Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

Good weather is definitely something that Amsterdam lacks and today it's proven.
It's the first time that it snows this winter. I have to admit that I kind of like snow, at least it's better than rain. Maybe not for all the drivers out there that are doing their best to keep their cars straight on the road - I was once one of them! Now I have the opportunity to just watch it fall from the sky in the warmth of the central heating, drinking a hot cup of soup and wondering why the hell am I not in some tropical place getting sun baths and drink cocktails until I can't no more ;-)

Merry Christmas!

This Christmas was somewhat different from all the others I had until now. For the first time in my life I didn't spend Christmas with my family.
Obviously there are pros and cons as one would expect. I miss the fact that I'm not with my family and friend back home. I missed my grandmother's cooking, all those amazing deserts she always makes and having the opportunity to see the youngsters all excited waiting impatiently for midnight to open the presents and then watching them unwrap the presents!
On the other side there's one thing I did appreciate about not spending this season with amongst my family, the Christmas shopping fever!
I don't know about you but I have a very big family and not only you spend a lot of money buying presents for all your relatives you also get a bunch of brand new white hairs cause by the stress of going from shopping mall to shopping mall trying to find the right present for everyone, it might even seem a bit rude but I do hate it!
So this year I had none of that, I just spent Christmas with a few other Portuguese friends of mine here in Amsterdam.
We started out by having dinner at Castell. For me it's one of the best restaurants in Amsterdam! After that we all went partying! It was also the first time I went to a club in Christmas Eve. The place was called Arena at the Hotel Arena. The funny part was that we sneaked our way through the Guest List door. I don't really understood how that happened but suddenly I was inside and I have no complaints about that :-)
After loads of drinks lot of music to spare I was back in my apartment just like a normal Saturday. It was a nice evening spent with my friends and it was definitely an experience to remember and most inevitably to repeat.

Merry Christmas everybody!

Xmas Party

Last week there was the 2nd edition of my company's Christmas party.
What a party that was! It started with the traditional exchange of presents - I got a hat for my head that I so much need!
After that was the Awards ceremony in which I won the prize "Highlight 2005".




Then it was time for a nice dinner at Pasta e Basta.
After lots of white wine (at least from my part) I got 'touched' to say the least.
Then we all went clubbing to Jimmy Woo, a very trendy place in Amsterdam where the highest moment of the night was one of my partners throwing up on top of a couple of other people. But the night was still young, the next stop was the Pirates where we finished trashing ourselves.
it was a hell of a party and the best thing about it was that I woke up without an hang over that already made my day.

Two Wheels Drive

Have you ever seen a Segway? Or even better, did you ever try one?
Well I did the other day! We manage to grab one from I-Go here at the office and I love it!
I was amazed by the simplicity of it and how easy it is to get used to it. There's too basic rules: You lean forwards the damned thing goes forward, you lean backwards and it brakes or goes backward.
The staring takes a bit longer to get used to it but it's easy to pick up.
It's a pity that we only have it for a month because everyone at the office wants a piece of it. When you try it you'll see what I mean :-)
It's still a bit expensive otherwise I'd buy one for myself, it's also a bit too bulky but it's a good experience and people still stare at you when you pass by them in this two wheeled machine, even in Holland where bikes are the most common mean of transportation :-)

Mana was here

My good friend Raimana Chaves (Mana) from Paris was in town this weekend, and what a weekend it was!
He's actually from Tahiti - a place where I want to go soon!
Anyway, he used to live in Amsterdam where I met him. He and his girlfriend got here Friday and we started partying like there was no tomorrow.
And of course - like we say in Portugal - when your head doesn't think your body pays for it!... and that's exactly what happened - Four o'clock on a Sunday afternoon and they were still drinking Mojitos!
I remember pieces and bits of the evenings when we went out but it's all very blurry. That reminds me of something - I have to stop drinking Vodka Redbull :-)
In the end it was a great weekend but I'm really glad Mana is gone - nothing personal Mana - but a couple more days like there and the chances that of me waking up in a hospital would become imminent.
See you soon Mana!