Sunny Thursday!

Welcome to Ttif!

When I arrived here in Holland, Dennis started to look for school which could give best teaching in Dutch Language Course. He was searching on the Internet and find some information regarding about this. We also heard from the Gemeente what school  here in Almere could offered nice course. The woman in the Gemeente told us that she heard some good points about the Ttif Company. So we decided to make appointment with Ttif Company. We scheduled today at 2pm and assigned to talk with Monique. All the information we needed to know were all supplied by Monique. She was so approachable and charming. She made sure that we felt comfortable in our conversation with her. She told us that in order for me to know what level I am in Dutch Language, I should take their Intake Gesprek, an exam would take for three hours, so they would know what group I should belong and it would cost  €250 for this exam (It's quite expensive!). We were thinking that it was not necessary for me to take this coz we were the one who would pay for my own course unlike before and it was not reasonable in paying more just for this. So Monique asked their boss what possible solution for this and what they could offer for me. It seemed like they were taking at risk as well as to me if they would place me directly to the NT2 group.You should have at least A2 level when you were going to take NT2 and they didn't know what level I am now. She advised us that they could put me in beginner's group where most were A1 going to A2 level and later on, they could transfer me into higher level if ever I could quickly adjust to the lessons. We agreed with that instead of  spending money for Intake Gesprek. Thus, we filled up the form and paid later for the course which cost €780 for three months. Monique also recommended to me that I could join on Brunhilde's class (A1 level) starting on Monday at 9-12 o'clock in the morning. She gave me a copy of their book wherein I could start studying by myself and easily adjust on their lessons.

Meet our three hairy daughters!

When I heard from Dennis that he had 'three hairy daughters', I felt little bit confused. I didn´t know if I would like to have a relationship with a man who already had three children. But when I repeated to say "Three Hairy Daughters???",then he was talking about his three cats not real persons. Funny! I misunderstood him. ahaha :D He treated them like his own children. It was nice that he had cats that they would accompany him and never felt being alone. I loved cats too. Thus, I adopted them and treated them as my own daughters. 

Dennis had first Noah and Shiva month later after they born. They born in year of 2003 and they are sisters. Noah is so sweet and always come to you while Shiva likes more to be alone, lie down on the corner and most of the time, she doesn't care but when their food is almost op, she comes to you and ask for it.

 

The last one and oldest was Angel who was already between one or two years old when Dennis got her. She was born in the year of 2001. She is the most sweetest cat among the three. She always come to you and sit on your legs. Every morning, she go upstairs just to say her own version of Good Morning, "Meoww".You can do everything to her without being mad on you except when you hurt her, as well as to Noah and Shiva. I hope they would have long lives with us.

From Boredom to Recreation

Every weekend, we always try to do something else aside from staying at home and do your household chores or sit in the front of the computer. So yesterday, it was Saturday and we didn't make any plans for that day. Dennis was complaining to me that he felt boring and wanted to do something different. I asked what he wanted to do and answered me that he didn't know. Thus, I just wait before dinner, so I could start preparing food for ourselves and watched movie later. Sometimes, I liked more to stay  and relax only at home. When I'm already preparing food for our dinner, Dennis' Dad called him and told that there was a competition for badminton that would held in the Badminton Club here in Almere. The badminton first players of Almere would play against the guest team, Duinwijck. Dennis asked me if I would like to watch the game, I said 'yes', coz I knew that Dennis wanted to watch it same as with me. After dinner and called his dad, Dennis, me, and his dad went to the Badminton Club and watched the competition. It was great to watch the game personally coz you would feel the intense and eagerness of the players to win the game. It was finished with result of 4-4. Both teams had same number of winners in different categories. After the game, me and Dennis decided to go the Kermis while his dad left in the badminton club because he wanted to watch also football which started to televise on the flat screen in the restaurant of the club.

That day also was our first time to go the Kermis together, where we played some amusement games and had fun with it. Kermis is like a traveling carnival which is moved from place to place in the Netherlands starting the month of April to October. It is an amusement show that may be made up of amusement rides, food vendors, merchandise vendors, games of chance and skill, thrill acts, animal acts or sideshow curiosities. Kermis arrived here in Almere and stayed from 21 up to 25 of September.

