Retro: Fly to the Philippines part 2

It took me a while to post this entry. This might be long overdue but I would still like to recap my visit in the Philippines as part of my journal here. When I arrived back in Holland, I was so busy with my exam. Believe it or not, I did it again. I passed and now I'm ongoing to the next module, and hopefully I will be finished in the late summer.

To add from that, just after my exam I jumped to a new parttime job to add to my exploration here while digging up the labor market. I'm working now in a museum of Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles , worldwide famous of producing handmade earthenware (named after the city of Delft where I live) like the Delftblue porceleineware. I work in the brassierie...maybe anyone of you will bump into a cup of coffee with a Dutch apple taart, then just say hi to me :-), when you pay your bills later.

We're approaching the city of Mati. We drove a long-way round to hit that island in my back.

Where we are? Ok, let's go to my pinoy getaway. Since, I was busy with family and friends visit, I even tried to explore a bit of my childhood province, Davao Oriental. There, I plunged to the crystal-blue water. We crossed the island of Waniban by boat. A small island fronting Masao beach, in the far-east end in the city of Mati.

We're in the island of Waniban. Fronting is the Masao beach where we departed.

My family. It's not obvious that they were excited :-)This island is not yet well-explored by the locals and tourist alike, since of it's high end location. It's nice to spend a whole day here. The boat is chartered at a reasonable price.

When I was like 6 years old, we used to come here. This once a port, where ships docked for loading of timber. We used to buy chocolates and ice creams in the ship. But now, the port is empty since the logging industry was closed. Nowadays, local fishermen sell their catch here. This bay is sometimes used as a shelter port for fishingboats whenever there's typhoon.

Before I left for the Netherlands, I used to work in this province. Somehow, this place is closed to me. I grew up here since my tender years until we moved when I was 10 yrs old. In my mid twenties, I went back to this province to work. I have families here though some are quite distant relatives but I used to see them and introduced myself as daughter of Maria or granddaughter of the late Tibo. Everytime we saw each other, they said I looked different, that made self introduction never ends.

Nevertheless, I did not ever forget to mark this place as one of my destination whenever I get back home. My hubby came here for the third time. He liked this place. Davao Oriental is just quite with a natural beauty of tranquility. Beaches, forest, and the natural curves of the mountains are what we like and I surely miss. Whenever, we decided to build our nest in the Philippines, this province is gonna be a top choice for our future paradise.

After a short weekend there, we drove back to Davao City and eventually, had a short stop in Panabo City where my parents live.

Next post is anything about of my trip. See yuh!

Retro: Fly to the Philippines part 1

This is a flashback of my trip to the Philippines dated feb 14-march 13. As what I've said in my last post, I was busy packing of gifts...for who was a surprise. I flew right on valentine's day. Husband and I made up before that day :-) That made sense when I wrote that it was nontypical. Nevertheless, I went back to my native land 12 days ahead than hubby. Hoped to spend great time.

On the day of my flight, I had already trouble at Schipol airport in Amsterdam. I knew I was stupid but just like a bull, I was quite hard headed. I brought a luggage about 60kgs, three times from the allowed checked-in luggage. I knew, but I took risk to grab a chance to bring it for free. I was allowed to bring a free excess checked luggage of 10 kgs. Not bad with a carry on luggage of 15 kgs. Hubby was dissappointed to me how pushy I was. He told me already to send my baggage via parcel..and he ended up bringing my excess baggage back home. It was not nice for him. Sorry dear. I begged him to bring it with him when he fly later. But he did'nt promised...(he doesn't like to pack his suitcase full of soaps and chocos heh).

These are miniature gifts (as our wedding giveaways) inside of my luggage.

A group picture with my college friends.

My visit was supposed to be a surprise but not anymore to my family but still to my friends. All my friends were surprise, that I love the idea. Imagine, a friend of mine just arrived from work, complaining about her day and just a minute I bumped into her to say Hi. I could not picture their faces when they saw me. They screamed as if I was a ghost and shook me to death with big loud smiles and unbreathable hugs.

So what made my days busy in there? It was full of family and friendly visits. For about two years that I did'nt returned since I got married. I decided to make my visit a feast, just to share and celebrate the happy moments I have in Holland (and even bad times). I liked to spend time with my parents of course, and have apart time with friends mentioning hi-school and college buddies. Just a typical pinoy feasts we had. I was also a typical balik-bayan. I had a lot of mesmerizing moments. Adding to what I miss is our food like sweet mangoes, native chicken bbq and my mother's special pancit. Hahaha! I gained 3 kgs. Not bad at all. Actually, those are yummies for me that delight my gastronomy. Other foods were just a plus. A piece of crisp lechon skin was also satisfying but then I could'nt just sacked them in my average stomach. I'm a food person at the same time I would like to enjoy my food by savoring the taste up to my last bite. Aside from food, our famous videoke (video singing which is popular among Asean countries) did'nt escape from my agenda. Well, to think that I can't do it here in Holland or else our neighboor will send a police to reprimand me, so better do it in the Philippines, whether you shout out loud till your tongue drops, nobody will stop you but only your conscience.

