I spotted this graphic on another blog and could not wait to use it myself!

At this moment I feel I need to have the need for alone time in bright letters and glowing... its so hard to get a moment alone, to stop and reflect!

Its INSANE!

The tables have turned...

May 1, 2005 ... A year ago today

“ Safe but Emotional…
So I have arrived in Amsterdam. I am safe. I am emotional. Finally let out all the tears for leaving the place which actually felt the most like home since I left home - Montreal. Realising what I left - the people, the place, my Maison de Fou home....Trying to be open to the new experience ahead.Finding it hard.Am alone in an internet cafe.Have the most dogy room in the world as my new place. Trying to change it.Upset.Emotional. Reflective. Alone. Missing people. Missing a certain person. But I am safe. I have arrived. I am letting out all tears tonight. I am getting ready to embrace my new world. But it does not stop the sense of loss at leaving a place I did not know how much I loved?"

May 1, 2006

This date marks my one year anniversary in The Netherlands. It has now been exactly one year since I arrived in Amsterdam with the feelings expressed about.

It is interesting re-reading the blog entry of a year ago, and realising how far I have come, and how much I now consider Amsterdam as very much my home away from home.

That in a year, I have formed some very powerful and lasting friendships.

I now work in an area that I love, and to which everyday I am finding my motivation and challenges increasing to a level that I actually want them too.

I have connected with new people ( Laura, Michaela, Russell, Eoin, Maria,… god so many amazing people to even list!)

I have re-connected with some very good friends (Bergio, Zoe, Arthur, Amelia, Loz, etc)

I feel I am very much in the place I want to be at the moment.

And that I am the most fulfilled that I have been in a long time.

It makes me curious as to what my May 2007 blog entry will look like –

Where will I be and what will I be thinking?

You know you are a local when...

Your BIKE is stolen!

It was inevitable.

I had many warnings that my time with my bike was limited, but I was naive.

I did not listen.

I thought we would share my entire time in Netherlands together... but it was not to be.

At least now, I can fairly trade for a new bike on the black market without guilt ;-)

Birthday Season!!

Happy Birthday Arthur for the Easter Weekend!

Happy Birthday Tom for 23rd!

Happy Birthday Mils for today, the 24th!

You are all GETTING OLD!!!! :-)

A wonderful surprise

So,

On Thursday night after a nice dinner and movie with Russ and Loz, I was walking home to my house.

When I arrived, I had the most wonderful suprise awaiting me from my darling roomies.

A NEW MONITOR AND SPEAKERS so that I could use my laptop in my room!!!!

HOW AMAZING!!!!

I was sooooo shocked and happy... they apparently found this amazing COMPAQ monitor, speakers, keyboard and mouse outside a neighbours house... TO BE THROWN AWAY!

They thought... Maz needs this, and took it swiftly.

THANKS TO LENA AND GINA I am now online again from my room.

I have constant access to msn and skype... SO I am back in the communication loop, so to say!

SO HAPPY TO BE CONNECTED AGAIN!

Struggling.

Struggling to finish my book.

The sun is shining.

It is a gorgeous day outside.

Mils, Loz and Eoin are downstairs in the backyard.

HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!

50% Complete

I made a promise to myself that this weekend I would write a book.

I told people at work, I told friends, I have Russell as my Business Manager.

Creating this expectation in myself and others, is really fuelling me to put together a book I think is really relevant for people working in the corporate world.

I hope that by tomorrow night I can report a 100% complete draft.

BOOM CHICAGO

latenitebrendan, originally uploaded by Mazzy.

Last night Loz, Gina and I all attended the Holy Boom Improv Comedy Show run by Boom Chicago.

IT ROCKED.

Seriously had SUCH a blast - and it was only 12 euros, which was FAB.

Loz and I will be starting our improv classes soon, so REALLY powered up now!

Oh, the randomness...

Oh my goodness, I am having the randomest Easter break EVER.

It started last night.

A group of us decided to attend a HERMES Jazz Night. In essence, it was a Fraternity party hosted by Amsterdam University but in 1940's style. All the boys were wearing suits and the music was strictly jazz.

With one catch - FREE ROSE CHAMPAGNE ALL NIGHT LONG!!

Needless to say I was in 7th Heaven.

Could it be any more Mazzy friendly? I think not.

I was powering it up, big time. My fave music, my fave era, my fave drink + good company.

But as you can imagine, free drink means random things happen... over and over again.

Highlights were Gina getting behind the bar and serving the drinks - and MIA attendees Andy and Freddie!

More to say, but I will remain strategically quiet :-)

Then tonight, I watched the MOST RANDOM movie I have seen in ages, and LOVED IT.

'Romance and Cigarettes' - If you like things slightly offbeat - You will lOVE this !!

Happy Easter

easter, originally uploaded by Mazzy.

I saw this kind of picture on Mischas blog and I HAD to show it here aswell...

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE :-)

Another week, more craziness...

I have just stumbled across the best book that I simply love. I was walking through the leadership and learning department and I spotted it.

"It's not how good you are, it's how good you want to be." By Paul Arden

I have taken it to borrow from the team to read fully over the weekend... but it is JUST the creative insight that I need right now!