SL at Wok de Mallejan

Big smile on our faces and full stomach - That's what I could describe the gathering yesterday at Wok de mallejan with my Samenleven Family. Few weeks ago we were invited by Ate Lana via Facebook and it would be KKB (Kanya-kanyang bayad), meaning 'pay your own meal'. First we were not sure if we were going to attend it because Dennis was unsure if he was going to work on the same day. But later we decided to go and I had a craving for dumplings.

 Wok de Mallejan is a Chinese restaurant in Maarssen. They offer different Chinese and Japanese dishes but they are more popular on wokken.  For the wok, Wok Mallejan offers an extensive choice of many kinds of vegetables, meat and fish. You make your choice and their chefs make it ready for you. At the Dim sum buffet you will find the different snacks available in steam baskets. At the wok area, you will find also Teppanyaki. For example, you can choose from Teppanyaki steak, lamb, and salmon.

 The lovers of Japanese cuisine can also indulge in the Sushi Buffet. There is also a hot and cold buffet. Soup and other appetizers are included. They serve also a fondue. Small or big group, adults or children... this restaurant is for everybody and for sure you will enjoy your food trip here. :)

Wokken

Parasailing

After an enjoyable BBQ party last year, we ( with Dennis' colleagues and their wives) decided to have another one this year . But this time around, his big boss was the one who handled the party. It was hold today in the vacation house of his big boss in Strand Horst, Elmelo. I was excited to go because I heard that aside from cooking and eating barbeque, we would going to do 'parasailing'.

It was my first time to do parasailing and we were lucky to have nice weather today. It is an exciting and enjoyable activity where a person is towed behind a boat while attached to a parachute, known as a parasail wing. Firstly, I was so excited but  nervous to do it because you will fly almost 100 meters. I couldn't explain my feeling when I was starting to fly. I felt relax but scared also maybe because of the height. But I tried to enjoy the scenery and it seemed that you were a bird flying in the sky. It was fantastic experience that I would never forget in  my whole life. To add more information, we used the service of Parsailing Nederland. 

 

BEAUTIFUL SCENERIES IN ELMELO (captured by myself)

Philippine Independence Day 2012 in The Netherlands

Independence Day or Araw ng Kalayaan in Filipino is an annual national holiday in the Philippines dated on 12 June. It commemorates the Philippine Declaration of Independence from Spain on 12 June 1898. Here in the Netherlands, there is a big group of Filipinos named Kalayaan Fiesta Foundation in The Netherlands (KFFN) who's still holding the celebration and leading the event for the purpose of uplifting the Filipino Community in The Netherlands or other related activities that can foster friendship and closer relations among Dutch and Filipino communities. It promotes also Filipino cultural heritage, and eventually provide affordable financial assistance to the less fortunate “Kababayan” (compatriots) in the Philippines or to duly recognized charitable institutions in the Philippines. The event this year was hold today, 2 June at Spaarnwoude Halfweg Haarlem. There  was an entrance fee that costed  €4,- per person and parking fee for  €6 per vehicle that would be collected to support, the Kalinga, one of the Filipino foundations who helped the Filipino street children.

The celebration was started with the Flag ceremony and followed by a parade. There was also a variety show that presented by some of my co-Filipinos. There were also a number of stalls displaying various Philippine products. For the foodies, they enjoyed the smell and taste of “talagang tunay na Pinoy BBQ” and other pinoy foods, while the shopaholics were delighted with both local and imported goods such as classy bags, shoes clothes, handy-crafts and different kinds of Filipino household goods. 

My Samenleven group was also joined the Independence Day Picnic which they stood a tent for all the members and also for other Filipinos. They brought different kinds of foods and ate together. Of Course! I was also there together with Dennis and his father. It was our first time to attend this event and we were curious how it would be and also, to meet the other Filipinos. For me, I wanted to buy some Filipino foods that I've really missed it to eat. But at the end of the day, I didn't buy anything. Why? Because there were many stalls selling Filipino products and I wanted to check all. Until I got tired looking of things to buy and decided to go back in our tent. We went home  tired but with sweet smiles on our faces and full stomachs.

