40% Off by Intratuin, Apeldoorn (27 December 2010):
Snowman figurine:
Candle holder:
50% off, VD, Den Bosch (30 December 2010):
Gamma, Apeldoorn (31 December 2010):
Friday, December 31, 2010
December in the Netherlands: After-Christmas Sale
Christmas has passed and as soon as the normal working day came (that is on 27th December 2010), the shops started stripping their shops off Christmas stuffs to make place for new theme and started their Christmas-stuffs sale.
40% Off by Intratuin, Apeldoorn (27 December 2010):
50% off, VD, Den Bosch (30 December 2010):
Gamma, Apeldoorn (31 December 2010):
40% Off by Intratuin, Apeldoorn (27 December 2010):
50% off, VD, Den Bosch (30 December 2010):
Gamma, Apeldoorn (31 December 2010):
Monday, December 27, 2010
Kerststol: Traditional Christmas Bread in the Netherlands
A stol is a luxurious bread with raisins and almond paste in the dough.
Traditionally this bread is eaten around Christmas and Easter, hence the name kerststol or paasstol (kerst: Christmas; paas: Easter).
Very high in calorie.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Traffic Chaos in Europe
Snow causes a lot of traffic chaos in Europe. Here are some news from Europe.
Utrecht:
Utrecht was not reachable because there was more snow than expected. The trains and buses did not run.
The information from the Netherlands' Train Provider:
Door winterse omstandigheden en een combinatie van materieel- en infrastoringen zijn we op dit moment ruimte aan het maken op Utrecht Centraal.
Er is momenteel geen treinverkeer mogelijk van en naar Utrecht Centraal. Verwachting is dat dit tot 14:00 uur zal duren. ProRail en NS zijn druk bezig om dit op te lossen. In de rest van het land rijden er treinen.
This is the link to the news:
Utrecht Unreachable
Problems at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam:
Problems at Schiphol
News from Schiphol's website:
Door het winterse weer in Europa moeten passagiers rekening houden met annuleringen of vertragingen. Bekijk de actuele vluchtinformatie of raadpleeg de website van uw luchtvaartmaatschappij. Raadpleeg voordat u naar de luchthaven gaat de actuele status van uw vlucht. Indien uw vlucht is geannuleerd verzoeken wij u vriendelijk allereerst contact op te nemen met uw luchtvaartmaatschappij voordat u naar Schiphol komt.
Problems at Heathrow Airport, London:
Heathrow Airport will not be accepting arrivals on Sunday, and will only manage a handful of departures as our airfield team continues to deal with the impacts of yesterday's bad weather and prepares the airport for a full re-opening on Monday.
....................................................................................
We are removing 30 tonnes of snow from each stand, but the temperature remains firmly below zero and Heathrow's capacity is limited to the extent that all parking stands are occupied by aircraft, making the job of clearing and treating them more difficult (www. heathrowairport.com).
BBC: Snow at Heathrow and Gatwick ruins plans of thousands
Problems at Brussels Airport (http://www.brusselsairport.be/en/):
Brussels Airport is currently operating normally. However, some flights may be delayed or cancelled due to snow at our and other airports.
Lufthansa is operating to special timetable on 18 & 19 Dec
Massive flight cancellations into and out of Frankfurt: German domestic flights and connections to European destinations are affected.
Problems at Frankfurt Airport:
Other news & video's:
Stranded Passengers at Schiphol
Traffic Problems in Europe
RTL Nieuws
Expected: Extreme Weather in Limburg
Utrecht:
Utrecht was not reachable because there was more snow than expected. The trains and buses did not run.
The information from the Netherlands' Train Provider:
Door winterse omstandigheden en een combinatie van materieel- en infrastoringen zijn we op dit moment ruimte aan het maken op Utrecht Centraal.
Er is momenteel geen treinverkeer mogelijk van en naar Utrecht Centraal. Verwachting is dat dit tot 14:00 uur zal duren. ProRail en NS zijn druk bezig om dit op te lossen. In de rest van het land rijden er treinen.
