About Me

Born in 1996 in the south of The Netherlands, I grew up in a very interesting time for modern technology. I am old enough to have grown up without smartphones, but young enough to have had constant access to the internet from my early teens (albeit through computers and laptops, not smartphones). I consider myself a zillenial as I have nostalgia for both typical Millennial (sitcoms, landline phones, feeling genuinely bored) and Gen-Z (Smartphones, Nickelodeon, Online gaming) things.

Japan

During my college days I got the chance to study abroad in Osaka, Japan. This turned out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made as I consider this now one of the best times of my life. This time in Japan sparked an interest in Japanese culture that I haven't been able to shake off even after all these years. I therefore travel at least once a year to Japan to spend a couple of weeks (or months) there. Sometimes as a tourist and sometimes while working remotely.

Something I personally find very interesting is how Japan's popularity has grown over a short span of time! When I traveled to Osaka for the first time as a 21-year-old student it was fun to play "spot the foreigner" because there were barely any non-Japanese people in Osaka (or Japan for that matter). Nowadays it's hard not to spot foreigners in Osaka, making the game I created as a college student so incredibly easy it has become redundant.

Operating Systems

Besides a love for Japan I'm also very much interested in computer operating systems. Whether it's GNU/Linux, OpenBSD, Windows or MacOS, I like them all. The only thing that I am less keen about are Desktop Environments. I highly prefer using Tiling Window Managers on any operating system I use. Whether it's i3, GlazeWM, dwm or Aerospace doesn't really matter to me, but I am not a fan of bloated desktop environments. Sure I use them when necessary, but I avoid them if possible.

Languages

I'm a native Dutch speaker and am fluent in English (CEFR C2). Besides that I speak Japanese at an intermediate level (JLPT N3). Language learning is a passion of mine and I am currently aiming for a Japanese JLPT N2 level. I am also learning Mandarin Chinese as a hobby.

YouTube

I've been making YouTube videos for several of my channels for more than a decade. I am no editing master and none of my videos have ever relied on heavy editing. My success always came from my tutorial-style videos. My current YouTube channel serves as a supportive medium for this website.

Simple Living

One thing I care deeply about is simple living. I have no desire to live a flashy lifestyle and peacock my way through life. Besides my family I care most about the 3 R's: "Rust (Rest), Reinheid (Hygiene) & Regelmaat (Routine)". This famous Dutch saying is something I hold in high regard. I don't shun working hard, in fact I welcome it. But true Rust (rest) is important for me. Reinheid (hygiene) in this case isn't just physical, but also mentally and through correct actions. I live my life according to strict values that keep me Rein (clean). Regelmaat (routine) keeps me from overthinking. It's important to be openminded but it's just as important to continue striving towards something once your mind has been made up.

Don't take simple living as a way for me to glorify poverty or laziness. I respect hard working people and have no qualms with a person attaining wealth. I personally invest in assets too and am working hard towards an early retirement.