They finally made it into my inbox! My exame-results. They really took some time to become something less abstract. I know some people who were already running around with their results for two weeks. Not that I was looking forward to them.
You must know that studying for this was also something abstract. I had made the promise to A and P to give it a try but I had not made the sacrifices that some people make when they are full time students. So yes, I had not changed into one of those sleepdeprived zombies that I knew from my college years. I remember very clearly my close friend N who even put toothpicks between her eyelids to keep on going!
I gave up a few weekends to hammer the most important facts into my head. The reading material I tried to manage beforehand. But my course material seemed to take the proportions of a papermonster that was out of control. This time I had no time to run wild and start complaining. I still had shirts to iron, meals to cook, a house to keep clean, a toddler who loves his mother baking panecakes or other edible stuff! So college folders became almost a piece of decoration and attracted some extra dust to kill!
So taking them was like travelling back into time! It was strange to enter a college room filled up with strained faces that looked very pale! I felt almost guilty that I still looked awake. While I was reflecting about the questions I felt a bit akward. I wondered why I was doing to this. I handed them in with mixed feelings, packed up my stuff and left.
The hard part was dealing with friends, family and collegues when asked about the results. It seemed like they were so confident about me that I would pass that I felt a bit out of tune there! I even ended up dreaming about the results!
I opened up the threatened mail when I was at work. My cheeks turned red, my heartbeat went wild, I got sweaty handpalms! It all came back to me all those moments that I was waiting for the result of the jury. The prospect of having to deal with dissapointment, the tears, having to study in the most sunny months of the year and not knowing if it would be worth the energy.
While I was staring at the points of the jury it all became a bit fuzzy. It took me a few seconds to take in what I saw: one failed, one passed!!!!! The subject I passed was the hardest one out of two. It was the course that most of my fellow students didn't consider a. And the stack of college joyride. The folders that I now get to dust off will be already a bit less hard to reach for. P and A are very happy for me as well. Also I want to thank all those people that still believe in me. I have more days then you can imagine that I still wonder if I can do this!
I feel now already a bit less out of tune in a student library, the student restaurant, the ACCO (the college store) and lecture hall! Being a student with wrinkels is something I never imagined to be but it seems to work! It turns out to be the best beauty product that I ever have invested in! In combination with my Nitendo DS game this braintraining makes me feel fit and so much younger! Can you already see the difference?
P.S.: I am so sorry that I had to kill the mouse that was running around the house while I was studying! She will be thrilled to hear that I failed that subject I tried to study for while she was paying a deadly visit!
zaterdag 21 februari 2009
donderdag 19 februari 2009
Baziel, the king of the house!
I am a catlover and having to be obliged to live without one of these cuties is rather hard. But an allergic partner makes you do strange things. We don't even have a fish. There are days that iI really grave for one of these four legged micehunters. An extra way to keep me company when my I feel a bit down and can ease down after a hard day at the job. So I was very happy that I still had our housecat Baziel to turn to.
Baziel was one of these cats that bit by bit becomes one with the house. Coming home was also finding at home a purring cat who just hat finished his gourmet meal. He pointed out very clearly he would not liked to be disturbed while being in catheaven. One of our wise houseguests pointed out once:'A dog has a boss. A cat has got staff!
'
Well, Baziel had staff. And the number one butler was my mother. Baziel and her were partners in crime. He was very picky on food she served and the other issue he had was being shy. When we adopted him he was one of these fluffy grey hairballs that snuggled down on your feet because he was still too small to jump on your lapp.
My father, who considered naming pets a serious bussiness, came up with a very fitting name for him: Baziel. A derivation of the Greec word: basileus, meaning king. In the hope he would be as stunning as one of his kinsmen: the lion!
Around the time that we graduated from college Baziel was more at home then we were. He even forgot that he had to guard the house, hunt after mice and trying to impress fellow-machos who tried to come closer to his door. My mother frequently expressed her dissapointment about Baziel not living up to her expectations.
He did turn out to be afraid of strangers, crying babies and other cats and he showed this by not entering the house when there were strange cars parked in front of the house. And he only prefered the lapp of his personal assistant: my mother. Only watching, no touching.
It only became very complicated when the youngest bunch of the family became aware that Baziel was great fun to chase after. The grandkids seemed not to agree with Baziel his rather easy lifestyle and forced him to make some changes. He had to start getting used to hands that tried to pull his tail off or did not leave his favourite seat in the living room.
In return the tomboys started to be devoted catlovers. Going to 'granny' (mum will kill me when she reads this!) was going to Baziel as well. It was so cute to see them petting him and talking to him in the hope he would talk back. Of course he never did but the fact that he started to hang around a bit more when we were over was a blessing.
Baziel of course got older and my mother seemed more and more trying to care of a retired cat. You wish that it would be true that a cat has got seven or more lives. That they are stuntmen and can stand any tempest and walk in spick and span. You hope that they have discovered the spring of eternal youth. Well, Baziel decided that he had spent enough time in this catheaven and was off to the other Wahalla. My mother had him put to eternal sleep after he was not able to eat, drink or taking care of his himself.
When I asked her if she was okay, she said:'Of course I cried because Baziel was my cat!' Yes, my mum has taken care very devoutly of him. She got up at four in the morning to let him in for his milk and brushed his coat like it was one of the most expensive furcoats. So, Baziel you will be missed and my mother's lapp will miss an extra blanket. Hopefully catheaven is all you hoped and more!
Baziel, you can be sure that you had not one staffmember but tons of devoted caretakers who happily treated you as a king. You can be sure we will wave once in a while because that is what a royal animal deserves. We will miss you!!!!!
Baziel was one of these cats that bit by bit becomes one with the house. Coming home was also finding at home a purring cat who just hat finished his gourmet meal. He pointed out very clearly he would not liked to be disturbed while being in catheaven. One of our wise houseguests pointed out once:'A dog has a boss. A cat has got staff!
'
Well, Baziel had staff. And the number one butler was my mother. Baziel and her were partners in crime. He was very picky on food she served and the other issue he had was being shy. When we adopted him he was one of these fluffy grey hairballs that snuggled down on your feet because he was still too small to jump on your lapp.
My father, who considered naming pets a serious bussiness, came up with a very fitting name for him: Baziel. A derivation of the Greec word: basileus, meaning king. In the hope he would be as stunning as one of his kinsmen: the lion!
Around the time that we graduated from college Baziel was more at home then we were. He even forgot that he had to guard the house, hunt after mice and trying to impress fellow-machos who tried to come closer to his door. My mother frequently expressed her dissapointment about Baziel not living up to her expectations.
He did turn out to be afraid of strangers, crying babies and other cats and he showed this by not entering the house when there were strange cars parked in front of the house. And he only prefered the lapp of his personal assistant: my mother. Only watching, no touching.
It only became very complicated when the youngest bunch of the family became aware that Baziel was great fun to chase after. The grandkids seemed not to agree with Baziel his rather easy lifestyle and forced him to make some changes. He had to start getting used to hands that tried to pull his tail off or did not leave his favourite seat in the living room.
