Fashion shows, City Golf, Tulips and more!

What a busy weekend! Friday night Katharina invited me to go to a fashion show on the beach in The Hague with a friend of hers. It was pretty neat, although very cold. Good music, and fun fashion nonetheless.

Haarlem might possibly be one of my favorite cities here. It looks very similar to Amsterdam, but smaller, with less people, and more cozy! This past weekend we had the Alders Family Weekend, that happens every three years. Extended family from Rob's side all get together for two days, and catches up with each other! We stayed in the Stayokay Hostel, and on Saturday played "City Golf" through Haarlem. What is City Golf? It's where in teams, you literally play golf through Haarlem, using a soccer ball and a handmade golf club, as you can see below...the hard part was trying not to hit pedestrians!

We ended the day at the carnival, where I went on the scariest ride ever with Dennis and Tim! I knew I would regret it though if I didn't go, so I took a chance...closed my eyes and screamed the entire time! It was one of those rides with the long arm, that holds you upside down, looking over the entire city. Not funny! 

In the evening we barbecued and I got to know a few family members. The next morning we all headed to the beach, and drank coffee on a terrace outside. Heerlijk weather!

 

We also drove through a town full of rows and rows of brightly colored tulips, and other flower types. It was beautiful, really what you see in cheesy tourist-postcards from Holland.

This past week was also my last week of school before the May Vacation, and I got my math retake grade back! I was so nervous I almost didn't look. Good thing I did, not only did I pass...I got a 6.9! Brought up my grade, and now I am passing math...in a foreign country!

Monday evening is Koninginnenach, and Tuesday is QUEENS DAY! I am so excited, it's the last Koninginnedag for who knows when...I have heard about it since the day that I got here, so I cannot wait. Don't know what me and my friends will do yet, but I'm sure it will be fun!

-Molly

Maasland, Feestje, Girls Night!

Last weekend was very busy, but exciting! I spent the day in Utrecht with other AFS students from my region, walking through the city and catching up. We also went to the Dick Bruna Museum, and afterwards ate appetizers and had a few drinks together. I had to take the train home rather early though, because I had Nienke and Ella's birthday party to go to in Pijnacker!
The feest in Pijnacker was erg gezellig, full of dancing and socializing. Biking there of course is a pain, due to the fact that it's about 45 minutes away! The party was well worth it though. We all spent the night at Fiona's afterwards.


Yesterday I spent the day in Delft with Marijke, Tim and Rob,
and we sailed the
sailboat to Maasland. Well, more like I sat on the boat and enjoyed the ride. The sun was shining, and it was so gorgeous outside. We passed by baby ducks, sheep, windmills, etc. etc., typical Dutch things! In the evening, Katharina, Renee, Sanne, Roos,

Marijke and I had a girls night together at Roos's. We did our nails, watched Magic Mike (with the b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l Channing Tatum), and ate so much chocolate until we thought we would die! Great fun though, and an evening very much needed. Roos's husband and son stayed the night at our house back in Bergschenhoek; I'm sure they spent their "Guys Night" drinking beer and watching (or talking about) soccer or something like that with Rob, Tim and Dennis!

Tomorrow I have my math retake (for the test that I failed), and I am so nervous! I have studied so much though, so I better pass it... right now I have a 5.0 average, and I need a 5.5 to pass!

Wish me luck,
-Molly

Feestje!

Last weekend my friends and I threw a "Cowboys & Indians" themed party, to celebrate our seventeenth, and Pascale's&Maartje's sixteenth birthdays! Both VWO classes came, Pascale's friends from swimming, Beau's friends from Scouting, etc. etc., in total there were about seventy people there! Most of whom dressed up, some even went all out with the theme. All in all, I think that everyone had a blast. Next weekend, my friends Nienke and Ella will also be having a birthday party, but in Pijnacker- two towns over.

