"I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike."

"I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike." 

A slow start this morning, although I had alot to do today. I took it easy this morning, I Googled on my favorite second hand Dutch selling site "Marktplaats," marketplace in English. I was searching for second hand couces, friddges, washingmachines and stove's, I saw many couches for sale, but on many couches you had to name a price, make an offer, I'm not good in offering. aswell I have to ask the sellers if it's possible to bring the couch next week, cause I don't have a car, neither do I know one with a decent car. I asked  a seller today to bring me a couch I saw on 'Marktplaats,' it's a very nice two sitter for only 50 Euro. I asked him if he could bring me the couch on the 23th of August on my new adress, I will pay for the couch then 70 Euro. I had a email back telling me that they will bring the couch for a total price of 75 Euro, if I make the money over to this bank number. They wrote there banknumber in the email. 

I waited and thought to myself, "If I make the money over, it might be that they don't even bring the couch or worser I don't even get the couch."  I emailed them back saying that I will think about it, and will let them know tomorrow afternoon, I have a appointment with Paula tomorrow and I will show her the email. It would be easier to pay the couch sellers by the delivery, right? It was time to get started with my full day, first I took my lunch and afterwards I went. First I had to mail a letter, it had to do with with my income, sigh! The mail will solve my little income problem. Second I went to my Doctor to ask if I can have a paper to do bloodwork for my thyroid, it has been three weeks already after I did my first bloodwork. Upcomming Friday I will get the needle at the Hospital. I was happy the Doctor was there, cause it could have been he was still on vacation, but he was back.

After the Doctor visit the trip went further, I wanted to visit my Dad, on the bike cause the weather was good and I would like to save money, so no train but bicycle. I had the wind against me, read, not in the back but in the front. But it went okay, I was half way and I even thought of 'why not go to my Aunt and Uncle aswell'? I thought I knew a shorther cut but failed big time, sweating and out of breath I ended up at my Aunt and Uncle. It's been a while since I saw them, they helped me alot while being in Canada and comming back from Canada to Holland. My Aunt opened the door and stared for 5 seconds and said, "Hey! It's the lost Son! Come on in! I noticed first that my Aunt and Uncle are getting older, I noticed the looks, there getting pale and thin. We talked alot about my new house and ofcource my Dad, "Dad is getting older," said my Uncle.

I knew this already but, my Uncle said that he's really getting older. Has difficculties with walking and moving,and if he tries to walk he can't walk straight. If he's sitting he has it difficult to get up again, he tries and tries many times, after trying 8 or 10 times he succeeds. Dad is getting difficult aswell in his behaviour, he's becomming rough and violent sometimes in his words. I know my Dad, he has a really good and small heart, in his youth he was rough aswell but with a very small heart. My Dad is the type of guy that would cry with a episode of Ophra Winfrey. My aunt talked further about my new house,she told me tobe carefull with my money. "It doesn't have to be all new and you don't have to buy everything, just start low with less furniture or other items,and then perhaps in a month you can buy more," my Aunt told me. She is right. 

If I have a look in my room now I see a desk and chair and a bed plus closet, and with that I took care of myself for more then 6 months, so why not then when I have the new living? It was time to move on to my Dad, another long bike ride. I felt a bit exhausted but felt further okay. When I arrived at my Dad's place he was sitting outside as expected, I had two reasons why I wanted to visit my Dad today, congrate him with his 73th Birthday and (sigh!) asking him for a sum of money, wich I hate to ask but I really have to cause I'm helpless. I congrated him and he was happy to see me, and yes, he was looking older then I thought. I tried to talk to him about my new house, but it took him almost 20 minutes to get it all trough him. After our talk I wanted to ask him about the sum of money, but I decided not to, cause it was difficult to talk to Dad. I'm glad I made that decision, I would like to solve my problems all by myself. So,I can say in the end, I suffered but I crawled up and managed all of this all by myself. 


I stayed at my Dad's for 45 minutes then I wanted to go, it was already late. I still need to buy some groceries aswell for my dinner tonight, it was time to go. This time I had the wind in the back (Yay!) Though the long bike ride made me tired, I bought when I got back my groceries, chicken tonight is on the menu! I made two portions when I started to made my dinner, one for now and one for tomorrow, handy. In the evening after my dinner I mentioned the idea to go for a walk after dinner while I had my dinner with a few other residents,they were okay with that. But I was tired though, but I went anyways, it was a nice out. While walking I started to think of the comming days and next week, I worries me that I still don't have any news about my loan. No loan means I can't buy anything yet, and tomorrow I planned to go to Ikea with some other residents, planning to buy or order some things aswell. Sigh! 


I could wait till Friday or perhaps Saturday, but rather not. Humanitas wants me out of the building at the 1st of Sepetember, cause otherwise I would have to pay double rent, and I can't afford that. I still have a week and a half. Tomorrow the appointment with Paula, were going to visit a second hand store, they sell only fridges,washingmachines and stove's, with the appointment we will have a talk aswell. Paula works better under stress she told me, so I should not be worried. Bring it on!

"Making a list and checking it twice."

"Making a list and checking it twice." 

Decisions, decisions, I'm almost done with my 'things I need' list, if it was up to me I would already buy some off the  stuff or order them. I know already what to buy at Ikea, it will be at bed, laminate and perhaps some other things. But the bed and the laminate is the main thing at Ikea. The plan is to go on Thursday, and silly I am I was thinking it was already Wednesday today. I mentioned it aswell on Facebook, oh well.

It's been a calming day, I thought everyone is calm around my moving, (the staff from Humanitas) so, then why not me? I have alot of things in my head what I would already like to do, (working and planning ahead) but the staff members are telling me to wait, they always want that I wait. I'm calm though, it's just I like something to do while I'm getting a new house. I saw a lovely couch for such a nice price, but I have to wait. Yep, I tried some couches today, and they all seemed so hard to sit on, or is it the fact that I forgot how a couch sits. 

I don't have a couch in my room, and here at Humanitas there ain't couches either, only a few comfort desk chairs. I would like my furniture to be good and not half good, but aswell for a nice price. Some furniture I don't mind but a bed and a couch must be comfy and suitable. It's gotta be cheap, but comfy. Today I totally forgot my appointment with Paula, I was cooking and while I was cooking my delicious dinner a resident came up to me and informed me about the appointment. Strange though cause I asked yesterday the secetary when I had a next appointment with Paula, and she told me Thursday. 

I stopped my cooking for a while and went to her, she told me that I could finnish my dinner first and then afterwards we can have a 30 minute talk, cause her next appointment was at seven. It was already late, so. I finnished my dinner and went to my appointment, I informed her what I have been doing the last few days and told her the latest news. Paula was worried about my 'list,' it was all to expensive. It made me worried aswell, I told her that I  have been really busy with searching for the cheapest of the cheapest stuff. Together we searched for cheaper stuff and second hand stores, we found one second hand store what we will visit together upcomming Thursday. 

