Taking a haitus...

It's been almost 2 weeks since I posted my pictures.... I think I'm going to be taking a hiatus from my Project 365 for the time being. I have too much going on right now, and I'm having a hard time seeing the beauty in anything. When things calm down for me I'll take a shot at starting the project all over again from day one, but I had no way of knowing what was going to happen when I started the project. I'll try to continue to post pictures and regular posts as often as possible, but at the moment I just can't guarantee a picture a week, much less every day.

Thanks for understanding.

P 365 Days 89-97

Sorry it's been so long, it's been a very tough week and a half. School and appointments almost everyday, plus my final exam in my Dutch classes have left me feeling very run down. Tristan spent last week with his Oma and Opa to help get him away from the chaos a bit, but tonight he's with me, so I am a very happy lady right now. :) 

Day 89, Tuesday June 28: Along the way to the train station in Alkmaar from the center of Alkmaar, I generally walk along this street. It is a very festive street when something big is going on, like Christmas, or the world cup last year, but it's very bright and rather uplifting to walk along during this time of year as well, because of all the hibiscus and other flowers along the houses.

 Day 90, Wednesday June 29: While walking through a part of Alkmaar I'd never been in before after an appointment, I stumbles across this map painted on a wall. It depicts Alkmaar from the time of the 80 years war. As I have mentioned before, Alkmaar was integral in the defeat of Spain by breaking down dikes and letting the sea flow into the newly drained polders (the town I'm moving too sits on one of those polders). If you look at the small section on the left inside the tower, that is the shape that Alkmaar used to have.

 Day 91, Thursday June 30: Today was my end of day pick nick at one of my classes. One of the teachers had just announced that the teacher in front of the chalk board wasn't going to be coming back next year. While I will most likely not be going next year either, this made me very sad, because I am really quite fond of her, though I am very fond of all the teachers there. Everyone in the picture is one of the teachers except for the two ladies in purple.









Day 92, Friday July 1: Walking along another unknown street I saw this, the white house is crooked. It's also probably at least 400 years old, so I guess it's got an excuse.

 Day 93, Saturday July 2: It seems Meric and Wicked make a perfect match. A beautiful Yin & Yang made out of fluff balls.

 Day 94, Sunday July 3: They really like to cuddle, but when either one gets the urge to play, Meric goes crazy on poor Wicked. In this picture they are cuddling, but since Meric is himself still a kitten he doesn't really understand that he can't play rough with Wicked. We are constantly separating the two because my poor little girl ends up crying. She's tough though, even though she can't handle it when Meric bites at her, she's more than willing to dish it out, chasing him and swatting at his backside when we shoo him away. :D I think she will well live up to her name.

 Day 95, Monday July 4th: Happy Independence Day to everyone in America. Here is a picture of my new house. The front lawn is a bit wild, but it's been raining almost non stop for weeks. This day was the first sunny day we've had all summer so far. But hey, You can see the American pride on the little tree out front. :) I got the bow (plus a second) from my mom.




























Day 96, Tuesday July 5: Ok, I actually too this picture today (Wednesday) But I'm posting it as Tuesday's picture because I forgot to take a picture yesterday. This is outside another new part of Alkmaar... We've been having a lot of appointments in a lot of new parts of Alkmaar lately! Anyway, if you can see the bridge and tunnel in the background, I believe that  is part of the old city wall dating back to the 80 year war.

Day 97, Wednesday July 6: Tristan got to meet his new kitten today. He really seems to like her, even though he seems a little bit scared of her. I guys it's just a guy thing to be a bit afraid of things so much smaller than themselves. He was talking about her when I put him to bed this evening. That's Angelo in the background. Poor little guy has chicken pox and can't go to preschool. Luckily Tristan had it 3 months ago, so Angelo doesn't have to be lonely while he's suffering through it. We had planned on Tristan going with Angelo to preschool tomorrow morning, but since Angelo isn't going we're going to do it next week. I want to see how Tristan likes it before I sign him up for next year. :)

Project 365 day 88: Wicked!

~I suppose it's time I shared something a bit personal with everyone. I have been trying to keep this private on a whole except with some select people, but I can't really avoid sharing it anyway, since it involves today's post.

Marcel and I are breaking up and I'm moving out. I'm moving in with Angela, and Marcel and I will share custody of Tristan. This has been in the works for quite a while now, since we had a lot of legal things to deal with before I could move out. We are almost done with the legal stuff, and I will be signing in on Angela's lease in the next week or two, and moving my things in as soon as possible. My Dutch classes will both be over in the next few weeks, and I am simply waiting on my resume to be translated, and then I'll be out looking for work. I'm really scared, starting a life of my own in a foreign country, but I know I am going to get through this stronger on the other side.

