Oh yes, I now have a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology!! All the hard work, the stress and the sleepless nights have finally paid off. I get to graduate this year without any resits and make all my family very proud :D Glory to the God Almighty, only he could ever get me through this with my sanity still intact. He has been so good to me, always reminding me that he has me in his hands. In the darkest hours, when I felt desperate and depressed, when I was ready to give up, when I refused to get up in the morning, he was there giving me strenght and cheering me on. He surrounded me with brilliant people who believed in me and pushed me to believe in myself, so that in the end I got my degree, as all my prayers were answered. All which I have now I achieved be glory to our Father, for in him all things are possible!
This month is going to be horrible! I've just handed in my dissertation and now I have to get ready for exams :( Furthermore, my department has, as per usual, put all my exams in 2 weeks so now I have exams on the 18th, 19th, 23rd, 26th, 27th and 28th. Only God can get me through this...
- The people are dodgy
- The trams are made of wood and they don't tell you what stops they have. They also only stop on request so you just have to guess when you're supposed to get off.
- No one speaks understandable English, even at the station
- You have to buy tickets for the bus and tram downstairs in the Metro
- The atmosphere makes me nervous
- There is no architecture or beautiful buildings to see
- Only good if you have loads of money that you want to spend on expencive shopping
- Huge amount of police everywhere, no one knows why they're there, including them
- We felt so dirty and poor that upon spotting McDonals we went straight in and I got my first meal in 3 years. They also gave us Coca Cola glasses...yaaay, more useless, easily breakable stuff to carry around Europe
- Trains are horrible with bad aircon
- Make sure you've covered your knees and shoulders, otherwise you're deemed too sexy to go into the church
- The swiss are generally very nice and helpful people who also speak great english (score!!!)
- The streets in old town are called gasse, the surrounding ones are calle strasse
- Many great buildings and viewpoints
- Very quiet and tranquill
- Only place I've seen on this trip that has life sized chess boards in a public park
- Einstein lived here :D
- Swiss chocolate is definitely better than Belgian (take it from someone who really knows!!)
- Visit Interlaken or die, that place is so amazing (a typical swiss village), and you get to do loads of extreme sports here! Our favourite was Canyoning...you have to try it.
I have finally decided that a wedding blog is probably a very good idea as people will then get all the information they need first hand!!! So if you're a guest, or just curious as to how we're getting on, here's the link:
http://stasie-ben-wedding.blogspot.com/
http://stasie-ben-wedding.blogspot.com/
All of us have those little things that signify Christmas. Whether it's hearing a particular song or watching an advert on TV, some things will just kick you straight into the Christmas spirit.
I, of course, have a list of these things and would now like to share these with you. So, for me, it's not Christmas until..:
1) The "Holidays are coming" Coca Cola advert is on
2) I hear the "You're a mean one Mr. Grinch" song
3) I watch "The Nightmare before Christmas" and "Home Alone" (the original) + in later years "Love Actually" and "The Holiday"
4) I start opening my advent calender
5) A car drives past with a tree on it's roof
6) Christmas lights are up in town and everyone's got a star in their window
7) My cat starts spending all his time sleeping on the sofa
I, of course, have a list of these things and would now like to share these with you. So, for me, it's not Christmas until..:
1) The "Holidays are coming" Coca Cola advert is on
2) I hear the "You're a mean one Mr. Grinch" song
3) I watch "The Nightmare before Christmas" and "Home Alone" (the original) + in later years "Love Actually" and "The Holiday"
4) I start opening my advent calender
5) A car drives past with a tree on it's roof
6) Christmas lights are up in town and everyone's got a star in their window
7) My cat starts spending all his time sleeping on the sofa
Apparently to plan a wedding you need at least a year and a lot of organisation...oh dear, what have I gotten myself into
 | |
| Announce Engagement | |
| Select Wedding Date | |
| Hire wedding consultant/coordinator | |
| Determine type of wedding: location, theme, # of guests, formality, time of day | |
| Determine budget & how expenses will be shared | |
| Buy a daytimer to keep track of appointments & events | |
| Develop a record keeping system for payments | |
| Create an approximate # guest list | |
| Decide if you will be inviting children or not | |