Paula told me aswell to buy just a matras to sleep on, just for the very first month. She was worried I won't come around with my money. I told her that is an idea but things like a second hand washing machine or a oven is in my eyes not a good option to buy, if I would buy a second hand washing machine and it will break in a month or sooner, then I would have to buy a new one again. Then it's better to buy a cheap 'new' one, rigth? I understand Paula's worries but I'm really carefull if it comes to buying things, specially now! I wont walk in a store and just buy, buy and buy, oh no. I'm already a bit worried about ordering or buying the things I need, "Do I really need it?" I think then.

I will search further these comming days, and Thursday visiting Ikea. I will have a list ready then. Paula wasn't to worried though, she told me we can start actually next week when I got the keys, then I have to get busy. The first week of September Paula wants me to get out of Humanitas, cause otherwise I will have to pay double rent. Tomorrow I'm planning to visit my Dad, last Sunday was his birthday but I didn't visit him then. I had my reasons for that, all Uncles and Aunts would have been there and would have been asking about Canada, and why this and why that. I know I should have go and should have stand up for myself, but I wasn't ready for them. 


They wouldn't have stop talking about the item 'Canada,' and even though they wouldn't have talked about it, they still would have give me the 'eye.' So yeah, better and good that I didn't went, I know my family. My Dad knows already that I have a new house, he will be excited to see me.

"I will continue my path, but I will keep a memory always."

"I will continue my path, but I will keep a memory always."

Again the same waking up as ussual, nerves and nerves. This morning I was nerves about the loan I have to ask for this morning, sometimes I ask myself why I have these nerves. I should not worry, it goes as it goes, right? This morning I went with Nicole to the cityhall for the asking for my loan, (Nicole is another staff member from Humanitas, Paula had a long weekend off) I had everything what I needed with me, and there we went. It was a ten minutes walking distance, and while walking Nicole and I talked about my plans these comming months. I told her that I would like to have people around me, just like I had in Canada and Humanitas. "You should join a sport or start a hobby, there are lots of oppertunities in this city," said Nicole. "I know," I told her, "Once I'm settled in my house I will start with something."

I see this aswell as a new start, a new living, a new city, new people, everything is new, I kinda like that. We were good on time for our appointment, eleven am correct. A woman named Elize guided us to her office and asked us to sit down, I handed in the papers and other stuff she needed. Elize asked a few questions about the house, and about the list what I made. (The list off  stuff what I need for the house) "That's quit alot," she told me. "I have totally nothing, and I can't help it," I replied. As the conversation continued I had a good feeling about the loan, let's say 75% is in the pocket. Elize made alot of copies, and she told us that these papers will be send to the citybank jury, then it's a yes or a no. I will hear from them in a couple of days by mail. I'll keepmy fingers crossed. I'm 80% sure I will get the loan.

If/when the loan goes trough I will get a extra sum of money on top of the loan for 'opknapkosten' (Dutch) refurbishment costs (English) It's extra money if I need to fix the walls or paint or whatever to fix the house. Nicole asked for this, Nicole knows such things, handy right? I don't know much about these 'free' things, some off them I know but I guess alot has changed in Holland when I was over seas. After the appointment Nicole and I went back to Humanitas to do one more thing, taking care off 'housing benefit.' That's a allowance for people who pay to much rent in relation to there income, and I am one off them. Nicole and I took care of the allowance online, she needed information and I looked trough my papers for that information. She filled everything in online and we were done in fifteen minutes.

I saw right away the sum of money I will be getting extra, and I was happy with it. Extra's are always nice. As the day went on I felt a bit better, I hope the nerves will not get to me to much though, my stomach hurted bad this morning. I hope everyday I will come a bit further with the moving, it relaxes me. Let me put some things in order, the things I already had done and the things what still need to be done. The loan has been asked for, I will hear from it the following days, the keys I can pick up the 22th of August, aswell I have to pay for my first rent money then. Buy the furniture, carpet, fridge, etc, etc, I will do that maybe this week or next week. I will have to make a few lists, cause I saw already a few cheap shops where I can but my stuff. Ikea is one of them. I must not rush things cause Paula will help me with handy things. 


Like, she knows about things what I don't know off, she might can get things for free, while I pay for them instead. I can ask anything when I have a problem downstairs at the Humanitas staff, that's good to know. But aswell I want to try to do as much as possible myself, I want to learn these things again. I noticed that I'm a person who would like to have things in order, thinking ahead, or working ahead. And that's not really possible right now, that can be annoying sometimes. This comming Thursday I will be going to Ikea with two other residents, I will have to make a list what I all need from Ikea. If I'm satisfied with what I want I will order it right away. I'm not worried, everyday I will come a bit further knowing what to do and what not to do. *Insert smile.*

"Getting there."

"Getting there."

This Sunday started of with alot of rain, but later on it went dryer. I don't mind rain on Sunday's though, there's not much to do on Sunday's anyways. I woke up this morning with the same unussual feeling I recently have, worried and nervous. As then the day goes further I feel a bit better. This morning I had a appointment with Sandra my second counselor, Paula had the weekend of. Sandra and I are usually searching for houses online, but this time it wasn't necceccary, I have a house. I explained her my worried feelings and thoughts, and she calmed me with saying that I don't have to be worried. "We are professionals, we know what to do," Sandra told me. I would like to know already if I get the loan, or when to start with ordering internet? or when to start buying things? It's all thinking ahead and that's not good, Sandra told me aswell that I have a good helper beside me 'Paula.'

"Paula and you will make a good team, she and we at Humanitas won't let you down," said Sandra. I kinda knew this already that Humanitas won't let me down, but I guess it's normal aswell to have nerves and worries before a moving. Humanitas will help me these following weeks with moving and arranging everything, even when I already live there for a few weeks, Paula will visit me once or twice a week to help me around when it's needed. I will try to do most of myself cause I know I can do such things, I done it many times before. But this time it just feels different and akward, I don't know why. Doing things myself will do me good aswell, I will try it and if I don't succeed, I will try it again. In the end if I still don't succeed I will ask for help. I don't like half work, I don't like problem afterwards, I want it to be good.

Today I have been searching for cheap furniture and cheap electronic stuff online, I had alot of tips the last days from staff members and residents. I found out that Ikea is a must, they have so much differences with the prices then other cheap shops. I found myself already a bed online, oh yeah. This week I will go to Ikea with another resident to have a peek at the bed and perhaps other stuff I need. Aswell I found a few second hand shops where I can go to, and outlet stores. Kinda fun though to search online for the cheaper stuff, and compare prices. I think I found me a internet-provider aswell, Tellfort is a good one and it's cheaper then other providers. Only I'm asking myself when do I buy or order the package, (The package includes, TV, internet and phone) Decision this week!

