Yesterday I was feeling low, coming down with some kind of flue. Tired, feverish. I stayed at home watching telly, which is hardly the most inspiring way of spending one's Saturday. But what the heck...
I watched 'living with Fran', at a certain point Fran speaks to her son and he looks bemused. He asks 'do you want me to feel guilty or happy?', her answer: 'I am a mom, I want both'. It's hard to admit, but I sure know what she means...
zondag 29 juni 2008
maandag 26 mei 2008
Peace Palace
Last week I visited the Peace Palace here in The Hague together with my son's class, another class, a teacher and a few other moms. It was great to visit this famous building with the kids.
A young woman guided us along, providing lively explanations about the history of this building, in which the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the International Court of Justice are located.
It was a sligthly peculiar experience for me, as I have been at the Palace more than one for interpreting purposes. It was nice to be there in another 'role'.
We saw quite a lot of statues during our tour. One of Carnegie, one of Gandhi. As we walked along another statue, one of the little boys asked me 'is that Hitler?', I bit on my lip to refrain from laughing and said 'No, he did not contribute to world peace'. 'O, that's right', the boy answered, 'it was the other way round with him.' He probably understood more than I initially thought.
After the tour of the premises, we were treated to lunch, after which the children participated to a workshop on human rights. A fruitful day by all means.
A young woman guided us along, providing lively explanations about the history of this building, in which the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the International Court of Justice are located.
It was a sligthly peculiar experience for me, as I have been at the Palace more than one for interpreting purposes. It was nice to be there in another 'role'.
We saw quite a lot of statues during our tour. One of Carnegie, one of Gandhi. As we walked along another statue, one of the little boys asked me 'is that Hitler?', I bit on my lip to refrain from laughing and said 'No, he did not contribute to world peace'. 'O, that's right', the boy answered, 'it was the other way round with him.' He probably understood more than I initially thought.
After the tour of the premises, we were treated to lunch, after which the children participated to a workshop on human rights. A fruitful day by all means.
maandag 19 mei 2008
Old footage on Sri Lanka
I haven't written anything in this blog for a long, long time and I apologize for that, as it defeats the purpose of having a blog in the first place.
Times have been hectic at home -both because of happy and sad events-and writing came second.
However, I am now following a writing course in Amsterdam, working on legal translations, having fun with Thomas and preparing myself for a change: two little puppies, named Laïka and Spike, are going to become part of the household soon.
Anyhow, I have just begun writing a story about Sri Lanka. A troubled country, which is very dear to me. I lived there in the 80s and have very fond recollections of the country. I am in the process of doing some research, both online and offline and stumbled across this video:
Times have been hectic at home -both because of happy and sad events-and writing came second.
However, I am now following a writing course in Amsterdam, working on legal translations, having fun with Thomas and preparing myself for a change: two little puppies, named Laïka and Spike, are going to become part of the household soon.
Anyhow, I have just begun writing a story about Sri Lanka. A troubled country, which is very dear to me. I lived there in the 80s and have very fond recollections of the country. I am in the process of doing some research, both online and offline and stumbled across this video:
maandag 7 april 2008
Nobody knows
Yesterday, the Japanese movie 'Nobody knows' was on Belgian television. A heart-wrenching movie about four children abandoned by their mother and living on their own in an apartment in Tokyo. Yuga Yagira, who played the eldest brother, rightly won an award for Best Actor in Cannes 2004 for his outstanding performance.
The movie is based on a true story and, as one can imagine, is not exactly a 'feel good-movie'. However, there are moments of happiness, even in the lives of these kids. Watching the movie, one easily 'becomes' the oldest brother, desperately trying to cope, trying to stay afloat. The responsibility he feels, the struggle, but also moment os fun with other children, the relief when there is a bit of money or some other stroke of luck.
The movie shows one thing extremely clearly: 'making' children is one thing, taking care of them quite another.
