbatsjov and anything Russian in between at the Rode Hoed
February 02, 2008
Snowsnowsnow
No, it's not snowing here - although it's forecast to next week.In four weeks time, though, I'm supposed to be in the middle of a lot of snow.... Eek. By some kind of weird accident I'm due to go skiing (or snowboarding, I still haven't made up my mind) for the first time ever in France next month.
Any tips and tricks to not end up like the picture?
(picture from http://www.weaselette.com/comics.html)
January 29, 2008
Repeating myself
One of the best things about the IFFR is the fact that directors and actors show up to introduce their own movies and do a Q&A afterwards.
And how can you not love a film which is introduced - by the director - as: "This is to celebrate really really bad music and really really bad fashion."? Hilariously kitsch and very emotional at the same time.
And how can you not love a film which is introduced - by the director - as: "This is to celebrate really really bad music and really really bad fashion."? Hilariously kitsch and very emotional at the same time.
January 26, 2008
Two down, six to go
As mentioned before, Rotterdam is completely absorbed at the moment by the filmfestival. As am I, for a few days.
The change going from one movie to another always surprises me.
Yesterday I first saw The best of times, the latest movie from Russian directer Svetlana Proskurina. A thoughtful movie about two women and the love/hate relationship between them throughout their lives after loving the same man.
Then it was time for REC, a Spanish blockbuster and as far removed from the previous film as you could imagine. I had already read a friend's review which made me somewhat prepared. Hilarious horror - gross, but done very well.
Next up today are:
It's hard to be nice
De verloren kolonie
Later this week will be:
881 (my attempt at fitting something Japanese in there, but it turns out to be Singaporean. Oh well, close enough)
Chouga
Charly
Black Snow
Yay, can't wait. So, for now, back to Rotterdam, where I'm being taken out to a mystery restaurant before hitting the cinema's again.
The change going from one movie to another always surprises me.
Yesterday I first saw The best of times, the latest movie from Russian directer Svetlana Proskurina. A thoughtful movie about two women and the love/hate relationship between them throughout their lives after loving the same man.
Then it was time for REC, a Spanish blockbuster and as far removed from the previous film as you could imagine. I had already read a friend's review which made me somewhat prepared. Hilarious horror - gross, but done very well.
Next up today are:
It's hard to be nice
De verloren kolonie
Later this week will be:
881 (my attempt at fitting something Japanese in there, but it turns out to be Singaporean. Oh well, close enough)
Chouga
Charly
Black Snow
Yay, can't wait. So, for now, back to Rotterdam, where I'm being taken out to a mystery restaurant before hitting the cinema's again.
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