Filming of a Model's Life...

Imagine our surprise when Ashlynn was contacted by IMG about being in a mini TV documentary about young models. They had a film crew coming over from New York who would be spending a day with Ashlynn. They asked for potential ideas of what they could film Ashlynn doing and I suggested visiting Leiden. She was thrilled when they agreed that Veronica could be part of the shoot, although she  was still nervous about the idea of being interviewed in front of a television camera.

After the crew arrived at 10 a.m., they took Ashlynn out to shoot some beauty shots by the Vliet. Then we all piled into their giant van and drove to Leiden.

Ashlynn’s not a great skater, so it was very natural that she’d skate with Veronica.

It was especially cute when Veronica pushed Ashlynn around on a plastic seal used by little kids when learning to skate.

Holiday Season Starts...

The Amsterdam Sinterklaas Hash was on December 6, the day after Sinterklaas’ birthday and the same day he reportedly returns to Spain. I ran with Abbie, who happens to be black, and she was asked several times if she’d missed the boat.

Veronica had several holiday parties including this one at the LCR, a formal dinner with the Aye-Ayes and a group dinner in her flat.

She arrived home for the first time in three months on the 12th, just in time for the final two nights of Hanukkah. Although we’d had good intentions while she was away, we were pretty rubbish at actually lighting the candles. 

Just after the term was over for the littles (who aren’t so little anymore), we hosted Sally, John, David and Andrew for dinner. The girls talked the boys into making vegan gingerbread cookies, which were pretty good. 

Walky Barky in the Parky...

One of the AWC ladies started a dog walking group called Walky Barky. I can’t usually participate because it’s too complicated to get to where they’re meeting by public transport. However, one Monday in November they met in Wassenaar so I invited Gillian to join me (and drive us).

It was so nice walking through the woods with all the fallen leaves.

It’s always great when there’s a chance to walk Kati somewhere new. She got along with the other dogs and behaved really well.

Here she is showing off how high she can jump as Gillian gave her a treat. Our attempt to get all the dogs to cooperate for a group photo completely failed.

We Love Your Genes...

In anticipation of the one-year anniversary of IMG’s Instagram scouting campaign called We Love Your Genes, they asked all of the models scouted on Instagram to take photos and shoot a short video of themselves wearing the WLYG sweatshirt somewhere iconic in their country. Although technically Ashlynn was scouted before WLYG even existed, she is considered one of the first WLYG girls. Since she didn’t want to be by herself in a video, she asked Stella to join her in Rotterdam. Here they are at the Cube Houses...

...and at Market Hall.

While Jimmy was shooting the video, the girls were photobombed by a fellow walking past. They sent that segment to IMG and they posted it here on the WLYG Instagram account.

More Photo Shoots at UEA...

Although Veronica doesn’t take as many photos these days, this gorgeous shot taken at UEA proves that she hasn’t lost her touch in the least.

She also goes out occasionally with Chloe, one of her flatmates, to take portraits. 

She hasn’t taken any self-portraits since moving, but luckily Chloe captured some great shots of her.

Climate March in London...

Veronica participated in a protest on campus to persuade the university to stop investing in fossil fuel companies. When she found out that London was hosting one of the world’s largest Climate Marches for the COP21 Paris Conference, she was very interested in attending. When she found out that her school was providing a bus to transport the students to the march, she quickly registered.

She enjoyed marching with homemade signs with her Environmental Science friends...

...and being part of such a large movement of people concerned about what mankind is doing to the planet.

Veronica Loves Aye-Aye...

Veronica has fully embraced being part of the UEA Ultimate Frisbee Team Aye-Aye (in case you aren’t familiar, an aye-aye is a lemur with an extended middle finger which would be ideal for catching Frisbees). She had to borrow this uniform for her first Ultimate tournament which took place outside of London.

Despite not winning, she had a great time.

She also had fun participating in the naked Frisbee photo as part of the UEA team sports fundraising calendar. As great as she looks in this photo, the team decided to retake the photo using a different pose and different photographer. Instead of being in the final photo, she ended up taking it; she also photographed the tennis team.