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Hi hi,

I know I haven't been blogging lately. Just because I haven't been doing anything exciting. here some Dutch pics!

My country, the Netherlands, is good. And we've had the first heatwave since 2007! Oh Lord, I love it ♥ I'm so happy the weather is good, so the difference between Oz and NL isn't too big.

Temperatures around 30 degrees, sun and bit of a breeze. Perfect day to go sailing. So that's what I did.

 

We've had a beautiful bbq for my sister boyfriend, it was amazing! I spent about 3 weekends with my sister. It's good to get closer again. We had couple of wines and lots of fun (:

Another day I went to Deventer with my mum, a nice little old city in the centre of the Netherlands with some street art; the umbrellas.

 this cute little foal is my view from my backyard. it's cute when it's running around with the other horses. loving the summer!




That's it for now,
I'll be back soon with new pics!
xxxxxx

New in my own country

As I promised: an update about my Dutch life…

It was weird… That’s the only right word. At London Heathrow I lost some people and I was so tired, so I just sat down, and waited three hours for my flight. The flight was only 45 mins, so that was good. In Amsterdam it took ages to get through passport check and to get my luggage. It was probably pretty fast, but I didn’t have any patience… Luckily my suitcases were the first ones from the plane! So I could go to my family quickly. Everybody knows those doors at Schiphol…

There it was, that magical moment. My parents, grandparents, grandma, sister and her boyfriend were there! <3 They had signs: “Welcome Home” and roses and a balloon. Wooow, it was emotional, in a good way. Crying.

I was confused and so tired, so it was really hard to speak Dutch… It was embarrassing… I really couldn’t think of the Dutch words and wished I could speak English, just because it was easier. After something to eat, hema hotdog, we went home. I was so pumped out, full of energy because of the excitement :) When we got home there were more surprises: decorations through the house. Balloons everywhere, even outside. Everyone did a great job to make it a special day!

The family stayed for a while, it felt really special and I didn’t feel tired at all, but that night I was exhausted. We had some dutch snacks and food! Yummo. I went to bed around 9pm, after I’d been awake for more than 36 hours…

Tuesday I slept in till 11.30. Wooow I CAN sleep in, that’s something new. I enjoyed the first day home and my parents and I started changing my rooms. And unpacking, that was mission. It took me couple of days! Wednesday I went to Surhuisterveen, the village 3 km away, on my bike! I went to some shops, looking for jobs. I ended up at Karwei, where I worked before I left to Australia.

And Thursday: The Hague! (Den- Haag) with my parents. My dad had to go to a meeting, so I went into the city with my mum. We did some shopping and it was just really nice to walk through a Dutch city again. So different than the shopping malls in Australia. I reckon the Dutch shopping street are heaps better. We had dinner in a Thai restaurant and went back home.

Friday was busy with stuff, can’t remember what. And that night I had a job interview. I got the job til the end of August now. Pretty good, if you know that the financial crisis is really bad in the Netherlands. Saturday I got a new phone: Samsung Galaxy S4, so ask me on mail or facebook for my number if you need it. My mum and I made cakes for Sunday and I made:…… Lamingtons!

Sunday was a special day as well: the whole family came over! All my aunties, uncles and cousins. It was amazing to see all the kids again. All I can say; Kids grow way too fast!
My oldest cousin, Vera, is as tall as me now. The others have grown up so quickly. It’s weird. It was a nice day and it felt good to be in the Netherlands. Even though I didn’t feel that at all times that week. Because I was a bit home sick to Australia as well. (and Dutch was hard…)

We dropped my sister home that night and I went straight to bed, because monday: School!
My first day back at school in the Netherlands, with all new people… I didn’t know anyone. After an hour talk and organising stuff with the year coordinator, I had to go to class. Weird, but good to be back. Good to catch up with some stuff, even though I’ve passed that year (year 11) already.

Tuesday was my first real bike ride to school again. 13km in the morning, 13 km in the arvo… because we don’t have school buses here… I had to babysit the neighbours kids that afternoon.

School was normal, but weird. I made some new friends, luckily and I remember some stuff. I’ll still have to study a bit to remember everything, but I should be fine. But I felt a stranger in my old school. It was good to see some teachers again, and I’ve told my Aussie story ten thousand times now. I made some tests, and I would have passed them if they counted. That’s a good feeling, that I can still do high school here.

