I survived!!

The month of January is finally coming to a close!

I received inspiration for this week's Blog from the Rotary Club of Amstelveen where I spoke this past Tuesday. It was a lovely meeting, where I spoke in front of 35 Rotarians, who had interesting and thought provoking questions. They were happy to tell me I survived the Amstelveen Rotary Club, something that was a great feat ;)

In fact, I am not only happy to have survived the Rotary meeting but also the entire month of January.

After 10 000 words and one 3 hour exam, I am more than half way done my Masters Program in Amsterdam.

I have been relaxing over the past couple of days, relishing the fact that I didn't need to go to the library or the University. Tomorrow I start one new course but my work load will be substantially lighter and the coming months will bring thesis preparation and of course enjoying Amsterdam and the Netherlands.

It has been quite chilly over the past couple of days but dry and sunny, which is a nice change.

Friday night I went skating at an outdoor oval in Amsterdam called the Jaap Eden Baan with some Rotaract friends. The Dutch were out in force on their speed skates but I stuck to the traditional hockey skates.

Also, yesterday a couple friends and I ventured to Den Haag, where we did some touristy things. We went to see the Knights Hall, where the Queen gives the Speech from the Throne every year, of course I was interested to learn more about the Dutch political capital! We also visited Het Paleis, an old Royal Palace that was turned into a Museum and now houses an Escher exhibition. Quite amazing modern work on the differences of reality and perceptions. We finished off the day with a trip to Scheveningen, the beach town near The Hague, where I couldn't resist dipping my toes in the ice cold North Sea. Being so close to the sea we had a nice dinner of fish before returning to Amsterdam exhausted from the day of site-seeing.

Now it is time to start fresh in February and as I mentioned I am excited to celebrate Chinese New Year next week in Amsterdam. Lots of exciting things planned, first off to finish off my weekend, some flatmates and I are going to check out some Sunday afternoon Jazz.

Wishing everybody a nice and lazy Sunday.

Until next time!

Laura

Time to Hit the Books!

The first week of 2011 has passed. The further we get into January the busier I will get and I think this is a sign of things to come for the year. I have been told by Dutch students that January is the worst month of the year and I am starting to believe them.

I had an amazing vacation at home and a great New Year's in Amsterdam, but this past week has seen the return of the school work that I left behind before the holidays. Not the best start to a New Year. This year I think the Chinese New Year would be more appropriate, can't wait until February 3rd to start the year of the Rabbit!

Outside the school work, it is nice to be back in Amsterdam, to see all my friends, to ride my bike around the city, to enjoy the great things this city has to offer. I took a study break on Friday night to go for Ethiopian food with a group of friends, which was an amazing experience. We had the real authentic flavour and even ate with our hands. Such great tasting food!

No New Year's Resolutions for me this year, I just want to be able to enjoy the coming months in Amsterdam. I am sure it will all go by so quick and then comes the next step in a path which is still a little unclear. This is what makes life interesting though and the more options available the more exciting life is!

If anyone is looking for me during the next few weeks I will be at the library ;)

Tot zo!