dutch birdie

Het is stiiiiil aan de overkant....

2008-06-10T23:37:00.005+01:00

What an amazing night that was… in a pub in Soho, surrounded by a lot of people dressed in orange and a few less in blue. The girls behind the bar had no clue how to tap a pint, but that was the only downside of the evening. One goal. Two goals. And a third to top it off! The blue people left quietly. The orange people couldn’t stop shouting. Arthur just said he would come to our wedding. It was a great night!!

But it only just had started. Coz eventually I ended up in a basement, singing Bon Jovi to a 99% gay crowd, at 2am, with Lalo next to me. Drunk. It was a FAB night!!

It was a rough day after though. I’m just starting to recover… Let’s do that again on Friday!!!!

By the way, I don't even like footie that much. But to be fare, that was a GREAT game!!

UpDaTe

2008-06-03T15:49:00.002+01:00

Effe een update, want dit is te gek voor woorden…

Werk gaat lekker, maar 4 daagjes tegenwoordig....dus errug genieten van London. Heb net skates gekocht, en woensdag is roller disco avond met 2 vriendinnetjes, terwijl zondag vanaf nu de London skate wordt geoefend!! Kan niet wachten tot volgende week want deze week was mijn introductie course uitgesteld. Heb namelijk al zo’n 15-20 jaar niet meer op die dingen gestaan...
Ook geven die 4 daagjes werk mij de kans om weer eens uit te gaan. Daar genieten we dus vollop van, en sinds kort kan ik dus weer twee pints drinken zonder om te vallen! Erg belangrijk hier in UK, want als je niet kan drinken ben je bijna een outsider... Natuurlijk ben ik door al die activiteiten weer veel geld kwijt, dus eigenlijk zou ik weer 5 of 6 dagen moeten gaan werken :S
Tis ook nooit goed!

Dan zijn Lalo en ik ook no wel eens bezig met de voorbereidingen van ons feessie volgend jaar April. Ik heb al een jurk, de locatie is geboekt, en het menu staat al vast (effe proeven in September...10 daagjes Mexico om de boel ff te controleren daarzo!)... Nog een band, fotograaf, ringen en de uitnodigingen printen en dan zijn we klaar!! Kan niet wachten, vind het echt spannend!! We zijn langzaam weer begonnen met salsa les, zodat we ook met de voetjes van de vloer kunnen :) Jammer genoeg ging een of andere bitch met haar naaldhak bovenop mijn voet staan zo’n 10 dagen geleden en ben ik dus lichtelijk geblesseerd voor 2 weken... ik zal proberen een foto te maken van mijn voet, want je weet niet wat je ziet!! Compleet paars!!

Verder wordt het een zomer van festivals (NL en UK), luieren in Hyde Park, auto huren en een roadtrip naar Wales. Dan Mexico in September en dan is het alweer bijna Kerst... hoef ik dus ook niet bang te zijn dat ik jullie niet op de hoogte houd de komende 6 maanden ;)

Ta!

Oh, by the way, die cactus waar ik het een hele tijd geleden over had staat gewoon weer in bloei!! Na 3 maanden dood te hebben gespeeld is ie weer alive! Ik hou jullie op de hoogte van deze eigenaardige kerst cactus...

BuNnY StOrY

2008-04-06T21:41:00.003+01:00

Gisteren was ik uitgenodigd voor een vrijgezellen feessie. Een brits vrijgezellen feessie voor de duidelijkheid. Handleiding: ga verkleed als konijn, drink zoveel je kunt in het eerste uur, en wordt wakker naast een kartonnen doos (en niet in...)

Zo komt het dus dat ik om 9 uur ’s avonds vertrek richting centrum. Net recovered van een kater die ik de dag ervoor had opgelopen, na een tiefus drukke dag op het werk, en in gezelschap van San, een vriendinnetje die helemaal uit Birmingham was overgekomen voor deze avond. Zij had dus al 2 uur reizen erop zitten. De rest van de groep was al aan de drank vanaf 4 uur, dus we lagen lichtelijk achter.

We kwamen aan in het chinees restaurant. De stemming was nergens te vinden, 1 oog van de aanstaande bruid had minimaal 30 prism exotropia, inclusief een lichte ptosis (voor de non-optoms onder ons…zo herken ik dat er drank in het spel is), alleen zij was uitgedost als een konijn (Thank God), en niemand sprak een woord. San en ik moesten dus wel aan de wijn, en snel, vanwege de grafstemming. We mochten niet karaoke-en (en opnieuw...Thank God) wat een favoriete bezigheid blijkt te zijn niet alleen van chinezen maar ook van de britten!!! Oef. De helft ging toen al naar huis. Lovely!

Wij op weg naar de Comedy Store, voor stand up comedy om middernacht. Heel kort ff: 10 minuten in de rij voor kaartjes, 5 minuten plekje zoeken, 10 minuten later eindelijk een fatsoenlijke pint in mijn hand, en 20 minuten later naar toilet vanwege serieze blaas-overstroming. Kom ik San tegen op weg terug naar mijn plaats, is iedereen gewoon weg.
Oh
Echt??
Wij rennen naar buiten, waar is iedereen? Nergens te bekennen. San belt de bruid. Ik bel haar zus. Die neemt uiteindelijk op en zegt: Ja sorry, maar de bruid voelt zich niet zo goed en we brengen haar nu naar huis. Eh??

San en ik zijn stomgeslagen. We proberen weer terug naar binnen te gaan maar in alle haast heeft ze haar kaartje binnen laten liggen...Joderrrrrrrrrrrr.

We bellen Lalo en die zit ergens in een club met een vriend. Uiteindelijk (gelukkig) ons rot gedanst en geamuseerd to 6 uur vanochtend! Eind goed al goed. Maar note to self: britse vrijgezellen feestjes zijn stom!!

Live Life

2008-03-07T14:17:00.003Z

Mijn baas is ziek vandaag. Dat komt heel goed uit, want dan is het ietsje minder druk... Ookal moeten klanten 1.5x zoveel betalen om door hem ipv mij gezien te worden, ik moet natuurlijk toch al het werk doen. Dat betekent dus 2 klinieken tegelijkertijd afdraaien ipv 1! Niet te vergeten dat zijn klanten minimaal 2 veren uit hun kont hebben hangen. En die van mij minimaal 1. Niet te doen dus.

Maar gelukkig is hij ziekjes vandaag. En dus is het tijd voor feest (een kleintje dan he?)!! De baas is ziek, de manager is op vakantie, helft van de klanten heeft afgebeld vanwege het mooie weer, en dus loop ik naar de bakker voor taartjes... Karen uit Zuid-Africa, Bastien uit Frankrijk en ik worden vandaag eens lekker getrakteerd... heeeeerlijk!!

En zo wordt een drukke vrijdag opeens omgetoverd tot een relaxed dagje met veel zoetigheid! Vive la vie!!

Me and my ring

2008-02-11T21:28:00.000Z

Second of January, 2008.

Morelia, in Mexico.
Sitting in the sun, having my breakfast. Lalo turns to me and says
Do you want to marry me?

I'm shocked
Start crying (of happiness of course)
I even think I turned white, and so losing all the colour I was proudly saving up this holiday

I said
Yes

Congratulations, from mama Ortiz, papa Luna, brother Erik. Also my parents, from inside a phone booth. So unreal. So happy!!!

One and a half month later, I’m finally starting to invite my dearest. Organising the venue, and thinking about the food, flowers, and dress.

My life is turned upside down. I’m in heaven…

Christmas cactus? I don't think so...

2007-11-08T18:18:00.000Z

A while ago I was ill. I wrote this bit around that time and forgot to post it:

Two days ago, after I told Lalo I was ill and was gonna crawl into bed as soon as I got home from work, I also suggested that he could stay later at work. Of course I didn’t mean it and wanted him to come home straight away to take care of me! You know, the way all women talk really… they never mean what they say (uuuhhh….). Anyway, he replied saying ‘Ok, I will go to the gym then, so I’ll see you around 8.30pm’. Shit.
I got a brain wave and I replied ‘No problemo amigo, but please take something nice for me, for your poor ill dutch birdie’. I also added it didn’t need to cost anything, hoping he would get the point that a kiss or an early arrival home would be well appreciated!!

He came home (early) with a beautiful Christmas cactus…

Now, I have to explain you something about our current living situation. Lalo is an amaaaaaaazing guy, who does shopping and cleaning on Saturdays while I’m at work! He always vacuums (I wake up with a zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz-noise most of the time hehehehe) and he does the dishes. It sounds like I’m not doing anything…which is actually true now I come to think of it! I tend to cook and do the laundry. But it’s hardly a 50-50 split, is it? Anyway, the point I’m trying to make is that Lalo has problems with two things: cooking rice, and taking care of plants.

When we moved in, I insisted we bought a BIG plant. Later, two smaller ones were smuggled into the house so the big one wouldn’t feel so lonely. Then orchids came and left. One smallie one died. And now there is Mr X-mas Cactus. I feel like I have to get up 30 minutes earlier each day just to take care of the zoo that is living in my apartment!!! Coz these babies need to be taking care off! You can’t just enjoy then until they die, like flowers. Noooooooo… this is a whole different world!!

It gives a total new dimension to the phrase ‘take care you your loved ones’. I think I have to warn Lalo that if he keeps buying me more ‘pets’, he might not get any more lovin’….no time for that anymore! Hihihihi… Or maybe I’ll say more often ‘you can stay longer at work’ and actually mean it this time ;)

Now, 4 weeks later, the cactus has died. How the hell did I manage that? Well, I accidentally drowned it. Mmmm…maybe they should change its name to 'hopefully you'll manage to keep it alive until x-mas' cactus?

sUnDaY

2007-11-04T17:44:00.000Z

A weekend with Sarah, a lot of wine, talks, and fireworks (Bonfires due to Guy Fawkes)!!

