Hide in the Park

Last Thursday and Saturday I went with some friends to O2 Wireless Festival in Hyde Park. An amazing venue and unbelievable nice weather meant it were two really great days of music! On the Thursday I saw Captain, Missy Higgins, KT Tunstall and David Gray. Its great to see some of your favourite songs being performed live in front of you. It was the first time I saw them and I have gained even more appreciation for their music. Here are some photos of both days;


Miss Higgins in Hyde Park



Miss KT Tunstall a little later!







On Saturday the weather is even better and luckily no World Cup England or Holland match on, so we strolled into Hyde Park, lying in the grass, enjoying the sun and the audio.

Aaron & Sue in front of Aussie Ben Lee's gig


Me during Beth Ortons set



Final act on Saturday, James Blunt

Park in London


Kingston on Thames last night, such a beautiful place!

More music

Jason Mraz @ Apollo Hammersmith


Josh Rouse in Brighton Concorde 29 May 06

Show Love!

Got into Mary J Blige overnight! She covers a song of U2 together with U2 which is a great, I am sure you know ONE. And last on the 18 song CD is Show Love, great groove and nice lyrics. Like it a lot! Here is the chorus

Show love!
You gotta just keep breathin’
Be happy that your heart is beatin’ (show love)
Stop fightin’, just be easy
Cus it all could be gone
Show love!
You gotta just keep movin’
Don’t worry about what they doin’ (Show love!)
Keep doing what you doin’
Cuz it could all be gone

Show Time!!!!

In two days a Dave Matthews acoustic performance and a Jann Arden gig!
Monday Night I went to see Dave with a friend at the Apollo Hammersmith, no band, just Dave and his guitars. He caught everyone's attention from walking on stage to a loud ovation. All songs were outstanding....if I have to choose highlists:Crush, Dancing Nancies, Gravedigger, Sister & ofcourse... All Along The Watchtower.
Setlist: Bartender, Crush, Dancing Nancies, American Baby, Crash Into Me, Everyday, Where Are You Going, #41, Stay or Leave, Save Me, Gravedigger,
Granny, Smooth Rider, So Damn Lucky
Encore: Sister, Lie In Our Graves, I'll Back You Up, All Along The Watchtower





Then on Tuesday I went with the same colleague to Jann Arden, a very well known Canadian singer/songwriter, and great comedian as well. It was a very small venue, Jann usually plays stadiums,and with a 17 piece band according to herself :-)
She allowed ppl to come forward and record her, and shared how nervous she was because she played guitar and was in such a small venue outside of Canada. PLenty of them present though! Jann is the opening act for Michael Buble in his tour of Europe.

Dont remember exact setlist, but a.o; Waiting in Canada, Sound Of, I Would Die for You, Insensitive, Good Mother, Could I Be Your Girl. After the show, Jann was kind enough to give autographs and photos with the fans. Made time to talk to people and write personal notes. Renewed my admiration for her!!

**********************************************
Me & JANN ARDEN @ Dingwalls Camden.


Peace
Susanne

This is how it goes........

With my brothers and sister in law

Just like my Euro's and Pounds are spread along my luggage, I have been almost living out of a suitcase these last few weeks... All due to fun trips abroad, but still very tiring. I flew back this morning from my mums birthday weekend (60) and went straight back to work.

We spend the weekend away with the whole family...on the island of Ameland, in the North of Holland. I am just trying to get back into a pattern being back here, work has piled up, new responsibilities driving me crazy....

THE BEACH

In the next 2 weeks I have 3 concerts piled up, 2 of them I only managed to score last week. Dave Matthews, Jann Arden & Jason Mraz are all performing in London and me and a colleague are present! Should I be able to take photos, I will certainly share :)

Very excited!

