First month in NL

It doesn’t seem long, though. But I think I really enjoy living in this country. 

I’ve been studying for 4 weeks now. Almost all of my classmates are Chinese, which is just like what I predicted. Different from what I thought about them, they are friendly and quite funny. Because I’m with them I’ve learned a huge amount of Chinese words and sentences. Luckily enough I’m not the only one who is separated from the Chinese group of students. There is one Indonesian girl called Rosalie and one Turkish girl called Tugce. EEEHMM They are such party girls!!!! (LIKE IT) My studying is going fine, esp. the first month, it was not difficult at all. However, I realized that I applied for a wrong program – dumb me! I’ve still learned from this course, and also, as my study coach said ‘ You’ll be challenged more in the next term’. Anyway, there is more homework now, and I enjoy that so far.

Since I came here, every weekend I stayed in Elburg and spent time with my boyfriend and his parents. They are just so sweet and warm. I’m really happy to have those moments. While I was in Elburg, I’ve unfortunately fallen for animals in NL. And finally I know how life is like in the countryside. During my first month, I was able to go back to my family for 4 days in Köln. I met my uncle and his new baby. I’m really looking forward to seeing them again this April so that I can carry Beno (his baby boy). Honestly, I’ve been trying a lot to get used to the Dutch language. I tried to listen, to understand and to speak. Well, my Dutch is pretty good because I try to say ‘Dankje wel’ or ‘Gezellig’ or ‘Doei’ everyday. However, I’m not keen on this language at all!! I think I need to try another method to be interested

Elburg,NL – 25-29. Jan ’12

Arrived in Schiphol, Amsterdam at 6.30am on 25.Jan and I realized that my new chapter had just begun. It was really nice of Evert-jan and Ron (friends of Gerwin) that they picked us up even they’d had to get out of bed early in the morning to drive to Amsterdam. I felt so happy when i saw the highway and smoothie traffic. I thought: ‘ Oh! Is it familiar?’. Everything was so full of vigor. The blue sky, green trees, smooth traffic, fresh air… They drove straight away to Gerwin’s parents’ house in Elburg. Hmm.. And my first dinner in NL was really nice – Boerenkool! Well, it was a nice day for the first day in NL.

Sunrise - Amsterdam

I had my first ride around this lovely city. The cows here are so big and hairy (it might be my biggest impression). Also, I did some shopping, bought some stuff for Thai curry for dinner. We picked up Job (Gerwin’s nephew). He joined the dinner as well. He’s very cute and smart, the little boy with blonde hair and big blue eyes. So happy that he could call my name.

First ride in Elburg

27.Jan – First time been to Utrecht! We came to my school, Hogeschool Utrecht, and to my place which is located on Bolognalaan. The school is very nice, very colorful. Although it was sad that i couldn’t dove my accommodation problem, my room is really cute. It’s close to school so i can walk to school easily and comfortably. Then we took a bus to the central and went shopping. One thing i was impressed that the ppl there were so friendly, which they always smiled at us.

Campus - Bolognalaan, Utrecht

Domerk, Utrecht

A sunny saturday, we cycled to the beach, then went to the supermarket to buy necessary stuff for the party that evening. He was gonna invite his friends, make spring rolls and meat balls. It was a vietnamese party with the very delicious spring rolls which I made and vietnamese decoration. Everyone seemed enjoying it. Party was ended pretty late and I was extremely tired.

The Beach - Elburg

The Beach - Elburg

 

The Beach - Elburg

Lunch in town

On sunday, we woke up early to go to the church with Gerwin’s parents. Well, it was weird that i couldn’t understand but i enjoyed it. After church, we came to Sabien’s place to have coffee and play with Job. For dinner, we had really nice pasta which Martha made. SO LEKKER! And I received a mail that said i had to go to school on Monday. It’d be freezing early in the morning. Ugh..

