A M S T E R D A M P

Around Town: Winter Highlights

2012-01-21T11:40:00.003+01:00

Early in December I was invited to attend the opening of the Cinedans Festival at Cinema de Balie. Absolutely delightful array of dance films from all over the world. A film director friend and I were extremely impressed and inspired.

This Sunday you can see the highlights of the festival at the Rialto Theater from 13-17:00. *Highly recommended.

**Submission of your films for Cinedans Festival 2012 is from 1 Feb-1 June 2012. See the website for details.

Slideluck Potshow Amsterdam II
@ Pakhuis de Zijger

The other night I stepped out to check out this new phenomenon that started in NYC. The Slideluck Potshow started when an artist got together with fellow artists to look at work and share some food. Now in 40 cities around the world! This was Amsterdam's second one and it was sold out. The food was judged by Elle Eten (you get a spread in their mag with your winning recipe.) This year's winner Stampot Sliders! The slideshows are curated and all were set to music. FUN! Check it. 5 bucks and a home cooked meal/dessert gets you in the door. Become a member on their NETWORK and stay connected to other photographers around the world.
*Next Slideluck Potshow: 04 June 2012!

Best Ski Holiday: Breuil Cervinia, Italia

We went skiing earlier this month at this fantastic little town in Italy at the almighty Mattehorn. Our "Inn" (not swanky, but comfortable), Hotel Grivola, is famous for their restaurant and apparently people come from all over the mountain for their food. All of our meals were included except lunch. Wow, what food! Every night a 3 course meal with wine and every morning a delicious breakfast spread with endless cappuccinos. On New Year's Eve they served us a fancy 10 course meal with wines. It was amazing! At midnight everyone in the restaurant got firecrackers and a bottle if champagne and we all spilled onto the street and celebrated. Super, super cool. Oh yes, and the skiing is also GREAT I hear. (I don't ski, I just apres ski all day long. HEAVEN.)

I leave with some images of the Delectable Delights that I had in Italy. YUM!

Today in Amsterdam . . .

2012-01-13T16:10:00.000+01:00

De Bijenkorf (The Beehive)

2011-12-25T10:22:00.000+01:00

Every year I do all of my Christmas shopping at the Bij. I love the GLAMOUR and TRADITION of the fancy department store, the promise of desires fulfilled with their enticing WINDOW DRESSINGS! Definitely go see the Bij windows now! Everything is moving and sparkling. Spectacular!
p.s. The new BIJ WEBSHOP is awesome with next day delivery.

May ALL Your Dreams Come True in 2012!

Have a Magical New Year!

Merry Christmas!

VIDEO: CALIFORNIA GIRL DANCING ZUMBA & NEW CLASS ANNOUNCEMENT

2011-12-11T11:44:00.066+01:00

ZUMBA TEAZER, The Hub, 25 Nov 2011

It was a FAB evening at The Hub's 3yr Anniversary Party! We did a ZUMBA TEAZER and had lots of fun making/drinking MARGARITAS and DANCING the night away. Big shout out to everyone that danced with me!

N E W C L A S S S T A R T I N G A T T H E H U B:

Z E N - 2 - Z U M B A

Mindful Movement w/California Girl (CG)

STARTS 15 JAN 2012

SUN 11:30-13:00

Meet T, Free Class & Sign Up:

WINTER SOLSTICE

22 DEC 2011

18:00-19:30

CG CLASS SCHEDULE

Teresa Hulst AKA California Girl (CG), a Native American Healer from San Francisco, California and owner of the very successful "Acupressure Massage Therapy", where she practiced Massage Therapy and Alternative Medicine for over 10 years, is now teaching Zumba dance classes!

The class will start with "Zen" grounding and stretching exercises to manage stress and its effect on the body, with particular attention to neck & back pain, and then progress to "Zumba", a Latin dance based fitness program, which is highly effective in burning calories and slimming the waistline. Learn basic Latin dance steps and other dance styles. GET GROUNDED, LOSE WEIGHT & HAVE FUN!

IT'S TIME TO GET YOUR GROOVE ON!

T dancing w/Tatiana and making Margaritas

The Hub, 25 Nov 2011

Zumba Teazer & Fall Highlights

2011-11-15T10:21:00.012+01:00

I am dancing like a maniac beginning to teach at Dans-dansen every Mon & Fri morning and preparing for my big Zumba Teazer debut at The Hub Amsterdam's 3 Year Annivesary Party on 25 Nov 2011. It is exciting and wonderful and along with showing some Zumba moves I am also going to teach the good people of the The Hub how to make Margaritas, which always help in loosening up the hips! Interested in having your own private Zumba Party? Contact California Girl for details!
(Image Above: Thames River, London 2011)

FALL HIGHLIGHTS

Guy Garvey

ELBOW @ Heineken Music Hall: Last night the lead singer of Elbow, Guy Garvey, lit up the stage with his magnanimous charm and incredible voice. What talent! He made us laugh, he made us SING! Elbow is a very talented group of musicians who said they have been playing music together now for 20 years! The Dutch went crazy and sang them Happy Birthday first in English and then in Dutch. He was stunned and impressed and, I think, flabbergasted. Definitely pick up their new album: "Build a Rocket Boys!" and I personally really love the album "The Seldom Seen Kid" of 2008. Check it.

Alex Turner singing "505", London O2 2011

ARCTIC MONKEYS @ the big O2 in London. I flew to London a few weekends ago to go see Alex Turner on his own turf. It was fantastic to be in a crowd of people who could properly sing along (and understand) his lyrics. Absolutely everyone knew all the words. What impressed me most, however, was how many parents were there with their kids. Kids of all ages were happily grooving along with their parents to the Monkeys insane guitar licks! It was Halloween weekend as well . . . let's just say getting back to the hotel was an adventure replete with drunken ghouls and zombies in the Underground. Check out their new album, "Suck it and See", which is already being heralded as "album of the year" in some circles. They are currently touring in the UK and France.

The Unilever Series by Tacita Dean, Tate Modern, London 2011

The TATE MODERN in London was looking a bit dark and daunting at the entrance, all part of setting the stage for "The Unilever Series" by Tacita Dean (above). It was a Saturday afternoon and very busy at the Tate with lots of Sunday strollers, but what I enjoyed most was viewing Diane Arbus' famous "Portfolio of 10" up close and personal. I never get tired of her haunting images. I feel as though she asks more questions than she answers with her photographs. Definitely worth seeing.


"Identical Twins". Roselle, NJ 1967 by Diane Arbus

California Girl "Where to Chill in Amsterdam?"

2011-09-25T09:11:00.000+02:00

Easy Jet selected A M S T E R D A M P for their "Ultimate Amsterdam Blogger List 2011" and then approached CG to write a guest blog post for their "Amsterdam Series".

If you are interested in where to go to relax in Mokum, please read "Where to Chill in Amsterdam." A few favorites from De Pijp are included.

Check it and ENJOY your Sunday!

Back to School w/Zumba Dance Classes

2011-09-15T11:58:00.009+02:00

Am so excited about the Back to School atmosphere around town. It's time to get back into things, be productive and full of purpose. Wanna know what I'm gonna do? Teach ZUMBA DANCE CLASSES!!

I have been studying Zumba for over a year (and Latin dancing my whole life) and I got certified as an Instructor last May. Then, I traveled around for the summer sampling Zumba classes in SF and NY. Now it's time to get the class going at last! I have been looking for a studio to rent and have been asking my dance teachers about maybe teaching at their locations.

Success! Dans-dansen.nl is going to give me a chance to get my groove on! Am going to start by teaching "numbers" in class and then work up to having my own class. The studio is conveniently located in the Pijp at:

Ceintuurbaan 73
1072 EW Amsterdam
Tel: 020-7796770

Look for me every Monday at 10:00 and Friday at 10:30, and sometimes in the evening classes. I will be either sweating it out in class with Michele or Celestine (teachers), or soon, teaching myself.

Stay posted about Zumba by T, Zumba Parties and Zumba Workshops on my page at the Zumba.com network, on the Dans-dansen.nl roster and here on A M S T E R D A M P of course.

Put on your dancing shoes.

I T ' S T I M E T O G E T Y O U R D I V A O N.

See you in class!

Alex's New Quiff

2011-09-05T14:38:00.004+02:00

Am away for a few short weeks and come back to find out Alex is SINGLE and has a NEW DO, a quiff coiffe. Am sad the moppy Beatles look is gone, but now we can see his eyes. A little Elvis is Excellent on Alex.

(Who's gonna be the lucky girl now?)

SURVIVING HURRICANE IRENE

2011-08-31T16:20:00.006+02:00

When I planned my annual trip to NYC, I never dreamed that fate would have me literally right in the eye of the worst storm the Eastern Board had seen since 1821. It was the first time in the history of NYC that all transportation came to a standstill.

We had thought it would be relaxing to spend some time visiting friends on their gorgeous and ample estate in CT and then traipse over to the city for a few days before coming back to wrap up our summer tour. Even when I saw the reports about the hurricane, I honestly didn't believe that it would affect me. I assumed that my family and friends would be safe and that actually, the storm would bypass us altogether. However, I did not count on the fact that in reality that damn Irene would test my faith and instead cruise directly overhead as I was trapped in a house, thankfully on a rock, surrounded by falling trees, one of which, a giant 400 year old oak, would fall RIGHT NEXT TO MY BED and rip out the power, water and septic tank, not to mention, block our getaway car.

Long Island Sound

I had been lying in bed at dawn greatly anticipating what the reports had been saying would be the time the storm would probably start approaching our location, with estimated flooding occurring at high tide on Sunday morning (28 Sept 2011) on Long Island Sound not far from where I was staying. I had axed plans to go to NY and stay at the Thompson LES Hotel (where am writing from) due to the fact that it's location was precisely in the center of Evacuation Zones A & B, which were due to flood in a worst case scenario. Although, not scared or fearful, I made the choice after my son wisely said, "Why don't we just stay here and have a Hurricane Party and then go to the city after Irene leaves town?" (He just turned 7 BTW.)

I awoke about 04:30 am to high winds and rain and I wondered if I had indeed made the right choice. As I looked out the sparsely covered windows, the trees were whirling around like Sufi dancers and I was amazed that they could bend so much without snapping in half. I checked that the power was still on and grabbed my iPad where I had downloaded a great app called "Hurricane HD" that tracks hurricanes in great detail. I was wondering if somehow the hurricane had gained speed and was indeed upon us sooner than the 14:00 hour/2pm prediction. At that moment, the storm had not yet gotten to NY, but was clearly shouting her impending arrival.


NYC Evacuation Map for Hurricane Irene

Suddenly, lightening brightened the dark madness with ever blinking repetition. My child, sleeping in the same room, awoke and I said something lame like, "Don't worry, its not a big deal." to which he replied "It is a HUGE deal." and that is when we heard the most tremendous thunder, followed by immediate ravenous lightening. Right then the power flickered a few times, causing all the devices to blow and whistle and then it went out completely. I called my son to my bed and our small family cuddled together. I figured if we were going to go down, we would go together. The rain was pounding furiously all around us. I covered my son's eyes, but mine were glued on the dancing oaks. I prayed and tried to sleep, hoping the whole matter might just disappear while I dreamt of something else. The only sound was the rain and lightening, but I heard no more thunder. Strange, they normally go together. I forced my eyes closed.

I fell asleep for awhile and had many strange dreams as I had been having every night for 3 nights running. The dreamscape looped around fear and strange angry animals running wildly around the house. Nightmares of fear, but not my own. I think I picked up on the worries of the entire surrounding area and they all manifested into a devilish concoction of seething madness presented to me in colorful and creepy images. I had to remain in constant connection with my own divinity to stay grounded in faith and not succumb to what I was "watching". I believe I was taking a psychic temperature of NY and CT and it was troubling to see.

