It is always good to go back to the Netherlands. Not only will your mind put everything in perspective what is happening in China, but it also gives a new view about how things works in the Netherlands. You find out that things which is common in the Netherlands is not all that common as you think. One example which everyone has to deal with everyday and my all time favorite subject is; food. For living in Holland so many years, I have been eating lots of bread and drinking milk my whole life. In China bread is not that common and the milk is different from the milk in the Netherlands, so I haven't continued my Dutch feeding rituals in China. Once back in the Netherlands, it was strange to me to eat bread every day again, especially the lunch. I packed 6 slices of bread for take away for my lunch. I was thinking; that's it? that's only for lunch? I caught myself having the Chinese thought ( Chinese would think it is an insult to only have bread for lunch). In China we would go out for one hour and enjoy an extended lunch. 6 slices of bread seem so little now. And about the milk, why does Dutch people always have milk on the table? It all feels so strange to me now, but at the time when I was still living in the Netherlands, this all was so common. I guess when things are more integrated in to your personal life, you will not notice the weirdness of it anymore.
After two weeks of being in the Netherlands, I came back on the 15th day of the lunar year, the last day of the Chinese new year. I tried to take some rest and recover from my jetlag, but the fireworks all over Shanghai kept me awake. At least now I can say that I have also celebrated Chinese new year ;)

It is one thing to be interviewed by Vrij Nederland and another thing to have my pictures taken, but who expected my face on the cover?!! Shocked! Happily I didn't had my eyes closed ;).
Last weekend I went to do some shopping for my trip back to the Netherlands. It is always the same riddle for bargaining. Actually I still enjoy the game of bargaining. Especially when they start giving me many compliments about my looks and how smart I am ;) hehe..
One example:
me: "how much does it cost?" vendor: "because we are both Chinese, I will give you a good price.180RMB!" me: "what? 180RMB? This is not a Chinese, friendly price? Give me a lower price!" vendor: "so, how much do you want to pay"? me: "50RMB". vendor: "that low? No, I can't do that". me:"I can't go lower, I always pay this price, this is my final price". vendor: OK, because you are so beautiful, I give you a lower price, 80RMB! lowest price". me: OK, because you think I am so beautiful, I add 5RMB more, 55RMB!" vendor: No way, 5RMB extra? That's it? Please? What about 90RMB? You are so nice and tall!". me: OK, because you think I am so nice and tall, I add 5RMB more, 60RMB final price!" Vendor: Ahhhh, only 60RMB? OK, last price 80RMB, we split in the middle". me: "Nope, my last bid was 60RMB, only because you think I am so beautiful ;) ( walking away already)". Vendor: "ok ok, come back, come back...60RMB then, you are a good bargainer" me: "thank you for all your compliments ;)"

Chinese people are preparing for Chinese New Year now, which starts on the 26th of January. Trains, buses en and flights are overbooked. Did you now that during Chinese New Year, this is the biggest human migration globally? 23 million people will be on the road to gather together for the Chinese New Year's eve dinner with the family. I will also be on the road and will be in the Netherlands from the 23rd of January!

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR~YEAR OF THE OX