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Two months in The Netherlands

Sunday August 6th, late in the evening

Before: happy, cheerful.
After: pooped!

It's been ages since graduation! Unfortunately that also means it's been ages since my last pictures -- I still don't have a replacement camera battery + charger. Both got stolen from the outlet in my apartment. I suppose I should count my blessings though; my roommates were short two laptops and a PS2 if I remember correctly.

This is officially an uneventful summer. I go running occasionally. Sometimes I go for a bike ride. Occasionally my dad makes me practise driving stick (I never learned... and one could argue I'm not exactly learning now :-p). At the start of summer I paid some long overdue visits to old friends. It's been nice and quiet, and most importantly: free from any kind of obligation.

With a few exceptions of course. I found out that I needed to apply for a new US Visa, just tad bit late. Fortunately the folks at the consulate took pity on me, and a week or so later I found myself in Amsterdam, triple-checked forms in hand. I must say the process was a lot less painful than it was four years ago. Also, I had company this time. I ran into Andre and Eelco near the consulate -- completely randomly. They helped me hold on to my sanity; another improvement over four years ago.

In addition to said sanity, Andre and Eelco were able to provide me with before and after shots of myself near the consulate. For the non-experts: I'm less happy in the after shot. Fortunately everything turned out fine -- I had my brand new passport + brand new visa not two days later. Kudos to Eelco and Andre for spotting me and sticking around to help out.

My grandma, Mrs. Hooimeijer-den Otter, passed away last week Saturday at age 95. For four years she told me "I might not be here anymore when you get back" every time I left for Colgate. I was fairly relieved to see her go now rather than later, when I might not be able to get back on time.

In unrelated news, I wear contacts these days. They're very low power, but they do make reading stuff at a distance a whole lot more comfortable. I'm quite proud of myself too, for being able to put them in quickly. The first time I tried (three weeks ago), it took me 15 minutes per lens 8-)

In more unrelated news, Kaleena and I broke up today, after a few months of not-having-such-a-great-time. Having to rearrange all of my travel plans was somewhat of a last straw, as it turns out.

Comments:


  1. Hooimama:

    And that is what you call an uneventful summer?

    reply to this comment
    (2006-08-07 04:54:34)

  2. Bridget:

    inspired by Hooimama — #1 Yeah, how is this uneventful?!

    reply to this comment
    (2006-08-07 07:06:34)

  3. Arjo Hooimeijer:

    "15 minutes per lens"..
    I think that was actually "15 minutes per attempt per lens"..

    See you tomorrow morning!

    reply to this comment
    (2006-08-07 14:12:54)

  4. Hooimama:

    inspired by Arjo Hooimeijer — #3 Hahahahahahaha, you are soooo right!

    reply to this comment
    (2006-08-08 02:03:15)

  5. Sista Kim:

    Have a safe trip pipi! Have a great time in Virginia!

    reply to this comment
    (2006-08-08 08:16:45)

  6. Pieter Hooimeijer:

    In a long tradition of the shit hitting the fan right after I fly:

    bbc reports on plot to blow up planes

    reply to this comment
    (2006-08-10 09:12:05)

  7. Hooimoeder:

    inspired by Pieter Hooimeijer — #6

    In a long tradition of me being very thankful for that!!

    reply to this comment
    (2006-08-11 02:59:50)

  8. Hooimoeder:

    inspired by Hooimoeder — #7

    Forgot this: :-)

    reply to this comment
    (2006-08-11 03:00:39)

  9. Hooimoeder:

    How was your exam?

    reply to this comment
    (2006-08-16 10:21:02)

  10. Sista Kim:

    And, did you buy a new bike Yesterday? And how is your new room? Will you stay there for the next couple of years or is it the same as in Hamilton?

    reply to this comment
    (2006-08-20 03:36:11)

  11. Hooimama:

    We love you!

    reply to this comment
    (2006-08-20 08:25:09)

  12. Sista Kim:

    Hey little brother! I have tried to reach you for the past two days, but it seems you are quite busy chasing cab's/ taxi's with your new bike. I wanted to tell you that last Monday I had a little accident and fell on my pregnant belly. The midwife checked out me and the baby and found out that everything is OK. We all took quite a scare because the baby did not move for a couple of hours, but now everything is back to normal and we are counting down the day's before my maternityleave starts and the weeks before labour.. only six more to go.
    Well, I am sorry I have not been able to tell you all this in person. Today is KJ's birthday so I hope you will be able to call before 20.00 or after 21.15...

    Love you very much

    Your Sister

    reply to this comment
    (2006-08-23 09:38:02)

  13. Arjo Hooimeijer:

    We're waiting for your 'one month in Chalottesville' article ;-)

    reply to this comment
    (2006-09-01 11:21:12)

  14. Hooimama:

    inspired by Arjo Hooimeijer — #13
    Waiting for some time in fact! :-)

    reply to this comment
    (2006-09-03 13:39:57)

  15. Hooimama:

    Hmm, I stil don't see anything coming ....

    reply to this comment
    (2006-09-04 16:15:10)

  16. Sista Kim:

    It's 4.45 in the morning and I can't sleep. So I thought maybe my little brother is online... but you're not. Well, anyway, Love you and talk to you soon.

    reply to this comment
    (2006-09-06 22:43:59)

  17. Bridget:

    Echo...echo!

    reply to this comment
    (2006-09-08 13:20:02)