So far, I maximized my first 12 days before hubby will arrive. I tried to do things according to my plan and I was also being spontaneous though.

Another thing, I was not just enjoying but also complaining (hmmmm, am I now Dutchified?). Definitely, I complained about the weather. Soooo hot. No way but to rush going in to shopping malls for free airconditioning. I was then had a thought about of our thinning ozone layer. Anyways, no time to act on it, ( I'm on state visit este family visit :-) but desperately sighed. The busy streets and loud horns were annoying. Sometimes, its threatening to me that I would like to stay home aside from the tremendous increase of prices...:-) Oh my...not to mention how expensive goods are...I refrained to shop...hoped I won't give up.

My trip was not a vacation at all. I was not relaxed but I was happy to see again the place where I spent my grown-up years. Nice to see familiar faces and places. It was also comforting to do things where I was being used of doing at. Riding jeepneys, tricycles ( a motorcycle with a cab), buses and taxis. I did'nt bike for a month. No wonder that I weigh more than I expected.

I did more things but I won't enumerate all of them :-) Summing up, I had a good time. Next post, is my time when hubby joined with me. Actually, its our first time to be away of each other. Now, we could'nt wait to be backed with each other's arm after 12 days...

Keep on track. Hehehe.(I'll post more pictures later. I'll just need to rest and study for my exam tomorrow).

happy valentine's day

Everyday is a love day. Though our week is quite busy but still we tried to do something special. Not to get pressured that Cupid is hunting hearts tomorrow but just try do things out of your typical day. So what's up with us?

Today is just so nontypical. Hubby took a day-off. The weather dropped at 2D and will be freezing tonight. It's not so inviting to go out. I think we will be hanging up at home. We like to see a movie but we are lazy to drive going to Den Haag.

At home is cluttered with papers and stuff. I'm busy packing gifts for people does'nt know that they will receive it :-) Surprise as it is being called.

I don't have a gift for hubby but I already gave him my greeting card last saturday with a poem in it. A Dutch poem that I browsed in the internet. That goes...

"Je bent mijn valentijn" (You are my valentine)

"Vandaag hou ik van je, (today, I love you)

morgen nog een stukje meer. (tommorow is even more)

Ik denk dat het elke dag zo zal zijn, (I think that everyday would be like that)

elke dag weer. (everyday again)

Je hebt geen idee wat je voor me betekent, ( you have no idea what is it meant for me)

en wat je met me doet. ( and what you've done to me)

Ik ben echt gek op je, (I'm crazy for you)

lief, jij maakt alles goed. (love, you make everything good)

Nog maar 25 maanden bij elkaar, (Being just 25 months together)

en toch al zo vertrouwd. (but even so promising)

in goede en slechte tijden, (in good and bad times)

vergeet nooit dat ik van je hou." (forget me not that I love you)

I found it sweet. I edited some of the lines since it was so long and no enough space in the card.

I received Adriaan's gift, 2 books. They are very sweet books entitled, "Van de schaduw en het licht" (Of the shadow and light) and "Ik heb je lief" (I love you), all are written pieces of the late famous Dutch writer Toon Hermans . Though I need to get myself hammered with the Dutch texts.

Anyways, whatever our plans today would be, is special. Everyday is special. What I know for sure tonight is a shot of tequila :-)

I love you Ian and to all our parents/families and friends. Happy heart's day everyone.

Wind blows while trucks move...

I was rattling going to the elavator yesterday to go the basement and to pick up my bike. The weather was so unfriendly. Adriaan missed his bus since his car was locked up in their company's parking garage. He needed to go by bus but unfurtunately, he needs to wait for 30 minutes for the next trip. Oh boy!

My fon rang and it was my classmate. I thought she called to tell me she won't go to school but then, she offered me a lift in her car. What a kind gesture. So I went out from the basement and waited for her outside. I called Adriaan whos' atop to come down and have a hitch. So in the end, we, the Huijsings had a pleasant ride. Me going to school, and Adriaan to the tram station.

The wind was blowing hard and the rain was freely pouring without care. Thanks for the lift I thought. But when, we arrived just in the junction close to our school, we could not pass. There was a big truck mover. A family just moved. I can't imagined moving in that weather. When I looked at our back...you can't believed it. Another huge truck mover. Why people are moving...or leaving?

