Proper buzzin'

Friday night was party night. It was a lot of fun, but I always find these things difficult thing to write about unless something weird or disturbing happens. Thankfully nothing that interesting! Although, house parties are always a little odd for me: it takes me a while to get my bearings and then to pick a room, corner, or spot I am comfortable with. But once I do, I'll be content for the entire evening.

One thing I learned from the evening? I hate stairs. Dutch stairs, to be exact. They are ridiculously steep and narrow. Is there really any need for that? And for someone of my limited coordination, climbing them sober is challenge enough. Would hate to have attempted it after a drink or two. Nope.

It was a great party, but the temptation of kapsalon drew me away relatively early on in the evening. As always, totally worth it.

The following afternoon I had a quiet bike ride around Kralingse Bos Park. It was a beautiful day and I was in desperate need of some alone time with my camera: the perfect combination.

Seconds after this picture was taken my bike blew over in the wind: I had to ride home with the handle bars bent and pointing in the wrong direction... Thankfully I managed to straighten her up by myself, with little more than a bit of brute strength. *flexes muscles*

Then, on Sunday, I conquered Delft.

A group of seven went. And I fell in love with the little city: it was like a picture straight from a postcard. But, of course, when I actually went to get some postcards for my Grandparents they were all loudly promoting Amsterdam. Typical. But that's okay, I'm still a top Granddaughter. ;)

It was an awesome day out: the sun was shining and it was a trip that suited my small budget perfectly. There are only two things I would have done differently. Firstly, I would have found Delft's Market Square in time for lunch and visited one of the many the pretty cafés (granted, that was easier said than done). Second, would have been to visit on another day of the week, so that we could have climbed the stairs of the New Church and taken in the view: closed on Sundays. But I still had a lovely time: buying (and quickly devouring) fancy chocolates, getting into a museum for free, and sitting in the sunny square with a comforting drink of hot chocolate.

My favourite picture of the day, unfortunately we were one man down!

Monday evening brought Emma's birthday celebrations...and another flight of terrifyingly Dutch stairs. It was a quiet affair with lots of unhealthy snacks and an apple pie pretending to be a birthday cake. There was very relaxing atmosphere and, in my opinion, it was exactly how a birthday should be spent. A bunch of international misfits in Rotterdam can make a pretty good substitute for family on days like this, so I can only hope that we brightened up her day a little!

The rest of the week was decidedly less exciting, and consisted mainly of frantic homework, coercing friends into helping me film, and making a fool of myself outside the cinema as a desperately tried to recall my simple script. Unfortunately, as soon as I looked into the lens, I panicked and lost all train of thought...remind me never to be a presenter. And a big thank you to Jess who had the outstanding patience to stand outside with me in the wind and rain for the best part of an hour - sorry about that one!

Then, of course, there were the delightful (and exhausted) skype calls to my favourite South Korean, who happens to be in Iceland at the moment...where else would she be? And yes, Jinn claimed that spot and is refusing to let it go! =D

Until next week, tot ziens! 

(Still desperately trying to prove that I know a little Dutch!)

Market phobia

I've lived in Rotterdam for over six months now, and have been made well aware of Blaak market ever since I arrived. I have visited a few times, and cycled past many more, but never did it occur to me that I would actually buy something there. No. Too crowded, too stressful, too unpredictable. I guess that's why people like it. It seems like a romanticized concept to buy groceries at a market. Very quaint, and apparently a money saver. But, in practice, I have never actually managed to pull my purse out and buy something. Not even something as simple as fruit and vegetables. And how ridiculous that sounds.

On Saturday I was taken to the market by a friend, who legitimately goes, and does some of her biweekly food shopping there. She was hardly doing anything spectacular, just picking up some items on her shopping list, but I was amazed by how comfortable she seemed. To me, being jostled by crowds of shoppers and being shouted at in Dutch by stallholders is a nothing but a stressful experience. Maybe, like so many other things, I was looking at it wrong. Maybe I should give it a go?

