Christmas is amazing

...we had goose for Christmas, with dumplings, a lovely stuffing with chestnuts and red cabbage. Delicious! A lovely tree, nice gifts (yet still no puppy) and a nice quiet time - apart from us trying out the Wii we gave each other for Christmas. And we had snow. *YAY*

On the 25th, we went to ze boyfriends family for the boyfriends dad's birthday. Nothing else is taken care of, but the birthday of the dad. Cause clearly, there's nothing more important than the birthday of the dad. Throughout the whole year. I went because ze boyfriend wanted me to, so... things you do for love...

The funnest bit was, as always, the grandpa. He's the coolest 89 year old gentleman on earth. However, our conversation started about my recent migraine problems. Quite innocent conversation. It then moved on to him telling me about a friend of his, who got some herbal remedy to treat the migraines but now had breast cancer. And how nowadays you hear more and more about breast cancer, not like back in the day. I then said that I was told that if you breastfeed it minimizes the chance of getting breast cancer, and a lot of women nowadays don't breastfeed anymore. Grandpa's comment: yes, they don't want to get saggy boobs!

Erm. Yes, I guess? (Mind you, this whole conversation was held in DUTCH)

Then he told me how one of his daughter's in law didn't want to breast feed either, because of the droopy tit syndrome. *AWKWARD* I'm happy I've not met this woman yet.

Then he goes on to tell me that there are actually women out there who have proper boobs but no nipples, therefore can't breastfeed.

Luckily, that was the moment when dinner was ready to be served.

Cookies and Christmas

A few more days until Christmas....after I decorated the house last week to look nice and homely for Christmas I decided that today was the day to up my housewifey game. I got christmas cookie recipes (from my mother), the boyfriend was busy on the balcony cleaning up the old shower bit (long story, nevermind) and I went to the local grocery store to get the last bits I needed to make the delicious cookies.

Well. Let me just say this much: the people in my neighbourhood LOVE ready mix cookies, cakes and don't really care about 'making from scratch'. Great. I raided the whole store for coconut flakes, Lebkuchengewuerz, and god knows what else was on my list.

Well. I found maybe 5 out of the 25 things I needed to make the 5 different kinds of cookies.

VERY annoying.

At least when I got home I heated up some Gluehwein, made the first cookies with almonds and marzipan and then a friend stopped by for a chat.

Happy 3rd of Advent.

4 more nights to my birthday. I love being 30, but 31 sucks a bit I think. It's a lame number, and it also shows me that I have only roughly 9 more years to figure out whether it's the right time to have babies.

still hoping for a puppy to practise, but that won't happen either I guess.

Not the right time for baby, allergies vs. puppy and no money for vacations.

Life's a bitch sometimes. But the cookies are delicious anyways.

2009

was not my year. I am thinking about selling the rights to make a totally unrealistic soap opera out of my life. I'm sure people will watch it, laugh, feel sad for me and my naive self and then say: But well, that CAN'T be true. Surely, nobody is this mean, narcissistic and self-centered.

Well. I have the living proof a few miles down the road.

The quest for 2010 is to figure out how much more I am willing to take before I pack my bags and go back to my lovely Berlin.

Wanting my old life back is quite sad, knowing that I didn't like all of it either. However, at least I was in the end able to decide for myself what I want to do and when I want to do it without having unwanted third parties interfere without permission.

Updates

So, the last weeks were a bit hectic - we flew to Portugal. The hotel was so-so (for a self-proclaimed 6 Star hotel the small details were just not right - as in plaster off the walls, chairs fixed with duct-tape and faucets that weren't installed properly, to name just a few), I was sick as a puppy (stupid cold hit the night before boarding the plane) but we enjoyed the time a lot. We had rented a car, got stopped by the police and were then let go cause we didn't speak enough Portuguese to understand his mumbled questions, and they weren't capable of speaking any language we knew...so - it was a rather funny moment when they stopped us, asked something, we gave them ALL the documents we had, they shook their heads, we looked confused, they asked again, then said: vacation? we said: SI!!!! SI!!!! and then they laughed, talked to each other, and let us go...very friendly people indeed.
The Douro Valley is very beautiful, especially now in the fall with all the leaves changing colour and the vineyards not too full of tourists. It seems anyways like the area is more of a secret getaway for Portuguese people than tourists from all over the world. I definitely want to go back, ideally without being sick like a puppy, and staying in one of the charming vineyards. Pacheca was adorable - the owners so very charming and the port tasted delicious. We got the full download of the different ways of making wine, tasting wine, old wine, young wine, very old bottled Port....Vintage port etc etc.

Anyways, the weekend was lovely. Some quality time for ze boyfriend and me. Yes, the being sick was annoying, but hey. We had an amazing view over the river, had some nice dinners (apart from the VERY smelly waitress, it was yummi) and it was almost all for free. What more can one ask for? The weater was lovely and we enjoyed the time. A lot. So, thanks again @zerotwonine.

Since then, I've been busy working, working, working, and other than that, sleeping and being generally lazy on my days off.

Tonight we're going to the Al Jareau Concert here in Den Haag- I'm excited. I saw him two years ago in Berlin and loved the concert - from beginning to end. Apart from the three totally wasted Russian mafia guys next to me who decided to play with their phones and rummage through their plastic bags, while commenting on it loudly - at some stage the husband of a woman behind us decided to slap them on the back of the head to shut them up. Fun times ;)
Let's hope they won't sit next to me again tonight.

