jolly

I don’t know what has come over me during the past three weeks but I just feel blissfully happy. I feel so zen about life. Note: I’m using “zen” in the most generic form since I really have no clue what a zen lifestyle entails but I imagine it’s something like I feel now but with more candles and sand.

I think it started with the realization that its time to get my ass into shape for the wedding and Tahiti. I have always gone to the gym regularly and eaten really healthy, fresh food but I’ve decided to take it a step further. I had my trainer create a new gym routine that is an hour and a half of grueling cardio and strength training. My diet is being perfected and I’m amazed at how pineapple and strawberries can actually be a satisfying dessert. It is such a boost of confidence to walk out of the gym, drenched in sweat, knowing I just finished a killer workout without cutting any corners or to look back on the food I’ve consumed and to know it was all organic, healthy, fresh fare. It feels great not because I’m looking for rock hard abs (although that would be nice) but because it feels great to be making my body and my health such a priority. Hopefully these are long term, lifestyle changes that I’ll keep with me well after the honeymoon.

Then there is the stress of work and the wedding which seems to never cease. My projects are a chaotic mess and the wedding is one bit of drama after the next. I finally realized, I can only do what I can do. I’ll offer up all the solutions I can but I can’t make our clients sane, I can’t make my budgets bigger or my timelines any longer. As for the wedding, I’ve realized making some compromises with the wedding doesn’t mean it won’t be the wedding of my dreams.

On top of all of that, I love Amsterdam! Well, that’s kind of a lie. I hate Amsterdam but I am truly loving my life here. I have so much here that I never realized because I was too busy complaining about the whether and the awful grocery stores. In the year and a half I’ve lived here, I’ve managed to find friends that I consider family and I know I will be close to for the rest of my life. I have the best girl friends I’ve had in years. I love that I’m part of a book and wine club full of intelligent ladies and I’m part of a department at work that holds a regular game nights complete with wine, Rock Band 2 and Cranium. I’ve even grown quite fond of riding my bike around and enjoying the fresh air.

Oh, and swing dancing. Glorious swing dancing. Jordi and I started taking lessons about 5 months ago and I am officially hooked. It is what I look forward to every week and what I miss as soon as each class ends. Since swing dancing is so small in Amsterdam, it’s like a little community where everyone knows everyone else. Our instructors and some classmates are so lovely and I’m only too happy to run into them at dancing events and parties. This has also given me a completely different view of the local people and shown me that they can be fun, friendly and outgoing. Something I didn’t think was possible if you had asked me 6 months ago.

Overall, I just feel the best I’ve felt in so long - about every aspect of my life. I have so many things to look forward to and so many people and things to be grateful for.

The last few days have been so busy and my body is dying to just sleep in and lounge in my pajamas.

We flew into Barcelona on Friday night and when directly to the hospital to see Jordi’s brother who was having an emergency surgery to remove his gall bladder. We waited until 1:30am for him to get out of surgery. All went well and I’m sure he is happy to no longer have to deal with the excruciating pain from rocks building up in his internal body parts.

We woke up early the next morning to attend Jordi’s friend’s wedding in the mountains of Girona. The venue was so lovely but the wedding was chaotic, disorganized and left me, and I’m sure other guests, starving and cranky. The bride and groom had fun which is all that really matters. Well, that and my dress which was hot pink and therefore fabulous. =)

From Eli-Xavi Wedding

On Sunday, after a Sunday family lunch of delicious tapas, and another hospital visit, Jordi’s brother (not the one in the hospital) and I planned a surprise kart racing trip for Jordi’s birthday. All of his close friends met and we had a mini race at a new karting circuit outside of Barcelona. It has been so many years since I last went karting and I forgot how fun it is. I had a lap time I can be proud of but came in 5th place because I got caught behind a multikart crash. Bummer.

From Etc.

From Etc.

Monday we woke up early and started wedding planning meetings at 8:45am. Bakers, caterers, musicians and florists meetings until 6pm. It was exhausting but the upside is we love all of our vendors and we love the work they are doing for us and we are so excited about everything finally coming together. We have our final menu picked, an idea of where our centerpieces are heading, and musicians we are excited to work with.

Tuesday was Jordi’s real birthday. We got back to Amsterdam only to have a crazy day of catching up at work and dealing with projects that are going horribly awry. Twelve of Jordi’s close friends and I surprised him with a huge dinner and drinks and a little tapas place. He was so happy we managed to all get together for his birthday he was gushing the whole night. He is the sweetest thing.

