Docent (Teacher)

****
Lang zal zij leven
lang zal zij leven
lang zal zij leven
in de gloria
in de gloria
in de gloria
Hiep hiep hoera
hiep hiep hoera
hiep hiep hoera

***
Dag Marjan,

Hartelijk gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag!
Ik wens je een hele mooie dag.
Heel veel bedankt voor alles.

Groetjes,
Margaret

***
Marjan was my docent (teacher) in my Dutch Language course... She's really a good teacher for sure... It's sad because she had chosen to teach in another school (near by to where she lives). So just last November 25, she was no longer our teacher anymore. Still, i wish her success and I hope to see her again.
In the first photo you'll see Marjan our teacher, then on 2nd photo you'll see us together with my classmates in our group. Then on 3rd photo you'll see our classmate from other group (they are on higher lessons). By the way, those photos were taken last 11th of November, it was Joana's birthday then, the beautiful girl wearing white long sleeve. She's from Venenzuela, Belated Happy Birthday Joana.

Reclamefolders (Adverstising brochures)

By the way, EVERY WEEK we receive RECLAMEFOLDERS (Advertising brochures) from different stores. So imagine, receiving about 30 to 45 advertising brochures everyweek and about 5 newspapers too... Everykind of store has advertising brochure, from supermarket, clothings, shoes, gardens, pet stores, cosmetics, computers and mobile phones, bicycle stores, automobiles, optical clinic, furnitures and many more. It's nice, you don't need to go to each shopping store here because you can just look on the reclamefolders everyweek. Then you can see also, which stores have big discount for that week.

Sneeuw (Snow)

Yesterday, there's a weather forecast of early Sneeuw (Snow) that will fall in Holland. The funny thing is, in almost every part of Holland there will be snow, except in North-East of Holland, and that is where we live... So I'm thankful to Mama Gea who sent photos (1st and 2nd photo here) from their area where the snow is about 5 cm high...

And then, this morning it's a bit late when I remember to make photo also (3rd and 4th photo). Last night snow start to fall here also in our area... It is still autum but it seems winter is coming early too...

Hagel (Hail)

Last friday evening some Hagel (Hail) or some kind of little ice balls fall here. So yesterday morning we made some photos... At first I thought those are snow already, but not yet ha...

Lang zal zij leven

Yesterday we've celebrated the Birthday of Mama Gea, my mother-in-law. She is still recovering from recent operation of her back, still she came so we can celebrate together her birthday... We did some singing in videoke as you can see in 2nd and 3rd photo.

In the first photo you'll see me with Mama Gea. That's our photo way back in Manila, on January this year, she came in Manila together with Papa Willem to accompany me and my daughter as we travel going to Holland because on those months my husband can't have vacation leave anymore... Anyway, that's how sweet Mama Gea is... Actually that was her 2nd visit in Manila, February last year was the first time she came in Manila also with Papa Willem, to meet my parents and also to see her granddaughter (my daughter) whom I just gave birth then.

I remember the first time I met her over the internet as Ron introduced me to her, i feel so shy then... And I remember the first time I received an email from her, I got tears in my eyes then because I felt right away that she's accepting me and she's happy for me and Ron... She even told me then in that email how happy was Ron when he got his ticket going to Manila to visit me for the first time in 2005...

I want to thank Mama Gea for everything... I wish her fast recovery from her back operation. Just take it easy and have enough rest... My family in Manila and my Papa in Saudi are sending their warm greetings too...

Happy Birthday Mama Gea and Gefeliciteerd to Papa Willem!

I dedicate this Dutch Birthday Song to Mama Gea....

Lang zal zij leven
lang zal zij leven
lang zal zij leven in de gloria
In de gloria, in de gloria!
Hiep hiep hoera!
Hiep hiep hoera!
Hiep hiep hoera!

Intocht van Sinterklaas (Arrival of Sinterklaas)

Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas of Myra) is a patron saint of Children. You might think maybe I mean Santa Claus but actually Sinterklaas is the basis of the figure Santa Claus in America and other parts of the world. But Santa Claus is well known for Christmas, while here in Holland they celebrate Sinterklaas on the feast day of St. Nicholas itself which is every 5th of December.

Sinterklaas has a long white beard, wears a red bishop's dress and red mitre (bishop's hat), and holds a crosier, a long gold coloured staff with a fancy curled top. Sinterklaas carries a big book with all the children's names in it, which states whether they have been naughty or nice in the past year. While the well known Santa Claus with his white beard, red and white outfit is recognized here in Holland, but he is more known as "Kerstman" (Christmasman)....

Anyway, my blog now is about the Intocht (Arrival) of Sinterklaas... Traditionally He arrives each year in November (usually on Saturday) by steamboat from Spain, and is then paraded through the streets, welcomed by cheering and singing children. Invariably, this event is broadcast live on national television here in Holland in NPS Sinterklaas Journal. And his Zwarte Piet helpers throw candy and small, round ginger bread-like cookies, kruidnoten or pepernoten, into the crowd. The children welcome him by singing traditional Sinterklaas songs. Sinterklaas also visits schools, hospitals and shopping centres. After this arrival all towns with a dock have their own Intocht van Sinterklaas (arrival of Sinterklaas). And that's what we have today here in Winschoten as local arrival.

Domino Day 2008

Amazing! it's the first time i've watched Domino Day.... Weijers Domino Production is known for Domino Day, is a world record attempt for the highest number of falling domino stones which is shown in TV Program "Domino Day" at the same time showing the Domino project in different designs. They say the Domino Day 2008 was their Biggest Domino Project, because this year is the 10th Anniversary of Domino Day.

I've watched it in TV Chanel SBS6, actually before they erase the World Record of Domino Toppling 2006, the Domino Day (TV Program itself) already made a record-breaking television programs in Europe and around the world with over 85 million viewers this year.