Too many bad news in my world...

...it feels like this year is full of bad news and people dying. Yes yes, I know, it happens every day, every year, but somehow, this year feels just as full of deaths and sad sad news as 2000.

Last week I learned that my friend lost her baby, another friends parents are getting a divorce, this week my parents had a car accident (nothing serious happened, apart from Robert (the car) needing serious repairing) and now the potential new national keeper of Germany committed suicide. I know, the national keeper isn't part of my life, but I love football/soccer, and I find it so sad that he took his own life because he was so severely depressed.

RIP, Robert Enke, and please let this be the last bad news for a long time.

People, have babies, get married, throw parties because it's Wednesday.

Give me a break!

That's all I asked and I actually got the break - I won a weekend away in Portugal to test a hotel. Woohooo!

www.zerotwonine.com is a tour operator website that helps you plan your trip to meet your expectations 100% has a regular lottery to win a weekend in a lovely exclusive hotel somewhere (mostly) in Europe. This time, we got lucky!!! www.aquapura.com Every room has an extralarge bathtub - so...you know where to find me most of the time!!!


(if someone wants an invitation, give me your email address and I'll send you an invitation)

20 Jahre Mauerfall

Today is the 20th anniversary of the 'Mauerfall' in Berlin. I'm happy, despite all the negativity surrounding the reunification and the consequences for both sides. I like that we're one country again. I like that there's nothing keeping us from traveling all over Europe.

So thanks, Gorbi, thanks, George H. W. and thanks Helmut - oh, and not to forget Monsieur Mitterand. Merci beaucoup!

Sun! Sun! Sun!

It was a beautiful but soo cold day today in Den Haag. The sun was shining, the sky was blue and it was just a perfect day. I am hoping for more autumn days like that...

Humidity

I lived in a few countries. Among them was the UK. A country known for its lush (ha!) green countryside and the fact that most citizens have webbed hand and toes cause it is pissing down with rain roughly 380 days per year. At least that's what it felt like.

Now, after that I was back in Berlin. The city that is gray 9 months of the year (roughly) and then has a few sunny-crazy-hot-everybody-is-outside-and-loves-it months that definitely make up for the grayness.

The Netherlands. Another lovely country. Full of cows, sheep, green pastures (no hills though), horseys and fresh air.

This week, it rained so much I felt like I was stuck in a car wash. Since Sunday afternoon, it's been wet. Rain caused the boyfriend to be a sick puppy for two days this week (awwwww!), I woke up to the sound of rain Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday I saw the lightning and heard the thunder of the storm over the sea and couldn't bike to work yesterday cause it was PISSING down so hard that there was no way I'd shrug it off with my typical: I'm not made out of sugar, I won't melt.

Rain is unlimited in the Netherlands, I am now sure of that.

Chaos or just lack of organization?

I had a lovely and very interesting week at my new job last week. Three days spent in Amsterdam, one in the Headquarters of the Benelux, asking the people responsible for the whole party all kinds of questions (I love asking questions!!!) and then two days working on the shopfloors of the two shops in Amsterdam, to get an idea of what's going on and how the atmosphere is different from ours here in Den Haag.

It was fun, but very tiring: on top of the three days we had plans for three nights - Tuesday night the surprise that turned out to be a sushi clinic (we had Sushi for the rest of the week, it was really cool!), Thursday an evening at the 'affordable art fair' in Amsterdam (loads of not my kind of art plus really heavy hurting legs plus horrible wine resulted in a short visit, but nevertheless interesting), Friday evening to a graduation get-together for one of his old roomies.

Saturday morning was pretty much hell for me. I got up at 8am, was REALLY grumpy thanks to the sleep deprivation and the fact that I had a long day ahead of me including a stock take that same evening before going to a Philippino Birthday party. So, I get up, take a shower, get dressed up for Halloween (Sheriff, but I looked very much like the Rosie O'Donnell type of Lesbian - not sexy, not in the mood). Biked to work, just to be greeted by Mayane with the words: What are you doing here so early? You're not supposed to come in before 1pm.

ARGH! DAMNIT!!!

I need to be better organized. I will dig out my filo and start writing down what time I need to show up.

The rest of the day, including the birthday party, were then quite fun. After I had a major barking fit at ze boyfriend because of in-laws, lack of sleep and general exhaustion.

Importing a car

...into the Netherlands without paying any import taxes is very painful. It turns out that the Netherlands are even more bureaucratic than Germany in some respects...

The lady at the customs had humour and understanding surgically removed at birth, including the fact that if someone speaks funky Dutch it might be nice to not throw 75 big words at them in tax and customs lingo...Ok I think I got out of her that I need to go to Rotterdam Airport to get a form that frees me from paying taxes to get Betty into the Netherlands, then I have to get the car tested (one mandatory, the other one no clue what it does), and THEN I can come back to customs but not without an APPOINTMENT.

*Sigh*

Plus, on top of that: I got stuck in the attic today. One hour without socks on the attic is not that comfy. Ze boyfriend was out getting the dining table, the phone rang three times and I stared down 2.85m wondering whether I should jump or not... *sigh*

My first week at my new job

Yes! I finally scored a new job. After a few months without an income (yet working my butt off at the construction site), and hardly interesting jobs out there (unless you like to to work as a call center agent, insurance sales person or internet website sales person?) plus a mild work related midlife crisis, I finally found something I cared and felt passionate about.
The few jobs I applied before this job were mild disappointments - either I didn't get a reply at all (way to go, Greenpeace) or I was overqualified - which is such a stupid thing to give as a reason. Yes, maybe my experience is too deep/wide/vast for the job, but wouldn't it be better to have someone who's interested and smart enough to connect the dots without needing a manual WITH pictures to do it? I guess not. Also a nice thing to hear: why don't you go for a senior consultant role? Your experience is great and you'd be a perfect match for that? Um..because I might want to get out of that area? Out of the working my ass off, 60-80 hours on average per week, travelling at least three times per month area?

