Day 107: Gotta Get Outside.
Today was the first day I actually was really really homesick, like to the point of crying. Now don't feel bad for me because I made it through the day just fine, but it was still kind of rough. I think that it came on because the crappy weather steered us all clear of doing what we had originally planned on doing, shopping, and kept us cooped up inside all day. I spent the day doing absolutely nothing, trying to keep my mind of going home and the reverse culture shock I am dreading. It started out by watching youtube videos of recent releases/summer releases I have to see, and then I watched a movie that made me cry my eyes out. Probably a bad choice considering the already teary mood. Then I decided I had to get out of my dorm room before I went insane, so I made Brittany get ready and Jazmyn knocked on my door while I was getting ready. Turns out we were all in the same boat, so we went out to do what we had intended to do earlier, shop. Of course everything in the Netherlands closes really early so we didn't get much shopping in, but it was nice to get out of the stuff dorm. After this we came back and made dinner. You all should be really proud of me because I made potato soup from scratch all by myself! Yep I am officially a cook. Then Brittany went to bed before we could have family movie night, and Freddy went downstairs to skype his brother. This left me and Jazmyn to watch Friday night lights. I of course teared up. After this Jazmyn, Caryn, Freddy, and I went downstairs to meet Lea's brother and ended up leaving maybe an hour in because we were tired. I know we are so lame! But after that I came upstairs and fell asleep!
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Back in Nature!
Day 106: Het Loo & Museum Kröller-Müller
Today I woke up pretty early to get showered and ready to go on another adventure. I am going to be honest, I wasn't very excited about this trip, but it turned out to be one of my favorite outings as a group. We got our own private bus and all of us slept on the hour and a half bus ride and I woke up to see trees all around me. I was really excited about this, but that wasn't the main reason we were there, and that was to see the palace. This wasn't my favorite, but the symmetrical english gardens were pretty. Brittany and I ran around the place taking model pictures and then after this we headed to the Kroller-Muller museum that was surrounded by a ton of wilderness. In fact this was the best part. We went outside to see the statues that were in the back of this museum, but then Brittany and I went on a hike, as modern sculptures really are not our favorite thing. After this we rode bikes around the place for about 10 kilometers or so. We really got a workout in! We went through all different kinds of ecosystems from prairie, to desert! My favorite thing about this place was the wide open spaces. It was like being at home. After we got done with biking Brittany and I had about a half hour before it was time to get back on the bus so we ran through the museum and saw as many Van Goghs as possible. Brittany got to see her favorite and I was just excited to see all of them. This museum has the second largest collection of his paintings in the world. After running though the place we headed to the bus and rode home, passing out again. Finally we got back and Brittany, Steph and I went to get kapsalons for dinner and then hung out and ate those. Man am I gonna miss kapsalons. After dinner it was time for settling down and hitting the hay.
These are not in any order sorry!
Today I woke up pretty early to get showered and ready to go on another adventure. I am going to be honest, I wasn't very excited about this trip, but it turned out to be one of my favorite outings as a group. We got our own private bus and all of us slept on the hour and a half bus ride and I woke up to see trees all around me. I was really excited about this, but that wasn't the main reason we were there, and that was to see the palace. This wasn't my favorite, but the symmetrical english gardens were pretty. Brittany and I ran around the place taking model pictures and then after this we headed to the Kroller-Muller museum that was surrounded by a ton of wilderness. In fact this was the best part. We went outside to see the statues that were in the back of this museum, but then Brittany and I went on a hike, as modern sculptures really are not our favorite thing. After this we rode bikes around the place for about 10 kilometers or so. We really got a workout in! We went through all different kinds of ecosystems from prairie, to desert! My favorite thing about this place was the wide open spaces. It was like being at home. After we got done with biking Brittany and I had about a half hour before it was time to get back on the bus so we ran through the museum and saw as many Van Goghs as possible. Brittany got to see her favorite and I was just excited to see all of them. This museum has the second largest collection of his paintings in the world. After running though the place we headed to the bus and rode home, passing out again. Finally we got back and Brittany, Steph and I went to get kapsalons for dinner and then hung out and ate those. Man am I gonna miss kapsalons. After dinner it was time for settling down and hitting the hay.