About an hour or so later I awoke and went to pee. The restroom had a tiny window covered partially in ivy in front of which stood a giant oak. I would enjoy looking at the intricate bark each time I sat there, but wait, the oak was gone. I stood up and peered out of the window. It had not been thunder, but the giant old oak that had fallen and made that thunderous sound that had awakened my child. Bloody Hell. How was it that it had not fallen on my head? I ran outside in the pouring rain. There it lay, blissfully resting in the seemingly gentle shower. It had carefully avoided the house, the car, the truck and the other trees. As if it said, "I am tired, may I lay my weary head here?"

I ran upstairs and alerted our friends and we gazed out the window, amazed and impressed . . . and grateful.

Shortly afterward, we heard that the storm was over NY and later, that the worst was over. I took a shower in the rain and said a prayer of thanks. The sky broke and the sun dried my hair. We went for a walk and surveyed the forest. Fallen trees, snapped trees and fallen branches littered the ground. We walked to town to a small cafe and found out that most people in our area had power and water and that no one was hurt. It was a miracle. When we returned, there were men already clearing the trees on the driveway. It took 3 men with chainsaws 2 hours to make a path for our vehicle to get through the old oak.

Our friends are going to mill the old oak and make furniture from it so as to always keep it with them wherever they go.

The Giant Old Oak, my room lower right.

Further down the driveway, a younger fallen tree.

The men clearing the driveway. View from the kitchen window, above my room.

Around Town - Summer Highlights

2011-07-24T21:38:00.013+02:00

I know, I KNOW. It's been bloody AGES. I have been running around at WARP SPEED plus doing lots of kidstuff. Here are some highlights from the past few whirlwind weeks. From here on out though, I will be reporting to you from SAN FRANCISCO and NEW YORK. Have a FAB Summer!

(Above: The quintessential California Girl. BTW: That's my beach in California i.e. Stinson Beach and I got married by that tree in Bolinas : )

Het Rozentheater

Dans-dansen @ Het Rozentheater
Michele Vernout opened her studio, Dans-dansen, last year in the Pijp. I have been taking Zumba classes with Michele and participating in Zumba Parties. She has also been teaching children and adults of all ages (boys too) in various dance styles. Her students performed at Het Rozentheater in Amsterdam and I photographed the entire event. I was highly impressed with the sheer extent of the program. choreography and the great performances. You can see my images at: MY GALLERY.

Adam Fields

Adam Fields @ Comedy Theater de Nes - Rokin, Amsterdam
Adam Fields was the headliner last Saturday night at Comedy Theater de Nes, which is a charming venue and hosts International Comedy (= ALL ENGLISH!). It was a rainy, rainy night and attendance was not at full capacity. The opening acts were lackluster and a bit too focused on Dutch Bashing (a favorite pastime amongst expats), with the exception of the presenter who had us in tears in between acts. By the time Adam came on he had to try to cheer a rather dull crowd (present company excluded). Adam has a gentle way of persuading you into a laugh. First a joke that allows a smile to emerge, then another causing serious chuckling, and finally, at the risk of serious embarrassment, you find yourself in full guffaw. Check it.

Amsterdam Flamenco School @ Het Werkteater
Teresa Jaldon came to Holland and set up her own Flamenco School. I have done a few workshops with Teresa and I have enjoyed it so much that I will be studying with her in the Fall. Teresa put on a typical Spanish style end-of-year show at the Werkteater in Amsterdam with all of her students. Particularly of note: Jose Soberone, who is an elegant and dramatic dancer. Teresa is charming and engaging. She has a lot of fire and makes dance FUN. She also sings. Flamenco anyone?

Jamie Woon

Karen Clark - Pilates in the Park
Karen Clark was a professional dancer and now gives Pilates classes at Studio Porcelijn in the Pijp. A lot of dancers train with her. I highly recommend this class for toning and stretching. She calls her class Dynamic Flow. An excellent way to keep the abs strong and Pilates can completely eliminate back pain if you are diligent. Karen also teaches at the back end of the Vondelpark on Sundays. An excellent way to get your ME time in before a busy family day.

Pitch Festival - Het Westergasfabriek
This is a relatively new Amsterdam summer event. Het Westergasfabriek is a fantastic venue and there was a free an easy vibe all day, although I was only there for the Sunday afternoon. We spent most of our time waiting for and then watching British singer-songwriter Jamie Woon, who had dedicated fans crowding the floor and swaying to his special sound. Crystal Fighters and Little Dragon were also great fun. See the lineup here PROGRAM and add it to your agenda for next year!

Tuschinski Theater (ceiling)

Pina, by Wim Wenders @ Pathe Tushinski
Wim Wenders wanted to make a film about the reknowned Pina Bausch, but she died right before filming began. Everyone was crushed, but they decided to continue filming anyway. This movie is a touching tribute to Pina and her work, at times mesmermizing, at times utterly heart-wrenching as the dancers in her company express their grief and loss of such a profoundly talented woman. Currently playing at the Pathe Tuschinski in Amsterdam.

Walibi World
Need something fun to do with the kids? I had never been to Walibi World, but had driven by it a thousand times back forth from the In-Laws. We took a death-defying 23 children on an old yellow school bus for my son's 7th birthday party. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. Seriously good fun though! Due to the forecast of beastly rain (but it didn't rain! it was sunny!) the park was practically empty so we were able to go on the rides, over and over and over again.

***

The Arctic Monkeys Play the Paradiso

2011-06-24T23:59:00.089+02:00

Last night's show was a thrill! I got there early so I could get a seat on the balcony. I wanted to get a good look at ALEX and photograph everything. The show opened with Library Pictures off their new album SUCK IT AND SEE and the crowd went WILD forming an instant swarming mash pit replete with scary head dives. It felt like a cult crowd. (I sat between two guys that also knew every word to every song.)

The band was tight as usual and that drummer, (Matt Helders) is INSANE. I mean, INSANE. The new album seems mature, a little more settled and of extremely high quality. I think Alex Turner (Songwriter, Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar, ) is a musician's musician, but Alex is getting really comfortable with the idea of being a ROCKSTAR, which he should, cuz he is. (Don't you just love Rockstars when they are talented?)

The Monkeys rocked that old church to the rafters. I was laughing when I thought of the kind of music that was probably originally played there . . . monkeys and angels. I love it!

SETLIST
*Songs from the new album are shown in italics.

Library Pictures
Brainstorm
This House is a Circus
Still Take You Home
Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair
Pretty Visitors
Teddy Picker
Crying Lightening
Brick By Brick
Black Treacle
Cornerstone
The View From the Afternoon
I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor
All My Own Stunts
If You Were There, Beware
Do Me a Favour
She's Thunderstorms

When The Sun Goes Down

ENCORE

The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala

Fluorescent Adolescent

505

Add caption

The Arctic Monkeys Bus next to the Paradiso

*All Photos Copyright TDM Hulst 2011

Lose Weight with LIME!

2011-06-22T16:02:00.009+02:00

I LOVE lime! Every week I traipse over to Gall & Gall and buy a 6 pack of 1.5 liter bottles of SPA ROOD* ("Red Spa" = sparkling water) and a couple of bags of ice. Then I go to my favorite green grocer and stock up on limes, I buy half a case at a time usually. Now I am fully supplied to make my favorite refreshment:
Sparkling Water on ice w/1/2 a Lime Squeeze.

If you are looking for an easy way to lose weight, this simple drink will help and it is very refreshing. Lime (and lemon) aid in cutting fat and help clean out the body. Lime is excellent for "skin care, good digestion, constipation, eye care, and treatment of scurvy, piles, peptic ulcer, respiratory disorders, gout, gums, urinary disorders and much more." (See Health Benefits of Lime.)

I have been indulging in my Spa w/Lime drink for over a year and I have noticed a marked change in my digestion and skin, as well as definite weight loss. Drink as much as you like, as the body naturally disposes of any excess Vitamin C and you can never have too much water. Did you know that water also aids in weight loss? The more you drink, the more the body can flush. If you are bloated** and puffy it is because the body is desperately holding on to any water it has, so drink more water and get rid of the excess. (I normally drink about 1-1.5 liters a day starting after lunch.) Lekker, lekker, lekker!

Tips: Make sure when you buy citrus to always look for the smoothest, thinnest skin, so you will get the juiciest oranges, limes and lemons! Also make sure to really squeeze all the juice out of the lime (use your fingers) and then throw the lime in your glass for maximum benefit. I also love limey cocktails such as Margaritas or Gin & Tonics. (I would love to learn how to make Caipirinha & Mohitos for this summer! Does anyone have a good recipe?)

*You can also use Spa Blauw (Blue Spa = still water) or tap water if its good.
** If you are bloated, e.g. due to pregnancy, go to the swimming pool or any body of water. The water pressure will help remove excess water in the body. Salt water is best! Try the Marnixbad in the Jordaan! You will need to pee a lot and be very thirsty afterward, which is GREAT! Keep the water flowing!

What is Zumba?

2011-06-19T11:01:00.006+02:00

Have a look at these Zumba videos to give you an idea of what to expect when you go to a Zumba class! It is high energy and very, very fun. You will not feel like you are working out. If we do a Zumba Party or Workshop, we can add margaritas to the mix and have some real fun. Let's do it!!

People are asking me when I will be teaching and where . . . am looking for a studio space in Amsterdam!! I want to create a California Vibe here in the Pijp, preferably on wooden floors with lots of space and light. Send me an email if you know of anything. Meanwhile, I will be taking as many classes as possible in A'dam and in California/NY. See you in class!

Zumba in Nightclubs

"Caipirinha" by Zumba Instructors all over the world

L.A. Diary: A Morning Jog thru Palisades Park

2011-06-16T23:15:00.008+02:00

A morning workout, a double espresso, a little networking, a big salad, some beach or pool time, a spa treatment, a high powered dinner meeting, cocktails with a view, a nightcap in the hot tub . . .
I LOVE L.A.!!

(and I will miss you)

The last day I was in L.A. I made this quick series of images as I went for a jog north of California & Ocean Ave. where my hotel was. There is always morning fog in California . . . a perfect time for a workout. I used to spend a lot of time on this little strip of Santa Monica called "Palisades Park", which overlooks PCH (Pacific Coast Highway or HWY 1) and Santa Monica State Beach. (p.s. Did you know that only one kind of palm tree is native to California ?)

Excellent accommodations at the Fairmont on Ocean Ave btwn California & Wilshire.

The Annenberg Community Beach House through the trees below.

A California Girl

L.A. Woman w/Dog & Mobile

Pilates Alfesco

Looking South w/Santa Monica Pier in the distance.

California Girls w/Radio doing Aerobic workout.

Possible Starlett training with very strict Trainer.

Looking North towards Malibu, PCH in the foreground.


Whenever I see vibrant bougainvillea, I feel at home.

Marion Davies Guest House

2011-06-11T21:56:00.037+02:00

At the height of the Hollywood Golden Age, glamorous Marion Davies, famed actress and infamous mistress to media mogul William Randolph Hearst (of Hearst Castle) built a stunning 118 room beach "cottage" on what is now Pacific Coast Highway (PCH).

Davies and Hearst would host lavish celebrity parties which included Hollywood's brightest stars including Clark Cable, Cary Grant, Joan Crawford, Gloria Swanson and Charlie Chaplin to name a few.


The Guest House restored

The gorgeous beachfront property designed by Julia Morgan, also architect of the Hearst Castle, was razed in the 1950's to make way for a "modern" hotel, which ironically was never built. (See below)

All that remains of the original home is the guest house and the swimming pool now lovingly restored due to a generous $21m gift by the philanthropist Wallis Annenberg who played there as a child.

The public is now welcome to enjoy volleyball, tennis courts, cafe, playground and swimming pool.

The Annenberg Community Beach House is the only such facility on the California coast that doesn't require membership. You may visit the Guest House and have a full tour at no charge. The pool opens mid-late June. Yoga classes also available. See the website for current activities and time schedules.