I can't stop thinking about it. After our class, my classmate liked to drive around the city. I think she just like to drive longer than she planned since I was there :-). Then along the way, I saw a lot of constructions, actually a new residential and commercial site. It seemed that realtors are booming this year. In the city of Delft, new realties are just around. Even in our back of our neighborhood, is a big construction site now.

Well, I was just amazed. No wonder that ads in paper or hanging outside for a property for sale, homes for sale (te koop) or house for rent (te huur). A lot of newly built properties now, I think it's also a boost result of the government helping the housing sector to built up lower mortgages. Hmmmm...I feel like to move...but for sure not during on this wet, windy and freezing day. Not now but one of the coming years :-)

Thanks Ftima for the lift :-h. Through the ride, I got this post. Have a nice day though.

Cinema trip

I supposed to read a magazine today but then I was interrupted by few movie reviews in the internet, so I did surf into it and unknowingly my time is off.

Gosh! I pondered about my self comments about the films being reviewed that I watched already. It seemed that writer's and watcher's comments are variables not to mention the spoilers.

If I watch a movie, I'm not a kind of a spoiler. I still enjoyed even if the movie is a rotten tomato but to sit inside the cinema is quite relaxing that I can manage to give a film a rating of 5+ :-)

Anyways, I've a good recommendation for these following movies that I watched recently:

• Atonement, starred by Keira Knightley and James McAvoy, a romantic British drama in an old war setting, bagged most of the major Golden Globe awards.
• Enchanted, a classic Disney fairytale collides with modern-day New York City in a story about a fairytale princess who is sent to our world by an evil queen starred by Amy Adams and Patrick Demsey. Hilarious, light and family entertaining.
• Lady Chatterley , a French adaptation of the second (and much less well-known) version of D.H. Lawrence's erotic tale. This won many praises in France awarding bodies. (note: you may see a frontal nudity here).
• Charlie Wilson's War , roleplayed by Tom Hunks and Jullia Roberts. A drama based on a Texas congressman Charlie Wilson's covert dealings in Afghanistan, where his efforts to assist rebels in their war with the Soviets have some unforeseen and long-reaching effects. Rarely is movie humour laugh-out loud and also smart.

Mentioned films are still showing. Check FilmLadder.nl .

Movies I'm going to watch:

• Away from Her . The story is about a man coping with the institutionalization of his wife because of Alzheimer's disease faces an epiphany when she transfers her affections to another man, Aubrey, a wheel chair-bound mute who also is a patient at the nursing home. This film also shops a lot of awards. I'm interested to watch it maybe this coming weekend.


• 27 Dresses . I might consider to buy a popcorn for this :-) A typical story of multiple times being a bridesmaid but never a bride. Maybe a sort of Valentine's treat.


• Juno. It's played by one of my favorites Jennifer Garnier.


• The Bucket List , a comedy-drama by multi-awarded Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman.

For now, I have an open list. I hope you'll gonna check them out, and let's see how our reviews and taste differs :-)

Internet connecting people

You just name it and you have it. That's what internet can offer. I just had a moment imagining, what is life without this technology. What is life abroad far from your family and friends, far from your own traditions and culture and anything that connects an immigrant's identity.

My 2-year life abroad is made easy by technology, of course not only me...it's a fact and presently a must. International calls is cheaper via discount numbers which are so many to choose from. I have a lot of them but I found one that's really cheap. Check this on Goedkoopbellen . Or, if you're just right at your desk, then VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is even cheaper just like yahoo messenger or msn where you can chat and call for free with your friends and relatives.

This blog , I started to keep contact with my family and friends. My online photoalbum that showcases my photos to connect with our beloved. There are many free photo webtools but you can upgrade it buy paying which I did for about two years now with Photoalbum.

To keep in tract with my high school buddies and college mates, Friendster is invented, and I have it too. I have also a Hyves account since friends of my husband is interconnected with this site. Hyves is known and used by many Dutch and Europeans unlike with Friendster, it is hitting mostly the Asian countries. However, I don't got much time to update it.

A lot of them present in the internet. I shop via online. I even sell my junks :-) (good as new) via Marktplaats. I do cash deposits and withdrawal via internet banking. Paypal is even easier for paying and receiving cash.

My mobile telephone with wap tools is also another option. You got connected with the world wherever you are. Though, I don't use it so often...only if I have nothing to do when I'm outside...just check my emails or sent urgent emails via my cellphone.

I read news online, Philnews (links of all Philippine online news), Volkskrant (Dutch news) and CNN ( International news). What more?

Now, I'm saying how easier it is now compared wayback ten years ago. If I came here in the Netherlands at that time...maybe it will take me box of postmails and bucket of tears (homesick) though internet is already there but the innovations now are just different than before.

