Time flies when you're having fun

Wow! Today it's exactly two months ago that my study abroad in Madrid started. Cannot believe it's already two months since I've been here. I was supposed to write more blogs about my experiences and adventures, but honestly, it seems like days are much shorter and I have too little time to do all the things I want to do. This is just a quick update and very soon I will write another post (with more pictures) about Madrid, the university, Erasmus and all the people I've met so far. 

After living in a foreign country and city for a while, you become familiar with a culture you only could imagine in your mind. Since I'm here, I have been able to meet new places, new people and other cultures. It's not that there's a whole new world opened for me. No, it's just the fact that there's a realization of how life in other cultures operates. It's not completely different from my home country, but being here still changes your life a bit. Without any doubt I can say that Madrid feels like home. It surprised me a bit that this feeling happened soon after my arrival. I mean, the first couple of days when I was on my way to school and I saw the mountains a bit further away, I thought ''wow, this is so beautiful, I wish those mountains were in Holland too!''. However, right now, for sure I think those mountains are beautiful, but for me it became 'normal' to look at it. Also before I even came to Madrid I was so excited to see the city myself and nowadays I just take the bus and go shopping like I'm going to shop in my home town. Anyway, this doesn't mean that the city has become boring haha, no I think Madrid is a beautiful city and I know I could spend many more months here without getting bored. 

In two months exactly today, I will be leaving the city, the university and allll the amazing people I've met so far. Time flies when you're having fun, so let's make the best of it and enjoyyyy as much as possible!! :)

New adventures

Now that summer is almost over, it's time to face it: a new school year. As I mentioned in an earlier post, this year won't be the same as all the other school years. Nope, this year I am going to study in Madrid for one semester. This Friday I will be leaving my home country for four months! Can't believe it's my turn to go on study abroad. I still remember the moment I choose to study European Studies and I already was looking forward to my study abroad. And right now, it is actually happening.. In 4 days, aaah!!

I'm reaaaaaaally excited!!! But still, when I lay in my bed, different scenarios are running through my head. I mean, it's a big step I'm taking. Away from everything that is familiar. But you know, I am ready for it. I'm ready for new adventures, ready for meeting new people, and ready for living in a different culture and a different environment. I'm ready to go!

There is this tiny issue though.. What to pack with me to Madrid?! I already got some things together, but I have to say it is not easy to decide what I want to bring with me and what not. If possible, I'd bring my whole closet with me. On the other hand, if I don't bring that much with me, I have a good excuse to buy 'that' cute shirt and 'those' gorgeous boots haha.

So yes, there's still some planning to do before I leave. Buying the last necessary things and finishing packing my stuff. Oh, and if you have any tips about Madrid, feel free to share them!

When in Rome

Woah what a great week I had! Friday night I came back from my city trip to Rome where I spent the week with my family. I didn't have much sleep during the week and after I got home I just felt like falling into bed and going to sleep the next 24 hours. It was such a busy week. Everyday we woke up early in the morning to have breakfast, and shortly after we spent the entire day in the city. Walking through the city, visiting lots of old historic buildings, taking a break at a Roman-Italian terrace with a yummy caffè latte or latte macchiato, and enjoying our Italian meals were all part of the trip. The days were long, feet are hurting and tiredness is on top, but everything was more than worth it!!

The beautiful Colosseo

Finally I had the change to see 'La Fontana di Trevi' myself. Wednesday the 25th of July was my 20th birthday. At midnight my parents gave me a coin to throw into the fountain and I made a wish. That moment got me.. it was really special. :)

Visiting Città del Vaticano.

At this piazza (Piazza Navona), there were painters everywhere. This is the kind of view I always see in Italian movies or in movies with an Italian twist. Love it!

Il Pantheon

Il Foro Romana took me back in Roman times when Julius Caesar was around. Unbelievable that this place was a huge famous city once. Now, there are only plenty of ruins left: Absolutely a must-see!

Monday and Tuesday the weather wasn't great. The temperature was perfectly fine, but it was cloudy and the sun barely shined. It even rained! And right now I can tell you that when it rains in Rome, it pours. Nevertheless, thanks to Mother Nature as from Wednesday the weather turned better.

