Goodbye Prague.... Hello Berlin or Luxembourg... sigh!

Goodbye Prague.... Hello Berlin or Luxembourg... sigh!

An hour ago I received a E-mail from the travel company where I booked my excursion trip for this Summer, they tried to contact me the last few days but without success, the mail was about my booked excursion trip to Prague. Weird, cause I had my phone with me the last few days, probably I gave them a wrong number. Either way the email sounded urgent and ofcource it worried me. I tried to E-mail them back them back but no success either. I dislike having to call someone, it makes me nervous and that way I can't talk that easily. But sometimes you just gotta, right? I decided to call the travel company back, I knew that my cellphone has to be charged but what the heck, I'll give it a try, I had to know (right away) what was going on. 

I called and I had right away the right person on the phone, she could tell me that the 8 day excursion trip to Prague has been cancelled. Pity, sigh! My first worries was my money, cause I already payed the full amount. The woman on the phone told me that I can get my money back easily, though aswell I could book another trip. I don't have to pay twice 'then', cause the money what I already had payed will stay in their account. My cellphone warned me that my phone needs to be charged soon, so I tried to handle this situation a bit faster. I knew what was going on and I knew that I can get my money back or order a new excursion trip. I only had to know now 'how' to order a new trip in this situation. Can I do that as usual trough 'their' site or...?

What's it gonna be? Luxembourg or......

The woman told me that I can just call them, cause in this situation it's easier to book a trip trough the phone, otherwise I will have a double booking. Makes sense. But what a bummer all this cancelling! I already went to the travel company's site to look for a comparable trip, not that easy cause I had to look for the right date, cause of my Summer vacation day's off from work, and I didn't want to pay much more then what I already have payed. The new excursion trips were a disaster cause I couldn't find a proper date, most proper dates were fully booked. Other excursion trips were just to expensive. I looked for city trips, that went better, I found a few nice trips with a proper date and there both were payable. 

.......Berlin (Germany)

Five days to Berlin (Germany) or four days to Luxembourg, I'd say Berlin, I never been there and what I saw what they're gonna do in these five days sounded good. I saved the two trips in my favorites, and I will look trough them tomorrow once again. These two trip are much cheaper then the trip to Prague, so probably I will hopefully get a sum of money back. Oh I want this to be behind my back, it's just a bit nerve wrecking, lol. I want this to be done, handle it off right away. I guess Friday will be the day that I will call them, cause tomorrow is a holiday. And I need to have my cellphone charged, and that's not possible cause tomorrow all shops and stores are closed. So yeah, Friday is a good day.

This has been a nice day, here and there a few rain and hail storms but the sun was there aswell. I bought my groceries in the morning just before a rain storm, pfffeeww! I just deeded a few groceries, the free dinner tomorrow isn't going trough cause of the tomorrow's holiday. So I have to prepair one dinner more then usual, lol. My counselor came aswell this afternoon, he announced that he will come one more time in June, then his duty is done with me. I was aware of this, so I wasn't surprised, it's all good. He did alot for me, but aswell I wanted to do aswell things, just to get used to do it myself again. That went good, my counselor told me that I can be proud of myself, "You did well and at the moment your doing much better, financial, physical, mental."

Welcome to Abi, your new job!

Welcome to Abi, your new job! 

The Boss walked towards me this morning, and she guided me to her office. I knew what for, signing the contract, finally. We both red trough the contract, the rules and the confirms. "Just standard rules," said my Boss, it was all easy to understand. Though I still had a few questions, 'How do I get my loan, how much will it be, and when will I get it.' I will get my loan just normal on my bank account, but first I will get a payroll, (?) trough my mail, and then 2 or 3 days later I will have the earned money on my bank account. Good to know. 

I will have vacation days aswell just like everyone else, though in the factory, though it's slightly a little bit different. Just because I only work 3 days in the week, it's still a bit hard to explain cause I don't understand it that much myself either... lol! I can always ask for a second explanation, my Boss told me. It's not that much different comparing it with my fellow workers. When everyone has a vacation, I will have too vacation, simple. Reading trough the contract went pretty quick, I will read the contract again tomorrow on my day off, with a relaxing cup of coffee.

My counselor will come tomorrow too, I'm sure he wants the read the contract aswell, he may. Maybe if I have a few questions where he has the answer to. Work went pretty well today, my Boss told me this morning while going trough the contract, "If/when you go on like the way you do now, you don't have to worry about anything," in other words I'm doing very well! Nice to hear. My contract will end on the 30th of November, that worried me a bit. But the above what my Boss told me, did me worry less. It's all good! I love my job!

Monday's a work day.

Monday's a work day. 

Such a nice day today, the weather was great. Though it was cold in the morning, the sun made it feel comfy further today. Still not Summer yet, but that will come, I hope. Work went good as usual, though I guess I need to talk a bit more. I'm not that a talker yet at work, that will come in time aswell. I never been that a talker, sure I talk, but in small groups, and never on the foreground. Shy? Naah, uhm, well, maybe just  bit. When I enter something new I will have to get used to the environment.I always take my time, I think it depends aswell of what kinda new people you have to deal with. 


Tomorrow is the signing of my contract, I went to the office early in the morning, just like I planned. My Boss had already planned that the 'contract signing' was this week, it was written by her in her agenda.  Perfect, I will have a few questions for my Boss aswell. For example, how much money do I get in the month? Or, how do I get to know when I get my monthly loan? Do I get to know it trough mail, or do I get a loan paper from work? Questions where I would like answers on, I guess it will be good. 