This is the link to the news:
Utrecht Unreachable
Problems at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam:
Problems at Schiphol
News from Schiphol's website:
Door het winterse weer in Europa moeten passagiers rekening houden met annuleringen of vertragingen. Bekijk de actuele vluchtinformatie of raadpleeg de website van uw luchtvaartmaatschappij. Raadpleeg voordat u naar de luchthaven gaat de actuele status van uw vlucht. Indien uw vlucht is geannuleerd verzoeken wij u vriendelijk allereerst contact op te nemen met uw luchtvaartmaatschappij voordat u naar Schiphol komt.
Problems at Heathrow Airport, London:
Heathrow Airport will not be accepting arrivals on Sunday, and will only manage a handful of departures as our airfield team continues to deal with the impacts of yesterday's bad weather and prepares the airport for a full re-opening on Monday.
....................................................................................
We are removing 30 tonnes of snow from each stand, but the temperature remains firmly below zero and Heathrow's capacity is limited to the extent that all parking stands are occupied by aircraft, making the job of clearing and treating them more difficult (www. heathrowairport.com).
BBC: Snow at Heathrow and Gatwick ruins plans of thousands
Problems at Brussels Airport (http://www.brusselsairport.be/en/):
Brussels Airport is currently operating normally. However, some flights may be delayed or cancelled due to snow at our and other airports.
Lufthansa is operating to special timetable on 18 & 19 Dec
Massive flight cancellations into and out of Frankfurt: German domestic flights and connections to European destinations are affected.
Problems at Frankfurt Airport:
Flight delays and cancellations might occur at Frankfurt Airport due to wintry weather and reduced visibility.
Passengers are kindly requested to contact their airline and to check traffic reports, e.g. on the radio or on teletext.
Passengers are kindly requested to contact their airline and to check traffic reports, e.g. on the radio or on teletext.
Other news & video's:
Stranded Passengers at Schiphol
Traffic Problems in Europe
RTL Nieuws
Expected: Extreme Weather in Limburg
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Your Own Space
Today I watched Dexter. It was the episode in which Dexter and Rita went to a counsellor because Rita felt like Dexter was keeping secrets from her by not telling her the truth about the fact that he had not sold his apartment.
In the end it all came down to the conclusion that Dexter needed his own space.
We all need our own space.
I'm not an exception.
But how do you get your own space if there is already no space in your house?
In the end it all came down to the conclusion that Dexter needed his own space.
We all need our own space.
I'm not an exception.
But how do you get your own space if there is already no space in your house?
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
To Move or Not To Move
Recently my boyfriend told me that he told his mother that he felt better in a cold place (well... colder than the Netherlands anyway). He then told me that his mother asked him why he did not just move to somewhere colder.
To move or not to move.
Frankly, I have been mulling about this idea too. To move somewhere else. It does not have to be another country. Moving to another city already works for me. Mainly for the reason of finding a job for me. There are not so many opportunity (read: No real opportunity) for me to work here in the town I live. I honestly think that if I move to a more international city my chances of finding a job is bigger.
For example, when I was in Amsterdam showing my friend's parents-in-law around, I came across a souvenir shop shopkeeper who did not speak a word of Dutch. Thus, that is already one less hurdle for me who does not speak perfect Dutch. Don't get me wrong. My understanding of Dutch is pretty good that I'm sure I could work here (read: my town) at a supermarket or in a shop as a shopkeeper. But the decision (on whom to hire or not) makers usually do not think so.
I once applied for a job at a supermarket here and in a nutshell they hinted to me that for that position I needed to be more fluent in Dutch. I shop at the same supermarket and for as long as I can remember, the people who work in that poisition are always busy that they do not have time to chit chat with clients. They do not even have time to chit chat with each other. They work as cashiers, for God's sake. All they need to do is greet the clients, scan the stuffs and say the total price. How perfect should my Dutch be then? I passed the NT2 Programma II!!!
For some other jobs I am just too old. Or so they hinted here. For those who do not know the relevance of one's age in scoring a job in a shop here, the older you get, the more your employer has to pay you. So, of course they will employ younger people.
Ok, so it might not be easy to find a job in another city either. But I honestly feel and think there is more opportunities for me. I could always be a freelance tour guide in Amsterdam or Utrecht while here I can't because there are just not many tourists coming here. Even other sort of freelance works would be more abundant there in those cities.
Another reason is that I am hoping by moving to one of those cities, I can and will find more friends. Of course there is no guarantee. But I know in Den Haag, Amsterdam and Utrecht there would be more Indonesian people working or studying there.
