woensdag 28 december 2016

2016 a rollercoaster ride

2016....
The year of adventure and change. 

By predicting this a year ago I never would have realized how true it would be. 2016 was a year of adventure and a year of change. Especially the latter. 

This year has been an emotional rollercoaster. My life has changed so much, something I never expected at the beginning of the year. 

They say change is a good thing and in this case I agree. Though I am emotionally at an end and have spend numerous nights yelling and crying my eyes out, I can say it was all for the best.
Had I not made the decisions I made during the course of 2016, I would be even more miserable.

So what changed? 

The year started of rather okay. I decided to become vegetarian for a month (simply to see if I would be able to). I succeeded and stayed a vegetarian for 4 months. 

I went into therapy (not ashamed to say this). I went into therapy to fix my relationship. After a few years of not receiving any love (in the form of sex or even a real kiss) from my boyfriend, I decided enough was enough. Aside from not getting any love, I wasn't allowed to eat certain foods in his company because the noise upset or hurt him (crunchy noises, spoons clattering in a cup or bowl). 
The therapy was intended for the both of us, in the end it was only me who attended because he didn't believe in therapy and said his work was more important at the moment.
I was on the verge of a breakdown which he didn't (or perhaps even refused to see).
My therapist claimed after only two sessions that it was pointless to keep attending therapy as she believed nothing was wrong with me and in a way I had already made up my mind with what was to be done. 

Calling it to an end. 

Which I did. 

It might sound so easy now, but it took a good time for me to actually make the jump and end my 7 year relationship. 
Luckily everyone in my family and friends supported my decision (needless to say about 90% of them actually encouraged it and wondered why I hadn't done so sooner).

Now I had to time the moment. I know how cruel this sounds, but I had no job at the time other than my internship at a school or a house to move to. I was nearing the end of my final year in school, handing in my thesis and hopefully graduating before the summer. Everyone seemed to be within grasp and yet so far away. 

During mid May, after I passed my internship assessment I sat down with my boyfriend and ended the relationship.
He cried (for the first time ever) and went outside for a while. When he came back that was it. He said fine. I could stay at the house for as long was needed. 

The next day I went to my internship as normal, here I would stay working until the beginning of summer even though I had officially passed it.

Then something incredibly stupid happened.

I fell off the stairs and broke my foot....

I had plans to stay over at my best friends house that night (and upcoming weekend) because I badly wanted to get away from my ex.

I still went to my friends house, where I would stay now because of my broken foot. 

and I am still with him now (my best friend, male best friend). It was due to happen at one point but I won't talk about that here. 

During my time in my new house I slowly got back on my feet (literally). after a few weeks I was finally able to walk again. Slowly and with crutches, but it felt great to be able to move.

My work (or internship) was less understanding. Needless to say, not at all. 
I kept them up to date around every week of how my foot was healing. I kept it short and formal (businesslike if you will). 
But that caused them to have doubts. They wondered (and i quote) as to how it was possible that I had just finished passed my internship assessment with flying colours and now I wasn't coming to work anymore. (I must add that the day I fell down the stairs I talked to my boss about how I ended my 7 year relationship the day before). 

"It's all so peculiar how you passed the assessment, and now you are in a town 3 hours away with a broken foot".

Afbeeldingsresultaat voor but you can still come to work

I was shocked.... 
Was I being accused of....pretending to have broken my foot? 
I assured my boss I never intended for them to feel that way, and apologized for my short and formal replies and phonecalls about my recovery progress. (never before had I dealt with a situation like this so this was all new to me).

Somehow it didn't matter what I said or how I said it, it was clear how they felt and that was the end of it.
With my still broken foot I went on a 3 hour train ride just to show my damn face and talk to the doctor who would give a verdict on my current physical state.
The doctor (thankfully) thought the school was insane (seeing as I wasn't even being paid for working there as it was an internship) and told them I wasn't able to work until August.

I said goodbye to the school (and coworkers who I thought were good friends and people, but this just proves how gossip can change behaviour....) and I went back on the 3 hour train ride.

Now it is December 2016.
Since August I have gotten a job, working as a teacher in a school in a nearby town. I'm settling down with my best friend (now best boyfriend ever) and everything is going upwards at the moment.
Almost done graduating, I need to hand in 1 more paper (which hopefully is good this time as it got declined the first time).

So...
2016
...
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to rid myself of many maaannyy toxic people.
Getting a new job
Almost graduating
Finding someone I love with my whole heart (and lets me eat what I want!)

Now get over here 2017 and become the year of luck, love and security. 












 







donderdag 7 januari 2016

New Year Resolution

Hello 2016!

Wait....

Did 2015 fly by without a single blog entry?
*scrolls up*
Mmm, guess it did.

