Day 9: bible verse / Dag 9: bijbelvers

1 John 4:20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.

New International Version

1 Johannes 4:20 Als iemand zegt: 'Ik heb God lief,' maar hij haat zijn broeder of zuster, is hij een leugenaar. Want iemand kan onmogelijk God, die hij nooit gezien heeft, liefhebben als hij de ander, die hij wel ziet, niet liefheeft.

Nieuwe bijbelvertaling

We are all the same in eyes of God, made from love. Lets treat eachother with respect.

In de ogen van God zijn we gelijk aan elkaar, uit liefde gemaakt. Behandel elkaar met respect.

Taizé

Went to a Taizé Community inspired service at the Dorpskerk (Protestants Church Netherlands) in Huizum.

The Taizé Community is an order of ecumenical christian brothers. The brothers come from Protestant and Catholic traditions. I know about the Taizé Community since 2002 but never managed to go to Taizé in France. The day I discovered they server sober meals I knew I won't servive two days there.xD

Anyway if you want to experience the Taizé Community without traveling to France, attending the three services a day and the workshops. You can visit Taizé services at a church near you.

During the song Jesús le Christ we shared a fire by passing it on candle by candle.

Glee

Yup, I found another one. This might be a surprise cause it's a mashup from the song 'Umbrella' from Rihanna and 'Singing in the rain' originally sang by Gene Kelly. The song is performed by the cast of Glee and Gwyneth Paltrow. Who would have ever guessed she could sing.=) Singing in the rain is one of my all time favourite feel good movies. I wish I could dance like that.

If you don't know Glee yet, it's about a Glee club in Ohio. A glee club is a musical club in (high) school. Besides singing, dancing and competitions there is also a lot of teenage drama going on. Normally I don't like teenage stuff. Might be the fact that I know the whole cast is older than 23. I like season 1 more than 2 since the pace was higher. I could have chosen a song from the 'Grilled Cheesus' episode since all the songs were spiritual themed.

So now you might be wondering what the biblical message in this mashup is. Well, at first I thought it was a nice song about blahblahblah love and being together forever. But than I was really listening and applied hermeneutics on the song and voila. In my opinion the female part represents God and the male represents you. The umbrella is a metaphor for the holy spirit. In a nutshell: Believe it or not we are made by God and Jesus is in our heart. God is calling us and when it's raining on you (bad times) he sends you his umbrella to comfort you and to be your sidekick when you are ready for love (from God to serve human kind).

In my lifetime as a christian (3 yrs xD) I've noticed that a lot of born again christians chose Jesus after a whirlwind of problems in their life. I can't promise your life with Jesus will be perfect. But when you feel down and you feel like your heart has been broken cause you've lost hope he wil send you his umbrella to show his love to you. Together with him you can mend (fix) your heart. Actually you will never have a firm foundation in this world but you will have a firm foundation in your faith.

Glee - Mashup Umbrella and Singing in the rain

(Uh-huh, uh-huh) Yeah, Holly
(Uh-huh, uh-huh) Good girl gone bad
(Uh-huh, uh-huh) Take three…action!
(Uh-huh, uh-huh) Woah!

You have my heart
And we’ll never be worlds apart
May be in magazines
But you’ll still be my star
Baby, ’cause in the dark
You can’t see shiny cars
And that’s when you need me there
With you I’ll always share
‘Cause I…

I’m singin’ in the rain (We’ll shine together)
Just singin’ in the rain (We’ll be forever)
What a glorious feeling (Be a friend)
And I’m happy again (Stick it out ’til the end)
I’m laughing at clouds (More than ever)
So dark, up above (We’ll share each other)
I’m singin’, singin’ in the rain (Umbrella)
You can stand under my umbrella (Ella, ella, eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella (Ella, ella, eh eh eh eh eh eh)

These fancy things
Will never come in between
You’re part of my entity
Here for infinity
When the world has took its part
When the world has dealt its cards
If the hand is hard
Together we’ll mend your heart
‘Cause I…

