You better watch out...you better not cry...

Hi everyone!  I have many more travel entries to write, but I think I figured out a way to do that.  So today I'm going to tell you about something else...

SINTERKLAAS!  You all remember Sinterklaas right?  The Dutch (skinny/racist) version of Santa?

Well he's in town.  And we're celebrating this weekend!

So to get you in the holiday season, I'd like to share this with you...

Ok here's what's going down... (because yes, I actually UNDERSTAND IT!!!)

If there's a full moon on Dec 5 (Sinterklaas Dag), Sinterklaas comes back from the dead to take revenge for his brutal murder...so watch out!

Then a guy has a gift for a girl...but actually it's not a gift it's SEX!! (Chances are, he dies.)

Then a little boy gets told Sinterklaas doesn't exist because he's scared.

And then a guy wants to stop the celebration of Sinterklaas...all festivities!

And then we discover that the 5th is NOT Sint's birthday, but rather his MURDER DAY!

And then a random guy says the obligatory horror film statement of irony, this one being "Presents are nice, but you end up getting things you don't want."

And then a famous song (along the lines of Santa Claus is Coming to Town) gets song by a girl with a creepy voice.
...
And then a guy says "we're gonna need a bigger boat." (or something else, I wasn't listening)

Wow!  Doesn't it seem awesome? Don't you want to see this movie?
Actually...I do not.  And not because I will not be having my childhood mythical creatures destroyed by slasher films thank you very much, but rather because (as unscary as it looks) I DO NOT like scary movies.  Cannot handle them.  My mother did not watch Diabolique while I was in her tummy. (Inside joke - my grandma did that.)

So now I'm going to go upstairs, pray for no nightmares, and take comfort in the fact that the fifth is actually a new moon - as far from a full moon as you can get.

Hartelijke Sinterklaas Dag!

Word of the day: vechtjas - slasher (BUT "slasher film" is "slasher" in Dutch)

Piece of Me: FIVE GOOOOLD RINGS

So I only did one of these two posts ago...yes...I need to get writing again.  BUT since this is so easy, I have no excuse.  Here's...a Piece of Me.


This month (December)…
 
I like: that I can officially start playing Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas is You" and not feel weird about it.

I don't like: the cold!!!!  It is already snowing!!!  And it was -10 C today!!!  WHY THE FACE?!

I want you to know: that Lady Gaga was in Noordwijk at this boujie hotel and Fien and I fer realsies took a picture (drawn by Fien) to the front desk and asked them to deliver it.  I don't know if they did, and I have no way of knowing because Lady Gaga is offline right now for the World AIDS day campaign (which you should TOTALLY go and support).

I've planned: Christmas in Prague!  My favorite city in Europe seems like the perfect place to spend the holidays (besides the Bay Area.)  Plus I'm seeing the Nutcracker and Swan Lake.  And then on my way home, a stop in Munich to see what the cities like when it's not covered in Beer.

I want to say to someone special: dear Sinterklaas - I've been very good this year.

Picture of the Month:

(Miss you family!  Have a wonderful Holiday Season)

Word of the Day: December -December

Top Ten: Father's/Birth Day

Both times I've typed the above title, I feel like it's linguistically misleading.  I want it to mean birth-day and father's-day.  But when I type it out it looks like it's my birth father's day.  Which I don't even know what that is.  I mean...my father is my birth father (right mom?)...I don't have a step dad or foster dad but when I put Birth Father it looks like someone other than who I would normally refer to as "my dad."  But then if I flip the two it just looks like Father's Birthday.  Which is also what this is.  Ok maybe I'm just way over thinking this.  You've probably tuned out already anyway...
Moving on...since I just did my long over due Father's Day post, I'm following up with my Father's Day...

But unlike Mother's Day with it's Mommy Dearests and Mrs. Robinsons, bad fathers don't make you love to hate them...you just hate them.  So these are actually good fathers (ok most of them.)  So here are my...

TOP TEN FICTIONAL FATHERS

George Bluth Sr. - Played by Jeffrey Tambor

Arrested Development

Cliff Huxtable - Played by Bill Cosby
The Cosby Show

Scott Calvin - Played by Tim Allen
The Santa Clause

(My dad's initial's are also SC - we use it to convince him that he too, is Santa Claus)
(Also, I chose this one over Home Improvement even though Tim Allen is also an awesome Dad in that one)

Mr. Bennet - Played by Donald Sutherland

Pride & Prejudice

(And all other Jane Austen dads)

King Triton - Voiced by Kenneth Mars

Little Mermaid

(My dad used to say "Ariel" just like he did when I was "in trouble")

Professor Henry Jones - Played by Sean Connery
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Clark Griswold - Played by Chevy Chase
Any and All, but most importantly, Christmas Vacation

Chris Gardiner - Played by Will Smith
Pursuit of Happyness

Daniel Hillard - Played by Robin Williams
Mrs. Doubtfire

Darth Vader - Played by David Prowse, Voiced my James Earl Jones
Original Star Wars Trilogy

 (Don't forget...vader is Dutch for Father!)

