The weather looks gr8 today........what a beautiful day! Let's hope the sun's not too shy today, but keeps smiling...let's hope it's gonna be a perfect day....
I passed my Inburgeringsexam on Friday 21-01-11. It was quite difficult cos it was my practical exam & a written one. The two Examiners were very impressed that I passed this exam, considering the fact that I'm here in the Netherlands 12 months! This was the 4th exam I passed & all 4 were gruelling! I will pick up my Dutch diploma soon. Now, I'm preparing for my Dutch theory exam, then the practical......what a life....definitely not easy!
29-11-10 - Monday evening........what a day....first time experience of snowflakes....brrrrrr....wish I was in SA!!!!! Well, it all started like this...I got up this morning & there was a "bit" of ice on the plants outside, but all "seemed" fine! Alas!!!! When I got downstairs....Hnas reminded me of how cold it is & explained the precautionary measures to me while driving to work......still NOT focussing & NOT aware of the snow outside, I kept thinking: "What is he talking about???" Little did I know what awaited me outside!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hans had already "scraped & cleaned" the ice from my windscreen & having said my good-byes, marched off to my car, not knowing that the "biting" cold was awaiting me!!!!! I have NEVER experienced such horrible cold, I had asumed that the mid-winter cold in Johannesburg was horrible, but all you SA's out there, "you aint't felt nothing yet!!!!" Driving to work wasn't so cruel, but coming home was! I was shocked when I left the building .....cos, as I was walking to my car, these snowflakes was finding their way into my warmly dressed skin!!!!! So, I walked very quickly to my car, got in, turned the heating on (this took a few minutes) & drove on slowly.............to my dismay, the snowflakes kept "beating" upon my windscreen & I wanted to scream.........but ....alas.....it got harder & the once tarred black road started to look white!!!!!!!! So, I listened to Hans.....drove very cautiously, I panicked now & again, but got home safely ....stayed indoors for the rest of the evening.....not looking to the rest of the "snow" period though...........bet I'd best get to bed now....got an early morning ahead!!!!
So......my schat gave me sum time to do sum updating as I have been too busy to do so! All's going well @ school, kids write exams next week & damn....I will be invigilating & they've given me the DYSLEXIC kids!!!!! I'm sure it wil go ok though! Quite used to "all sorts" by now! On a lighter note, I passed 2 of my Dutch exams which I wrote on 19/10/10 & passed my on-line studies as well, just the practicals to do & if I pass, then I would have earned my Dutch Diploma! My practicals will probably be done in Dec. & I'm sure this will be the most difficult of the lot & will be done during the school holidays. On the homefront, all's well, schat & I as happy as can be & are both enjoying life together. Oops...before I forget, I managed to get 3 speeding fines!!!!
Sun 29-08 - Hey Zee, thx for writing. Well, everything's just gr8, culdn't be better. I start work tomorow - 30-08 as a Teacher's assistant @ a school 20 mins away. It is a 5 month contract which will be extended. I did my interview in Dutch on Thursday & got the job (I think my Dutch was ok!!) I'm quite thrilled myself cos I spoke Dutch as best as I could & am very excited, the job is challenging too!! Mum helped me with the interview & gave me her bright ideas (which is why I probably qualified for the job)Helen helped me too. U have no idea how different Europe is from SA, the culture, work environment, etc, very refined, I love it! I am fortunate that the people that I will work with are just gr8. Hans bought me a little Renault for work cos the Audi is impractical. Further, I started Dutch classes on Thursday (26-08)& was told that I was too advanced for the class, so I will be starting classes soon, (I will know this Thursday) on a much higher level. Well, that just about wraps up last week's eventful events......I'm preparing for my new job now......what's happeing in SA??
Wed 25-08-10 - Very important day for me tomorrow the 26th, 2 challenging events to take place. I have a job interview and start Dutch classes in the evening.... my heart goes thump, thump, thump, but I guess all will be well.
