I won't have the possibility to write the next 10 days on my blog. I will be spending hopefull a wonderful and sunny break in Burgundy, Santenay! It is seven years ago that I have been on a real break. Will leave friend and son behind but they will cope and they will be taken care of as well. A will be spending 6 days with his grannie in Bilzen and P will have plenty of time to do his own thing. Like getting the bugs out of his new toy: the iPhone. Also will he be able to run a marathon without having to be in time for dinner or lunch.
Me I guess will have to get used to travelling and not to be back in time to cook, clean, do grocery shopping, do the dishes, do the ironing, and tons of these things that I happen to do when I am at home for the summer holidays.
The next ten days I will be spending with twelve people in 'La Douce France' in the small but pittoresque village of Santenay. Burgundy has always been one of my favourite regions in France. While I will be travelling down the country, I will be travelling through the rich history of that spot in France.
I can't wait to go and visit Vezlay, Beaune, Dijon, the village where 'Chocolate' has been filmed ( I am not telling the name because it is not that known too many) and have I mentioned the wine, the baquets, croissants, wine, cheese, melons and other delecious foods I might discover on my trip. I have packed my cookbooks, some of my favourite cooking magazines so that I might be able to cook something for my travelcompanions.
Literature is going to travel along as well. The Pillars of the world and Shopaholic and a baby are packed already. I have been promised that there is big tree where I can sit onder and read for hours without being disturbed! Heaven, I am in heaven!
Have some pictures of loved ones. because I will miss them and the first night when I call home to find out how things are going and hear A his voice I will miss him more then ever! Counting the days till we will meet again after ten days.
But I am going to enjoy this break and try to make new memories and find tons of inspiration to write new stories on my blog. So for now I am afraid that you won't find any new entries the next days. Enjoy the sun but don't forget the sunscreen!
A and P when you would ready this I will miss you and have fun without your mother. Just don't forget to water the plants! And try not to eat all these 10 days pasta. Perhaps next summer we should travel to Italy the three of us!!!
dinsdag 22 juli 2008
vrijdag 18 juli 2008
'There is something rotten in the state of .......' ( fill in the blanks)
Politics are not the most interesting thing to mention when writting a blog but I am afraid I can't get around them any more. I happen to live in one of these countries where politics are almost show business. But lately not many seem to be able to understand what the show was about.
Oké that I am obliged to go and cast a vote every now and then that is just the way it goes around here. Not that I like it but it is the only way to express my opinion about the government. So I take voting rather serious and don't just colour random one of boxes. And when the fist results are on the TV, I am hooked. To be honest when it turns out I have voted for the winner I have this rather content feeling that I have done my duty. All I can hope for then is that these elected politicians keep up their promises (mission impossible but they want to make us still believe in fairy tales) and run the nation in very responsible way.
Well I am afraid that the next time I am going into my cubicle to cast my vote I am facing rather a hard time. Playing darts in there might work! Whenever that will be? Perhaps rather too soon! A few days ago our prime minister raced over to the royal palace to tell the king that he wants to resign. It happened many times before but this time he was sent home without a straight answer. Not that I was surprised.
For the last year we not really had a federal governement that was working very effeciently. We had some protagonists that wanted to get into to spotlights and make sure that they wouldn't lose the attention of their audience. And I had fun watching them out there on stage. So here are some reviews of the best performances of the last twelve months.
We had Mrs No, the rising star of south. So persistent in her role and never forgot her lines. And beware of those who think that only big parts with lots of lines can turn you into a rather known star. She just needed one word to utter and we were hooked: no!!! Joëlle Milquet is for sure one of the leading ladies in our political playhouse. She only seems to have a hard time learning other lines.
I was bewildered by the part played by Oliver Maigain. He brought in extra tension and turned the melodramatic story into a real thriller. But he goofed off one time too much when he called the main character rather autistic. The guy even had to apolgize to all the intrestgroups for people with ASD. He might have a hard time to find a next part in a major play! But then he might be perfect to play Oliver Twist!
There was a very outgoing performance by Karel De Gucht. But his one-liners were not liked by all. And he made even the Congolese audience leave the theater. If you are wondering what the fuss is all about there are some sites you perhaps want to check out. For diehard fans there is: http://www.wegmetdegucht.be/. For the critics among you might find what you are after on: http://inflandersfields.eu/ . All his awardwinning performances can be found there and critical reviews as well.
