Sun, high temperature and a serenade.

Sun, high temperature and a serenade. 

Thinking of what to write on this Sunday's post, I really didn't do much this warm day. It was like almost 19 degrees outside, though the sun had it hard to come trough. Yeah, Spring has started for sure! Think I will wait with putting away my Winter clothing, you never know it with the weather these days. This morning I heard several trumpets bringing a serenade, first I thought it was one of my neighbors, but I figured it could also be outside. I looked trough my window but didn't see anything in my street, though I heard a serenade of trumpets, lol. 

It was on the left side of the flat where a members of a marching band brought a trumpet serenade to... Yeah, to whom actually? Perhaps for someone in the flat where they stood in front for. On the picture you can see the members of the marching band, including the flat and a few elderly people. Anyway, it was a bit awkward to see and hear this on a Sunday, it's usually quiet here in this area. The 3 days of flew by again, tomorrow is Monday already. Got everything laying ready, clothes, working shoes, lunch in the fridge. Rain coat for just in case, they for spelled rain tomorrow. Bleh!

Change of plan, lol!

Change of plan, lol! 

This week I had the option to choose from two events, (yes, yes) there was the Record & Antique fair in Utrecht, and there was the re-opening from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. I never skip the Record & Antique fair, but this time I thought, "Why not go somewhere else instead?" So, yesterday I decided to go to the Rijksmuseum, but today, in the early morning something happened, Mrs. Hmph sent me a message  with saying that she didn't like it that I went, cause we made a deal that we, Mrs. Hmph and I, would go together. She wouldn't let me go alone, lol, oh no! So yeah, change of plans. Heading to Utrecht.
 

Lots of building and torturing roads apart in the city of Utrecht, Roads and lanes are open, and you really have to walk many miles to just cross a street or to actually get somewhere.

Confussing right? Yes? No? Good, lol. Okay, all jokes aside, it was a little misunderstanding  between two friends, lol. All okay and alright, I took of early this morning, I think I never went that early. There will be delays on the trains, so better to be early away. The train left at 8:30 am, so I went to close my door at 8:00 am and walked to the station. It was grey and just a bit chilly, they for spelled sun today, so, all good! I had to take another train route like I normally do, cause 'they' are working on the rails. I will pass my Dad's old village Nijverdal. 
 

First time I saw a windmill in a city, though, a nice one, right?

Here and there a bit excited about it, cause Nijverdal just opened their new train station and train tunnel. What a great station and tunnel, it's such a achievement for this village. From Nijverdal the train went further to Zwolle, in Zwolle I had to switch trains. But I jumped in the wrong train, me, train travel-expert number one gets in the wrong train, lol. I thought, oh God, no wonder it's the 13th today. While the train was riding I already made plans how to get to Utrecht, it was not that a disaster, just this trip to Utrecht will take a tiny bit much longer. I got of the train in Duivendrecht. 
 

Utrecht is a big city, though not as big as Amsterdam. So yeah, big city, lots of busy trafic, walking people everywhere and loads of bicycles and owners.

Duivendrecht is a village near Amsterdam. And is about a little 30 minutes from Utrecht, I thought, "I have to get out of the train now, so I can switch this train to another train towards Utrecht." Though, (sigh) I thought it all wrong, cause a train from Duivendrecht towards Utrecht didn't excised. At least, I couldn't figure out how. I decided to go back to where I started from, well, actually half way. From Hilversum (What's in a name) to Utrecht was my B, so there I went, from Duivendrecht to Hilversum, (a small 20 minutes)and  in Hilversum I took the train to Utrecht. 
 

I should have taken the normal coffee, but no, Mr. coffee wanted a cappuchino, to much milk as you can see. The strawberry cheese cake was good!

I arrived in Utrecht at 11:10 am, it was better then the time I guessed, so all good. I went straight to the record fair, and there was the same line up like last year. I saw many lines up with this fair, so, I kinda knew how long this line up will take, I'd say a little fifteen minutes. I was right. Entrance was 11 Euro, not bad. I didn't stay that long at the fair, cause I saw this fair a million times. Though it's always fun to be there and watch people what they are selling. I spent two hours at the fair and then I left and went into the city of Utrecht. It's really been a while since I been in the centre of Utrecht. 

The biggest church in Utrecht called 'De Dom,' you can walk underneath and walk straight to the other part of this church. I went inside and enjoyed  the atmosphere plus a choir that was singing there.

I decided to take my time today and not look on the clock, there's no one waiting for me, so enjoy mister! It was so busy though, all the people enjoyed the lovely weather. I dashed trough the streets and tried to find awkward places aswell, places I like to discover or explore. Utrecht had today aswell free entrance to all the churches, that was fun. It was after 4:00 pm when I left, before that I did a few groceries and then went to the trains. It was a nice day after all, a rough start this morning, damn and ugh! But in the end it was all worth it. I have some weird and crazy friends on FB... but I love them all, including you Mrs. Hmph! LOL! Hugs!!

Sweating and cramp at the dentist.

Sweating and cramp at the dentist. 

I thought I would be done in a little 40 minutes this morning at the dentist, but it took more then 90 minutes, ugh! My dentist started of with asking me if I needed a anesthetic injection, hmm, well, I told her no. Though, it always makes me think when a dentist ask this, lol. 'Why do they ask, is it going to hurt that much?'  Anyway, I refused the injection and the dentist went to work. I ouched a few times, oh yes, this was a tough treatment. Even the dentist had it rough, but I trusted her that she will fix things. And she did! I tell you, leaving your mouth open for a little 90 minutes is tough, the spit sucker made my mouth dry. 

After the treatment I asked for another treatment. My dentist always tells me before a treatment if she has to fix my two front teeth. I had a accident with my two front teeth when I was a teenager, I lifted my self up at a swimming pool, then I bumped my mouth/teeth on the edge of the pool. I broke both of my front teeth, my old dentist from back then fixed the teeth but now you can still see where it has broken.  My dentist can fix those two front teeth, though I was curious what this treatment will cost. Her answer was 170 Euro's, she told me that it's not really a must, it only looks better.

