Wilde Linda

Postcrossing card from Lisboa

2011-02-13T00:49:00.000-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from Tianjin

2011-02-12T05:56:00.000-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from Skoczów

2011-02-11T10:50:00.000-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from Taipei

2011-02-10T11:08:00.000-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from Walsrode

2011-02-08T10:53:00.000-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from Jianxing

2011-02-07T10:56:00.000-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from Bremen

2011-02-06T00:58:00.001-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from Salisbury

2011-01-11T13:29:00.001-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from Moscow

2011-01-09T22:00:00.001-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from Hamburg

2011-01-09T00:31:00.001-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from Pori

2011-01-08T03:48:00.001-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from Kaohsiung

2011-01-03T23:17:00.001-08:00

This honestly is what I received... It's a sheet torn from a book or something, not a postcard at all.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from Loulé

2011-01-02T04:35:00.001-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from Gulou

2010-12-30T00:58:00.001-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from Jyväskylä

2010-12-23T22:45:00.001-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing from Wroclaw

2010-12-23T01:05:00.001-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from Šiauliai

2010-12-19T22:53:00.001-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from St. Petersburg

2010-12-19T05:22:00.001-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from Ashcroft

2010-12-12T13:07:00.001-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from Clermont-Ferrand

2010-12-11T01:34:00.001-08:00

This one was sent to me completely empty...

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from Lübeck

2010-12-10T13:49:00.001-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from St. Petersburg

2010-12-09T06:08:00.001-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from Minsk

2010-12-08T09:20:00.001-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from Gdynia

2010-11-30T05:59:00.001-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from Kangasala

2010-11-27T22:32:00.001-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from Taipei

2010-11-27T09:25:00.001-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from Xian

2010-11-24T13:05:00.001-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from Moscow

2010-11-19T13:39:00.001-08:00

No, it's really from Moscow! I had to look twice too :')

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from Taulov

2010-11-15T10:38:00.001-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Benelux Next Top Model Season 2 episode 9

2010-11-13T04:46:00.000-08:00

This is the last episode before the final, four girls are left.
We got to meet the girls in their 'natural habitat', at home. It was fun to see what kind of enviroment they come from.
They had to way a show for C&A in Dusseldorf too. It was rather sad that Marjolein, who had the best walk, only got one set to show... But she worked it, so still stoot out.
Melissa was a perfect picture. She blended in quite good en fitted everything.
Alix walked pretty rough, but she was lucky to have an outfit that cool handle it.
Renee, all arrogance, got three runs too, but she was nothing special.

Can't wait till next week!

Postcrossing card from Tampere

2010-11-12T10:38:00.001-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from Taitung

2010-11-11T12:16:00.001-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from Bonn

2010-11-10T12:23:00.001-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Postcrossing card from Minsk

2010-11-09T12:19:00.001-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Benelux Next Top Model Season 2 episode 8

2010-11-07T23:32:00.000-08:00

Last episode before the finale, number 8, contained a photoshoot for the new scent from Bruno Banani. The girls had to arrange their own male models for their shoot on the beach, which was quite tasteless. On the day of the shoot the male models Alix had arranged didn't turn up, so she got to pick two men out of the men the other had arranged. She chose two of the men from Marjolein, who was not amused.
Girl in red got eliminated. The other four will compete in the live finale.

Jaelle

Marjolein

Melissa

Renée

Alix

Postcrossing card from Odessa

2010-11-03T12:11:00.001-07:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Benelux Next Top Model Season 2 episode 7

2010-11-02T02:10:00.000-07:00

The abroard trip went to Aruba this year (crisis, anyone?) and the girl had to shoot underwater. That meant lot's of crying, hyperventilating and seasickness on the boat. And some photo's too.
By the way, looking back at the pictures taken, I really think Renée should have gone home... Frederiekes pic is way better...
Girl in red went back to the Netherlands.

Jaelle

Frederieke

Melissa

Alix

Renée

Benelux Next Top Model Season 2 episode 6

2010-11-01T02:43:00.000-07:00

Bikini's in the cold, the girls had to sit on ice to take the photo. After the shoot they had to do a challenge to figure out where they'd go on their abroud trip. Not surprising, Jaelle could again not participate, she had to go and get herself glasses. She couldn't wear her contacts anymore (after wearing them 24/7...)

Shoot is below, girl is red was sent home.

