Blog Archives
Tulips
Since I haven’t said anything about our trip to the park on 16 April, I shall just share a number of the many tulips photos I shot on that day. Specially dedicated to my readers and all tulips lovers.
So, did you like the vibrant colours of the photos? Did you feel how I felt? You know I wish I could give you more but the virtual tulips are all I can afford to give you.
Trip to Zeeland
I had a day off today. Again.
We went driving to Zealand to show the 5-km long bridge in Holland, which is the longest bridge in the Netherlands. (More info and images at: Wikipedia / Deltawerken)
We also went to Zierikzee to make some pictures on the beach. It was chilly and all we (the ladies) wanted to do was, to get back in the car.
Keukenhof 2011
Spring is here in 2011! The tulips exhibition at Keukenhof in Lisse has started in March. The theme this year is ‘Germany: Land of Poets and Philosophers’.
I can’t wait to visit the park of tulips and nature again. It’s a calm place with lots of colours and varieties. I wish to bring my books and write what inspire me there. But I won’t be going alone this time (as usual) so I might not experience that piece of luxury for the hours I wish. It’s a huge park and lots to see and to shot beautiful images.
Next week, my cousin and partner are coming to visit. I plan to go to Lisse by public transport. So from Rotterdam Central Station, I will go to Leiden to catch bus 54. With luck, I’ll be at Keukenhof after 25 minutes of travel. The total combi-price is EUR21 inclusive entrance fee to the park.
For more info, click here: Keukenhof 2011
Tax Return 2010
For the third year, I did my own tax return to the Dutch Government. A pat on my shoulder. Well done! Saved my Euros from all the blood suckers. If I convert it to Malaysian Ringgit, it would be a month’s salary for a sales girl at one of the emporiums in Kota Kinabalu. Indeed! Euro money doesn’t seem much. What is €100 eh! It could be smart but knowing that I did the hole in my own pocket was not a clever thing to do. Let’s just say, I was just being lazy and lived my life to the fullest without having to think of the worst. (Let me tell you, the language did give me THE headache.)
That was before. Now, I can smile. 
It’s easy peasy as most of them are already filled in as I already have my logincode and my DigiD password (still with the dirt from the bin when I realised I threw it away 3 years ago). Once I’m in, I download the program. Most of the boxes are already filled in. My details (and spouse’s), my annual income, and some other details relate to the income tax. Since I have my own house, I have to fill in the details of what’s the market value of my house in 2010, the amount I’ve paid in the fiscal year and the amount that I still owe to the bank. Last year’s market value for the property was not favourable. So, if I were to sell this house, I would lose more than €50K. Not a good bargain indeed. So, a wise advice is to wait till the property value goes up again. I just hope I don’t lose all my teeth waiting.
Then, there are other details to be filled in. It’s interesting to know that I might get back the money I pay for the good cause monthly.
Check! I did. Once I read that I had to provide the bank statement showing those amounts and any other type of proof of payments, I uncheck the box. Why should I go through all this hassle and let strangers see what I do with my money (my bank statements show many transactions per page you see) ? I’ve never reported these as I remember the reason now. Let the gifts be gifts.
Once I reach the overview of my tax return, I feel relieved. I don’t care about all the amounts. My eyeballs work on finding the money I will get back for paying more than I should for my income or property. I do get back. Just a little but it is always nice to know to get a little (or nothing at all) than having to pay back. The signed and send button is there for me to press. But first. SAVE (as my printer’s cartridge is asking for a new one). Now send!
I got a notification that the “belastingdienst” received my declaration at “date” and “time”. Phew!
So, if you haven’t done yours. Please do it before the end of March 2011.
Download the digital Declaration form => Go to Aangifte 2010/ for Dutch or Tax Return 2010 for English
You must already have your logincode and DigiD password. The password you have to request yourself.
GOOD LUCK!
Wet Thursday Morning
Wet Thursday morning on the way to Rotterdam.