2015 sucked most of the time. Well...I mean Sept 2014 til Dec 2014 was even worse (don't even get me started!). But 2015 really wasn't brilliant either. It was a year filled with learning. Filled with headaches. Relatives passing... But mostly filled with discovering things I didn't know about myself.

The month of December of 2015 was a good one though. I started taking driving lessons (yes, I'm 29 years old...) which is one of the scariest things ever! but as it turns out... I'm not that bad at it.

Now. 2016!!!

This will be a good year. I'll make sure of it, so the Universe better pay attention to me now!

2016 the year of.... ADVENTURE.
Cheesy? (I'd love some).
Corny? (with some butter).
Cliché? A cliché is a cliché for a reason, innit?

This year I will get my drivers license.
I'll get my Bachelor degree in teaching.
I'll read 20 books in the 2016 book reading challenge (I'm a goodreads member, find me under flowangelic)

and.... this month I shall become....
Vegetarian.

That's right.

A month without meat!

Why?

I want to see if I can manage. I'm a real carnivore with food. I eat meat almost every day. Now maybe some of you won't see this as a valid reason (You may explain why) and if you do, great! :)

I started immediately on the 1st of January. I called in help from some of my friends who have been vegetarian for a loooonng time and they gave me a couple of recipes for me to try out.

Now the tricky part of this challenge is that my boyfriend (with whom I live with) doesn't even want to try this challenge with me. He still wants his meat. Fine, but I ain't paying for that :P

I think the best way to handle this challenge in the meantime is to also write about it during the next couple of weeks. From recipes I try out to Lord knows whatever else.

Thank you for reading and also have a great 2016!!!

Flo



woensdag 9 april 2014

Some thoughts and a Japan Vlog!

Boy it's been a while hasn't it?
I've got to say ever since I got back from Japan, I didn't care aymore...I miss Tokyo so much! I never expected that country to have such a big impact on me. Sure I knew I'd love it, but to fall in love this hard? I never expected that.

Scroll down a bit and you'll find the vlog!! :)

(If you care to read my rant on how it sucks to be back and some other random mind vomit, feel free to continue reading.)

I didn't care for being back in London, after being there for nearly 2 months I got quite fed up with it. London is great, don't get me wrong, it's just not for me. I'd rather go back to Tokyo and stay there than being back in England.

Actually I'm not even in London anymore. The stay abroad is over and now I'm back in my own house. It sucks. Oh gosh it sucks big time.
I'd forgotten how much I loved just working (which I did in London), and doing things I want to do with my own free time! And not having to worry about exams, studying, learning, etc.
Being a 27 year old full time student can be quite annoying. But it is a choice I made, because I wanted this so badly, and I simply just have to deal with the consequences, which means studying my ass off, (not really though, i'm not that insane. I do the best I can, but I'll never stress myself out that much).
The thing is because I'm a student people treat me as such, which sucks because I don't have the mindset of a 20 year old anymore. You can treat me like the 30 year old I'll be within the next 3 years!
I don't care about going out, partying.(Don't feel insulted I know not everyone who is 20 is this way!). I care about sitting on my butt and read a good book or make a nice dinner.

I find it difficult sometimes to sit down and make homework. I'll be at my desk, being well prepared to start and then these thoughts come to mind. I need to do laundry, groceries, I need to check the mail and clean the bathroom. What should I make for dinner tonight? Oh shoot I forgot the chicken; "Hi, Darling, could you go by the market on your way home? I forgot the chicken!" (this happens a lot. I always tend to forget something from the grocery store...)
Is it Friday yet so I can ave my weekly coffee with my best friend?....
I need a break...Youtube time! Oh this song is great! time to do a bit of writing on my story.(Have I mentioned I write?)
Homework not done...

I know, I know, its my own mind doing this. I don't complain about it...I simply rant on the blog...
Maybe it's easier to say, "Sorry Miss, I did not do my homework because I was partying all night long."
Who will believe me when I say, "I'm sorry I did not do my homework because my brain is a fruitloop that keeps spinning and spinning."

It's not that I can't focus, because I can. If it interests me of course. Don't we all have that problem? Please tell me you do!!!

I'm currently reading this book called: Thinking fast and slow, by Daniel Kahneman.
Maybe this will shed light on the matter.

In other news, something I totally forgot to upload here on the blog!
It's the Japan Vlog!! I love filming and making pictures, only I was always to chicken shit to upload anything...So I decided to take the step and upload the vlog! The vlog shows places to go and see while your in Tokyo. Just a little - things to see in Japan - vlog


So enjoy! :)

Love,
Flo




zondag 23 maart 2014

Food and drinks in Japan!

Today's topic is going to be all about food!

I could have talked about the day I left Japan and went back to England...But I'm not ready for that yet. I want to stay in the moment for as long as I can, so let's still pretend I'm there shall we?