Like every good play you need one of these guys who has some very strong body language. Bart De Wever was just cut out for that part. He was still going strong when not a single other cast member seemed to last for much longer. But then some of his words also ended up causing confusion, pain and frustration. Bart is one of these individuals who is not shy about speaking up. When critics call him names he will reply very eargerly by performing one of his trademark monologues. One thing is for sure Bart is not going to settle for a small fish. He is after the big fat catch: an Oscar-award for the best bad boy in a Shakesperian play. Mac Beth is then perhaps the next carreermove to think about.
Worth to mention is also Elio Di Rupo. The planned comeback can be called quite success. But perhaps the costume designer should start to rethink his outfits. These colourful bowties won't do in order to walk the red carpet. One of his collegues made him end up in the list of famous gay men. If this will make him more popular I doubt, but ending up in the same list as Goethe and Julius Ceasar is quite an accomplishment being an actor in B-movies.
Next there is the very charming Vincent Van Quickenborne, nicknamed Quickie. Some call him an opportunist, others think he is the next best son in law after Koen Wauters. This young rebel is a waterproof guarantee to spice up any the play. He ended up in the national press showing of his iPhone when you were not supposed to buy these abroad. His dream: the main part in a Kafka-movie. This boy is so honest that he talks very openly about how much money he makes being a political actor: 5 655 euros a month (before taxes). And that for doing a job he considers just a hobby! The dream audience he is after: G.W. Bush.
One of the actors that I had expected more from is Didier Reynders. Going very strong and about getting only major parts in blockbusters. Some even thaught he was going to be up for a BAFTA. Unfortunately, his side kick, Oliver Maigain, forces him to stay very realistic and don't get carried away. More then once he ended up in some of these silent movies! So perhaps some extra speech coaching wouldn't hurt. And Jack Sparow you better watch out, Didier considers your beloved wife,Vanessa Paradis as the perfect speech coach! Lately there are rumors that he is on the list of being a voice in the animated picture:'The adventures of Blake & Mortimer'.
The award for suprise comeback of the year is for our former Prime Minister: Guy Verhofstadt. He had made very clear that he would not taken part in any other Hamlet play and he was sick and tired of 'Much Ado About Nothing'. Not that many Bond Movies seen then. Like a 'Deus ex machina' he was pulled back in the spotlights. He saved the major play house from firing its biggest theater company. I just wonder how long it will last now that he is planning to bike back to his beloved Tuscany where he can read all his favourite books.
The award for most dramatic performance goes to our Prime Minister: Yves Leterme! He just tried too hard. Many expected top performances from him and hoped he would put Belgium back on the map. Apparently Yves can't manage the pressure and the high expectations that this part brings along. He even ended up singing the wrong tune when entering a church. He realises that something has got to change but for now I guess he got to settle for:'To be or not to be,..... That is the question.' For sure to be continued.............
Oké that I am obliged to go and cast a vote every now and then that is just the way it goes around here. Not that I like it but it is the only way to express my opinion about the government. So I take voting rather serious and don't just colour random one of boxes. And when the fist results are on the TV, I am hooked. To be honest when it turns out I have voted for the winner I have this rather content feeling that I have done my duty. All I can hope for then is that these elected politicians keep up their promises (mission impossible but they want to make us still believe in fairy tales) and run the nation in very responsible way.
Well I am afraid that the next time I am going into my cubicle to cast my vote I am facing rather a hard time. Playing darts in there might work! Whenever that will be? Perhaps rather too soon! A few days ago our prime minister raced over to the royal palace to tell the king that he wants to resign. It happened many times before but this time he was sent home without a straight answer. Not that I was surprised.
For the last year we not really had a federal governement that was working very effeciently. We had some protagonists that wanted to get into to spotlights and make sure that they wouldn't lose the attention of their audience. And I had fun watching them out there on stage. So here are some reviews of the best performances of the last twelve months.
We had Mrs No, the rising star of south. So persistent in her role and never forgot her lines. And beware of those who think that only big parts with lots of lines can turn you into a rather known star. She just needed one word to utter and we were hooked: no!!! Joëlle Milquet is for sure one of the leading ladies in our political playhouse. She only seems to have a hard time learning other lines.
I was bewildered by the part played by Oliver Maigain. He brought in extra tension and turned the melodramatic story into a real thriller. But he goofed off one time too much when he called the main character rather autistic. The guy even had to apolgize to all the intrestgroups for people with ASD. He might have a hard time to find a next part in a major play! But then he might be perfect to play Oliver Twist!
There was a very outgoing performance by Karel De Gucht. But his one-liners were not liked by all. And he made even the Congolese audience leave the theater. If you are wondering what the fuss is all about there are some sites you perhaps want to check out. For diehard fans there is: http://www.wegmetdegucht.be/. For the critics among you might find what you are after on: http://inflandersfields.eu/ . All his awardwinning performances can be found there and critical reviews as well.
