tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10327858.post4036200607131051227..comments2024-03-14T07:29:36.559+01:00Comments on In Soul: On Sense and SensibilityGinnie Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14014434422568561157noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10327858.post-66071253124509165332010-12-01T11:51:54.926+01:002010-12-01T11:51:54.926+01:00Vagabonde: I love it when the little girl comes o...<b>Vagabonde:</b> I love it when the little girl comes out from inside of me. Astrid says she sees her country in a whole new way because of me. That thrills me to know end. It's like we're both seeing it together for the first time. Thank you.Ginnie Harthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14014434422568561157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10327858.post-81248360347907629452010-12-01T04:00:30.705+01:002010-12-01T04:00:30.705+01:00What a great tradition – so much fun for the kids,...What a great tradition – so much fun for the kids, small and old – like you. Lovely pictures that really brought the feeling of joy. I am also happy that the Dutch are doing their thing and not feeling they have to be politically correct – so what, it is an old tradition and a nice one. Your did look like you had a wonderful time.Vagabondehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10774109692564954568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10327858.post-52516761999071213412010-11-23T16:13:04.363+01:002010-11-23T16:13:04.363+01:00DB: NO! I had never heard about Sinterklaas befo...<b>DB:</b> NO! I had never heard about Sinterklaas before moving here, so I did NOT know Berkeley had it's own rendition. How cool is that! Astrid tickled me by singing all the liedjes along with the kids. I guess I'll have to learn them. HA! And yes, thanks to your Giants, you will have letters in your shoes this year. I love it for you. :)<br /><br /><b>Tim:</b> It was so fun and makes total sense to separate it from Christmas day. That's the part I love the most!Ginnie Harthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14014434422568561157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10327858.post-86089945200670888142010-11-21T21:39:06.223+01:002010-11-21T21:39:06.223+01:00This Sinterklaas celebration looks quite fun and c...This Sinterklaas celebration looks quite fun and colorful. Love the photos! And am glad you made some changes that advance your goals. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06179486046864119527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10327858.post-16479543413043890262010-11-20T03:52:16.782+01:002010-11-20T03:52:16.782+01:00Oh I miss Sinterklaas! We used to take the kids to...Oh I miss Sinterklaas! We used to take the kids to Berkeley at this time of year where the Holland-America Club hosts a Sinterklaas party. Did you know that Sinterklaas arrives in Berkeley on a sailboat with his Zwarte Pieten? Too bad, the kids don't want to go any more. I love all the Sinterklaas liedjes and actually have a couple of albums on my iPod of Dutch children singing all the classic songs. <br /><br />Thanks to you, we will all have our proper letters in our shoes this year! <br /><br />I love how all the kids are dressing up like Sinterklaas and Zwarte Pieten. I never saw that before!Dutchbabyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00844296297519447526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10327858.post-31916908860917818872010-11-17T13:26:48.163+01:002010-11-17T13:26:48.163+01:00Deborah: 'Living in a book.' More like ...<b>Deborah:</b> 'Living in a book.' More like living in a fairytale, really! At least that's how it often feels to me. Sometimes I still pinch myself. Often Astrid and I talk about how happy we are, in spite of the ups and downs of life around us. The thing is, at the end of the day we lie in each other's arms and rejoice. We feel very lucky! We're 'loving life and living love.' I like how you have put that. Thank you.<br /><br />Yes, to your last statement about the Black Pieters. Just get over it!Ginnie Harthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14014434422568561157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10327858.post-69390594094451405012010-11-16T23:24:22.365+01:002010-11-16T23:24:22.365+01:00Better late than never, Ginnie - and by that I don...Better late than never, Ginnie - and by that I don't mean you quitting your class! I've just come to this glorious post and realized that, all this time that I've been reading and seeing what your life is like in Holland, you are living IN A BOOK! With beautiful illustrations, a wonderful story line, fascinating characters and while the ending is a looooong way off, it sure looks happy to me. <br /><br />Yes to finding what you need from other sources! Yes to others recognizing Astrid's talents! Yes to her not giving in to the uncertainty of the time! Yes to loving life and living love! <br /><br />Oh man. Well, I'll calm down a bit now and express my relief that Black Peters have not become politically incorrect in Holland. Wouldn't that just be sad?Deborahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10892637441668897411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10327858.post-67930285533752971252010-11-16T16:09:51.120+01:002010-11-16T16:09:51.120+01:00Mad: It was a blast! I loved every minute of it ...<b>Mad:</b> It was a blast! I loved every minute of it and felt like I was in another world. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!Ginnie Harthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14014434422568561157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10327858.post-37015969815869255332010-11-16T09:39:07.246+01:002010-11-16T09:39:07.246+01:00What a fun tradition and how exciting to be experi...What a fun tradition and how exciting to be experiencing it and be able to get close and personal because you are the professional photographer! I love the colorful costumes and outfits everyone wears, especially the children.madretzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04476635723827784265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10327858.post-12664506108093783762010-11-16T07:51:08.202+01:002010-11-16T07:51:08.202+01:00Astrid: You know me better than anyone else in th...<b>Astrid:</b> You know me better than anyone else in the whole world, so you see that little kid in me. Thank you for capturing her for me. It was a day I'll never forget. I had that sheepish grin on my face for a long time, especially after walking side by side with Sinterklaas. :) Thank you, too, for holding my hand throughout the school decision. Thank you for trusting me!<br /><br /><b>ET:</b> Lots of new beginnings for both of us...and now for you, too. I agree about Europe...it's hard to explain to those from the States. It's just different!Ginnie Harthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14014434422568561157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10327858.post-11789568568122768132010-11-15T23:18:15.235+01:002010-11-15T23:18:15.235+01:00Here's to lots of new beginnings! I do hope y...Here's to lots of new beginnings! I do hope you take lots of photos while chatting in Dutch to your friends! And my fav pic is the last one with the "like a little kid" as your face is glowing with joy... A festival like this is what I so miss about the atmosphere of Europe. I do think it's very hard to explain the feeling through pictures but I do know it and I see it in your face.<br /><br />Lovely educational story to go along with your adventure too! :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09455800980666388178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10327858.post-6163368637368454572010-11-15T19:33:41.076+01:002010-11-15T19:33:41.076+01:00Like a little kid..... lieve schat, that are you!!...Like a little kid..... lieve schat, that are you!!! The sparkling eyes, the joy, the energie, the naughty, name it and it is you.<br />We had the time of our life last Saturday, everything fit, the waather, the location, the nice people.<br />I am so happy for you that you are able to witness this.<br />Now about school, I read some of the comments and yes you moved on, you will learn Dutch, you are so determined, no question about it.<br />In a way I am glad that the bike ride is over, I always was looking for your bike when I came home...<br />The deep lines are out of your face, you are more relaxed, all this is worth it.<br />I know it did not come easy, but it is the right thing to do.<br />The collages are a joy to the eye, thanks for putting in so much work, a nice memory to add.Astridhttp:www.picturit.shutterchance.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10327858.post-27998079575383660712010-11-15T18:22:43.171+01:002010-11-15T18:22:43.171+01:00Victoria: The collage templates are from Picnik.c...<b>Victoria:</b> The collage templates are from Picnik.com, which I highly recommend. I think I paid just short of $25 for two years. Totally worth it in my estimation. It has changed my entire way of blogging. I used to make photo albums, but no more. <br /><br />I like the Dutch tradition, too. It makes so much more sense!<br /><br /><b>Karen:</b> Astrid is sitting here laughing right now because for the past 10 years there has been quite a discussion about this issue here in The Netherlands. Maybe they should also have blue and pink and green Pieten! In the end, this has been their tradition for the past 600 years and has nothing to do with discrimination. It's just the way it is. Astrid says they're from Moorish background AND they go down the chimneys for Sinterklaas. They're black coming and going, period. <br /><br />Hopefully that's intelligent enough. I'd never think of deleting you!<br /><br /><b>Margaret:</b> I am learning to embrace these new traditions for myself as I learn more about them...and not our watered-down version from the States. It really IS a rich tradition, isn't it. <br /><br />Thanks for supporting my decision to move on from school. I like the way you said it.<br /><br />And yes, we photographers have so much fun, you included, don't we!Ginnie Harthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14014434422568561157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10327858.post-33392042824311919542010-11-15T17:50:30.770+01:002010-11-15T17:50:30.770+01:00We used to celebrate certain "Saint Days"...We used to celebrate certain "Saint Days" and we have gotten away from that. St. Nicholas has always been Dec 5, I believe. It is interesting how many physical changes he has undergone - the most recent plumb version being due to too many cookies and not enough carrots, I suppose. And, of course, he was streamlined into "acceptable" non-religious attire for various reasons, I am sure. I do think there is a certain beauty to the version you photographed here on your blog. Such rich colors the whole procession has - orange, purple, red, blue, yellow, green (and unique hues) - a feast for the eyes. And I love the brick streets and buildings.