And then there was this.

A beautiful sunny Sunday...

How lucky are we???

bUsY ScHeDuLe

2007-10-31T12:40:00.000Z

Smallie update:

· Work has almost killed me
· I have recovered slightly
· Mum and her cousin were here last week which was wonderful
· My mum’s wallet was stolen which was less wonderful
· Sarah is coming next weekend and I can hardly wait
· Lalo is leaving me for a whole week to go to conference in the States and I can hardly wait for him to come back home
· I’m going to Landgraaf in a fortnight, so 1) Patries, we should meet for coffee! And 2) Luc and Carla, embrace yourself :D
· Dutch meeting in the Hems in London was great! Nice people, those Dutch… ;)
· We booked our tickets to Mexico so loads of nice pictures to expect in January
· I’m still not sure what to do about my jobs (too much work, 6 days a week)
· Lalo is speaking Dutch. It’s the most funny and oh-so-strange thing hearing a Mexican saying ui, uu, ei, ij, eu…. Beschijtje met meisjes instead of beschuitje met muisjes. Hahahahaha…only the Dutch will understand!

And worse of all: it’s time for our winter coats again! And it’s getting dark at 5pm! I hate winter (except for the snow)

CeLeBrAtiOnS

2007-10-17T20:03:00.000+01:00

Lalo just told me that he loves me because I am the only person he knows who celebrates the fact that a bill has been paid...

He is right...

I need to get my head checked out!!

Additional news: I had a rather radical hair cut yesterday which puts a lot of focus on my boobs, as people might think I am a guy and they're checking to make sure I'm not (or they are just 'boob-perverts)! Lalo is double disappointed. He loooves long hair. And people stare at my boobs. It's a dubious experience...
:D

We loooove the postoffice

2007-10-17T09:11:00.000+01:00

As part of my previous blog: BT did eventually pick up. I did give them my details. Everything did seem fine…. Until the last moment where the ass on the other side of the line said: ’ Sorry Miss H., our system isn’t working properly at the moment and we cannot process your request. Please call back in 30 minutes.’ I thought I had a heart attack. With a cool, peaceful voice I said ‘Listen (motherf*%”er), is there a possibility you phone ME back?’ And warempel there was!!! We ended the conversation as friends. I was so happy!!

Three days later and still no word. I was right the first time. MotherF*%$er!!!!
I received two more reminders in 2 days. I HATE reminders…

After my incident with BT I realized we can pay this bill also at the postoffice (which is next door btw!!)
:S

British Telebastards

2007-10-12T20:34:00.000+01:00

Here I am. On the phone. With British Telecommunication (BT). Again. It is the SECOND time now that I am trying to pay the exact same bill!! Unfortunately, our landline has been taking over by another company (TalkTalk, also crap in customer service) so therefore our last bill can’t be paid for over the internet or via the automated phone service. So let me tell you what I have to go through right now… (and please remember, I already went through the EXACT same thing 2 weeks ago!!!!!)

I dial 0800…. (Oh nice, it’s free)… An automated phone service makes me go through 7 different menus before I come to the conclusion that I am going in circles as our account is already closed. I have to hang up as I am stuck in a menu and can’t get out.

I dial again 0800… (Thank God it’s free)… An automated phone service makes me go through 5 different menus after which someone picks up in India. Probably not realizing they did... ‘Bladiebladiebla…hahaha…blabla?..Aaaahhh blablabla….oohhh???.. Bladieblaaaa’. I say ‘Hello?...Helloooooo? HEY!!!...’ I move the microphone into my mouth and shout ’HEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY’. They finally realize someone is on the other line and hang up.

I’m slightly irritated now….Like 2 days before I have my period….Ask Lalo. Not good….

I dial again 0800… (It’s better for free this shitty number!)… An automated phone service makes me go through 6 different menus (I tried a short-cut but it just made me go through the same menus twice!! Bastards) after which someone picks up. This is a British guy, who is SO keen to put me back on hold that before I know it he already has!

So here I am….45 minutes later and still on hold (and this is definitely NOT exaggerated as we have a timer AND speaker on our new frickin’ BT phone). I’m not sure what to think now. Coz as I have said before….I’ve been here, and done it. Gave them after 55 min wait my credit card details. It took the guy almost 20min to put it into his sad little PC system. Fucked up a few times. Put me on hold also a few times to ask his colleagues. It was madness. I became so angry with him that Lalo had to finish the conversation with him coz otherwise I would have to down there and put his head through a wall!!!! And guess what….after 2 weeks I receive the same bill again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They must be joking me.

I have written this story, and I’m still on hold. I totally understand why people get upset when they are kept on hold. I’m almost fuming. I am. I know I have a smallie temper, but I normally manage to keep the Beast inside. But it wants to get out! I keep you informed….

Btw, today a guy named Niels walked into the store… I thought to myself ‘wow that sounds Dutch’. And warempel, he is!! It has been exactly 5 years ago I did an eye test in Dutch. It was TOO hard!!! What a terrible language I would have to say ;) Good luck to you Lalito!!!

PrAy!!

2007-10-12T10:48:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I had to stay home from work. Getting up was an absolute nightmare, so were my scrappy voice and totally blocked nose. I thought to use my time well, get up early and work on my corrections. Do you remember that really long exam I had a while ago? You know, 4 hours of defending my thesis. Well, it took 4 hours for a reason…coz the corrections seem massive. Every graph needs to be changed…and I have about 86 of them! Of course it’s hard to find the original file, as you wouldn’t expect of Monica’s cousin!! So this will probably still take a while… They gave me until September 2008, so not to worry. But of course I would like to finish asap.

Today I’m back at work though. Paracetamol seemed to work!! Had breakfast this morning with the gang from work as Christina is leaving… boo… Now I'm sitting here, waiting for patients. Feeling more and more miserable with time. Wondering how long I can stay here today. Might crawl back home and sleep some more!

Keep praying people… Byki is still not fine(d)!

FiNe?

2007-10-10T16:56:00.000+01:00

My nose is running, my head is exploding, my ears are blocked…. What the hell happened to me overnight??

Yesterday everything was fiiiiiiine. And now I pronounce a –d at the end of fiiiine. Fined. Uh… Fiiiiined. Joder! (that still sounds like Goddeer thank God)

I hate the flu, cold, and fever. I really do. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes I wish I was ill so I wouldn’t have to go to work. Stay in pyjama all day at home, watching movies, drinking tea and eating chocolate. But then, when you are actually ill enough to stay home, I’m so frickin’ miserable that I’ll sleep all day, sweat like a pig and give up watching a movie as my brain can hardly comprehend if it’s suppose to be a comedy or thriller… Feeling SO uncomfortable that even chocolate is not appreciated… Now, THEN I’m really ill!

And I have the feeling that that is exactly what is going to happen to me this Sunday. You know, my ONLY day off in the week. Of course, prior to that I will have finished 30 thousand packs of tissues, and the skin of my nose has regenerated about 10 times. Wish me luck. Please pray I’m gonna be fine(d)…

mAdRiD aNd MoRe...

2007-10-09T18:44:00.000+01:00

Last weekend was FAB! Lalo and I went on our summer holiday (2 days Spain, it’s actually too sad to mention hihi)! But never mind…finally away, with the two of us!! Joder man, cannot remember the last time we sat together in a plane…and I travelled sooo much this year!! The start of our romantic getaway of 2 days Madrid started kinda strange… due to Lalo’s flimsy/unprofessional Mexican passport we couldn’t check in online or electronically, and as a result we couldn’t sit together! Boo!! I’m tempted to say ‘stupid Mexican government’ but that will eventually of course come back and bite me in the ass ;)

The rest was absolutely amazing!! The food, the sun, everything! You have to know that my dear friends San and Luisja had made me already addicted to Spanish cheese and chorizo, so during the 2.5 days Madrid I have spend 99% of my time drinking and eating tapas (the drinking part is totally due to myself…unfortunately no one else to blame…). There was also some walking (from cantina to cantina), shopping (hey, a girl has to do what a girl has to do), and sleeping (unfortunately necessary). Although I was slightly thrown back by the city itself: it’s nice, but not beautiful. Sevilla is MUCH better. And shopping…? Well …all the same shops as London! Where is the Spanish individuality??? Probably somewhere tucked away where I couldn’t see it… However, overall, a trip to remember!!!

Btw, I finally have sorted out my pictures since May this year. So here are the ones you were all still waiting for (were you, really??). Uhhmmm….

Mojitos and the view

from our room in Florida!

Dr Lalo’s graduation! By the way... I won't go through this ceremony myself if you are wondering. It's a waste of money and time, which both could be spend better in the pub :D

Brighton...eating fresh fish
with a cute view...mmmm

Thames Festival: Carlos with scary mask and chocolate hat in our living room on the bridge (whaaat?)
And hanging out on 'the beach' next to our living room...

