HAPPY 2007!





Appreciate these photos. I shivered in the rain, fought against the wind, endured the loud bangs from the fireworks, and lost some hearing, just to present to you the atmosphere here.





I have never seen so many fireworks at one time. I woke up this morning thinking that somebody threw off their cabinet down the building. I decided that it was construction works instead. Construction? On a Sunday? On a New Year’s eve? No! I was so wrong! It was fireworks! In the day, you can hardly see them, but you can definitely hear them. Since the moment I woke up, fireworks have been bursting at a consistent rate of 1 firework per 2 second. Rich government? No. Apparently, fireworks can be purchased here. 

Oliebollen




Oliebollen (oil balls) is a traditional dutch food (donut) eaten on New Year’s Eve.

It is said to have been first eaten by Germanic tribes in the Netherlands during the Yule, the period between December 26 and January 6. The Germanic goddess Perchta, together with evil spirits, would fly through the mid-winter sky. To appease these spirits, food was offered, much of which contained deep-fried dough. It was said Perchta would cut open the bellies of those who did not eat, as the fat in the oliebollen would make her sword slide off the body.


This is Perchta.


Perchta was said to roam the countryside at midwinter, and to enter homes on Twelfth Night. She would know whether the children and young servants of the household had behaved well and worked hard all year. If they had, they might find a small silver coin next day, in a shoe or pail. If they had not, she would slit their bellies open, remove stomach and guts, and stuff the hole with straw and pebbles.

Moral of the story : Eat Oliebollen unless you want your belly to rip open.




Winner of this year’s best tasting oliebollen: Richard Visser's Gebakkraam, Rotterdam

Yes, we have the same family name. Unfortunately, we are not related. I can’t make oliebollen although I am good in eating them. 

Christmas in Leiden




It’s Christmas! Leiden is extremely quiet today. I guess it is this quietness that makes me realize how beautiful Leiden is.




I came by a farm and found a bench. I was lying down, staring at the sky, wondering what should my next step be. Do I really want to stay here? Should I move on and find a new place?




I think Leiden is nice. The place is nice, the people are nice. Everything is going well. I should be very happy and contented. But, something is missing. There is a sense of emptiness…. Zzzzzz




I woke up, confused and numb. It felt like I was very drunk, but I wasn’t even drinking. I don’t even realize that it was actually very cold! (Probably 1°C). I don’t even remember shivering. Anyway, I am glad that I am still pink, and not blue. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!


Thanks for all the cards, emails, smses, calls and telepathy greetings! Christmas would have been a cold, dark and silent day without your wishes. Every one of you who cross my life has light it up. Thank You!

Cheerful me.


God! I don’t even remember posting the previous entry. I must have been really drunk! Anyway, the weekend was fantastic. It has been so long since I let myself drift out of reality into the land of dreams. Proost!

Someone said,
“Although sometimes strange, you are always cheerful.”
Really? I am?
Well, life is getting better and better, and I just can’t help smiling. I hope you will think of my cheerfulness whenever you are sad or angry. Lisa wants you to smile!

Yay!


I am so happy and I am also very drunk. I need to pee.

I am 17?


Someone comented,
"How old are you? 17? 18?"

Do I look so young? Or am I being childish and immature?

Belle Epoque





Got to catch this concert by The Philharmonisch Staatsochester Hamburg featuring Brass works from the 2nd half of the 19th century.
Trumpet looks interesting. I have yet to see a live rotary valved trumpet.
12 Jan 2007, 20.15hr, Nieuwe Kerk 

Happy, happy, HAPPY!!!





I met an interesting lady today. Although this was the first time we met, we clicked really well. She reminds me of myself. She is literally a mirror image of me.
Sinterklaas is coming tomorrow. Or rather, tonight!!! I really hope he exist. I want to be a little child again.