Slagharen Attractiepark

We have a nice and fun day with Slagharen Attractiepark today. It is an attraction park with so much rides, shows and parades, shops, games, restaurants and vacation houses as well. It is like a Reunion for us here.... Everybody came there; Marjan (Ron's sister), her boyfriend Greg and Deniz her son; Marieke(Ron's sister) and her husband Michel and their son Tim; of course Ron and I and Mireille too; and it will not be complete without Mama Gea and Papa Willem who treat us with the entrance fee. Thank you!

I went to "Looping Star" known as "Roller Coaster", also I tried the "Piraat", I think it is like "Viking" in Star City Amusement Park in Manila.

To those who want to know how i made it, even with "fear of height"... just watch the short video clip i made of Roller Coaster, funny! with the Looping Star of Slagharen, every seats have it's own camera, so after having a ride, you'll see yourself in the video there. For me, you'll see how i hold Ron so tight, closed eyes and obviously shouting as loud as I can all the time, hahaha!

Again, Dank u wel (Thank you) Mama Gea and Papa Willem. We really have a nice and fun!

For more top view photos, please click here for photos from www.slagharen.in

Kinder Autostoeltjes (Child Car Seats)

Here in Holland, the Government is strict with Kinder Autostoeltjes (Child Car Seat) Law. And of course it's good always for the safety our kids.

At first, Mireille is always silent with the kinder autostoeltjes as shown in photo, now she enjoys it as shown in video... hahaha!

Graduation of NFP Scholars

We went to the University of Groningen and attended the Graduation Ceremony of the Scholars of NFP (Netherlands Fellowship Programme).

There are 14 International Students from Puerto Rico, Kazakhstan, China, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Tanzania, Yemen, Vietnam, Ghana and Philippines. Two of them are Filipinos namely Charlie Balinquit and Gizella Marie Herrera, they are both Government Employee of the Philippines. Charlie is working at DepEd (Dept. of Education) and Gizella Marie is working at NEDA (Nat'l Economic Dev't Authority). I've mentioned them already in my previous blog in Koffietijd. Charlie's course is Master of Science in Education while Gizella is MSc International Economics and Business. But it's only Charlie who had a chance to attend the ceremony because Gizella's flight going back to Manila is also today. Charlie became a good friend of Ron and I, that's why he invited us to attend his graduation...

Congratulations to 14 International Students for your graduation especially to Charlie and Gizella.

Eerste Dag (1st Day) in School

Today is my first day in school for my Dutch Language course. It's an easy day, we are 12 foreigner students in a class, most of them are on higher level already and been in Holland for years. We are just two newcomers and both of us just 6 months in Holland, me and Olga from Russia.... I mean higher level for my classmates because some already in Lesson 6, 8 and 12 of our CODE 1 textbook... While me, I'm just in Lesson 1... It's a bit strange for me how the class will study... I mean, our teacher divides us into 3 groups, like it would be a group study... Then we are divided according to the Lessons we have finished (mostly in self study) in CODE 1 textbook we have... I don't have so much time to ask how is it possible that most of my classmates know each other already, and most of them are on higher Lesson already... Because we have to speak dutch so I don't have the courage to ask the teacher right away for the things that I like to know about our class situation, hehe!

Anyway, we are 3 beginners in Group 1, then there's Group 2 start with Lesson 6 and most of my classmates in Group 3 already in Lesson 8... In our Group, I'm with Olga (Russian), although she's just 6 months here, she does went to school for 3 months here, so somehow she can speak in dutch already and Michael (American) is 7 years already here in Holland, but it's only now that he will learn dutch language...

Still, I feel I'm the only beginner in our class but no problem of course... Mooi! (Nice!)

Koffietijd (Coffee time)

Every Saturday after the Holy Mass at the Sint-Jozefkathedraal in Groningen, which is in English mass, there's always a chance for the mass-goers to meet each other. In most Saturdays there's a koffietijd (coffee time) after holy mass.

With those coffee times, I've met some filipinos, two of them are Charlie and Gina. They've been here for a year to study with the Scholarship. They will return to Philippines next week after their graduation..

In the 1st photo you'll see Charlie, Ron, me, Mireille and Gina. Then in the 2nd photo you'll see, I also met Kamila from Poland and her boyfriend Francois from South Africa. Also there is the old man who is a church assistant in Sint-Jozefkathedraal.

