TIME OUT: almost 2 months in NL

Time flies!  I'm almost 2 months here in the Netherlands and I can't imagine I survive this long being far from family and friends.  Thanks to the virtual world making distance shorter as each day passes by.

What is life after almost 2 months?

I'm a better cyclist now, i think.  Before, in a very cold windy day, I would sweat to death cycling for less than 2 kilometers.  Now, i feel much confident and thanks to my supportive HT hubbie who cycles with me everyday and made sure that I'll find my way home.

I've visited 2 countries in just a short period.  I'm not complaining but I haven't spent much weekends in NL and I would love to explore what I now call 'HOME'.

Chef-in-the-making, after feeding HT hubbie with unwashed spinach (with sand, at least it was crunchy), half cooked chicken and adobo with too much blackpepper corns, look what I have made?

Apple-cranberry pork chop.  It's not an original recipe, but it sure tasted good!

I'm starting to embrace my life here in NL, the same way i've embraced Singapore as one of my homes.  I've started looking out for friends (yes, it doesn't come naturally with my lifestyle), and found a few that I need to meet up with.  Instead of putting ads all over the place : WANTED: shopping buddy, coffee mate, co-foodie, blogs have been my savior up to this date.  I've met wonderful food bloggers in Singapore and I'm checking out NL bloggers' scene too.  It's always nice to share common interest like expressing our thoughts, sharing our experiences and overcoming homesickness online.

This one is not a blogger but came to our home once.  She peeked inside and left.  And, the next few days, she's always standing in front of our door.

Here's boefje (rascal), up close...

She started getting cozy with HT couple

And now had the guts to come in

and roam around

on sunny days, she would lie down on our garden to get her daily tummy rub

She's our neighbor's cat who seeks attention when she's alone. 

To sum it up, how was my stay in Europe?   hmm...I would have ups and downs as I miss my family, friends and lifestyle back in Asia, nevertheless, with HT hubbie's support and love, my time in Europe flew by without me noticing it and the excitement I feel towards my 3rd month in this wondeful continent says a lot.