Let's get back to the main topic. To move or not to move.
It's a dillemma. Moving would be in a way a fair move. Then we (my boyfriend and I) will both start at the same position. I will not be the only one who has to adjust but he too. He will also see and feel that starting new in a different city is not easy. He will also see and feel what I see and feel. He will be going through what I am going through every day.
On the down side, he will have to find a new job while I still do not have a real job. Not exactly a brilliant move if we want to settle down. How are we going to provide for ourselves? Not to mention when there would be children involved? Here at least he has a decent job.
In response to that, I can not say for sure but I think it would not be too difficult for him to find another job. One, he is a native Dutch. So, moving to another city in the Netherlands would not bring up the language issue for him. Two, he works in the IT. That is a field where there is always something to do. Jobs in that field keeps popping up. If all else fails, he can always open his own IT consultancy bureau. Three, he's an EU citizen. So, moving to another EU country would not bring up the job permit issue for him.
Once he said that if I could get a good (read: high paying) job in another city then he did not mind moving there with me. That was rather unfair. The chance of my scoring a good job is much less than the chance of him scoring another (good) job. One, I'm not an EU citizen. Need I say more? Two, I'm not Dutch so my Dutch would never be that of a native. Three, my diploma's are worthless here. I can't work as a lawyer or notary or doctor.
I can honestly say that for me, moving is not a problem. I do not mind to move, either to another (better) city or country. I do not mind to start new as long as I can get somewhere after starting and not just walking on the same spot (or even going backwards).
As for my boyfriend... I am not so sure that, albeit all his complaints, he would want to move. Not even to another city. I think he already feels so secure here.
I'm in a bind....
To move or not to move.
Frankly, I have been mulling about this idea too. To move somewhere else. It does not have to be another country. Moving to another city already works for me. Mainly for the reason of finding a job for me. There are not so many opportunity (read: No real opportunity) for me to work here in the town I live. I honestly think that if I move to a more international city my chances of finding a job is bigger.
For example, when I was in Amsterdam showing my friend's parents-in-law around, I came across a souvenir shop shopkeeper who did not speak a word of Dutch. Thus, that is already one less hurdle for me who does not speak perfect Dutch. Don't get me wrong. My understanding of Dutch is pretty good that I'm sure I could work here (read: my town) at a supermarket or in a shop as a shopkeeper. But the decision (on whom to hire or not) makers usually do not think so.
I once applied for a job at a supermarket here and in a nutshell they hinted to me that for that position I needed to be more fluent in Dutch. I shop at the same supermarket and for as long as I can remember, the people who work in that poisition are always busy that they do not have time to chit chat with clients. They do not even have time to chit chat with each other. They work as cashiers, for God's sake. All they need to do is greet the clients, scan the stuffs and say the total price. How perfect should my Dutch be then? I passed the NT2 Programma II!!!
For some other jobs I am just too old. Or so they hinted here. For those who do not know the relevance of one's age in scoring a job in a shop here, the older you get, the more your employer has to pay you. So, of course they will employ younger people.
Ok, so it might not be easy to find a job in another city either. But I honestly feel and think there is more opportunities for me. I could always be a freelance tour guide in Amsterdam or Utrecht while here I can't because there are just not many tourists coming here. Even other sort of freelance works would be more abundant there in those cities.
Another reason is that I am hoping by moving to one of those cities, I can and will find more friends. Of course there is no guarantee. But I know in Den Haag, Amsterdam and Utrecht there would be more Indonesian people working or studying there.
Let's get back to the main topic. To move or not to move.
It's a dillemma. Moving would be in a way a fair move. Then we (my boyfriend and I) will both start at the same position. I will not be the only one who has to adjust but he too. He will also see and feel that starting new in a different city is not easy. He will also see and feel what I see and feel. He will be going through what I am going through every day.
On the down side, he will have to find a new job while I still do not have a real job. Not exactly a brilliant move if we want to settle down. How are we going to provide for ourselves? Not to mention when there would be children involved? Here at least he has a decent job.