The Original Pool

Annenberg Community Beach House

415 Pacific Coast Highway

Santa Monica State Beach, California

www.annenbergbeachhouse.com

+1 310 458 4904

*Also available for private events.

The Marion Davies Beach House


The Marion Davies Beach House - Rear View


Hearst & Davies

Ask the Rocker

2011-06-11T00:59:00.007+02:00

I met "Ask the Rocker"at the foot of the Santa Monica Pier as he was ordering corn dogs. Apparently, he has a website where you can ask him anything and he will answer in song on a video. So before I knew who he was, I asked him, "Are you famous? Are you a musician? Am I supposed to know who you are?" (Wonder if I will get a video?) Check out: www.asktherocker.com and post your question.

California Girl in L.A.!

2011-06-07T06:15:00.004+02:00

CG will be in Los Angeles this week visiting her old stomping grounds in Santa Monica Beach. Will report live! Am on the lookout for movie stars, great food, fashion and a little R&R.

Above: Santa Monica Pier looking north, June 2010.

California Girl is a Zumba Instructor!

2011-05-30T18:03:00.008+02:00

Front Row Divas @ Zumba Certification Weekend

We did it! Was a fabulously fun weekend at Zumba Instructor training with Lars in Utrecht who gave us the name "Front Row Divas." We killed it. Congrats!!
BTW: These girls are HALF my age!!

Memoires d'Oubliettes

2011-05-27T14:48:00.004+02:00

Last Saturday night I went to see the famous Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT) perform RECONSIDER, a 3 part performance at Het Muziektheater Amsterdam.

Jiří Kylián's Mémoires d’Oubliettes was absolutely stunning and all the dancers that I went with were equally impressed. The choreography was complex, fascinating and perfectly executed. The music was haunting and eery. The additional sound effects and video were amazing and did not detract from the dancing. I would highly recommend seeing this show!

The other two pieces, Underneath by Medhi Walerski and Forgotten Land, an early work also by Kylián were also noteworthy, but Mémoires d’Oubliettes was definitely the showstopper.

(Apparently, our Dutch Queen takes the NDT with her when she travels and presents them as a "gift" abroad.)

Go to the NDT website to see an excerpt from Mémoires d’Oubliette. You can also find their schedule of performances. ****Highly recommended.

As there was no photography allowed during the performance, I leave you with some images of Het Muziektheater Amsterdam where the performance took place.

Het Muziektheatre entrance.

Definitely go to the Champagne Bar.


The Orchestra

CC Muziekcafe - LIVE MUSIC IN THE PIJP!

2011-05-25T11:25:00.006+02:00

There is a new live music cafe in the Pijp! "CC Muziekcafe"

The other night my husband and I were strolling along and there it was! We popped in and had a word with the owner. Every night there is a different genre of music to delight the senses. Open Mic as well!

This is a fantastic new addition to the neighborhood and I would highly recommend checking it out.

I haven't had a chance to go yet myself, but I will. See you there?

The Little Hawk That Sits By (@ The Hub Amsterdam)

2011-05-21T14:51:00.005+02:00

Last night I met "Little Hawk" of the MicMac tribe of Nova Scotia, a Native American Indian who came to The Hub to enlighten us about the Indian ways. Actually, his full name is: "Little Hawk That Sits By, Still Waters Run Deep.

He spoke about being one with nature, honoring our ancestors, treasuring Mother Earth and Father Sky and Great Spirit. He played his flute, he sang his songs, he showed us his instruments, he told us to not waste and that eating organically is very good for us. We danced in a traditional Indian circle. We laughed. Mostly though, Little Hawk touched me.

I went up to him after his "show" and told him I was looking for my tribe. He looked deep in my eyes and took my hand. My hands which are always hot, got even hotter. He understood I was a healer. I understood that when I got the message to find my tribe, that crossing paths with Little Hawk would be my first step.

I took that step last night.

He closed his eyes when he took my hand, and we took my mother's hands. I felt my right hand, the one he was holding, getting very, very hot. When he opened his eyes he said, "White Mountain Apache". I am proud to know that and am on the trail, so to speak.

Thank you Little Hawk!

Little Hawk is performing more shows at THE HUB through June 2011. Check it out!

AND The Hub shares the same old school building as Moooi Design on the Westerstraat
I leave you with examples of premium DUTCH DESIGN:

Am goin' to the Arctic Monkeys!

2011-05-14T12:32:00.022+02:00

Yeah baby, am goin'!!

I got online right at 10:00 on Ticketmaster.nl and opened a gazillion windows and waited for 10 minutes for the lines to open and then BANG! I entered my info and hit go (usually this is a good sign, if you can't even enter the info, they are already sold out). Then I had to wait, watching that impossible bloody bar thing tell me how much longer I had to wait. Bloody HELL.

After an e t e r n i t y, I was able to get through only to find out it was SOLD OUT!

H O R R O R !

G r i e f . . .

and then, almighty WILL!

I went back online. Am going and that's IT, I said to myself. (I had been envisioning myself at the concert singing and dancing and smiling . . . I wasn't able to let go of that image.)

I typed in "Arctic Monkeys Paradiso*" and hit send hopefully, and rather harshly.

Up popped the RANG 1 website and I got 2 tickets!
(Okay, I paid MORE, but I D O N ' T C A R E .)

See you at the show!

Paradiso, Amsterdam

*The Paradiso in Amsterdam (see image) is an old church turned music venue in Amsterdam near the Leidseplein. Fabulous sound and I have often heard musicians say (on stage) that it is their favorite place in the world to play. Check it.

p.s. More about Alex Turner, see "I Love Alex!"
p.s.s. There is a special on the Arctic Monkeys tonight at 11:50 on BBC2.

"Brick by Brick"
Suck it and See 2011

"Don't Sit Down Cuz I Moved Your Chair"
Suck it and See 2011

ALEX TURNER
Singer/Songwriter

THE ORANGE INVASION: Queensday!

2011-04-30T19:10:00.004+02:00

It's Queensday and am not going to wax poetic about what it is or whose birthday it really is or what is going on around town. I didn't buy anything or sell anything. I was laying low this year, but did manage to take a stroll around the hood and make a few shots to get a sense of the atmosphere . . . you see when its Queensday I treat myself like a Queen, doin' whatever I want. Enjoy!

CRAVE: An Urban Girl’s Manifesto

2011-04-27T09:00:00.349+02:00

Last night California Girl went to a Crave Chat. "Crave: An Urban Girl's Manifesto" is a city guidebook where you can find the sorts of things that women c r a v e. You know. Cool Things. Great Things. Hip Things. Important Things. Fun Things. Not only things you want & need, but MUST HAVES!

Every month the women of Crave get together and discuss different topics that are interesting for female entrepreneurs running their own show. Last night the topic was "Know Your Niche". (What is a niche? A particular target group for your product or service.) The event was hosted by Isrid van Geunsof Is Works and it was held at the beautiful "Blue" cafe atop the Kalvertoren in Amsterdam.

I found it interesting how specific some of the women's niches were and how much the fashion industry was represented. Finding one's niche was described repeatedly as "having an itch" (that in turn needed to be scratched.) These women followed their instincts and against all odds created a product or service that either didn't exist previously or that targeted a specific audience. The speakers last night were the owners of: Are You Swedish? (cool design from Sweden), Vovnjau (luxury pet items for cats & dogs), Katie's Cookies (organic cookie sandwiches you can buy online and have delivered anywhere in Holland ) & Villa Sophia (empowering women in the workplace).

It was an inspirational evening and it was fun hearing about people's processes and listening to their stories. Many of the women actually started in more traditional business arenas before throwing in the towel and starting their own businesses. These women were savvy, stylish and inspiring.

Some quotes:

"If you have a (business) card, you can at least start."

"What you are looking for is already there, you just haven't seen it yet."

"People are still afraid of the internet, but it's easy."

"If you take yourself seriously, other people will too."

"Follow your instincts."

I highly recommend reading the Crave website and blog for more information, and if you are like California Girl and need to get out once in awhile, a Crave Chat is a perfect way to network, socialize and develop yourself and your business.

Check out these links:
http://www.astridelisee.com/
http://www.brownclothes.eu/
http://inoost.nl/
http://www.latrib.nl/
http://www.madreperla.nl/
http://www.mysweetshoe.nl/
http://www.tincpr.com/
http://www.timessence.eu/
http://vorstin.nl/
http://www.yoska.nl/

p.s. Thank you Melody Biringer for starting Crave in Seattle and branching out from the states to Europe!

WHAM! Brazilian Wax, Martini & Manicure

2011-04-21T19:45:00.059+02:00

California Girl, Sexy Mama and Miss Thing decided to have a day out. They decided that it would be good to look good with the good weather and all.

It all started when Miss Thing proclaimed that one could find a Brazilian Wax in A'dam. For the record, I am personally not a big fan of waxing as I have super-duper ridiculously sensitive skin. (Once I had an upper lip wax which not only left me with a hideously disfiguring RASH for 3 weeks, but also left me riddled with the gripping fear that it would never go away.)

So, I clicked on the link Miss Thing sent me and was happily surprised at The Waxing Company's fun website. *Click on "onze menukaart" to see cute little pictures from which you (or yours) can choose your fate. Still, I wasn't totally convinced that it was the right thing for ME. "They don't use STRIPS!" insisted Miss Thing. I dared not think of what they used instead because from what I can tell from the pics they weren't leaving much behind whatever the technique. I forwarded the link to Sexy Mama and SHE LOVED IT. Yep, she loved it so much she said, "Let's make a day of it and go to Martini & Manicure as well!"

The Waxing Company
I figured that if I could survive THE WAX, then large quantities of strong cocktails would be in order. So, I agreed to the event, which we decided to call WMM! (pronounced WHAM!) in honor of the Full Brazilian, which some people I know were opting for.

The Waxing Company Menukaart

Now, on the day before our WMM! event I learned that BOTH Miss Thing AND Sexy Mama had CANCELLED their appointments! WTF?! As if I were going to be the only one writhing in pain. "NO, No, No!" California Girl whined into the phone to Sexy Mama. She understood and promptly cancelled ALL the wax appointments and changed the event title to "MMmmm", which sounded MUCH better and it was also fun to say. (By the way, Sexy Mama is REALLY good at event planning and social networking.)

Therefore, I cannot personally rate this treatment, but from what I can tell, Sexy Mama and Miss Thing don't seem to have any complaints and are repeat customers.

Bo5*: Martini & Manicure
*pronounced Bo Cinq
Every third Saturday of the month, Bo 5 hosts Martini & Manicure in their cocktail lounge. From what I gathered this is apparently a HOT SPOT in town, located in the heart of the Leidseplein area.

Bo5 Lounge

We entered Bo5 promptly at 14:30. It is very, very dark inside. (In fact, it was so very dark that California Girl was forced to take off her sunglasses.) The lounge is very retro cool and feels very night clubby. You can instantly imagine tête à têtes between flirty girls and buffed up guys while the music beats in the background. We, however, were the only patrons at that early hour, except for our 3 young female manicurists whom were enthusiastically awaiting our arrival.

We sat down and the cocktail menu arrived. MMmmm indeed. On offer:
Cosmopolitan (Vodka, Cranberry, Lime)
Raspberry Martini (Vodka Raspberry)
Flirtini (Vodka/Cranberry/Pineapple)
Bols Passion (Passionfruit/Jenever),
Grape Martini (Vodka, Grape and Chardonnay)
James Bond Martini (Shaken NOT Stirred)
Espresso Martini (Vodka, Khalua, Espresso)
Chocolate Love (Baileys, Frangelico, Cream and Chocolate Sauce)
Gays 'n Girls (Vanilla Stoli, Bols Apple, Tequila, Cream, Maple Syrup)

I had a Cosmo as usual and Sexy Mama had a Raspberry Martini and then Miss Thing engaged in a rather lengthy chat with the very handsomely sculpted BARTENDER about her alcohol-free Special Order. (Miss Thing LOVES to make Special Orders, which is how she got her name. Miss Thing likes to be Special.)

