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August 3rd, 2007

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09:18 pm - Where in the world have I been? I could write a whole long story,or I could just give the short version. I choose the latter. We did go to the Czech Republic last year this time. We had a wonderful time,despite it raining 24/7 for the whole two weeks. And despite my...severe morning sickness!! I stopped posting because surfing the net made me sea-sick for 12 weeks. And after that i could no longer be bothered. The Woozle and I got married (finally!!) on 2 May this year.The paperwork was ready at the end of last year,but then so (nearly) was the baby. We decided to wait. Anyway,here's the new man in my life,my pride,my joy,my heart,my soul. At 22 weeks gestation At 1 week of age At 4 months Life has changed completely,but only for the better!!! Current Mood: chipper

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July 27th, 2006

04:11 pm - Surprise wedding? :-O I've just received this email from my cousin in Canada. They've been engaged for a year and she's just received her permanent residency. We thought they were having a party to celebrate. Dear family, On Friday evening, July 21, 2006 S and I had a party, and surprised our guests with a wedding. The guests thought they had been invited to a party to ONLY celebrate my recent and long awaited permanent immigration to Canada. S had asked his parents a few weeks ago if we could hold the party in their back yard and that we would look after the details. We decorated their yard in red and white with a Canadian theme and the bar was on their deck. Candles and torches were placed around the yard. We had 6 tables with 37 chairs. The invitation said that cocktails and finger foods would be at 7:30 and speeches and blessings at 8:30 with coffee and dessert to follow. Everyone was having a good time and didn't notice that we had disappeared. At 8:15 a friend brought in a lighted arbor and placed it in the garden. Then S appeared dressed in a black suit with a red rose in his lapel. At that point we were all in shock. I then made my entrance into the yard on the arm of a friend in a lovely white wedding gown. The minister who is the mother of one of S's friends, announced to everyone that we were going to have a wedding. The service was beautiful and we exchanged vows in front of 55 guests. There wasn't a dry eye that night. After the vows we all toasted with champagne. My parents sent letters of love and congratulations and their blessings from South Africa. I wanted to let you know of our good news. I know that this must come as a surprise to everyone, but the reason why S and I did it this way was mainly because we did not want the fuss that takes place over a wedding, ESPECIALLY as seeing all my friends and family are back at home. We always wanted a simple intimate garden party with the intent focused away from the nuptials.We will do something similar at home (SA). All I can say is that we pulled it off, and our guests loved every minute of it. There was lots of food, and lots to drink, the last few guests left at 3am, and we had a few friends staying over, so we eventually retired to bed at 4:30 am. We are still receiving e-mails today about how lovely and intimate and elegent the wedding was, and that there was no pressure about what to bring, and what to wear and it seemed to them that the night just seemed to flow, and the weather was perfect. S and I saw to everything, his parents gave their home, and we saw to everything else. All the older folk were very impressed with how S and I managed to keep it secret from everyone, including his parents as seeing we prepared their home the Friday for our party, and managed to slip away for the wedding cake, my flowers etc..etc.. we dressed at a neighbours place so no wedding attire was present at their home..Only the minister, her son(S's best friend) the moinister's husband and the minister's friend (D) knew of our surprise. Any way, needless to say I was quite tired the Sunday, Saturday entailed cleaning up and returning all the hired/rented crockery and glassware as well as arbor, and everything else that goes along with party clean-up! The party was a huge hit, and we were very happy that our guests enjoyed themselves late into the night, even S's dad had a spring in his step. S and I intend on coming home this Christmas time, Dec/January to have a similar celebration with oour family and friends. We are not certain what dates as yet, depend on my work status and flight availability. You know, we were worried how his parents and how the guests would take the surprise wedding, but it was a great surprise for all, and many said it was a neat idea. They had never heard of a surprise wedding nor have been to one before...S and I were just very happy that a great time was held by all. No parental interference, we did it our way, no regrets, we did it on our time and our own planning. Any way, hope all is well at home, love to all, till next we speak, xxxx Here is a picture of the happy couple... Current Mood: but very happy!!!!

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07:26 am - Weasel-worded Tony Blair and GWB's non-response to the slaughter in Lebanon aptly described by a former aide. Why is a whole country of innocent people being decimated with the support of a man who has no support in his own country? GWB's lap-dog should have gone out before he colluded in the killing of any more innocent people. http://news.uk.msn.com/Article.aspx?cp-documentid=702894 Current Mood: angry