Well, yes, I'm sure there are other consultancies out there, but somehow, I don't have the faith in it anymore. Plus, I'm tired of working for some company that doesn't really care about their customers OR employees, who wants to just make profit, profit, profit. Yes, that might have to do with my experiences at my previous employer. But - I've decided that if I can't say anything good about someone/something, I'd rather say nothing at all.

Aaanyways. So I saw this ad at Lush, they are looking for an assistant manager at their shop in Den Haag. I've been addicted to Lush, their lovely products and very friendly staff since I first set foot into their shop in Guildford, UK, about 5 years ago. I love the concept of no animal testing, their absolute gorgeous products and always said: I'd love to work for them one day.

So, I sent an email (already in June) to apply, had an interview, liked it, had a trial day, liked it again, and then was told that unfortunately, someone from within the company had applied and they had gotten the job. Understandable, to be honest - that person had been tested already and obviously done a good job - so why 'risk' taking someone from outside the ocmpany? Ok, it was in June, JUST before we started the reconstruction. Lucky for us I didn't get the job, cause otherwise I wouldn't have been able to do so much on the apartment myself.

Anyways, just when we were about to finish, there was a new job opening at Lush Den Haag, again for Assistant Manager. I applied again, spoke to their retail manager again, was invited to the interview (6 people in a group interview in total, no real competition apart from one girl), did a trial day so the new manager (who was the previous assistant manager that got my job) could see me, too, and then was offered the position. Woohoo! I started last Monday with a Christmas Products training day.

So I was sitting with all these other 'Lushies' in a studio in Amsterdam, and with every minute of the training, I was more convinced that I did the right thing for me.

It started with a short intro into what Lush is, what the policies and ethics are that the company believes in and stands for, and how they ensure that these policies and ethics are followed and lived thoroughly throughout the company.
Like no animal testing, and not buying any of the ingredients from companies that test on animals. Like spending a proportionate share of the earnings/profits with charities, and not just 1% of the overall profit and then boasting about it. I also liked the people that came over from the Uk team to introduce us to the new christmas products, and tell us about how they started their life at Lush. Very down to earth, yet slightly crazy people - the kind I could identify myself with it. Plus, they were passionate about their job and the company they work for. Isn't it nice to meet people that believe in what they are working, and that enjoy getting up for work every day, instead of rather staying in bed?

So, after I learned more about the other side of the company - so far, I've loved Lush as a customer (never had a bad experience with the shop or the products, the people that worked there were always friendly and fun) and was a bit worried what the 'other side' would look like...but, so far, it sounded all very promising. I loved the other Lushies - mostly students, a lot of crazy styles, some boring people like me, but all fun and open. Relaxed people to work with - woohoo! Oh, Lush hires a lot of activists (former or still active) that are in line with the ethics and policies Lush represents, and supports activist groups that make people aware of what's actually going on (google plane stupid and Lush, as an example).

Aaaaaanyways, at the end of the day we all got a lovely box to take home - it had all the christmas products in it. Soo exciting. Even ze boyfriend got curious and is now testing all the bits and bobs with me. He loves the fact that I found a job I can be passionate about, and a company I can identify with.

Yes, yes, of course, being an assistant manager at Lush doesn't require the skills I've developped, or the education I've had. But it is a fun job, I won't kill myself doing it, and it will enable me to slowly grow and potentially get ahead in the company. I think it's a good opportunity for me. Until the, I'll sell soap, ballistics, shower gels and manage the team of the shop. They are all very lovely girls (and a boy) and love their job. It's so nice to work with people who enjoy what they are doing!

So, we had a VIP Christmas Party this week (I was ruby red slippers, dressed in all red with sparkly Dorothy Shoes) and hit all our daily targets- and even exceeded them. It's going to be a good month for us, and hopefully we can continue that trend and kick some ass with great service and awesome products. I ordered all my christmas gifts already and also have a new favorite Shower gel - it's called The Olive Branch. Absolutely lovely!!

The first was was tiring (being on my feet all day), very fun (I learned so many new things), inspiring (met a ton of new people) and I am so looking forward to work again tomorrow.

I know, I know - we never know how long it will last, but it's a nice feeling to have found something I can relate to. I love it!

Berlin and other heartaches

I actually got the chance to go back, actually home, to my favorite city in the world: Berlin, last weekend. Thursday evening through Sunday morning was spent in Berlin.

Friday I went to the hairdressers and had a bit of an emotional meltdown: I walked up and down the Ku'damm (big shopping street in West Berlin and one street back was my home for the last almost 2 years), reminiscing and sat down at the Starbucks, having a cup of coffee, watching the people walk, hurry, stroll, bike, drive, honk, laugh, duck away from the rain, on the phone, enjoying their lifes more or less. In Berlin. My favorite city in the world. I sat there, with the boyfriend by my side, and realized that yes, it was the right choice to move to be with him, to be with him for love and to take that step towards being...I don't know - a grown up? A committed loving girlfriend?

