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30Jan09

- Over lunch, I shared my research topics with various Fontys staff.

- awww, the cheese & ham crispy roll sandwich is 'lekker' delicious!

- At 4pm, a group of us explored Goirle, behind our dorm.

- Scenic lake, quaint bridges

- One photo shows me standing on the edge of a semi-frozen canal.

- I was nervous because the thin ice could give way!

- After dinner, some of us got together to chat over crisps and wine.

Thank ABBA for a good day!

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29Jan09

- Although the sun is out, the air and wind is still very chilly. But it is nice to sit in the sunlight, indoors.

- The poster is about Fonty's Training Centre for Special Education at Master's Level.

- Douwe Egberts is a well known Dutch brand for coffee and tea.

- This small Hero Fruit2Day drink with real fruit bits costs 2.65euros - which is S$5.30! I wouldn't pay $5.30 for a processed fruit drink in Singapore, when a glass of fresh fruit juice costs only $2 - $3/-.

- I wished our Dutch coursemate, Maria, a Blessed Chinese New Year - with a pair of mandarin oranges, of course.

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28Jan09

- Cheese - Kaas in Dutch - The Netherlands produces millions of tons of cheese annually.

- I love the young cheeses, soft, creamy and not salty and hard like the old cheeses.

- The Netherlands also import lots of cheese from surrounding Europe, eg. France and Italy.

- I love Camembert, Brie and Blue.

- My starters for dinner is usually a fruit, and my dessert is cheese!

- Photos show my favourite cheeses.

- Cheese in aisle shelves are imported, and they are packed in nice wrappers. Whereas cheese freshly cut from blocks and cling-wrapped are put in a chilled display - and these are produced in The Netherlands.

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27Jan09

- Presented Clementine Mandarin Oranges to more Fontys Staff today, including the ICT Department Guys.

- Hmmm, on my way back from a bookshop in Centrum, I spotted a 'Coffee Shop' that is licensed to sell cannabis joints to people whom the government believes have their right to use 'safe' drugs (like, say, paracetamol, etc) to alleviate symptons of stress. This is a free and inclusive society that respects diversity.

- (I quickly took the photo - without flash of course - and quickly "chabot" - that is "flee" in Malay)

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26Jan09

- First day of Chinese "Niu" (Ox) Year!

- Wished some Fontys Staff and presented them with a traditional pair of Mandarin oranges.

- In the evening, had a dinner at Hertoz Cafe to celebrate the New Year.

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25Jan09

- Indeed, ABBA's grace in CHRIST JESUS is exceedingly, abundantly, above, all that I can ask or think (Eph 3:20)!!!!!

- On top of being invited to celebrate CNY (Chinese New Year) with a Singaporean in Netherlands, there is more in store!

- I thought it was a straight forward meal and greetings ...

... until Mary said she had bought a suckling pig and had a friend air-roast it!

... and, she said we'd be celebrating Reunion Lunch right on CNY eve!

... Reunion Lunch is hosted by her good friend, another Singaporean!

... So I met Jean and her family!

... Reunion Lunch includes yummy Steam Boat!

... and homemade pineapple tarts!

Hallelujah.

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24Jan09

- ABBA's grace is so amazing.

- I had absolutely no plans for Chinese New Year (first day is on Monday, 26Jan)

- Via His grace, 2 weeks ago, I was furnished with an email contact of a lady who once worked in the same organization.

- Chinese New Year (CNY) was not even on my mind.

- When she returned my email, she invited me to celebrate CNY with her family!

- It was only then, that I enquired with a coursemate and knew the date of CNY.

- So, today I visited Mary in Amsterdam and met her family.

- We had a full day, and one of it was to decorate her house with CNY decor! - something I had not done for a long time!

- One pix show me enjoying raw herring in Amsterdam Central

- Another is the shop exterior of a "coffee shop".

- Coffee Shops are licensed to sell soft drugs - in Netherlands, it is the right of people to enjoy stress-relieving moments.