In return the tomboys started to be devoted catlovers. Going to 'granny' (mum will kill me when she reads this!) was going to Baziel as well. It was so cute to see them petting him and talking to him in the hope he would talk back. Of course he never did but the fact that he started to hang around a bit more when we were over was a blessing.
Baziel of course got older and my mother seemed more and more trying to care of a retired cat. You wish that it would be true that a cat has got seven or more lives. That they are stuntmen and can stand any tempest and walk in spick and span. You hope that they have discovered the spring of eternal youth. Well, Baziel decided that he had spent enough time in this catheaven and was off to the other Wahalla. My mother had him put to eternal sleep after he was not able to eat, drink or taking care of his himself.
When I asked her if she was okay, she said:'Of course I cried because Baziel was my cat!' Yes, my mum has taken care very devoutly of him. She got up at four in the morning to let him in for his milk and brushed his coat like it was one of the most expensive furcoats. So, Baziel you will be missed and my mother's lapp will miss an extra blanket. Hopefully catheaven is all you hoped and more!
Baziel, you can be sure that you had not one staffmember but tons of devoted caretakers who happily treated you as a king. You can be sure we will wave once in a while because that is what a royal animal deserves. We will miss you!!!!!
vrijdag 13 februari 2009
About 'Vlees en bloed' ('Flesh and blood')!
There are many TV-series that are worth to mention. Many can make you forget the bills you need to pay, the trash that you still have to put outside, the laundry that still needs washing, the basket full of ironing and the huge pile of dishes that needs a soap attack but there are those rare gems that just to that one bit extra. There are directors who take the risk of trying to let you sense something that is very complicated.
Seven weeks ago, Thursday, we were able to tune in for witnessing the daily life in a butcher's shop. Seems not that thrilling. I must admit that I even forgot to watch the first episode. Suddenly my collegues stopped mentioning the weather, their kids, travel adventures and daily complaints because of this one hour of television they had watched last night! They had sparkles in their eyes!
So the following Thursdays I planted myself in front of that square screen to figure out what this was all about. Already at the very beginning you get hooked. Butchering is about meat and so they show you in the first copple of minutes exactly that but then filmed with high speed camera. The images are slowed down so the details are amazing! The freshly cut bacon, rolled burgers and chopped steaks make you already shiver. And the blood that flows gives you goosebumps! This all along with incredible music. Meat becomes an art and suddenly your local butcher gains more respect.
The storyline: a family business who tries to keep the bussiness exactly that but seems to fail desperatly at doing so. The wife who finds out that Viagra won't to do the trick with her mariage, two chopsteaks that make you walk through the woods, the 'bospoeper' (sorry non-Dutch speaking people I am not going to get in detail what this all about. There are amazing online dictionaries. So I challange you here!), a dog with a camera who changes all, the grandmother who hopes that all her children will get along and won't sacrifce all she worked her bud off for, the neighbour who can't wait to order his daily portion of sausages and wants to finds out the latest gossip, the shopassistant who falls in love with the son, the lost son who draggs along many secrets, the secret ingredient of the notorious sausage sold only once a year, the local sherriff who knows all the family secrets and tries to keep the family together, the daughter who hates meat and is married to a frustrated retired inspector.
The press states that the story line is so typical Flemish. This could take place anywhere along the Flemish roads. Many Flemish people seem to recognise these situations. We are known to stick to tradition, have the tendency trying to hide our real feelings, the battle between son and father, mother and daughter and the search for a real 'home' and recognition.
By episode five you suddenly start to love this place and know that you are in for a special treat. You start to feel close to these personalities. And by episode seven you don't want to let it come to an end.
Last night about two millions tuned in to watch the last episode and I made sure that my kitchen was clean by that time. It is hard to explain what the director managed to do. But the people who know a bit about some yearly traditions in a typical flemish village will be able to agree with me that what we got to see was so geniune.
In many villages in this rather greyish flemish corner there are still the yearly 'kermissen' or fairs . Then many families will come together for family lunch or dinner, there are fun rides for the children, pubs stay open very late, and on the first Sunday the 'koers' will take place. Local bikers will race through their familiar roads and are cheered on by their neighbours, friends and family to win the trophy.
It is that image that made me smile last night. The whole family cheering on their guy on wheels. Mike, the loyal butcher employee, made them realise what life should really be all about. He won the cup against all odds: overweight, deadtired after spending the whole night preparing the special sausages. Thanks to a special prepared piece of fruit he was able to go completely bananas on his bike.
In this scene I suddenly thaught back of the time that my little home village organised their yearly fair and all the sounds, colors and smells came back to me. Even the sun light I tried to recall. And the best moment of all was P who was sitting in his running outfit with a big smile on his face staring at the same scene. It was one of these nostalgic smiles that makes you wonder what is on his mind.
I just know one thing for sure that the next time I open the door of the butcher shop that I will smile for sure. And when the shop assistant has got tears in her eyes that I will still smile when she tries to convince me that she just chopped onions up for in the 'americain preparé'. To make up for her lost tears I will then order an extra pound of that meat prepared with love.
If you want to find out more about this rahter unique series you can check out: http://www.een.be/vanvleesenbloed
Seven weeks ago, Thursday, we were able to tune in for witnessing the daily life in a butcher's shop. Seems not that thrilling. I must admit that I even forgot to watch the first episode. Suddenly my collegues stopped mentioning the weather, their kids, travel adventures and daily complaints because of this one hour of television they had watched last night! They had sparkles in their eyes!
So the following Thursdays I planted myself in front of that square screen to figure out what this was all about. Already at the very beginning you get hooked. Butchering is about meat and so they show you in the first copple of minutes exactly that but then filmed with high speed camera. The images are slowed down so the details are amazing! The freshly cut bacon, rolled burgers and chopped steaks make you already shiver. And the blood that flows gives you goosebumps! This all along with incredible music. Meat becomes an art and suddenly your local butcher gains more respect.
The storyline: a family business who tries to keep the bussiness exactly that but seems to fail desperatly at doing so. The wife who finds out that Viagra won't to do the trick with her mariage, two chopsteaks that make you walk through the woods, the 'bospoeper' (sorry non-Dutch speaking people I am not going to get in detail what this all about. There are amazing online dictionaries. So I challange you here!), a dog with a camera who changes all, the grandmother who hopes that all her children will get along and won't sacrifce all she worked her bud off for, the neighbour who can't wait to order his daily portion of sausages and wants to finds out the latest gossip, the shopassistant who falls in love with the son, the lost son who draggs along many secrets, the secret ingredient of the notorious sausage sold only once a year, the local sherriff who knows all the family secrets and tries to keep the family together, the daughter who hates meat and is married to a frustrated retired inspector.
The press states that the story line is so typical Flemish. This could take place anywhere along the Flemish roads. Many Flemish people seem to recognise these situations. We are known to stick to tradition, have the tendency trying to hide our real feelings, the battle between son and father, mother and daughter and the search for a real 'home' and recognition.
