word meanderings by Jade Isis

Rain vs. Heatwave...

2011-09-05T13:12:00.001+02:00

And while we with full satisfaction were enjoying our vacation in Austria, with steaming tropical temperatures, our friends in the Netherlands were full of horror with the worst drizzly summer since 1933. The pouring not ending rain against the windows, the terraces and beaches empty and people dreaming off the sun on a bounty island far away, while they stepped out their houses only when needed accompanied with at least one umbrella. At the same time Remy and I enjoyed the Austrian lakes and mountains and thought it was one of our best summers.

I think next year the entire population of more then 16 million people of Holland, will be travelling abroad to summer destinations. You will see, that the Netherlands will be overloaded with heatwave after heatwave in 2012...

BTW, Watermelon and cooling off in a lake are the best cures when temperatures rise far above 30 degrees Celsius. For pouring rain are no other cures then hoping it will get better tomorrow...

Romance in Venice...

2011-09-02T02:00:00.000+02:00

George Clooney is arriving in Venice Italy I hear on the television. Nothing newsworthy, but it tracks my attention right away.

Back come the unforgettable memories from our journey to this unique place just a couple of weeks ago. I was the one who begged my love to play romantic on the streets of Venice. It would be the icing on the cake, a highlight of our 3 weeks together.

It was on a beautiful Thursday. Very early in the morning, when the dew is yet to ascend from the mountains, we drove the 380 km from our holiday destination towards the Adriatic sea. I was very excited: finally I was gonna visit the city of water, the location to wear those colourful decorated carnival masks, to see the small canals and a city floating more then The Netherlands.

Ciao Italia! The arriving, after 4 hours driving, was a little chaotic. Cars everywhere and only one last place to park. The city stretches around 117 islands, so we had no idea if we had to continue by boat. Smart to advertise for it, as many around us bought a boat ticket. We were a little smarter (as paying toll for the Brennerpas and the parking ticket had already cost us 61 euros) and looked at what the locals did.

While ofcourse the Piazzo San Marco had to be the highlight, we start walking towards the main reason everybody visits Venice. The temperature, early in the morning, was already far above 30. We passed the canals, the little restaurants where Italians told us they made the best pizza and spaghetti in town, and the narrow footpaths. Our eyes saw the singing gondoliers in their romantic Gondolas, the bridge of Sighs, the typical Venice masks shown in the petite shops and our feet stand on the Rialto bridge.

Every transport in Venice is or by boat or on foot. There are 409 bridges and they serve as roads for the many tourists. The expensive Gondola seems lovely to do. The Gondolas look so romantic with there velvet seats and Persian rugs. Romantic on your honnymoon? The more romance the more to pay.

The temperatures rised above 40 degrees and their we're walking accompanied by thousands of other tourists. The (ofcourse) ice cream melted before we could enjoy it's delicious taste. But the ooh and aah came out of my mouth all the time. Beautiful and a must visit place for once in your life. Enjoy the many pictures.

Modern Fairytale...

2011-08-29T11:00:00.000+02:00

Remember the split screens from the amazing television series 24. The way to watch what happens at the same time from more sides of view. In this sweet lovestory the makers used splitscreen as well. The man lives in the big apple and the lady in Paris. You follow their lives from the moment they wake up until they meet in London. Sublime music is from Lennert Busch.

Splitscreen: A Love Story from JW Griffiths on Vimeo.

Home Sweet Home...

2011-08-26T21:34:00.004+02:00

I get myself throught the spiderwebs on the attic of the spacious garage from my parents. Wodan has made herself smal and presses herself as far as the walls allow her in the corner. Her big yellow eyes are attentively looking around. I whisper sweet words, the ones that should comfort her. It isn't helping, I feel like a stranger for Wodan. It makes clear that not the people, but a safe environment gives her confidence. Wodan isn't sure, and I don't belong to this place which is full of little freaky animals (field mice and spiders, yuck). A problem for me, as I see a six-legged monster looming before me. That seems to be not the problem for my little catpie. I didn't just abandoned her, I did worse. I also put her in a ´war zone,´ full of unexpected things. And althought I left her here a couple of times before, it's not a place that smells like Wodan. There is no way Wodan wants to be touched by my hands.

Ten minutes later she's running down the stairs. She mweows with a plaintive tone, over and over again. I'm standing in the garage telling her that I needed a deserved trip to something else then the walls of my home. While cuddling Wodan she purrs, but there's no way I can get her in her cat carrier. The one that always takes her to places she doesn't wanna visit. It smells like stress. With some pressure and patience I carry Wodan to the cat carrier. Remy removes the fur from my shirt. There is one whole cat on my shirt *wink.* I think Wodan will be just fine, when she enters her home, she has no idea where we take her.

When home Wodan purrs, puts her little heat towards us and everything she visits, eats, makes a pee on the right place, creates a perfect poo, cuddles, crawls in the duvet, complains that her food bowl is empty, mweows her stories and asks for more food. I hear her all the time, she is one happy cat. Home sweet home, there were it's best.

Smile...

2011-08-06T11:00:00.000+02:00

Things that make me smile...

Leaving sweet notes, with "You look lovely today," and "Look at that beautiful image in the mirror", in the fitting room
Order a huge delicious ice cream, despite the raining weather
Reading the thick book I have borrowed from my mother in law
Just two days before we start our deserved vacation
Strawberries with sugar on top
Buying cheap summer magazines
Highlighted hair by the sun
Instead of impossible BBQ celebration, due to bad weather conditions, gourmet is the new thing to do
Summersale hooray
Throw not one, not two, but three strikes in a row when bowling
Ruin my favorite white blouse while cooking, but with my mother's help its saved

Roses Never Fade my Heart...

2011-08-03T11:00:00.000+02:00

When the rose is faded,
Memory may still dwell on
Her beauty shadowed,
And the sweet smell gone.

That vanishing loveliness,
That burdening breath,
No bond of life hath then,
Nor grief of death.

'Tis the immortal thought
Whose passion still
Makes the changing
The unchangeable.

Oh, thus thy beauty,
Loveliest on earth to me,
Dark with no sorrow, shines
And burns, with thee.

Poem "When the rose is faded" by Walter de la Mare, pictures and image creation Jade Isis Woodall

PS: Blogger is irritaing me, I cannot show the picture larger as its shown now. Click on the image to view larger. Sorry for that.

Fruit Flies Terror...

2011-07-29T15:10:00.001+02:00

As I was longing for a heatwave (summer, where have you gone?), there is one summer-like property thats showing its irritating qualities to the outside world. Hello, fruit fly.

It all began with the (aww) stunning red roses I got from my boyfriend when we were celebrating our two years anniversary this month. 24 roses where shining towards me. That Remy could hide them when coming home for my eyes for 3 hours is a whole other story.

With 24 roses came at least triple 24 fruit flies. Did you know they lay 300 eggs a time...I think you can count. Everywhere we saw black little enemies. Not only the kitchen was there territory. I was wondering if they pie and poo on our food? Forget that answer, I don't want to know. They were in the master bedroom, in Wodan's litter box, on the lavatory, just everywhere. I even drowned them while standing in a steamy shower (they got the whole view).

It's not really how they got there, but how to get rid of them. I think the roses drowned so many fruit flies that they got hanging after only 7 days. But that gave us the idea how to kill these little monsters. With a piece of paper I made a funnel to fit in a glass. In the glass I had put vinegar and voila, a solution was born. Because their brainless bodies, they can't contrive it's better not to crawl throught the hole. No chance to find the road back up. Within minutes about 20 fruit flies kept each other company on their way to hereafter.

4 days later they're almost gone. As they normally have a short life of 7 days, they now brought out the news you die early in this appartment, there are almost no little flies anywhere to be seen. Sometimes I see one flying on their search to friends. By now I decided roses are better given during wintertime...

Neglecting...a Writer's block...

2011-07-13T11:38:00.002+02:00

I'm neglecting you, dear blog. Every time I come online, I notice you popping up right infront me. Something that always makes me happy, but not this last month or so. Every time I click the window away. It feels the same as when you're walking somewhere and your eyes meet the back of an old friend. You need to say "Hi," but you don't want to. She's not looking at your direction, which seems to be the way to get away from a possible encounter. You walk in a different direction and walk a little faster. She didn't saw me yet, no. Damn, she's looking behind her back. Look away, look away. Is she seeing me? I'm not quite sure. And if so, why is she not saying hi? Is she ignoring me? She doesn't want to see me, is she? LOL, you get it...

Honestly, I just don't feel like blogging right now. It takes lots of time if you don't have the inspiration that much. It's time for doing other things. I'm not quiting, no intention to do so. Great ideas can pop up in my mind. It can be differently in a day...Life is like the wind, blow me some inspiration my dear. I'm ignoring that word.... I don't have a .....

Happily Living Together in a Clean House...

2011-07-02T17:13:00.000+02:00

After a period of one and a half year of happily living together the household tasks are divided. In the beginning this superwoman (as if) did all the cleaning, shopping, washing and cooking. And let's not forget help to get rid of cat poop. I had a desirable need to take care of my man in the best possible way. As if all my love for him was there to be found in his clean white T-shirt.

Things have changed for the better. You cannot work for your money, be madly in love, do everything for that person and a little extra and be social to your family and friends. Your gonna fail in something. As I work less hours as Remy, it's normal that I do more chores, but I got a little help. So there it is.. sometimes I come home and Remy has cleaned a little. Not the way I would do it. No...

Even better. I do several things at once. As a energetic hardworking ant I rush throught our house. That's not the way Remy likes it. He will never do 10 things in a day and is more relaxed as I am. He will never be as neat, but that way there is some living right. There are things he dislikes doing and I'm fine with that. The chores he does he does perfectly: thoroughly and very planned.

And I? I tell him how much I like his helping hand in our domesticities and show him I'm proud. With just that little help he makes our household a easier task for me...

Watch my Watch...

2011-06-29T11:00:00.003+02:00

As promised, and I don't want to test your patience more then I already did: here some pictures from the giant present I got from my man. The hints he gave me had all to do with the package of the gift. I didn't see this one coming.

In all the birthday the watch is to be seen, but for a good view I added a close image of the watch. It's a big watch for my small wrists, but it looks very modern and classy. The watch is from the brand Michael Kors.

Glastonbury Souled...

2011-06-27T09:38:00.010+02:00

What a smooth performance is this queen of soul giving on Glastonbury 2011. Wooah, what a lady! She showing what's she's all about, a sensational black lady. With the becoming more white with every picture made of her, I got a little worried. She's showing her nature below, and it was my breakfast at first. Don't we all love Beyonce?

Go all watch the other amazing video's made from her performance yesterday, on the WWW. thanks for putting them out there. And Glastonbury, see you next year!!!

I cannot believe Beyonce is beating Coldplay in my post. Sorry, but don't forget to check out the performance of my fave band and a few other Greats like U2, Kaiser Chiefs, Elbow, Paul Simon, KT Tunstall and Paolo Nutini. What a line up Glastonbury had performing!

Fool my Curiosity...

2011-06-23T20:52:00.003+02:00

I'm overly enthousiastic and dying to know what he will give me as a present. Asking to hint me and let me guess what to recieve. It get's to the point it could be a little irritating, but I bring it with charm. A very white gift, but it's starts with red white. After that a color palette surfaces and most of the gift is just plain white. And yes, it's a functional gift. Do you have any idea? Oh there is always a chance my man is fooling me! You see my played angry face?

Oh yes, my birth certificate shows I'm becoming 35 years at 11.20 AM (Greenwich mean time 1+). Bring on the cake!

Virtual Lungs...

2011-06-22T11:00:00.005+02:00

I love Google just as much as you do, I answer my friend. "You know, everything I want to discover I google," Ilse tells me. It's a source of information, a library on it's own. And google scours the information, there is nothing you have to do then properly spell the information to be found.

Google is easy. But we know, we're getting older. The youth wrapped and apps as if they can't survive without this virtual oxygen. There is no way that we as 30something can catch up with their speed and ability to learn what´s new. I really thought that my friend meant abs (don´t we love muscles) instead of apps. She couldn´t really explain what it is. And there I spend some time to learn what app is and if I can use it on my phone.

I understand all the text messaging and even learnt to Skype, thanks to my friend Susie. How cool that is, to even speak and watch (and all at the same time) friends who live far away. For those things this new communication is perfect. I love to make photo´s from all the lovely moments where I land in while on the way. But to app is something new for me. I see people do it all the time. I watch the fingers go on the screen of the mobile, like they are reading a book. And so quik! One part of me is curious and needs to learn this brand new thing. I need to catch up with the youth. I don't want to be catched up by time. Another part of me knows I´m already too late. The moment I know what app is and have learnt to work with it, there will be a brand new thing that is the virtual newest. I need some new virtual lungs!

Cat Teacher...

