Omaha Beach

Omaha commonly known as Omaha Beach was the code name for one of the five sectors of the Allied invasion of German-occupied France in the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944, during World War II.  Here are some of the photos I took when I was there.  There are also amazing restaurants around the area which serves mussels and fresh oysters.  If your in Normandy and would like to go to the beach, Omaha beach is the place to be.

Wheat Raclette

Reminiscing this healthy breakfast I had when we were in Normandy, France. If you look closely, 

it has a sunny side up egg in the center and the raclette is thin made of wheat flour similar to a tortilla (that is why i think the color is brown) folded on the sides to make a square shape.  You can ask if you want  it with salad or just the plain raclette what you see in the photo below.  Asking price is 4,75eu. So, don't forget to try this out when you are in Normandy.

Limited Edition Loreal Paris X Balmain

Loreal Paris recently release there newest collection in the collaboration with Balmain Paris.  This is the limited edition of Riche Lipstick Collection.  It has 12 beautiful bold shades to choose from.  The lipstick retails at 14,95eu which I think is quite expensive for a drugstore lipstick.  

You can check out my first impression, wear test and review about this lipstick on my youtube channel.  Just type It's Yen or click here.

My BRK Family

Happy 6 years guys!!!  I was browsing some old pictures in Facebook and found this one on Jannette's album.  Today marks another year when the BRK (Barangay Record Keeper) was organized. How time passes so fast.  Sometimes I miss the table I used to lean on, my colleagues I used to chat with and especially the treasurers who makes my day.  I'm hoping to see all of you soon...All the best and more power!

L-R: Jannette, Caryl, Gen, Me, Emma, Luz, Mdam Agnes

Phone Call from MIL

photos 2009 & 2011 visit

Last weekend husband got a long distance call from Mum who is my mother-in-law.  She is planning to visit us again  and asking us what are the possible dates that she can come over to spent holiday with us. It is not yet definite to when but I can't wait to see her again.  It has been over two years since her last visit last May of 2011.  Actually, it would be better to have her on December for Christmas time so we can show her around the Christmas markets in Germany and Belgium or even Paris!  So, fingers crossed. 

The Voice in the Philippines

I was totally surprised when Kris Aquino announced that Philippines will soon air The Voice which is very famous and first originated here in the Netherlands.  Yes, it started all here with famous dutch singers as judges.  Then it aired in Great Britain with Jessie J as one of the judges.  Now, finally the Voice in the Philippines with Lea Salonga and Sarah Geronimo plus two other judges. Can not wait to watch the program.

Lunch Date

How's your Saturday guys? Snow is pouring again in the south part of the Netherlands and a temperature of minus two so it is really cold in here.  But nothing could stop us in dining out with friends. We had a sumptuous lunch in a Chinese-Mongolian Restaurant in the border of Germany to celebrate a friend's birthday.  Thanks for inviting us again! 

photo @ Grote Natuur

My BDO Banking Experience

Do you have any experience good and bad with your own bank when your sending money to your families? Well, I do.  This is my worst experience with Banco De Oro in their eBanking service.  As a valued customer for four years, I did not have any issue in sending money and every thing went smooth every time I make a foreign transfer.  Just this past days, I was alarmed when the money I sent did not arrive as it use to be. I called the BDO Customer Service but the toll free is always busy and rather called the other hotline number that charges a regular airtime.  I was also very upset when a man named Dragon hanged up on me!!!  After that incident, I immediately talked to my bank and explained every detail.  They said it was already processed the day after I made the transaction.  To make it short, my mother filed a complaint in the bank and talked to the manager.  The problem was solve after few hours of waiting and  finally release the money.  Thinking about what happened, it would be better to follow up transactions immediately.  If you wait, you wait for nothing.  I hope the company will find ways to give the best  service to their clients.  Now, I am planning to close my account and look for a new bank.  Any suggestions?

First Meet Up

A photo tagged by friends last week.  This is my first meet up of the year!   

photo taken @ Ede

Ticket to Ede - NL

In two weeks time i will be meeting some old friends i met way back when i was still in the Philippines.  It is kinda exciting to see their faces for we have not seen each other for some time. Well, I still have to buy one train ticket for myself because hubby can not come along with me since his son is with him that weekend.  Good thing that tickets were offered again at a lower price than normal.  I am so excited!  Ticket is valid for a whole day travel in the Netherlands so it is really a great deal.  So for sure, i will be seeing you all soon and btw i will get the ticket tomorrow after work.  Just thinking what to bring for potluck, any suggestion anyone?

NS Railway Precaution

I got this message from our local Railway Transport company about it's weather situation for tomorrow from my iphone.  Super like it. It's somewhat like a friendly reminder from an advertisement of something that i used to see on tele.  But anyways, keep warm and be safe everyone! 

 Rural amended timetable on Tuesday, January 15th

For Tuesday, January 15th is snow and frost is expected. These weather conditions can seriously impede traffic. To avoid problems as much as possible to cope, adapt NS and ProRail precaution from the start of the train timetables in many pathways.Please note fewer trains, frequent switching and more crowds in the train. The modifications are currently in the process planner. Plan your trip therefore shortly before departure.