Renée

Aïcha

Jaelle

Marjolein

Melissa

Frederieke

Benelux Next Top Model Season 2 episode 5

2010-10-30T23:09:00.000-07:00

In episode 5 the girls had to shoot a golden photo wearing sunglasses. They had to shoot in pairs of two, added to three with a male model. Weird thing was that Jaelle didn't take a photo because of her eye all looking red. She wore her contacts 24/7 and that caused her eye problem. She had to go to a doctor, and missed the shoot. She went through to the next round nevertheless. Unfair if you'd ask me. Melissa had to shoot by herself because of Jaelle missing.
Girl in red got eliminated.

Alix

Renée

Melissa

Aïcha

Frederieke

Epiphany and Marjolein

Postcrossing card from Nice

2010-10-29T11:13:00.001-07:00

Today I received my very first Postcrossing card! It was from France, from Nice. I really like it! I hope to get more soon

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Benelux Next Top Model Season 2 episode 4

2010-10-13T04:04:00.000-07:00

The photoshoot in episode 4 was taken at a butcher. The models had to hang between a cow cut in half wearing haute couture. They symbolized fresh meat, the way models are normally being looked at.
I think it was a bit far-fetched, and the setting of the butcher workplace is not a great background for an haute couture shot. Also, couldn't the yellow harness they had to wear been shopped away?? But hey, that's just me.
Girl in red was sent home.

Melissa

Jaelle

Alix

Frederieke

Lesley

Renée

Marjolein

Epiphany

Aïcha

Benelux Next Top Model Season 2 episode 3

2010-10-10T06:28:00.000-07:00

Episode 3 was a photoshoot voor Olaz. The models had to promote a cream that made them ever so happy. Overall a nice shoot, I think, though not every model looks very happy with their jar. Girl in red was sent home.

Marjolein

Lesley

Frederieke

Alix

Renée

Jaelle

Melissa

Epiphany

Daisy

Aïcha

Benelux Next Top Model Season 2 episode 2 - the makeovers

2010-10-09T03:00:00.000-07:00

Benelux Next Top Model Season 2 episode 2

2010-10-08T00:56:00.000-07:00

In the second episode the models had to do photoshoot in the circus. It was quite similar to what was done in ANTM before, circus setting, fire and a trampoline. This is the result. The girl with the name in red was send away in elimination.

Lesley

Marjolein

Alix

Daisy

Epiphany

Frederieke

Aïcha

Lisse

Jaelle

Melissa

Renée

Lisse was sent away, but I must say that seeing the pics in a row, I cound surely point out photos that are worse than hers.

Benelux Next Top Model Season 2 episode 1 - extra photoshoot

2010-10-07T00:55:00.000-07:00

Thanks to a well deserved holiday, I'm a little behind on the blog. But I'm going to update, starting with this first post.

In the first episode there was an extra photoshoot. Not that serious, but still fun to share though. The models were in Disneyworld in Paris, and did a shoot in the ride 'Tower of Terror'. Crazy faces all over the place!

Aïcha

Alix

Daisy

Epiphany

Frederieke

Jacqueline

Jaelle

Lesley

Lisse

Melissa

Renée

Benelux Next Top Model Season 2 episode 1

2010-09-14T00:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, season 2 of Benelux Next Top Model kicked off. Previously, this was Hollands Next Top Model, but since last season, Belgium completes with us.

Hollands/Benelux Next Top Model is one of the most successful versions of the Top Model cycles, which off course started with America's Next Top Model, created by Tyra Banks.

In this first episode, 12 models were selected to go to the Top Model mansion. In their first shoot, they got a LBD bodypaint on them, and a white mark. Together they formed the word Next Top Model.

I must say that while watching the show, the girls all looked very pretty on camera. But re-viewing the photo's later, I was somewhat disappointed. Photo's below, and the name in red was eliminated.

Renée

Melissa

Marjolein

Lesley

Lisse

Jaelle

Jacqueline

Frederieke

Daisy

Epiphany

Alix

Aicha

Printer fixer

2010-06-29T13:58:00.000-07:00

At work we have this large printer, an OCE CPS 800. I can somewhat operate the thing. As in filling new toner, fixing paper jams and changing fuser oil. But the larger maintainance job I leave to my lovely collegues. After all, they had a training at OCE once, and I didn't. But today the collegues both had the day off, and right at that moment, one of the cleaner drums needed replacement. Just my luck. And to give you an idea of the complicatedness, here is the inside of the printer:

As you can imagine, plain terror! Where are my collegues when I need them?
But thank God, the printer screen tells what to do step by step. That was my saviour, because in the end I did fix it! Hurray! It's even printing pages again!

I feel very technical and sattisfied.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Window crasher

2010-06-28T13:16:00.001-07:00

Just look what crashes into my window last sunday... Poor thing. After 30 minutes of rest though it took off again, no harm to be seen.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The day after

2010-06-10T00:42:00.000-07:00

The elections are over in the Netherlands. We have voted, and it's clear that the country is as divided as ever. That's sad, and a problem of course. But in contrast of all the political talk, let's meet the main politicians:

Jan Peter Balkenende, former leader of the Netherlands. His party lost big time, and therefore he stepped back as party leader. End of an era, I suppose.

