""

"Sometimes you see Mike in front of the door throwing his leg in the air. Are these yoga routines? Is he kicking an invisible football? Is it a compulsive neurosis? None of that. Mike always loses his stuff. That’s why he taped his electronic key to his ankle. Very handy Mike! Big problems need big solutions."

"Some people remember everything—obscure nursery rhymes, a striking little number you wore eight years ago.. Ingeborg is like that. Which comes in handy if you’re stuck in the urban jungle (she used to be a girlscout), but annoying when she has to make you a poem with Sinterklaas."

"Lisanne was once part of the Show & Marching band. Every weekend they moved a different European concert hall to tears with their music. Already at the first tones of her sonorous piccolo people began to sob. A shoulder injury, however, ended her career. Nowadays she plays a different tune. But the magic is still there."

"Martijn has a Destiny’s Child platinum record hanging in his home office! He happens to be a bit of an entertainer himself. During parties he’s in full swing tweaking the playlist, juggling bottles, and decorating the bitterballen with paper flags. But wait.. where are the guests? Well.. they’re marveling at your platinum record in the home office Martijn."

""

"If you find yourself next to our coffee machine on a Monday morning, you’ll find that Arie always has the best stories from his weekend. Maybe they’ll be about a trip through Amsterdam by boot; maybe they’ll be about karaoke singing in the local pub or the “rijsttafel” dinner he got himself invited to. Double espresso with a bit of milk, please!!"

"Are you familiar with the term 'Bleeker-noise'? No? W're not surprised, because it's the name Arno's friends gave his musical tastes. It started out with some very upper class punk, but became more and more extreme - and annoying. The height of Bleeker noise was a self-recorded cd with organ music, where the organ caught fire during the last song...not too bad for someone who listened to ABBA as a kid."

"Traveling on a tight budget, or maneuver a 3 seater through a narrow stairwell? Micah is your guy! He doesn’t get lost in impracticalities. Hard to believe that this mellow fellow once played guitar in an extreme metalband! That’s the kind of music they play in Hell’s waiting room. Rock on Micah!"

"Carline’s life is like a musical journey. As a child she wanted to sing in a girlband. As a teenager she was droppin’ bars for the school paper. But nowadays she would like to write songs for musicals. With lots of word jokes in it. Something like “Beauty and the Beatboxer’. What’s that?! Ahhh.. It’s the smell of Broadway."

"Ammarai is a Buddhist with an I/O switch. When a lace is tangled, she switches to Buddha mode. Butterflies flutter around her head, bamboo stems start to sway spontaneously, and the knot.. is.. gone. Two minutes later and she’s all over the place again. Please.. hold on to that Zen mode Ammarai!"

"You know those people that are always soft spoken, kind and inconspicuous, who get REALLY fanatical with games? Jolien is like that. Preferably with fast, not to complicated games like Qwixx or rainworms or old skool stuff like RUmmikub or Yahtzee. Or Party & Co, or 30 Seconds! Just make sure you're on her team."

"\r\n"

"There’s one in every group of friends.. The reliable guy who’s always the cashkeeper during nights out, has to take care of holiday bookings and is always the designated driver.. That’s Jerome for you. But he doesn’t mind. He likes to be in charge of things. And then afterwards a well deserved IPA in his old rocking chair. Cheers!Money Box-er"

"When you’ve got a craving for something really yummy, Sanne’s your go-to girl. She’s famous for her amazing cakes. And when she’s not standing in the kitchen, she goes running or traveling to some far-away place, such as to Zanzibar. When she’s not hard at work, she’s training for a race. Hup, two, three, four"

"If you wanna piss Loes off, just keep cycling in front of her on the bike path. But eh, better not face Loes one-on-one, because she learned Thai boxing in Koh Phangan.. That’s pretty hardcore. Ground exercises on a sweat-soaked mat and jumping rope at 40 degrees Celsius. She’ll never put her skills into practice, but still.. Keep that bike path clear!"