Well, I will think about it, and will decide this year. It's alot of money but not as much as I expected. If or when I can miss the money I will go for it. The treatment for today will cost me too, I had 3 tooth fixed, ouch! I was glad it was over. It was needed, I was glad it was done. Time for a well deserved surprise I thought, tomorrow I will be out for the whole day. I decided to go to the rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. I will be off at 8:00 am, my train will leave at 8:30 am. Early bird tomorrow, I think it will be a great day out. I surely will take my time.

Decision half made, lol!

Decision half made, lol! 

If it's not costing to much I might be going out Saturday all day, not to the record fair but to the 'Rijksmuseum' in Amsterdam. It's is a Dutch national museum dedicated to arts and history in Amsterdam in the Netherlands. The Rijksmuseum has been working hard towards the opening on 13 April 2013. Saturday it will be re-opened since a long time, and free entrance until 12:30 pm! The Rijksmuseum has been a working museum for more than 125 years. After more than a century of intensive use, this huge building needed a radical makeover. In the year 2000, the government of the day gave the go-ahead. After a lengthy period of preparation, work finally started in 2004. The main building was handed over in 2012, and work began on preparing for the opening. Following its refit, this internationally renowned museum is now fully compliant with the requirements of our modern age.

Inside stories been telling that this Rembrandt painting (The night watch) costed more then a million to move it to the new location, damn!

 All fine and well, I'm not sure if I'm going though. If I'm not on time for the free entrance I will have to pay a small 14 Euro, the train will cost me a small28 Euro. I will see if I'm going or not. The weather will be rainy, though not cold at all, a nice and warm 18 degrees celcius. Working today was okay, worked well in the morning. Though anything what could go wrong went wrong in the afternoon, lol. Just one of those afternoon's I guess, I hate it though. I dislike making mistakes, it gives a annoying feeling. Yes, I learn from it but bleh! Dislike. Dentist appointment tomorrow, I'm happy it's in the early morning (around 10) It's the drill I dislike, and it will be used tomorrow, my dentist want to make more space between two tooth she spotted last week. It's needed. I'll survive!

Making plans for the weekend.

Making plans for the weekend. 

Should I go out, or should I stay close to home this weekend? There's that huge event again on Saturday, the biggest record fair in Europe in Utrecht. I been there several times, but I'm not sure if I'm going this time, probably not. Why? I don't know, it's mostly the same and I think I saw it now, been there so many times. I rather go somewhere else. This record fair has aswell a huge antique fair, I'm sure I talked about it before on here. This event is twice a year, so, I can always go later this year. I need to save up some money for more important things. Like new shoes, lol.

A month before our Summer vacation we always get 'vacation money,' a little bit of money where we can spend just a bit more money as usual. I received it last year too, my job pays out the vacation money. If I wouldn't had a job I would get vacation money from Social Services, not that much as I get from work, but it's something. I will get some nice, new shoes from that money, plus I will buy a few gifts when I go on my trip to Atalanta/Georgia US. Gifts for my Friend Jan and her kids. Just some small gifts what I'm sure they will like. Relaxed about the trip? Yeah, I'm good. 
 

A few groceries aswell today, I'm such a daredevil on a bicycle, lol That's a full bag their.

I can't almost believe it when I think about it to long. Excited feeling.  The third visit to my therapist was a success, she complimented me many times about how I describe my breathing. I know it all, 'You could be a therapist, you know it so well what's going on with your breathing,' she told me. I had my moments of 'highly breathing' for such a long time that I got used to it. By knowing every detail, it gives a relief but the highly breathing is still there so now and then. Though not that pain full anymore, I know what it is.

The therapist gave me a few new excessive to practice at home, I'll do my best! Next week a new appointment. Oh I got soaking wet when I took of to the therapist, and I even had my rain clothing on, lol. On my way back it was dry thank God. The weather is getting better though, we need the rain, that's alright. Upcoming Sunday we will get 19 degrees! Spring is struggling, but it's getting there. Yeah, it's bed time once again, tomorrow early up. I had two naps today, wow, I guess it was needed. I could easily had a third nap, but no. I had to save some sleep for this night.

98 posts to go until the 1000th post...

98 posts to go until the 1000th post...

It's not always easy to write a post everyday, specially when you have nothing to write, lol. But it would be awkward to skip a day, in my eyes. Feeling sleepy again, then I realized I still have to write a post. I could have wait until tomorrow in the early hours. But I haven't got much time either tomorrow, therapist appointment at 9:40 am.  It's been two weeks since my last appointment, I did my exercises, that went easy but they are not really helping. Maybe it's a matter of time. I had to breath softly and gentle, and at the same time focus on a body part, (my back) Feel how it stands or moves, try to reach the floor with your back while your breathing. 

I only had to do it for a little 10 or 15 minutes. If I did it good I can feel my breath is going lower towards my stomach. And it did a few times, but as soon as I stopped. I automatically went to my own (trusted) pose, lol. Like I said, it takes time I guess, keep practicing. Though I'm not in a pain or something, or struggling with my breath, heavy short breathing. None of that all. I feel just that sometimes a pressure on my chest when I 'uhm' effort? I'm used to it though, I can actually stire it, handle it. Though it's just that sometimes annoying. Recently ( a few months ago) I a stab in my chest when I sneezed, that made me made a appointment with my Doctor. 

What resulted in a therapist. I can live it, any help is always welcome. It's all good. Nice day at work today, I love it when my Boss tells me what to do in a few words, and I do the things I have to do so easily. And if I don't know something I simply ask. I learned alot here, and in other factories. It seems I only got better after Canada, pick up things easier. Alright, I'm off to bed, I have to, before I fall asleep behind the laptop.

"Mondays."

"Mondays." 