Most of all, internet connected me to my husband. We are lovers of technology should I say :) Love emanates from a kind heart...but I found it via machine. Hmmmnnnn. I know I'm not just the only one who is grateful of this romantic web incident.

Millions of us...Reasons may varied but whatever are those...might be the same as what I mentioned above as my personal experiences, yet we are thankful of this technology. Personally I am :-)

Advance happy valentine!

Up-close with Humidity, Humidifier and Bad hair day

The temperature now drops at freezing point. It's freaking cold. I just had the energy to bike outside at this freezing point. Well, I just swim this morning, so I had a lot of warming up.

I just actually arrived from my biking expedition and then I run to my desk to check my emails. But then, an article struck my attention contenting about humidity relating to bad hair day. Is it interesting?

What is humidity by the way :-) Humidity is the amount of moisture in the air. The hotter the air is, the greater is the moisture. 35%-45% humidity is called to be average indoors. Instability of it may cause discomfortness, even drying of skin, allergies, itchiness and even damage of some properties inside the home. I just also read all these symptoms at Holmes humidifier web site in their Questions about humidifiers.

But too much of that, I'm interested why having a bad hair day relates with humidity.

Just quite funny, but I'm curious. I just had few bad hair days that I just ended up tying or camaouflage it by any piece to put on over my head. Enough said, the article goes like this:

"The length of a strand of human hair changes with different relative humidities. As the relative humidity increases, hair becomes longer, and as the humidity drops it becomes shorter. On very humid days, your hair actually becomes longer and this extra length causes the frizziness that gives us bad hair days".-USATODAY.com

So, human (or animal) hair turns out to be a pretty good way to measure the humidity, as you ever complained about a "bad hair day," can tell you that it's time to stabilize your home's humidity. Aha! That's why I had my hair flying away. But how about falling hair? I will search for it next time. But how about you guys? Have a bad hair day? Then maybe it's time also to check Holmes humidifier . What is humidifier? It's a home appliance to help humidifying your home at the right level.

Well, it's just important to check how humid inside our house especially during the cold season. Too high and too low might jeopardize our health. The higher it is, makes our windows and glasses are dampy and wet, where molds and bacteria can grow; the lower it is, the dryer the air we breath. Just to make sure you have an hygrometer to measure humidity or a Holmes humidifier to help stabilizing it.

Check your home's amount of moisture or have a glimpse at the mirror on how your hair looks :-)

December capsule IV

We just seen a ballet performance of Het Grootste Zwanenmeer ter Werld (Swan Lake) at the RAI Theatre in Amsterdam. It was spectacular. It was my first time ever that I saw a live stage ballet. Adriaan was his fourth time, but we both enjoyed the show.
(Photo is from theagenda.nl )

We had a good but expensive seat in the theatre (tickets were courtesy from my in-laws). It was breathtaking. I can see the faces of the performers and all their synchronized movements. The show had two breaks, so they divided the play into three plots/parts.

The story is based on the classic tale of young Prince Siegfried, who falls in love with the Swan Queen, Odette. Poor Odette is cursed for all time by the evil Rothbart. She is destined to remain a woman during the day but a swan at night until rescued by the power of love.

Enthralled by her beauty, the Prince pledges his undying love, but is tricked by the evil sorcerer into declaring his love for Odile, Odette's evil twin.
When he discovers the ruse, the horrified prince rushes back to the lake where he battles Rothbart and destroys his power.

(Photo is from elsievier.nl)

The performance combined the most perfect harmony between the music and the choreography in the history of dance - a beautiful story about the struggle of good and evil. And a great love story as well. However, there are different versions in the ending of the story. In this performance, the queen was destroyed by the evil. The queen died and the prince carried her and they both thrown themselves to the lake. It was still a happy ending since they meet each other in heaven.

For this production, the company has made a concept - with classical sets, costumes, backdrops and staging. The whole effects, in visual and in musical were splendid.

There were 48 swans/performers from the Tsjaikovsky Perm Ballet from Russia, where the best ballet performers came from. They are world performers. As of the record, the company has the greatest number of swans ever performed that highlighted the show.

Tickets are still available at Topticketline and will be performed until 6 january 2008.

December capsule III

Snow...snow... It snowed in the Netherlands. It lasted for two nights at least. This winter is colder than last year.

I smiled it is because, I always wanted to snow. I just had a quick shot here or else I might freeze too.



The first day of snow...my mother in law picked me up at home. We went together to Makro (a big warehouse) for some stuff. On our way...mom took the nicest route to drive through and we can spot the white scenic views. I took pictures while I was inside of the car but they were not just sharp...I'm still glad that I took them...(above fotos).