"

Picture this.. there he is.. at a prestigious concours in Russia with a huge cake in the shape of formula 1 car plus racing track.. The temperature is way too high so the whole thing collapses. It’s tattered and there’s only a half hour left to fix his masterpiece. But he nailed it. Countertop squeaky clean and everything hunky-dory. Cool as Fonzie our Bas. K.

"

"Jan is a biker. Nooo, not a Hell’s Angel. He’s way too sweet for that. One time Jan woke up at the crack of dawn to bake a birthday cake for his bestie. He even jumped on his bike to deliver it himself.. Threw in a wheelie, a barspin, a 360 with no damage to the cake.. Now that’s a real biker!"

"\r\n"

"With three daughters, Frans is Tony’s ladies’ man. Cheering at the pool, haggling over green bean prices, and he can braid hair like nobody’s business. But every once in while he goes off with his friends to watch a Belgian cycling tournament — after all it’s all about balance."

""

""

"

Tessa can give people the impression that she’s not interested in their stories. Tessa never wins a staring contest. Tessa seems to follow an invisible fly now and then. What’s going on here? Well.. she has a tic and rolls her eyeballs compulsively. So remember, you’re not a bad story teller. She simply doesn’t only have eyes for you.

"

"Pavi is always good for a laugh. 1. She likes to joke around. 2. She starts laughing when she’s nervous. During a security training they gave her the following tips.. 1. Control your laughing! Or 2. Calmly explain to the gunman that you are a nervous laugher. Pretty laughable these kinds of training."

""

"Small bucket list thingy for Sanne: building her own tiny house. Big enough to have people over, small enough so you don't collect too much unnecessary shit. Less distraction, more focus. Less accelerating, more slowing down. A case of self protection? Hm, maybe.. Sanne likes to think in solutions, even though the problems are not as big as a house."

"When you come over to Twerrel’s parties you won’t find the standard things you’d find on a Surinam party. Sushi, a Thai buffet, a gigantic pan of paëlla for 80 people.. no prob for Twerrel. We’ll be there next time aswell, ok?"

"Arjen is our resident DJ. He plays just about everything, from ska to pan flute music. When we don’t really dig his selection, we do let him know, but very, very carefully. Arjan has a black belt in karate and can (so he claims) break a pile of wooden planks in half with one hand. At the office, he keeps himself pretty happy."

"There’s not much to do when you’ve got songs in your head. Especially when it happens all the time, like with Dorien. Michael Jacksons entire oeuvre comes along, a different song every day. Singing out loudly seems to help, but isn’t always appreciated.."

"Hidden under layers of sweetness lies Juliette’s inner hooligan waiting for the moment of awakening. She would love to hang on the stadium gates.. screaming her lungs out. But she doesn’t get any further than “123.. PSV!”. Let your inner hooligan sleep Juul.. We like you this way."

""

"\r\n"

"Back in India Nikhil was part of the national curling team. There was no ice so they practiced on the tiled floor of a nearby shopping mall. When Nikhil shattered a window display for the third time he run off. He started a new career as a bartender on a cruise ship. So, he knows how to make a good Bloody Mary. Chin-chin!"

"No Tony without a nickname and Annabel has the most of all: Bel, Bellie, Bells, Belleboos… just Annabel is fine as well. Having that many nicknames comes in handy when you need her because she likes to daydream when no one’s watching. Bella! Phone!"

""

"Don't get us wrong, Marleen is not lazy. But, when a vase is in front of the tv, you can see through the flowers just fine you know. It's very efficient to always have a notepad at hand to update your to-do list. \"Moving vase\" for example. Check."

"Eva is the baby in the family but she certainly doesn’t act like it! She got her degree in Food Science & Technology and now she’s an accomplished connoisseur and knows everything about flavour charts, natural ingredients and nutrition. And to top it off, she dressed as Katy Perry for New Year’s Eve!"

"Everybody has their secret wishes. Heather’s is a complete white bedroom with nothing in it but a big bed with white linen. Call it perfectionism, call it utopic, but it guarantees a good night’s sleep. But watch out with that milk yoghurt passionfruit bar, Heather!"

