Spring watch

Whenever I see the first Snopdrops I always have the feeling that spring is just around the corner. I know it's silly, since it's officially 3 weeks away, but seeing something green and flowery after a long and cold winter feels like a sign a life!
A beautiful place to watch them go into blossom is the Oosterbeek Estate, wedged between the high way and the Utrecht University campus. It's one of the hidden gems of Utrecht!

If you feel adventurous, go for a walk on the raised walk way, called a "knuppelpad" in Dutch

Or cuddle with Castor and Pollux

Happy Valentines day!

The weather may be grim, but don't let it stop you from doing something nice for your loved ones! Granted, I'm not a big fan of Valentines day. I always like to think you don't need one special day a year to make a sweet gesture. On top of that, the only loved ones I treat this time of year are my folks, since my love life has melted down to zero with the increased burden of my education and work. However, in my opinion you don't have to celebrate Valentines with a lover, anyone you like/love will do! But I think I might have found a nice way around it for us singles: don't wait for someone to treat you, treat yourself! If Mohammed won't come to the mountain... So cheer up, grumpy Valentines day-haters, and buy yourself an exquisite dinner or some fabulous shoes! If you won't love yourself who else will? And while you're at it, buy some flowers for your mum (especially if your dad forgot, like mine!). 

And if you are looking for Mister Right, you might want to do some research on how to find him. Who knows, maybe next Valentines you won't be alone ;)

Sweet goodbyes

One of the nice things about working in such an international work environment, is that you come in contact with a lot of different people from different backgrounds. Just in my room alone there are people from Iran, Germany, China and Poland (I'm the only Dutch girl!). One of the sadder things is that there are constantly people leaving, which was the case last Friday. An MD student who had been with us for a couple of weeks went home to his native country in Chili, so we decided to go for a small goodbye dinner on Thursday. Although he didn't stay here long, we got to know each other pretty good, especially because he was such a nice and chatty guy! As we would say in Dutch, he could "talk the ears of your head". But in a good way of course ;) I find that after my trip abroad to Oxford I can relate to people coming from abroad a lot more. I have more understanding and sympathy for the journey they've made and the vulnerability most feel when coming to a foreign work place. Because not only is this work hard in general, it's even harder when communicating in a second language, in a foreign country and in a foreign culture. I will never forget the loneliness and misery I first felt when I arrived in Oxford and nobody took me in, and I would never want that for anyone visiting my current lab. Of course it helped that our visiting friend was nowhere near shy and would talk for hours if he got the chance. So even after three weeks he had made friends with almost anyone in the lab, and a dinner felt like the only appropriate way to goodbye. 

As I'm no where near familiar with the city, the German friend brought us to bar and cafe de Eerste Kamer, which translates to 'the First Chamber', a reference to the Dutch Senate. Luckily we were able to confiscate a table without making a reservation, and ward off a drunk guy who had decided to join our conversation (who was later thrown out the bar by the way). We had a wonderful time discussing our home countries, politics, religion and even childhood cartoons, but the food was a bit disappointing to my taste (the portion size was rather small, and I'm not even a big eater). I honestly had a wonderful time though and I think everyone else had too, judging by the time we left!

p.s. I know the guy in the back may look evil, but he's very harmless, I promise!

House-trouble

It's a Dutch saying that you would like to let your enemy live in your newly build home. A reference to the fact that most of these new houses have issues, like a leaking sink or wet walls from plastering. I too have a few issues, which aren't too bad, just annoying. For example the internet on my TV doesn't work (something to do with the connection, according to the building manager) and only two out of the four hot plates on my cooker work. It's been like this since I moved in 4 weeks ago, which is beginning to make me wonder when someone is going to come over to fix it. However, a much more annoying problem has surfaced today. Up until today, my next door neighbour hadn't moved in yet. Now what's that got to do with my house, you might think? Well, when I was cooking today I noticed that the hood in my kitchen kept turning off. I knocked on my neighbours door to find out if he had the same problem. It turns out: if I turn on my hood, I also turn on his! So he kept turning it off, because he thought it was spontaneously turning on. Which also shuts off my hood! Can you believe this?!

First salary and defense

The feeling of a full paycheck. I never knew the feeling as a student (mine was always empty), but last week I received my first salary! The glorious numbers! Hallelujah! And what did I do with my first salary you might ask? Well, of course I took my parents out to dinner. Gotta share the love. Second, I went a little crazy. I bought some additional pieces to my dinner service, encouraged by my dad. Seriously, he was more exited and enthusiastic than I was. So cute, he really loves porcelain and tableware. And last but not least: a watch. Yes, I know, another watch. Or at least that's what my mum said. But it is sooo pretty and the price was more than 70% reduced. I know, a bargain, right?! But don't worry, I will still be able to make rent and I event put something away to save. See, I can be responsible too!
Monday was pretty exciting too, as it was the first time I was present at a student defending it's thesis. Both guys did a really great job, but it made me realise how much easier it is to be Dutch, as theirs had to be in English as they were from India and China. Even though they knew their research really well, sometimes the communication between the opponent (with a thick Dutch accent) and the defendant (thick Asian accent) was a bit difficult. But they both got through it really well. Afterwards there was a small reception, followed by an amazing party at a very chic Chinese restaurant. With lots and lots of food! As a farewell, colleagues and co-workers made a power point presentation on their life during the four years they worked at the lab. It was absolutely hilarious! And of course there was the ceremonial exchanging of exotic gifts from their home countries. It was very touching. Even though four years seems like a long time, in research it's over in the blink of an eye.

Congress

Last Wednesday was my first Hematology Congress! And, oh my God, I'm so glad I only had to attend one day out of three! In order to be there on time, we (some of my colleagues and I) left by car at 7 o'clock. Now I don't think I need to tell you that I really did not appreciate having to wake up at 5:30 in the morning. Thank God one of my colleagues has a car, so we didn't have to go by train. Although for her it wasn't much fun, because we were all asleep while she was driving to the Congress venue in Papendal, Arnhem. The day was filled with presentations on the latest research in hematology, mostly given by PhD students like myself. My PI already told me that I was going to speak there too in the future, so it was nice to see how things were arranged. In between there were coffee breaks and a nice lunch, which was nice to recharge after a long, difficult session. And than of course we had to go back (after a disappointing dinner) for another two hour drive. In the cold. I was sooo tired when I got home. Slept like a baby.

But that's not all that happened this week! For one, I finally had some positive results! Woohoo, little victory dance! Second, the new lab technician started as part of the project. Ironically he's from Utrecht too, which almost makes it seem like my PI is trying to move a whole team of Utrechters to Groningen. I haven't really had a chance to talk to him, but so far he seems really nice. But hey, he's from Utrecht, so of course he is!

With love,

Willemijn

Week two: survived!

Ahh, it felt so good to be back in Utrecht again for the weekend! Even though the trip was a bit annoying... I found myself sitting across a guy who had apparently decided I was going to be his conversation partner for the journey. Very nice, if only I wasn't listening to music. Ah well, it was a nice way to get my mind of the past week. Even though the people are a lot nicer than I'm used to, I still feel that fear that I have to proof myself or they might decide I'm not suitable for the job. Very stressful, but I just can seem to shake that pressure hanging over me. Even if it's all just in my head. I guess Oxford left a bigger mark than expected. But this week promises to be good, as I'm going to my first Dutch Hematology conference on Wednesday. Thank god I don't have to present, so it should be a bit more relaxing... But now it's time to get up and get my ass to work! Hope you have a nice day!

With love

Willemijn