Anyway, Angela bought me a welcome gift today, since she wanted to help me feel like her house is now my home as well. She bought me a baby kitten. :) Her name is wicked because she has a W on her forehead. It's a rather ironic name, since she seems to be very very sweet, but it's hard to tell since she's been hiding under the couch since we got her home. So anyway, here are some pictures!

Meric is checking his new child bride :p out.

Can you see the W on her forehead? Isn't she sweet?

She's not sure if she wants to come out of not.

Wicked and Meric getting to know each other.

Poor scared little girl just wants to be left alone.

Project 365 days 83-87: Wednesday - Sunday

 For a while I will be taking pictures every day and posting them all once or twice a week.

The first photo (Wednesday June 22) is from a park/ petting zoo near the hospital in Alkmaar. It's a flower clock... I like to ride my bike through this park on my way home from school.

 The second photo (Thursday June 23) is a bunch of goats. I currently go to two different Dutch classes, and the class I go to on Thursdays does field trips during the summer semester. This field trip was to a farm designed for people with Down's Syndrome. They work and live there, and the proceeds help them and the rest of the foundation. They raise goats and cheese is made on site.

Here's a picture of Angela's cat Meric (America) {Friday June 24). He looked so cozy cuddling on the couch in the sun I just had to snap a photo.

 We were supposed to have a barbecue party on Saturday, but because of multiple reasons we decided to cancel it. Instead Angela and I went to Alkmaar to do some shopping. I bought Tristan this little umbrella with Mr. Bump from Mister Men and Little Miss. I thought it was extra special because the guy is bedecked in stars and stripes, and the 4th is coming up real soon! Sadly, even though we've had non stop rain for the last two weeks, Saturday seems to be the last day of it, unless the weather takes a dramatic change again, which it tends to do here. (Saturday June 25)

(Sunday June 26) I made some really yummy tortellini with bolognese meat sauce. I had nothing else to take a picture of, so I took a picture of my dinner.

Project 365 day 80-82: Stressful times

 Sorry everyone, I've been very busy and very stressed out the last few days, and and still under a lot of stress, so I'm posting a few days all at once.

The first picture (taken Sunday June 19) is of the dinner I made for Marcel on Father's day. It looks gross, I know, but it was really great. It is a Chicken Florentine pie, chicken chunks, three different kinds of cheese, asparagus, artichoke hearts, and a creamy sauce in a pastry dough.

The second  picture (taken Monday June 20) is of a river cruise ship docked in Alkmaar, and a little canal tour boat filled to the brim with tourists. The cruise ship was called the Prins Willem Alexander, named after the Dutch crowned prince, who will be king in the next decade or so. It was rather neat, if for no other reason that it seemed to be a cruise for elderly people that were confined to wheelchairs. It's really great to know that there are still companies that cater to the people who are looking for a some adventure in their old age. :)

The third and fourth pictures (taken Tuesday June 21) Are of Tristan in a waiting room running around as a butterfly with sweet little fairy wings on his back. He really liked the wings... I may have to figure out where I can some macho wings for him. :)

P 365 day 79: Flowers on the train tracks

Flowers grow everywhere around here... This it at Heiloo station, but as you get closer to Alkmaar station (5 minute train ride) the poppies actually grow inside the tracks. Just thought that was interesting.

P 365 day 78: Sunshine and love

Tristan brings sunshine into everywhere he goes. :) He drew me a heart on our door step today. <3

P 365 day 77: Handsome boy :)

Tristan got a haircut today. We're on the train on the way back home. Yeah, I know, it's only 5 days from summer, Why on earth would Tristan be wearing a winter coat? Because it's been cold, windy and rainy lately, and today it's been on and off all day... We've got horrible wind and poring rain at the moment.  Anyway, Look at his little face.... Isn't he just the most precious little buy ever? :)

P 365 day 76: Roxanne!

You don't have to turn off the red light! :D I discovered Alkmaar's red light district today. Sadly the picture isn't of any of the windows (they don't take kindly to you taking pictures of the goods), but here's a picture of a red door down the street from the red light district. :) There is also a picture of me with my flower crown. :D I walked to pick Tristan up today and of course he turned a 15 minute walk into an hour and 15 minutes, but he picked me some flowers and then told me to put them in my headband. :) He's such a sweet guy. :D

P 365 day 75: Flag day

Today is flag day, so I wanted to show my little collection of American flags. Happy birthday Old Glory! :)