Again Congratulations to Charlie and Gina.... and God bless both of you.

Gastouderbureau (Guest Parent Bureau)

Me and my husband just met the person who will take care of our daughter on the days that I will go to school and at the same time that Ron will be at work. Gastouderbureau (Guest Parent Bureau) is like a day-care center, but then it's Mireille, our daughter that we have to bring to the house of the member, of the Gastouderbureau. It's good that his house is near to Noorderpoort College, the school where I'm going to. So before going to school, i'll take Mireille with me in the bicycle going to the Gastouder then I'll go to school then after my classes, I'll pick her up before going home...

Oh! It would not be easy for me, I know for sure that I would miss Mireille on the time that she will stay to Gastouder but I have no choice. I have to learn dutch language too as early as possible.

By the way, the Gastouder who will take care of Mireille is a MAN.... ahhh yes, we know it's strange but we believe he would not be a Gastouder if they could not trust him. When we made a visit to them, we met also his wife who is a school teacher. They have two daughters also, so he knows really then how to take care of girl child like Mireille. So we think there's nothing to worry....

Most of all, I said to Ron that we should always pray that Mireille would always be taking good care of by Gastouder and that God will bless him also as he take care of our daughter too...

My Dutch Language Class Schedule

I've got a letter from Noorderpoortcollege.

My class schedule:
Tuesday 11:30-14:15
Thursday 8:45-14:15

Classes will begin next week (for me on August 26).
I'm so excited!

Voetbal Schoen (Football/ Soccer Shoes)

Association football, more commonly known as Football or Soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of eleven players, and is widely considered to be the most popular sport in the world. It is a football variant played on a rectangular grass or artificial turf field, with a goal at each of the short ends. The object of the game is to score by manoeuvring the ball into the opposing goal. In general play, the goalkeepers are the only players allowed to use their hands or arms to propel the ball; the rest of the team usually use their feet to kick the ball into position, occasionally using their torso or head to intercept a ball in midair. The team that scores the most goals by the end of the match wins. If the score is tied at the end of the game, either a draw is declared or the game goes into extra time and/or a penalty shootout, depending on the format of the competition.
- you can read more from Wikipedia

My husband Ron was a voetbal (soccer player) eversince his childhood till he turns 34 years old, it was 3 years ago since he last played soccer, then he just decided to stop playing...

Just last month, he decided to play again, he had the feeling it will give more good condition to his body if he will play again...

This evening he started to play again, after stopping with playing soccer for 3 years, he had the feeling that it's like the 1st time again. He said its better if i will not watch on his first game, maybe so he could have a better concentration hihi!.... So instead of making some photos of him on his game. I just make some photos of his Voetbal schoen (Soccer shoes) when our daughter tried to wear it... funny!

By the way, before Ron left the house, he asked me what do I think how many minutes he will play? if he will have a goal? and how many goal he could make? I answered, he will play for 90 mins. (whole game)and he will have 1 goal.

I'm right, he plays for the whole game - 90 mins and he made a goal as well...
Goed gedaan! (Well done!).

Chalk Art by Mireille

Just to test how to make Photos into a Video with the use of a Windows Movie Maker.
This is the first time for Mireille to play with chalk, her works of art can be seen at the end of the Video. :)

Alvin and The Chipmunks

Mireille got interested on watching TV already in early age. Few months before her 1st birthday, she use to dance everytime there's a TV Ads or in the openning song of Wowowee (Chanel 2) in Manila tv show. Plus I let her watch Barney and Dora every morning.

When we came here in Holland, I've noticed that she start to follow or focus in wacthing the first movie she got interested with, it's Alvin and the Chipmunks. She try to dance as well everytime they sing ha... But with this photo, I think she's giving attention already in the movie itself and the story maybe...

Blauwestad (Blue City)

Blauwestad (Blue City), a 350 hectares housing development near Winschoten, with a big lake and beautiful scenic area of big houses and nature.... There could built 1,500 houses and diffirent function area also...

This afternoon, we went on bicycles with Ron, our daughter Mireille, Marjan (Ron's sister) and her son and her boyfriend Greg. It took us 2 hours biking, and don't even reach the half of the Blauwestad. It is really a big place.. But it's nice, it's the first time for me to go on biking for 2 hours... Nice exercise around the nice scenic area of Blauwestad...