Job Cohen, former mayor of Amsterdam. Leader of the second greatest party.

Femke Halsema, one of the two female leaders in Dutch politics right now.

Alexander Pechtold, won his party ten seats in the parliament.

André Rouvoet, leader of the Christian party.

Emile Roemer, only leading the Socialists for 8 weeks.

Mark Rutte, winner of the elections. He's likely to become the new prime minister of the Netherlands.

Kees van der Staaij, a small party leader that can count on very loyal voters.

Marianne Thieme, leader of the worlds first animal party. She keeps her two seats.

Geert Wilders, another big winner after the voting. His party more then dubbles in size.

The changes will be great, I wonder how things will work out!

Election day in the Netherlands

2010-06-09T12:18:00.000-07:00

Today is election day in the Netherlands. It's quite exiting, because this could be the moment of change in NL. Especially in this time of crisis, I believe we need some change. The time for voting is over now, so we only have to wait untill the counting is done. Fingers crossed for a good result!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

M&M's

2010-06-08T04:13:00.001-07:00

Because we were talking soccer gadgets a few days back, I could just as well show you another one: Dutch Style m&m's! I like them!

- Posted from my iPhone using BlogPress

As a finishing touch...

2010-06-05T05:02:00.000-07:00

... God created the Dutch.

In Holland, that's quite a common saying. And with the World Championships approaching, we're confronted with it more than ever. Many brands, shops and companies are giving away orange stuff for us consumers to collect, display or show off. It's said there are over more that a hundred different orange promotions.

I can't review them all, but let's take a look at some of them:

First off, the one-size-fits-all Dutch Dress from the beer brand Bavaria, for the ladies. This seems to be a new trend, us women need to be involved in the game. Because we know how to spend money, duh! Well thought of, but not the only one.

Chemist Etos is giving away girly wristbands, and even has the slogan "put your make up on for Holland'! Wristbands aren't very original though, as supermarket Plus have cheery wristbands too. Difference, they have flags on it.

Coming back to drinks, Apple-cider drink Jillz has a petition going on on their site, they think players should be able to take their shirt off without any penalties whatsoever. Belgian beer brand Jupiler is giving away T-shirts, and Dutch brand Heineken has invented the Pletterpet.

We've seen one supermarket already, but let's take a closer look. The mean focus is children, and it's about collecting. To be honest, most of the give-aways are rediculous... I mean, the WKvoetbalGogo's from C1000, I don't get it. And then we haven't said anything about the Oranje Bungels, Sparky's, Stackys and WK Handjes yet!

But as always one that is better. And when it comes to promotion, the AH is allways the winner. This time, no exception. It starts monday, and people are already waiting. And here it is, Beessie!

Now ain't that cute?

Alright alright. We Dutch people are a little crazy when it comes to orange colours. But we do make a great party!

What's hot in your country? Are you crazy like us? Show me!

Embarresment

2010-05-31T07:44:00.000-07:00

There's a first time for everything. Imagine this:

It's about 11 PM on sunday and you're in bed. No problem what so ever, and you're very relaxed. Boyfriend next to you is asleep and everything is fine. You're tucked in nicely and you're ready for a good night.

Then suddenly!

From somewhere in the other apartments, an eerie scream erupts. It's starts low, and gets higher and higher. Your eyes open wide, and you listen. As you tighten your fists around your blanked, the scream changes. It becomes shorter and less loud too. Until it dies in the silence of the night.

What to do...?

When you reach out for your iPhone to call 112, you suddenly come to your senses. The little sleepiness that was in you vanishes, when you realize something.

There's a first time for everything. This was the first you heard your neighbor from downstairs reach an orgasm... Oh boy...

De ballustrade

2010-05-29T07:14:00.000-07:00

Als je in een flat woont heb je ook een ballustrade. Anders van je van je gallerij af, als je eens minder stabiel bent. Nuttig ding, die ballustrade.

Maar als je op de bovenste verdiening woont, wordt 'ie vies. Heel vies. Er ontstaan een soort ecosystemen, van alles kom je er tegen. Vogelpoep, webben (en helaas ook bijbehorende spinnen, brrr) en natuurlijk een van de aardes meer primitieve levensvormen, het mos.

Al met al, niet erg netjes, zeker niet wanneer je ballustrade rood met wit (!) is. In ons geval was het inmiddels meer een soort 'bourdeauxgroen met groen geworden.