Like every good play you need one of these guys who has some very strong body language. Bart De Wever was just cut out for that part. He was still going strong when not a single other cast member seemed to last for much longer. But then some of his words also ended up causing confusion, pain and frustration. Bart is one of these individuals who is not shy about speaking up. When critics call him names he will reply very eargerly by performing one of his trademark monologues. One thing is for sure Bart is not going to settle for a small fish. He is after the big fat catch: an Oscar-award for the best bad boy in a Shakesperian play. Mac Beth is then perhaps the next carreermove to think about.
Worth to mention is also Elio Di Rupo. The planned comeback can be called quite success. But perhaps the costume designer should start to rethink his outfits. These colourful bowties won't do in order to walk the red carpet. One of his collegues made him end up in the list of famous gay men. If this will make him more popular I doubt, but ending up in the same list as Goethe and Julius Ceasar is quite an accomplishment being an actor in B-movies.
Next there is the very charming Vincent Van Quickenborne, nicknamed Quickie. Some call him an opportunist, others think he is the next best son in law after Koen Wauters. This young rebel is a waterproof guarantee to spice up any the play. He ended up in the national press showing of his iPhone when you were not supposed to buy these abroad. His dream: the main part in a Kafka-movie. This boy is so honest that he talks very openly about how much money he makes being a political actor: 5 655 euros a month (before taxes). And that for doing a job he considers just a hobby! The dream audience he is after: G.W. Bush.
One of the actors that I had expected more from is Didier Reynders. Going very strong and about getting only major parts in blockbusters. Some even thaught he was going to be up for a BAFTA. Unfortunately, his side kick, Oliver Maigain, forces him to stay very realistic and don't get carried away. More then once he ended up in some of these silent movies! So perhaps some extra speech coaching wouldn't hurt. And Jack Sparow you better watch out, Didier considers your beloved wife,Vanessa Paradis as the perfect speech coach! Lately there are rumors that he is on the list of being a voice in the animated picture:'The adventures of Blake & Mortimer'.
The award for suprise comeback of the year is for our former Prime Minister: Guy Verhofstadt. He had made very clear that he would not taken part in any other Hamlet play and he was sick and tired of 'Much Ado About Nothing'. Not that many Bond Movies seen then. Like a 'Deus ex machina' he was pulled back in the spotlights. He saved the major play house from firing its biggest theater company. I just wonder how long it will last now that he is planning to bike back to his beloved Tuscany where he can read all his favourite books.
The award for most dramatic performance goes to our Prime Minister: Yves Leterme! He just tried too hard. Many expected top performances from him and hoped he would put Belgium back on the map. Apparently Yves can't manage the pressure and the high expectations that this part brings along. He even ended up singing the wrong tune when entering a church. He realises that something has got to change but for now I guess he got to settle for:'To be or not to be,..... That is the question.' For sure to be continued.............
woensdag 9 juli 2008
Raindrops are falling on my head!
I am a weather person and so for the moment I am quite pissed!! One day of rain I can handle, but ever since P is at home for his week off, it has been in the picture. For the moment my umbrella and I are closer than my partner and I. I try to be brave and go out there, hoping that it will stopp and that against all odds!!
Just a short overview where I got wet these last few days: Antwerp, Leuven, Kontich, Maastricht (even abroad I got chased by raindrops) Overijse, Antwerp (again) and Brussels.
Extra wet got A on all these trips but he was quite a good lad about it. But even a child can get tired of grey weather. So today he was wondering when the sun would come out. His mother couldn't give him a straightforward answer. We just got back from one of our wet trips and A was sitting in his carseat, wearing only a t-shirt and underwear. My light colored outfit had also turned into a rather dark wetsuit. P was still fully dressed. I guess if the police would have stopped us we had some explaining to do!!
I am dreaming of about exotic beaches, transparent blue oceans, hughes palmtrees and fruity cocktails served at the pool. Please take me there!! But because I have not won the lottery yet I will have to settle for hot chocolate with marshmellows, a bubble bath and a feet massage. The first two mentioned are no problem but the massage is. I might have to bribe P in order to get what I want. Is almost mission impossible!
I try to think of some positive sides of this rainy weather: no hungry mosquitoes who pay me a visit at nighttime, enough softdrinks (shortage of Coke Light when the temperatures hit the roof) in the supermarket, no sunburn, no sleepless nights (our bedroom is located under the roof!!), not too much sweat ordour , no dragging of buckets of water into your garden to wet the flowers, no allergy medecine needed (dust and bugs are drowned) no long waits at the butcher's (barbecue orders can make it a very long wait), no need for airco (saves you out some energy!)and foremost no urge to buy summer clothes that you might wear only once!
