Life Begins at 30

DISCLAIMER: This post is a lengthy one, so if you’re not keen to put up with this blabber,  skip the next lines of text and go grab a beer.

I dedicate this post to the people who touched my life in more ways than one. [Yes, that includes you!] Thank you so much for filling my 2009 with a load of good memories — for all the trips and places we’ve seen together, all the cuisines we’ve sampled,  every recipe we exchanged,  for every bit of adventure we shared, every fun event we had and for the laughters, tears and heartaches we endured and overcame…  for all that was and what has been… I say this from the bottom of my heart – THANK YOU FOR MAKING 2009 ONE HELLUVA RIDE FOR ME! I wouldn’t do it any other way.

Despite its quirks and uncertainties, 2009 proved to be  a year of many interesting twists…  one that I will forever revisit in my memory even when my teeth starts to fall off.  Indeed, it is not called a hallmark year for nothing.  It is after all, a year of emotional rollercoasters, of life lessons learned, of fervent prayers answered, of newly built friendships and rekindled ones, of new adventures and destinies realized.  Above all things, it was a year of renewed relationship with God, my personal saviour.

As we segue into 2010, I wanted to take a step back, reflect and relive how 2009 panned out for me.

JANUARY 2009: Say Hello to New Beginnings

What some people viewed as a promising start of the year, was to me,  a tearjerker drama as I bid my folks farewell at the airport. Until that very moment, it did not dawn on me that I was saying goodbye not only to people who mattered, but more importantly to my life in the tropics.  Maybe not forever, but at least for a very long time.  It was a feeling that I underestimated because up until then, I didn’t realize that moving to the Netherlands actually meant leaving my whole life behind, saying goodbye to the comforts and conveniences I have been so accustomed to, bidding farewell to friends and family, and the people I love. This was the most difficult part, especially on my last night at the hotel, when my friends stayed until it was time for me to go. [Guys, thank you so much for sharing that special night with me.]

14 hours later, as I arrived in the Netherlands, the cool winter breeze gave me a jolt that later on formed butterflies in my stomach.  Yes, I was nervous! Waiting by the Meeting Place for an hour prompted me to ask myself over and over – Is this really happening? Am I really ready for this? Heaps of anxiety came over me until the Taxi driver showed up and shook me out of my psychological battles.  Indeed, this is  for real and there is simply no turning back!

As I struggled to pull my luggages into the hotel room with every last bit of strength I had,  I felt a surge of adrenaline rush as the excitement of realizing that I am finally here sank into me.  I  couldn’t help but fiddle my way clumsily through the room to get my internet connection set up and chat with people back home. Yes, I was already getting homesick and this was only Day 1 of my European adventure!

Days turned into nights and I started making friends, mostly people from work who I’ve met at the New Year’s Drinks or in the office corridors.   Even before coming to Holland, I was already firm in my resolve to learn the language, no matter how difficult it seems, so I started attending Dutch Lessons, to catch up with the group who were already in their 15th Lesson.  Additionally, I finally met some of the Filipinos from the office. After a few email exchanges, we finally managed to pick a common time to meet for dinner.  They were kind enough to patiently answer my questions, stupid ones in fact, and even took me out for some Korean Dinner. (Yes, finally RICE!!! Seriously, one week in the hotel without rice was really a bummer!).

Being new to the place, I wanted to experience the thrill of commuting, so I decided to skip taking the rental car and just hop on the bus to work.  For a day, I thought it was actually doable.  However, on that fateful Tuesday night when I attended Dutch class, I realized that waiting for the bus after 6PM was actually the biggest mistake of my life.  Read: What kind of idiot would actually stay out at the bus stop for 45 minutes in -10 degrees weather? Obviously, what happened after that night is all part of history now. I did learn my lesson!

Little by little, I found myself adjusting into this new lifestyle.   I managed to figure out my exits in the highways, finally understood the concept of driving through tram tracks,  identify which products I needed from the supermarket and gradually settled in like a normal expat.  Also,  I found a friend who shared my undying devotion to Starbucks Coffee, despite its harmful effects on my stomach… and I learned that, despite having the closest and only Starbucks branch a 30 minute drive away from our office, there is someone who is crazier than me who is willing to go this distance to have a coffee fix!

FEBRUARY 2009: A Season for Heartbreaks

The second of February came and  I settled down in my own apartment! Yes, finally a place I can call my own – I call it my Aquarium!  Chris and Dennis helped me move in to my apartment… and for the first time, we had Chinese dinner at my place with Adam, Eric and Adona.

I had my first taste of clubbing Amsterdam-style on the first weekend of February, which taught me a valuable lesson – never believe Eric when he measures distances. His concept of nearness could also mean a good 15-20 minute walk on cobblestones with open-toed stilettos. (Peace Ejong… lapit lang naman yun parking natin nun, di ba?)

My first wave of visitors arrived in February, on the day of hearts. It was actually my second time to visit Amsterdam, but a first to try all sorts of things, including sampling raw ingredients necessary to make  Heineken Beer! Carlo and Evan’s visit proved to be one for the books. Why and how things turned out that day will not be revealed in this blog, but definitely, I will remember this day forever!