"Our man in America might look like a stiff Dutch guy at first glance, but as soon as the music starts, his hips begin to sway and he fills the dance (or office) floor with the finest Latin moves. Mambo Americano!"

"With some people you see it straight away.. But not in Eske’s case. With a serene smile she offers you a cup of coffee. Just when your head registers Eske as ‘a pleasant person’.. She strikes. The coffee is salty, the whoopee cushion on your desk chair is now glued to your butt, and your favorite stapler is suspended in 6 kilos of jelly pudding.. Eske!!!"

"It’s pretty impressive when Wasken lifts a football out of the Haarlemmervaart with his feet. But secretly, he is a sore loser: pretends to forget the score, pulling shirts, says “hats off” if the sun’s shining.. Good thing he’s such a sweetie otherwise!"

"Daan likes a joke or two. Didn’t always turn out right in the past, with uncomfortable silences as a result. These awkward moments can still keep him awake at night. When this happens he puts on his favourite slippers and sneaks to the kitchen for a calming piece of fresh mango. Yep.. that’s the life of a comedian."

"\r\n"

"The world is divided into people who open their bag of crips at the top, and people who open the bottom. The fact that people exist who do it the latter way is baffling to Ewoud. And let's not even discuss people who eat a cookie the wrong way round! When we crack open a chocolate bar with Ewoud, we're always careful to start on the right. Just to be safe."

"Some call it crafts, other handiwork, Eveline calls it fröbelen. You know, just doing your thing, making stuff. Pottery, fixing old furniture, getting wild with the sewing machine. Maybe even a bee hotel on the balcony. Good idea!"

"Cutting in line is an art form, as we know. Step by step, leaning forward, looking away a bit.. Marijn knows what it’s all about. There we go, put the shopping bag in the way. Who’s next?"

"

Young Shannon was quite something. She carved her first spelling lessons into the neighbor’s car, which they didn’t appreciate. Spoilsports. Things like this are all in the past. Nowadays, she’s way too busy with her cat hobby. She owns a cat teapot, a cat sweater, and even a cat tissue box holder! Together with her cat she dances to golden oldies like Otis Redding and The Beatles. That’s some serious cat love for ya. Miaow!

"

"Did you know that Marieke once took a course in interior styling. Her house looks picture perfect / designer-magazine perfect. A little designer chair here, a little bouquet of wild flowers a well-chosen coffee table book there. If you ever want to make Marieke happy with a bouquet of flowers, you’ll need to keep one thing in mind – she loves all flowers, just not yellow ones"

""

"Maybe it’s because she lives on a houseboat, but there are few things that make Melassi (nickname, not a spelling mistake) happier than baby animals. Piglets on Insta or cygnets in the wild, she can’t get enough. Uhm, sorry.. cygnets? Let’s look that one up."

"Powertools, a man can’t do without them, really. Not that you actually have to do anything with them. Just hold them, once in a while. Bzz bzzz. Paul does use them: bike shed here, shelves against the wall there.. Scullery, dining table. And then praying it breaks down again. Bzz bzz!"

"Ever heard of the three R's? Most people need them. Rest, refreshment, regularity. Not Quintin. He is more like, very impatient, a little dirty and bored easily. He prefers the three B's. Yup, beer, bitterball and barbecue. "

"Dawdling, you gotta love that expression. Ben hates it, though. Not the expression, the act. Combination of long legs and impatience, probably. So walking up ahead on holiday, his son jogging behind on the way to school and 'flat tiring people' on the underground. Also a great expression."

"Look.. here’s an action hero for you. Always ready to go with no fumbling around! Erik cuts the crap and wooden planks if necessary. He moves fast, reacts rapidly, and jumps out of a plane for fun. Quick.. give this man a red spandex suit with blue underpants on the outside. Heeere’s Super Tony"

"\r\n"

"

An old soul in a young body.. That’s how he’s often been described. But Umut lives in the now and is very successful doing so. Having inner discussions about social issues from different perspectives or writing short stories and even books. A peux sérieux? Not at all.. Umut’s word plays are the best!

