I completed Ma's scarf when I was still in the Netherlands. Finally. It took me almost 3 months to finish knitting 4 skeins of yarn (Sirdar Click) because I was doing it on a part-time basis. Sorta :p The length is perfect. I love long scarves.The pattern is really simple. Great for beginners.
Cast on 63 stitches.
Row 1: Knit 3, purl 3, ... (repeat until end of row)
Row 2: Purl 3, knit 3, ... (repeat until end of row)
Odd rows: Repeat Row 1
Even rows: Repeat Row 2
Bind off at desired length.

Voila... you get a simple ribbed scarf.

Apeldoorn is approximately 40 minutes away from where we were staying (Laag-Soeren to be exact) by bus. We actually found out about Paleis Het Loo by accident. By accident, I meant it came out in Google search when we googled about Apeldoorn. Here's the official website address: www.paleishetloo.nl.We paid EUR10 each to visit the palace. You can read more about the history here.

The walkway to the palace. 10 minutes walk from entrance booth. We arrived 1 hour before closing time so we had to walk very fast :x
Paleis Het Loo.
The cafe in Paleis Het Loo.
Some statues with "forbidden apple" we found in the garden. That's my new Bershka coat :)
Paleis Het Loo is famous for its garden and famous inhabitants like the great grandson of William of Orange.

The characteristic feature of the formal 17th century garden is the strict symmetry of the lay out. Paleis Het Loo garden is an excellent example. A number of parterres are grouped around the central axis and these are planted with closely trimmed box hedges in decorative scroll patterns hence the name broderie parterres. The edging bands or rabatten are filled with a choice selection of annuals and perennials interspersed with topiaried juniper berry bushes so typical of the local Veluwe area. The often rare species were brought from all over the world by the West India and East India companies for William and Mary. A garden like this must be viewed as a seasonally changing flower and plant exhibition. That’s the reason why the flowers are planted individually rather than in groups so that each species can be properly seen in all its beauty. At the side of the palace are William and Mary’s private gardens: the King’s garden and the Queen’s garden. Mary’s garden has a serious collection of century-old citrus trees which are on display in tubs between May and October. Their inflorescence, their oranges and orange blossom are a symbol of the House of Orange. Fountains Though the gardens at Het Loo were of modest proportions compared to those of Versailles, the waterworks enjoyed great renown for permanently spouting fresh groundwater diverted from the surrounding higher lying hills. Moreover, the King’s Fountain at the rear of the Upper garden rising to 13 metres was the highest spouting fountain in Europe. The fountains are playing from April to October. Garden statues The garden statues, gods and goddesses from the Greek myths, all have to do with the growth and flourishing of the garden and are dedicated to celebrating the achievement of creating such a oasis of delight in an originally arid heath land. Venus, the goddess of love, takes centre stage as the driving force behind it all. A garden for all seasons Some of the plants at Het Loo change every year, both in the spring and in the summer. The aim is to achieve the most accurate possible reconstruction of the original garden. The splendid colour of the flowers in the spring and summer, and often in the autumn as well, contrast with the marvellous effect of snow on the decorative patterns of the box parterres in the winter. The best view of the gardens is from the small surrounding banks and of course from the palace roof , a view that can only be enjoyed on Wednesdays in June, July and August. A visit to Paleis Het Loo becomes a special experience through the gardens, even if it is only to see the products of the gardens in historic flower arrangements in the palace interiors.

Quoted from www.paleishetloo.nl

King's garden.
Upper garden.Gorgeous, isn't it? :)
This picture is the perfect representation of autumn.Fountain with the palace as backdrop.
Queen's garden.
This place used to be a stable in the old days. Now, it is more like an exhibition hall for fake horses and vintage horse riding equipments.

Harlo harlo I'm back... from unannounced hiatus :p I am back in Malaysia too. We came back around 3 weeks ago because there was sudden change to James' assignment... no more Netherlands, he is in India now. In fact, I just sent him to the airport this morning. We had to come back to do his employment visa for India. Due to hectic schedule, I can barely find time to blog let alone meet up with friends. Sorry ya, I will make it up to you guys soon. I promise :)

For now, I would like to compensate my absence with knit work which I started when I was in the Netherlands. I designed and knitted the hat specially for Andrea but unfortunately Vicky said it is too small for her. That was my biggest worry actually *sighs* I am so sorry :( Surprise gone wrong. I should have asked for the size first before starting the project. Keep the hat for the next baby girl? :p I made a matching brooch for Vicky too. That one for sure can fit hehe :p It was also my first time using a circular needle (for the hat) and you can see that I was experimenting with different types of knitted flowers too.

Andrea hat side view.Andrea hat top view.
Vicky brooch front view.
Vicky brooch back view.
Mommy daughter ensemble (failed :x) Don't worry Andrea, Auntie Jane will make a new one for you okay?

Remember Cycle 11 of America's Next Top Model where the girls headed to Amsterdam's Red Light District? I could only find 1 video clip from that episode in Youtube.

I just want to say that I WAS THERE!!!! I stopped and stared at the windows for a good 2 minutes. And I just realized I forgot to take a picture. Nemind, it's just a window. Sex business is closed during the day so it's okay to take pictures.

