Joy to the World, the Lord is Come!

Let earth receive her King!

Wishing you a blessed Christmas!

Eventjes.

A blogger no more.

Or so it seems.

I have had my moments as a blogger, or as a human being with an incessant need to share semi-useless information on the webernets, but lately those moments have been few and far between. I always held the theory that the busier life, the more posts. This is not to say that I haven't been busy lately, well ... again, I have my moments. But now that winter is officially upon us, I am unemployed, yet again.

Alas. Such is life. Apparently.

I have been doing a lot of extracurricular reading, and have become somewhat of a domestic queen. I can manage to extract some positives from my somewhat failed non-career.

Ha. Anyways, if you were wondering, I am alive and well!

Stuck

"swim out to the ocean, drown your thoughts out at sea, and dip your hands in the water, the same deep water as me"

this song by I am Kloot has been stuck on repeat. by no mistake.

Intermezzo

Rainy Days and Endless Playlists.

It is easy to think of good things.

Be Back Soon!

High Highs, Low Lows

It has come, and it has gone. Just as our hopes swung up, they came down. If you were a Spain supporter from the get go (ie. the beginning of the qualifying games) then congratulations, otherwise, make sure you send a thank you card to Mr. Webb.

The better team won, but an Oranje celebration will be upon the world in the future. I am sure of it!

Anyways, the job search is still going monumentally slow, even though I have finally joined the twitter ranks (again, I should add). You can find me as "ajoblessredhead" if you must follow. Still, not giving up!

This past weekend, we went to the Holstein Rodeo. It is an annual event, and this is the third time we went! (If you look just a few posts down, you can see pictures from last year) Even though the rodeo doesn't change much over the years (or the clown's jokes), it was a great time in the sun this time! Unfortunately, we did not have the best view, so I did not take very many pictures, but did snap this shot, he specifically posed for me on this one:

At night, the concert featured several artists, but the highlight was definitely Emerson Drive. Not only can they sing/play, they are also nice to look at. Actually, as I was listening to the song "Moments" again, I remembered a man that I once talked to on the street in Ottawa (when we were distributing Bibles, with Soup and Socks), who talked about his life as a child and serving as an altar boy, who, as it were, has had his moments.

Just recently I came across this article about finger length ratios and athletic ability. I am not a science gal, but this is interesting stuff. I have linked this blog once, or twice before, and may do so again in the future.

Happy Canada Day!

Even though our lawn is decorated in Orange, and all we can think about is tomorrow's Quarter-Final between Brazil and the Netherlands, we stop to say: Hello Canada! You the best!

Until tomorrow ...

Oh ... Canada - Classified

Hello World! Won't you listen.

I have been (maybe not so diligently) counting down to the FIFA World Cup, and it is HERE!!! It has been for a while, and I have seen more than a fair share of the games, but the excitement continues as we are almost heading to the round of the final 16. Props to the Dutch team for qualifying first! Our support has been extended from sporting orange jerseys, consuming orange foods, to decorating the front lawn with anything that is orange, including lots of marigolds, or more fitting "afrikaantjes." Even our lion has a "strikje" made out of plastic tablecloth courtesy of the genius that is mom.

Even though England is playing Slovenia, and the United States is playing Algeria at this very moment, my brother and I are glued to the Planet Earth series. Absolutely fascinating. Yesterday I finally went to the library to seek out some entertainment and came home with several books and this DVD. I even decided to bring home Keynes' General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money. I figured that if I think of myself as an economist that I should at least have read this work. At the same time I also picked up a couple of other books I have been meaning to read for a long time, including Diamond's Guns, Germs and Steel as well as some work by Ayn Rand. I am even thinking that I should churn out some sort of book review so as to keep myself engaged while reading. No promises though.

Just switched channels. Wow. England. Nice of you to show up for this game.

Hup Holland Hup!

Smoke Clouds from the Country: I am still alive!

