Here is a story of a monkey.
Inspired by: Fedi, a soulmate, a bestfriend.

There is a shopping centre in Amsterdam, so called Kalverstraat. Amsterdammers and tourists always go there. Monkey can see them walking inside and outside the shops.

Monkey loves the view from where he is sitting, in a bag shop: MagBag. *Correction, Monkey is not sitting, monkey is hanging. Monkey is about 5 cm tall, made from synthetic rubber. On the tip of monkey's head, there is a small chain that ties Monkey to a bag - a khaki coloured bag by MagBag. Monkey is a mascot.

Day after day Monkey says goodbye to his friends; the "blue bag Monkey", the "black bag Monkey", the "yellow bag Monkey", and so on. Now Monkey only waits with the "red bag Monkey". Monkey is lonely.

Until one afternoon, a Chinese-Indonesian guy with Beckham's haircut walked into the shop. It's Fedi. Fedi wants to buy a bag for his sweet girlfriend.

Monkey is very excited. Monkey smiles, as big as Monkey could. To impress Fedi.

Fedi is also smiling and says: "My sweet girlfriend favorite color is red"

Monkey drops the smile. Monkey is almost crying. Monkey wishes he was never born, or..ehm, manufactured.

But a miracle happened! Fedi reaches for the Khaki coloured bag, Monkey is hanging loose and swinging with no directions. Fedi says : "But the red colour is too bright. I will buy this Khaki one."

Monkey is back in good mood again, he doesn't even mind the darkness inside the papergift package.

Now Monkey has a new home. Monkey goes wherever his new owner,Laurent, is going. In the mornings Laurent is always in a hurry and Monkey will get dizzy from swinging right, left, front, back.. But Monkey enjoys watching the -sleepy Laurent- getting dressed, putting on shoes and make up before going to work.

At Laurentia's office, Monkey can hang comfortably and watch Laurent works. Monkey even learns how computers and printers work by now.

Monkey also learn how tough is the world outside the shop counter. Monkey has seen Laurent being tired, confused, angry, and sad. And now, it is raining so hard while Laurent and Monkey want to go home.

Monkey is scared of getting wet. The bag is waterproof, but Monkey is not !
Monkey can feel the cold already, he is trembling. Laurentia has no umbrella, but still she runs straight under the rain. Monkey knows Laurentia is hungry and wants to go home fast, Monkey can not blame her.

Unexpectingly, Monkey feels warm and dry. Laurent's hand is wrapping his body. Almost squeezed, but Monkey does not mind. Laurent's palm fits Monkey so well.

Monkey does not hate Holland's weather anymore. Monkey is happy being protected by his owner,and Monkey knows that Laurent also doesn't feel lonely while walking under the rain. She has Monkey with her.

In some minutes, Laurent is by the door. Wet but smiling. Fedi opened the door for them. Monkey enjoys to see the 'welcome home kiss' from Fedi at Laurent's cheeks.

Now, Monkey is safe and sound.

l.l.d

1. Visit Paris
2. Understand Indonesian politics.
3. Japanese language
4. Stop smoking
5. Learn CPR (and get the certificate!) -- I think it would be nice to shout :" Move away from that man, I can do CPR!" When there is someone needing it, of course.
6. Visit Madame Tussauds,
7. Boat trip on Amsterdam canals
8. Stop going to casinos
9. Start reading newspapers
10. Actually make something from knitting!

That is it for now.

"Where is the embarassing part?" someone may ask. Ha-ha, I still have my locked diary at home.......

l.l.d

PS: Happy birthday, bro.

Last fall term, I went as an exchange student to Krems, Austria. A small town by the danube, one hour from Vienna. Europazentrum, our student residence, was one hell of European students centre.
Partying, dancing, drinking..

One of my favorite drink was made by a Spanish friend, Carmen:

SANGRIA

Fill a large punch bowl with red wine.
Add lemon juice, some sugar and cinnamon.
Also throw some fresh fruits pieces in it. (Orange,Banana,etc)
Plus plenty of ice cubes.
Some people likes it with peach/apple liquor ..or a bitty bit of Vodka..

Have fun trying!