The Manicurists

At one point I was wondering how the manicurists were able to do their work as it was definitely very dark for nail treatments (definitely better than the sterile glare of most places, but still HARD TO SEE.) They did have itsy bitsy teeny weeny blue laser lamps. (I personally find it scary to have people with sharp objects doing things to your person in the dark.) The cocktails arrived while we were all fussing about our nail colors (CG=neutral glimmering pink, SM=dark reddish black, MT=matte lavender). Miss Thing got a very delicious strawberry, basil, mint, cranberry concoction from THE BARTENDER which she SWORE didn't need alcohol. "Uh-huh," said California Girl, "W h a t - e v e rr" as she guzzled her Cosmo. "That is NOT a cocktail, that is a SMOOTHIE" she said in her Miss Know it All voice.

Bo5 Vanity area upstairs.

We spent the better part of the next hour gabbing and enjoying our manicures and cocktails. The young manicurists did a fine job, although we all felt that had they been able to see a bit better, they would have probably done a better job. There were a few little mistakes, but overall we had a FAB time.

What I enjoyed the most was sitting by the window on the canal entrance to Bo5, having MORE cocktails and letting our nails dry. Miss Thing did, of course, require another Special Order, which was fine as we were all able to gaze admiringly at THE BARTENDER while simultaneously slurping our drinks and licking our nails.

Bo5
Prinsengracht 494 or
Lange Leidsedwarstraat 53-59
Leidseplein, Amsterdam
For reservations: T +31.20.622.0682

Treatment Rating: ***
Cocktail Rating ***
Barman ****
Design***

Sexy Mama, Bo5 2011

"You can lick your nails to see if they are dry" says Miss Thing.


View from the Prinsengracht entrance to Bo5

ZUMBA PARTY! Ladies Night @ dans-dansen

2011-04-07T15:00:00.018+02:00

Am gettin' ready to dance and bartend again at the dans-dansen studio!

08 April 2011

19:30 - 90 mins of Zumba!

(immediately followed by my MARGARITAS)

See you there?

T

p.s. Am getting certified as an instructor next month!

C A L I F O R N I A G I R L (CG)

New York, I Love YOU!

2011-04-06T21:04:00.006+02:00

Am just back from the Big, Bad APPLE and it is so bloody exciting, I can hardly contain myself.

There is nothing like being in New York City, struttin' down the street doin' your thang, watchin' everyone else doin' their thang . . . so I wrote a song:

You Gonna Know My Name
by T. Hulst, 6 April 2011

New York City,
city of taxis,
city that never sleeps,
throbbing heartbeat city.
where everything 's possible

(and the pastrami on rye is to die for)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK, dream your dream there, live your dream there,
name in lights, where the stars go and the homeless hold out their hopeful paper cups . . .
(whisper) city loud, city bright, city scary in the night

New York City, where people tell it like it is,
cuz they're just tryin' to make a buck,
yeah, they're just tryin' to survive
can you feel the heart beat, can you feel the buzz?

New York, the big bad city, the best city in the world,
I wanna make it there, yeah, I wanna make it there
and I'm gonna try, yeah, am gonna try

New York, I love you.
I want to get to know you
am gonna scan your city streets,
gonna lick your plate clean
gonna make my way there,
gonna find my way there

yeah New York, you gonna know my name,
yeah, you gonna KNOW my name,
yeah baby, but first, let's just have a love affair,
yeah, I just wanna have a love affair

(whisper) NEW YORK, NEW YORK, dream your dream there, live your dream there,
name in lights, where the stars go and the homeless sleep outside . . .
New York City . . . scary city in the night

New York, I LOVE you.
I want to get to know you
am gonna scan your city streets,
gonna lick your plate clean
gonna make my way there,
gonna find my way there

yeah, New York, I wanna get to know you,
yeah, I wanna KNOW you,
and you gonna know my name,
yeah, you gonna know my name too,
but first, let's just have a love affair
yeah, I just wanna have a love affair

(and a pastrami on rye)

***

p.s. I swear, I didn't know about this film, but the night I got back it was playing on the film channel, it's awesome! Check it out "New York, I Love You": http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0808399/

p.s.s. Thanks to the troops at the W! (Esp. A & C)
Whatever/Whenever Rocks! How can I get one of those signs??

Church on Broadway, near Union Square, NY 2011

Broadway facing Soho, NY 2011

Hot Pastrami on Rye, NY 2011

Soho, NY 2011


Van Cleef & Arpels, Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum, NY 2011


NYC 2011

Amsterdam AKA "M O K U M"

2011-01-27T13:03:00.008+01:00

Today is Holocast Memorial Day.

Did you know that Amsterdam's nickname is "Mokum"? Mokum is a Yiddish word meaning "safe haven", derived from the Hebrew word "makom" meaning "place". Up until Holland was occupied during World War II and their Jewish neighborhoods destroyed, Jews lived relatively peacefully and without persecution in Amsterdam. Many Dutch harbored Jewish people, e.g Anne Frank, thus the reference to "safe haven". Above: Waterlooplein from the Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge) Mokum 2011 *Previously the Jewish Quarter. Jewish Musuem far left.

Magere Brug, Facing West. 2011

If you would like to learn more about this turbulent period in Dutch histroy, I would highly recommend two excellent films: Oorlogswinter (Winter in Wartime) and Zwartboek (Black Book). Both films have been highly acclaimed and are beautifully filmed.

Also, in 2009 Dutch NPS television aired a 9 series documentary about the history of the war named simply "De Oorlog" (The War). It clearly and elegantly (ala BBC) presents the story in an intriguing and informative fashion. The program was of course in Dutch, but worth it to find it subtitled or if you are advanced in the language, practice your Dutch and watch it in its original form.

Magere Brug on the Amstel River, Amsterdam 2011

(L' Hermitage Museum in the center background)

The story goes that 2 sisters who lived on either side of the bridge had the bridge built so that they could visit one another.

Evidence of Amsterdam's Jewish Heritage can be found in these renowned institutions:

"De Bij", Dec 2010

Joods Historisch Museum (Jewish Museum)

Anne Frankhuis (Anne Frank's Museum)

Portuguese-Israelite Synagogue

Tushinski Theatre, Dec 2010

Tushinski Theatre

De Bijenkorf

Metz & Co

Diamond Factory Gassan

Stadsarchief Amsterdam (Amsterdam City Archive)

TIP: See historical exhibits and buy cool books, images and posters at the Stadsarchief Amsterdam, located in the old ABN AMRO bank on the Vijzelstraat. They have made a cinema in the old bank vault! You can even find images of the building you are now living in! Check it out!


Jewish Museum, Mokum 2011

*All images Copyright, TDM Hulst, California Girl (CG) 2010

The Hellidays are over!

2011-01-18T17:11:00.011+01:00


Marching Into the New Year, Amsterdam 01/01/11

Happy New Year Everyone!

I survived the "hellidays" as my friend calls them. It's true, I didn't think I was gonna make it, but I did.

I have carved pumpkins (that's when it all started) and made ghost outfits on Halloween, lit lanterns and sung St. Marten songs while wandering around the Pijp in the pouring rain, cooked Thanksgiving dinner for Dutch friends and family, met De Sint at the boat when he arrived (in the pouring rain) from Spain and gone through heaps of carrots for that man and his bloody white horse, entertained friends & family for 5 weeks, written poems IN DUTCH and sped through the driving snow to the in-laws for Pakjes Avond, shopped till I dropped in NY & A'dam, baked cookies for Santa and HIS mangy team, attended many a holiday party (and drunk many a cocktail), gone on a fast train for a quick trip to gay Paris! and finally, with a snotty nose, for the first time ever, rang in the New Year with my 6 year old son in blazing Mokum.

Now after a 2 month hiatus, I am BACK . . .

and I got a BLOG AWARD TODAY!

Let's see what this year brings . . . I think it will be the best year EVER!

For now though, nose to the grindstone in the studio . . . I think California Girl is waking up!!

Merry Christmas from Amsterdam!

2010-12-25T01:50:00.000+01:00

ZOOM, ZOOM, ZUMBA!

2010-11-22T14:38:00.009+01:00

You may not know it, but I LOVE to dance.

Yep, used to dance all the time. In those days it wasn't called ZUMBA though, which is mostly Latin dances like salsa, samba, meringue etc. mixed in with various World dances such as African, Bellydance, Bollywood and others depending on the skill and creativity of the teacher.

Since I came to Holland I haven't been able to find dance classes in the morning. Dance here is normally taught at night, usually a bloody Monday night and you have to buy like 500 classes. (I prefer walk-in ability.) The gyms tend to have mostly yoga and Pilates classes in the morning or those repetitious, and somewhat nauseating, aerobics, steps or spinning classes. No, no, no. This Latin girl (yep am a Latin California Girl) needs some rhythm in her workout.

Enter Dans-dansen! A new dance studio in the Pijp which has loads of different classes from Jazz, Classic (Ballet), StreetDance, Zumba, Yoga and Pilates. Michele, the owner, also does personal training, private lessons and offers classes to both kids and 55+.

This Friday night there is a LADIES NIGHT PARTY! I will be there mixing up cocktails and shakin' my hips. There will also be a hairstylist, a nail stylist and a jewelry designer. It's just 5 EU to get in and cocktails are also 5 EU.

See you there!

LADIES NIGHT
Friday 26 Nov 19:00
Dans-dansen
Ceintuurbaan 73
(@Ferdinand Bolstraat by ABN)
020 779 6770

I LOVE ALEX!

2010-11-16T15:38:00.056+01:00


Alex Turner, Arctic Monkeys & Last Shadow Puppets

I love Alex because he can do this The Bakery

and this Brainstorm

and this Despair in the Departure Lounge

and this Fake Tales of San Francisco

and this Cornerstone

and this Mardy Bum

and because he writes all his own music and plays guitar like this Crying Lightening and this Dance Little Liar.

and because he enunciates all his words and has a magnificent voice

and he's witty, insightful and soulful as well as intense, dark and explosive.

I feel like I can relate to Alex.

Alex says things like "now that we're here, we mind as well go too far"

and "and I'm strugglin', I can't see through your fake tan . . . but I'd still take you home"

and "ALL YOU PEOPLE ARE VAMPIRES!"

and "she'll be saying use me, show me the jacuzzi"

and "I bet you look good on the dancefloor"

and "put on your dancing shoes, you dirty little swine"

and "all the pretty visitors came and waved their arms and cast the shadow of a snake pit on the wall"

and MY FAVE, 505 " . . . in my imagination you're waiting lying on your side, with your hand's between your thighs . . . and a smile."

and so many, many more like Secret Door, My Propeller and Choo Choo.

I think Alex is extremely talented, as are the rest of the Arctic Monkeys, obviously. (The drummer is insane.)

I love Alex.

I like him better with long hair.

I listen to Alex all the time.

I like what he has to say.

I want to see him LIVE!

Alex is a ROCKSTAR!

p.s. his girlfriend's name is also Alex, Alexa that is:

Everyone in Amsterdam has Mice, but . . .

2010-10-19T11:21:00.007+02:00

Everyone in Amsterdam has mice, but this is ridiculous.

I have never had problems with mice (or small birds for that matter) because I have two Siamese cats. It's true that they are senior citizens now (17), yet I still thought that if they should SEE A MOUSE SCURRY BY they would be motivated to GET UP AND CHASE THE MOUSE.

"Lola" & "Mr. Bruky" (above)

Not true. The other day, I am in the kitchen and I thought I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I wasn't sure. It happened again, and then again. I thought I was going insane because the cat was standing right next to me and surely no mouse would run in front of a cat?