It was just a tired day...that I was not able to get out and have a walk. I just tried to take more pictures from our flat...(pictures just right above).

It was really beautiful. The watercanals were frozen...Adriaan's nephews are skating in the frozen canals in 't Woudt (where my parents in law live) and where I would like to go but Adriaan was just not feeling well.

I'm hoping this will happen again. Anyways, the weather in the Netherlands is just so changeable. Now, the temperature is 5C . Just few more droppings...

December capsule II

I watched Evita, the musical play held at the New Luxor Theater in Rotterdam courtesy from my work.

I was excited though it's my first time to watch a musical play here in Holland and to think that it's a world renowned play. The book and lyrics by Tim Rice and this is based on the life of Eva Peron, the infamous first lady of Argentina. Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber.The original Broadway production opened on 25 September 1979 and was directed by Harold Prince, with choreography by Larry Fuller, running for 1567 performances. Originally produced as a concept recording, the original West End production opened on 21 June 1978. A film version was released in 1997 where Madonna played Evita and Antonio Banderas as Che Guevarra.

I also watched the film and I have at home a Dvd which was also a gift from our boss. Luckily, I knew the story, or else I might not understand the play. :-) The songs are all translated in Dutch...expecting that the rise and fall of the melodies are just quite difficult to follow. Brigitte Heitzer who played as Evita has a great voice. She won last time in the AVRO tv programme"Op zoek naar Evita" (Searh for Evita) of Joop van den Ende Theaterproducties.

It was actually a work night-out. We had dinner at Liepzig restaurant inside of the theater. My colleagues were just curious to ask me if I can follow and understand the play 'coz even them, have difficulty listening to the music. The orchestra was just hard...well, the first part of the plot was quite full of strong emotions that made the music harder. But in the second part was already slowly to softened since of the low-variations of feelings of the story. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the performance.

The evening was so beautiful and I was also impressed with the architectural design of the theater. I did'nt have a photo since I was just a bit reluctant to disrupt my Dutch colleagues in their serious mood. Hehehe! They looked allergic and skeptical from the camera flash...but at the end of the play, our boss gathered us in the big hall and took a group picture just with a big christmas tree background. They have no escape but at least I was relieved. :-)

The New Luxor Theatre is one of the biggest amusement theatres in the Netherlands and home to various forms of entertainment including musical, cabaret, opera, revue and dance for international and local audiences. The ambience of the theater was really perfect for the night. The location has the excellent waterfront view of the world port, the Erasmus bridge as the skyline of Rotterdam and from there is just the Hotel New York stands.

Surprisingly, when we went out from the theater, it was a complete white evening. It snowed. I've waited for snow and just happened at the late evening. I sighed...I had no time to take a photo coz we're already hurrying going inside of our bus...I was hoping to take a photo when I arrived in Delft....Surprisingly again! Mr. Snowman was not yet in Delft....Uuhmmmm.

The next morning...I woke up and when I looked out the window....I just saw white. At last...the snow arrived :-)

December capsule I

I was quite busy this month of December. A lot of things happened, like surprises ( of any sorts, gifts or problems :-(, sickness, misunderstandings, parties etc.). In short...tired and exhausted. Anyhow, I'm back and I'm trying to recap my past few weeks and I'm even inspired by this photo I captured few weeks ago.

I took this magnificent sunset view from our flat.

To start with, on the first day of this month, we had a nice evening with my 3 sister-in-laws and my mother in law. We had dinner together in the Pakhuis, a cozy restaurant in Delft. We called the night as girls' night-out. Girls' talk in between with a superb meal served in the table. It was an exclusive time for us...backbiting over our hubbies :-) Hehehhe. joke. That night was special and we would like to do it next time in the coming year.

The next day I decorated my christmas tree. Too early here in Holland but quite later than in the Philippines. This time, I bought a plastic one (practically wise) unlike last year that I had a 6 footer real pine tree.

We had celebrated the Sinterklas last december 5. We had many surprises received from Sint. It was time to feel like a kid. Hehehe...opening your gifts.

The unwrapping of gifts...

I have some regular meet-ups with few friends from the church. Last 11th was the Lichtjes avond ( light evening) in the city. It was the evening that the big christmas tree standing in the market square of the city was lighted to welcome the yuletide season.

The big christmas tree in the market square just officialy lighted up at exactly 7pm by the city mayor. It was blessed with a pleasant weather, where a very big and full-packed crowd gathered.

The church where I regularly attend, joined the activity. We setted up an information stand about the church. The night was glorious especially inside of the Oude kerk (old church). There were musical presentations and plays.

The following days were scheduled visits for families and friends.

I still used to manage my school schedule in which I just had my pre-exam last 18th.

