Lost In Translation

So I arrived in Groningen on the 1st of February, it's now the 14th of March, meaning I've been here for 6 weeks. It's crazy how the time goes, but I feel as if I have been here for at least a year of my life, you could probably tell if you heard me speak english (it's suffering for it!). I'm starting to speak as if I were from another country, picking up all different ways of saying things, from the non-native speakers! It's actually quite funny, I genuinely can't speak my own language anymore...in fact I'm probably better in italian....mangiare, fumare....cazzo (had to put a rude one in there)! yep, I know all the words.....almost! Which is quite ironic, I'm going to come back from Holland knowing more italian than dutch! All jokes a side, I am loving my experience here, and it's really starting to feel like home, the place yes, but more the people! Everyone talks about Erasmus being the time of their life, and I can't argue with that, there are many things in life that I'm unsure of, but this is definitely not one of them, in fact, this is probably the best decision I have made, and I'm not guna lie, I've made some pretty good decisions in my life :)... but you know, I'm just *making hair and getting on with the *situation...constantly hungover, but *nether the lands, getting on with it... I love cheesy puns :) !)

On a totally unrelated note - I have spend the last week playing Ping Pong - this is the height of activity in Martini House! but honestly....obsessed is putting it mildly!!  - if you ever do an exchange, and you can make any specifications - list a ping pong table one of them :)!


*making hair - wasting time

The Pancake boat

For my course we have the organize and attend 3 seperate international dinners, my group consists of one German, Dutch, Italian, Chinese (she's not from China, but I can't remember the place she said that is china...but actually totally seperate government, laws etc), Spanish and Me (English). The Pancake Boat was the Dinner for the Dutch night....although it's not an entirely Dutch cuisine, it's the famous boat that counts as it being dutch. As you can see these 'pancakes' are absolutely enormous! They also drizzle (or soak) their pancakes, whether they're sweet or savoury in maple syrup (sounding more American than Dutch to me!). Non the less it was a great evening. It was the first restaurant I have been to since living in Groningen, and it was all the things you would expect from a pirate-themed boat selling pancakes! If you ever plan to visit +Groningen1  this is a MUST on the things to do! :)

Realisations. Erasmus.

My experiences here, as well as in the rest of my life, have taken me through numerous realisations, each of them different from the last. It's funny because every stage seems like such a huge event, but  take one step back and look at the world. It makes you realise the insignificance of my 'very big' problems and woes. I can see the cliche within my writing, and I'm sure these words have been written any a time, (maybe worded differently) and will continue to be written, for a while longer.  We are all so concerned with our lives (of course), and it's those who strive to do things for others that I truly admire, because I am the kind of person who is easily caught up the insignificant, and I can be less interested in doing good for others (not a topic concerning close friends and family). I'm talking about the broader picture, which is why I'm happy to be on the course I am studying at Hanze University (Project Care4Kenya), I know I'm not doing much, but knowing that an event I created, will be doing some good in the world, for people I have never met, is something I'm glad to be a part of.

What got me thinking about this, was a 'major event' that happened to me recently. It was just three weeks after me and my boyfriend split up, and I was finally getting my life together (being in another country helps the process along!), I knew that I was doing the right thing in breaking up with him, it  would have been worse for him if we were still together, this, made me say the final word. Then, I get a call one morning from my ex. To my astonishment, he tells me he is standing outside my flat in Groningen (He lives and studies in London). Now, any girl should be thrilled and touched that a guy would go through all that effort for them, but my instinct reaction (and this I feel bad for), was anger. Don't ask me why, but I was shaking, confused, and just totally shocked. Unfortunately, I couldn't tell him what he wanted to hear, I couldn't run into his arms and confess my love again, and I knew it was gone, and we both had moved on.
What I realised is, these things I can't change, things people inflict upon themselves, we all have right and we can do as we please, it was his choice to come here, and actually it worked out in the end, as really be got to close a chapter is his life, and start another one, same with me. I admire him for being able to do what he wanted. Actually, it is the things we decide for ourselves, (no matter how difficult that decision might be) that make us realise how strong we are.

I guess what I am trying to say is, we have to deal with the situations we're faced with, in the best way we know how, and really it only matters what feels right to us. So actually, I should be concerned with my life, it's the only one I'm going to get, and what ever feels right to you, is what you should be doing.

Harlem Shake Martini House

I know this is very overdue, the craze is over people! We are bored with it...but it's no so much to talk about the Harlem Shake (best version ever) :), in fact it's not really about the Harlem Shake at all I just wanted to post it, because I hadn't :). 