So what do you think?  Do you have any to add? I know there are so many others!

Word of the Day: beschermer - protector

Happy Birth/Father's Day!

Today is my Dad's birthday.  And I never did a Father's Day post even though I did one for Mother's Day and I said I was going to.  Bad Libby!
It really bums me out that I can't be home to celebrate his birthday.  But the funny thing is, for the past five years, I haven't celebrated any birthdays with my family because I was always off at college (with the exception of my brother and his summer bday.)  But somehow, this is just a little worse.  Maybe it's because I have to schedule a time to call and say Happy Birthday.  Or the fact that if I forget or procrastinate (like I do) the birthday cards will not arrive on time.  Or maybe it's just missing home.  But either way, three months later, I give you my...

FATHER'S DAY POST

Happy Father's Day Papa!  You know I never actually called my dad Papa until I came here...it's the Dutch word.  Also "vader"...as in "Luke I am your..." which is AAAAWESOME!  Although I'm pretty sure my father's not a part of the dark side.
Anyway, because I'm never actually sure what to write, I thought I'd tell you some stories...

This one time when I was about five, we were rock climbing in Yosemite (I was hard core back then.)  And we slipped and fell (we were strapped in, but still.)  Well my dad grabbed me, turned me around to face out, and slid down the side of the rock, completely cutting up his back in the process, just so I wouldn't get a scratch on me.

When my mom was pregnant with my brother, my dad ended up taking me on a family cruise to Mexico with my Grandma.  I don't remember much of it, but I do know that the formal picture we took is still on his dresser, and apparently there was quite the memories made with my dad and Uncle and Senor Frogs at a certain port.

When I was about six, by dad put on the tape of "The Eagles Greatest Hits."  And he said, you're going to learn this song.  And he proceeded to have me sing "Take it To The Limit" while feeding me the words right before each line.  It's still my favorite song of all time, and our song as well.

We used to go to Disneyland all the time when I was little as a family.  But after a lull, we returned, just Dad and I.  And Dad was set on going on Splash Mountain and we raced into the park and he said "I don't need a map, I know where to go" and then with his hands on my shoulders, raced me through the crowds towards the ride that is the longest distance from the main entrance.  And no...he did not need a map.  Although, to be fair, neither do I anymore.
On that same trip, California Adventure had just opened, and we saw an "Eagles" tribute band and they sang "Take it To The Limit."  Just to tie all that back in.

I was in this Father Daughter group called "Y-Indian Princesses" and one year my dad was HEAD CHIEF!  At camp that year, I felt so cool because I got to stand at the front during the ceremonies and beat a drum.  Our tribe was also basically the best...just sayin.

I had broken up with a boyfriend, and the next day my dad came in my room and handed me a stuffed Snoopy keychain.  It was cheap little freebie thing, but he thought it would cheer me up...it did.

On my dad's 50th birthday, my best friend from childhood and I played against our fathers (also best friends since high school) in a game of beer pong.  We lost...so so so incredibly badly.

(this is us with our dads after the game...we were gracious losers)

So I don't know if you can tell...but my dad is basically awesome.  Of course, don't get me wrong, so is my mom.  But she already had her day...sorry Mom.
Happy Birthday Daddy.  Love you.
Oh and Happy Father's Day.

Word of the Day: vaderdag - Father's Day

All American Holiday

Of course I totally forgot that on the 4th I was going to do a post about the 4th…of July.  Ok so it’s the 6th.  So sue me.  No wait don’t do that.  But I decided to make it today because it’s still a holiday!  Happy labor day all you lucky people who have off work.  Hope you’re liking that heat over there.  Are you…huh?

So two months ago, while Nina was here, we decided to show Holland what an American holiday is all about.  So we brought in recruits (read: Mags and Esther) and planned a good old fashioned bbq.

We all got into the spirit of things.  Even Fien turned into an All-American girl…

Thanks Nina for the shirt!