The above image is a manger with people playing as Mary and Joseph with several sheperds and a camel.

Photo below is the aligned old buildings along the Oude Delft canal displaying their lights to highlight this one of the most historical canals of the city.

And you know what... I just grabbed a part time job in the housekeeping department of the Leeuwenbrug Hotel, just here in Delft. I just work for 3 1/2 hour for 3 days a week. It's also a nice experience, and I meet new people where I have the chance to enrich my Dutch vocabulary. I have a mixed environment of co-workers like students, mothers, old, youngs and of course international guests. This' also something to pack up my time. The hotel is just less than 15 minutes by bike, an advantage not to back out. So far, this job is better than sitting in the cabin of the callcenter where I last worked. Great :-)

Check out my next activity in my next post. I'm trying to capsulate them as far as I can remember. Have a happy vacation and a festive December :-)

Forgetful: a symptom

I'm surprise how forgetful I am. It's acceptable to forget somebody's name that you just met for a split of minute and meet only once in a blue moon :-) Can you forgive me if I forget your birthday? I think yes...just try to make up, but what I can't accept is simply forget the day's date. Omg! I forgot that yesterday was wednesday and I was doing my thursday activity in one day advance and even busy planning for the following day, thinking it's friday.

Maybe it was the effect of my dentist nonstop changing of my appointment. Hmmmn. I used to save the date for my dental regular check up and just for a strange change, I received two different calls requesting me to change my appointment. The dentist is out! My appointment always falls on wednesday. So, I move it now to thursday. I hope the change will pay.

Does it also happens to you? Is this a sign of aging? I'm about to hit the crucial 30's. Well, I don't know if this is serious, but how many times last summer that I spent many times searching for my sunglasses wherein it was peacefully sitting on top of my head. Ridiculous but it seems that the time is near...got what I mean?

I have my electronic agenda/planner via my fone syncronizing to my outlook calendar but still doesn't help me. I have a calendar hanging inside of our wc (water closet). My mobilefone alarms to remind me but it seemed to be not working. Hmmmm. Sounds not yet desperating but it worries me. I have to set an action plan. What? To take a good and sound sleep. I think, I was just tired...maybe it's time to arrange a therapuetic thermal bad. Just like a special treat in Sanadome. Uhmmmn. I can also do an aromatic bath at home. How about after this post?

I would say, that I'm not really good of dates like histories, remembering ones' birthday, but I won't forget that I was married in April fool's day...heheheh (joke). I won't forget how special it was during one beautiful spring day.

There are many reasons associated with memory loss. Try to google it. I won't enumerate them. Others also said that memory lapses might be just an excuse for someone who don't like to remember. Hmmmn. Playing forgetful? That is certainly a bad habit.

The modern world we live in makes many demands on us. Sometimes it seems as if the pressure to do more, be more, and produce more never stops. It is not surprising then, that the balance between inner and outer life is tricky to maintain. The pace of living has become hectic. As a result, our head (sanity) spins out of our reach. Well, forgetfulness is not yet a serious symptom of insanity. Heheheh. What we need is to release all the junk from within. Let our brain pick up its sensors of organizing (there are lots of rooms in our brain to be checked)...then our memory faculty will be restored and revived...only if you'll have some time for body rest.

Anyways, I think this is not yet a disease. I can still manage to survive. Only that there are days that we're so hyperactive, a kind of imbalance that we forget to live the day and subconsciously we like to bring up the future out of our own will. Our mind faculty just don't rest and tried to work continously jumping off to its limit. It means, that I have to adapt to my body rythm and not trying to over rule what the body can't.

What do you think? Am I right? Or am I just justisfying how forgetful I am...or maybe I will blame it by too much drinking coffee. Maybe I'll shift to decaf but not so soon :-)

Note: Just read this article about diagnosis of being forgetful .

Sinterklaas again!

On December 5, it's Sinterklaas again here in the Netherlands. This gonna be my second time to celebrate it. Well, it's not really that we will celebrate it per see, but I'm just gonna witness it how special it is for the children. We will be joining with my sister-in-law since they have two kids. Without kids, this event woudn't be sold out solely to the adults.

Who is Sinterklaas?

Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet (s).

Who is also Zwarte Piet?

I already introduced them during my previous post last year. Have a look and get up-close and personal to him:-)

Tag: Bye Sinterklaas, Hello Santa Claus .

For a bird's eyeview, Sinterklaas or Sint Nikolaas in Dutch or Saint Nicolas in French, is a holiday tradition in the Netherlands and Belgium (both Dutch and French speaking parts), celebrated every year on Saint Nicholas' eve December 5 or, in Belgium, the morning of December 6. Zwarte Piet is Sint's helper. The feast celebrates the name day of Saint Nicholas, patron saint of children. Read more...