A few days later my husband was sitting at the bar and he says, "A mouse just ran by." I turn around and sure enough there it is with its head sticking out of a tiny space in the floor like a periscope AND THEN IT RAN BY THE CAT. The mouse (mice? eek!) was running back and forth and storing up cat morsels one by one (it had also broken into the pantry and chomped up my expensive pasta from Italy. Brat.)

I look at the cat and he's like, "Whaddya want from me?" (add hand gesture like Tony Soprano)

WTF?

"Plaatsvervangende schaamte"

2010-10-14T10:26:00.002+02:00

Have you ever been embarrassed for someone else? Well, the Dutch call it "plaatsvervangende schaamte". Don't even try to pronounce it. Well, you can if you want, but it's not easy. You will definitely need a native to help you.

You know what else is not easy to pronounce in Dutch? HULST, which is my last name, but means "holly". I have been trying to say it for years. You have to say a quick HUH followed immediately by an OOH sound and then an ELL with a relieving ESS TEH sound at the end. Try it. HUHOOH ELLESSTEH. See what I mean? Is it me or does it feel like you need to choke something up that got stuck in your throat?

I am sure there are countless Dutch people who have had "plaatsvervangende schaamte" for me when I try to pronounce my own bloody name, not the least of which is my 6 year old son who rolls his eyes at me, which of course prompts me into a supersonic glare. (sigh)

DUTCH DESIGN, WOONBEURS 2010

2010-10-12T11:47:00.052+02:00

Dutch Design is a thing of beauty, but it can also be quirky and fun. So, every year I look forward to going to the Woonbeurs at the Amsterdam Rai to see what's NEW.

This year I noticed a bit of a decline in attendance, but it could have been that I no longer go at peak times, like weekends. Nevertheless, I was grateful for having a bit of peace while I strolled around the show.

I will let the images speak for themselves, the first one is a video of a beautiful blooming lamp and the last set of images are from the film "LOFT".

A seat made of cardboard. There is space between the lines.

VANMOOF bike, won Euro Bike Award 2009

Lamp

3D Flatscreen TV w/supersonic surround sound

Girls room

Ariadne at Home Apartment

VT Wonen Apartment

Original old lamps and letters

Jacuzzi with Flatscreen, speakers and remote, seats 6

DJ Chair

Boys room by Salt

Quirky wallpapers

Freaky but cool

Cardboard Forest outside of Eigenhuis & Interieur Apartment

Eigenhuis & Interieur Apartment, set of the film "LOFT"

Languishing in a Jacuzzi Under the Dutch Night Sky

2010-10-08T10:59:00.013+02:00

Languishing in a jacuzzi under the Dutch night sky after some bodywork and a giant glass of wine is the purrrrfect way to spend an evening with a friend . . . or lover.

Yesterday I rescued my girlfriend from the doldrums of postpartum blues and whisked her away to SPAWellness in Weesp (11km from A'dam) for some overdue R&R.

Chocolate Treatment

We bopped around the large chic complex from massage to lounge to jacuzzi to wine to hot dark pool to sauna to snow cabin! to even hotter sauna to swimming pool, which goes in and outside, and finally ended our glorious night with a scented salt scrub in the Hammam and then laid on the heated marble slab (above photo), oohing and aahing until we almost fell asleep around midnight.

I have to admit that the warm pools are not as hot as my California Girl self would prefer, but you CAN stay in a lot longer, which is what we did under the Van Goghish starry starry night. Also, service is a bit slow in the restaurant, but when they finally did show up they were very courteous and gracious.

I highly recommend SPAWellness for a quick relaxing getaway. I have decided to start trying their treatments as we made a pact last night to spa once month. I read about the "chocolate treatment". I wonder what's that like? Is that a giant bowl of frosting or what?

SPAWellness*
Basisweg 1
1383 NC WEESP
telefoon: 0294 - 430061
fax: 0294 - 418927
e-mail: info@spawellness-weesp.nl
website: www.spawellness-weesp.nl
hours: mon-sat 10.30-23.30, sun 10.30-22.00

*Accessible only by car.

iGiGi Loves iApples

2010-10-07T12:05:00.005+02:00

I should be working for Apple! (I should have invested in Apple!) I love their stuff and now I have converted everything in the house to Apple and its all working perfectly and in sync.

(What's not Apple is Sony . . . I know, am ridiculous)

My girlfriend calls me Gadget Girl (GiGi) because my iMan bought me all kinds of iProducts to help me in my iStudio. And iLove it! I especially love my iPhone because I can take pics and send them via email right away.

Meanwhile, my iBoy has all kinds of gadgets too, mostly based around gaming. His friends come over to Wii and DS and PS3 (Yes I made verbs out of these terms, the Dutch do this all the time.) Now my iBoy and I have an iPad and we both enjoy reading books and mags on it, as well as playing learning games. (I was even a Magazine Editor for an iPad Travel magazine for a short while.)

iGiGi and iHappy on my iApples.

(Am dreaming of creating the perfect iApp and be forever iRich.)

YESSSSSSSSSSS

2010-10-06T10:35:00.001+02:00

Is it me, or is every Dutch person saying, "yesssssssss" with a particularly hissy sounding "s"??? They do it while speaking Dutch. They are just rambling along and then suddenly out of nowhere, "yesssssssss."

Sometimes they say "YESSSSSSS," which is both alarming and disturbing because in addition to it being loud, the mouth is in a smile position and the "sssssss" is just frothing out from between the teeth.

What is going on?

NO, No, No, I say.

Sunday Afternoons are My NEW Saturday Night (and Tomatoes are my New Oranges)

2010-10-04T13:20:00.044+02:00

Once you have children it is difficult to fathom that you will be stuck in the house every night for the rest of your life. That is not exactly true, of course, but that is how it feels because what used to be sexy breasts have now become udders and all your education is spent wiping the kitchen counter and smelly little butts.

Then one day you realize that the child's routine IS your routine because things are just easier that way, like eating at 6. After a few years you realize that you actually look forward to that hot steamy bath after dins, slipping into your jammies at eight and meeting your hubby for a movie and a glass of wine after the bedtime story.

God forbid you should have a party invitation or tickets to a show because you are mortified to think that you might have to actually stay awake (in public) past midnight because even if you had your disco nap and you ARE ready to booze it up and trip the light fantastic, the fact remains that at an ungodly hour the child(ren) will appear before your weary bloodshot eyes ready to PLAY! and SKIP! and JUMP! because naturally, they have just awoken from an uninterrupted thirteen hour slumber with sugar plums dancing in their heads.

We used to go out on Saturday nights. We tried to have fun and be cheerful, but truth be told we were exhausted and not much fun at all. It felt like yet another thing we were supposed to do. Now Saturday night is still date night, but we opt for staying in and instead we arrange the sitter for Sunday afternoon.

A whole new world has opened up! Sometimes we see a matinee, or get massages, or sit in a cafe and read, or visit friends, or go to an exhibit. or cycle around or just walk around . . . it doesn't really matter, we are just out and about and it feels just like old times, meaning before kids. (One time we simply slept while the sitter played with the boy. Heaven!) We have been doing this all year and I had to share because it is so relaxing and refreshing. Plus you can still look forward to sleeping in and hanging out at home beforehand and a nice Sunday dinner together afterward, hopefully not one you cooked, or do as we did last night and have an impromptu pot luck with family followed by gobs of gourmet ice cream (Ijscuypje).

***

Oh yeah, and did you know that tomatoes have more vitamin C than oranges? I am totally addicted to tomatoes right now and they are fab for beefing up your resistance during the change of season. The Dutch hot house tomatoes are super red and plump and mouth-wateringly delicious. Just slice them up and grind some fresh sea salt on them, let sit for a few mins and chomp. They are also delectable in a Greek salad or Caprese salad (with bio mozzarella) or just add some slivers of red onion and a hint of balsamic vinegar. Save the really ripe ones for sauce. Gorgeous and delicious!

HOW TO LOCK & ROLL IN AMSTERDAM: 10 SURVIVAL BIKE BASICS *Recommended for novices.

2010-09-16T17:12:00.033+02:00

It's no secret that the Dutch are savvy with a bike . . . cycling or "fietsen" is the main form of transportation here in Amsterdam. Boy, the things I have seen on a bike! Once, I saw a guy with a giant TV on the back of his bike, holding it with one hand while he traversed traffic with the other*. The Dutch cycle stuff around, they cycle each other around or both, e.g. kids on the back, groceries hanging off the handlebars in front, saddle-bags on the back tire while holding an umbrella and plunging through the rain. The most romantic thing I have seen on a bike is when couples hold hands while cycling, they even KISS while holding hands and cycling. Yep. I see it every day. However, a friend did this once and slammed smack into a pole (true story.)
*WARNING: Not recommended for novices.

I have to admit that when I first came to Holland in 1998, I was PETRIFIED to cycle. Actually, I was petrified to cross the street. There is so much going on in this crowded busy city and time waits for NO ONE. Do not hesitate or you will wreak havoc. Seriously, Amsterdam is like a well oiled machine and everyone is in motion and timing themselves to your pace and vice versa. If you should STOP for a sec, you will throw the whole machine out of whack and probably cause a near death experience.

Take yesterday for example, I was flying along on my bike, all cranked up on the iPod when in front of me I see two Asian girls LANGUIDLY strolling RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE of the bike path. Most bikes have a bell with a distinctive ring, which I have and rang REPEATEDLY, but if you are not familiar with this ever-so-common sound (same with the tram bell), you will NOT REACT. I continued to furiously ring my bell and finally one girl went to the sidewalk, but the other one, not only did NOT move out of the way, she actually, somehow, got MORE IN THE WAY. I am bringggg, bringggging with the bell and she decides to move LEFT and FREEZE. While, at the same instant, I decide to PASS LEFT. Naturally, we collided or you could say, I mowed her down and almost ate pavement, but due to my supersonic cycling thighs I was able to recover quickly, jump back on the bike and shout, "D O N O T W A L K O N T H E B I K E P A T H!!" She stared at me wide-eyed. clearly shaken and probably bruised, and mouthed, "I am SORRY." Hmmpf, sorry shmorry, I almost killed myself! (Thank God the child was not on the back.)

Ladies and Gentlemen, I have become Dutch. (And I have the documents to prove it.)

When you arrive in Amsterdam, I highly recommend to immediately get a bike and get going with the whole bike thing. It is extremely intimidating, frightening, scary, difficult and yet, fun, freeing and it's just so cute everywhere with the little bike paths and canals and the bridges. On a nice sunny day (albeit rare), there is nothing like jumping on your bike and exploring the city. You can literally cycle from one side of town to the other in minutes. Yes, it is challenging when you have to cycle in Dutch Delight (cold, wind and rain), but hey, you will feel REFRESHED afterward, and let me tell you, the National Drink: COFFEE, never tasted so good as when you get back inside your warm brick house. Spike it if necessary.

HOW TO LOCK

Built-in back lock w/chain and front chain

It is VERY IMPORTANT to know how to lock your bike or it will get nicked. I had a very cool bike and it was finally all worn in perfectly, I was no longer afraid to cycle with my son on the back, nor in the rain, etc. Well, I came home one day, locked it up nice and tight, you know, lock in the back, lock in the front, attach to a sturdy object. I went inside and felt confident in my bike locking. Later, I went out, saw the bike in front of the house as usual, got my groceries, came back, bike still there. Then I remembered that I actually hadn't put on the second lock. So, I decided to put the groceries inside and go back out and lock the bike properly. Oh, but wait, almost time to go pick up the boy. What's another few minutes? Well, that was all it took. I went outside and the bike was GONE.

