School and a trip to the South

Well, I've finally finished my week of midterms. I have also had the unfortunate "blessing?" of experiencing the Dutch way of receiving grades and feedback. In Canada you get your grade handed to you on a piece of paper, possibly with ways you could improve for the next time, and that's all - simple. Here it's a bit different. Here they critique your work in front of the rest of the class, specifically what you did wrong, and then go on to tell the entire class the grade you got. For me, who is not comfortable with that AT ALL, it was quite a horrible experience. I guess I'll have to get used to it over the next two months though.

On a positive note, we're headed to Aix-en-Provence, as well as Marseilles tomorrow. I can't really say I'm looking forward to it all that much, but I might get the opportunity to meet up with Aunt Emma and Uncle Lee while I'm there. The thing I'm not looking forward to is the 17 hour bus ride to and from the Southern part of France, as well as the fact I'll be arriving back in Zwolle 18.5 hours too late for my cousin's wedding. I'm kind of bitter about that. Oh well. I'll get over it. I'm sure we'll have a marvellous time there anyway.

All things "Dutch"

This weekend I finally got to go to the beach. It was quite wonderful. As we were heading there I thought I should try to make a few more pictures that really look "Dutch", so I took some. It wasn't the nicest weather, but I hope you'll get the idea.

Greenhouses all along the dike - the "Glass City"

Pussywillows

It was really windy the day before - now there were lots of waves

Waves

Oma & Me

Walking through the dunes

Walking through the dunes

I tried (several times) to take a picture of this bird - but he kept flying away

On a bike ride with Oma Herbert - notice the water levels

Schipluiden

First tulips of the year

Group Behaviour in Elevator

So, we watched this movie in my Intercultural Communication class. It made me laugh. I thought I'd share. We went to Leeuwarden yesterday and my class (all 4 of us) made sure we were all in the same elevator when we went up this huge tower/building - every other single person also faced the back of the elevator - it may have helped that the elevator had a glass side and you could look outside... but I like to believe our experiment was a success.

Weekend Events

This weekend was quite fun-filled, and I didn't even have to travel anywhere (at least not very far). My Saturday began with my host brother Jelle's soccer game. He won 5-1, and it was a lot of fun to watch. However, it was extremely COLD! I was cold for the rest of the day. It was freezing (literally), and the wind was the worst part. There isn't a whole lot of shelter on a soccer field. But, I'm still really glad I went to watch.

After the soccer game and lunch, I headed to Zwolle's centrum to visit the EcoDrome with the Romanian students. That was pretty fun too - even though it was very young-child focused, it was fun to go with friends. That always makes it fun!

Jan made us pancakes for supper, which was quite awesome! After the delicious meal we played some hard-core Dutch Blitz with 5 people. Renee ended up spending the night since it got too late for her to go home.

Sunday was another beautiful day, so Jan took us (Renee & I) to the Hunebedden for a walk (Not exactly sure what the Hunebedden are - only that they used to be graves and they were made by the Celts). Good weekend - for sure! Anyway, I should head down and make supper... 'till next time.

Renee & I on one of the Hunebeds

my host dad Jan
Reeds tied up in bundles

(these are used for roofs on some of the houses)

Life keeps ticking

So... I got some complaints today saying I needed to write more on my blog (cough, cough, mom). I honestly don't really have that much to say though...

This week we didn't really do anything all that exciting. We did go to the town council building to get an official welcome to zwolle from the mayor. We watched a ridiculous movie about zwolle, that it was really difficult not to laugh through. After that we went to see Elizabeth: the Golden Age with the international students from Windesheim. So, that was pretty fun. It was neat to hang out with the other international students in Zwolle.

Today Renee and I walked through Zwolle and bought a quite a wonderful thing that I was quite excited about finding. I can't write it here though, unfortunately, until after March 22. After our little shopping adventure we headed to Hattem. We visited a chocolate shop - which was quite delightful. Amanda calls it "Chocolate Heaven". It smelled amazing.

Now, I'm back here. I just ate supper - spek lappen, potatoes, and witlof (belgian andive). At 8:00 I'll be headed to Marlene's to watch a movie - woot, woot. There will be much fun to have.

Tomorrow I'm going to Jelle's soccer game. He's really wanted me to go for a while, but he doesn't have many home games. Now he finally does, and I can go! Renee's coming too, and then we're going to spend the rest of the day together and go to the EcoDroom (sp?) which I'm not exactly sure on what it is.... and maybe some other stuff. Should be enjoyable. Anyway... I'll talk to you all again later. That's pretty much life at the moment.

Signs of Spring

The weather this weekend was absolutely AMAZING! We had so much sun, which was quite wonderful, since I haven't seen it all that often. It was really nice and warm too! 10+ degrees outside, with little wind. Wat en weer!

Flowers are beginning to bloom
Ducks, enjoying the sunshine, swimming on the canal
On my way home from Naaldwijk (the first time)
Buds opening up
Daffodils beginning to bloom
Buds on the vine

Opa & I enjoying some reading material OUTSIDE!

Seriously, this weekend was amazing! I had a great time. I finally saw all the relatives on the Herbert side! One more Noordam (technically not quite yet - but he will be related in March). I went to Naaldwijk twice, first with Marije to go shopping (for her Kluiter Klas), and then with Bart & Rinze Saturday night! Lots of fun.

Another wonderful part of my weekend was church! I went to the Uitslaapdienst where Rinze was playing bass guitar. Martine (Denise's friend) was singing - quite fun. The best part was that I could actually follow the service a lot better. It helps when you actually know the songs (even if you know them in English), and there were (kind of) 3 mini sermons, which made it easier to follow too. I find that if you have to listen to one long sermon I start to tune it out because they use a lot of words you're not familiar with and it's all in Dutch. It's quite different then just carrying on a conversation with someone. I enjoyed this service quite a lot.

So... that was my weekend... sort of. Hope all you Canadians are enjoying your snow-filled winter. I'm enjoying my long spring.

Through the Streets of Delft

This past Saturday I, with 6 other SPICE students, went to Delft for the day. It was a lot of fun. I've been to Delft a few times (since it's not far from where my family lives), but now we went to museums and such in the city, which was neat since I'd never seen them before.

I don't really have a whole lot to write about it really, but I figured I'd share a few pictures.

View of the Oude Kerk in Delft

In a GIANT wooden shoe with Amanda and Jeanna

Chasing the pigeons - oh such fun!

Driving home - we were in the very back of the train - neat view