Since my last post I have moved back home, which has resulted in a higher car insurance (shock!) and many bruises. This last one is mostly thanks to my sister, and to Sunday night soccer games. In the meantime the Senators were eliminated from the playoffs, as were the Penguins (whoot!). I am also still counting down to the 2010 World Cup, which is now at: 22 days away! The first orange plants have been planted, and we are on the lookout for many more so as to make sure there is a sea of orange present for the month of June. Whoot!

Since my last post I have been doing more of the same: job applications, interviews, and thank you letters. Unfortunately there has not been a job offer and I am continuing to be patient and am considering buying this web address. Very fitting right?

Since my last post there has also been little to no new happenings - so I am signing off! This one was for you dad!

Hup Holland Hup!

KKK: Koffie, Kruidkoek,en Keane

Somethings you keep a secret and some things you just have to share! So I was eating a slice of kruidkoek with my coffee this afternoon, and I decided that this must be shared. At the end of my last visit in Holland, my oma quickly biked to the bakery to get me some packages of speculaaskruiden, so that at any time I could make my own pepernoten or kruidkoek. I am not baking very much, usually because if I make it, I will be most likely to eat it which does not help my goal of keeping my waistline in check, but today was an exception.

Anyways to prepare a kruidkoek in your English kitchen (which uses cups, hence English) you proceed as follows:

Mix 2 cups of flour, 1 cup of brown sugar, 2.5 teaspoons of baking powder and 1 tablespoon of koekkruiden. Subsequently add 200 mL of milk and 1 egg. Mix well, note that a mixer may not be so handy in this case. You bake this in a loaf pan at about 305F for approximately 45 minutes, although you might want to keep an eye on the time. Being raisinless is a condition I am known to have, so I did not add raisins this time. But to make the loaf a little bit more moist and awesome I would add approximately 1 cup of raisins which have been soaked in water for a while (make sure you drain them before you add them to the dough right before baking). Et voila.

Now I know not everyone has a grandmother who visits the local bakery to obtain the key ingredient for you, but as with anything in life after your grandmother the internets know best! So the mixture should include cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, white pepper, ground cardamom, ginger of sorts. This blogger offers some recipes. So, if you want to try, I say don't delay, start today. Interestingly, I had thought about that line to end a cover letter: "don't delay, call today!" but I may be considered a bit of a chicken.

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Even though I have a disappointingly low number of friends in Ottawa who are Senators fans - I don't mind celebrating on my own. Now that win last night was something boys, quite something!

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Today I also remembered how much I love Keane, and almost all of their songs.

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OFFICIAL COUNTDOWN to the 2010 World Cup: 70 days.

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The updated FIFA ranking has also been released today, and the Netherlands continue to occupy the #3 spot. Whoot! Ole, Ole! Can I get a what, what!

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Keane - Bedshaped

Every Once in a While

That is the title of the song I was listening to, and it typifies my recent blogging habits since I finished school, which has been quite a few months already. Since then I have learned that time flies - even when you aren't very busy. My full-time job continues to be finding a full-time job, which has its up and down moments just like any job. My lack of success, despite my low expectations, would make any person depressed: luckily I am not there yet.

Since it has been such a long time since I have finished a post (finished is the key here), it will be another mish-mash of happenings and musings from the last few weeks:

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OFFICIAL COUNTDOWN to the 2010 World Cup:

75 days

And to celebrate here is a great historical moment from the 1998 quarter-finals:

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I recently came across this article that shared a new perspective on measuring the economy, or GDP. From space.

I am sure that image would look a little bit different during Earth Hour. Which reminds me, today is Earth Hour day. I think I might try to find some candles - even though that will contribute more carbon dioxide emissions. It is the idea, right?

On the Next Nature site I also came across this Essay titled "Real Nature is Not Green" that may be worth a read.