Just a regular Monday, I worked and in the evening there was the free dinner. I like Monday's, Monday's never bore me. Yep, I'm alright, lol. I'm not going insane. After being three day's off, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, it's nice to start again, aswell with a new full week. I worked alone for a few hours today, the other fellow worker came a bit later. 
 

No, they don't lol!

I was quit excited to work on my own, proving always I can do it on my own is the best feeling. Although 'they' know it now, lol. A office member came towards me and asked me if I'm okay working on my own, I said, "Sure I am." The office member knew already that I would give that answer, lol. Working alone was fun, I did what I had to do, and a little extra. Nice day!

Nearly bed time....!

Nearly bed time....! 

Almost 10:00 pm, quickly writing a post and then of to bed. Early up tomorrow as always on Monday, work is calling! It's been good weather today, a Spring day you could say. Lots of sunshine and no cloud in the sky, even better then the weather we had yesterday. This weather we will keep until Wednesday, after Wednesday we get rain. It's been a long day, I guess because it didn't do that much today. Sunday's are officially rest days for me, probably some ironing and vacuuming, but that's it. 

I have no clue what this coming week will bring, it's better like that aswell. Take everyday as a surprise and enjoy! We all have our little problems, they come and go. Not that I have them at the moment, I'm good, not much to worry about. Uhm, your sure? yes, I'm sure! Yesterday I received a email back from Saf, so now and then I write to her. Not that often though, perhaps twice a year, and that's it. It's all good, It's a nice thing to do I guess. Alright, off to bed I go, night, night!

Spring is here...

Spring is here... 

My Aunt, no, not that Aunt, but another one, has invited me right after Dad's funeral. "Drop by one day, I'll serve you a nice cuppa soup," she told me. My Aunt lives near, she lives in the same city as I do. My Aunt is aswell my Godparent, yup, special Aunt. I really have to visit her one day, though I haven't find the time yet. This week I will find the time. Nice Spring day I must say today, the wind was a bit cold but further then that it was nice, sunny and not a cloud in the sky. Temperatures are going up aswell upcoming week, they for spelled rain later in the week. 

The rain is needed, but I dislike it! Someone called today, it was Jeniffer, she wanted her book back. Plus she apologized that the visits towards her didn't worked out. She told me that she felt sorry for me that I was scared to visit her, I never mentioned the word scared though, but okay. I didn't feel comfy with her, not feeling at the right place. Jennifer told me that what she had been trough (the throwing in the cell, her attacking her boyfriend with a knife, etc, etc.)  that, 'that' all been in the past. She's feeling much better now and she has less doctor visits. 

Yeah, but still. I had little bit of a 'Aaaww' moment, but once quited, stays quited. I will continue with the visits, but not with Jennifer. I told her that I will bring her book back, dropping it in her mailbox, and said a nice goodbye. While doing groceries I bumped into a few people who I know from the 'volunteer visits,' They are in the same project as I am and do volunteer visits aswell. It was nice seeing them, we had a snack together and we talked about the 'visits.' One volunteer told me to never give a phone number to a applicant, (hence to Jennifer) 

That was a rule what I forgot, a applicant can easily stalk you or bother you while calling. Lesson learned! I took it easy this Saturday, groceries, laundry and a coffee in the city. I vacuumed the hallway from the flat too, cause it was a mess. Once a week a cleaner drops by to vacuum and dust the hallways from the flat, but it seems the cleaners are dismissed, lol. I didn't do the whole flat ofcource, only as far my vacuum could reach............. End of this post? Yes, actually, though I forgot to actually post it, lol. I kept it in draft. Sigh, anyway, posting it now. 

*Insert tittle*

 *Insert tittle*

When I start to write a post, I always begin with a tittle and then I start to write. Though today I couldn't find a tittle yet, so I'll start to write first, lol. Anyway! Here's the weekend again, I haven't got plans yet, I have been out two times in a row in the last two weeks. So, this weekend I'm staying home. When I go out tomorrow it may not cost to much, lol. Early up this Friday morning, my dentist was waiting for me at 9:00 am. Just a regular control, but still. My dentist is a nice dentist, a good dentist aswell. She explains every little detail when it comes to my teeth and gives tips and such. 

My teeth were okay, though I have to brush better. Some of my 45 year old teeth (lol) are not that straight anymore, so it's possible that even my electric toot brush can't reach the places where it has to reach, even when you brush 3 times a day. My dentist can fix that problem with a drill or other equipment, I aswell can help, the dentist told me to buy Sensodyne tooth paste, and rub the paste with the fingers on your teeth. "Rub it in good, and do not eat or drink for thirty minutes after the rubbing," she told me. I heard this 'tip' before, but haven't tried it yet. Other patients have tried it too, and it really helped. 

My dentist showed me the X-rays of my teeth, and explained the problem. Next Friday at 10:00 am I'll have to be back, she will fix then a few teeth. I saw on the X-ray that it was needed, there's a tooth what I really can't reach with a tooth brush, That means, drilling! Oh well, better a bit of pain then later pulling the tooth. Finally today  a phone call back from the woman who guides me with the 'volunteer visits,' (Marianne) she's the leading lady from this project, when I have a problem when it comes to 'visits,' she's the one I have to go too. last Friday I visited my first applicant named Jennifer. 

I wasn't that happy with her, I felt a bit anxious aswell after her visit. Jennifer is a bit shy, not very outgoing. Jennifer is aswell sick, she lives on medication. Jennifer may seem lonely but is far from that, she visits people, she has a boyfriend where she goes out with alot.

She goes out for groceries and such, and visit other friends too. Though she complains that she almost never gets visits, hmm, weird. Anyway, that's where I come in the picture. Jennifer would like to have someone who visits her once a month, we will watch movies or have a chat or play games. 