From Jordi's Birthday

Wednesday was spent in the same way as always, dancing and more dancing. Thursday was spent ditching our all day company party to go karting and bowling with some close friends. I’m exhausted. Jordi pulled a muscle in his ribs. Thank goodness it’s Friday.

I am getting married in 3 months. How time flies... All the big "to dos" are checked off the list, the stress is finally easing and I think we'll really be able to enjoy the next 3 months of finalizing details, picking flowers, picking wedding rings, finalizing the Hindu ceremony details, etc. I'm really excited.

Jordi finally took me to Montserrat last month. It is a strange looking mountain that formed in a similar yet opposite way of the Grand Canyon. The Spanish built a church at the top of the mountain. It is absolutely breathtaking. When Jordi was learning how to fly, he used to fly over these mountains all the time. It sounds so incredible. Something I would love to try if I ever muster up the courage to pilot a plane again.

From Montserrat 5.01.09

From Montserrat 5.01.09

From Montserrat 5.01.09

From Montserrat 5.01.09

And this is our best friends' son. Isn't he the cutest? This is who we try to spend most of our time with. =)

From Vondlepark

From Vondlepark

A simply put quote from Judge Judy from her recent Larry King interview regarding gay marriage.

"We've got a lot of trouble in this country. We've got a lot of trouble in the world. Why the state should be interested in proscribing the word marriage from two people who love each other, who are responsible, tax-paying, productive people, who have created a family ... why the state would have an interest in proscribing that kind of conduct, I don't understand.

I understand the anger about poverty. I understand the anger about AIG. I understand the problem about the banks. I understand the problem about Afghanistan and the Taliban and everything else. But I don't understand the preoccupation with gays being permitted to marry."

I think I am finally over Valentine's Day.

I've always wanted to be over Valentine's Day. I've always agreed that it is a man-made, retail driven holiday but it's hard to get beyond the office peer pressure of whose boyfriend loves them the most gauged by who has the biggest bouquet of birds of paradise.

I think it's necessary to state that this decision has nothing to do with Jordi. He is in fact fabulous with Valentine's Day, birthdays, anniversaries. I always get an embarrassingly large bouquet of tropical flowers. And for the only Valentine's Day we really celebrated together, he also brought me a box of my favorite Teuscher milk chocolate champaign truffles. Quite a feat considering the closest store was 2,000 miles away and the truffles only stay fresh for a few days.

Last year, February 14, 2008, Jordi and I were boarding a plane going one way to Amsterdam. We decided amidst all the moving to a new country chaos, we would forgo Valentine's for that year. I didn't mind much and frankly, I can't say I missed anything.

This year, I didn't even see it coming. To my surprise, it is celebrated in the Netherlands but there isn't a reminder during every commercial break or an isle and a half dedicated to chocolates and teddy bears in the grocery store. We happened to make dinner plans with some good friends to catch up since they've been sick and out of commission for a few weeks. I didn't realize until today that I had agreed to spending this supposed romantic night spending as much time as possible playing with our friends' baby before his bedtime and then eating Mexican food with our favorite friends.

At this moment, there is something about our plans that feels far more fulfilling than gawking over some overpriced flowers and eating overpriced heart-shaped lobster ravioli. I'd like to believe this is the start of my new Valentine free life but I must admit, living abroad makes this a far easier accomplishment and therefore possibly only a temporary one.

Our honeymoon is officially booked!

11 days in Tahiti's Bora Bora, Moorea and Le Tahaa and 4 days in LA for some Fantasmic and to get our shopping fix. Can you believe poor Jordi has never been to Disneyland? You can't call that a life.

And now we wait.

I left work with happy news today.

I recently produced my first iPhone application in partnership with Coca-Cola. Nothing crazy and new but it's simple and enjoyable and has pretty fantastic 3D. I was a little apprehensive as this was not only my first time producing on the iPhone platform but also Coke's first ever application. It launched two weeks ago and today I received the metrics for the past week. The app has made it to the top free downloaded apps in several markets and was downloaded over 40,000 times in the last week alone.

I don't think those are insanely high numbers but I believe they are above average and enough to make me really happy. Imagine if we were charging a dollar for every download.

Anyway, give it a try and make a nice review for me. Search Magic Coke Bottle in the app store.