The movie is based on a true story and, as one can imagine, is not exactly a 'feel good-movie'. However, there are moments of happiness, even in the lives of these kids. Watching the movie, one easily 'becomes' the oldest brother, desperately trying to cope, trying to stay afloat. The responsibility he feels, the struggle, but also moment os fun with other children, the relief when there is a bit of money or some other stroke of luck.
The movie shows one thing extremely clearly: 'making' children is one thing, taking care of them quite another.
dinsdag 1 april 2008
Book tip of the week
Although admittedly books are not the answer to every question in life, I believe great comfort can be found in them. Whether one is looking for escapism or learning, for thrills or handy hints, for beautiful pictures or beautiful turns of phrase.
My advice this week is:
Take a look at : What Would Budha Do at Work? By Franz Metcalf and BJ Gallagher Hateley, a book full of practical wisdom and inspiring quotes.
We all need new inspiration from time to time, and inspiration comes from many places. From other human beings and from nature, notably. But also, quite simply, from books.
My advice this week is:
Take a look at : What Would Budha Do at Work? By Franz Metcalf and BJ Gallagher Hateley, a book full of practical wisdom and inspiring quotes.
We all need new inspiration from time to time, and inspiration comes from many places. From other human beings and from nature, notably. But also, quite simply, from books.
dinsdag 25 maart 2008
Mess is more
In the weekend I read a funny article in the Dutch magazine 'VIVA' about how being untidy is not as bad as one thinks and how being tidy is vastly overrated. The title of the piece was "MESS IS MORE".
Well, I'm not so sure. At the moment, all of my house qualifies as 'mess is more'. I am painting items of furniture and doing this in my bedroom (bad for my health, apart from anything else), my son Thomas is re-arranging his room in his own way, I am in the process of moving stuff to the attic, the stuff is in transit on the staircase and the disorder in my study and my living-room is utterly depressing.
I'm constantly on edge, constantly looking for thins. I think a little bit of a mess (think: pile of magazines on the floor next to the sofa) can be relaxing, but a lot of it is definitely not something I would recommend. Less is more, more or less.
Well, I'm not so sure. At the moment, all of my house qualifies as 'mess is more'. I am painting items of furniture and doing this in my bedroom (bad for my health, apart from anything else), my son Thomas is re-arranging his room in his own way, I am in the process of moving stuff to the attic, the stuff is in transit on the staircase and the disorder in my study and my living-room is utterly depressing.
I'm constantly on edge, constantly looking for thins. I think a little bit of a mess (think: pile of magazines on the floor next to the sofa) can be relaxing, but a lot of it is definitely not something I would recommend. Less is more, more or less.
donderdag 6 maart 2008
Truth & Fiction
I am writing this story about a homeless man and his friendship with a young boy. Well, in fact, 'writing' is overstating things. I have begun writing it, my friend, the artist Gurli Feilberg (www.feilberg.nl)
has already made a beautiful drawing about it, but the story has been on the shelf for quite some time now, due to my busy professional and private lives.
Funny thing is that the main character of this story, the homeless man, keeps popping up. In real life, that is. This is hardly surprising, as I got the idea from real life in the first place.
It nonetheless feels strange, every time I see somebody who reminds me of my main character, Anton. A few days ago I was walking past Florenzia (a place in the Hague, where you can get great ice-cream, not that you'd care, but still...) and I saw a bike parked outside, with large plastic bags hanging from the bike handles. Anton's bike. Anton's belongings.
Well, even though I am finding it difficult to carve in time for writing, my characters find time to remind me they are still there.
has already made a beautiful drawing about it, but the story has been on the shelf for quite some time now, due to my busy professional and private lives.
Funny thing is that the main character of this story, the homeless man, keeps popping up. In real life, that is. This is hardly surprising, as I got the idea from real life in the first place.
It nonetheless feels strange, every time I see somebody who reminds me of my main character, Anton. A few days ago I was walking past Florenzia (a place in the Hague, where you can get great ice-cream, not that you'd care, but still...) and I saw a bike parked outside, with large plastic bags hanging from the bike handles. Anton's bike. Anton's belongings.
Well, even though I am finding it difficult to carve in time for writing, my characters find time to remind me they are still there.
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