The pole in question

First, make sure you have at least two locks. Dutch bikes always have a built-in back tire lock. The key stays in this lock when you cycle and when you lock it (make sure the metal bar goes through the spokes), take the key with you. Some bikes, like mine, have an additional chain that connects to this lock. This chain attaches to a hole in the lock as well as locking the back tire. You must also have a heavy chain for the front of the bike. Make sure this chain goes through the frame and the front tire. Try to make sure that one of your chains is attached to something.

My husband's groovy new bike, which was attached to a sign pole in front of our house, was stolen. THE THIEF HAD LIFTED UP THE POLE, STOLEN THE BIKE, AND REPLACED THE POLE. Honestly.

HOW TO CARRY STUFF
I am not really an expert on carrying stuff on the bike, but I have finally figured out how to carry my groceries home. Have a look:

Albert Heijn grocery bags on the bike.

Be very careful to make sure you do not hinder your brake wires when you put your bags, purse, etc. on the handlebars or the brakes won't work and you won't know this until you really need them. Also, if you have a small basket like mine on the front, it can hold maximally about 4kg (10 lbs). If you exceed the weight limit, it will swing around and stuff flies out, which is VERY distracting. Some people have super sturdy crates or racks in front that can carry heavier items, like kids or girlfriends.

Some people use a "bakfiets"to carry stuff, but to be honest I would rather go a hundred miles an hour down a windy foggy mountain road in a sports car than try to ride one of these suckers loaded up with kids, groceries, pets and whatever.

Bakfiets

I once knew a guy who MOVED HOUSE with his bakfiets!
Me, "What about the furniture?"
"Ja."
"The couch?? The table. The BED??"
"Ja, ja, ja.."

Dutch people can of course cycle while holding one or two blue Albert Heijn (major grocery store in Holland) bags in one hand and cycling with the other (not to mention a variety of other objects like floor lamps, paintings, large leafy plants, luggage, to name a few). Naturally, I tried this once and almost killed myself and other random people in the vicinity. (Speaking of carrying, a client once told me that SHE CYCLED HERSELF TO THE DELIVERY ROOM WHILE 41 WEEKS PREGNANT AND IN LABOR. Is this really necessary?)

I like putting my heaviest stuff on the back seat where my 6 year old normally sits and I strap on the bag with his seat belt. (Although, he is now learning how to cycle on the street himself which is a whole other story and requires sedatives on my part.) Make sure this is secure or it will fall off or WORSE, suddenly lurch to one side, precariously hanging there and throwing your balance off, usually while you are in a very compromising situation, like maneuvering through traffic at a busy intersection in Dutch Delight with a tram coming and a Mom pushing a stroller nearby.

A bike in this town is a lethal weapon.

Use it wisely.

Gerard Douplein, De Pijp, Amsterdam 2010

HOW TO ROLL IN AMSTERDAM:
10 SURVIVAL BIKE BASICS

1) ALWAYS LOCK THE BIKE. (Don't leave the keys in the lock!)

2) Always use hand signals. Left arm for left, right arm for right. (Just point.)

3) Traffic from the right has the right of away, including bikes.

4) Stay on the right, unless passing. Always pass on the left.

5) Use the bike path, when there is one.

6) Use lights after dark. White in front, red in back.

7) USE YOUR BELL! If someone rings their bell, GET OUT OF THE WAY.

8) Do not cycle directly on the tram track or your tire will surely get stuck (while tram approaching).

9) Watch out for scooters, people on electric wheelchairs, little red handicap cars and tourists (all of which block the bike path and rarely stay on the right nor move out of the way); as well as, taxis, buses and trams all of which plow down the middle of the road and have the right of way. Beware of cars opening doors and not seeing you, turning right and not seeing you, running lights and not seeing you. Basically, beware of anyone/anything not seeing you. (Repeat #7 repeatedly as necessary.)

10) D O N O T W A L K O N T H E B I K E P A T H!!

***

I leave you with a small video. I saw this Bride and Groom on the Albert Cuyp Market a few days ago Note: It was pouring rain. *WARNING: Not recommended for novices.

P.S. CHECK OUT THE NEW SUPER COOL URBAN ARROW for "SMART URBAN MOBILITY!" The limo of bakfiets with a built in battery to help you lug your kids and all your stuff.

ASK THE OFFICE GUY

2010-08-24T13:01:00.018+02:00

How Many Postdate Texts Make Me Seem Crazy?

Ask the Office Guy No. 20

I just discovered a modern day Dear Abby with live video to boot.

Bloody Hilarious.

I love Dan . . .

You can email him HERE.

California Girl in L.A.!

2010-07-20T23:03:00.014+02:00

Viceroy Hotel
Santa Monica, CA 2010

What can I say? It gorgeous here and I am LOVING IT.

HOLLAND HOME FROM THE WORLD CUP

2010-07-13T16:16:00.012+02:00

Looking towards Museum SQ, Van Baerlestraat, Amsterdam 2010

LIVE FROM AMSTERDAM:

The Dutch team is home from the World Cup today. The streets are lined in orange screaming people (and their vuvuzelas) welcoming home their beloved team whom are now sailing the canals of Amsterdam towards the Museum Square (above left). People are jumping into the canals like maniacs as their boat goes by.

They are saying there are MORE people on the streets than they expected had Holland actually WON . . .

Live in Amsterdam on the Museum Square

2010-07-11T20:38:00.007+02:00

World Cup, South Africa, 2010

Live in Amsterdam on the Museum Square:

There are 100,000 people in orange.

Above them,

helicopters are throwing orange flowers at the crowds . . .

WE WON!! Holland vs. Brazil 2-1

2010-07-02T19:28:00.003+02:00

LIVE FROM AMSTERDAM:

Holland vs. Brazil 2-1

World Cup

02 July 2010

Quintessential Tastes of Marin

2010-07-01T10:37:00.005+02:00

Speaking of food, I found this article today: "Quintessential Tastes of Marin: 10 of the Area’s Culinary Classics and 10 New Contenders."

I LOVE CALIFORNIA CUISINE!

As I am from Marin (SF Bay Area), I can attest to some of the items in the article, e.g the Caesar Salad at Marin Joes which they make at the table and Cibo's poached eggs. Fantastic! Can't wait to get home and try some more!

p.s. Dear Dutchies, this is what a Caesar Salad should look like (notice the lack of drippy egg yolk)

Introducing: The American Hamburger w/Fries

2010-06-29T11:21:00.007+02:00

Ladies and Gents of Europe!

Introducing: The American Hamburger w/Fries
Behold the proper Hamburger (Cheeseburger) and Fries. Note the toasted bun and savory grilled meat. Admire the mouth watering accoutrement of thickly sliced tomato, perky iceberg lettuce sheaf and delectable sour pickle. Notice the abundant crispy shoestring fries in cute brown paper bag (to drain excess oil).
Tip: Serve open-faced, meat on one side, lettuce and tomato on the other. Customer adds mayo, ketchup and mustard if desired.
Photo:

Viceroy Hotel
Santa Monica, CA
16 June 2010

Sticky Sweaty Hot (It's Summer in Amsterdam)

2010-06-29T11:08:00.017+02:00

It's hot, really hot, sticky sweaty hot. Get the fan out, sleep butt-naked hot. Tall glasses of icy cold drinks hot. Where is the shade, where is the breeze kinda hot. Don't touch me hot. Let's go get another ice cream cone hot. It's too hot to eat hot. Grouchy hot. Fun to cycle with a dress on hot . . .

(It's Summer in Amsterdam)

IJscuypje

2010-05-20T16:11:00.005+02:00

P.S. to previous post: How could I forget to mention the ice cream shop at the Gerard Douplein??? Fresh ice cream all day long made with ingredients from the Albert Cuyp. So delicious! Get the sorbet in a cup if you want to cut the calories. Strawberry, Mango, Lemon . . . my fave though is Chocoloate Pistachio. YUM. I think they have other locations in town.

Gerarad Doustraat, De Pijp

2010-05-17T17:48:00.025+02:00

Today I went for a walk to do my shopping as usual on the Albert Cuyp Market. It was a beautiful spring morning and I really enjoyed the buzzy feeling of the city after being out on Texel island all last week. You know how you have little routes that you follow all the time? Well today I decided to take the Gerard Doustraat instead of the Daniel Stalperstraat and I am really impressed with how chic the street is looking these days and wanted to share it with you.

THE FRENCH CAFE is a must for delectable delights. Honestly, it has some of the finest food I have ever eaten in Amsterdam. Seriously good food. They now have opened a bistrot a few doors down which is on the top of my list to check out. Yum!
A little bit further down will find you at ZUBLIM which has really nice furniture and a display which is always changing. I bought a beautiful retro piece and Marieke, the owner, is lovely. They have been doing wine tastings on Sundays with music and nibbles.

There are also a couple of places I have seen that look kinda cool (well they are all black anyway), but that I haven't ventured into yet, e.g. the Coffeeshop Club Media. What is it anyway? Does anyone know? I couldn't find a link for it. I guess you can get your weed and geek out at the same time?? It is exceptionally large for a coffeeshop and as I peeked in, it looked like there was some sort of security gate doowah at the entrance. WTF?

Then there is this really huge operation called SID LEE COLLECTIVE which takes up 3 store fronts with ATELIER, GALLERY and EVENTS written prominently on each. From what I gather, this is an artist incubator to help launch creatives into the commercial sector. Super cool studios and happenings here. Mental note: check out next Gallery opening.

Then there is the very cute CHARLIE and MARY (a fair concept) that sells not only clothes but CAKES. They are all about green and fair and sustainability. They also have a webshop and ship worldwide . . . I like it.

ZENDA'S WERELD (World) is a fantastic puppet theatre for kids where you can have birthday parties. There is a big long table and they will cater for you or you can bring in your own stuff. There is also a cafe for parents to hang out in while the kids are in the theatre. Really sweet and fun. (I did my son's party there the year before last.) *They also organize arts & crafts afternoons for the kids.

Okay Girly Girls, you will probably love BLONDE which is just a bit too pink for me, but hey to each their own. They paint dishes in a cute kitschy way. Knick knacks galore here, so Go CRAZY!

To complete the colorful "winkels" (shops) is the DE KINDERFEEST WINKEL where you and your child can delight for hours in this shop chock full of fun stuff. Definitely worth a visit when you are planning a party and a lifesaver when you need a kiddie costume or a present in a hurry. *I especially like rolls of plastic table cloths that you can get cut to size.

Now for you foodies out there, don't forget to get your goods at DUIKELMAN. I love this place! I wish I would have known about it when I first moved to Mokum because it would have made my life infinitely easier, sigh. Anyway, I know about it now and whenever I need anything for the kitchen, I head right on over. They have EVERYTHING. I will say it again, EVERYTHING. Also, if you need a wedding gift . . . they have certificates. Awesome. Truly. Go.

I saw KITCHEN DELUXE on the street as well which is apparently a super fancy caterer with super fancy clients and a super fancy website with super fancy music. They seem to sell food with a hip glossy concept. Hmm.

LA VENTA TRAITEUR has been peeking my curiosity for a while now but they are always closed when I walk by, but today I finally went inside. Did you know that they sell boots alongside their deli items? Lots of highly yummy looking tapas and swarthy guys lisping in the back, presumably all from Spain. I didn't buy anything today, but I will!

Last on the street right before Ferdinand Bolstraat was the 't KAASBOERTJE cheese shop from which I actually made a purchase for the first time. They have wine and crackers and an olive bar which I thought was pretty progressive for a Dutch cheese shop. The "kaasvrouw" (cheese lady) even offered me a taste before I purchased. That is exceptionally good service for A'dam.

It's Queensday!

2010-04-30T17:57:00.009+02:00

Am sitting here looking out at Queensday passing by my window. Today is the day when everyone exchanges their junk in a city-wide yard sale and overall tax free open market. Naturally, in the center you can find music and parties, but here in "De Pijp" there is a gentle atmosphere with a neighborly camaraderie.