Tomorrow I will go asking for my loan what I need so badly, papers has been filled in, I got everything ready what I need with me, I'm ready! I'll keep my fingers crossed! Today I went out for a little while with some residents, there was a flea market near at the German border. Nice when your only 30 minutes driving from that border, it was a nice out and I enjoyed it. They had aswell a huge supermarket, everything for cheap. But I didn't need anything, besides that it was way to busy and there was just way to much stuff to choose from. But again it was a nice out, I feel okay now and everyday I will feel better and better. It's like I have a puzzle in my head and I would like to have that puzzle solved, but I have to have patience. Everyday I solve a little piece of the puzzle, day by day a bit. This solving calms me.


I'm starting to get excited! It's all good and it's gonna be all fine! I informed Saf aswell about my new living, she gave me a nice email back with congrats, and she gave me some tips. Nice of her, and this is how I like it between us, good friends in the end! Bless her!

"Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much."

"Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much."

I can finally admit that I dislike being alone, suprising that I was alone for so many years and I was just good with it. Guess I didn't know else. I can do two things now, I can go back to the past and adjust again to be alone again, (But I think that's to late) Or keep continue with searching for company, communication, in other words join a club or a sport, go out! Easier said then done though, cause it's better to not feel to forced to search for such things, like I HAVE to go out or I HAVE to be with people or friends. Everything in time!  But that I need people or friends around me that's for sure. Maybe it has to do with the place I lived for seven months, here at Humanitas I had always people around me. But not only Humanitas, think about the time I spent in Canada, there aswell I had lots of friends around me, 24 hours a day. I loved it!

The street where I'm going to live.

All that did me good, but for sure I had to get used to 'that.' Now I'm glad I took the change, still I miss a bit that kick in the butt what I need. A kick in the butt for moving on, continue what I do, find a decent job, have friends or better have Family around me, live, etc, etc. I think that explains the akward and sad feeling I have lately since I got to hear that I have a new house, afraid of leaving Humanitas, afraid of leaving the people around me, afraid of being alone again. I'ts a positive thing though, right? But didn't I leave Canada with 'that' same akward feeling? Everything went in a rush back then, I had so many things on my head, that my head almost exploded. The break up, arranging a flight, arranging money for the flight, being still there felt akward, arranging a sleeping place in Holland, my mind was elsewhere back then.

When I got back in Holland the tears began, missing the kids and Saf was painfull. Being alone again was painfull. At Humanitas I had people around me again, by far not the same people like Saf, the kids and the friends I had in Canada, but I wasn't alone, and that felt good. Amazing that I had so many people around me and I didn't freak out, LOL! But now this feeling, that akward feeling of not looking forward to becomming alone again, I'ts all in my hands and it's all up to me. It will be a hard job to get people around me again, but I'm going for it. I'm not gonna sit on my  *ss! I know now already that I will try to keep contact with a few residents from Humanitas, just a few. These residents did alot for me, and always had been there for me, Henki, Mark, Margaret, Chaterine, harrie, Daniel. I will see how it goes. 

This is the house!  Top balcony!

It's been a quiet day, I took my rest cause there wasn't much to do. For the moving on the 22th of August I made a list what I all need. Furniture and stuff, and I know I can arrange alot of stuff trough the internet. But how? With some stuff I could use some help, like arranging internet/cabel/phone and electricity,water and gas. I need to take care of the 'adress changes', I have to call and E-mail lots of people that I have a new adress. I took aswell a look at my new house, (took some pictures) strange though to see it, when I drove by. I thought, "This is the place where I'm going to live for a long time," akward feelings again. The unknown feeling perhaps. I had many thoughts when I saw the new house, I have to admit I felt a bit anger aswell. 


Anger because of the thoughts of Canada, anger towards Saf but aswell myself. I still hear sometimes in my head what Saf told me when we broke up, "It's better for you to go home." She was upset, and I was upset with myself and her, I don't blame Saf anything, but sometimes the thoughts of that last month (December) comes back, specially now when I got me a new house. "How on earth did it come so far, that I have to live here?" Negative thoughts, I know, it's aswell a 'looking ahead' thought. For the same reason I will have a ' awesome' time. Having a break isn't a pleasant thing, both sides are upset and do the meanest things. Or they both try to solve it but it doesn't work out, I'm so happy that Saf and I are atleast friends. That really does me good, that we can talk to each other and wish each other the best.

To my suprise I saw this huge shop in the neighborhood where I'm going to live...

"Finding the rest, and putting things in order."

"Finding the rest, and putting things in order."

It's been a hectic day with some nerves in the beginning, but once I got started it went alright. I felt better then yesterday, still a bit those nerves though, I guess they will stay till I have everything settled. First thing I had this morning was a appointment with the citybank, the citybank is a bank for people who have guilts and they offer loans aswell. I had to be there at 9:00 am, early bird I was, I was way to early. I had to wait outside for twenty minutes, the weather was good, dry and not cold, so, all good. At 9:00 the door opened and I walked in, the lady at the desk asked me friendly where she could help me with. I told her that I had a appointment with a lady called 'Mrs Koning,' the lady replied that she didn't know of any appointments with Mrs koning. I told her that a lady from Humanitas made the appointment trough the phone. She told me to wait in the waiting room, "Mrs Koning will be right with you." Okay!

An old short lady (Mrs Koning) said, "Hi," and asked me to come with her. We sat down and I was expecting that I came for 'asking for a loan,' but that was a missunderstanding. Mrs Koning filled right away a paper in for a rejection for a loan, I thought, "What is that? No loan?" That was right, Mrs Koning explained it to me. The citybank rejected my 'asking for a loan,' cause I didn't had enough repayment capacity, Paula and Mrs Koning already discussed this trough the phone yesterday. That's why the no loan, but the rejection paper I can take with me as a proof, upcomming Monday I will have to ask for a loan at the Municipality. I already have a appointment made, the rejected paper I will have to take with me and other papers for proof. I really need a loan, otherwise I can't pay my first rent and the stuff I need for my house. 

When I left the citybank my head was full off thoughts, I guess it still had to do with the rejected loan paper. How did I know that the loan was rejected, I just thought I came for a loan. It was still early and at 10:30 I had my next appointment, 'the furniture project,' but first a coffee. I still was on time for the coffee break, I took two coffee's. Around 10:15 I left for my next appointment, a bit late but okay, I still had to find the place where I had to be. I thought, I found the citybank this morning just like that so this I will find too. But after searching and searching for almost an hour, I gave up. I couldn't find it, I even went in many stores and asked but, nothing. I was looking for a huge garage (it's like a garage sale, but then bigger) I knew where to go but, when I  arrived at the place where to look, I  just couldn't found it. 