2011-06-19T11:00:00.002+02:00

The little girl cycled on the small purple bike. Her father was there to hand out help when needed. He seemed proud and encouraged loudly with a smile. Then at one moment the attention of the girl, who was wearing little braids in her hair, went to something on the streets. She noticed the tail and the hairy fur. "Look dad,"she said while gesturing with her little chubby fingers towards the cat. Then a huge smile came on her little face. She laughed and said: "Hi," to the cat. The cat made himself smaller while looking at the girl. Not sure if he had to run and leave or stay and try to hide. "Mweow," we all heard.

"Oh daddy, what is he saying?" the girl asked her father. "I don't know," was his reply. "Cats talk a language we cannot understand." "When I'm old I want to become a cat teacher," the blond hairy girl told her father. She looked at the cat, smiled again and waved with both her hands to the cat. "Bye."

Illussion Balloon...

2011-06-16T11:00:00.001+02:00

I first only saw the balloons. Don't we all love them? The childish memories that are freed in our souls. But then I noticed the bench. Japanese Satoshi Itasaka created the "Balloon Bench." As he tells: "This bench was visually inspired by the feeling of floating that the main character felt in the French movie "Le Ballon Rouge." The Balloon Bench appears to be suspended in mid air, held up by two bunches of red balloons. But this is not the reality, a great illusion it is. With that Itasaka successfully creates a illusion.

And because the classic movie, from the year 1953, is lovely I want to show you a small part from the story where a young boy befriends a red balloon after he's been loyally followed by it. Together they play in the streets of wonderful Paris and try to elude some boys who want to destroy the balloon. There is not a lot of talking in this movie, but the music gives it that old movie feeling. I see myself float in Paris, how about you?

Willing to Knit and Able to Stitch...

2011-06-13T12:58:00.002+02:00

"Work more nicely," the teacher tells me. I grew up in a old fashioned small town in the south east of the Netherlands. The catholic school, where we had to stand in the line, hand in hand with one person from the same sex, before we were allowed to enter the school, was really outdated. The boys got handicraft in a very manly way. They could be bulky and build cars. But not for us girls, we had to knit and stitch. I hated it and the teacher knew about that. Calling me clumsy is a mistake. Well, I am but not on these kind of things. Let's honestly say I'm neat but left handed.

"She's is not capable in fine working with her hands," she told my mother. My mother asked her to give me some time and decided to practice the needed skills at home. Besides reading every day she made me knit and stitch. I hated it and my mother knew. But she did one amazing thing: she bought the needed accessories for a left handed person. Rare to be found back in those days, but with her determination she founded what was needed for me.

The teacher that I really disliked, because she seemed too harsh for my sensitive soul, has recently died. The lady who told me: "Not able lies on the cemetry, not wanting next." With that adage she teached me something...

8 and a Spell...

2011-06-09T16:09:00.002+02:00

I'm dying to see the film super 8 from director J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg. Great trailer that makes me curious of what this is all about. A little mysterious and secretive, I like. I know IMDb gives some critical reviews, but I'm always up to give it my own opinion. Will it put a spell on me?

Lately there is a lot going on in my lovely life, I haven't really been able to update my humble place on the WWW with a good story. In this cucumber time I will make some time to update with great stuff. Thanks for your patience!

Anatomy Soon Expected...

2011-06-04T15:17:00.006+02:00

I was in a hurry. In just a moment of time, one of my favorite tv-series would start. I pedaled harder with the pedals of my bike, as if they would make my arrival accelerate. Feeling warm of all the given energy, I searched for the key of the bicycle shed. Why is it always gone when I need it?

I walked a little quicker as usual on the stairs and rushed inside my house. "Has it started yet?" I asked my love. After a short note that Grey's Anatomy was not on TV, I switched to the channel that always gives this great series airtime. Aha, that's why in the episode from last week were so many cliffhangers. Unpatiently waiting for a new season to air, I comfort myself with the splendid music from the series. It's a reminder of all those great moments from last season. Like this tear-jerking song "Speaking a dead language" from Joy Williams.

Furry Cuteness...

2011-06-01T19:52:00.001+02:00

Isn't she a doll? Summer is almost near. It's her favorite season of the year: check... birthday including presents. check... most chance of sun. check... more ability to be outside on the balcony. She mweows, one complainer, early in the morning, for her needed sunlight. Unbelieveable, Wodan has more interest for the sun then for her food! She's fat enough, so let her crave!

What I Wear...

2011-05-26T13:23:00.003+02:00

I dont have a fashion blog, but I have told you on several occasions that I love it and is on my moneylist every month. I have created a moodboard on Polyvore with some of the clothes I recently bought. The dress with knots is from my favorite brand SuperTrash, which is a Dutch brand who uses beautiful fabrics for their original creations. I was a bit unlucky wearing it on a recent gourmet party, but thanks to dry cleaning it looks brand new. The orange top has still to arive, I'm curious how it looks in reality and what combinations I can make with it. The zara shoes are on my to want list, but they are sold out and a white blazer is the next thing I have on my mind. You like my style?

Jade 237

Vero Moda Very shirts blouse
60 EUR - welikefashion.com

Long blazer
$396 - aliceandolivia.com

Zara court shoes
$100 - zara.com

No, I'n not changing my blog into a fashionblog, but I will write about it so now and then...

Guilty Pleasure Jumpsuit...

2011-05-23T11:00:00.001+02:00

It's not a secret that I love to shop for clothes. But it has to be done fast, I don't like the endless shopping sessions that some of my friends love. Two years ago I discovered online shopping, fast and easy. But online shoppping never gave me such discount that I got away with a quik fit and leave the store I enjoyed last Saturday. Yes, I was going for a fair pay...

It was overly busy at the store that I visited. It has some of my most loved brands like SuperTrash, G-star and Fornarina. Honest, my taste is expensive and when I have the possibility I shop during sale. With a yellow dots discount of 30% I tried on some fine T-shirts. It was my lucky day!

Fairness I say that I see myself as a honest person, but this time I was not the one to say they gave me more then I earned. I have to get rid of my gnawing conscience. Not really have the guts to be completely happy with my jumpsuit for nothing. While the cute outfit fitted nicely I left the fitting room to go see a saleswoman. Lovely jumpsuit missed a closure and the lady told me we could go let it fixed, by a tailor, after paying. She walked with me towards the pay desk, where the situation was crowded. I have never thought people in the Netherlands suffered from any crisis on their bankaccount, due to the economic crisis that hit the world a few years ago.

Finally it was my turn. With three ladies they checked my clothes: 4 colorful T-shirts, a silky blouse and the ~~needed~~ desired jumpsuit. One lady handled the checkout, the second lady removed protection and the third lady made the clothes look like a neat present. Meanwhile they were busy talking blablabla. "That's ~~135,90~~ euros," lady one told me. While paying the low amount urged me inside. "No, I don't want a discount card, " I heared myself answering. No card needed, that's for sure. I knew that the situation was wrong. This is a huge undeserved discount. I got the receipt and left with lady three to the tailor.

She was such a sweet girl, which made my guilt rise to my head. If I would tell her....yes, no, yes, no, yes, no. Ten minutes later I stood outside the shop with a bag full of clothes. I rang my boyfriend, who reminded me this store once gave no discount, unregarded what the price tag was showing. "Simply leave and enjoy," he recommended me.

I don't have my hands clean, but never intented to do harm. When time is right I will wear my jumpsuit for nothing with guilty pleasure...

Break Up with the Dentist...

2011-05-20T11:00:00.002+02:00

I feel the sensitivity of my teeth, while the teeth hygienist cleans them one by one. My eyes follow "the small hook" which, with a little pressure, cleans my teeth. Needed? Well adviced, because there are places in your mouth that can't be cleaned with your own instruments. In my imagination I see the hook change in a nasty hand. One by one my bloody teeth get taken out of my mouth. "Sorry, there was nothing I could do then take them out." My eyes look above to the ~~nice~~ lady, her face has enermously changed in ~~a horrible monster.~~

When I needed an implant my dentist adviced me to go to another dental practice. My dentist is on his way to work freedom. And how nice he seems, he's needs this deserved break. While I got a lookalike new tooth, I decided it was time to free my "old" dentist and break up.

And strangely it's always hard to break up. "It's over," the thing we don't want to say. No tears, no last look and no disappointment. Ín this market we can choose what we think is best needed for ourselves. Quality gets paid with loyality. But because a dentist is an expert on his field, which is not mine, I'm not really sure if I agreed with the best.

I knew what to expect with my olds dentist. Not perfect teeth quality, but I knew the small holes in my teeth got filled when needed. But what are the motives of this new dentist? Making money fast or providing the best care for his patients? I decided second. While he checked my teeth, I was insecure. What would he think of my mouth full of teeth? What would I think of his teeth knowledge?

So while I endured a break up with my dentist, I agreed a new relationship with another dentist and a totally new one with a dental hygienist. For the best possible teethcare and, I'm afraid, a emptier wallet...

A Way to Live...

2011-05-17T11:00:00.000+02:00

Liberty Eyes...

2011-05-14T11:00:00.020+02:00

Together with the paper the postman brought a packet in the mailbox. The thick turquose paper stands out between the black letters that pop from the newspaper. Around the paper is a thick ribbon wrapped from the same colour. It feels like a present and while I'm looking forward to the unpacking moment I walk to my neat kitchen. While I put away the newspaper, my eyes notice a small picture on the front page. A dark toned skin very small face looks me straight in the eye. I look back, but our eyes don't meet in reality. There goes a strong message out of the picture. Strong, but what does it tell me? I've never seen a face like that, it must be surreal and carnivalesque. I remember the masks I wore at that celebration years ago. This female face is out of proportion: huge whitespread eyes and hair wild hiding her ears. Her shoulders hang down, but she keeps her chin high. Her mouth is almost hiding the lower part of her face, it exudes power. Behind her I see nothing, but in a way I know what's she's hiding with her body.

I look again to the piercing eyes. Our eyes meet each other. Only mine are changing while the black eyes are starring. Not to me, but the camera who catched the image. A stagnant moment, but very significant. Sometimes a image tells you more then thousand words can do. While I'm not reading the words belonging to the article I give it my own story. Which becomes real infront of my eyes. Definitely not the reason her photo is taken. This is not a movie, neither a Hollywood moment to be spread in a newspaper. This is news, about a war. Fighting for freedom. She tells me the story with her eyes. Liberty eyes. Fear, anxiouty, power and determation, all taken in one moment. That's why her face is out of proportion. She wants to tell it to the viewer on the other side of the camera.

My mind goes back to the small packet that's send to me. I put the newspaper away and take the small turquose paper back in my hand. Ready to get unpacked...

The List of Awesome...

2011-05-11T11:00:00.002+02:00

Inspired by a fellow blogger, here my own list of awesome:

Love and Laughter
Fudge
Elegance
Night of good sleep
Vacation
Spotting People on a Terrace
Drinking Wine
Two Weeks Free Newspaper
Denim
Freshly Cut Hair
24 hours of 24
Waking up thinking you need to hurry, clock showing you can fall asleep for a little while
Datenight with my man
Sky diving
Twinkling Star
Winning Games
Smooth legs after shaving
Great Memories
Eating Fruit to keep up the Health
Google Earth
Spring and Autumn season
Stubbles on a Man´ Chin
Giggles
Day on the Beach
Freshly Cut Grass
Movienight
Blueberry Muffins and Banana Toffee Cupcakes
Online Shopping
Miranda's character at Grey's Anatomy
Showertime
The Breathtaking Voice of Adele
Cuddling
Getting Your Ears Pierced
Bosses' Payday
Shoes
Girlfriends
Politeness
The Moment after the Big Cleaning
End of Map reading and Searching... GPS
The Eye of Wodan
Playful times
Exercising
Reading a Brilliant Book
Endearing Moments
Recieving Handwritten Cards
Rewatch Friends over and over again
One scoop of icecream, topped with one above for delicious moment
Vintage
You & Me & a Fireplace
Chuckle

Infinity...

2011-05-08T11:00:00.000+02:00

What a sublime video from Spy Films is Infinity. Directed by Alex & Steffen, it takes you to the imagination of a adorable kid. Everything is possible in this small movie.

The other superb commercial is also from Spy Films and is having the same direction team. This Nissan commercial is shot in the beautiful country of New Zealand and makes me think of the movie Inception.

King in a Castle...

2011-05-05T11:00:00.017+02:00

At the foot of Loch Ness you find Urquhart Castle. It has been one of the biggest castles of Scotland, but it's extensively ruined. Especially the perfect location, makes it for tourists a lovely castle to visit. That it is more a ruin, then a real existing castle, doesn't really matter. You can still see the grandeur of this once mighty castle. And while there only once lived a King and this castle has been more the scene of force measurement, this place has a monarch atmosphere. Long Live the King...

There are more castles and palaces to visit in Scotland. Many times you will see a castle upsurge in the beautiful scenery. Many are able to visit, at an affordable price. We also visited Edinburgh castle (stunning with a nice view over the city) and Scone Palace, truly a palace but it looks like a real castle (guided by experts), near Perth.