| Select and reserve ceremony site | |
| Select and book Officiant/Priest/Minister/Rabbi | |
| Select and book reception location | |
| Select and order bridal gown | |
| Determine colour scheme | |
| If ceremony or reception is at a home, arrange for any home improvements | |
| Obtain, passports, visas, birth certificates, any documents need for travel and/or marriage licenses | |
 | |
| Select and book caterer, if needed | |
| Select and book photographer | |
| Select wedding party | |
| Give wedding party a list of their responsibilities | |
| Select and buy attire or bridesmaids & flower girl | |
| Select and buy attire for mothers of the bride and groom | |
| Select and book ceremony musicians | |
| Select and book live band or DJ for reception | |
| Select and book videography | |
| Select and book florist | |
| Register for your wedding gifts (this can be done sooner) | |
 | |
| Schedule fittings for custom made bridesmaids gowns | |
| Arrange marriage prep-courses, if necessary | |
| Reserve rental items | |
| Select and book decorator | |
| Finalize an A and B list of guests | |
| Select and order invitations and other wedding stationary | |
| Set date, time and location for rehearsal dinner | |
| Select and book honeymoon night suite | |
| Arrange accommodations for out-of-town guests | |
| Start planning your honeymoon | |
| Shop for your wedding gifts to each other | |
| Shop for your wedding gifts to your wedding party | |
| Shop for your wedding gifts to your parents | |
| Buy shoes, lingerie and accessories for the bride | |
| Buy shoes and accessories for the bridesmaids | |
| Select and order wedding bands | |
 | |
| Take formal engagement picture | |
| Select and order wedding cake | |
| Order party favours/bombonniere | |
| Select and order decorations | |
| Purchase honeymoon attire and luggage | |
| Select and book wedding day transportation | |
| Start addressing your invitations | |
| Plan activities for out-of-town guests (optional) | |
| Go on trials and book wedding day hair and makeup. Bring your headpiece and wear a white shirt | |
| Obtain marriage license (expires in 3 months) | |
| Send out your invitations | |
| Select ceremony readers | |
| Select ushers to seat your guests | |
| Select guest book attendant | |
| Select your MC | |
| Mail invitations to shower | |
| Get photography permit, if needed | |
 | |
| Maintain a record of RSVP's and early wedding gifts | |
| Maintain a record of shower gifts and send thank you's | |
| Purchase all ceremony and reception accessories: guest book, toasting glasses, garter, ring pillow, etc. | |
| Select and reserve wedding attire for all gentlemen | |
| Mail invitations to rehearsal dinner | |
| Plan bridesmaid luncheon | |
| Select your something old, new, borrowed, blue | |
 | |
| Finalize all food and beverages for wedding | |
| Finalize all ceremony details with Officiant | |
| Finalize all rehearsal arrangements | |
| Finalize all floral arrangements | |
| Final fittings for yourself and bridesmaids | |
| Make a wedding day itinerary | |
| Give a copy of the itinerary to your wedding party and vendors | |
| Finalize all details with all your vendors | |
| Decide order of receiving line and head table setting | |
| Contact guest that haven't replied | |
| Pick up wedding rings | |
| Give photographer a photo checklist | |
| Visit reception site for floor plan | |
| Create reception seating plan | |
| Give musicians a list of your music selection | |
| Inform attendants when and where to pick up attire | |
| Determine VIP seating for ceremony seating | |
| Print out seating cards | |
| Pick up honeymoon tickets | |
 | |
| Give caterer/reception venue final tally of guests | |
| Pack of your honeymoon | |
| Wrap reception flavours/bombonniere | |
| Arrange mail collection while you are on honeymoon | |
 | |
| Drop all wedding accessories and decor off at ceremony and reception locations | |
| Make sure you bring all gifts that will be handed out at dinner | |
| Make sure you have all final payments in envelopes for wedding day | |
| Pack over night bag for honeymoon suite | |
| Make sure wedding party has their itinerary | |
| Make sure gentlemen have black socks | |
| Go to church for rehearsal | |
| Review VIP seating with ushers at ceremony location | |
 | |
| Most of the details will be on your wedding day itinerary | |
| Eat breakfast | |
| Pack anything remaining on your "To Bring" list in cars | |
| Make sure Maid of Honour has groom's ring and Best Man has bride's ring | |
| Make sure you have your marriage license, photo permit and Special Occasions Permit, if needed | |
| Put your engagement ring on your right hand | |
| Use your wedding day itinerary to get you through the day on some sort of trouble | |
| Remember to look around and soak in the views of the day you planned so long and hard for. | |
Wouldn't it be nice if we were older, then we wouldn't have to wait so long...
