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Blogs from Leiden, South Holland, Netherlands, Europe
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Living and learning in Leiden
Published: February 25th 2013Europe » Netherlands » South Holland » Leiden
February 15th 2013
Our school has campuses all over the world. After spending two semesters at the Bangkok campus we decided it was a good opportunity to visit another campus. So over Christmas and New Year’s, while in Seattle, we packed away our Bangkok clothes and repacked our bags with wool socks, sweaters and down jackets and set off for Europe - my first time in Europe. Iceland far exceeded our expectations. Everything about it was wonderful, beautiful and enjoyable. Then it was time to settle in for school in the Netherlands. That process was less wonderful, beautiful and enjoyable. Home until May is now Leiden, a town 40 km from Amsterdam in South Holland, or Zuid Holland if you want to learn some Dutch. It’s also the birthplace of Rembrandt and home to the pilgrims who came to ... read more
November 7th 2012
Even een testbericht. Ik snap deze site nog niet ondanks dat ze adverteren met de slogan dat zelfs je oma het zou kunnen. maar volgens mij schrijf ik nu een bericht dat openbaar te zien is op m'n profiel zo. We gaan bijna weg, vandaag bezig met laatste spullen bij elkaar zoeken en morgen nog naar de kapper. Dan ben ik er klaar voor. Het is vreemd om afscheid te nemen van je vrienden en familie maar over een half jaar zijn we (waarschijnlijk) wel weer terug. Ik weet nog niet of ik vaak iets hier ga plaatsen, hangt af van hoe leuk ik het vind.. Douwe... read more
August 9th 2012
... Betekent een dag eerder terug gaan naar Kuta om nog een keer te kunnen surfen. ... Betekent 3 uur lang vechten door de golven om de mooiste te kunnen pakken. ... Betekent elke keer weer terug het water in gaan ondanks de verzuurde spieren en kapotte knieën en handen. ... Betekent pas nadat je al een paar uur uit het water bent, beseffen dat je echt kapot bent. Nadat we Gili Air vaarwel hadden gezegd, gingen we enorm soepel - in tegenstelling tot de heenreis - met de Fast Boat naar Bali terug. Nog twee nachten te gaan en die zouden we in Kuta doorbrengen zodat we daar nog een dagje konden surfen. Rond 4 uur 's middags werden we in Kuta gedropt en hebben we de rest van de middag/avond rustig aan gedaan. Onze ... read more
July 20th 2012
Leiden has a lot of museums, well worth an entry on their own. I visited: Museum Volkenkunde (National Ethnology Museum). This museum makes for a rather short visit, at least for the time being (the top floor is closed due to renovations, and so were a few of the rooms of the other two floors). I did enjoy myself, however. The permanent collection is small, but high quality. When I went, there were on display three of the famous clay figurine of the Chinese soldiers. They were accompanied by a documentary (historical and sociological) in a separate room. Museum Naturalis. This is the museum for natural sciences. Normally, I am very partial to these kinds of museums (the McGill one in Montréal is a personal favourite) but this one felt too children-oriented for me. This might, ... read more
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July 16th 2012
I spent two weeks in Leiden for a summer school. This gave me plenty of time to explore the streets and canals of Leiden, to visit the museums and the hortus botanicus, to try to local restaurants and pubs. Leiden is a university town, relatively small in size. However, it does have a lot to offer in terms of museums, botanical gardens, parks, windmills (!), cafés with nice terraces where to sit and watch people amble by, and pubs. There's definitely enough to keep oneself busy for two weeks (and then there are trains that can lead you to just about anywhere you might want in the Netherlands...). Right from my dorm room, there is a windmill, a canal (they run everywhere throughout the city), historic buildings, and a plethora of restaurants and small businesses. People ... read more
March 29th 2012
Writing to say my due date is approaching this next Tuedsay. For those of you who may not know already... Avalon and Rhys are going to have a new sibling very soon! Rhys has recently turned two and started, two mornings a week, at nursery/play school which he seems to like a lot. Avalon is at school full time (they begin at age four here) , attends dance class which she really enjoys and keeps asking for swimming lessons which are essential for life in the Netherlands. Overall, life is good, Sean is working a lot and my belly is getting bigger by the moment. Will post photos soon Much love and happiness to all Please send me a note if you have the time: it is always great hearing from our family of friends and ... read more
March 11th 2011
So many wonderful people have birthdays in March! Let's see cousin Cesar is 21, Grandpa Thomas is 65 and Happy birthday to Aunty Angela today! Yesterday was Rhys' FIRST birthday! He has a touch of the cold but otherwise is doing brilliantly. He has seven front teeth, is walking proudly in his first pair of shoes and getting ready to run. It's been a very busy year since Rhys has arrived. We had a very relaxing holiday in Finland last summer and recently made a brief visit over the Christmas holidays to England to visit family and catch up with a few friends in Portsmouth. Avalon is doing dance and loving it. While she dances Rhys is busy making friends with the slightly older dancers (5yrs). It's good fun for all even if I'm exhausted afterwards! ... read more
Halloween - first anniversary in Holland
Published: November 1st 2010Europe » Netherlands » South Holland » Leiden
November 1st 2010
A year ago, yesterday we arrived in Holland. To begin the latest chapter in our lives and it's been great so far. Making new friends, seeing new sights, and most of all our little family welcomed Rhys into the world. Avalon is enjoying her new 'play' school and as she wasn't able to celebrate her birthday with friends back in May due to having chicken pox we decided to have her a Halloween costume party! Other update is that we are booked to go home to England from the 21st of December returning on New Years Day. So if you fancy a visit to Portsmouth we shall be there most time... May you all be happy and well Much Love Sean Esther Avalon & Rhys... read more
March 14th 2010
Birth weight was 2990 grams, just over six and a half pounds, but the wee fella is bulking up fast...... read more
