I have been off caffeine for more than a week now, except for yesterday, when I took a few of sips of Coke while we watched Forbidden Kingdom. The effect of this caffeine withdrawal is making me sluggish the whole day. I'm always sleepy and tired, but I am convinced in my resolve to cut it off. So far I haven't craved for it and I wish it stays that way. Though drinking it was all I could think of while watching Hellboy 2 yesterday (yes, we did a sort of movie theater marathon) because I had a hard time fighting off sleep during the first 30 minutes. That was a real torture because I didn't want to miss anything. It took a lot of control to keep my eyes open the whole time. I did enjoy both movies though, especially the fight scenes in FK and the characters in H2. The plots weren't really all that, the stories were pretty straightforward and predictable, but the effects and cinematography were worth the tickets we paid for. It was good to be out like that again, I owed Mike that.

I feel kind of crappy about myself right now because I can't seem to get off my Twilight obsession. I'm re-reading it for the 5th time (gasp!) and it just keeps getting better. How is that even possible? And you know what's bad? My shop going online is pending because of it. My mind is not totally back on track to the real world yet but I am better than last week so that's an improvement. I just need a bit more time to get attuned to the life without Twilight. I need to get my creative groove back. I just wish I read the saga after the shop was launched then I wouldn't have to deal with having to stall it again. One of these days, I will have to WILL myself to set aside any Twilight thoughts. Good luck to me!

Sigh.

This week has been a very intense one for me. The first time yet that I felt so absorbed and wrapped up in the world of literary fiction. I couldn't put into words how much it captured me - there are simply none. I have read the whole Twilight series 3 times in only 5 days. I know, right. Fanatic is a huge understatement. It just pulled me in like a magnet to steel and there was no way to fight that. The connection was too strong that after having finished all four books the first time, I went over to Mike and hugged him for a long time and sobbed heavily as he cradled me in his arms. I knew that if I even try to pull away, I will not be able to function well so I succumbed to it until I was sure that I was ready to face reality again.

So, yeah, I'm back.

Sigh.

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'm so way behind posts. There are lots, and I mean LOTS of things I want to write about but simply don't have the time and energy to. I hope to catch up though and get back to regular posting because I think this blog needs a bit of lovin'. It's just really been a busy week.

Last Tuesday, I received two lovely packages from Japan. The first one is from my creative swap partners, Xena and Jim.



They both made me this clock using an Oya Stone which is said to be a kind of tuff created 20 million years ago. Amazing huh? What's more amazing is that they decided to part the stone and give it to me, as it was a souvenir they bought in one of their out of town trips earlier this year. With their combined creative talents, they were able to whip up this clock. I'm really really touched by this gesture. Such generosity and ingenious talent they shared to someone they only know by name. Thank you so much, Xena and Jim! I will treasure this clock. I'm planning on hanging it in my craft room when we're done working on it.



Aside from the handmade clock, they also sent me some Japanese snacks, beads, paper craft materials and notebooks. Love them all! Thanks again X & J!

The second parcel is from Ivy, who I have been doing swaps with since December last year. This time, we decided to do a theme swap, which is one of my favorites. Fruity!



I love all of the stuff she sent me. It's all so fruitilicious! I couldn't help but gasp ooohs and aaahs while opening the box. They just look so yummy! By the way, the Apollo Meiji chocolate was so good! <3 strawberry + chocolate!



She also included some non-fruity things like the flower interior lanterns, ribbon, mini fan, incense and decoration balls. She forgot that we agreed on doing the fruity theme and bought some "flower" stuff. But I love them all the same! Thanks for the great stuff, Ives!

It was definitely a good mail day. I'm looking forward to more days like that! Haha. I love getting mail. :)

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! :)

Today, I'm officially Dutchified.

Vandaag ben ik officieel vernederlandst!

More details about it soon. I'm too tired to write now.