In response to that, I can not say for sure but I think it would not be too difficult for him to find another job. One, he is a native Dutch. So, moving to another city in the Netherlands would not bring up the language issue for him. Two, he works in the IT. That is a field where there is always something to do. Jobs in that field keeps popping up. If all else fails, he can always open his own IT consultancy bureau. Three, he's an EU citizen. So, moving to another EU country would not bring up the job permit issue for him.
Once he said that if I could get a good (read: high paying) job in another city then he did not mind moving there with me. That was rather unfair. The chance of my scoring a good job is much less than the chance of him scoring another (good) job. One, I'm not an EU citizen. Need I say more? Two, I'm not Dutch so my Dutch would never be that of a native. Three, my diploma's are worthless here. I can't work as a lawyer or notary or doctor.
I can honestly say that for me, moving is not a problem. I do not mind to move, either to another (better) city or country. I do not mind to start new as long as I can get somewhere after starting and not just walking on the same spot (or even going backwards).
As for my boyfriend... I am not so sure that, albeit all his complaints, he would want to move. Not even to another city. I think he already feels so secure here.
I'm in a bind....
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Farewell Bonny
I just got an sms from my mother that early this morning my dog, Bonny, died.
I was sad but not exactly shocked.
The last few nights I've been asking myself if I should ask her to keep fighting. Finally last night I told her that I'd like her to keep fighting but if she could not, then it's ok for her to go.
So, farewell Bonny.
Thank you for being in my life.
I was sad but not exactly shocked.
The last few nights I've been asking myself if I should ask her to keep fighting. Finally last night I told her that I'd like her to keep fighting but if she could not, then it's ok for her to go.
So, farewell Bonny.
Thank you for being in my life.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Seven Dutch MPs have past convictions
News from the Netherlands, an excerpt:
Seven members of the Dutch parliament have past convictions, according to a survey among Dutch parliamentary parties conducted by news channel RTL Nieuws.
The seven are one member of the Socialist Party, one of the conservative VVD and five members of Geert Wilders' Freedom Party (PVV). Hero Brinkman (PVV) was the only MP out of a total of 150 not to respond to answer the RTL Nieuws questions.
The survey was prompted by recent revelations about the criminal pasts of three PVV MPs. First, it came to light that Eric Lucassen had been convicted for illicit sexual acts with a subordinate when he was an army instructor. Then, it emerged that the Hungarian company led by his colleague James Sharpe had been found guilty of fraud involving text messaging services. And finally, assault charges have been filed against Marcial Hernandez.
Read the full article here:
Seven Dutch MPs have past convictions
Hmmm... Sexual assault, fraud and another assault?
Seven members of the Dutch parliament have past convictions, according to a survey among Dutch parliamentary parties conducted by news channel RTL Nieuws.
The seven are one member of the Socialist Party, one of the conservative VVD and five members of Geert Wilders' Freedom Party (PVV). Hero Brinkman (PVV) was the only MP out of a total of 150 not to respond to answer the RTL Nieuws questions.
The survey was prompted by recent revelations about the criminal pasts of three PVV MPs. First, it came to light that Eric Lucassen had been convicted for illicit sexual acts with a subordinate when he was an army instructor. Then, it emerged that the Hungarian company led by his colleague James Sharpe had been found guilty of fraud involving text messaging services. And finally, assault charges have been filed against Marcial Hernandez.
Read the full article here:
Seven Dutch MPs have past convictions
Hmmm... Sexual assault, fraud and another assault?
Artistic Skate
I'm ashamed to say that I have been lazy. I should have posted this last week.
Why last week? Because the event occurred last week.
We went to see ice skating performances in Deventer.
Because of the advertisement and the title of the event, I thought it was going to be a grand event with a lot of participant. It turned out to be a small championship of free figure skating. It was not bad, it was just not exactly what I had expected.
The performances were divided into two category: solo/duo and group. We managed to see both.
Why last week? Because the event occurred last week.
We went to see ice skating performances in Deventer.
Because of the advertisement and the title of the event, I thought it was going to be a grand event with a lot of participant. It turned out to be a small championship of free figure skating. It was not bad, it was just not exactly what I had expected.
The performances were divided into two category: solo/duo and group. We managed to see both.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Ready for winter
Today, when I woke up, I saw the street was white. Hey, what is that now? Oh... it's a thin layer of snow. Yes, it was -2 centigrade last night. Unfortunately, as the day goes by and the temperature goes up just above the freezing point, it will melt away.
