Fleamarket and China lights

Hi people! How was your Christmas? I hope it was as merry as mine!
To take our mind of moving and packing we went to the flea market held at the Second day of Christmas (a very Dutch holiday, don't ask) at the Brabanthallen. After closing down of our own venue at the Veemarkthallen in Utrecht this has become are our go to place for antique and flea markets. They have lots of events throughout the year, so if you're ever near by I recommend a visit! I always find a good bargain there! And this time was no exception of course. We (my parents and I) found hanging medallion, 5 different blue and white egg cups, a white tea pot (5 euros!) and the piece de la resistance: the most amazing dinner service!

Pretty isn't it?!

After nosing through all the clutter people had brought along we went home to get ready for dinner and our next event on the agenda: The China Light at the Botanical Gardens of my home University Utrecht. We had wanted to go for a couple of times now, but every night the weather would turn dreadfully windy and wet. But last night it was finally dry, if not intensely cold! But we decided to be brave and bundle up. And it was worth it! 

 

Amazing right?! They are in town until January 4, so be quick! Can't make it? Watch a short video of the event here.

And guess what? When I woke up this morning there was snow! :D

Merry Christmas!

A short post today!
All I really want to say is I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your friends and family! And of course enjoy some good food and nice wine! And with those words I'm off cause the cookies and presents are waiting!

Merry Christmas!

p.s. Don't forget to watch Home Alone/Sissi/The Muppets/Marry Poppins/Bad Santa/...etc. tonight!

Oxford survivors date

Christmas is not only a good time to meet up with family, but also with friends! Remember I told you about the (other) Dutch girl that was at the lab in Oxford (if even for a short while)? Well, last Monday we decided it was time for a reunion! As we live quite far apart we met half way and sat down for a hearty lunch and a long overdue catch up on recent events. After leaving Oxford she was able to get another position in Cambridge (irony? She later told me told me that Cambridge was founded be people who felt that Oxford was to mean and unfriendly!) and now feels completely at home! Nice PI, nice lab and nice friends. I'm so glad to hear that everything worked out for her! She said herself that leaving Oxford was the best decision she has ever made. And of course I told her about me recent endeavour on moving to Groningen. Turns out she used to live there as a child when she left her home country when her and her family fled as political refugees. Such an intens and sad story! But she's so strong, I really admire her for overcoming all the hardship and struggles. She's truelly an inspiring friend. I'm not sure when we'll be able to meet again, but I know I'm saving a date for her next Christmas!

Happy holidays!

Ikea

Let me start off by saying that I love shopping, like any other girl. So finally being allowed to go shopping for furniture and home decor seemed like a dream come true! Boy, was I wrong! After two gruesome days in Ikea I've learned a few things:

1. Never, and I repeat NEVER, go shopping at Ikea during the weekend. 
Even if you think you really need to, please try to find another way. It is by far the busiest time to hit Ikea, especially a few days before Christmas. Suddenly people think it's a "fun activity" to just walk around aimlessly and buy nothing. Very nice indeed, if it was not for the few people who actually want to buy crap (like me!) who get hopelessly stuck in the mob traffic. It was very tempting to shove my cart in the ankles of some ignorant loitering people.
2. After spending one full day in Ikea, Ikea is no longer "fun". 
So try to postpone going back in there for at least a week, and don't go back in the next day like I did. Especially if you are taking someone with you. Trust me, you will no longer like them and they will no longer like you. If you want to make an enemy or loose a friend (both metaphorically and literally, I lost my mom twice in the crowd) go to Ikea. It's like the Scandinavian equivalent of a Dementor.
3. Because of Ikea I no longer want kids (or at least want to postpone the idea for at least 5 years). 
In my opinion Ikea is the best contraceptive in the world. The amount of annoying non-buying-standing-in-the-way-people is only exceeded by the amount of kids. Why do people take their kids to Ikea?! For the love of God! Why?!
4. You always spend more than you think.
Holy shit did I almost shit my pants at the check out! Where the hell did that number come from?! I may be living in an absolutely fabulous (fully Ikea) decorated house, but I will not be able to buy food for the next 4 weeks. Noodles it is...

And you know what the worst thing is? I still have to carry everything up three flights of stairs and assemble it! Shit!

Key!

Hey y'all! How you doin'? ;) Doing some last minute Christmas shopping? Almost done decorating the house with all the red/green/gold clutter you could find (I know I did!)? Our house is now at it's peak, with a tartan bow or red reindeer on every door nob or table. If you have to work, hold on tight, Christmas is almost around the corner!