"

"A muilpeer.. can you eat that? No! But that’s what you get when you serve Camille a loveless plate of food. What did you expect..? The lady is French! She even dreams about rillettes and ripe Époisses. Back to the kitchen you.. and give it all you got. Go!"

""

"Psst, wake up! It happens that Nea wakes her kids in the middle of the night to come and look at Mars or Jupiter. How cool! Or to sled in fresh snow, or swim in a lake – the latter only in the summer of course."

"Working in the big city sure has it’s benefits but all that nitrogen! Sometimes Tristan closes his eyes and starts building a new home in this Arcadian landscape. Fresh air, lots of green, chickens and a pig.. Splendid! Clap your hands three times to drag Tristan back to reality. But let him have a daydream now and then."

"

One time, in the Tuscany hills Tim prepared a Michelin Star worthy meal on just a camping stove. He lit candles, pulled a cold bottle of pinot grigio out of his backpack and looked deep into his girlfriend’s eyes. This situation was far too good to be true.. so, with a quick blow from his elbow, he knocked over the pan. Romantics.. they can be clumsy now and then.

"

""

"

If you like really want to make Belinda happy just invite her for a swim around Prinseneiland. Preferably during summer, because cold water isn’t really her thing. Make it quite a few laps too, because when Belinda gets bored she starts building dangerous structures with random stuff. Due to this hobby she successfully cracked an iPad and lost multiple keys on her keyboard. Well.. as long as nobody gets hurt.

"

"What do you call a white fourty year old who likes to blast old skool hip hop? Ynzo! He even does a little dance. No C-walk or B-walk, a T-walk! Red and blue together. Peace out."

"Ask Diara about her plans for the future and they all involve cake. What are you going to do this weekend? Cake. What do you want to be when you grow up? Cake. Of course she means she wants to become a cakeshop-lady. In Ghana, if possible. Formidable!"

"Vergeetachtigheid is het niet, maar Marloes’ spullen liggen vaak niet op de plek waar ze horen te liggen. ID-kaarten, pinpassen, OV-kaarten (ooit 2 keer in 1 week aangevraagd), sleutels.. Gelukkig geen belangrijke zaken – verjaardagen en namen gaan prima."

"There’s people that don’t want to be disturbed in their sleep, but they’re peanuts compared to Sylvia. Her baby boy gets away with it, the rest have to fear for their lives. She doesn’t even have to wake up to swat mosquitos, yikes!"

"Put Hilary Clinton, a blond beach babe, a debate champion and a pole dancer in a blender. Mix it up around 15 minutes and what do you get?.. An Abby Noel! A logical combination in Abby’s universe. Pretty arguable of course. But try to tell that to a top debater like Abby Noel."

"What's for dinner tonight? Something Joost likes to think about 'Cause choices, choices, people! He has a hard time in restaurants, because after a lot of consideration before ordering, he's still regrets his choice in hindsight a lot of the time. By the way, did you know no one rivals his potato peeling skills? True story."

"\r\n"

"Rijk likes to crochet stuffed animals. ‘No need to mention this on the website’ he said. But hey,.,. talents like this deserve a spotlight. Crochet is pretty masculine, right? And there’s nothing wrong with Rijk’s masculinity in the first place. He jumps out off a helicopter on top of a mountain, skis his way down and he has a beard. What a man!"

"Since January 2013 Ivan has been fidgeting in his chair, two-stepping to lunch and answering the telephone with, “Alaaf” (??). Ivan is a genuine Brabander – he flips for carnival! But don’t worry – he’s in just as merry a mood when he’s got his costume on as when he’s got his everyday shirt on."

"Nothing that relaxes Henk like a good action movie. Bit of of a rumble, explosions, preferably with a guitar-driven soundtrack. Bassie and Adriaan versus the Baron, but on midlife crisis level. Lights out, cell phoned off, the show is about to start!"

"Bas goes out looking for adventure. Always armed with a camera and an impressive amount of camera accessories – lenses, tripods, you name it.. Quite handy if you climb Macchu Pichu or the Kilimanjaro, or go cage diving with great white sharks. Say cheese!"