BTW, we saw some spectacular rainbows, which looked much brighter and thicker as the ones I saw before in my life.

Carrot in a Cake...

2011-05-02T11:00:00.002+02:00

I have a new guilty pleasure. The most popular cake from England: carrot cake. I ate many pieces (totally one whole cake I'm afraid) during my time in Scotland. Let me share a nice recipe for this delicious sweet cake. Honestly, It's very easy to make. I dare you to not try before it truly finished baking...

Ingredients:

4 eggs
1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 cups grated carrots
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup butter, softened
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans

Preperation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan.

In a large bowl, beat together eggs, oil, white sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Stir in carrots. Fold in pecans. Pour into prepared pan.
Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.

To Make Frosting: In a medium bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, confectioners' sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Stir in chopped pecans. Frost the cooled cake.

The Fall of Water...

2011-04-29T11:00:00.005+02:00

While we had Ben in our legs, the magnificent giant mountain, we were curious to see the waterfalls of Fort William. I have seen many waterfalls before. We were so lucky with the 120 mm of rain we got a few days earlier. You can understand the more rain, the more water that needs to fall. We drove to the Lower Falls, which to be seen below. It's the ultimate drive. At the foot of Ben Nevis there is Glen Nevis road: full of sharp bends a mountainous way, which made us move from the left to the right. It felt like a rollercoaster, giving that lovely moving feeling in the abdomen.

From the Lower Falls we drove to the point where we would start the walk to the Steall Falls. A wonderful hiking route with spectacular views at Ben Nevis and Steall Falls. I remember the sound of the water fall down with a thunderous sound. I can't tell you enough how incredible stunning the Scottish highlands are. There is no way I can show you it's prettiness on these images. The power that goes of of the mountains and the different beautiful colors in the grass and on rocks. Stones that blend with moss and the clouds that covers the summits of the mountains. Scotland has been breathtaking for us, leaving you to see at least a few images of a castle. Upcoming soon...

Daisy Predicts Love...

2011-04-24T18:29:00.003+02:00

He loves me... he loves me not... he loves me... he loves me not.... he loves me.....

Youngsters play the same game, when they're not sure the person of interest answers the love request.They play it with such passion, which makes it almost believable that hormones are being guided by a simple little flower. I pluck the white petals, one by one from the daisy. After each other I drop them on the green ground. At game's end, the last petal tells it all. Is the affectionate love for the desired person returned?

I sit in a chair in the beautiful backyard at my parents house. It's Easter and the thermometer shows that it's 26 degrees Celsius. Unusual in the Netherlands. Believe me, very desired. Between the green grass their are many little white yellow flowers, who let their stems grow towards the sunlight. While I drop the last white petal, which tells me he doesn't love me, I look at Remy and my father. They're both sleeping in a lawn chair. I hear my mother making limonade inside. The sun burns my skin and I hear the fish in the water. I take another daisy, not really taking this love game serious, and start again. While the daisy is not predicting a romantic story, Remy tries to grab my hand. The sun radiates its heat through my clothing. I look, with small eyes, back and think: "At least, the daisy loves the sun," and laugh.

A Safe Descent...

2011-04-21T11:00:00.057+02:00

We felt the overwhelming joy from reaching the summit of UK's highest mountain. The adrenaline rushed throught our veins. That there was not much to see didn't matter. It felt like we were on top of the world. Ben Nevis became happy mountain, with the 10 smiling people on top of it. I observed the gear other people were wearing. All well prepared, which is very needed.

When our tummy's were filled with bread and bananas, it was time to make a safe descent. And I knew this wouldn't be the fun part. It's very hard on the legs, and it's the moment your muscles are fed-up. But if you find your way up, there has to be a way down. So there we went...

Soon I felt the fear of the ice, the anxiety of falling and slide down not knowing where going. By every step I pushed my heel in the icy snow to stabilize. That was hard on my legs, I felt the pain going up to to my hips. But this was the only way to get hold to the sleek surface. It was 300 meters (yards) of snowy ice down, some parts were better to do then others. I think it was a total distance of 1 kilometer of ice.The fog came down again and we couldn't see much, nearly 50 meters (yards). It was us, the mountain and the fog. It felt like we were alone in this colorless landscape of pale broken rocks with ice on it and thickening mist hanging around us.

We couldn't see any marker, but a little ahead of us, to the right, we saw something that could be one. Slowly we walked the slippery path down to what seems to be the right way to go. Just in time we saw the real marker, totally left of us. Not knowing we had been walking to the head of Five Finger Gully. This has been the scene of many fatalities in the past. You have no idea about the risks, the low fog and with that the limitations in view when you're up Ben Nevis facing it. Undergoing the rapidly changing weather conditions on Ben Nevis is besides the challenge mountain walking, the other unexpected dare. We've had rain, snow, low fog, heavy wind and ice just in about 8 hours.

There we arrived to the zigzag route. This was easy for us, both in good shape we ran down. Also risky, because when your legs go faster then the rest of your body you're gonna fall somewhere. We maked pictured, laughed and enjoyed the view. Gone was the fog and we could see some of the stunning countryside of Fort William. I had no idea what was coming, thinking the heavy part lay far behind me. The descent is a long, slow slog down innumerable switchbacks that seem to last forever.

With another 4 kilometers to go, my body became sour. My right hip was painful, it's the weakest part of my body. After a aching fall back in December it became a weak link. Besides that these 16 kilometers long way up and down is a heavy burden to your whole body. It had come to feeling every stone on the path throught the soles of our B C category hiking shoes. Remy and I probably had wasted expressions on our faces, both tired we continued, huffing and puffing, our way back. Our legs hurt, but our eyes were extremely happy. Those last steps were making this walk the best, earned. Yes, really earned!

Warned that our legs wouldn't be able to do some activity at least the day after and maybe more, we walked up and down to the stunning falls of Fort William. See the pictures soon...

Finish to the Summit...

2011-04-18T11:00:00.004+02:00

I tried to look infront of me, the view was limited to 100 meters (yards). At that point two people caught up with us, which we earlier that day had passed. They were wearing the crampons. "It's only another 200 meters," the guy smiled to me. The right moment for the perfect comment, thank you! 200 meters rising, we had already climbed another 1100, I could do this. We needed to reach the summit, needed? We were gonna reach the summit. While the nice guy disappeared in the fog, we continued the way up.

Slowly...the path was steep and very slippery. Remy and I hold hands. The vision became a little over 50 meters (yards), due to fog. We didn't go up for the view, the reason most people take the challenge to do some serious mountain hiking. The challenge for me became to push the boundaries and to face my fears. I knew that experienced Remy was patient with my speed, that had became much slower. Remy's hair was white from the ice, which was also on my hat and our shoes. Both we were warm, never icy.

"Let's walk from marker to marker," I said to Remy. That was a challenge itself. We couldn't see the marker infront of us. Those cairns were standing a little out of the snow and were needed to make a safe trip up. Without them their would be a risk you would walk, not knowing, to the danger zone. Close to the abyss. Slowly we followed the footprints from the onces that came before us. That was the only way. At one point the new marker became visionable before us. And again we followed our devised strategy. The cloud cover had come down. By the time we would reach the top, the view would be zero. Both of us slipped down several times. I was really anxious, but was determined in my mission to reach that wanted summit.

And there it was...from one moment to the other I saw the cairn. That was the highest point of the mountain, the perfect point for a picture. I had no idea we were so close to our goal. It was not like a peak, it was totally flat. Not what I expected it to be. I also saw a shelter. I never saw the ruins of the old observatory, that are there too. Due to the low clouds and fog, but also because I was just so emotional. I actually reached the summit of Ben. Ben, my friend, my enemy at moments and my challenge. I was proud of myself: I showed the level of condition, the stamina and the courage.

After the pictures taken, our evidence, we took a windfree sit in the small and dark shelter. Time for some needed energy and food and a moment to think of the way back...

Read more about Ben Nevis soon...

Reach the Summit...

2011-04-15T11:00:00.003+02:00

And there I stood with both feet, firmly grounded, on a mountain. Not already finished the summit, perspiring, scared and tired. The heavy wind hits my body, but he gets repulsed by the windfree clothes. Slippery ice steeply up, is what lies infront of me. Brave Remy stands besides me, which helps a lot. Many before us went the way up. How many people concured this mountain in these kind conditions? We've waited for 2 days before there was even a chance to get a safe entree to the biggest mountain of Great Brittain, 30 hours and 120 mm of pouring rain.

"It's just not safe," I tell Remy. After the steeply paths full of pebbles, rocks and granite, it was now time for the snow and ice. We've already faced a little bit, but now it was slippery with the danger north just beside us. We cannot commit one misstep. With the danger of cornice and the fear to stumble, I slowly take one insecure step after another. The mist has overtaken the view.

At least ten people we meet during our walk up, went their way back without reaching the summit. "Too slippery." Suddenly a guy, who seems to be prepared as a real climber, calls it his quit and returns his way back to safer area, I have no idea what to do, what seems to be a advisable for us.

I don't want to be here and say no. But in my mind I have the recommendations of all those people who know where they talk about: "When you struggle too much and the danger is too big for you, go immediately back." and "Ben will be always there for you, you need to be there for yourself."

Ben Nevis is not the biggest mountain in the world, with his 1344 meters (yards). It starts at 17 meter above sealevel. But it is a hazardous mountain with the changing weatherconditions with emerging poor visibilitions as result. It's Ben's secret weapon. Ten people don't survive every year.

Just in time for our beloved expedition, we prepared ourselves with the best needed gear to be found. But an expert adviced us to not buy the needed crampons. And while most other people are wearing them, we miss having them. I was making a list in my mind with the reasons to continue and the reasons whe needed to take a safe journey back. Until that point we've done okay. Both in very good condition, there were no worries for the rocky way up. It was a joy and a real challenge... until the point my deepest fears surfaces...

Read more about this story soon...

HappyNESS Locals...

2011-04-12T10:15:00.003+02:00

The moment you've packed your bags and left your safe haven for a desiring vacation, you're already back. Great enjoyable moments to look back too dearly, but also memories to be missed.

Scotland has been fantastic for us, what a stunning green country, full of panorama views. The weather has been good on us, if you can call 30 hours of pouring rain lucky. But hey hey it gave the most beautiful water falls to be seen. So yes, prejudice one is true. Your never sure what kind of weather you get, but the many rain gives the stunning green landscape. We've got all kinds of weather: rain, sun and even snow. As I'm still keeping up with the Scottish weather conditions by internet, they get snow showers today! Scotland is much closer towards the north, then we think.

Prejudice 2 is also true. The Scots like to drink big time. As we're looking for a fancy place to have a nice dinner (yes, it was dinnertime) the bars and pubs of Glasgow were already open, to be heard by the pumping bass. All around us Scottish people were smoking, many of them already drunk. The way they start their weekend.

But are they nice or what? The Scots are lovely helpful people. I was standing on the streets with a map of the city in my hands. Probably showing that I had no idea where I was. A local walked towards me and offered to help to find the way. Where do you find such people these days? We've had a blassed of time which made us happy-NESS, and yes we saw this mythical monster living in Loch Ness...

More stories and images about our Scotland trip soon....

Clown of the Ocean...

2011-03-31T14:02:00.006+02:00

The Atlantic Puffin known for their spectacular divings, the way they haunt fish. They are very common in Scotland and while we're packing our suitcases, I dream of my first meeting with this clown of the ocean. They're stunning with their black white plumage and brightly colored bill. I'm not quite sure if they're curious to meet me though *wink*...

All Images taken from WWW, imagecreation Jade Isis Woodall

Speak to you after my vacation to the wonderful land of Scotland!

Cereal Killer...

2011-03-28T11:00:00.000+02:00

Imagecreation Jade Isis Woodall
Quote unknown

River of Imagination...

2011-03-25T11:00:00.000+01:00

Quote by Mary Oliver. Imagecreation Jade Isis Woodall

Colour Palette Shows the Blush of Spring...

2011-03-20T11:00:00.054+01:00

Welcome Spring! The time where the dark season makes space for some bright light. What's better to celebrate this with a festival! I'd never heard of the Holi feast before, or better said Holi-Phagwa. It's a religious spring festival celebrated by Hindus. With a more multicultural community everywhere, this feast is also celebrated in the Netherlands and many other countries in the world. On March 20th 2011 Spring got embraced, by throwing colored powder, parfum and sprankle colored water in the air and on each other. Together with delicious food, song and dance it was a fun time, as is to be seen on the images...

Fear the Survival Mode...

2011-03-17T11:00:00.005+01:00

Can you imagine that everything fades away infront of your eyes? Can you imagine that the earth under your feet is shaking in such way that it feels like he will fall away underneath you? That every subject around you seem nothing more then big toys played around in the air and by the waves of the strong water? Can you imagine that after losing everything and a relief that you're still alive, you have to fear radio activity? Can one person imagine to be in a postion to face disaster after diaster. There seems like no ending.

