Ik heet Agnes en ik woon in Amsterdam.

Happy – go - lucky

*  The Dutch always shake hands when meeting someone for the first time as well as when bumping into or visiting acquaintances;

*  With closer acquaintances and relatives it is usual for at least two but often three kisses to be given on alternate cheeks while shaking hands;

*  Coffee drinking is an all-important ritual in Holland. Coffee which Dutch make very strong is always served in very small cups. If milk…always koffiemelk;

*  The drinking of coffee is an integral part of what Dutch call gezelligheid (cosy, friendly atmosphere). There are two expressions in Dutch which aptly describe the custom:

-       Het is altijd koffietijd ‘it is always time for coffee’

-        Gezelligheid kent geen tijd ‘No time limit should be put on gezellinheid.


!  Note –Milky coffee, or caffe latte, is called koffie verkeerd (literally: wrong coffee). They love it!

Cheers,

Agnes. 

Don’t be an idiot!

This weekend has been tough for me. While not having super active social life I tend to tied myself up in diverse activities for instance movies (great, right?) the latest failure was ‘Rum diary’, fall asleep in 10 min. 

....So I cling to TV series, not too long for falling asleep not too short for finishing morning coffee, afternoon pancakes or dinner snacks.

Well ‘Modern Family’ was mine for all weekend.

But there are some other things which to do besides couch potatoes status as reading  also not very active though…

Anyway, here goes my TOP list for people/books/blogs/videos which can really make your BRAIN to work:

*        Guy Kawasaki – one of my favourites. His book “Art of the start” is for everyone who feels entrepreneur somewhere inside him, even if it’s very, very deep…

o   Master of PowerPoint  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liQLdRk0Ziw;

o   Master of setting up a company;

*        Seth Godins – genius of the marketing!

o   Blog to follow http://sethgodin.typepad.com/ and ‘steal’ his books;

o   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4Ch2z5ftwQ  - loads of videos in YouTube.

*        Currently reading Stephen Covey

o   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUurggQtslE this video says everything! Funny stuff ;]

*        Robert T. Kiyosaki – Haven’t explore him very deep, but the book ‘Rich Dad, Poor Dad’ was surprisingly informative. How to handle your budget, assets and long – term relations with money.

*        Steve Jobs – no need for introduction, everyone knows him and everyone can find something for him.

…It’s all about inspiration and leading yourself towards the GOAL, doesn’t matter if it’s self – development or becoming rich, only what matters is the way you choose to make them happen. Let’s make it as pleasant and smooth as possible.

…BUT for heart I suggest either to watch Bridget Jones’s Diary or to read Salinger, E.M. Remarque OR! Eat loads of chocolate! :>

Cheers,

Agnes.

We are two. Me and my bike.

*Every day in my way to work I am seeing all these people who are jogging. Every day after the work they are still jogging. Even at late evening you can see them. If it’s sunny they run, if it’s rainy they run...I have the feeling they run for their life.

**What do they eat? Although Dutch cuisine is known for its variety - Indonesian, Chinese and Surinamese to Turkish, Italian, Mediterranean and more…

• Sandwiches. It’s number 1. Food! And you can find it everywhere.
• Stew (stamppot) – mashed potatoes mixed with green or orange stuff. I guess carrots and broccoli.
• Poffertjes – pancakes.
•   Liquorice;
• Chocolate sprinkles (hagelslag). Well this is super weird for me...they take a slice of bread, put the butter and then chocolate sprinkles (the same ones we use for decorating cakes)...and they LOVE IT!
• Caramel waffle (stroopwafel) … at least they are awesome…

***Channels are everywhere and they are ineffable beautiful! You have to see them during the night, surrounded by lantern lights. See how the water plays with reflection.

****Boats. Liners. Vessels. Ferries.  Sometimes there are light inside. Sometimes you can see the smoke from the meal which has been prepared for the dinner.

*****Some guys looks like Vincent Van Gogh! And that’s a fact!

There are many things I could add…but let’s wait for a bit and see what happens. I wasn’t keen on this city the first day I came, I wasn’t after a week…it’s almost a month passed and I feel I could fall for it.

And if you fall … it’s serious. 

Agnes. 

Ik snap het niet.

If you ask me the most expedient sentence, that's it - ik snap het niet. Which means I don't understand. 
After that  you should probably know:

*Roep de politie!- call for police...
*Roep de brandweer! - call for fire - brigade...
*Bel een ambulance! - call for medical care ... 


Anyway haven't got any chance to use them and maybe I should be glad for that. 


Strange things are happening here. Dutch culture is still undiscovered field, but lets make some bullets so far: 
- Dutch guys really enjoy jelly in there hair;
- Why do you need mugs if there is a glass from which to drink your afternoon tea;
- Dutch people have incredibly good taste in design ...not in the food though;
- Bicycles are the most important vehicle on the road! MOST!
...and they are everywhere

This city is amazing, truly inspiring and dynamic. 
Agnes. 

23 rd day of Amsterdam

 Instead of my first it’s going to be my 23^rd impression which hopefully will exceed all around the following year.

office

Currently working in the company called Trans Artists, which is a knowledge center on artist-in-residence opportunities. Company offers all about facts, use and value of international artist-in-residence programs as well as other opportunities for artists to stay and work elsewhere 'for art's sake'.

Trans Artists operates mainly from the artists' perspective and usually cooperates with a wide range of partners in all world regions, increasingly more in depth within European countries. Trans Artists makes the enormous worldwide residential art labyrinth accessible and usable to the artists, through its website, newsletter, research and workshop programs.

Trans Artists is also  the coordinator of ON-AiR: a European wide trajectory of workshops and training programs for artists about using artist-in-residence opportunities, the coordinator of AiR Platform NL, the platform and international portal of Dutch artist-in-residence programs, the Netherlands coordinator of the European Pépinières program for young artists: a triennial, competitive program that offers young artists working periods at residential art centers and art education institutes in Europe and Québec, Canada.


Couldn't be more glad to be one of the team. Mediator between arts and boosters. 


Agnes.