They made it! They break the World Record Domino Toppling (2006- 4,079,381 fallen domino stones). This year there are 4,345,027 fallen domino stones from 4.5 million stones they built. I was amazed really with different designs and different ways the dominoes falls...

Congratulations to Mr. Domino, Robin Paul Weijers
and all the Domino Builders

Happy's Birthday

Yes, you've read it right, Happy's Birthday. "Happy" is my sister-in-law, she's the wife of my brother Jon. Her real name is Anne Blythe, and blythe from word "blithe" which means "happy". She is younger than me but I've learn many things from her. Like when I got pregnant she thought me things about pregnancy. There are times then, she accompanied me on my prenatal check-ups. And when I gave birth to my daughter. It's her also whom I always ask for some advises in taking care of baby...

By the way, she's the one who serve as our wedding planner in 2006. I remeber, it was just 2 months preparation but she's really a good wedding coordinator. She made our simple wedding to come out as "Grand wedding" as my friends say also... Till now, i'm still learning things from her, even I'm here already in Holland, this time it's about raising child... I understand how busy she's been lately especially her eldest daughter has started going to school.

I'm happy to see in the photos they sent me on celebrating her birthday. In the first photo, you'll see Happy with Stephanie (her youngest daughter). Then in 2nd photo, their latest family photo (Jon, Happy, Red and Steph). Last photo, you''ll see my her with my brother (Jon).

Again Congratulations! to Happy and Jon, because their eldest daughter (Red) won 1st place in Reading and Spelling Bee contest.

Happy thank you for everything... May God continue to bless you and your family.

Happy Birthday! Happy

Sint-Maartenfeest (St. Martin's feast day)

Every 11th of November is Sint-Maartenfeest (St. Martin of Tours feast day). Here in Holland in the evening of November 11, children go to houses with their paper lantern and sing Sint Maarten liedjes (St. Martin songs) then after singing they would receive candy's, chocolates or fruits.
In the photos you'll see my daughter with her cousins Deniz and Tim.

Cursus Naaien (Study of Sewing)

I just started a Naaicursus (Sewing Course) and it would be every Monday. The lesson will be in dutch language but I'm really interested with sewing so I think then it would be easy then. My mother is a good dressmaker. Infact it's her job even before she get married with my father. So as early as on my teenager days, I have chance to help her with sewing when she is loaded with clothes to make, that's why somehow I know already the basic. Since our childhood she's the one who make our school uniforn, costume, gown, casual clothes and others. Also it's my mother who make my wedding gown... And I'm really proud of her....

By the way, on our first day in Naai (sew) lesson. I made already a little thing like a cellfone case... In the first photo, you'll see me with our mentor Kitty. Then on 2nd photo we are with my classmate also in school Amina... Mooi!

Spongebobweken (Spongebob weekend)

It's Spongebobweken (Spongebob weekend) yesterday and today in Nickelodeon TV channel... Before this weekend they give chance to Nickelodeon viewers to cast their vote for Spongebob Top 100. Then for this weekend, Nickelodeon only shows Spongebob Top 100 stories from 7:00 in the morning to 7:00 in the evening. Spongebob is one among my favorite cartoon characters because it's nice to see in him that he can always be optimistic in everyway or every situation...

Spongebob Squarepants is a very friendly and optimistic Sea Sponge that loves krabby patties, jellyfishing, karate, and blowing bubbles. He works at the Krusty Krab as the lone fry cook. -Read more in Wikipedia.

Filipinos Biscuit

During my vacation here in Holland in 2006, I've noticed already this "Filipinos" biscuit here in Albert Heijn (Supermarket) . I felt proud then because I thought it's a "Philippine Made product", but it's not because it's made in Portugal...

This time, I saw it again in Xenos store and of course I bought it... I thought nice and lekker biscuit for my blog. Still i'm interested to know "Why named Filipinos?" So I tried to search in the internet. Then I got interesting information in Wikipedia... Filipinos biscuit was really named from Filipino people itself.

Filipinos is the brand name for a series of biscuit snacks made by Kraft Foods. In Spain and Portugal they are produced and sold under the Artiach brand name. Under license to United Biscuits, in the Netherlands they are sold and produced locally under the Verkade brand. In 1999 the Philippine government filed a diplomatic protest with Spanish government and others for the using the name "Filipinos" for a biscuit ... Read more in Wikipedia.

By the way, there's even Filipino official website.... Oh! before I forget about the taste, "Filipinos" biscuit is delicious for me, especially it's chocolate coated, masarap!

Kermis (Carnival) Winchoten

Gourmetten

This evening, we ate dinner in the way of Gourmetten simply using steengrill or what they called here gourmet grill (indoor grill) with baking butter to cook different kinds of meat... Anyway, gourmetten is the idea of Marjan (Ron's sister) and Greg (Marjan's boyfriend). They provide and also prepared all the food like meat, bread, sauce and gourmet grill... Thank you ha!
So i made for the first time Aardbeienkwarktaart (Strawberry fromage frais cake), my husband teached me of course how to make it, then he made Banaan kwarktaart (Banana fromage frais cake) with chocolate on top for our dessert... eet smakelijk!

Kinderfeest (Children's Party)

Yesterday, was the first time for Mireille to attend in a kinderfeest (children's party). It's Sander's 5th birthday, he is the son of Klaas and Ivy (my filipina classmate). Here, you'll see it's only the kids in the party and their parents will just then pick them up after the celebration. Unlike in Manila, almost in every children's party you have to count also for parent or their guardian... But just the same, there's singing Happy Birthday, then blowing of the candle in the birthday cake, eating and some games for kids to play... So everykid surely had fun!
Ze vonden het leuke! (They find it nice!)