The money that I don't get to spend on sunny outfits I am going to invest in one of these weather stations you can install at home. So then I can change the channels if the weather forecast is on. These weather forecast people are 'persona non grata' in my life! Can' t stand them and especially the language they use in order to get the message across. Rain is rain, not a little depression that carries along humid air to our heck of the woods!!! Perhaps they get paid for the amount of words they use in their small talk!
One weather forecast I like and it's always correct! You can find it in the free newspaper 'Metro'. In there you will find also some words about the weather. Most of the time it's very simple and easy to understand. One picture and a few words is all they need to make it clear. My favourite prediction: 'Look out the window!' This is then illustrated with a picture of a window. When they try to make a more elaborate prediction they will add some extra styling advice e.g. by rain they will have a picture of an umbrella or when there will be sunshine, a picture of sunglasses.
Well, that is more my cup of tea, not too much spilled words on one of these subjects that people can nag on about for hours. Oeps, seems like I am turning into one of them! Perhaps I should do what Gene Kelly did once: 'I am singing in the rain,.......' The rain might then leave at once because, God do I sing off key!
Just a short overview where I got wet these last few days: Antwerp, Leuven, Kontich, Maastricht (even abroad I got chased by raindrops) Overijse, Antwerp (again) and Brussels.
Extra wet got A on all these trips but he was quite a good lad about it. But even a child can get tired of grey weather. So today he was wondering when the sun would come out. His mother couldn't give him a straightforward answer. We just got back from one of our wet trips and A was sitting in his carseat, wearing only a t-shirt and underwear. My light colored outfit had also turned into a rather dark wetsuit. P was still fully dressed. I guess if the police would have stopped us we had some explaining to do!!
I am dreaming of about exotic beaches, transparent blue oceans, hughes palmtrees and fruity cocktails served at the pool. Please take me there!! But because I have not won the lottery yet I will have to settle for hot chocolate with marshmellows, a bubble bath and a feet massage. The first two mentioned are no problem but the massage is. I might have to bribe P in order to get what I want. Is almost mission impossible!
I try to think of some positive sides of this rainy weather: no hungry mosquitoes who pay me a visit at nighttime, enough softdrinks (shortage of Coke Light when the temperatures hit the roof) in the supermarket, no sunburn, no sleepless nights (our bedroom is located under the roof!!), not too much sweat ordour , no dragging of buckets of water into your garden to wet the flowers, no allergy medecine needed (dust and bugs are drowned) no long waits at the butcher's (barbecue orders can make it a very long wait), no need for airco (saves you out some energy!)and foremost no urge to buy summer clothes that you might wear only once!
The money that I don't get to spend on sunny outfits I am going to invest in one of these weather stations you can install at home. So then I can change the channels if the weather forecast is on. These weather forecast people are 'persona non grata' in my life! Can' t stand them and especially the language they use in order to get the message across. Rain is rain, not a little depression that carries along humid air to our heck of the woods!!! Perhaps they get paid for the amount of words they use in their small talk!
One weather forecast I like and it's always correct! You can find it in the free newspaper 'Metro'. In there you will find also some words about the weather. Most of the time it's very simple and easy to understand. One picture and a few words is all they need to make it clear. My favourite prediction: 'Look out the window!' This is then illustrated with a picture of a window. When they try to make a more elaborate prediction they will add some extra styling advice e.g. by rain they will have a picture of an umbrella or when there will be sunshine, a picture of sunglasses.
Well, that is more my cup of tea, not too much spilled words on one of these subjects that people can nag on about for hours. Oeps, seems like I am turning into one of them! Perhaps I should do what Gene Kelly did once: 'I am singing in the rain,.......' The rain might then leave at once because, God do I sing off key!
zondag 6 juli 2008
Wimbledon and cooking, a winning combination!
I don't consider myself a real good cook but at least I try. And once in a while I am in for challenge and because Federer was about to win the sixth time Wimbledon I had family invited over to watch the game. Of course you need food to keep such a bunch happy especially if there were going to be rainbreaks.
Like every good host I try to be prepared. After planning and reading tons of cookbooks I took A out on a shopping spray in our local discount supermarket. We try to avoid to do this in the weekends. But Federer and Nadal call for desperate measures! During that trip I realised that half my menu fell through because of the lack of certain products. A also managed to fill up the cart with cookies, toycars and was as helpfull to yell all the ingredients of a summer fruitsalade through out the whole place.