And today all my old class mates heard if they passed their finals. Congratulations to all the graduated! Good luck to those who have to some exams again!

But after 1,5 week back in the Netherlands, I can say I have change, I’ve become more confident and I love love love both families, my Dutch and Australian family. I’m happy to be back here, but I miss Australia and I think of Australia so many times a day. Luckily we have internet and Krista has whatsapp <3

This is the end of my adventure, but I might keep blogging!

xxxxxx lots of love!

Look back

A look back at my exchange year, because I’ve had a great year, with many ups, but also some downs.

I can remember the day I had to leave, we had some trouble in the family the day before, but I was so excited. I couldn’t believe that it was actually happening. I couldn’t believe that I was gonna make my dream come true. And now, 11 months later, do I have unbelief again. i can’t believe that this is it. It’s over. It’s done. i’m not an exchange student anymore. I don’t live in my dream country anymore. I’m back in the Netherlands and I’ll have to face reality again…

But the last 11 months have been so amazing, that I have to write a look back. Not about the things I’ve done and the places I’ve seen, but the feelings I had, the people I’ve met and more.

First: FRIENDS! I came to Australia, leaving my friends in the Netherlands behind, and starting from the bottom. No friends, no one I knew, nothing. Now I have so many friends, from all over the world and friends for a life time! Without my friends I would have been sad, depressed and boring. I thought it would be hard to make new friends, but I found it quite easy. There are so many beautiful people on this world <3 My friends showed me around, took me to nice places, good parties and I knew they’d be there if I needed a talk. And I know that they’ll still be there for me, and I will be there for them!

Thanks so much: Maddi Borg, Emily, Nicky, Steph, Dakota, Angela, Maddi Bryant, Lauren, Shannon, Niome and all the other lovely people! I miss you already.

All those people made school a pleasure, I really enjoyed going to Mirani High, also because of the teachers. The teachers were all very nice, probably because I am (well… was…) an exchange students. Oh, they gotta love the Dutch! I’ll go back to school in the Netherlands, Drachtster Lyceum, on Monday, and that will be a shock. So much busier, harder and stricter!

Even though my friends made a huge and important part of my exchange, John and Krista need a special attention. It’s lovely to see that two normal people, with two little kids, in a quite normal/small house, want to open their house for an exchange student for 11 months. It’s  a long time. Opening your doors for someone you have never met, is a big step, but a great way to exchange cultures. I’ve become a real part of the Latham- family and the Lathams gave me another home. And I have two pairs of parents now: The biological oldies and the relaxed youngs! Mum and Dad, don’t worry, I still love you <3 And John and Krista: I’ll be back, because I  miss you like… like… like what?! Like something really bad… And even though Cohen and Mackensie can be… busy… loud… annoying… I still love them! They can be cute, and I already look forward to see them again.

Sorry Aussies, but the most important people in my life, are still my mum and dad. They made this year possible and I don’t know how to thank them. This year has changed me, in a positive way. I’m more open, spontaneous and I’m so unbelievably happy and relaxed! Australia was awesome and I love the country and its people, but I’m glad that I’m back home, with mum and dad <3 I know that your two daughters aren’t always the best, but I try hard. And no matter what happens, we’ll get through and we know that! I love you!

Now about my last time in Oz. I already told about the Guy Sebastian concert. I will miss Krista and her spontaneous ideas. But Sunday morning, 2nd of June 2013, 5.00 am, was the moment we had to leave. I still can’t believe I won’t come home for maybe years… In the car I still couldn’t realise it was the end. I miss the singing in the car, the music (even the country music!) and our same kind of humour. Oh gosh, why do we always think the same thing at the same time?!?!?! What am I gonna do now?! And John, I even miss your loud voice and your jokes… Also the jokes from the last two weeks hahahaha. D…..

At the airport we checked in, also the extra bags, and waited and talked with friends and everyone. It was busy, because Sarah and Thea left at the same time. Maddi Bryant got me a beautiful book with sweet messages and so many pictures. Around 6.10 am we really had to say goodbye. Wowwww, crying! Looking at Krista and thinking: Sht…. You’re so important to me. Looking at John and thinking: His jokes are mean, but good. And then, the kids: Little cheeky kids, but cuties. And my friends: It’s gonna be so boring without them… Who am I gonna talk to?!?!

