Temperatures in the Netherlands are set to stay around 30 Celsius until the end of the week at least, when the chance of thunderstorms will increase, the KNMI weather bureau said on Monday.
The continuing heatwave has led the public health institute RIVM to implement its hot weather plan, focusing on the elderly.
The RIVM is urging family members, health visitors and home care workers to make sure elderly people stay out of the sun and drink plenty of liquid.
In 2006, some 1,500 people died because of the soaring temperatures.
The KNMI has also warned that the strength of the sun will increase during the week, as the ozone layer thins out.
It's awesome. It is possibly the most perfect little apartment for her.
We moved her in on Friday night at 10pm. She's still got some of her stuff at her old place, but not much. Between us we carried a suitcase, 2 traveller backpacks, and 3 carry bags and 2 handbags of stuff to her new place and up the steep Amsterdam stairs to her 2nd floor, 1 bedroom, separate living room, separate kitchen, separate bathroom palace. It is, in a word, supacute.
The whole apartment is teeny tiny, like maybe 35m sq, but the living room has a little pot belly heater, a mantlepiece, chandelier and a light pink wall.
What this place lacks in space, it makes up in character.
She settled in over the weekend, putting her stuff around the place and unpacking. We went to the supermarket across the road to buy some food and household stuff.
I bought myself a toothbrush to keep at her place - That, in itself, speaks volumes about how much time we spend together.
We had a little housewarming by cranking up her heater, eating swiss cheese, celery, bread and dips, drinking cups of tea, playing music videos on youtube, and eventually drinking 3 bottles of wine.
Standing in the cafeteria line this morning, to be served breakfast.
Me: I'll have the french toast this morning, thanks. French Christian cafe dude:(thick french accent) Ok, oui, ok. So, er, how was your night last night? Me: Yes, fine thank you. How was yours? FCCD: Err, I am a little bit tired today, because I was up very late last night. Me: Oh, ok, what did you do? FCCD: The staff from here, we had a pancake party. Me:(pause) A pan-cake party? (thinking I had misunderstood. Is it easter or Shrove Tuesday already?!?) FCCD: Oui, we had two staff members leaving today, so we had a farewell for them last night. Very late night. Me: (the penny finally drops. This is how Born Again Christians have a good time.) Oh, Awesome. FCCD: So, tonight is Hostel night, you will join us, no? There will be games and activities and a free meal from 7 o'clock here in the cafe? Me: Uhhh, sure.
(2 hours later on the tram from the Foreign Police station.) Ring Ring... Me: Hello Pia? Pia: Hey! How are you? Me: Great thanks! So... what time are we going for drinks tonight? Pia: See you at my place at about 6 o'clock? Me: Perfect, see you then!
My cousin Ayi and his wife Caroline have a three year old daughter called Tatiana.
She's a bit of a princess because she's the only child, and the only grandchild for both sets of granparents but she's a funny kid. Bright, a little demanding, but has heaps of 'spunk'.
My mum thinks she and I are heaps alike. Her parents think she and I have a 'good connection'.
She's a bit mixed up because her idols at the moment are the Virgin Mary, St Bernadette of Lourdes, and all the Disney Princesses; Arial, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White, Princess Jasmine, and Belle. Go figure.
She's also bi-linguil, so she speaks Indonesian and English.
The other day she asked her grandma if she could kiss her bedroom floor. She must have thought it was holy or something. Her grandma said " of course not", but she did it anyway.
She woke up the other night after her midday nap, and was in a really grumpy mood, and insisted we go to this suburb in Jakarta called Puncak. When we asked her what was there, and why we had to go there, she said "Don't ask stupid questions." Later, when we pressed her for more information, she then revealed, she "was expected at the Priest's birthday party."
Riiiiiight.
Ever since I came to town, she's gotten a bit attached to me, which is cute.
"Tante Rani! Watch me swim."
"Tante Rani! Come have a shower with me."
"Tante Rani! Sit here while I eat."
And she always wants to know "Why?"
"Why are the lights changing colour?"
"Why are you eating that?"
"Why is the dolphin playing with the little mermaid?"
We went out for some gelati last night at an Italian cafe, after I saw Barack's school. She and I shared a strawberry gelati together.
I love the look on her face as she tucks in to her gelati. Priceless.