I have been really ill lately so I've had a lot of time to do work, and when I'm too exhausted from coughing my lungs out, too watch all my favourite Disney classics. So I've decided to finally make a list. It's not very definite as all of these films are equally amazing and all have great music in them but obv there are some that I will (and have) watched more than others. Mind you that I didn't get to see Pocahontas or The Hunchback of Notre Dame till this year and I've never seen Dumbo. So here goes:
1) The Lion King (Has always been and will always be my all time favourite. I love all the songs, the Hamlet based plot and Scar is the coolest Disney villain ever)
2) Beauty and the Beast (Belle is my favourite princess, mainly because she is so smart and caring and also because she wasn't born rich. Also this film has many amazing songs and it teaches kids not to judge people by their appearance or even by first impressions)
3) Bambi (Makes me cry every time I watch it. Great story and really sweet too)
4) The little Mermaid (Oh how I wanted to live under the sea when I was a kid. This story is so sad, giving up everything for real love is hard. I love Ariel, she fights for what she believes in, she even has the courage to stand up to her father. I also think that Eric is the most handsome Disney prince.)
5) Peter Pan (Also the first book that I couldn't put down. I used to leave my window open so that Pan could fly in and take me to Neverland. I also know the feeling of not wanting to grow up)
6) Mulan (So so funny and shows that girls can do whatever they want if they put their mind to it)
7) Robin Hood (The characters are just hilarious! The songs are brilliant and I love that the characters are animals)
8) Hercules (I used to be obsessed with this film, watched it over and over again. The songs are really amazing and I love Greek mythology)
9) The sword in the stone (May be a shocking for some but I used to watch this loads and I love the magic and Merlin is just so funny!!)
10) Lion King 2: Simba's pride (The only sequel I've ever liked. It's brilliant! I love the songs and the lessons and the villain is still great!)
1) The Lion King (Has always been and will always be my all time favourite. I love all the songs, the Hamlet based plot and Scar is the coolest Disney villain ever)
2) Beauty and the Beast (Belle is my favourite princess, mainly because she is so smart and caring and also because she wasn't born rich. Also this film has many amazing songs and it teaches kids not to judge people by their appearance or even by first impressions)
3) Bambi (Makes me cry every time I watch it. Great story and really sweet too)
4) The little Mermaid (Oh how I wanted to live under the sea when I was a kid. This story is so sad, giving up everything for real love is hard. I love Ariel, she fights for what she believes in, she even has the courage to stand up to her father. I also think that Eric is the most handsome Disney prince.)
5) Peter Pan (Also the first book that I couldn't put down. I used to leave my window open so that Pan could fly in and take me to Neverland. I also know the feeling of not wanting to grow up)
6) Mulan (So so funny and shows that girls can do whatever they want if they put their mind to it)
7) Robin Hood (The characters are just hilarious! The songs are brilliant and I love that the characters are animals)
8) Hercules (I used to be obsessed with this film, watched it over and over again. The songs are really amazing and I love Greek mythology)
9) The sword in the stone (May be a shocking for some but I used to watch this loads and I love the magic and Merlin is just so funny!!)
10) Lion King 2: Simba's pride (The only sequel I've ever liked. It's brilliant! I love the songs and the lessons and the villain is still great!)