I’m singin’ in the rain (We’ll shine together)
Just singin’ in the rain (We’ll be forever)
What a glorious feeling (Be a friend)
And I’m happy again (Stick it out ’til the end)
I’m laughing at clouds (More than ever)
So dark, up above (We’ll share each other)
I’m singin’, singin’ in the rain (Umbrella)

You can stand under my umbrella (Umbrella)
Ella, ella, eh eh eh (Just singin’ in the rain)
Under my umbrella (What a glorious feeling)
Ella, ella, eh eh eh (And I’m happy again)
Under my umbrella (I’m laughing at clouds)
Ella, ella, eh eh eh (So dark, up above)
Under my umbrella (I’m singin’)
Ella, ella, eh eh eh eh eh eh (Singin’ in the rain…)

It’s rainin’, rainin’
Ooh, baby it’s rainin’, rainin’
Baby, come here to me
Come here to me
It’s rainin’, rainin’
Ooh, baby it’s rainin’, rainin’ (More than ever)
Baby, come here to me
Come here to me

It’s rainin’, rainin’ (I’m singin’ in the rain)
Ooh, baby it’s rainin’, rainin’ (Just singin’ in the rain)
Baby, come here to me (What a glorious feeling)
Come here to me (And I’m happy again)
It’s rainin’, rainin’ (I’m laughing at cluods)
Ooh, baby it’s rainin’, rainin’ (So dark, up above)
Baby, come here to me (The sun’s in my heart)
And I’m ready for love

My umbrella, my umbrella
My umbrella, my umbrella

Music Monday

I'm going to start the topic Music Monday on my blog. I've been using hermeneutics to interpreter text and art to translate it to easy language. I'm going to show you (lyrics from) pop songs which are/could be inspired by the bible. Some of them might be a great suggestion to be sung in church to reach people who are not used to the usual church songs. Every song also has a personal story behind it.

Ik start vandaag met het onderwerp Music Monday. Ik gebruik hermeneutiek om tekst en kunst te interpreteren en te vertalen naar hedendaagse taal. Zo heb ik ontdekt dat popmuziek zich makkelijk laat gebruiken voor de kerk. Elk liedje heeft zo zijn eigen anekdote.

The first song I turn to you by Melanie C was very popular in Europe in 2000. During a fraternity meeting a christian girl told us she really loved this song because it describes her relationship with God. The lyrics explains it all.

Het eerste lied 'I turn to you' van Melanie C was erg populair in Europa in 2000. Tijdens een bijeenkomst van mijn toenmalige studentenvereniging Alpha Limburg vertelde een meisje dat haar relatie met God goed te beschrijven was met dit lied. Wil je de tekst in het Nederlands? Gebruik dan Google Translate.:D

"I Turn To You"

When the world is darker than I can understand.
When nothing turns out the way I planned.
When the sky turns grey and there's no end in sight.
When I can't sleep through the lonely night.

I turn to you. Like a flower leaning toward the sun.
I turn to you. 'Cos you're the only one.
Who can turn me around when I'm upside down.
I turn to you.

When my insides are wracked with anxiety.

You have the touch that will quiet me.
You lift my spirit. You melt the ice.
When I need inspiration, when I need advice.

I turn to you. Like a flower leaning toward the sun.
I turn to you. 'Cos you're the only one.
Who can turn me around when I'm upside down.
I turn to you.

Where would I be? What would I do?
If you'd never helped me through.
I hope someday if you've lost your way.
You could turn to me like I turn to you.

I turn to you. Like a flower leaning toward the sun.
I turn to you. 'Cos you're the only one.
Who can turn me around when I'm upside down.
I turn to you.

I turn to you. When fear tells me to turn around.
I turn to you. 'Cos you're the only one.
Who can turn me around when I'm upside down.
I turn to you. I turn to you. I turn to you.