And then there was Madrid...but pics will be uploaded later this week...i'm getting fed up with going through all my pics :S

rEfLeCt

2007-10-03T18:17:00.000+01:00

So tell me, what is your opinion about helmets for people on a bike? No really. Tell me. Because I think I am gonna need one, and I am totally NOT up for it! There are people who have a bad hair day, and as the day progresses, these annoying features on their head disappear and by the time they go to bed, it’s all looking great and fab. Well, for starters, with me it is the other way around! I look (reasonably) well in the morning, and less flattering at night. But that is of course all gonna change if I have to start wearing a helmet while biking to work in the morning!! Definitely a no go I would say!
Secondly, what the F%*K do I need a helmet for? Why are the drivers of fast cars not coming to my store for an eye test? This way I will be very busy (yeeeaaahhh!!!) and they will be able to see me! I am already wearing one of these yellow fluorescent ‘I am helping the kids to cross the street’ kinda jacket, which, from own experience, will almost burn a hole in your retina once light is reflected from it!!

The downside of not wearing one is two-fold as well by the way. Firstly, I could get killed. Ummm…
Secondly, as soon as my mum realizes I am still riding my bike without a helmet I am dead, even if there is no bike to be seen in a 1 mile radius!!

Kinda tragic as well isn’t it? Dead, or a 24/7 bad hair day, every day.

I’m a girl though! I have to stand up for my rights!!!
And that is: I rather die… with NICE HAIR!

OnE oF mY JoBs…

2007-09-29T15:47:00.000+01:00

I have two new jobs. And I need to tell you about one of them. It is great!! But also terrible! As up to 2 weeks ago I worked as a locum, earning shit loads of money, but also working my ass off, testing eyes every 20 minutes, huge responsibilities, never the same store/location so every night I was puzzled about how to get there in time the day after… It was good, but also bad if you know what I mean.

Then I got this job right? Four days a week in this super cool and oh so posh place in Chelsea. Bit of a celebrity place really! Everybody nice, all my colleagues are from abroad (France, New-Zealand, Australia, Iceland…), super cool design, 60 minutes testing (woowoooooo!!!), 10 minutes by bike from where I live, work starts at 10am (until 7pm though…) and the pay is good! What are you moaning about I hear you think? Well… here it comes… there is nothing to do. I’m sitting here, being pretty (hehehehe) in my new fancy clothes and stuff, doing absolutely NOTHING all day. If I’m lucky, I will see 3 patients a day. And that is what I call LUCKY! Can you imagine?? Just finished a frickin’ PhD and my brain has not been used for the last 2 weeks!!!

Help.
Please…

Haai everybody!

2007-09-27T13:06:00.000+01:00

Yes I know, I should feel ashamed… (which I slightly do) that I totally ignored you since I have become a city-girl ;). I have been very busy and work has taken over my life… The apartment is still a blast, living with Lalo as well by the way, and we have joined the gym (as every Londoner does) and blockbuster hehehehehe. Joining the Friday night skate through London and ‘Getting started making your own clothes’-course are on their way…

Every weekend it’s full of fun though!! My parents were here a few weeks ago, which was good fun. Last week we visited Manchester (woowooooo) where Sarah and I made a dinner from which I expect that the monkfish would have wanted to eat itself really! The week before that we had a friend over from Mexico, and went out every night! We came across a gig from the Chemical Brothers on Trafalgar Square and sat for hours in an improvised living room on the beach during the Thames festival! I watched the parade, the fireworks, and even stole a carved pumpkin and ate a part of the roof of a house made of cookies! Life’s sweet… I have also joined Hyves (the Dutch Facebook) where I have found quite a few friends from university and even good friends from elementary and high school!! Writing Dutch is taking its toll though….very difficult once you even dream in English… Cool though, to see how your friends are getting on, how their lives are evolving (mostly with babies and so on…. Are you ready Lalito? Just kiddin!!).

Anything else? Yes, I miss you all! I really do!! London is great, but Manchester too!!! I miss having coffee (uhm…. Wine I mean) anytime I want with whoever I want. It seems much harder here, finding friends while being at work 24/7. However, tonight is my first girlie night out with some colleagues…. I’ll keep you up-to-date :D

hApPy Dr bYkI

2007-08-30T13:05:00.000+01:00

Hello all! I’m finally back in the air, and have great news….We moved in our new cutie flat 6 weeks ago, I turned thirty 4 weeks ago, we finally got internet since 1 week. And two days ago I finished my PhD!!!!!!!!! It was a looooong exam, but after 4 hours the examiners got up from their seats and said ‘Congratulations Byki, you passed!’. That moment, I will never forget. I was stunned, that it was all over, that I passed, no more nerves, exams or whatever. All done! ALL DONE!!!

And now I’m back home in London. Trying to realize what just hit me. Soon I start my new jobs, at the University for two days and in an optician store from Michel Guillon, as (research) optometrist for 4 days a week. This is it… I‘m a grown lady now. An adult. Jesus. Bizarro….

But before I leave you for today, I would like to thank you all, for your friendship and your support. Because without all of you I wouldn’t been able to finish this! A new chapter of my life starts right now!! I’ll keep you up to date :)

HaPpY bYkI

2007-07-08T22:35:00.000+01:00

And here I am. One week since handing in my thesis. A VERY stressful day that was I have to say. And not just for me, but also for the Amazon Rainforest. No wait…ALL the rainforests in the whole world! I will tell you some time over a pint if you are interested.

But then luck stroke. Arriving late in London that same day made us find that love nest I was talking about earlier. And it’s super cool!!! Have to get this paperwork sorted out and then we are the proud renters of a 2 bedroom teeny tiny flat close to Chelsea. Finally no more trains up and down to London and back. I’m so happy…

But then I’m also a bit sad. For several reasons really. Firstly, I'll have to leave Manchester, where I have lived for the past 5 years. Secondly, I will have to give up my girlie room. My room, where I love to crash after a drunken night. Camp for a whole weekend with movies and ice cream. With all my pictures of friends, candles and incense sticks, episodes of Friends, and souvenirs from Mexico, Spain, China, India, and Lithuania. And thirdly, I am gonna miss my flatmates. Each and every one of them I had in the last 5 years. I love to come home to a house with noise, if you know what I mean. And thirdly, I should give up my work in Stockport. I had such a great time there. I'm thinking of keeping the job just a bit longer though...which means more travelling. Too bad...

But it will all be brill. New, exciting, and loads of great experiences. And in the future I let you guys know how my almost-married life will be for this dutch/mexican birdie.

Good night :)

aLmOsT Dr bYkI

2007-07-01T17:14:00.000+01:00

And then it was Friday. And I reached the point. That point. The point that makes all other points look small and insignificant… I finished.
* I FINISHED! *
That damn 400-page thesis is done!!! Tomorrow I’ll print, and hand it in. And that’s it folks!!!

So I will have 6 weeks off. To prepare for the exam. To find a lovely love nest for Lalo and me. To move to London. To celebrate my 30th. To start my new job(s). And to rest a bit (hehehehe, have you seen the stuff I just mentioned. I hope I can have one afternoon off with a list that long).

Anyway, it will be great!!! I’ll keep you all informed :)

InViTe To My BiRtHdAy PaRtYyYyY

2007-06-18T22:06:00.000+01:00

SEVEN!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-06-11T09:35:00.000+01:00

Three more weeks, and then it has to be done. Over. Done and dusted. Although probably not for long, because then there is this exam, but hey, that’s in August, so nothing to worry about for at least 6 weeks…

This thesis is killing me. Corrections over corrections over corrections. It’s like never be able to finish one chapter. And I have seven of them. I start to have (smallie) nightmares…

BUT, always look on the bright side of life. Like the sun (woowooooooooooooooo!!!), my ever so caring friends who try to cheer me up as much as possible, and my better half who cannot stop loving me. I’m happy. I’m alive. And I cannot wait to have a glass of wine (or a bottle hehehehe) with all of them when this is over!

Three more weeks, and Byki is baaaaaaaaack

PaRtYyYyY

2007-05-31T19:15:00.000+01:00

I'm almost thirty. Trying hard not to get too depressed about it. The other day I had a talk with my friend on her 30th birthday, and she convinced me that she still looked the same as the day she was 29. Thank God. No beard, Bechterew’s disease, or desperately in need of a walking stick…

Now, I do realize that, although I’m gonna be quite depressed the whole day, I need a party. Coz, as you all know, it’s only happening once in your life (isn’t that the BEST reason for a party??). So now I have to make all these decisions, about who to ask (you?) what to do, where to do it, what to eat, how to dress, where to sleep (= recovering from hangover)… you know.

The only thing I know it’s gonna be in London on 4 August 2007! Be aware. Check your emails regularly. I want all of you there :)

fLoRiDa ExPeRiEnCe

2007-05-30T20:22:00.000+01:00

Long time ago I went to a conference in Florida. It was fab! Went with some crazy people (San and Miriam), met some brilliant people, got some interesting ideas, did some networking with people from City University in London, and got absolutely pissed on mojitos.

To start off with, the hotel was un-be-lievable!!! Like any Las Vegas hotel; an isolated, self-contained village with everything you could ever wish for! Nine restaurants, a lot of bars, a cinema, comedy club, lagoon and fake beach, chocolates on the pillows, and the best mojitos. It was sooooo cool…we thought we had landed in heaven! And the weather… WOW!!!

The conference was huge! About 12,000 people, and a loooot of Dutch ones!! I even got together with Lisa, a girl I met when living in Houston TX; and Andreia, a Portuguese girl who was my conference budy last year in Copenhagen! What a blast!!

I had a great time…but the tan has gone by now. And my silence over the past few weeks is evidence of the fact that I’ve been hiding myself from the real world again due to my writing up. One more month to go!

HeHeHe

2007-05-03T11:23:00.000+01:00

When your down, or wanna laugh, need a break, or have nothing better to do...
have a look at Elmo

DrEaMiNg

2007-05-01T10:55:00.000+01:00

Stress is my middle name. You probably all know. I have been worrying (my second middle name) ever since I came back from China. I need to collect my corrections from my supervisor, I need to start making the posters for the conference in Florida, I need to submit in June!!!