These are not in any order sorry!
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| Me at the palace - the beginning of mine and Brittany's model shots! |
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| I match this Van Gogh! |
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| Wide open spaces! |
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| Rhea, Kiley, and Natalie joined in on Brittany and my modeling! |
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| Me in the wide open spaces! |
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| Loved these natural steps! |
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| My obsession with mint green! |
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| Me and Brittany hiking in our nice clothes! |
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| me on my bike! |
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| Peacocks can fly!?!?! |
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| The huge tress we got to see when I woke up from my nap on the bus. |
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| me chilling on a bench on the way to the palace. |
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| a sweet double tulip. |
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| Capricorn! |
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| the typical Kristin shot. Check out that huge fish in the foreground. |
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| another Kristin shot at the palace. |
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Last class in Leiden
Day 105: This whole counting this was a bad idea!
First off today was kind of a sad day so I am warning you now. I woke up like I usually do on thursdays because of Globalization and got ready for my presentation and the day. Then I went to class and realized that it was my last actual class while studying abroad, and this is where I got sad. I can't believe that the time has flown by so fast. It seems like yesterday that I was getting off the plane in Amsterdam. But anyway I should reflect more on this on the last day so I won't spoil it all now. We went through class and talked about the environment so I was a little distracted there. Then we talked about globalization and how we see the world/would like to see the world, and mine was great! I through things away out of the current model in the world and everything became peaceful. Kind of unrealistic, but hopeful at the same time. After class Brittany and I were going to get Kapsalons, but the restaurant was being renovated so we went back and had a wonderful lunch of pitas, chips, and applesauce! Then we were going to go shopping but it started raining and that ruined the day. Instead we decided to watch a movie, 21 Jumpstreet, which was hilarious. Then we had dinner and I talked to Taylor. Nothing else really happened. I started Tangled then fell asleep watching that.
First off today was kind of a sad day so I am warning you now. I woke up like I usually do on thursdays because of Globalization and got ready for my presentation and the day. Then I went to class and realized that it was my last actual class while studying abroad, and this is where I got sad. I can't believe that the time has flown by so fast. It seems like yesterday that I was getting off the plane in Amsterdam. But anyway I should reflect more on this on the last day so I won't spoil it all now. We went through class and talked about the environment so I was a little distracted there. Then we talked about globalization and how we see the world/would like to see the world, and mine was great! I through things away out of the current model in the world and everything became peaceful. Kind of unrealistic, but hopeful at the same time. After class Brittany and I were going to get Kapsalons, but the restaurant was being renovated so we went back and had a wonderful lunch of pitas, chips, and applesauce! Then we were going to go shopping but it started raining and that ruined the day. Instead we decided to watch a movie, 21 Jumpstreet, which was hilarious. Then we had dinner and I talked to Taylor. Nothing else really happened. I started Tangled then fell asleep watching that.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Family Time
Day 104: Finishing Touches
Today was a little bit the same story as yesterday. I woke up and finished my Brazil paper and then put the finishing touches on the Netherlands paper about Indonesia and colonial times. After I got this all done we had dinner and then I talked to Taylor for a little bit. Then the family got together and we had tea and are now chit chatting and just relaxing. This is the stuff that I am going to really going to miss. Us just sitting talking. Actual girl talk! Hmm...Well I am going to get back to talking with them and let you all know if anything else exciting happens tonight.
STUBBY THE PIGEON!!!!
I had to tell this story. Jazmyn wants to get fish pedicures at the beach, but Brittany is afraid they will eat her feet off and she will look like stubby the pigeon from London.
Today was a little bit the same story as yesterday. I woke up and finished my Brazil paper and then put the finishing touches on the Netherlands paper about Indonesia and colonial times. After I got this all done we had dinner and then I talked to Taylor for a little bit. Then the family got together and we had tea and are now chit chatting and just relaxing. This is the stuff that I am going to really going to miss. Us just sitting talking. Actual girl talk! Hmm...Well I am going to get back to talking with them and let you all know if anything else exciting happens tonight.
