quick catch up

Well last night I finally landed in São Paulo – in the blistering winter conditions of 30 degrees celcius! More about my first day here a bit later, but firstly just wanted to give an Amsterdam wrap-up of some kind. Since my last update there has been lots of stuff happening but not enough free internet to share it :) So a quick shapshot includes (in no particular order):

* Went to Portugal for Pita and Anya’s special day and massive emotional AI and coincidental but fabulous Mel Cardamone reunion – was my first chance to practise Portuguese with real live samples – most of the time they could understand me but I had a lot of trouble understanding them! Unfortunately my camera cord is in a box somewhere between Amsterdam and São Paulo, so you can see these links for wedding photos from Szymon, Albert and Dimitris.

* Received a Dutch “certificate of good behaviour” as part of the procedures for getting my Brazilian work permit. Below is the official recognition that I am not a risk to society:
The Dutch Minister of Justice has conducted an investigation into the behaviour of the person mentioned in this certificate and declares that, in view of the risk for society in relation to the purpose for which the certificate is requested and considering the interest of the person, no objections against this person have resulted from this investigation. The Minister hereby issues the Certificate of good conduct, pursuant to article 28 of the Dutch Judicial Records Act.

* random weekend trip to Germany during the world cup with Mazzy and Laura, courtesy of Bob and his car - see here for more details of this VERY VERY random weekend, which saw me drive for the first time in Europe - someone else's car to another country

* I was expecting to leave for Brazil straight from Portugal but since there was a delay in my work permit processing, I was on a forced vacation in Amsterdam – catching up on my share of dr phil and oprah – everything from dating disasters (mums that accompany their 25+ daughters on all their dates!) to shocking statistics, such as 85% of women today wear the wrong bra!!! Big thanks to Nerida and Brydie who let me stay at their new apartment while I was waiting for the Brazilian bureaucracy to grind on. To thank the girls for their hospitality I bought them this very functional but revealing ironing board cover which you can see here. The best thing about this Mark B ironing board cover is that when you iron over his towel, it disappears ;) Hours of ironing pleasure ahead for these girls.

* I also managed to have three different “going away” functions – lovely picnic in the Vondelpark combined with Brenda (who is also still in Amsterdam I might add!), drinks at pub near work which was complete with live Latin band and finally drinks at Nerida and Brydie’s house on my actual last night in Amsterdam.