Wed 12-08-2010. Yesterday was our 18 month anniversary. How time flies..... I could never have s asked for a better partner, thanx darling for these 18 wonderful months together, especially Paris, looking forward to eternity with you. Well, as far as Dutch is concerned, I'm rounding up my on-line tests, the results goes towards my final exams. These lessons were very informative, not easy, but I'm giving it my best! I start evening classes on 26 August on Tuesdays & Thursdays, quite looking forward to it. I have familiarised myself with most of the neighbours and speak "conversational" Dutch to them & they are quite impressed! I'm hoping to speak fluent Dutch very soon! I think I'm blending in quite successfully & happily into the Dutch culture......
03-08-2010 - Tuesday: Pleasure Mum, hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Well, today's not going well, Dutch is going fine, but I drove to the Ellekoot, going there was just fine, even parking was 100%, but coming back home was bad! I drove on the wrong side of the road for about 500m! Terrible hey!
26-07-10 Monday: WOW, Paris was just awesome! Thanx my darling for such a beautiful weekend, there are just no words to describe how much I enjoyed myself & how you made me feel..... Paris is really romantic...thanx for the wonderful birthday present....I LOVE YOU DARLING.... forever yours ...J.
Friday - 09-07-2010: Very, very hot today, 33 degrees, feels like being in Durban, it is unbearably hot outside, therefor we're staying inside where it's cooler, I am NOT enjoying it!! I think I want to be in Jhb now, even though it is winter there, quite cold! Otherwise, things are cool, Hans is making dinner tonight - Nasi Goreng - Indonesian food, have a feeling I'll enjoy it, always enjoy his food!
01-07-2010 Judy 2 Veenendaal. Well, another productive day! Thanx to my darling once again, I drove the Audi to school & got back safely....yes...without a scratch! Boy, oh boy, you are a persistent little guy! I felt a little bit of nervousness this morning, but...everything turned out okay. Heel erg leuk! Bedankt schat... Ik hou van jou.
Bedank Mum, ik probeer altijd ...tot ik vloeiend Nederlands kan praten! Je bent me gids!
Judy - Veenendaal - Wednesday - 16/06/10 - Wow, what an experience!!!! Thanx to Hans for urging me & eventually "making" me do it! I'm confident taking the train, I can probably go anywhere by train now...... Got home in one piece too!!! Thanx for urging me on too Mum, can't wait to catch up............ Lots to tell you ...
Tuesday 15/06/10. The Cambridge exams for the British Council wasn't too complex as I thought it might be!!! I was supposed drive the Audi to work, since the test-drive on Saturday proved to be a good one! Quite a long day, but I handled it, enjoyed the "teenager" vibe... Tomorrow I will be working in Utrecht & I will be taking the train ALONE for the first time and it's going to be an quite an adventure for me, let's see what happens!!! Will keep you updated....
Thursday - 10/06/10. Supposed to be 18 deg today, but the temp is dropping quite rapidly!!Besides the fluctuating weather, everything's gr8, Hans & I are having the time of our lives & enjoying being together. I start college in Sept '10, but in the meantime I'm busy with the practicals & some theory at home with, you might have guessed who - yeah,right, MUM. I ended up with a nasty headache after abt 2 hrs, so I decided to take break for the rest of the afternoon. Well, I guess it's back to Dutch, Dutch, Dutch now......Judy
Judy Veenendaal - 31-05-'10 - Toaday, exactly a year ago, I left SA to visit my dearest fiance Hans. How time has flown by.....just so awesome to know that we are still together 16 months already. I love you my Liefie & want you to know that I really appreciate you. I never realised that this relationship would turn out to be so beautiful. You really make me feel special, I LOVE YOU TO PIECES!!!! Your ONLY love.
Friday - 28/05/'10 Commitment means setting priorities and following them without fail....Judy Veenendaal.