Tomorrow is aswell the last working day of this week, sigh, again a short holiday. This coming Thursday it's 'Feast of the Ascension, I think I will go out somewhere. I was thinking of a sauna. It's been such a long time I went there. Just a nice and relaxing day at the sauna would be nice, I will have to look for a close one. They don't have a sauna here in Almelo, pity. I will have a google around, lol. I hope the weather will be good, the forecast forspelled rain and cold... Hope that will turn around.

Sunday's rest...

Sunday's rest... 

After a nice sleep I woke up to start the day, On my list were naps and lots of rest. Though I had a few things to do, ironing, showering and cooking. I spreaded this over the day and in between I rested and took two naps. Normally I don't do two naps, otherwise it's difficult to catch sleep in the night, but I felt sleepy.

The cooking went so so, I bought another new packagee yesterday. Bulgarian pilav, said the package. The package involved rice and sauce. I only had to add tomato paste, 1 onion, 1 green pepper, peaches on syrup, chicken breast, and that was it. While I was preparing dinner I noticed I could need a few kitchen tools more, for example a few bowls more and a measuring cup. I ended up that the sauce for the rice was a bit to watery and the rice a bit to wet, but otherwise it tasted good.

Now let me bombard you with this weekend pictures...

The Rijnhal In Arnhem, the city I visited Yesterday for a record fair. Arnhem is a nice city to visit, I sure will come back one day. 

Inside the Rijnhal, lots of records, cd's and merchandising. It wasn't so busy this time, though I had a jolly good time. 

Like I said, merchandising tons of merchandising.

Canal the Rhine, the largest and longest canal in the Netherlands. In Arnhem. 

The Nelson Mandela bridge to cross the Rhine, first I wanted to go and stand on this bridge to take pictures. But the strong wind and me being kinda scared of heights stopped me.

Dutch flags beside the Rhine.

There were lots of boats harboring here in this tiny little harbor. 

A tiny little truck/car/van at the harbor in Arnhem.

Ships passing trough... 

On my way back to the train station I saw this beauty, lol. 

Cityville in Arnhem!? 

I like the art on some of the buildings here in Arnhem. 

Ready to return home, I should have take this picture a bit bigger so you could see that this train is a double-decker. 

 Instead of only buying cd's I thought I could use a new coffee mug aswell, shame actually to get the mug out of the package.

Out of the package, still a nice coffee mug, lol. 

Again my new glasses, yesterday I posted a black and white picture, this time a color one. The color of the glasses is dark brown/ black. It's bigger then I used to had. I'm keeping the old one for work.
















Tomorrow will be a working day again, love it. It will be a short week with only two days of work, gotta love holidays. Upcoming Thursday we have Feast of the Ascension, the day after we will have just a day off. Tomorrow I will ask my Boss if she will (finally) sign my working contract, it's about time. Slightly a bit nervous about it. It will be good.

Happy Mothers day!

I am not there...
Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there. I do but sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn’s rain.When you awaken in the morning’s hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry I am not there, I did not die.

I love you, happy Mother's day Mom!  

 

What to say about my Mom? I do not often think of her, I guess time flies and past us so quickly. So quickly that thinking of her fades away, but with a day like this... sure I think of her. Thoughts of, "How would it be if she was still here?" I'm sure my life would have been different and sure the life of my Dad. Would it have been better? I don't know... Wouldn't I take the trip to Canada? I don't know either... Maybe I wouldn't even have known Saf then... 

I'm sure My Mom is watching me from above so now and then, not always. Cause when I do something crazy or something bad has happened to me, I'm usually asking myself, "Where are you know Mom?" Perhaps she whispers then, "Learn from your mistakes." I remember Mom as a hard working lady, she could do 3 or 4 things at the same time. Dad and I always said, "Oh Mom, have a little rest, your going like crazy." I learned alot from her, I realized that when I started with living on my own. 

And even now, mostly every little thing I do reminds me of my Mom. I love her, and I like it that she's still with me, floating around me, following me everywhere. I can't touch her or hug her, but so now and then a short little sentence, that... I can. She won't talk back, but I know she can hear me. That's my Mom.

I love visiting cities!

I love visiting cities! 

Today I visited shortly Arnhem, Arnhem is just an hour of my city Almelo. I like Arnhem, it has lots of green parks, good stores and lots of history, and ofcource the biggest and largest canal streams trough this city. 

Battle of Arnhem.

In World War II, (September 1944), the British 1st Airborne Division and the Polish 1st Independent Parachute Brigade were given the task of securing the bridge at Arnhem. The units were parachuted and glider-landed into the area on 17 September and later. The bulk of the force was dropped rather far from the bridge and never met their objective. A small force of British 1st Airborne managed to make their way as far as the bridge but was unable to secure both sides. The Allied troops encountered stiff resistance from the German 9th and 10th SS Panzer divisions, which had been stationed in and around the city.

The British force at the bridge eventually surrendered on 21 September, and a full withdrawal of the remaining forces was made on 26 September. These events were dramatized in the 1977 movie A Bridge Too Far. (The bridge scenes in the movie were shot in Deventer, where a similar bridge over the IJssel was available, as the area around Arnhem bridge had changed too much to represent WWII era Arnhem). As a tribute, the rebuilt bridge was renamed 'John Frost-bridge' after the commander of the paratroopers. The official commemoration is 17 September.

The current bridge is the third almost-identical bridge built at the same spot. The Dutch Army destroyed the first bridge when the Germans invaded Holland in 1940. The second bridge was destroyed by the US Army Air Forces shortly after the 1944 battle. A second battle of Arnhem took place in April 1945 when the city was liberated by I Canadian Corps of the First Canadian Army. Although it is generally said, as above, that the British Force at the Northern end of the Arnhem bridge surrendered, General John Frost, who as a Lt Col commanded that force, fiercely denied that. He stated that he and his men were overwhelmed and captured.

On my way!

