omigoodness, well i never.

they don't have chocolate chips here.

i chopped up a chocolate bar so i could make chocolate chips.

also? baking soda is a specialty item. yeah. we had to go to a tiny little store that specializes in ethnic foods to get baking soda.

i'm sorry, let me just stress this. no chocolate chips. very little baking soda. and a desperate craving for warm, gooey, oozing chocolate chip cookies.

also, i am a domestic. today, i did laundry, cleaned the house, and cooked dinner.

also, i really like the word also.

finally? i miss you all.

chubby child-fingers

today i played with lego. actually, i created a masterpiece with lego.
i built a house. a dream house with a roof, and walls of windows, and doors, and seperate rooms.
it was beautiful.
also? it is easier to play with lego when one no longer has chubby child-fingers and finally has passable hand-eye coordination and dexterity.

also? i vaccuumed. much of the house. okay, just downstairs and my room, but still.
and i cleaned the kitchen.


that is all.

adventures, adventures.

i survived my first week doing it all on my own. at least, mostly all on my own. t. came home early on monday and took s. to his appointment, so i didn't have to do that one. but on tuesday we had thursday's appointment, and i took him there. and didn't die on the bus. i'm a-friggin-mazing.

this week was eventful because lots of people came to install things and fix things. a painter came to redo the table, t.v. men came to install digital t.v. in the upstairs rooms, and landscapers came to work on the backyard. and yes, one of the landscapers was a dish, thank you for asking.

also, i went to the library. and got a library card. and took out three books. the jesus one by anne rice, the first tempe brennan one by kathy reichs, and amy tan's the bonesetter's daughter. i'm excited. i love bookses. mmmm. my bookses, mine.

today, i went to belgium.

what i discovered: belgium has walls and roads built 2000 odd years ago by the romans. dude, i was *this close* to history. i almost teared up. i'm way too sappy. belgium has yummy food. really. i ate this chicken dish which is apparently very traditional, and i really liked it. except by the end it might have been a tiny bit too salty for my taste. dutch music? rocks my socks. really. there's this song, rood, (red) which is amazing. i think i'm going to play it at my wedding. belgians speak dutch that sounds a little like german in the inflections. also? belgians sell pretty shoes.

i had a fantastic day. really. s., t., and i played a little footie outside while n. chatted with her mom, we went to get taarten from the bakery, we walked around and shopped for s., we did all sorts of things.

also, i got a letter in the mail. from my m. who i miss very much. the letter made me giggle so much. and the part in pencil on the envelope? this we will discuss.

to everyone: i will email you soon. talk to you soon. facebook you soon. but not tonight. because right now? i'm going to bed. so i will be bright and shiny and hopefully brave at church tomorrow.

white picket fences

NEDERLAND

- best. grocery. store. ever.
- packaged food that is fresh, healthy, and just requires cooking.
- butcher, baker, and candlestick maker
- bike paths. roads. things.
- walking = easy. why? flat.
- spa aka the best drink ever. not even kidding. best.
- dubbel friss. also the best drink ever.
- footie players.
- greenest. country. ever. to have so many people in such a small space.


CANADA

- plugs. good plugs.
- family. and friends. and those who are both.
- cereal.
- charmin. not even kidding. canadian toilet paper is currently the big selling point.
- *cough* you know.
- space.
- most beautiful country ever.
- movies that open when they are supposed to. hairspray? is just opening here. not that i care. but just goes to show you.
- stairs. just, really. better stairs.



...and they balance out. good. i like sitting on the fence. it's awfully comfy here!

time flies by

in the past few days i have:

- visited a tiny town consisting of pannekoeke restaurants,
- ate a pannekoeke with apple, cinnamon, and sugar in one of the said restaurant,

- had two bus adventures and NOT DIED ON EITHER (this is significant, people),

- discovered that adventures in paris and austria are soon to be had,

- put up with one temper-tantrum,
- ignored half a dozen whines,
- played tooth fairy,
- read a spiderman comic (in dutch) aloud three times,
- shared my computer,
- was a soccer-mom (a.k.a. had one of s.'s friends over),

- finished unpacking,

- felt guilty for not emailing people,

- enjoyed evening conversations with n.,
- griped about people with n.,
- ate pie with n.,
- watched the dutch musicfest concert on tv with n.,
- giggled at gerard joling with n.,

- and learned how the laundry machines and dishwasher work!

nacht schatjes!