Day 48
The Internet at PHK (short for Prins Henrikkade aka my housing) was down for maintenance, couldn't serve the web for the day but it was all right anyway since there was a trip to the Zoo! Well before that, I managed to find another 2 chinese shops selling my fix of chinese food/ingredients/condiments at cheaper prices! Hurraf to market competition! But then again I was running out of time to visit the zoo so I didn't buy anything.
The Artis zoo is a nice place! Located just 3 minutes by bike from my place, it is also equidistant from the university and my house. I cycle past it everyday but it was the first time I was going in! Our RAs organised a trip there with a volunteer showing us around the zoo, and the best thing was the trip was free! Tourists would have to pay like S$38 to get in, while with a UvA student card each trip is only S$5! Haha I could go to the zoo as and when I want! Anyway some nice pictures.
My neighbours.
Heart-shape ass. haha
I find this picture uniquely artistic. Don't ask me why.
The volunteer showing us the kitchen where they prepare the food for animals.
Elephant teeth that weighs 4 kilos.
Saw 2 kids playing under the sun also! Couldn't help but take a few photos of them having fun!
They spotted me taking photos of them, so they started posing! Adorable!
As much as I had liked to stay in the zoo for a while more, I had to head back to prepare dinner for the gang who was going to go Lulea and we ate early. I'll definitely be going back again since its cheap to go as a UvA student!
The night ended with me trying to prepare the speech for the presentation, but I seemed to spend more time looking at cheap air tickets and places to go to!
Day 49
Presentation was okay, much better than the one last week. It was over in 20 minutes, and thanks to it I had to miss the skiing trip! Well then again I think one week for me to study for my exams is also something good, instead of having fun and feeling the guilt of not studying for the paper (though I think I am still not studying as diligently as I ought to! hahaha)
Borrel at the Heffer was good, it was St. Patrick's day so there was a more canival-ish mood with quite a few individuals decked in green! I spotted a green striped long sleeve with my green adidas watch too so to join in the fun!
Day 50
Attended the last Marketing seminar which also marked the final lesson in this first 7 weeks at UvA. I have every reason to believe that there is such a thing called time warp, 7 weeks don't pass quicker than this! Wanted to go catch a Uefa game at the pub, but they didn't show the Ajax game, so well no go. A normal and boring day by the usual fun Amsterdam standards.
Day 51
Was disciplined enough to go to the library to study 3 chapters of my European Economics textbook. No way I'm going to spend S$100 to buy a textbook to read in the comforts of my hostel when I know I won't do it. The thing about studying in the library is you got to wake up early if not you won't get a seat, and the book might probably be taken by someone else.
Went to the market as well to get some stuff for dinner, and invited the friends I made at Sarphati over for dinner. Went on to drink and chill in the room till half past four in the morning, so ended up sleeping late on friday.
Day 52
My study plan day 2 ended in epic failure fashion, no way I was going to study in the library when I woke up at 2pm, and when it was going to close at 4pm. So went to the chinatown shop to get my sauces, and then to Lidl for some other cheap drinks and snacks. Spent the night trying to study my marketing, but as usual spent some much time looking for cheap air tickets to go places! (lego, lego, lego, lego, lego) Did one of the past year marketing paper, got half the questions right without reading the book yet, thus this false sense of security that I will pass the module without studying! BUT there should be no room for complacency! The questions they ask can come from ANYWHERE IN THE BOOK, even in the chapter introduction page! What the heck really.
Day 53
The Hague, house of the parliment and all those important government organisations, was a nice little city to visit. Approximately an hour from Amsterdam, it had this really nice stretch of trees along this classy, old town sand road which made a lovely walk! It was helped much by the beautiful weather and the old castle-like buildings were just awesome. However, my nice little SD card slipped off my mind again when I needed it in my camera. So yea the lack of those beautiful photos! Though I am certain that I will go again! Managed to get 2 group photos of the NTU NBS girls and other friends from Thailand off fb.