Gerwin and Job

Super cute Job

10 days to go

Opa  

He is the one who has raised me up, who has been in my heart since i knew him. He always protects me, cossets me and cares for me. When I’m not there, he always says he misses me so much.  For him, I am the one he loves the most. I might not have a nice childhood memory but he made a light.

How can i forget the time when i was with him when i was in Primary school. He picked me up everyday from school, bought me my favorite cakes. He never forgot to ask me if i was home alone, if i didn’t have anything to eat for lunch, if i was sad when i had bad marks at school…

Now, he is getting older and weaker. He can’t eat much because his teeth don’t work well, so, he doesn’t look full of vigor anymore. Dad doesn’t look after him often, just let him stay home alone or be with strangers in the house. Whenever I come to my father’s place, I see him having dinner alone. I feel sad for him, and I’m worried for him really much.

I’m scared of leaving. Esp, i don’t wanna leave him.

Mom

She was far away quite long and I wasn’t be with her for long time. I’ve just been with her a year, when i could know her better, when i could feel good when i was sick and she was around.

I’m glad now she’s happy. She’s started a new life which is better, with a better man who takes care of her and really loves her. She’s also happy of being with her family again after years. This time, I can talk more to her. I tell her about my love and my happiness. She’s also with me whenever i feel sad and she gives me advise.

And my lovely brother,

We’ve been much closer to each other. He is so cute, sweet and kind. The best moment i’ve ever had with my brother is, he woke me up just to give me a kiss before he went to school.

He is really soft but I believe he will be much stronger and he can be my mom’s moral support.

It seems hard for me to say goodbye this time. I just realize that i have so many nice people around me and now i have to leave. I know i will see my mom, my brother and my stepfather this summer, but i don’t know when i will see my grandfather again. I will miss him the most. I’m scared.., but He is always in my heart.

I love you so much ♥

Friends: I really appreciate what you’ve done for me and i’m happy to have you guys. I had a very nice year with all of you Wish you all the best for the lunar new year and see you soon!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXOXXOXOXOXXXX

Are we not like two volumes of one book?

If I lift the same calf every day
Could I someday lift a cow?
It seems logical and sensible
But impossible somehow.

Somehow we become broken
And it’s more than we can take.
Can we see it coming?
Or do we need to break?

Or do we need a break
From lifting up the cow?
Are we stronger then, or weaker,
When we start to bow?

To bow under the pressure that’s
So heavy on the soul
That the spirit,  mind, and body
All begin to show the toll;

The toll of heavy lifting –
Daily lifting up that cow
It’s moved beyond its calfhood.
Help is needed now.

And when can we say “Uncle”
And deal with this no more?
We strain under the calf-turned-cow
Our cheeks pressed to the floor.

It seems there is a tipping point
Where the task exceeds our strength.
Our options may seem limited;
We go to any length

To keep lifting up that silly cow,
When the Lifter of my head*
Says, “Let me help.  Stop a while.
I’ll put others in your stead.

“Let others come beside you.
You can take a rest.
Trust me;  it will be okay.
I really know what’s best.”

But the habit formed of lifting,
Lifting, lifting every day
Is scary to relinquish.
Lord, show us the way.

* Psalm 3:3

Thanks for sharing, blogger Hot Dogs and Marmalade

My next step

First, I’m applying for the foundation in Utrecht, I’ll be waiting for the reply then ask for the visa. I’m gonna book my ticket to Amsterdam next month. I might leave on 25.January,2012 . This time, I will go to the Netherlands to join the Foundation for 3-4 months. During the time staying there, I will attend a Dutch course to make sure I can understand and talk to everyone in the country. Moreover, I will have more opportunities if I know their language.

After finishing the Foundation, I might stay and look for a job in Holland. It is said that it is not too hard to find an easy part-time job for students. If it’s possible, I will go to Cologne, Germany to visit my uncle and the baby who will be born in next February. And also i can help my uncle in the nailsalon or find a part-time job during summer holiday.The University of Utrecht or HU International Marketing Management are in my consideration to apply to.

