So...it's been almost a year since I came by this blog and I'm ashamed to admit I'd almost forgotten what it's like to actually write. But today is a special day, and given that I've got some time on my hands, I just figured that Cantuslupus.com deserved some love with exciting 2025 updates! 

For starters, I turned 33 today!

Of course, the number doesn't change anything except make my insurance premium more expensive by the year, but it's just nice to celebrate a day for myself. After all, the year thus far has been such a roller coaster ride of emotions that I sometimes struggle to grasp how I'm feeling day by day. Of course, I'm a firm believer that the sun always rises (despite it being the Netherlands) after a storm and that things will be better again if you just hold on tight. And with that, I'm just happy to have made it to 33 and to celebrate yet another year in Amsterdam. 

And speaking of being in Amsterdam... 

Did I mention that we've both gotten our Permanent Residency status? 

That's right, after plenty of studying for five Dutch integration papers that comprised reading, writing, speaking, listening, and Knowledge of Dutch Society, my other half and I officially obtained our PR status this year. It's been something we worked on since last year when we starting becoming eligible for the application, and it's also a great way to celebrate 6 years of being in the Netherlands. This obviously doesn't mean I'm fantastic at Dutch just yet, but it's definitely given me the confidence to keep going and taught me that anything is possible if you just give it your all. And that includes sacrificing some nights of gaming, but I'll take it. 

Now onto other changes...

While the agency wasn't my first job in the Netherlands, it was definitely one of the best places I've worked at. But after 4 and a half years, perhaps it was time for a change and to see where life would take me instead. I'm ever so grateful for the opportunities I got from this place though, especially given how they allowed me to grow and learn new skills. Above all, I'm thankful for the friendships I've forged here, with plenty of my colleagues having turned friends today. Being in a foreign country where people claim relationships are difficult, these ties mean so much to me and maybe...just maybe, it was the only reason saying goodbye felt difficult back then. 

But onward to better things!

Kroket turned 1 in May and also celebrated his first Gotcha Day with us in August! It's so weird to think that just a year ago, he'd been the cutest and cuddliest cat we adopted from a shelter in Zwolle...and now he's an absolutely dinosaur. From nibbling at my feet to pouncing on my back for fun, he's been such a handful that - according to my other half - can do no wrong in my eyes as long as he lets me kiss his forehead once a day. Am I obsessed about my cat? Yes. Am I ashamed of it? No. Will I continue to love him even if he wants to tip over my coffee every morning? Absolutely!

So, what's next?

As a bonus, my aunt had coincidentally flown in with my mum and other aunt back in September when I first left the agency. This gave me the opportunity to explore Prague and Budapest with the three of them, and most importantly spend a lot more time with my mum. 

So perhaps what's next is that I'll simply continue to enjoy what life throws at me and believe that great things are just around the corner. Until then, I'll just have some cake to celebrate being 33 today. If you're here reading, I just wanted to say thank you for still being a visitor to Cantuslupus.com. This space had started as a place where I could vent and share, though perhaps accidentally forgotten this year too. I can't promise to do better in 2026, but I'll always try. 

And I hope that's enough to put a smile on your face too.