STUBBY THE PIGEON!!!!
I had to tell this story. Jazmyn wants to get fish pedicures at the beach, but Brittany is afraid they will eat her feet off and she will look like stubby the pigeon from London.
Organic Food and Brazil
Day 103: Writing Like Crazy.
Today I woke up and got started right away writing my paper on Brazil and doing my presentation on GMOs and Organic Food, and that is all I did. I took breaks to eat and Brittany, Jess and I went outside for a break and got Kapsalons. Well I didn't get a Kapsalon, but I did get a Dr. Pepper. After that I came back and did more of my homework. Sorry that there isn't much to type about. I did find a great parody of Star Wars that talks about GMOs and Organic Food. I will post that so that you can see what I am going to present in globalization.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfTQergr29M
Today I woke up and got started right away writing my paper on Brazil and doing my presentation on GMOs and Organic Food, and that is all I did. I took breaks to eat and Brittany, Jess and I went outside for a break and got Kapsalons. Well I didn't get a Kapsalon, but I did get a Dr. Pepper. After that I came back and did more of my homework. Sorry that there isn't much to type about. I did find a great parody of Star Wars that talks about GMOs and Organic Food. I will post that so that you can see what I am going to present in globalization.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfTQergr29M
Monday, April 23, 2012
Last full day of Monday Classes
Day 102: I just want to sleep.
Well today I woke up at 5:30 to finish writing my paper for the NL and its EU context. After yep going to bed at 2:30 a.m. Kinda was a zombie through both of my classes. Brittany and I had to present our integration activity but I kept forgetting words. I guess you really need sleep to function. After our presentations we talked about reverse culture shock and I almost started crying. I have a feeling that the culture shock that I get when I come back is going to rock my socks off. I am sure that I will miss my family here and simple life and want to come running back, especially once all the craziness starts up. But I will reflect on that more later as I don't want to start crying now. Then we had photography and I presented my photographs. I was very happy with the results - minus the picture of the eye (I wanted a really crisp image and couldn't get it to work). After photography we came back and made quesadillas veggie style and then I started blogging and caught up with Taylor. That was pretty much the day, but here are my photos to make up for the short entry!
Well today I woke up at 5:30 to finish writing my paper for the NL and its EU context. After yep going to bed at 2:30 a.m. Kinda was a zombie through both of my classes. Brittany and I had to present our integration activity but I kept forgetting words. I guess you really need sleep to function. After our presentations we talked about reverse culture shock and I almost started crying. I have a feeling that the culture shock that I get when I come back is going to rock my socks off. I am sure that I will miss my family here and simple life and want to come running back, especially once all the craziness starts up. But I will reflect on that more later as I don't want to start crying now. Then we had photography and I presented my photographs. I was very happy with the results - minus the picture of the eye (I wanted a really crisp image and couldn't get it to work). After photography we came back and made quesadillas veggie style and then I started blogging and caught up with Taylor. That was pretty much the day, but here are my photos to make up for the short entry!
Palindromes
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| rotator |
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| radar |
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| sexes |
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| revivor |
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| level |
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| sees |
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| redder |
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| eye |
Paris part 2
Day 101: SO tired!!!!