Peace
S

THE LIGHTHOUSE


MY *LITTLE* NEPHEW PATRICK

UPHILL BATTLE


THE CLAN

Mona Lisa & Co

The Louvre

Spring in Paris
The weather certainly wasnt as pleasant as in Rome but Paris was a great treat this weekend! A hassle free journey with the Eurostar and a sophisticated hotel in the Bastille area. Deborah arrived a little bit later than expected but we enjoyed a full Saturday & Sunday in the French capitol. Walked to Notre Dame, Louvre and the park near it towards Champs Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe and onwards to Trocadero from where you have a magnificent view directly at La Tour d'Eiffel. (had a wine break there)

Me @ Trocadero
The day hadnt ended and we continued till we finished a full circle of the heart of the city.

Champs Elysees & Arc De Triomphe in the evening Next day we had a nice breakfast/brunch (crepes +Croque madame!) and walked some more till we hit the Louvre and I had to see the Mona Lisa. It is for such a small painting amazing how busy the crowds get... but it is obviously a world famous work of art.... As there were many more...that we were allowed to photograph

VENUS OF MILO
The Louvre is a magnificent combination of historical buildings with the modern glass piramides added for light and art reasons ( I presume ) Underneath the museum there is a beautiful shopping center as well. Sunday it rained lightly so we had a bottle of wine at a heated terrace and caught up on life and before the sun set (behind the rainclouds) we took the Metro to Sacre Coeur & Montmartre... Beautiful!!!!!

I add some photos so you can see what a lovely trip I had with Deborah!

Bisous,
S

La Vita e Bella

Pantheon

I am running out of time to update as I am in between work and events and having time to do laundry and pack bags and trying not to forget anything.... Crazy! But I am uploading some images of my trip to Roma...as a summary is a bit to time consuming to type right now...I just realized I am visiting cities this month that are all in the Da Vinci Code; Rome, Vatican City, Paris & London! How apropriate I will have to watch the movie in May eh!?

Anyway, back to Rome; It was a beautiful 5 days, with excellent weather and my mother & I saw some great buildings, sights, and views. See some of the shots I have taken. Its an amzing city and my mother had a great time too, despite being robbed and not feeling too well on the last day. After a 5 hour visit to the hospital she was still capable of travelling to the Vatican to buy 20 rosaries!! So it was an eventful trip but more importantly an unbelievable amazing trip!
Peace all, in Paris this weekend, spending Queens day in the French capitol with my friend from Holland, Deborah!

xx
Suz
Sunlight through a window in the St Peters Basilica Vatican city
Mum enjoying a glass of wine with the Colloseum in the back ground
Me and Trevi Fountain!

Happy Easter

I am whirlwinding my weeks in April at the moment! I finally moved to my new department last week and its been very busy learning and training so far. On Thursday I went to London as one of my friends from Australia had arrived. Together with some other friends we all went out and clubbing... Its been ages since I went dancing, esp on a Thursday night but it was cool! The RedBull kicked in and I was dancing, and enjoying myself! Couldnt sleep when we finally did leave and go to bed... Next day had a breakfast with Chloe and then jumped on the Piccadilly line to get to Heathrow airport and on the plane back home to Holland. Got my hair cut so far, and will be seeing some family (grandmother, brothers, nephew etc)and friends before my mum and I head of to Rome. Been taking lots of photos so far, and will share when I have the opportunity.


Happy Easter everyone!

PS: what you think of my new bank card!?!??!

Suz

Back in action

After a rather long winter, I am back in travelling mode! This weekend I was in Dublin, visiting some of my friends, and admiring the kids they had in the 3 years since I last visited. Weather was unpredictable as always,.... including hail and having to take cover in first Brown Thomas, then Trinity College and then a Temple bar pub..... Which was a nice refuge except for the unbelievable price of an alcoholic drink!

Almost felt like some things had never changed, felt very at home, and wonderful to catch up on life, and go to a play in which one of my friends had a big lead! Never had seen Fiddler on the Roof before, but was amazed by the pretty songs and the performances at the Gaiety Theatre!

Meaningful Lyrics

“If I never said I’m sorry / it’s not ‘cause I’m not / it’s just that some words are too big and too hard / and they just get caught.” L DOUCET

"There's a light at each end of this tunnel,
You shout 'cause you're just as far in as you'll ever be out
And these mistakes you've made, you'll just make them again
If you only try turning around." Anna Nalick - Breathe / 2AM

"All the fear has left me now, I’m not frightened anymore"

"Peace in the struggle
To find peace
Comfort on the way
To comfort" Sarah McLachlan - Fumbling Towards Ecstasy

to be continued.............