Totally about me today! Just Came back to England a week earlier...mouwahahahahahahaha...Scared a certain mr. X ;)
- Observed no fancy ppl in fashionable clothes of the latest season- The city is only fancy in the centre, otherwise it looks like any other big city
- We decided that we don't like modern art
- Everything is SO expensive
- No one follows the traffic rules...and now neither do we (it's literally cross whenever you have a split second to do so)
- Stairs are following us everywhere
- Dan Brown is an incompetent stuck up idiot who has never been to the Louvre or any other place he's written about
- Mona Lisa is not a small painting...however, you won't get closer than 5 m
- Two hours in Louvre is enough for a lifetime as it tricks you to be more cultivated by luring you with fake EXIT signs that only lead you to more expositions
- Climbing the Eiffel tower is an amazing thing to do especially since you can see everywhere you've been earlier that day
- Parks are awesome and very relaxing
- It is possible to walk Paris in 2 days
- The food totally makes up for not understanding a word
- No matter what time of the day you take the metro, it's always extremely busy
- The Picasso museum is closed till 2012
- Disneyland is a dream come true for anyone who likes fairytales
- Not everyone knows French...someone should tell the Frenchmen about this fact
- They speak French
- The scenery is defined by varied ground levels and
steep hills. Expect lots of exercise while walking in this place
- Green country
- All information is in French and German. People generally don't speak English and keep explaining things in French even though you have tried telling them that you don't understand them
- Yummy bread :D
- Finding a toilet in the train station is a mission
- Much more quiet and nice outside the city
- Pretty Castles (best one in Vianden)
- Trains are on time....buses are not
- Relatively cheap place
- A tour of the city can be performed by getting on the bus - city circle line (costs about 3 euros)
- The scenery is defined by varied ground levels and
steep hills. Expect lots of exercise while walking in this place- Green country
- All information is in French and German. People generally don't speak English and keep explaining things in French even though you have tried telling them that you don't understand them
- Yummy bread :D
- Finding a toilet in the train station is a mission
- Much more quiet and nice outside the city
- Pretty Castles (best one in Vianden)
- Trains are on time....buses are not
- Relatively cheap place
- A tour of the city can be performed by getting on the bus - city circle line (costs about 3 euros)
Brugge is a small place in Belgium :)- Best place ever for chocolate lovers
- Small, but cozy streets that are welcoming and filled with architecture
- Many relaxing parks that are perfect for a lunch break
- Welcoming people
- A city for people who like exploring by foot -> perfect for a 2 day stay
- Very romantic atmosphere
- Horse carriages that are adorable, but will sadly not take you outside the city centre
- Interesting churches and museums
As you very well know, this summer I went on InterRail with my best friend Ingrid. During this month we visited 13 European countries, stayed at 19 different hostels, saw 17 cities, went to about a 1000 museums and never stayed anywhere for more than 5 days. I kept a diary all through this immense journey and now I want to share some of my experiences with you. I am, of course, not planning to re-write my whole diary on my blog (I mean, come on...I need to preserve at least a bit of privacy), however I will summarise the days in "some general observations" for each country. So here goes the first one:
Some general observations about
Amsterdam:
- The city has a very distinctive smell. A kind of interesting blend of weed and piss.
- The alleys are filled with some dodgy shops
- It's an island
- People live in houses built on the river
- There are far more bicycles than cars, hence you are more likely to get hit by a biker
- You are expected to know the art of walking through walls as various signs point directly into one
- No real concept of winning and loosing (we were there the day after Holland lost in the World Cup and there were a 1000 fans all in orange celebrating the team's homecoming)
- Getting lost between the channels is a piece of cake as everywhere looks the same
- Awesome parks
Some general observations about
Amsterdam:- The city has a very distinctive smell. A kind of interesting blend of weed and piss.
- The alleys are filled with some dodgy shops
- It's an island
- People live in houses built on the river
- There are far more bicycles than cars, hence you are more likely to get hit by a biker
- You are expected to know the art of walking through walls as various signs point directly into one
- No real concept of winning and loosing (we were there the day after Holland lost in the World Cup and there were a 1000 fans all in orange celebrating the team's homecoming)
- Getting lost between the channels is a piece of cake as everywhere looks the same
- Awesome parks
Yesterday I found out that my favourite band is suffering an immense loss. Their drummer and co-founder Mike Portnoy (the world's most awesome drummer!!) is leaving the group after a dispute. For those who have ever experienced this - you will understand my pain and shock. Never again will the tunes by that band sound the same, any drum solo will always lack that little something added by the genius that is Portnoy, and every dark song will have to do without his deep voice in the background setting the setting for a horrible story in the lyrics. After 25 years, Dream Theater are no longer. I am going into mourning....