Yesterday, I went to the office. Finally, after 5 weeks! And here I am, Tuesday at 10.45am. Totally unemployed, very relaxed, and quite frankly a bit shocked. Both posters are finished. My supervisor has been hiding for past week so I guess me taking of for one month hasn’t given her enough time to read my draft. I have nothing to do. AARRRGGGHHHHH…

…could have stayed in bed a bit longer,
…could go to town,
…could go home and clean my room (yuk…bad thoughts)

...could write an angry email to my supervisor
…could bike a bit,

Shit man, endless opportunities!

I think I’ll just stay here and enjoy those thoughts…

I wish dreaming was my middle name!

And now I'm finally back BACK!

2007-04-26T16:03:00.000+01:00

So first I'm back from China, arriving in Amsterdam. Then, after 3 hours train, I'm finally back with my mum, still in Holland though. Then I'm reunited with Lalo, in London. And now, I'm finally HOME. Back back. Really...pffffffffffff.
What hasn't changed is that I'm still in bed. My throat is feeling better, so I think it’s time to start calling some friends, letting them know I'm back! But this cold is killing me and my head is pounding loudly; paracetamol doesn't seem to help. Ibuprofen neither. And after my latest experience with out-of-date illegal antibiotics from Venezuela I rather let this one heal by it self…

My supervisor however seems to welcome my illness with open arms, postponing our meeting to Monday. I think she is hiding something. I’m soooo ready to receive some constructive comments on my work…and with her ‘you should stay in bed and get rid of that tonsillitis-take care-I’ll see you on Monday’ she has made me nervous. Did my 1 month holiday not give her enough time to correct my first draft???

Anyway, I already finished opening the stack of mail that was waiting for me, cleaned my room, unpacked 1 bag (the other one is arriving tomorrow…), hanged up my new pretty arty paintings from China (bought right of the walls of a coffee shop in Beijing!), and made space on my desk to work on my next trip… Florida in 8 days!!! Cannot be bothered, need more sleep. So I’m back in bed, watching Friends. Using one roll of toilet paper a day as tissue paper. Cough like an old woman who smoked 10 packs a day for 50-ish years.

Lovely…

It’s 4.30pm and I think I need a shower. And start to work. Or not. Whatever. Better luck tomorrow.

madness...

2007-04-23T18:18:00.000+01:00

I think the only people who can confirm my state of mind before this amazing trip to China are my flatmates and Lalo. Remember that list of stuff I needed to do before I left? I did none of them! I could barely walk, not talk (oops), and definitely not eat or drink... I was a mess... a terrible mess. Beside being ill, I was mostly worried that I couldn't make it on this trip, worried that my PhD was not good enough, worried that I was letting some friends down, worried worried worried...

Then I went to China. And the sky cleared. No more fever, no more tonselitis. Had a great time, and a great rest. What an amazing escape from all the manchester-maddness!!

And now I'm back. Back in bed. Ill as a dog, like I had some sort of holiday from my illness. Back in bed with fever, with tonselitis! And I'm in London, stuck in Lalo's apartment... Cannot call anyone because I don't wanna speak. Because I cannot speak!

Hi everybody, I'm back!
However, I wish I was in China...

Chinaaaaa

2007-04-22T16:08:00.000+01:00

I’m baaaack!! From the country of opposites! From the poor and the rich, the capitalism and the communism, the sun and the rain, the colourful and the grey, the heat and the cold, high and low, and the plainness and the spiciness.

And I’ve done it aaaall…saw the south, the west, the north and the east. Visited Hongkong, Guangzhou, Guilin, Kunming, Dali, Lijang, Xi’an, and Beijing. Saw the panda’s, climbed the Great Wall, and visited the terracotta army, the temple of the 10,000 Buddha’s (really!), the Forbidden City, and the Tian’an Men square (remember this picture?).

The trip was tiring, full of priceless impressions. But also weird. Because after 3 weeks, I still have no idea what China is really about! The government is doing an awful good job in keeping the tourist away from real China, the poverty, the real life. Only good stories about China… Only happiness ever since the Cultural Revolution…

So much to tell. So much to show. A few pictures and then I’ll get back to you some other time.

The Temple of the 10,000 Buddha's

Misty Hongkong
Chinese Buddhism
Bai girls in their original costume
The ever impressive terracotta army

And the Great Wall!!!

Goodbye for 1 month

2007-03-19T13:24:00.000Z

Time flies. I have to do so much before leaving to China. See doctor. Meet several friends for a drink and last ‘goodbye’ before I leave. Finish my first draft of the thesis. Teach 2 days. Work 1 day in optician shop. Practise refraction with a student in the afternoon. Meet a fellow teacher and show her around Manchester. Pack my bags. See Lalo in London. See my mum in Holland...

And… it all needs to be done before next week Tuesday.

I know I’ll probably tick you guys off by complaining. I know. I understand. But my batteries are running out, my energy is almost gone. I don’t want to let anybody down. But lately, I slightly forgot about myself.

So here it stops. I’ll take a break from this blog. I will return after my trip to China. It will be great! And I will be full of energy and stories again. No more complaining. No more stress.

Take care you all.
Love,
Byki

My butterfly net

2007-03-11T12:09:00.000Z

You know, sometimes I’m wondering what to do with my life. So, I finished secondary school (my parents were sooo proud) including a re-sit (not so proud suddenly…). I went to Utrecht and finished the optometry degree (again, I didn’t feel any pressure to finish that in 4 years…took a bit longer as well…but still proud parents). Then I finished the Masters degree in Manchester. And now I’m getting closer to the day where I might be called Dr Byki.

But then what?

I’m scared to be honest. Have no clue what to do next! Actually, I’m not scared of the possibilities. They seem endless, and I’m feeling great about that! I’m more worried about the routine. That really scares the shit out of me. From nine to six. Being a number. No individuality. No creativity. Just being happy that you can go to sleep at night and go out in the weekend.

It sucks. It sucks for me. I’m almost thirty and I hate routine. But it’s looking around the corner and it's getting closer…

I hope I can catch it soon with a massive tranquilizer gun and a butterfly net! I'll beat the hell out of it ;)

Sundy, bloody sunday?

2007-03-05T18:49:00.000Z

Yesterday was time for a new and improved approach of our Sunday-rituals. It was time to get our butts out into the sun. So with a headache (I wanna say hangover, but that should be impossible with 2 pints on the previous night) we made it into our front garden at 3pm! Ready to go! And proud I was!!! Of course it was raining, and so we headed for BRUNNER (Breakfast/lunch/dinner) to Relish a slick new restaurant at the AMC. Lalo got us a voucher with 40% so we were happy…

We arrived, found a nice spot at the window in one of their lovely couches, and ordered food and drinks. The voucher wasn’t recognized by the waiters but I assured them it was real and so that became more their problem, not mine. My coffee came after about 15 minutes. Thirty minutes later, the waiter came to apologize for the delay, there was a mix-up, and we would get 10% discount, he promised. I remember saying to Lalo that if we would stick around long enough, we would be getting paid for eating their food hehehehe. Anyway, we needed more drinks when the food finally arrived, which was by the way really nice! When the bill came, we were asked to pay less than £8 :o

They gave us 50% discount, because the till didn’t allow them to subtract 40%. And they gave the first round of drinks for free, although I have my doubts if that was on purpose or just a stupid mistake…

Unfortunately, this luck had to end, and well within an hour when we decided to see the movie Hot Fuzz. Please…what the fuck? It’s about a London police officer that is stationed at this small village. It went on and on and on…and to summarize: I hated it! What a waste of time. I think you have to be drunk or stoned or both to appreciate this British film, which is what most British are anyway! After that we found a wallet and so we ended up ourselves at the police station…Strange…

And what about you? Any ideas for next weekend? I’m open to suggestions!

Today in the Dutch newspaper:

2007-02-28T09:34:00.000Z

Esmee Denters from Holland has done it! Eight and a half million YouTubers have looked at her clips, and 12 record companies have shown interest in her singing…

Five months ago she started making little ‘karaoke-movies’ with the webcam of her sister. By now she has recorded over 40: covers of Beyoncé, John Legend, Mary J. Blige, and some self-written songs.

Have a look…

Many huge record companies have invited her to talk about a contract. She recorded a song with Destiny’s Child-singer Kelly Rowland. Flew to Sweden to record one of her own songs with Macho Psycho, producer of Pink. And she performed at a dinner of People Magazine, America’s biggest celebrity-glossy. And what did she say: ‘…Never have done THAT before!’

She is flippin’ 18 years old… what the hell am I doing? Even better…what the hell is Sarah doing? We should buy her a webcam! Go girl :D

for SuNnY people

2007-02-26T18:12:00.000Z

I was so pleased to find out that Alan Arkin had won an Oscar for the best supportive male actor in Little Miss Sunshine! Last weekend I saw this amazing movie, and I can recommend it to everyone!

The rest of the winners…I have no clue.
Oh yes, sorry, the Departed! Also a good movie…I guess… I have to admit that I saw it twice when flying to and from India, but I fell asleep both times. Not good advertisements for the movie, but let’s say I was tiiiiiired ;)

cOoL

2007-02-26T11:16:00.000Z

This is amazing...Found it on a random blog...and thought...
i LOVE the Dutch!!! (I'm a bit biased though)

TiReD ?

2007-02-25T18:10:00.000Z

Such a sad day

Not much to say

Finally weekend

But feeling like crap

Not even chocolate can help me today

Tiredness is getting to me

...