Tomorrow evening Marijke and I will go to Den Hague for an AFS get together; it'll will be nice to catch up with everyone from my region. Next Saturday I will go to Utrecht to walk around and explore the city, also with other AFS students from my region. Busy busy busy! Not to mention, Maddie comes next month- I am so excited, I can't believe how long it's been since I've seen her...since August! Wow, time flies.

Well, nothing else is new...the weather is FINALLY starting to warm up a bit here- maybe even nice enough to wear shorts in a few weeks. One can only hope.

-Molly

Belgium, Reusel, en Pasen!

Distance seemed unreal here in the Netherlands this past weekend- Friday I hopped on the train to Tilburg to visit my friend Marlie, Saturday we spent the day in Antwerp, and Sunday I came back home to Bergschenhoek. 

Who knew that for three euros and only a few minutes in the bus, you could be in Belgium? It still seems crazy to me! Marlie, who is a former AFS student, lives in Reusel, a small town outisde of Tilburg. This part of the Netherlands is more farm-like, has more open spaces and trees. In contrast to Rotterdam, you could even say it was full of nature! Friday I ate dinner with her family, who is also hosting an AFS student, Laura, from Brazil. 

Reusel is in the south province of the Netherlands, called "Brabant." Wherever you travel in the Netherlands, people's accents will differ. Here, people pronounce the "g" softer than in Rotterdam for example. For me, it took a bit more concentration to understand what was being said at the dinner table due to this difference in pronunciation. 

Saturday morning, we met up with another AFS student, Caetano, who is from Mexico. He had been to Antwerp many times before, which made him a great tour guide! After two buses and literally three euros, we were in the heart of Antwerp, Belgium. The first thing we did was eat Belgian waffles of course! It was the best waffle I have ever eaten, and that I will probably ever eat in my life! Mhmm, and drizzled with rich Belgian chocolate...to die for. I'm glad I didn't choose Belgium for a host country, because I'm sure I'd eat one of these every day!

The rest of the day was spent walking through the streets of Antwerp, and of course shopping. The country itself doesn't look too different from Holland, because the buildings are very similar in structural design; tall, skinny, quirky roof architecture. 

We walked passed incredible musicians on the main shopping street, famous statues, and of course went into Antwerp Central Station- where the well-known, huge flash mob took place about a year ago. 

Caetano then took us to a cafe, that had the best hot chocolate (and other chocolate drinks) I have ever tasted! I really don't think chocolate gets much better than in Belgium. De-licious. 

Before I knew it, the day was over and we were on the bus headed back home. Well, to Reusel that is. Sunday morning, I enjoyed an "gezellig" Easter brunch with her family- mother, father, sister, Laura and grandmother. We also hunted for chocolate Easter eggs outside! 

Afterwards, her dad- who owns a construction machine that lifts people up very high- let us go up on it! I could see most of Reusel, and the Tilburg tower. It was like their own personal Euromast!

Soon after, I hopped back on the train and headed to Rotterdam Central Station, took the metro to Rodenrijs, the bus to Bergschenhoek, and walked home from there. For dinner, we had "gourmet," where everyone gets their own mini-frying pan, and cooks whatever small slices of meat, fish, shrimp, vegetables, or anything that they want! Not to mention, mini-pancakes for dessert. Soooooo good! 

This week, I'm off from school (done with my tests). Friday is "Mentordag," which means every class will do something together outside of school.  Tim's class is participating in a pain-ball war I think, and mine is taking a Cocktail Workshop in Scheveningen and eating sushi afterwards! I can't wait- the school even pays for it! 

Still loving it over here, as always.

-Molly

Verjaardag!

Last week was indeed, my 17th birthday. Saturday the 16th, extended family and a few close family friends came over to celebrate the birthdays of Rob, Katharina, Tim, Roos (family friend), and I. It was very nice, delicious food, fun people, and leuke cadeautijes! There must have been at least thirty people over! Uncles, aunts, cousins, grandfathers, neighbors, dogs, and more. The night prior, we all spent cleaning and cooking in preparation- making cupcakes, quiches, you name it! The party was a success, and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. I got the movie, "500 Days of Summer," nail polish, hand cremes, money, jewelry, stroopwafels, and socks! After the party, I went to Vierkantje with the girls, because Sunday just happened to be Beau's birthday! 