By episode five you suddenly start to love this place and know that you are in for a special treat. You start to feel close to these personalities. And by episode seven you don't want to let it come to an end.
Last night about two millions tuned in to watch the last episode and I made sure that my kitchen was clean by that time. It is hard to explain what the director managed to do. But the people who know a bit about some yearly traditions in a typical flemish village will be able to agree with me that what we got to see was so geniune.
In many villages in this rather greyish flemish corner there are still the yearly 'kermissen' or fairs . Then many families will come together for family lunch or dinner, there are fun rides for the children, pubs stay open very late, and on the first Sunday the 'koers' will take place. Local bikers will race through their familiar roads and are cheered on by their neighbours, friends and family to win the trophy.
It is that image that made me smile last night. The whole family cheering on their guy on wheels. Mike, the loyal butcher employee, made them realise what life should really be all about. He won the cup against all odds: overweight, deadtired after spending the whole night preparing the special sausages. Thanks to a special prepared piece of fruit he was able to go completely bananas on his bike.
In this scene I suddenly thaught back of the time that my little home village organised their yearly fair and all the sounds, colors and smells came back to me. Even the sun light I tried to recall. And the best moment of all was P who was sitting in his running outfit with a big smile on his face staring at the same scene. It was one of these nostalgic smiles that makes you wonder what is on his mind.
I just know one thing for sure that the next time I open the door of the butcher shop that I will smile for sure. And when the shop assistant has got tears in her eyes that I will still smile when she tries to convince me that she just chopped onions up for in the 'americain preparé'. To make up for her lost tears I will then order an extra pound of that meat prepared with love.
If you want to find out more about this rahter unique series you can check out: http://www.een.be/vanvleesenbloed
vrijdag 30 januari 2009
Schooldreams
I love my jobdescription! I have never done anything else then being a teacher and after 11 years of experience it feels like a second skin. The fact that I work with exceptional pupils makes a workingday never dull! Every day is unique. Altough many things did change the last two years.
When I started out my job took place in a very old building in the middle of the historical city center of Mechelen. Across the school there was a little church where one of the Masterpieces by Rubens was hanging: the admiration of the three kings! So when there was going to be fire in our school the whole fire departement of the city was going to be hanging around! And we even had John Voight over because he used the church as a location for the movie 'The Dog of Flanders'!
Two years ago we moved our precious school! The roof was coming down when the blackboard was moved downwards, safty regulations seemed to be issue and once in while there was no heating. After ten long years and many construction nightmares we were able to move away to a different location. Moving a school is also a work of patience and I decided that the half of my class room had to move to the dumbsters. I wanted to start fresh in my new classroom.
The building we have now is modern and gigantic! And no stairs! You can actually do some run practice or drive your bike through the halls. It is a brand new place with many opportunities. It took a while to get used to it but now if starts to feel okay. But it takes more then just a new building to have a school that works.
Like every teacher I need inspiration and when a collegue of mine suggested that the educational fair (NOT) in Utrecht was the place to hang ouf for a day I doubted for a day or two. Fairs can be great. You get the opportunity to see the latest changes, publications, media-applications and other things that can give your life as teacher more color. But also can cause some frustrations and dissapointments.
Finally I decided to go and it was so much fun. The fair itself is hard to grasp! Suddenly you end up in one big building with a group of people that all care about education. And before you know you start to dream. The latest technology that can give your lesson more dimensions, new forms of administration or lessonplanners, teacherkits that promise you the best lessonmaterial, educational (and at the same time fun and smart) games that will stimulate the social skils of your pupils, cool designs for your classroom, the latest publications, the most recent language programmes to teach your pupils a new language in a fun way, pencils and pens that look cooler then ever, brochures to plan your class adventure outside the school, ........
I can go on for hours what I have seen that day! After spending some hours down there I was not on this planet anymore. I imagined that I would be able to have that smartboard with multi media tools, having all the ICT programmes that will give my pupils the individual approach they deserve, have the books that just nurture my creativity, have that printer that would create colorful worksheets, have the newest furniture that will not hurt my back and let my pupils feel more comfortable, ...................
Not hard to imagine that I left that place feeling inspired and dragging along tons of promotional material, cool gadgets, pens, stickers, brochures and catalogues. My feet are still hurting so the feettablets they handed out at one place were actually really to be used instantly! But also my head was aching and I knew that by the time I arrived back in school most of the things I had seen would stay dreams.
Because all these things cost hard cash. And that is a not something I have in abundance. Nor does my principal! He would wish he did. Because the new building seems to have cost a fortune and still does. When I fill out a form to have some chalk or paper for my classroom I need to think twice. It is the money issue that has taken over my profession and there are days that I feel as empty as the account that my principal has.
So for now I have to settle for a classroom that looks not as appealing as it could do. And it is only in my dreams that I am able to teach as I wish. I would just like the aspect that my boss also attend one of those lessons that I am teaching in my dreams. The chat we would have after that lesson would be so much as fun as well! So all I can do till the cash till is full again or we happen to win the lottery, is keep on dreaming. Perhaps I should start filling out lottery forms instead of lesson plans!?
When I started out my job took place in a very old building in the middle of the historical city center of Mechelen. Across the school there was a little church where one of the Masterpieces by Rubens was hanging: the admiration of the three kings! So when there was going to be fire in our school the whole fire departement of the city was going to be hanging around! And we even had John Voight over because he used the church as a location for the movie 'The Dog of Flanders'!
Two years ago we moved our precious school! The roof was coming down when the blackboard was moved downwards, safty regulations seemed to be issue and once in while there was no heating. After ten long years and many construction nightmares we were able to move away to a different location. Moving a school is also a work of patience and I decided that the half of my class room had to move to the dumbsters. I wanted to start fresh in my new classroom.
The building we have now is modern and gigantic! And no stairs! You can actually do some run practice or drive your bike through the halls. It is a brand new place with many opportunities. It took a while to get used to it but now if starts to feel okay. But it takes more then just a new building to have a school that works.
Like every teacher I need inspiration and when a collegue of mine suggested that the educational fair (NOT) in Utrecht was the place to hang ouf for a day I doubted for a day or two. Fairs can be great. You get the opportunity to see the latest changes, publications, media-applications and other things that can give your life as teacher more color. But also can cause some frustrations and dissapointments.
Finally I decided to go and it was so much fun. The fair itself is hard to grasp! Suddenly you end up in one big building with a group of people that all care about education. And before you know you start to dream. The latest technology that can give your lesson more dimensions, new forms of administration or lessonplanners, teacherkits that promise you the best lessonmaterial, educational (and at the same time fun and smart) games that will stimulate the social skils of your pupils, cool designs for your classroom, the latest publications, the most recent language programmes to teach your pupils a new language in a fun way, pencils and pens that look cooler then ever, brochures to plan your class adventure outside the school, ........