Well, finally, my Motivation letter is done. Thanks to a friend of mine – Sam Holland. Without him, my Motivation letter would be a mess. Now, I should enjoy my 3 months holiday, wait for the response.

Novak Djokovic won the U.S Open

http://espn.go.com/tennis/usopen11/story/_/id/6962931/us-open-game-crushed-rafael-nadal

There is no doubt that Djokovic is gonna be the best tennis player. He went on to win the epic match, 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-1 and take his first U.S. Open title. Eventhough he had been injured in Cincinnati, he was incredible in the final U.S Open match.

Happiness and its definition

Currently, people are looking for happiness and some of them are looking for its definition. It is said that happiness is considered very important in life. It is quite clear that happiness is a part of people’s lives. They need to be happy to make themselves content with their lives. To reach happiness, family and positive thinking are the most important factors.

Happiness is an emotion. It springs from people’s souls and thoughts. At a moment, they have a feeling which makes they smile. That is happy feeling.  However, it is difficult to define what happiness is. There has been many authors that want to find the definition of happiness and they have their own definition.

Family is crucial in people’s lives. In a family, they have been brought love. People in a family usually help and share their experience to each other. It has been an inspiration which makes people happy and content to live. Family is one of the most important factor which each person needs to have.

In addition, people can sastify with yourselves by positive thinking.The purpose of a human’s life is to seek happiness. Dalai Lama wrote, that something is in fact, achieving happiness is possible, but it is not a simple. In fact, people can reach the happiness by themselves. The most important point is to train their minds. If they want to be happy, they don’t have to look for it. Happiness will appear vividly at the moment people believe in it.

Happiness is not something concrete. However, people can attain happiness if they have a happy family and positive thinking.  Moreover, it will be easier if people believe in happiness and define it by themselves by their feelings.

My bucket list

There are so many things to do in this life but i might not know what i should do or how should i start.

1. Have my own bakery ( i would name it Weeping Willow)

2. Get married with a wonderful man who will never cheat on me, make me happy and help me raise our children

3. Speak 5 languages fluently (English, Vietnamese, German, French, ?..)

4. Travelling and eating

5. Take care of my self (do exercises, go running at least 10 mins, do yoga…)

6. Have a cup of coffee everyday

7. Read 2-3 books/month

8. Make friends (in case no one won’t attend my funeral)

9. Go to movies more often

10. CANNOT FORGET TO VISIT MY FAVORITE AMERICAN GIRL

11. Visit the Opera house in Sydney

12. Cooking class

13. Belly dancing class (i might be a great belly dancer)

14. Write my diary

15. Back to playing piano (and i wanna compose songs)

16. Have a happy family (only ONE husband, >2 kids)

Negative impacts of Globalisation

Globalisation is a process by which regional economies, societies and cultures have become integrated through a global network of communication, transportation and trade. Currently, globalisation has effected almost every aspect of life in almost every nation. It is said that globalisation has negative impacts on developing countries. Especially, it brings negatives effects to the culture and environment of those countries.

There is no doubt that globalisation leads to environmental problems in developing countries. The increasing number of factories due to industrialisation burn fossil fuels which produce greenhouse gasses. This is the main reason of acid rain which destroys the countries’ forests. Simultaneously, greenhouse gases rise into the air and contribute to global warming, which threatens to melt the polar ice cap. In fact, the countries’ balanced ecosystems are being systematically destroyed by human greed and thoughtlessness. Environmental problems need to prevented or solved.

In addition, loss of culture is also a result of globalisation. Fast food chains like Mc Donald’s and KFC are moving to developing countries and take over the culture of traditional food. Furthermore, bad aspects of foreign cultures are affecting the local culture through television and internet. For example, many television programs are likely to lead to bad behaviour of the young. As a result, the culture of developing countries is changing quicker and quicker.

In conclusion, the culture and environment in developing countries are changing in a negative way because of globalisation. The environment is getting worse because of pollutants from industrial areas and the local culture is affected by foreign cultures. The governments should take measures to solve these problems.

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