I wasn't feeling that comfy last Friday at her place, and that feeling became only worse when she mentioned what she recently has been trough. Jennifer really needs her medication, otherwise it goes totally wrong she told me. She will flip or goes crazy. Jennifer told me about the time that she was put in a cell by four policemen, cause she flipped out. She once wanted to kill her boyfriend with a knife, she then called the police and they didn't want to take her. Once she stood on her balcony shouting to people saying she was the bride of Jesus, lol. Jennifer is now okay, she told me, uhm, yeah, right. 

I agreed with her that I will come by once a month. But now, being a week further, I decided to stop with Jennifer. I don't feel save with her, she  gives me a unpleasant feeling. Marianne the leading lady from this project confirmed with the canceling trough our phone call this morning, though she mentioned aswell that every applicant has a bit of a problem. They are on medication, or are disabled, and mostly they are elderly people. I decided not to stop with the whole 'volunteer visit' project, but only with Jennifer. I'm sure another (better/comfier) applicant will be next. I'm far from worried. 

So, here I am, I quited with my first applicant Jennifer, and awaiting my next applicant. Relieved feeling! Funny is that I still have a book from Jennifer, lol. I could borrow it from her to read. I will bring it to her one day, probably this weekend. Can you say mailbox? About me finding new social contacts? They will come, I'm not in a rush anymore, I'm not making it a job or a problem. I will have patience and in the mean time enjoy myself in what I usually do. Enjoy and go out, I will have that extra better coffee somewhere in another city, or take pictures and explore life. It's all good.

Here's da weekend!

Here's da weekend! 

It's been a short working week, but here's the weekend. Work went great as usual, we're not that busy, but we have something to do. There are factories or companies in Holland where it goes a lot worse, cause of the crisis. We don't complain, luck is with us I guess, it sure could have been a lot worse. Plans for the weekend? Hmm, not really. I have been out last weekend, and the weekend before that I went out too. So I guess it would be good to stay close to home this weekend.

First of tomorrow a dentist 'controle' appointment, kinda anxious about it, lol. As usual, though there's nothing to be anxious about. I thin k no likes a dentist visit that much, though we really can't do without. I experienced that way back, nothing better then healthy teeth. And further? Further not that much, the usual groceries, cleaning, cooking and laundry. Tomorrow night creamy pasta with chicken breast and zucchini. A new recipe, yum!

"Counseling boost!"

"Counseling boost!"

Today I had a appointment with a counselor, like I said yesterday. Four days after my Dad passed away I felt confused, sad and lost, didn't know what to do or what came next. Then I went to 'counseling,' for help, I thought, "Why not, I could use some help." Though the counselor told me that I was way to early, ofcource I felt sad, confused and lost, my Dad just passed away, he's not even buried yet. My grieving hasn't even started yet back then. The counselor told me that he or another counselor will get in contact me in about six weeks. This afternoon it was time. I'm still a bit confused about my grieving, did it already start? Is it done? Or, does it still have to come? 

With this feeling I went to my counseling appointment, didn't actually what to expect or what I have to do there. I feel okay, relaxed, my life has continues. Though the counseling went great, I laughed a bit in myself when I saw the counselor, such a small, short, little man, lol. He was fun to talk with too, I told him my story in short. From the day my Mom passed away until the day my Dad passed away. Yes, I talked aswell about my 'Canada adventure'  and the part of me being homeless. The counselor was sitting in a comfy way, he really liked my story, that's what he said a few times aswell. The question was that if I needed some help with the grieving process after six weeks. 

The counselor smiled several times, and told me, "Hell no," your doing well. I also brought up the part of my social life, that I'm not that happy with it. I really could use some 'new' friends, new social contacts. The counselor told me to be patient, "I see you as a very calm person, (he meant it as a compliment) not many people have that calmness around them," he told me. He told me aswell that I can enjoy so easily the little things around me, (that's another compliment) "Hearing you saying that your going out on your own and have fun on your own made me decide to say that." I agreed and thanked him, but when I'm out and enjoy the little things around me and have fun on my own...

It's aswell fun and enjoyable to share it with someone someone. He agreed, "Be patient, you can't go somewhere and throw a coin in a machine and a friend comes rolling out." 'Enjoy what what you do, and don't try to make it a must or a job to find a bundle of friends, enjoy yourself.' The counselor found it aswell daring that I go on such a big trips all on my own, Paris, London, Berlin and in a few months America, Atlanta. He was surprised about it, I could tell. Though he was worried about my trip to Atlanta, "If I was you I would chancel that trip, are you really sure you wanna go there?" I was waiting for him to smile and telling me he was kidding. 

After three or four minutes he smiled and told me to he was kidding! Wow,what a great adventure! This appointment with this counselor gave me a boost, it was a very uplifting appointment, and I told him that. He thanked me, he told me that he would like to have more patients like me, lol. I could tell he enjoyed my story, he sat comfy and he was fun too. He complimented me about the way I tell my stories, he didn't saw me really as a not social person. And about my easily grieving he told me, "I think you grieved already over your Dad the last thirteen years since your Mom passed away." He meant that I already and slowly said goodbye to my Dad in the last thirteen years.

"You took care of your Dad, you were mostly there when he needed you, you did your best and you did well." Ofcource, (he told me) it's aswell a relief a bit aswell that your Dad passed away, you don't have to worry anymore, you don't have to suffer with yourself anymore, you worried but it wasn't needed. A last fell of your shoulder, and it's okay to feel that. Yes, I loved my Dad, he knew that and I knew it. That's all I needed.So, in short, continuing in what I do, enjoy, and make it not that important to find new friends, have patience! I´m doing well, another thing the counselor mentioned was that, there´s now way I could go back to way I first was, before Canada. And that is a good point! Next appointment over six weeks!

Cleaning the water cooker.

Cleaning the water cooker. 

Yep, it's about time. I Googled for a few tips for how to clean a water cooker, vinegar! Either you cook some water with a tiny drop of vinegar, or you drop some vinegar in the cooker and you let it stay for one night. I'm gonna try the last one. I have been told that if you cook water with vinegar it could be bad to breath in the vinegar fumes. Anyhow and anyway, I will let you know how it turned out. I guess I'll have to clean the cooker good in the morning, cause of the vinegar smell.