I think I'll just go back to bed

sorry,

2007-02-23T10:16:00.000Z

but I had to take the music off... I have tried to link some real carnavals-music to the slideshow, but no luck

Maybe next year :D

Like dressing up?

2007-02-21T20:40:00.000Z

| View Show | Create Your Own

Roet, geel en greun

2007-02-21T20:07:00.000Z

I’m in Holland. I’ll be spending some time with my Nan, as she is feeling a bit ill lately. But Carnaval has arrived to my town, and the first day i arrived home ‘den optoch’ (parade) is preparing to start! I get dressed in about 5 minutes, try to convince my parents to do the same (which I give up after 5 minutes) and off we go.

The parade is FAB! It's about 18 degrees! Children are all high on sugar and candies, which is thrown out by the millions by the prince and princess of the parade. Initially I help some small kid who hasn’t been able to catch any candy, because some other stupid kid dressed up as an evil pirate is ten times faster. But after a while I get slightly hungry and decide to go for it myself. And there is this big beautiful truck full of princes and princesses… I shout and hold out my hands. These guys must have good stuff to throw, not just some old sticky caramel gum from last year…no…Let’s say I’m hoping for some good quality chocolate or a bag of crisps… but what do I actually catch? A bag of Thai Green Curry with Fish Balls (instant fried rice)!! I cannot believe it!! What the Hell???

Some good news though: the beer cost 80 pence a glass!!!!!!!!!!! Do I have to say more?

After the parade we end up in a small local bar, where I meet Audrey, who becomes my ‘sjoenkel’(dance) -friend and had lost her boyfriend (who appears to be about 50 years older than her!), a woman with a massive Mexican mariachi hat (totally drunk and whose boyfriend lived in San Diego), a man who is convinced he knows me from the counter at the local supermarket, and a guy whose butt has grown to the chair at the bar. I think he only gets up if he needs the toilet (at least I HOPE he does…). He spoke Dutch, so he’s not even a real local (we speak this dialect which sounds like a mixture of German and Danish), and so I decide to make fun of him for an hour of two :) The songs are amazing, and I am shocked to find out how many of the lyrics I still know!!

Seven hours later and we queue up at ‘d’r Ben’, our favourite snack bar for friet and a frinkandel speciaal (you HAVE to try this sometime). I LOVE this place...however, my parents only go there in real emergencies... which was yesterday because no-one remebered their first name by time we arrived there ;) I met a girl who I went to primary school with and I made some more friends, while my food got cold. The whole English ‘eating is cheating’ becomes real, and we decide to go home after 1 last pint with Audrey.

It was a great day!

This morning I still had a green-golden-purple face, and a smallie hangover. Tonight I’ll make my Thai green curry with fish balls. I’ll let you know what it tastes like…Alaaf!

this happened yesterday...

2007-02-14T12:32:00.000Z

Yesterday I went to an Open-Mic night with Sarah. Not just for fun and beers although that is the main reason of our weekly Tuesday meetings. The reason for my one and only beer in a week had a purpose this time. Let me explain:

Sarah has an amazing voice. Sarah can play amazing songs on her guitar. And so people who have heard her play are sure she will be the next Sandi Thom, although that would be hard if she keeps playing only for friends. So I took it upon me to push harder and make her perform on stage.

That’s why the open-mic night at Trof , a great place in Fallowfield! I loved it 4 years ago, and I still love till this day. This night it could have been great as well, weren’t for Beavis and Butthead hosting the night. I have not seen two more bizarre looking guys, totally in their own bubble, who love Satan-music (if you don’t know what I mean, please wait till you see me next time and I will scream some Satan-music in your ear…) and will make sure everybody will have a headache within 30 minutes after entering the place. If I would be capable to kill, their heads would be sitting on my desk right now!

Anyway, the monkeys decided that maybe it would be a good idea to let the artists perform who have been on stage for about 10-15 minutes, getting their heads blown off by the amplifier that doesn’t work half of the time. This scene had made a great picture. I was too annoyed to actually think of making pictures. Shame.

The first artist was a numb head, singing out of tune, about ‘a friend with a tumour, but there is nothing to worry about’. I didn’t know if I had to laugh or cry. It was really out of tune… The second one was a girl, with a great voice but a wrong choice of songs. Dunno why the first guy got to sing three ‘songs’, and this girl had to go off stage after only two! She was good. I think girls are more self aware, and will not perform if they aren’t SURE they are good. Anyway, next one. Two actually. One with a guitar, one with a mandolin. Also a depressive choice of music, but the second song had more rhythm, which made my night. However, by this time my mood had sunk into my shoes, which was amplified by the two monkeys who turned up the bizarreness and the volume.

I walked home. I didn’t need to say more to Sarah. She got the point I hope. Next week I’m in Holland, so no Trof. But when I am back the week after, I expect her to blow the monkey’s heads off. Seriously.

news (without capital n)

2007-02-01T11:38:00.000Z

Ok, waking up at 7-ish is in the past, since I couldn’t keep up with the early bedtime. Of course Sarah dragged me out for some blablabla and beer, which knocked over my whole believe system (getting up early and WORK)…but we had a great night :D
Last night I ended up watching Friends till 1am, after a movie (Bridget Jones…I love you!) and the most annoying news EVER.

I dunno if I ever elaborated about the news in Britain…but it sucks. WITH a capital S.
Sucks. No sorry, with 5 capital letters. SUCKS.

This country is so incredibly selfish, it has no clue about the rest of the world!! Thirty minutes news means 20 minutes about terrorist attacks, which have been prevented apparently (and let’s be honest, we NEED to hear the same update every 5 minutes, plus a load of crap discussions about what if and maybe and…), 8 minutes about some rich Sheik who wanted to buy the Liverpool team (is he insane???) plus some real sports, one minute about HIV in India, and to finalize 1 minute last-update from this arshole standing somewhere in a street in Birmingham telling us that no arrest have been made so far, so we are clueless about this whole terrorist attack…

If you have no news…SHUT UP!!!!!!!!! Or try some worldwide news for a change!! Fidel Castro, Microsoft Vista, Unemployment in Europe (lowest in last 13 years!!!!), Illegal to sell dogs and cats in Belgium animal shops (hahaha), something, anything! Or let me watch the end of my movie!!!

Thank God I missed that whole Big Brother episode. That must have ticked off millions of sane foreign people!!! What the fuck?

I need more sleep…

Somewhere in this galaxy, time is sweet

2007-01-30T13:15:00.000Z

India has thrown me in a whole new time-schedule! Going to bed before 10pm, waking up at 6am… it gives my life a new dimension! Biking to work at 7.30-ish is cruel; especially with all the traffic…I never knew we were like ants this early in the day! So many people all focussed into getting at work in time… Madness, with a capital M!!

Then my stomach starts to protest for lunch around 11.30… I’ll push it forward another 1.5 hour, just before I faint. At 3pm I have the feeling it’s 7 already and I need to go home for some relaxing time…

Shit man, the day is twice as long!
Thank you India!!! I love you!!

Now, the only thing left to do is finishing this thesis... i'm half way through...the hardest bit is yet to come...fuck!

the Pursuit of Getting Better...

2007-01-28T18:35:00.000Z

My dearest is ill...he is lying next to me...feverish and everything! I've been having problems every since I came back from India, so to be quite frankly...our weekend is slightly ruined.

Let me tell you about our weekend routine, which starts on Saturday evening after work. It means we only have 1 day and a bit together, so that means no phone (yes...THAT's why i never pick up on Sunday...especially not before 12pm) and being in our 2-persons bubble, breakfast in the bed, a movie, and some good lovin' HA!)

This weekend was different. Yesterday we celebrated our anniversary with GREAT food (starter and main, which came out again within 5 hours) and a movie (!!!) called The Pursuit of Happyness, which I would recommend you all to watch!

The dessert was suppose to be consumed in a different setting (Hard Rock cafe...ever tried the Hot Fudge Brownie Sundae???) but the place was packed, so we couldn't get in... A terrible headache prevented me from any salsa dancing or some boogie-ing, so we went home early.

Now he has fever, I still have India related problems, and the weekend is almost over.

Boo....

No bubble this Sunday. You can give me a ring if you want!

Some more pics

2007-01-26T20:28:00.000Z

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I’m back from India!

2007-01-26T16:32:00.000Z

But before I start bla-di-bla-ing about my fabulous trip, I have to set things straight! So... HaPpY NeW YeAr everyone!!! hehehehehe....

Holland was great, X-mas was great, and not forget to mention the dinners and booze were GREAT!! Too bad there was no snow...

Ok, enough about that. Because greater things have happened. For the people who didn’t know: I was in India :D !! Invited by Dhee and San to a real Indian wedding in Delhi. Rakhee’s wedding (Dhee’s sis) took almost a week, and we extended our trip for 1 more week, to visit Jaipur (Pink city) and Agra (Taj Mahal).

I cannot explain what I have been through. All the impressions!!!! I felt like Santa Claus. On prozac. In Disney world!!!!!!!

The wedding...

The temples…

The people...

The Gods...

The saree's...

Dhee's family... (especially this cheeky monkey)…

India is amaaaaazing… I was surprised about the similarities with Mexico! The way people live, how they prepare their food, the colours, the environment, how they drive (oh my God!) and honk (massive migraine attack!!), how welcoming and sociable!! The only major difference is the space in the big city (India has more!!). And the fact that India has Holy cows, which are living in the streets together with the ox and the buffalo. Then there are camels and elephants which help to transport veggies and humans. And the monkeys are just waiting for a load of bananas or a tourist who doesn’t pay attention to their own food or bag… Life is one (or two) pace(s) slower… less tense and much more enjoyable!