Mobiele Snackwagen (Mobile Snack Car)

Today was such an easy day... We bought DINNER at the Mobiele Snackwagen (Mobile Snack Car) but in Manila known as "Rolling Store".

The Mobiele Snackwagen would normally arrive here in our place every friday, saturday & sunday at around 8:00pm... This evening, Ron ordered Hamburger, Patat (French fries) and Fricandel (similar to hotdog) for his dinner... For me patat and fricandel were more than enough so I always share it with my daughter who likes fricandel so much....

Yes, yes, i know it's not really so healthy at all... that's why I make sure, that we would NOT have those Vette Hap (Fatty Bite) or fatty foods every saturday for dinner... so at least maybe just once a month... good?

Looking back at The Tariff Commission

Every 15th of August, is the Anniversary of Tariff Commission, a Government office in Philippines where I worked as a Secretary of a Director (Dir. Saluta), for more than 6 years...

I posted some photos here of TC Anniversary since 2002 to 2007. And it's nice to reminisce the anniversary celebration we have then, with different themes as well.

I remember in 2002, I got the award "Best in Ballroom Attire"..... Then in 2003, a TC Chorale was created, we sang our National Anthem "Lupang Hinirang" with our Filipino costumes.... And who will forget the Retro theme in 2004, I think it's with the most participants because we have the Modelling as part of the program of the party, so everyone had the chance to walk the aisle and "strike a pose"..... In 2005 we have the theme "Game Ka Na Ba?", copied from famous TV Game Show in Manila, but I like most its Fiesta style, eating together in long tables, Sarap!.. Then in 2006, it was celebrated with "Tree Planting", but then it will never be the same without a party, so we have a party time with Karaoke....

The last anniversary I've attended was last year, 2007... Actually, it's a simple one but memorable too... It's a special tribute to those TC employees who will Retire on the coming Rationalization program.... (You'll see in the last photo, i'm already with my daughter Mireille, together with former TC Commissioner Manzano and TC Chairman Abon, carrying my daughter was Manang Mena my officemate).

Happy Anniversary to all Tariff Employees!!! I miss you guys.

Eerste Half Jaar (1st Half Year) in Holland

It was 11th of February this year, when my daughter and I arrived here in Holland. It was Winter then so from 25 celcius degree in Manila we felt right away the difference with the weather here, maybe between 1 to 10 celcius degree then... For me, it's a big changes too with regards to food. In Manila, we eat bread in the morning, then rice meal for lunch and dinner, sometimes we even eat rice in the morning, so imagine eating rice almost 3 times a day... But here in Holland, it's different, normally bread in the morning and lunch, then dutch dinner (potato, vegetable and meat)... But of course, sometimes I cook filipino food for dinner.

On the first two months we’ve been busy with processing of documents here in Immigration, Gemeente (City Hall) and other Gov't Institutions here... Then we did some visiting of relatives and friends of my husband too.. I also spend my time studying dutch language online and at the same time trying to speak dutch language to my daughter (in "baruk" way)... Then I discovered and explored my talent in cooking with different filipino cuisines (thanks to those recipes available online)... Aside from our busy sched I’m glad I met some Filipinas here in Groningen... So the past 6th months have been really busy, busy, busy... I'm happy the internet is there so i could continue my communication with my family and friends too....

If I will compare my life here in Holland to my life way back in Manila it's totally living in two different sides of the globe. They are totally different in a lot of ways. So I have no choice but to adjust to those changes. Together with those changes, are my many 1st in my life. First thing in line is living for the first time with my own family (with my husband and my daughter).... and a first time hands-on mom of an 18th month old cute little darling who is growing so fast and showing a lot of developments as well.... Well some dutch ways are still strange to me but I know I can get along with it in the future after all this is already my so called home....I'm now trying having a work experience, preparing for Dutch class and many more to mention. There are so many changes as I go on..

But those changes doesn't matter at all, everything comes to me smoothly and it is because of the love I have for my husband and my daughter and my faith in God that I keep in my heart that makes me stronger.

May God continue to bless us all...

Karaoke Time

One of the first filipina I've met here and became closed with was Ate Julia. She's like an older sister for me here... Today we went to their house, they invited us to eat dinner there and also to have a nice music day with Karaoke. Oh! Ate Julia is definitely a good singer. We have a nice day there, enjoyed singing and lekker dinner too. Angie (sister of Ate Julia) came there too...