Dat kon niet langer zo. Gut oh gut, wat moesten de buren hier wel niet van denken! Vol goede moed stroopte ik mijn mouwen op, en toog naar het winkelcentrum. Ja zeg, met alleen water redden we het natuurlijk niet. Huishoudwinkel der huishoudwinkels, de Kruidvat, bood uitkomst. Zij verkopen een middeltje met de treffende naam Kruidvat Groene Aanslagverwijderaar. Dat moest het zijn!

En verrek, het werkt ook nog! Het is flink boenen, dat geef ik toe. Maar het resultaat mag er dan ook zijn! Een aanrader, als ik zo vrij mag zijn. Eindelijk eens een product wat ook doet wat het belooft. En dat voor een schamele € 2,89.

Hallelujah!

Bangkok in oorlog

2010-05-19T05:10:00.000-07:00

Eind vorig jaar hebben we Bangkok bezocht. De hoofdstad van Thailand dus.

Mooie stad, lieve mensen, heerlijk klimaat en lekker eten. We hebben ons er prima vermaakt, en we hadden ook zeker plannen om nog eens terug te keren. Bijvoorbeeld naar de stad zelf, maar ook naar de rest van het lang.

Eind vorig jaar was er geen vuiltje aan de lucht. Althans, voor de doorsnee toerist, waar wij onszelf wel toe rekenden. Je bent ten slotte toch met je schoudertas en fotocameraatje aan het rondwandelen. 'The land of smiles' deed zichzelf eer aan, en alles was rustig en gemoedelijk.

Dat is nu wel anders. Het begon heel gemoedelijk, met kleurige protesten van de Roodhemden in de straten.

Foto van de Britse Metro

De vlam is in de pan geslagen, en niet te zuinig ook... Het leger is in de aanval gegaan, en slaat de demonstranten met geweld uiteen. De roodhemdige demonstrantenleiders hebben zich overgegeven, maar dat wil niet zeggen dat de rust is wedergekeerd.

Integendeel, het gaat er harder aan toe dan ooit. Waar de demonstranten eerder zich nog schaarden achter de leiders, zijn er nu kleine groepjes aan het rellen. Het concentreert zich niet langer in één gebied, maar op verschillende plekken in de stad wordt nu brandgesticht, geplunderd en gevochten.

Foto van nu.nl

En niet alleen in de stad zelf, maar ook in de rest van het land wordt het hoe langer hoe onrustiger. Met alle gevolgen van dien.

Als Nederlander kun je er weinig aan doen, behalve de nieuwsberichten volgen. Het is natuurlijk ook een ver-van-je-bed show, maar omdat we er kort geleden geweest zijn, voel je je toch een beetje betrokken.

We hopen dan ook dat het snel weer rustig wordt in het land. Het is zo naar om te zien dat de plekken waar je een paar maanden nog rustig liep, nu volledig in puin liggen. Over de foto's van bloedende mensen heb ik het dan nog maar even niet...

"Land of Smiles', please do smile again soon

Tip voor de mannen

2010-05-18T03:55:00.000-07:00

Tip voor de mannen: "Koester de nichterigste homovriend van je vriendin. Hij vormt geen bedreiging, gaat met plezier met haar shoppen en weet ook nog eens wat jou staat en waar je het moet kopen. Het is een win-win situatie."

Gezien in de Cosmopolitan van juni 2010

Er zijn een hoop nieuwe modellen geboren. Bij de Renaultdealer

2010-05-18T03:44:00.000-07:00

"Er zijn een hoop nieuwe modellen geboren. Bij de Renaultdealer"

Enige tijd geleden werden we geteisterd met deze commercial. Onderstaand stuk is op 5 februari 2010 geschreven, en verdient alsnog een plekje op deze weblog.

Wat hieraan vooraf ging:

Een Frans automerk heeft last van de crisis, en moet iets verzinnen om toch auto's aan de man te brengen. Daarom worden er auto's geupdate, zodat ze klaar zijn om winst te maken op de markt. Het marketing team buigt zich over de zaak, maar komt tot de conclusie dat alle mannen al aan de auto zijn. Ook het marketingteam heeft last van de crisis, en moet het daarom doen met stagiairs, die immers niks kosten.

Bertrand vindt zichzelf een briljant stagiair, eigenlijk meer een medewerker. Hij zou meer moeten krijgen dan iedereen hier bij het team. Hij is beter dan zij. Een man van de wereld, hij weet wat er speelt bij het volk. Hij is de drijvende kracht, de echte womanizer.
Het creatieve brein ziet het geploeter met lege ogen aan. Doordat niemand met iets zinnigs komt, doet Bertrand uiteindelijk een voorstel. De auto's moeten niet aan de man, maar aan de vrouw!! Hoe briljant!!
Maar het probleem... Hoe spreek je de vrouw anno 2010 aan? Wat interesseert haar, hoe bereik je deze mysterieuze muze?