The wedding is a chain of ceremonies, starting early morning and ending five days later! It’s non-stop getting dressed, eating food, praying, getting changed in a prettier dress, eat some more, rest a bit, meet more people, maybe eat a bit, and try to hold your wee because how the hell are you gonna prevent peeing all over your beautiful saree (the toilet is a hole in the floor…do I need to say more)? Eat a bit and sleep. Next day the same again. And again the day after. And again after that!!

You see...I need a rest now...or some food... ;)

Continued tomorrow!

Almost, almost, aaaalmoooost....

2006-12-19T19:28:00.000Z

Only half a day work left in Manchester…and then I’m off to London. To spend a day writing my thesis (or shopping). And then…take a plane hooooooooooome!!!!

I cannot wait!

And I can also hardly believe another year has passed. Another whole year in Manchester. Jesus man, I seriously need a change of scene. After almost 4.5 years this is the longest I ever lived in the same place! And so I promise here and now that I will soon graduate (I hoooope) and move to London, to live with Lalito, and make some money instead of rely on my student card. Hehehehe

I cannot wait!!

And all the travel opportunities next year…India, China, and maybe also Florida (for work though). Life is sweet.

I cannot wait!!!

Dear friends, I wish you all the best.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

and a happy, super-duper, fabulous,

over the top

NEW YEAR

!!!

Something for the dutch

2006-12-13T12:56:00.000Z

6 weken : ik hou van jou
6 maanden : ja ja, ik hou ook van jou
6 jaar : moest ik niet van je houden, dan was ik al lang vertrokken

6 weken : Dag schat
6 maanden : Hallo, een leuke dag gehad?
6 jaar : Hallo, is er post ?

6 weken : Schat, het is je moeder aan de telefoon
6 maanden : 't is voor jou
6 jaar : TELEFOON!

6 weken : Je hebt geen leuke jeugd gehad
6 maanden : Jouw ouders werken je inderdaad op de zenuwen
6 jaar : 't Is te zien van wie je het hebt.

6 weken : Ik neem je mee naar Nepal!
6 maanden : Wil je echt naar zee gaan?
6 jaar : We zitten hier toch goed?

6 weken : Ik dacht wel dat je een ring zou willen heben
6 maanden : Een vaas is altijd handig
6 jaar : Hier is geld, koop er maar wat leuks van

6 weken : Welke film wil je graag zien ?
6 maanden : Zullen we een 007-film gaan kijken ?
6 jaar : Ik heb de nieuwe 007-film gezien, je zou hem ook eens moeten zien!

6 weken : Het kan geen kwaad, het maakt geen vlekken
6 maanden : Let toch op!
6 jaar : Jezus man, wat ben jij een kluns!

6 weken : Daar ben ik het niet helemaal mee eens, denk ik
6 maanden : Daar heb je ongelijk in!
6 jaar : Wat voor een belachelijke redenering is dat??

6 weken : Mijn keukenprinces!
6 maanden : Wat is er te eten vandaag?
6 jaar : Weer spaghetti?

6 weken : Wat wil je drinken ?
6 maanden : Voor mij een biertje
6 jaar : Deze is niet koud genoeg!

6 weken : Die jurk staat je goed!
6 maanden : Weer een nieuwe outfit?
6 jaar : Hoeveel kost dat nu weer?

6 weken : Ben je mal, het geeft toch niet
6 maanden : Kun je niet opletten ?
6 jaar : Godverdomme!

Paolo or Tony?

2006-12-12T17:07:00.000Z

The other day, Grete introduced me to her friend Sarah. Her boyfriend is a hairdresser at Tony and Guy. No wait…he is THE hairdresser at Tony and Guy. Just awarded with Manchester’s Hairdresser of the Year 2006, and before I know, I am sitting in their living room at 11pm to get a haircut. With some wine, fab Italian food, and Mary (good song Paolo!!)

This is the result after 2 hours, colouring (red and blond), and a lot of hair on the floor (mainly Grete’s btw):

Any comments?
(Comments on glasses are also welcome, fresh from Lithuania!!)

Due to all of this, we arrived back home at 1.30am!!!
Of course I overslept today…but at least I had a new haircut :)

Aaaaaaalmost...

2006-12-11T18:01:00.000Z

It's almost X-mas!!!!!!!!!

IT'S ALMOST X-MAAAASSSSSSSSS......

(Holland...here we come :D )

Sooo quiet...but not really

2006-12-11T16:18:00.000Z

Hiya! I'm back... from 'verweggiestan'. Had a bit of a turbulent time really... Let me tell you about it:

Finally I was able to find a new bike that was worthwhile taking home… And due to all our good care of the environment, the weather has been great so it’s biking all over again. No rain at all!

Then, my dearest has just become Dr Luna… I’m proud like hell!! And we celebrated well!!!!! Lalo’s dad came from Mexico to make ‘some’ pictures of the party (and eat German sausages at Manchester’s X-mas market EVERY day). I still have a hangover. And I think that the Footage has Most-Wanted posters of us all over the place…hehehe.

Then, it was time to pay a visit to Coventry for a concert of Ojos de Brujo… that was fucking amaaaazing!!!! We were right at their feet. And that led us to their after party! Backstage. Which is REALLY backstage by the way. No champagne, or a private concert. Just people getting drunk and stoned :)

The day after was time to visit India. I mean the Indian embassy in Birmingham. If you have nothing to do on a weekday, pay them a visit!! You don’t need to go to India; you just go to the embassy!! It was fun! Anyway, I spent all day there to get a visa, because…I’m going to Delhi for 12 days in January!!! For a wedding!! With Dhee and San!!!! Cannot wait!!! Except for these yummie malaria tablets…

The day after my greatest India experience so far, I have to take a plane to Lithuania. To visit Elija and Edita; my sweet Lithuanian ex-flatmates. I went for 4 days, but had the feeling I was there for 2 weeks AND went back in time. I really enjoyed, went clubbing, shopping, eating, some more eating, bit of walking, and… a bit of food (again). It was flippin’ freezing cold, so getting dressed to go outside the house must have taken up most of my day!!! Hahahaha. The country is sort of empty. The capital Vilnius is very pretty, but there wasn’t much to do except for churches and… food! Edita lives in Jonova (close to Kaunas the second biggest city of the country), which is not much bigger than my ass. We had a great time though!!!
After Lithuania, I had exactly 3 hours to unpack and pack again, to travel to London to visit my sponsors who seem very capable in making my live hell again. Some more work. Not enough as it is now. Merry X-mas Byki!!

An ode to my name

2006-10-25T16:54:00.000+01:00

I have not been a very reliable writer I have to say… bit bad really. But life seems so boring if you have to write it down after you’ve been trough it already! However, I had a lovely weekend, with a lot of laughs, dressing up (like a guy for cryin’ out loud), champagne, seeing old friends, sleep, and Dutch TV. Yeah, that’s right…this girl has realized she can watch Dutch TV for free on her laptop! It is like I have found a massive treasure! It’s cool, because after cooking and having dinner, I can curl up in bed with Big Brother, Expedition Robinson, and Nieuw Dier (jesus, soooo goooood!! The Dutch version of Little Britain really).

Then, on Monday, A. calls me for a glass of wine. Every time she returns from Holland, she text me last minute! Thank God I could make it last two times, but I’m about to tell her off ;) (I need to know up front if I can handle a night out again!)

Anyway, that evening ended up in bed ALL DAY Tuesday! No real hangover though, if that’s what you think! I woke up at 9 (after snoozing since 7.15am)…hahahaha…recognize that Lalo?… Had brekkie at 10 and went back to bed…and re-entered this world at 5pm!!!!!!!!! 5PM!!!!!!!!!! That’s the only GOOD thing about the PhD you know: only work when you’re conscious!
Anyway, I was a bit shocked though. But also realized that if something like this happens, it was bound to happen. My body needed it. And I gave it to her! Go girl!! :D

Then I opened my emails and guess what… another message from the past. From a friend who I had last seen at least 10 years ago!!!! He google-ed and found me!!! (Luc en Carla… herinneren jullie je Ivo nog??) Life’s full of surprises!

Mum, dad… I want to thank you for my name.
After 29 years, this moment has finally come…

1 minuut stilte aub

2006-10-18T17:32:00.000+01:00

Gisteren mijn fiets moeten begraven… was nix meer aan te doen volgens de fietsenmaker. Nu moet ik je bekennen, dat ik niet zoveel vertrouwen heb in de engelse fietsenmakers! Maar allez, ik gokte t er maar op dat ie gelijk had.

Was wel jammer hoor! Ben er zo aan gewend om alles met de fiets te doen! Mensen kijken me raar aan, als ik mijn stuur vol met 10 supermarkt zakken alsnog de weg op ga. Of met mijn rood-verlichte achterbroekzak in het donker naar huis fiets.

Daar stond ik dan, om 11 uur ‘sochtends, bij de fietsenmaker (gaat niet voor tienen open. Sukkels… En de eerste waar ik me om 10 uur precies meldde, vertelde me zonder blikken of blozen dat hij me niet kan helpen omdat ik mijn fiets niet bij hem gekocht heb!! Eikels). Anyway, ik toch een beetje verdrietig. Het is ook zo’n gave fiets. Maar ja, de pedaal-as is gebroken, de banden zijn vesleten, de versnelling doen het nauwelijks (zie Harry’s verhaal paar weken terug), en BEIDE wielen hebben een kink. Zo kan ik nog wel effe doorgaan.