That is enough history for this moment, on with today. So yeah, I decided to go out today after having doubt after doubt. What kept me from going was the busy schedule and the money, if I wanted to go I had to do a few things before I would head off. My last groceries, picking up my new glasses and I needed to go to the bank, and it was already late until I decided to go out. I went out and oh what a rush in the morning, lol. First off to the optician to pick up my new glasses, it 9:15 and I thought I was nice on time,  at 9:00 the optician will open his store I thought. But no, the store opened at 9:30. I had to wait 15 minutes, no problem.



I did not wait 15 minutes, I went to the nearest supermarket to do my last groceries. I needed a few other groceries then normal, cause I am cooking something different Sunday. I needed a green pepper, tomato paste and apricots in syrup. The green pepper was not there, lol, I picked a red one, the apricots was easy to find, but the tomato paste was horrible to find. I needed to ask someone, lol, and that someone needed to ask someone else.. in the end I took to long for my groceries. I went back with a full bag of groceries to the optician, the store was open. It was 9:45, within a half hour my train will leave, still I needed money from my bank...

New glasses!

...I have to go back to my house to bring my groceries in the house and walk towards the train station, the walk will take me 15 minutes. (Oh Sjon, what a disaster) I know, I am over reacting, lol! At the optician the helper took her time aswell, I did not mind, I will take a train later. But oh my, I love my new glasses! There a bit bigger then I used to had, I like it! After the optician I went to the bank to get the money I needed today, bank machine was out of order anf the bank was closed. Problem? Naah, there is another bank machine right by the market. Everything was settled and I was ready to go, first drop things of at my house and I still had some spare time for a cuppa tea. 


A bit exhausted but I was determine to go out today, lol. The train trip went fine, no delays, within a hour I arrived in Arnhem. I have not been in Arnhem for more then 5 or 6 years, I enjoyed the changes, there still building on the new huge train station, it is bigger and so much nicer. But oooh, the busses, I needed a bus to bring me to the record fair, what is going tom be held in the Rijnhal. The busses was a disaster, many people were waiting for the right bus, but it was really a puzzle to get the right bus. It took me more then 30 minutes to figure out what bus I needed. There were signs ofcource to see what bus goes where, but damn, that sure was not easy. I missed the bus two times, sigh, lol. 

It did not made my afternoon fall in two, though I was tired, I was excited to be here. I really like and love visiting cities lately. If the money will let me I will do it more often. Around 1:00 I arrived in the Rijnhalcd digging begin. The hall was nice and not that busy, I like that. I think I spend a hour of 3 or 4 there, then I headed back towards the train station again. First i wondered a bit around to look for nice spots, Canal the Rhine caught my eye and I went there to take some nice pictures. There was a cold wind, but the sun so now and then made it feel comfier. After a hour I went back to the train station to catch my train back, I was nice on time, and before I knew I was home. 

I bought a few nice cds, a nice new Beatles coffee mug, and the good thing was I had money left over. Arrived at home I prepared a simple dinner, I was hungry. Potatoes with spinach and a sausage. Plans for the rest of the evening and tomorrow? Nothing but rest and naps. I had a nice afternoon, I enjoyed it, I am glad I went.

Weekend plans?

Weekend plans? 

I have some weekend plans yes, one of them is a record fair in Arnhem. Arnhem is a nice city and it's not even a hour with the train. Though I'm not sure if I'm going, if I'm going it's gonna to be a busy full day. Tomorrow is also the day that I can pick up my new glasses, and I'll have to do my last groceries for Sunday and Monday. Visiting record fairs cost money aswell, for that money I can buy other things aswell, things what is needed. But hey, having a little fun and going out is fun, I will see tomorrow what I'm gonna do.

Friday already again, time flies. Lately I enjoy cooking, I wish there was a cooking club in my city, but there isn't. I have been looking around for information to join a club or team, but, without success. There are alot of sport clubs though but with my energy level and condition... I'm not sure yet. I will keep searching for something. I'm determine, lol. Today I finished the bathroom/shower, finally it's done. Scrubbed the floor and tiles, cleaned the toilet, it's all bling, bling. Bought some groceries in the morning, Sunday I will prepair a Bulgarian rice recipe, let's see how that goes...

Weekend!!

Weekend!! 

I starting to like the weekends more and more, lol. I'm still searching for more things to do but that will come in time, easy going right? I'm laying the volunteers jobs searching beside me for a little while, it's going to slow in my eyes, I joined this volunteers agency what helps my finding volunteer jobs several months ago,but there so slow, most of all you have to do it all by yourself. I would like to join a club or how do you call it, community? For example joining a billiard club, or a music club. I just can't find the right English word for this, lol. Joining a club? Charity? Community? Either way it's not volunteers work, it's like joining a sport, or a team. The only difference whit this and a volunteer job is that I have to pay I guess to join a sport or a team, well, that's alright then. I want something to do in the weekends, getting to know more (new) people. 

I will be searching for this, but will do it slowly, I got plenty of time. I should join a cooking club, lol, lately I like cooking . I enjoy cooking my delicious potatoes in the weekend, or my new rice recipes. I will learn something then and I will be surrounded with people. Today at work we had some new young workers aswell, two young guys, (15 year of age!) They have been sent from school to look and to experience how things are going in a factory, just for 3 days. It was  a bit awkward to see these youngsters, but fun aswell. So shy and unhandy, lol. One of the guys kept asking me things, he sure was interested. Both guys were playfull aswell, playing with the tools they got, ofcource, there still kids, it reminded me when I was that young. Work further went well, I'm still learning things aswell, and so dislike it when I make a tiny little mistake, lol.  Learning from my mistakes. 