I managed to get home safely with a filled up car and a kid who ate half a melon and wanted to have cookies and chips for lunch! We unpacked our errands and then went out for the day only to come back around midnight.
The next morning P decided to go out for a run and left me and A behind. So then it hit me I was going to have hungry people over! I started to cook, bake, cut, whisk, mix, melt, fill, roll, pour, crumble, ...... Bit by bit my kitchen turned into a battlefield. I was not playing serve and volley because time was running out and I had to improvise because of some missing ingredients.
Nigella and Tana had to help me out here. For the moment these are my two coaches. They have never let me down. So I still wanted to score!! We were going to have strawberries and cream but not just on a plate!! No, I wanted to hit an ace by baking from scratch 'Strawberry Shortcakes'. This recipe you can find in Nigella Lawson her devine cookbook 'How to be a Domestic Goddess', page 69-70.
By the time I was trying to get this done I was already a stressbunny!! P and A were not really good sports. Even basic hits like setting the table turned out to be too hard for them. Nigella then tried to get me back focused on what really mattered. Bit by bit I was easing down and when I finally got the cakes in the oven I felt rather back in shape. The smell and the texture of the cakes were magnificent!! These little pasteries were going to be my championship point!
When the doorbell rang and the first guest arrived I still looked like I had already four sets played and was in need of the physio on the field. But food they were going to get!!! P and A were still trying to play hard ball by forgetting the basic rules like offering drinks, checking if everything is under control or being good sports. No, these men were just fooling around out in the garden. It is was my sister who was my sparing mate and took over the match in order to get drinks served.
When P then turned up on centre court he even forgot that you first have to read cooking instructions in order to hit a ball right. 'What should I do next?', 'How can I know, you are the cook', 'You were the one who wanted to do something special' were some of his words. Bit by bit we turned into Lendl and Mc Enroe. 'Well, you are used to having nurses who get everything ready for you to use', made him leave the court. He took along a cocktail and was able to silence the crowd.
I then called for a sanitary stop and changed my sweaty shirt. Next I put all the food out on the table. Now I was ready for the final se!. Nadal and Federer still had to start. My fans took a good look at the food and then attacked. I was just standing there and enjoyed every bit of it. Nigella her cakes were all gone in a minute and I had to run after the plate in order to have one myself! I rounded up my final game with quasidillas and american styled hotdogs. Nadal and Federer had to settle for Evian! And these guys were not going to finish very soon in order to grab a bite!
My guest decided then to watch the end of the game at home. They left the court behind trashed with empty glasses, dirty dished and tons of garbage. I went back on centre court and started to clean up. P and A then thaught it was perhaps nice to help out and hoover a bit. In the back ground we heard N and F still going on.
The match turned into a teetch clencher! A mouthwatering, sweet, salty, and spicy dish they served us for late dinner! Nadal, being a amateur cook (he stated he cooked a meal for his entourage while being in Wimbledon), seemed to have had power food for lunch and so he pulled it of! Sending Rodger off the field heading for bread and water!! Our 2008 champion might be dinning in a three star restaurant or perhaps he will settle for home made paella! We will never know what these tennisstars had for dinner but I know one thing: what a game it was!!! And my kitchen and I we are ready for the next game, set and match!!
Like every good host I try to be prepared. After planning and reading tons of cookbooks I took A out on a shopping spray in our local discount supermarket. We try to avoid to do this in the weekends. But Federer and Nadal call for desperate measures! During that trip I realised that half my menu fell through because of the lack of certain products. A also managed to fill up the cart with cookies, toycars and was as helpfull to yell all the ingredients of a summer fruitsalade through out the whole place.
I managed to get home safely with a filled up car and a kid who ate half a melon and wanted to have cookies and chips for lunch! We unpacked our errands and then went out for the day only to come back around midnight.
The next morning P decided to go out for a run and left me and A behind. So then it hit me I was going to have hungry people over! I started to cook, bake, cut, whisk, mix, melt, fill, roll, pour, crumble, ...... Bit by bit my kitchen turned into a battlefield. I was not playing serve and volley because time was running out and I had to improvise because of some missing ingredients.
Nigella and Tana had to help me out here. For the moment these are my two coaches. They have never let me down. So I still wanted to score!! We were going to have strawberries and cream but not just on a plate!! No, I wanted to hit an ace by baking from scratch 'Strawberry Shortcakes'. This recipe you can find in Nigella Lawson her devine cookbook 'How to be a Domestic Goddess', page 69-70.