January-March 2012 Samenvieren

Yesterday was another Samenvieren(party/event) that organized by my Samenleven family. It was a party to celebrate all the birthdays from January to March that held in Elburg where the owner of the house was the Family Groothand. This party was optional if you want to join or be the host of it. It was organized by some of the active members of SL Family in order to get together and improve the Dutch-Filipino relationship. Me and Dennis had a great time to celebrate our birthdays with Samenleven family, got to know them better and had quality bonding with them. As what we expected, it was the same routine as the previous parties. Potluck of food courtesy by the celebrants/hosts and gift giving from the guests. All of us had fun in the party. I hope it will not be the last time and have more gatherings with Samenleven Family.

Another Year For Me

Last March 3, 2012 was my birthday. It just remind me that I am not a kid any more and growing up as a matured woman. Mostly, I celebrated my birthday with my family and few close friends. But this year was different because I celebrated it for the first time not in the Philippines and away from my family. But still, I am happy to celebrate it with my loved ones here in The Netherlands especially my liefe schatje, Dennis.

I didn't throw a party on the day of my birthday because we were  also invited in two different parties. We decided to attend those parties so we didn't need to make ourselves busy in organizing a party. We went first to the party of the two boys of one of the close friends of Dennis. We received the invitation letter last January and the wish list (cadeaulijst) of the kids (It is normal here to make a list of what you want as presents) so it's going to be easy for us to choose gifts for them. Few weeks before the party, we need to confirm if we were going to attend the party. Normally, Dutch don't feel comfortable to the people who are not announcing or making appointment  that they are dropping in, not only during birthdays. We arrived there around 14.00 in the afternoon and greeted the hosts through saying, "Gefeliceteerd (met je Verjaardag)" and kissing them three times on the cheek.

In a traditional Dutch birthday party, you will enter the room with the chairs and go and congratulate everybody who is already there with the birthday. You go around the circle, people already sitting there stand up, you shake hands, say "Gefeliciteerd", and if there's a female involved, kiss three times on the cheek. This means that if you come early, you'll have to stand up for every new arrival, and if you come late it'll be a lot of work to go visit everybody. Then you take a seat in the circle. Usually someone will come and offer cake and coffee. Mostly, the ratio is 1:1, meaning you will receive one cup of coffee and one piece of cookie/cake. Once offered second serving of coffee, you may get another round of cookie.  Sometimes, they offer you some finger foods like chips, mini kroket or bitterbal, toast with salad and slices of cheese cucumber , olives, sausages. Then, they will offer you  again drinks. Regarding the cake, brought in to the celebrant with a song “Lang zal ze leven”, the Dutch equivalent of Happy Birthday. People here in The Netherlands hang birthday calendars to remind them of the birthdays of all their family and friends. When a Dutch person is unable to visit the birthday party, a card is always sent to the celebrant. When you are the celebrant and received some gifts, you need to open the gifts in the front of the person who gave the gift to you and say how nice/beautiful the gift and say thank you in dutch "dankjewel".

The second party was for Rene, the boyfriend of Nanthicia, my Thai Friend. We went in their house after dinner with the host of the first party. Nanthicia lives in the same street with us so no worry for us when we go home late or drink alcohol without worrying to drive. On this party, you will also expect the same procedure of  typical Dutch birthday party but it is little bit more loose than the other one. We gave the Bacardi white rum as a present to Rene. I was also surprised that they gave me a birthday cake. How sweet of them to remember my birthday! We drinked and ate while listening to the music and watched some funny videos. Of course! A lot of conversations on that day. 