I'm soooo excited! Tomorrow I'm off to the North to pick up the key to my new rental apartment! And of course plunder Ikea for some essential furniture. So far I've got a TV, teapot and a rug, so I'm in desperate need of something to sit on... And maybe some decorative clutter, cause I'm a girl. Us girls love pillows and other shit we don't need. 

Christmas fair Marienwaerdt

A post on the fabulous County and Christmas fair at Marienwaerdt, as promised! I've been going to this fair for years now, and I never seem to grow tired of it! The lights, the music and the atmosphere is just magic. Each year come Christmas time the rural country side of the Marienwaerdt estate is lined with white tents and filled to the rims with food and decorations. And there is so much to do for kids as well, including a ride on a beautiful old school horse drawn sled. During a short lunch break (with pea soup of course!) we enjoyed the peaceful melody of an all male choir, after which we did some last minute Christmas shopping (including a teapot and some antique dinner plates for my new house). In conclusion, a day well spend!

With Christmas love,

Willemijn

The beautiful entrance to the estate

It got a little steamy inside with the Christmas carols!

Santa on his horse drawn sled

And the lights are even more magical in the dark!

Watch a video of the event here or go to the facebookpage for more pictures and inspiration!

Signed, sealed and delivered

Is your Christmas tree up yet? Ours just made its way into the living room and after some heated discussion the light are finally up. Another family Christmas tradition: no tree shall enter without argument about it's size (bigger is better, we have a mark on the ceiling to prove it) and also putting in the light shall not go without a tug of war. But nothing can spoil my mood! Today is another Country and Christmas fair, this time at Marienwaerdt! Details and pictures will follow tomorrow, I promise.
One last thing before I leave you to a lovely Saturday afternoon: yesterday I signed both my employment contract and my rental apartment contract! So its official, I'm stuck in Groningen. I suddenly feel so grown up, it's a bit surreal for someone as childish as me...

Happy Holidays!

Hired!

A celebration is in order! After countless letters, horrible job interviews and many rejections I can now finally say: I've got a PhD position! Woohoo! I remember thinking on the train ride home "I can never really tell anymore if it went well" when I got the phone call saying they wanted me. That's irony for you. It's still just an oral agreement (no papers have been signed yet), but this just feels really good and something really crazy has to happen for it to not go ahead. And the project is freaking awesome! I can't give any details of course, all very classified, but it has something to do with immunotherapy in lymphoma's. Very interesting and enough work to keep me busy for the next four years. If everything goes well I'll be able to start in January, but I even have to option to start a month later. This does however mean I will have to move away from my home town up North, to the city Groningen. It's a two hour drive, which I realise is probably not far if you live in the States, but trust me, for a Dutchy it's a pretty big deal! It almost feels like another country! Just kidding. So the last couple of days I've been hunting the internet for an affordable place to stay. I think I may have found something nice, more expensive than I anticipated of course, but it does have a private kitchen (including dishwasher!) and private bathroom. So I'll keep you updated how that plans out. In the mean time I'm still bubbling with excitement that I finally found a job! This really is the best Christmas present I could have wished for!

With love,

Willemijn

Country and Christmas fair Haarzuilens

Christmas season is in full swing! I don't know how you feel, but I always get deliriously excited! Especially with all the Christmas fairs this season. This weekend was the mother of all fairs: the Country and Christmas fair at castle the Haar in Haarzuilens. And of course yours truly attended the event, cause really, where else would I be? Not only can you buy the nicest pearls, jewels and clothes at Haarzuilens, but walking the lanes up to the castle is a great opportunity to try cheese, wine and baked goods. In the larger tents you can find old antiques, art and buy home decorations (I bought two Kelim pillows!). And once it gets chilly outside you can warm your hands at a nice cup of hot Dutch pea soup (erwtensoep for you Duchties!) or enjoy a glass of steaming glühwein. Not as Dutch as the soup but equally as heart warming!

But the best treat has to be the scenery, the beautiful castle adorned with light, and the Christmas music blasting from the speakers. Stay until it starts to get dark and the light are even more charming! It's truly the best way to get into the Christmas spirit and buy present or just get some fresh inspiration!

With love

There even was a Dickens style choir singing Christmas carols!

My folks! Aren't they sweet?

For more information visit the (Dutch) website 

Or watch a video of the event here