So I cried, but we had to hurry up, because we were the last ones… Off to Brisbane, then to Sydney, Singapore and London. From Sydney to London I was sitting with Sarah and we had one spare seat. Handy! The flights were long, 1”15’, 1”15’, 8”, 13” and 1”.. Woow. But it was okay.. Many people in Sydney didn’t realise it was the end. I realised it a bit more, because I’d already had two flights…

I’ve been in the Netherlands for a couple of days now, and I’ll update very soon about my first week here!
Miss you Aussies! <3

Daydream–Reef–Guy Sebastian!

Yes, this is my last update from Australia, because I’m leaving … But don’t worry, I’ll keep writing, even when I’ll be back in the Netherlands. I’ve lots to tell, because last week has been really busy (:

Wednesday was school work. I did my maths assignment, came in class thursday, and didn’t even have to do it. Ah well, waste of my time, but it wasn’t too hard luckily. and I ‘finished’ my history book, not really, at least I had something. so that was school thursday as well.

Wednesday I got a call from Krista, she had to go to the hospital with John, cause he fell over when he was playing footy. Fortunately he is okay, he sprained his ankle. At least it’s not broken! That would have been horrible, because Friday we went to DAYDREAM ISLAND!

We dropped the kids of at John’s parents and went to Airlie to catch the ferry to Daydream, about half an hour ride. The weather was perfect, no really strong winds and just sun. Perfect! I had my own room and everything was beautiful! Everyone was soooooo nice. we were bit lazy tho, we used the golf buggy all the time to go over the Island. It’s really small, but still. Golf buggy is faster and easier! We walked around, had some cocktails and had good fun.

We went midgetgolfing! John became third, I became second and Krista won. It was pretty cool, because every hole was a famous place or story from Australia. Like Sydney Harbour, Great Barrier Reef, Outback and stuff. After that we went out for dinner and went to bed early, because the next day………….

GREAT BARRIER REEF! Yay, we left at 7.50am, to hamilton island, to pick other people up… Oh well, that was a really interesting boat trip. Bit rough! From hamilton Island we went to the Great Barrier Reef. There are smaller reefs around the islands, but it’s so much cooler to go to the world famous GBR! It was a 2 hour boat trip, and rough. Again. I don’t know how high the waves were, but probably around 2 metres. Almost everyone used sea sick tablets. I felt bit sick, but it wasn’t too bad. When we were finally there we went on the pontoon, and in a submarine. The bottom sides were made out of glass, so we could see under water, the corals and the fish. Really nice!
It was pretty cold, because of the wind, but we still went snorkling. The water was warmer than the air (: John couldnt go, because his foot was still bit swollen and he couldnt put the flipper on :( But Krista and I could.

It was amazing! We were just swimming around and the fish were everywhere around you. A fish got even stuck on Krista’s goggles. The coral doesn’t look that colourful, because of the sunlight through water. First colours you lose is red I think. At least the last once blue and green. but still, it’s amazing to see all those different corals, fish and everything. We had seafood for lunch and went back into the water. The tide was better now and it was really shallow, you could barely snorkel over the corals, because you would hit it. So yeah: It was amazing! If you ever have the change to do it: DO IT!!! It’s definitely worth the money, that’s for sure.

Around 3 o’clock we were supposed to leave, but they had technical issues… After a while we could go off the boat again, so we went on the submarine again, and we saw a turtle hihihi :) we had afternoon tea and free drinks! Around 5 – 5.30 we finally left, in the same boat. Really slow, because they still had problems… so that took a while. Then when we were in smoother waters close to the islands, we got on another boat. That one was normal speed. First to hamilton, then Long island and then FINALLY Daydream. We were supposed to be back at 5.45, we were back at 8.45.
I laid down over four seats in the boat, because we were the only ones left and the crew. 6 crew – 3 passengers. I got up and had chips, mars, snickers and mentos hahahaha. Lovely people!

Once we were back, a manager or something was waiting for us. We hadn’t had normal dinner, so he took us straight to the buffet in the ‘hotel’. There was enough left and they made oysters for us, even tho Krista and I don’t really like them. Well, that was a long day!

---NOTE: Everyone tried so hard to make everyone happy, the crew was sooooo good, funny and took good care of all the people, especially the sea sick people and the little kids. And they were really good, with the engine problem. The captain drove the boat really carefully back in the kinda rough weather. I don’t think anyone was cranky or something.They organised everything, even our dinner! I don’t have anything negative to say about the Reef Safari crew or the Daydream Island crew, all perfect! (oooh and the dinner was free, even better!)