 

The next day, we invited Ton, father of Dennis to have dinner with us. Again, another surprise for me... a bouquet of flowers and gift card from Ton. Actually, he asked me what  present I want to receive on my birthday. I was thinking if I would tell him to give some personal things, maybe, he would buy the wrong thing that's why I decided just to have gift card which I could choose gift on my own. I baked also an apple tart on that day and it was nice that they loved it. In our dinner, Dennis made his specialty, lasagna and after that, we had coffee and slice of apple tart while watching TV. 

My birthday became more special when I received the greetings from Robert and Kaye-lin, the children that I am taking care of . Birthday artworks that made personally by them just for me. 

My schatje, Dennis had also presents for me. He gave me a personalised mug with a sweet message on it, solar alarm clock to wake up me early when I have school, and my advanced birthday gift, winter boots. Even I don't ask him to give me presents, he still always surprise and think of me. Being sweet and thoughtful are some of the characteristics of Dennis that makes me more fall in love with him.

Yim Siam for Dennis' Day

 

Simple but memorable, that's how I can describe the birthday of Dennis. A week before, we just had a little conversation how we could celebrate his birthday. Dennis always asked my opinion in everything. For this situation, I've told him that it was depend on him because that day was his day. So it's up to him what we were going to do on that day. But still, I suggested to eat in a restaurant with his father and brother because we didn't have yet dinner outside with his family. Throwing a party was a nice too but a lot things needed to prepare.So he agreed to me and asked which restaurant could we celebrate his birthday.  I suggested to eat in a Wok restaurant because I missed also eating Chinese food.  But when Dennis talked his father, he suggested to eat in a Thai Restaurant and said that it was great food there. So we were in dilemma on that time where we were going to eat but on his birthday, we ended up in Yim Siam. I wanted also to try new things for me. Me and Dennis never yet eat in a Thai Restaurant and we are curious how good the Thai food is.

 

5 February was the birthday of Dennis but we decided to do it on the evening of  4 February(Saturday) so we could have more time there and no worry to wake up early for the next day. It was nice to experience this unique cuisine that balances the flavours of salty, sour, spicy and sweet and combines the freshness of fragrant herbs such as lemon grasses/leaves. This kind of herbs is popular to put in the soup,Tom yum goong which is made of stock and fresh ingredients such as lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, lime juice, fish sauce and crushed chili peppers. This soup is one of my favorite Thai foods but sprinkling of fresh chopped coriander leaves (Cilantro/Chinese Parsley) on it  is not suited for my taste buds but still, this kind of leaves have bring health effects to our body. A study found that both the leaves and seed contain antioxidants and  have antibacterial activity against Salmonella choleraesuis.

A New Page For Book 2012!

We will open the new book.
Its pages are blank.
We are going to put words on them ourselves.
The book is called Opportunity
and
its first chapter is New Year's Day.

 With the beginning of year 2012, a new era begins and with it comes new hopes and new opportunities. Every year teaches us some of life's most important lessons, and with that learning we put our step forward into the new year. Many of us take New Year's Day to look back at the past year. Some of it we'll never forget. Some of it we'll want to forget. We draw resolutions if we want or need to change it. We make commitment by ourselves, aiming for a goal to achieve them by the next New Year.  If we succeed, we’re the better for it, and if we fail , we still have chance to try again for the next New year.  For this year 2012, I just want to improve more my Dutch and have confidence in speaking with it. I hope I can make it by the end of 2012 so I can find a better job or continue studying in a Dutch school with my Nursing degree. I do believe that nothing is impossible if I will strive hard for and accomplish it. 

