'Heatwave!'

'Heatwave!' 

More then 30 degrees today, my oh my! I'm still sweating while I'm writing this post, unbelievable. I'm not gonna complain, I'm not gonna complain, lol. I love this weather, though it's mostly all or nothing in Holland. We Dutch people longed for the summer while it was cold and wet, so 'beng' here it is, out of know where. It's extremely hot inside aswell, I really have to get me some mosquito screens and dark curtains. Strangely enough with such hot weather it seems my energy level is on his highest, I just have to go out for a walk or for a bike ride. 

I went for a bike ride, two actually. This morning I had to copy a few things and then send it to my employment agency, I'm glad that's done! Now the agency can figure and puzzle out what I really (may) earn every month, this agency does make out what I will earn every month. It's the way it is, like it's always been. The second bike ride I did in the early afternoon after my nap. I took water and fruit with me and ofcource my camera....

Drove quit a few hours in the heat, felt nice... I took this picture near a lake in Almelo. 

A nice ramp (I think it's called a ramp) full with gravity! Nice for taking a picture. 

Farm land, we have lots and lots of those... 

 Not busy at all in this forest, it seemed I was the only one. 

So nice with the sun coming trough the tree's.

I made a bit of a noise passing these cows, they were surprised to see me I think... 

Farm land! 

The cows were not surprised anymore... One last picture and I took off... 

I don't know if you see the peacock , but this huge bird scared the crap out of me. I heard it make noise and I turned around and there I saw a little farm, so I thought, "Oh nice this farm had rare birds, let's have a look." All of a sudden the peacock passed my bike so closely, and it was just walking loose. Not even in a cage.

  

When I returned after a few hours of biking I rested, then took of for the free dinner, it was not even busy there, I guess it was just to warm. I was right on time at my house after the dinner, there was a thunderstorm on his way, and it broke loose just when I got home. Nice and refreshing, tomorrow will be warm aswell. I bought a few nice cookies for tomorrow's work, just to celebrate that I'm one of the workers now, celebrating that I have a contract. The cookies look nice, orange chocolate cookies with a little hole inside, lol.

Looking back?

Looking back?

Just found this video above, I like planes. Sometimes I look them up on You tube and watch them take off or land, the bigger the better. I still remember my first flight, and ofcource my last flight. My first flight was a 100% excitement, and ofcource a bit nerves for what Canada will bring me. Painfull was my last flight, returning to Holland from airport Pearson Toronto Canada. Yes, sometimes I still look back at my time in Canada, it would be weird and akward if I didn't. Flashes from how it was pass sometimes my thoughts, or those suddenly thoughts, like, 'I wonder how it is with Saf,' or Nemo or the other kids. Or seeing something on TV, or the Internet, or someone is asking me about my time in Canada, that gives me aswell those 'Canada' thoughts. Though those flashes are less, much more less then... let's say the first half year when I got back in Holland. Plus those flashes are much more painless or harmless, if those flashes stay this way like they are now... Then I'm signing for them! 

Like I said before, 'I want to keep the memories,' I don't want to forget them. It was a huge adventure, and that adventure I would like to keep as a good memory. At work they sometimes ask me things about Canada, just short things, about how Canada (the country) is like, or they ask me sometimes shortly about my ex or the kids, just short, small questions. I'm fine with that, it doesn't bug me at all, ask ahead! It's all fine with me, Knowing that is a nice feeling. Seeing the video above.... A KLM Boeing 747 taking of from Pearson Toronto towards Schiphol Amsterdam Holland reminds me still of the time when It was time to leave Toronto Canada for good, and that still hurts a bit. Seeing the plane go up gives me strong clearly memories of how I felt, I see myself in that plane. Anyway... a deep sigh and on with this day!

Today was hot... I mean HOT! I felt it already when I was cycling to my work this morning. The nice fresh breath air changed quickly in warmth and it felt sweaty on my skin. I saw more workers working in T-shirts and shorts, I probably will wear shorts to the following work day aswell, It's alowed, lol. I worked today on another section, on this section there not using glue or dirt, so yeah, short sleeves and a pair of shorts is alowed. Though the temperature will go down just a little bit the rest of the week, so I will see. Tomorrow's a day off, and yeah, there expecting rain, sigh! Me not like on my day off, I planned to have a nice bike ride. With such gorgeous weather I always want to go out or do something, just for a walk or sit in the sun, or take my bicycle. I have other things to do aswell tomorrow, kinda hectic but okay.