What I love about the Dutch is that the rain never stops them from doing anything. So, even though it was sprinkling this morning the whole city turned out flying their colors (mainly orange) with a tongue in cheek national pride. (See Willem van Oranje.)

Kidstuff dominates the Sarphatipark across from my house and its always amusing to see what they will come up with to turn a buck (euro). Amongst the usual musical performances and ball toss stands there was a very industrious little girl asking 50 cents to give compliments. She claimed she was good at this until my husband presented her with a challenging friend. She hemmed and hawed for 2 minutes before she came up with the innocuous "you are friendly and always up for a party". I think she will go far.

Impression, Improvisation, Composition

2010-03-11T13:50:00.013+01:00

I went and saw the Matisse to Malevich exhibit at the new Hermitage Amsterdam Museum. I thought it would be fun to revisit a body of work that I had studied in art school. I had the feeling that I should see the exhibit from the moment I saw it advertised.

It was very nostalgic to see the work, much of which I had already seen at various places throughout Europe and the U.S., but what I didn't know or remember about Kadinsky was this (and I quote from the museum plaque which was posted next to his piece "Composition VI, 1913", above.):

"Kadinsky believed there were 3 forms of abstraction;

1) Impression, or the processing of observations and effects.

2) Improvisation, which appears suddenly and unconsciously.

3) Composition, the highest synthesis of consciousness, intuition, experience and emotion.

The artist considered himself as a medium who channeled the form of an art work from a higher force."

Aging is Poetry

2010-03-06T10:01:00.008+01:00

I saw this quote in the paper on my birthday and thought I would share it, somehow it made me feel better:

For age is opportunity no less

Than youth itself, though in another

dress,

And as the evening twilight fades

away

The sky is filled with stars, invisible by

day.

(author unknown)

New California Joys

2009-07-31T01:44:00.023+02:00

This is my first time "summering" in my new house (which is also my old house) in California. It's strange to be back home and yet feel so out of touch. So, I decided to play tourist and look at everything with a fresh eye. Here are a few of my new faves:

Best New Cafe: CIBO in Sausalito is topping all of the charts with its fresh approach to the traditional cafe serving up Italian breakfast and lunch. Everything is homemade and absolutely delectable, from fresh baked goods (the French macaroons are heavenly) to gourmet panninis (I love the ham & cheese cornetti, which is actually an Italian croissant) and the only place in Marin to serve the now famous "Blue Bottle Coffee". Cibo really knows how to make coffee, whether espresso or brewed, every cup is made to order and although it may take a few extra minutes, it is without a doubt the best coffee I have ever had outside of Europe. This is a "must see to believe" kinda place with a European design style which perfectly blends with the connected and incredibly beautiful water sculpture garden studio and art gallery. Located right over the Golden Gate Bridge on Bridgeway just down from the main drag. Oh, and please try the hibiscus lemonade!

CIBO
1201 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965
7-5pm every day
415-331-CIBO
http://cibosausalito.com/

Best Free Event: Sausalito Jazz on the Bay. Apparently, this is the hottest new ticket on the bay. Free Jazz and Blues concerts every Friday night throughout the summer in downtown Sausalito. Bring your own picnic and pull up a stretch of grass. Even better, peruse the Organic Farmer's Market right next door beforehand and indulge in tasty delights. I feasted on roasted chicken and potatoes from RoliRoti (a mobile gourmet rotisserie) and bought a glass of wine from a vendor, followed by a mouth-watering organic sorbet in surprising flavors and served in the cutest, albeit expensive, little cups. Thoroughly enjoyable and with magnificent views of the bay. Many boats sail in for the event and hang out for the dinner hour, making it a great and easy event if you have children. Get your Sat grocery shopping done early and enjoy a bit of free fun before packing it in for the night or continue on to the No Name for more free jazz. Just what this sleepy tourist town needed . . . some groove.

For a list of the summer line-up see the webisite:
Sausalito Jazz and Blues by the Bay
Between the Ferry and Spinnaker behind Bank of America
6:30-8pm every Friday night, June-August
http://www.ci.sausalito.ca.us/Index.aspx?page=637

Best Local Getaway: Nick's Cove on Tomales Bay is without a doubt my new favorite place. It's sad but true that even though you may have a summer house it can still feel like "normal life" and not like a holiday at all. So, after taking stock of my family's rising frustration I decided to throw everyone in the car and run away up the coast and explore Pt. Reyes National Seashore for the first time in my life. Within an hour of lovely scenic exploration we ended up at Nick's Cove and Cottages. There are 12 cottages which are outfitted to glorious perfection down to the very last authentic detail and a restaurant that specializes in oysters, seafood and an extensive (of course) California wine list plus many fine bottles from various regions around the world (the sommelier kindly pointed this out to me.) I greedily swilled French champagne and chardonnay on his recommendation after gorging on delicious seafood. We also LOVED the chocolate espresso lava cake. Hey, I was celebrating my anniversary after all. They also serve a lovely brunch if you are just up for a drive, but if you do spend the night, the complimentary breakfast is yummy or custom order your favorite. *Hint: Check out the BOAT SHACK at the end of the pier for a real treat. (By the way, am writing to you from Nick's.) Oh, gotta go. My masseuse just arrived for my in-room massage :D

Nick's Cove and Cottages
23240 Highway One, Marshall, CA 94940
415-663-1033
http://www.nickscove.com/

Best Massage Studio & Hot Tub: (Hours later.) Speaking of massage, F. Joseph Smith's place has been in Mill Valley for a million years, but somehow I DIDN'T KNOW. How did this happen? I only discovered it in the last few trips to California. Meanwhile, I have been schlepping all the way out to Fairfax for the same experience for YEARS. This place offers EXCELLENT therapeutic massages and has newly installed outdoor hot tubs with an expected California hippy Zen decor and no frills. Joseph is a massage therapist who has been "practicing since 1971" he told me a bit gruffly and recommends that people like me need to keep trading with like-minded healers "otherwise you won't learn anything". OH. He also sells an inordinate amount of various and sometimes scarily large and apparently powerfully healing crystals. (They adorn the entire driveway and surround the massage studio, some about the size of caves.) I have never been disappointed by a massage here, nor has my husband, and we have been sampling for a couple of years now. Walk-ins okay. Go. Relax. Enjoy! *Warning, my husband says the Swedish sports masseuse is not kidding, but if I were you I would ask for BEA from Thailand.

F. Joseph Smith Massage Therapy Center
158 Almonte Boulevard, Mill Valley, CA 94941
10-10pm 7 days a week
415-383-8260
http://www.josephsmithmassage.com/

Summer Solstice Sabbatical

2009-06-21T08:51:00.010+02:00

The Summer Solstice marks the longest day of the year. I celebrated mine by sleeping for HOURS in my big white bed in the dappled sunshine. A day out of time. How luxurious! After years of working on Saturday this seemed so royally DECADENT. Oh, so this is what people do on Saturdays!! I felt like it was Mother's Day.

It's been exactly 3 months since I announced my sabbatical. I have sequestered myself in my office sorting through years of paperwork. Now that it's done I am going to focus on my studio and my other creative projects. I find this to be a much more realistic rhythm, rather than cramming everything into a day or afternoon and wondering why I can never finish anything. What is your natural rhythm? Are you in sync with your own nature?

It's also Father's Day today and although we mistakenly celebrated it last weekend (Belgian Father's Day), we are celebrating again today. I think every Saturday should be Mother's Day and every Sunday Father's Day, a balancing decadence after a busy week for everyone.

Today I picked one of my new Devil Cards (a new division of my Joy! Cards). I got "Call in Sick" for the second day in a row. Amen.

Back to bed.

Dutch Standoff

2009-05-25T08:59:00.012+02:00

Have you ever noticed that when you are passing through a door in this town, literally in the doorway, and someone wants to pass the other way, they just plow on through as if you are not there? ERRRRR. What happened to common courtesy?

This has irritated from me DAY ONE when I moved to Amsterdam in 1998. It escalated when I was pregnant and would get ELBOWS, yes ELBOWS ladies and gentlemen, in my obviously pregnant belly or be practically run over when trying to manipulate my baby with carriage etc. through a door and someone would come towards me, apparently totally unaware of my presence (which is hard to believe), and attempt to push right through the same dinky door even though I was quite clearly struggling to go through with my various apparatus.

Is it me? Or is this unacceptably RUDE?

Anyway, I call it the Dutch Standoff. My advice, hold your ground and express strongly PARDON (pronounced "pard own"). Smile too if you want to rub it in. Naturally, in a pinch you will resort to your own language, so a strong EXCUSE ME will also work. If you are feeling particularly feisty, give them an elbow back. Personally, I have never done the vulgar elbow thing and opt for Supersonic Glaring accompanied with a sarcastic PARDON instead, which is amusingly effective resulting in a surprised response of, "OH, pardon" or a meek "sorry".

Honestly . . . in a culture that still has a bloody Queen you would think some chivalry would be in order.

War & Peace

2009-04-15T16:56:00.006+02:00

(While my 4 year old son and I were listening to Heather Nova's song "Every Soldier is a Mother's Son" from her new album Jasmine Flower.)

Max: "What is war?"

Me: "Two opposing factions, e.g . armies, which each country has, groups, organizations or even between two people like husband and wife."

Max: "Do the soldiers kill each other?"

Me: "Sometimes, which is why I don't approve of war."

(very long pause)

Max: " . . . but Mama, if those soldiers kill each other then they can't put the seeds in the girls later."

Me: (impressed and laughing) "True, very true."

(Maybe he should give a UN address?)

Too Much Dutch

2009-04-07T16:21:00.009+02:00

Do you ever feel as an Expat in Holland that sometimes it's just too much Dutch? It's not anything in particular, nothing anyone said or anything that happened, not even the weather . . . just pure saturated Dutch.

There are a couple of things that get my goad which I feel compelled to mention. One is that sighing expression "he he" with the annoying sing song intonation, usually said when one finally sits down or is taking a break. ERRRR. The other one is "zo" (which I am not sure is actually "zo" with a soft sound or "so" and I can't be bothered to ask a Dutch native at the moment), usually said to express surprise or while completing a task AND quite often with a severe sarcastic undertone (or overtone as the case may be). I think the (preferable) French equivalent is "voila" minus the sarcasm.

Normally, when I feel this way I know it's time to book a ticket back home, which I am going to do as soon as I post this. Am also going to impose a ban on all Dutch things for 24 hours to see if that helps. (I can hear potential Dutch readers unable to refrain from a very appropriate "zo" at this conjecture.)

he he.

How to Make a Fruit Smoothie or Smoothie 101

2009-04-02T19:06:00.016+02:00

The thing about Amsterdam is when you first get here you can't find anything that is a given in your own country. Of course, I am talking about my country California.

(Californians view themselves as separate from the unsightly and embarrassing parts of the U.S. even if most "Californians" are not natives and come from those very same places. Like me for example. I was born in Illinois. sigh.)

Anyway, I deter. What was I talking about? Oh yeah, the smoothie. This was something I couldn't find AT ALL years ago and I missed it so much I considered opening a smoothie stand at the beach years ago (true story). Now you see them in more and more places, but all the ones I have tried just don't quite taste right.

Yes, Expats in Holland have all had the experience of the "extra ingredient or missing ingredient" in the food here e.g. the mayo in sushi rolls, the corn kernels in tuna fish, the raw drippy egg on the caesar salad, no lettuce and tomato on the sandwiches, no fries with the burger AND the burger ON TOP of the lettuce, is it me?

So, in this case it's the smoothie or "fruitshake" as the Dutch sometimes call it which tends to be made with a base of YOGURT. As a purist and having been raised by a woman who waxed poetic about nutrition (my mother), I grew up with the knowledge and dedication to NOT MIX FRUIT WITH DAIRY. Why? Because it CURDLES in your stomach making you feel squeemy (my word) and slightly nauseous. Fruit is digested in a mere 20 minutes, so it should be eaten alone or before or after other food. An ideal time to have a fruit snack or a fruit smoothie is in-between meals. I enjoy mine between morning coffee & toast and lunch which I sometimes eat rather late if at all.