By the time I was trying to get this done I was already a stressbunny!! P and A were not really good sports. Even basic hits like setting the table turned out to be too hard for them. Nigella then tried to get me back focused on what really mattered. Bit by bit I was easing down and when I finally got the cakes in the oven I felt rather back in shape. The smell and the texture of the cakes were magnificent!! These little pasteries were going to be my championship point!
When the doorbell rang and the first guest arrived I still looked like I had already four sets played and was in need of the physio on the field. But food they were going to get!!! P and A were still trying to play hard ball by forgetting the basic rules like offering drinks, checking if everything is under control or being good sports. No, these men were just fooling around out in the garden. It is was my sister who was my sparing mate and took over the match in order to get drinks served.
When P then turned up on centre court he even forgot that you first have to read cooking instructions in order to hit a ball right. 'What should I do next?', 'How can I know, you are the cook', 'You were the one who wanted to do something special' were some of his words. Bit by bit we turned into Lendl and Mc Enroe. 'Well, you are used to having nurses who get everything ready for you to use', made him leave the court. He took along a cocktail and was able to silence the crowd.
I then called for a sanitary stop and changed my sweaty shirt. Next I put all the food out on the table. Now I was ready for the final se!. Nadal and Federer still had to start. My fans took a good look at the food and then attacked. I was just standing there and enjoyed every bit of it. Nigella her cakes were all gone in a minute and I had to run after the plate in order to have one myself! I rounded up my final game with quasidillas and american styled hotdogs. Nadal and Federer had to settle for Evian! And these guys were not going to finish very soon in order to grab a bite!
My guest decided then to watch the end of the game at home. They left the court behind trashed with empty glasses, dirty dished and tons of garbage. I went back on centre court and started to clean up. P and A then thaught it was perhaps nice to help out and hoover a bit. In the back ground we heard N and F still going on.
The match turned into a teetch clencher! A mouthwatering, sweet, salty, and spicy dish they served us for late dinner! Nadal, being a amateur cook (he stated he cooked a meal for his entourage while being in Wimbledon), seemed to have had power food for lunch and so he pulled it of! Sending Rodger off the field heading for bread and water!! Our 2008 champion might be dinning in a three star restaurant or perhaps he will settle for home made paella! We will never know what these tennisstars had for dinner but I know one thing: what a game it was!!! And my kitchen and I we are ready for the next game, set and match!!
donderdag 3 juli 2008
Booklovers of the world.
When I moved to Brussels it was with some reservations. But I made up a list of advantages living in our rather unknown capital and one of them was the amount of English speaking people I was about to meet. Experiences like studying English in college and having been an exchange student in the USA turned me into a human who adores anything that has anglo-saxon flair about it.
To keep up this up to date I am forced to read more English than Dutch literature. Not that I mind. Now and then you can find me in a bookstore checking out recent English bestsellers or finding the read of my life. There were enough hangouts to spend my money at but I missed an experienced guide. I was in need of a bookclub. First I checked the local newspaper, read from a-z the weekly cultural agenda, went to big chain bookshops. The last mentioned wouldn't give me straight forward answers. At least they were doing a good job in protecting the privacy of their clients!! They were just not good in attracting a new customer.
The crusade to find the Holy Read became rather tiring and was about to give up till.... At the time we lived in Brussels, P, A and I liked to go out on adventures trying to reveal the hidden treasures of Brussels. And on one of these walks P decided to take a shortcut. We had been on the road for hours and P insisted we would take an unknown route. I was feeling exhausted and in the need for some suguar intake. And the prospect of getting lost turned me into a moody individual. Suddenly P pointed at a sign saying:'Nicola's Bookshop'. The blue and white banner was looking very appealing and so we entered.
And there she was the long awaited bookheaven I was dreaming of and now I just hoped one thing: please let them have a bookclub!! When I popped the question I was holding my breath. 'Yes, there was and did I want to sign up for it?' YES, YES, I do and where is the reading list? I could't wait to get started to read the selected litterature. You can bet that the walk home was finished in a personal best time.
This was three years ago and what am I happy that we took that detour. N turned out to be a very inspiring Irish lady. She made me read many books that I would never have picked of a shelf in those big brand bookstores. My bookcollection became bigger but also much more colorful.
As an extra I got to meet very interesting people who were booklovers as well. Throughout the years many have sat around the table and shared their thaughts and feelings. We discussed books with titles like: Distant Palaces, Island, City of God, The Master and Margarita, The Way to Babylon, Welcome to Paradise, Eva Luna, Balzac and the Little Seamstress, The Whale Caller, ...... Through these titles I travelled to the mystical city of 'La Habana' wandered through Moscow, was chased after in the slums of Rio de Janeiro, got intimate with whales at the coast of South Africa, got enchanted by Chile and it's magical characters , tried to cross the Streets of Gibraltar, got caught up in the China's Cultural Revolution, reflected about the perfect society on the Island of Pala, visited the Flanders Fields and its horrifying drenches at wartime.