I can go on for hours what I have seen that day! After spending some hours down there I was not on this planet anymore. I imagined that I would be able to have that smartboard with multi media tools, having all the ICT programmes that will give my pupils the individual approach they deserve, have the books that just nurture my creativity, have that printer that would create colorful worksheets, have the newest furniture that will not hurt my back and let my pupils feel more comfortable, ...................
Not hard to imagine that I left that place feeling inspired and dragging along tons of promotional material, cool gadgets, pens, stickers, brochures and catalogues. My feet are still hurting so the feettablets they handed out at one place were actually really to be used instantly! But also my head was aching and I knew that by the time I arrived back in school most of the things I had seen would stay dreams.
Because all these things cost hard cash. And that is a not something I have in abundance. Nor does my principal! He would wish he did. Because the new building seems to have cost a fortune and still does. When I fill out a form to have some chalk or paper for my classroom I need to think twice. It is the money issue that has taken over my profession and there are days that I feel as empty as the account that my principal has.
So for now I have to settle for a classroom that looks not as appealing as it could do. And it is only in my dreams that I am able to teach as I wish. I would just like the aspect that my boss also attend one of those lessons that I am teaching in my dreams. The chat we would have after that lesson would be so much as fun as well! So all I can do till the cash till is full again or we happen to win the lottery, is keep on dreaming. Perhaps I should start filling out lottery forms instead of lesson plans!?
vrijdag 23 januari 2009
Superwomen!!!
Yes, he did it: Barack Obama is the new president of the United States of America! It was the first time ever that I wanted to make sure that I was able to watch the oath because yes, I wanted to witness hitory. And in Washington DC about 2 million wanted to do the same. It was a day full excitement and when O took the stage and delivered his first maidenspeech it was very quiet! But it is not this speech or this man that I want to go on about. It is the lady dressed in yellow on high heels with a big smile on her face: Michelle!
What a woman and not because she happens to be O his wife! There is more to this woman that catches my attention. To me M is the typical woman of our times. Being a woman in the 21st century is a very big challenge. It seems that these times demand superwomen in order to survive. But what is a superwoman?
Perhaps it is that woman that is able to combine everything: a job, ten hobbies , being a four star chef in the kitchen, keep her body in shape, look every day like she has a hairdresser living in her bathroom, a businessagenda with no open spaces to be noticed, three children to fill up her big family car, gain a five diget salary and aim for the big job opening at the top!
Superwoman seems to be a woman like Rachida Dati. This killerlady is the present minister of the justice departement in France! If you don't know what she looks like check out her name on google and you will see and read what I mean. A few hours after she delivered her child she was back with her head at work. Once she had dropped off the kid at home with a nanny (or husband (?) or grandparent) she was heading back for work! Declining her right for materninty leave! GREAT job!!! She looked great that day: dressed in black, wearing high heels and a big smile! And that with still stiches in her stomach of the caesarian!
Time magazine and our national press wrote an article on her, stating mainly the facts and pointing out that this superwoman just makes other women looking weak! Some women have fought to get all the rights she now is declining. Many women will feel as if that they will have to able to do the same things as she did in order to look good! And trust me it is already happening around me. I know so many people that seem to be up and about whole the time to make it work. I know now more women that are not happy with their lives then men! But once a while it has to do with great expectations on the malesculine side!
And therefor I just love M so much. O has made it into the White House and he openly thanked M for that! 'She does everything that I can but then on high heels!' he said once about his wife. But you can be sure that M had to make up her mind to let O do his thing. At a certain moment she even had to get up very early to go to the gym. O was out and she was sitting there with two little girls. It must have been hard to make up her mind and that is perhaps the prize we now pay for all the womenrights that have been fought for.
M is also a woman with ambitions but she faced the truth very bravely and settled for less many say now! Well, less then is better! Out there there are more women that state now that they feel okay with being not superwoman. They don't want to be up and about to save the world and feel perfectly fine with just being a wife, a mother, a friend and a good employe but with no killer instinct! And these women feel neglected and consider themselves useless for the society.
Look at M her bodylanguage it tells enough! Her long arms just swing around when she gets on stage. It seems like she would love to make a strong signal with these arms that she is more then the wife of O. She still wants to be the woman that will make this work not just for O but for her whole family. M pointed out that this is an adventure! She still wants to give the children what they deserve and you can be sure that is not the private bowling alley or cinema!
I appreciate the women that have been up and about fighting for all the rights and that many public functions are open to us! But at what price! M knows that she has got to be carefull. She knows that when she will openly get too ambitious she might end up where Hillary ended where her darling husband made her go for a while! Some people asked her openly what her mission is once her husband is in the Oval Office. Her answer was rather not a straightforward!
But to me that was the best answer. M has the right to just be the woman that she is. She has nothing to proof! If she decides that she just want to drive her kids around and perhaps bake cookies for the next bakesale at their school, decorate the White House, trying to stay tuned with her husband and his job and giving him a massage now and then in Air Force One then that is fine with me. O will need her at his side. But you can be sure that M won't walk behind him. M is the cement in Household One!
She might do more then just the average but perhaps she will do it more silently. It is not the woman on high heels walking down the Elysée who wants to save the justice departement and her job who will gain my respect. No, all these women that make sure that their families feel good, feel loved, get the attention they deserve, keep the house warm and comfy, show real interest in everything and everyone that are the women that can save the world!
M is the first Lady and she will make sure that the words her husband has send into the world will have a chance to turn into reality. O mentioned values as a very important issues. Values make the person and we learn them where it starts all: at home! I think that all the women globaly that try to teach their familymembers values are the real superwomen of today.
So yes, Miss Dati you might got into the big league but it takes more then a black suit and high heels to gain my respect! Remember that also your beloved daughter Zohra will need a set of values to get around. Perhaps it is time that you ask your boss for M her phonenumber. She is the real expert and so are millions of women out there that deserve a round of applause because they want to be just heroes at the homefront.
Domestic goddesses around the world don't give up with baking cakes, ironing dozens of shirts, cleaning the bathroom, driving around the kids, work from nine to five for your monthly salary, do the grocery shopping, reading the gossip columns and ten thousand other useful things that make the difference for others!!! Being a mother is a full time job with no paycheck, company car or extra benefits but it is probably the most valuable job of all! RESPECT!!!
P.S.: By the time I have ended this piece of writing, the news got out that Dati was send off and will be on the list for the next European elections! Turned out a bit too much to handle afterwards, I guess! Have a nice evening Rachida and give Zohra an extra kiss! She will be happy for sure that you are home early!
What a woman and not because she happens to be O his wife! There is more to this woman that catches my attention. To me M is the typical woman of our times. Being a woman in the 21st century is a very big challenge. It seems that these times demand superwomen in order to survive. But what is a superwoman?
Perhaps it is that woman that is able to combine everything: a job, ten hobbies , being a four star chef in the kitchen, keep her body in shape, look every day like she has a hairdresser living in her bathroom, a businessagenda with no open spaces to be noticed, three children to fill up her big family car, gain a five diget salary and aim for the big job opening at the top!