After a long, rough, salty day I went for a bath and to bed. Heaven!

Sunday we just had brekkie, and checking out. We walked around and didn’t do that much. We watched a fish feeding show, where they were feeding the stingrays, sharks and other fish. Daydream has a lagoon, all around the place, which is pretty cool, with bits of coral and all sorts of fish and some sharks and huge stingrays. The wind was much stronger than day before, probs around 6 bft. I got blown away hahaha. At 2 we had the ferry back to the mainland, luckily it was pretty smooth.

There was a lagoon all around the island by the way, with sharks, fish, bits of coral and big stingrays!  So cool (:

Around 4.30 we were back and I didn’t do that much. Because Monday I had to go back to school: no assignments, no exams, nothing. just class and distracting friends hahaha! Oooooh teachers didn’t like me anymore :p Monday night we went to town to do groceries, and I bought heaps of timtams, to take to the Netherlands (:

Tuesday was school and they had a surprise party for me in geography! So cute! We had so much food: lamingtons, chips, cake, timtams, cheerios and more. They all signed a card and gave me an Australia. Dakota caught my bus and we had a nice afternoon together. I wanted to make ‘oliebollen’, but the mix was off :( 3 months already, whoooooops! Koda left early and I made pancakes for dinner (: With doritos chips, cheese and salsa sauce. Because John and Krista like it :)

Ooooh Dakota is such a funny, beautiful girl, I’ll miss her so much! :(

Wednesday Maddi Borg came to pick me up! She is back from Uni for couple of weeks, so it was my chance to catch up with her (: She came to pick me up and went to her place. We watched ‘Perks of Being a Wallflower’, made brownies and watched ‘Dinner for Schmucks’. We had a lot of fun and great talks <3
ooooh and I found my camera case again. Apparently I left it there, almost 2 months ago. I didn’t know, thought I lost it somewhere else. Maddi’s mum found it in her room. And Maddi always forgot to tell me.

Thursday we had pride at school, I got a distinction in Geography! We had a test one day, and I just did it, a kinda competition. Well, apparently I was on high level in Australian Senior Geography. Don’t know how, cause many questions were about things that happened years ago in Australia. Ah well.

Thursday night we went to Canelands, very last time for me. I had to buy some stuff and afterwards we got Red Rooster, just because it’s Aussie!

Friday was my very last day at Mirani State High School. I wasn’t looking forward to that, cause I wanna stay! We had a farewell party in Ancient History. My teacher, Klarenbeck, gave me a card and a platypus keyring. Geography was quite normal, because the party was Tuesday. In lunch we had party hats and then we had Maths B. Our teacher made two cakes  :) And again; a card and a little teddy kangaroo :) Marine was normal but last class was English. We didn’t have a party, but the class was making me a card. A big one, with pics and aussie pics and stuff. I packed it, so can’t take a pic. It was so cute! We had a special year 12 pride for Sarah and I. We got more presents: 2 packets of timtams, a mug, a card signed by whole year 12, a book, aussie slang book, another bigger kangaroo and moree. But can’t remember. Everything is in my suitcase!

After every class I had a talk with the teachers, to say a final goodbye. Really hard and weird… at 3, I went on my last School bus ride. Home, and time to get ready. Because Maddi Borg came over, to pick me up, and go to the pub for my Goodbye Dinner. With Madid Borg, Maddi Bryant, Dakota, Angela, Niome and Lauren <3 Shannon was sick :( It was a beautiful night with my closest friends.

Saturday was busy: to Krista’s dad to say goodbye, to town, to John’s parents, to Victor and Danielle, and when we went home, we past a place where Guy Sebastian concert was being prepared. So suddenly, Krista decided we would go there! So quickly home, getting ready, cleaning, packing and to Jamie. And to town: GUY SEBASTIAN!!!!!!!!
The Dutch have to look him up on YouTube, he is awesomeeeee! And such a good danser, and good looking! The opening act was okay, but a bit boring… And depressing songs. Not the right way to warm the audience up, but good anyways!

We had to wait for aaaaages, but we had a great time! Krista is sooooo nice, thanks Kris! I took heaps of pics and videos. Around 11.30 we were back home. I promised Kensie she could sleep in my bed, so I put her to bed, laid in bed till she was  asleep and started writing this.