I hated my old job, or rather the company I worked for, in the end. But of course I had loads of money to spent, a carefree life to that extend. I like to shop, I like to pamper myself. In the Netherlands I chose a less glamorous job, but sane working hours, less stress and just a fun and ethical company to work for. As the job is just starting now, I don't have any money in the bank yet and therefore can't shop. Yes, it's not that important after all, and I've learned that being materialistic leads to unhealthy wedding marathons and other strange things, but...it's a matter of personal freedom, it's a matter of independence. And I've given a lot of that up to move. Of course, moving was my choice, not getting a highly paid consultant job is my choice, picking love over a career was my choice...it all were the right choices - it just takes time to sink in and overrule everything else...until then...

...I miss my old life. I miss Berlin.

I miss my girls, I miss my local bar that was more of a livingroom than a bar, with my favorite local bartender, Berlin with its shit weather 60% of the year, yet my paradise on earth, I miss the Goldelse, the Brandenburg Gate, the lovely differences between all the neighbourhoods, the cheap good food, the grumpy Berlin natives, the accent, the smell of the city. I miss the bathhouses in the Turkish part of Berlin that were the oasis of warmth and coziness in the nasty wintermonths (from September to May, basically), going to the Museum Island, walking from former East to former West, inhaling history, enjoying the amazing architecture of Berlin with its absolute ugliness of communist buildings (I would have NOT been able to live there, cause I could have not remembered which chicken battery stable to lay down in), the amazing lovely old apartments with the high ceilings...the many lakes around that welcome you to hang out outside, the parks and beergardens for the neverending summer nights...the atmosphere. The city. The small things, like the wine shop across the street with the amazing lunch food deals that were home cooked, good value for money and SO yummi. All the semi-famous and famous people that one bumps into when shopping, getting groceries or just sitting in a restaurant...the laughter, the tears, the dreams.

I miss my old life so so much.

It will take a while getting used to the new set up of my life, and everytime I'll go back to Berlin it will hurt again, and I will miss it. Yet I like the Netherlands, it's fun, friendly, close to the water. It's just not Berlin, plain and simple.

I've had the chance to live in the greatest city there is, cheap and sexy, creative, inspiring - just my home. Maybe I'll get a chance to go and live home again one day...but then with the man of my life on my side.

*sigh*

Bathroom - revisited

We have a bathroom. A 70% pretty, yet 100% functional bathroom.

The 30% fugly are thanks to the shower cabin that I can't even begin to describe. Let's just say that much: shaving your legs is not an option, as it is too tight to bend over without hitting any of the walls.

The boyfriend did a splendid job. Washbasin, Mirror, Cabinet - all up!! We can now finally use the bathroom instead of the kitchen and hallway substitutes.

No more brushing teeth and taking make up off in the kitchen, no more hair blowdrying in the hallway and applying make up in funky light. woohooo!

Here's to getting one step closer to a fully functional apartment.

Life is good!

Happy Bad Delft, the sequel of the sequel

So. It is Friday and our stuff is supposed to be delivered. By stuff I mean:

1 Washbasin
1 drawer combination closet for underneath the washbasin

Despite the fact that these imbeciles from HappyBad hadn't called back when they were supposed to or kept their part of ANY agreement so far, we were trying to stay positive that the stuff will get delivered. Positive thinking, you know.

So, the things were supposed to be delivered between 8 and 9 in the morning. The nice delivery truck man arrived at just before 9, delivered the bits and headed on to his next adventure further down into the south (he was from up north and spoke with a very thick accent..even I heard that)

The boyfriend had decided to work from home that day so we could have a look and potentially start hanging up the magic.

He started measuring, checking, worrying, rechecking and then finally realizing: we need a big, HUGE, drill and patience.

AND:

A different washbasin.

The amazing people at HappyBad in Delf had sent us surprisesurprise the wrong washbasin. It lacked the hole to put the faucet in. At that point, I was just laughing cause clearly, there's nothing else I could do without having my head explode in sheer disbelieve.

It was, however, the slightly mad laugh you hear in old movies about mental asylumns. I had an appointment in the afternoon, so I had to leave my poor lovey at home, dealing with it without the powers of Arnolda.

He called Villeroy&Boch to make 100% sure that there is no way to put a hole into this washbasin without breaking it.

"erm, we only do these washbasins on special order, it takes about 9 month to get one, sir"

Well, they came pretty close to the timeframe we're looking at, yet we didn't order that one.

shocker

Yes, that is totally unexpected and doesn't fit into the so far perfect customer service we've experienced.

The boyfriend called the HappyBad people, and first OF COURSE, noone answered. Finally he got Douche A (aka Jerry) on the line who said: oh, I have one of those here, let me drop it off at your house later today.

Erm. You have one of these washbasins 'standing around'? A showroom model?

No no, it's just standing here.

OK, is there any point in actually pointing out to them that as it was just 'standing around' they could have given it us WAY EARLIER?

No, there isn't, so just don't bother wasting energy and breath.

By the time I was back from town the guy was about to deliver the new washbasin - without a box. So, let's check again - which manufacturer actually delivers a washbasin without a box around it? hmmm....

Anyways. I'm still amazed at the lack of professionalism and can't wait to write the letter to trading standards and the yellow press here in the Netherlands and the Ombudsman and whoever feels like reading it.

Oh man. *sigh*

Anyways, the boyfriend hung it up today and it looks really nice. Could have looked nice for 2 months already...

