We're not Holland, we're The Netherlands

There's a difference between Holland and The Netherlands.

A friend kindly gave permission to use her text on my site to explain matters.
Thanks!



Imagine that people don't know the name of your country properly.

Well, it's my daily chore not to get irritated when I'm on internet.

Many people call my country: Holland.
Do you know that Holland isn't even a name for a village?

We do have two provinces with Holland in the name: North-Holland and South-Holland. They're 2 of the western provinces of our country, bordering part of the coast.

And what about: Netherlands?

Oh my dear. Netherlands is the name for a little village in America.

I've found it on internet only once and can't find it back anymore. It's a village of about three streets surrounded by bare hilly land.

I'm sure the CIA (yes, that one) doesn't mean that one when they're referring to Netherlands in their country descriptions.

Well, they're not very accurate anyway when they forget to mention our flowers and flowerbulbs in their overview.

I'm sure the search machines on internet are for a part responsible for the shortening of the name of our country.

It's THE NETHERLANDS.

Pointing to the fact that most part of the country lies below sea level.

We're called: The DUTCH, or the DUTCH people, and we speak DUTCH.

Our flag consists of 3 horizontal stripes: red, white and blue and is one of the oldest of the world.

The colour of our Royal House is orange, and it's now not only an added banner on the flag when our Royal House is involved, but it has become a frequently used national colour after the abuse of the red, white and blue during the last years.


By the way: I don't wear wooden shoes, no white bonnet. But I do love tulips and we have a couple of windmills in my town.

Read more...

Problems and a decision

I've decided: I'll do the projects myself and report straight to the supervisor.
It's a lot more work, I know that, but I can keep in pace with my other activities that way and I get the credit I deserve.

The others have to reconsider their options and they will be given at least one point off because they were hindering other people in their studies.

The board will be meeting next month over issues like these.
(People working on the same project and not keeping appointments).
I think it's time they formulate some opinions and rules about these issues.
They are not new at all, and not always matters are solved without someone paying with delays in their studies.

Last friday I had a meeting with the supervisor and we talked more through in half an hour than with that group in a whole week.

So I feel happy about it all, and I also feel free to move forward and work hard.

Read more...

autumn picnick

It was a surprisingly warm autumn day.

We went to the woods with a couple of friend to relax a bit after very hard work on several projects.

It was soo nice to be there. The autumncolours were magnificent.

We had a picknick with sandwiches with salmon, sandwiches with chicken, cookies, salads, and a nice glas of wine, and then some of us went for a walk collecting chestnuts and berries.

We saw some mushrooms, but I'm afraid to eat them, even though one of the boys said he knew enough of them and was a 100% sure they were OK.
I don't want to take the risk.

When I came home I was lazy and relaxed and fell asleep on the couch.

Read more...