One Month In

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Right now I am gorging myslef on a very healthy dinner of white chocolate, banana sweeties and Prince biscuis. Apparently I still have a thing or two to learn about self control...
But hey you only live once right?! It was a month ago today that I arrived here in the Netherlands so this is a special anniversary edition of my blog. I will summarise the highlights so far and then talk about a couple of things which I am looking forward to.

Hightlights so far It is hard to think of just a few highlights. I have had so much fun here so far that when I look back its like a great big yellow hightlighter has been following me the whole time. However I do want to draw attention to a few things:

1. Riding a bicycle - cos its just plain awesome to be able to blow out the cobwebs every time I go anywhere. I think the main thing I like is that you get to be that extra bit higher up (Dutch bikes are very upright) which means you can see further. Add that to the clear head you get with exercising and it really allows you to really explore your surroundings and your own thoughts.

   I also absolutely LOVE cycling to clubs and bars in the evening. It is absolutely hilarious and thrilling to cycle in a group of friends through the city lights.

2. The shops here -  I think I will extend this out to theSTYLEof the Netherlands. In so much as I mean that everything: the shops, the bars, the clothes, the archetecture (etc.) is colourful or the craftsmanship in the piece is careful and sculpted. In short everything is unique and funky. For example, there is a square near to the centre, it is cobbled and facing onto it are buildings from various decades (all unique) which are now bars and clubs. The beautiful thing is that in the centre of this square there are a few trees, at night time there are lights in the trees which come on and flash on and off in time to classical music which is played from speakers (also in the trees). Its awesome!

3. My new friends - I am lucky here to have met so many sound people, from all around the world and the Netherlands itself. I am particuarily grateful for my funny, open minded, kind and downright lovely housemates. This leads into the next point....

4. Social life! - There is so much going on in Utrecht. As I speak there is an international film festival happening in the city centre. I will be going to watch something on Tuesday I think... Anywhoo: Utrecht is a booming place with alsorts to do from cultural activities to dancing in the evening to chilling in a park. The great thing about all this is that I have a great network of people already who are interested in all sorts of different things so I don't have to have fun on my own!

5. Independance- This works in two ways; having spoken about enjoying spending time doing fun stuff with other people I also feel very safe here in Utrecht and as such it is nice sometimes to explore on ones todd.

   The second factor is that it is really fun to be here alone in a crowd where noone knows me or has not known me for too ling. It has helped with my confidence. For example when I go out, I can dance and dance and dance and totally be myslef because I am me, so people meeting me for the first time should be able to see that to the full. This is kind of hard to explain but I hope it makes some sense...

What has been hard

1. I miss my boyfriend, friends, family and familiar surroundings. This has been the main thing which has been tough.It is harder or easier depending on how busy I am. However I have been really enjoying writing postcards, emails and using skype to communicate with people. (WOW technology!).

2. Sometimes the language barrier is an issue. I do not mean in the sense of speaking to people - the dutch and most of the other people I have met have aMAZingenglish language skills. really, truly I always admire someone who can speak fluently in another language. The isssue is with buying things and trying to work out from the pictures and words what it is you are buying and what should be done with it. I have had some rather funny moments where on arriving home I have opened out my new (let's say:) duvet cover only to find that is was a bed sheet!

What I am looking forward to

1. Making more new friends and sealing some friendships.

2. Seeing more of Utrecht - Bars, restraunts, festivals and exhibitions.

3. Friends coming to visit from the U.K.

4. Doing some more yoga

5. Exploring more of the Netherlands!

Over and peace out!