Fleming Clan.

So last Friday was the my buildings first common room party of the year. It was pretty cool to meet a few new people from around the building. But for most of the night I was looking around the room thinking I have never seen 90% of these people in my life, where the hell have they all been hiding? I met a couple of new folk but mostly hung around with a lot of people who I, at least vaguely, knew already. Wish I had been in more of a party mood - was fighting the urge to leave around 12 o'clock. I ended the night at around 3am, seeking refuge in my bed.

The rest of the week I have been busy entertaining (and scrounging off of) my folks, who arrived in Holland on Tuesday evening.

On Wednesday they were checking out my turf: Rotterdam.
It took them ages to get here. Their hotel was on the outskirts of Amsterdam, in the business section - so the public transport wasn't the most intuitive. But thankfully, after one day of mishaps they managed to figure it out! Anyway, three hours after leaving the Artemis hotel, my parents stumbled off the tram in front of my house. Yay!! Mama Flem was greetin' (crying) - so cute. After a few cuddles I took them to visit my wee dorm. My dad was rather impressed with the size of my room - although, to be honest, I just see it as empty space... They brought me some clothes from home for when the winter weather descends, a cookbook (which I accidentally abandoned when I was leaving), and a few extra gifts in advance of my birthday! I got a new toiletry bag, chocolates, chewing gum, clothes, tonnes of socks and some money to buy new shoes. Once the initial greetings were all done and dusted, we decided to skype the grandparents. It was nice to have the five of us all talking together as if we were round for lunch! My parents then declared that 1) they did not want to taste my cooking and 2) it was "too warm" in my dorm to stay their any longer (I hadn't noticed...).

I took them for a stroll along the canal where we took some pictures and looked for a little pub to visit. We picked one which I have never been in before, ordered our drinks and sat outside in the sunshine. It was a beautiful day for the start of October. Nice and warm. The only problem was the size of the "large beer" - father was very unimpressed and quickly went up to "get the other half"! Haha! Soon we were off again to acquire some scran, our Scottish bellies rumbling away. I decided to take them to Very Italian Pizza since it was quite close and relatively cheap, plus everyone loves Italian food. They loved it after a disastrous meal from the night before. Unfortunately, that was where we called it a day. So we caught our respective trams and headed home.

Drinks in the sunshine

Thursday was my major study session. Was in the university for a ridiculous amount of time. Then I might have watched The Parent Trap. Love that movie!

On Friday I had a test so obviously had to go into class. Such a disappointment. But after class me and my friend Marta headed to Rotterdam Centraal to get the train. We both got a Dutch hot dog, which would have been fine, but it was smothered in mustard. Yuck. And apart from flicking a "living creature" off my forehead, the train journey went by with very little drama. Once at Amsterdam I quickly abandoned Marta (sorry about that!) to jump on a tram which would take me to Anne Frank's humble abode, where my parents were waiting.

The Anna Frank museum was amazing. I'm not sure if that's the appropriate word for it. Perhaps fascinating would be better? It was strange walking around her house. Everyone was very quiet and respectful - still with their little, individual conversations, and laughing at my mum trying to climb the stairs - but you could feel the respect in the air. All the normal day-to-day chatter and life was hushed. It wasn't the priority. I've been to Anne Frank's house before, when I was on a primary 7 school trip to Germany (and surrounding countries), but I'm glad that I visited again, as an 11 year old you can't really appreciate the experience to the same extent. There was on weird thing though, an odd rule in the museum: we were all instructed to wear our bags in front of us, rather than behind. But, what was the purpose in that? I can't figure it out.

Next, it was off to the Hard Rock Cafe. One the journey there we encountered superheroes, adult temper tantrums and a giant game of chess - very intense. As predicted the restaurant was fab, not quite the same atmosphere as the one in Rome, but the food was beautiful and the service was great. Although, how anyone manages to eat more than one course is beyond me. We even met a Scottish waiter - it's funny how quickly you can slip into the slang and the full accent as soon as you hear another one. Took me a few moments to realise that it wasn't "the norm" here! We had a little snoop in the shop next door. I really wanted a hoodie, but the stuff was a small fortune. You're really paying for the brand (even when you're just eating the food).

I didn't want to go straight back to the hotel, so we went for a wander, did some window shopping and found the Amsterdam sign. But we were soon on the tram heading for bed. Mine still had to be delivered though. Yes, I know it sounds bizarre, but my parents ordered me a bed for their hotel room. I didn't even know that was a thing! Was surprisingly comfy once it had arrived - much better than my full-time mattress back at my accommodation! Although, we had a right laugh trying to sort out the duvet. I was in the corner of the room howling with laughter as my confused mum tried to figure out how a king or queen sized duvet was going to fit on a single bed. I ended up wrapped up like a sausage roll for the night. Nice and cosy. Was a great night sleep - but I did have to deal with the lawnmower-like snores coming from Mama Flem beside me. Who would have thought? She sounded like a big heavy bloke! (Love you mum!)

They next morning I certainly made the most of the hotel breakfast. Had three plates of food. Yum. =)

Once the parents had checked out, we pretty much went straight to the airport (5 hours early). Its not a bad airport to be stranded at though. Tonnes of shops. Plus, I might have acquired a new bag courtesy of my wonderful folks. Me and Mama Flem also picked out our future engagement rings!! Mum decided on one at €1993 but I was much more reasonable in my choice at just €588. <3 I love a wee girlie bonding session with my mum. Me and my dad had a right laugh trying to figure out Starbucks as well - we are disastrous human beings!

Mr Vlaming?

Who knew that the airport could be such fun?! We eventually parted ways, I was forced to disguise a few tears at that point, otherwise the waterworks would have started. Couldn't be having that!
Was a wonderful week. Adored seeing my family! It's funny how you can fall back into the familiar pattern or relying on mum and dad once they are there. Didn't realise how much I missed them until we were together. Wish you guys had been able to stay longer, but I'm a lucky girl! We'll make the most of Christmas!