I'm hoping this weather will change quickly, at the moment it's raining pretty rough and it's warm. 22/23 degrees, that's pretty humid. I have no plans yet for the weekend, I will see what I'm gonna do. I might paint the walls in my storage room, I still have left over paint from painting the shower/bathroom. I will see. I might go out aswell, perhaps to another city close here, it's been a while since I have been out. Oh, and Saturday I can pick up my new glasses, excitment! Yay!

A nice Wednesday!

A nice Wednesday!

With a day off like today I like to take my rest, but a day is gone before you know it. I was happy with the long good night sleep last night, it was warm but I slept well. The coming night will be even warmer, 14 degrees. Today was warm aswell, with lots, lots of rain, specially in the morning. I wanted to go to my Dad today, that was number one in my agenda, but the weather worried me, thank God it cleared up in the early afternoon. After a restfull morning with a nice nap I took off around one 'o' clock. I took the train from 1:43 pm.

It was so warm outside, but it didn't even look warm, awkward weather. With such days I almost never know what to wear, I really need some new long sleeves. I was wearing a thin sweather, but I sweated already while I was on my way to the train station. I had to much clothing on for this kinda weather, but okay, on I went. I felt a bit tired and was a tiny bit worried about the following hours, it's still a long walk from the train station towards Dad's place and the free dinner in the late afternoon I had to go to too. But I was determine, immer gerade raus! I took a short cut, and was in no time at Dad's. 

Waiting on the train back.

Dad was good, he's always happy to see me, he complimented me with my work, finally he's getting it. I told him many times that I'm working now, but he understands it now. I don't blame him cause he has Alzheimer, though he asked me several questions about my work. I was surprised and felt great that he asked me. Dad had a little surprise for me aswell, he had some towels and kitchen towels left overs. "There in a box in my sleeping room," he told me. I went and saw a huge box with several kitchen and bathroom towels, just what I needed.

I asked him several times if he really don't want them anymore, "No I don't, I have several, several other towels," he answered. All these towels looked almost brand new, I was happy with them, though I didn't take them all. I took the best ones, lol. I asked my Dad one more time, "You really don't need them," Dad said, "No, otherwise they will take them to a second hand store." Dad was happy and smiling when he saw me packing in my new towels, I was so happy with it, I needed towels. Dad's smile on his face was priceless, he's like me with giving someone a present, we both enjoy it! 

Da train ticket.

There was one awkward moment, Dad was on the toilet and had a little underwear accident. He called the nurse on his alarm key chain, but the nurse took a while. I was in Dad's sleeping room, and I could hear the nurse trough the intercom, "I will be right there, I'm doing something first." But the 'doing something first' took long. After ten minutes there was still no nurse, Dad got unpatient and knocked on the bathroom door hard. Typical my Dad, I know he's always unpatient but this time I didn't blame him cause the nurse took her time. 

After 15 minutes I went to get a nurse, I stopped the first nurse I saw and told what happened and that my Dad needed some help. In the corner of my eyes I saw a second nurse walking towards my Dad's room, I asked her if she's on her way to my Dad, she said, "Yes." Dad complained a bit towards the nurse when she came in, that was understandable. But yeah, nurses are always busy I thought, ofcource there are more people living in this huge building who need help too. Though I thought, "Why not send another nurse then?" 

The nurse cleaned my Dad, and everything was fine again after 10 minutes, I thanked the nurse. I felt pity for my Dad when he was in the bathroom and needed help. Though I felt pity for the nurse aswell, it's not always a pleasant job what they do, it's for sure hard work. After 45 minutes I went towards home, fully packed with towels and kitchen towels, lol. I thanked my Dad. The free dinner was waiting when I got home, first a little groceries then I'm ready. I was out of bread, cheese and coffee. The free dinner was so, so, it wasn't that busy. 

It's been a nice day, and yeah I told you, a day is gone before you know. Tomorrow's work will be there in a no time.

"What to write."

"What to write." 

What will I write about today, I don't know yet, lol. I had a nice day at work, I like my section. Just for on hour I was put behind a machine, I just had to keep an eye on it, and do several handling's. But, oh what a fail! They were a bit to much handling's, this machine makes mats aswell, but geesh, that was so not my thing. I knew it already for hand. The guy who's usually behind this machine had to go away for a hour, I thought, "Oh dear, hurry back."

It's almost impossible to put someone who doesn't know this machine behind this machine, you really have to learn this in a few days, not just by explain what you have to do in 20 minutes. Some fellow workers mentioned this too, and I thought 'this' already before I even started. After a few mistakes one fellow worker who kept an eye on me saved me by sending me back to my own section, sigh! I surely felt relieved. 

One other fellow worker took my 'job' over, 'I didn't have to blame myself,' some workers told me. I didn't, but it gave just a bit of a failed feeling, I disliked it. I did extra my best at my own section, lol, the section where I know alot more, I succeeded my 'extra best.' Still I didn't spoke to my Boss, she and some other office workers are visiting some fairs. Next Monday she will be back, that will be the day when I want this done.

I'm just a little bit worried about 'not spoken to my Boss yet', cause she doesn't have my bank number and my ID, the bank number is needed to make my monthly loan over to my bank account. The ID is a part of the confirming the working contract. Roll on Monday, I should not be worried, cause 'they' always kept there word... sometimes late, but still they did. I guess it will be good.

Long day, sore muscles...

Long day, sore muscles...

Last week I worked only one day, this week I will have a normal week again, such holidays sure can mess up your daily rhythm. I think I had a bit to much days off, today I really felt my arm muscles, lol. Tomorrow will go better I guess, ofcource. I hoped today that my working contract would be signed aswell, but no. I saw the Boss a few times, but she walked on by, oh well, probably busy with something else. Worried Sjon? Just a bit, lol.