Future inspired salvation army corps Leeuwarden

A while back the young folks from the Salvation Army corps Leeuwarden did some filming after the service. It was for a competition from the Salvation Army The Netherlands. They had to show their vision of a possible future church service. Down below the results. I'm in the video several times.

Een tijd terug hebben de jongeren van het Leger des Heils korps Leeuwarden wat rond gefilmd na de kerkdienst. Het was voor een wedstrijd van het Leger des Heils landelijk. De opdracht was hun visie over de toekomstige kerkdienst te laten zien in een Youtube filmpje. Het resultaat zie je hieronder. Ik zit er ook een aantal keren in.

It's in Dutch but it goes something like this:
- first segment is the announcement. Like a joined service in Sweden with brothers and sisters from Corps Stockholm XD, a website for costume made salvationist uniforms and R&B Pop Idols from the Salvation Army international;
- the second segment the reverends enter the service;
- third segment bible reading (everyone was asked to take a laptop or a mobile phone with them to the service the day before. Yes, we are very obedient and mobile sheep ;));
- fourth segment evangelism with Twitter (so cute to see 80-year old brothers and sisters pretending to tweet their thoughts);
- fifth segment, the kids have their own service;
- sixth segment, preach from Hawaii;
- bible study groups about the bible text and
- last segment, end of the service.

Haiti

Today everyone in The Netherlands is volunteering to give money or their time to help the survivors in Haiti so that they can heal and build on their future. Even though we complain about our stupid problems now and then, we do care about others. Tonight the government will double the amount of money we collect together as one country. Make me proud KIKKERLANDJE (a nickname we give to The Nethterlands which means little frog country ^^).

People all over the world, help our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Donate now! Our governments aren't that wealthy you know.;)

Een paar maanden voor de aardbeving in Haiti was ik te gast in het het Fries provinciehuis. Een debat, georganiseerd door Oikocredit, over het nut van ontwikkelingshulp.

Ik heb zelf nooit op school geleerd te debatteren. We kregen daarom als eerste een korte cursus. Debat is pas interessant als je bereid bent om ook eens het standpunt van een ander te bekijken. Het leven is nooit zwart-wit. Niet alle goede doelen stelen geld. Mensen in onderontwikkelde landen zijn niet dom. Soms bezitten ze in verhouding tot de Westerse wereld meer dan ons. Het probleem zit hem in de papieren. Als wij een huis kopen wordt dit juridisch op papier vast gelegd. Op papier zijn wij dus rijk. In werelddelen zoals Zuid-Amerika wordt dit nauwelijks gedaan. Meestal weerhoudt de kosten van het vastleggen deze mensen dit te doen. Dit is best oneerlijk maar zo is de wereld nou eenmaal. Het zit vast in de wet en regelgeving.

Het verschil tussen arm en rijk lijkt niet meer te dichten en soms lijkt er voor elk probleem tientallen goede doelen te bestaan. We willen wel geven maar we zijn bang dat het geld kwijt raakt door bureaucratie en hebberige dictators. Hoe zorg je ervoor dat het anders kan? Ik ben geen voorstander van ontwikkelingshulp. Te veel geld wordt gestoken in de organisatie. Waarom wordt er niet uitbesteed aan het onderwijzen van lokale mensen zodat zij voor de distributie, EHBO en voedselvoorziening kunnen zorgen. We moeten investeren in de waardigheid van de mens zodat zij toekomst kunnen creeeren voor hun kind. En de mensen niet bestraffen op wat een regime of overheid in het verleden of heden heeft gedaan want dan kunnen we wel elk land beschuldigen van wangedrag.-___-

De situatie in Haiti ligt op het moment moeilijk. Ik heb er dagen voor gebeden. Ik heb onderzoek (jezelf onderwijzen is belangrijk) naar gedaan zover ik kon. En ik heb besloten dat ik wijsheid is om organisatie's te steunen waarmee ik vertrouwd ben en gespecialiseerd zijn in het geven noodhulp te steunen zover ik kan. Ik steun de gedachtengoed van Oikocredit. Een groep studenten die ooit in de jaren zeventig ongenoegen toonden tegen armoede in de wereld. En dus een systeem hebben ontwikkeld om te investeren in mensen door middel van eerlijke leningen.