Hey Xoli, thanx for those lovely birthday wishes..... I miss you too, I'm just an email away, closer than you could ever imagine. You are always in my thoughts & prayer...Take good care of yourself, can't wait to see you.....Love you to pieces...Jude
Howzittt Zee & Darran, cool man, you mean you guys actually took time off to sign my guestbook??? Are you sue abt that.....really..... Well, thanx hey (abt bloody time, anyway)..... Take it easy now, I'm off to work around 11, so cheers for now>>> lotsa love Jude
Hey Ron, gr8 to hear from you. I'm sure you are also very busy with the world cup like all my other SA fwendz............. Well, it's a shame I will miss this one event of a lifetime, that would probably make history some day!!!! Don't work too hard now & convey my best wishes to Leshen & Meena........Hoping to see you guys when I'm in SA in Dec...Lotsa love Jude
Yes Mum, party, party, party............can't wait........ Jude
Hey Jenn, thanx grlfwend........ you take care & chat soon......... J
13-05-10 - Dull Wednesday, 7 deg. I'ts Hemelvaartsdag (Ascension Day)today. Well, I'm really pleased to hear from some of my friends in SA. The preparations for the World Cup is on it's way, pretty wild & furious. I do wish I was there!!!!! I might as well be in Holland, cos it's raining in Jhb & Cape Town (unusual this time of year in Jhb???)& winter has begun. I suppose it will be much warmer in a few weeks, so I'll just sit back & wait..............
Monday 10-05-10 It's a beautiful day - 8 deg. - perfect garden day!!!! Gotta make way for some alterations in the garden... HAPPY BIRTHDAY HELEN-SUE..... May all your dreams & aspirations come true...lotsa love & kisses... Judy
04-05-10: Sun's shining today, yipeee...... In 20 days time.......... Just sitting around wishing that Brenda will write to her Dad, it's really heartsore when one thinks about how Dad's feel when they are seperated from their girls. My Dad felt this way when I left home to start out my life, & offcourse I never got to spending enough time with him cos I was too busy building my career & he's passed on now.......Brenda, you are Daddy's little girl & always will be, he loves you very much, not a day goes by without him talking about you & wishing he could spend time with you, you are truly the 'apple of Daddy's eye'. He would do anything to be YOUR Daddy again........ Judy Moodley Veenendaal
Another rainy day, but life goes on......... Managed to do some gardening though and the herb garden is coming on great..... Hope the weather's better tomorrow so I can get out for a stroll.
Wed 28/04 - I'm quite pleased that I'm almost a Dutch National now. All the paperwork is sorted out, even opened a bank account, thanxs Mum, you are my Mentor, what will I do without you?? All that's left now is the Dutch diploma which I will start studying for soon & I'm on my way to getting a job. I am currently doing part time work for the British Council and other schools. Hans and I are enjoying life together as well, thank God for the beautiful weather, cos he can carry on with his work & not be hindered in any way. And.......Alas, it's a glorious day in Holland,seems very summery, beautiful garden weather, that's where I will be shortly. Mum & I got some beautiful Geraniums, Petunias & Daisies which I will plant soon. The air is so fresh & crisp, reminds me of the Cape Town Outeniqua Mountains..... Wish to visit again soon.. I'd better get going, would not want to let the day pass me by...... Later on, I will go for a stroll.....
Tuesday - 20-04-10. Apart from the ash from the volcano in Iceland, it's still dull & grey in Holland today, oh yes, it rained early this morning as well. Nevertheless, the birds are still chirping & my spirits are right up there in the clouds. Now on a more positive note, Mum & I are going to Utrecht to the IND to collect my Verblijfsvergunning (u should hear me pronounce this word!!), comes naturally. This is my temporary residence until 08 March 2011 (who knows what happens after that.....)
Glad you enjoyed it Mum, nly a pleasure, anytime.......
26-03 - Nothing much to say, dulllll, gloooomy day - 11 deg, praying very hard for some sun............. Still enjoy being here with my "Liefie"..........
25-03-10 - Thursday: My hair looks good, just a snip here & there, nothing major!!! Started preparing the garden yesterday afternoon cos it was a little bit warmer, got to complete it today. The sun's up, think I'll go for a walk shortly.
Wednesday 24-03-10 Beautiful weather today, temp should soar up to 18 deg.... Wel, I'm having my hair done today & will make some mince samoosas & chicken spring rolls later on...... Gotta get ready, the hairdresser will be here soon & I'm NEVER on time******* Cheers for now!!!!