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SENATORS-RANGERS Game - March 2

Just before Maya would leave Canada for her hometown in Slovakia we had the chance to attend a Senators game (or a Gaborik game if we are talking from her perspective). This was the first game after the Olympics, and while we had hoped that the pre-Olympic streak would continue - it didn't. It definitely didn't. With a 4-1 loss for the Senators, and a missing Gaborik we were pretty disappointed. Nonetheless, any game is a good game! Right?

Either way, it looks like the team will make it to the playoffs. And after three recent wins, I say bring on the Panthers tonight! GO SENS GO!

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I love, love. love this website: Tastespotting. So many fun recipes and pretty pictures - it is sure to make you hungry!

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I was watching Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution last night and it reminded me of this blog that I had come across. I have to admit that I had no idea that elementary kids got breakfast/lunch at school. When I was in elementary school we were fortunate enough to be able to go home for lunch every day, and if we couldn't it was quite special to bring a lunch to school. Nonetheless, lunch was always a whole wheat sandwich with cheese. And I still LOVE sandwiches. Yum!

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I have been listening to Paolo Nutini (again) lately, and am loving his new album Sunny Side Up! I also found this tribute. It is available on iTunes to raise funds for research in the detection and treatment of cervical cancer. A worthwhile cause for sure!

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There is a million more things I could share, but I am off to make a birthday cake for my lovely roommate. Even though I have not yet decided on a theme, I am sure I can come up with something between now and when I make it down the stairs? Hope so.

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Paolo Nutini - Worried Man

Kurt Nilsen - Every Once in a While

Cookies and Other Miscellaneous Items to Mention

I just thought I share a chocolate chip cookie recipe that I found on the internets, one that I memorized and tweaked just a little bit. Here it goes:

Cream together:

1/2 cup soft and unsalted butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Add:

1 egg

Add:

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 cup flour

Add:

1 1/4 cup of white and semisweet chocolate chips

Bake on a greased cookie sheet for about 10 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Et voila:

I should say these are gut-wrenchingly sweet in my opinion, so if you are like me, you might want to reduce the sugar content a little bit. Actually, I did, and they were still very sweet, so definitely add less sugar maybe?

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As for other fun things that I can talk about. Well, there was the teddy bear toss at the Ottawa 67's and Owen Sound Attack game just a week ago. On the way to the game we picked up this lovely teddy and panda puppet. Sadly, the Owen Sound Attack lost the game with just one goal against (the empty net does not count IMO) with only 7 minutes left in the game. But at least we can celebrate that there were many many many teddies tossed that will find their way to a child's arms somewhere in the city. Right!?

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And, I never mentioned anything about the Senators - Blue Jackets game that I went to! It was a happy belated birthday present from my brother. It was a completely sold out game, so with lots of people the atmosphere was great! Even though I have been in Ottawa for more than a year, this was only the second game I attended. I know, right?! I think finding a job, generating some income should rectify that situation. If I am still in Ottawa by then ... Anyways, some shots:

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I also have not posted a music selection for a long time. But here goes:

Muse - Undisclosed Desires

The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You

Tommy Guerrero and Gadget Enhanced - Mechanisms (Feat. John Gold)

Numbers!

At Sea

From my adventures in Holland :D

LO-ONG TIME!

I can't believe I haven't said a single thing since last month, while I should have been celebrating that I am finished school forever!

WHOOOOOT!

Light at the End of the Tunnel ...

One more week of total, complete, 100% effort into writing essays, readings, and studying and then I am DONE!!!!

Forever!

I think.

Een, Twee, Drie .... Break Over.

Echt leuk:

En weer verder leren ...

Home Sweet Home

Whoot! I resorted to a significant dose of coffee and sugar to make it through the day! It is evening, and I am working! Actually working.

Anyways, one thing is sure, that if I don't make this post, it will never happen. And I have to convince you again that the Holstein Rodeo is well-worth any terrible weather conditions you may have to endure. Last year? Rain. This year? Extreme Heat and Extreme Cold. Basically Saturday was a summation of the weather we have been having so far this summer, it even included rain. I do have a nice sunburn on my shoulders to show for this day.