En wat zegt die fietsenmaker?
Raad eens?

Komt ie he? Hij zegt ‘What do you want for it?’

Tien minuten later loop ik weg. Met mijn nieuwe bel (ff eraf gesloopt), mijn slot, het voor- en achterlicht, en £10!!!
Hahaha.. effe een biertje halen :)

No hug...but an even more important phone call

2006-10-04T23:08:00.000+01:00

Thank you San... for this afternoon.
I guess it was too short, so pls get your butt down to Manchester soon. S. would loooove it too!!!

And I hope you will celebrate well this weekend ;)

OnE vErY lOnG qUeUe...

2006-10-03T15:07:00.000+01:00

Stress has found me.
Tears are queuing up to be released into the wide world.
It all seems too much. This PhD seems too much.
(But hey…what’s new?)

I respect my friends who are on the same journey as me.
They must feel the same.
And the ones that have been previously (also respect, but not as much as the first group, because let’s face it… they have graduated already…joder)

Maybe they had also these moments.
And I feel bad that I wasn’t there with them.
That moment.
That exact moment.

Because now I need to cry. And I need a hug. A pep-talk. A sensible word.
Someone telling me it is good. It is ok. The tears and the work…both ok.
Because it all seems so pointless.

But no one is here
Because we are all busy struggling...

Pissed-off Harry

2006-09-29T12:46:00.000+01:00

Harry is the bike guy at my University. Oh well, let’s be honest, he’s the bike grandpa at my University. And yesterday he was back from holiday. Finally.

So, I queued up at 10am. He was super busy, and slightly stressed out. He squeezed his eyes when he saw me… he sold me this crappy bike and he knows it. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my bike. But the front wheel has a kink and two out of five gears don’t work. As I said, he knows! He also fixed my gears 4 times already… at least… tried to. He charges me (£1.50) and it never works for more than 1 day. I’m used to it now!
Anyway, I smiled and told him my front brake wasn’t working. I’ve been biking around without proper brakes for a week now and need new shoes because of it!! Because the back brake doesn’t work either (of course). I just realized I might just wanna buy a new bike!!

Back to the story. ‘Pick it up at 1pm’ he shouts and rips the bike out of my hands. Sure Harry. No problemo Harry. ;) So it becomes 7pm. Time to go home. Walk outside, to my bike… and of course no bike. First I suspect it’s stolen and start swearing like mad. Then I realize I forgot about Harry and start swearing at myself. Fuck. It’s dark, and I walk to Harry’s spot. By the way, Harry has no shop, he just sells/ repairs bikes on the street. Next to the dumpsters. Close to the student union. I look around and see some drunken freshers (=dumb-ass first year students…sorry Yuki, it’s not personal :D) hanging around Harry’s spot. I dunno why I keep looking for my bike but I do.

And there it is!!!! Behind several dumpsters, all set up in a peculiar way to protect the vulnerability of my bike!! Unlocked, with a small note from Harry. It’s a slightly angry note, but I don’t care. My bike is safe, and I smile! I take the bike from behind the dumpsters, while the freshers look stunned and expect more bikes to be found there… hehehe…I told you they were dumb-asses!!

I’ll call Harry in a minute. Tell him I owe him £1.50 and I will pay him next week. However, that depends of course if my brakes are still working then…;)

Happy but sad

2006-09-29T10:31:00.000+01:00

Shoot man… time flies!!! It’s already 2 weeks ago I posted the last time!!

So time for a small update:
1. Lalo is still in Mexico…Yesterday he finally received his work permit from Imperial College, however he doesn’t seem to come home soon though L. Time will tell…I miss him so!
2. Work just sucks… what else is new??
3. My first publication is out there!! It’s in a kinda shitty journal, which doesn’t show up if you google me (what a FAB new verb that is!!). But that won’t spoil it for me! I’m super proud J
4. Had a few days teaching in Manchester, Birmingham, and London… in other words I’m living in a suitcase again. Actually, it wasn’t that bad (suitcase-wise) but all the travelling is getting to me.
5. (As a result from the previous point) I need some peace!! Just one or two nights at home. Proper food and some TV. No appointments, meetings, and DEFINITELY no drinks…
6. Yep, that’s right… it’s time for some alcohol free nights. Tell that to my friend S. She will kill me ;)

Well, I think that’s about it. Having a busy social life, because otherwise I would drown in my own tears. It has been a month now… I just realized!!
Baby… come hooooome

Copenhagen... (2)

2006-09-15T15:00:00.000+01:00

And that was it... my 15 minutes fame at the conference. It was hard to speak to so many people, all with headphones on, listening to me speaking into a mic. So many questions afterwards, so many good contacts. And best of all: a prof came up to me and said this was an excellent PhD and I should be proud of all this work!! I have to tell my supervisor. She believes I need to do more work before starting to write up!
That was all on Friday.

Saturday was good as well... I had to say goodbye to my granny, who was very upset about it and made me promise not to forget her!! I won't... I promise!! :) Good things as well: the hotel I am in allows me to stand up again while taking a shower, and the breakfast is wonderful!! Hehehehe, it's all about food ;)

Today we will say goodbye to the Bella Centre. I'm waiting to be fed (again) and then I'm off to Sweden!! Andreia (Portugese and studying in Aberdeen) is joining me, and we will probably have a blast, like we have every night!

See you all in Manchester again!

Copenhagen...

2006-09-13T17:53:00.000+01:00

I'm in Denmark!! In Copenhagen!!!
I didn't find a hotel, but listen to this: I found a room in the appartment of a 86 year old lady!!! She is the best. She makes my stay the best. On top of that, the weather is great, the beer taste good, and the people are SO nice!! Angela, my Aussie-friend for today has left, so now I am strolling around by myself again. Which is no problem because the weather is still good, and so taste the beer ;)

I'm at the conference now. Which is pretty impressive. And to Danish standards, which means pretty good! I am waiting to be fed. Maybe they have some Danish hotdogs? If they do, I'll promise to make a picture Helle!!

Anyway, I have to say goodbye now... food is being served ;)

For you

2006-09-07T13:44:00.000+01:00

I'll sing it one last time for you
Then we really have to go
You've been the only thing that's right
In all I've done

And I can barely look at you
But every single time I do
I know we'll make it anywhere
Away from here

Light up, light up
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I'll be right beside you dear

Louder louder
And we'll run for our lives
I can hardly speak I understand
Why you can't raise your voice to say

To think I might not see those eyes
Makes it so hard not to cry
And as we say our long goodbye
I nearly do

Light up, light up
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I'll be right beside you dear

Louder louder
And we'll run for our lives
I can hardly speak I understand
Why you can't raise your voice to say

Slower slower
We don't have time for that
All I want is to find an easier way
To get out of our little heads

Have heart my dear
We're bound to be afraid
Even if it's just for a few days
Making up for all this mess

Light up, light up
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I'll be right beside you dear

(Run by Snow Patrol)

So much has happened in a week...(2)

2006-09-04T21:13:00.000+01:00

(continued)
Then there is Thursday evening with a loooooot of wine. And the amaaaaazing company of S. who is the BEST singer ever! At least in my perspective. She asked me to listen and comment her songs. I only could comment on my goose bumps, which stayed with me for a long time…

This created a smallie hangover on Friday. I worked hard though, just started a bit later (Yuki, please don’t tell Dan!). Did figure out that day, that spending more time looking for hotels in Copenhagen was not gonna make any f*%^ing difference. I think I will just rent a car and sleep in it!

It was time for my first day at my new job on Saturday. Of course I need to acknowledge Miek, because without her I would probably have to travel miles more! Stockport is just around the corner. So is the bus that takes me there. I had a great time, in the smallest optician I have ever seen! After that, it was finally weekend!!!! At least, that’s what was promised me! However, the fully booked Sunday started at 10am already!! E. came over for brunch at 12pm, presenting me with 5 kilo’s of fruit (in other words… “Byki, you look like you need it’’… dunno how to interpret that, really) and then it was time to meet S. already at 7pm. Time fliiiiiieeeeeeeees!

Now, you probably are able to link S. with booze, no? If not, within 2 minutes you will. We actually discussed our status of alcoholism that evening, while we still could comprehend what the hell was going on. But British is British (even for S. who claims she is more Canadian than British… dunno where she gets that from J) and so I ended up kicked out of an Irish bar (they were closing!), being surrounded by Americans, pissed, and praying for an easy-going hangover.

That didn’t work. Today was hell.
(I need to find new foreign friends. These English ones are taking me dooooown (toooown) )

So much has happened in a week...(1)

2006-09-01T14:53:00.000+01:00

E. got robbed the other day, while she was moving her last bag with stuff from my house to her new place. Everything gone, her wallet with loads of money (do these people actually smell that she just got paid from work and was carrying a looot of cash?!?) , mp3 player, mobile, keys of het new place and her work...
The police came by, that was kinda hilarious btw. Because E. is my sweet Lituanian friend, with little experience in english. And red hair. You all know what that means? Passionate. Very passionate. Every question becomes a discussion. In a language none of us (Danish, Mexican, Norwegian, Dutch, or English) can understand.... It created a smile on all our faces, although we actually all wanted to cry for her...

She worked so hard this summer to get some money. I have to help her out. So now I am skint. Which means spending my nights at home, or someone elses home, drinking, blablabla-ing, play a game, make a puzzle (hihihi), or listening to music. And working on Saturdays, as I am doing tomorrow.