Karaoke is very popular among Filipinos because we love to sing along with music. My husband noticed that when he had his vacation in Manila. It's like he thought that almost every house in Manila had Karaoke system....

Well, i think it's making the day of some Filipino extra especial with a Karaoke around even on it's ordinary day... And when there's an special occation like birthday, then for sure Karaoke will add-up to make it more a party and fun, fun, fun!

Peter (Godfather)

Today, my husband, Ron became a Peter (Godfather) for the first time... For the baptismal of Jack (the son of Leo and Diana - filipina i met here) at the Sint-Jozefkathedraal. The Meter (Godmother) is Angelita - also a filipina. Because it's the first time for Ron to be a Godparent, I explained that he should now looks after the spiritually and gives guidance to the newly baptized baby Jack.

After the baptismal ceremony, we went to the house of Leo and Diana... It's the first time that I've attended an occasion with many filipinos. In the 4th photo, you'll see the filipinos I've met... from the left side, you'll see Mely, Charlie, Precy, Baby Jack and Diana, Mila, me and Mireille and sitting Angelita...

****************************************

We Praise and Thank God....
Today, was such a Memorable and
a Happy day for me and Ron....

Schoonmaken (Cleaning)

In the past two weeks i got the first job experience for me, here in Holland. And they call it here schoonmaken (cleaning work) in the office. In Manila it's popularly known as "janitorial service".

At first my brother (Jon) in Manila asked me if I can do it... I said "of course, it's only like cleaning your own house too... It's a simple job for me and so easy of course... just wiping the table, chairs, cabinets and windows, then cleaning the floor with the vacuum cleaner, emptying trash and cleaning the toilet as well.... It's not really loaded, just 1-1/2 hour a day (5:00-6:30pm), i worked as a reliever for someone who's on vacation and she'll be back next week. Still, I'm thankful for our neigbor named Renske, who helped me to have that job and it's nice because we clean together in one office...

I know everyone who knows me, will ask why did I accepted that cleaning job?...
Well, it's because for now, I'm not yet good in dutch language, especially here in the Province of Groningen, most of the job available needs dutch language, infact they even have their own dialect here (Gronings), so it's not easy to find a job with English language...
In other words, I have no choice... "I'm happy I don't need to talk dutch with tables and chairs while I'm cleaning them, or else i won't even have a chance to have this job :)"

By the way.... way back in Manila, I graduated "Bachelor of Science in Accountancy". I have 5 years experience of accounting work in private offices. Then the last 6 years I have, as Secretary of the Director in one of the Gov't Office in Philippines...

So... who would imagine that the next job I will have after those work experiences will be Cleaning job.... But for me, it doesn't matter, at least I would earn money even I'm not yet good in dutch language....

If someone would ask me how do you do with your job?
Well, I tried to clean and recall the time I'm working as Secretary before, then try to recall what do I expect from the janitor who's cleaning my table then.... just to make sure that I'm doing my job now.... "still at my best".

Fiets (Bicycle)

They say 90 percent of households here in Holland own at least one fiets (bicycle)... And in most major roads (except highways) include a fietspad (bicycle lane) and it even had its own road signs and traffic lights.

For us, we have two fietsen (bicycles), one for my husband and one for me... Temporarily, Mireille's chair or the child seats was installed in Ron's bike, I still have to do more practice with bicycle... I admit to them that in Manila we don't use bikes as a form of transport, but of course some still do...

Enjoy the ride!

Spaarzegels (Trading stamp)

Spaarzegels are trading or saving stamp issued by supermarkets to attract customers. They are popular here in Holland and almost every supermarket offered Spaarzegels.

For me, I have Handdoeken Sparen (Towel Save) from C1000 Supermarket; I will have a towel by completing 10 zegels (stamps) plus 4 euro...

Then I have Slagerij Oosterhof (Oosterhof Butcher's shop); I will have free meat item after completing 60 zegels (stamps)...

Of course, it's exciting, to complete the stamps card but I know we should be smart enough if it's really saving or costing more...

Dessert

I remember in Manila, when we say dessert (sweet course at the end of the meal) we always mean fresh fruits or some filipino desserts like leche plan, fruit salad, ice cream, gelatin dessert, cake etc.

But here in Holland, we usually eat fruits on snacks time. And the dessert usually would be Yugort with whipped cream.... of course with different flavors to choose from... lekker!

BBQ Party Photo Album