A. Each tagged person must post 8 things about themselves on their journal.

B. At the end, you have to choose and tag 5 people.

1. I place my left hand on my hip when I'm brushing my teeth. Jordi always makes fun of me for this.

2. I have been biking to and from work in the freezing cold every day. Literally, temperatures here have been between 20 and 30 degrees.

3. I am part of a reading and wine club for women. We meet once a month and discuss the current book and sample the wines brought by each member. The next meeting is this Tuesday and I started reading the book (Mr. Pip) last night.

4. I have to mount my bike from the left side. I get confused if I try to get on any other way.

5. My flight from Miami to Barcelona over the Christmas holiday was so painfully long I had to see a physical therapist when I got to Barcelona because I could not move my back or neck. She had to lift up my shoulder blade and ram her elbow into the muscles hidden under there. She also had to realign some of my vertebrae. Needless to say, that was the not so fun part of my vacation.

6. Jordi and I just booked our honeymoon and it is my blissfully happy thought. =D

7. Tomorrow is the first birthday party of our good friends' baby. He is only baby we are close to and it's so much fun to have him in our lives. I can't wait to see him tomorrow.

8. Jordi is in Barcelona for the weekend so I will have a relaxing weekend of reading in my pajamas, going to the spa, going to Diego's first birthday and eating cookies.

i tag: SEANZY, SETH, ALEX, TUCKER and well, my 5th would be NIKKI but I guess you don't want to do it again =)

The Mad Men craze has hit our office. Most of us are addicted to the TV show about advertising in the early 1960's when advertising was still a glamorous industry and there was still such a thing as secretary school for women. The dress code at most creative agencies now days is more about being hip with your Diesel jeans, scruffy face and NIke sport culture shoes (since we have to wear Nike).

Last Monday, the men surprised us by coming in as Mad Men. Complete with suits, scotch drinking, cigar smoking and telling us women to get their coffee and make them photocopies.

I wish every Monday was like this.

From Mad Men

From Mad Men

From Mad Men

From Mad Men

And many more here http://picasaweb.google.nl/jollypop/MadMen#

I was walking back to the office after a coffee trip last week and this '60s pop cover band had set themselves up on a beat up car on a canal corner. They were surprisingly good and had the crowd of passers-by drinking champaign and dancing in the street. If that wasn't fabulous enough, the name of the band was Johnny and the Gangsters of Love.

From Etc.

You are wrong. You are the stupid one. Not Dad, for his mind that is deteriorating with age and diabetes. So much so that we often can not relate to this thought processes - or lack thereof. Not Mom, for bearing the burden of running a household, a business, dealing with a mother with late stage dementia all while being thousands of miles away from her support network of friends and family. And not me, for being the concerned sibling that brings it upon myself to try to help our aging parents as much as possible.

You are the stupid one, that after almost 32 years, still doesn't realize just how good we have it. And more importantly, how much of that we owe to our parents. They may not be as quick and hip as your Wall Street, New York City friends and acquaintances and sure they have made some stupid decisions along the way, but without their constant support and confidence in us, we wouldn't be where we are today. Although they always advised us, they allowed us to make our own choices. To move far away from home when we felt it was necessary. To fuck up and to figure it out. And they were always there to help us fix things when we couldn't figure it out.

You are the stupid one for still not appreciating that they always have and always will do everything that is in our best interest. For not appreciating that they would do anything for us at the drop of a hat. From donating a kidney to sending a box of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups express overseas because I had a craving.

We are growing up and growing older and at that point where the tables turn and the kids have to start looking out for the parents. It's a big responsibility to take on. And probably a reality even harder to admit to. But I hope you step up to the plate soon. We don't have a whole lot of time left to show our gratitude and to start repaying them for all they have done for us.

I hope, for all of us, you stop being the stupid one sooner than later because it won't be long before you regret wasting all of these years with your negativity.

The temperature in Amsterdam has dropped significantly over the past few days and it feels like Winter is officially here. It seems as though only a few days ago I looked out and noticed the tree in our garden has lost all of it's leaves and realized Autumn was upon us. Every morning as I am biking to work I tell myself I can handle the weather as long as it doesn't get any colder. My fingertips freeze since I forget to put on gloves every morning and it only continues to get colder.