HappyBad Delft...

...or the neverending shower.

Alright, there's new developments. On Saturday, we went to HappyBad (my toesnails cringe when I hear, say or write that name) and I was able to bark a bit at the guy who manages the store. I was tempted to give him a written assignment:

What is successful managing and how does it relate to customer satisfaction?

But instead I just barked and he said yes yes yes it's all my fault I'm so sorry blablabla. Douche. He would contact the Headquarters and now it's only 5 weeks until the shower comes in FOR SURE and then they will install it and yes, we'll get a rebate and he'll try to make us happy and satisfied again. I couldn't help but say: I think it's a little late for that, but hey, try!

So. Today, the boyfriend gets a call from that douche (HA HA, SO FUNNY!) and he says: we will install the shower and offer you a 150Euro Rebate.


right.

RIGHT

RIGHT!!

WHAT.THE.HECK?!

We have been told initially that we'll get 300 Euros off, and potentiall free installation. However, when we asked for it in writing, the email didn't come.

Anyways, I was SO upset that I called the guy back and requested to talk to his supervisor. Surprise, surprise, he was out and tadaa! I was talking to his supervisor. His name is Christian, he sounded roughly 25. oookay. You're the supervisor. Right. ok, then, listen up, imbecile:

*insertrantaboutshittycustomerserviceandlackofknowledgeskillandcompetency*

So, he then hangs up - whoops, so sorry. Well, ok, it just HELPED with my mood. Woohoo.

So, now he tells me that they'll offer us 50 Euro credit and they'll install it. Cause installing a shower costs 350 Euro. How can that be? It's a stupid SHOWER, not ROCKET SCIENCE!!!

So I tell him to shove the installation up his bum (in nice words, of course, all friendly yet upset) and give us the 350 PLUS the 50.

No no, that doesn't work. And then I have it and tell him to give me the address to which I can send a proper complaint letter, and that I'm ready to cancel the order.

That's fine, we can do it right now. There are 50 other customers who we offered this and they are happy. Well, Christian, I'd call them all a bunch of idiots and I don't care how many customers you mess around with.

This is about MY FLIPPING BATHROOM!!

So, he gives me the address of the headquarters. And I tell him to give me a name, of the MD or the owner of the company.

He then tells me that HE IS THE OWNER OF THE COMPANY.

Are you kidding me? Dude, go back to school of basic customer service and do your homework!

So. I think I've decided to have them shove the shower up their bums and look for something else. Need to discuss it with the boyfriend, obviously. On top of that, we'll inform every consumer board in the Netherlands about it. Raise hell, idiots.

Oh, funny story on the side: I went to an interview tonight and one of the other girls getting interviewed used to work for HappyBad and quit cause she couldn't stand the lack of professionalism and competence. HA!

Some more quiet thoughts...

...comforting someone who has lost two people that were a part of his life within 6 weeks is tough.

It is tough because there's nothing I can do to ease the pain, there are no answers I can provide, and as an Atheist, I can't even hold on to the thought of an afterlife and some higher meaning of death. We're all part of a comedy, and all of us are actually pretty meaningless in this big global circus. There's noone up there or down there guiding us, telling us off if something is wrong, patting us on the back if something is right. Life isn't fair, life just is.

I wish more people considered that fact when making choices in their lifes. I wish more people decided to live every day to the fullest.

The last 12 months have been very emotionally exhausting, and I hope that the following 12 months will give us some peace and happiness to enjoy, and rest.

Classical Music

On Saturday night, the boyfriend and I went to Rotterdam, to the famour concert hall called 'de doelen'. It's just as ugly as the Philharmonie in Berlin - maybe a tad bit uglier. But the sound was pretty neat.

Beethoven Ouverture Die Weihe des Hauses
Kurtág Songs of Sorrow and Despair
Beethoven Symfonie nr.9

Die Weihe des Hauses - we missed part of it cause we were a tad bit late. But at least we got pretty seats because of it - last box on the right. Great view, great sound.

Songs of Sorrow and Despair by Kurtag...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurtag - yeah, sorry, but that contemporary stuff isn't for me. I might have to listen to it a few more times, but jesus, tough on the ears.

I love Beethoven's Nr. 9, I love classical orchestra music. If you compare the regular pop music to classical orchestra music, it's like 1-D vs. 3-D.

I mean, look at it - in Popmusic, there's a few bits you punch into your pc (I know, I know, it's not THAT easy) and then, on the other side, it's a new song. Tadaa! Here we go, who do we make famous today? I do like popmusic, don't mind a bit of 'Barbie Girl' or 'Hit me baby one more time'.

But it just doesn't move me like classical music - when the strings dwell up to make you feel like you're drowning in sound, it tingles your spine and I feel like I'm hugged by music, so tight that it makes me dwell up.

The Moldau, by Smetana, is one of my favorites. Close your eyes and let the music take you on a journey. The way Smetana makes you feel like you're floating on the Moldau, how the scenery changes with the difference in sounds and instruments...how the emotions change.

These guys, these composers where truly genius. If you ever get the chance to look at scores for big orchestras and choirs, it's amazing how they managed to make it all sound so amazing. So perfect.

I need to get back into the routine of enjoying at least one classical concert per month. In Berlin it was the season ticket to the Opera, let's see what I can find here.

Take the time to listen to classical music and let it give you goosebumps and tingles in your spine...start with easy composers, not the heavy Wagner things. Maybe Bach, maybe Beethoven. It's beautiful, and uplifting. True work of art.

