tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692306869606275386.comments2023-03-26T10:05:42.273+02:00Outside Looking InJuleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177864294778546164noreply@blogger.comBlogger368125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692306869606275386.post-49051190795617447812016-04-05T11:43:06.364+02:002016-04-05T11:43:06.364+02:00My daughter insists on carrying her own stuff when...My daughter insists on carrying her own stuff when ever we go anywhere. She seems to find it fun wearing a backpack with her stuff in it.Stuarthttp://www.invadingholland.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692306869606275386.post-89069144029845376512016-01-13T11:49:04.882+01:002016-01-13T11:49:04.882+01:00oh that is very great THIS is very very simple eas...oh that is very great THIS is very very simple easy way that you show of <a href="http://www.babiewantcenter.com" rel="nofollow">baby swing </a> it save much money. To create this type of baby swing we need just few things that is available at every house.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04234123141165769911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692306869606275386.post-25867551773062729722015-11-30T20:04:49.979+01:002015-11-30T20:04:49.979+01:00You're completely right. And when you have thr...You're completely right. And when you have three running in three different directions, it becomes infinitely harder ;)Leah Goodmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16546935038863589318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692306869606275386.post-8479953759008049202015-10-29T07:24:19.915+01:002015-10-29T07:24:19.915+01:00This is really a good baby swing, you have made a ...This is really a good baby swing, you have made a good swing. this is good and saved lot of money.davidhttp://yourlittleangelsbox.com/best-baby-swing/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692306869606275386.post-20600237220393563862015-10-25T22:54:16.074+01:002015-10-25T22:54:16.074+01:00i have read your page. most are informative. Absol...i have read your page. most are informative. Absolutely LOVE the swing! Thank's for sharing. Sandra Jhttp://www.babychortle.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692306869606275386.post-57821345361205737652015-08-03T10:34:21.670+02:002015-08-03T10:34:21.670+02:00Argh...link:
https://www.literatureandlatte.com/Argh...link:<br /><br />https://www.literatureandlatte.com/Juleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15177864294778546164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692306869606275386.post-42859523374693905022015-08-03T10:33:58.541+02:002015-08-03T10:33:58.541+02:00The stuff that I get paid to write are cheesy roma...The stuff that I get paid to write are cheesy romances; guy falls in love with girl but something happens to keep them apart, etc etc.<br /><br />If you're interested I'd recommend checking out the tutorial video (linked below), and then you can download a free 30-day trial of Scrivener--it's 30 working days, so if you work with it for one day tomorrow and one day in a week, it's 2 days. It may or may not work for you; for me it's the best $40 I've ever spent. Juleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15177864294778546164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692306869606275386.post-22043334295381729162015-08-03T10:03:51.808+02:002015-08-03T10:03:51.808+02:00This is really interesting. I'm always looking...This is really interesting. I'm always looking for ways to improve my writing. I'm going to have to check out Scrivener's Corkboard. What kind of stuff do you write?Invader_Stuhttp://www.invadingholland.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692306869606275386.post-50664103087748809152015-07-09T22:42:51.228+02:002015-07-09T22:42:51.228+02:00going to add a seat belt!!!!going to add a seat belt!!!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01721625096195456090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692306869606275386.post-68750696702059009992015-02-04T02:25:31.340+01:002015-02-04T02:25:31.340+01:00As a stay at home mom I completely get the free ti...As a stay at home mom I completely get the free time thing. There really isn't that much time at night after our Little Miss goes down and I crash. We've thought about nursery school for her but we haven't pulled the trigger on that one yet. Glad to hear there were no tears and that you had some nice time by yourself!CheapMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15397810691748125342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692306869606275386.post-17733761415509661012015-01-26T11:28:25.976+01:002015-01-26T11:28:25.976+01:00Aww, they're cute when they mix up languages.Aww, they're cute when they mix up languages.<br />Juleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15177864294778546164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692306869606275386.post-52577084070766123292015-01-26T10:23:25.109+01:002015-01-26T10:23:25.109+01:00Our two year old daughter is doing the same with c...Our two year old daughter is doing the same with colour at the moment. She just started doing her self. We were not expecting it at all at her age. She says some in Dutch and some in English.Citizen_Stuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06736336326016642370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692306869606275386.post-20491418453046121132015-01-23T20:12:15.470+01:002015-01-23T20:12:15.470+01:00Well, if your kid likes them and you don't min...Well, if your kid likes them and you don't mind doing them, I see nothing wrong with flashcards. Kidlet is also 2; I do plan to start him on flashcards at some point, just to reinforce what he's already learning, but I'm not stressing about it. Juleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15177864294778546164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692306869606275386.post-69270848236770263092015-01-23T14:24:39.479+01:002015-01-23T14:24:39.479+01:00We got a set of flashcards for Christmas and I'...We got a set of flashcards for Christmas and I'm not sure how I feel about it... Our Little Miss can recognize Ms and Os (like our no name O cereal) but her friends are singing the alphabet. I've talked to kindergarten teachers and they've said that kids don't even need to know their letters when they enter grade one, so I don't really see the rush. She's 2.CheapMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15397810691748125342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692306869606275386.post-54728770606211603032015-01-18T15:37:34.379+01:002015-01-18T15:37:34.379+01:00We have an Asus tablet with a keyboard and I love ...We have an Asus tablet with a keyboard and I love it. I must say though the delete key thing would drive me nuts! It doesn't do flash or some other stuff I need to do, so I do use the laptop more. Chromebooks are something that would probably work pretty well for me though, I use a lot of Google stuff/docs every day.CheapMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15397810691748125342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692306869606275386.post-55447248231864778392015-01-16T16:34:11.798+01:002015-01-16T16:34:11.798+01:00We co-slept with our Little Miss in the beginning ...We co-slept with our Little Miss in the beginning too. She loves her bed now and so she's never really asked to sleep with us. It would be adorable though!CheapMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15397810691748125342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692306869606275386.post-40362426631749287212014-11-14T23:38:32.602+01:002014-11-14T23:38:32.602+01:00I cut the family's hair too. it was just the ...I cut the family's hair too. it was just the more convenient option and I don't think we look any worse than before... But we're not models or anything.CheapMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15397810691748125342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692306869606275386.post-69876087722685797792014-07-14T10:24:49.391+02:002014-07-14T10:24:49.391+02:00This made an interesting readThis made an interesting readAnamikahttp://www.babypregnancycare.