Februari wordt een maand de regels van The Compact volgen. Wat dus betekent dat ik alleen geld mag uitgeven aan voeding, onderbroeken en tweedehands producten. Verder zal ik moeten repareren als iets stuk gaat. Het geld wat ik uitbespaar zal ik investeren in Oikocredit zonder er op toe te zien dat ik het terug zal krijgen.=) Want is dat niet de bedoeling dat je geeft zonder er iets voor terug te krijgen? Wat niet betekent dat je niet mag weten of het geld goed terecht komt.

Verder vind ik noodhulp geven ook belangrijk en de situatie in Haiti is ook extreem. Daarom raad ik iedereen aan, Christen of niet, giro 555 te steunen. Er is beloofd dat alleen samen wordt gewerkt met goede doelen die actief zijn in Haiti (Oxfam Novib, Nederlandse Rode Kruis, ICCO & Kerk in actie, Coraid mensen in nood, Tear, Terre des Hommes, Unicef Nederland, Save the children en World Vision) en dat er geen geld aan de strijkstok blijft hangen. Zelf was ik eerst van plan om Kerk in actie te steunen maar deze heeft zelf aangegeven giro 555 te steunen. Kerk is een organisatie dat zich richt op zending, werelddiaconaat, NOODHULP, kinderen in de knel, Fairclimate en diaconaat (in Nederland). Ik ben ooit in aanraking gekomen met Kerk in actie afdeling Noord via dominee Rein Veenboer van Expect Leeuwarden.

Een groep Cubaanse Christenen waren in Leeuwarden om een concert te geven.

Men geeft geld zonder de uitkomst te willen zien maar soms is het wel leuk om de mensen te ontmoeten die je indirect heb geholpen. Zo kun je ook eens de mambo leren van een echte Cubaan.

Ik had gezegd dat ik niet zou meedoen want ik wil niet overkomen als een meeloper. Maar herinner je die aardbeving in Pakistan nog? Toen zeiden mijn ma en ik dat we ook niks gingen geven. Maar toen zaten we daar voor de tv en zagen we daar een kleuter die haar been kwijt raakte door een ingestort gebouw. Enorme brokken in onze keel en meteen bellen om geld over te maken. Mijn moeder riep er nog achterna, verdubbel het bedrag maar. Ja duh, we zijn niet van steen.:/ Het geld dat ik uitbespaar door niet mijn wenkbrauwen te laten doen, doneer ik aan giro 555 zodat het vanavond verdubbeld wordt. En omdat het behaalde bedrag van vanavond verdubbeld wordt ga ik ook doneren. Hallo, ik ben Nederlander. Wij houden van voordelen halen uit ons geld.:)

En als na het lezen van dit alles nog niks wilt geven omdat je echt meer maand overhoudt dan geld dan raad ik je vrijwilligerswerk aan. Iemand moet toch het geld tellen?

Have a nice life.

Happy new year everyone. I have no resolutions for this year cause I feel quite blessed by the big dude. I remember I made some bad ones with Michelle last year. I hope for the both of us we burnt our lists. Hope she's doing well in Israel serving Jesus. Well for now I just want to share a list for those (and myself) who have some stress now and then. Found this list on common ground consulting. Anyway, have a nice 2010.

40 Tips for a Better Life in 2010

01. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant. I already take one everyday. Check!

02. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Should do that more often. I'm having problems with sitting still.

03. Buy a DVR and tape your late-night shows and get more sleep. What's a DVR? 0_o

04. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.' Grote kei in GTD taal.=)

05. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy. Doing that already.

06. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2008. I hate reading books.=( Do computer games count as well?

07. Make time to practice meditation and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives. Amen to that.

08. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6. Elderly people are awesome. Don't like kids that much.

09. Dream more while you are awake. I do that all the time.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured IN plants. Intending to do that more often but so expensive.:/

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds, & walnuts. I don't like green tea.

12. Try to make at least three people smile each day. Alrighty then.

13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk, and let new and flowing energy into your life. Doing this since december and it really works.

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, or issues of the past, negative thoughts, or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment. Avoiding the Telegraaf (tabloid newspaper), SBS6 (Camping tv -___-) and blogs like www.pinkisthenewblog.com and Perez Hilton (never read that one though).

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime. I'm a wannabe teacher.=P

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card. Pizza for everyone?

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the negative blues away. I have yellow teeth.=(

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. Yup.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Boo to all the haters.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. Ow?

21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. Really worked for me last sunday.:)

22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present. Amen to that.

23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Amen to that.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you. Amen to that.

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?' Amen to that (seriously need to go to bed so I won't comment every tip from now on -___-).

26. Forgive everyone for everything.

27. What other people think of you is none of your business.

28. Remember, faith heals everything.

29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.

32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

33. The best is yet to come.

34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up. I heart fashion.

35. Do the right thing!

36. Call your family often. (Or e-mail them to death!) Or write a letter. You know, with a pencil and a piece of paper.

37. Each night before you go to bed, complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________.Today, I accomplished _________.

38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life, so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

40. Share this with those you care about. I just did. May your troubles be less, May your blessings be more, May nothing but happiness come through your door!

Jesus, King of kings!

Merry Christmas everyone. Lets not forget what Christmas is really about.

Paris, je déteste (Paris, I don't like).

Sunday started with a French breakfast and doing my usual thing at hotel bedrooms. Why do you think I'm so athletic.=)

Hotel Bed jumping (http://www.bedjump.com/)

Even though I wrote bad about Paris the last time, I did have a nice time with my family. Especially when we were eating and were in the metro.=) Day 2 was a bit of a downer. The weather was bad so we did the touristy thing. At least it wasn't that mind killing like We took a stroll in the Tuileries and Carrousel gardens in front of the Louvre palace.

Musée du Louvre

On our way to the Centre Pompidou I saw a homeless lady struggling with the zipper of her sweater. I never write about my work at the soup kitchen, in the city where I study, because some people who visit the soup kitchen might read this blog and I'm not allowed to write about what visitors confide in me during my shift. But sometimes people get or ask my attention when I'm just taking a stroll in a random city. This time it was Carmen. I didn't want my mom to drag me away when I started to pay attention to this lady cause she might have gotten worried about me getting attacked. And I don't want people to see what I do for Jesus so others can't call me hypocrite.=) So I told my family to go to the Centre Pompidou and that I will catch up with them later. The converstation with Carmen started when I tried to close her jacket but the zipper was really rotten like she told me in French. I told her that I didn't want her to get a cold (it was raining and the wind was ice cold). So we talked about her past, the good and the bad things and why she doesn't trust people. I told her that someone loves her very much and she knew who I meant. I was sad to tell her I had to finish the conservation so my family wouldn't worry. I blessed her and told her that everything will be alright.

How to pursue happiness.