Yay! Like I said before.. Wednesday was my 20th Birthdaaay! :)

Ponte Sant'Angelo

                                   The famous Trinità dei Monti.. also known as the Spanish Steps.

The gorgeous sunset when flying back home.

All I can say about this city trip is that visiting Rome is like walking into a living museum. What a wonderful city full of history and culture. 

Grazie e arrivederci!

Summer, hurry up already

Oh oh it's May and that means that Spring should be around already. But lately the weather here has been way too cold for this time of year. Yesterday me and my family went out for dinner to celebrate Mother's Day and I have to admit that the food is always good at the restaurant we went to. Even though the sun was shining, it was still cold enough outside. But luckily today was a warm, clear Spring day, it almost felt like summer. ;-) It was just a relaxing day.. Reading books & magazines in the sun, polishing my nails, listening to good music and taking some photos. I love it when the sun shines, everything becomes brighter and nicer.

My lovely dogs and sweet little horses

Bumblebee on flower

Before it's in fashion, it's in the Dutch Vogue

A few months after the announcement, the very first Dutch Vogue has finally arrived last week. There was a lot of speculations going on about who was going to be on the first cover. Doutzen Kroes? Or maybe Lara Stone? 

Nope, three upcoming models were the lucky ones: Ymre Stiekema, Romee Strijd and Josefien Rodermans, photographed by Marc de Groot.

Looking at the cover and running through the pages, all I could think about was that the first Dutch issue completely captures the mood of Winter into Spring. 

If you haven't got it yet, here's a little sneak peek.

I believe it's a real honor for a small country like The Netherlands to be part of the Vogue family. Karin Swerink did a great job!

What do you think about the first Dutch Vogue?

I'm going on exchange to...

I have really exciting news to share!

I'm studying European Studies at The Hague University and currently I'm in my second year. The study contains multiple subjects in an international perspective such as politics, marketing, culture, etc. It also contains languages, which are very important during this study. Besides Dutch and English, I study French and Spanish. I wish I could study more languages though, such as Italian, Chinese, Swedish, a little bit more German, and so on and on..

In my third year I'll go on exchange to a university somewhere in the world, but outside The Netherlands. Last year it was told me that it was not possible to go to Spain. For me it was such a pity, because all I wanted was going on exchange to Spain.

But.... A couple of month ago a university in Madrid announced that they offer 15 English courses! I was so happy to hear that. After a short motivation interview, I got an e-mail that I was chosen for the exchange to Madrid. I couldn't have been happier!

I was still waiting for the letter to make it officially official, because you never now what else can happen haha! ;-)

Before it's September 2012 and all this can happen, I have to face many exams!

So I say, back to studystudystudy! Wish me luck!

Mexitalian wraps

You have those days when you're in a cooking mood. Here's one good recipe I've made a few times.

Ingredients:

Ground meat, Italian vegetable stir fry and Mexican wraps (including tomato ketchup mix, Mexican spice mix etc).

Step 1: Cook the meat and add the vegetables. When it's almost ready, you can add the Mexican spice mix with a little bit of water for an extra flavor twist.

Don't forget to preheat your oven to 200°C!

Step 2: In the mean time, add water to the tomato ketchup mix. Leave it for 5 minutes and spread it on the wraps.

Step 3: Put the meat and the veggies on the wraps and roll it.

Step 4: Leave the filled wraps in the oven for around 10 minutes.

And.. That's a wrap!  

Very easy to make and it tastes very good!

Buon appetito! ;-D

Morning Fog

When I woke up this morning, I looked outside my window and I saw it was such a hazy weather. Normally I turn into a moody mood when it looks all grey outside, but actually I like a little bit of fog. I find it cozy! 

Hopefully it starts to snow soon! 

Here I am

Well, here I am, starting to write my own blog. I love reading blogs whether it’s about fashion, photography, lifestyle or travel.. I like it all.

I figured out that I like to write things down. Therefore, I've decided to write my own blog. I’m not a perfect writer, but practice makes perfect, isn’t it? ;-)

Enjoy your day and hopefully see you the next time!