Lights

Sorry, my camera battery died yesterday, so I couldn't take a photo, but I will make up for it. Here is a shot of a little light in my room. Its cool, its from a lamp made up of about 30 little lights. From IKEA I believe. Anyway, its amazing how much light these little lights give off. Really cool, erg leuk.

Rain Drops

The weather here is starting to feel more like spring, yes its still cold, but the weather is moving through faster like normal. My walk is back to, sun, rain, sun, clouds, sun, rain, rain, rain. Today I thought I would shoot some rain drops that are ever so common in Holland. I love'em, rain drops are so cool, I wish I could get a closer shot, but I have to save up for a new lens for that one. Enjoy.

Electric Storm

This is a picture of a painting in my flat. It reminded me of the song Electric storm by U2, here is a sample of the lyrics:

Let's see colours that have never been seen
Let's go to places no one else has been

You're in my mind all of the time
I know that's not enough
Well if the sky can crack, there must be some way back
To love and only love

I like the idea of discovery, new places, new things, but also knowing that that is not what life is about, its fun, but its not an end in itself. There must be more.

Dunes

I was thinking about what to take a picture of today, because my day got away from me and I worked longer than I had hoped...surprise and then it was time to think about bed, but I had not taken my picture yet. So, I decided to take a picture of some sand dunes. Pretty cool. I hope you like it.

Even in the dead of winter

I was biking to Scheveningen today, yes it was freezing, but I had to get out of the house and get a little exercise. I got all bundled up and headed up to the beach...in the middle of winter, yes, I see the problem with this whole idea, but hey, you only live once...right. Ok, as I was biking up to the beach I came across this little house on the side of the bike path, it looked quaint and quiet a perfect little house for reading and/or relaxing in. The potted plants lining the windows sealed the deal for me. I stopped and snapped a few quick shots. This one captured the subtle somber nature of the day, overcast quiet, and grey, a great day for a cup of something warm and book. After this quick little stop I hoped back on my fiets and kept going toward the beach.

Snow and Berries in Den Haag

Here is a nice shot from the light snow we got the other day. I know it felt light spring almost earlier in the week, but by the end it was clear winter was back. This was on my way to church on Sunday. I got off tram 6 at the carel rienerskade (spelling??) stop and then walk the 500 meters to church. The whole way to church was like a little winter wonder land. All the tree and the grass were covered in a light dusting of snow. As the temp was not so cold, the snow kind of melted on to the branch give that white background to everything. It was a beautiful morning.

Abstract is bac..

Ok, here is a good shot of things I really like doing. I was sitting at my desk and looked at the radiator of all things. It was night time so the light was hitting it in a different light. I liked how the shadows gave it a unique definition and made it look like something other than a radiator. What it looked like I am not sure, I guess that's up to you to decide. I didn't put it in black and white although I did consider it. I shot it with a flash and if gave it that grey effect. Well, there you go. Graag Gadaan.

Peace Disturbed

Here is a picture of the Helicopter that disturbed my peaceful study this morning. It was floating quite low over the Grote Markt here in the Centrum and was making a lot of noise. At first I thought it was some sort of construction equipment, but then it flew over my flat. By the way, what a beautiful day here in Den Haag, the sun is out and the sky is blue. I guess with all that a Helicopter disturbing my study isn't the worst thing that could have happened this morning. I mean the phone could have rang instead...

Bricks of Holland

Everywhere you go in Holland you will see bricks. Bricks on the ground, brick in the walls, even sometimes bricks in the air, that if someone is really mad. The inlaid brick streets and sidewalks add a nice old world charm to the country and also keep a lot of people employed. I have to say I do like the brick, although I know its not the most efficient use of material its still nice and pretty.

The Famous Geese of Holland

Yes, come one, come all to see the famous Geese of Holland. They are white and orange and white...yes. They are massive and keep the rat population to a minimum. Dutch Geese come to The Hague and see the famous Geese. Don't miss this one kids, Geese.

So Cool

This statue has now changed my route to work. Not only because of the statue, but because going by it is shorter, but it is so cool. I have only seen it at a glance before today. Today though I decided to go find it and take a picture, I mean you only live once right. The detail in this sculpture is what caught my eye, and it is so surreal. Enjoy.

The Path Ahead

Here is a picture of part of my path to my Dutch lesson. The park is called the Maliveld. To was a mysterious day in The Hague, fog and low clouds have covered the city most of the day. This scene struck me today because of the path ahead of me. There are some hard things on the horizon, big decisions, tough times, work. Sometime its seems as though I am alone, but I am not. Sometimes it seems like no one has done this before, but they have. Sometimes I want to just turn around, but I don't. I keep going, one day at a time down the path ahead.