It doesn't feel like Halloween is only 2 days away. I miss the stores being filled with giant bags of candy and the adorable baby costumes (peas in a pod!) that line the store's seasonal section. We are having a pumpkin carving contest at work and I desperately wanted to make these:

From Etc.

But sadly, not only do Fudge Stripped Cookies not exist here, nor do Hershey's Kisses! That was quite a devastating realization. As if that was not bad enough, while trying to find some cute alternative Halloween treat, I learned that the Dutch are really not into this pastry decorating thing that the Americans seem to love. No where can I find a half decent variety of icings, gels, and cake decorations. Not even bat and pumpkin cookie cutters. What's a girl to do?

Other than that, I've been busy, busy, busy. With work, wedding planning, new business propositions, friends with new babies, the gym and trying to find baking ingredients in a city that lacks a pallet for food, I don't have much free time. I am anxiously awaiting my Christmas holiday to Miami and Barcelona. Delicious food and sunshine and I will be a happy girl.

I was in New York a few weeks ago to shop and spend some time with my girl friend Rebecca, aka my future bridesmaid, from Miami. We decided to set up a bridal dress appointment at Saks just for fun and to get her vital opinion on the various styles. I just wanted to try a few things on to see what I was into. Forty five minutes later, our mouths were gapped open at the dress I was wearing. It was perfect. (minus the fact that the sample size is a 10!) Amazing fabric, simple, chic and elegant.

It just so happened, the designer was having a trunk show that very weekend. We came back to meet the rep who is beyond lovely. We also learned that all the dresses are tailor made. No pre-existing sizes exist. This dress would be made from scratch to my exact measurements. After talking for an hour with the rep, (sometimes about the dress and sometimes about his amazing stories while he was running Barneys) and imagining the dress in the right size and the right color, I was sold. I was measured and then bought it on the spot. Almost one year before my actual wedding day. I am so in love with it!

If that wasn't exciting enough, again, just for fun, Rebecca and I started looking at shoes online. Just wanting to get a feeling of what was out there this season. All I knew was that I didn't want the god awful traditional wedding shoes. Rebecca sent me a link to a pair of Moschino's a few days ago. Once again, pure perfection. I bought those too and I couldn't be happier. They are in Rebecca's care and supervision until I get to the states.

So, that's it. 325 days until the big day and I have 90% of my outfit purchased. Not bad. I didn't think this was supposed to be so easy.

All this Red Elvises talk (Alex mentioning them and Sean seeing them at Rusty's Surf Ranch) not only made me incredibly jealous, but it also reminded me of how we stumbled upon this wondrous band. Seth and I had made plans to see the Phenomenauts at Slims. We drove all the way to San Francisco, bought our overpriced tickets at the counter and then decided we were starving. We asked the lady at the ticket counter when the Phenomenauts started and she said not for another 20 minutes or so. Perfect. I remember walking away wondering who this Red Elvises band was kind of annoyed that they were the reason a normally $15 cover charge was now raised to $25.

We ran across the street and shoved our faces with whatever god awful food we could find at the little convenience store/ fast food place. We got back to Slims just as they were setting up the stage for the next band. Perfect timing. Then I started noticing people chanting "Red Elvises." Hmm... is that bits of confetti on the stage? No way, we couldn't have missed the Phenomenauts... And then I saw the toilet paper on the floor. That was all the confirmation I needed to know that we had in fact missed them.

We were so upset over the whole thing, we thought about leaving. I, unlike my normal self back then, tried to make the best of it and suggested staying to see what all the hype was about. Come on, at that age, you didn't just throw around $25. Seth, always up for pretty much anything, agreed.

Enter the Red Elvises.

If you've seen them play, you pretty much know what that first experience is like. Except, that first experience included the bass player picking me up on stage and me making a sad attempt to seductively move my hips to "I Wanna See you Bellydance."

Of course, by the time the 400 person conga line started, we were in love with them and so glad that we saw them. Even at the expense of missing the band we drove 45 miles to see. I always think back to that show and wonder how incredible it would be to see the Phenomenauts and the Red Elvises play a show together. And to think, we missed probably one of the most comical and enjoyable shows of my adolescents due to scarfing down something of the likes of corndogs and potato chips.

I just discovered the marvelous tool that is Skype.

I know it's been around for quite a while and was aware of the video chatting craze it has brought on but I didn't realize how intelligent it is for international calling.

