Strangers on a Train, shot of the day #2

This moment felt like a deja vu. Old ladies, on trains, seem to love oranges and chocolates! One things for sure, train rides make me hungry too!!!

P.s. I think I'm enjoying sneaking shots of strangers on trains! I wish I could drag our my SLR, but it would be WAY too noticeable.  ;D 

Strangers on a train

After a long day at work I joined the crowds for the travel home. Except this time the trains weren't as packed as usual! Everyday, all around me, I hear conversations. At times its in Dutch, quite often in English and sometimes a mix of both.

Sitting in close vicinity of so many people makes it hard to tune out the chatter. Today I heard a funny conversation, between two strangers, about how many languages the gentleman spoke. He was Dutch of course and could happily gloat about speaking Dutch, English, French, and German fluently...plus a few others not so fluently. The woman, not a native English speaker herself but speaking it just the same, was amazed and shocked at his knowledge. 

The Dutch culture is quite interesting. I forget just how diverse they can be. We think America is a melting pot, but these people really embrace the cultures, languages, and land of those around them. There are soo many nationalities around me its hard to imagine. The fact that the Dutch are so bilingual is usually not given a second thought. However, if I think about it its at times a necessity with all the countries and cultures that surround them!

At my work alone we have at least 15 different nationalities! I think that's a big part of loving it here. The broad spectrum keeps me interested, learning new things, and meeting new people!

For your enjoyment I snuck a shot of the two chatting on the train!

Piano Delivery!

Okay okay I'm naughty and it took me two weeks to post this! We got our piano delivered and I took pictures with my cell phone. It's funny how they do it here because most houses and apartments have very narrow spaces to get around. The dutch are very innovative about getting around these problems...just go through the window or balcony! haha Take a look...

Woah cool...

Umm your using just ONE hook???

AHH Please don't drop it!!! (Notice he is using a REMOTE CONTROL!)

Okay now I'm worrited YOU guys are goning to fall...careful out there!

Phew! Easy as pie! It looks so BIG in our dining room, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!

Clean Teeth!

It is an interesting thing when you finally have health insurance. I have been to the doctor more in the Netherlands than in my whole life in the states! Not to say that I am making unnecessary visits, but I just rarely went back home. Another great thing is not hesitating to go get your teeth cleaned! I know I have had a cavity for quite some time and it has been over a year since I visited a dentist.

Today I joined Jasper to his dentist ("tandarts" in Dutch) and had my teeth cleaned as well. I must say that it made me VERY happy! I LOVE having my teeth cleaned and knowing everything is okay. As expected that tiny cavity never dissappeared on it's own and I will have to return for another visit to have it fixed. 

My observation of the dentist in the Netherlands is quite biased. I have had the same dentist my whole life and have gotten used to certain things. Today he just cleaned the plaque off of my bottom teeth and checked for other cavities. In the states all the teeth are scrapped clean and then the official denal tooth brush comes out to make it squeaky clean. You know that feeling you have when you can feel how smooth your teeth are post-dental appointment? Yeah, it just wasn't the same! However, at least it's a start! 

FINALLY!

What is the first thing you should do when unemployed? BUY A PIANO! lol

Yes I know it is a bit crazy, but we got a GREAT deal. It comes with the bench and candeloperas that can be attached. hehe The piano sounded the best of all of the old pianos and actually looked better too. Its a 1930's Gebr. Glaser, Roda S.A., I believe 1936 to be exact. We tried to look up details on the piano and it's maker, but couldn't find a lot. I do know that the company stopped production in 1940 and most listings were of a different piano. I would be interested to find it's history. Originally we wanted a white one, but decided a classic black piano would be best. 

Both of us are REALLY excited. I miss playing piano a lot and Jasper is always playing other people's. He has expressed how he would like to learn more. We should have it delivered sometime next week. I promise a blog on the delivery alone. It will be quite funny trying to fit the thing over the balcony (we will have to remove the railing). Until then...

Butternut Squash Soup!

