Jennifer's journal

It's been a year

2007-08-27T22:22:00.000+02:00

Last year this day, I moved into my new house at Westerpark.

4 days from now, I am moving to another house at Slotermeer, leaving this place that gives me lots of memories. The past 6 months have been wonderful, living with a friend that gives me too much joy and laughter and anger at times. Like waking me up at 5 am on a Sunday morning because someone keeps forgetting her keys. I will not name names. But I still love you mate!

Last Friday I went to the boat party, the Rochdale boat. Too bad Mona was not there, we could have reminisced together about that excruciating one month we have spent in this prison called the "container" on Stavangerweg. I would have gone mad if it wasn't for Mona. This girl - I will miss her terribly for I have to say goodbye to her in 5 days! But don't worry, I will be in London very often from now on - to keep her company :)

This summer has been difficult. Witnessing a lot of dear friends leaving the city and going home or elsewhere. Finishing their school degree, getting engaged, starting grad school, beginning a new career. The first time I bid farewell, I thought no, I can't do this anymore because it hurts to see someone leave. But I learned - that's it, being an expatriate, as we all are, there will be one day that it is time to pack up and go. Of course there are those that stay, but many leave. I know I am part of the latter. I just know. Someday it will be my turn, but like my sis tells me - just live the moment and to be as alive as possible during this year.

I don't know where I will be next year this time. I have never felt this insecure before, but who cares, I'm surrounded by a great group of friends, and a supporting family and all those back home who are always willing to hear me bitch and moan about stupid and crappy things of my life here.

Pictures of my past home:

1) I lived near a boat!
Left: my Stavangerweg container
Right: "Containers" from the outside

2) Westerpark:
Left: a view from my bedroom with dirt cheap tulips bought on a Sunday afternoon from bloemenmarkt
Right: Kitchen

Pictures of my new house will be posted as soon as I move in. Let's see how long it takes to install wireless internet at the new place..........my battle against Dutch Bureaucracy for the nth time. Yeah!

Pleasant surprise

2007-07-15T16:27:00.000+02:00

The indoor pool was closed because of the new summer schedule. I was so geared up for some major exercising, so I decided to go for the outdoor pool. First time in a swimming pool outdoor!

My god, the water was COLD. I kept moving and still can't fight the coldness. I figure the water must be below 10 degrees.

Pleasant experience though - last time I was swimming outdoor was in Hong Kong, more than 10 years ago. We always went swimming at Cheung Chau or Repulse Bay. I miss those days...

Days in Paris

2007-05-03T21:37:00.000+02:00

So I spent April 25 to 28 in Paris. Most of the time I am alone because Rita was too busy with the gazillion things on her agenda. Though I don't mind, because I see myself having no problem going places. I can follow my own agenda, and be selective of where I go.

I hit all the major touristic spots, though I missed out the opportunity of having a nice cup of coffee at a cafe just along the street. Brief highlights:

Day 1:
Arriving at night and my friend picked me up at the metro and she is an absolutely amazing host. Love this girl!

Day 2:
- spending hours inside Louvre Museum and it's such an exhausting trip that I've only covered a good half of the museum collections
- Patheon: crypts of some of the greatest French figures, such as Dumas, Hugo, the Curies
- delicious Japanese dinner with Rita
- catching a glimpse of Notre-Dame at night

Day 3:
- lunch with Adina: so this is how the Alcatel office looks like in Paris =P
- Montmartre area
- dinner and chilling with friends on the rooftop of Rita's place: overlooking the Eiffel tower and Dome Church
- getting pushed into Paris metro, without any effort of lifting my feet, because it is THAT crowded

Day 4:
- strolling along Champs-Elysees and stepped into Louis Vuitton, just to observe the expression of those fanatic ladies (particularly Chinese and Korean) gasping and shrieking over a 1000 Euros wallet while the husband unwillingly pull out his credit card
- Eiffel tower
- cup of Espresso at the Nespresso store, whose spoke person is George Clooney

All in all, I fell in love with the city. Let's see if I can make it once more before I leave Europe....
More photos are available in my photo album! Feel free to browse ^_^

My 3rd bike in Amsterdam

2007-04-22T23:05:00.000+02:00

Yes - I got yet another bike!

I went with Anny yesterday and we spent so much time choosing and trying the bikes that the owners probably want to kick us out.