Natuurlijk is Bertrand niet voor één gat te vangen, wie is hier nu de lady-kenner? Vrouwen bereik je met babies! Een overdosis aan donzige schattigheid, plingelmuziekjes en verhaaltjes voor het slapengaan. De auto's zijn de babies, en waarachtig, alle vrouwwezens smelten als sneeuw voor de zon. Zet een Franse metro-man in een kringetje auto's, laat hem lieflijk voorlezen uit een sprookje, en je kunt de dames opdweilen. Laat vervolgens een vrouwenstem van het type ideaal kinderdagverblijfjuffie vertellen over de nieuwe auto's. Op een lieve toon, want de nieuwe baby-auto's mogen natuurlijk niet van streek raken, de spruiten. Spontane flash forwards van de moderne carrière vrouw die de koters op weg naar het werk dropt bij het desbetreffende juffie.

Bertrand glimt van trots. Dat heeft hij toch maar even mooi in elkaar gezet. Ook de directie, inmiddels wanhopig, klampt zich vast aan het waarzinnige idee. Je weet ten slotte maar nooit. Deze jongen weet waar hij het over heeft. Die vlotte reclame babbel. Dit moet haast wel een schot in de roos zijn. Dus de reclame wordt gelanceerd.

En dan ben je opeens in de echte wereld. Op je werk, en de radio staat aan.

"Er zijn een hoop nieuwe modellen geboren. Bij de Renaultdealer"

Een zeurderige zeikstem vertelt je dit heugelijke nieuws. Als vrouw laat je dit bezinken. En je kan je vinger er niet precies opleggen, maar er klopt iets niet. Een auto is geen baby, maar een vervoersmiddel! Je wilt geen slaapliedjes zingen voor je auto, daar wil je gewoon in rijden. Je wilt niet toegesproken worden door een kinderleidster die je verteld dat je je auto moet koesteren alsof het je liefste bezit is. je houdt helemaal niet van kinderen!

Met deze reclame worden we meerdere malen per dag op de radio geteisterd. En kom je thuis, dan is ie ook nog op tv, compleet met beeld... Bah!

De klachten? Oh ja, de klachten:

Klacht 1: reclames met ontzettende zeikstemmen
Klacht 2: auto's met babies vergelijken
Klacht 3: vrouwen alleen met babies aan kunnen spreken

Samenvatting: wat een ontzettende kut-campagne is dit! De verantwoordelijke art-director moet zich diep schamen

Vacume cleaning

2009-09-19T04:55:00.000-07:00

I don't like vacume cleaning. But it's inevitable. So I too have one. This one:

The thing is okay. It does what is't supposed to do, but I somehow completely forgot it had a bag inside for the dust. And when I thought of it last week, I was allready to late. The bag was torn, and you can imagine, dust all over the place. I bought new bags for the vacume cleaner, and he is working like crazy again.

Oh well, thanks to the new bag, the vacume cleaning wasn't too bad today.

Not-so baby swans

2009-08-15T01:17:00.000-07:00

Heat and candles

2009-08-08T01:44:00.000-07:00

The recent heat was too much to handle for my candle... It kinda collapsed

Rice molds

2009-07-10T02:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to an Asian superstore in my city. Didn't know it was there 'till somebody told me. So I had to go check it out. And it was really cool, I got some great rice molds! Didn't buy anything else, since I still have quite a stock at home that I still need to use. But the molds are cool, I can't wait to try them!

A sushi Maki mold

Sushi Nigiri molds

Star/heart/flower/triangle shaped mold, for Onigiri

It's allmost a shame to get them out of the plastic, it's pretty! I will post an update when I'll use them.

The heat...

2009-06-29T01:58:00.000-07:00

I'm a winter-loving person. The cold, the snow, ice skating and so on, I love it.

It's summer now. And don't get me wrong, but I do like summer too. Sitting in the sun on the balcony, reading a nice book, well, count me in! But.

In the Netherlands we have a strange summer. Our summers are either chill and rainy, or pressing hot. And right now we are at the pressing hot stage. It's not that warm (around 25 degrees Celsius), but in the Netherlands that feels like 35... It's the kind of weather where you expect a thunderstorm any moment. You can't so much as lift your finger or you'll break in a sweat. And now I am supposed to work in it. Blugh...

Can't we just have a nice summer? Sunny and dry air? Please?