 Monday was the Daltonloop- a 5km run that most of the school is required to participate in. I got a 29.02, which considering my exercise level here is little to nothing....a pretty respectable time. Not to mention, 18 seconds faster than Tim! 

On Tuesday, we celebrated my birthday and Kat's as well- ate pannenkoeken for dinner, and exchanged gifts afterwards. I got DVD's, hair clips, cake-pop maker w/book, Dutch book called "Matchbook," makeup, and tickets to MAROON 5's CONCERT! It's in July, three days before I leave.

Beau, Maartje, Pascale and Fiona had wanted to throw a birthday party together at some point- and said that I could join in. So in two weeks, we will be giving a party! The theme is Cowboys and Indians (stole it from one of my high school's dance themes). Seems easy enough to dress up for! 

This week is test week, and this morning I took my math exam. It was very hard...I had thought I was so prepared for it, but now I'm doubting. We'll see. My next exam is Thursday, and then Friday I will be going to Tilburg to visit my friend Marlie. Saturday we'll spend the day in Antwerp! 

Yesterday I got an email from AFS with my travel itinerary for my return home...a bit sad and startling, but hey, I still have three months left! 

-Molly

Berlin again!

I never thought I'd get the chance to go back to Berlin this year, but as luck had it, I did! I had the choice between Cambridge and Berlin, but chose Berlin because most of my good friends were going. I did see many of the same monumental buildings, but the trip itself was completely different. I won't go through it day by day, but rather highlight a few things....

One thing I hate about Berlin (although it's not just in this city), and I may have mentioned it before, you have to pay to use the bathroom. Gas stations, train stations, McDonalds, you name it- from fifty cents to sometimes even a euro! And if you really have to go, taking the time to find the exact change, or make change, is not appreciated. I miss free public restrooms!

Well, my class and the class below us, stayed in a very nice hostel/hotel, however, it was located slightly out of the city. Therefore, if we had an activity in the city, transportation would take about an extra thirty minutes or so. Not the end of the world, seeing as the hostel/hotel we stayed at was pretty high end for a school trip!

On the trip we went to the Berlin Zoo, to the top of the TV Tower, to The Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, to the Hamburger Bahnhof Museum, did some amazing shopping, and ate pretty good chocolate! Everything in Berlin is cheaper in the supermarkets, so many people loaded up on their fair share of German snacks. 

Going to the top of the TV Tower was pretty cool, the elevator went six meters per second! We went at night, so you could see all of the lights of Berlin. 

The Zoo was pretty nice, although I find the Zoo in Rotterdam better, due to the fact that the animals have a lot more space. However, the monkey section was very cool, as well as the nocturnal, underground part! Unfortunately, the weather was cold and grey that day, so spending five hours walking around outside was not ideal. Nonetheless, my friends and I had a good time looking at the lions, tigers, bears, baboons, and more. 

We also visited the Hamburger Bahnhof Museum, which had some really incredible modern art pieces, like nothing I'd seen before. Fiona, Beau and Pascale were required to go because they have Kunst (art class), and Maartje and I just went along for fun. It turned out to be pretty interesting, and I was glad that I went!

I also saw the President of Indonesia! We were walking by a hotel, and there were police cars, security, and a whole crowd surrounding the entrance. We waited for about thirty minutes, and saw him for about two seconds! 

We took a boat ride on the water one day, which passed many historical buildings. The sun was out that day, and the weather was perfect. It couldn't have been better! You could even see the back side of The Berlin Wall, completely plastered with graffiti.  

