Finally, after 7 weeks of hard working (in a canteen, read my previous blog for more details), I finally had some days off. I took the chance of this oppurtunity (and yes, I know, this sentence was horrible) to visit my girlfriend for 5 days, at one of Holland's islands; Terschelling. I, or actually WE, had a lovely 5 days of Holi (in my opinion, some guy or woman called Saint Holi, got a very good thing by demanding several days off from work) with quite some sunshine, lots of food and (alcoholic) drinks. Even with sunshine, it still was rather cold, as wind blows firmly over islands. Luckily, we went to several bars and other places (either inside the building, or surrounded by windscreens, which made things rather more comfortable) to warm up, if necessary.
I planned to make some photo's there, but as I first took my camera, I noticed the battery to be empty... So, no photo's, alas...
Still, for a little inside, you can check www.terschelling.net

Although, the title of this blog says different, I also want to mention something about football. Once club in particular: Ajax. Last Wednesday, we (as Ajax is the Dutch club I am supporter of, eventhough I like Man Utd better) had to beat Czechian club Slavia Prague to enter the group stage of the Champions League (of which I will not write blogs any more. I don't have the time to do so again, as last season). We lost 0-1 two weeks ago, so we had to win 2-1 at least to go through to the next round. Ajax, with great players (loads of (ex-)internationals) would win easily, according to our coach, Ten Cate. Right... Final score? 2-1 for Slavia...
No Champions League again, as we lost to FC Copenhagen last year. Yes, FC Copenhagen and Slavia Prague reach(ed) the CL, by beating Ajax... With all respect, but Ajax should be far and far better then both clubs... Instead of facing Steaua Bucarest, Sevilla/AEK Athens and Arsenal, we've to battle Dinamo Zagreb. I hear 'our' coach thinking this's going to be easy, but I hold my heart, forseeing more disappointment...

Which brings me to another matter in football: The Dutch National Team (DNT). I mentioned our National Squad in one of my previous blogs and since then my frustration has grown more then it decreased. Last match, we battled Switzerland in a friendly. Holland, with its extraordinary players, should have won this match, but of course we lost; 2-1. We find ourselves in the 'lucky' (NOT!) position of having a coach with zero experience, no idea of his favorit line-up, who doesn't know to combine our superbly talented players to one amazing team and who can't manage to please us, the Dutch fans.
He started a few years ago as coach of the DNT, unexperienced and promising attacking, attractive football, loads of goals and an European Championship in 2008. Now, 10 months before the finals, he still hasn't found his favorit line-up, changing it every match with 4 or 5 other players. He's also rather stubborn, sticking to a 4-3-3 formation (with left-footed rightwingers and right-footed leftwingers) instead of a more obvious 4-4-2.

Sure, Holland doesn't have real defenders (like a Nesta, Ferdinand or S. Ramos), but our midfielders and attackers, as talented as they al are, can cover this up. Still, also in this case, I hold my heart and pray for -even-  reaching upcoming European Championship.

Final note: with players like Van der Sar (GK), Heitinga, Bouhlarouz, Mathijssen, Van Bronkhorst (Def), Sneijder, Seedorf, Van der Vaart (Mid), Van Persie, Huntelaar, Van Nistelrooy, Robben (Att) and all the others, you should be able to create some amazing team, huh?