Well, isn’t this a joy to look at? This is called a brace. It is still impossible to knit, to type in a decent way or to wear a normal coat, but I can take a bath without a big plastic bag. I read a lot. Making citywalks is nice too. And I obtained the last affordable ticket to the Bolshoi Ballet performing The Bright Stream in Amsterdam tomorrow night. And I do hope I finally see my most inspirative ballet teacher ever - Ria - again.

 It’s a lovely and sunny day, today. I walked from the Leidseplein to the Vondelpark and enjoyed my breakfast - macchiato and a croissant - on the still quiet and peaceful terrace of Vertigo. After that I walked to the Albert Cuypmarket. I could have paid a visit to one of the museums, but I happen to left my new Museumjaarkaart at home. On the market I bought some fresh ingredients for tonight’s risotto, some new clothes, lovely hand made soaps and a nice fine ribbon for our wedding cards. I finished with a small macchiato on a terrace. I took the tram for a few stops and got out in the Westerstraat. On that walk I found a great bookshop. Because of the title - and because I’m a great fan of his books - I decided to buy the latest Murakami. But the bookseller talked me into first buying the preceding book!

I found another terrace, with a nice table in the shade of a huge lime tree. A great place to enjoy my lunch and the first chapters of my new book, which is compelling! Oh, it’s such a perfect day…

Well, well, look how my secret pal spoiled me. Lovely Silk Blend by Manos del Uruguay, a beautiful notebook (silky paper), a dito ‘pin’ and card. Thank you, awesome SP… whoever you are (but I’ll find out! Are you from Germany?)

And everybody is spoiling me with nice words, here (comment feature will be fixed), at Ravelry, in my personal e-mailbox, my letterbox!

He has made me a lovely dinner. A colleague of mine gave me all kind of healthy sweet fruity things (and toilet paper and a dutch herring, yummie and no connection). She gave me a pageturning Akunin. Thank you all for the warming compassion! You had me crying more than once.In the meantime I have discovered that there is pain beneath a plaster bandage. Never before thought about that! And I’m not at all left handed. Pity. Fortunately partner has just arrived home. Makes even the life of this left handed bandit easier.

Voor de diploma-uitreiking hadden ze ons een vies, stinkend lokaal gegeven. Het is een ‘eens-in-je-levenervaring’ dus ik vond dat dit niet kon. Aan de slag voor iets beters. Het eind van het liedje was dat ik een afschuwelijke val maakte waar de vloer ophield en een stenen trapje begon. Ergens bij mijn rechter(!)elleboog is nu iets gebroken. Drie uur eerste hulp op een akelige klapstoel zonder ook maar een bekertje water. Gelukkig twee collega’s die ervoor zorgden dat ik thuis kwam met een taxi. Helaas een onophoudelijk kwebbelende taxichauffeur. Nu thuis. Alleen, want lief in buitenland tot en met zaterdag. Niks breien… niks lekker koken… niks leuke dingen doen. Ik kan wel een opbeurend woordje gebruiken.

For certifigate giving we got a dirty and nasty smelling classroom. It’s a once-in-your-lifetime experience, so I thought no way. Getting something better.  Result was I made a terrible landing where the floor ended and a bruick-built flight of stairs began. Somewhere at my right (!) elbow something is broken. Three hours ER on a wretched folding chair without so much of a glass of water. Fortunately two colleages got me home by taxi. Unfortunately a non stop chatting taxi driver. Now at home. Alone, because partner is abroad till Saturday. No knitting…no culinary things… nothing like this. Someone a good idea to cheer me up?