Silence but the sound of an old crack as if asking for a sympathy and the soft sound of this metro, makes me wonder what my fellow passengers are thinking. We’re at least covered from the rain and feel warmer with the heater on. While outside, it’s wet and cold.
I don’t mind if it’s raining as it is not as cold as when it is dry. It’s 2 degree Celcius and real feel is not even a minus. Or maybe it’s just because I feel warm inside this heavy and thick winter jacket.
A lovely weekend which I can thank the goodness of all the people who came on last Saturday for the Deepavali celebration. My first time wearing Saree and already I felt like I could never have enough of it. For this event and photos, they will follow up when I’m on my machine.
Stormy Morning
12 November 2010, Friday
People say TGIF. I say TGIA. Oh yes, I thank God that I’m healthy and still alive. My morning as usual is a disaster especially when I almost spent my night getting up from the sound of storm. I hoped it wouldn’t be that bad, I thought.
No, it is not except the fence, bordering with the neighbours’ home, needs to be fixed as it is almost damaged. Oh well, it IS damaged. Thinking about how much money to spend for a new fence has already made me not happy. But it’s just money, and I need privacy.
I guess it’s OK on this side of the country for now. The storm was not that bad. I remember reading a facebook friend “blown off” by the strong wind while cycling. To be safe I think, we should not cycle when the storm hits.
Volunteering at Homestay Seminar
What can I say? Getting up this morning was a disaster. My whole body was sore and cramp here and there (and still is). I didn’t dance. I didn’t run. I didn’t carry a million tonnes of liquid. I didn’t fall.
But I did go out in the cold taking pictures without my jacket (who needs jacket? It was “warm”.). I did stand in our Drinks Corner helping out for hours without sitting. I also did sit on the hard floor with the kids, talking to them while they were busy painting (and had a hard time getting up).
So, the conclusion: I’m not as strong as before and not as “serba-boleh” as I used to.
Despite my complaints, I did enjoy our volunteer work yesterday for Tourism Malaysia. They organised a Homestay Seminar in Rotterdam and it was a private event. A group of Malay musicians and artists were flown over from Malaysia to entertain the guests. Our Minister, the Tourism head in NL, the Ambassador in NL, the head of the Malaysian Homestay were among the VIP/guests. Foods and beverages were both done by Perwakilan and Malaysian Association of the Netherlands.
The Pavilion in Rotterdam
Floating
Miss President of MA-NL
Don't mess up with them.
Drinks Corner. "Chendol! Chendol! Or Ais Batu?"
Teh Tarik anyone? Coffee or Tea?
Yum Yum.. Traditional Malay's dessert Kueh
Kueh Bahulu
Pak Mat: "Long time ago.. when my ancestor was a pendekar.."
Gorgeous Malay Ladies and girl
While the adults were attending Seminar, the kids were busy with their games.
A Dutch girl was painting her 4th batik
The VIPs sitting in a Malay style "bersila" while having a scrumptous meal and dessert.
Malay Musician, imported from Malaysia for this special event.
Oh, poor me.
I managed to capture 1 before my camera card said CARD FULL. The VIPs, Malaysian Tourism, Artists and musicians from Malaysia..
Hope you enjoyed the photos.
Daylight Saving Time in Holland
It’s almost midnight here in the Netherlands. Another couple of hours and we are back to the ‘summer time’. This means we all will experience a lack of an hour sleep. I am glad it happens in the weekend as I need to adjust my mood before going back to work on Monday. Being at work at 9 in the morning is just nice but spending another hour in the evening because the real time of arrival was 10am might be an issue. It’s not that I leave my work on time every day but I might have an appointment on Monday evening with a certain financial institution to talk about the cheapest interest rate they are offering. Luckily there is no such thing in my schedule.
The change of time will also mean that I am closer to home and at the same time, I am older an hour compare to the winter time.
So, to the new time. Welcome summer time and enjoy the spring season, soon to be summer.
