What a start.

Hi there!

WELCOME TO 2016!!! The year that all your dreams may come true. The year you will find out that guy you've been having a crush on for ages has a crush on you too. But most of all the year that February has 29 days again!! I'm not too sure about the first two though so I would like to apologise in advance if neither of them happens. 

So far 2016 is going so fast it's unreal. In the two weeks that are 2016 I barely got a chance to sit down, take a moment and just relax. My "good times in 2015" jar remains full and untouched in my windowsill and I haven't been able to write down my goals for 2016 yet either. So yeah this year is kind of driving me crazy already. But hey that's college/adult life I guess...

As I kind of mentioned in my last blogpost I spent New Years Eve in Disneyland which was absolutely incredible! Even at the age of 19 I loved every minute of it! I was completely mesmerized by the magical atmosphere, the beautiful parade, the amazing show on New Years Eve. I might have even shed a tear here and there. One of my favourite Disney moments however was meeting Spiderman. He was so nice and kind and I nearly cried (again). Disneyland just turned me into an emotional wreck. 

On January 2nd I came home from the Disneyland trip and there was like just enough time to empty my suitcase before January 4th came knocking at my door. That day it was time for me to return to my internship. Now I really enjoy being at my internship and I'm really having a great time there but right now it's all a bit much. I work at my internship for four days a week, then there is one day I have to go to school, on Saturday I have to work at my part-time job which means that all the socializing has to happen on Sundays. To top all the madness half of my family has their birthday in January, I have to finish two assignments for school and of course I've become sort of sick. Not in the 'you have to stay in bed because you feel terrible' way, NO that would just be way too easy. I'm experiencing the 'headache combined with a terrible cold but in a way that you can still go to work and do everything you're supposed to do whilst holding tissue because of all the sneezing' kind of sick. So yeah that really isn't very helpful. 

I can't wait until the second week of February when I finally have a week off. A week to (hopefully) just relax, sit down and take a few deep breaths. A week to catch up on all the series I've not been able to watch, a week to finally look back on all the good times of 2015 that are still stuffed inside that beautiful jar of mine but also a week to finally write down my 2016 goals.

2016, what a start! I can't help but wonder how many things you can possibly have in store for me and what a crazy year you will be!

I hope your 2016 has been less of a mess and you're not ill or kind of ill and that you are just enjoying this new year!

Love you lots!
ThatDutchGirl96

Goodbye 2015.

Hello 2015,

It's almost time to say goodbye. Our time together is nearly over. Those 365 days I got to spend with you this year were absolutely incredible and I can't thank you enough for most of them. We had our ups and downs but hey who hasn't? Someone told me it's not really a healthy relationship when you don't have your disagreements or less good moments. I guess so. 

When December 2014 came to an end I was really excited to meet you and couldn't wait for all the adventures you had in store for me. My excitement was well placed as you were amazing. I also prepared a list of goals for us, hoping I would reach them and I did. Most of them anyway. For example I watched Big Hero 6 AND hugged a Baymax (evidence on your right), I went abroad (multiple times), I completed the 25 km walk, proceeded to the 2nd year of University, ate a lot of ice cream, went to a festival AND multiple concerts, slept outside in a tent and I went swimming. A big thanks to you for helping me achieve those things.

You helped me improve my taste in music as well, you introduced me to Halsey, Biffy Clyro, Panic! at the Disco, Walk The Moon and Twenty One Pilots, got me more into Troye Sivan, Chef'Special, Jeffrey Lewis, Fall Out Boy, The 1975 and All Time Low. Yeah, regarding music this year was incredible, I feel really satisfied with my current taste in music yet I hope 2016 can introduce me to even more incredible artists. 2015 you were not only great with music you were also great with art as in during my time with you I visited the Rijksmuseum, one of Holland's most famous museums. The Rijksmuseum was really amazing, so many different artists, styles of arts, centuries of art. It felt great just roaming it's hallways taking good looks at all the pieces of art everywhere and the marvellous architectural structure of the building itself. 
 