Today consisted of biking around the city of Amsterdam. I started off the day by going all the way to the swimming pool and found out that there was a swim meet thus no lane swimming allowed! booo

Rest of the day - biking around the city and along the canals. Breezy day, 15 degrees, sunny and no clouds.. life is good =)

Forecast of the week - Paris on Wednesday! Then Queen's Day celebration kicks off Saturday night until next Monday. I'm really looking forward to it!

City of Crime - Amsterdam

2007-04-05T00:12:00.000+02:00

So I have a true taste of this city - got pickpocketed.
Lost everything single ID I own.

It's a new wallet that I really like, not to mention the financial loss but thinking of getting all those IDs back give me a huge headache. The worst - I lost a picture, a valuable picture I took with my relatives, and when will be the next time I can take this picture with them again? +_+

Why?
What can I say - I learned my lesson of being careless.

I wanted to cry but I started laughing at myself like a maniac..........

Happy April's Fool!

2007-04-01T23:12:00.000+02:00

It's been a while since I actually blogged about my life here in A'dam.
Everything has been good, 4 more months to go and let's see what these 4 months will bring.
Still very much confused about the future, but I'll take it one step at a time.

I'm very excited about the next 4 months though - trips planned, and hopefully having some visitors and meeting old friends here and there.

Next stop: Paris!

What do I want?

2007-03-15T14:44:00.000+01:00

Feeling very frustrated.
So much uncertainty.

Vodka

2007-01-31T00:10:00.000+01:00

I read this interesting article about the dispute in EU over Vodka content.
BBC article on Vodka
Yes - I've decided to try at this blogging thing again. First post in AGES, and it's about alcohol ;)

Hello from Amsterdam!

2006-09-15T00:38:00.000+02:00

For those who have been wondering where I've been, I am doing fine and well. I am starting to really love this city, and I am enjoying every bit of it. Work is tiring, but I love my team. The ball throwing around the office, playing with the remote control that turn on/off lights and bring the blinds up/down.....Oh it's so fun.....

I must say that I miss my family and friends a lot. Yes, life is busy. Waking up early in the morning, grocery shopping after work, drinks/dinner here and there. Weekend is always jammed pack. But whenever I have a moment to sit down, I really do miss Toronto a lot, it's the people there, not really the city. Yes, I must admit Amsterdam is more exciting. You will actually find people walking around the streets at 2 am in the morning, instead of the utter dead silence at 9 pm on a little street in Toronto.

Other than all the frustration I am having in terms of legality, and the crap that some people is giving me all the time, I am fine. Would love to hear from all of you who actually read this blog.

New Journey

2006-07-19T18:14:00.000+02:00

So here I am, sitting in front of my laptop, and typing this entry.
Yesterday was a mess, I started packing in the late afternoon, and I had succesfully finished at around 2 o'clock in the morning. I was panicking all the way through, because I thought I could not possibly fit everything that I need into 2 suitcases and 1 backpack. But I did, I learn to give up (unwillingly) some of the items that I thought are taking up way too much space and weight.

So, all set to go now. In about 6 hours, I'll be on the plane, 12000 feet high. I am really excited, yet nervous at the same time, because I am still not sure about my housing issue, i.e. will I have a place to stay on Thursday night?

So this is it, my dream coming true. Working at the headquarter of one of the world's largest financial institution, right at the heart of Europe, with one of the best AIESEC country in the world. What more to ask for?

Wish me all the best. And no doubt that God is looking after me RIGHT now.

Next blog ---- Amsterdam

Piano

2006-07-11T04:08:00.000+02:00

Always my favourite hobby of all time. It soothes me, and the joy of playing is simply incomparable, especially when I finish playing a piece perferctly from my memory. It shows that practice makes perfect!
I know I'll be missing my piano a lot for the next year.

Blogging again

2006-06-09T04:01:00.000+02:00

I started blogging when I was in the last year of my high school. My blogging habit was kinda on and off. I remembered the last time I blogged was August of last year. I didn't blog since then - I didn't feel like doing it anymore, and I thought it was an appropriate time to stop it.

Things have changed. I decide to join nomadlife, as I prepare to embark on an amazing journey, an experience that I know will change my life forever. There will be lots of stumbles and falls, but I am ready. At least I think I am.