Taking another route

March 10, 2017 / cultivatingjoy / 1 Comment

JOYFUL GRATITUDE #19

This morning was one of the first sunny spring mornings, so instead of trying to get to the office as fast as possible I decided to take my time (it was Friday after all!). I took a slightly different route as I cycled through the Vondelpark and just making that small change made me much more aware of my surroundings. Normally I am lost in my thoughts, or just paying attention to the path, but this morning I really enjoyed the view. The soft sunlight shining through the trees was magnificent!

Precious daylight

February 17, 2017February 17, 2017 / cultivatingjoy / Leave a comment

JOYFUL GRATITUDE #16

Since a few days when I leave the office it’s still daylight! I feel like the worst of winter is over now and it’s such a pleasure to no longer be cycling in the dark. The soothing light of the magic hour over the Amsterdam canals on my way home is so beautiful.

Peperomia happy bean and a friend

February 13, 2017February 12, 2017 / cultivatingjoy / Leave a comment

Nina sent me these pictures of her Peperomia happy bean which is thriving, along with it’s friend, a pepper plant that emerged spontaneously from the compost. The plants enjoy a lovely view of Amsterdam’s city lights!

Thanks Nina for the pictures!

Sparkling sunlight

January 27, 2017January 26, 2017 / cultivatingjoy / Leave a comment

JOYFUL GRATITUDE #13

Last weekend the sky was crisp blue and the sun was out, so on Sunday Paolo and I wrapped up in many layers of warm clothes to go for a brisk walk. There are a few nice places to wander close to our flat, and this time we ended up in De Oeverlanden park, a place we’d never explored together.

It felt great to be outdoors, and enjoy chatting while we walked along the water. It was so good to feel the sun on my face, and the reflection of the sunlight sparkling on the lake through the reeds was simply beautiful.

Lunch time walks

January 13, 2017January 22, 2017 / cultivatingjoy / 1 Comment

JOYFUL GRATITUDE #11

At the moment the days are so short that it’s dark when I arrive at work early in the morning, and night has already fallen by the time I get on my bike to cycle home from the office. So the only way to stock up on precious vitamine D is to go for a quick walk after eating lunch.

I’m lucky that my office is just next to the beautiful Westerdok which is very sunny in the early afternoon, so I regularly go there during my lunch break, usually with one or a few colleagues to chat with on the way.

I love looking at all the colourful houseboats and imagining what it’s like to live in them. When it’s sunny, it’s wonderful, obviously. But I try and head out even if it’s rainy because it always feels great to stretch my legs and be away from the computer, and after getting some fresh air I can focus so much better in the afternooon.

Cycling in the mornings

December 9, 2016January 22, 2017 / cultivatingjoy / Leave a comment

JOYFUL GRATITUDE #6

These days cycling to work every morning involves leaving home in the dark and feeling that despite wearing thick gloves the cold may cause my finger tips to fall off. The first 5 minutes are usually the worst because I haven’t warmed up yet from the cycling and I find myself wondering if I just should have taken the tram instead.

Lately however I’ve been trying to turn my thoughts around and appreciate the luxury of being able to ride to work by bike which is one of the perks of life in Amsterdam. I really enjoy being outdoors and moving my body for a half-hour before spending most of the day behind the computer. Also, I’m very lucky that to get to the office I ride through the beautiful center of Amsterdam. And when the sun decides to comes up, the peaceful canal views are really spectacular!

Team spirit

November 25, 2016January 22, 2017 / cultivatingjoy / 1 Comment

JOYFUL GRATITUDE #4

We had a lovely team day with my colleagues to plan our activities for next year (and enjoy some energisers;). I had a really fun time and I’m so grateful for having such open-minded colleagues, with their creative ideas, constructive feedback and most importantly their great sense of humour! We were lucky to enjoy this spectacular sunset in the Westerpark as the perfect end to our day:)

Thanks a lot to Michaela A. for this pic of Eva and I being silly in the sunset!

Watching the sunrise

November 4, 2016January 22, 2017 / cultivatingjoy / 2 Comments

JOYFUL GRATITUDE #1

Stopping what I was doing to watch the sunrise (even if it was from the windy rooftop of our office building after making early morning calls to clients Down Under)

[Sold] Spider plant – black pot

August 22, 2016November 16, 2016 / cultivatingjoy / Leave a comment

Spider plant (Botanical Name: Chlorophytum comosum)

Total height: 33 cm
Width pot: 15 cm

Care: very easy, a little water once a week

BONUS: This plant is not only beautiful, it will improve the air quality in the room it is placed in as it is very efficient at removing formaldehyde from the air.