After a heavy earthquake, a tsunami, they fierce the nuclear reactors. Noone knows, what damage has already done. And is there any chance for another earthquake in the same area of Japan, and maybe another Tsunami? Nobody knows, and while the mourning has already deployed, the fear remains for the otherwise calm Japanese people.

The images seem unreal, a Hollywood movie, where the budget for special effects is giant and there seem no priority for the storylines. We need to imagine the storylines ourselves. Can we? The fear that grabs you by the throat. Honest? I can't. I have never feared the fear of a devastating disaster after disaster. I don't hear the Japanese talking much about what's happening. And while foreigners are leaving Japan, that include the journalists, we have to guess what images can't show. Television isn't showing what the damage is. Images are processed, so the shock is too handle for the viewer. Can you imagine the disaster is worse as what you're viewing?

No, we can't. We never know how it is until we face the same fear the Japanese are facing ourselves. The moment our strong bodies are using the survival mode...

The Land That Feminism Forgot?

2011-03-16T11:00:00.021+01:00

I read a article, about the Dutch woman who seem to behave like woman did in the Fifties, on Daily Mail. I'm sure the very liberal mentality that flatters the Dutch, does not belong to the conservative Fifties. Neither do I think we want our men to pay for our needs. Dutch ladies are very independant. Working parttime can go very well with ambition and education. We don't, and I quote, spend 3 hours a day drinking coffee, it would make us use the toilet the other 21 hours left.

There was a time where we wanted everything to be perfect. I'm not any different. Work full hours and a little extra when needed, be a great friend etc, as you can read here. That was not the moment I realized I needed to live differently, but the moment I changed those thoughts in some action. I have to say I made some serious changes in my life. I have many friends who work parttime, with or without children. One friend has never worked more then 24 hours a week. I've never been jealous at her situation. But after working full hours for 13 years and after I bought my house, just on my own, there was no need to prove anything. The time to only deliver is over, it's time to ENJOY WHAT I EARNED. Not moneywise, but the SATISFACTION OF THE GROWTH THAT I'VE GONE THROUGHT.

It's time to relax a little more. Spend more time with my elderly parents while I can, go to concerts more often, enjoy dinners with friends, read the books I've always wanted, doing sports and spend some quality time with the man in my life when we're both free of work. This whole decision had something to do with TIME AND ENERGYMANAGEMENT. Feeling tired and lived is not what I want for my life. Live to work, became work to live. I switched jobs, and while I still work 4 and sometimes 5 days a week, I have more free time.

Althought I make less hours, financially I earn just 25 euros less then in my previous job. My ME-day is worth those 25 euros, that's for sure. LIFE IS SHORT ENOUGH AND NOT UNLIMITED, and this way I have more time for the people around me, for having hobbies, exercise and for time for myself, just to relax. I don't feel shame. There is no need to apologise and I'm not lazy at all, neither do I feel dependant to my man. I'm proud to have made a decision to be more friendly for myself and I feel fortunate with the fact that I live in a country where this is possible and accepted...

Sticks in Your Soul...

2011-03-13T11:00:00.006+01:00

My friend Susie, from the talented blog Writer's Block, has inspired me with the following song. As Susie wrote herself on her inspiring, full of words, place on the WWW:

"You know how every now and again you hear a song and it haunts you? Sticks in your soul so much that you find yourself humming it?"

Do I need to say more? Somehow the song sounds vaguely familiar to the ears. Well, it was born best original song at the Academy Award at the 80th Oscars in 2008. Written for the movie: "Once" and sang by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová. Below a few inspiration images that I found and can link to this brilliant, goosebumps giving, song.

Vanniex

Zerlinaa

Rainerzufall

Things that make me Happier than Happy...

2011-03-10T11:00:00.000+01:00

There is a lot going on in my FAL (Feeling-Alive-Life). I present 5 things that make me very happy on this point in my life:

First we've organized a trip to SCOTLAND in April for 9 days. I'm so excited about this: we will go by boat to Newcastle, England. From there we make a left driving travel to Edinburgh, Dundee, Perth, Fort Williams, Loch Ness, Isle of Skye, Ben Navis walk, Glasgow and back to Newcastle. There are a few things we need to arrange, especially for the mountain walking to the top of the biggest mountain from Great Britain.

The STARS I fewed last night. We walked back to home for a couple of miles. The sky was clear and black as the night can be. Everywhere in the night sky I saw stars. Some sharp bright, others were staring shy and one hold my attention with his big bright light. The shining moon appeared at the center of this star laughter. In my mind I heard the adorable song "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," sang by Fredrika Stahl in the commercial from Nissan.

I seem to have a small new addiction: CHAI TEA drink. I discovered this delicious tea drink a while ago in a cozy eatery nearby. Ever since I'm trying to find excuses to go there and take at least one chai steamer. They're kind of heavy for your stomach, but just like I have with ice cream, I don't care. I could live on this drink only. What is it all about? It's a fresh prepared drink, with hot frothed creamy milk made of Darjeeling extract, vanilla, invigorating spices and honey. Yummilicious!

MINDMAPPING, the way to stimulate your creativity. Very simple indeed. Wikipedia explains: "A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items linked to and arranged around a central key word or idea. Mind maps are used to generate, visualize, structure, and classify ideas, and as an aid to studying and organizing information, solving problems, making decisions, and writing." You will only need a paper, pen, multiple colors and inspiration. Use thick lines, images, bold letters when needed and put every word on it's own. This works for me!

I'm very much into WINE lately. There was a time where I greatly admired those who were holding tres chic a glass of wine. I had to learn this, without my mouth crooked of horror, to guide one sip of wine at the back of my throat. At first, I didn't like it very much. A friend made me aware of the face I made after drinking. The symmetry was hard to find. I can say I learned to really love wine. Every possible occasion I drink a glass of wine. By now it's time to become a wine connoisseur...

Hooray for a Full Bladder...

2011-03-07T11:00:00.013+01:00

A bit shameful, I share with you that I have an overactive bladder. It's the main signal giving organ in my body. Okay, my heart is the other one. His beating has never left me on my own. I'm happy my heart is still unbeatable.

My blabber functions blabbertastic, on the wrong way I'm afraid. After a pleasant urinating moment, my brain gets a new signal after only 30 minutes to spend some time in the little room. The signals of my full bladder, can not be ignored. I have to, I have to, I have to....I'm in a serious need of a toiletmoment. Train the muscles in your pelvic, a kinda doctor's advice. And while my pelvic floor muscles, are the most trained muscles in my whole body, the bladder problems continues. An excessive urge to urinate, has made me in need of a toilet everywhere. It provides many keep up moments.

Lately I got another advice with this embarrassing situation. You need to train to pee less times a day. With that you train your bladder to carry more amount of you know. Hmmm, strange that doctor's tell people to go when you have to. Wether it's due to my kidneys or I have a too small bladder doesn't really matter. I may be lucky with a full bladder. Research has shown that people can make better decisions while having a full bladder. Hooray for a full bladder.

Sounds totally illogical, but the control that the brain must exert on the bladder, helps increase the control with other tasks and thoughts. People behave less impulsive. Before we know this scientific research is the absolute truth, I keep my full bladder...

The first image of this article is taken in 2theloo shop, the first toilet shop in Amsterdam, that just opened a few weeks ago.

Charlie Scene...

2011-03-04T11:00:00.004+01:00

Celebrities are becoming the new daily soap opera. With all the new media, like the WWW and the way celebs need to sell themselves as their own product, there is more attention for them when things go wrong. With more attention comes the pressure and stress to always deliver in a good way. You must be overly strong to cope with all of that in this world full of temptations. One day unconquerable, the other day the fallen star. It's like a delicious banquet, but it needs to be served.

Whether in the life of non-celebs things are not so perfect on the first side, the life of celebs seems to wish for. They have the looks, the perfect flawless skin, the most beautiful dresses, the sunset destinations. I can go on and on. People like to see the moments that the celebs are real, without the make-up with a pimple here and there, with a few extra pounds and please some cellulite and with a normal (covering their too thin frame) tracksuit on. Thrill seeking as human can be, we seem to enjoy when things in the perfect life of Britney, is not so perfect on a second view. The shave-my-head- bipolar behaviour, could be done by almost any other star: Lindsay Lohan, Tiger Woods, Mischa Barton, Michael Jackson, Courtney Love, Chris Brown and Paris Hilton, to name just a few. The last bipolar star that attracts the full limelight is Charlie Sheen. He seems totally manic, after he tried to numb his feelings with all kind of drugs.

Creative Charlie has always lived a life full of forbidden fruit. People have always known his lifestyle and his mental instability. The sad thing now, is that the whole media is one second away from a person who's not able to cope with it. Charlie Sheen is sick, he needs serious help, he needs people around him who guide him. The media sees the dollars, there make money out of someone's bad health. Charlie takes it with both hands with quotes like: "I've got magic, and I've got poetry at my fingertips. I'm an F-18, bro. I will destroy you in the air and I will destroy you on the ground. I'm not a soft target. It's over - there's a new sheriff in town." We cannot blame this talented actor from Wall Street. He needs serious help, a little away from the limelight.

But honestly, it doesn't matter who's name is on the bipolar scene right now. It's his call, if he wants help or not. The major problem is the maniac system, the quest for perfection, the desire for the finest and the best. Nobody can comply with that. Noone needs to comply. It's just not able: not in Hollywood, neither in the "real world." Life will never be a fairytale. Protect people when the situation asks for it. Put that camera away when someone makes a fall and put it on again in moderation, when he climbs back up...

Born as a Monster...

2011-03-01T13:03:00.001+01:00

Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotti, better known as Lady Gaga. You like her or not. It seems there is no middle between love or hate for this mother of all Monsters. This Yankee with Italian roots, seems to be the new Madonna, the new Queen of Pop. In her own extravagant way to find her own unique persona, which seems impossible as everything has already been invented, she showed herself in a egg at the Grammy Awards from February 13th 2011. With her new, are they real or not, body modification and Sciene Fiction idea of rebirth and everyone who believes in a whole different world,where there are no prejudices, she totally surprised me. It's artistic, but nothing to be taken to serious. With a new upcoming album and a new hit single, she needs to reinvent herself. With Born This Way comes a stunning video, that came out today. In the clip she gives birth to good and evil. With her whole act she symbolizes a new breed of people that is born. Are you a little monster? Enjoy your first view...

Love for Love...

2011-02-26T11:00:00.001+01:00

The love between a cat and human is something that's pure and endearing. Catowners know they serve the cat, they're their servant. But honestly, it's not completely that way. Cats have a great empathy for the feelings of their unfurry friend in life. With their observing eyes, they pierce throught our emotions. On the right moments they seem to give an helping ~~hand~~ paw. That they also take that moment to be petted, doesn't matter. It's there way to show affection.

I used to share human kisses with Wodan. How affectionate she could be, kisses were not her thing. I stopped giving her these cuddling kisses. After a while she jumped on my lap, came closer and pushed her hairy little head to my mouth. We still share those intimate moments, especially when I'm tired and not so much around.

The suggestion that contact between furry and unfurry is purely functional, primarily to obtain food is untrue, scientists say. Cats are able to bond socially with their owners, especially with female catlovers. Maybe that's because women are more around, taking more efford to spend more time with furry cat.

A cat is able to remember special bonding moments and rewards them with catlove. When the cat owner takes time for the cat's desire to interact, the cat will later seek contact on attemps of the owner.

It will not be a secret that this loving relationship is full of special and complex rituals. Together we develop mutual understanding of each other's preferences.

Wodan and I have developed a sort of communication where she mweow's and purrs a certain way and I talk back to her. The intonation is simply the same. I believe we totally understand each other as you can see on the images: a understandable needed sleep for two...

Sleeping in a Tree...

2011-02-23T11:00:00.002+01:00

While driving further and further away from the civilization, my love had no idea where we're heading. It's a surprise and I'm jealous the way he can let it be one. My nature is far more curious. But he's exciting what his gift will be. While arriving at the quiet place, Remy still has no idea. We're seeing a couple of other things, like a Yurt and a caravan for clowns. Remy smiles, this place is fun! But while parking the car he notice a treehouse.

We're in Friesland, a Province in the north of Holland. The small village is more a left alone area then a place where people live. It feels like we're all alone in the world. The scenery is peaceful and full of nature's beauty. Very different then other places we visited. In the tree only nature's noises are afforded. Unwanted we whisper to each other. It's cold and freezing outside, but the hunger makes us leave the cozy treehouse. Together we walk to a petite village, accompanied by the sunset. The view is spectaculair and breathtaking. Arriving we only see one cafe that's closed and a sign with the town news. This adorable place is desolate. Great to visit once, but I can imagine only the lone rangers among us can live there. The sleep is pleasant, after the card game with sweets. The calmness around us affects our sleep wake rhythmn. Early in the morning we visit the cities nearby, eat cake and candy and make a last visit to the beach, where the first rain of the weekend falls. I have to say this is a must do "once in your life" event. The place to meditate thoughts and celebrate love. The influence of the transquility in the treehouse left us at ease while there, but on the way back home we were loud and noisy!