A few weeks ago my Boss told me that my contract will start at the 1st of May, it's 7 May now,  I really would like to have the " 1st of May"on paper. Just words and sayings is nice and well but it's not official. It worries me a bit aswell, cause my Boss told me that I will earn my first money on the 23th of May. That will be my first income from this job, "If" I get it, cause like I said, I still don't own a paper saying,  "Hired on the 1st of may 2012."

Gak wants to know what I earn too with my new job, cause I will get a sum of money from Gak and a sum of money from my job. Gak gives me welfare, I have had Gak since 2003, cause in 2003 I was diagnosed with a sick thyroid. I will keep holding this welfare cause I'm still ill, I'm still not working a full week. A fellow worker told me that I should just go to the Boss and inform her, other fellow workers tell me that I shouldn't be worried, it will be alright. I told myself that I will get this done this week, either tomorrow, or the other next day I work, Thursday.

It'll be fine!

Nearly Monday...

Nearly Monday... 

Finally a full week of work again after a few holidays, can't wait. Though I had a good few days of, lot's of things has happened. A rat, a new bike lock, new glasses, queens day, it's all been fun and interesting. I guess it's never a duel moment with me, lol. I love it, it so much better then just sit on my bum and do here and there a few daily sometimes boring things. Sunday's I rest and prepair myself on the coming work week, showered, putted my working clothes ready, make lunch for work, rest ofcource aswell, etc, etc.

I made myself a lovely dinner today, I discovered something new to make for in the weekends. They are packages what you can buy at my favorite supermarket, (Albert Hein) These packages help you to make a nice rice meal, you only have to add a few items more. Yesterday I bought a package with the name "American chicken Jambalaya." On the back of the package it says what you have to add and how to prepair it. The package had already the sauce, the rice and the marination, I only needed one chicken breast, one pepper, two mushrooms, two tomatoes, salami and one onion.

The chicken and marmination!

Cutting the onion, tomatoes and pepper!

I didn't add the mushroom and neither the salami, I couldn't find the salami anywhere, and the mushroom were just to expensive. The mushrooms came in a package or in a bag, I only needed one ...or two perhaps. Next time I will just go to the market, they have fresh stuff and there not that expensive. The cooking went well, though some preparation would have been better, While I was baking the chicken with the marination and cooking the rice I was cutting the pepper, onion and tomatoes into squares, but the cutting took to long. 

Nearly done!

Cooking rice is just done in a few minutes, so the cutting had to go a bit faster, cutting an onion isn't easy, lol. Peeling it, cutting it, ugh! Itchy eyes, lol. Next time I will do the cutting at first. Though the smell while cooking and baking was so nice, it made me excited. And it tasted good aswell, I enjoyed making it. Next weekend another package, I want to cook more and better more often. Various aswell, bon appetite as they say! Tomorrow or perhaps this coming week I will sign my working contract I think, it's about time. 

Tadaa! American chicken Jambalaya!

The Boss has been busy the last few weeks, and last week I only worked one day, so yeah. This week I guess I will be signing the contract, probably I will get my working shirts aswell, can't wait!

Nice day, but oooh the weather is so weird.

Nice day, but oooh the weather is so weird. 

Last week the sun was shinning fully, and the temperature was abnormal warm, more then 20 degrees. And now? Now we have only 10 or 11 degrees, grey and rain. And I already putted my winter coat in the closet, sigh! Though all this I had a nice day today, did alot, rested alot and got my self a unexpected present, lol. This morning after I did a little bit of groceries I dived in the shower for some major cleaning. The painting was done, now it was time to give the tiles a good scrub. That was alot of work, I did half of the shower, I was exhausted! Tomorrow another day, or perhaps the other weekend. 

After my lunch I took a long nap, I almost slept for an hour. No wonder, it's been a weird and busy week. So many days of and then in between a day working, I walked aswell alot. Around 3:00 pm I called the bike repairer, to hear if my bike is done. Yesterday I lost my key for my bike lock, after searching for a long time I called the store where I bought the bike from. They picked up my bike to fix and unlock my bike lock. Today the repairing should be done. And it was done, my bike was ready to be picked up. Shoes on, coat added aswell a scarf and hat, (it's cold out) and off I went, walking.

I have been thinking lately of getting a second pair of glasses, the one I have on now I almost wear a whole day. Now that I have been working alot my glasses aren't so bright anymore, here and there a few scratches on the glass also. It's really time for a second pair, the new one I will only wear when I'm not working. Though new glasses are ofcource not free, they will surely cost me. I decided today to just inform what new glasses will cost me, I knew a good and cheap optician. On my way to get my bike I stopped at the optician for some information, it was busy cause it's Saturday. A helper at the store came towards me and asked me, "Can I help."

I told him what I wanted and he helped me, he measured my glasses while I was looking for a nice spectacle frame. I like a nice and thick frame, it has to be dark aswell. This optician has some nice frames for a nice price, the helper came back and helped me with a nice frame. After a while I finally found one, not easy though to find a nice looking one. The one I found has a rare thick frame and the glasses self are a bit bigger. I like the color, it's dark brownish copper. I asked him what the total price will be. I will get the same glasses as I have in my old glasses. So, in total the new glasses will cost me 97 Euro and 95 Euro cents. Not bad...

Though I waited a while and tried to decide what to do, buy or wait, I thought, if I decide to wait I will be standing here next week again to buy it, lol. So I bought it now. The helper asked me if I was insured by my health insurance, I told him yes, but I don't think I'm getting money back from my health insurance. I was wrong, the helper told me that I can get back 80 Euro, he looked it up on the site from my  health insurance, "I will declare the 80 Euro with your health insurance if you want to" the helper told me. "Go ahead," I told him. I couldn't believe my ears, I asked hem several times, "So the new glasses what I just bought will cost me only a little 20 Euro?" 

