Goodbye 2009

The last few hours of 2009 are ticking away. 2010 is approaching very fast. I wanted to write something about the year 2009, that it has been a year with many ups and many downs. Some things were great, like flying in a small aeroplane, trying to be happier and enjoy life more and finding a huge amount of inspirational things. Some things were not so great, like loosing a grandfather and dealing with a very emotionally and unhappy period.

I could write tons of other things about 2009, but I'm focusing on 2010. In a magazine I found something like: 'let's remember the beautiful moments of 2009 and use them as inspiration for 2010'. Those words keep on floating through my mind. Let's try to forget the bad things and remember the good things.

Let's make 2010 the best year ever!

Wordless Wednesday #9

What a beautiful thought: we are going to cross this bridge and 2010 is at the end of it. We are on our way to 2010!

On The Way to 2010......, originally uploaded by Eric Rousset.

Hide and Seek

I can't stop listening to this song. The ingredients are the voice of Imogen Heap and a vocoder. Nothing more, nothing less. The result is a breathtaking song.

The original music video can't be embedded, so you have to be satisfied with a lyrics version. This live version is also very beautiful by the way.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Yesterday I felt like a child again. The reason is Willy Wonka and his factory. I loved the book 'Sjakie en de Chocoladefabriek' when I was young. I was curious what Tim Burton (the director of the movie) did with the story. I think he nailed it! The man is a genius when it comes to fairytale looking worlds. The Chocolate Factory is breathtakingly beautiful. The child in me would love to stroll around there for some hours.

Here's a trailer:

If you haven't seen it yet, you should watch it. It may not be the best movie ever made, but it sure is entertaining. Especially when you adored the book in your early days.

Christmas

Gee, it's Christmas already. Time's flying! (Wish it would slow down a bit actually).

I don't really have a Christmas feeling yet, but I will tomorrow I guess.

I hope you all have a joyful, beautiful and cozy Christmas with all your loved ones! Enjoy these holidays!

christmas is on its way, originally uploaded by besimo.

Wordless Wednesday #8

Chain, originally uploaded by Maxresolution.

Notebooks

I'm glad I don't have to go somewhere today, because there is a huge amount of snow everywhere! It's so pretty everywhere! It is the first time in twenty years that there's so much snow. When it's white outside I seem to enjoy drinking hot choco, listening to nice music and sitting next to the fire much more.

My Day Zero list is starting to get some shape. It's difficult to estimate how much books you can read in 1001 days, how much movies you can see and how much concerts you can attend. Any brilliant ideas? Ideas about things that should be on the list are still welcome!

I have bought two notebooks for the project. They are so beautiful I'm afraid I don't dare to start using them. I'm not going to tell you what purpose I have in mind for them, you have to wait until the first day of the next year. But you can already see them on a photograph:

They are lovely right?

Cake

Cutest cake ever!

Oh Deer - Now with ears!, originally uploaded by PiaMarianne.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

A Christmas tree, snow, Christmas holiday.
What else could a human being wish for?

Enjoy!

Regenworm

Vandaag een blog in het Nederlands. Versjes van Annie M.G. Schmidt moet je niet vertalen in het Engels. Ik heb hem gevonden via Flow Magazine, wat trouwens misschien wel het leukste tijdschrift ooit is!

Er was een regenworm in Sneek
Die altijd naar de sterren keek,

en fluisterde: Hoe schoon, hoe schoon...

Zijn moeder zei: Doe toch gewoon,

kijk naar beneden naar de grond,

dat is normaal, dat is gezond,

kijk naar beneden, zoals ik...

En toen? Toen kwam de leeuwerik!

Het wormpje, dat naar boven staarde,

zag hem op tijd en kroop in d'aarde,

maar moe die naar beneden keek

werd opgegeten (daar in Sneek).

Dus doe nooit wat je moeder zegt,

dan komt het allemaal terecht

Wordless Wednesday #7

, originally uploaded by vtpeacenik.

Beautiful sky

View from my bedroom yesterday evening: such a beautiful sky!
Oh how I love taking photographs with my new camera!

Shooting Stars

Who wants to watch shooting stars this weekend?

Star trails and shooting stars, originally uploaded by Andy Frazer.

Music in the Spotlight #4

Classical music. I used to shut my ears when I heard those two words. When I was a teen I was anti classical music. I used to say 'I like most musical genres, except classical music'. But then I discovered soundtracks like Amélie, Pirates of the Caribbean and Lord of the Rings. It took me some time to come to the conclusion that there's not much difference between most soundtracks and classical music. Since then I actually like classical music. It will never be love between us, but once in a while I enjoy listening to it.

Here's an example of piano music that inspires me. It's a piece from Philip Glass, who composed the soundtrack of the movie 'The Hours'.

Wordless Wednesday #6

Guessing Game: Where is the Ice Ghost ? Icy Winter Days in Germany, originally uploaded by Batikart.

Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas)

You know the end of the year is near when Saint Nicholas visits you. This year I celebrated the birthday of Sinterklaas two times and dressed up as 'Zwarte Piet'. It was the third time I danced, jumped and acted all weired as 'Zwarte Piet' at a school. It's so much fun, but at the same time very exhausting.

I celebrated 'Sinterklaas' with friend and family. I got some amazing presents:

I got 'Het kookboek voor mannen die op de versiertoer willen', 'Het kookboek voor meisjes die niet bijster veel van hun moeder hebben geleerd' and a biscuit tin from my friends. We bought presents that were not too expensive and were unisex. That explains the cooking book for men as well as the cooking book for girls.