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July 25th, 2006

12:59 pm - As always,it's Plan Z. Our holiday starts on Saturday and as always we hadn't decided where to go until right now. (Last year we were planning to go to Portugal until the week before our departure;then bush fires broke out and we ended up in Malaysia). We were,as mentioned,thinking of going to Slovenia and Croatia for our holiday. But recent developments (excessive heat in Europe making sunbathing undesirable,my lacking the energy to island hop as we had planned,not to mention draconian visa demands requiring that I have all my accommodation booked before we go) meant that I said,"sod it". I'm a bit relieved,to be honest. So we're heading through the south of Germany to the Czech Republic,where we'll spend most of our time. We may make a detour into Austria too,time willing. The cute Czech Embassy did not demand that I book hotels in places I have never seen (I have to see a hotel bathroom before committing to a night in the room,unfortunately,so we never book anything or more than 2 nights in advance ),so they're getting my business. What a loss for Croatia,since I tend to improve the GDP of any country where I may suddenly find myself LOL. Anyway so I have that awful Dandy Warhols song going through my head now... ... and I like you,yeah I like you,and I'm feeling so Bohemian like you... I'm so excited finally...I love Germany because of the sausage and beer ,the clean bathrooms,the funny language and the divine breakfasts, (though I'll pass on the beer at the mo),I love Austria for the stunning natural beauty and the comically rude inhabitants and I've been fascinated by Czech since reading "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" and then everything else by Milan Kundera. And since having a Czech holiday fling one summer in England,but don't tell H that LOL. OMG I need an emergency rereading of The Unbearable Lightness of Being before hitting Prague!!!!! I own two copies,but they're in SA...would it be unbearably decadent to buy another here? Current Mood: cheerful

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July 21st, 2006

11:39 am - It's one of those mysteries of life in Holland... Why do supermarkets sell shaving foam/gel/cream for men,but for shaving products for women you need to be at the drogist? Current Mood: curious

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July 20th, 2006

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July 19th, 2006

03:07 pm - Poor impulse control :) On my way back from the gym I stopped by the MAC counter to stock up on concealer. My favourite,camp-as-a-boy-scout-jamboree make-up consultant was clearly overexcited by my bare,freshly scrubbed mug,and he applied foundation,bronzer,blush,mascara,gloss and a couple of eyeshadows. I left with everything he'd applied.More make-up to sit on my shelf for 2 years and then be thrown out!But it feels so good for now!! Current Mood: giddy

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July 18th, 2006

10:40 am - It is just shocking that the whole world is just watching Israel decimate civilian Lebanon. No,it is NOT justified to kill hundreds of civilians because 3 soldiers have been kidnapped. Western countries are evacuating their own nationals in convoys bearing huge flags..this is as much as an admission that Israel is bombing anything that moves without regard for civilian life.Rescue services are unable to reach the injured and the destitute because the infrastructure has been destroyed. Man,I'm not even Islamic,but if this continues for much longer I shall become an extremist.I find myself thinking some very,very scary thoughts. For example,if Syria and Iran are indeed arming Hezbolla,why aren't they doing a better job? At least there would be a fair fight. Current Mood: grim.

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July 17th, 2006

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July 10th, 2006

09:36 am - The pimple in the face of "my" Brandenburger Tor Being a child of the 80's (ok a teen LOL),I remember all of the dramatic images,first of the Berlin Wall,and then of its triumphant crumbling in 1989;all the excited people climbing onto,and then over the Wall. I had always wanted to see the Brandenburger Tor up close. And in September 2003,I finally took a trip to Berlin.I excitedly arrived at Zoo station,dropped my bag at the hotel and rushed to join a 6 hour walking tour which came highly recommended by Lonely Planet. (Naturally,the guide was Australian). The tour was brilliant,very informative and provided a great basis for the rest of my 5 days of exploration in time and space. As the walk progressed,I became more and more excited because we were nearing the magical,the mythical Brandenburger Tor. Imagine my surprise and disillusionment then when we get there and...it's become a hideous building site!!! Yes they were constructing the enormous football which has stood there for Weltmeisterschaft 2006. It was not at all pretty! And it was right in B.Tor's face...it was near impossible to get a picture without it!! Fortunately I had a great rest of trip and I saw many other things that more than lived up to my expectations...but at the end of the World Cup which was so well hosted by Germany,here are my ugly pics of some of its preparation. First,my very best effort...I had to kneel before it in order to get this shot,it was so close LOL. Next,the football under construction... Close-up of the intestines...the open surgical wound... Very bad,blurry night time shot (wayyyyyyy too much Berliner Kindl later LOL) These are the worst pics of my Berlin trip LOL...but because the situation was so funny to me,I've kept them anyway. I shall return...when they've cured the blemish... Current Mood: nostalgic

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09:21 am - Why,Zizou,why? I'm a bit speechless,really! I was supporting France,and the main reason was in order that Zizou's career may end on a high note.Other than that,I was kind of neutral. Well he was 15 minutes away from becoming a *positive* role model and a legend,when he threw it all away and became a cautionary tale ?!!!!!!!! I cannot imagine *what* Materazzi could possibly have said to make that worthwhile. I mean if it was,as is suggested,a racist remark,then the best revenge would have been to rub the World Cup under his awful little nose. I'm so disappointed. He let down himself,his team,and ME!!!! I was feeling so down that even if France had won it would have been pointless!! Congrats to Italy...and here I thought you were just 6 pretty faces and 5 downright ugly ones... Current Mood: crushed