Apenheul

2009-06-28T07:02:00.000-07:00

Today we went to the Apenheul. It's a Dutch monkey and primate zoo. Really funny, and they do good work too to preserve endangered species.

I really like their logo. It's some skinny monkey drawing that is a bit awkward, but very recognizable.

And off course, my favorite lemurs are there too! Lemur Katta, or Ringtailed Lemur. Ringstaartmaki in Dutch.

But there are so much more cute creatures. Too bad I didn't have a camera with me, because we were in the car when we suddenly decided to go to Apenheul. Yay for on-planned trips!

King of pop

2009-06-25T21:52:00.000-07:00

Dear Michael Jackson,

I hope you will find the peace you were so desperately looking for in life.

Michael Jackson, King of Pop (28-08 1958 - 25-06-2009)

For what it's worth...

2009-06-17T11:39:00.000-07:00

I'd like to tell you the new Placebo single is worth checking out!

Dutch train crash at Zwolle

2009-05-29T07:26:00.000-07:00

Today there was another train crash at Zwolle. A freight train and a passengers train collided. It was not as spectacular as the one at Gouda, with the Thalys involed, but nevertheless the impact was severe. With an accident at Zwolle, the north part of the Netherlands is cut off from all train traffic. You can imagine what is happening now.

Thank god the weather is good.

Thunder and lightning

2009-05-27T10:43:00.000-07:00

Two nights ago we had this epic thunderstorm in the Netherlands. In some places the lightning and thunder went on the entire night (no kidding). In my place however it only started at 4 o'clock in the morning and it ended around 2 hours later...

So I still had no change to take a picture of the lightning. A thing I wish to do for ages! I just have to satify myself with photo's made by others, such as this beautyfull photo, taken by Wouter de Haan from Heemskerk.

A day out with the company

2009-05-22T07:24:00.000-07:00

Sushi!!

2009-05-03T07:15:00.000-07:00

Allright. In my kitchen there was this sushi starterskit. It sat there for ages, waiting for me to try it. And today I did it!

I cooked the rice

And the wasabi

And cucumber

Salmon (frozen, shame on me)

Nori and rice on the mat

Three rolls of result

Cut

The salmon rolls

Part of it went into my Bento Box, ready to come to work tomorrow

The eggsalad-cucumber rolls

I had a really good time making it! It was good fun and I will do it again. Next time I'll use fresh fish for sure. Besides that I realized I need some practice in rolling and cutting, but in time I'll get the hang of it.

Conclusion, making sushi is fun. I need some practice still, but I did enjoy myself.

Dinner time!

2009-04-18T23:04:00.000-07:00

Yummie!

The bento box is there :)

2009-04-18T06:38:00.001-07:00

I'm so happy, my new Bento box just arrived from far Japan. Yay! It's so cool, look!

Viewers

2009-04-04T03:18:00.000-07:00

For a week I thought I'd lost my viewers. Nobody was visiting my blog and I thought that a bit weird. But it was because I messed up the HTML and my viewers weren't registered anymore. Stupid of me!

Bento

2009-04-02T03:45:00.000-07:00

I want to lunch better. As for now I just eat the standard sandwich, as all the Dutch people do. I have this idea for longer now, but never found a good alternative. But going through the web forum I allways post on, I found just the thing I was looking for.

It's Japanese and it's called Bento. It means stuffing a lunchbox with healthy food and eating that for lunch at work or anywhere you are. There are certain rules to it, such as it needs to contain three parts carb., 1 part proteine, and two parts veg/fruit. Another rule is that you have to make it look good.

And the idea behind it is that you are more connected to the things you eat, and therefore eat healthier. I'm going to try it, and to motivate myself more, I ordered a lovely Bento-box on Ebay. It's on it's way from Japan as we speak and I'm really looking forward to it! Pics will be here as soon as it has arrived!

Sushi Maki and balconies

2009-03-21T07:41:00.000-07:00

After years of buying take-away sushi, today I decided it was time to try it myself. So I got myself this sushi kit. I'm wonder how I'll do!

Anyway, I won't be making it today, because tomorrow we'll be gone for a few days, to Paris. But I did clean my balcony *feels proud*. That was a long time since it had seen a broom of brush. When we bought the place, it was allready green and mossy, but we didn't have the chance to clean it because of our busy lifes, and because of the weather. And the weather is good now, so I threw off all the trash that was still there, such as old carpet and stuff. After that I got the dustbin and put all the moss in it. I got a full bin of it! And now the balcony is nice and clean.

And empty... That too. We need some furniture for it. Right now I just sit on the floor, but that's not cosy. I saw this great lounch set in a local store, look. But they only come in sets, and it's not possible to buy e.g. one couch, one chair and one table. Too bad, 'cause they are so cool!