We have to leave here at 5 am, so I don’t wanna sleep. And I can never sleep in the airplane, so I wanna make myself so tired that I can sleep. But it’s a mission, staying awake for so long. Don’t wanna sleep untill my flight from Sydney to Singapore. 

And I finished packing: one 20 kg bag and my 23 kg suitcase. Hopefully not more… Tomorrow will be long:

Mackay –> Brisbane –> Sydney –> Singapore –> London –> Amsterdam. But I’ll be fine.

And keep reading, I’ll come with an update as soon as possible, probs Tuesday or Wednesday. See ya!

 

 

- Well, this was my last blog from the this beautiful country.

I will miss everyone and everything! This country is so diverse and the people are so nice, relaxed, helpful and easy to get along with. I’m keen to see my family, but I wish I could come back to Australia next month. Don’t you worry Aussies, I’ll be back! ----- I love you all <3

Scary!

It might seems to be a weird way to start my blog, but the time is scary! The time is flying by way too fast, but not fast enough. I have mixed feelings… I received my domestic flights last Wednesday and that scared the shit out of me! I'll be flying out of Mackay with Thea and Sarah, at 6.30am on the 2nd of June. That day is coming too close, but the 3rd of June isn’t close enough. We’ll fly to Brisbane and after an hour stop we’ll fly through to Sydney. I’m excited to see mum, dad and everyone else again (and my dog!), but I don’t want my aussie life to end. So that’s why I enjoy every moment. I look at the little things and think: this is perfect and I will miss this.

I went back to school on Tuesday and school was pretty normal. Canoeing with rec, it’s pretty good. I can’t remember all the things we did, bad memory, wooooow.

I had to make Dutch food for ‘culture day’ for Thursday. Sarah had to make Austrian food. Soooooo, I made ‘hutspot’ (mashed potato with carrot and onion) and ‘filled eggs’ and I brought biscuits; krakelingen, speculaas and mergpijpen. Plenty, but everything was gone by the end of the day. They even liked the hutspot, didn’t expect that! Oooh and so handy that Woolworths has Dutch food (:



Friday when I got home after school, I had to pack my stuff quickly and we went to Cohen’s footy game. Afterwards Red Rooster quickly and John and Krista dropped me off at Mackay North High School, so I could meet Laura and Sydney there. Mackay North had a fair, and Laura goes there. We walked around and went on a ride. once we got home we talked and watched tv. It was so good to catch up again, because we had such a great time on the Safari. Saturday we watched an ice hockey game, because Sydney loves it. Canadian, that’s why!

Sydney went to a birthday lunch, so Laura and I wanted to go to canelands, but her hostdad dropped us of at Mount P, so we had to catch the bus. But we didn’t have time, so we went to Baskin Robbins! Yummmm. I’ve had that 3 or 4 times now since I’ve been here and this was probably the last time. Before we went back, we went to Woolworths quickly; I wanted to show her the Dutch food section (: And I bought stroopwafels (syrup waffles), delicious! By the time we were back at her place, Sydney was back as well. Krista picked me up at three.

So we went straight home, got ready, took some stuff, and left again. Busy! We went to Crystal’s place and Krista and I went out to have a good time, whahahahha. We sure did! Sunday was sleeping. Till 2.30 pm for me, ah well. Should be okay sometimes.

Monday back to school, well, that was a mission. Nah, wasn’t too bad. We did capsizing with rec, with canoeing, it was fun though. You can put me in any kind of boat, and I’ll be fine. I love water, boats, sailing and all that stuff!
That night Krista took me out bowling, with some of her old friends from high school. It was so much fun. But let’s be honest: I’m a retard, so when I do bowling, I kick my right leg up in the air, above my head and it hurts. Just can’t stop it. I was first up to round 6 and I ended second last. Whoooops!

And today, Tuesday, was schoool and nothing hihihi. Just because I can. And of course, we watched House Rules and Packed To The Rafters! I love those aussie shows (:
Ooooooh by the way, last Sunday I watched the Eurovision Song Contest Final as well. This was the first time since 2004 that the Netherlands made it into the final. And Anouk became 9th with her song Bird. I reckon that’s amazing, after so many year of failure! Us Dutchies can be proud <3

It’s time to go to sleep now, so I can finish some last assignments of tomorrow. I’m so slack with school…
See you all next week!
xxxx