Applications, birthday and holiday

Top of the morning to ya (or afternoon depending on where you are)!
After my birthday weekend I thought it time to write another post and small update on my life. Although nothing really exciting has happened lately... I've been mostly busy with PhD applications and doing pre-interviews. These days there are so many people applying they have to do an interview before the actual interview. And when I say many I mean 90+ people for 1 position. At first I was really disappointed to get only 2 replies for the 5 applications I send out, but I'm quickly starting to realize it's not all that bad. But I'm afraid I'm really going to need some more replies, because after two interviews one said she had other candidates more suitable, and the other went so horribly wrong they'll never invite me for a proper interview. I really suck at this *sigh*. Why do they always have to ask such stupid questions during interviews? Like "describe yourself in 5 words" and "why do you want to be in science?". What am I supposed to do with that? I'm here because I want the job!

For all you people out there looking for a job: I now understand and feel your pain. But if you need more good replies to bullshit questions like this have a look here

But my life isn't all shit. I went to the country estate fair at Marienwaerdt with my folks. Even though it was muddy as hell we had an amazing good time, and the weather was awesome!

Find out more about this beautiful estate on their website (in Dutch only, but the pictures are gorgeous)

And of course my birthday was last Saturday the 23th, which started of with a surprise early wake up call from the florist. Thank you Mister N! The flowers are absolutely delightful!

I celebrated the rest of the day with my folks in my favorite city Utrecht! We went for tea and cake to Count Floris (right under the Dom Tour! Check out their website) and decided to do tea and cake there on Thursday after my graduation ceremony as well. 

 

Yeah, you're wondering about the bras? Me too.. Something feminist from Wageningen. But did those hill billies really have to molest our beautiful canals?! 

Summer holiday

Ah, the summer holidays! The best time of the year (after Christmas of course). It took me some time, but the paper work for official registration of my internship and funding has all been submitted. Especially the University International Office was a pain in the ass, not responding to phone calls and coming late to the appointment. But, that being said, I officially graduated on July 31! Whoohoo, go me! :D I have to wait a little to really celebrate though, as the graduation ceremony is on the 28th of August. But in the mean time I'm going to have a little fun during the summer holiday. I went to see the Grace Kelly exhibition at Palace The Loo (and no, that doesn't mean toilet!), of which you can see some details on their website. And of course I couldn't resist going to an antique market in Apeldoorn. Where I found a gorgeous ring and some champagne glasses. What more does a girl need, right? But its not all rainbows and sunshine, I'm also looking and applying for possible PhD positions, so cut me some slack will ya?!

Hope you are enjoying your holiday as much as I am!

p.s. Thanks to one of my guy friend in Oxford I now have even more time to waste playing video games such as Assassins Creed, Batman Arkham City and Skyrim. Mister N, you know I mean you and I owe you big time!

The stables of Paleis Het Loo (Palace The Loo), Apeldoorn

The gardens of Paleis Het Loo

The Grace Kelly Exhibition at Paleis Het Loo

The antique market at the town center in Apeldoorn