My employment agency where I get my monthly money from wants to know what I earn every month from my new job, cause in the month May I will get a part of money from my job and a part of money from my employment agency. It is like that because I'm not fulltime working, I'm not working five days a week. I can't cause I'm sick, so yeah, if I wasn't sick I could work five days a week, and then aswell I had nothing to do with this employment agency. I'm only working three days a week, so I earn not that much, (I'm under wage) my employment agency fills the 'under minimum wage' up. It's horrible explaining sometimes from Dutch to English, but I think you'll get the message, lol. Now let me get slowly ready and prepair myself for another sweaty night, it's been a busy sweaty day, so sleep will be fine.

"....A nice breath of air in the early morning."

"....A nice breath of air in the early morning."

I didn't sleep so well last night, I couldn't catch my sleep. It was warm, and I felt like I only slept for a few hours, it could have been a few hours more, I don't know. It's almost like 'all or nothing' with this weather, today it was 25 degrees, tomorrow will be even warmer. Though it sounds like I'm complaining, well, maybe just a bit then. I love Summer and I like the warm weather, though I have to get used to the warm sleeping nights. Blankets off and on again, tonight I will sleep with only a sheet, let's see how that goes.

I was a bit out of breath this early morning, I guess I slept just a bit to warm with my thick blanket. It was such a nice relieved feeling to go outside in the early morning, on my way towards work. Work went well today, though it was warm, hence the long sleeve what I was wearing. But the long sleeve and long pants is needed, we work with glue and dirt, if or better when the glue gets on your skin it's a pretty tough work to get it all off. It's almost not to do, some workers use sandpaper to get the glue of the skin. I use sandpaper sometimes too, to get the glew of my hands. 

Just a light sandpaper, then I was my hands afterwards with soap. Today I had to order my working clothes aswell, a worker came with a list, and asked me what I wanted. "You can pick five clothes," he said. I picked two polo-shirts, two T-shirts and one long sleeve, maybe I should have picked two long sleeves instead of one, lol, glue on my arms. Hope I sleep a bit btter then last night, I'm almost sure I will.

Warm, warmer, warmest!

Warm, warmer, warmest! 

I love the temperature the last few days, it's between 20 and 24 degrees, sunny with here and there a cloud. This coming week will be even better, between 21 ans 25 degrees. I'm loving it. I stayed inside though today, rest is needed on Sunday's, cause Monday's work is calling again. Early up and a long day. I wonder how warm it will be at work, some workers complained already about the warm weather. I can stand warm weather, like I said, I love it.

The rooms in my house are warm when the sun shines on the windows, I have my sun-screens down but, it doesn't really stop the sun from shinning inside. I need curtains, dark curtains, one in the living room and one in the sleeping room. I could use some window and door screens aswell for the mosquito's, so I can open a door or window while it's warm, specially in the evening. The rooms need fresh air. It's okay for now, but I'm sure it will get warmer and warmer.

I didn't do that much today, getting a few things ready for tomorrow's work. I was looking for a few work t-shirts, lol, but couldn't find any. Though I have a black Pooh t-shirt, a gift from Canada, lol. But wearing a Pooh t-shirt to work? I don't know, better not I guess. I'm still waiting for my working clothes, I should get them from my Boss, but... nothing yet. Perhaps this week, I hope so, cause it's needed. Gosh, I'm so looking forward to this Summer, Summer is my favorite season.

A nice day at a new sauna!

A nice day at a new sauna! 

A great day, nice weather, I didn't expect it would be that warm, wow! I packed my bag with three towels, bathrobe, slippers, lunch, soap, and a bottle of water. I needed a bigger travel bag then the one I had already layed ready last night, that one was way to small. On my way to the train station, nice on time and feeling well. It felt like it was a Sunday, cause I usually go on a Sunday to the sauna. I'm going to a sauna where I never have been, and I'm going to village where I never have been. Though I made a little note for myself to know how and where I must go.