Sending Money Abroad

How do you send money to your families and loved ones?  Nowadays, there are thousands of ways to send money abroad  like Western Union Transfer, Money Gram, Paypal and so forth.  But ever since, I am only using bank to bank transfer.  Why?  Because the transfer fees is as low as 5,50 euro per transaction (no limit).  Normally it will take 3-5 days before the recipient bank receives it.  My bank also offers the cheapest transfer rate compared to other banks here in the Netherlands.  So, i am very much happy about it.  Just checked online banking with BDO and transferred some money to my parents.  Rate is 1eu = 51.84 :(

Moments of 2012

Hello guys!  How was the year of the water snake started in you and your family?  I haven't really been searching for things what the water snake year will bring for us but am hoping for the best is yet to come.  I am doing this post to sum up the things good and bad of course that happened to us.  I admit the first months was difficult.  We had trials to overcome as a couple but in the end we sorted things out and made our relationship stronger.  Career wise on the other hand, we both are working and it helped us a lot.  Health issues are excellent with us and my family.  We also earned some properties to invest in the future.  Plus another thing, my brother joined me here which i am very happy too.  I forgot to mention, i survived 4 years and more to come! I guess year 2012 was not bad at all.  Embracing the sweet memories of it and bringing with me the things that i learned for the future.  Thank you Lord for everything.

Seasons Greetings

Merry Christmas All...

Holiday is coming

Thank God it was my last day of work today.  Happy but sad at the same time because it means less pay.  If you are working in a hotel, you will also understand what i am trying to say.  Enough of work, now am excited about the holiday!  Actually, for me not to work for 2 weeks is a blessing.  No getting up early in the morning with my bicycle.  Not to mention the snow, grrr!  So, what are your plans for ChristmAs?  I still have to some food shopping because stores are close on the 25th and my brother is also coming to celebrate with us. He had  requested some filipino foods such as fried fish.  Cook it like we do at home, he quoted.  So glad i can update my blog using my phone.  Keep warm guys!  Happy weekend all.

Winter Wonder Land

It's weekend once again and snow is everywhere here in our place.  Snow first started falling in the north part of Netherlands like the cities of Amsterdam and The Hague.  I also heard from some friends that some parts of Belgium had snow.  But yesterday we had our first heavy snow that lasted for almost a day.  It started around eight in the morning until around five in the afternoon which technically covered every thing with snow.  The snow was about 5-15cm and a temperature of minus three.  Snow makes the place a winter wonderland but honestly it doesn't make me excited nor happy.  Am glad that i can take some photos and add it to my winter album in facebook **wink

front garden with the snowman

play park across the street

trees covered with snow

trees infront of us

An Unexpected Package

After a busy day at work, i went home and was astonished by the pieces of mails i saw in our front door.  I immediately pick them up and check them one by one.  Aside from the normal letters such as insurance, advertisement folders from the stores and a Christmas card from my dear mom-in-law,  one paper caught my eyes. A paper from our local post or mail service that says; Your package was delivered on house number 29.  I called my husband but he said he is not  buying things online lately.  Later today, the neighbor came and brought the package.  It was a baby walking chair (baby loopstoel).  We thought it was sent to a wrong address but it was the previous occupants of this house before we bought it.  So, now we are going to send it back to the company.  

Baby walking chair

Isn't this cute?  Good for babies who are learning to walk...

Easy Christmas Tree

Ber months are here again, i mean December!  The month of showing love to one another, sharing our blessings to everyone and don't forget decorating your own Christmas tree.  I am proud to say that our tree is up and done but i still need to add some decorations to the house as well. I love Christmas especially if your celebrating it with your loved ones.  Sad to say we can't but probably we will be chatting online on Christmas day.

Silver & White Theme

This year, i am using white and silver Christmas ornaments that i bought from Ikea. I am so obsessed with Ikea's christmas collection but i can not have all of them.  This has 50 decorative balls with different sizes as well as ropes and hooks to hang.  I also have the silver stars and the silver rope which i used last year.  The tree with the lights are not new, i used this last year as well.  If your tree is up, leave a link in the comment box so i can visit you too.  Happy Holidays everyone!

Snowy Monday

Most of us do not really like Monday (like me) as in i hate it. It means it's the start of the week and for some of us we must go to work.  Do you have this feeling when you start working on a Monday, it is such a very long week to wait for Friday to come.  Snowy Monday because snowflakes starts falling in our place.  I immediately told my brother who lives up North and he said they already have it few weeks ago. But I am glad it stop and did not continue the whole day.  Some of my colleagues at work were happy about it but am not.  Going to work with my bicycle in a slippery path doesn't help at all.  I wish it would be dry tomorrow morning since i have to go to work.  I can bear the zero degrees cold temperature with a winter jacket, hand gloves, sjaal and winter boots.  So, are you happy with snow in winter time?  Sorry, i did not able to take some photos because i was talking to my family in the Philippines.  A bit worried though about the upcoming storm that will hit Mindanao.  For all those who have families somewhere in the Mindanao area, do not forget to warn them for safety measures.  Be safe everyone.

Happy Advent Sunday

It's sunday once again!  Glad i had an extra free day today from work (not so busy) so i can spend time with mine. So, how was your sunday everyone?  Did you do something special today?  We got up late around twelve noon (slept late at 3am).  First thing was to get a cup of coffee for Jan and then prepared breakfast for both of us.  Followed by some household chores such as ironing (mine did it, lucky me), sweeping & dusting plus laundry were done. 

For all we know, it is the first week of Advent.  Honestly, we do not do things like that at home.  I just don't know why but i will light a candle later today. It is somewhat different when it's just the two of you.  About the weather here, since autumn is finish we are now getting colder and colder everyday. Actually, i managed to clean up my summer clothes and prepared my thick winter clothes.   Have a good sunday ahead everyone!