Shooting My Breeze: 2013

Friday, May 31, 2013

Moving Day!

Moving Day was on the 31st of May. The day where packers came and boxed up the last 3 years of our lives in The Netherlands into multi-sized carton boxes, packed into a 20-foot container and shipped off across the ocean to Singapore.

The packers brought a whole load of cartons and tape and tape and arrived before 8am. Talk about an early start. I could barely keep my eyes open...

And then they just went right into it! Folding boxes, wrapping our stuff, packing them in and sealing it shut. And all the labelling... Living, Kitchen, Bedroom, Fragile, Electronics, etc etc.. Watching all our stuff being methodically wrapped, packed and labelled was strangely surreal and nostalgic. The fact was dawning loud and clear.. WE ARE REALLY MOVING!! *panics*

A 20-footer Backing Up Into Our Little Lane

Then a 20-foot container was driven into the lane where we lived and our many boxes were hoarded into it. It was a truly reminiscent experience of us moving to The Netherlands 3 years ago, when again, we watched the movers in Malaysia packing our items into a container that was to be shipped to Europe. After everything was done and the container was locked, while we waited to sign off on the shipping documents. I felt a sudden rush of relief... I suppose it was due to the fact that I was in hyperdrive for the last two weeks and was doing frenzied dusting and cleaning of our accumulated possessions in the past 3 years.

And now, we are freshly checked into a long-stay apartment in a hotel and going through the motions of everyday life, before we really have to say goodbye to our life and friends here in less than 3 weeks...

Talk about being on an emotional roller coaster...

Monday, March 25, 2013

The Re-emergence of David Bowie

He's just recently launched a new album "The New Day" after a 10-year hiatus and boy, did he come back with a bang! "The New Day" was numero uno on The UK Album Chart for a week..

*Squeals!!!*

David Bowie - The Next Day

I've loved David Bowie since I was a kid watching Labyrinth for the first time. There's just a little something special about him that captivates and I cannot put in words what it is exactly. Yes, I agree with many that the sights and sounds of David Bowie are questionable but then again, maybe he's just an acquired taste and I have acquired that taste.

David Bowie portraying Jareth in Labyrinth

And when he made a guest appearance on Zoolander... you know Bowie knows fashion... Haha... I know Zoolander is a parody of the fashion world but it's undeniable that he is the epitome of forward fashion and he's sporting about it and that's what counts.

David Bowie in Zoolander

And then on another end of the spectrum, there's just something so effortlessly chic and classy about him. He just ages so gracefully...

Effortlessly Chic

And the Victoria & Albert Museum in London just unveiled the "David Bowie Exhibit"! At this moment, I would willingly abandon my intense dislike for crowds and close proximity with strangers and join the thousands of fans thronging to the exhibit. I wouldn't do it for the Olympics, but I'd do it for the Bowie :)

"We Can Be Heroes... Just For One Day"

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Making A Move

Some time last year, Jim and I received work of a possible future assignment posting for him in Singapore in 2013. Whilst in the back of my mind, I've been very much aware of it... the reality of it never really sank in. Until now.

It seemed like just not that long ago that he and I made the decision to move here to the Netherlands for a change of environment. Yes, KL-PJ was sucking the soul out of us (or maybe just me, I don't know). And although the move here was fraught with a mix of both excitement and fear, our journey through it all, albeit harrowing, allowed us to emerge stronger and more appreciative of life, love and each other.

Looking back the three years (almost!) that we've been here, it has made me see that the world is so big, and it is filled with endless opportunities and boundless possibilities. If we could just disentangle ourselves from the negative experiences, we'd be able to see and appreciate so much more. Of course there would be bad experiences, otherwise it isn't life, right? :)

On a Tulip trail

Life here isn't free from complaints. Far from it! Haha... Maybe I'm a serial-complainer, I don't know. But what I do know is that the good outweighs the bad. We've never really made the decision if we would grow our roots in the Netherlands, as we were still getting used to life here, not to mention the language. And I tell you, that is the biggest barrier for me. The Dutch Language seriously, seriously kills me. To even want to say something in Dutch, I got to crack my brains and ultimately come up with something so wrong that it makes everyone laugh out loud.

Us in Volendam with our Klompens

But before we found out about the assignment to Singapore, we were thinking of making things more permanent. We were thinking about a move to Central Holland (near the city of Utrecht) and to make plans settling there. Just a side note, Leeuwarden's not that bad.. But it can get pretty boring and it's so far away from everything else. What ties me to Leeuwarden the most are the friends that I've made while I was here.

With the Windmill in Kinderdijk

It's just that now, when we are finally settled in The Netherlands (barely!), we are packing again. Even though we've only been here for a short time, and it's also only a 3 year assignment to Singapore, it's ironic how burdened I feel about leaving what I know here. And I can't believe that I find myself looking forward to coming back here again after our 'adventure' in Singapore is over.

I know, I have some ridiculously random photos on this post. But it's just a reminder to myself the good times I've had here :)

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Spoilt for Choice

So many bags, so little cash...

Which should I choose??

I love the new Saffiano Line by Coach. The modern cut, the clean lines, and The Colours! OMG... It's the Colours that are doing me in. I know that something black or something brown would probably stand the test of time... But I have so many blacks and browns already, I need something that pops. And it's full leather! Ahhh... the smell of divinity. LEATHER... if I didn't already have a husband, I'd marry you.

And to top it all off, if I get one in either colour, I have an excuse to get shoes to match!! *hyperventilates*

-----

Update (23rd March 2013) - Wait a minute... Coach removed the Cobalt coloured option for both the tote and the satchel from the website!! Uh oh... Where do I go to find it??