SMOOTHIE 101

HOW TO MAKE A FRUIT SMOOTHIE:

TOOLS
juicer (preferable)
blender

INGREDIENTS
ice or frozen fruit
organic unfiltered apple juice
organic bananas (Max Havelaar at Albert Heijn are divine)
plus any combination of juice and fruits of choice

If you have a juicer you can extract the most amount of vitamins from your fruits (and vegetables) by juicing them. In California they use FROZEN fruits and vegetables that have been put in the freezer at an ideal ripeness and then wing them directly into the juicer and/or blender. If you don't have a juicer (I don't) you can use ice cubes, but then you may need to add extra banana to get the right consistency. When the smoothie starts to melt it will get a bit watery if you have used a lot of ice cubes. On the other hand, smoothies are meant to be guzzled right after preparation so its not usually an issue unless you are a purist (in which case you will have a juicer and if not, use filtered water in the ice tray.)

PREPARATION
Prepare your blender and add about 4-6 ice cubes depending on size.*If using frozen bananas/fruit skip this step, but you may want 1-2 anyway.
Add enough juice to cover ice about 2/3 or about 1 cup.
1-2 bananas peeled and broken into 2-4 pieces each.

Turn on the blender. This is the base of the smoothie. Now you can add any juice and fruit of your choice. Choose flavors that go together like tropical fruits or dark berries. I personally don't mix vegetables with my fruit smoothies, but go crazy if you want to especially if you have a juicer. *I have seen a lot of apple and carrot juices here which taste AWFUL by the way. I mean I had to spit a whole mouthful out on the floor at the health food store once it was so bad. Yuck! Maybe a little ginger would have helped the mix? This is why the organic unfiltered apple juice is essential in creating a tasty rich base when mixed with the banana and ice.

As the ice breaks up add a little bit of juice of your choice, e.g. orange-mango, apricot, pineapple, etc. I like to use nectars or thicker juices here and then I add only about 1/3 of a cup or so. You know its enough when the smoothie becomes an appealing color and consistency. Plain orange juice is fine too, especially if it has the pulp.

Next add fruit of choice. I love berries and with summer coming strawberries are a natural favorite. Lately, the green grocers have big fat trays of them out as well as boysenberries, blueberries and raspberries. The other day I used cranberry juice and blueberries which was delicious. Be careful though with adding thin juices or it will be too watery unless you like it that way. You could compensate by reducing the apple juice a little if you know you will be adding a thin juice later or mix them together at the beginning when making the base.

I also add vitamins and spirulina to my smoothie most days. If you do this add the vitamins at the ice stage and maybe cut them up or grind them a bit to start, especially if they are giant, otherwise you get a weird soggy lumpy bitter thing in the smoothie and you just instinctively spit it out. Obviously this is counter-productive. I import spirulina from California as it comes in powdered form as well as all of my vitamins, but that is another blog post. Here in Holland they sell spirulina in vitamin form and I think I saw it once in drops. What is spirulina? It is an algae that is rich in protein, B vitamins, essential fatty acids and minerals . It is a GREAT supplement especially if you are vegetarian.

You can also add any other supplement that you like, e.g. wheatgrass. Be aware though that supplement can change the color of the smoothie a bit depending on what you add. Spirulina is green so it can look funky, but the smoothie still tastes great.

IDEAS
Here are some ideas for smoothies I have made and enjoyed. Don't be afraid to play or just raid the fridge/fruit bowl. *Remember this assumes the "base" of ice, apple juice banana. Of course experiment though if you want to create your own base! Finally, the apple juice and banana base is great on its own and kids love it. Lekker!

mango-orange-strawberry
pineapple-orange
pineapple-mango (optional: coconut)
strawberry-kiwi-orange
cranberry-blueberry
blueberry-strawberry-raspberry *any combo of berries would work here

All of these fruits are currently widely available in Amsterdam. Am looking forward to cherry and peach season. I also love nectarines. I think I will try some exotic fruits too which you sometimes see from Suriname and Indonesia at certain green grocers. In California I have seen melon smoothies which I have never tried, but I think they would lend to a good consistency. I used to have a favorite from Whole Foods called "Motor Oil" which was something like 28 vegetables including beets which gave it a rich dark red color and where it earned its name. It was a bit foul tasting, but was so healthy I had one every other day alternating with fruit smoothies on the opposite days. (Maybe that is why I used to be so skinny . . . ??)

*Servings for above vary depending on your ingredients, but I find I usually get 2 large servings with the base and adding some juice and one or two fruits. If you have extra store it in a store bought smoothie bottle that you have reserved for this purpose. Albert Heijn has good ones. Alternatively, you can freeze your leftovers in an ice cube tray and re-blend later in the week. This might be a bit frosty so add some more apple or other juice.

Enjoy!!

Amsterdam Does Have Bums

2009-03-22T08:36:00.007+01:00

Amsterdam does not have many bums. At least not compared to what I have seen in San Francisco and New York, but we often have a "guest" that sleeps on our front porch.

This is slightly awkward when its time to take the child to school and you are greeted with a body laying across your porch like a loyal puppy. (Our guest actually is in a sleeping bag, shoes removed with a cardboard box blocking him from sight/light. I must admit it looks kinda cozy if it weren't around the freezing point every night.)

The other day my son Max opened the front door to find our loyal lodger peacefully sleeping. My husband told the bum to get up and move on. Maxi chimed in: "Don't forget to brush your teeth!"

Chicks Flicks vs. Dick Flicks

2009-03-20T10:14:00.022+01:00

We all know that girls love RomComs (Romantic Comedies = Chicks Flicks), but what films can we get our boys to sit through without rolling their eyes or worse, closing their eyes and falling asleep at the movies?

Recently my husband and I went to see Woody Allen's new film "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" (with a stellar cast including Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz) which he rated as the ultimate "Dick Flick" (no not porn, but definitely sexy) because the male lead is a heroic figure (Javier Bardem) for both men and women. Yes, a little something for everyone.

In my opinion though, the ultimate Dick Flick hero is Edward Burns (Actor, Writer, Director) who scored big with The Brothers McMullen followed by She's The One, both laugh out loud RomComs from the male perspective. Most recently we enjoyed his film "Purple Violets", which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in NYC (founded by Robert De Niro).

Burns gives insight about men ala "He's Just Not That Into You" (the book is great too). Men are very succinct when they talk about relationships and I find it very refreshing. (Reminds me of the scene in Good Will Hunting when Damon & Affleck discuss Damon's break up. The whole conversation took about 2-3 brief sentences.)

Anyway, I love Ed's raspy voice and um, he is nice to look at. Perfect for date night. Yep, a little something for everyone.

Things Max Said

2009-02-27T17:21:00.023+01:00

My son Max asked for a guitar for his third birthday. I thought for sure he was channeling my grandfather (who had recently died) because he picked it up and started playing it so naturally. I figured it was time to get him a music teacher.

My friend Process Rebel had just released a CD (Other Weapons, Basis to Break This) and I thought he might be interested in teaching in between gigs. He agreed, but when I suggested it to Max he was totally disinterested and employed Dutch Direct,

"I don't WANT to."

"Why not?"

"I just DON'T"

One day I put in the Process Rebel's CD as we drove through Marin in California. After a couple of tracks Max said,

"Turn it up Mom. I LOVE this music!"

(We listened to a few more tracks.)

"Max, this is Process Rebel's music, the one who wants to give you music lessons."

"OH . . . well now that I have HEARD his CD . . . I will do it."

I immediately called Process in Amsterdam:

"Max has heard the demo and is ready to sign."

Dutch Delight

2009-02-11T13:37:00.008+01:00

Is it spring yet? I swore I wouldn't complain about the weather, and my husband can attest that I haven't (hardly) in years . . . but MY GOD, is it ever going to get warmer? I am bloody freezing my tits off. Yesterday my son said in a whiny voice, "it's cold AND it's raining AND it's windy!" Yep, this is what I call DUTCH DELIGHT.

This morning the sun was shining and I felt so . . . giddy, so gushy, so goofy and silly that I ran outside and was standing there not sure what to do next. I thought, "Why . . . I feel HAPPY, EXCITED!" There were so many possibilities, so many options. "Should I ride my bike? Go for a jog? Walk all over town and do my errands? Go to a cafe? " I went to yoga instead which is a bit of a pity because it's in a darkened quiet room with no windows, which is normally a good thing, but not on this glorious sunny day. I came out afterward and exclaimed (shocked), "HEY, it's STILL sunny!"

I gobbled my homemade blueberry muffin on the playground as I waited for my son to come out of school. He was not nearly as happy as I was, in fact, he was grouchy and employed Dutch Direct: "I WANT TO GO HOME!" Well so much for languishing in the warm salt pool at the Marnixbad as I had thought we would. Now I am home and he made the right call. Looks like there will be a bit more of Dutch Delight before the day is out. As a matter of fact, the forecast calls for sleet and snow for the rest of the week. (sigh) Don't you just love these lovely warm and cozy brick houses? So, blow winter blow. Blow away and make room for spring, the true beginning of the year. I saw a glimpse of it today and I feel fine.

American & Dutch Holidays

2008-12-09T09:59:00.014+01:00

Yes, folks its the Holidays. Being American and living in Holland gives you the added wonder to celebrate both country's lovely traditions.

I have trick o'treated in Illionois in the week right before the elections, right there in the home of Obama, amidst lawns with signs crying out for the opponent. I have walked through the Sarphatipark at night following the back and forth glow of the handmade lanterns carried by the children and sang songs for candy at various houses struggling with the lyrics of the songs for St. Martin. (Who, by the way, IS St. Martin?)

I have given thanks with all my closest friends in a combination Thanksgiving/Holiday kickoff party for 20 people. Cooking for 4 days, eating for 3 more and handing out plates of food. I love being the Indian girl giving food to the Dutchies. Yes, it's just like old times. (Hopefully, they won't slay me this time round.)

I have been up at 6 several mornings for weeks now as my child prances into my bedroom, eyes groggy with sleep and yet cognizant enough to ask, "Was De Sint of Zwarte Piet here?" (Sinterklaas and one of his helpers, all named Pete) who might have put something in his shoe. (Just keeping a supply of carrots in the house was quite a feat. NO, you cannot use the same carrots again because little children KNOW if you do that and then you have to make up very elaborate and strange stories very early in the morning. "But Mama, it REALLY looks like the carrot I left for De Sint. Do you think his horse didn't like it?" "um . . . ")

I have walked in the countryside with family after a morning of Sinterklaas gifts which come with the famous GEDICHT (poem). This is a most fantastic Dutch tradition and until you speak the language you may never quite get just how brilliantly these poems are written. Each gift has a poem from De Sint. It is a little summary of you and who you are describing why that particular gift suits you perfectly. The poems are funny, insightful, teasing and sometimes downright harsh (Dutch Direct), but they are always amusing, hilarious and great fun. Each poem is signed by De Sint or by a partucular Piet or both, e.g. De Sint and the Fashion Piet. This gives a clue to the package. I love it and I ACTUALLY wrote one in Dutch for the first time . . . no one said anything so I hope I didn't make a grave error, like the time I was trying to say Holy Man in Dutch (Heilige Man) and mispronounced it and said instead Horny Man (Geilige Man) much to the screaming delight of my husband's Oma (Grandmother).

I am off to San Francisco to celebrate Christmas at Harrison House in Sausalito. Merry, Merry.

Obama in the White House

2008-12-09T09:59:00.012+01:00

"Rosa Parks sat so that Martin Luther King could walk. Martin Luther King walked so that Obama could run. Obama's running so that we all can fly." Jay-Z