I went back to Humanitas and it started to rain hard, I decided to ride first to the pharmacy for my repeat prescription. (thyroid) The pharmacy gave me for another two weeks off  medication, I will have to do some bloodwork upcomming week to see how it's going with my thyroid. It started raining harder, sigh! I was soked but I was at Humanitas and could put on dry clothes, time for some rest. I still wanted to go to the secetary downstairs to tell her that I couldn't find the 'furniture project' place, but she was busy. I  will go a bit later I thought, she will have to call for another appointment, hope I can find it then. After I  putted dry clothes on the secetary called me on my cellphone, she asked me why I  didn't go to my appointment. I explained her that I couldn't find the place where I had to go, the secetary told me that I still was on time for the appointment, and she explained me where to go and she told the number of the garage. 


There I went again, it was dry and that was a good thing. But I was half way and then it rained again, and harder then before. Oh well, I thought getting mad won't make the rain stop. I arrived at the place, and thought to myself, "Hey, I just drove by this place, but was thinking, this really can't be it."  There was a woman standing outside waiting for me and she guided me in, it was a huge garage full with second hand furniture. I introduced myself and told the lady that it was my first time here. The lady explained me how this furniture project worked, "If you see a piece of furniture what you like, I will put a sticker on it with the saying "reserved' and then it's yours, for free."  I looked around and saw some nice furniture but it was already reserved. The other furniture looked old and not so nice, but I thought, "Hey, it's free! Pick something!" 

I choosed a nice wooden table with two chairs, nice for in my sleeping room. And further, well, nothing, I saw a nice round dinning table but in my eyes it was to big, and a nice closet, but had doubts, so I letted it be. The lady putted the stickers ' reserved' on the choosen furniture and she told me that if it's time to move, I can pick them up anytime, I thanked her and went back.  The rain came poring down again and I  got soked again for the second time, I didn't mind though. I  haven't got anything planned further today, only rest! It's been a long morning, I made some lunch and afterwards I  took a well deserved nap, I was exhausted. still I want to make a list of the things I need and what still to do, putting things in order. What to do first and then second, and what can I  do in between, otherwise I might forget something and it's a good solution to empty my head. 


I still have a bit that akward feeling of the moving, I almost can't describe it. I know for sure that it will be different, I can say to myself, "Hey finally some time for myself," but I will miss aswell the people around me. Being to long at Humanitas does that to you, I will have to get used to that again. I'm glad I have a week and a few days for picking up the keys, so I can get used to the idea of leaving Humanitas. It will all be good, I'm a little bit worried but I guess that's normal. 

So much to do so less time, but I found me a house, Yay! (Long post)

So much to do so less time, but I found me a house, Yay!

I don't even know where to start, it's been such a hectic,exhausting day. My Mom always said, "If you don't know where to start, start at the beginning!"  So, here we go, I got me a house!!! This morning with the coffee break another resident had a an offer for a house, I thought, "Why always another and never me?" It's time for me to get an offer aswell, I have been here already such a long time. After the coffee break I went to the mailboxes to look if I had mail, and there was mail, and one of the envelopes was from the housing corporation. Eeek! I wasn't expecting they had a offer for me to vieuw a house, cause I have been there a few days ago, and then they told me, "No house yet." I opened the mail and it said, "You have been invited to vieuw a house today, you can pick up the keys anytime today for a look." The mail showed the name of the street and the house number.

It was an akward feeling reading it, I didn't jump of my chair singing and dancing from excitment. I was asking myself if I was ready to move, leaving Humanitas and the residents. I actually wanted to cancel it for a few seconds, yeah a akward feeling. I went downstairs cause I knew that Paula was there, and I told her the news. She was excited and congrated me, the news didn't get trough me in the beginning but now it slowly did. I had to get to work with this news, I will pick up the key and then come back to Humanitas. Paula was comming with me to have a vieuw at the house she offered. Still I wasn't full of excitment, (that came later) I was nervous. I did what I had to do, and that was it, I picked up the key and came back. Paula was ready to go, she dragged me trough this all. I like that about her, go on and move!

Paula and I took our bikes and drove to the street where we had to go, it wasn't that far, prolly about 15 minutes from Humanitas. The neighborhood looked nice and quiet, perfect already. The house/room was on the second floor, underneath me lived a old couple, still perfect. The entrance was almost like Humanitas, first a door with a lock to get in the building and then 'stairs,' second floor, then trough the hallway searching for number 25.  I had so many keys with me, I had to find the key what fitted on the frontdoor. Inside it looked nice and big, I didn't expect that for a flat. The living room and sleeping room looked nice aswell, the kitchen was cute, it was bigger then I use to had. I was afraid to admit (haha!) but it's a nice house, the only thing what was stopping me were my nerves for leaving Humanitas.

The rooms have build in closets, perfect! Only the shower had something weird, between the sink and the central heating was the place to put the washingmachine. Cause the pipe for the ' drain' was next to the central heating. That means limited space to get to the actual shower, but I guess I can live with that. After vieuwing the appartment for twenty minutes Paula asked me if I'm gonna take it. I explained her how I felt, the nerves were stopping me from taking the house, I told her, "If I say no now I will say not to the next offer for a house aswell." Bloody nerves, "I'm gonna take the house, it's a yes!" Paula replied, "Okay, let's get to work," and she went downstairs. That's so Paula, dragging me trough this, go! I told her aswell, that I don't want to rush this now.With the nerves I have, I will have to take it easy if it's possible. I didn't have to worry she told me.

It's been a while since I have been trough a proces of moving, yeah I moved alot  in Canada (two times actually) But Saf did most of the paperwork and phonecalls, I didn't know how that all worked in Canada, I helped where I could help. So I said 'yes' to the house, and I had to bring back the keys. Whem I arrived at the housing corporation, they congrated me and told me that I will recieve a mail from them tomorrow or Saturday.The house was done and the girl behind the desk made a appointment for signing the contact, upcomming Monday I could sign the contract (and pick up the keys, but she didn't tell me this) at 10:00 am. I told her that was okay. When I drove back to Humanitas I was thinking, "Isn't that to soon, signing a contract already this Monday?, Do I have enough money?" I was to tired to think, I just wanted to get back for a short little nap. 

Paula told me when I got back that it was impossible to sign the contract and move in already this comming Monday, "You will get the key, and your rent will  have to be payed then for the first month, cause then will they start with the rent, after you signed the contract," said Paula. Paula tried to call them and I had other things to do, many things! First I had to go to some shops with a list what I all needed for my house, the 'things what I really need first, let's say the important stuff. Carpet, fridge, washingmachine, bed, couch, stove, after I asked what it all costed together I will have to ask if I can get the total price on a paper. (You still there?)  With that paper I can go to the place where I can ask for a loan, (I have two places where I can ask for a loan) with the 'total price' I can ask and show how much loan I need.