Sushi.
(What a way to start...)
Seriously though, we have to address this situation (and with we, I mean myself).
I love sushi, love it love it! In fact it is my most favourite type of food apart from chocolate!
But it's unfair to claim it is my favourite when all I've had is the sushi they make in the local sushi restaurants in my country...which (I can honestly say now) is NOT the same thing as I ate in Japan.

First of all the rice! I mean take a look at the bottom picture...

Can you see it? Can you see the rice? a bit? EXACTLY!! 
This is how it should be, a normal amount of rice and a BIG piece of fish (like this juicy fatty tuna!) on top of it! I think I addressed this before in another chapter, didn't I? Apperantely it makes me very upset haha.
Also between the rice and the fish is a bit of wasabi. Which (I discovered) is not that bad! The thing with wasabi, is that as soon as you swallow it (that's what she said), the burning sensation goes away (...that's what she said??)

But yeah that was the sushi example :P

So more interesting food....







And...one of the best meals! Teppanyaki!


The prawn on the plate (picture below) was still alive...I didn't figure it out until I leaned it and it moved! Needless to say the chef had a good laugh. 


I've got a clip of the prawn being cooked (alive), Link is not up yet, but once it is just visit my YouTube channel.


I would have loved to take this man home with me...But I don't think my boyfriend would have approved...

Shabu shabu was also very very good! as seen in the picture below (don't mind the lame look on my face though, I was in Shabushabu heaven) Look at them chopstick skills!


Time for another delicious subject...
Snacks and candy!!!

Last year my dad bought some candy for me in Japan, on my request, and brought it to my house when he came for a visit to the Netherlands. 


Those dogbiscuit looking things were the most delicious out of the whole bunch.

Now that I was in Japan myself, I obviously had to buy some candy myself....
I ended up buying nothing hahaha
The only things I bought were a gazillion different drinks (this is also the beverage section now) from vending machine ( I love the Japanese vending machines!)




Those three were my all time favourite!!! The first one...I have no clue what it's called (help anyone?) But it was soooo goooddd, so fruity and kinda like fruit gum taste. 
The salt and fruit (saw it on a youtube vlog and had to buy it) was also brilliant! You don't taste any salt, don't worry.
But the best one! absolute favourite of mine is the Melon Fanta!!! I absolutely dislike Fanta...I do not like it! But this said melon...and since melon is my favourite fruit I thought...this cannot be bad. and I was right! <3

Oh before I forget, one snack I bought...over and over again was the best Banana/Chocolate/Creme Crepe ever!!!! Did I talk about this already? I don't care it was delicious, I ate like ten! and they were only 200 yen per crepe. You hear that europe? with your stinking ridiculous prices!


Did this blog gave you an appetite? I hope it did :) Mission accomplished!!

Next blog will be about...I don't know yet, but what's life without surprises?

Love,
Flo





woensdag 19 maart 2014

Tokyo Disneyland!

Friday was Disneyland day!!!

I <3 Disney and anything Disney...okay except Winnie the Pooh...I don't like Winnie the Pooh.
But Peter Pan, Alice, Sleeping beauty, Beauty and the Beast and Frozen! Are in my top 5!

The first time and last time I was in Disney was 20 years ago, so I was really really excited to go!

I went absolutely mental when I saw the gate

The first ride we took was Captain EO...I had no idea what that was and boy was I surprised! 

It's this old 3D show with Michael Jackson. One thing I learned from that show is that the man could not act! I'm sorry Michael, but really...You were born a singer!

We got a fast pass ticket for Space mountain. Fast pass tickets are special tickets with which you can get into the ride quicker without having to queue. Cause man oh man! They know how to queue in Disney!

The great thing about Japan (and I'm not sure if it's because of Disney), but everyone embraces their child side! It's such an amazing thing to see! I saw a lot of dads and mums wearing disney hats! <3


Okay these were young ones, but still. Isn't it great?

We went on the "it's a small world after all" ride, Peter Pan, Pirates of the Caribbean, haunted mansion, Splash mountain, Thunder mountain, Space mountain (a lot of mountains), saw part of the parade. and a lot of shops :) 

now times for some pictures!!


Standing in a queue! guess who I am?

 Splash mountain!!!




This girl stood across a bridge. She was waving frantically, and when I noticed her I discovered she was waving at me. So I took her picture! 



It's a small world after all!!


The castle at night <3






The haunted mansion!


Hello Jack!



I had such a good time! and this time I'll actually remember it! thanks to this blog, my youtube clips and the pictures :3

Next update will be about food!! :)

As a goodbye to Disney, here is the brilliant adele nazeem...uh I mean, Idina menzel as Elsa from Frozen.