Really I wanted to talk about organisation. I would categorise myself amongst those of the less organised criteria, the most commonly said phrase to me is probably "you'd loose your head, if it wasn't screwed on", and there is some truth to that. But over the last couple of years, I think I've managed to muster some kind of motivation to be organised as well as time saving (not making hair *I'll explain this in another blog)....not sure where it came from, but it's there.....she say this whist being very hungover and therefore did not have the willpower to be productive at all today, not do any work, so really I should shut up now. Regardless of my personal battle with organisation and control towards being productive, it's just nice to be in a place where people are doers. Not to say that this is just people living in Martini House....I'm not that bias! but genuinely, I guess it's nice to be with a group of young people who are making the most of their time, and creating memories, no regrets. 

As anyone who is living here will say, we become so close even within the first few weeks of living here, and it's things like the Harlem Shake that I will remember.....not meaning to get soppy about this....again :) (I don't really  like it here that much.....It's not like every blog I write starts with 'aww these people are amazing'.or "I love living with international students" etc. etc. .....hmmm :) :) 

Til next time. 

International Love

I don't know if I mentioned the fact that I had the entire week off last week, but I did. Today was my first day back to university, after what seemed to be the longest week ever. I did manage to do a lot of things....mainly going out a lot, and drinking a lot, but, it was also quite a productive week. Although the parties are great, and it's easy to go out maybe 4 times a week here, I realise we're here to study and I feel I've managed to do so... I can no longer feel the hangover as bad as I used to....although yesterday was a different story, I felt terrible, and yet still had a productive day. I think it's because I really dislike the idea of a 'hangover day' at the moment. It seems to be a wasted concept, when there are things I could be doing despite how bad I might be feeling. 

To get to my point, today was my first day back to university, and it was all about intercultural relations. How different cultures have different beliefs and values, and yes this is something that can't be denied. Then again, all the concepts are very dated to me, and I'm sure a lot of people in my class. Maybe it's because our generation has been brought up with a better understanding of different cultures (then again that's a personal opinion). Sometimes it's hard to get the usefulness of the cultural generalisations, why does it matter in this day and age where you are from? Yes, ok when working in international groups, you may have to understand that different cultures differ in learning, communication, upbringing etc. but isn't this the same for individuals? I can see why people get upset when talking about stereotypes i.e. "British people are too polite" "Why do you always say something, but mean an entirely different thing?" "So sarcastic" Ok for me, It's not a problem, because I consider myself as an individual and not as part of a nationality. Yes, I'm British, but it doesn't define me. Without the understanding of this, people won't be able to communicate, so why teach us the values of differences when we should really focus on the similarities, we're all human beings with different traits, but we accept people for who they are, not where they are from. To me it's simple, but if we have to learn about it, just don't make it so bloody obvious, yes I get it different cultures, different beliefs we will have to understand one and other (It really is a load of bullshit). To me also, being with people form other nationalities, living with them, learning with them, has just made me realise how this topic of intercultural studies is really such a waste of time, nobody thinks in stereotypes.

Productive Hangover Days

So last night was the Cowboy and Indian party, from the photo I guess you can see that efforts weren't too high, as the budget was low! (I'm not spending 4 euros on an outfit I will wear for 2 hours then loose, made that mistake plenty of times, and plus you can always find things that slightly resemble the theme!

Anyway a really great night. It's funny though I've been here 2 weeks, and I already have a local or "regular place" to go. They have the best parties, with a club part, then a pub part etc, A great layout, but pretty unusual for your average pub! Anyway, it is called the Drie Zusters - which translates as three sisters. Which is pretty easy to figure out, in fact I'm finding Dutch to be pretty similar to english, especially when I'm drunk...it's far easier to understand!

Today -  typically would be the hangover day, but for I've actually been productive, and I am actually very surprised and this, because last night, was not a calm night, there was definitely no taking it easy. I mean the shots were lined up, and knocked back, and this pattern repeated pretty much all night.

I went shopping bought some clothes and cycled into town too. I have a theory that maybe today I am still drunk, as I almost banged my head looking at something in a shop window, it was pretty embarrassing when I realised I'd been stood there for a whole minute, getting closer and closer to the glass....if that's not a sign I don't know what is. But non the less a productive day.

More embarrassing stories next time :).

Cowboy and Indian Party

So tonight it's yet again another Themed party. Funnily enough, there wasn't many of them at my Freshers in London....it's either that or I just didn't attend them. Probably the latter.
Despite my lack of themed party know-how. It's become a common thing in Groningen. I find myself getting quite into it. The dressing up is half the fun of the night out and the student environment here, makes it much more fun. There are many different accommodations for students around the city, and they all organising pre-drinking parties, and then finally leaving to the club at 1am...by this time, you've lost half your costume, and your too drunk to care, so all the effort is lost in any preparation for your outfit. A common problem.

So at 20 years old, I sometimes have the 'Oh god and am I too old for this'. But 20 is apparently to early for this thought. The people I live with are no younger than 23, so if there still doing it. Why not. I know, I sound like an absolute bore, which is why I've needed a whole attitude change.

So here's to Cowboys and Indians, next instalment....the aftermath.