My First New Year's Eve here at Holland

Fascinating fireworks, arousing parties with live musical performance and fun and laughter is what marks the beginning of a new year. Our celebration for New year 2012 is just a simple party with full of enjoyment and laughters. We invited few of our friends named Eric, Frank, Rene, Nanthicia and Dennis' father. Actually, our main plan for the upcoming New year is to celebrate with my cousin, Cristina and her family in Middelburg and later have short visit in Antwerpen, Belgium but when we heard from Dennis' father the he would celebrate alone in New year's eve as well as Dennis' friends, Eric and Frank, we decided just to be here at home and throw a small party with them. I prepared  Filipino dish - fried rice, Adobong manok with pineapple chunks, and embotido for dinner as requested by our visitors, Eric and Frank. They brought traditional Dutch foods, appelflappen  (small deep-fried pies filled with apple) and oliebollen (deep-fried balls with powder sugar) and some cocktail drinks. Father of Dennis brought a bottle of Champagne and his Yahtzee game where we could play while waiting for the clock to turn into 12. After having a great dinner, we decided to play a Yahtzee game. We had fun playing on it where you throw five dice and make more point scores to make certain combinations. While playing on the second round of Yahtzee game, Nanthicia and her boyfriend, Rene arrived  and brought with sushi and  Heineken beers. They arrived after dinner because Nanthicia need to work on that day. We had  a great time while waiting for the year 2012. Watching music videos, sharing experience, drinking, and eating some chips, sushi, toast. Pon was another sweet Thai friend of mine who was also the mother of the children I take care of, shared with us her home-made oliebollen and greeted us personally. At 12 o´clock midnight, we greeted each other a 'Gelukkig Nieuwjaar' and had toast of Champagne. After that, we went outside to watch firework displays

New year in Netherlands

Dutch New Year (Oud en Nieuw) consists of Oudejaarsavond (New Year’s Eve) on December 31 and Nieuwjaarsdag (New Year’s Day) on January 1. Families gather together at home to play board games and watch traditional summaries of the year by popular Dutch comedians on TV. The streets become deserted and even the bangs of premature fireworks taper off to an creepy silence as the midnight hour approaches. There is also a long tradition of eating foods, which contain a lot of oil or fat, such as oliebollen and appelflappen.

On the evening of December 31, may people hold or attend parties to celebrate the end of the past year and to welcome the New Year. In some towns and cities, public parties are held or public bonfires to burn Christmas trees are lit. At midnight, people kiss each other and wish one another "the best wishes for the new year" and may hold a toast with champagne or sparkling wine. In addition, many people and some organizations let off fireworks to mark the start of the New Year. In a number of towns and villages, New Year's Dives are organized. This involves taking a dip in the freezing cold North Sea at Scheveningen beach in the Hague.

 New year in Philippines

Additionally, midnight mass or media noche is one of the significant New Year traditions in the Philippines. Also, firecrackers are very famous in this place and have a big role in the New Year practice in Philippines. Skies is lit with divers sort of firecrackers which signifies prosperity and happiness all through the year. In the Philippines fireworks are recognized as “paputok”.

My First Christmas in Holland

How did I celebrate my first Christmas in Holland?

The Christmas this year was the first time that I didn't celebrate it  in my own country - Philippines. For the whole 21 years of my life, I always celebrate Christmas with my family in the Philippines. But now, I'm living now here in The Netherlands and trying to establish my life here. I could say that it was sad to be far from your loved ones but there was also in the other side that would experience it for the first time and make you happy. So it was really mix emotions of  sadness and happiness. But still, there are some ways to ease your longingness with your loved ones such as sending mails to them, calling them on phone and the most accessible now is using the Internet- Skype, Yahoo Messenger, MSN, Facebook etc.

Last 10 December 2011, me and Dennis attended a Christmas Party here in Almere with the Samenleven ladies together with their families. I joined in Samenleven ( a group of Filipinas who got married or had relationship with a Dutchman) before I arrived here in Holland. I saw their website while searching informations about the Civic Integration Exam. I found it interesting where I could meet them here in Holland and be friends with them. Ate Ranessa was the first one I meet. She was also living here in Almere and we study in the same school. She was very kind, friendly and helpful. She gave me a lot of advices about the life here in Holland, how to study Dutch, our school and a lot of things. She invited me on the party and encouraged me to attend it. We went there where I met them all personally. We had a great time there where we ate different, delicious dishes which prepared by each of families, gift-giving and received each one of us a present, and the children practiced 'Mano po' which was the Filipino gesture of respect.