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692306869606275386.post-43810608947060782912014-03-13T18:12:24.098+01:002014-03-13T18:12:24.098+01:00Oh, they have fingerprints on file. Whether they ...Oh, they have fingerprints on file. Whether they can convince a computer to match them to me is a different story. Juleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15177864294778546164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692306869606275386.post-63685491879641213032014-03-13T14:07:34.789+01:002014-03-13T14:07:34.789+01:00Congratulations for being the only person in the N...Congratulations for being the only person in the Netherlands without their fingerprints on file. :P Locustahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07627156065006710003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692306869606275386.post-35237488116382607072014-03-13T13:54:13.702+01:002014-03-13T13:54:13.702+01:00So now you know you can commit the perfect crime a...So now you know you can commit the perfect crime and they won't be able to find you through your fingerprints. Handy! Actually, I read something just the other day about a woman who really did have no fingerprints. They then investigated her family and discovered it was hereditary.Sarah Turleyhttps://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3738033-bookguidenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692306869606275386.post-51275533804256708582013-11-20T10:02:46.774+01:002013-11-20T10:02:46.774+01:00As for engagement vs. confrontation: a matter of ...As for engagement vs. confrontation: a matter of semantics. You call it engagement when it leads to a conclusion you like, and confrontation when it leads to a conclusion you don't. ZP is racist, plain and simple. If you want to keep the character around, by all means do so--but that means you have to deal with the unpleasantness it comes with (contrary to this post and ensuing comments, I actually don't think very much on ZP at all, other than to find the character creepy as hell, like some people think of clowns). It is my assertion that the holidays are magical enough without such a controversial character. Juleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15177864294778546164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692306869606275386.post-49231970094746091562013-11-20T10:00:52.932+01:002013-11-20T10:00:52.932+01:00Frank,
First of all, I happen to know Evert perso...Frank,<br /><br />First of all, I happen to know Evert personally, and my remarks to him about respecting traditions were meant to be take in light of the question of how much we should respect traditions just because they are tradition. It is my opinion, based on being an Asian woman who's lived in white society for my entire life, that traditions are overrated--but that's based on the fact that I've given up a lot of the cultural practices that my parents tried to instill in me, although I retain a lot of beliefs and ways of doing things that still flummox my husband. My point is: the sky didn't fall, I didn't wither and die, and if anything, I've become more empathetic to questions of identity and troubles regarding traditions. <br /><br />That being said, ZP simply doesn't hold up under scrutiny: the only defense for keeping the character around is the "it's traditional" argument. Nobody has ever explained how dressing up as a caricature of a black man (let's not kid ourselves about being covered in soot--I don't think even children buy that bs) isn't racist, which indicates--to me--that there really is no other argument for the character. That nobody can point out how being a caricature of a black person *isn't* racist indicates that it is racist. <br /><br />This does not mean that I think Dutch people are racist. I think that's an element that this whole debate has been missing: Dutch people, by and large, aren't racist (Geert Wilders excepting). They might be clumsy when it comes to matters of race (that horrible AH commercial from a couple years back featuring the martial arts master a la Kill Bill) but I have always felt that Dutch people are more egalitarian than Americans are, more willing to consider a person based on their own merits rather than the color of their skin. So I understand that there is a disconnect between the everyday, normal interactions with people, and the ZP character. But that, I think, is in part because everybody understands that ZP is a white person pretending to be a black one. You are not tied to the identity of ZP, and all of the caricatures embodied by the character. <br /><br />And make no mistake--it's a caricature. You admit this yourself--that the origins are racist. The "it's a tradition" argument ignores the fact that if you respect the tradition, you must also respect the racism that it grew out of. You can't say "it's a tradition" and "it's new and improved" at the same time. <br /><br />Secondly, while I can't see the picture you linked to (https = secure link), I'm going to hazard a guess that the person wearing blackface is supposed to represent one of the 3 kings. ZP and Sinterklaas as it's currently celebrated only goes back 150 years, although the tradition of celebrating Saint Nicholas goes back much further. http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinterklaas (Which, if you're a real traditionalist, begs the question of why not just celebrate the saint, as other saints are celebrated?)<br /><br />Thirdly: when I say that my kid will "ruin Sinterklaas" for everyone, I simply mean that we'll make it clear that there is no magical dude with black helpers leaving him presents. I won't forbid him from celebrating it--even I buy chocolate letters and kruidnoten at this time of year. We'll simply explain that we do things differently. We will celebrate Koningsdag and Dodenherdenking and Bevrijdingsdag and Easter along with everybody else, so I don't think it's too much to ask that in November, rather than a wild lead-up to pakjesavond (I'm undecided about that--playing that part by ear), we celebrate Thanksgiving and our birthdays (both Rijn and I were born in Novemeber) instead. Juleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15177864294778546164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692306869606275386.post-44076130311758901952013-11-20T01:55:01.447+01:002013-11-20T01:55:01.447+01:00Hi Jules,
A few points.