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July 8th, 2006

09:56 am - Summer Social Life I've been loving it...so many barbecues,birthday parties,dinners,theatre festivals,dance recitals...it's been a blast!! However (there is always a however with me LOL) I'm going to have to start watching my waistline!! 23 days until we go on holiday...it'll NOT do to spill all over my bikini,even if we are going off the beaten track. So sadly,I'm going to have to go for the celery dip,the garden salad,and the sparkling mineral water until then...starting tomorrow because tonight is a new restaurant that allegedly does great cocktails.... Uhm,who am I kidding? maybe I'll buy a new bikini!And a kaftan!! Current Mood: ditzy

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July 6th, 2006

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03:06 pm - Bureacracy and technology are out to get me. I know how that sounds,but as the cliche goes,just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you. * I am still very patiently awaiting a renewal of my residence permit on new grounds (ie that of our relationship,rather than my job.) * I am waiting for a piece of paper from the South African Embassy ....it is necessary in order for us to get married here. * I am waiting for permission to get married,from the same incompetent Dutch IND which has already taken 9 months over what should have been a 6 month application for renewal of residency...see point 1. * I am desperately seeking the Slovenian Embassy...I need a visa for both Croatia and Slovenia,and for some reason the visa information on the website has given me detailed information on how to seek asylum,but not on how to come on holiday. I cordially thank them for their hospitality but am forced to decline,and to request them please to ANSWER THEIR TELEPHONE or update their website,whichever is the least trouble. * I received new cards from my bank,since the old ones were about to expire.I was told that the PIN numbers would be unchanged.Imagine my surprise,then,when the PIN on the credit card worked and the debit card didn't. Went to bank,was kind and polite,was advised to request PIN number for debit card,was sent PIN number for credit card. Figured out that they'd changed debit card PIN to be same as credit card. Worked in cash machine..fine. *Tried to do my internet banking. Failed,as new debit card had not only had it's PIN changed,it had also not been connected to the internet banking facility. I could probably go on,but I'm boring myself to tears.I have been promised that internet banking should be linked up now,but am a bit scared to try as I wouldn't like to know what else could go wrong. In the meantime,about acquiring a fake Dutch passport and a working set of bank card,if anyone knows people who know people,leave me a message... Current Location: Rottendam. (not a typo.) Current Mood: cynical

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July 4th, 2006

09:25 am - Sometimes they don't suck.(Dutchies). H and I are off to the City Hall to organise some wedding bureaucracy this morning. Anyway,we received two forms to complete...one said Bride (-groom) Partner 1 and the next said Bride (-groom) Partner 2. At first I thought that it was a democratic way of not necessarily indicating the man as Partner 1...but then I realised that it was for the eventuality that both partners were either brides or grooms...too cute. Actually the first wedding I attended in Holland was between 2 women. It was exactly the same as every heterosexual wedding I have ever attended...there were people aged 8 till 88,the families and friends from both sides,all the usual Dutch wedding traditions (like the family writing and performing a risque song about the couple ) were there. It was so completely ordinary,except that the couple were Bride 1 in a beautiful long pink taffeta dress,and Bride 2 ,heavily pregnant,in a white tuxedo. A couple of months later we received the birth notice..."4 overjoyed parents welcome Eva into the world". I think that it is a wonderful society in which this is not only possible,but not an issue at all. And BTW,I entered myself as partner 1. Current Mood: cheerful Current Music: Man playing accordion on market square outside...grrrrr!!

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June 26th, 2006

02:20 pm - And now they've shot Bruno :( Bruno the Bavarian brown bear has been shot. I'm so sad for him. He was a bear released into the North Italian Alps as part of a programme to repopulate the area with bears. He had an adventurous spirit and a brave heart and made his way to Bavaria a couple of months ago now. The Bavarians soiled their lederhosen and hired a team of Finnish hunters to take care of the poor guy. In the meantime,Bruno had to eat,so about 25 sheep,a few cats and a beehive bit the dust. Last week the Finnish team said that if they didn't catch him by today they were going home...they were tired. So they were given permission to kill him . I begin to understand why the only big game in Europe are the mosquitoes.... And I'm sorry poor Bruno never made it to the Veluwe!! RIP Bruno Current Mood: sad

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June 25th, 2006

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June 23rd, 2006

11:07 am - Good Ole M&S!!! I feel compelled to share that I'm feeling rather....comfortable today. Yesterday I attacked some old suitcases,and not a moment too soon...I unearthed an unopened 6-pack of M&S cotton bikini's with a High Street Kensington cash slip from 2001!! I was very happy,because this means that i no longer have to destroy my delicate little numbers in the gym. However,yesterday's one was so comfy that I'm wearing another today,gym or no gym! Good ole M&S knickers!!! Hmmm....typing this has made me feel guilty...maybe I should head for spinning class,after all.... Current Mood: blah

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