Paula went back to work and I went shopping with my 'things I need list,' fun and a bit nervous. First I went to the place where they cell major appliance, I told the buyer what I needed and then asked for a pricelist. The prices were quit okay I must say, not bad. For example the washingmachine was quit cheaper then I thought. I looked for a fridge, a stove and a washingmachine. The one who helped me  made a nice price and wrote it all down on a paper, alright, that was done, on to the next shop. The next shop was a little warehouse, kinda like Ikea but much smaller and cheaper. I looked for a bed, a couch, and carpet, the helper there was very friendly and helped me further. Ofcource with this shop I will get a higher price, cause off what I all need. I decided to put carpet in the sleeping room, vinyl in the kitchen and hallway and laminate in the livingroom. Laminate is expensive but that's what I want.

It took us a while going trough everything, but in the end I had a nice list, quit expensive but okay. I choosed for a normal bed and not for a boxspring what I use to had, boxsprings are expensiver. While looking I also thought about secondhand shops, or perhaps selling sites on the internet. Anyway,I was there now, I will see later what I can do. It was a long day and I wanted still that little nap, I returned with the lists to Paula. Paula has been busy aswell, she took care of the signing of the contract, she cancelled the appointment from upcomming Monday the 15th to the next Monday the 22th. I have now in total 11 days more for taking care of stuff, Paula took care aswell for geting furniture cheaper or for free, and she took care of a loan for me. Tomorrow I will have to go to the citybank asking for a loan, Paula and I made  a appointment at 9:00 am. If I don't get the loan I will have to go to another place asking for a loan. Paula made already the 'next' appointment if I don't get a loan. 

Aswell tomorrow I have a appointment with a ' furniture project' in Almelo, I can get furniture there for cheap or for free. The furniture project is for people who are going to live on there own but have a very low budget. It's not a shop,but you have to make a appointment to have a look around there. Quit excited to have a peek there. A long day tomorrow, but I feel alright. I wrote half of the things I need and have to do down on a piece of paper, to order things a bit so it wont get a mesh in my head. but step by step though, day by day, easy steps. I have a house, can't believe it! Many thoughts running trough my mind, I need to get used to the idea of leaving Humanitas and living on my own again. Things sure will be different that's for sure, step by step and taking it easy. In the next few days I will surely keep things updated and I will look further what I need and will inform people that I have a house.

         
 Dad first ofcource, he will be excited. Dad celebrates his 73 birthday this Sunday, more about that tomorrow, I'm exhausted............... but excited aswell!

A day out...

A day out...

I have been invited with some other residents to visit some other residents who are on vacation, there celebrating there vacation in a place called 'Hellendoorn.'  Hellendoorn is five minutes from my old hometown Nijverdal, the vacation was a gift from a organisation, these 'other' residents are members from that organisation.The 'other' residents are a man and a wife, in other words a couple. The idea was to spend the whole day there, but we didn't make it that long cause of the bad weather. The man and wife were sent to a bungalow park, it's very nice there with lots of small bungalows, but oh so expensive. They vacation was free, and they got 40 Euro extra for grocery, even though that, nothing is free on that park. 

Shoes and slippers in front of the bungalow, I saw this many times before.

I liked it there but way to expensive, it's nice for old people to relax when your retired or have money enough. There was not much to do there for little kids, only the swimming pool (inside) was nice, we swimmed more then two and a half hour. It was a nice day out, something new or different then Humanitas for a change. The couple who invited us were nice too, they live aswell at Humanitas. Being there I could really tell the difference between the people who were with me and let's say the 'normal' people who rented the bungalows on the park. It's the behaviour that's different. Sometimes I turned my head or hided myself a bit,  just not to be embarraced by the behaviour of the residents who were with me. 

One of the bungalows on the park.

There behaviour is kinda rude and hard, there very open aswell, they say things just like that, no shame. I'm not like that, but I get along with them very well. I call the residents sometimes city folks. I had a very slow start of the day though, I thought, "Oh no, I rather go for a nap first before I leave to the bungalow park."  But it was to late already, later on after the 'swimming pool party I felt a bit better. I'm  really curious about my bloodresults over four weeks.  Upcomming Friday I need my second part of my medication for my thyroid, I should get medication for four weeks, but they splitted it up in two weeks. Friday I'm getting another serie medications for the next two weeks. Then bloodwork.

Very low bungalows but oh so nice.

The weather was okay and fine today, but aswell cold and here and there a bit of rain. Way to cold though for the time of the year, we sat outside the bungalow for an hour but went inside again cause it felt too cold after an hour. The swimming pool had a nice tempature, but it went colder after two hours of swimming. We ordered some food when we got back from the pool, we were starving. French fries with  little pieces of sliced onions, mayonaise and peanut sause. This unusual type of meal we call in Holland 'Patatje oorlog,'  (French fries war) what's in a name? Very nice though, I was starving, on top on the patatje oorlog I had a meatball. 

Nice right!

I had a nice day out, upcomming Saturday I'm planning another day out. I would love to go to a huge sauna somewhere in Holland, I know already the place to go, it's near the city Utrecht. Can't wait!

...301 updates later....

...301 updates later....

I cleaned my entire laptop again, I think they call it formating, not sure though. I had so enough of the many re-starts yesterday, I think I re-started it more then 300 times. Not that fun when your trying to write a post, and think of it that I still have a new laptop underneath my bed. (stubborn man, lol!) After formatting the laptop the usual updates were comming, I didn't know though that it needed 301 updates, it took me almost a whole morning. The poor laptop was breathing for air.

I talked this morning with Ina when we had the coffee break, I talked about her Daughter. I told her that she's  rude and not so nice towards me, I'm still waiting for the first nice word towards me since Ina and her Daughter lived here. In the beginning it felt just a bit like teasing, but later on it got annoying. I saw a chance to talk about it when Ina was nice to me while we had the coffee break, she told me that her daughter is just like that, "she's a wolf in sheep clothing," Ina told me. That's a Dutch saying. Ina waved it a bit away, she told me that it will pass, she will get nicer, she needs time. It was fine with me, I knew what to do, ( Ignore' and I'm glad I mentioned it towards Ina. I could see it annoyed her a bit, cause she mentioned it a few times, " It will pass, she will get nicer." 