Heineken Tour

Chris' Birthday Bash with the GB

The following week, another good friend of mine came for a visit.  Unlike the big touristy trip the previous week, this was more of a leisure trip with clubbing as a big part of the agenda.  On Friday night we had some interesting conversation over wine and some fancy dessert on top of the Euromast, overlooking the beautiful lights of Rotterdam… then  later on partied like there was no tomorrow in Baja.  The following day, we both went crazy in Amsterdam, but you don’t want to know what happened there.  On Sunday, Chris and Dennis were kind enough to take us on  a day trip to Brussels and Brugge.  This was the first time I ever set foot outside the Netherlands! Indeed, this weekend felt like a marathon, driving back and forth between Brussels, Brugge and Schiphol.  One has to ask – what where is all this energy coming from?!? Finally, on our way home from the airport,  Chris put on a very interesting CD in his player — For the record, this was the first time I ever heard and understood how an Aegis song sounded like… I had to admit – it wasn’t bad at all.  In fact, it was meaningful for my emotional state at that time!

Rotterdam at Night

On a whim, I decided to join the guys for a weekend in Rome!  This was my first big trip with the GB  outside the Netherlands…  and I was so giddy excited about it.  I fell short of breath at the very thought that I was actually going to this big piece of artwork called Rome! Though short and really crammed, this proved to be one of the most tiring, yet culturally enriching trip I have ever done in my life.  Rome is definitely one of those cities I would love to go back to. Not only to revel in its architecture, its historical significance, and culinary offerings… but also to experience the culture, the romanticism and the life.

The Colloseum in Rome

MARCH: The First Signs of Spring

While the temperature was still pretty low in general, spring already started to show some signs around mid march.  Mary Ann, another good friend of mine, came over for a visit during this time and we decided to jump into a train adventure to Brussels. We met up with Val and Bernard, two guys I have worked with for over a year without having really met.

Brussels with Ann

Sorry, Ann had the pics with Val and Bernard so couldn’t post them here!  But it was good to finally put a face to the name. On towards the remaining part of our journey, we found that the trains were in a mess that day! Apart from the fact that they moved the departing station of the last train going to the Netherlands from Central to Noord (at least 5 minutes before it had to depart), we were also surprised that it was no longer a direct connection to Den Haag! What was supposed to be a day trip to Brussels turned into a long and winding train adventure that made me swear off train travel to Brussels forever!!! Call us unlucky, but sometimes, life plays funny tricks on us, right?

We spent Ann’s last day in The Hague at the outlet. We had a LOT of fun shopping, that she ended  up buying one extra bag to stuff everything she bought and brought with her! We drove straight back to Schiphol Airport, where Ann had to take her flight back to Prague.  It was cool day for shopping, and playing real live NFS on the highway with a red Suzuki Swift driven by this really cute guy. Aaaah yes, I am a girl afterall Before heading home, Eric invited me to come with him for dinner to meet the rest of the guys at this Brazilian churasco place in Scheveningen called Rodizio’s.  Being the “kaladkarin sa gimmick” that I was, I decided to come along since  I didn’t have plans that evening anyway.  That was the first time I met Sherwin, the last Filipino colleague, who later became one of my coolest travel buddies, shopping buddy, shrink and friend all rolled into one.

Venice

As the days drew on, the weather showed significant signs of improvement.  There was more sunshine… but also occasional rain in some parts of Europe.  Eric, the ever hyperactive traveler that he is, found a good deal on flights to Venice, and so I decided to take off for another spontaneous Italian adventure with him. As the rain continued to pour over the succeeding weeks,  I found myself soaked in freezing rain water, as I traversed through the narrow alleys  of  Plaza San Marco in Venice.   This trip, despite the horrible weather, allowed me to cross off one of the many things in my 1000-things-to-do-before-I-die list: To go to  Venice and ride on a real gondola.  Like every other trip, what happens in Venice… stays in Venice.  Indeed, I had a fantastic time with Eric, Adam and Adona in Venice.  It was an experience I would never trade for anything.

Finally,  I made it.  I crossed the line and I’m quite happy with how things panned out.  30 years on earth.   Who would have thought that I would make it this far? Looking back, I know for certain I had a good one,  I wouldn’t do it any other way.

Birthday Celebs!

I tripped. I stumbled. I fell. I stood up.

HP Manila Goes to Den Haag

I made friends. I lost some. But I knew, I won them over in the end.

My BFF!

I live. I love. I Travel. I Work. I Party. I Dance. with a PASSION.

The Boss, The Nanny and The Little Boy

Today. I mark the start of new beginnings. Rekindled passion for adventure. and an unwavering commitment to dance with life like nobody’s watching.

TMNS Team Pilipinas!

I have been to Leiden a few times before but never really seen the city.  Last Saturday,  I was priviledged to have spent an afternoon exploring Leiden with two of my most favorite people in Holland.    To say that I am pretty impressed is an understatement.  I would actually consider moving here, if given the chance!

