Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Breaking the daily grind

This morning, just like every weekday, my alarm rang at 6.40 AM. Only this time I didn't get up for breakfast and get on the 8.03 train to The Hague Central Station. No, today I got up to get down on it at Morning Gloryville Amsterdam. This early morning rave (which of course first started in London) was held at Club Lite, which just happens to be across the street from my place. Surrounded by people who were dressed in fitness gear, barefoot, in full party attire, high heals or pajamas's, I woke up with a beat.


For me, the idea of working from nine to five in my field is old-fashioned, mostly because I personally do not function well sitting behind a computer or in meetings for eight hours straight (who does?). Of course, it comes in handy to be at the office when colleagues are there too, but sometimes working alone late at night is what I need a lot more. The daily grind does not inspire me even though I am often in good company on the train and even try to liven it up with sweet notes to fellow commuters. In Jakarta, I always asked my motorbike driver to take a different route to work, just to tickle my brain a bit...

Luckily, my current employer is flexible and supports people to try out other ways of working. So, I ended up on the dance floor with two colleagues this morning at 7. Thus far, I have worked like a machine! Maybe it's because I've had a chance to my shake up my week, loosen up my body and laugh out loud - all before 9AM.

Reporters from the Dutch news were there too!
No, YOU're amazing!
Butterfly taking a break

Massage and yoga on spot
Yeah, hugs!





Tuesday, January 7, 2014

May 2014 be as funky as 2013 was!


Happy new year! May 2014 bring you lots of happiness, compassion and love.

As I always do during the last days of the year, I looked back on the previous year. Overall conclusion: 2013 was a very good year. I spent quality time with the people I love, met a lot of new and inspiring people in the most amazing locations and learned a lot. I learned for instance how to keep on walking with feet covered in blisters and a fever that made me delirious.

The things I am most proud of:
  • Walked more than 650 kilometers to Santiago de Compostela 
  • Wrote about 100 lieve brieven 
  • Put up a Dreamboard with Liliane 
  • 'Married' my friends Brittany and Philippe (I officiated the ceremony)
  • Organised (and presented) an Ignite event 
  • Started driving lessons again 
  • Ate a grasshopper
Some other highlights:
  • Visited London with my sister Ayla
  • Learned about critical connections with Gibran (in Nicaragua)
  • Went on the camino (with its own highlights: the first albergue, Paul's last dinner, foodie day with Suzanne, the preacher, meeting Johnny Redsocks, arriving in Santiago)
  • Being in Porto with Pim
  • Visiting Kanchanaburi and the Saxophone bar in great company
  • Did a Sweat Lodge with the fantastic Angelique 
  • Learned about being centered and strong all around through practicing Taikiken
In 2013 I got to know some people I already knew a lot better, for which I am very grateful. Also I met a lot of new remarkable people in 2013. Thank you for making 2013 such a fantastic adventure!