Halloween Party

02 November 2011 This year we celebrated Halloween for the first time with a couple of friends. It's not a big thing here in the Netherlands but we decided to start a tradition and a little fun - this way we have a reason to be childlike, look silly and get together without feeling crazy even for a day.



Everyone really looked great, if I say so myself. For first timers, we did pretty well. I was the only one who didn't look creepy or undead. So this picture is pretty much Snow White and her seven creepy friends. The irony isn't lost on me, however. I'm the dwarf among them all as I am the shortest.
















It was a fun night. No scary stories; just sharing lives and tales over food and wine.

Belated Merry Christmas!

27 December 2009

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with friends and family!
Ours was spent with Mike's parents and in our home having our own little family bonding. :)

xoxo,
Gracey

Be Still My Heart

08 August 2008 I am almost near the end of Jane Austen's book, Persuasion. I have come to read the part of the letter. I am writing now with the book on my lap, excited and looking forward to the next few pages that will tell the outcome of this love story. There is no spoiler in this post. I don't write such, not yet anyway. I just want to say that I am a sucker for anything romantic and Jane Austen novels never disappoint. I will write more about this book at the end of the month.

I recently joined an online Jane Austen Book Club which is hosted by the talented author, Miss Jo, of wits and nuts. This is my first ever book club and I couldn't be more happy to have started with this book.

If you wish to join us, you are very welcome! Just head over to her site and sign up. :)

Now, let's see how this book ends!

Birthday Presents

28 March 2008 "Ben ik zo lief geweest???"

Monique, my sister-in-law, used to say this when she was younger and she saw the pile of presents with her name on it during the gift-giving holidays. I echo the same sentiment because people are spoiling me rotten. I just came home from lunch and shopping with Ma, my mother-in-law, and it was fun as usual. We scoured the shops and enjoyed a cuppa several shopping bags later. I didn't get to take the stuff with me because they want to wrap it so I have something to open during my party. What I like about gift-giving here in the Netherlands is that you get to choose what you want in a certain price range. It's easy and practical. Sure, the element of surprise is gone but I'd rather have that than be surprised and get something I totally don't like or have any use of. What a waste of present that would be! At first, I didn't dig the idea of getting someone something they already know they're getting because that's not how we do it in the Philippines. But I caught up a year later. I'm officially dutchified!

I already got a couple of my birthday presents this week and I couldn't be more happy. Yay!

I love my new phone and printer! Love love love love! -- I'm now using the phone as camera until I can buy a new lens.

But this is one of my favorites! I haven't bought any shoes for the past 6 months for the reason that I haven't really seen anything I like. Until yesterday. I didn't think twice and ordered them right away. They delivered it first thing this morning. I love online shopping!



And there's a package for me which our downstairs neighbors were so kind enough to take in as I was out the whole afternoon. Since neither one of them is home, I have to stretch my patience a little longer. I want to know what it is and who sent it! It's probably something Mike ordered online or from someone else. We'll see!!

*The package is indeed from Mike. Two new books! This and this. I like to read young adult lit, I have the first three of the whole sisterhood of the traveling pants series so I must have the fourth. He knew I wanted it! Garth Nix is my favorite fantasy writer. Nuff said!

Birthday Countdown: 3 days

Translation: Have I been this nice???

Giftwrapped

03 December 2007 The giftwrapping season has begun and my mood has improved since this post. The visit to the shops did an impressive trick, but what got me all hyped up again was wrapping all the sweets and goodies.



I will be very busy this week because we will be celebrating Sinterklaasavond with Mike's family and we are hosting it. I have to finalize the menu for dinner, clean the house, finish my Sinterklaas cadeau and probably write a poem (though we agreed not to, but Ma is doing it!), write and send Christmas cards, send out presents before they get lost in the mail, and put up the tree!

I managed to take out a few decorations for tabletops and hung a few lights. I also covered the stand lamp with the green garland because I couldn't help myself. But the tree has to wait - at least not before Sinterklaas - because we're doing it the Dutch way this year.



I'm excited to do a non-traditional Christmas this year because I have these colors: pink, green, blue, white and red, in mind to use. I can't flush the red out because I just can't. It's not Christmas without it.

Photos on Flickr.