White Night...

2011-02-20T11:00:00.000+01:00

Nuit Blanche explores a fleeting moment between two strangers, revealing their brief connection in a hyper real fantasy, as is told by director and cinematographer Arev Manoukian. Wonderful description of a very beautifully crafted short video. The stills and slow motions are perfectly timed and the beautiful music (by Samuel Bisson) frames the portraits.

Below the making of Nuit Blache, which shows the power of computer technology. Spyfilms has some more amazing video's to show on their Vimeo website.

Fear a Crime...

2011-02-17T11:00:00.001+01:00

Following story is a sequel to the story Stop!

The traffic light turned green. Driving or not? I started driving, the car behind me did the same. He came close to my car. Quikly I took my telephone out of my bag. While driving I rang my boyfriend. Damn, the phone is not working. I tried again a couple of times and finally I got Remy on the line.I answered "Are you okay?" with a "I think so." "No no, I have no idea about the car, he's still driving."

While asking advice the next traffic light emerged. The GPS system told me to turn left. Remy told me to get out of my car as soon as possible. He repeated it a couple of times. My heart beated, I felt it in my chest. The sweat drops fell on my clothes. They felt to tight to my body. I felt cramped by the little space around me. I was totally nervous, and the whole situation and my own reaction was freaking me out. Why did I have such a stressful reaction, while I mostly counsel the people around me with a calm advice?

I remember the few accidents I had in my life. I remember the fearful rides while driving in slippery snow weather. Maybe it's about my car. A small simple car that brings me from A to B. A biscuit tin, as friends laugh. I felt better driving with a big car in the USA and a SUV in Australia. But I knew this what not the only matter. I was out of control. The mainly reason why I reacted the way I did.

While meditating positive thoughts to my brain Remy asked me: "Do I have to call the police?" I could hear a break in his voice. He was just as shocked as I was. Shocked that someone was failing to stop after an accident. I did fail as well, due to intimidation by the causer of this all. "Yes, do so," I answered.

I was able to stop in time for the traffic light. And while doing that my eyes searched the white car. He went faster and faster to the right side, where the traffic light was green. I noticed his license plate and yelled the numbers and letters again and again. A bit later I was able to pull my car to the side of the road. The white car was gone, and that gave a relief which I felt throught my whole body. In the dark night I couldn't see any damage done to my car. While my boyfriend told me the police would call me wihin half a hour, I decided I would go to the dinner party with my friends.

The police did what they could do. They tried to search the other car, because it was a crime. For me the crime was the fear. Not any damage done to my car. An accident can occur easily. But the intimidation and the hit and gone behaviour hit me pretty hard. I have no idea what I would do in a simular situation, but I think it's about time I overcome my control behaviour by doing something fearful. Where is the spider?

What you See...What you Get?

2011-02-14T11:00:00.000+01:00

Are you a person who can be influenced by advertising posters? I am. Viewing a poster can make me think I gotta have what's showing. Not that much nowaydays. With these photoshopped images, you know that what you see is not what you're gonna get. People should know by now that many ad posters are air balloons that burst as they take off. A few ad creators never learn, they're unteachable about what you can create. From the perspective "It used to be better" are these following retro ad posters. In those it was all about seeking the viewers attention with humour and fun. Was that mission succeeded, then it was all about staying in the mind. For me the retro in the following ads work!

formspring.me

2011-02-13T14:24:00.001+01:00

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/Jadiemisssadie

Stop!

2011-02-11T11:00:00.010+01:00

It has been a busy day full of travels from one place to the other. After a very quik hi and bye with my boyfriend I leave my house again for a lovely dinner with a group of lady friends. Every 4 months or so, we come together and we're always intend to be a little crowdy and loud. It's always a fun night.

While driving I have the perfect time to overthink a lot of things that are going on in my life. It has been a little wild, with a new job, doing some sort of training program, trying to sell our house and looking for a new already. But I'm handling things pretty well. I'm trying hard to make time for some relaxation with family, friends and my love. We're planning a short break in April. It will be Edinburgh, Rome or London. I keep my fingers crossed for Scotland. Never been there.

In the early morning of this day I had some things to do in a city nearby. While leaving I almost bumped another car. With a red head I expressed my apologies by making hand gestures to the other driver. We all have those moments, an accident can occur anytime at an unfortunate moment. It happens to us all. I didn't knew a real one was coming soon. While listening to the new album of Adele (21, a must have) I approached a traffic light. The GPS showed me that I would arrive at the restaurant within 12 minutes. I would be fashionable late. I waited, as the sign turned red.

One moment I heard a klaxon coming from behind me, which I didn't understand as the traffic light was still red. The next moment the car behind me hit my car from behind. I looked in the rearview mirror and saw an angry looking man starring at me. Nothing happened for a moment. Something inside me told me to stay in the car. I felt the beating of my heart in my throat. The white car behind me wasn't moving, the intimidating look of the driver scared me. Beside him sat a lady. "What can I do," I thought. I started sweating...

Wanna know more? The next part comes soon....

Red and Roses...

2011-02-08T16:30:00.000+01:00

"When do you want to archieve the gift?" my boyfriend asks me. "Now or at Valentine's day?" Out of curiosity I say I want the gift now. But honestly I don't think gifting each other is the only way in a love relationship. I'm not saying I don't like indulgence, but love is not about getting. But it seems the perfect icing on the cake.

With this conversation we decide to leave Valentine for what it is. An overly commerical matter, that takes money out of the pockets. Needy people own the shops, that are full of red and roses. A certain 78% needy Dutch people give away a Valentine's present. That's a lot for a nation that's known for being phlegmatic. We aren't very original in giving. Most people surprise their interest of love with a box of chocolate. Others give their beloved flowers.

And while many lovely Dutch ladies want to archieve lingerie, they're sure the man of interest has no idea about the actual size they have and prefer a Gift Certificate to buy it themselves. How original! Not... Valentine is about sending a card or gift to someone you admire. While doing that it has to be a secret who is the Valentine sender. To avoid disappointment for the couples, I think it's better to surprise your beloved one on a moment not expecting with an gift or experience not expected. Dare to be original!Predictability, which is not entirely avoidable within a years along commitment, kills attraction and interest. With the element of surprise you show that you're still making effort with being creative in your thoughts and ideas. Pick out your own (Valentine's) day and celebrate love with your other half. Being single? No problem, but please don't stare the mailbox and don't expect loads of Valentine cards. Love comes around when you least expect...

Dangerous to Be King...

2011-01-28T19:17:00.000+01:00

You would be born a king. What an unfortunate state of birth. No, we're not talking about this wealthy era, where kings and queens are earning their money by hard work of its citizen. Queens adored of their beauty and royal behaviour. Accompanied by widespread pomp and circumstance. Let's not forget the pressure of giving birth to a great heir to the throne.

Nothing of that in the Middle Ages. Kings and Queens were at high risk to be killed in a medieval way. Nothing to be looking forward, that's for sure. 15% of Kings and Queens got brutally murdered and with that it was the most dangerous "job." The scent and attractiveness of powerful influence resulted in attacks, which should lead to the throne.

Fight as a soldier in the most dangerous war zones these days, is less risky then being a King or Queen in the Middle Ages. Maybe we should give them who fight for freedom the same security as the throne leaders now recieve. Better not fight!

Pretty Green...

2011-01-24T11:00:00.002+01:00

Mountain of Trash...

2011-01-21T11:00:00.000+01:00

Have you ever thought what happens with the rubbish you throw away in the trash can? Have you ever imagined the amount of rubbish coming out of the industry? Do you know people dump more trash when they're on holiday? Did you ever imagine what influence dirt has to our planet?

A planet that's not ours, we loan the planet of our children and any other specie. German art creator Ha Schult created a guesthouse made of trash, named Beach Garbage Hotel, in the city Madrid, Spain. Earlier "der Herr" Schult created the trash people, which shows human sculpturs made of trash, standing on many places in the world over the last ten years. He also created a loveletters building in the year 2001.

The walls of the Beach Garbage Hotel are covered with detritus deposited by the tide in Europe, waste found at dumps and items bought at flea markets, as reported by the BBC. The German conceptual artist Schult sees this project as a warning. The idea behind the hotel is creating attention for the enermous mountain of rubbish coming from mass tourism. "Especially the ocean seems like the largest dump place of the world," Ha Schult thinks. The five-room guesthouse is part of the international tourism fair "Fitur" held in Madrid, which is open until January 23.

Fluffy Date...

2011-01-17T11:00:00.017+01:00

What do you think? Is this dating couple risky on each other or should they never get themselves into more then a simple date?

Rivers are Everywhere...

2011-01-14T11:19:00.001+01:00

And then the snow slowly left the streets and the roofs of the many houses, that results in leakages from meltwater. And while the snow was gone, the water came. The river the Maas, comes beyond its shores. Also a beautiful sight. From the windows from my new workplace I noticed the water is coming nearer. Nothing more powerful then nature, as we can see in Australia. My mother left me an article from the local newspaper. Althought she get's older which makes her memory sometimes let's her down, she remembers I've been in Brisbane, Australia. The summer has left rainshowers, and the rivers in Queensland, New South Wales are flooding the entire area. Australia is such an enermous country, an area as large as France and Germany together is flooded.

If you would ask elderly people in the Netherlands about water the stories come. Even younger people, like myself, have experienced the fear of water. We've battled ther sea, the rivers and the rain for centuries. Being a country that's below sea level, there is always the fear that the water comes nearer. Not to surprise us, no it hasn't been a surprise since the waterflood from 1953. To avoid flooding, we've built dikes, dams and bridges. We've drained the Zuiderzee, once a marginal sea and now the IJsselmeer, and we've built the Delta works. We are a waterland, and in a way we've built a warm friendship with the water surrounding us. A one way friendship, because you never know...

The water in Australia is coming from heavy rainfall in the last period. The Clarence river and Brisbane river stepped out their shores.When being in Brisbane in the year 1999, I visited the constructed beach, in the centre of the city. Thinking of they wanted a sea and beach, they got something they call a internal Tsunami. Throught the asphalt streets and buildings, the ground does not take much water, that increases the chance of flooding during heavy rainfall. The damages are enermous and hopefully the water level lowers down rapidly. Australia is a rich country, in that way the damage will gradually be restored. Very dreary are the stories and images from poor areas in the world, where by water diasters (and other cataclysm) the damage is more extreme. The houses and buildings are less solidly built, the people live closer together and also in areas where nature more often strikes. By a lack of money and help, disease and destruction are increasing rather. Very sad, nature doesn't choose. But it does make a difference where your native soil is grounded...

The pictures are from Brisbane and Toowoomba, Australia (Source: Nu.nl). The bigger picture in the middle is the Westerscheldekering, The Netherlands.

I wrote this article last Wednesday: yesterday heavy flooding hit the land of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This resulted in mass destruction with probably over 500 deadly victims. Poor people often live in illegal homes in areas that are an easy prey for floods and landslides. Many of these people live on hillsides. Sadly there is more attention for the disaster in Australia in the media!

Pure Love...

2011-01-11T19:39:00.000+01:00

It's not the most clear image, but I think the love between a cat and her "servant" madame splashes in your eyes.

Weather God...

2011-01-07T11:00:00.013+01:00

Dear Weather God,

I'm so honored to experience your given expressions every day. Whether you bring us rain or sun, storm or windless, snow or glazed frost, your diversity is enormous. It must feel so masculine to give one part of the world thunder and bolt to show your rainy side somewhere else and show your warmly sunrays close to the equator. You change summer into fall and winter into spring. Your strength goes beyond anything human can bring or change. There is nothing more powerful then you. Althought we try to defeat and conquer you everyday.

With excessive force you fill rivers, to the point it overflows the shores. Your blow capacity is extraordinary, she makes umbrellas blow on the paths and cyclists struggle to reach their destination. Sometimes your unlimited vehemence destroy mountains, immersion villages and unfortunately the lives of the living. It's obvious that your anger demolish, but you always seem to calm down to an easier level afterwards. The lost and loved are coming to show after your peculiarities are hidden behind a mournful view.

Sometimes you give fun to the brave who try to knock out the waves of the sea, the little ones who enjoy the whiteness of the flakes by building a snowman and the people who bake for hours in the burning sand of the beach. In the desert people beg for any raindrop to let anything grow and create fertile ground. In that way you feed and starve.

You seem to be predictable, but sometimes you surprise us with anything new. Your results are the most spoken subject in the world, you have your own 10 minutes show on every channel, and there are even proverbs about you. You own your own daily master show, to view outside. You show up in mythology stories and sacrifices are being brought.

Please, dear Weather God, don't ever allow human to create another you. Human can never balance what you do, althought sometimes it seems not that way. I know you can't be fooled or mislead. Not in America, neither in China or Europe people have the knowledge you have learnt for longer then time exist. Shame on them who even try.