Then there was travelling. 2014 and 2013 helped me spend a lot of money on travelling some big plans were made for 2016 as well so with you I had to slow down on the spending money for travelling bit. Thankfully you understood my wish and helped me find the ultimate holiday destination, Domaine de Puylagorge. A Dutch campsite in France known for being a great holiday destination for families with one or more children with a disability. The work I got to do there was great, so great even I decided to go back in 2016. These were two great weeks for a low budget traveller like me this year. However our travelling didn't stop there, hell no. A few weeks after France I went to The Hague with my mum, dad and sister for a couple of days where we visited a Food Marked and went to see Billy Elliot which was amazing. Somewhere in April or May you pushed me and my friend to buy tickets for TATINOF (The Amazing Tour Is Not On Fire) in Brighton, UK. Possibly the best purchase of the year so thanks for that mate! This meant we head to go to Brighton as well so on October 30 we boarded a plane and went to Brighton for a weekend. Brighton was everything I could have wished for and more, it was practically the best weekend of my life. Even after Brighton you thought I needed another travelling thing so you gave me that last push to say yes to my friend who asked me to go to Disneyland Paris during New Year's eve. 
So when it comes to travelling you have been more than great for me and I could never thank you enough for the amazing chances you have given me!

 

Besides all the good stuff we went through there were some less good times too. In August my granddad nearly died but thankfully he's a very brave and strong man and I'm so grateful to still have him by my side. Then there were those times where my moods just dropped and the void became stronger again and of course the many times my anxiety tried to ruin my day. Thankfully you were a great companion and showed me how amazing my friends are and that I actually can trust them and am allowed to tell them when I'm struggling with myself.

2015 you have been so patient with me. You taught me so many things this year, sometimes I picked them up quickly and other times you had to pick me up from the floor a thousand times or give me that last push a couple of times before it struck me. You were a massive part in me growing stronger and finding out more about myself, who I am and who I want to become. You taught me that I can do anything as long as I keep fighting for it and keep approaching it in a positive way. Positivity is key is what you always say just as you can't stop saying everything will be fine in the end. Now the end is here, or our end at least and wow you were right. Everything is fine and I have you thank for it.

2015 I'll tell you one last time, THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH, for everything you've done with and for me this year. I will never forget you!

Love you lots,
ThatDutchGirl96

It's October!

Hey guys!

It's freaking October!! This is crazy, it feels as if the year has only just started whilst it's actually coming to an end already. But the end can't come before we celebrated some of the most excited festivities of the year: Halloween and Christmas.

But it's October and not just any October it's the 2015th October! An October which is even more exciting as my youngest sister is now officially becoming a teen, I'm going on a trip to Brighton, a new internship will start, I'm going to see Fall Out Boy in concert, Halloween and I'm going go karting for the very first time! Yes a lot of awesome things are about to happen this month and I'm super excited already.

The start of October also means that it's officially autumn! Time to bring out all the sweaters, hot chocolates, teas, (mini) marshmallows, fairy lights and a decent pair shoes. A decent pair of shoes? Yes during autumn and winter too you will need some decent shoes to walk on or you (or your shoes) won't survive those beautiful autumnal walks through forests. (duhh) 

Lovers of nature, charge your phones and cameras, put on that cute outfit, don't forget your coats and leave the house. The leaves are changing colour and slowly letting go of that good old branch before hitting the ground. Fields of grass and grey asphalted roads turn in different colours as the fallen leaves form a new layer on top of the trusted green and grey. 

The days are getting shorter, the nights longer. Temperatures are slowly dropping and before we know it we have forgotten what sunshine looks like as grey clouds cover the once blue skies. 

Yes it is October, it will last for 31 days only so be quick and make the most of it. Before you know it the 2015th October has passed and we'll be stuck in November for 30 days. October is now and there is so much left to see and do so don't you dare stay inside all day. The sun is still out and the temperatures are still okay. Don't waist all the beautiful things October has to offer.

Lots of love,
ThatDutchGirl96

Happy New Year!!!

Hello,

Maybe it’s a little late for this but I don’t care: HAPPY NEW YEAR all you lovely people!!!! I hope you had a great night and lots of fun whilst the new year started. If not the universe saved that fun up for you only to give it back later this year. Trust me.