Nice day at work today, good to be back after four days. Did alot and finished quiet some orders, nice! The weather was perfect aswell, if the temperature was a bit higher you could say it was a awesome Spring day! Lots of sun and no dark cloud in the sky, though it's still a bit to cold for the time of year. They talked about freezing next week, bummer! Worked today, tomorrow a day off again, lol. Tomorrow I will be having a appointment with a counselor. 

Two days after my Dad passed away I felt confused, sad, and miserable, didn't know actually what to do, or what will become of me. I searched for counseling help. 'They' heared my story, and allthough they understood me, they  told me I was way to early for counseling. "Your Dad just passed away, ofcource your feeling sad, miserable and confused," they said. I agreed. They told me to make a apointment over eight or nine weeks, "Let's see how you feel then, maybe we can help you then, we will call you." And so they did.

I'm okay though, not that sad anymore, or confused, or miserable. Maybe I could use some help though, let's see what 'they' have to say, right? Perhaps they can help me aswell with finding some social contacts, who knows. I will see tomorrow, 2:30 pm, I have to be there. It's almost walking distance.

Second Easter day!

Second Easter day! 

Four days off is really enough for me, lol. Tomorrow is back to work again, happy? Yeah, happy. Last Friday we celebrated 'Good Friday,' which occurs two days before Easter Sunday. It's a religious holiday observed primarily by Christians commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. Yesterday and today we celebrated Easter, just like in the rest of the world, only we and some other countries are having two days of Easter celebrating. It's been good, and I'm stuffed, lol. Sugar bread and chocolate, I need some exercise! A good, firm walk after lunch or dinner would have been a good idea, but I didn't. I should have. 

One and a half meter wide and one meter high! Mooh!

Today I went out aswell, though not that long. I avoided the crowd by going early to the garden centre. I bought a nice picture/painting, the red wall in my house is officially done. I doubted for a long time what to put on that red wall. I already had a painting on that wall from a few sheep's. Beside the sheep painting was placed a white clock. Yeah, was. I got rid of the clock and put the new painting there. The neq painting is huge, and has three cows, LOL! Farmish, lol. I saw many other nice stuff, but my wallet said, no! Saving some money for a pair of shoes, it's needed. Probably next month I will buy a pair. 

This wall iss done, probably in the near future when the red wallpaper gets old, I will paint this wall red again.

Bringing the new painting home was not that easy, one hand on the steering wheel and in the other hand the new painting. The hard wind was a obstacle aswell, ugh, but I made it. After hanging the painting I took off to the free dinner, a special 'Easter dinner.' The table was nicely decorated and the food was good, as always. Potatoes with fresh green beans, plus a chicken leg. Beside it there were several salads. Stuffed, once again. Such festive days can really stuff up your stomach, lol. The sugar bread what I got from work is half done. Burp!

Easter 2013!

Easter 2013! 

I knew it would be two days of rest with Easter, so, that's why I went out yesterday. So I could rest the following days. This first day of Easter went pretty fast, moving the clock a hour forward helped alot, lol. I spent this Sunday just like a regular Sunday, resting, enjoying being on my own, and one load of laundry. That was it. Oh, and I cooked a nice rice dish, with success. I have been thinking of my Dad aswell today, and ofcource my Mom. It gives a bit of a awkward feeling not having my Mom and Dad around, a bit sad feeling aswell. You feel just a bit more lonier then usual, I guess it's normal on such days like Easter, or Christmas. I know these feelings are just moments, they will disappear as quick as they came. 

Next week I will visit Dad's grave again, it's a bit of a relieved feeling going there, when I miss him I have the option to go there. It's been two months since Dad passed away,  everything passed by so fast these last two months. Dad's passing, the funeral, back to work again, etc, etc. Sometimes I think to myself, 'Is Dad really gone.' It gives a weird feeling that my Dad lays in a coffin under the ground. A bit of a un true feeling, I can't really describe the feeling. It's still fresh, it will get easier and comfier when more time passes. Day's like these bring you back, but further then that, I'm really okay and still relaxed. Dad suffered enough, it's okay, he's happy now.

Tomorrow I will see what I do, Tomorrow is the second day for us to celebrate Easter. A few shops will be open and a few fests will be held, I'm planning to visit a few shops after lunch. I'm planning to buy another painting aswell, I saw a nice one last week, but didn't plan on buying it. In the late afternoon there will be the free dinner again, tomorrow a extra Easter dinner. I have no clue what we get, but I know for sure it will be good. As always! Tuesday work is calling again, you know, I think I would collapse if I  didn't had a job, I'm truly happy with my work! Being at home without a job is surely not healty, and yet I have been there.

City Deventer today!

City Deventer today! 

Yup, although I was a bit of a doubt of going out today, I decided pretty fast this morning that I will be going out. I putted my clothes on then my shoes, washed and packed my bag and before I knew I was sitting in the train. Today I went to the city of Deventer, last weekend I went to the city Zutphen. When I travel to Zutphen I pass Deventer on my way, Deventer isn't that far. The trip took me not even thirty minutes with the train. Lol, funny thing this morning, just before I went out I had a phone call from Jennifer. (from yesterday's 'visit') She told me that she would like that I come for a visit on the 17th of April, 1:30 pm. Yesterday we both decided that when she wants me for a visit she will call me on a  Saturday, to make a appointment for a visit for the following Wednesday. My visits to Jennifer will always be on a Wednesday, (her choice) and once a month. Alright, back to my little trip.

A little bird area inside the park in Deventer, I have been in Deventer before but never visited the park, didn't even know that this park had a bird area. They even had excotic birds flying around.

Arrived in the park, nice area with here and there a few statues and sculptures. Here you see the sculpture 'Europa and the bull' actually, the bull is Zeus who had a secret crush on her despite being married to Hera...

In a no time I arrived in the city of Deventer. I already kinda knew where to go, or actually where I wanted to go. First of headed to the park, that was near the train station. After the park I came out beside the river 'The Ijssel,' just like I planned. The weather wasn't that cold, atleast not as cold as last weekend, where I almost frozed my fingers of, lol! Though I had some snow here and there, but that was alright. Gosh, snow in March, or perhaps worse, snow with Easter! I sat down on a bench near the river, and ated my self made sandwiches. I didn't sit that long cause it wasn't feeling like Spring or highly Summer, with the Summer this area is packed with sun bathing people. It's nice here! After walking beside the river for a little thirty minutes I turned left towards the centre of the city, just like I had planned. I should have examined Google maps a bit better...
 

The river the Ijssel, I rested here for a short fifteen minutes.

I couldn't come closer, otherwise they would fly away.

 Cause when I turned left I got a bit lost. The city of Deventer has alot of alleys and a few courtyards, you can compare it a bit with last weekends visit to Zutphen. Though Zutphen was better. Deventer is alright, it surely has his beauty aswell and his history. Wikipedia: Deventer has seen few military engagements throughout its long history. The industrial area and harbour were bombed heavily during World War II. The city centre has been largely spared, thus offering a view that has remained largely unchanged for the past few centuries. The female Jewish poet and writer Etty Hillesum lived in Deventer during the war before being deported to Auschwitz. In Schalkhaar, a village only two km northeast of the city centre, barracks were used by the German occupying forces to train Nazi policemen. The compound is now a centre for asylum seekers. 
 

The big Church from Deventer called the 'St. Lebuïnuskerk.' One of the nicest churches I seen by far, it's huge!

I had the privilege to ride one of these awkward bicycles, as you see the pedal's are on the front wheel. Very awkward to ride, though loved to have one, lol.

Deventer has been somewhat popular with the film industry. During the production of the movie A Bridge Too Far all of the scenes taking place in nearby Arnhem were filmed in Deventer, as Arnhem itself had lost its historic center. I got lost a few times, though getting lost wasn't that bad, there's alot to see here. Deventer is like a maze, specially the centre of the city. Lots of old fashion alleys, but aswell funny architecture. Ofcource I took some pictures. The centre, where all the stores were and shops was busy, I avoided that area a bit. I rather go trough old alley's to search for old and awkward buildings or houses. After a long walk trough the centre I took a break at a store, a well known store where you can buy just about anything, and there's a section where you can have a snack and a coffee or other drinks. I took a large coffee and a large cookie. Loved it! 

Charles Dickens painted on a wall in the famous 'Walstraat.'

The 'Walstraat,' look at these nice and cute houses! Loved being there.

On my way back I went trough a small alley called the 'Walstraat.' One of my favorite alley's to walk trough, the alley has old small houses in the style of 'Charles Dickens.' Plus small, cute little stores and Victorian style buildings. It was pretty crowded there, but fun to walk. Once a year (just a few days before Christmas) they are holding there the 'Dickens festival.' Hundreds of residents and others are on the streets dressed up in clothing from the Victorian era. Hundreds of characters from the books by Charles Dickens (1807/1870) are dressed up and act like Scrooge, Oliver Twist, Mr.. Pickwick, Christmas Carol-singers, orphans, drunkards, craftsmen and many other poor and rich people.On this event more than 100,000 people will visit the Walstraat. After walking long enough I decided to go back towards home, I felt tired, legs were hurting and I got hungry, it was all worth it.

My first applicant, Jennifer!

My first applicant, Jennifer! 

Eeek! Today I started my new volunteer job: This volunteer job is a job where I will be visiting people who have little social contacts, people who would like to do something but are not able to do such. These people are mostly elderly people, but aswell people who are handicapped or such. I will visit them, they can fill in their own needs of what they would like to do, that can be anything. A walk, a bicycle ride, a chat or just a coffee, etc, etc. After a rest full morning I made myself ready for my first 'visit.' I was nervous, but aswell excited, so, all good. Jennifer is her name, she is in her fifty's and has blond hair. That's all I knew from her before this day. I visited Jennifer together with the leader of this 'volunteer visit project', she was already waiting on the pavement in front of Jennifer's apartment, yup, Jennifer lives in a flat. She's lives not even ten minutes from my house. Together we knocked on Jennifer's door and we entered her apartment, my first thought of Jennifer? 

A bit shy, not very outgoing and sorry to say, not 100%. Jennifer is sick unfortunately, she lives on medication, I haven't asked her what her sickness is yet. although she mentioned having a sick thyroid, just like me. We actually have one more thing in common, Canada! Jennifer is born in Canada, when she was three years old she moved to Holland. She went back and forth from Holland to Canada until 2003. Now her Mom and Dad live in Holland too, only her brother lives in Canada. Jennifer may seem lonely but is far from that, she visits people, has a boyfriend where she goes out with, goes out for groceries and such. Though she complains that she almost never gets visits, hmm, weird. Anyway, that's where I come in the picture. Jennifer would like to have someone who visits her, we will watch movies or have a chat or paint or play games. I offered first that we could have a walk outside when I visit or go out or have a bicycle ride, but she refused that. 

"I do already such things whit my boyfriend," She told me, okay. 'Inside the house activities' it will be then, I didn't feel that comfy at first at her place, and that didn't change. I was asking myself, "Do I really want this job? Am I really the right person for this?" That feeling went only worse when Jennifer told some about her recently adventures, she really needs her medication, otherwise it goes wrong she told me. Otherwise she will flip or goes crazy, hmm, okay. 

Jennifer told me about the time that she was throwed in a cell by four policemen, cause she flipped out. She once wanted to kill her boyfriend with a knife, she then called the police and they didn't want to take her. Once she stood on her balcony shouting to people saying she was the bride of Jesus, lol. She laughed about it while telling, but I wasn't that amused. On that moment I really thought, "Do I really want this job?" Jennifer is a nice woman, and she's good company but I just didn't know. 