Notice the neat row of trees grown along the road.
In front of this beautiful castle-like structure (not too sure if it was a castle) that is surrounded by a huge body of water, didn't know if pond/river/lake would fit the description. The Prime Minister's office is around that corner too.
Visited the Escher museum too. Maurits Cornelis Escher was one of the earliest and probably most well known graphic artist to have come out with some of the most fancinating and mind-boogling art pieces! While I had earlier dismissed the museum tour when we went in, the tour got progressively interesting, and there were really many times that the vision he had when he made those paintings just amazed me!
You can check out his countless, amazing artpieces by googling the images. His webby is worthy of a click too! http://www.mcescher.com/
P.S. Jinping if you are reading this you should really look at his art works! I think you may like it! Interesting and inspiring! Haha
The most famous artwork of his I guess, since it was hung right outside the museum entrance, and I swear I felt the greatest dejavu looking at it for the first time. I just couldn't explain how, what, why I was feeling it, but yea I just had this strange sensation of seeing it and yet not knowing who painted it. Now I do.
After lunch (which was more like afternoon tea since it was a 200ml bottle of coke and a pure cheeseburger, yes cheese"without-beef-patty"burger),a guided city tour followed. The tour guide was this gentle, grandfatherly figure who spoke at a pace which was one of the slowest I've heard in a long time. I can't help to say this, but if he ever made it as a NTU lecturer, he'd probably take one semester to finish one chapter of the module given 2 hours. HAHAHA. But still, he's very knowledgable, as expected of a tour guide, with this cool book of pictures/photos in his pocket showing the different highlights in the city. And now I know why the Netherlands is sometimes called Holland. To give a summary of what the tour guide spent a good 10 minutes elaborating.. Holland was the most powerful, influential province of ancident Netherlands, and it is the area which emcompasses the modern day Netherlands of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Haarlem. This is why the Netherlands is sometimes conveniently called Holland, regardless of how incorrect it may actually sound geographically. Interesting, no?
The tour ended by 4, and some of the ISN organisers brought us to the beach. It's the first beach I stepped onto European soil. And boy its superb! Alicia realised she had brought along an extra card for me to take some photos!
Shopping mall that oversees the beach!
An extended structure with shops indoors, and a roof walkway which leads all the way out in the sea! (note these 2 photos show the same structure, its just too long to be taken in a single shot)
The brightest and warmest sun thus far. People love to come out to the beach, or just crowding outdoor coffeshops to get their share of such weather.
Note that everyone wears jeans and jackets to the beach. A heat stroke will ensue if you attempt such a thing in Sentosa.
I could send this photo for some advertising ad of 'pro-family' campaigns. Hahaha.
Too tired to attempt the long walk down the beach with no end in sight, the smartest thing to do was to nap! The sand wasn't too cold, the breeze felt like air-conditioning at 24 degrees, and my clothes felt no different from pyjamas! I'd probably spend 2-3 hours sleeping my fill if we didn't have to catch the bus back to Amsterdam!
Wonderful wonderful weather to go to the beach. I've heard much about beaches in Spain and Italy too, wonder how this matches up with the rest. But given the weather and everything, this one's a winner right now! Definitely coming back again soon!!
Day 54
Nothing much too constructive done today. Skyping, msning, eating, sleeping. Then dinner with the NBS girls and trying to read up on more marketing, though it has proved fairly unsuccessful. My resolution for day 55 (which is already into its first hour as I type this) will be to wake up, attempt french toast, study, study and study. I am hopeful that it will work out.
Yes and so that sums up Week 7 of my stay here in Europe. Like I mentioned, there is absolutely no slightest indication that its SEVEN weeks since we've been here. Life's certainly too enjoyable to be zooming past at this speed right now. I know week 8 and 9 will undermine this previous sentence, but I'm sure it will not turn out too badly! Expect another update in another week, take care meanwhile!!
No comments:
Post a Comment