We’re a little over a week in the new year now and slowly but surely real life has started again. Since Monday most people went back to school or work or whatever they do. The Christmas tree has been put away. The presents might have lost some of their magic already and the Christmas dinners have left your body (hopefully, if not you might want to get it checked out). All memories of Christmas have started to fade and even new years eve is slowly blurring out to a faint memory (the same goes for most new years resolutions). Goodbye holiday! I had a great time with you and I miss you already. Can’t wait to see you again next year.

Despite the sad fact the holiday really is over now is also the time the new year has really begun. It's all fun you know holidays and celebrating the new year although you can't actually start changing yourself whilst not participating in the society. You know what I mean? Maybe you will be able to change yourself during the holidays yet there won't be anyone to notice the change. I know, I know, you don't change yourself for other people you want to change for yourself but it is always nice to get compliments or have other people tell you that you have changed. Just as a confirmation of some kind.

Maybe it's just me who prefers that I don't really know....

So one of the big "one week into the new year's" questions, how are your new years resolutions coming along. Have you given up on them already? Are you procrastinating (again)? Or is it actually working for you this year? Maybe you're one of those very few people that for some reason actually succeed with their new year's resolutions.

I myself don't do new years resolutions I rather set some goals for the whole year and maybe add some throughout the year. Not because I don't like new years resolutions or due to me being so pessimistic about them never working anyway. No! Not at all. They're wonderful, especially if they work or if people really try it just doesn't work out. For me they just don't work. I like to set goals whenever I want not just because it's the 1st of January and the whole "new year new me" thing.

So if you'd like. Please tell me about your new years resolution and whether it's going to work out or why it won't work out.

I hope you all have had a wonderful first week!

ThatDutchGirl96 

My 2014.

Hello,

The end of the year is nearing and that can only mean one thing. So grab your mirror, look into it, stare yourself in the eye and reflect on all the amazing and less amazing memories you have made this year. 365 days, spent differently by everyone. Endings, new beginnings, losses, gains, death, birth and so on, 2014 has had it all.

Reflection, for me an important part of the last days of the year. Throughout the year I try to keep a diary, take lots of pictures and for two years now I have a memory jar. It's this simple glass jar, nothing special about it really, that I decorated. Whenever I do something fun or I am just having a decent/ great day I write that on a piece of paper which then get's folded and put in the jar. Over the year the jar fills up and on the 31st of December I open it and go through all the notes that are in it, reliving the year and looking back on all the amazing memories I've created. After reading all the notes in the jar I burn them. The reason behind that burning ritual is quite simple. The notes contain certain memories, moments that have special meaning to me personally and by simply burning them they will stay that way. Special memories of mine, forever.

2014 has been an amazing year for me. I have learned a lot about myself, the world, the universe and life itself. That sounds pretty deep but not without reason. You could say that I have found myself in 2014. This year I have set goals, things I really want to accomplish and everyday I think about those goals and the long way that stills lies ahead of me. The fact that I now know what I want in life gives me hope and gives me the energy to wake and get up every day to get a little closer to achieving those goals. 

On December 31st of last year I set a short list of goals that I wanted to achieve in 2014 and I can happily say I achieved. The goals were:
- Do more of what makes YOU happy.
- Start college again.
- Get my drivers license.
- Travel to different places.
- Make that trip to Brasil happen.
- Start that damn blog!
And last but not least one of the most cliché goals ever:
- Stay active.

Even though it "were just seven goals" I am super proud of myself for achieving all of them. Besides these goals there is much more I have achieved today. I don't feel like talking about all those things yet so sorry about that. 

2014 has been one of my best years so far and I am more then ready for everything 2015 will bring. I have set some goals already but the list isn't finished yet.

These are my 2015 goals so far:
- Continue uploading a blog (weekly).
- Successfully finish my first year of college.
- Finish the 25 km walk on the 21st of march.
- Do more of what makes YOU happy.

That's all I have for now.

I hope you all have had a wonderful year and may next year be even more wonderful for every single one of you!! Happy new year!

Love you lots!
ThatDutchGirl96