And she was a lucky girl too, because she got to hang out with four really cool older girls all day…

First thing needed though…an actual barbecue.  There’s not many around here, but there are plenty of cheap disposable ones so we stocked up on those.  We did as the instructions said and lit the coals and waited.  Of course Rogier go impatient so he sped the process along using what he liked to call “the man way”…

Little did he know that if used incorrectly, the man way leads to a giant hole burned THROUGH THE BARBECUE!  We did not let him forget that one all day.

So when the coals were done, Nina cooked the burgers…

And Mags poured the sangria…

And Suzan made an announcement…

Yep!  I know I already said it, but that day was when we found out that Fien was going to have a little brother or sister!  And we were ecstatic!
And we ate...and ate and ate and ate.  We had cheese burgers, kabobs, sausages, grilled zucchini, grilled pineapple, fruit salad, and Greek pasta salad.  And everything was eaten.

The day was beautiful (if not a little windy), the food was delicious, and the company the best.  After the dinner with our bellies full, Fien, Suzan, and Rogier went to Oma’s (where they were staying during the construction) and us girls sat around and talked through the night.

But not before the home made dessert…

Red White and Blueberry cheesecake…Yum.

Word of the Day: patriottisme - patriotism

Piece Of Me: Not much going on

Hey look!  It's the first of the month!  And I remembered to post!  And since this didn't take very long, I might even write another post for tomorrow.  Key word here is might.
So here is A Piece of Me...

This month (September)…
 
I like: My new haircut.  I got it today.

I don't like: that summer is already gone!  I didn't get enough beach time! Or sun time for that matter!

I want you to know: that I have two months left, then three months of exploring Europe on a visitors visa, then about a month in England, then probably Egypt, but THEN...I'm coming home...just don't ask me for the date.

I've planned: to hopefully see school friend and fellow blogger Ali, and a weekend trip to Friesland, the northern-most province of Holland

I want to say to someone special: Dear bro-sif...it's ridiculously cute how you try to be cool, but then  leave posts on my facebook letting me (subtly and rudely) know that you actually miss me.  Love you too.

Picture of the Month:

Word of the Day: September - September

Piece of Me: Red, White, and Blue (with some Orange thrown in)

We're gonna be taking a break from the Spain update (I know of which there's only been two posts) for A Piece of Me and a Friday Alliteration post tomorrow.  But I've already typed up the next Spain one...so it will be up on Saturday! (But I'm not saying I promise...sorry)

So here's A Piece Of Me

This month (July)…
 
I like: that when you type something into the url address bar but it's not a url, it takes you to the first google searched thing...usually the wikipedia page.  I don't know why, but I hate that middle step.

I don't like: that I didn't take more pictures in Spain.  Or visit more places. Or buy more souvenirs.  So mainly I don't like hindsight.

I want you to know: that Nina and I are getting along really well despite what most of you may have thought would happen.  Only small tiffs about what time to wake up and grumpiness when one of us is hungry.

I've planned: a day in Amsterdam, a day in Den Haag, and maybe a day in Delft (time permitting.)  We're also going to Antwerp for a weekend (but coming back in time on sunday to watch Nederlands play in the World Cup Finals *knock on wood*), having a fourth of July Barbecue, and going to PARIS!!!

I want to say to someone special: Dear Maleika, Richard, Kim, Simon, Katie, Layah, Liz, Emma, Flavio, George, and everyone else from the Melting Pot...I miss you already.  Hope you had fun watching the Espana game.

Picture of the Month:

Top Ten: none of them are shoes

Yes I know it's Wednesday, but I made this awesome video and it was my first vlog and I was so excited and then I couldn't post it.  Stupid internet.  So here it is...

Top Ten: Mother's Day

So as promised, here is the special Mother's Day edition of Top Ten Tuesday.
I'd like to present my...

TOP TEN FICTIONAL MOTHERS

(Good or Bad, I love them still)

Mrs. Robinson - Played by Anne Bancroft - The Graduate

Lucille Bluth - Played by Jessica Walter - Arrested Development

Abigail "Marmee" March - Played by Susan Sarandon - Little Women

Mama Fratelli - Played by Anne Ramsey - The Goonies

Colleen Donaghy - Played by Elaine Stritch - 30 Rock

Tess Coleman - Played by Lindsey Lohan/Jamie Lee Curtis - Freaky Friday

Mrs. Incredible/ElastiGirl - Voiced by Holly Hunter - The Incredibles

Sophia Petrillo - Played by Estelle Getty - Golden Girls

"Mama" - Played by Anthony Perkins - Psycho

Joan Crawford - Played by Faye Dunaway - Mommie Dearest

 (fun fact: my mom used to call her mom "mommie dearest")

Why are the bad ones so easy to love? Hope you enjoy!  Have any to add to the list?

