Currently sitting on Schiphol airport, waiting for our time to board.
So, the trip went well and all is signed and sealed. All that is left now is the logistical nightmare to relocate to another country. Fun, fun, fun!

I want to tell you how things worked this morning here at prob the best airport in the world! (You can compare to similar experiences you've had)

We arrived rather early, and wanted to check in as soon as possible. After being dropped off at the right terminal by the "looking-like-he-might-even-have-a-degree" well-groomed taxi driver, we tried to find the KLM checkin counter. The hostess pointed us in the direction of these blue machines that look a bit like mini-ATMs.

There, you are supposed to scan either your passport or frequent flyer card. This didn't work and I punched in the confirmation code and viola! A boarding card was printed. Unfortunately my mother's wouldn't work and we had to brave the queues (which in the end only took about 5 minutes) at the "old-school" checkin desk.

Ok, so now we are all checked in (without being charged for excess baggage or way too much hand luggagge- a miracle!) we went to the coffee area.

Mum went shopping and I... just take a guess... tried to get on the internet as soon as possible! (I take it you guessed right!)

Wireless card in - check
Computer on - check
Mouse out - check
wait...

wow! A login page appears.

Create a profile - check
wait...

Mmm... have to pay for internet... 6 Euros.

Credit Card - check

All paid and connected and typing to you now!

Aiaiaia! What can I say. I love living in the 21st century!

PS. Trying to upload some pictures for your enjoyment - but I guess I can't have everything, right?

This website is now permanent

please bookmark Lisl in Holland!

My official new office

Yes. It is true. Despite all nervousness, doubts and speculation I have the job.

I must warn you though... it is not something that I have digested yet - so it is still a bit unreal to me, and that is why I am not jumping up and down. (I think!)

Anyway... went to sign papers at this office today.

My dinner tonight...

Thursday...

I am sitting in the hotel after drinking a s-t-r-o-n-g coffee (shouldn't have, I know!), but for the first time this week I am really really nervous.

Yes, I was nervous for the other interviews, but this afternoon it is the crunch.

Negotiations...

Definitely not my strong point.

I will get an indication of the salary and I am not sure at all what to expect or even if I do get a figure, is it good or bad? Gut feel will have to help with this one.

My mother is out and about in the streets of Amsterdam today - hopefully she will find some pretty things for herself as well as a "poffertje-pan" for Godfrey... Don't ask... ;)

Anyway, if everything goes well - as it has so far - I might have a signed contract by the end of the day.

I'm thinking real french champagne and lobster tonight!

By the way... thanks to everyone for the continuous support, sms's and email. It really helps and means a lot!

So far...

Hello all...

by this time you are all probably wondering what is going on this side...

Well, we arrived safely, thanks for Air France, and we checked into our "city-lodge-looking" hotel.
The hotel is a nearly a kilometer away from the beautiful IBM building (below).

I started this morning at bout 9:30 by meeting the guy who made this all happen, Ad Vos. After a conversation that lasted more than 2 hours but felt like 5 minutes, we got into his car and drove to Schiphol.

There I met with the head of CRM Benelux and the Programme Manager for the Rabobank project. All went smooth...

Off the Utrecht to meet the Rabobank project members, which was very interesting.

As far as the verdict goes... we will have to wait until tomorrow when I have more meetings and a session with HR.

Keep on holding thumbs!!!

bye for now.

L

Once in a lifetime...

I am going to Holland tomorrow... for an interview with IBM Benelux.

I feel:

• incredibly nervous
• very excited
• a tad scared
• as if I should regard is as a holiday and see what happens
• as if I should regard is as the most important moment in my life and worry even more
• sad as this could mean leaving my family, friends and 2IT

The town is called Almere, and it just East of Amsterdam - built in a lake.

Here is a picture of my (potential) new office: