Fijter.nl

It's funny how a single e-mail can influence your life. About a year ago when I was browsing MonsterBoard looking for a new challenge I came across a very interesting job posting; A start-up with just the attitude I was looking for; Young, creative, innovative and working with the latest technologies. They were located right in the city center of Rotterdam, the city I now live in so that was just great.

Since PHP wasn't much of a challenge for me anymore I was excited to hear that they switched to Python/Django. Unfortunately I heard this during my interview there, and since I didn't have any experience in Django and only a little in Python my job application was resigned. But I didn't give up that easy. The weeks after that I learned the Python and Django basics and came up with the first version of this site, just to show them I was able to do it with a small learning curve. After I mailed in my code and explanation to them that I could do it I received a polite mail back that they were excited to see that I was working on my skills and that if I was needed they would come back to me; And so they did...

Just before my contract at Capica ended I received another mail; If I was still interested in the job. I sure was; After another 6 months of coding PHP, repeating the same trick for yet another time I was up for the challenge. So we made another appointment, they brought me cake for my birthday, I made them some code to show what I could do and we were all happy. A week or 2 later I signed my contract to start on the 1st of November.

Just after I signed my contract at YouTellMe they moved to one of the best locations you can find in The Netherlands for a IT start-up; Amsterdam city center. They moved in to a new office at the Keizersgracht; Which is exactly 2 hours from where I live now. Since I liked the job so much I took that for granted and now I'm traveling 4 hours each daily from Rotterdam to Amsterdam; With pleasure.

Meanwhile I was looking for a apartment. I have been looking out for a apartment for a while now; But most apartments I liked had either 200 people waiting in front of me, or it was way too expensive. Then I came across this apartment in The Hague; which was just great. Not very expensive, modern, in a good condition, enough space (80m2), close the station and a private parking spot available. I thought I didn't have a chance but I might as well try, and so I did.

I soon gave up hope on the apartment; until my phone rang the last day of 2008. The apartment was available and I could have a look if I was still interested. So I went there a few days later and it was even more than what I expected. The discision had been made. Today I called them up; It's possible to rent it as soon as I like; The only thing left is the paperwork.

So a busy time for me now; Getting things ready; I'm very excited about it. As soon as I get the keys I will post some photo's.