Word of the Day: gelukkig - lucky

Happy Silver Anniversary Mama!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

I spent the day scouring my bathroom walls with the rough side of a sponge and getting high on cleaning product fumes.  And how was your Mother’s Day?

Ok to be fair, I did call my mom (the first one too!) and later got to skype.

And I got my cards in the mail early this week so they won’t be too late.

Now most of you wonderful bloggers out there I hope are writing about the joys of Motherhood and how your children and husbands or boyfriends spoiled you all day because you deserve it.

But I suppose this post is different because as much as I do that involves "Mommy business." until I have my own kids, I won't be a Mom or know what it feel like.  So instead my post is appropriately dedicated to my Mom.

This is a special mother’s day though.  Because I don’t think she realizes it seeing as I’m 24, but this is actually my mother’s silver anniversary Mother’s Day. (Because the first one, I wasn’t 1 yet, get it?)

I started off writing this entry looking for good “mom quotes.”  What I ended up finding instead was a whole bunch of clichés.  So in tribute to my wonderful Mother, I took those clichés, and turned them into some things that I’ve learned in these last 25 Mother’s Days.

With age come wisdom

…that your Mother was right about everything.

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself

…and Mom when she’s realized you’re lying.

Keep you friends close and your enemies closer

…and listen to your Mother when she tells you the difference between the two.

When God shuts a door, he opens a window

…that Mom will then shut again because she’s cold.

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket

…because chances are the “Easter Bunny” will hide them someplace you’ll never be able to find.

Life is like a box of chocolates.  You never know what you’re gonna get

…but who cares, it’s still chocolate.

Laughter is the best medicine

…unless Mom’s there to take care of you…then she’s the best.

A fool and his money are easily parted

…which makes all parents total suckers.

The light’s are on but nobody’s home

…and now you have to put a nickel in the “electric bill” jar.

Love is in the eye of the beholder

…which is why every daughter is perfect.

Too many cooks in the kitchen

…and somehow the meatloaf seasoning still got left out.

What you don’t know can’t hurt you

…but Mom knows everything.

It’s the same dejavu all over again

…but us kids’ll never learn.

 

If you want something done right, you’ve got to do it yourself

…only after unsuccessfully asking your kids to do it five times.

Knowledge is power

…and Mom has both.

And stay tuned Tuesday for a special Top Ten!

Hope you enjoy.  Happy Mother’s Day all!

Word of the day: Moederdag – Mother’s day

A week and an entry as schizophrenic as John Cusack in Identity

Is that an obscure enough entry title for you?

Anyway...
Remember a little while ago when I told you about Queen’s Day?

Well I think it’s time I showed you footage.  There’s really no way to describe it.  There’s a whole lot of Orange.  Believe it or not (I’m gonna go with not unless you’ve actually experienced Queen’s Day for yourself,) these were some of the much tamer outfits worn that day. Oh and also...the Garbage people went on strike that day.  And the entire city was one giant trash heap.  Just thought you should know.

Group shot Queen’s Night after our craft session with all things orange…

All set to go out on Queen’s Day (yes that is an orange bra poking out!)…

(Start of) Canal Parade…

And yes those are hotel bathrobes.  Because that’s how we role…

What can I say? I'm a baller...

Yep.  So there you go.  I think the closest thing that we have in the US in Mardi in New Orleans…maybe.  It’s hard to believe anything else can be just as insane.

But then a week later on May 4th and 5th is Liberation Day(s) in Holland.  The 4th is the much more somber remembrance of the lives lost, while the 5th is the celebration of freedom (Basically it’s Queen’s Day II.) They celebrate their Liberation from Nazi Germany in World War II in 1945.  It’s amazing how well observed this Holiday is by the entire country.  I don’t mean to get political, but allow me to put this into perspective…

I brought up 9/11 while talking with Suzan and Rogier the night of the 4th.  I was saying how amazed I was that 65 years later, everyone still wakes up on May 4th, knows it is Remembrance Day, and at 8:00 the entire country fall silent for two minutes.  Movies are paused, practices are delayed, and games are stopped for this national observance.  And here we are less than ten years later and half of America probably forgot to *realize* that on September 11th it was September 11th.  But Rogier explained…

September 11th was the first “fight” on American soil (forgoing the Pearl Harbor, not yet a part of, not the continental, etc. argument please.)  The "fight" on our soil lasted a day and over 5000 lives were tragically lost.