Superwoman seems to be a woman like Rachida Dati. This killerlady is the present minister of the justice departement in France! If you don't know what she looks like check out her name on google and you will see and read what I mean. A few hours after she delivered her child she was back with her head at work. Once she had dropped off the kid at home with a nanny (or husband (?) or grandparent) she was heading back for work! Declining her right for materninty leave! GREAT job!!! She looked great that day: dressed in black, wearing high heels and a big smile! And that with still stiches in her stomach of the caesarian!
Time magazine and our national press wrote an article on her, stating mainly the facts and pointing out that this superwoman just makes other women looking weak! Some women have fought to get all the rights she now is declining. Many women will feel as if that they will have to able to do the same things as she did in order to look good! And trust me it is already happening around me. I know so many people that seem to be up and about whole the time to make it work. I know now more women that are not happy with their lives then men! But once a while it has to do with great expectations on the malesculine side!
And therefor I just love M so much. O has made it into the White House and he openly thanked M for that! 'She does everything that I can but then on high heels!' he said once about his wife. But you can be sure that M had to make up her mind to let O do his thing. At a certain moment she even had to get up very early to go to the gym. O was out and she was sitting there with two little girls. It must have been hard to make up her mind and that is perhaps the prize we now pay for all the womenrights that have been fought for.
M is also a woman with ambitions but she faced the truth very bravely and settled for less many say now! Well, less then is better! Out there there are more women that state now that they feel okay with being not superwoman. They don't want to be up and about to save the world and feel perfectly fine with just being a wife, a mother, a friend and a good employe but with no killer instinct! And these women feel neglected and consider themselves useless for the society.
Look at M her bodylanguage it tells enough! Her long arms just swing around when she gets on stage. It seems like she would love to make a strong signal with these arms that she is more then the wife of O. She still wants to be the woman that will make this work not just for O but for her whole family. M pointed out that this is an adventure! She still wants to give the children what they deserve and you can be sure that is not the private bowling alley or cinema!
I appreciate the women that have been up and about fighting for all the rights and that many public functions are open to us! But at what price! M knows that she has got to be carefull. She knows that when she will openly get too ambitious she might end up where Hillary ended where her darling husband made her go for a while! Some people asked her openly what her mission is once her husband is in the Oval Office. Her answer was rather not a straightforward!
But to me that was the best answer. M has the right to just be the woman that she is. She has nothing to proof! If she decides that she just want to drive her kids around and perhaps bake cookies for the next bakesale at their school, decorate the White House, trying to stay tuned with her husband and his job and giving him a massage now and then in Air Force One then that is fine with me. O will need her at his side. But you can be sure that M won't walk behind him. M is the cement in Household One!
She might do more then just the average but perhaps she will do it more silently. It is not the woman on high heels walking down the Elysée who wants to save the justice departement and her job who will gain my respect. No, all these women that make sure that their families feel good, feel loved, get the attention they deserve, keep the house warm and comfy, show real interest in everything and everyone that are the women that can save the world!
M is the first Lady and she will make sure that the words her husband has send into the world will have a chance to turn into reality. O mentioned values as a very important issues. Values make the person and we learn them where it starts all: at home! I think that all the women globaly that try to teach their familymembers values are the real superwomen of today.
So yes, Miss Dati you might got into the big league but it takes more then a black suit and high heels to gain my respect! Remember that also your beloved daughter Zohra will need a set of values to get around. Perhaps it is time that you ask your boss for M her phonenumber. She is the real expert and so are millions of women out there that deserve a round of applause because they want to be just heroes at the homefront.
Domestic goddesses around the world don't give up with baking cakes, ironing dozens of shirts, cleaning the bathroom, driving around the kids, work from nine to five for your monthly salary, do the grocery shopping, reading the gossip columns and ten thousand other useful things that make the difference for others!!! Being a mother is a full time job with no paycheck, company car or extra benefits but it is probably the most valuable job of all! RESPECT!!!
P.S.: By the time I have ended this piece of writing, the news got out that Dati was send off and will be on the list for the next European elections! Turned out a bit too much to handle afterwards, I guess! Have a nice evening Rachida and give Zohra an extra kiss! She will be happy for sure that you are home early!
woensdag 7 januari 2009
The promise
I know that writting an entry about the war in Gaza can be rather tricky. I might hurt people their feelings and that is the last thing that I really intenionally want to do but I feel like trying to express what I feel when I read the newspapers and watch the news. It is not a happy sight to see the troops of Israël engage into a war that just seems so hopeless to begin. It is not a happy sight to see the inocent victims that don't get to see a free world. Because after all these years I wonder what this war is going to bring? Will be the outcome peace? I doubt it. Although the idea that if this conflict would come to an end then many conflicts will, makes it so much more complicated and interesting at the same time.
What really annoyes me for the moment is the fact that this war is used for many causes. The price of oil was in free fall and ever since there was one shot more then usually the prices go up. My wallet is the first to feel if people out there in the Middle East want to make clear that they want to tell their violent story. I feel so helpless when I see the chaos created amongst innocent people when I watch the news. Inside and outside there is rage but ....
Some years ago I travelled to Jordan and what a trip it turned out to be. I walked through a country with a tremendous history, smelled incredible spices, felt the heat and ate wonderful food, met very friendly people but above all I was face to face with a nation with a breathtaking natural habitat. And it was not Petra that took me high up in the sky. No, it was an other trip that made me wonder how nice the world could be if this war could end.
MOUNT NEBO!!!! I have to be honest before hand I not knew it was going to take my breath away or make me feel light inside. But once I survived the long walk up I was face to face with a view that I never will forget. And there it hit me: this is the promised land, this is worth fighting for! Don't get me wrong not with weapons of destruction!!! While you standing up there and watch over a desolated land you will be overwhelmed with a very strange sensations. In the bible the word says that Moses stood on Mount Nebo overlooking the promised land. When the pope visits the Middle East he visits this place and stands up there and stares at the horizon. At Mount Nebo you can look the promise right into the eyes and makes feel so humble and respectful.
You see a landscape that just makes you wonder that Mother Earth must have an incredible power. The desolated heat you can sense once you drive down towards the Dead Sea takes you on a trip to the unknown. We took pictures of the sunset and we were silent for minutes. We were all travelling but then in contemplation. And suddenly the war is very close. There are tourists that will tell you can hear even gunfire when lying out there in the sun with your mudmask! When I watched the sun going down I felt very human and lonely at the same time.
But does it justify a war? For the moment Israel engaged into Ghaza and apparently kills many citizens. And that can't be justified. And to say that Hamas started is so childish. After all these years those two countries can't seem to settle for less: they want it all! They were promised something and that is worth a war. If we then in the West hear that Israel tells us that it will be a long conflict and that many more people will die if Palastina doesn't want to settle for less many of us don't understand this.