"Do you recognize this? Intending to shake someones hand but it turns into a high five? 4 clumsy kisses instead of 3? If the answer is yes, changes are you've met Amber. Love it. And another kiss coming your way."

""

"Henk Jan was once a calendar model but he quit all that when he got the chance to become Tony’s Chief Chocolate Officer. He’s forged ahead with plans to create a world of 100% slave-free chocolate and has drafted all of Tony’s family members to help."

""

"As a little boy, Ywe was read the riot act on a regular basis on account of him always getting punctured tyres on his bicycle. Caught a little too much air, bumped the sidewalk, racing to complete his paper route the fastest...and it's still going on now, with his daughters in the carrier cycle. 'Faster dad, faster!'"

"Being a dreamer and still constantly checking everything.. That sounds like a contradiction, but it’s not. You can dream that you’re a fact checker. You can double check things because you’re a dreamer. Or you triple check everything so you can dream quietly. Sweet dreams Rody!"

"So annoying when keys do that: you know you put them in your coat pocket, but they’re not there. Not again, Laura sighs. In the messy drawer? No. In your purse? No? Still in the door? Thankfully not. No, they’re in your coat pocket, exactly where you looked before."

"During a holiday in Tokyo, Jean Michel met a group of old Japanese men. He taught them some dirty words and in return he received a list of the best places to eat. Ever since he’s been hooked on Japanese food. He still likes bitterballen.. but give him a plate of steaming onigiri and he starts to drool. Need a napkin Jean Michel?"

"\r\n"

"Melissa’s Italian American background is something she wears with pride. And something she’s not shy to tell you about; loud, straight forward and with a strong NY accent. Favorite subjects are family and good cooking. Italian, of course, cosa ne pensi?"

"As a self-proclaimed nerd Anne-Wil willfully (probably because of the second part of her name) wants to know how everything works. Everything? Yes, everything. So it doesn’t surprise us that she’s allowed to fly an airplane and that skydiving in a wind tunnel is the only thing left on her bucket list."

"It’s a good thing we have a desk disco every six months at Tony’s, because Ruben is an expert in cracking word jokes all day long. Bad jokes, some people call them, but they just can’t appreciate the art of it. Don’t let them put you down, Ruben!"

"Even though Chloé is the youngest of four and therefore, and we quote, a bit of a princess, she’s not one to sit back and relax. Roll up those sleeves, boy-o! And then we’re not just talking about her brown-green detox drinks or her cauliflower risotto. Whappa!"

"An orderly spirit lives in a orderly...home! Nothing to worry about, but Chiel just likes everything cleaned and in its place. Objects have their own spot in which to be before bed. And you can only work at your desk when your bed is made. Like we said: nothing to worry about."

""

"Always a laugh with Naomi. Especially because her laugh is so joyfully loud and contagious. You can find her easily in any bar because of it. It's always quite a distraction whilst freefalling in a rollercoaster, as is her shiny hair, blowing in the wind."

""

"Who hasn’t wanted to pet an Opossum? So soft and fluffy! Stray dogs and cats also deserve petting. That you can get bitten doesn’t bother Sanne. Everybody needs love! And sometimes, a rabies shot."

"\r\n"

"Next to being an expert bean counter, Paul is also a fully certified first-aid responder. Everyone can feel safe with Paul nearby, for example on a camping site, where he loves to hang out on the weekends. Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to camping he goes!"

"Even though Bas regularly has a new gadget (at this moment a super cool retro PDA), you can’t make him happier than playing an old fashioned game of Portal 2 on the PS3. Single player, ‘cause those 12 year old kids put up too much of a fight. It has to be fun, right?"

"Gabbertjes.. do you remember them? Bald, Aussie wearing, energy drink guzzling, pill poppin’ boys and girls with ‘hakkuh’ as their signature dance. But this is an old stereotype. The gabber 2.0 is like Boy. All about peace, balance, and healthy food.. preferably green. Because there’s no ‘Gabber never dies’ without vitamins, right?"