<br /><br />And I don't consider you "quitting" school. You just got out of it all you could and have moved on - for further, more practical learning. <br /><br />Love, love the photographers photographing each other - the collages are great! And that is quite a camera you pack!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00007201357693227614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10327858.post-30442945304062315662010-11-15T15:58:10.364+01:002010-11-15T15:58:10.364+01:00Are there many black people in the Netherlands? Ho...Are there many black people in the Netherlands? How do they feel about the Black Peter tradition? How do others feel? It certainly makes <i>me</i> cringe to see blue eyes shining out of blackface. BUT, i realize I am coming from a totally different perspective, not having grown up with the tradition. So I am genuinely curious how a liberal country like the Netherlands deals with the conundrum of a centuries-old tradition that has outlived more modern sensibilities. (And of course, I do not hesitate to ask <i>you</i>, Ginnie, because I know you will have something informative and intelligent to say--unless you just want to delete my comment, which is okay too.)Karenhttp://cubbyknits.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10327858.post-33837189136100663072010-11-15T15:02:01.458+01:002010-11-15T15:02:01.458+01:00Marvelous collages Ginnie... They are so colorful ...Marvelous collages Ginnie... They are so colorful and each image within them a treat. I'm guessing you use a photoshop template? (another thing I simply must learn about one of these days... so much to learn yet)<br /><br />I like the Dutch tradition much better than ours!<br /><br />I'm leaving the page open for In Soul as a reminder to come back and have a look at earlier posts I've missed... thanks for stopping by and leaving comments on my blog! :-) Have a great week.Victoriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12170129859014155605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10327858.post-29367064938843320012010-11-15T13:06:55.610+01:002010-11-15T13:06:55.610+01:00Elaine: This tradition is so brand new for me I c...<b>Elaine:</b> This tradition is so brand new for me I can't contain myself. It makes so much more sense to me...celebrating on a different day than the 25th when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, supposedly!<br /><br /><b>Ruth:</b> Thanks for enjoying our happiness these days of change, sister. That means a lot to both of us. We're both ready!<br /><br />As I've already mentioned to you (for Inge's sake), the big day is in fact the 5th (the 6th in Germany, and Belgium) but Sinterklaas arrives in the country first. Kinda like getting all his ducks in a row, you know. I love that Inge's son is Piet. So is yours. :)<br /><br />The smile on my face in the collages is definitely of a little kid in her glory. I'll never forget it.<br /><br /><b>Ola:</b> Sinterklaas comes to Germany and Belgium also on the 6th, so that makes sense. I guess he needs time to get around, right?! He comes here, too, on the 24th or 25th because of the influence from the States. But it didn't use to be that way. The older tradition makes a lot more sense to me!Ginnie Harthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14014434422568561157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10327858.post-38135780770820503802010-11-15T11:49:59.873+01:002010-11-15T11:49:59.873+01:00Nice parade, wish we had such here:) about the 5th...Nice parade, wish we had such here:) about the 5th of December and Santa Clause coming on that day, interesting, that in Poland He comes to kids on 6th of December (so I guess he has one day to get there) - it is the name day of Saint Mikolai (which is in Polish Santa). Another good thing is that he comes also on 24th of December, this time not to kids only!:)Olahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06974463440732558398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10327858.post-60860100312210405112010-11-15T10:56:45.219+01:002010-11-15T10:56:45.219+01:00I am SO happy for Astrid's job change. I am su...I am SO happy for Astrid's job change. I am sure her body is too. Better for more dancing. :)<br /><br />And I am SO happy you quit the Dutch class. How perfect that now you can work on your conversational Dutch with friends!<br /><br />I told Inge Saturday that you had pictures of Sinterklaus, and highly confused, she said, but he doesn't come until December 5. Now that I have read your post, I emailed her the explanation that he arrives in Amsterdam two Saturdays prior. :) Have I told you that her son's name is Piet?<br /><br />The collages are wonderful, and I especially LOVE that final photo of you in the last collage that Dries took! My favorite smile of yours, so sweet.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204074161539605133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10327858.post-24252328598968941122010-11-15T09:48:32.309+01:002010-11-15T09:48:32.309+01:00Oh Ginnie what beautiful and rich pictures!!! i mu...Oh Ginnie what beautiful and rich pictures!!! i must confess my fave ones are of the kiddies lol i just love taking pictures of kids :) and it's so cool how you got so close, what a pretty horse!! i had to laugh when i saw freddie mercury in a shoe, then read the explaination lololol i'm not sure i would be able to adjust to a different Christmas lolElaine-http://totallylike.menoreply@blogger.com