For some days now in many nations there is the outcry that this is unjustified and that we have to help Palastina! Yes, we need to do that and I totally agree. A person in need you have to hold out a hand and reach for. Being a human being with a sound mind makes you feel compasionate and you want to ease the pain. Try to understand the hell he goes through and calm him down and take care of him. It is a good thing that there are caring people on this globe that believe in a world without hate or revenge.
Is it going to help to end this conflict? I am very sorry to burst your bubble but no! If it would be a very clear black and white story it perhaps would have already ended. By now so many forces are at work that trying to understand the whole story is rather hard. I have heard so many people over the last days saying that they can't understand this. Well, be sure that there are even people in Israel that don't understand this anymore. That there are Jewish people who dream of a free land with no violence. There are many more then we can realise that even understand their Muslim neighbours and their call for a homecountry of their own. And even some rather extreme wing ones!!
Have we already forgotten what Rabin tried? And God, where we close!!!! I was a college student at the time and we were just into the whole Jewish story and it's clash with history. Our college professor took us on a very interesting journey and tried to explain the whole picture. Suddenly there was this Jewish guy who understood that you have to make compremises and that life can only be peaceful if we all want to settle for less. He reached out and tried to explain this to many all over the globe and found an alley in his enemy Arafat . So when I heard the news that he was killed by gunfire while he was singing for real peace I have to admit I cried! Suddenly peace was so out of reach.
We were back to square one. Many people only then realised when Rabin had tried to do. But then it was too late!! Some months later I bought the book his wife Leah wrote about him. I understood suddenly what a courage this one guy must have had. He had fought the war and yes he had killed people but deepdown he knew that if you want to find peace you have to use the power of the word. He truly believed in that force. Arafat probably has felt the same force. He even visited the house of Rabin in secrecy to pay his respect to his family. Must have been really strange to find your closest enemy on you doorstep to pay his respect for your loss.
Many years further, Arafat has died, many things have been tried to stop the violence. Hamas is the one now in charge and Israel has a governement that seems not to know where they heading for. I still believe in the force of the word. So when I hear people that tell me that Obama is to blame I am fed up!!! No war can be justified by any act or word. You can't point the finger at one person and then just get on with killing people. Then a bom could be the answer. The problem is that Hamas has said many times right out loud that they won't settle for the force of the word! They believe strongly in 'Jihad' and that the only law that they can obbey to this the law of their book of faith. Less is a word that you won't find in their dictionary!
And that is the reason why I have a hard time with now wanting to express my point of view. There are so many sights to one story. You have to be rather critical and take the time to reflect about this situation. I admire the people at work out there who want to help all people in need and I am sure that amongst them they are victims that even don't know what they got into. What we get to read and see are things they never see or read. They live the moment and want peace!!!
The promise I made is to understand the whole picture and keep believing in the force of the word. Let the force be with the people that really can end it. It will make heroes out of them but it will take time, patience, courage, diplomacy, faith and settling for less. We were promised all the land of peace and we have got the responsibilty to take care of that promise even when that means settling for less! Quite a challenge!! To all the soldiers for peace I want to cheer for: GO FOR IT! I believe in you!!!!
To end this piece some food for thought. When Yitzchack Rabin signed the Oslo Resolutions he said the next words:"From now on we face careless days, the end of loss of death that faces our homes and the end of wars! Let the sun rise!' I want to see that sun rise over Mount Nebo!!
What really annoyes me for the moment is the fact that this war is used for many causes. The price of oil was in free fall and ever since there was one shot more then usually the prices go up. My wallet is the first to feel if people out there in the Middle East want to make clear that they want to tell their violent story. I feel so helpless when I see the chaos created amongst innocent people when I watch the news. Inside and outside there is rage but ....
Some years ago I travelled to Jordan and what a trip it turned out to be. I walked through a country with a tremendous history, smelled incredible spices, felt the heat and ate wonderful food, met very friendly people but above all I was face to face with a nation with a breathtaking natural habitat. And it was not Petra that took me high up in the sky. No, it was an other trip that made me wonder how nice the world could be if this war could end.
MOUNT NEBO!!!! I have to be honest before hand I not knew it was going to take my breath away or make me feel light inside. But once I survived the long walk up I was face to face with a view that I never will forget. And there it hit me: this is the promised land, this is worth fighting for! Don't get me wrong not with weapons of destruction!!! While you standing up there and watch over a desolated land you will be overwhelmed with a very strange sensations. In the bible the word says that Moses stood on Mount Nebo overlooking the promised land. When the pope visits the Middle East he visits this place and stands up there and stares at the horizon. At Mount Nebo you can look the promise right into the eyes and makes feel so humble and respectful.
You see a landscape that just makes you wonder that Mother Earth must have an incredible power. The desolated heat you can sense once you drive down towards the Dead Sea takes you on a trip to the unknown. We took pictures of the sunset and we were silent for minutes. We were all travelling but then in contemplation. And suddenly the war is very close. There are tourists that will tell you can hear even gunfire when lying out there in the sun with your mudmask! When I watched the sun going down I felt very human and lonely at the same time.
But does it justify a war? For the moment Israel engaged into Ghaza and apparently kills many citizens. And that can't be justified. And to say that Hamas started is so childish. After all these years those two countries can't seem to settle for less: they want it all! They were promised something and that is worth a war. If we then in the West hear that Israel tells us that it will be a long conflict and that many more people will die if Palastina doesn't want to settle for less many of us don't understand this.
For some days now in many nations there is the outcry that this is unjustified and that we have to help Palastina! Yes, we need to do that and I totally agree. A person in need you have to hold out a hand and reach for. Being a human being with a sound mind makes you feel compasionate and you want to ease the pain. Try to understand the hell he goes through and calm him down and take care of him. It is a good thing that there are caring people on this globe that believe in a world without hate or revenge.
Is it going to help to end this conflict? I am very sorry to burst your bubble but no! If it would be a very clear black and white story it perhaps would have already ended. By now so many forces are at work that trying to understand the whole story is rather hard. I have heard so many people over the last days saying that they can't understand this. Well, be sure that there are even people in Israel that don't understand this anymore. That there are Jewish people who dream of a free land with no violence. There are many more then we can realise that even understand their Muslim neighbours and their call for a homecountry of their own. And even some rather extreme wing ones!!
Have we already forgotten what Rabin tried? And God, where we close!!!! I was a college student at the time and we were just into the whole Jewish story and it's clash with history. Our college professor took us on a very interesting journey and tried to explain the whole picture. Suddenly there was this Jewish guy who understood that you have to make compremises and that life can only be peaceful if we all want to settle for less. He reached out and tried to explain this to many all over the globe and found an alley in his enemy Arafat . So when I heard the news that he was killed by gunfire while he was singing for real peace I have to admit I cried! Suddenly peace was so out of reach.