But there is one thing for sure now. Winter is lurking at the corner. He can barge into your life anytime soon now.
First layer of snow on 27th November 2010:
But there is one thing for sure now. Winter is lurking at the corner. He can barge into your life anytime soon now.
First layer of snow on 27th November 2010:
Friday, November 26, 2010
I dreamt again of...
A few days ago I had a scary dream about my sick dog.
I really hope she got better and eventually well.
There is not a day or night goes by without me wishing her to get better.
I really hope she got better and eventually well.
There is not a day or night goes by without me wishing her to get better.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Dutch Forest (Otterlo)
Last tuesday the weather was very nice. The sun was shining and the sky was blue.
I did not hesitate to take advantage of this. I went for a walk in Otterlo and the forest nearby. Walking is a popular activity here, especially when the weather is nice. But because it was just a working day, I did not come across many people during my walk - in the town, yes, but not in the forest.
Here are some photo's of a Dutch forest.
I did not hesitate to take advantage of this. I went for a walk in Otterlo and the forest nearby. Walking is a popular activity here, especially when the weather is nice. But because it was just a working day, I did not come across many people during my walk - in the town, yes, but not in the forest.
Here are some photo's of a Dutch forest.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
The Netherlands under water
The Netherlands and water are enemies.
The Netherlands is called the Netherlands because it is a geographically low-lying country, with about 25% of its area and 21% of its population located below sea level, with 50% of its land lying less than one meter above sea level.
It is amazing that, compared to Indonesia, the Netherlands does not get flooded often. So far I have never experienced a flood here but here are a few video's of the Netherlands and its water problems:
Enschede, August 2010
Enschede, August 2010
Oldenzaal, 2010
Baarlo, November 2010
News on 13th November 2010:
"Langdurige regen heeft zaterdag voor veel wateroverlast in Noord-Brabant en Limburg gezorgd. In de strook tussen Eindhoven en Venray viel tussen vrijdag 15.00 uur en zaterdag 15.00 uur tussen de 50 en 60 millimeter regen."
The rain that lasted for long on Saturday created water problems in North Brabant and Limburg. Between Eindhoven and Venray the rainfall between Friday 15.00 and Saturday 15.00 was between 50 and 60 millimeter.
The Netherlands is called the Netherlands because it is a geographically low-lying country, with about 25% of its area and 21% of its population located below sea level, with 50% of its land lying less than one meter above sea level.
It is amazing that, compared to Indonesia, the Netherlands does not get flooded often. So far I have never experienced a flood here but here are a few video's of the Netherlands and its water problems:
Enschede, August 2010
Enschede, August 2010
Oldenzaal, 2010
Baarlo, November 2010
News on 13th November 2010:
"Langdurige regen heeft zaterdag voor veel wateroverlast in Noord-Brabant en Limburg gezorgd. In de strook tussen Eindhoven en Venray viel tussen vrijdag 15.00 uur en zaterdag 15.00 uur tussen de 50 en 60 millimeter regen."
The rain that lasted for long on Saturday created water problems in North Brabant and Limburg. Between Eindhoven and Venray the rainfall between Friday 15.00 and Saturday 15.00 was between 50 and 60 millimeter.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
I dreamt of...
Early this morning between 6.30 and 8.00 I dreamt of my dog, Bonny.
Now I'm wondering what the significance of this dream is.
She is very sick. Her kidneys are not doing so well.
Is this her way of saying good bye to me or is this a sign that she's getting better?
I do wish it is the later but I don't want her to suffer.
The terrible thing is that I can not be there. We are separated by a few continents and oceans.
I can only think of her and pray.
Now I'm wondering what the significance of this dream is.
She is very sick. Her kidneys are not doing so well.
Is this her way of saying good bye to me or is this a sign that she's getting better?
I do wish it is the later but I don't want her to suffer.
The terrible thing is that I can not be there. We are separated by a few continents and oceans.
I can only think of her and pray.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Postworkers on strike today
Today postworkers in the whole Netherlands went on strike.
And I just heard on TV that they are going to go on strike again next week.
Hmm... when is going on strike in Indonesia done in such a regular and peaceful way?
And I just heard on TV that they are going to go on strike again next week.
Hmm... when is going on strike in Indonesia done in such a regular and peaceful way?