He told me, "Yes." I just couldn't believe it, new glasses for only 20 Euro. Hmm, perhaps it's a trick(?) I can pick up the new glasses next Saturday, the helper gave me a receive ticket. I was a little bit confussed but the excitement took overhand, yay, new glasses!  Now on my way to the bike repairer.The bike was ready, there's a new lock on my bike, and the lock has 2 keys, lol. I decided to put the one spare keys with my other spare keys, and the other key will be attached on my key chain like usual. When I lock my bike I will have to take of my bike key from my key chain, when I unlock my bike I usually put the key back on my key chain. 

But sometimes... yeah... sometimes I put the key in my coat pocket or pants pocket.... or somewhere else... and ... then there's a chance... to loose the key... right Sjon! LOL!

Rememberance of the death.

Rememberance of the death. 

Remembrance of the Dead (in Dutch Dodenherdenking) is held annually on May 4 in the Netherlands. It commemorates all civilians and members of the armed forces of the Kingdom of the Netherlands who have died in wars or peacekeeping missions since the outbreak of World War II. 

Traditionally, the main ceremonies are observed in Amsterdam at the National Monument on Dam Square. This ceremony is usually attended by members of the cabinet and the royal family, military leaders, representatives of the resistance movement and other social groups. At 8:00 p.m., two minutes of silence are observed throughout the Netherlands. Public transport is stopped, as well as all other traffic. Radio and TV only broadcast the ceremonies from 19.00 until 20.30. Since May 4, 1994, the flags, having hung at half-staff from 18:00 onwards, are then hoisted to the music of the "Wilhelmus", the Dutch national anthem. Since 2001 the new protocol says it is correct to let the flag hang half-staff.

Around 8:00 pm I turned on the TV, to watch the 'rememberance of the death' and usual every year. It's always the same, it's a tradition, jsut as Easter and Christmas. The 2 minutes of silince is a must, while I watched the 2 minutes of silince on the Dam, I saw the 1000 's of people gathered around all quiet. It's such an impact to see, it touches me, I think I would have cried a little if I would be there. All these 1000's of people all gathered around for this event, all quiet and staring at the National monument. Every year, It's a good thing!  I like it aswell that there are children among these people, glas they are aware what's going on here.

How to mess up a schedule? Easy, loose your key from your bike-lock!

How to mess up a schedule? Easy, loose your key from your bike-lock! 

I have been searching and searching, I have been trough the whole house, but no key. I planned my day this morning, doing groceries was first on my list, and perhaps cleaning in the afternoon. There was enough to do for sure. Tomorrow I planned to go to my Dad, and I needed a special card from the hospital aswell, it's called in Dutch a 'ponskaartje.' If or when I have to go to the hospital for taking blood or for something else, I need to show this card. On this card stands every information the hospital needs to know. Since I came back to Holland I didn't get or ask for such a card. It was actually a must, I can get this card at the hospital, it's a piece of cake and takes only 5 minutes. Anyway back to this morning....

I had everything ready, groceries list, keys to the apartment, key from the bike..... Wait! Where's my bike key? I need to unlock my bike!? I searched everywhere, I even thought I forgot to lock my bike last night, it sure wasn't the first time. But no, my bike was locked! Damn, back to my room I went, and kept searching. In the meanwhile I thought of some plans what to do next if I don't find the key. Trying to open the lock was an option, walking to the bike store where I bought it from last year is an option, or just ask for help was an option too. I couldn't find the key, ofcource not, when I loose something, I will loose it for good, lol. Remembering the lost key to my room when I was at Humanitas, never been found again.

I asked and announced at the same time on Facebook what my problem was, perhaps someone who lived close could help me out. This lock on my key is a lock what is so not easy to open without a key.

The Defender ring lock offers optimal safety with its anti drilling cylinder and hardened steel bracket. The ergonomic design of the push button and the luxurious foldable key with online key service offer you maximum comfort.

I tried to open it with a screwdriver and some other tools, but I stopped, I didn't wanna damage my bike further. I googled some options to, the best tip was a angle grinder, but I didn't had one and if I would have one, I would have think twice to use it. This job needs to be done by a professional, a bicycle mechanic! But how to get there with the bike locked? I needed a ride, or should I just go walk there with the bike? I tried but that was ridiculous, it was to far and to heavy.  I searched one more time and decided to go to the bike store where I bought it from, on my way I would buy my groceries aswell, good plan!  Though I hope they can help me, cause I was already thinking ahead, lol. Will they give me a second key? 

Bike in the shed, bike is locked, key is gone, me not happy!

 Or perhaps order one so I have to wait? Will they come with me to open the lock? I guess not. So, there I went without knowing what's good, without knowing if this was the right thing to do, lol, but I had to do something. I have to have a bike or better my bike lock open before Monday morning 7:00 am, cause of work. It was quit a walk but I enjoyed it, it took me almost 30 minutes to arrive there, not that bad. I told them my story and they were nice. What I actually hoped for but didn't expect came trough, They will come to my house, pick up my bike and take it to the store to unlock the bike lock, perfect! "Can you also pick the bike up?" They asked, I answered, "Yeah sure, no problem." The more they do the more it will cost me I thought. 

The lock on my bike, just a bit damaged, sigh!

Around 4:00 pm they will give me a call and then they will pick up my bike. It was 2:20 pm, perfect time to do my groceries while I walk towards home. I didn't need much groceries, so the plastic bag with the groceries wasn't that heavy to carry with me. When I was home I took a long nap, I still had a hour before they will call, so napping time! I was tired and glad I was laying down. At 4:00, no phonecall, I waited. At 5:00 still no phonecall, I decided to call them, the bicycle mechanic announced that they were very busy the last few hours, he apologized for that, "There on there way NOW." Said the mechanic on the phone. Still I had to wait for 30 minutes, but okay, a guy arrived in a van and he picked up my bike. 

