Sometimes silence is a good thing.
I relish it.
It's beautiful,
And it's mine.

Solitude is not bad either.
I dwell in it.
Because there, everything is real and honest and true.
There is no pretending or disguising or second guessing.

There is just me.
Only me.
And that is fine.

I sing and listen.
I daydream and scheme.
I indulge in make-believe and fairy tales.
It's my freedom.
And I inhale it.

Because I cannot go anywhere else.
My mind is my escape.
And mine alone.

I am: so blessed to have a very loving husband, a wonderful family and such amazing friends.
I think: too much.
I know: that good things come to those who wait.
I have: everything I need.
I wish: my family and friends live nearby.
I hate: not being able to celebrate important dates with them and be physically there for them when they need me (and vice versa.)
I miss: my family.
I fear: people sometimes, that's why I don't really go out alone.
I hear: my fingers typing.
I smell: fresh laundry.
I crave: for chicken adobo.
I search: for cute things, constantly.
I wonder: if I am good with pets.
I regret: not having finished uni.
I love: Mike.
I ache: when the people I love ache.
I am not: a morning person.
I believe: everything has a purpose.
I dance: when I'm happy.
I sing: every where, any time.
I cry: easily.
I fight: for the people I love.
I win: at games I'm good at.
I lose: my patience when it's too hot and I'm busy doing something.
I never: had the chance to meet my grandfather, my mother's father.
I always: shampoo my hair.
I confuse: people with my languages when I talk. Sometimes a jumble of English-Bisaya-Dutch comes out when I'm nervous.
I listen: to words unspoken. I'm sensitive like that.
I can usually be found: in the living room.
I am scared: of the dark.
I need: to go out more. I stay indoors too much.
I am happy about: my life right now.
I imagine: myself as a mother someday.
I tag: Sinta, Gail, Joy, J.Ana and San.

Thanks JQ for this tag!

I decided to write a post to answer your questions in your comments from my previous entry.

Q: So how does it feel to be Dutch?
A: It feels strange but good. I don't feel particularly different, though, but it's nice to know that I wouldn't have to deal with visas and permits any more. I also like the idea of being a European national now because I love europe!

Q: What is a typical Dutch dish?
A: It's called stampot which consists of mashed potatoes mixed with meat or sausage and vegetables. My favorite is called zuurkool which is mixed mashed potatoes and sauerkraut layered with ground beef, cheese and topped with rookworst. Dutch people eat them mostly during winter. I will most likely write a post about it in fall when it gets a little colder.

Q: So what is your last name now?
A: My last name is van Vliet (pronounced as van fleet) but I'll use my maiden name Yanson in my Dutch passport because, apparently, that's how it works here.

Q: So how do I call you now, Boots?
A: The same as you always call me. :) Oh, for all those who don't know, Boots is my nickname. Old friends and family call me by this name.

Thank you all again for sharing my joy and for the good cheer!

Sometime in February, we went to the city hall to apply for my Dutch citizenship. They said it will take up to 6 months to process. A couple of weeks later, they sent us a letter regarding some discrepancies about my name and that I should go there on the date they appointed to discuss it. Good thing was we were able to clear things and my papers were submitted to the IND after we agreed that I will keep my maiden name.

Then, about four weeks ago, we got the letter from IND saying that the decision about my Dutch citizenship application is positive. It also said that I have to wait for another letter from the municipality which could take up to 6 weeks, but came a week later, the very same day we went to the camping with the parents. The second letter was an invitation for the ceremony that will formally grant my citizenship.

The ceremony took place in the city hall last night with 69 (out of 19 nationalities) new Dutch citizens in Rotterdam. There were lots of drinks, cakes and snacks served before and after the ceremony. The whole family was there (Mike's parents and sister, who came back from her vacation in Mexico the day before) to celebrate with me. They gave me a bouquet of beautiful pink flowers and bottles of wine. But having them there was a present on its own and I'm so glad they came. I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful family-in-law.

The whole event was like graduation day. Two people gave opening remarks and they called our names one by one. I was the 4th person to be called. I went up the stage, shook hands with the woman as she handed me that piece of paper stating that I, Gracey, am now Dutch. I went back to my seat with the paper in my hands and thought, you better be worth the 400 euros. Passed the paper to the fam and we clapped the whole 30 minutes as the rest of the new Dutch citizens walked up the stage.

After the ceremony, we stood by a table and hang there for a while. A crowd of newly Dutchified people went behind the counter to choose from the variety of presents to take home. You see, Dutch people are frugal and they like freebies. So in a way I am Dutch because I love freebies! I looked at the pictures of things I could get. There were watches, sunglasses, bath set, art set, orange teddy bear, binoculars and a thick Dutch cookbook. Most of them chose watches and bears for children, but I picked the cookbook. I told the woman behind the counter what I wanted, and as she handed me the book, she gave me a big smile and said, "jij bent verstandig," which is "you are wise" in English. I felt like I just graduated with honors after hearing that. Haha!

I will be going to the Philippine Embassy in The Hague at the end of the month to re-acquire my Filipino citizenship so I can be both Dutch and Filipino. I think this is very handy especially for when we start our travel adventures, I wouldn't have to worry about visa applications anymore. At least not the countries we plan to visit someday. To be honest, this is the main reason why I wanted to be Dutch. And since this is where our home is now, we thought it would be cheaper and more efficient as we need not have to renew my residence permits and such every 5 years, and the freedom to go anywhere without the visa hassle - it's just convenient.

