Guus Bosman

Yesterday I went to the birthday of Manuel, a collegue. He didn't know there would be a party as his girlfriend organized it for him without his knowledge -- he liked the surprise!

I visited Tibor and Janneke in their new house yesterday. They bought a house at IJburg, a new part of Amsterdam.

Had a good time there and a delicious dinner. Janneke is pregnant. She's in her 28th week now and has a big belly.

It's a nice house they live in -- there's still some work to be done but the important things are ready. Everything in the house is new; even the neighborhood.

Yesterday night Joris gave a party to celebrate his PhD.

The location he choose was the club-house of a rowing club in Amsterdam,
near the Amstel. It was quite a party with a lot of people. There was a
DJ but I didn't really dance. Talked instead spoke with a number of
people, which was very nice.

Max brought us back to Haarlem by car (thanks!), I was home around 2:00 o'clock.

I'm leaving in a few minutes to the promotion party of Joris, a collegue from Chess who received his PhD. Wednesday.

The party is in Amsterdam, I'll travel with Manuel and Aida.

For the first time in a week I had time to sleep in, and I took my chance. Woke up at 11:00 o'clock, totally refreshed. A nice feeling.

This morning I've been reading one of the many books I got for my
graduation. This one is from my uncle and aunt: "The Words we Live By",
a wonderful book about the American Constitution.

And yes -- this picture is the first one online made with my own digital camera.
Thanks a lot Ettie for borrowing me yours many times, but now I won't
need it anymore.

I am at Chess again, after being two weeks on holiday. I had a wonderful time in Washington and a great day Wednesday; now it's back to normal life.

Yesterday I submitted the last paperwork to the VU. The only thing left is signing up for the alumni newsletters.

After being away from the office I had to re-conquer many parts of my docking
station: the monitor, mouse and most cables were 'borrowed' by other projects and temporary computers. Now I'm back in business. Today I'm working on small improvements to the main project I have been working on since March.

Wow... what a day. Yesterday I received my doctoraal exam, and I'm officially a Master of Science!

It was a wonderful day, with a nice ceremony and a great party. I loved it that so many friends, family members and colleagues were there. I got a lot of presents, flowers, phone calls, nice cards, a very nice voice-mail and I really enjoyed it all.

Later more on the party and the ceremony, first some coffee now. I hope I can get the coffee machine working -- Tuesday it didn't work.

Daniel is staying here a few nights, which is nice. In the mean time I am preparing for the two big events coming up: this Friday I'll fly to Washington and after that there will be my graduation.

I'm going to Washington because Sasha is working there 2 months for the World Bank. I'm very happy for her, but two months being separate is long so I'm glad I can spend 10 days there.

I'll come back in the Netherlands the 14th; one day before my graduation party. A few days ago I sent out the invitations, and I am getting some really nice responses now. I'm sure it will be a great event.

Yesterday evening Daniel and Jean-Paul came for a drink. It had been a while since I saw Jean-Paul. It didn't feel like that however since he is a frequent visitor of this website. He told me the price of a business-class ticket to Washington... it's about 8 times more than I paid for mine.

I feel a bit better now, the headache is still there but less severe. I think I have some kind of cold, so I'm taking it easy and eating extra healthy.

My father was in Haarlem yesterday, so he took me by car to Middenmeer. He also brought 2 suitcases (a big one and a small one) which I'll use next Friday when I'll go to Washington.

I feel a bit weak -- yesterday afternoon I got a headache and my head is spinning a bit now. A relaxing weekend will do me good.

We played one game of Steden & Ridders yesterday. I won.