Category Archives: Oddities Of The Day

Barbie and Christie’s

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We went to Ikea this morning and bought our desks which will be delivered tomorrow morning between 07.00 and 12.00. No sleeping in again I guess… We didn’t spend much time at Ikea today, we rushed in and out and took some small things that have been out of stock for a week, like a new cover for the couch and a few bathroom shelves. We also returned some items and got the money back.

While being at Ikea, CS. called me to ask if I would be interested in going to Christie’s, with her and two other colleagues from the Times; Nicole and Christina. There would be a Barbie Collection on auction next week and we could have a look at the collection. It sounded fun so we rushed to get our groceries from Tesco’s and went home to get ready and collect some stuff. AS would stay at IS.’s to play with his latest gadget; the drum kit.

CS. and I took a cab to West Kensington where we were supposed to meet up with Nicole and Christina. Since we were all early we couldn’t go into Christie’s yet so we decided to have a drink opposite of Christie’s and wait till it was 17.00. We had a great time at Christie’s; drinks were served by girls dressed like Barbie. Too funny! Canapé were served too; caviar, salmon and tiny meat balls. Very stylish and delicious!

We had a look at some other collections that were there for auction, like some very!!! expensive dresses by Gaultier, Yves Saint Laurent etc. Some were horrendous, others beautiful but still… Let’s say I wouldn’t want to spend that kind of money on a dress that you would probably wear once in a life time… It’s just not worth it. Even if I could afford it I wouldn’t do it. I’d rather spend my money on gadgets. Some girls were showing the dresses and walking around at the exhibition.

In another room a collection of furniture was presented. Call me rude but I reckon that all the stuff that was available there could have been found at second hand stores in Amsterdam. Nothing fancy, nothing special. Nicole shared my opinion. I have no clue what could’ve been so special about all this furniture and why people were willing to pay those amounts, really. Anyway, it was fun to have a look around and see what was there for the auction.

Last but not least, I went to see all the Barbie dolls. I found out that the whole collection came from the Netherlands, Utrecht. I read a name on a label which sounded very Dutch. Later when I read about the collection in the Barbie catalogue, I found out I was right. Another funny thing was that my dear aunt gave me a Skipper doll years ago when I was about 5 or perhaps 6 years old. Skipper was Barbie’s younger sister and mine was dressed in a horse riding outfit.

CS., Christina and Nicole hadn’t heard of Skipper when I mentioned it earlier while we were having a coffee opposite of Christie’s. I just mentioned the fact that I had one, and Cindy, her other younger sister. Just by coincidence I found ‘my’ Skipper amongst all the other dolls, there were so many and she was there in her outfit. Amazing! Also the amount of money it would be selling for. I also found Cindy and another Barbie that I own. I own a small fortune according to the catalogue but emotional value means a lot more to me than money.

So no… I won’t sell them! [Read here about the actual auction and what they expect it to sell for…]

Noticeable Oddities of the Day:

After two hours we went home again by bus, feeling a tat tipsy. We sat in the front of the bus which was cool because I could see everything from the top deck of the double-decker. I discovered some alien art form which had been placed on top of some bus stops. We will come back some night and try to nick them and see what they really are. I think some artist put them there, they’re cool and spiky and in different shapes and colors, they remind me of the prickly casing of a conker [the seed of the horse chestnut tree]. I might find some article online and pictures…

Anyway, we went home had a delicious Curry that IS. had prepared and some Sushi that SB. had brought home and spent the evening relaxing and talking. Here are some pictures I took at Christie’s.

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My Skipper! YAY!!! :D

I think I still have this box too!

Tenterground

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I went to the doctor this morning. I needed to register with the nurse. A lovely lady who sat down to talk to me, making jokes and took time to help me with my stuff. She even gave me two addresses that I need to check for work. She said I’ll get paid there to look for a job, isn’t that funny? Shouldn’t really abuse the system though… I might have a job opportunity already, just need to be patient and see how things evolve. I have enough to do over here so there is no rush.

Next week I’ll have to see the doctor in person, I met him briefly today and shook hands with him, he seems to be a really nice gentleman. They’re all nice and funny; making jokes all the time. No grumpy people at all. Can’t be true, please pinch me! I’m registered now so I don’t need to worry about this anymore. I will be able to get my medication and guess what, it’s free… Yeah that saves me 180 Euros per month! I think the system here is slow, but in a nice way, relaxed. I don’t have a problem with that at all and I don’t mind having to come back three times [Tuesday will be the third time].

I was there yesterday already and have spoken to another really nice man, who helped me out with the registration forms. He told me his ancestors came from Rotterdam and that there is a Dutch section in London where all the Dutch immigrants had moved into about 220 years ago. A. didn’t know about this when I told him. I would really like to go there and see what it is like these days. The name of the place is “Tenterground”. This morning when I came in, the man gave me a pile of papers. All the pages that he had found on the internet and that he had printed for me about the Tenterground, isn’t that sweet?

I’ll write more about this once I’ve been there; promise!

Noticeable Oddities of the Day:

Everyone is so kind and helpful, amazing! They take time to sort things out for you and you don’t even have to ask for it. If they hear you’re Dutch it seems to be the magic word and opening new dimensions, no kidding! I never thought I would love to tell people that I’m Dutch… *LOL* Thing is, I heard twice today that people believe I’m English. I seem to be good at it and they wouldn’t believe me when I told them I’m Dutch.