And I did! Tuesday, after class, I ventured down on my bike to force myself to purchase something. I was nervous at first: spending the best part of a quarter of an hour hesitantly peering into the stalls then hastily moving on to the next. It was quite a process. Eventually, I came out the other side with a broccoli, tomatoes, a bunch of bananas, enough garlic to last a life time, and only requiring one translation into English. €4.30. A pretty sweet deal.

So yes, perhaps I should have done this in August last year. But, in reality, I never do life so straight forward!

On another food related matter, look how awesome my meals have been this week! Was totally inspired to make some healthy, more colourful food. I made some beautiful creations:

And then this happened. Actually, what happened? I was on a high after my success at the market, so began cooking an awesome looking omelet. Cheese, tomatoes, broccoli, peppers, garlic. It was going to be magnificent! The actual result? Not so much. I would like to call it a de-constructed omelet, but in reality, it was just scrambled egg. With a lot of vegetables. What did I do? Was I not supposed to add the milk? I have no idea.

I have since been informed that my egg to milk ratio was all wrong. Gutted.

So, other than food and cooking, what have I actually done with my life this week? Honestly, not a whole lot. I have a lot of assignments due in the next couple of weeks, so I've been stuck in uni, trying to get ahead with them. How dull.

On Thursday I went to an IBCoM announcement event, when all the second years found out where they were going on exchange. It was quite a spectacle: the whole application process transformed into a big dramatised competition. Bizarre. As the wine was being poured, and the room erupted into squeals of excitement, floods of tears and hysterical phone calls home, me and all the other exchange students were stood there like 'all we got was an email'. 

I, for one, was feeling a little out of place. Don't get me wrong, it was a nice event. But I felt like I was intruding on the joy, more than adding to it. So I mingled for a while, ate my free crisps, then made myself scarce.

The remainder of the evening was spent hanging out with some friends, and getting my dinner cooked for me. It was delicious. Cheers Cameron!

Tonight? A house party. 

Wedding crasher.

Yeah, I walked in on the happy couple while they were prancing about taking wedding photos. Then there's me, just stood in the background, looking bewildered, dishevelled and dripping water onto the floor. No need to thank me.

Apparently I used the wrong entrance. Oops.

But, I think I have finally managed to get all the official stuff out the way. Possibly the slowest registration in all history. But it's done. =P

What else have I achieved this week?

On Wednesday evening we had an International Food Evening event for IBCoM. That was really nice. Riona and I managed to team up to make savoury pancakes with cheese and bacon: a first for me. Again, not an overly Scottish cuisine, but certainly better that last terms attempt of tuna pasta! And, of course, it's always nice to be able to share the blame of any disastrous cooking venture... 

Then, Thursday brought the Valentine's party at Vie. Always a good night. We started the evening with big pre-drinks on campus, including vodka jelly shots (which tasted dangerously non-alcoholic) and snacks - it was incredibly cute! Afterwards, we cycled along the river to Vie in a big group of about twenty bikes: so Dutch. And, as always, the view was gorgeous: I had to force myself not to stop and take a photo. At first the music was...questionable. But once the DJ had begun playing proper, more recognisable songs we really started to get into it. Turned out to be a great night!

Although, the next morning I was paying for it. Not with a hangover. Instead, my whole body just hurt. Shoulders, back, legs, feet... An apparently unforgiving combination of: alcohol, awkward-looking dance moves and a long walk home in the cold. Ouch.  

And today? Valentine's day. 

I was neither swept off my feet by prince charming, nor did I invest in dangerous amounts of chocolate and ice cream. Is it really valentine's day after all? 

Instead, I spent most of my morning recovering in bed, and then treated my bedroom an early spring cleaning session. All broken up with generous servings of Breaking Bad, of course. It was horribly productive. 