MIKE PORTNOY QUITS DREAM THEATER (info provided by TotalRock Newsletter and Dream Theater's official site)
Drummer Mike Portnoy has sensationally left Dream Theater. However, the band intend to carry on without the founder-member. This is what Portnoy has said: "After 25 years, I have decided to leave Dream Theater... the band I founded, led and truly loved for a quarter of a century. "To many people this will come as a complete shock, and will also likely be misunderstood by some, but please believe me that it is not a hasty decision...it is something I have struggled with for the last year or so... "After having had such amazing experiences playing with Hail!, Transatlantic and Avenged Sevenfold this past year, I have sadly come to the conclusion that I have recently had more fun and better personal relations with these other projects than I have for a while now in Dream Theater. "Please don't misinterpret me, I love the Dream Theater guys dearly and have a long history, friendship and bond that runs incredibly deep with them... it's just that I think we are in serious need of a little break. "Dream Theater was always my baby...and I nurtured that baby every single day and waking moment of my life since 1985... 24/7, 365... never taking time off from Dream Theater's never-ending responsibilites (even when the band was 'off' between cycles)... working overtime and way beyond the call of duty that most sane people ever would do for a band. "But I've come to the conclusion that the Dream Theater machine was starting to burn me out...and I really needed a break from the band in order to save my relationship with the other members and keep my Dream Theater spirit hungry and inspired. "We have been on an endless write/record/tour cycle for almost 20 years now (of which I have overseen EVERY aspect without a break) and while a few months apart from each other here and there over the years has been much needed and helpful, I honestly hoped the band could simply agree with me to taking a bit of a 'hiatus' to recharge our batteries and 'save me from ourselves'... "Sadly, in discussing this with the guys, they determined they do not share my feelings and have decided to continue without me rather than take a breather... I even offered to do some occasional work throughout 2011 against my initial wishes, but it was not to be... "While it truly hurts for me to even think of a Dream Theater without Mike Portnoy (hell, my father named the band!!), I do not want to stand in their way...so I have decided to sacrifice myself and simply leave the band so as to not hold them back against their wishes. "Strangely enough, I just read an interview that I recently did that asked me about the future of Dream Theater and I talked about 'always following your heart and being true to yourself'... Sadly, I must say that at this particular moment, my heart is not with Dream Theater...and I would simply be 'going through the motions,' and would honestly NOT be true to myself if I stayed for the sake of obligation without taking the break I felt I needed. "I wish the guys the best and hope the music and legacy we created together is enjoyed by fans for decades to come... I am proud of every album we made, every song we wrote and every show we played.... "I'm sorry to all the disappointed Dream Theater fans around the world... I really tried to salvage the situation and make it work... I honestly just wanted a break (not a split)... but happiness cannot be forced, it needs to come from within. "You Dream Theater fans are the greatest fans in the world and as you all know, I have always busted my ass for you guys and I hope that you will stay with me on my future musical journey, wherever it may lead me.... (and as you all know my work ethic, there will surely be no shortage of future Mike Portnoy projects!)" The band have also issued a statement: "To all of our loyal fans and friends: It is with profound sadness — regret — we announce that Mike Portnoy, our lifelong drummer and friend, has decided to leave Dream Theater. "Mike's stature in the band has meant the world to all of us professionally, musically, and personally over the years. There is no dispute: Mike has been a major force within this band. "While it is true that Mike is choosing to pursue other ventures and challenges, we can assure you that Dream Theater will continue to move forward with the same intensity — and in the same musical tradition — that you have all helped make so successful, and which is truly gratifying to us. "Fans and friends: File this episode under Black Clouds And Silver Linings. "As planned, we begin recording our newest album in January 2011, and we'll follow that with a full-on world tour. "All of us in Dream Theater wholeheartedly wish Mike the best on his musical journey. We have had a long and meaningful career together. It is our true hope that he finds all he is looking for, and that he achieves the happiness he deserves. He will be missed."