And some nice shots:

and the Road Hammers:

On a side-note:

Upon a couple of years of data and analysis, it can be determined that the busier I am, the more likely I am to post updates about life. Seeing that the next three weeks are going to be, well, beyond any craziness that I have ever experienced, I have a feeling I will be posting lots as well. I do pre-apologize for the fact that they may simply say "aaah" so as to imply some sort of agony. I will survive.

One final Post Scriptum: what happens to dead tadpoles? I have seen many tadpoles in the pond at home, and I know few of them become frogs, then why don't I see any dead tadpoles?

Just Like a Wavin' Flag

Happy Belated Birthday Canada! Hope it was a nice one! Okay, well I am pretty sure it was, if you were in Ottawa anyways. I do think that at some point in your Canadian lifetime you have to come celebrate in Ottawa. Not for the fireworks though. They are easily rivalled by a small town like Owen Sound. But the rest of the day was pretty rockin'!

We decided to Marathon it on Canada Day. Which made for a long day. Which, believe it or not was not nearly enough time to see everything. You really have to pick and choose things to do, because there is so much stuff happening! But we saw the changing of the guard, the musical rides, the prime minister, the snowbirds, a one song performance by a number of artists, including Sarah Mclachlan and Shane Yellowbird, and even more performances in the afternoon and evening. And wow - so many people! I don't think I have ever seen this many people together before. This was just on Rideau Street, the least busy of the day!

This musical rides show by the RCMP was pretty fantastic. Despite the music cutting out constantly, and having to stand on my tippy-toes to see anything, it was cool to see. Plus the horses they have there are just beautiful!

The stage on Parliament Hill, the lights, and videos were pretty amazing! For a free, outdoor show it was very good! Although I would have to complain about the Canadian Unity Flag someone was flying right in our view of the stage. Which was just as annoying as the people sitting around us, who insisted on smoking in public. Actually, what was also interesting was that the performances were slated to start at 6.30pm. Then, at 6.30 they start a one hour countdown. To the beginning of the show right, so at 10 seconds everyone is up counting down, but at 0, there were no fireworks, but commercials! Whoot! Chicken Farmers of Canada!

Anyways, the performances were great! Ranging from the Canadian Tenors to last year's winner of So You Think You Can Dance Canada, Sarah Mclauglin to the Respectables. Marie-Mai to

Cirque Fantastic Concept. Lots of English, and lots of French! I think one of my favourite performers was probably K'naan. He had the whole audience sing along to his song Wavin' Flag. Plus they were so good live! His first perfomance even included the trampolines, and a dancers!

Shane Yellowbird! He was singing his song Pick Up Truck to which we loudly sang along. There was not nearly enough country music, but still. Whoot! Country! I think I will get my fill of

country lovin' at the Rodeo next week :D

The snowbirds! my (now tiny) dream of becoming a jet pilot was brought back at the sight of this performance. I remember seeing them in Owen Sound a couple of summers ago, where they did an equally amazing show above Georgian Bay.

and finally, Sarah Mclachlan performed World on Fire, Angel, and Building a Mystery:

Whoot! Canada!

back in time

music (and coffee) have always been great study companions for me, and this time i went a little back in time:

journey - wheel in the sky (1978)

styx - renegade (1978) they are coming to bluesfest!

scorpions - send me an angel (1990)

XD

and i learned that this song was the number one hit the week i was born, interesting development!

No Ocean Too Wide

What we would do for a cup of brewed coffee! Our coffeemaker has been giving us serious grief, and since I was using it to try to get back up and running, I was left to my own devices to make an afternoon Cup of Joe. And no one should have to drink instant right?

Yesterday I was at a workshop for job searching procedures in the hidden job market. Anyways, Step 1 of Networking is letting all friends and family know that you are looking for work. So hereby I should let you know that I am job searching. Like real life serious job searching. Yay Me! I hate promoting myself. :S

Falling Slowly - Glen Hansard and Markete Irglova