Three kisses.

After living in the Netherlands for five months there are still a few things I have yet to master:

1. The Language. Okay, lets face it, I think speaking Dutch fluently (or at least being able to construct a simple sentence) is a bit beyond my very limited talents. But I have more than mastered the supermarket (as long as the workers stick to their script and don't try to be too friendly). Just a few days ago this woman was being super friendly (or, at least, I think she was) and just randomly chatting away to me. But I feel so utterly useless when that happens! Depending on the situation, I can usually work out what is being said, but I literally have no words... Plus, it had gotten past the point where it is acceptable to stop and say you don't understand, so I just frantically smiled and backed away. Smooth, Nat. Smooth.
2. The greetings. I think the usual greeting in Holland is three kisses on alternating cheeks. Granted, that doesn't sound too confusing, but I always forget this exists. So, I'll automatically go in for a hug and there will be an awkward mishmash of both attempts. Messy. 
3. Crossing the street. Sounds deceptively simple, but with bike lanes, regular traffic, and trams to contend with, it can very quickly become overwhelming. There is just too much going on. Someone help me, please! 
4. Tram lines. I hate them. I mean, the trams are great, but the tracks are a nightmare. It's just that moment of pure terror when your bike wheel casually slips into the tram line and you suddenly loose all control of life. Nope.
5. The doctors/health insurance. I literally have no idea what is going on. I do have some coverage, but I have no clue what is included. And, after living my whole life in Scotland with the NHS, even paying for a prescription feels so foreign. I just can't grasp the concept of paying for health care. Not cool. 
6. No queues. Okay, I'm exaggerating. People do queue in Holland, but there have been multiple instances were I have tried to line up (or have just approached a desk because no one was waiting) and been told to go back and get a ticket. I mean, yes, I do understand the logic - at least you know you know you are speaking to the correct person when you pick your topic on the screen. But why bother with the hassle of a ticket machine and waiting for your number to be instantly called when no one is there? It makes no sense. I haven't skipped anyone's turn. It's just me! But now I have to leave the desk, collect a ticket, and go straight back to the same person. Urgh.

There must be a few more, but now I am going to quit my complaining and move onto my final week in the Netherlands before Christmas in Scotland.

Look at that wee guy go!!

I had a lovely start to the weekend, and had arranged to go ice skating with my friend Freya. She also brought her room-mate along, who I had only met briefly before - but she turned out to be a really cool girl! It was a really fun day out, although I'm pretty sure we were the worst group and looked ridiculous sliding and slipping about while the toddlers ran rings around us! Plus there was absolutely no order to the ice rink. Back in Scotland we have a set rule to always go anti-clockwise. And this rule is strictly enforced! But not in Rotterdam. Oh no, they just let all hell brake loose, with small children skidding about in all directions. It was terrifying! Although I did like the little orange seals you could push people around on. Not that we had the chance to steal one - think Hsin-Yin could have done with a shot on one. Bless her.

Afterwards I decided to gatecrash their room-mate dinner bonding session. Sorry, not sorry. We ended up at Vapiano which is a really cool Italian place. You just kind of grab a table, then go up to the counter and order whatever you want and the chefs make it for you. It's great for students because you each get your own separate card to record what you've eaten and it's easy to pay separately at the end with no splitting-up-the-bill drama. Perfect. I had a gorgeous vegetable pizza. Delish!

Then, up until Wednesday I spent the majority of my life stressing over a presentation. At least I now know all about journalism in Russia...

Wednesday night a big group of around 14 us went to Very Italian Pizza for a send of dinner for those who are leaving us at Christmas and in the new year. It was really lovely to chill with everyone, but I still haven't quite accepted that some of my mates aren't going to be here after the holidays! Please come back.

I'VE FINISHED MY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!!! :D 
I mean, let's be honest - don't get your hopes up for anything good. I am a poor student after all, but relatively speaking, the presents aren't too bad! Thursday was such an amazing day though. As well as my shopping success, I began packing for the holidays and went on a great night out.

Initially, I wasn't feeling too excited about the night out: I wasn't feeling on top form and I would have quite happily sat in and finished some assignments. I know, wild, right? But to be honest, my main motivation was that it was some peoples last night. Like, ever. Thank God that I did have that motivation, because it was great. Starting with pre-drinks on campus then onwards to the Irish pub. I felt like everyone was there. Wherever I turned, I recognised someone, which was lovely. Plus, Irish pubs always feel so homely, I just love the atmosphere. Literally, everything about the evening was perfect: the place, people, music. Everything. We laughed, danced and made a fool of ourselves. What more could you ask for?

And that night, for a second time, I tried and failed to give someone a lift home on the back of my bike. It turns out that I just don't have this ability. My wee legs can't handle the pressure... Maybe I should try to remember this for next time. Disaster. 

The following "morning"? Friday. A weird, sad day. I sat in the sports building with some of the girls: eating, being slightly hysterical, and occasionally crying over their impending departure. We then retreated to the dorms and critiqued four beautiful cupcakes. The girls were incredibly critical - but I was just happy to be chomping on some cake to be honest. The peppermint one was divine! 