Intake Gesprek In Gemeente

Living here in the Netherlands is not easy! But because I want to follow my "Love of my Life", therefore, I should learn how to imitate a Dutch woman. Meaning, I need to adapt the way of living here in the Netherlands especially learn the Dutch Language and Society. So yesterday, I had my appointment in the Gemeente here in our place to tackle about the Inburgering. We scheduled to be there around three in the afternoon, of course, we were not late even we parked the car little far from the centrum (free parking) and walked in going to the place of appointment. The woman in the Gemeente (Sorry, I forgot her name.) who nicely approached us and discussed all the concerns about Inburgering (Thanks, I understand what she's saying coz she spoke to me in English.). She told me that I'm obliged to take the Integration course and pass the Inburgering Exam within 3 and half years under the Dutch Law. Unfortunately, the law changed this year and we were necessitate to pay for my own course, unlike before the Gemeente would pay for it, but we had a chance that we could also loan in. DUO coz my study would cost around €2000-4000 so it was high-priced not as cheap that I was thinking. The woman in the Gemeente told me that because I passed the  "Toets Gesproken Nederlands" with the score of 38 (37 and above- exemption) which was one of  the components of Civic Integration Exam that I took in my own country, it was not necessary for me to take it again here in Netherlands. So I was exempted one exam but need to take the other exams such as the Kennis Nederlandse Samenleving, Elektronisch Praktijkexamen and make your own Portfolio about your assessment to your school, work, and social participation. But there is another option not to take these exams, it is the staatsexamen Nederlands als tweede taal (Nt2) which is higher level than inburgering, less work, focus more on the language and makes you eligible for university courses taught in Dutch. So I think that NT2 is the best step for me to learn well the language but until now, I dont know which one I would take up coz NT2 is divided into two programs. Program 1 is designed for people who want to work in lower level jobs on the labour market or follow a training for that. Programme 2 is meant for people who want to work in higher level jobs or want to follow a training for such jobs. Maybe, the school, where I would study, would help me to choose the right course for me. Not only this, but to help me to learn how to fluently speak in dutch and pass the exam which one of the essential to get a Dutch Passport. 

Eerste Dag van de Herfst!

The end of summer signifies the arrival of autumn. In the Netherlands, autumn officially starts at September 21, and ends at December 20. It is the season between summer and winter, often called "the fall.". It is the time when the leaves fall from the trees and the leaves change from green to red or red to yellow especially the changing fall foliage which never fails to surprise and delight us. I had the feeling that the autumn this year would have more nice, warm weather unlike the summer which had more rains than hot weather.

Lekker Shoarma!

Shawarma is a popular food  not only in the Philippines but also here in the Netherlands. The Dutch people called it "Shoarma". It is also known as döner kebab in Turkish or a gyro in Greece. You might forget that it is originally came from the Middle East because of its popularity here in Holland. Dennis really loves it. He was the one who introduced shoarma to me. Even I  already saw people before eating this kind of food in some street sides and indoor shopping malls in the Philippines, I never tried to eat it there. But when Dennis asked me to try it, it made me realize that it was really delicious and wanted to eat it again. It is generally served inside a small circular pitã bread, which is cut open upon which the meat and salad is placed inside.You can eat this together with potato fries which is typically Dutch. The reason why I want to share some info about this is because me and Dennis ate this again yesterday and made me think  that shoarma is also part in my journey  here in Holland so I want to share it on my blog.

It's Badminton Day!

 

BBQ Party

Yesterday, the boss of Dennis invited us in their small Barbecue Party to have fun together with their other colleagues. His boss was the one who host the party and the idea in going there with their women (wife or girlfriend) came from his wife which made us (women) more enjoyable and had chance to meet them personally. Their house was strikingly beautiful with its mixed modern and old style. When we arrived there, everything was already prepared. Tables covered with white cloth, chairs, foods, drinks and grilling stand with burning coal were already set in the yard where you could find a small pond with different small fishes, outdoor fireplace and some candles, and lanterns on the tree branches. But it took two hours before we started to grill because we needed to wait for their two colleagues who got stuck in traffic jams. But still we had much good time in grilling, eating, drinking and socializing to each other.