Best of what's around

Hey my friend
It seems your eyes are troubled
Care to share your time with me
Would you say you're feeling low and so
A good idea would be to get it off your mind



See you and me
Have a better time than most can dream
Have it better than the best
So we can pull on through
Whatever tears at us
Whatever holds us down
And if nothing can be done
We'll make the best of what's around

************************************
One of my friends is not doing very well and I came across this Dave Matthews Band song today while I was making her a music CD. It is such a wonderful uplifting song. Always warms my heart when I hear it. Music can be a medicine on its own sometimes.

City Hall

Today was such a beautiful day! Cold but clear. I met up with Chloe & her friend Brooke at London bridge to go to the Open Day of the London City Hall. The three of us were pleasantly surprised what we saw there. A carpet with an aerial photo of London, where you could locate areas of Greater London, and then on the top floor the Living Room, a beautiful view over a part of London you cant see from the London Eye...eg. Tower Hill and Tower Bridge, the 30 St Mary Axe (aka The Gherkin)and Docklands highrise.

Walked over to St Katherine Docks and had a few drinks and cardgames there in Dickins Inn, a really nice laid back bar. Have only lived in & near London for 2 years now, and it still astounds me! Met up with Chloe's brother a little later in Angel. Great company,a real feel good day!

Fumbling Towards Gratification

I love being busy, but with Month end, Year end, Price Waterhouse Coopers and Sox audit and oh.. did I mention I have a new job??? Yes I do since 3 days, still with Sony but in a different department, and I am still doing my old job on the side, because there is no replacement yet. I am also looking into studying Finance & Accounting as even though they have made me permanent and I can finally call myself a Financial Analyst... I dont have any qualifications to back any of it up.....So yes... very exciting step, big jump on the careerladder... very scary too because it is not often I choose for a long term benefit, instead of immediate gratification. Am I growing up?

Social life is nearly zero, hardly even time for the gym? Will this be what I have been hoping for careerwise? Luckily my friend Chloe is around this weekend, and we will be meeting up. Mind you I am on a Lent/chocolate/snack diet and she is on a no alcohol Lent.... I am sure we shall have some fun! I have some other really nice things to look FW to as well! I have booked a trip to see my friend Averil, hubbie Dominic and their 2year old which I have not met yet in Ireland in 2nd weekend of April. The following week a friend from Australia is over, and with Easter I shall be at home, as it is also my nephew Patricks 16th (!!) birthday. And to top it off, me and my mum are going to Rome for 5 days after Easter.... I cant wait,...if any of you have any tips... let me know!

Peace

Susanne

A different light

Red and yellow and pink and green,
Purple and orange and blue,
I can sing a rainbow,
Sing a rainbow,
Sing a rainbow too

Listen with your eyes,
Listen with your ears,
And sing everything you see

I can sing a rainbow,
Sing a rainbow,
Sing along with me

Friends of mine are off to Australia next week, and this is the lyrics to the Australia Tourist Board add from TV(here) sung by Delta Goodrem... So pretty!

Torino 2006

I cant believe the Olympics have already started? I wasnt expecting them for another week? I have been hiding behind my desk at work, trying to catch up on all the work. Meetings, audits and year end.. Oh I love February till April.....
I saw quite a bit of the Olympics this w-e because I wasnt feeling well. The Netherlands scored gold in speedskating, and also 2 silvers, so far so good! Here is Ireen Wust, who skated to the gold in the Women 3000KM.


Talking of sports....This morning I left at 9.15AM for my body fusion class, which was really good. I am starting to like it. They have music you move to... and some of it are yoga but also modern music and some dance routines. I am at the back of the class trying not to be too out of sync.

Listening to Anna Nalick. A friend from Ozz sent me a few CDs as a Christmas present. I really like it, its called Wreck of the Day... believe me it is not a depressing as the title makes it sound like. A very good album!