I can tell it's vacation time, there's not much movement or doing things, like I do when I'm working. I dislike it though sitting and not doing much, I need something to do walking or bike riding. This morning I went for a walk, I ended up at the grocery store, that was my attention to though. I did my grocery, my idea was to make another chicken tonight. It will be my first chicken tonight that I will make all by myself, I decided to make it with a chinese sweet/sour sauce, yum! At 2:00 pm I had a appointment with Paula,  once in three monts she writes a report about her clients. This time it was my turn for my report. The report is about how I was in the past, what I want to achieve or change and how I'm doing now, how far am I with the achieving and changes. 


The report is good and positive, I'm slowly progressing and moving forward. What I also saw is that I slowly fall back into my old pattern, the old pattern how I lived before I went to Canada. I dislike that though, some things are okay but I would like to change that pattern too. Have a job, meet people, communicate, going out, make friends, and a nice woman with hopefully a few kids. I should make a wishlist, lol! I'm glad how I managed so far, and what I achieved so far. I'm amazed! Paula was amazed aswell, she gets along with me very well. She's already nine weeks pregnant, when she will be delevering the baby I wont be living here anymore. Damn! Next appoint with Paula will be Thursday at 10:30 am. 

My first Chicken tonight~ 

I need a bigger pan and a bigger plate, the sauce, chicken and veggies fitted just in the cooking pan. The cooking of the rice went fine, (I'm an expert) I have a cooking clock in my head, I can tell or guess time just like that. I cooked everything and saved aswell some for the next day, it was so easy to prepair. I decided to make this once a week, but different flavours and ingredients though. Finnally something to eat with rice! Loving it!!

Marvin Gaye "What's Going On / What's Happening Brother"

"Just another manic Monday."

"Just another manic Monday."

My laptop is getting old, it freezed and freezed more then thirty minutes before I could write my post. Crossing my fingers now before it freezes again, otherwise I will be writting this post until Christmas. #$*(&%^@!! Just crashed on me again, sigh! Grrrr!  And I have a new laptop underneath my bed, but I would like to save that one before this laptop is really done. #$*(&%^@!! And again it crashed! Damn! Computers teach you to have patience, that's for sure, but it isn't nice when I have tried to write a post for almost one hour and thirty minutes. Anyway still keeping my fingers crossed, one hand is typing and on the other hand I keep the fingers crossed.

I had a appointment today at a housing corporation in Almelo, I had to be there at 10:45. Usually Paula would go with me but her schedule was full, another staff member was comming with me, her name is Melissa. I know Melissa, she was the one who opened the door for me and guided me around when I first came here. The rain came down like crazy this morning when we had to go, we decided to take the bus, Melissa's idea. The appointment was for to see what more options I have for living in Almelo and what more chances there are for me, the searching for houses here is going to slow. The lady where I had the appointment with told me that the house market is very poor at the moment.

She asked me what the reason was why I lived at Humanitas, and I told her why, she wanted to know me a bit more I guess. I told her aswell that I payed all my bills and guilts, and that I'm all settled to live on my own. The house market was locked, everything is full, I will have to wait said the lady, she explained why. The most chance I have is to just get a room, or a flat, for a  flat without central heating I will have to wait a half year, and a flat with central heating a year. A half year isn't that long but I can't wait a half year, the limit of staying at Humanitas is nine months.You can get some extra time for a few months but hmm, in my case, I don't know. I need a bit of luck aswell. 


I need to get out of here, the municipality of Almelo wants me to move out of Humanitas, cause I'm doing to well in there eyes. And you know what? I want to get out of here aswell, I'm done here too in my eyes, the people here are not my kinda people. Even the staff of Humanitas is telling me this, my time is almost up anyway. Three more months then I'm here already nine months. What will happen after the nine months? I don't know, I'm just a tiny bit worried of that. I need to find more options for searching for houses, perhaps searching in other citties aswell. I will discus this in my next appointment with Paula tomorrow at 2:00pm. 


I think it's not healty to stay long here at Humanitas, you might get attached to much. That's the way I see it. I have been trough so many things here, and that does something to you. I do my daily stuff here aswell, cooking, laundry, washing and cleaing, etc, etc, but it's just so different when you do the same things when you have a living for yourself. Anyway,time to get to work, search for a house, and prepair of saying goodbye. The situation here is a bit slightly different here, I get along with everyone well, but sometimes I feel there's a little argue comming up with Ina. At the moment I kinda dislike her cause of the way she pays attention on all the things I say or do, it's annoying. She has a eleven year old Daughter aswell, I still have to have her first kind word towards me. 


Yeah, it's time to go... Being on myself is what I want, I'm ready. Time for the next step towards happiness! It will be way better to live on my own and have my own things, I will be nervous for my next step though. I guess I will be fine.

"There is nothing good or bad, but thinking makes it so."

"There is nothing good or bad, but thinking makes it so."  

Lately I have been thinking, thinking back, I know it's not a good thing to think back sometimes, I should explain myself a bit more. Sometimes I think back of my days in Canada, (Yeah,Canada again, sorry.) I talked to a resident this morning and he would like to have his seven year old Daughter comes to sleep over one day, he would really like that. He will have to ask permission though to Humanitas if that's possible. This made me think about Saf's kids when the resident spoke about his Daughter, I thought, "Will I ever see Ab, Tasn, Mar, Noor and Cle again?" I would love to see them once or twice or perhaps more often again. But, "Do they want to see 'me'  again aswell?" 

Imagine If I have the chance to meet them, how will 'there' reaction be? Will it be bad or good? Thoughts like these are running trough my mind sometimes, not to often though, otherwise I would go crazy of worries. Sometimes I wonder how the reactions will be if I would see Saf's kids again, will Tasn run towards me full of excitment and scream " Daddy!" or "Sjon!"? For the same reason she will be quiet, and just say, " Hi." I don't know what to think when I think  of such thoughts, it scares me and makes a bit sad aswell. Scared because of  the reactions if I would meet Saf's kids, but oh, how I would love to see them. Maybe I should just leave them be for better or worse, but I'm not like that. I have spent along time and went trough alot with this Family. 

I know Saf likes to invite people if there are holidays or special days. If she would invite me one day I will come, and would feel delighted. But I would feel slightly a bit nerves aswell. I would like to stay friends cause I don't like fights in friendship. You know? Sometimes I think back of my time in Canada, but not that often anymore like I did six or seven months ago. I think that's quit normal, the thoughts of the time I spent there will slowly go away or become less. I hate that though, cause I really had a good time! I went trough so many different things and spent a amazing time with this Family, I lived and I learned! I don't want to forget them.