It's really odd, very recently I've met some really cool folk (especially in this last week). But, of course, they are all leaving at Christmas. Why didn't I know them sooner? But it has been an amazing five months, in a wonderful place, which some amazing people. The next six months have a lot to live up to!

So, what now? Frantically writing this blog to distract myself from the fact that I'm leaving tomorrow. Airports make me so bloody nervous. It is ridiculous. I love flying, but can we skip all the other nonsense? No? Urgh, I probably wouldn't be this bad if my flight wasn't so bloody early though!

Oh well, guess I'll see everyone back home on the other side! 

Please refrain.

My sexy-ass sunset! What a beaut.

On Friday I decided to pop down to the common room party on a whim, so unfortunately I didn't have any drinks with me, but I ended up having the best time there! At first, when everyone was just hanging out, I felt a little lost because I knew very few people. Four to be exact. But once everyone had started dancing I didn't mind being with a bunch of randoms - it was actually kind of refreshing to see some new faces! Then, at around half two when I decided to call it a night, I was feeling rather giggly and light-headed (despite being incredibly sober). Maybe it was the tiredness getting to me, or perhaps the second hand smoke. But I eventually escaped the grasps of my new drunk companions and scurried away back to my wee dorm room. Phew, what a night!

I visited a wee repair man on Sunday. I had my fingers crossed, as I slowly wheeled my rickety bike up to his little workshop. Then, after being invited inside and sitting nervously on a dusty stool for ten minutes he finally found his tool and got to work on fixing my baby girl. The 'bike man', as I like to refer to him as, turned out to be really nice. He tightened up my pedal in no time and, despite my protests, sent me away free of charge! Amazing! It's refreshing not to have people trying to rip you off all the time. And he did a really good job as well; she is running beautifully. What a gent.

But I didn't hold onto the cash I had saved for long. It quickly vanished from my purse just as the Christmas presents began to pile up. Oops.

So, what next? Another monk. In fact, I tell a lie. It was the same one as before. He had the exact same speech, perfected to make the unsuspecting victim (me) feel guilty as hell for not purchasing his book or giving him food. Urgh, what an infuriating man! I mean it was my own fault for opening the door, but I couldn't see him clearly enough through my little peep-hole. I thought he was a delivery man, but my heart fell when I opened the door. Oh no! Help! Our encounter went something a little like this:

*He hands me a book that I don't want.*
Probably the exact copy he handed me four months ago. 
Monk: "It's about the enlightenment, are you interested in enlightenment?"
Me: "Sure, I guess..."
What a dumb question. Let me guess... Do I want to read it?
Monk: "Do you want to read it?"
Me: "No, no I do not." 
*confused and sad looking monk*
Cut the bullshit guilt trip monk man.
*long, awkward, gaze-filled pause*
Urgh, I bet he is going to ask for food now.
Monk: "Well, we monks live off begging so you will donate something."
Are you serious? That wasn't even a request, it was a demand. No chance.
Me: "Ha, I think people should start donating money to me!"
Monk: "I'll take food."
Me: "Sorry, haven't been to the shops."
Monk: "You don't have anything to give me?"
Me: "Nope."
Go away!!
*sudden dramatic, sad facial expression*
Monk: "I've been out walking all day, and I am really, very thirsty. Could you give me a drink at least?"
You serious?
Me: "Yeah, sure. I'll get you some water."
Monk: "No. I don't like water. I want juice."
Well funnily enough, I don't like it when you harass me at my door with begging and religious books. So deal with it! Plus, the whole concept around begging is that you get what you're given! Gah!
Me: "Don't have any."
Monk: "None?!"
Me: "Nope."
Monk: "Well, maybe someone else will be a little more generous."
I doubt it! These are student halls you know!

Please excuse me while my blood boils... Now, don't get me wrong, I love Buddhism and I have met some lovely, really cool monks. (Yes, that sounds really weird, but lets just accept it and move on!)  But this guy is an utter nightmare. He acts all prestigious, then demands you give him things - it was the exact same last time as well! Funnily enough, I don't respond well to that kind of attitude.

Then Monday was gym day. Although I didn't stay for very long this time (only 30 minutes on the treadmill then some sit-ups) I felt great afterwards! The gym always makes me feel like I am somehow managing to save the world just from my presence there...

Tuesday was Bed night. Oh yes, the second last one of the year (but everyone was treating it like the final week because a lot of people are beginning to leave)! Gah, that didn't half fly by! 

The girls will be delighted to feature in such a fine piece of writing =P
Stephanie, Emer, Matra, Riona and Ciara.

I skipped Bed: only going to the pre-drinks on campus. Took me a while to find the girls though - I hate dorms, they are too confusing! But it was nice hanging out with everyone for a little while, and getting my gossip fix!