But actually, it is also a remedy to keep me busy. So I won't think too much about Lalito. Yesterday, up at 6am, cab to the airport, cry, back in office at 9am, try to find a hotel in Copenhagen for a conference I am going to in 2 weeks (NOTHING available anymore !!!!!!!!!!), seeing 3 patients from 2 till 5pm, running to spanish class, running to meet S., and finally at 3am collapsed in my bed. Not ONE moment have I gave myself the opportunity to stand still and cry my eyes out. I know he is coming back, but when? And for how long?

But, the good thing is that today is kinda ok, because all my energy is going into staying awake and recovering from that massive hangover! Thanks for the good night S. ;)

i miss you

2006-08-31T09:18:00.000+01:00

he just left...
i have no words...
it is raining in my heart...

please come back soon!!

Back in Manchester again

2006-08-28T16:32:00.000+01:00

It’s Monday, bank holiday, and I’m sitting in the office…. The whole department is EMPTY, and so I triggered the alarm of the whoooole building at 9am! Joder!

I’m back! My suitcase is unpacked, my voice is back, my trousers are white again, my boyfriend and plants have been given loads of love, my old flatmates have left, my new flatmates are back in town… in other words, it seems I never left!!! Joder joder!!

A smallie update for everybody who didn’t join us: LowLands was GREAT!!!! It was a slightly new experience this year since there was no bribing: within 15 minutes we had fixed our tent and 15 minutes later the party tent as well! And that all while the sun was shining, and our beer was still cold!!! Kinda strange actually…. We are definitely getting more experienced with age (and watching other people doing it for us)!!! In other words, all the hotdogs were ours this year!!! Friday and Saturday were absolutely FAB, people, music and weather-wise! Fifty-five thousand people, Blue Grass Boogiemen, Anouk, Snow Patrol, Placebo, Urban Dance Squad, Ziggi, Guillemots, La Troba Kung-Fu, Massive Attack, and LOADS of SUN! Manamana… tutuutututu. Then it became Sunday. With rain. Lots of rain. And mud. Lots of mud. I don’t remember the bands I went to, and I think I don’t need more words here… (except for manamana of course).

And then it was sleeping, shopping, and eating with mum and dad. I have the feeling I was away for over 3 weeks! A great way to celebrate your holiday!!! But now back to business. In 4 days, my baby is leaving for Mexico for I don’t know how long, on Saturday I start my new job (thanks Annemiek!) and in 2 weeks I need to finish my final project and leave to Denmark for a week. Lots to do, lots to prepare, lots to finish. Joder joder joder!!!

I have to go. Too busy again!
Ps. Jik, I hope you’re feeling better again!!! Take care, and we’ll meet again soon!!

a bubbly time

2006-08-14T15:08:00.000+01:00

Only 4 more days… and then its LowLands time (http://www.lowlands.nl/)…. For all you ignorant people, this is a GREAT music/dance/theatre festival in Holland. Better than Glastonbury (especially this year!), bit less than Sziget (have you seen that program?? WOOOOoooW).

For me, it is 4 days of dancing away in my own bubble! For several years I have been going on a girlie tour to Biddinghuizen… NO BOYS ALLOWED…We miss them though: with a push car loaded with beer, cheese, hotdogs, coffee, eggs, mayo and ketchup, the three of us are ready for some serious bribing!! This means: we cook some nice hotdogs, and any guy/girl (the latter one normally won’t buy this…) who is willing to set up our tent, our party tent, or blow our airbeds will get one for free!!! Great deal I would say!!! Every year it’s the same picture: there we are, sitting in the grass (or smoking it), drinking some beers, cooking some hotdogs, and surrounded by guys who fixing our home for the following 4 days…I have to say, every year it’s (one of) the best moments of LowLands!!! And that’s just the START!!!

Four more days, and life will be sweet again!!!
I cannot wait.

Just going out for ONE drink:

2006-08-12T14:24:00.000+01:00

And what happens?
I have a hangover...

Please leave me alone...

Bush = :)

2006-08-10T11:02:00.000+01:00

It is strange how we response to certain events. I guess the british goverment/police has a point making us aware of any plots to blow our heads off....but to be honest, police didn't give any information about when this attack was actualy planned.

They found out about a terror attack with the idea to blow up passenger-jets, causing mass-murder.

So how do we respond?

Stop all incoming flights to several airports in the UK (not Manchester, so you are welcome to visit me today!!!). No hand luggage. Twenty-one arrests. America is just waking up and getting ready for some serious increasing stress-levels. Total chaos. Mr Bush will be happy.

But what about tomorrow? Or next week, next month? Because when was this planned again??? NOT TODAY!!!!!
Fuck man, this world is coming to an end. Hopefully....

BB

2006-08-08T21:04:00.000+01:00

Big brother is taking over life in Britain. Not mine anymore,I have been able to escape the hype. Not by myself though. I am quite weak. I needed the help of my dearest friend C. from Rotterdam (who camped for a full week in Manchester and made me miss the first 7 episodes in a row ever since it started 3 months ago), then a weekend camping in Lake District with my japanese, english, mexican, and scouser friends, and then the moving in of two lithuanian flatmates E1. and E2 (who are terribly funny BUT loud..hehehe).
This cascade of events have led to quietness around 9pm.

Good thing though, because it was boring anyway... All the bastards were voted out in the first few weeks! And eventually, although they were absolutely horrible, those people make the show!!

Can you read between the lines?
I miss it

A story about a little papaya

2006-08-07T22:23:00.000+01:00

The breakfast has now extended to lunch-time and even dessert...This blender is amaaaaaaazing!
But you know what is more amaaaaaaaazing? Little Lalo coming home this afternoon, after an incredibly hard day at work, with a ripe papaya... a PAPAYA!! Put THAT in a blender, with mango, and ooohhhhh....... little orgasm (or a little number seven, if you are a big Friends-Fan)...

I dunno if you ever had a papaya. I love it. Where I live, there are many indian markets with loads of exotic fruits. And papaya is one of them. Did I mention already that I love it? We had loads of it while travelling through Mexico last year, and seeing, smelling, and tasting that makes me smile. Unfortunately, they don't smell that much anymore after they travelled all the way from any tropical country.

So for all your papaya-aliens: You should try it!

(but be careful: make sure it is slightly soft when you buy it... like avocado)

a bit lazy today...

2006-08-05T19:16:00.000+01:00

....

a Zoo

2006-08-03T15:51:00.000+01:00

I study at the University in Manchester. Trying to understand what happens in the eyes of diabetic people. Working on this for 2.5 years already (and still no f***ing clue what’s going on in there!). Only 6 months to go…

Quite depressing you know. Sitting in front of PC al day. Crunching numbers. Double vision. No windows, so even animals in the Zoo are better off than me…

But now and then I am allowed outside. I bike to the hospital or take a train to Birmingham, and see patients. We have discussions about their disease, and I investigate their eyes. Sometimes I see them for 4-5 hours at a time, other times for over 12!!! And you know what? They are always happy to help out. To be part of research, because they are hoping for a cure. To make life easier. Not for themselves, but for other people. In the future.

That is brilliant, you know? Because without them, my work sucks. So, even if we never find a cure for diabetes, they saved at least one life!!
Mine. And I am grateful.

ff bellen op z'n engels

2006-08-02T17:27:00.000+01:00

Ik fiets. In Manchester. Een licht blauwe fiets. Dat valt op. Hoef ik niet zo'n stomme helm.

Maar mensen verwachten me niet. En horen me niet aankomen.

Dus kocht ik een bel. Een HELE mooie. Groen met paarse bloemetjes. En maar bellen. AAN DE KAAAAAANT....!!

Maar mensen verwachten dat niet. Ze herkennen het geluid niet.

En dus roep ik maar weer. Op z'n engels. EXCUSE MEEEEEEE....!!

Tja... 'to the side' klinkt zo stom...

your smile is a gift

2006-08-01T16:01:00.000+01:00

I wonder how many people are happy. Happy with their lives, their work, their everything. I picked up a boomerang card the other day with the phrase ' your smile is a gift'. I wish the author meant a beautiful gift, however I believe you should interpret it as scary ....

Try it! Smile to people, on the street, at the train station, everywhere! Throw them a PROPER smile, one which exposes your teeth! My experience taught me that, unless you know the person, people are anxious to smile back at you. People think your weird, or that you want something (money would be good hehehe)! Makes me believe that they are either unhappy with their lives, grumpy old bastards (you see Art, this is the stuff that they want me to re-write!!), or busdrivers in Manchester.

Now, you might think that I live in some horrible city. Which is partly true by the way. But I have tested this abroad as well, and still crap results.

So, as a result, this is a task for all of us: Try to smile more often. To everybody. To friends, but also to the people you don't know, the mail-man and the homeless people. However, use your most grumpy face to the bus drivers in Manchester. They deserve it!!!

double tequila

2006-07-31T18:14:00.000+01:00

I bought a blender. I thought I might as well become a bit healthier while getting older... Good thought!! Breakfast is a party now!!

Fresh squeezed orange juice, banana, mango, grapefruit, pineapple juice (from a carton... you can't have it all) is all added. Thirty seconds plus a lot of noise later (I went for the cheap one...) it's party time!!

For most of my friends, somewhere during this process, they might wanna add a double tequila :D

I will too when I turn 30 next year...

verjaardag

2006-07-31T17:48:00.000+01:00

Het komt alsmaar dichterbij... dertig klinkt zo vreselijk oud... sorry voor iedereen die dat nu al is of het al gepasseerd is, maar voor mij begint het aftellen al!

Gelukkig ben ik net 29 geworden. Kan dus nog 1 jaartje blij zijn!!

Always look on the bright side of life: turning 29 isn't that bad afterall!!!