MYALGIA

Two days after my training in badminton, I'm still experiencing muscle pain on my arms and legs which I used my muscles  too much  in playing. I can't help it coz it is also part of training. I think my muscles shocked after 5 years of not doing heavy exercise. So, now I know the feeling of having MYALGIA.

Myalgia? It is a Medical term for muscle pain. It  is  most often caused by straining or overuse of a muscle like what I did in the training. It can occur in any muscle group. It can be present in a large number of infectious diseases such as Influenza (the flu) and Lyme disease. Some autoimmune diseases like lupus and fibromyalgia can cause significant muscle pain.

For muscle pain, both rest and exercise are important. Muscle aches from overuse and trauma often respond well to cold and/or warm compresses, massage, and temporary decreased use or rest. Heat, warm baths, massage, and gentle stretching exercises after a rest period should be used as frequently as possible. Regular exercise (slowly increased from very gentle to more vigorous) may help restore the proper muscle tone (walking, cycling, and swimming are recommended).

Muscular aches associated with specific diseases are best controlled by treating the primary illness according to instructions given by your health care provider.

Be Back in Smashing game

Shuttlecock, racket, court,  net. What comes on your mind if you think those things? Yes, indeed! The sport Badminton! Why I'm telling this because yesterday, I had my first training in badminton here in our place. I'm so excited to play again coz  almost five years ago when the last time I played. I started playing badminton when I was 8 yeasr old and now, it's little bit hard for me to play coz my stamina and speed was not like as before and I almost forgot my techniques. Thus, it makes me realize that I need to  regain it and practice more. Perhaps, it's good for my health, mind and body.

Badminton is one of my favorite sports. It is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players (singles) or two opposing pairs (doubles), who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their opponents' half of the court. Each side may only strike the shuttlecock once before it passes over the net. A rally ends once the shuttlecock has struck the floor.It is a game that demonstrates speed, stamina, agility, power and also delicate skills and touches. It is also a game of strategies, tactics and mental fitness. 

This sport was amazed  me especially the speed of shuttle cock, trying to hit it and pass over the net. I like more when you smash the shuttle which you unleash a powerful overhand shot straight to the floor of the opposing court . That way makes  me more competative. It brings great feelings!  Besides that, you give yourself chance to meet other people and be socialize with them through this sport..

Frustration strikes again!

Today, I received a phone call from the company which I sent my application to get a job from them. I was thinking that they can help me to find a job even I don't speak Dutch and have registration to become a nurse here in Holland. Still, it is impossible! It makes me feel  frustrate again. I do really understand that it's hard to live in a country that you dont know their language that's why I put more effort to learn it and get used to it. But still, I want to find a job to make myself busy and the nice feeling  that you can earn money on your own. I know that it's impossible to make things in hurry. I should know how to wait and be more patient to make things in proper. Learn Dutch first and try to enjoy life while  waiting.....  With fruitful result but not passively waiting!

Ignore me or not!

A man is like a cat; chase him and he will run - sit still and ignore him and he'll come purring at your feet. ~Helen Rowland

It makes me feel sad  when someone near to my heart ignore me for the unknown reason. I don't know why and what to do. It's like tearing my heart when everytime she didnt reply to my  messages. I'm trying to please her but still she ignores me. I'm just hoping that  she will realize soon  that I care so much about them especially to her. Even I hurt so much emotionally,  I would not give up preventing my own blood from disease that can put us into death.

Oranje Team For Euro 2012!

For the first time, I kept my eyes for the Netherlands National Football Team in their game against San Marino last Friday. They won with the score of 11-0 goaled by Robin Van Persie (4), Wesley Sneijder (2), Johnny Heitinga, Dirk Kuyt, K.J. Huntelaar (2), and Wijnaldum. I'm not really fan of watching football games but when I finished watching their game, I was amazed on their athletic power in football specially to Van Persie, Sneijder, Kuyt, and Huntelaar. But Dennis told me that Arjen Robben , who I didn't see him yet playing, was the best player in their team. When I heard that, I felt excitement to see him playing. And now, I want to follow all their games and witness their crown in Euro 2012.

Holland no.1 in FIFA world rankings
Holland-replace-Spain-as-world-No-1-in-Fifa-rankings-while-England-climb-up-to-fourth
Netherlands Football Team History