We were back to square one. Many people only then realised when Rabin had tried to do. But then it was too late!! Some months later I bought the book his wife Leah wrote about him. I understood suddenly what a courage this one guy must have had. He had fought the war and yes he had killed people but deepdown he knew that if you want to find peace you have to use the power of the word. He truly believed in that force. Arafat probably has felt the same force. He even visited the house of Rabin in secrecy to pay his respect to his family. Must have been really strange to find your closest enemy on you doorstep to pay his respect for your loss.
Many years further, Arafat has died, many things have been tried to stop the violence. Hamas is the one now in charge and Israel has a governement that seems not to know where they heading for. I still believe in the force of the word. So when I hear people that tell me that Obama is to blame I am fed up!!! No war can be justified by any act or word. You can't point the finger at one person and then just get on with killing people. Then a bom could be the answer. The problem is that Hamas has said many times right out loud that they won't settle for the force of the word! They believe strongly in 'Jihad' and that the only law that they can obbey to this the law of their book of faith. Less is a word that you won't find in their dictionary!
And that is the reason why I have a hard time with now wanting to express my point of view. There are so many sights to one story. You have to be rather critical and take the time to reflect about this situation. I admire the people at work out there who want to help all people in need and I am sure that amongst them they are victims that even don't know what they got into. What we get to read and see are things they never see or read. They live the moment and want peace!!!
The promise I made is to understand the whole picture and keep believing in the force of the word. Let the force be with the people that really can end it. It will make heroes out of them but it will take time, patience, courage, diplomacy, faith and settling for less. We were promised all the land of peace and we have got the responsibilty to take care of that promise even when that means settling for less! Quite a challenge!! To all the soldiers for peace I want to cheer for: GO FOR IT! I believe in you!!!!
To end this piece some food for thought. When Yitzchack Rabin signed the Oslo Resolutions he said the next words:"From now on we face careless days, the end of loss of death that faces our homes and the end of wars! Let the sun rise!' I want to see that sun rise over Mount Nebo!!
vrijdag 26 december 2008
Wrapping up the holiday season!!! (sorry rather a long entry!!)
I love this time of the year but it always catches up with me too soon! It starts around the end of November and by the time I am baking my xmascookies I already feel rather the sense that the Holiday season will be a thing of the past once more. Like some of you might have noticed I have not written for some time and that is just because of that fact.
A had a blast with Saint Nick on the 6th of December. He got tons of toys and loved his umbrella that much that he even watched television holding on to it. His father decided that this was also the right moment to get the first real Lego into the house. Well, that day I ended up in the pouring rain looking for some lost Lego-pieces on a parking lot. Turned out that I, the Lego-expert, had put them wrong back on the plane!
Once we had finished the tons of chocolate Black Peters and Saint Nicks and tried to cope with the last crumbs of gingerbread it was time to decorate my classroom and give our house a touch of xmasstyle!! A loves that part. He really helped out this year. Getting all the boxes down of the attic and trying to find the right beginning of our lights! He put his Playmobil Nativity-set under the plastic tree. This year he was even able to identify all the pieces by name.
By now I had to start writting my first report cards as well. Traditionally I had to face the fact that modern technology always has a downside. And that it always takes much longer to get everything in order then you really want. Also the fact that my assistant-teacher was going to leave at the end of this term started to make me feel a bit down.
Also traditionally the three of us ended up with a cold. Kleenex and some traditional weapons against running noses, sour throats and rather sexy sounding voices were called in. A used all the objects he saw fit to leave some of his.
The trip to NYC then started to fill me up with that typical xmasfeeling. I awed once more at the xmas-tree in front of Rockefeller and just gasped at every shopwindow that I ran into. My alltime favourite ones: Saks on 5th Avenue, the Disney Store, Cartier but the one that really made me smile was the one of Sony. They decided to go chocolate this year and once you were standing in front of their store the only thing you were able to smell was exactly!
One of our highlights of the trip was the view on top of Rockefeller!! We went up high in the sky and were able to have many Kodakmoments in the Rainbowroom. The fact that it was freezing cold and the sky was that blue that it hurt your eyes just made it more special.
Of course we ended up in some shops as well and I finally decided to spoil myself with one of these gadgets that I always wanted: a Nindendo DS lite. I now end up training my brain daily and seem to be older then I imagined but I won't give in. I also went for the What is Cooking game and will be able to create some new dishes with the help of a personal coach!
Once we dragged our filled up suitcases back into Belgium I ended up in Leuven for my last classes of the semester. In a few weeks the first examinations will be a fact. They won't be a laugh because it is a bit too much to handle with a job and a family but I will try to pass.
I then passed on the filled in report cards to their rightful owner. Many smiles were to be seen and most of the parents left content and cheerful this time. Next on the programme was our traditional xmasparty at work. We sipped from Gluhwein and ate cake in the shadow of the xmaslights. The first xmascards arrived and so did the first gifts from around the world to put under the tree. A his patience was really put to a test when he was told a million times not to open any of those presents till xmaseve!
By now A and I had officialy xmasholiday and we had to start planning the family xmasdinner. I called in Nigella, Tana Ramsey, Martha Stewart and Albert Heijn! P had the brilliant idea to have his family over and the prospect of having to cook for inlaws didn't make me very cheerful. A had begged me to bake some Madeleines and so I did! And I baked some lemoncookies as well ot fill up the cookiestins. Our house now seemed to look and smell more and more like a place were xmas could be celebrated!
The planning of the menu was one thing, creating the feast was an other chapter. A joined me on the several supermarkets attacks. At one moment I thaught that I was going going to loose it. I had never seen that many people looking for ingredients. A was the only one who seemed to think that this was great fun. My shopping bag was screaming for help but only got some support from some snowmen and snowflakes-lights! Yes, I even have shopping bags that I can only use for this season and I am proud of it! Thank you B-family for across the Channel for these great bags from Tesco!
By now it was 1 p.m and I was trying to cook all the things that I had in store for my most ciritical guests. P was still at work and over the radio they were still playing joyfull music. My house looked like a mess, so did my kitchen, so did A and so did I!!! There and then I lost it and started to scream in order to get all the negative energy out.
To cut a long story short: I managed to let the house shine, deck the table, look decent enough to leave the kitchen and feed the hungry souls. The most critical foodinspector that night was 2,5 years old nephew A and when he had finished tons of appetizers and a mocktail he wondered when the real food was going to arrive!
By ten our house was empty, our dishwasher full, the Champagneglasses back were they spend most of their time, A dreaming of Santa and I felt so light and content. I cuddled up closely to P on the sofa and we listened to the silence. Silent Night was reality8n I slept like a rose that night.
The next day we ended up at my mother's house where we were spoiled and A and his cousins played round the xmastree with santa hats on their heads. We played boardgames and laughed with stupid answers. By ten we drove home with A in his new PJs (a rocket on it!!!) and his new bonnet made in Ecquator (gift of his auntie Lilly)!!!! I was also given my new name by my favourite niece A: auntie Lolly
Today we printed out our traditional New Year's letter (proof to be found in many letterboxes in the next days to come!) and we went to see Madagascar 2. A liked to move around, ate tons of popcorn and asked to wash his hand while the Alec the lion was dancing through the Savanna, Marty the Zebra was spitting the last water to be found out there, and Melvin the Giraf was about to be sacrificed in a vulcano and saved by a gorgeous hippo.