Here in The Netherlands, the Dutch people celebrate Christmas for two days: 25 and 26 December. They call it 'Eerste en Tweede Kerst dag' (First and second Christmas). These two days are spent with family, singing carols, playing games, watching movies, reading Chritsmas tales and indulging in holiday feasts.They eat a large breakfast or brunch and a special Christmas meal. Some people plan and cook a large meal with a range of luxurious foods at home. These meals could include game meats, roast pork, fondues or gourmetten (the most typically Dutch Christmas meal, a style of eating that involves a grill on the table so that everyone can cook bite-sized pieces of meat and vegetables themselves). Second Christmas Day is often spent visiting family or, weather permitting, going ice skating or on an outing. Leftovers are enjoyed on this day.

25 December 2011 - I had a wonderful Christmas dinner with Dennis, Jeroen (Dennis' brother)  and their father, Ton. I prepared Chritsmas cookies, lumpia shanghai and coffee for snack time and a gourmet schotel for dinner. For the lovely dessert, we had vanilla and chocolate nuts ice cream. After that, we exchanged gifts where we had our raffle names last time we celebrated Sinterklaas. This was the list of gifts what we received that day: Anne- small wallet and pantoffels, Dennis- a gift card worth of 20 euro, Jeroen - 100pcs of DVDs, and Ton- a Yatzee play game.

 26 December 2011- Dennis, Jeroen and I had a delicious dinner with Chicken Rollade, vegetables and baked potatoes. I made a Leche Plan for our dessert.

Christmas 2011

Discovering a new dish!

Aside from Dutch and Philippine foods, I learned now a new dish from my Thai friend named Nanthicia. I met her when I'm still in the group of Inburgering. She is also live in our street. So if ever I want to visit her, I just used my feet to go in their house. 

Stir fry Noodles with green curry

 Last few weeks ago, she invited me for a lunch in their house and she cooked a Thai dish which they called it, Stir fry noodles with green curry. I do really like it even it's really spicy. I like the taste of the lemon leaves and green curry that mix with chicken and vegetables. I watched her while she was cooking this dish because I wanted also to try to cook this for Dennis. I knew that he would love it too because he likes also spicy foods. So last week, I cooked this dish for the first time. I was so glad that I got the same taste as Nanthicia cooked that's why I cooked again last night and we're really both like it.

The Ingredients for this delicious dish

It's nice that when you decided to live in other country, you learn and adapt their culture and also their foods. Here in The Netherlands, you will see a lot of foreigners such as Moroccans, Surinamese, Turks, Thais, Chinese, Vietnamese, Africans, Indonesians, Europeans, Americans and also Filipinos which they were already establish their culture here and shared with the inhabitants of Netherlands. It seems like the Netherlands is a multicultural country.

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.

Volendam

Anne & Dennis in Traditional Dutch Costume

 It was nice to visit another popular tourist attraction here in Netherlands! And that is Volendam which is well-known for its old fishing boats and the traditional clothing still worn by some residents. I did really enjoy to walk along Volendam's traditional Dutch wooden houses, dikes, churches, and old centrum. Of course! We never forget to take pictures, wearing the Dutch traditional costume and klompen (wooden shoes/clog).

Poffertjes

Klompen

 Volendam also features a small museum about its history and there is a regular ferry connection to Marken, a peninsula close by where we  didn't try it coz it's little bit cold on that moment. I also first tried to eat there poffertjes, a traditional Dutch batter treat. Resembling small, fluffy pancakes, they are made with yeast and buckwheat flour and also it served with powdered sugar and butter. This small fishing village is also known for some of the most famous Dutch singers and musicians who  were born there  and bred.