Your remark that Evert c...Hi Jules,<br /><br />A few points.<br /><br />Your remark that Evert cannot possibly know about respecting traditions because he doesn’t have your life experience is an ad hominem argument and therefore not valid. Valid argumentation requires you to refute what someone says, not discard it because of his or her background. The latter could, in fact, be discriminatory (“no average white male can possibly understand what this is about”).<br /> <br />Quite a few black Dutch people - descendants of slaves – actually don’t mind Zwarte Piet. Would it be OK if they rejected your reasoning because you’re Asian and know nothing about slavery or, for that matter, what the genuine Sinterklaas feeling is about? Surely not.<br /><br />I, myself, have to admit to being a white, middle aged man, but I hasten to add that I’m gay. Does that make me enough of a misfit to qualify as a partner in discussing this topic?<br /><br />I hope you see in what kind of mess such a line of reasoning gets you. People from all walks of life can display (un)sound reasoning and (lack of) empathy.<br /><br />On topic. <br /><br />Sinterklaas as a a festive occasion for spoiling kids is much, much older than you claim. See for instance this painting: https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/nl/collectie/SK-A-385.<br /><br />No doubt there are racist elements in how Zwarte Piet came about and how he looks and I don’t defend them. At the same time, I believe present day Zwarte Piet <i>can</i> be devoid of racism. Let me explain. As a small boy, in the late ’60s, I was completely oblivious to any notion of race. To me, Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet were out-of-this-world magical beings – a category of their own and not connected to any ordinary people, of whichever colour. <br /><br />The whole racism debate tends to crush that kind of innocence – of which, among children up to the age of seven, there tends to be quite a lot.<br /><br />So to <i>automatically</i> assume there’s racism where there is Zwarte Piet, is kind of like assuming there’s a disrespect for the dead where people dress up as Zombies for Halloween. (Why do people actually, do that, I might ask.)<br /><br />Having said that, Sinterklaas has evolved through the centuries and continues to do so – hulpsinterklazen, for instance, are a recent innovation. And, in the Carribean, multi-coloured Pieten could already be seen in 2012 ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4hFpulH9wo ) – which is most likely where we’re headed. Which I think is fine.<br /><br />Which brings me to the part of your post that I find the most difficult to stomach. That’s where you write that “[you] don't want [your] kid to be the one kid who ruins Sinterklaas for everybody”. Can we be clear about who’s responsible for what? It’s not your kid that’s making a choice here – it’s you. <br /><br />And are you aware that it will be neigh impossible for Rijntje to avoid Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet? For instance, you’ll be hard pushed to find a primary school for Rijntje where they won’t be visiting. <br /><br />Besides, The Netherlands are a country where change usually isn’t brought about by confrontation, but through engagement. So, why don’t you or Karel get yourself a silly Pietenpak and some brightly coloured make up and join in. You’ll get to find how racist those people who dress up as Pieten actually are (or not). You’ll be helping to bring about change, and you won’t be putting Rijntje in an awkward position. And, best of all, both Rijntje and you get to enjoy all the endearing and cute things that Sinterklaas is actually about.<br /><br />Just a thought.<br /><br />Best regards – Frank in Leiden<br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7692306869606275386.post-25057780462361523392013-10-31T13:01:08.262+01:002013-10-31T13:01:08.262+01:00For the sake friendship I rest my case. I think we...For the sake friendship I rest my case. I think we're not going to agree on each others opinion. I know how it is to be an expad, lived a year in Switzerland. So please... I know what sacrifices I have to make to blend in... Even in Switzerland... Evertnoreply@blogger.com