Ways to get happy...

I was reading a very interesting article in ZEST's March issue. It helps to identify what it takes for us to be happier.

1 Focuss your aims (working on it, as soon as I know about that job I am waiting on)
2 Share the lows (I do, my friends listen and cheer me up when they can)
3 Touch base with your roots ( I see my family regularly, I love supporting Dutch sports!)
4 Reward yourself for your accomplishments (I know... icecream & cookies arent ideal for this)
5 Become passionate about something ( Even more passionate!!?? My friends ALL know what I am talking about, no dirty thoughts, dont worry)
6 Have a network of friends
7 Don't avoid a row ( I dont like disagreements to carry on, but I dont want to necessarily row either?)
8 Dont watch too much TV ( currently only addicted to CSI, all of them though)
9 Eat enough fruit ( yes I am getting some fruits later today, bananas & apples!)
10 Listen to music (when don't I?)
11 Learn to back down ( depends )
12 Have interests in common with friends (YES!)
13 Read books (I dont always like buying new ones, but I love reading)
14 Busy is best (Yes, I dont like to be bored)
15 Dont worry about money too much (When you have it that is easy, when you don't it s*cks and it is definitely a worry)
16 Organize yourself, set up rota's (I need some organisation yes)
17 Give to get back ( I dont really get this one)
18 Be flexible (depends on situation... but I think I should become more flexible in a few aspects)
19 A pet (even when my dogs are accross the North Sea... I still love & miss them.
20 Sleep enough (oh yes, it is nice being only a bike ride away from work, I dont have to get up too early)

On a Saturday afternoon

London looked stunning today, hardly a cloud in the sky.... a wintersun shining and just lots of people out and about enjoying a nice day. I caught up with my friend Chloe and one of her friends and we met up at the Tate Modern, the Southbank area is one of my favourites in London, it gives so many beautiful views..... Later we met her best friend and went out for a nice Indian meal. Great conversation and distraction from the hectic of late.








Apparently according to my collegue Kushan tonight there was a special CSI- Las Vegas...episode directed by Quentin Tarantino.... I am very curious about it and I will find out on Monday! I have a real soft spot for the serie...


Oh and it was Sarah McLachlans Birthday today!!! Happy 38th! I found a very useful link with up to date info on her as well! Its HERE Below a photo I took in Brisbane May 2004



Oh a quote I came accross today!

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass by. It's about learning to dance in the rain.

Home Again!?

I unexpectedly visited Holland again, after having only been back in the UK after the Xmas holidays for 11 days. My mums brother passed away and I wanted to attend the service.... It was very beautiful, even the mass was very touching with African gospel. I stayed for 5 days and while I was there I also visited my grandmother, I always try to see her when I am in Holland and while driving around with my dad we stopped by. Its been years since I had a photo taken with her, so see here the result!


I also watched my friend Anita play a game of Korfbal. It was a game between the number 1 &2 and was really exciting. I enjoyed watching a good game again!

For a change I had taken the Eurostar via Bruxelles, which was a bit more relaxing than the plane, and cheaper too. I also got a new passport, no more short hair on my photo identity!!

Hopefully the next few weeks, months will be a bit less hectic than the previous. I feel since the summer live has lived me and I only now start re-emerging from it all. Oh.... I have some recommendations for you out there; The Zahir a book by Paulo Coelho, and Kate Bush' new double CD, Aerial.( esp songs;Disc 1.... 5, How To Be Invisible and Disc 2....5, Sunset...... Enjoy!

A photo I took yesterday; Byfleet & New Haw Station, soon real excitement should be back in my life!!!!!!!!

Food for thought

A nice card I received from a friend last week contained the below message!

by Marilyn Johnson Kondwani
"I truly believe we should never give up on our hopes and dreams. The path may be rocky and twisted, but the world is waiting for that special contribution each of us was born to make. What it takes is the courage to follow those whispers of wisdom that guide us from inside. When I listen to that, I expect nothing less than a miracle."