Two years ago I discovered I was living in a world with rules created by other people. I felt like I was dead inside. For the third time I was told by someone, I (thought) I loved, the love was gone. My finances were crap. My career planning was a mess and my inner child was seriously injured. I stopped talking to people, stopped eating and stopped contacting family. And just that because a guy didn't want you anymore? Nah, I think I was already on a verge of a nervous breakdown and that was the straw that broke the camel's back (In Dutch: de druppel die de emmer deed overlopen). I can go on and on about what I did wrong but I rather choose for the happy ending.:) How did I manage to find my inner child again? Simple, I chose happiness. Happiness is a choice. YOU are the one who allows people to talk you down. YOU are the one who allows others to treat you bad. YOU are the one who makes good but also bad decisions. But you can't always succeed. We also need to fail so we can learn from our mistakes. So we can learn when to say no to situations which can hurt us and embrace the little things we enjoy to celebrate life.^^

This is an old blogpost I once wrote on my old blog but to remind myself what my goals are I will repost it again. Normally I don't reread my posts because they might be too silly, boring or embarrassing. But to my own opinion this was one of my best posts I ever wrote because it was inspired by a man I admired for years, Professor Arnold Heertje. There are four men I really admire who are not related to me. Professor Heertje is the only one who is still alive and not celestial.XD

A while ago I went to a lecture of Professor Heertje, former economics professor at the university of Amsterdam, on his book 'Echte economie' (real economy). When I was still a puppy I read some of his articles, I admired his point of view on social economic problems in our society. So it was kind of a dream come true to meet him. He even took time to talk to me, I was in heaven for a few minutes.^^ I haven't read his book yet (cause I'm waiting till it's my turn to borrow the book at the library cause I'm a cheap bastard ^^) but we share the same passion for economics. The thing is that the economy we know it became too financial. Of course you need money to realise your dreams in life but don't see them as short term projects. Actually you should think about how your finacial plans are going to affect you grand children. I know this sounds geeky but some years ago I was saving for my kid's college fund. No, I'm not that kind of woman who desperately wants kids. If God doesn't want me to have kids that would be actually awesome. I have enough kids at school to take care of. I even wanted to save for my future pet's medical bills. Yes, that's even more insane IMO.XD

Professor Heertje said the economy shouldn't destroy our heritage and culture. At the beginning I thought the Frisians were a bunch of hill billies with a weird dialect but now I kind of love the Frisians and am proud to say I'm an import Frisian.XD I even want to learn the language (yes, it's an official language). There is a we-feeling you don't find a lot in The Netherlands, even not in the world. Ow and don't forget my other three cultures, Dutch and Vietnamese.^^

Education is the key point to our economy. You should never stop learning. He says education has become so crap because teachers aren't well educated in their subject. He picked out the second grade teacher chemistry education .... Great, I'm studying that. He said the students only have one chemistry book and 6 books about how to handle your pupils when they fall asleep (that's my joke, I kind of forgot what he said). Teachers became some kind of sex ed specialists. I'm not but my pupils think I am. Bunch of little pervs! He said teachers have burn-outs because they lost their passion in their subjects. They focus too much on maintaining discipline in the class. I never had real discipline problems in my class cause you really shouldn't piss me off cause I already silenced some kids. No I didn't kill them. I just talked to them after class. Yes, it would really be a problem if you can't maintain discipline in your class. What if you can't controle the kids? What can you achieve with your teacher's degree then? Not much. Well, he has a point their. I do have a lot of passion for my subject and if I get deaf and can't hear the children I can't always work in a lab or in business.

He also talked about greedy managers, destroying our society and economics. Managers only think about profit and negotiating behind closed doors. Professor Heertje pleads for an integrated decision-making. Involve the consumer or the product in the process to minimize future problems. He gave a solution and especially for eduction:

Overview ---> Insight ---> Courage

First overview the situation. Overview means knowing what you don't know cause things you already know you don't have to focus on at the first place. Insight, use the knowledge. Courage, feel the courage to change the situation. Even though we are in deep trouble there's still a way out. I thought this was really good. I can use this solution for my Christian life, study, love life, family life and social life. Overview, insight and courage is the same as believe, hope and love. Love is the most important of all as the corps officer once said, love will concur all. Rock on, rock on.XD

During the break I had a conversation with a college teacher. She doesn't teach at my school but she agreed with professor Heertje that the quality of the exams are bad. Because managers tell her to lower the norms for tough exams so more students pass the exams and graduate. I think schools get €10.000,- per graduated student. So you can understand why schools are lowering the norms. I think that's unfair cause I had very tough exams in the past. Well, who knows maybe we get more stupid in the future. Of course pupils can get information on the internet. Kids go well-informed into the class but does it mean they can process the information. Science is something you have learn to understand. Some need more time than the other, it's not totally hocus pocus.