My trip to the Red Light District in Amsterdam was an eye opening experience. James and I have been to the red light district in Tokyo but it was nothing like Amsterdam's. Prostitution is legal in Amsterdam (particularly the Red Light District) so you can see a lot of sex shops, brothels, sex museums and gay bars in the area. Because it is legal, licensed prostitutes have to pay taxes like everyone else. This area of Amsterdam is a major tourist attraction. Tourist like me just wants to sight see. By sightseeing, I mean see only, no action :p Of course, there are visitors who were there for some loving actions too but that's none of my business. I was told standard rate is EUR50 for 20 minutes. Clearly, I'm in the wrong profession hahahaha! Just kidding :p


They come in all shapes, sizes and colors. From old and disgusting to beauty queen beautiful, one will be spoilt with choices. For beautiful ones, I suggest going to the smaller alleys. James and I spent about 45 minutes in Red Light District, walking up and down the streets and going into every single small alley to check it out. So I have seen them all already :) I playfully asked James, "Which alley do I belong?" He cleverly answered, "The smallest one!" Haha :D

We could smell marijuana every time we walked past any coffee shop or drinking bar. I guess some tourists were having the time of their life getting high and happy. If you're planning to visit Amsterdam, the Red Light District is a MUST go. The unique experience is not something you can read from books or Internet but you have to be there to feel it.

There are signs everywhere saying photo taking is prohibited in the area. So please abide by the rule. James read somewhere before that there were cases of people being splashed with urine when they tried to take photos of windows hosting girls. Don't know true or not. Also, don't buy drugs as souvenirs from the dealers. It would be illegal if you try to bring it out of Amsterdam. You can always pop into coffee shops where marijuana or magic mushroom is served on their menu for "high & happy" meals. Just look out for that marijuana leaf sign outside the shops.
E.g. coffee cum marijuana shop.

I looked out of the window today and this is what I saw. Dusk... isn't it beautiful? When I think of dusk, I think of Twilight the movie. Then, I had a light bulb moment. In conjunction with the release of Twilight's sequel New Moon soon (20th November 2009), I shall transform James into Edward Cullen with makeup.But can I turn James into Edward Cullen? This is James before the makeover. Note that Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) has a very chiseled face with strong jawline. It's going to be tough since James has round face with chubby cheeks.
After the makeover (in monochrome). I did a lot of shading at the cheeks and jawline.
I also thickened his thin lips by drawing nude colored lip liner outside his lip line and filled up the entire lips with the same lip liner keeping it matte.
When I saw the last picture in my computer, I gasped. Girls, I think I've nailed it :) Doesn't James look like a Cullen? He should work this angle more often :p
My very own James Cullen :) Good boy gone bad. Thanks to James for being such sporting and patient model.

Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands after Amsterdam. The port of Rotterdam was said to be the busiest port in the world from 1962 to 2004. From 2004 onwards, Shanghai replaced Rotterdam as the world's busiest port. I always learn something new when I travel :)

Rotterdam appears to me as the city with many modern architectures and skylines. One example is the De Bijenkorf departmental store.See the skyscrapers. The sky looked so fake right?
This is somewhere near the Maritiem Museum.
We walked to Museum Boijmans van Beuningen...
for The Art of Fashion exhibition!!! My first fashion exhibition :)
Installing allusions... anything is possible. Adult ticket costs EUR9 each.
This is Hussein Chalayan's mechanical dress. There are a lot of wires attached underneath the dress. Engineering + fashion = masterpiece of its own.
The deer cape by Christopher Coppens is one of my favorite pieces. Non-wearable fashion, they say.
Viktor & Rolf's interpretation of The Fashion Show. I love how the lighting brings out the desired effect.
Viktor & Rolf again. This one is called The Bedtime Story. I don't mind sleeping in this piece. No need to buy mattress or bed already.
I forgot what this ensemble is called :x Impressive work nonetheless.
Museum Boijmans van Beuningen is an art museum. The art museum is named after Frans Jacob Otto Boijmans (1767 - 1847) and Daniel George van Beuningen (1877 - 1955, shipping magnate). Both gentlemen were avid collectors of paintings, drawings and prints whom donated a large portion of their collections to the museum. The museum houses some of the best works by Monet and Dali.

I love the coat hangers idea.
Dyson Airblade was spotted in the restroom. I must say this is the best hand dryer I have used so far. Okay, I am a little biased here. Pinky works in Dyson :p
Floor painting outside the museum.
Museumpark.
The famous cubic houses in Rotterdam. I think Ying San would love to see this. There are people staying in these houses. How amazing is that?The shopping street in Rotterdam.
We walked back to the Maritiem Museum (on the way to Erasmus Bridge).
Erasmus Bridge, one of Rotterdam's famous landmarks.
The highlight of the trip was "The Art of Fashion: Installing Allusions" exhibition as 50% of the posted pictures came from the museum alone. Thanks to James for making this possible *muah* :) For more info regarding the exhibition, check it out here.

Daylight saving in Netherlands starts ends today. We are now 7 hours behind local time in Malaysia. I'm happy because we have extra 1 hour today :p

Through the window.Evening walks at Dieren.
Bicycle/motorcycle track.
Dieren town.
I found this cat when James was lining up to get gebakken kippling (Dutch fresh fish nuggets) one day. Nice autumn color eh? :) The cat was pretty hostile. Every time I try to get a shot of him/her, he/she tried to charge at my camera lens.
Leaves are turning yellowish brown. Bye bye summer, hello autumn!