First freeze
It's a cold cold day but oh so sunny.
When I looked out into the garden, I saw the grass was white-ish in colour. What is that now? Oh... that's just because the temperature went to 0 last night so the dews froze on the grass making it sparkle and making it look a bit white in colour.
And the glass on the car...
When I looked out into the garden, I saw the grass was white-ish in colour. What is that now? Oh... that's just because the temperature went to 0 last night so the dews froze on the grass making it sparkle and making it look a bit white in colour.
And the glass on the car...
Nu Iedere Zondag is Koopzondag (t/m midden December)
From 31st October until 19th December 2010 Makro is also open every Sunday.
Unlike Indonesia, shops are usually closed on Sundays here. But in preparation to "embrace" Sinterklaas and Christmas, some are now also open on Sundays because it is now the perfect period to make money. People start buying gifts for the children, things/decorations for the Christmas and gifts for the Christmas.
Unlike Indonesia, shops are usually closed on Sundays here. But in preparation to "embrace" Sinterklaas and Christmas, some are now also open on Sundays because it is now the perfect period to make money. People start buying gifts for the children, things/decorations for the Christmas and gifts for the Christmas.
Saturday's Surprise
Saturday's surprise in town.
I went to town last Saturday and to my surprise it was already so busy in town. Usually around the time I went to town it is not so busy yet. I saw policemen and policewomen - more than the usual numbers. Hmm, I think to myself, is there something going on in town today? What could it be? Then the idea hit me. Of course, the Sinterklaastocht.
Even though the Sinterklaas (birth)day is supposed to be on 5th December, the tocht is usually carried out a couple of weeks before.
Explanation
Tocht = Tour
I went to town last Saturday and to my surprise it was already so busy in town. Usually around the time I went to town it is not so busy yet. I saw policemen and policewomen - more than the usual numbers. Hmm, I think to myself, is there something going on in town today? What could it be? Then the idea hit me. Of course, the Sinterklaastocht.
Even though the Sinterklaas (birth)day is supposed to be on 5th December, the tocht is usually carried out a couple of weeks before.
Explanation
Tocht = Tour
Friday, November 12, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Sint-Maarten (the celebration, not the island)
St. Maarten, celebrated on November 11 (or sometimes the night before) is a celebration of goodness and humility. It is especially famous in Groningen, Drenthe, Noord-Holland (West Friesland), Brabant and Limburg
St. Maarten is based on a legend. Martinus (Martin) was born in the year 316 in what today is known as Hungary. He died on November 11, 397 and on the feast of this saint it is customary to give children candy - just like in Halloween.
The festival is actually a 'festival of lights' for children.
The tradition is that children themselves make a lantern from paper, cardboard, sugar beet or a hollowed pumpkin with a candle inside and then they go from houses to houses. At the door they will sing you a song in return for candies.
This year, though, those who celebrated St. Maarten yesterday night were lucky. The weather today for the Netherlands is not good. It is now, as I'm writing this, very windy and raining quite hard. The celebration may even (or should) be canceled because this is not the weather for kids to be wandering around outside just to get a few candies.
Links:
Photo's from Dagblad, 2010
Koninklijke Bibliotheek - National Library of the Netherlands
St. Maarten is based on a legend. Martinus (Martin) was born in the year 316 in what today is known as Hungary. He died on November 11, 397 and on the feast of this saint it is customary to give children candy - just like in Halloween.
The festival is actually a 'festival of lights' for children.
The tradition is that children themselves make a lantern from paper, cardboard, sugar beet or a hollowed pumpkin with a candle inside and then they go from houses to houses. At the door they will sing you a song in return for candies.
This year, though, those who celebrated St. Maarten yesterday night were lucky. The weather today for the Netherlands is not good. It is now, as I'm writing this, very windy and raining quite hard. The celebration may even (or should) be canceled because this is not the weather for kids to be wandering around outside just to get a few candies.
Links:
Photo's from Dagblad, 2010
Koninklijke Bibliotheek - National Library of the Netherlands
Christmas began early at Intratuin
It is not the Netherlands if you do not start things very very very early.
Everything always starts at least 2 months before it is due. Shops will start selling Christmas stuffs at the end on October and by Christmas you will see a lot of hearts and romantic stuffs being sold in shops for the Valentine's Day.
