Hippo Jo

The latest addition: a hippo from Hong Kong. A difficult part of living abroad is the fact that many friends are living very far away. Because they move, or we move away ourselves. Luckily, most of them travel a lot, so once in a while we get the chance to meet up, although it sometimes takes a long time. Our friend, we have actually met in Bangkok a few years ago, visited us for a few days. Then he spent a long weekend in Hong Kong with his brother and sister in law. When he came back, he made us jealous with all his stories about great food, especially tasty dim sum... something we have to miss here.... but we couldn't stay jealous for a long time, because he spoiled us all, with nice gifts. For me, of course... a hippo.... my first from Hong Kong! A short holiday, he called it, but I am afraid not much time for relaxing. A fully booked agenda... meeting up with a lot of friends, colleagues and family.... I think next time, dear Jo, you should plan a few extra days at the beach! Thanks for all the presents and a wonderful diner the other night. Hope to meet up again soon!

Hippo Cookies

Every day, I receive news and updates from the International Hippo Society through the hippo-yahoo-group-Digest. Fellow hippo-lovers have shared photos of cute looking hippo cup cakes, a huge hippo cake and even a hippo head made of a whole watermelon with marshmallow teeth (I am planning to make one, one day Sheila!). Time to share: salty hippo cookies and the fact that hippo-craziness is a little bit contagious. My dear friend has 2 sons, and since they know me and my love for hippos, they both have become a bit obsessed as well. My friend told me the other day, no matter where they go, her boys are busy looking for hippos, all the time! My husband already gave me the: what-have-you-done-to-those-poor-kids?-look... but honestly, I do not force them... on the other hand, I also can't pretend I do not like it when they present me with yet another find... so that makes me a little bit guilty, I guess. Their latest score: salty hippo cookies! Soooo sweet (the present, not the cookies ;-))!! So, Divya... sorry for infecting your children with the hippo-virus, but tell Adit and Anuv they are the best! Always thinking about me, and being so nice..... they are just like their mum :-). Love you all!

Adorable Daisy

You must be a bit crazy to give your plant pots names, but I just did (besides, I never claimed to be "normal" ;-)). While looking through my viewer of my camera, I thought Daisy would be a perfect name for my one-and-only-hippo-plant-pot. A few moments later, I realized plant pots do not have names.... but then, not all plant pots are sweet looking hippos, now are they? So Daisy it is. She came in a large box, together with some hippo-toys, around 12 years ago. My brother in law found them at a flea market, a very rare occasion.... how many times does one find a hippo, not to mention a bunch of abandoned ones? Most of the hippo-toys I did not keep, because at that time, we lived in a very small house, and they took up too much space. But I kept Daisy. I had fallen in love with her eyelashes and little-yellow-flowers-decoration. I never put any plants or flowers inside it, because I am afraid it gets dirty or spoiled. Actually, today it was not only her first photo shoot, but also her first time to be outdoors (poor Daisy ;-)).... I think that's why she looks extra happy. Now she is back on her shelf, together with all the other hippo-statues......smiling away as always!

               

Big and Chunky

A few years ago, I sent this Youtube clip to all my friends because I wanted to share this piece of pure hippo-happiness. Even though I watched it so many times, every time I see Moto Moto come into the frame in the beginning... I can't help laughing. I also think the way Gloria moves should be made into a new dance style. Any suggestions for the name?? It takes only 1 minute, please have a look! I am sure it will make your day!!

     

ToJo Maputo

I agree, a very strange name indeed! After a long time of deliberation, I came up with this name for the latest addition to my collection: a nicely carved (and look at the colors of the wood!) hippo from Maputo - Mozambique. Unfortunately, we do not see those friends, who brought it for me, very often. Luckily, we could find some time between their arrival after a long flight in the morning, and my husband's departure for duty travel that evening. Enough time to catch up, enjoy Sunday-Brunch and great river views. Normally, I name the hippo after the person who gives it to me. While looking at this one, I could not decide whether it was a: her (Joke) or a: him (Ton). I thought about calling it Maputo, as I like the sound of that city's name very much... but it feels like cheating, because I only call hippos after places, if I have bought them there myself. I decided that the combination of their names was the best solution. The first hippo of my collection with a combi-name.... and because I like the sound of Maputo so much, also the first one with a last name! During this occasion, I also received another hippo-gift, and even a bottle of hippo-wine. I will write about those in following posts. Dear Joke and Ton, it was so nice to see you again after such a long time. Thank you for all the gifts, treats and sweets but most of all, for your company that day. We all had a lovely time. Hopefully, it will not take that long before we see each other again.