She told us that she felt good, and that everything is normal again. But what if I'm alone with her and she goes crazy? I can't handle that, and that not alone, she not really the kind of person who I like to visit. No offense to Jennifer, but..... I don't know. You know, this visit I had this afternoon made me realized that I really need 'new' people in my life, people where I can go out with or people who I can visit, and important, people who are 'normal.' Again,  no offence towards Jennifer. As you all know, I have lived in a shelter (Humanitas) for more then eight months, after these eight months I got me a apartment and could start with living on my own again, yet, with some help from Humanitas. Ofcource in these eight months at Humanitas I got some 'friends.' too. If I liked it or not, they were around. Even now when I live on my own, 'they' are around. These 'friends' are around with the free dinners during the week time, three times a week.  

These 'friends' are okay, though I rather spend time with people who are a bit more social and not a-social. They are just not my kinda people, there's a world of difference between me and them. These 'friends' are okay to spend time with but just for a quick a hello or sometimes a visit.  You can't really trust them, and they do things what I despise sometimes. Some say, if you spend time to long with such people, you become like them. It's time to change my social life, I thought I would be okay with these 'volunteer visit's' but no. The visits will be okay but I need some extra beside it. Yup, normal people, lol. I can really tell the difference when I'm around my 'friends,' and see other normal people around me at the same time. Im in need of change before I feel a stranger towards 'normal' people, lol! Before I become a a-social aswell, lol. Sorry! Solution? I will continue with the visits to Jennifer, she would like that I come to visit once a month, well I can live with that. 

In the mean time I will search further. Perhaps I should join that club where I had doubts with at first , or perhaps I should walk into that building once again where they had opportunities for starting a group or a cursus. I sent a message this evening to the leader of the 'volunteer visits,' project, I told her what my thoughts were about my visit with her at Jennifer, and how I would like to continue. Well done Sjon! lol, She can help me out aswell wirth my 'search aswell, or maybe give me other opportunities.

Easter is on his way!

Easter is on his way! 

I have no plans yet, but they will come. I think I will prepair a nice meal with Easter, that will be on upcoming Sunday and Monday. Everyone at work has four days of with Easter, nice! We all will start again on Tuesday, work went well today, busy though, but that felt good. I like when things go my way, ,lol. I like when orders are done on time, though sometimes we have rush hour, lol. Just like today we finished a order right on time, good feeling.

I have been thinking today, do I really eat healthy? I think the only way to find out is to write down what I eat daily, with breakfast, with lunch and with dinner. An hour ago I finished my Easter chocolate egg, it took me three days to finish it. The last part was quit alot, but I finished it in fifteen minutes. I want to challenge myself to not eat chocolate, or candy or other sweet stuff for a month, I'll start today, until the 1st of May, Let's see how that goes. 

Tomorrow should have been my first start for the 'volunteer visits,' a woman named Jennifer would have been the one who I'm gonna visit. I canceled it cause I thought last week I  might had to work a half day extra on the day on the first visit,  but no. I emailed the leading lady from this 'volunteer visit project last week, telling her I might have to work on our first visit. Today I emailed her again, telling that the visit can go trough, sigh. 

Probably I will get a message back tomorrow. Jennifer will be my first applicant and ofcource I'm nervous, lol. But it will go fine I'm sure, this is just something new, I will get used to this new thing. I will have to be there for my applicant, so I guess I have to be brave, and probably outgoing,lol. It will be good for not only Jennifer, but aswell for me. Like I said, maybe tomorrow is our first meeting, it's like a 'getting to know each other' meeting. And no! It's not a date, LOL! Sounds like it but it's not.

 

Not much to report, all is good!

Not much to report, all is good! 

No news is good news my Mom used to say, hmm, yeah, I guess so. It's been such a gorgeous day today, thanks to the mega load of sunshine on this Wednesday. Just like the last three or four days it shined! Though the hard, rough wind made it cold, otherwise it would have been nice. It's still freezing at night, this will continue for a few weeks so they told. Yeah, way to cold for the time of year. This morning I had my appointment with the therapist, that went pretty well. I know everything about my breathing, that I breath wrong and what it does to me. The theory I know, now I have to learn to breath the right way. The therapist is a nice lady and she really knows her job. I had to lay down again and she shoved a hand under my back, she wanted to examine my breathing. 
 

I'm happy with the plant I bought today, I figured I could buy the plant with the money I got from work last Monday. (Easter gift)

Later on she told me to focus only on her hand on my back. She felt that my back was feeling tensed, 'Try to relax and try to focus completely on my hand on your back," she told me. At first my back felt lightly tensed. It took a while that my breathing went trough my stomach, then my back touched the bench where I was laying on. The therapist noticed it and I did too, "Well done," she said. I noticed the feeling in my back, but I didn't know that she noticed it too. She's an expert, lol. After the appointment the therapist gave me this excersize with me for homework, I have to do the same thing with the hand and my back. Just for a few minutes a day, within two weeks is the next appointment.

Well exhausted!

Well exhausted! 

Yeah, I'm almost ready for bed. It's been two busy days at work, did alot and I feel satisfied. Always a good and nice feeling after work.Though looking forward for tomorrow's day off. First I have a appointment in the early morning, 9:40 am it's time for my second visit to the therapist. Breathing therapy. Last Friday was my first session, I discussed with her my problems and she asked me a few things and thought me a few things. Tomorrow I will have to name up four muscle areas or body parts what still feels tensed, (or how you call it) when I'm in a total relaxed position. 

Well, I tried to discover that a few times the last few days, but I couldn't find one. Perhaps my chest, hmm, I don't know. Or when I moved my fingers when I type I hold them in a tight, tensed position. I'm pretty excited about this therapy, I wonder what the therapy will bring tomorrow morning. After the therapy I will do a few grocery and then towards home for my rest. A few naps are on my 'to do' list too. In the late afternoon there's the free dinner, nice. I'm sure tomorrow will fly by fast, yeah sometimes a day is actually nothing, it's over before you know it. Though it's always nice having a day of rest in between.