Oh, and...

I'd like to welcome my first follower, Jules. Stay tuned, I'll try to inspire you every day. As always. I'm good at that, right?

...or shall we just go shopping?

Miss you!

Happy Birthday Germany...

it's German Reunification Day...amazing, how I was born into a world of cold war and a parted Germany, and now it's the 20th time that we celebrate the wall coming down. Despite all the Nay-sayers and the definite downsides the Reunification had for the former Western part of Germany, and all the former Eastern Germans who still believe that their regime rocked their socks off - I am a sucker for reunions, and love it.

I loved living in Berlin, it was great to be right in the middle, to breath and live in recent history.

Happy Birthday, Germany. I'm proud of you, and I love being German.

I celebrated the German Reunification Day in Rotterdam with a beautiful, beautiful concert http://www.dedoelen.nl/concertgebouw/index.php?go=agenda.showAgendaDetail&idnr=4262

(Kurtág Songs of Sorrow and Despair were a bit tough on the ear, but other than that, it was fantastic...)

An Ode to my friends

I'm sitting on my couch, the apartment is pretty much finished (yes yes, apart from the bathroom, but that will come) and I'm watching 'What happens in vegas'

It's a funny-ish movie, I do like Cameron Diaz. Ashton Kutcher...yeah, well.

I missed the very beginning of the movie, but then they started with partying in Vegas. I realized how much I miss partying with my friends, specially my girlfriends. I remember the days (Gosh, I'm old!) when we went from party to party. Or jesus, the long weekend in Cancun (back when I lived in NC)...totally crazy, but so.much.fun.

Or the festivals I used to go to -no shower but so much fun for 4 days. God, I loved it.

Moving countries is fun, cause you always meet new people - a lot enrich your life, some are like white noise that fades away quite quickly. Some stay, some don't.

Lately, I miss having my girls around. I love my boyfriend, he is my best friend - just not one of the girls.

Having great friends is amazing - but it hurts when they are far away. It's like a part of me is missing.

I remember the time I had my first motorbike -and my best friend rode bitch and her parents weren't allowed to know. When I had my car driving license - the freedom we felt! The world was our playground - although we didn't manage to get further than the next big town...

These experiences together are memories that shaped me. Made me into who I am.

The worry in my friends' faces when my parents picked me up at a party when I was so drunk (for the first time) that I could barely stand.

The big world-destroying fights we had, the days of silence that felt like weeks, months, if not lifetimes.

The understanding without words, the laughing fits we had for no reason other than being silly girls. Making movies while sitting on the grounds, pretending like we have a camera in our hands: oh looks, butts and knees and feet and butts and feet and knees... again, followed by hysterical laughing fits.

Making first contact with losing a close friend was tough, and still makes me sad when I think about it. They were to young to go- I guess these days where the time when I first started thinking about the religion and faith I was brought up to believe in, and then deciding that it's not for me, and that it's all rubbish.

The unconditional love for and from the people I call friends.

I didn't care about where they came from, whether they were rich or poor, stupid or smart (ok, I never had patience for stupid arrogant people, I'll admit that), what political interests they had and whether they'll ever get outside the country. We lived for the weekends, who cared about school and careers and all that? Ok, yes, some of them did, but they were the boring ones....let's face it.

Life was simple then.

Yes, as probably everyone, I got disappointed and betrayed by someone I thought was my friend - hurting so deeply, literally feeling like I hit the wall at full speed. Again, this shaped me, too.

Getting drunk on one drink (that was bottomless, though) at a bar around the corner, until 3:30 am in the morning on a Wednesday...just because we could. Going clubbing until the birds started singing.

Sleeping until 4pm on a Sunday in the middle of summer cause we went out until stupid o'clock.

I am what I am because of the people surrounding me.

I don't have many friends, but the few people I call friends are treasured and loved and cared for. No matter where I am.

Being an only child, the people I call my friends are my family, my siblings.

It is hard to make new friends because not many can reach to my standards - the standards I have now because I have had the chance to meet great people, and be part of their lifes.

It is important for me to remember that once in a while - or rather, I remember it all the time, yet forget to tell them as much as I should. Life's too short to not tell people you love them.

I'm ecstatic!!

It is finally done. All doors are fixed, they open AND CLOSE properly, I have a ladder into the attic that doesn't threaten to break in half due to being to short every time you look at it and the open fireplace is finished and so pretty. YESSS.

I'm happy. Now it's just small bits and bobs to fix.

Like a new bathroom.

Life is good!

We picked up the boyfriends car from the garage tonight, as it had decided to be a real biatch on the ride home from Germany last Sunday. Imagine you had a lovely yet VERY EXHAUSTING long family reunion weekend, and you're looking forward to a swift 3 to 4 hour ride home so you can enjoy a cup of tea at the beach before the new busy week starts. You leave the family at around 3:30pm because you want to avoid crazy traffic. As we all know, Dutch motorists suck at driving, and Germans are just totally mental on the Autobahn. So - it's always a risk. But what can one do...
Anyways, so, imagine you're exhausted thanks to lack of sleep and slight family overload. You get on the motorway, put cruise control on and cruise gently along the Autobahn.

Until...all of a sudden, there's a lamp on the dashboard that didn't light up before. Hmmm...hey, boyfriend, what's that little sign there? No idea, so let's stop at the next rest area.