I just refresh this subject it is because, since the start of November, many googlers are referred to my site and untiredly using the search word Sinterklaas. I hope that the above link might be a help.

It's just amazing how this feast a big business grower. All items now on sales are related to this feast. All items are costumized and commercialized. From clothings, toys, kids accessories, and food are all Sint inspired.

In food section, you can see taitai, speculaas, chocolate letters (pure or milk) and choco sint/piet figurines, marsepein ( a mixture of almonds and sugar that has been ground), choco munten (chocolate coins), peppernoten, and many more. Check this link for more Sint food ideas.

Speculaas are flavoured with cinnamon and some specific spices. A type of shortcrust biscuit (traditionally baked for consumption of this feast) in the Netherlands and Belgium.

All the food stuff can be found anywhere in the supermarket or you might even get these for free in some shops or as giveaways of some companies and offices.

Now, I'm eating pepernoten. This is made of kaneelpoeder (cinnamon) and nootmuskaat (nutmeg).

Right image is the pepernoten.

After this feast, Christmas will follow. People are not as busy unlike during the Sinterklas day. Christmas is celebrated very shortly and treated with a simple family dinner. Very unlikely to what we used to in the Philippines...where the yuletide season is occupying a quarter of the calendar year.

Ps. It's also during Sinterklaas that you might need to start writing your wishlist :-) Hehehe. It's my own interpretation. Well, at this time, I'm not wishing...I'm praying :-)

This' all for now. Happy Sint day.

Search your celebrity look-alike...

This is one of my files I came acrossed when I opened up my old archive. I tried to upload my newest picture to check my celebrity look-alike, if it's still the same. The most consistent is the lovely girl Katie Leung, who charmed Harry Potter and more Asean stars...including Sarah Geronimo, the Philippine young popstar. Well, just a slight similarity :-) Naks!

Ummmmh. I'm just amazed why the're two blond girls sneaked out in my collage...Note: Drew Barrymore is also consistent to any of my pictures....Hehehe! Most likely, due to our checkbone...
Just for fun...try to check yours...maybe this is one way to find your long lost grand ancestors...:-)



Anyway, don't worry dear friends...this will not cause to lost your identity...yours is forever yours :-) Just check out how the power of technology does cute things :-) Have a nice day.

Monetize your Blog through...

Do you have a blog and want to make some extra money? Then bloggerwave gives you the opportunity. Bloggerwave is aiming to be Europe's biggest advertising media on blogs and you, as a blogger can help it grow so more and more jobs will come.

I was browsing the web again, and here I got an interesting piece of how to monetize your blog through bloggerwave. This is now the trend, the newest fave...join to the bandwagon of blogging. Bloggers around the world, who specializes in their own fields, whatever, it may be in travel, tourism, industry, medical, gadgets, fashions, media, IT, education, politics, lifestyle, counselling, you name it, all of them are earning...so why not me...:-) I would like to give a shot.

colors of autumn

It's now autumn. Autumn is the season that comes between summer and winter and officially starts on the 21st of September. Americans started and usually call this season fall because it is a time of falling leaves. In Nederlands, it's translated as herfst or najaar ( herfst is pronounced as what it is being written and najaar, j is pronounced as y ).

I am very enchanted during fall especially this year. Last year's autumn was not as colorful as this time. Now, deciduous trees shed their leaves, with the leaves changing to a reddish or brownish hue before falling. In temperate zones just like in the Philippines, autumn is the season during which most crops are harvested though we don't have this official season.

(The yellow flower, oncidium or dancing lady, stands at our window pane, this blooms on its 3rd time since the time we have it last year. This also serves as our daily sunshine for the past few weeks :-)).

In the fall, there's nothing like the low-angled, amber light of autumn shining on a late season garden. When I biked, there was a smoky haze in the air that gave the countryside a dream-like atmosphere. Sometimes, when I biked going through to the villages, the green meadows appeared of multi-hued colors. The cows’ breath fogged the chilly air and of course, their smelly waste is also freely dancing with the air to give you their unselfish earthy odor. Well, not to make my blog stinky...:-) I would say that the aromatic scents of the leaves and flowers are the most empowering fragrances you will smell when you pass in the bushes or walk along the array of trees. It's magnificent I would say. Walking in the woods with the heap of falling leaves at your feet. This year's autumn is really beautiful.

Everywhere you go, you see warm earthy tones in the garden, a sprinkling of colour from summer's last flowers, brilliant reds, oranges and yellows of the trees dressed in their best fall finery. The colours remind us of the wonderful summer we have just had. One can still feel the last of the sun's summer warmth on one's face while crisp air fills the sunny days and cooler nights. Store windows and markets are adorned with all the fall colours, tempting the passer-by. It is a season to be enjoyed for as long as it can be, before the onset of the long cold winter.