I'm not a communicater, I'm not a talker, maybe I should keep contact a bit more. Just once a month a E-mail  or a written letter, not to hear them out or do them harm or stalk them, but just to keep contact, I would love that. Recently I had a nice message from Noor, she told me she missed me and asked me how I was on Facebook. She even asked me my cell-phone number so that she could call me, I still need to charge my phone I told her. But a week after that I messaged her telling that I wasn't ready yet to hear her voice for a little chat, I might burst out in tears. And for the same reason she passes her phone to Tasn while we are talking, I think I will cry even harder, or get nervous. I should'nt be, for the same reason we will have a great time. 


What makes me nervous of doing such things? Is it the reaction? How will they react? I don't like the feeling of getting dissapointed, maybe I should just let it be. See how I shove such things off me? And then I will dissapoint myself aswell, I should go for it...... one day! Go on and write them a letter or a message! Ask them how they are and how there doing in school or if they have fun with there friends. Anything! For the same reason the contact will do me good, damn nerves. Any of you have suggestions in keeping contact? I want to but I'm to nerves to start, nerves for there reactions. Anyone?

Weekends don't count unless you spend them doing something completely pointless.

Weekends don't count unless you spend them doing something completely pointless. 

Now let's see if I did something completely pointless, uhm, I can't remember actually. Mostly I never do something pointless, there's always a reason why I do things. I went to bed late last night, it was 1:30 am, my laptop kept me awake. Surfing on the internet was fun, I enjoyed it. I woke up early though, 7:30 am, I know not enough sleep, but oh well. I didn't plan much today, resting a bit more and taking some naps. 

And the laundry had to be done, but that's already dry in the closet. In total Humanitas has three washing machines, two of them are broke at the moment. So many residents with so many dirty wash, and just one washing machine, sigh! I tumble my wash always early in the morning, so I'm sure I will be first. I had to go all the way to the first floor with my dirty laundry, no elevator around, lol! And the dryer is on the second floor, it's alright. I took it easy today, one nap I took. 

I have been searching for houses aswell today, as always but it goes so slowly. I'm sure I will get picket out for a house one day, but still. There's a site that I found it's called Domijn, that's the site where I look for houses in Enschede, Enschede is the city where I have the most changes to get a house. I have a few sites more but Domijn is the best. If you look once a day it will be enough, here in Holland we don't have many houses for rent or sale. Holland is small.  


I look every day on all the sites I know, and that's the only thing I can do. Here in the city (Almelo) where I live I don't have that much chance for a house. Almelo works with a point system, every month you get one point. You must have atleast thirthy or fourty points to get a chance for a house, thirhty or fourty  points is thirthy to fourty months, and that's long, atleast two years. I'm already six months at Humanitas, wow! The time flies. 


I can stay here for another three months, cause the limit is nine months. But I'm sure Humanitas will let me stay a little longer like they do with every resident. But hey! If I can find a house in the next comming three months I will have to go, first have a look ofcource if the 'new' house suites me, and then I'm outta here. I think there will be a few tears cause I been trough so many things here in the last six months, it's almost unbelievable. I'm glad I had the oppertunity, I wouldn't wanna miss it. I learned here many things aswell.

"Sleeping and resting."

"Sleeping and resting."

I'm in that rectangular thing that's really soft and comfortable, and my head is on this other thing that is really comfortable and molds to the shape of my head. Then there's this thing that I wrap myself up with to keep me warm, and is also really soft. Also I do this thing with my eyes that makes my whole room go black, and allows me to think of things that I don't think of when I have my eyes open. In other words, I needed sleep today cause I was tired. 

Been tired almost the whole day, but after a few naps I felt better. I didn't do much today, resting and sleeping. It's been a long day yesterday, but aswell a very nice day. I bought some lighters for some of the residents, and they were all happy with it. Only Ina wasn't that happy, her lighter had a drawned girl on it with the saying 'red light district.' They were such a small letters that I even didn't saw it while buying it, I knew I had to buy two girly lighters but they were hard to find. When I saw two lighters with a sexy lady on it I bought them, they were pink aswell.  


"What do you think of me?" said Ina, "I'm not a hooker!" I replied, "No ofcource not, don't take everything so negative when people say or do something," Ina always does that. I told her I was sorry and we were fine. But the next day in the morning she went on, still about the lighter, "I gave the lighter to my Son," she told me. "That's fine," I told her. There's no use in going in discusion with her, it's never good. I had the silliest idea to buy her a new lighter in town. Oh yeah, I will get her! I was slightly done with her, she's gotta stop thinking negative and take everything a bit easier. 


I found after long searching a nice lighter, it had the picture of Bob Marley on it. First I saw a few other lighters but I just didn't know. One had a Betty Boob drawn on it, but she might get the wrong idea again, aswell one lighter with a M. Monroe drawn on it. Sigh! What was I doing? Even though it was silly to buy it, I didn't care. When I got back I gave it to her, and she didn't want it in the first place, cause she felt upset after I gave her the red light district lighter. "Okay, I can make someone else happy with it," I told her. But then she wanted it, and I asked her to say sorry to me. She refussed. 


I explained her why I bought the Bob Marley lighter, she kinda agreed with me, and I told her sorry, hmm, but still there was a upsetness it seemed from both sides. I just want her to stop thinking the bad things about other people, be more positive. At the moment were okay I guess, I just let it be for now. If she has something to say then I will be there and listen, I know what to say. It gives me a bit of a bad feeling though, feelings of that Ina watches me with every movement I make or watches me everything I say. Your almost afraid to say the wrong thing, or worser not say anything to her, or even to speak towards others. 


Anyway, I'm good with it, I'm fine. Ina still has a relationship with her ten year younger boyfriend Daniel, I'm fine with that too. It doesn't do a thing to me. Ina is not the right person for me to start a relationship with, that's a 1000%. But getting along with her is nice, I really hope she turns around with her negative thoughts, cause I only want the best for her. Further? Further nothing, I'm good and fine aswell with the other residents. Some of the residents said that I was silly buying that Bob Marley lighter, but that's me, I don't like arguess and fights.

"One goal accomplished, visited Amsterdam."

"One goal accomplished, visited Amsterdam."

So, I decided to go to Amsterdam today. When I woke up this morning I didn't even though about it, not even planning it. I did my ussual stuff what I normaly do in the morning, I made breakfast, took my medication and went on the laptop.  I had a good sleep even though it was a warm night, I slightly thought about Amsterdam while I was on the laptop. But in the ussual 'morning coffee break' at 9:15 I made the desicion to go, I thought, "I'm going." I still had a bit of doubts but when my mind is set on going, I'm going! Doubts or no doubts. 

Many bikes in Amsterdam.

I looked for the weather forecast online and looked on my bank account also online, it was all good. The weather said that there will be rain in the late afternoon, Friday and the up comming weekend more rain. Perfect for going now! I made my lunch ready for taking with me in the train and looked online for the times for the train, I still had one hour and then it's time to go, I counted aswell my saved 'week money' what I get every week. Every week I get 40 Euro for my food from Humanitas, actually they call it 'food money.' 