So this one is off our list now. We still have bigger goals to achieve but we're taking it one step at a time.

Thank you all for the congratulations!! I am indeed happy! :)

WHAT WAS I DOING 10 YEARS AGO?

I was 17, a college freshman studying BS Psychology at UP Cebu. It was my first time to be away from my family for that long.

WHAT ARE THE FIVE THINGS ON MY TO-DO LIST TODAY?

1. Crochet more squares
2. Do the laundry
3. Write e-mails
4. Tinker with my camera (I finally have a new lens, yay!)
5. Pack some goodies for the shop


SNACKS I ENJOY:

1. Pickles wrapped in salami
2. Maltesers
3. Toast/Cracker topped with pepper filled with cream cheese
4. Popcorn
5. Cucumber with aromat
6. Chips and coke


PLACES WHERE I LIVED:

1. Davao City
2. Cebu City
3. Dumaguete City
4. Rotterdam


THINGS I’D DO IF I WERE A BILLIONAIRE:

1. I'd buy a house with a garden and fill it with things I really like.
2. Invest my money.
3. Give some to my family, Mike's and friends.
4. Travel.
5. Set up a foundation to help the less fortunate.

Thanks for this tag Jeanny!

I don't own many clothes that have the red and blue combination. They're either plain red or plain blue, or combined with other colors. Every time I see them together in a dress, top, shoes or skirt, I can't resist not buying it. This polka dot dress is my current favorite. I bought it from H&M a couple of weeks ago and I love love love it. I just need to find a nice pair of red maryjanes and the outfit will be complete!



Inspired by the dress, I recently made these for the shop. I hope that someone will love them as much as I do. The hard part of selling things you make is resisting not to keep them for yourself. Most of the jewelries I make are made with limited supplies so I can only make at least two of the same design, sometimes just one, like that star necklace in the picture. I've accumulated beads in two years, most of them were still kept in their original plastic bags, and when I took them out a few weeks ago, I remembered why I liked and bought them. I tried to search for them again but couldn't find them anywhere. At least you know you're the only one wearing that piece, really one of a kind. :)

I've been wrapping parcels to send out tomorrow, two of which are swaps and the rest are just little somethings. I'm getting the hang of this swap thing. I think I'm hooked.

We've had friends and family over for two days and it's been really great and fun catching up with each other's lives over dinner and playing games on the Wii. I'm a little worn out that's why I'm not so "chatty" these days.

Here are a few stuff about me:

* What time did you get up today? 10:00 - and I still felt so tired I could have slept in the whole day.
* Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds.
* Latest movie in a movie theater? The Spiderwick Chronicles.
* Favorite TV series? Gilmore Girls.
* What did you have for breakfast? I skipped it.
* What's your middle name? Grace is actually my middle name. If you have to ask why the Y in Gracey, that's because my maiden name is Yanson and some people actually call me Gracey in real life and I like the sound of it.
* Favorite food? Sushi!
* Which food don't you like? Eggplant, sprouts and ... - there's more, I just can't think of them right now.
* What's your favorite CD at the moment? The Best of Plumb by Plumb
* What car do you drive? I don't have one.
* Favorite sandwich? Subway's Italian BMT with southwest or honey mustard sauce.
* Which human traits can't you stand? Dishonesty and disloyalty.
* What are your favorite clothes? Jeans, colorful tee and cute but comfy flats - or a dress when I don't feel too fat.
* If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? New York and Japan.
* Favorite clothing brand? H&M
* Where would you like to retire? Somewhere in the countryside - in a big house with a porch and a garden.
* Favorite time of day? When Mike gets home from work.
* Where were you born? In Davao City, Philippines - Brokenshire hospital
* Which is your favorite sport to watch? I rarely watch sports nowadays but I enjoy women's volleyball.
* Coke or Pepsi? Diet Coke.
* Soccer or hockey? Neither? lol
* Are you a morning person or a night owl? Definitely a night owl.
* Pedicure or manicure? Both.
* What did you want to become as a child? I wanted to be many things - an actress, a broadway singer, a doctor and a cashier because I like putting/taking money in and out of the cash register. I still think it's cool.
* Best childhood memory? My family altogether in one room - singing, teasing and tickling each other, laughing, telling jokes and stories and just being together. I loved that.
* Ever been to Africa? Not yet.
* Ever rolled anybody in toilet paper? I think so. We played this game in summer camp at church where you have to wrap the person in toilet paper in a period of time and the one who gets to cover most of the person wins.
* Have you ever been in a car accident? Thank God, no.
* Favorite day of the week? Friday - because the stores are open until 9 pm and it's the start of the weekend!
* Favorite flower? Orchids and Ranunculus.
* Favorite - Hot dog or Chinese food? Chinese food.
* Do you own a bike? No.
* Who was you latest e-mail from? Lois - we've been emailing a lot lately.
* Where would you like to shop more if you could afford to? Japan, US and UK!
* Bed time? Midnight but I mostly fall asleep some time between 2:00 and 3:00.
* Latest person to share dinner with? Mike and his parents. They just got back from their vacation today.
* What are you up to now? Writing this post, listening to music, e-mailing Lois and talking to Mike.
* Favorite color/s? Red, pink, green, blue, brown and white.
* How many tattoos? None.