  18. sista kim:

    4.30... still hoping you'll be online some day

    reply to this comment
    (2006-09-08 22:37:01)

  19. Hooimama:

    inspired by Bridget — #17

    Lol, don't you like this silence either?

    reply to this comment
    (2006-09-10 04:44:49)

  20. Sista Kim:

    I rest my case... Call me somewhere this week?

    reply to this comment
    (2006-09-10 22:33:31)

  21. Arjo Hooimeijer:

    inspired by Sista Kim — #20 Go to bed later, this 4.30 gig of yours is scaring me.

    reply to this comment
    (2006-09-11 15:09:33)

  22. Sista Kim:

    inspired by Arjo Hooimeijer — #21 doesn't really matter what time I go to bed. Every night's the same. Mother nature tries to prepare for the broken nights when the baby is here... nothing I can do about it. I even tried drinking warm milk. JUCH

    reply to this comment
    (2006-09-11 21:13:42)

  23. Pieter Hooimeijer:

    Ew.

    reply to this comment
    (2006-09-12 00:46:14)

  24. Hooimama:

    inspired by Arjo Hooimeijer — #21

    Hahaha, is that because you're getting ready for bed then?

    reply to this comment
    (2006-09-12 08:23:39)

  25. Arjo Hooimeijer:

    inspired by Hooimama — #24 I actually care a little, but don't tell anyone!

    reply to this comment
    (2006-09-12 15:14:09)

  26. Sista Kim:

    inspired by Arjo Hooimeijer — #25 :-)

    So I probably shouldn't tell you I did not sleep at all last night? Going to bed this afternoon I think. How are the preparations for the 'Dam to Dam loop' this Sunday going? I would have loved to welcome you at the finish... but that's too long a drive for me (let alone walk LOL).

    reply to this comment
    (2006-09-13 02:56:36)

  27. Hooimoeder:

    inspired by Arjo Hooimeijer — #25
    Don't you worry, I won't! :-)

    reply to this comment
    (2006-09-13 06:49:40)

  28. Bridget:

    inspired by Sista Kim — #22 aww, when is the baby due?

    reply to this comment
    (2006-09-15 15:33:32)

  29. Arjo Hooimeijer:

    inspired by Bridget — #28 Oct 4th is my guess :p

    reply to this comment
    (2006-09-15 20:15:45)

  30. sista kim:

    inspired by Bridget — #28 It is due on Oktober 5th. So that's pretty soon... scary huh!

    reply to this comment
    (2006-09-16 04:28:43)

  31. Hooimoeder:

    inspired by sista kim — #30 inspired by Arjo Hooimeijer — #29

    According to Pieter this grandchild of ours will arrive in the late evening of October 4. And Pieter is ALWAYS right .... ;-)

    reply to this comment
    (2006-09-18 06:07:53)

  32. Arjo Hooimeijer:

    inspired by Hooimoeder — #31 Actually, that was my guess, not Pieter's ;-)

    reply to this comment
    (2006-09-18 18:09:48)

  33. Hooimama:

    inspired by Arjo Hooimeijer — #32
    Hmmmm, that wasn't what Pieter told me ......

    reply to this comment
    (2006-09-19 09:34:56)

  34. Sista Kim:

    It might actually become a September baby. We'll see!

    Pieter, how about that "two months in Charlotsville" update?

    reply to this comment
    (2006-09-26 14:52:09)

  35. Hooimoeder:

    inspired by Sista Kim — #34

    There is a weather update already...
    Gives one hope for the rest, doesn't it?

    reply to this comment
    (2006-09-27 00:46:22)

  36. Sista Kim:

    inspired by Hooimoeder — #35 Wow, I did not notice that ;-) Not very warm though, huh!

    reply to this comment
    (2006-09-27 02:31:56)

  37. Hooimoeder:

    inspired by Sista Kim — #36
    Not at night perhaps, but during the day .... Pieter says it's rather hot and humid!

    Pieterson, have a safe trip to and a great time at Colgate!

    reply to this comment
    (2006-09-28 00:53:44)

  38. Sista Kim:

    YUPZ Have fun at homecoming at Colgate!

    Love ya!''

    reply to this comment
    (2006-09-28 02:35:27)

  39. Hooimama:

    hi uncle!!

    reply to this comment
    (2006-09-30 09:32:55)

  40. Bridget:

    Congratulations!

    reply to this comment
    (2006-10-02 06:07:28)

  41. Arjo Hooimeijer:

    inspired by Hooimama — #39 Hi!

    reply to this comment
    (2006-10-02 07:42:27)

  42. Hooimama:

    inspired by Arjo Hooimeijer — #41

    Lol, I never saw an uncle that proud!!

    inspired by Bridget — #40

    Thank you! It's a boy and his name is Nathan and he is sooo cute!!

    reply to this comment
    (2006-10-04 09:28:13)

  43. Bridget:

    inspired by Hooimama — #42 Can't wait to see pictures!

    reply to this comment
    (2006-10-04 12:22:01)

  44. Hooimoeder:

    inspired by Bridget — #43
    If you give me your e-mail address I'll send you one.
    I mean: if you have to wait until Pieter finally is ready to update this site ...
    hmmm, better don't hold your breath .... :-)

    reply to this comment
    (2006-10-05 00:50:23)

  45. Arjo Hooimeijer:

    Some pictures here.

    reply to this comment
    (2006-10-06 11:36:23)