The train trip wasn't that long and not even difficult, I only had to switch once. I had to be in Voorst-Empe, a little tiny farmers village, with a even smaller train-station. If it was good then at that tiny little train station had to be a small neighborhoods taxi-bus, what brings me to the sauna. And lucky I was, the bus stood there, the short drive costed me only a few Euro's. No one was in the bus, just me and the driver. We talked a few words, I asked for information aswell, cause around the sauna or I must say near by, there's a huge lake where people can swim and sunbath. I would love to go there a few times too during this Summer. 

A Thermen Bussloo sauna plastic bag, where you can put some stuff in and take with you in the sauna. For example towels, glasses, soap.

 As a kid I went there many times with my Mom and Dad and other Family. The bus driver told me that that was easy, he can drop me right of at the entrance of the lake, that's good to know. I arrived nicely on time at the sauna, this sauna was huge, wow, many cars at the parking lot aswell. The bus driver dropped me right of before the sauna entrance, "I will be standing here every half hour, until a quarter to seven tonight," he said, that was alright with me. At the reception at the sauna were standing three ladies waiting for the visitors, I told one of them I had a reservation and the lady asked on what name.

After telling my name she told me a few instructions about this sauna and where I had to go first, dressing rooms, shower and the sauna's. I thought I would get a guide around but no, her explanation was easy to understand so, a guide around wasn't needed. Yeah, this sauna was huge, many, many sauna's and lots of people. What I first noticed was that the visitors here were shy, all covered up tight with bathrobes and towels. I mean, I have been in many sauna's and for what I saw was that everyone was mostly nude while walking to a sauna cabine , or shower, or a pool. 

They even had sauna bicycle!

Ofcource it's a must to put on a bathrobe while your going to the dinning or lounge room in this sauna. Most people were covered in bathrobes and towels covering there nude bodies, it made me almost shy too, it gave a akward feeling. I wasn't used to this, I thought, "Now I'm gonna cover myself too, cause I didn't wanna feel different then the others, lol. I didn't wanna have all eyes on me, cause people might think, "Oh dear look at him, is that normal to walk nude like that?" The covering up wasn't a pleasant feeling when I came out of a warm/hot sauna, feeling all hot and steamy. 

It felt even warmer this bathrobe, not really my way to cool down. I spent a little time longer outside for the cool down. I went in many sauna's, they were all so nice, and so many.Not in alphabetic order: Kelo aufgus sauna,  Aarde-Sauna: (Earth-Sauna) Himalayan salt crystal cave, four elements sauna, dromedarium, (a resting room with warm heated up beds) Panorama sauna, (what a great vieuw over a huge lake) Finnish sauna, (so darn hot, I only stayed inside this cabine for only 5 minutes, I felt like I was on fire) Roses sauna, )for the romantic couples, with rose leaves and such) Infrared sauna, caldarium sauna, (steam bath)  Sanarium (light therapy sauna) 

The litte train station towards home, Voorst-Empe.

Further in this huge complex: a little beach in the garden, a zen garden, Thais tea-house, swimming pool, (goes from inside to outside) Hama bath with a aqua sound turning water streams, a cool of zone with ice scrubs, a lounge area inside and outside, feet baths, Mediterranean, (a resting room with warmed up water beds and lights) osmanish bathing house, ( with salt scrub and a blossom bath. etc, etc, I think I named most of them. I didn't went in every one of them, there was just not enough time. I stayed untill 5:00 pm, I took a good shower, putted my clothes on, packed my bag and took off. 

I was a bit worried about the sum of money what I had to pay in the end, but it was okay. It wasn't more then I had expected, so all good. Yes, I had a little snack and one drink, an apple cake with a glass of milk. The weather was still so nice when I was waiting outside the sauna for the bus, sun and here and there a lost cloud, not even cold with 2o degrees. I love the Summer, hope it stays for a long time. The little bus came again, and brought me to the nearest train station, Voorst-Empte. Within a small 90 minutes I was home, tired but felt great, clean and good. I made a start with dinner, and unpacked my sauna bag. The relaxing can begin. 


