Getting prepared #2

Alright, it is so far. See you next week!
Kym.

(almost) Ready to go!

Getting prepared #1

Friday morning I leave for New York City to visit 2 concerts of Ottmar Liebert + Luna Negra. While I'm away for this weekend, Fox stays at a host family, the Hutchinsons (thanks a million, Berber + Martin + kids!). Fox took a bath tonight so he's now clean and fresh!
BTW, I have been looking forward to this trip to NY for such a long time. Now that it is almost so far, it seems so surreal. Maybe I'm only dreaming...

Fox taking a shower

Fox & Diego

In the early spring this year. On a beautiful sunny day, we (Von, a friend of mine, and me) went to the beach with Fox for a long walk. For Fox it was a real adventure traveling by bus + train for the first time. On the beach we found another lovely bull terrier puppy, Diego. It's always such a fun to see 2 (or more) bullies play with each other.

Fox & Diego

Introducing....me

Alright then, here we go. I found an old pic of mine, think it was taken about 15 years ago. I haven't changed much since, I still have the same glasses and the beard too (lol). And-eh, he is...what was his name again... Nick? Mack? Mick? I can't recall, he's just one of the guys I was going out with at that time. (!!)

Just one of the...…

It's your garden...

Every year I plant some annuals in the flower-boxes on my balcony. But this year I didn't, I just had no time for gardening - or when I had time, the weather was not right for it. Not even bothered to clean the boxes or put them aside, I left everything as it was as, eh, in the summer last year. So, I expected only grass and weeds there... But, look, aren't they beautiful? These small flowers survived not only the winter but also my neglect! You can see from my garden that I don't have green fingers. But, do you know what they say? "It's your garden and your garden is just like you". Humm, perhaps I am tougher and stronger than I think myself.... just like these small red flowers.

Verbena

What's so funny, Roy?

Suddenly everyone was laughing... I don't remember why. Well, this is Roy, my hairdresser. He makes my life a lot easier, because thanks to him I never (uh, I mean, almost never) have a bad-hair-day. When his colleague Don, who used to cut my hair for about 15 years, left for Spain to stay and live there, I was really desperate. The Dutch hairdressers are not familiar with thick, straight hair as mine (I'm a Japanese who lost her way in Holland). Only Don knew how to handle it... I was, to be honest, rather skeptical when Roy took my "file" over from Don. But, oh men, I now dare say he's one of the best hairstylists in the Netherlands! ;-)
I wish the whole DIEZ X team - Roy, Kim & Revelino - a big success!

Roy (+Kim, washing her client's hair)

Stolen!

Went to the farmers market in downtown Utrecht, parked my bike as usual at Music Centre near the market place. When I came back, the cycle-bags were gone! Yes, stolen. Aaaarrrrgggghhhh!! I can't live without those bags, you know. How should I carry 2kg of tomatoes, 3kg of oranges, 1kg of apples, 2 loaves of (heavy sour dough) bread, 500g+ of cheese now...? Besides, my bike looks so naked without the bags. I just don't understand who steals something like old cycle-bags?

The rear wheel and the luggage carrier....so naked.

A loving couple

Went to see a movie "Aaltra" with my friends, Renske + Sjaak. "Aaltra" is a comedy in black and white, spoken in French - there are not many real conversations, though - , with cheeky, dry, black, subtle humour. A good camera work, too. This is now one of my favourite films.
Here, btw, I have a pic of Renske and Sjaak, a loving couple! They go steady for a year now. Sjaak has a big surprise for Renske to celebrate their first anniversary coming Saturday (I know what it is, but my lips are sealed!) So romantic, isn't it? A very happy anniversary, R+S!

Renske(R) + Sjaak(L)

Introducing the Gang #3 - Pippie

Pippie (8 years old) - She has no fear, she's the boss of the 3. This little black cat is a very good hunter. When she goes out, she catches at least 5 mice (yeck!). She comes from the same animal shelter as Ponta. She was hanging very high up on the cage, meowing so hard that people could hear her from miles away! A perfect match with Ponta, I thought.....
BTW, Borya was wondering where her name came from.... She and Ponta, they are both named after a drummer: Ponta - Shuichi Ponta Murakami (a Japanese all-round drummer), and Pippie (officially Pip) - Pip Pyle (an English, one of the greatest drummers on the progressive rock scene.... phew, I didn't know that... I just checked this on the internet).
Pippie was first called Bibi, but here again, I think Pippie is a better name for her, isn't it?

Princess Pippie

My new bag

I love this bag, bought last week in HEMA (of course, where else? the most fav store of mine!). Made of washed canvas, with a lot of pockets, simple + timeless, big enough to carry an umbrella, a camera, books, a MD-player, a cell-phone, a bottle of water, an apple and more.....
"HEMA IS THERE FOR EVERYONE"...yes!

The bag

Introducing the Gang #2 - Ponta

Ponta (8 years old). He's a very shy boy, never shows up when people are around. He was 1 when I took him from the animal shelter, where he was trying to hide himself behind the small feeding bowl in his cage.
One of his fav spots to sleep on is the mouse pad on my desk. It once happened that he clicked the mouse and erased my whole day work....
BTW, his first owner had named him Demi..... But to me, Ponta is the only right name for him. Well, what do you think?

Ponta

My tomatoes #3

...a pinch of salt, a pinch of sugar, a couple of teaspoons of (white) wine vinegar, a few fat cloves of garlic (thinly sliced), a red chili pepper (seeded and cut into thin rings), 2 twigs of rosemary, plenty of extra-virgin olive oil....... ed ecco!

My tomatoes #3

My tomatoes #2

...3 hours later, they are half-dried....

(to be continued)

My tomatoes #2

My tomatoes #1

Ohhh, you will love them!
2kg of beautiful red tomatoes, cut into wedges, lightly salted. They are now ready to go in the oven.

(to be continued)

My tomatoes #1

Introducing the Gang #1 - Fox

Welcome to my blog! This is my debut to the digital world. I'm not familiar with this blog-thing yet, I will need a lot of experiments as well as help (+patience!) from my friends.

On the day 1, I have to manage this all by myself... hope it works......

Introducing the Gang #1 - Fox
Fox is a 6 year old bull terrier. Many people are afraid of him because they think he's a pit bull. Or, because of his "particular" looks. But, don't be afraid, please! He's such a sweet dog. Here, on a rainy day, he's wishing he was a golden retriever...

Fox on a rainy day