Ok, we did. And read the manual. Bought a magazine (shiny, me), candy (me), drinks (me) and motoroil (the boyfriend). Filled up the oil (boyfriend) and ripped open the candy so it was all over the car (well, me).

Then I tried to start the car again, and it started to die again right away. Question mark in the face of my boyfriend who was standing outside to listen to the sounds and stare the problem down. Retry the start. Same again. I panick A BIT, call my dad, he says: let the car sit for 20 minutes and try again. Ok, I try again after 20 minutes (and all the candy) and it starts, but is really not steady. We manage to head out. Then, we analyze and realize that we can't stop. Even with the clutch down all the way, the car will stall and then just not start again for 20 minutes. Maybe more, maybe less. FUN! And so no pressure.

Ok, we drive. There's a traffic jam coming up. Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuun! I exit the motorway, manage to take the detour and navigate through lovely little towns, always on the edge and SLIGHTLY panicky with a valium-infusing boyfriend on the side. I manage well under pressure, just DON'T TALK TO ME OR ASK ME ANY QUESTIONS. So, we drive in circles for roughly an hour, then the boyfriend takes over, we figured out what to do to avoid it stalling (switch ac off, and open the windows - it was bloody warm still!).

We were home at 10:30pm. Another 7 hours on the road. It's a tad bit fast than last time, when we needed 7.5hrs.

Aaanyways, back to the title story.

We picked up the lovely car from the garage after the boyfriend was done with work (thank Smart Betty is so reliable), took the bus into town, went shopping (almost all for boyfriend, just so you know!!), then had lovely sushi, walked around town for a bit (I paraded around in my fancy schmancy new jeans) and then took the bus home.

Now I'm sitting on the couch, enjoying a cup of tea and loving my life.

Ahh the excitement...

...of sorting through months of unfiled papers. As my internet is NOT working today and I'm not really in the mood for stealing internet off other people in the neighbourhood, I am being productive.

TV down yesterday (at least today I get my fix of homeshopping channels), Internet AND phone down today. Let's see what tomorrow brings.

Home Shopping

Now that I've had some time for daytime TV, including Home Shopping, Teleshopping and however else these channels are called, I am delighted to say that there's so much stuff out there that is so ABSOLUTELY AMAZING and DEFINITELY WORTH SPENDING MY MONEY on...

Unfortunately, as I don't have a steady income at the moment it is not likely that I will be able to obey all their great advertising preaches. I agree - magicTOES is worth buying and will totally invigorate me. The swinging abflexer looks like fun, yes. And the scratch remover for your car - no matter what colour it is - is absolutely fantastic. Not to mention the lids for boxes, cups, sauce pans etc. Unfortunately, I forget all the proper names instantly. Once I have TV again I will note them down and put links up so I'll never forget

It's a true dilemma.

TV subscriptions and things

...so, we finally got our own TV & Internet about three weeks ago. We told the provider what we want:

TV - basic
Internet - fast
Telephone - working

For three weeks, we got roughly 7 Million TV channels to get lost in - including Gay porn channels. There you go, following the rule of trying everything once in your life. The boyfriend flinched, I was amused.

So. After three weeks, all the extra channels were supposed to stop and just the basic 30 channels should remain.

Today is a rainy day and I wanted to watch a movie to wake up before doing the house chores. Lazy slacker, I know.

I switch on the TV with the funky box and all it says is: Preview period over.

I have one channel. Nederland 1. No movies but loads of Dutch commercials.

Great. I guess I have to bite the bullet and start the work on the house right away.

Lessons learned...arm the laser!

My life in the Netherlands so far has been quite a few things:

Full of love, thanks to my great (well, mostly great) boyfriend.

It has been educational, thanks to learning a new language and getting to know the city of Den Haag.

It has been tough, thanks to being on a construction site every flipping day for almost three months.

Yet, most of all, it has been a test of my very LITTLE patience. I've learned a lot last year during my hardcore Water damage in the apartment in Berlin. DON'T ever trust people to do the work they promised in the time they promised.Stay on their ass. Be German. Be a pain in the ass and treat them like puppies that need housetraining - stuff their noses into the shit they created. In a nice, friendly, but VERY FIRM way.

So.

As I moved to the Netherlands, I decided to take a step back and watch the ways business is done here. I decided NOT to unleash Arnolda (when I get mad I have a very thick German accent, according to my former coworkers Mary & Jon).

Then the search for a bathroom happened.

A short story about what can happen when you trust Dutch bathroom companies. What it does to your mental health, your wellbeing and your personal hygiene.

So - how exciting!!! We can look for a shiny new lovely bathroom - wooohoooo. We went bathroom window shopping.
Store 1: 20,000 Euros for a bathroom the size of a big closet? Thanks, dude, but no.

Store 2: erm...yeah, looks really plasticy. So, well, one store, can't be always like this.
Store 3:Gosh, this is awful!

At that point, slight doubts about Dutch bathroom style creeps into my thoughts - then: DON'T JUDGE, be openminded and stuff.

Store 4: We decide to make an appointment with a guy to sit down and look at options. The stuff in that shop is almost bearable to look at. The guy had taken down all our notes, our requirements, measurements and said he'd put it into the computer so we'll see it 3-D and all that crap.