World War II lasted for four years in Holland.  On average, 5,000 people Dutch citizens died every single day.  Please, please understand that I’m not saying that 9/11 is less worth remembering.  And the impact it had on so many elements of our country – our politics, our defense system, our economy, and our livelihood, will remain a part of history forever.  But it cannot be compared to Europe in World War II.  Not because it’s any less significant.  I can’t stress this enough.  It just can not be compared.  To put it lightly inappropriately, it’s apples and oranges.

Any Cloggies out there want to contribute anything?  Did I miss something?

Ok.  So there you go.  I know that was a little bit of an intense bit of information.

Anyway…at 8:00 on May 4th Suzan and I were watching the service on TV in Amsterdam.  We were about a minute and a half into the moment of silence and this is what we saw…

Let me start off by saying everything turned out to be ok (as much as it could after that chaos) and the Queen returned and the ceremony continued.  What has now been officially released is this…

“A panic ensued among the thousands assembled on the May 4 Remembrance Day to join the Queen to honor the dead of the Second World War, which ended 65 years ago. The two minutes of silences had almost ended when a man in the crowd started screaming. Another dropped his case out of fright which caused a bang, setting off cries of "a bomb, a bomb". In the ensuing stampede to get away from the area, 63 people were hurt. Luckily, the worst injuries were broken bones.”

But can you imagine watching the TV and all of a sudden that’s what you see?  I FREAKED!  We had no idea what was going on.  All Suzan could say was “SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT”

Of course which caused Fien to reply “What is shit mama?”

Word fo the Day: Dodenherdenking – Remembrance Day

Piece of Me: May flowers

So many things to post this month!  Be excited!

But for now, here's A Piece Of Me


This month (May)…

I like: The SUN!  Hello bright ball in the sky!  I’m glad you’re back!  You were missed!

I don't like: that Cinco de Mayo will not be celebrated here...I WANT MARGARITAS!!!

I want you to know: that in the next couple of months, you’re going to read a lot more freak outs about the fact that as of right now, I have no idea what I’m doing from when I’m done here in November to next August when grad school starts…FREAKING OUT!!!

I've planned: to go to a Third Eye Blind Concert, Lady Gaga’s Monster Ball Tour, and the German Movie Park.  Hooray busy weekends!!!

I want to say to someone special: Dear Universe, seriously, any ideas, signs, etc. would be greatly appreciated...thanks!

Picture of the Month:

Word of the Day: Mei - May 

Happy Birthday Queen!

HAPPY QUEEN'S DAY!!!

This post has been pre written because I am spending the day in Amsterdam cleebrating.
Queen's Day is the Queen's Birthday...

Except it's not actually the current queen...it's her grandmother.  But rather than confuse people, they just chose a set date to celebrate every year.  And celebrate they do...it's like New Years on crack.  Or actually, since it's Amsterdam, New Years on Space Cake.  And it turns the country into a gigantic sea of orange clad flea market-ers.  Do not get me started on the Orange...seeing as the flag is Red White and Blue...we're just gonna go with it.  Here are the things you must do on Queen's day...

-Wear Orange...and lots of it.
-Sell things on the street
-Drink...a lot
-Wander the streets because nothing is actually open, because everyone is celebrating.

Every store has plenty of orange things for sale.  I myself have collected some choice items to be shared on the actual post about the actual Queen's Day that I experiences.  But here are some things that I debated on buying.  And by debated on buying, I mean...I really saw each and every one of these things in person for sale...

Hopefully, I'll have many more real pictures to add to this.

So Happy Queen's Day Holland!  And Happy Birthday Queen!

Word of the Day: Koninginnedag - Queen's Day

An Easter Egg Hunt for you

There are eggs in every single one of these pictures.  See if you can find them.  Some are obvious, some not so much. Either way, Fien sure found (and ate) them all...

The eggs are all set (inside because of the rain) and ready to be found...

She's putting all her eggs in one basket...

The name eggs...

Being a sweetheart and taking some chocolate eggs to the neighbors...

Table is set for a delicious breakfast...

The lekker apple tart we made yesterday...

Chocolate for breakfast? Yes please!

Deviled eggs...so tasty!

Didn't I tell you it would be ridiculously adorable?
Happy Easter everyone!  Hope your day was wonderful!

Word of the day: Pasen - Easter