At the end I went to professor Heertje. I said, "This is not a joke but I'm studying teacher's education chemistry second grade but have a lot of passion for my subject." He asked me if I had good teachers at my school. I don't agree with my teachers a lot but they know a lot about their subject and yes, I see their eyes twinkle when they talk about their subject so there's nothing wrong with the teachers. I never said I won't do my first grade in teaching but I was planning to do that for fun when I'm in my 40ies cause I want to focus on children with learning disabilities and maybe want to teach at a school with kids with mental problems. I like to do games with my cousin Ilja. She's mentally disabled and she gets epileptic attacks sometimes so I know how to act in those situations. I've worked a lot with kids with an ADHD and dyslexia. You need a lot of patient but I really love to work with those kids cause everyone thinks those kids are stupid and have no future. It really makes me angry when I hear people say that. I like to motivate these kind of kids. And I really makes me smile when I see these kids get more self esteem and smile. I really want to become a good teacher.=)

Staying alive

Happy Chinese New year. My roommate is very exhilarated cause his last name is Ox.=) Since my last post it has been crappy in my life. Talking about karma, karma is a very nasty lady. Two weeks ago I had a sleep over at Michelle's but that didn't go the way we've planned it. I staid at her place for a week. Well, her window got damaged three times. Someone on this planet must be very bored.-__- Michelle's neighbour, we misinterpreted her name Rita Eenedieva (which we Dutch would read like, some kind of diva), got injured so I practiced first aid on her. The next day I was covered in glass. Great.-__- Don't worry, I'm fine. Just have been a bit confused for 10 days. Must have been a sign from the big dude to put my ducks on a row. Well one ducky isn't that tidy, so I did some decluttering. I threw away a bag of damaged clothes. I'm going to donate another bag of clothes and I did a lot of laundry. I'm preparing myself for my potential job at the the thrift store of the new Salvation army building (I signed myself in. I'm not persuing a job but who knows, maybe they will need me).:D

The plumber came by to check the central heater. It was about time he came by cause the walls next to the window has mold.o_0 So the problem is, the pipe next to the expansion tank oxidated so it's leaking and the switch on the heater in my room got stuck. He couldn't fix it so he called the office to tell the problem so they can search for a mechanic to fix it for me. So what else can I say? *Immer schön fröchlich sein, immer schön fröchlich sein.*

Last sunday I celebrated new year's eve with friends. My plan was to cook vegetarian cause my colleague from the island J was coming over. I bought a lot of tofu (In my opinion fish is not vegetarian so I didn't have a lot of choice) and tried to make vegetarian spring roles. After frying the tofu was still way too wet and the rice noodles were over done. J is a bit sensivtive so she can't watch horror movies. The guys were teasing her with 'Pitch black'.-__- She almost started to cry so the guys felt a bit sorry and my neigbhour wanted to put on a happy animation. She didn't like animation so she asked for a romantic movie. I'm kind of sick of Amelie right now, seen it so many times so Reinder and I declined. We watched Donnie Darko. J's reaction at the end. I'm feeling depressed now.-__- After the movie we talked a bit till 3.30 a.m. J was too scared to cycle home. I suggested that one of the guys would chaperone her but eventually she slept at my neighbour's house. The next day she came by to ask if I wanted to have breakfast with her, I was like what the ...? I'm still asleep and my neighbour was also not in a talking mood. So she went home and tonight she's going to make dinner for me. Vegetarian of course. It's kind of a private farewell party, she's going to move out of town for a new job. I will miss her.:(