Intratuin, for example, started their Christmas show (a floor especially dedicated to selling Christmas stuffs) 2 months before Christmas is due.
These photos were taken at the end of October this year.
Everything always starts at least 2 months before it is due. Shops will start selling Christmas stuffs at the end on October and by Christmas you will see a lot of hearts and romantic stuffs being sold in shops for the Valentine's Day.
Intratuin, for example, started their Christmas show (a floor especially dedicated to selling Christmas stuffs) 2 months before Christmas is due.
These photos were taken at the end of October this year.
Getting Ready for Sinterklaas & Zwarte Piet
Sinterklaas & Zwarte Piet... hmmm... that reminds me of the story I was always told when I was a kid. But in that story, Sinterklaas & Zwarte Piet always came during Christmas period instead on December 5th and Zwarte Piet was someone you should be afraid of if you had been a naughty kid. They story was that Zwarte Piet would put you in his sack and/or hit your butt with his broom.
Anyway, as always here in the Netherlands, the preparation for the event itself came very early. This photo was taken a couple of weeks ago. Note that the Sinterklaas' day is celebrated on December 5th.
More on Sinterklaas & Zwarte Piet to come on December 5th.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Amsterdam Shopping Scenes
Barely could walk.
Just being pushed here and there.
Shopping or even walking on the main shopping street of Amsterdam is always an experience.
Just being pushed here and there.
Shopping or even walking on the main shopping street of Amsterdam is always an experience.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Pasar Bantu
Today there was some kind of Asian Market event in Apeldoorn with Asian dances, singer and food and stalls selling all kinds of stuffs. It was a (very) small scale event to me who is used to pasar malam or fairs in Indonesia.
I had kue lapis (spekkoek - that's what they call it here) and it reminded me very much of Indonesia. Made me kind of missing home.
This was actually a 2-day event that started yesterday.
I had kue lapis (spekkoek - that's what they call it here) and it reminded me very much of Indonesia. Made me kind of missing home.
This was actually a 2-day event that started yesterday.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
KvK Startersdag 6 November 2010
KvK Startersdag 6 November 2010
This event was intended for entrepeneurs-to-be or new entrepeneurs.
I had a chance to visit it today. The first (right) step towards entrepeneurship (hopefully).
Conclusion: It seems so complicated to start your own business. So many (or too many?) regulations and conditions to take into account.
I'm just going to sleep on it tonight. Tomorrow is another day.
At least today I did something new. I took a great step to what is hopefully the right direction. And in any case, it was a new experience.
This event was intended for entrepeneurs-to-be or new entrepeneurs.
I had a chance to visit it today. The first (right) step towards entrepeneurship (hopefully).
Conclusion: It seems so complicated to start your own business. So many (or too many?) regulations and conditions to take into account.
I'm just going to sleep on it tonight. Tomorrow is another day.
At least today I did something new. I took a great step to what is hopefully the right direction. And in any case, it was a new experience.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Winter Time
Early this morning, the time changed. It went back 1 hour.
So, it is official. We are going into the winter time: it gets lighter earlier and it also gets dark earlier.
How come, you might ask?
Simple.
Yesterday's 8 am is today's 7 am and tomorrow's 7 am. So, if yesterday the sun rose at 8 am, then today it rose at 7 am. And tomorrow it will rise at 7 am.
Yesterday's 8 pm is today's 7 pm and tomorrow's 7 pm. So, if yesterday the sun went down at 8 pm, then today it will go down at 7 pm. And so will it tomorrow.
So, it is official. We are going into the winter time: it gets lighter earlier and it also gets dark earlier.
How come, you might ask?
Simple.
Yesterday's 8 am is today's 7 am and tomorrow's 7 am. So, if yesterday the sun rose at 8 am, then today it rose at 7 am. And tomorrow it will rise at 7 am.
Yesterday's 8 pm is today's 7 pm and tomorrow's 7 pm. So, if yesterday the sun went down at 8 pm, then today it will go down at 7 pm. And so will it tomorrow.
Monday, October 25, 2010
The morning moon
The morning moon. Taken today from 8.15 until 8.17 in the morning.
Taken today from 9.36 until 9.37 in the morning.
Taken today from 9.36 until 9.37 in the morning.
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