MIKE PORTNOY QUITS DREAM THEATER (info provided by TotalRock Newsletter and Dream Theater's official site)
Drummer Mike Portnoy has sensationally left Dream Theater. However, the band intend to carry on without the founder-member. This is what Portnoy has said: "After 25 years, I have decided to leave Dream Theater... the band I founded, led and truly loved for a quarter of a century. "To many people this will come as a complete shock, and will also likely be misunderstood by some, but please believe me that it is not a hasty decision...it is something I have struggled with for the last year or so... "After having had such amazing experiences playing with Hail!, Transatlantic and Avenged Sevenfold this past year, I have sadly come to the conclusion that I have recently had more fun and better personal relations with these other projects than I have for a while now in Dream Theater. "Please don't misinterpret me, I love the Dream Theater guys dearly and have a long history, friendship and bond that runs incredibly deep with them... it's just that I think we are in serious need of a little break. "Dream Theater was always my baby...and I nurtured that baby every single day and waking moment of my life since 1985... 24/7, 365... never taking time off from Dream Theater's never-ending responsibilites (even when the band was 'off' between cycles)... working overtime and way beyond the call of duty that most sane people ever would do for a band. "But I've come to the conclusion that the Dream Theater machine was starting to burn me out...and I really needed a break from the band in order to save my relationship with the other members and keep my Dream Theater spirit hungry and inspired. "We have been on an endless write/record/tour cycle for almost 20 years now (of which I have overseen EVERY aspect without a break) and while a few months apart from each other here and there over the years has been much needed and helpful, I honestly hoped the band could simply agree with me to taking a bit of a 'hiatus' to recharge our batteries and 'save me from ourselves'... "Sadly, in discussing this with the guys, they determined they do not share my feelings and have decided to continue without me rather than take a breather... I even offered to do some occasional work throughout 2011 against my initial wishes, but it was not to be... "While it truly hurts for me to even think of a Dream Theater without Mike Portnoy (hell, my father named the band!!), I do not want to stand in their way...so I have decided to sacrifice myself and simply leave the band so as to not hold them back against their wishes. "Strangely enough, I just read an interview that I recently did that asked me about the future of Dream Theater and I talked about 'always following your heart and being true to yourself'... Sadly, I must say that at this particular moment, my heart is not with Dream Theater...and I would simply be 'going through the motions,' and would honestly NOT be true to myself if I stayed for the sake of obligation without taking the break I felt I needed. "I wish the guys the best and hope the music and legacy we created together is enjoyed by fans for decades to come... I am proud of every album we made, every song we wrote and every show we played.... "I'm sorry to all the disappointed Dream Theater fans around the world... I really tried to salvage the situation and make it work... I honestly just wanted a break (not a split)... but happiness cannot be forced, it needs to come from within. "You Dream Theater fans are the greatest fans in the world and as you all know, I have always busted my ass for you guys and I hope that you will stay with me on my future musical journey, wherever it may lead me.... (and as you all know my work ethic, there will surely be no shortage of future Mike Portnoy projects!)" The band have also issued a statement: "To all of our loyal fans and friends: It is with profound sadness — regret — we announce that Mike Portnoy, our lifelong drummer and friend, has decided to leave Dream Theater. "Mike's stature in the band has meant the world to all of us professionally, musically, and personally over the years. There is no dispute: Mike has been a major force within this band. "While it is true that Mike is choosing to pursue other ventures and challenges, we can assure you that Dream Theater will continue to move forward with the same intensity — and in the same musical tradition — that you have all helped make so successful, and which is truly gratifying to us. "Fans and friends: File this episode under Black Clouds And Silver Linings. "As planned, we begin recording our newest album in January 2011, and we'll follow that with a full-on world tour. "All of us in Dream Theater wholeheartedly wish Mike the best on his musical journey. We have had a long and meaningful career together. It is our true hope that he finds all he is looking for, and that he achieves the happiness he deserves. He will be missed."
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