And, while reflecting on last year, today has been a real winner in comparison. At least today I was safe in the knowledge that I would not be broken up with. By text message. After three days of no contact. Just saying...*

*Just to clarify: that was light-hearted humour. =P

Hope you've all had a sickeningly sweet valentine. Catch you next week! =D

Eel anyone?

First and foremost, a cheeky wee birthday shout out to my Gran, who turned 76 this week! Happy birthday!! =D

Volendam: causally turning part of the sea into a lake, as you do.  

This weekend I indulged myself in a little Dutch culture, visiting Zaanse Schans and Volendam on an ESN city trip. It was quite a day.

My first experience of the day? A party bus, at 9.30am. Alright then! 

Not exactly how I expected to start the day, but it certainly woke us all up, with music blaring and disco lights. Wow. 

Our first event was cheese tasting at a cheese farm at Zaanse Schans. I can't say that I was overly enthusiastic: wouldn't exactly call myself a 'cheese person' - just give me a bit of mild cheddar and I'll be grand. But I was pleasantly surprised; no mould or overwhelming stink. And, surprising myself, I actually enjoyed sampling all the different types. Slowly learning to be a little more adventurous when it comes to food. Baby steps, mind. 

Following that we had some free time to play tourist and ogle at countless windmills before travelling to Volendam. 

After arriving in Volendam we were quickly ushered inside for some lunch before heading out to explore the 'seaside' town. Yeah, I say 'seaside' because I was reliably informed that what used to be the sea, has instead been transformed into a massive lake. Something about building a dam for land reclamation? But don't quote me on that! The Dutch are beginning to sound more than a little impressive. 

During the course of the day we were shepherded around to a diamond 'factory', a Dutch photo experience, and eel tasting.

So, the diamond factory wasn't really up my street. I betray all my fellow women by not being completely wooed by them. Now, don't get me wrong, if anyone fancies buying me a diamond ring then go right ahead! But I'm more of a simple breed of girl. And the thought of having to look after (and not loose) a diamond fills me with dread. Although, some of the cutting process did sound rather interesting. And, of course, I couldn't possibly say no to pressing my nose against the glass and picking out my future engagement ring. =P

Yes, I took a photo of a photo...don't judge me! 

Next, the photo experience. And the opportunity to look like complete and utter plonkers in traditional Dutch costume. But I feel like I successfully pulled off the look: was totally born in the wrong country...and era! 

Final activity before dinner? Eel tasting...and here, I thought the cheese was pushing it! First we watched a presentation about the history of smoking and catching eels: watching hundreds of eels squirming together in a bucket, then being gutted (while they listen to 'eel music'). Then, just on cue, in came the samples. Yay... I have to admit, I was more than a little sceptical, and I did have to take a moment to shed the squirming images out of my mind. But it wasn't half bad. And after a second nervous bite: actually pretty nice. Perhaps not something to eat regularly, but a nice one-off experience. 

Following the eel tasting, we ended a fantastic day with a nice, warm meal before heading home...on the party bus, once again. Casual smoke and disco lights, accompanied by blaring music. I couldn't help but laugh!

It was truly a great day: a cultural experience with old and new friends in the Netherlands. =)

*          *          *          *          *

The rest of my week has been a lot more normal, I'm afraid. Especially when coursework is already beginning to pick up the pace...yuck.

On Tuesday I wasn't really up for a full-on Bed night, but I enjoyed going to pre-drinks with some of the girls. And it was sounding even more appealing when I realised that all I had to do was walk downstairs. No cold and windy cycle - result! It was a really good laugh, so I'm glad I made the (small) effort to join them. And, of course, now we have all been enlightened that bar staff couldn't possibly slip something into someone's drink... 

Oh no! They have to take a test. 

*cue collapsing on the floor in hysterical giggles*

The only other landmark event was a failed trip to get Lindsey's ear's pierced today. I guess my hand-holding service wont be required after all! But the trip wasn't a total waste: I have been reliably informed that I might even receive a delivery of chocolate for my troubles...I'm so easily bought!