Pinksteren.

So Sunday and today was a national holiday called Pinksteren so I didn't have work :-) Pinksteren is when Jesus goes back to heaven or something. It's ironic to me because The Netherlands is not religious at all but I think it's just left over from when it used to be. Either way, I don't mind a long weekend.

My aunt Margo is turning 50 on Tuesday so my cousins threw a big surprise party. Turning 50 in The Netherlands is a really big deal and the woman becomes "Sara" and the man "Abraham." There are no Bat Mitzvas, Quinceneras or sweet 16s here but those who turn 50 get a 50-era and there is always decoration outside the house. It was really fun.

Grandma and grandpa had given 50 little gifts, just like they did when my dad turned 50.

Tell me that is not precious.

The neighbor lady was all up in Margo's business when she was opening gifts. She would take the wrappers out of Margo's hands and put them in a bag and she would take the gifts out of her hands to put them all in a basket. She also looked over and touched every gift that passed my aunt's hands. It was hilarious!

She LITERALLY took gifts out of her hands when she was still looking at them. But the neighbor lady was determined
to Put. Them. Away. 

Traditionally, there is also a song that gets song. It usually has the melody of a well-knows song and had lyrics about turning 50 and becoming older.

Saturday morning I went to Limburg to see my family there. I went to a fashion show as part of Fashionclash Maastricht with an old friend (Joelle) of mine. She lived in my block and we were both super fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. We both ended up going in fashion.

Me on the left, Joelle on the right and Joelle's friend in the middle.

There was an exhibit of local artists and then a fashion show of students from the academy in Maastricht.

My favorite picture.

Edwin needs deer hoofs for the attempt to make shoes with heals made from them so I thought my uncle Richard might be able to help since he hunts. I was right.

The only problem is that I need them meatless and bloodless and ready to become heels.

Now lets hope we can make these babies into awesome shoes. My uncle and I discussed a business prospect. We shall see...