Confessions

Ok, ok, FINE! I do like Dutch lessons. The most important part of learning the language is that you actually learn more about the people. And I do notice that whatever I learn in class I start to recognize when I'm reading or watching tv. It's just a bit boring when you can't actually use the language, I mean how much of a meaningful conversation can you have with a shopgirl or a train conductor???

I did learn something fun to say: It doesn't matter! (which in Dutch kinda sounds like: I couldn't care less)

So now I can't wait to use it!

I also learned that if you want to say that something is getting treated with less priority - It gets treated like a "step mother''

Hmm interesting, in English there is something similar but we'll say, it gets the treatment of a ''step CHILD"

Yes I know, so very fascinating...

I got another call for a job from a headhunter and he babbled off the languages necessary for the job and Dutch was one of them. I told him that I'm just barely intermediate, he said he'll call me back. He did in the next five minutes and said that speaking Dutch was not necessary! (It was also a very financial position and he said that knowledge of finance ''not necessary!" either) yeah needless to say that company didn't invite me for an interview.

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Where you from and who is your daddy?

Yesterday started out as a bright sunny day! Did I leave my umbrella at home??? NO! It is always in my purse. Sure enough around noon it started pouring.

Today: Sunny... I think I will bring my umbrella.

People ask me how I'm dealing with the big differences between Amsterdam and New York. Well for the umthousandsthsssths time, it's actually VERY similar! In the things that I like.

For example I went to a party on Saturday, lets go through a list of who was there (that I got to meet).

Austrian, Danish, Japanese

Chinese girl born in Norway

3 Italian guys (Italian guys never go anywhere alone)

Swiss, German, and a French guy that spoke Russian

even a Canadian

and of course a few Dutchies just for diversity :)

Basically the one thing that I loved the most about NYC, the international flare, it's here!

*above is a sneaky pic I took with my camera of the rooftop patio before it got full.

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This is how I feel about Dutch class...

And taking this photo opportunity to introduce my new turquoise shirt. Hey! It's all about rewarding yourself for good work!

Hmm... waw this picture is kinda depressing lets get another more life like shot... and with another kind of 'reward'.

Ahhh! Feeling better already!

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Interviewing 102 - Discussing cleavage

Appearance is important, lets not pretend that it's not. How you dress and do your hair can literally affect if you get the job or not. Every detail can boost you just a bit ahead of the next candidate. So this brings us to the following question...

How much cleavage to show???

Well, I personally keep it under wraps for the first interview, and for the second I still keep it to a minimal. Just as a basic rule of thumb, if your shoes are super high and/or very expensive -NO cleavage. If your shoes are lower and more casual a bit of cleavage is just the right amount to create a relaxed atmosphere.

Happy Interviewing!

for mom: I'm talking about toe lines peaking out from shoes (see diagram above) that's called toe cleavage.

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It's 4th of JULY!!!!!! Almost forgot with all the weather excitement here...

Well the sun did come out yesterday! Then it rained, then it was sunny! then it rained, then sun! then RAIN. And literally it changed as quickly as you read it! I figured out why Dutch people never use umbrellas... It's because by the time you reach in your bag and open the umbrella the SUN is shining! That's highly annoying! I guess maybe that's why Rihanna's Under my Umbrella song is so popular here... I can understand it would be super nice to have someone just put an umbrella over your head the moment rain falls... and then take it away when sun comes back out... umbrella... not...umbrella... not...

I want a rain cape... and then I can get on my bike and pretend that it's a horse and ride around in the night with a zoro like mask!

Ahhh.... nothing like a great Indian style coffee (with ginger and cinnamon) to get your day started! Thanks Cadiz for the recipe!

OK, enough messing around, I'm heading out to Leiden for some sightseeing!!! :) Well, using an interview as an excuse to take an hour ride out there.

Everyone have fun with fabulous 4th of July parties on rooftops, with hamburgers, and firework shows...

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It's FREEZING, RAINING and WINDY! I guess this is what it's like to live in the middle of the SEA!

This is a pic of Ri when she was in Florida last April. I'm concentrating on making the sun come out...

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Sport is good for you

Ahh, sweet weekend... beach again, but it was super windy so don't think the Hawaiian Tropics oil came out of the bag. (Well no, since the OZONE layer is disintegrating we should all be wearing Garnier spf 30.) Anyway, I really want to try this:

Oh and Saturday I discovered a new brand... Sport clothing. Never heard of them before, can you guess why they don't sell it in america? I got a white sweatshirt and a gray and pink tee, super cute.

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