I am now paying 8.95€ per month which allows me unlimited calls to landlines in 36 countries. That's an amazing bargain compared to the phone bills we've been racking up with our frequent calls to the US and Spain. What has me really impressed though is that I can choose up to 3 different phone numbers, all in different countries if I want, so people can call me but be dialing a phone number that is local to them. Genius. So, I now have a US number.

Next step is to order an actual Skype phone so I'm not talking at my computer like a weirdo. I don't know why, I am stuck on the idea that a phone call should involve a phone.

Yay for new toys and technology.

A lot of questionable things pass as art these days so I will make no comment on the fact that someone thought it was a worth while venture to create a solid gold sculpture of a coked out, has been model.

But I am quite appalled that the British Museum has the audacity to put something of this caliber next to ancient Greek sculpture. What's worse, they call it a "fitting setting interacting with the great Greek beauties that surround it."

Come on. Someone please tell me this is a bad joke.


LONDON, England (CNN) -- The British Museum plans to display a statue of supermodel Kate Moss that it bills as the largest gold statue built since ancient Egypt.

The statue of Kate Moss will be displayed in the British Museum in a gallery holding anicent Greek sculpture.

Called "Siren," the statue will be part of a group of major sculptures by leading British artists to go on display at the museum in October, the museum announced.

The museum says the artist, Marc Quinn, claims it's the largest gold statue since ancient Egypt.

The Kate Moss statue will be displayed in a gallery of the museum that houses ancient Greek sculpture. The museum calls it a "fitting setting" for the statue of Moss, "interacting with the great Greek beauties that surround it."

The exhibit is expected to run from October 4 through January 25, 2009.

Sean's last post inspired me to write a real update about what's going on in the life of me. I guess it hasn't been that long but I'm bored and too lazy to move from my chair at work. So, why not?

Amsterdam has grown on me and I feel truly happy here. I feel like I finally know how to live day to day. I've learned to not expect the sun to shine in July. I bought a little trolley so I can fill it up with groceries and pretend it's the same as having a car and I'm learning how to use public transportation. I've discovered some great boutiques and an amazing spa only a stone's throw from my place. Dare I say I even kind of enjoy riding my bike.

Jordi and I moved into our official apartment after being in corporate housing for almost 6 months. The place is gorgeous and we're almost done unpacking and organizing. Behr is so happy to have some space and a back patio. We have a ton of neighbor cats that try to hang out although I don't think Behr is quite ready for them.

Work has been so crazy and it's times like this I am glad that I love my job. I've been working on a couple of Nike campaigns that have been keeping me at the office until the wee hours of the morning. This project is the first interactive advertising Nike has ever let us do (at least for Europe) so I feel pretty honored to be trusted to produce it.

Jordi is my fabulous perfection as always. I'm not quite sure how I managed to luck out as to find someone so wonderful but I've decided to stop questioning it. Wedding planning is in semi full swing. We found a location and set a date but we've been too swamped with work to give it much more thought as of late. I have over a year to plan so I'm not too worried. Plus, that's what wedding planners are for, right?

Overall, I can't complain. I am anxiously awaiting my trip to New York in September. Rebecca is meeting me there for 5 days of shopping and general girlyness. I can't wait to see her.

I just discovered Patrizia Pepe who made my day by making the gorgeous sweater I just bought. Can't wait to wear it. Check her out - her clothes make me happy: http://www.patriziapepe.com/

These are my lovely coworkers. Aren't they cute? The sunny days are rare here so on a week long streak of good weather, my boss decided it was time for a little group outing to enjoy the sun.






What a rockstar.




What's a proper boat ride without a little drive-by peep show in the Red Light District?





This city is definitely growing on me. =)

This one has been bothering me for so long I'm starting to think I made it up.

Category: Bad 80s?

Plot:(At least what I can piece together of it ) Society is obsessed with this whipped cream/meringue like food. Boy discovers the government is somehow brainwashing people to eat it. Of course no one believes him until somehow the truth is discovered. Boy = hero. I don't even remember what the point of the brainwashing was. Maybe it's really an alien movie?

Ideas? Anyone?

I am in the midst of prepping for an upcoming Nike shoot. One of the athletes we need is only available during her stay in Sicily. Sounded fantastic until we found out in order to shoot in Sicily, you have to work with and in compliance with the Italian mafia. Needless to say, we're trying to get her to Amsterdam for a day instead. I <3 the Italians.