Now a little late of sighting colors since the flatland is stormed, frequent rain poured and tremendous bursting of wind blasted. Leaves are just falling, make the trees almost bald and grey.

Anyway, before the end of this scenic autumn, I just got few shots of a garden park nearby in our neighboorhood (the garden fotos were all taken at the Wilhemina park at Weteringlaan, Delft).

You know, while I'm writing this post, I'm quite inspired to compose a poem about autumn. Actually, autumn has often been associated with melancholy. The possibilities of summer are gone, and the chill of winter is on the horizon. Skies turn grey, and people turn inward, both physically and mentally. I read a lot about associated medical stories how this season affects human behavior, like winter blues: Seasonal Affective Disorder: Are you SAD? due to decrease exposure of sunlight as fall deepens and extends throughout the darker days of winter. I won't go deeper to this topic...this kinda an opossite side of how colorful autumn is, right?

I would like to share few lines from an autumn story I just browsed in tonight. ( I coudn't tract back the page anymore to cite who the author was...)

...I look out the window and watch Autumn's story unfold. I witness crimson, auburn, and gold leaves, clinging to their branches in the late October wind. The wind seems relentless, and the leaves struggle to hold on, whipped back and forth. Then, in a moment of what appears to be surrender, but which I think is better described as reconciliation, a leaf lets go of its branch, and gives itself over to the wind. It does not plummet straight to the ground. It floats gently, this way and that, as if recalling its life on the branch. If the wind is strong, the leaf may stay in the air for minutes on end, swirling around with other leaves. Yet, in the end, the leaf comes to rest on the solid earth. It returns to the ground from which the tree itself arose, many years ago, to mingle with the dust and ashes of life's other forms. This is the story Autumn tells...

Autumn is telling us something important. Autumn fires something in our imagination that we can reflect with. With its blustery days, its dropping temperatures, its slowly freezing ponds and rivers, its long, dark nights, and its beautiful, falling leaves...and in a certain point, you will realize how beautiful life is. We only have one life but we can create more lives out of living it to the fullest. We live at a certain point and die at any unapprehended time. However, a young leave in the spring must give its colors through the summer and is destined to fall in the autumn...but people has more chances to live...to show real colors, not just a bright colorful leaf but people have chance to share joy and happiness to anyone that is lasting and enduring...longer than forever.

Some wishes to become a leaf, to live shortly but fulfilled. Hmmmmm....I would rather choose to be me :-) Just living once but still has a chance to live life all over again when get stumble and fall. Fall is a gift of nature...to be appreciated and reminded how great is the One who made it.

I got deeper here than SAD... I have to sleep now I think :-) See yuh!

A trip plan to Paris

A friend from church is planning to organize a weekend trip to Paris. I received lots of emails about the said trip from our church google group. It seemed that many are interested. How about me? Yes I do. I would like to visit Paris for the second time around.

(This photo is at the Champs Elysees avenue during our trip last year).

The itinerary presented is quite alluring to me. For a 2-3 days trip...include visiting the La Tour Eiffel, walking to the Champs Elysees, meditating at the church of Notre Dame and Versailles.

Left image is the Eiffel obviously :-)

I've been already to these places except the palace in Versailles (photo below).

One of the most beautiful monuments in France, located just 25 miles southwest of Paris is The Castle of Versailles. Also one of the finest jewels of the French Crown and one of the most stunning designs of its creator, the Sun King, Louis the Fourteenth. That's where I would like to go.

A pose with the background of Notre Dame Cathedral.

Another thing that the trip offers is, it's such a budget trip. We are going to stay in an affordable hotel in Paris relatively closed to our target destinations. Of course, accomodation is not that hard to find. There are many nice hotels to choose from since tourism is a boom industry in France. Generally, hotels in France can be very expensive but it can be as cheaper depending how much you would like to spend. Try to dig up your web search engine. Amazingly, cheap hotels are just in hand. Wise spending will be a good motto for a smart traveller. Am I right?

Well, I'm still waiting for the infos about this trip. By the first week of December is the probable date. This gonna be a different trip it is because it's a wonderful group of people in one itinerary. It's a good start to unwind before the rushing christmas holidays. We will be tasting tegether the local french cuisine, maybe walking along the big spotlight fashion streets, bargaining in the market (as per insist),visiting museums, or climbing the Eiffel which I didn't dare before. Bunch of things to do I expect.

For the meantime, I will just wait and see what the travel plans are. Now, it's time to do my schoolworks. Have a nice day :-)