The next days will be quite hectic and fun as well. It will be days to remember and to frame! A will be able to spend quality time with us and we will feel cheerful. We will end up in warm and cozzy homes, eat food prepared with love, read many wishes written with love as well, kiss many red cheeks when the bells chime 12 on the last day of 2008 and feel happy that we are blessed with that many friends and family!
One of my best moments that I have spend with A this holiday season was when he was decorating the house for xmaseve and saw the picture of the grandfather he never knew and granny who died a few years ago. He smiled and then he told them them the story of the birth of Jezus. Yes I felt so proud of him and my heart smiled. The feeling I sensed then was one of believe! I can't really describe it what is sensed like but there and then I knew that the miracle of xmas lives in all of us. Hopefull you had yourself a little xmas as well. We will wrapp this one with love and put a big red bow around it knowing that peace can only be felt when really trying!
A had a blast with Saint Nick on the 6th of December. He got tons of toys and loved his umbrella that much that he even watched television holding on to it. His father decided that this was also the right moment to get the first real Lego into the house. Well, that day I ended up in the pouring rain looking for some lost Lego-pieces on a parking lot. Turned out that I, the Lego-expert, had put them wrong back on the plane!
Once we had finished the tons of chocolate Black Peters and Saint Nicks and tried to cope with the last crumbs of gingerbread it was time to decorate my classroom and give our house a touch of xmasstyle!! A loves that part. He really helped out this year. Getting all the boxes down of the attic and trying to find the right beginning of our lights! He put his Playmobil Nativity-set under the plastic tree. This year he was even able to identify all the pieces by name.
By now I had to start writting my first report cards as well. Traditionally I had to face the fact that modern technology always has a downside. And that it always takes much longer to get everything in order then you really want. Also the fact that my assistant-teacher was going to leave at the end of this term started to make me feel a bit down.
Also traditionally the three of us ended up with a cold. Kleenex and some traditional weapons against running noses, sour throats and rather sexy sounding voices were called in. A used all the objects he saw fit to leave some of his.
The trip to NYC then started to fill me up with that typical xmasfeeling. I awed once more at the xmas-tree in front of Rockefeller and just gasped at every shopwindow that I ran into. My alltime favourite ones: Saks on 5th Avenue, the Disney Store, Cartier but the one that really made me smile was the one of Sony. They decided to go chocolate this year and once you were standing in front of their store the only thing you were able to smell was exactly!
One of our highlights of the trip was the view on top of Rockefeller!! We went up high in the sky and were able to have many Kodakmoments in the Rainbowroom. The fact that it was freezing cold and the sky was that blue that it hurt your eyes just made it more special.
Of course we ended up in some shops as well and I finally decided to spoil myself with one of these gadgets that I always wanted: a Nindendo DS lite. I now end up training my brain daily and seem to be older then I imagined but I won't give in. I also went for the What is Cooking game and will be able to create some new dishes with the help of a personal coach!
Once we dragged our filled up suitcases back into Belgium I ended up in Leuven for my last classes of the semester. In a few weeks the first examinations will be a fact. They won't be a laugh because it is a bit too much to handle with a job and a family but I will try to pass.
I then passed on the filled in report cards to their rightful owner. Many smiles were to be seen and most of the parents left content and cheerful this time. Next on the programme was our traditional xmasparty at work. We sipped from Gluhwein and ate cake in the shadow of the xmaslights. The first xmascards arrived and so did the first gifts from around the world to put under the tree. A his patience was really put to a test when he was told a million times not to open any of those presents till xmaseve!
By now A and I had officialy xmasholiday and we had to start planning the family xmasdinner. I called in Nigella, Tana Ramsey, Martha Stewart and Albert Heijn! P had the brilliant idea to have his family over and the prospect of having to cook for inlaws didn't make me very cheerful. A had begged me to bake some Madeleines and so I did! And I baked some lemoncookies as well ot fill up the cookiestins. Our house now seemed to look and smell more and more like a place were xmas could be celebrated!
The planning of the menu was one thing, creating the feast was an other chapter. A joined me on the several supermarkets attacks. At one moment I thaught that I was going going to loose it. I had never seen that many people looking for ingredients. A was the only one who seemed to think that this was great fun. My shopping bag was screaming for help but only got some support from some snowmen and snowflakes-lights! Yes, I even have shopping bags that I can only use for this season and I am proud of it! Thank you B-family for across the Channel for these great bags from Tesco!
By now it was 1 p.m and I was trying to cook all the things that I had in store for my most ciritical guests. P was still at work and over the radio they were still playing joyfull music. My house looked like a mess, so did my kitchen, so did A and so did I!!! There and then I lost it and started to scream in order to get all the negative energy out.
To cut a long story short: I managed to let the house shine, deck the table, look decent enough to leave the kitchen and feed the hungry souls. The most critical foodinspector that night was 2,5 years old nephew A and when he had finished tons of appetizers and a mocktail he wondered when the real food was going to arrive!
By ten our house was empty, our dishwasher full, the Champagneglasses back were they spend most of their time, A dreaming of Santa and I felt so light and content. I cuddled up closely to P on the sofa and we listened to the silence. Silent Night was reality8n I slept like a rose that night.
The next day we ended up at my mother's house where we were spoiled and A and his cousins played round the xmastree with santa hats on their heads. We played boardgames and laughed with stupid answers. By ten we drove home with A in his new PJs (a rocket on it!!!) and his new bonnet made in Ecquator (gift of his auntie Lilly)!!!! I was also given my new name by my favourite niece A: auntie Lolly
Today we printed out our traditional New Year's letter (proof to be found in many letterboxes in the next days to come!) and we went to see Madagascar 2. A liked to move around, ate tons of popcorn and asked to wash his hand while the Alec the lion was dancing through the Savanna, Marty the Zebra was spitting the last water to be found out there, and Melvin the Giraf was about to be sacrificed in a vulcano and saved by a gorgeous hippo.
The next days will be quite hectic and fun as well. It will be days to remember and to frame! A will be able to spend quality time with us and we will feel cheerful. We will end up in warm and cozzy homes, eat food prepared with love, read many wishes written with love as well, kiss many red cheeks when the bells chime 12 on the last day of 2008 and feel happy that we are blessed with that many friends and family!
One of my best moments that I have spend with A this holiday season was when he was decorating the house for xmaseve and saw the picture of the grandfather he never knew and granny who died a few years ago. He smiled and then he told them them the story of the birth of Jezus. Yes I felt so proud of him and my heart smiled. The feeling I sensed then was one of believe! I can't really describe it what is sensed like but there and then I knew that the miracle of xmas lives in all of us. Hopefull you had yourself a little xmas as well. We will wrapp this one with love and put a big red bow around it knowing that peace can only be felt when really trying!
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