But I'll find something else I suppose. It'll have to be something like this anyway!

Cuteness

2009-03-13T03:04:00.000-07:00

While working I was browsing though a stock photo website. I was a bit out of inspiration, so I was fitting the 'random' button every two seconds. And sometimes you find some unexpected things. And today is was such a cute picture, I felt the need to share it. For the sake of feeling good!

Bunny nail

2009-03-09T09:14:00.000-07:00

Saturday night I saw that my bunny, Tommie, was acting a bit funny. He was licking his paw a lot, and I thought I needed to check it out. One nail was quite long, so my friend held Tommie tight, and I got a pair of scissors. But when I checked the paw again, to cut the nail, it was gone! And my friend had blood on his finger too! So we searched the couch, and there it was, the nail! It was torn away completely. Poor Tommie. But it doesn't seem to bother him anymore, he is happy as every!

The nail:

Bolt

2009-02-28T06:28:00.000-08:00

I saw Bolt a few days ago. I can only recomment it, because it is such a cute, fun and wellmade movie! I love Bolt!

Turkish planes crash at Schiphol Airport

2009-02-26T04:04:00.000-08:00

Yesterday the entire country was shocked to hear a plane crashed at Schiphol (the main Dutch airport). The media picked it up rather quickly, and it was indeed shocking to see a plane on the ground. It was broken in three pieces, completely helpless. I mean, that's the feeling I get from that kind of photo's, a feeling of helplessness.

In all, 9 people didn't survive the crash, of which 3 crewmembers. Given the state of the plane, I still think we can call the survivors 'lucky'.

Nevertheless, I wish to send strength to the remaining survivors, wounded and relatives.

Project

2009-02-19T03:48:00.000-08:00

There's this projects of some friends of mine, and they have started a blog about it. I don't participate in it, but it might still be nice if some other people can see it too! Click here!

The Dutch royal family

2009-02-17T00:16:00.000-08:00

First off, I don't think much of the Dutch royal family. I don't think it's interesting to know what they do on a daily basis, and as for political influence, they don't count for much. But still, a lot of people like them, and they are seen as a nice tradition.

But...

The world is in an economic crisis and all, so everybody is expected to do a step back financially. Everybody, except your royal highnesses off course.

These people, who are off course much better then their loyal subjects, can't bare to live without their annual trip to the snow.

Now don't get me wrong. I think there's nothing wrong with people going on holidays and stuff, but in a country where people are living by charity, I think it's a little strange that the royal family should live in wealth and enjoy themselves in the snow.

What's wrong with the idea of a little update of the royal families? Let them be more like the people. I bet the people will love them even more because of it.

Wall•E

2009-02-16T00:01:00.001-08:00

I've seen this movie a few weeks ago. It's been a while since I've really been into a Disney movie, but this one is great! I never thought it was possible to feel compassion for a robot, but I did! You have to watch Wall•E!

It's been a while...

2009-02-15T05:28:00.000-08:00

since I last posted here. I want to get back to posting again, and I have a lot to tell you all! In the time that went past, at least this much happened:

- we (me and Ronald) bought a house!

- we visited Hong Kong

- we celebrated New Year over there

- I get more and more requests for designs

- we booked our next trip, which will be Paris

- I will be celebrating my 24th birthday there

As you can see, a lot has happened, and there's still much to come! So I better start posting!

For now, here's what happens when a wave of creativity comes over me while in a restaurant...

A toad in the pond!

2008-12-14T04:09:00.001-08:00

Today I was outside to feed my bunny, when I saw something strange in the pond. It was a toad, swimming around desperately, trying to find a way out. I got him out of the water, and brought him to a nearby park. I hope he can make it though the cold weather, because toads are supposed to hibernate!

Montferlandrun and Lorna Kiplagat

2008-12-07T06:12:00.000-08:00

Today was the day of the Montferlandrun. That's a running event which had grown bigger and bigger over the years. It has grown this big, that Lorna Kiplagat showed up. She ran a wonderfull race, all the other girls were so far behind. She won the race (off course)

Some more mandarin boxes

2008-12-06T01:19:00.001-08:00

I few weeks ago I started packing my books. I got this big mandarin boxes, and thought I had enough. Well, not at all. So today I got another of these big sturdy boxes :)

The first Dutch snow!

2008-11-22T05:21:00.001-08:00

Would you look at that! I hope more will come

Packing the books

2008-11-16T00:09:00.000-08:00

I started to pack my books, because of the upcoming move. I got three really sturdy boxes from the lokal supermarket, and started to put books in it. I have 3 boxes, but I soon find out I need way more boxes! This is one box, and there are two left. But to pack all the books I need at least 3 more boxes!