Open excursion boats, in Dutch, rondvaartboot.

I think I said it before that I can easily do with 40 Euro in the week, I even have money left when I buy my grocceries weekly. I started saving money from my 'food money,' cause I had plenty left. This saving has been going on now for five or 6 months, sometimes when I needed something badly, like clothing or maybe a small guilt to pay, I used a part of the money what I had saved. Today I'm going out and I could use some money, I counted what I had saved and I almost fainted. I saved more then 160 Euro! Woot! That's surely not bad. And I just had  a few weeks ago a little guilt to pay from that money,so I had to save it all over again. 

The National Monument on the Dam.

I decided not to take all the 160 Euro with me, but just what I needed. Some money for the food and ofcource some money for the trainticket, perhaps I will buy some needed clothing, but that I can do with my bankcard. The train trip went fine, I was just a tiny bit nerves, don't know why though. I was excited aswell, so that was good. I enjoyed the vieuw from the train window while it was riding, it took almost one hour and a half to arrive in Amsterdam. Just before arriving in Amsterdam the train takes it slow while ridding, it passes little stations but does not stop. It's nice then to look outside and see the high buildings and huge offices, (it made me think of city-ville, LOL!) 

Me entering the Palace on the Dam.

Amsterdam has changed alot, my god what a huge new buildings and new shops and houses. They even have a new harbor for a huge passenger/cruiseship, it's enormous. I couldn't almost wait till I got out the train, the weather was okay. Only a few grey clouds came in and I crossed my fingers that it not would rain, it helped. When I arrived I started walking and looked around slowly, I took some pictures aswell, I needed alot of pictures today. I enjoyed myself while looking around, I always have a same route what I walk when I visit Amsterdam, also today. I saw many new shops and visited them, I took my time cause there was no rush. 

Many, many statues in the centre of Amsterdam.

I wanted to buy souvenirs aswell today, but there were quit expensive. I looked for some lighters but they were expensive too, three Euro for one lighter? That's a no for sure! I needed six lighters,so that will cost me a fortune. I went to the 'Bijekorf,' the Bijenkorf is a huge warehouse with lots of stuff, you can compare it with Walmart. It has five floors, I ussualy go to the 5th floor for my favorite clothing section, but that section was gone. Instead of the clothing there was a huge dinning room a' la Manderin, it was all self serve. But expensive and huge, with lots of arty stuff added to the walls, it looked very nice though. But I missed my clothing section, sigh! Oh well, lots of other shops to visit still. 

The front of the train station In Amsterdam.

I went on with shopping and crossed the 'Damrak,' There's a statue in the middle of the Damrak, it's called the national monument. It's a 1956 World war 2 monument, lots of travelers and bagpackers join together there. It was busy, you could tell it's vacation time. Again I visited many shops, little shops and aswell malls, I went into shops where I normally never went. I enjoyed myself, I took my time. It seems Amsterdam has so many shops, when you call a product or an item, Amsterdam has a shop for it. I walked many miles, I went even further then I ussualy go. 'Rokin,' 'Muntplein,' 'Rembrantplein,' And back to the 'Nieuwmarkt.' It was quit a walk but I took my time and stopped so now and then for a little break.

A Russian souvenir shop, only in Amsterdam.

I passed again many souvenirs shops, one souvenir shop seemed not so expensive and there I bought six lighters, all with a typical 'Amsterdam' sign. Nice for some of the residents when I get back. Your not leaving Amsterdam after you visited the 'Red light district,' also called 'De wallen.' I saw many tourists, flaunting and smoking weed. It's Downtown Amsterdam. I checked my wallet and bag a few times, you never know. It was already late by my suprise, I really took my time. It was 4:00pm when I did my last route, 'Spuistraat,' Spuistraat is another street full of shops and pubs.I was looking for some clothing, I looked for some polo-shirts and long sleeves, but couldn't find one. 

Many and several shops.

It was fine with me, I had a nice day after all. I went to McDonalds for a nice meal, I was starving. (I should have taken the 'large' instead of the 'medium' ordering the big Mac meal) I realized that I did not had enough pictures, I wanted to visit one last area, and that was 'The ij,' the 'ij' is at the back of the train station, it's a river formerly a bay, Amsterdam's waterfront. If you cross the 'ij' you arrive at another area in Amsterdam, you can take many little ferry's to cross the 'ij.' It was so busy there, there was a akward moment there, a homeless woman came towards me and asked me for one Euro for a place where she could spend the night. She looked weird and seemed high, I told her,I haven't got one, I'm sorry," and I wispered softly, "I'm homeless myself aswell. 

One of the little ferries crossing the bay.

But she didn't hear me, if I would have given her the Euro I'm sure she would buy drugs for it, instead of finding a place for the night. The woman went on begging towards other people, and I went on looking at the vieuw over the 'ij.' I took some pictures and went on, it was 5:00 pm,a nice time to walk slowly to the trainstation and heading back. It was quit a puzzle to find the right train, normally I'm good at it finding the right train. But many things in the station has changed. I was looking for the train heading to Enschede, this train has some stops and will stop aswell in Almelo. But I couldn't find this train or train sign. I asked a conductor, always the best option if you can't find something or have to do something but don't know how, ask! 

A special ferry for only bikes.

I had to take the train to Amersfoort and from there I can take the train to Enschede, said the conductor. I knew Amersfoort, so that was easy. The train was packed with tourists and many, many other people, I had to stand untill Amersfoort. Blame the 'rush hour,' but I didn't mind, it was only 30 minutes until Amersfoort. Arriving at Amersfoort trainstation I decided to buy a icecream, (Magnum is the best) I still had 20 minutes to buy one and eat it, it was all good. I even bought a little note book to write things down for my next blog post, that was handy. I wrote already a piece so I can start writing when I get back. The train station was packed with travelers, it seemed everyone wanted to go home.

The palace on the Dam.

The train was a bit late, when it came I thought to myself, "all these people in that train? There's gonna be murder and deadslaughter." But it went okay, I took right away the first seat. The train was packed. I talked with a nice couple who came back from a trip to the USA, actually they went from Canada (Pearson Airport) to a part of the USA. They started of at Niagra Falls towards Boston, it was nice talking to them. I said that I also lived in Canada for a while, the guy was interested. It made the trip back towards Almelo even faster, I was back before I knew. I was exhausted but felt satisfied, being back was good. It's nice comming back knowing that people are kinda waiting for you, it's a better feeling that you come home in a empty house. 

Art on the street everywhere in Amsterdam.

I had a good day, and I'm glad I went! This calls for more, and I will. My next destination will be Berlin, Paris or London. But first things first, First a house and perhaps a job!