Sincerely,

Jade Isis Woodall

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...

2011-01-04T11:51:00.011+01:00

Ka Ching...a new year is born. Welcome 2011!!!! Have you been spoiled during the holiday season? From the extended food to the fireworks, from the Christmas balls to the snowball fight. Those shimmering days have been amazing on my side, but I'm glad the new year has come. New fresh start, and what to expect? Let's look forward to what I think this brand new year will bring me:

Save, save, save other than spend, spend, spend.
Because ofcourse we will sell our luxury apartment to the one who deserves it,
and will move to our new palace in the city of Eindhoven,
which will make me need to apply for a new job again.
It's okay if the above will happen in 2012.
Stop worrying about unimportant things.
this born worrier, needs some relax time,
which will be spend on good-reading,
spending days on the beach,
doing nothing (please serve me the recipe for that...),
and enjoy high tea with friends.
Cook something new every week.
Mountain walking as it's my nature.
Leave my country at least once.
Give up the empty energy by dropping drinking diet cola, eating lots of sugar and too much fat.
Not buying clothes or shoes until March (more about that one soon).
Learning something new.

New Year Wishes...

2010-12-31T08:00:00.004+01:00

No Snow Fatigue for Me...

2010-12-24T11:00:00.026+01:00

The boxes filled with Christmas decorations and the tree, looked at me for several days. On the day Remy celebrated his birthday, there was no escape reason anymore. With some help from my parents, we did our best to turn some green branches into a purple shimmering Christmas tree. Winter has kicked in hardly with 22 centimeters of snow and temperatures 14 degrees below zero. Hallelujah, ofcourse the Christmas days will be filled with lots of rain. Or will Santa be nice to me and sprinkle with snow flakes?

The coldness makes me shiver. I feel like a snowman, althought instead of an orange nose mine looks red.The thick snow and the slippery roads deliver many people fractures, dents on cars, many traffic jams and traffic alerts. You feel The winter stress everywhere. Snow fatigue? A trip to a Christmas show three kilometers from home, becomes a wild, dangerous rite. Falldowns, also made by clumpsy Jade, ensure that the first aid post in hospitals have their hands full. Hoes should ensure that the roads are cleared of snow, which makes them work overnight. The spreaders sprinkle with salt so much, that major quantities in stock are already close to the bottom.

But honestly, besides that the world looks absolute stunning. I'm not hiding for the snow, and this weekend I had a snowball fight with my boyfriend in the forest. Snowfun is one of the loveliest feelings, the cold touchable through the thick layers of clothing, but the accumulated energy fills your body with warmth.

While the sense of direction of my boyfriend with his snowballs is better then mine, I decide to end the fighting peacefully by making an angel in the snow. While doing that a nice gentleman asks me: "Why making an angel if you're already one?" Awww, how sweet is that? It's not on me to decide whether I'm an angel or not, give it your own thought. But I think the made angel looked absolutely like one.

And with that the circle is round, Christmas time is coming to town. Bring on the turkey filled with all your wishes for these special days. Ho,ho, ho, a happy Christmas!!!

Christmas Classics...

2010-12-21T11:00:00.015+01:00

It's almost Christmas time. The time of year where people, with different reasons, assemble to celebrate this of origin Christian feast. For me it represents spending time with my loved ones, and a moment to thank and be grateful with all the things I have. That I'm gifted and cannot think of a reason to complain (let's not forget the people who are sick, who aren't as fortunate as I am. The people who live in a place where war rules, where people cannot live in freedom to speak, believe or act, the homeless and the ones who lost someone they love).

It's the only time of year where my ears enjoy patiently the most sweetest songs. Some I remember from my childhood, some that bring back special thoughts and classic Christmas songs. I cannot be original in my choice to pick up my favorites, they're all very known. Maybe you can bring me to a change of mind, but for now these are my favorite Christmas songs:

Mariah Carey - All I Want for Christmas Is You
Doug Ashdown - Winter in America
The Beatles - Merry Christmas
Wham - Last Christmas
Carpenters - Do you hear what I hear
Gladys knight & the pips - This Christmas
John Lennon - Merry Christmas (War Is Over)
Mel Torme - The Christmas song (chestnuts roasting on an open fire)
Andy Williams - It's the most wonderful time of the year
Band Aid 20 - Do they know it's Christmas time?
Fay Lovsky - Christmas was a friend of mine
Tony Bennet - Winter wonderland
Frank Sinatra - Have yourself a merry little Christmas
The Beatles - Wonderful Christmas time
Shakin' Stevens - Merry Christmas everyone
ABBA - Happy new year
Chris Rea - Driving home for Christmas
Jola Lewie - Stop the cavalry
Youp van 't Hek - Flappie
Gene Autry - Rudolph the red nosed reindeer
Queen - Thank God its Christmas
Art Garfunkel - O come all ye faithful
Michael Buble - Let is snow, let is snow, let is snow
Bobby Helms - Jingle bell rock
Bing Crosby - White Christmas

New Job...

2010-12-17T17:28:00.002+01:00

A little nervous I scratch the skin of my thumb. I look around. The building is absolutely magnificent. I can't think of a more beautiful place to spend the next working chapture of my life. "You must be Jade." I get interrupted ,in my own thoughts, by a nice gentleman who introduces himself to me. We walk together to the basement, where he asks me what my size is. Needed information. I bit later I'm wearing a white nursing coat.

10 minutes later I'm walking with an experienced woman to an elderly woman. I'm observing a lot. The elderly people are very nice and sweet. First I introduce myself as being, "nurse Jade." But I may omit the word nurse. Fortunately, because I don't see myself as a nurse. Where I can I give a helping hand. The morning goes fast, before I know it's time for my appointment with the manager.

The elderly people are just wonderful people. It must be such a pleasure to give them a helping hand with their needs, and a positive gesture where you can. I see myself working with them and I decide to jump into something new. It's time for a new challenge. The job negotiations go smoothly and a bit later we shake hands to congratulate each other.

As you, my dear reader, have read on my blog. I have a new job as a nursing care coordinator. I will work 28 hours a week, less then my current job. Gone are the many weekends and late evening shifts. I will work them too, but not as much as I'm doing now.

Let me keep you updated about the end of 13 years working for the same institution and starting my new job...

Born to Create Drama...

2010-12-13T11:00:00.000+01:00

What sort of Woman?

2010-12-10T14:52:00.007+01:00

The streets seem without the buzz in the small village where I live. The money is already spend on lavish surprises and pampering each other during the cold Sinterklaas celebration on the 5th of December. Kids are spoiled and fooled with the fib from their parents of this much believed tradition and people are stressed out to buy the gifts they needed, always too late. It's good it's over. At one point I craved for the delicious pepernoten from the moment I woke up.

I need a birthday card and walk into a bookstore. I'm suprised with the crowd inside. It seems I walked into a fairytale. A fairytale for adults, that is. The shop is filled with people who attract my attention. A tall lady with overly thick eyebrows and overdone make up looks at the cover of a chicklit. A man gets criticized for jumping the queue and another man accidentally throws with his obtained money.

But an elderly lady attracts the most attention. From a distance I observe her, when she asks overly loud if someone can give her the magazine Playboy. "I will help you when I'm finished helping this man," the employee tells her. I see many wonderingly eyes looking at the little lady, who wears an oversized bag that's dangling to her left arm. Her gray hair is shining in the fluorescent light of the store. Her upperbody bends a little to the front. I'm sure this lady is not trying to hide from the shameful question she just asked. "As you can see, I'm not very tall," the madam resolutely continues. "The Playboy stands too high on the shelves. I can not reach it."

Most people who are in the store look up at the elderly lady. They stop doing what they're coming for. Some giggle. There is a program on the Dutch television that shows elderly doing things that even youngsters are embarressed doing. With a hidden camera you see the astonishment on the faces of the bystanders. You can understand this program is an viewers loved program.

I observe if I see a camera somewhere. Rarely I've been in a situation that makes me want to laugh out loud, but where the situation makes it detrimental for the female. I think she is a feminist, a woman ahead of her time. Why can't she ask for the Playboy? Maybe it's for herself, a gift for her son or a teasing gift for her husband. It's doesn't really matter what sort of woman she is and for who she is buying this embarrassing magazine. But the strange thing is that when I'm standing in the line of the cash desk, the elderly lady quickly hides the infamous magazine for the eyes of others...

Walking a New Path...

2010-12-07T12:01:00.000+01:00

When the 48 hours became 72 I decided to pick up the phone myself. I was not despired in walking a new professional path, but I wanted to have a sign so I could close this chapter.

"No, I can't reach her. I think she's having a lunchbreak or having a meeting," the lady told me. "Hmm, could you ask her to call me back on this number later on today?" I asked politely. I didn't show my irritation on the phone, but I felt it the rest of the day. In such a small company people shouldn't be a number. No call back!

I almost forgot about it when the next day arrived. Early that morning, the phone rang. It took a while before I could answer, as I was cleaning a litterbox of a needy cat. A friendly sounding man asked me if he woke me. "No," I laughed. Ensued was a pleasant phonecall in which he explained me something about his department of the institution. He was honest in telling me they wanted me for the available job. He would give me a day to work with the people there, to see if this job would suit me. Afterwards we would meet for a job interview.

I was a little overwhelmed. I didn't expect such a phone conversation in the early morning. We arranged a date and with a satisfied feeling we ended the conversation. Althought I still thought things should have went differently. The following week until the 15th went very fast. Just a few knew what was going on in my professional life.

The 15th started weird. My work called me if I was able to come. A colleague called herself sick and they needed me. I answered that I would love to come, but that I couldn't explain why I was not able to. Half a hour later I was waiting by the reception of a possible new job...

Prepare for Winter Hell...

2010-12-01T11:00:00.001+01:00

And before I could prepare myself, the snow surprised us with it's thick white flakes. They moved faster and faster, leaving the ground light shining. I walked outside over the crisping snow, showing my own footsteps for just a little while. My hair was covered with cold wet flakes and the icy wind blew throught my clothes. If I would be close to my warm home I would enjoy this moment, but there was a car drive needed later on that evening. Althought the environment looked romantic, I remembered the 5 months of winter hell last year. I had to promise myself to start the winter next year more prepared. But I never bought snowboots, a warm hat and thick woolen socks. I thought of defrosting spray when the latest spray bottle was already taken and my car wasn't driving winter tires. With freezing temperatures below zero this week I needed more protection.

In a hurry I'm preparing myself today, and it seems like my lucky day. Nice snowboots, snowsteps, a hat with fur that even protects my ears and finally I took the latest defrosting spray out of the shelves. Hooray, winter wonderland can begin...

48 Hours...

2010-11-30T11:00:00.002+01:00

Two days of waiting, 48 hours. It's kinda strange that time is flying throught your fingers when having the best of time and when there is a lot of waiting involved time last looong....

I sat on the large table with my colleagues. Lots of chatting around me. I could count the words I said until that point of the meeting. Believe me, I have no problems talking. The moment we discussed something that I had arranged, I had to do the talking. I avoided eye contact with my manager. Later on I noticed she attentively looked at me, which made me nervous. I didn´t offer to organize the next team building, something I said I would like to arrange on forehand. After the meeting my manager asked me if I was alright. In a way I felt Iwas betraying, high trason.

I waited the 48 hours until the very desirable phone conversation would liberate my nerves. I didn´t miss a phonecall and I checked my mailbox a few times more. I repeated the whole job interview in my head. After the 48 hours of waiting there was no sign. No sign...Did that mean a no? Or would they call me later on? Did I wait 48 hours for nothing? I neglected the feeling of relief. I made the first step, I was in need for the second. Even if it meant a no, I wanted to hear themself saying this rejecting word...

Story to be continued...

What to Decide?

2010-11-27T11:00:00.003+01:00

It all comes down to decide. Whether you do something, or you don't. It sounds so simple, but it's oh so hard sometimes.

The moment the two ladies,on the other side of the table, told me they needed me November 1st, I hesitated. The conversation went so well, but now something happened that I didn't expected. It is a compliment they thought I was qualified enough for the job, but if they really wanted me they would wait. On the other hand I may lose my chances with not following the same path they were defining.

I remembered that I had to follow my feelings and not only decide based on sense. I choose a intermediate step, I could start already with my new job, but would still work for my current job. I also told them that I thought it wasn't feasible to make somebody cancel his job if there hadn't been an employment interview. I made my limits clear doing this, but I almost peed my pants.

I felt the doubt on the other side of the table. One agreed with me, but the other made it a matter of facts. "We have to look at our own situation,"she told me. "I have two job interviews tomorrow. Let's see what that will bring us." Did I lose my chances now? My cool me, who onces made her needs clear... Did I do what was best for me? Wasn't I convincing enough in wanted the job? Or was I lucky in still having a job I loved to do?

With mixed feeling I thanked them for letting me have this job interview and taking the time to meet me. They both thanked me for the pleasant interview. They would call me on wednesday. Two days to wait. But waiting for what?