Love,
Flo



dinsdag 18 maart 2014

Pokemon centre + Edo Tokyo museum

I've been on this planet for 27 years now and it's safe to say (and a bit sad...) that I spend a lot of time playing video games.
One of my favourite games is and will always be Pokemon. It was Christmas and I got Pokemon Red.
"Because you wanted it, but I think a girl of your age is too old for games like this." My dad had said.
Thanks dad... I was twelve!! Do you know what twelve year old girls these days do?

Felt like a bloody Mr. Darling moment. "Grow up, you're too old to tell stories."
And then Peter came and took Wendy away to Neverland.
I never saw him that Christmas night though...

Moving on!
Pokémon Centre it is :) I simply had to go and visit it, although truth be told,,,I thought it would be a bigger store. It was quite small actually and the pokemon stuff they sold, featured mostly the new pokemon. The X and Y version. Luckily they had a few pokemon I was familar with. Mainly Eevee and it's evolution (which is more than the original three atm). And of course pikachu and the starter pokemon.


So I bought Flareon and Espeon, my favourite Eevee evolutions. (I already had an Eevee at home, I've had it since...well over a decade already). plus a cup cause i thought it was cute and a cookie jar!

So the Pokemon centre (the one I went to) is in Minato, and the best way to reach it is to get off the tube in...Daimon. and its like a 5 min walk to the store. (It's on the first floor). 

After minato (and a short stop at the market where I found Melon Fanta!!! which is absolutely amazing!) I went to the Edo Tokyo museum.

Also the museum is inside this huge building...BUT! the museum itself is on the 6th floor. I know right? These people and their way of using space.
We can learn something of this in Europe!! But nooo everybody in Europe needs a big house...ridiculous.

Also might I comment (again) how nice and polite the Japanese people are?
Do you know that there is no such thing as petty crime there? no pickpocketing or shit like that. You can just get up and leave your phone and Ipad on a coffee table while going to a counter to buy more coffee and no one will take your bag or any of your personal belongings.
I'm talking to you, people in my country, shame on you!! stealing bikes whenever you can, nicking phones or pickpocket money from foreigners...Shame shame shame!!!

Back to the museum!!!









The museum was small, but quite educational. Definetely something you should do when you've got time left. 

Tomorrow will be a special because....It's about.... DISNEY!!!! That's right Tokyo Disneyland !! 

Until next time!

Love,
Flo 




maandag 17 maart 2014

Calico Cat Café

Neko Kawaiiii!!
Did I say that right? ;)

I love cats, love love love them! I've had cats all my life! At the moment I have two cats and I'm missing them terribly. Haven't seen them for almost two months now. They'll be incredibly pissed of when I'll be back home.
Cats are not like dogs, who actually seem to be extremely happy when their owner gets back after a long journey. They jump up, wag their tails...
Cats...nuhuh. They will ignore you for hours or simply walk to the cabinet where you store their food and be like....FEED ME BITCH!

Cats are like humans (women), holding a grudge because you left without telling them where you went.
Maybe it's just my cats who do that.

A few months ago I saw this video on youtube about a cat café. A place where you can spend time with several cats while enjoying drinks and food. (tea, coffee and pastries).
And decided I simply had to go there and see the cats! I need to cuddle cats! Cats love me and I love them :P

I went to Calico Cat Café in Shinjuku. I got lost, which doesn't surprise me anymore. Took me i think a few minutes to find it.
Tokyo is a really big city and because it houses over 32 million people (whih is almost twice the people in the Netherlands!) so the buildings are really tall and a lot of places, shops, restaurants  (like Calico cat café) are situated in buildings on different floors.

Prices are calcuated for the time you spend there. I stayed for an hour which cost me 1000 yen.
Go as early as possible, because the afternoons can get really crowded!
Also you're not allowed to pick the cats up, but you can pet them, play with them, and feed them (which costs extra but atleast then you'll be the centre of attention for them).









Remember to take off your shoes! and leave your bags and coat in a locker (they're big enough to fit a lot of stuff inside). Don't forget to wash your hands and use hand sanitizer. We don't want any sick kitties.
Unfortunately there were a few sick cats. Rnny noses, droopy eyes. The cat on my lap was quite sick, which is probably why she was looking for a warm place to rest. 
I tried to tell the woman the cat was sick. By fake sneezing and saying," Neko, achoo". Don't know if she understood haha. 

After receiving some souvenirs from the cat café I went shopping in Studio Alto, Isetan (which is like Harrods in London) IOIO and Lumine Est. Found a new vest size F (which means one size fits all in). Keep in mind that size F is similar to small and medium sized clothing (even though its one size fit all).

And that was Wednesday!! Thursday will be about... Pokemon centre and Edo Tokyo museum!

Enjoy the Mitchiri Neko march

Love,
Flo