:: aGentX gets cultural : part 1::

it's about time that i pay a visit to mauritshuis - among the many renowned museums in the hague, netherlands.

previously the residence of count John Maurice of Nassau, it now has a large art collection, including paintings by famous Dutch painters such as Johannes Vermeer, Rembrandt van Rijn, Jan Steen, Paulus Potter and Frans Hals and works of the German painter Hans Holbein the Younger.

ironically, this museum is just a short walk from my apartment, and i have spent countless times cycling past its magnificient building on the way to the town center. armed, with the museum card, i made my journey there - it will definitely not my only time, i can assure you.

this year, netherland celebrates the 400th anniversary of the world-famous 17th century painter Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669). in conjunction of this, the Mauritshuis Museum gives centre stage to Rembrandt right now.

the museum’s permanent collection includes ten of the world famous painter’s most celebrated works. in a special presentation, the Mauritshuis will exhibit an impressive overview of Rembrandt’s skills: from his early Simeon's song of praise (1631) to Self-portrait (1669, the year of his death). Both works were recently restored along with Homer (1663).

the three paintings have undergone a wonderful metamorphosis - thanks to their restoration, you will be able to find out about the restoration processes and the findings of the technical examinations of the paintings.

my cultural points just went up by 5.32 points, i think!




















among the famous pictures in the collage above:

• Johannes VermeerGirl with a Pearl Earring (ca. 1665)
• Self portrait by Rembrandt (1661)

:: 'till I see the sun ::

the heat-wave in the lowlands has caused some deaths, and frankly, i find it a tad too humid and hot for my liking.

this is from someone who was born and lived in the tropical equator...

i guess we have to make do what this season has to offer....great sunshine, lovely (nude) beaches, excellent friends and a clever dog named rico.

a barbeque by the north sea is perhaps the best remedy to overcome the smothering heat, and yes, summer is not that bad after all...

:: basikal tua (the old bicycle / de oude fiets)

i have been using bicycle as the major mode of transport in holland for the past 1 year, and it really didn't make me feel wanting to ever own a car here. (although i do miss my 2 weeks' old car when i had to leave home last year!)

i enjoy the convenience of it all (except getting caught in a rain once!) and the sights and sounds that cycling provides. because of the hot and humid summer lately, i have been using the 'forest' route on the way to work from home. it was actually a much more pleasant and shorter-time actually since you do not have to stop at many traffic lights!

it is also when i realised that i am taking my bicycle rides for granted....and so, i am sharing with you some pictures from the cycle ride at Haagse bos, which is just beside to my place.

the official palace of the queen! (her majesty and family are away on holidays in italy, as the royal flag was not raised up)




















what i see or fail to see at times.




















thanks you ol' bicycle....for taking the time with me to smell the roses...

:: Datuk K loves CT::

after much speculation, it has been confirmed at press conference, which was shown 'live' in KL yesterday. [news details]

CT (malaysia's queen of pop, like madonna, but virginal) is to marry Datuk K, the chairman of Malaysian media company Ace Group [divorced his wife of 20 years, Tengku Zawyah Tengku Izham] last year.

His four children with his ex-wife are aged eight to 19.

When questioned about the age difference, she said,

For me the age difference is not an issue... it is all in the hands of God. Our relationship, meeting, life and death is all in the hands of God,' she said.

Percayalah....amin

Like all marriages, I wish them lots of love and luck! Who are we to say that Datuk K is not the best guy for her? So long to the last virgin of Malaysian entertainment industry? heheh....

:: hiatus and summer's here ::

it's been a long 2 month''s hiatus.

since my last entries, the following events happened:

• i finally got my own apartment in holland (3rd time lucky ...patience and being little picky do help)
• return (briefly) to singapore (for the great singapore sale, annual medical check-up for my cat at the vet, the opening game of the world cup and catching up with loved ones).
• no longer having my own wi-fi (had to tap from neighbour's though :0()
• learning how to cook...still learning
• officially attended dutch lessons
• a swell house-warming party with about 30 guests
• world cup fever (and disappointment) in holland.

there are too many things to write to even begin...guess I would just upload some pics from now on .

after all, that was how i originally started blogging way back november 2003.