Store 4, second try: We were going to pick bathroom furniture, based on his 3D thing. Turns out, the guy hasn't put it into the computer (we came back one week later,and made the appointment 3 days before - with him) and is not prepared at all. *shocker* He keeps bothering us about tiles - we should pick the tiles and based on that the furniture. Erm, dude, I don't care so much about the tiles, I want to pick the furniture I LIKE. Turns out - he doesn't have the furniture we want or the washbasin we want for the style we want - yet tries to convince us that we like the fugly stuff. At that point, 45minutes after we entered the store and so far achieved nothing but waiting on this guy to get his ass into gear, I'm about to unleash Arnolda. I'm mad. I'm boiling. But then I think: ok, this is NOT your country, Ariane, shut up and be nice. Let the boyfriend handle it. We walk out, and he tells me he wished he had witnessed the Arnolda.

NOTE: DON'T EVER EVER EVER go to Breugman Keuken and Badkamers , Den Haag. Incompetent idiots.

Store 5: total coincidence that we find it. HappyBad Delft. We go in. I like what I see, I like what the pricetags say. The guy that takes care of us is nice. It is the 16th of May. Life is good!!!

Store 5, second try:We go back in on June 1st, and fix the deal:
A washbasin, a closet for underneath, a big mirror, a fosset, a shower column and a big glass shower wall. Expected delivery time: 8 weeks. But that's the maximum time, don't worry. So, it should be here by August 1st. woohooo, well within the timeframe.


We're happy people that just bought a lovely bathroom that will look splendid!!!


The 1st of August nears. The boyfriend calls up the delivery company to see when they will deliver. Yes, sir, we do have the mirror and the fosset! ...that's great, but where is the rest? We don't know sir, we're only the delivery people!
So, we call the HappyBad Delft people. The guy who answers puts us through to the guy we ordered with. OMG, I'm SO SORRY! There was a problem with quality control. NOTHING got through. The stuff is manufactured in China, and yes, whoops, I think we made a mistake when ordering your washbasin and closet. My baaad, sorry, will be with you in Week 40. All of it. And yes, we offer you 300 off and free installation. But I need to clarify that with the headquarters, but that's it.
A week later, we still don't have confirmation and I still have a throbbing vein on my neck. We call them up - yeah no, it's EITHER 300 off or free installation. WTF??? We get a loan shower cabin that makes the whole bathroom stink as it doesn't fit into the drain properly. At least we can shower.

OK, I still decide to keep calm, yet urge my boyfriend to send a letter to the manager of the shop. AND, potentially to the Headquarters, so they are aware that they royally fucked up. I mean - do you NOT check on your orders and their status BEFORE the actual due day? Or is that just asked too much?! So far, the letter is still not sent, cause -well, let's just say the boyfriend isn't confrontational. Let's wait.

So. Week 40 is this week. It is supposed to be with the guys this week.

We just went to look at dining room tables tonight. While in the shop, the phone rings and it's the HappyBad Delft people. Now. Guess what. The shower column AGAIN is not ready, neither is the shower cabin wall. Another 8 weeks. He is SO sorry. yes yes, we'll give you money off AND free installation. We order the flipping bathroom on June 1st and it is now expected to be delivered on December 1.

I have NOW decided that it's time to unleash Arnolda. I am getting ready to arm the laser and fire their asses on Saturday. We will be going to the shop, I will be firm, NOT friendly (but respectful) and tell them to shove their shower up where the sun doesn't shine. I mean, what. the.heck? Did you again wake up this morning, realizing: oh crap, I have a job! I need to check on what my customers want. Damn it, yes, it was due today - I could have checked on the progress the whole time, but I was busy looking at myself in the mirror or playing with my toes, so, of course I couldn't check it, so, yes, I screwed up AGAIN but hey, what do you expect? I'm a damn bathroom sales person, not someone who satisfies their customers.

I will tear down the place on Saturday and tell every single customer that comes in there to NOT buy there. What a bunch of incompetent imbeciles. I hate it when people waste my time.

Argh!

Now: time for chocolate and more lessons.

Let the construction begin!

Woohooo - today was the transfer of our apartment. The boyfriend is now a proud owner of his own apartment, including a tenant. There's a lot of work to do. A LOT. I can't wait to get started this afternoon.

Dutch class

I've started a Dutch class at the Goethe Institut in Amsterdam. I get up at the buttcrack of dawn and get on a train with loads of Dutch people who have no idea of personal space and early morning conversation no-no's. So far, my English works well and I have avoided speaking my few words of Dutch I've learned so far.

Two weeks, every day from 9am-3:30pm, hardcore brain usage. It's a curse and a blessing all at once that my native language German is so close to Dutch - some words are the same, others are false friends.

The monsters in law are impressed after the first week - I can talk back in Dutch. Oh yeah.

Just need to ensure that the boyfriend and I talk more Dutch than English - just sometimes time is of the essence, and it's still easier to speak English than Dutch.

My life

....is great. Mostly great, that is. I enjoy all the challenges I have to face - but sometimes, let's face it - I just want to scream, then hide under the sheets and let someone else face the tough tough world for me.

Unfortunately, I've been raised to be independent and able to stand up for myself. So - this independence thing has been spiced with a bit of control-freak and short fuse. I'm well behaved, unless you annoy me. Or I'm hungry. Or tired. Or both.

In the last 6 years I've moved roughly 10 times - within four countries. I've now landed in the Netherlands to live with my boyfriend who is the love of my life and the reason for quite a few blowups on my side. It's great, I love it but sometimes I want to hit him repeatedly over the head. Isn't love great?! Woohooo.

In this blog, I will write about all my lovely experiences here in the Netherlands.

Enjoy!