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.
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