Tomorrow I will have my 'everything' back.

 "Tomorrow around 3:00 pm you can pick the bicycle up, but gives us a call first." The guy told me, I asked aswell for a new lock on my bike, that was okay. So, tomorrow in the late afternoon I will have my bike back with a new lock, what a relief! I never, NEVER, will loose my bike key again, NEVER! Let this be a lesson Sjon! I have all my keys attached on a key chain, aswell my bike key, but I guess in some sorta way I lost it. Don't ask me why cause I haven't got a clue, lol. Ofcource the lock fixing and bringing on the new lock will cost me, but it's worth it, it's a relief! I will have to take care of my stuff a bit more I guess, oh well, happens to everyone! Right?

Roll on Monday...

Roll on Monday.....

Feeling like it was Monday today, and aswell a bit Friday, but it's Thursday, gotta love these awkward vacation days. Working just one day in the week is so not my thing, I need more days, or better 'normal working days.' I worked today after I had six days off, at the end of this day I could already wish my fellow workers a good weekend, sigh. I should not even complain with all these days off, but I am, lol. The workers are making sometimes these funny jokes aswell, with my days off, like, 'Oh you have such a good life,' or like today, 'You just started, and now you already off again?' I know there all jokes and I laugh about it with the workers, but to hear it to often isn't fun. Though it's all jokes and I have to take it as a joke, simple as that.

I would love to work a day more then the usual three days I work in the week. Not to stop the 'jokes,' uhm, well, okay a bit then. But aswell that I like my job and I like what I do, I like the daily rhythm schedule too. The weekly day-rhythm is important, I like day-rhythms, I like when I have to do things on a certain time, for example at 10:00 am this and at 2:00 pm that, day in, day out. 

With these days of lately (Easter, Queensday, Feast of the Ascension, Pentecost and Laborday.) it's easy to mess up my daily schedule. Complain, complain, complain, lol okay, day's off are nice too! This working day went nice, I was replaced to another section again, me not like, but me won't complain, lol. This section makes mats aswell, but only in a different way. 

It's not that heavy work, and there's not much work to it. In the section where I usually work  the mats needslots more handling and work, I prefer the work in my own section, but okay, I enjoyed this day. I had a bit of a slow start dua the messed up thyroid blood levels, but further in the day it went better. The weather was different aswell, lower tempature made it feel a tiny bit colder. Further in the week the tempature will go even lower, lol, how to get sick right? Upcomming weekend I will visit my Dad, it's been a while since I been there. I just didn't had the energy yet to go there, this weekend I will visit him. One last thing, I'm just as excited that my Facebook friend finally recieved her presents from Holland, I guess the mailman was a bit lost, lol. 

Warm, warmer, warmst!

Warm, warmer, warmst! 

The weather today was just as warm as yesterday, perhaps even warmer. Inside the house it's warm aswell, I don't want to open a window yet though cause of the bugs and insects. This morning I killed a bee aswell, a pretty big one too. I need defenitly a few musquito screens to get the warm air out, I bet it will be pretty extremely hot in my room during this Summer. so yeah, screens are needed and prolly dark curtains aswell. I will wait for my taxes money what I will recieve, it's so worth the money.

Today I took it quit easy, resting a bit for tomorrow's work, uhm, well rested? Let's say I enjoyed myself in a relaxing way, I took two nice bike rides. Yeah. today I finally had the guts to go in the shed, lol, damn rat! Though I had some help, I putted my shoes on coat on and went trough the flat to see if someone could help me to scare this rat away. Across my room lives a guy who has lived at Humanitas aswell, I visited him once, I think I said it in my earlier posts, I really don't want to much 'Humanitas people' around me where I live. 

This guy is quit okay though, this morning I took him with me to my appartment to show him around, he never saw my place before during the 6 months that he lived in this flat. He's not that a visiter. We dranked a coffee and after that we went to the shed, eeeek! First thing I did was knocking on the door to scare the rat, if he's there, lol. As we went in there was no rat, pffeeww. But you could see that the rat has been there, it was quit a mess, and a plactic bag with holes was laying there as evidence, lol. 

There was a tinyl ittle square metal door in the wall, that's where the rat came trough. The guy tried to close the tiny metal door but it fell open again, he knocked it tighter and then it closed. I thanked the guy and we both took off, he back to his flat and I outside. I went for a nice ride searching for a few forests, it was nice out. Though when I got back I was exhausted, dizzy and felt a pressure on my chest, it's a sympton of the thyroid blood levels too high. I hope the new medication soon kicks in. A nap was needed.

In the afternoon I went again for a bike ride, I didn't feel like sitting in the house with this weather. They forspelled rain aswell tomorrow with in the weekends much lower tempature. So, there I went, towards another forest. I planned to ride untill it was 4:30, and then I will slowly ride towards the free dinner, what is at 5:00. While riding I went slow and took plenty of breaks, I had water with me. It was a nice afternoon, I enjoyed it. Dinner was nice aswell, nice and comfy.

Tomorrow will be a working day, finally! It will be only one day though cause Friday's is always a free day for me. I missed work, lol, can't wait for tomorrow.

"I knew it."

"I knew it."

My thyroid blood levels were to high the last few weeks, I knew it, cause I felt more tired as usual. I knew there was something not right, so I did a blood test last week, this morning I went to the Doctor to hear the results. I went walking, lol, I still didn't had the guts to go in the shed this morning, 'the evil rat in the shed' freaked me out last night. A little bit more about the 'rat in the shed' later. On my way to the Doctor's I hopped aswell in the Tax Authorities. I received a letter from taxes with the message that I'm getting  some money back from over the year 2010. according to the letter I had to go to there (taxes) site, download a file and answer some questions. I did all that but some of the questions were impossible to answer, cause in the year 2010 from March till December I was in Canada. I needed some help and advice with this letter.  

