Unexpectedly Travelling Alone

 Travelling alone here in the Netherlands makes me feel little bit nervous especially taking the train. For the reason, I got lost last year when I took the train from Amsterdam to Vlissingen that made me little bit phobia  with it. But  yesterday morning, Dennis asked me to go in his work where all the partners of his colleagues would come there and had tour around their working place which was the Data Center. Dennis was already told me about his work but sometimes, it's hard for me to understand and imagine it without seeing it personally. So, it's a big chance for me to see his working place yesterday. But, before I decided to go there, me and Dennis had little argument tru skype on how to go there. Maybe, because I don't really like to take a train alone and asked him if possible to pick me up here. But Dennis assured to me that I don't need to be worry and it's easy to travel there if  I would follow the right instructions and don't forget to bring my phone.  It made me think that it's nice also to go there alone so I could face my phobia, manage it alone  and also, to meet other people and be socialize with them.

 I took a  Intercity train from Almere Buiten Station up to Amsterdam Zuid. I'm a little bit nervous that time and felt little doubt if I'm doing right but still, I managed it smoothly because every time I feel doubt, I called and asked Dennis. So, I think I'm doing good in facing my phobia. When I'm already in Amsterdam Zuid station, I took a Metro from there up to my final destination. Actually, it's not my first time to take a Metro but I just realised now that It's really different from the tram that getting around the city center of Amsterdam. A Metro is quick but is only useful if you need to travel far outside the Amsterdam Arena. It runs on its own track, completely separated from other traffic which lies its route either underground in a tunnel or on an elevated track. It is also a reliable because it gives direct access to the regional and national railroad network, not only provide a fast link between suburban, industrial and business areas. 

Metro

Tram

After our tour in a Data Center, the manager of Dennis invited all to have drinks in one of the nearest Cafe on their working place. They decided to go in Bosbaan, Amstelveen where we ordered our own drinks there and had some finger foods. We had an informal conversation which was very important for Dennis and his colleagues to strengthen their working relationship. After that, we said Good bye to each other and went home safely. But for us, me and Dennis, we passed by first in Mc Donald's to have our dinner before we went home.

Sint Maarten feest

"Hey Schat, don't forget to buy candies before 11 November for Sint Maarten.", said by Dennis.

"Ok, no problem." said by me with a smile. :)

The feast of Sint Maarten (St. Martin) for this year was my first time to experience it and to know the details how's going here in the Netherlands. But not all the provinces of the Netherlands were celebrating this event, only some parts of it like here in Flevoland. It is basically for children where they walk around the streets, holding their own made lanterns, and go in every houses to ask for candies or fruits. But before the children can receive candies, they need to sing first related to Sint Maarten (St. Martin). It seems like the 'Trick or Treat' during Halloween which is more popular to practice in United States and United Kingdom but the Sint Maarten feest is dated to do every 11 November. This year was not so busy compare the last few years as said by Dennis. We just had three visitors who knocked on our door and asked for candies. The first one was a small cutie boy  together with his father, then the second was the two siblings (boy and girl) with their father, and the last one,a young boy with his parents who helped him by his father to sing the Sint-Maartensliedje.

If you would like to know more about Sint Maarten feest, just click this link : Sint Maarten bij Pinkelotje

DIFFERENT COLORS OF AUTUMN

Last Sunday, we went to the Soest and walked in one of their forests there. While walking, I took some pictures of trees, mushrooms and different colors of leaves that fall off from the tress.

 

 

       

 

  

ONE YEAR MEMORY

Today was our first anniversary of being committed to each other. We didn't do much special but I knew that Dennis was making some plans  to do for our anniversary. Unfortunately, he needed to work yesterday. His plans was messed up and we're decided just to do the same way we loved to do- walking in the forest. But for me, it doesn't matter as long as we we're together. But before that day, I couldn't control myself to expect something special from Dennis. Maybe, because it's just normal nature of some women- expecting something romantic and special. As I said, there was no problem with that and the most important was our love to each other that I'm hoping in the following years would never be fade and get more stronger.

So, I made this video for Dennis to express my feelings to him. I was very grateful that he loved this video wherein we could get back what happened in the past year. I do really love making personalized gift to someone who was very special to me. Less expensive, but more appreciative.

The Glance of Royal Palace in Amsterdam

Last 23 of October, I had chance to go back and enjoyed strolling around the Amsterdam with my schat, Dennis. The main reason in going there was to attend the Expatica Fair  entitled "I am not a Tourist" at Beurs van Berlage which was located in the heart of Amsterdam. My friend was the one who had an idea to go there. She was one of the volunteers on that event, invited me and gave me two tickets. I was little bit curious what I could see, know or learn on that fair. We decided to go there so we could have something to do in the weekend, not only stay at home.

The Fair enriched some informations, resources and fun for the recently arrived, more experienced expats or for those long standing residents here in The Netherlands. Besides that, there were foods, entertainment and exhibitions featuring works by both Dutch and international artists. The new comers were really benefited from this event because they acquired a lot of informations in how they would establish their new lives here in The Netherlands.

Me and Dennis didn't stay longer in the fair because we wanted also to explore other things. We decided to have walk and go to the place around Amsterdam that we had not yet visited. Dennis asked where I would like to go and I chose the Royal Palace of Amsterdam because I remembered before that it was closed when I had my first visit in Amsterdam. The Royal Palace of Amsterdam is situated on Dam Square. It is one of the three Palaces which the State has placed at the Queen's disposal by an Act of Parliament. It is used for Royal Events like reception of the foreign heads of state during their visits in The Netherlands, the Queen's New Year reception and other official receptions. 

   

I was amazed with its Empire-style furnitures and decorative arts which includes wooden and upholstered furniture, bronze chandeliers and original wall hangings. About half the collection was left behind by Louis Napoleon and others acquired during the later reigns of Dutch Kings William I and II. The Palace was originally built as a town hall for Amsterdam's administrative and judicial authorities. We visited 17 rooms, hall and galleries that feature the Empire collection, as well as hand-painted ceilings, grand marble floors and epic sculptures and paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries. There is also a free audio tour that tells about the history of the Royal Palace and it is provided in different languages. I chose English coz I'm still not good in Dutch. I did enjoyed in my tour around the palace. I took some pictures, not so much but at least I had proof that I took glance from the Royal Palace of Amsterdam.