Blogs by Ella Fisher

What I never expected about myself is that I’d end up watching a Korean series about boxing. I’m usually the type who goes for sweet, romantic K-dramas, especially if Kang Ha-neul or Gong Yoo is in the lead. The kind of shows that are so unrealistic you just sit there thinking, this would never happen in real life. Crash Landing on You (not starring either of them) is still my all-time favorite. Super romantic.

Still, I wanted to give something different a shot. So about half a year ago (maybe longer), I started watching Bloodhounds season 1 on Netflix. It’s honestly such a great show, so I was really happy when season 2 came out. The tension, the action… it’s intense. I won’t give any spoilers, but it definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat. And when a show can do that to me, I know it’s a keeper.

One thing that does annoy me a little, though, is that one of the main characters (especially in season 2) cries a lot. I don’t know… I’m just not really into that. Crying men aren’t exactly my thing. So if that bothers you too, Bloodhounds 2 might not be for you.

The scene that stuck with me the most is when someone dies in season 1. I actually teared up. It was emotional and really well done. What stands out most overall is the friendship between the two boxers. You really see that bond grow, and honestly, Koreans do that so well. Respect.

As for whether season 1 is better than season 2… I honestly can’t say. They’re both good. You’ll have to judge for yourself.

Getting Lost in Virgin River

And then there’s Virgin River. I was obsessed. I even wanted all the books. But then there’s always a break between seasons, and somehow you fall out of it for a while. That’s exactly what happened to me.

About two weeks ago, I “jumped back in,” as I like to call it, and I’m so glad I did. Because FINALLY, Brie and Brady are back together. They are my absolute favorite couple. I could honestly just follow their storyline every single day.

That said, there are definitely things that don’t make sense, especially medically (according to my best friend). I watched a scene with CPR and… let’s just say it didn’t look very accurate.

What makes this show so addictive for me are the characters. Some are annoying, some are sweet, some are just awful. You always have an opinion about them, and that’s what keeps it interesting. I also like how diverse the cast is. The storylines flow nicely into each other. Sometimes it’s a bit predictable, but there’s always something happening that adds a twist.

Before I became team Brie & Brady, I was team Mel & Jack. Especially in the beginning, when they were just discovering their feelings… so sweet. When they finally got together? Yep, I cried. It took forever. Almost on K-drama level haha.

That said, I wouldn’t want to live in that town myself. Way too much gossip for me. But as an escape? Perfect. It’s one of those shows that lets you completely switch off for a bit.

Pool Party Chaos (and Coffee for Mom)

Besides the things I enjoy, my daughters have their own activities too. My oldest was invited to her best friend’s pool party at the Zandzee in Bussum.

It was so much fun. I went along to help my best friend, because honestly, handling that many kids alone? No way.

We started with singing and opening presents. Then came the changing rooms… total chaos, as you can imagine. But fun chaos.

And after that: our time. We grabbed coffee in the cafeteria while keeping an eye on the kids swimming and playing. Honestly, perfect.

I’d definitely recommend this kind of party. The Zandzee is affordable, easy to oversee, and you’re not constantly running after the kids.

Also, my daughter paid for half of her gift herself, using money from her savings. We paid the other half. It’s one of those little moments where you can teach your child about money and how much things actually cost.

Little Miss Singing Lessons 🎤

Then there’s my youngest (she’s turning 6 in April… how is that even possible?): little miss singing lessons.

She loves to sing. And yes, she also tells me I can’t sing. Sweet, right? But always with a big grin.

She has lessons once every two weeks. The time isn’t ideal (6:30 PM), but it does give her a nice break from everything.

Her teacher is great. Really patient and gives her full attention, which I think is so important. She sings all kinds of songs: Alle dieren in het bos, Golden, Soda Pop, I Am a Gummy Bear, Arabian Nights, Hupsakee, and of course K3 songs.

And yes… this is kind of my fault… but she can also sing the chorus of P.I.M.P.. Thankfully, she has no idea what it means. And most people just laugh about it, including her teacher.

One thing I found a bit nerve-wracking at first was whether I was hearing it right. As a mom, you tend to think your child is amazing. But luckily, her teacher agrees that she has talent.

She’s the youngest student and gets piano guidance during lessons, which helps her learn different pitches. It’s such a beautiful process to watch.

She already memorized lyrics quickly, but now it’s even faster. And I can really see her confidence growing, which is so important.

My goal? To show her what music can do for you. Music helps you relax, process emotions, let things out. I honestly can’t imagine life without it.

My Curry Experiment (With a Twist)

Last week I had one of those small, happy moments. I made a curry using a fresh meal kit from Lidl, but I never really like the sauce packets that come with those.

So I decided to look up a better curry sauce. Only problem: I didn’t have any ketjap.

So… I improvised. I swapped it for soy sauce.

And wow. It turned out so good. Seriously.

The next day, my oldest asked, “What are we having for dinner?” When I said we’d figure it out, she was genuinely disappointed we weren’t having that curry again.

That’s honestly one of the best compliments you can get as a mom.

You might be thinking, soy sauce in curry? But trust me, it worked.

My (Slight) Chicken Obsession

And then… one of my many obsessions: chicken.

Seriously, it’s the most versatile meat out there. I could eat it every day. Stuffed chicken, chicken quiche, soup, sandwiches… all of it.

Sometimes we go to Kippie in our town. Highly recommend it. We usually get five plain drumsticks and five spicy ones. My oldest and I go for spicy, the youngest sticks with plain.

And yes… we’ll just eat that. No vegetables, no carbs. Just chicken. Because who decided you have to eat those things every day? Nothing is mandatory. Just do what feels right. That’s my motto.

For me, 2.5 drumsticks is a full meal. And the best part? We often have leftovers for the next day. I’ll turn it into pulled chicken or something else, and it ends up being really budget-friendly too.

Writing, Growing, and My Book

Finally, my book: Unleash the Dragon.

I’ve written 71 pages so far, and I’m really proud of that. My goal is to write faster. And no, I don’t use ChatGPT to write my books. It wouldn’t feel like my story anymore.

For grammar and spelling, though? Super helpful.

Recently, I started using the dictation feature in Word, and it’s honestly a lifesaver. I used it for this blog too. I can express so much more now, and it feels more natural.

It’s definitely not perfect. Sometimes the sentences come out weird, or the words are completely off. Maybe I’m not speaking clearly enough? No idea. But I always edit everything myself anyway. And usually, I end up adding even more.

I made a deal with myself to write one page a day. That doesn’t always happen, but with dictation, it’s much easier. You literally see your pages grow.

The characters in my book are developing more and more, and the pace is picking up. It’s definitely a story you have to pay attention to, because a lot is happening.

What I hope people will say when they read it:
“Yeah, I can really picture this. So well written.”

And honestly… this book feels different. I truly believe it can go further than just my website or self-publishing.

I’m going for it. I’ll keep you posted.