This morning we woke up bright and early and got a head start on the morning. We ate breakfast at our hotel which of course consisted of coffee and croissants. So good! Then we headed to the Louvre. We thought it opened at 8, but it opened at 9 and man did that line get long after we got in it at 8:15. I couldn't imagine the line later in the day. We got inside and hit up the Mona Lisa first and saw all the wonders of the Louve, at least the important stuff by 11:30. Then headed to lunch, had escargot. Went shopping for souvenirs. Then hit up the modern art museum and finally finished up with buying purses. Then we headed to the airport and had to repack bags, figure out how to get Kylie her ticket because it wouldn't print, and find dinner. Oh I forgot about the story on the train. We get on the train from Chatelet station and were supposed to go from their to CDG, but the stopped at the next stop and decided that they would go back to Chatelet. Good thing we got off though because a gal told us that it was going to the airport and it didn't. I wonder if she ever got to the airport. The other stories from the train include the man sitting next to me counting out multiple hundred euro bills and couple who were tweaking out. Pretty sure they had been using some hard drugs because she couldn't hardly keep her eyes open let alone stand and the other guy was acting really weird. But any way we then hung out and finally got on the plane. I sat by a really sweet couple that had just gone to Disneyland Paris and she gave me apple sweets. I think she felt bad because we didn't get pretzels, we got skipped. But I got a diet coke so I was perfectly fine. Once we got to Schipol we went down to our train and the first thing we here is some (American) guy yelling. Come to find out he had gotten his luggage stollen and was not a very happy camper. Then more bad news came when we found out that the tracks from Hoofdorp to Leiden was under construction so we had to ride a bus, more like a sauna on wheels. Finally we got home at a little past 11 and the first thing that happened was Brittany gave me a huge hug. I think she missed me. Then we recounted our trip had a snack and stayed up doing homework until 2:30 am. But that is that and now it is picture time!
This morning we woke up bright and early and got a head start on the morning. We ate breakfast at our hotel which of course consisted of coffee and croissants. So good! Then we headed to the Louvre. We thought it opened at 8, but it opened at 9 and man did that line get long after we got in it at 8:15. I couldn't imagine the line later in the day. We got inside and hit up the Mona Lisa first and saw all the wonders of the Louve, at least the important stuff by 11:30. Then headed to lunch, had escargot. Went shopping for souvenirs. Then hit up the modern art museum and finally finished up with buying purses. Then we headed to the airport and had to repack bags, figure out how to get Kylie her ticket because it wouldn't print, and find dinner. Oh I forgot about the story on the train. We get on the train from Chatelet station and were supposed to go from their to CDG, but the stopped at the next stop and decided that they would go back to Chatelet. Good thing we got off though because a gal told us that it was going to the airport and it didn't. I wonder if she ever got to the airport. The other stories from the train include the man sitting next to me counting out multiple hundred euro bills and couple who were tweaking out. Pretty sure they had been using some hard drugs because she couldn't hardly keep her eyes open let alone stand and the other guy was acting really weird. But any way we then hung out and finally got on the plane. I sat by a really sweet couple that had just gone to Disneyland Paris and she gave me apple sweets. I think she felt bad because we didn't get pretzels, we got skipped. But I got a diet coke so I was perfectly fine. Once we got to Schipol we went down to our train and the first thing we here is some (American) guy yelling. Come to find out he had gotten his luggage stollen and was not a very happy camper. Then more bad news came when we found out that the tracks from Hoofdorp to Leiden was under construction so we had to ride a bus, more like a sauna on wheels. Finally we got home at a little past 11 and the first thing that happened was Brittany gave me a huge hug. I think she missed me. Then we recounted our trip had a snack and stayed up doing homework until 2:30 am. But that is that and now it is picture time!
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| Our Hotel. |
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| Me posing with the pyramid. |
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| What the Louvre? |
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| I liked this picture. |
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| Winged Victory |
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| On the way to the Mona Lisa. |
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| Me with the Mona Lisa. Not as small as I had thought it was going to be. |
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| From inside looking out. |
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| The cutest blue hippo ever. |
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| The Scribe. |
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| The stairs. I might have an obsession with them. |
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| Me with Hammurabi's code! |
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| Venus of Milo |
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| Cupid and Psyche |
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| The inverted pyramid. |
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| Beaujolais Brouilly AOC - SO GOOD! |
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| These are some crazy contraptions. |
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| Escargot-Snails!!!!!! |
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| I'm a pro at getting the snail out. Me before I ate it.... |
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| Me after I ate it. It tasted so good! Going to definitely eat escargot again! |
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| Chocolate Mousse = Delicious dessert! |
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| Center Pompidou |
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| I liked this painting for some reason. |
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| typically french? |
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| The Eiffel Tower from a the Modern Art Museum. |
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| Pablo Picasso....One I actually like and know. |
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| Paris on its bipolar weather day. |
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