Count down NYE

Aaah, only a few more hours until New Years Eve! So exciting! My friend is having a party in Utrecht, so I'm hoping to see the Dom Tower (Dom Toren) lit up with fireworks tonight. She also said "not to eat a large dinner", which can only mean she overdid her shopping, once again. I'm so happy to spend my last days in Holland with so many of my dear friends! I'm getting so nostalgic, especially listening to the count down of the Top2000 of 2013 on the radio. (And this is a good opportunity to take my mind of the packing, because I have no clue what to bring for Oxford...)

Anyway, put some Moët et Chandon cold, and hope you have a wonderful New Years Eve! Party on!

Christmas and flea market

Merry Christmas everybody! I hope you had a wonderful time! 

Since we don´t have much family left (they're either dead, or we don't have a good relationship), we spend the holidays just with the three of us. Which I don't really mind, because it means more food, you can drink as much as you like, and nobody bats an I if you open your pants for some extra belly space. Opening the presents was really fun, and my parents were genuinely surprised with some of the stuff I got them (which included a riding whip for my mom and sci-fi DVDs for my dad). In Holland we also have a second day of Christmas on the 26th of December, which usually means obligatory family rounds. Since we don't have any, we decided to go to the indoor flea market in the Brabanthallen in Den Bosch. Which turned out pretty well for me! Not only did I find two lovely English carved (champagne/cocktail?) glasses and a Bosboom bag for my camera, the piece the resistance was a genuine leather new lammy coat! For only 75 euros! My dad did do a Picard facepalm, but even he couldn't deny it was an absolute bargain. Secretly I know he loved going the flea market, as he mentioned it would probably be a while since we will be able to go as a family. As the date of my departure is coming nearer, I'm beginning to feel more nostalgic about things, even bickering over the dishes. Tomorrow I'm having lunch my high school friends as a final goodbye. I'd never thought I'd say this, but I'm feeling a wee bit homesick already!

Anyway, I hope you survived Christmas with your family (and still sort of like them afterwards), and wish you a cracking New Years!

Düsseldorf

A little overdue, but I thought I'd share with you the a-ma-zing trip to Düsseldorf, in honor of my parents anniversary. Needless to say it was a great success, although it was a little challenging to keep it a secret from my mom. She was getting a little annoyed with our secretive smiles and knowing looks, but was totally excited when she found out (in the car near the border) that we were going to Düsseldorf. If you like Christmas atmosphere and decorations, I definitely recommend a trip to the Weihnachtsmarkt in Düsseldorf. It's completely different than Christmas in the Netherlands or the UK. After arriving at our hotel around noon, we went for a walk around the Königsallee, the most expensive street in Düsseldorf. I've never seen so many expensive cars and fur coats in under a minute. But lucky for me, there was also a Primark (not on the Königsallee, mind you). The markets itself are spread around the city on walking distances, and you basically follow a long train of little chalets to a platz (city square). Half of these chalets sell food, such a sausages, glühwein, and fruits dipped in chocolate, and the other half sells Christmas decorations, mittens and jewelry. And while walking through the city you can enjoy the illuminated trees, streets and Christmas trees. Düsseldorf really knows how to decorate its city. My parents were so enthusiastic they are thinking about going next year as well! I hope they still let me come along... ;) 

With love and Christmas joy!

p.s. I stole some picture from the internet, because silly me forgot to bring her camera.

Christmas Fair

Ah yes, the Christmas spirit has hit everywhere! Finally! You know when it has really begun when you hear your favorite Christmas songs on the regular radio stations (instead of the Christmas station I've been secretly listening to since November). To get in the spirit even more, I went to the Marienwaerdt Christmas Fair with my parents last weekend. Which was a-ma-zing! Jingle bells, wine, Christmas sleds and decorations, all in one lovely estate in the country. A lot like the one in Haarzuilens, but I just can't get enough of it!

And guess what: another Christmas market is coming up! My parents marriage anniversary is coming up the 18th of December, and to celebrate my dad is taking my mum to Dusseldorf. And because they like me (and because they will argue endlessly when I'm not around) I can come along for the ride! Woohoo! Dusseldorf is known for its epic Christmas markets, so I can't wait! We're leaving the 19th, and since I've got no school work left, there's really not much I can do... But play silly online games of course ;) Anyway, hope the Christmas spirit has hit you full force too!

With love,

Willemijn

Happy times

Finally, a post with only goods news! Firstly, I handed in my thesis! Hooray! My supervisor told me last week that without any adjustments, it would be a seven. Since a few adjustments are easy to make, I took the weekend to tweak it a little, so now I´m hoping for a 7+. Anyway, it's handed in, so now all I have to do is wait for his opinion and that of the second reviewer.
Second good news: the supervisor from my upcoming internship at Oxford asked if I'd like to do my PhD there as well. It's quite a tough program to get into (GPA of 3,5? Ha, let's try 2,9 XD), but she seems confident it's not totally out of my league. So what's the harm in trying? If it doesn't turn out, I'll always have the experience, and I'll just apply for a PhD in Holland. In Holland the admission criteria aren't as strict as in Oxford, however to become a PhD we do require 3 to 4 publications, which aren't required for a PhD in Oxford. So both have their ups and downs.
As for the third, our Christmas tree is up! :D I know, it's really really early, but I just love Christmas! It's so pretty! :D Now that all the school work is finished (for now), all I have to do is sleep in, buy presents and enjoy Christmas! I already have a present for my mum (she wanted a new riding whip), but my dad is always a problem. Some kind of DVD from Stargate/Star Wars/ Star Trek? Something star anyway...

With love and Christmas spirit!

Willemijn