During those meetings I felt rather happy because I finally sensed that one senstation that I was after when I moved to this big city: a feeling of solidarity. Here I am sitting together with people brought together by books and speaking up their minds. We can't be called real close friends but we find the time to sit together and listen to what we have picked up while reading. There are moments that I am tempted to call in some political (failed) leaders and invite them to join us. They can learn a few things of attending this bunch. Here you can particpate in world politics and European democracy in a non-hostile environment.
Yesterday we had to say goodbye to two faithful booklovers. A and J, two very faithful readers. J was one of the few male contributors in the bookclub. Thanks to him we got also some male insights. His very soothing voice was also so nice to listen to. A her outgoing personality and spirit could add some extra sparkle to the discussions. They will be missed and we hope that they will find new bookheavens where they can sit down, relax, contemplate, dream off to a better place and discover new titles and authors . New faces will fill up the gaps they leave behind but they won't be forgotten.
N is preparing for the next season to come. First we are invited to read the summer selection that is waiting for us in her store. To me N is a very brave woman. She still runs an independently owned store and does with the alot of fire. N offers you a great service, can make you a pot of (Irish)tea with a good tasting cookie and make you buy rather unknown authors. I don't mind to pay that extra euro knowing that my money is spend well. So when you are close by, have some extra cash to spend and want to travel around the globe, don't hesistate and enter the world of Nicola's bookshop. You might find that one book that will change your life!! It worked for me.
Got curious? Check out the website: http://www.nicolasbookshop.com/.
To keep up this up to date I am forced to read more English than Dutch literature. Not that I mind. Now and then you can find me in a bookstore checking out recent English bestsellers or finding the read of my life. There were enough hangouts to spend my money at but I missed an experienced guide. I was in need of a bookclub. First I checked the local newspaper, read from a-z the weekly cultural agenda, went to big chain bookshops. The last mentioned wouldn't give me straight forward answers. At least they were doing a good job in protecting the privacy of their clients!! They were just not good in attracting a new customer.
The crusade to find the Holy Read became rather tiring and was about to give up till.... At the time we lived in Brussels, P, A and I liked to go out on adventures trying to reveal the hidden treasures of Brussels. And on one of these walks P decided to take a shortcut. We had been on the road for hours and P insisted we would take an unknown route. I was feeling exhausted and in the need for some suguar intake. And the prospect of getting lost turned me into a moody individual. Suddenly P pointed at a sign saying:'Nicola's Bookshop'. The blue and white banner was looking very appealing and so we entered.
And there she was the long awaited bookheaven I was dreaming of and now I just hoped one thing: please let them have a bookclub!! When I popped the question I was holding my breath. 'Yes, there was and did I want to sign up for it?' YES, YES, I do and where is the reading list? I could't wait to get started to read the selected litterature. You can bet that the walk home was finished in a personal best time.
This was three years ago and what am I happy that we took that detour. N turned out to be a very inspiring Irish lady. She made me read many books that I would never have picked of a shelf in those big brand bookstores. My bookcollection became bigger but also much more colorful.
As an extra I got to meet very interesting people who were booklovers as well. Throughout the years many have sat around the table and shared their thaughts and feelings. We discussed books with titles like: Distant Palaces, Island, City of God, The Master and Margarita, The Way to Babylon, Welcome to Paradise, Eva Luna, Balzac and the Little Seamstress, The Whale Caller, ...... Through these titles I travelled to the mystical city of 'La Habana' wandered through Moscow, was chased after in the slums of Rio de Janeiro, got intimate with whales at the coast of South Africa, got enchanted by Chile and it's magical characters , tried to cross the Streets of Gibraltar, got caught up in the China's Cultural Revolution, reflected about the perfect society on the Island of Pala, visited the Flanders Fields and its horrifying drenches at wartime.
During those meetings I felt rather happy because I finally sensed that one senstation that I was after when I moved to this big city: a feeling of solidarity. Here I am sitting together with people brought together by books and speaking up their minds. We can't be called real close friends but we find the time to sit together and listen to what we have picked up while reading. There are moments that I am tempted to call in some political (failed) leaders and invite them to join us. They can learn a few things of attending this bunch. Here you can particpate in world politics and European democracy in a non-hostile environment.