The Tax Authorities is near the train station, so it wasn't that a far walk. And again, gorgeous weather, just like yesterday. I had to wait a while when I arrived, but after the waiting a nice gentlemen helped me out. He went first into his office and looked trough my taxes, after a little while he told me that I surely have the right on the sum of money what was written on that letter, cause I have been overseas in the year 2010 for  ten months. I have been paying taxes in Canada for my Dutch taxes for nothing. The gentlemen told me he will send me a form over the mail, the form is called a M- form. I will have to fill it in and send it to the Tax Authorities. And that's all, it's quit alot of money aswell what I will recieve, lucky me! After that visit I actually didn't even plan to go to the Doctor's, cause it's quit a walk, but I thought, "Why not, it's nice outside and it's not that far." Well, I thought it wasn't far. 

It was about I think a 20 minutes walk from where I started, it was okay. Arrived at the Doctor's I felt slightly a bit nerves and I already guessed what the blood results could be, and yeah, I knew it. They were a bit to high, latley I felt tired, not quit able to do the things I wanted to do for a long time, I needed more then usual rest. It's that feeling when someone is squeezing your chest a bit, when I sigh I sigh deeper then usual aswell. I sigh alot actually, I get to hear that from many people, lol. Well, I can't help it, it's my thyroid. Some find it even slightly annoying, right Saf? Lol, sometimes I have to explain it a few times why I sometimes sigh a bit more then often, I don't mind. So yeah, I will get  a higher doses of the medication what I already have. Within six weeks I will have to test my blood again to see what the results are then. Hopefully it will be better, I'm not worried. 

The Doctor gave me a recipe for the pharmacy and off I went... to the pharmacy. The pharmacy is again near the train station. Another 20 minutes walk, lol. I felt okay, but when I almost arrived at the pharmacy I felt that squeezy feeling again on my chest and a lightly faster heartbeating, all signs that my blood levels are to high, the rest of the day I will take it easy. I was happy that I arrived home, it was quit warm and I was sweating. But felt good what I accomplished this morning. Yay, new medications that will solve my tiredness a bit and I will recieve money back from taxes. After my lunch I took a nap and took it easy the rest of the day, At 4:00 I went to do a few groceries, a ten minute walk from my home, (damn rat, lol!) The 'rat in the shed' problem has to be solved, lol. I even went trough the flat a few times, to see who could help me to have a little peek in the shed if the rat is still there, lol. 

Without succes. Though I didn't worry about this 'rat' problem, I had a good day and had a few nice walks. Tomorrow is my last day off, I'm happy with it, it's about time, I miss the work and the fellow workers. Tomorrow I will take it easy aswell, the new medication I'm taking won't kick in that fast, that will atleast take more then five or six days. Tomorrow aswell the free dinner, THEN I will have to get my bicycle out of the shed, cause that's to far for walking. Hope the rat is gone tomorrow, kkssshhhhhhh, go away rat, kksssssshhhh!

Saw a mouse in the shed, and it was huge!

Saw a mouse in the shed, and it was huge! 

Everytime when I come back from being out I put my bicycle in the shed, this shed belong to the whole flat. Everyone can put there bicycles there or scooters. When I got back from the free dinner I aswell wanted to put my cycle back in the shed, then all of a sudden I saw something moving. A mouse, and it was huge. It ran off to a spot where he or she can hide, it hided behind a iron plate.  First thing I thought, "I will put my cycle where it belongs and ran off to my room." On second thought I thought, "I have to get rid of that huge monster, he or she has to get out of this tiny shed." That would be a nightmare to do, so I left it. I put my cycle where it belonged and ran to my room. Eew, eew and eeew! I so dislike mouses, this one was huge, it might not even been a mouse, it could be so that it was a rat! 

Our Queen, Beatrix!

Just writing about it, gives me the creeps again, maybe mouse or rat is still there. I will have to go out in the morning again, and I don't want to see 'it' again. I think I will make alot of noise before I will go in that shed tomorrow morning, just to scare the mouse or rat, just to let him or her know that I'm coming, lol. Alright enough about this, lol. Queens day today was okay, I expected more of it but okay. Yeah, I went out with some people from Humanitas, but we just stayed in our own city. The plan was aswell go to another city but that didn't went trough. The centre of our city was packed with people, all struggling themselves trough flea markets and little gigs from performers. The weather was outstanding gorgeous, 21 degrees, no wind and no dark cloud. 

Many, many flea markets everywhere in Holland.

With so many people here and there and everywhere it was difficult to see what the people were selling or performing, though I had a okay time, it was better then to just stay home. The warm weather was for spelled but I didn't expect that it would be that warm. You could actually just walk in shorts and t-shirt, but I didn't. After we walked for a few hours we all headed back to Humanitas, were we rested and talked. There weren't plans further with each other, so after a little hour I took off headed home. I was walking, I figured it wasn't that a far walk, my cycle stayed safely at home. Arrived at home I took a long nap, I was tired. I have been tired alot the last few days. More then normal actually, I'm happy that I checked my blood last week, maybe my thyroid is spilling up again.

Dress code : Orange!

I will check my results tomorrow morning at my doctor, I'm actually curious what the results will be. Tomorrow is another day off for me, cause tomorrow is labor day. Sigh, two more days off, I rather go working though, but okay a few days off can be nice too. I should not complain, lol. The people from Reha are working tomorrow, maybe I will drop by for a cuppa coffee, it's been a while since I have been there. I want to thank them for what they all have done for me, I had a good time there, learned alot and I should be thankfull to them cause they sent me to the place where I'm working now.