From my family I got 'Schotten Totten', Set, a waxine light holder and 'How to be an explorer of the world'. Schotten Totten and Set are small addictive games. How to be an explorer of the world is another book from Keri Smith (Wreck This Journal). It's an amazing book, I love it! Some more information about the book:

Artists and scientists analyze the world around them in surprisingly similar ways, by observing, collecting, documenting, analyzing, and comparing. In this captivating guided journal, readers are encouraged to explore their world as both artists and scientists.

The mission Smith proposes? "To document and observe the world around you. As if you've never seen it before. Take notes. Collect things you find on your travels. Document findings. Notice patterns. Copy. Trace. Focus on one thing at a time. Record what you are drawn to."

With a series of interactive prompts and a beautifully hand-illustrated two-color package, readers will enjoy exploring and discovering the world through this gorgeous book.

Thank you for my presents this year Sinterklaas! I am very grateful!

The Asteroids Galaxy Tour

These are two examples of the photographs I took yesterday. I tried all kinds of functions on my new camera, which results in about 90 photographs.

The concert was awesome! The Asteroids Galaxy Tour is very unknown, which is a shame because they are very good. But at the same time it's a blessing.

For those of you who are curious, check this or this.

I love watching unknown bands in small concert halls.

Wordless Wednesday #5

Twilight Blues - Lake Tahoe, Nevada, originally uploaded by kendra karr.

My Wordless Wednesday is on Thursday this week. Had no time to post this yesterday, but really want to share it!

Day Zero Project

Next year I'm going to start a new project: 101 things in 1001 days (day zero project). This is a project to set and achieve 101 goals in a period of 1001 days.

Some more information about the project:

The Challenge:

Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on your part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple challenges such as New Year's resolutions or a 'Bucket List'. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips, study semesters, or outdoor activities.

It sounds challenging, but I really want to do it. I want to be able to cross things off a to do list. I want to be complete goals and improve my life. I am a person who postpones everything. Maybe this list will help me change that.

Some examples of things that could be on a 101 list:

Leave an inspirational note inside a book for someone to find
Do a bungee jump

Make a list of 100 things that make me happy

Plant a tree

Learn French

Go vegetarian for a month

Complete a coloring book

Photograph a landscape from the same location, capturing all four seasons

Please share your ideas for my list! They are more than welcome. I am planning on starting the project on 01-01-2010.

Music in the spotlight #3

There it is again. A new discovery, a beautiful song... and goose bumps. I tend to get those little bumps a lot lately. This time Imogen Heap is the cause of it all. She's an English singer and songwriter. She worked together with Guy Sigsworth under the name of Frou Frou and recorded some solo records.

This song is called Let Go and comes from the one and only album Frou Frou made: Details.

Wordless Wednesday #4

A Raindrop in a Suburb, a Suburb in a Raindrop, originally uploaded by Peter Kurdulija.

Poster

I have bought a huge poster today at the university. And by huge I really mean HUGE. It's exactly this photograph, the only difference is that the woman's coat is red.

I love it!

Wordless Wednesday #3

Falling Leaves, originally uploaded by Jibby!.

"Come, little leaves," said the wind one day,

"Come o'er the meadows with me and play:

Put on your dresses of red and gold -

For summer is gone and the days grow cold."

Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi

Some of you might read this blog title and think 'what on earth is that?'. Some of you might think 'that sounds a bit familiar, I think I've heard it before'. And some of you might think 'oh that's Spirited Away!'. I like the last category of persons, no offence for the others of course ;).

I wrote a review about Spirited Away quite some time ago. But that post is gone, deleted and forgotten. But that movie made such a big impact on me, I can't resist blogging about it again.

I have been listening to the soundtrack for a couple of weeks. It enchants me every time I hear it. That's the reason I'm typing this post: I want to share the beautiful music and encourage more people to actually watch the movie.

Two pieces of the soundtrack:

Day of the River

Reprise

You might think 'it's in Japanese, I don't like that'. Or 'I don't like the entire anime thing'. Well I thought I would dislike the language and the genre, but I didn't. It just suits the movie. Ignore your biases and just watch it. You will enjoy it, I'm sure of that!

P.S. I am a lucky owner of this masterpiece, so you can borrow it any time!

Music in the Spotlight #2

This woman makes incredible music. I love the way she sings, the words she sings, the instruments that guide her. This song is captivating.

If you don't know Sia, you should not wait any longer. Just listen to her splendid music. It's definitely worth it.

I apologize for the quality of the video. Couldn't find a better one..

An Eye For Annai

Here's another thing I came across on the internet. So cute! Did you notice there's a little playing with words in the title?

Enjoy!

Wedding Cake

Super (Mario) Cake, originally uploaded by alt text.

I just have to blog this. This must be the most awesome wedding cake ever! Everything is cake or frosting, except Mario and Peach.

Wordless Wednesday #2

Floating Away, originally uploaded by *janh*.

Amélie

Finally! I'm the lucky owner of 'Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain'. Even this short youtube video fills me with happiness. That song gives me the chills everytime I hear it. It definitely is the most beautiful piano composition ever made.

Did you notice the cute cafe where Amelie works? I've been there! It actually looks better in the movie than it does in real life (not a big surprise)..

I think that one day soon it will be time for the adventures of this wonderful lady and a big mug of hot chocolate!

Blog Silence

There will be a temporary silence here. Because of all the drama the past months I wasn't in the mood to keep up with studying. There will be some tests from hell next week, so I need to focus 200% right now.

I'm looking forward to the next period, to start over again. I hope this time without the drama.

Wordless Wednesday #1

From now on Wednesday will be Wordless Wednesday. (Almost) no words, just amazing pictures.

throw up your arms into the sky; 155, originally uploaded by sandy☮.