Monday - 22/03/10. It's a beautiful day, the sun's shining, quite warm..... Well, Mum & are are off to sort out the TB test in Utrecht, then some lunch & Mum's showing me around this big city,awesome, this is gonna be fun...............
Thursday 18-03-2010 - 06:50 am: Yes, what am I doing up so early today??? The birds are chirping, the dogs are barking, cats are meowing & it feels like being in South Africa on 1 September - official Spring day!!!!!! Let's hope the weather stays this way!!! Hey, hang on, just had a look at the temperature - 2 degrees right now ***** Temp should increase by 17 deg later....I'm sure it will get warmer anyway. Have a gr8 day!!!!
15-03-2010 Yes, Mum, I agree, it's about time I wrote. Well, it's more than a month since I arrived in Holland, only to be welcomed by the icy snow & cold wind, but thankfully, Helen & Job picked us up from Schipol airport, it was really cosy in the car. I slept all the way home!!!! It wasn't that bad though, cos when we got home, Mum & Deet were eagerly waiting to see us. What a warm welcome, Mum went all out to welcome me back by filling up the house with beautiful tulips & lovely "Indian spirit"scented candles & potpourie. It was really like coming back home, thanx Mum, you rock!!! Am I not a lucky girl???? I think it must have been too cold for me, cos I was really sick over the next week. Hans managed to get me back on the road to recovery by making really lekker warm Dutch dishes for me. One of them (which by the way is one of my favourites) is the erwtensoep pronounced "ettersoup"). This is made with green split peas, carrots, rookworst(like russians or chourico), potatoes,spekblokjes(smoked,chopped bacon), leeks, celery, pork rashers. Yummy, you should try this!!!! Hans is quite pleased that I am here with him for a long time. As far as everything else is concerned, I went to the Utrecht, to the IND on 08/03 to sort out my temporary stay & work permit. I will have to pick this up in a few days as soon as I get notification, but in the meantime, I have to do a medical test, also in Utrecht. Oh, there is so much running around involved!!!! After this, I will be going to school to hopefully perfect the Dutch language. Last Thursday & Friday, I did some voluntary work @ the school where Helen works, she is a Planner. I assisted the kids with English, it was quite a great experience & I really enjoyed it, most of those Dutch kids are very intelligent. Looking forward to whatever else lies ahead of me in Holland. Cheers for now!!!!
08-01-2010. Well, it won't be long now when I will be back in Holland, quite looking forward to be reunited with my family, but quite sad to leave the rest of my family behind. I suppose life has a strange way of working itself out!!! As for Hans & I, things are getting better each day, I can't believe how time flies,cos on 12 Jan, we will be together 11 months. We are both very happy together & couldn't be happier. There is one thing that bothers me though, I wish Brenda will write to her Dad. He loves her very much & has been trying to contact her for a very long time, & my wish for 2010 is that Brenda & her Dad be reunited soon. He talks about her all the time & longs to be with her. I am dying to meet her soon too. The weather in SA is stunning, & I believe that it is freezing in Holland, so I'm soaking up as much of the African sun a I can before I return to Holland. Cheers for now
18 November 2009. Well, after spending 5 nights in Durban, it's time for Trish & I to make our way back to Johannesburg. Trish will be leaving back to Holland on Friday 20 November & I will be here by my lonesome. Hopefully, I will be visited soon by family from Holland. I will really miss Trish, we had such a wonderful time in Johanesburg & Durban, Trish, I hope you enjoyed yourself with me as much as I enjoyed myself with you. I hope you had a great birthday & holiday with me. As promised, the next time will be even better, two weeks is just too short. I especially hope you enjoyed today's visit to St Lucia, the boat ride along the Estuary & the Game Reserve. At least you saw the rhino with her baby!!! The next time you are in SA, you will see the other four, I promise!!!!! I hope you enjoyed Sun Coast Casino, the Beaches, Burman's Reserve, Ushaka, The Point, Brighton Beach, and the few monkeys you so much wanted to see. I promise the next time you are here, we will hunt them down & get great pics. It's a pity I have to leave behind the easy life in Durban & go back to the "rat race" in Johannesburg!!!! Trish, I hope you have a safe flight on Friday & hoping to see all the pics we took together, especially your birthday pics....... Judy
30 October 2009. Well, I was really surprised last Thursday - 22 Oct - Hans was back in SA (after just returning to Holland a week ago!!). I could not believe my eyes, I was in denial for a while until I realised he was really here. Thanx to Mum, Cherry & Nick Niezen for playing this all so well, get you guys some time soon! It didn't really go well on Sunday night & Monday, the entire day as Hans was terribly sick with a tummy bug. I hope you sort out this problem with you Dr. Thanx schat, that was really sweet of you to surprise me, although I do agree that a week was too short!!! Take care ...... Love J
Monday - 20 October 2009: I am very excited, cos I suppose I'm half Dutch now, I passed this gruelling Civic Integration Exam. I understand the logic in writing this exam, & I agree fully, anyone planning to emigrate should know everything about that country before relocating. Well, the next step is for Hans to arrange for the work permit & temporary residency. Once this has been approved in The Netherlands, I would be able to go back "home", the Embassy seems to think it should take 8 weeks, but someone at the Embassy told me today that it should take between 3-4 weeks. I would like to extend a special thank you especially to Hans & Mum for educating & preparing me. You taught me everything I needed to know about the Dutch culture, history, etc, etc. I had a 100% pass rate. Thanx a stack to Deet, Patricia, Hank, Usha, Helen & Job for your kind support and encouragement. I will see you all at Christmas. I'm counting the days!!!Lots of love..............Judy
13 October 2009. Schat, it was really great having you over for 2 weeks, I'm already missing you......... Hoping to see you soon! Well, I'm prepared for the Dutch Civic Integration Exam which I will hopefully be writing soon & I hope to be back in Holland as soon as possible. Mum, thanx a stack for preparing me for educating me while I was in Holland, you have no idea how much you have prepared me for the exam!!! Dank je wel Mum.
I'm writing this with tears in my eyes. I'm just so thankful that I have met such a wonderful man in my life. Hans, Liefie, you are the love of my life. You have no idea how much value you have added to my life. I love you with everything. Thanx so much for this beautiful website you have designed especially for me, it means the world to me. You have made it possible for me to be in touch with all those special people around the world. You rock!!! I'm looking forward to your visit in 2 weeks, I know we will make the best of it. Just you going back to the Netherlands is going to be very painful for me...... I can't wait to see explore the world with you. I PLEDGE MY LOVE TO YOU DARLING & cannot wait to be your wife. The past seven months has been the most beautiful months of my life, I'm looking forward to spending eternity with you. I cannot imagine life without you............... I love you forever. Jude
1 September 2009 I arrived safely on African soil on Friday night (28 August 2009). Quite tired after travelling 11 hours. Nick & Milly were delighted to see me, I will be spending the rest of my time in Johanesburg with them. Well it's officially Spring Day in SA & everyone's chirpy & the trees & flowers are in their bloom. I'm currently enjoying myself with my best friend Vinay & her son Leshen who is 8. I can't stop talking about how beautiful the Netherlands is, the culture, food & the friendly people. Well, as far as politics is concerned, I will have to write a Civic Intergration Exam, I have to know the Dutch language & it's culture. Once I pass this, we can proceed with a temporary residence & take this to a higher level. Well, I'm going to soak up the African sun now. Cheers...
Well,after spending lots of time and effort, Hans has finally managed to almost complete my website. I've spent almost 3 months in Holland, Hans hast taken me everywhere, been to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Prague and tasted all sorts of new food, like the Dutch Herring, would you believe they eat it raw here (that was my initiation). I've worn all sorts of shoes like the traditional clogs (ha ha ha), as you can see in the photo (it is quite comfy though!!) This is my last night here, my flight leaves at 10:30 am. I'm not looking forward to going back to South Africa, I'm hoping to return to Holland soon, in time for Christmas. I must admit, I really love the Dutch culture, even though my command of the Dutch language is improving daily, thanks to my future mother in law!! Hopefully soon, I will be able to speak Dutch fluently.