I had a nice day, though I should bring someone with me next time, cause alone is okay but with company is so much nicer. Tomorrow I will be resting, and preparing myself for Monday's work.

Re-booked another trip... what a relief!

Re-booked another trip... what a relief! 

I was slightly a bit nervous to call the tour operator for booking another trip this morning, but I wanted too and it was needed. A few days ago the tour operator where I booked a excursion trip to Prague send me a mail with the message that they cancelled the trip, pity! I had two options, I could get my money back or book another trip. I booked another trip this morning, I was kinda nervous cause I don't know what the tour operator is gonna handle this, or how he or she is gonna act. The tour operator advised me to call, cause they told me this aswell in the mail. 

The call went so easy, it didn't even last 5 minutes, lol. I had everything laying next to me, my cellphone number, my bank account number, ID, all this for just in case. It all wasn't needed. All the info they wanted to know from me was already written in the cancelled  trip to Prague So, the five day excursion trip to Berlin (Germany) has been confirmed! Ya! The tour operator asked me if I wanted a travel assurance and four times dinner aswell, I answered, yes, sure! I took the full program cause this trip to Berlin was alot cheaper then the trip to Prague, I knew that I would get a part of my already payed money back.

With things like this I'm always aware of my money, I'm very carefull with it for sure. Today I spent money aswell, sigh, sometimes you just gotta, lol, sometimes it's just needed. My fridge was empty again, as usual on Friday's. I needed bathing slippers aswell for tomorrow's visit to the sauna, they weren't so expensive. I washed my new bathrobe too today, and.... it shrunk just a little bit, sigh. I guess I wash it to warm, lol. But oh well, the bathrobe covers it still all, so, no worries here, LOL! Slightly a bit nervous for tomorow, I will try to keep my wallet as much as closed.

Hemelvaart/Feast of the Ascension.

Hemelvaart/Feast of the Ascension.

It's the day of the Feast of the Ascension today, also known as Holy Thursday or Ascension day. The Ascension of Jesus refers to Jesus bodily ascending to heaven in the presence of his apostles, forty days following his resurrection. When I was still young Mom, Dad and I would visit our church on a Holy day like this. But I guess that faded slowly away whit the following years. In my youth we went every weekend to the church, Dad was in a church choir, and Mom always singed along when there was a singing moment. Bless my Mom! 

On days like these some Dutch people go to church, but most people go out, to festivals, events, or to shopping malls. It's becoming almost a tradition, on days like these you'll have to go out. There's on tradition with this feast what I like, or I must say liked. It's called 'Dauwtrappen,' people go on there bikes VERY early in the morning, and cycle. It's a nice sight seeing if many people do this, when you cycle you will see loads of other people cycle aswell. They will greet each other and continue there ride. I used to do this too with my friends when I was a teenager, radio with us and food and drinks. 

Cycling in the early morning!

I cycled today aswell, but not that far, lol. I needed a ticket to charge up my cellphone, ugh, lots of money, and I needed a bathrobe. Bathrobe? Yep, this comming Saturday I decided after long thinking and doubting the last few days to go to a sauna.  It's been a while, and I really wanted to go to a sauna where I never have been. It's going to be a huge sauna/spa in the middle of Holland, I will travel by train and bus. The sauna is called 'Sauna thermen Bussloo,' it's a quit expensive sauna aswell. But it's worth the money, it's huge with lots of sauna cabines and whirlpools. 

Sauna thermen Bussloo.

For sure I will take it easy with my money there, the food there is riduculous expensive so I will avoid that. It was akward that I had to make a reservation for this sauna, just to let them know that I'm really comming. Oh well, I'm sure it's gonna be fun. Tomorrow might be a hectic day, I need to do groceries for this comming week, cause Saturday I don't have time. I have to re-book a excursion trip too, cause my other excursion trip to Prague has been chancelled. I will have to re-book a new trip trough my cellphone, that's why the phone charging today. I want to gett his over with as soon as possible.

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!