Hello, yeah, it's been a while..

As the topic says it's been a quite while since my last post, it's been hard to find the right time to write new blogs. So yeah, my study abroad is unfortunately finished and I'm back at the uni in my home country, so why wouldn't I have time? Truth to be told, time flies by sooo fast! I'm back in The Netherlands for almost 4 months (!) already, but it feels like it was yesterday I arrived in Madrid. I had a busy but an amazing time during my study abroad. I will tell you more about it in one of my next post.

As I mentioned, I've lost blogging a bit and therefore I made a commitment to myself: I'm going to pick it up! Not blogging myself doesn't mean that haven't checked any other blogs, it's quite the opposite actually. I have been reading lots of other blogs and that inspired me to start blogging again, or at least more than I did. I enjoy reading blogs very much and I like to write things off to clear my mind, so I definitely know what to do now!

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!