The Sun is out!!

To day the sun came out in Den Haag. It has been a while, feels like weeks. It was inspiring to see a clear blue sky and a bright shining sun. Even in the midst of tragedy (Haiti, and a friends 6 year old son died this morning) the sun is still bright and the sky is still blue. Pain is still pain, but is good to know Joy is still joy as well. My heart goes out to Loren and his family with the loss of his son. Also, to the People of Haiti, pray for my friend Jen, she is a doctor and is headed there to help(http://providenceinhaiti.org/). Enjoy the sunset.

De Fiets

This is a picture of my bike, which in dutch is fiets. I don't ride it everyday, because I prefer to walk to work, but when I do its a good bike. It is an American made bike, which perplexes some Dutch people, but it still rides good, not as good as a Dutch bike, because they are especially gifted in making good bikes, but it is good enough. The word for biker is Fietser. I like this word, Fietser, leuk.

Foggy Grote Kerk

Ok, this is technically from yesterday, but I liked it a lot. I woke up to a foggy Den Haag and as I looked around saw all the tall buildings fading away into the low clouds. The Grote Kerk (big church) was off to the north of my place and I got a cool shot of the steeple fading into the fog. I guess to me this is Europe, fog rain, clouds, old churches.

My Floor!!!

Ok, I had a couple of pictures to choose from today, but this was the most exciting to me. I can see my floor!!! In my office. When I arrived in The Hague, my office was so full of papers and "stuff" I couldn't even see the floor, but now after months of hard work and sifting through everything I can actually see my floor. I know this is a little thing, but its a big thing for me, because it symbolizes moving in the right direction. Baby Steps.

Mary Popins without the top of her head

This is a statue that I pass everyday to and from work. I think it looks like Mary Poppins without the top of her head. Maybe it does and maybe it doesn't, but it is so strange. Here is this seemingly happy woman without the top of her head. I always wondering what the artist is trying to say or portray? Who knows...maybe the artist knows.

Oude, Jonge, Blauw Kaas The real joy of Holland

Here is a shot of my favorite thing about living in the Netherlands, CHEESE!!! or as the dutch all it KAAS!!! I love the dutch cheese, these are three kinds of cheeses, the old cheese, the young cheese and some blue cheese. I tasted it all at the cheese shop where there was a very nice shop keeper who helped me out a lot, and they were all amazing. I will definitely be going back there again. I am really excited to have fresh cheese back in the house and can't wait to eat it all up. This really is a joy of life. Be jealous!

Poffertjes

One of the beautiful things about living in Holland are the Poffertjes. We had great poffertjes today at Maliveld, they were amazing. Poffertjes are like little pancakes covered in butter and sugar, delicious. I know have another favorite food I am not suppose to eat. While we were there it began snowing this made of a wonderful day of sweet good food and very pretty weather outside.

Finally a Desk!

This is my desk, compliments of Crossroads Church. They had an extra one in there old office space and generously donated to me. Now all I need is a proper desk chair. This is such a help, because now I can read, and work on my computer without getting a sore back from laying on the couch. Yes, I know my life is hard...but what are you going to do, celebrate the little things.

Classic Dutch

Here is a classic Dutch scene. A man skating with his bike on the shore in the middle of winter. I got this one walking around the Haagsche Bos (The Hague Forrest). It was a very nice winters day today and lots of Dutchy's were out skating on the ice.

Lessons in Laundry

Today I experience the harshness of doing laundry...the wrong way. My favorite winter sweater was shrunk in the wash last night. Yes, we can talk about how the washing machine is all in dutch and blame that. Yes, we can talk about how I should know better and blame me. But, the fact of the matter is my sweater is shrunk and I can't wear it anymore. I have found a new home for my sweater, Scott Curley, one of the pastors at Crossroads fits my sweater just fine and is happy to have it, but I am in sweater morning right now and that is the harsh reality of lessons in laundry.

My Office

Hey all, this is where the magic happens. My office, I am working on cleaning it up, because I inherited a big mess as you can see. However, the view more than makes up for any extra work I have to do. The road I look out on is call the Bezuidenhoutseweg (now thats a mouthful) and the Queen lives just down the street, so things are not that bad at all. I am enjoying the work I am doing now. I find it very fulfilling. Its very nice to be in the middle of the city and have a woods to look at while working.

Walk to Work

This picture is of my walk to work. The hustle and bustle of downtown The Hague. It has been a great way to start my day. Stepping out of my house, listening to languages from all around the world, seeing the trams go by, watching the delivery people make there deliveries. I truly enjoy this time I have to start my day and hey what a sunrise.