Story to be continued...

Take the Jump?

2010-11-24T11:00:00.000+01:00

The first stress thing, when having a job interview, is what to wear. They say the decision to employ is made in the first minute. I had to look sophisticated and classy, but not overdone. I changed clothes about five times, to decide to wear the first worn outfit. The location for the interview is a ten minutes walk from my house. The reception was located on a different place, due to a rebuilding. Very early before the appointed time, I sat in a waiting room. I had to check some things again and again: silent cellphone? Check. No ladder in my pantyhose? Check. No toothpaste anywhere in my face? Check. My qualities? Check. Name of the staff application? Check.

The last time I checked my pantyhose for showing flesh, the lady entered the room. I liked her name on forehand, a friend shares names with her. Good sign. We walked to another room and chatted a little about nothing. We ended in a spacious meeting room. I meet another lady who introduced herself to me. The atmosphere was pleasant and relaxed.

I planned to pay attention to how I felt during the job interview. Some decisions can't decided based on common sense. First there was a lot of talking from there side. Great, start silent. I like nodding. They explained the activities related to the job, why they wanted to hire new people and talked about professionalisation.

I knew the time would come where I would do the talking. It went pretty well. I knew what I had to say and the nerves where gone. I talked about my job and why I was ready for a change. I made clear I loved the job I'm doing on the moment and that I wasn't in a hurry to make the desicion to work elsewhere. And I talked about the business side, the big changes that where to come in the care industry.

They showed small signs they thought I was qualified for the job. It was perfect....until they told me they needed me November 1.

Story to be continued...

Forumspring 7...

2010-11-19T11:00:00.003+01:00

If you could ask Barack Obama one question what would it be?

Why did you choose for a job which you know is the most impossible way to create world peace?

Ask me anything

Forumspring 6...

2010-11-18T11:00:00.002+01:00

Would you rather vacation at the beach or in the mountains?

I always have said the beach and not for lying in the sun but for the real adventure in the water. Nowadays I'm not very sure which to choose. I have experienced some real mountain walking and I would like to do that more and more...

Ask me anything

Forumspring 5...

2010-11-17T11:00:00.000+01:00

If you had to cook dinner for someone tonight, what would you make?

I always plan the menu a week on forehand. Today will be nothing special, but yesterday I made macaroni with small meatballs with tomato sauce and bacil and garlic... On the picture you see my dad making me a pancake.

Ask me anything

Forumspring 4...

2010-11-15T11:00:00.000+01:00

If your house was on fire and you could only grab three things, what would they be?

This is one of my biggest fears, althought I know possessions are not the things that provide happiness. Let's say that my boy and my cat are safe I would pick out my whole wardrobe, my hard drive and my jewelery...

Ask me anything

Forumspring 3...

2010-11-14T12:01:00.001+01:00

What was the happiest moment in your life?

That's a hard question. There are a couple of them. The latest one was the moment I signed the purchase contract of my house. Because that was the moment I knew I was totally independant of anyone.

Ask me anything

Forumspring 2...

2010-11-12T23:00:00.004+01:00

Who's the most overrated actor?

If I don't like an actor I never watch a movie of that person again. That means my answer is not fair. I would judge that person based on one project. Based on that I cannot answer this question. My favorite actor is Tom Hanks...

Ask me anything

Forumspring 1...

2010-11-11T11:00:00.004+01:00

What's the nicest thing someone's ever done for you?

Providing me a home to live...

Ask me anything

Formspring...

2010-11-10T12:03:00.007+01:00

Before the continuation about the online application I have to share something new. I got signed up on formspring. Through this site you can ask me any question you always wanted to ask. I will share my honest answers with you. And a promiss, I will post them on this humble place on the WWW. So get your questions ready. I have answered some great questions already, they will be posted this month. I look forward to this, suprise me with some though provoking questions...

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/Jadiemisssadie

Online Application...

2010-11-07T11:00:00.015+01:00

And then I did what was one of the hardest decisions in my professional life. I made the step more memorizable by doing it online. No pen, no paper participated in the thing that will mark a new era...

Within a week of sending my Curriculum Vitae and online application, I got send an email. It offered a job interview for next Monday. Immediately I send a email back, telling that the offered date would be difficult as I had to work that day. I was smart enough in offering a new day and time. I reread it over and over again. OMG, where did I get myself into. I almost hesitate, but those nerves where coming not to destroy an earlier made decision. I was determined in what I thought was right for myself.

After 9 years in the same function and 13 years working for the same company it is time for a change. All the big life changing decisions has been for the best. They've brought the best of me to myself. So why not? I have learned, overcome difficulties, grown into an older version of myself and did what felt right to do. Working with people is what makes me feel useful in this society. There is nothing else what I want to do for a living.

But the thought of moving to work with eldery people feels like a new beginning. Closing another. I'm good in working with mentally disabled people.Over the years I have developed many tools and I have educated so much knowledge about these special people. On the other hand it's a challenge to throw down the gloves. Let's make something successful of something new.

Story to be continued...

PUMA

2010-11-04T11:00:00.002+01:00

Falling and Ending a Virtual Trip...

2010-11-01T11:11:00.001+01:00

The USA virtual trip, that reflects a review of our real journey from last summer, is coming slowly to an end. It got about time, it's November already! At the same moment we're memorizing the trip in a picture book. It's taking lots of time, to make a book that worth the actual journey and it has to become a look back again book. First I started making it alone, but now Remy is helping me with that. He really has an eye for it! It hasn't finished yet, but here a few pages from it, showing the trip to Canada, Niagara Falls. A day full of rain, coming after a night trip on the road where I became the offender (or better said victim) of a road kill, which I can tell but the fox can't. The endless falling rain made this trip unforgettable, as the falls weren't the only thing making us soaking wet...

Runaway and Come Back...

2010-10-25T11:33:00.002+02:00

When a friend mentioned to watch the 30 minutes video included a whole new album of music by Kanye West, I laughed. Kanye, the guy who tried to humiliate Taylor Swift at the MTV Music Awards and by doing that ruined his own career? That guy? "Hmm, well if I have time I will give it a go," I told my friend. And believe me, it's worth half a hour of your sparse time. What an amazing, artistic and strong video. A must see! Go check it out on the Kanye West site.

Among the Stars...

2010-10-24T11:00:00.000+02:00

Quote and imagecreation made by Jade

Do you want to use the poem or this image please contact me first...

Suffering During the Climb...

2010-10-21T11:00:00.009+02:00

"We push our limits because we have to, not because we like it. The suffering during the climb, the pain of every step you go forward. Nobody takes pictures of that. Nobody wants to remember. You only want to capture the view. That breathtaking moment, above. That's what makes you keep on climbing. Because of that you suffer all the pain. How strange that may seem. You do everything for that.

When we win, we expand our borders. If you have reached the top, you start the next climb."

The above text comes from hit series Grey's anatomy, season 6 episode 17 "Push."

Live Free or Die...

2010-10-18T14:47:00.003+02:00

Sharing with you the memorable USA stories brings the experience back. It seems like a long time ago, because we got back to normal life very quikly. A lot has happened since August. Big life changes stories will be shared soon, but let's go back to those amazing memories with some pictures and a small film from our experience on Mount Washington, New Hampshire. While driving the auto road to the summit (6288 ft 1917 m) of Mount Washington, we meet Teddy and his friends. A great guy, with grey beard and a giant belly, riding a harley davidson. I used my charm, to give Remy an amazing experience on the harley. The road was a challence with the small roads, above it was chilly. But I'm sure Remy was still warm inside, after experience his ultimate goal...

Must or Wearing the Same Undies Day after Day?

2010-10-13T12:45:00.002+02:00

There are 24 hours in one day. 'That seems like a lot. But it ain't enough for me. I want more hours in a day, instead of less hours of sleep, so I can fit everything I need to do in those hours.

There is one word I need to skip in my own dictionary, which is the word ~~"MUST."~~ It's the word I start using when I start my day. I obligate myself to so many things that way, it feels like a force. I'm not in the army and will never choose to, but "I'm wearing army clothes every day."

I must be the perfect person inside and outside. Look pretty, wearing trendy clothes with fresh cut dancing hair and glowing skin. I must shave my legs on time. Be nice to everyone always, even when others disappoint me in a way. Forgive and forget and never regret. Being a good housewife; clean and cook on time. Doing laundry, iron afterwards and don't forget smiling doing it. Give a helping hand to anyone, "help the old lady cross the street." Visit my friends as many times as possible. Listen doing that and don't forget a word they said. Remind to call them to ask how the interview went. Be the lovely girlfriend for my love, "hello love always." Have a hobby, doing sports and keep up the blog. If I don't I have nothing besides... Clean the litterbox of Queen Wodan every week, and don't forget to do it, it's a must.

Because if I won't I'm not a good catlady, not a clean housewife, not a good lover, not the best employee, neither a sweet friend and not the lady that runs 100 miles a day. I must be the best in everything. And there I fail, because it seems like impossible to be the perfect person in so many things and ways. I fail in must.

How do others to it? Much more then in my youth I respect my mother. How does she do it? How has she always done everything in such a good way? I even have been critically sometimes when I was young! Respect, would have been the word for her! My boyfriend's advice is skipping. So before we stop putting our underwear in the laundry daily, I have to.... I must learn to prioritize. Another must...

Feeling a Student wearing Red Sox...

2010-10-10T12:50:00.002+02:00

As it felt like nothing could beat the city of New York, we got blown away by Boston. This city in Massachusettes has it's own identity and with that it felt like being back in Europe. We experienced a Duck tour (very touristic). BTW, the ducks on the above picture are to be found in the Boston public garden, which seems to be the oldest city park in the USA. We visited the pub of the TV-series Cheers and did some lazy shopping. The locals are very kind and the streets are full with students from allover the world.

Typical Boston houses, very European!

The visit to the Victoria's Secret was on my to do list. And what an experience it became. The shop was very girly, with pink colours everywhere. Doutzen Kroes, a Dutch topmodel, has made VS famous in the Netherlands and because there is no VS in my country I needed some lovely lingerie from this famous shop, as a gift for myself and for my love. It became a special experience. The fitting room was all in pink with a black door and a large black window, the nicest fitting room ever! I got my own assistant who helped me with picking out the cutest underclothing that was available. She was such a sweet lady and made this whole experience very enjoyable.

It seems that Boston has some talented window cleaners!

Again those beautiful houses in lovely streets.

Remy on the Duck tour.

Some relax time near Charles river.

Baywatch...

2010-10-02T11:00:00.000+02:00

A few minutes time for the beach in the town of Barnstable, Cape Cod, USA

A True Man!

2010-09-29T11:00:00.004+02:00

Did I already share with you that I really have the best of the best man in my life? It must be annoying to tell you that he's a exceptional kind of man. Not a macho, neither a metro kind of guy. But a man, a true man!

While I went for a long walk with a friend, Remy was home alone watching expedition Robinson. Our walking, with a fast pass, felt like a expedition itself. Raining showers fell out the sky, leaving us soaking wet and shivering. Without a jacket it got a little cold and we started running to make our muscles do the heating of our bodies. Meanwhile my friend and I were chatting about the things going on in our lifes. Then the first thunderbolt came, followed by a thunder. The rain was pouring, more and more. Another lightning bolt came down to earth. Our feet hit the ground faster and faster, to finally arrive at a place where these gasping ladies could hide. We looked like drowned kittens, and we joked about that we were not expecting to be welcomed home with hot towels and a warm cup of tea. No, our sodden faces would give him the giggles!

Frankly, it was a very pleasant walk, besides our wet underpants. A little rain and thunder could not disappoint these girls. When finally the rain stopped, we walked slowly to my house. We talked about ice cream and wedding dresses, meanwhile we were looking at the mannequins in the windows who wore thick jackets and miniskirts. We arrived at my house and while we were laughing, as we walked on the staircase, Remy already opened the frontdoor. We looked inside and there he was. The man of men, with two towels in his hand. He didn't deride us, no he had also made us tea. Where to find such a man? I'm glad he's taken by a very lucky lady...

A Guilty Tail...

2010-09-26T11:00:00.000+02:00

While I was in Australia in the year 1999 I bought a necklace made of jade in the shape tail of a whale. Despite I didn't see whales Down Under, the necklace became very special for me.

On our special trip to eastern US we were given the oppurtunity to view whales. After a long day with only roads to see we went to the stunning touristic village of Provincetown in the Cape Cod. We were hoping to have the possibility to see one giant whale, but got surprised by many more! What a great experience this became with a lot of ooh and aah. On one point our boat got surrounded with many whales. We had no idea where to look, they were everywhere. We all know that these mammals are giants, but at the moment we saw them,we were overwhelmed by there size. The moment the tail hits the water is so beautiful. We never heard the whalesong ofcourse, but they were so close to our boat that we had an amazing view and together with the sunset we've gotten amazing pictures asyou can see on my blog. After a four hour trip we got back to Provincetown. It was cold and we were very tired. We had to drive to Hyannis and that took us one hour and a half. Late in the evening we checked in in our hotel. The pregnant lady helped us and after my man made clear we were tired, she told us that it was time for her to sleep as well. She waited for us to arrive for a long time. We were sorry it took us so long. Guilt was our middle name!