Yesterday we had to say goodbye to two faithful booklovers. A and J, two very faithful readers. J was one of the few male contributors in the bookclub. Thanks to him we got also some male insights. His very soothing voice was also so nice to listen to. A her outgoing personality and spirit could add some extra sparkle to the discussions. They will be missed and we hope that they will find new bookheavens where they can sit down, relax, contemplate, dream off to a better place and discover new titles and authors . New faces will fill up the gaps they leave behind but they won't be forgotten.
N is preparing for the next season to come. First we are invited to read the summer selection that is waiting for us in her store. To me N is a very brave woman. She still runs an independently owned store and does with the alot of fire. N offers you a great service, can make you a pot of (Irish)tea with a good tasting cookie and make you buy rather unknown authors. I don't mind to pay that extra euro knowing that my money is spend well. So when you are close by, have some extra cash to spend and want to travel around the globe, don't hesistate and enter the world of Nicola's bookshop. You might find that one book that will change your life!! It worked for me.
Got curious? Check out the website: http://www.nicolasbookshop.com/.
woensdag 2 juli 2008
A trip down Memorylane
People have memories, that is a fact. It just depends where you have caught them and how long they last. Some last for a lifetime others you are about to forget quite fast. But lately I have a new memory-aid. It had been introduced by others and I was hessistating to use it because I am not that big on that kind of things. But this one turns out to be quite a help as a braintraining!
Its name: Facebook. One of my friends, who moved to France for quite some time, made me curious and now I am an addict. It is so easy. You create your own profile and then the fun can get started.
One of the side-effects of Facebook is how many old acquaintances get back into your life!! Suddenly your friend you took balletclasses and went to grade school with is standing in your kitchen. And quite soon there are pictures to be seen that you thaught were already destroyed.
People that have quite some funny memories of me are also back in my life. C biking around in Haspengouw (Fruitcountry) in the middle of the night!!! Or getting drunk of having too much grapejuice (this is not a joke, coincidence or not!! the company who produced this juice took it out of production shortly after this incident) and dancing around in antique dresses in even older castles.
I also got back in touch with people that I met during my year as an exchange student. People that have met me as an 18 year old, who have been part of my best year ever. A year that has made me decide some things that have pushed my life in a certain direction. Also the boy who kissed me on a wonderful night in LA. Even he is back.
We all have changed in a way but now we are given the opportunity to get back in touch. It is just so strange that this all is happening thanks to a dropout of Harvard named Mark Zuckerberg who founded this thingy four years ago. He was tempted to sell it to Yahoo a few years ago. A sale that could have made him 1 miljard green bucks richer. Mark refused and today it is worth about 15 miljard green ones!!!
A trip down Memorylane is quite worth something. I cherish those trips. They have given me back a part of my life that I considered classified and forgotten. It spices up my social and emotional part of my brain and it gives me that extra bit of energy I need to get through the day. Thank you Mark and all the other 80 million of users! You all create new memories that will find their way into our heads and hearts and (might) last forever!!
Its name: Facebook. One of my friends, who moved to France for quite some time, made me curious and now I am an addict. It is so easy. You create your own profile and then the fun can get started.
One of the side-effects of Facebook is how many old acquaintances get back into your life!! Suddenly your friend you took balletclasses and went to grade school with is standing in your kitchen. And quite soon there are pictures to be seen that you thaught were already destroyed.
People that have quite some funny memories of me are also back in my life. C biking around in Haspengouw (Fruitcountry) in the middle of the night!!! Or getting drunk of having too much grapejuice (this is not a joke, coincidence or not!! the company who produced this juice took it out of production shortly after this incident) and dancing around in antique dresses in even older castles.
I also got back in touch with people that I met during my year as an exchange student. People that have met me as an 18 year old, who have been part of my best year ever. A year that has made me decide some things that have pushed my life in a certain direction. Also the boy who kissed me on a wonderful night in LA. Even he is back.
We all have changed in a way but now we are given the opportunity to get back in touch. It is just so strange that this all is happening thanks to a dropout of Harvard named Mark Zuckerberg who founded this thingy four years ago. He was tempted to sell it to Yahoo a few years ago. A sale that could have made him 1 miljard green bucks richer. Mark refused and today it is worth about 15 miljard green ones!!!
A trip down Memorylane is quite worth something. I cherish those trips. They have given me back a part of my life that I considered classified and forgotten. It spices up my social and emotional part of my brain and it gives me that extra bit of energy I need to get through the day. Thank you Mark and all the other 80 million of users! You all create new memories that will find their way into our heads and hearts and (might) last forever!!
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