I hope there will be more in the supermarket next time!

How to make your own Dachshund

2008-11-02T04:47:00.001-08:00

Cute, eh!

He can be yours, look!

How cool is that! Want to make your own? Look at this site for more stuffed animals for you to make.

A 30 years anniversary

2008-11-01T06:33:00.000-07:00

The design agency Wrik celebrated their 30th anniversary. I went to the party, because I did my internship there. It was very cool, and a lot of fun to see everyone so happy.

There was a button and book for everyone, and I'm in it too :D

Brabantia

2008-10-26T08:01:00.001-07:00

In adition to this post, which shows us an origional Brabantia 'peperkoekbus', I proudly present you an origional Brabantia 'beschuitbus'!

This typical Dutch product was located during my quest of packing my stuff.

ILM

2008-10-26T07:22:00.000-07:00

Last week one of my dear bunnies died... It was really sad, 'cause she wasn't that old at all.

That morning she wasn't feeling well at all. She would only drink when I forced her, and totally wasn't her loving happy self. When I went to check on her one hour after I forced her to drink, she was dead...

I'm really sad about it, even though I still have one bunny left. Who is up and kicking by the way. Nothing wrong there.

This picture is taken when we first got her. So tiny and with both ears to one side. The cuteness!

This is how big she got! Soon after this pic was taken, she moved to a great place outside, where she could run around all day.

Sabon

2008-10-25T02:01:00.001-07:00

There's this shop, called Sabon. They sell soap and such. I really like their body scrub! And since mine was finished last week, I was in desperate need of a new jar. So I went to the store in Utrecht, and bought a new jar of my favorite body scrub.

Just look at the pretty package!

This is what's inside.

The scrub comes in a glass jar, and I think it's a pity you can't refill them in the store. But I love to recycle, so my old jar now contains my DE-points. That's a Dutch collecting system. You need to cut off points off the coffee and thea packages. And when you have A LOT of points, you get something like mugs, or expresso machines or senseos. Fun, eh :)

And I was like...

2008-10-19T04:32:00.000-07:00

OMG!

moan

2008-10-13T11:24:00.001-07:00

Dutch train crash

2008-10-11T03:00:00.001-07:00

Thalys and InterCity crashes in Gouda.

Just an hour ago these two trains crashed while passing each other. The emergency services tell that there are no serious injuries.

I hope everything will be okay soon...

Picture credits go to KNARS on the Dutch Fok! forum. Seen in this topic.

Visiting Dresden 2

2008-10-04T22:44:00.001-07:00

Giraffe

Camels

Goat

Little Tamarin

Visiting Dresden

2008-09-27T07:53:00.000-07:00

We visited the German city of Dresden this year. And first time we did there, was visit the city's zoo. So I'll start with an impression of that first.

A femane peacock, which was wandering lose.

Lots of small birdies.

Zebras

And a giraffe, which was inside, eating.

Huh?

Go Go Mona Lisa

2008-09-24T10:09:00.000-07:00

I saw this video on another blog, and must say, it's amazing.

Using Microsoft Paint, this artist creats the Mona Lisa in two and a half hours! Ever as a Mac-user I have to admit, when possessing the skills, MS Paint is cool!

Paralympics

2008-09-06T06:18:00.000-07:00

After the exitement of the Olympics, it's time to set the stage for the Paralympic sporters. I wanted to watch the opening ceremony, since I'm interested in those kind of ceremonies, and because I wrote my thesis on the Beijing Olympics. So I tunes in in time, but was unpleasantly surprised by the fact that Dutch television didn't even bother to broadcast the ceremony live... Such a shame...

I'm be watching BBC1 now. I just wished the commentators wouldn't talk so much. But hey, you can't have it all!

Working girl

2008-09-05T11:20:00.001-07:00

This was my first week. First week of what, you ask? My first week as working girl :D

Since I've been officially entitled as Graphic Designer, I've been hunting feverishly for a job. My hard work soon resulted in an offer for a job I couldn't refuse. So since the first of September I'm at work as a graphic designer at a large company. Not a design agency or anything like it, but a large business with an internal design department. The team contains three designers, including me, so it's nice and small. It sounds rather boring, working for one company alone, but it's totally not like that. In fact there are eight individual companies withing the one I work for. So loads of variation!

I'm really enjoying myself, and the other people are sooo nice. I do have to get used to the work, 'cause it's really different compared to what I did at the art academy. But that's not wrong off course. I do feel really happy, and I hope I'll be able to show you some work soon!

and I'll start to enjoy my weekend now, as working girls do :D