Crunchy Leaves and Hot Chocolate...

2010-09-23T11:00:00.006+02:00

While you're still reading summer posts on my blog, we forget that autumn has arrived. I'm wondering how that happened? How great the summer has been will be remembered. I'm excited for the new season and I'm sure autumn has some special things to experience. Here are the things I want to do this autumnal part of the year:

Sitting on the couch surrouded by a warm blanket watching Glee (at the end of the episode I won't be needy for a blanket anymore. I will be sweaty from dancing and singing with the cast).
Reading, endless reading helps me get out of the real world and disappear in words myself.
Walking in the forest will make me lost in the mesmerizing colors of the crunchy leaves (no tree hugging for me).
The hot chocolate afterwards.
Preparing delicious soups (mum, can I have your favorite recipe).
Hot long showers when the cold makes my skin shiver.
Wearing thick socks and warm tights.
Scare away spiders. Wodan is helping me with that.
Sharing summer stories with my friend Natasja on a special day only for ladies.
Watching the Heidi movie from 1937 with Shirley Temple in the title role and crying when grandfather finds his lovely granddaughter.
Snivel and sneeze. Many tissue papers will be filled!
Travelling to Amsterdam for Starbucks to drink my favorite orange mango vivanno smoothie and eat a blueberry scone (ehm, I don't drink coffee).
Knitting a scarf and when I fail doing that it doesn't really matter. It gives me a reason to buy one.
Time for Brussels sprout!
Trying to sell my lovely appartment to a buyer who deserves such a great place to live.
Early to bed with socks on my foot.
But also get up early for a refreshing morning walk in the dark streets of my awakening village.

Caricature on Times Square...

2010-09-20T11:38:00.000+02:00

Majesty...

2010-09-17T11:00:00.007+02:00

The United States of America is a big country. It's like 50 countries in one, or states like the American call them. Every state is very different and unique on it's own. We knew that on forehand, but the majesty of it all engulfed us. It's everything we were expecting, but then bigger. One town or village can not be driven throught in a minute or two. Remy and I both thought several times to have arrived in another town, to be founding out that we were still at Lawrenceville (or any other town).

Then another thing that we knew about on forehand, but seems to be enermously. The main food in the USA is fastfood. The name explains itself, it's about getting food that's made fast, arrives fast and has to be eaten fast. And that's how the American wants it, because the main restaurant is a fastfood restaurant. Almost no other food to be found, let's not talk about vitamines. Because you buy them in a vitamin shop. No way you get them throught food! It was hard and sometimes impossible to buy healthy food, and when asked the girl told us that we were in America.

Maybe you think that the average American person is fat. And that's something that's íncorrect. You have the athletic people, who mainly live in cities like New York and Boston. They use things in the environment to train their bodies, run miles a day with heart meters on their bodies. They are fit, but maybe too much focused on their outside. Then you have the larger then large people, who are not obese but triple obese. And third ofcourse you have the normal figured people. The most people that are obese are poor. Fast food is cheaper then the vitamine bombs, and that's a shame.

It's not about the entertainment world at all. I even think that Europe is more focused on Hollywood then the USA. Every state is more focused on the things that are happing in their own area. And as most states are rather large, there is lots to talk about. Then there is alack of knowledge about the rest of the world. On one side they're very interested in where we came from. And yes, they think Europe is posh. On the other hand they had never heard of the Netherlands (oke, we come from a small country), but moslty knew Amsterdam. And Amsterdam is the capital of Sweden. Lol, we fooled around. I will never claim Americans are stupid, but with living in such a giant country, there is no need to learn about the topography of the rest of the world.

I'm suprised about the social skills of the youth. They seem to be so well aware of who they are and how to represent themselves to the outside world. They are nice and polite and in a way they stay modest. Several times we got our food served by young people, for whom these are the earnings from a sideline. Different then in my own coutry the tips are their income. Their work mentality is great: they work hard, are polite, always on time and always show their best side. We can learn from them!

In my humble country people are socially very well insured. Not here. No work means no income. When having a job, you don't get vacation hours from your boss. And when you're sick then then you don't get paid. If you need care, you need to have enough money to be able to pay for it. No money means you don't get the care you need.The costs are very highand many Americans don't have a health insurence. Simply because they can't afford it.

The USA is the land of the endless opportunities. Yes, very true. We've heard many stories of people who were born not to be able to achieve anything, but really made it. Ido believe it's not about what people have achieved in their lifes, but more that they believe in themselves. That if an immigrant learned the English language that well, that it's hard to hear he comes from South America. That he looks like a Yankee, althought he is a Latino That he thinks he made it in his life and works as a tourguide on a double decker. It doesn't really matter, it's about keep believing in yourself.

And last but not least: the hamburgers are the best and biggest! Especially with pickles, red onions, tomato, cheddar cheese and Jalapeno peper. The best, I'll tell you!

Planting a Dream...

2010-09-14T11:00:00.004+02:00

Before I continue writing about the giant States of America, I have to make sure you go for a visit to the cinema to go see the amazing movie "Inception." I went a couple of weeks ago with my sweet friend Geertje. The best movie I've seen this year made me sit on the edge of my large chair. Normally I don't like science fiction movies, but the strength of this movie is that it makes the viewer believe the impossible. Some real facts are twisted into something that's absolutely impossible. And yet you believe what you see. The movie goes about dream invasion. Leonardo Di Caprio plays Dom Cobb, a thief who steals secrets of the mind of people, throught entering their dreams. He get's an opportunity to get back to his children. For that to happen, he needs to make the impossible possible: Inception. Planting an idea in the mind of a businessman. Their is a lot of action in the movie. The movie goes very fast, and together with a lot of action, that's the reason this movie is a blockbuster. Go on the emotional rollercoaster of Dom Cobb. If you've seen this cinemas hit already, let me hear what your thoughts are about Inception. Try to make some time to listen to the outstanding soundtrack, made by Hans Zimmer, with songs like "Time" and "Mombasa." Enjoy the trailer...

Rebuilding Ground...

2010-09-11T11:00:00.012+02:00

The name ground zero is wrong choosen. What happened there is, today 9 years later, still hard to believe. When seeing the images it's difficult to believe that we're not looking at stills of a blockbuster movie. I would prefer to say a very bad movie. If this tragic event never happened and a scriptwriter with a lot of imagination would have written such a story, to become real on the big screen, it would have been a constant hit in the cinemas. Don't get me wrong, I'm just saying this because it's too difficult to believe that something like this could happen in the financial heart of the United States.

It's not a ground zero, many have lost there lifes. Firefighters and police officers who tried to safe lifes, gave their own. The name ground zero may be used to describe the point on the Earth's surface where an explosion occurs. In the case of an explosion above the ground, ground zero refers to the point on the ground directly below an explosion (source: Wikipedia). With hard working people building the One World Trade Center, the ground will be filled with a appropriate memento to the many victims that left their lifes on 9/11.

The whole area made a big impression on both Remy and I. The quote: "In darkness we shine brightest," did the same. Americans are very positive in their fight against terrorism, not to be beaten by any enemy. The whole area is one big construction, where builders are working hard to get everyting ready for 2013. Nearby there is a museum, that we visited. The cross is to be found close to ground zero.

Trinity church was left alone on 9/11. Nothing harmed, which is peculiar because this church stands so close to where the airplanes hit the WTC towers, that the chances for the building to lose it's ground would have been easy. The moment that the tomb with the small flag on the above picture caught my eye, was a difficult one. Althought the tomb has nothing to do with 9/11, it represents the many lost lifes for me.

The cross...

You can conclude that, 9 years after the attacks, there are efforts made in rediscover the skyline of New York City. But everywhere in the city you notice the wounds that are not healed. If this tragic event hit us in Europe so hard, how should it be for the residents of this city? The people who lost family, friends, neighbours and colleagues. How is it for them? And how hard it must be to see that New York is trying to move on?

The pictures that are included with the article are made by Remy and I on our USA trip this summer.

Not a Writer's Block for Sue...

2010-09-08T16:21:00.003+02:00

I am so proud at my sweet friend Susie. With 3 children and homeschooling she lives already a busy life in the lovely place of Wyomissing, PA. I have linked a couple of times to her fun-reading weblog. But there is more to read that comes from her hands. She is a journalist for the local newspaper from Berks County (Pennsylvania, USA). Here is a link to a column she wrote on August 29th. Susie has a great sense of humour, as we noticed when we meet her this summer. And with her talent of finding the right words all the time, her articles are always great to read and very though-provoking. About the story she wrote; I'm not interested in cars, but I kept on reading. Great job Susie!

Oh, and the video (yes I know it's rotated, due to me being left handed, LOL) is from our visit to the wonderful Foote family, You see Susie and her great kids and husband Stuart. You here me talking and you see a glimp of Remy. We had such a great fun day with them! We are very thankful. As you see (sorry that you have to turn your head) we're very good in making funny faces. Enjoy watching and reading the newspaper article...

I Love New York...

2010-09-04T11:00:00.006+02:00

The city that never sleeps...

Actually we slept very well in hotel 30 30 in 30th east street. The arrival in the big apple was more appropriate for a ride in Formula 1. We drove with a shuttle transfer from JFK airport to Manhattan. The traffic was chaotic, the drivers run wild at the steering wheel, to finally see where their car will arive on the road. Sorry, Americans can't even drive an automatic car! The only rule is to drive as hard as the wheels of the car can handle. Our immigrant driver did the same. What a start! On the left picture you see the typical view from the window of our lovely hotel room.

I could spend a lifetime in New York City, it's such a giant city. With only little time in new Amsterdam there was no chance we could experience everything we wanted. We walked half a marathon to see as much as possible in just two and a half day. What you see on the streets in Manhattan are building buckets, yellow cabs and tourists. If you enter the financial district you notice that the office workers are all white. On the right the tallest building, the Empire State building, just three blocks away from our hotel.

There is no easy time in NYC, so much too see and experience, like viewing the stunning architecture; the Chrysler building, Flatiron building, St. Paul building, Gillender building, Conde nast building, Grand central terminal, Hearst tower and let's not forget the many churches. My favorite? I would say I really adore the dakota complex (1 West 72nd Street, close to Central Park South), build in 1884 and a spacious accomodation for the wealthy. It's where John Lennon lived and where he got shot on the steps of the building on December 8th 1980. But the Flatiron (yes, it really looks like a flat iron) is a nice one as well (on the intersection of Broadway and Fifth Avenue).

Central Park feels like the countryside in the midst of this busy city. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. Talking about friendly. Americans are very friendly indeed, also very chatty. It gives a positive vibe, and I really like that. Very different then my country, where people aphreciate their privacy more. Central park is the place where Yankees celebrate their weekend, if they don't leave the city. And because it's all green and for that looks the same, we totally got losed. We never found Strawberry fields, and because I need a reason for a revisit to this city, this is one of my reasons (*wink*).

More about NYC soon...

Spanish Paper (Pepper)...

2010-09-01T12:04:00.001+02:00

Even coming from a coutry that's known for it's warm friendship with the U.S., it's not easy to enter the borders of this country. First, there is no welcome commitee to make your arrival at the customs easier. The atmosphere is slighty tense. We seemed to be prepared, but as we're not married, we both needed to fill in the right papers. Remy needed to fill in the customs declaration, but the customs officer gave him a Spanish version and he made it very clear Remy needed to hurry to even be allowed to enter the U.S.. I was ordered to move along, as I was already allowed to the USA. With a: "And now go away," Remy could accompany me.

I totally understand the security requirements. It's better prevent things from happening, but on the other side it feels like these are panic precautions. I seriously wonder whether attacks can be prevented. I even think that the question is not whether an attack will be commited, but when. Let's hope that the technology gives us possibilities to ensure the safety of passengers.

Requirements to be able to travel to the U.S.:

Passport must be valid until 6 months after returning home.
Visa ESTA consulate visa waiver scheme to register in advance.
Green form on board.
10 fingerprints customs on arrival.
2 iris customs on arrival.
~~Boarding scan customs on arrival~~ (we didn't have to make a boarding scan, but it will be required in the near future).
Bags must not be locked (there are Samsonite suitcases that do have a lock and where customs has a runner of. That costs 145,- euros, just for the padlock).

Requirements for the car rental:

Credit card by named Chief Executive.
International ANWB driving license, which costs 17,- euros.

Needed to check in:

Travel ANVR night registration 1 two nights sleep.

Note: Visiting some places like Ground Zero in New York City and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, are associated with high safety.On those visits the atmosphere can be tense. If you just follow the orders of the security guards, you will be fine. While we were in the U.S. there was a orange alert for security.