On Wednesday I was supposed to be going to laser-tag with my IBCoMpanion group - which would have been epic! But unfortunately, my class only finished five minutes before we were supposed to be meeting. Yea...that wasn't happening. Instead me and Jinn decided that a cinema venture was due: Catching Fire!!!! And it was well worth the wait. A seriously great movie right there! Even though it had been out for a couple of weeks the theatre was still absolutely packed. So glad that I had insisted on going to the cinema to see it - I guess it always adds to the atmosphere, especially when the whole theatre is awkwardly giggling with each other. Fab! Plus, while we waited, me and Jinn had the chance for a wee catch up and shared a bag of chips with curry sauce - yum!

Then on Thursday I suddenly realised that I had run out of basically all food; I was pretty much left with one egg, cheese and a single slice of bread...such an organized human being.

But on the plus side it was the Winter Wonderland Prom that night: the opportunity to give everyone who is jumping ship and going back home a proper send off at Christmas. It was an amazing night! Everyone was together in the one place for once: just like the early weeks at Bed. I arrived at the club alone but quickly found myself jumping between groups of friends and having a great time. Drinking, dancing, laughing. What a night!

I am also extremely proud of myself for taking some, very messy, photos of the evening. For a camera geek, I am surprisingly awful at taking pictures on nights out. I have no idea why, and it irritates me to no end!

The one thing I did not enjoy? The cycle home. It was unbelievably creepy. It was around four in the morning, cycling a slightly unfamiliar route back to my dorm: pitch black and freezing cold with a really thick fog. I did not enjoy that. There was an unnerving silence as well; all I could hear was the water from the river gently hitting against the stone walls. Very eerie...

I think it seems relevant to end this post with a final piece of advice for the gents. Listen up! Approaching a random girl in a club and then, without any introduction, suddenly pressing your face against hers is not a great way to win her heart (or just to get lucky). Following that up with some very intense eye contact and sleazy comments while she holds you back? Yeah...that probably wont do you any favours either. And yes, this did actually happen - very creepy indeed. Help!

Cauliflower curry.

Well fed

On Saturday evening I was treated to a home cooked meal from my friend: a make-shift risotto/paella mishmash: with rice, peas, carrots, soy sauce, cauliflower and chicken. The original plan was for us to be unbearably adorable and cook a meal together...in the end Zane might have put in most of the effort. Although I did cut up the chicken to perfection!

Cauliflower curry - not looking too hot.

She created a really nice meal, but perhaps I was a little too inspired...

I mean seriously, what on earth possessed me to buy a whole cauliflower instead of potatoes?! Although, I feel like I was rather creative with my curry plan. And it wasn't half bad, but having said that, a bit of variety would have been nice...

Sinterklaas en Zwarte Pieten

Sinterklaas is a strange little celebration: a man looking suspiciously like Santa Claus, but with slightly creepy blacked-up helpers instead of elves. I wonder why it is a tradition surrounded by controversy... But when in Rome and all that!

There was a lovely evening organized for the international IBCoM exchange students. We were given traditional Dutch food and sweets (I ate far too many of the little cookies) and a gift-giving game was organized. We all brought two or three small presents, which were placed in the centre of the table, then it was a case of rolling the dice for the opportunity to steal, swap and loose gifts, and a few challenges along the way! It was a great evening, and everyone stayed much longer after the event had finished, laughing and chatting with one another.

A Sinterklaas game for the mismatched collection of IBCoM Internationals! =D

My winnings: a very Dutch mug and a Christmas decoration with chocolate coins inside. I was tactical when it came to the decoration - I wanted my room to look a little more festive, although once I got home I realized that I had no where to hang it! Oops...

But these kind of events is something that I love about the Netherlands: everyone is made to feel so welcome, especially at EUR! And it is always nice to experience a little bit of the Dutch culture!

Merry Sinterklaas everybody!!

Two weeks

Christmas is looming, and I am yet to buy a single present...clearly so organized. And Glasgow will regain one of it's least Scottish Scots (well, for a fortnight at least)! However, I'm starting to have mixed feelings about this one.

On the one hand I am desperate for some family time. In the last week of so I've gotten very clingy when it comes to family skype sessions - it's ridiculous! I guess I just need a little dose of Scottish madness to keep me going. What am I craving most? Family, friends, familiar food and a break from uni work (long overdue!). Possibly just hearing all of our delightful Scottish accents - it will be nice to speak at full speed again!

But at the same time my friends from this first semester will already be beginning to leave! I hate the thought of loosing most of the people I spend time with. And although I am always willing to meet new people, starting (almost) from scratch again is a slightly disheartening thought. 

IFFR

One thing I am definitely looking forward to in January/February next year is the International Film Festival Rotterdam. I actually went for my little meeting/interview today along with two other girls. Apparently I am currently put down for volunteering as a member of the Party Crew! Buzzin'. So hopefully all goes well with that - it sounds like a lot of fun and great for the CV (always a bonus)! 

Post-interview!! (Went a little over the top with the editing...no judgements!) =D

P.s. Sorry, feel like this post was a little lazy this week! Not been in the mood for writing (weird, I know!), and had a lot of bike related drama to content with. Guess what? Broken. Again. *wail of despair*

Just a final note. How cool is this? Cannot believe I missed it!! Absolutely gutted.