Leiden is a popular University town between Amsterdam and The Hague.   It has a very rich history, one that I am very eager to know and maybe delve into, during my idle hours (if I still had some left!).   In the 16th century, Leiden played an important role in both the printing and weaving industry.   During the “Eighty Years War”, Leiden sided with the Dutch in fighting against the Spanish rule.  This loyalty paved the way for the founding of Leiden University by  William I of Orange in 1575.  Leiden University is an insitution amongst educational institutions, not only for being the  oldest university  in the Netherlands, but also for educating some of the world’s greatest minds like René Descartes, Christiaan Huygens, Rembrandt van Rijn, and many others.

So much like the little Amsterdam that it is known for, Leiden is also a haven for cultural exchange.  The diversity can perhaps be attributed to the influx of international students the world over.   One might ask, what is so special about Leiden that would make you want to move there?  Believe me when I say I could not offer any reasons, only feelings of finding home in this quaint little university town.  One has to experience the “life” that I saw in order to appreciate it.  It is simplicity, vivacity and beauty all rolled into one.  Because it is inhabited mostly by students from all over the world, being in this town inspired me think, to relive my ideals, and to really embrace life’s simple joys.

On Board KLM to Schiphol, Amsterdam

My first impression upon arriving in Schiphol – My gosh, they sound funny! Little did I know that a few months later, I will actually start loving this fatal throat-clearing disease called the Dutch Language.
Indeed, to be able to embrace the Dutch culture completely, one must first learn to speak and understand the language.

Keukenhof Garden, The Netherlands

In the few months that I have lived and immersed myself in the Netherlands, particularly in The Hague, I found one very distinct characteristic of  the Dutch way of life that never fails to amaze me - their most cherished gezelligheid (translate: coziness).  This lingering quest for everything cozy can be witnessed as you pass by cute little houses lined with flowers by the windows, fairly lit canals at night, little cookies that come with your coffee, and the small weekend markets in the neighborhood.  While everywhere in the world the retail giants put together huge one-stop-shops for convenience and to increase market share, the Dutch retail market continues to lean towards a more personal approach to shopping. It is cute and charming how Dutch people still opt to buy fresh meat from their butcher (slagerij) across the street, newly baked broodjes from their local bakerij (bakery), or pick up their favorite wine from the liquor store(slijterij) at the corner.

Keukenhof during the Summer

While the Netherlands is popular for its Klompen(wooden shoes), Gouda cheese, Stroopwaffels, and giant windmills, Amsterdam, being its capital has  also become  a popular tourist destination for it’s Red Light district, Coffee Shops and beautifully lit Canals.  Diversity is what makes Amsterdam what it is today – a melting pot of cultures, where the expatriate community congregate.  One can argue that there are more expats living in Amsterdam than native Dutch people, although I don’t have the figures to back that up.

As a country of 12 provinces, the Netherlands has a lot of things to offer. The Groningen, elected as ”de beste binnenstad” (the best city centre) of the Netherlands, is a university town popular for its bustling nightlife, where some bars do not close until 7AM. For a city as small as this, the cultural scene is quite remarkable and vibrant.  Lelystad, the capital of Flevoland, is one of the newest municipalities with the biggest area in the whole of Netherlands. The other provinces in the North Eastern part of the Netherlands – Drenthe, Friesland, and OverIjssel offer its own charm and Dutch heritage.

Map of the Netherlands

Centrally located, Utrecht is a host to the biggest university in the whole of Netherlands.   My personal take on Utrecht is that it is a smaller version of Amsterdam with a little more Dutch heritage left to boast. Bordering it on the Southeast part is Gelderland, with Arnhem as its capital.   Arnhem is home to Holland’s biggest National Park and Museum. The Kroller Muller museium owns an extensive collection of paintings from great masters such sa Van Gogh and many others. Bordering Germany on the southern part of the Netherlands, is another Municipality called Limburg, with Maastricht as it’s capital.  Though Maastricht is popularly known for its traditional Dutch festivals/carnivals, I have formed a deep connection to Limburg through my favorite shopping outlet right in the heart of Roermond. After all, I am a girl… and shopping is my favorite past time.

Noord Brabant, on the other hand, borders Belgium. A little bit of research showed me that North Brabant is mostly flat but nearly every part of the provincie is above sea level, therefore there are not as many canals as in the lower parts of  The Netherlands. On the western part lies the municipality of Zeeland, where the sun sets the latest in the whole of the Netherlands. It is one of the richest, fishing and sailing harbors in the Netherlands.

Moving up towards Zuid Holland, The Hague, it’s capital city, is also the Seat of Government, as well as my home away from home. It has a high concentration of expatriates and tourists alike. Finally, bordering Zuid Holland on the North is Noord Holland with Haarlem as its capital.

iAmsterdam

Everything in the Netherlands is at least 2 hours away by car or train. As I continue to discover more about this country, its sometimes quirky yet sometimes annoying cultural idiosyncracies,  I cannot help but smile at how far I’ve come.  Who would have thought that what started as a silly attempt to console myself would actually open up new doors for me in the opposite side of the world? As I look back, I can only say dank u wel for the opportunity. Indeed, there is more to every country than what can be captured in photos and I’m glad to have this chance to experience living the Dutch life…for a while at least.