My health has been particularly annoying lately. I have had a pain in my side for about 2 years now. The last couple of weeks have been rough and I decided to drastically change my diet, after speaking to many family memebers and friends. I have gotten specific teas, cut back on pastas, use less cheese and dairy (though it was recommended to stop it all together), and kept an eye on my fatty food intake. 

So far I have had more energy and I haven't been as strict as I should be. I would like to go all out, but it gets expensive and I just lost my job. In the meantime I will make due with what I have available. Today I splurged on a butternut squash and some Quinoa (thank you sister!). There is a FANTASTIC natural foods store next to our city center and it is only comparable to a mini version of Whole Foods in the States. Anyhow, out of this I have created a YUMMY Butternut Squash Soup! You can find my recipe below. I actually combined two recipes that I found HERE and HERE. The results were amazing and this recipe makes enough for a large family. I doubt Jasper will eat it so I will have to freeze it, but then it's money well spent!


Butternut Squash and Quinoa Recipe

• 1 (2 to 3 pound) butternut squash, peeled and seeded
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 Cloves Garlic diced or minced
• 1 1/2 Cups Various italian vegetables diced (carrots, zucchini, bell peppers)
• 5 cups chicken stock ( I used Vegetable stock)
• 1 tsp ground cumin or nutmeg
• 3/4 Cup Quinoa
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Cut squash into 1-inch chunks. In large pot melt butter. Add onion and garlic, cook until translucent, about 8 minutes. Add squash, vegetables and stock. Bring to a simmer and cook until squash is tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove squash and vegetable chunks with slotted spoon and place in a blender and puree. Return blended squash to pot. Stir and season with nutmeg or cumin, salt, and pepper and Quinoa. Simmer for another 15 minutes and Serve.

Variation/Tip: You always have the option of not blending the squash and/or vegetables. Then you have chunks of veggies instead of a puree texture. Also, I added the Quinoa to the leftover water/broth while I blended the squash. This helped speed the process along a bit. *If you feel the texture is too thick or not thick enough, this is the time to add or take away extra broth. Then replace the squash into the same pan as the Quinoa.

Comfort in food

Some of you may have noticed the obvious fact that i post a lot of food recipes on my blog. Well, this week I have realized that it is most likely due to the need for comfort. After such a rough week or so I have been craving a lot of food I can only get at home. 

To name one in particular, mexican food. Now, if you have ever been to Europe or the Netherlands and are used to authentic mexican food or even not so authentic, than you will know you can't get any of it here! Sure there are places that offer "Mexican" dishes, but they use bland or just nasty spices to mock the idea. Today I discovered that 90% of the ingredients needed are at almost any store in the Netherlands. Honestly I have just never tried to look and the hardest ingredients were proper chili powder or chilis. 

Anyhow, the point of all this? Today I made fresh enchiladas. Jasper, being foreign to "Real" mexican style food was not disappointed either! I made it with a homemade enchilada sauce, but with just a little less chili powder than recomended. Then I layered freshly shreded chicken, cheese, corn, black beans and the sauce; bake it at 375* F / or 180*C for 20 minutes. What else goes good with this? Well, home made Mexican Rice! Unfortunately I didn't have my mom's recipe, but thank goodness the internet has plenty of options. Everything turned out very nice and my tummy is quite happy. For the vegetarians out there: there are plenty of soy and non-soy products that simulate fake chicken or hamburger. Sinch this recipe can be rather spicey it helps add extra flavor to the otherwise bland products. 

As mentioned in my last blog, I am on the hunt for a new job and i hope it comes fast. My plan is to apply to as many jobs as I can, that fit my interest and experience of course. Also, the poor recruiters will be getting regular phone calls from me and I hope they help me out!!! I don't want to be out of work for too long because a big gap will make it even harder to find something. 

The positive? Well I am indeed working on a grand plan to not only better my photography skills, thank you mom and dad for the camera, but make some money while unemployed! It occured to me today that I am pretty good at portraits and especially with kids. The holidays are coming soon and it seems that most families in the Netherlands like to do the cute christmas card with a family photo or kid shot. I hope to enterprise on this fact and maybe make some extra cash while gaining experience. Soon I will be adding photos to my portfolio and you can give me your tips and opinions!

Wish me luck!!! I really need it!!!