The trip was pretty great, the best part was spending time with my friends, and getting to know other people from my class. Shopping was also a plus, did I mention that it was amazing?! We went to Primark and spent hoooours in that store alone. H&M Divided is also my new favorite store now, because Berlin had such a cool one! 

The next thing that's coming up for me is...my birthday! Seventeen already....sounds a bit older, right?

Well, for now- more school work. Test week is the week after next, and I have to pass my math test! So I'll spend many afternoons making the homework and studying...

-Molly

Austria and other things.

I realize it's been about a month since my last post, I've been traveling the world! Well, that may be an exaggeration...but I did go skiing in the Alps, and toured Berlin again! So, I have somewhat of a valid excuse.

February has come and gone, and I feel as if time is slipping through my fingers. I have been living here for over two-hundred days, and have less than four months left. That thought makes me want to cry, in both sadness and excitement!

This past month has been very busy, and great fun. I don't think I had a weekend where I wasn't doing something! On the fifteenth of February, I went to De Guyter in Pijnacker, for my friend Nienke's birthday with many other classmates. The famous (in Holland, and possibly Belgium) Yellowclaw was performing that night, so the bar was completely packed! They came on 'stage' (really just a small raised area) around midnight, with strobe lights and all. I had such a fun night, despite how loud, crowded and hot it was in the building! To the left is a picture-collage of the night. It was definitely one to remember! Then again, it feels like most days are here.

The next Saturday I spent ten hours in the car with my host family, headed to Austria! It was quite crammed with six people, everyone's bags, and ski gear. For the drive, Tim and I made thirty sandwiches, so that we only had to stop on the way for bathroom breaks!

Most of the drive was through Germany, until we hit the mountains. Driving through the mountains reminded me so much of going back and forth between Homer and Anchorage! So in other words, they were quite gorgeous indeed.

That week, everyday we went skiing in THE ALPS. We stayed in a small apartment, right in the center of the small town, Neukirchen. In the mornings, Renee and I, or Dennis and Tim, would walk across the street to get pastries for breakfast. After coffee and food, we'd all dress appropriately for a day of skiing, and head to the lift.

Learning to downhill ski was such an adventure- funny, and even at times a bit scary! I realized halfway in the week, that if I didn't look all the way down to the bottom of the slope, I wouldn't get as nervous. Most of the time it worked! I did of course fall down a few times, but who doesn't when skiing in the Alps? Luckily I had Tim, Dennis, Renee and Rob to help me!

Most days were gorgeous at the top of the mountain, with the sun shining so bright that I had to put on sunscreen! Somehow I still managed to get a bit burnt... but that's one of many gingerproblems.

We'd ski until lunchtime, and break for a delicious meal in one of the restaurants. Depending on how tired Renee and I were, we'd either ski after lunch for a bit, or call it a day! It was quite exhausting.

Listening to other foreigners around me was quite entertaining also, because most of them came from either Germany or the Netherlands- therefore I could understand half of them!

In the evenings we'd go out to dinner at one of Marijke and Rob's favorite restaurants (they had been to Neukirchen many times before). The schnitzel was to die for, and I tried so many delicious, Austrian meals and desserts! For the last night in the restaurant, I tried Jagertee, which is a tea that is often drunk in the colder parts of Europe in the winter, even more specifically, in the Austrian Alps during the ski season! It is black hot tea, normally made with rum and other spices. I am a big fan of teas in general, and it was as they'd say here in the Netherlands, heerlijk.

All in all, the trip was fantastic. After dinner each night, we'd all play card games until midnight or so. I had a great vacation, and would honestly love to go back there someday. A girl can only dream!

Saturday we all piled in the car again, and headed back home, to the Netherlands. This car ride I was smart; plugged in my music, and read a book to kill the time! None other than, the well-known 50 Shades of Grey. Now I can understand what all the hype is about!

I was home only on Sunday, because Monday morning I would be headed to Berlin with my class! So of course, Sunday was spent doing laundry and packing for my next trip....

That's for the next post though!

-Molly