In need of warmer weather...

In need of warmer weather... 

Hey! What is this?!

Runny nose, here and there a bit sneezing, ugh! I hope I don't get caught up with a cold, I wouldn't be surprised though. The weather is cold, and the wind is blowing quit hard the last three days. Not that much fun on a bicycle, but okay the Winter season will pass too, even though it takes a little longer as usual. Atleast it's not raining or snowing, oh gosh, you saw the terrible snow in England? Oh my! Then we surely may not complain.

Nice and busy day at work, oh gosh! One mat returned and had to be done over, the carpet in the mat needed to be replaced with brushes. I had to remove the carpet, that went quit easy, but then the glue had to be removed. Armed with a hammer and a screwdriver I went to work. It took me almost a half day to remove the glue, but I got it done. Muscle pain much! We had a early Easter present aswell, cause both Bosses will be gone the rest of the week. They will travel to Poland for business.

Our present was a nice, small Easter brunch with presents. We all could order a certain kinda sandwisch and after that we got our presents. A chocolate egg, nicely decorated, a sugar bread, and a little envelope with 20 bucks! Nice!! Our Bosses do that so now and then, give little surprises. Well, little? It's nice and I like it, I'm blessed with my job. I really hope still to work there for another ten or twenty years. I have positive thoughts about it.

Dating?

Dating? 

It came to my mind today that I perhaps should start dating, I'm not saying 'dating again,' cause I actually never started with dating. I'm the kinda person who always thinks, when it happens, it happens. If it happens then it's meant to be! I still think that's the right way for me. When I think of my relationship with Saf, I must say that it was good for me. I learned from this relationship, perhaps now it's time to apply for what I have learned, lol. Otherwise I might forget what I all have learned, lol. These thoughts are just thoughts, I know. But yeah, I'm still thinking about it. 

There are special kinda journey's for single travelers aswell in Holland, it's the same company where I travelled with to France, Berlin and London. 'Single Journey's,' they are called. These Journey's go everywhere and ofcource everyone is single, thinking about it. It's not even a bad or wrong thought. I will see.It's not that I'm un-happy as a single, I'm happy single at the moment. And my thoughts always will remain the same about dating, if or when it happens, it happens, it's really the best way. I'm not going to search for a date, it's way to much work and it feels like such a obligation. I will just let it happen when it happens, or let God decide or lead my way. 

It's all good! This Sunday was good and relaxed, such relaxing days fly by. Not doing that much and still the time flies, I ironed a bit, cooked a bit and that was actually it. The Sun bursted out of the sky, though it was so cold outside. A hard streaming wind blew trough the sky, my house felt nice and warm, thanks to the sun. It's been a nice though cold weekend, tomorow starts the week again. Working two days, then Wednesday of as usual. Then Thursday working and then it's weekend again.

Very cold day!

Very cold day! 

It hasn't been this cold since 23 March 1916 in Holland, in 1916 it was 1,1 degrees (Cecilius) Today it was 2,3 degrees. (Celsius) Last year on this date it was 19 degrees (Celsius) Oh how I wish it was 19 degrees today, lol. Though the low temperature didn't stop me from going out today, oh no! Once I have the going out on my mind, I'm going! The cold wind blew hard, though it was dry, no rain, and a sunny sky. I left my villa at 9:30 am towards the train station, the train towards Zutphen left around 10:00 am. The train took a little hour towards Zutphen, it all went pretty fast.Here and there I felt a bit sleepy, but knew aswell that that would pass. 

The Walburgis Church in Zutphen.

I been in Zutphen a few times, but these times were short. Mostly I spent my time in Zutphen on the train station, waiting for the next train. Thanks to Google maps and Wikipedia I made a little walking route, not a exactly walking route, but just to know where I have to go, or  what I would like to see or what there is to see. First to the river, that wasn't even ten minutes from the train station. After passing the river side my plan was to go round the centre of Zutphen, do a short grocery and then hit the centre of Zutphen. I knew already where the grocery store was and I knew aswell I would pass lots of alley's and courtyards. 

Many awkward shope aswell in Zutphen, though you have to search for them.

 After taking a few pictures I longed for gloves, damn, the freezing wind made my fingers feel like sticks. Ouch! I needed to go to a store where I can warm myself up, I found the grocery store pretty easy, thanks to Google maps yesterday, lol. The store was the same store as in my city, only it was a extra large one. The grocery store is called Albert Hein, one of my favorite stores. Every city in Holland has a Albert Hein,maybe even a few. The Albert Hein in Zutphen was huge and very cozy, I loved it. I grabbed what I needed and warmed my hands on a cup tea, I talked to a elderly man who helped me out with my cuppa. 

A statue next to the Walburgis Church.

We sat, and we talked for a short time. I enjoyed my time in Zutphen, I didn't shop that much though. I rather like to explore the place, looking for sight seeings, avoiding a bit the crowd. It was busy in Zutphen, although the cold I saw many people enjoyning the Saturday. I took a few breaks to warm myself up, it surely was needed. I ordered a coffee in a store, and I nearly could reach my coins with my cold fingers, they were almost passed out. After a little five hours I thought it's been good and I returned to the train station, heading home. Tired, hungry and pretty much satisfied. I had a good time, it was all worth it! 

Time to go home, here am I waiting for the train towards Almelo. I have taken alot more pictures, you can see them on my Facebook page.

You know, I really would like to do such things once a month, once a month grab the train and explore a city in Holland, a city (or village, or just a place) where I never had been before. It's nice being out, to see things, see people and just enjoy yourself. No hasty things, just everything on time. I hope the weather will change as soon as possible, I rather go out on a day with a pleasant tempature then a cold windy freezing day, lol. Tomorrow I will rest, do absolutly nothing, yeah eating and sleeping and hanging around. That's what Sundays are for, right? Recharging for the Monday.