Amsterdam!

Wow.
I have arrived back from Holland alive yet exhausted! I had a FANTASTIC time!

We set off on Thursday evening around 9pm from the University and drove to Dover to catch our 3:20 am ferry over to France, then drove another 7 hours to Amsterdam, and eventually got their around 11am the next day. So, it goes without saying that it was a rather long and sleepless journey over to the dam!! Our hostel was less than ideal, but hey, we're students! There was 5 of us in bunk beds within a room that is smaller than my bedroom at home (a lot smaller). Unfortunately, we were about a half hour walk from the main strip, but at least we got some exercise to help work off all of the food that we ate this weekend! After we arrived, we all pushed through the pain of exhaustion and headed out to see the city. We had an amazing lunch and cappuccino, and then headed over to nosy about the red light district, haha! What a strange place...it was eye opening, and really interesting. I love being nosy, so the red light district was perfect for snooping into the weird lives of others...

We went and had a quick change/shower in the hostel and then headed straight back out for the evening, no napping allowed!! We spent hardly any time in our hostel besides sleeping just because of the fact that it was just too small! We would have ended up strangling one another if we spent any more time in there than was necessary. Anyways, on the Friday night, we went out for a nice meal and then to one of the local clubs (which was free to enter, because of the package that we got through the university). We only stayed there for a short amount of time before heading out to find a few more authentic bars, where all of the locals go! That was one of my favorite parts of the trip! What a fantastic night!

The next morning we went out for brunch at a local cafe and we were served by the MEANEST women in the world. Almost all of the servers that we had were quite unfriendly, I was really surprised. I don't think they meant to be rude, I think I am just used to getting service with a smile. Anyway, this lady was especially miserable BUT the food was spectacular! We then headed off to the Rijks Museum because it was raining outside, so it seemed like a good idea. I really enjoyed it, but a think a few of my friends found it to be overpriced for what it was. Then again, art museums just arn't for everyone. We then went out for a waffle (SO yummy), wandered the city some more, then headed back to the hostel again for a quick turn around.

We headed out for a nice mexican meal (kind of a random choice, but it was delicious!) We then had a bar crawl that was arranged through the University, in which we visited 5 bars and got a free drink in every place. It was guaranteed to be a great night...and it was! The bars were a little claustrophobic because there were so many of us within such small venues. Also, they were VERY expensive! You had to pay 50 cents to use the bathroom, and if you wanted to go outside for some fresh air you had to pay to get back in. I was very happy that I'm not a cigarette smoker that night!! We got back to our hostel around 4am and had to be out of there, all packed up, at 10am....yuck!

The trip back was pretty long and boring and to be honest, I would have rather just flown. We stopped into a chocolate factory in Belgium which was fun, but still not worth the 12 hour coach trip. I would love to head back to Amsterdam again in the future when I have both more time and money because its a fantastic city. I spent WAY more than I had planned, but I didn't hold back on anything that I wanted to do. Therefore, I had no regrets, and made the most of our time there! I was EXHAUSTED when I got back on Sunday morning, and wanted no more than to get into bed, in my OWN room, away from others!! It was a very intense 3 days but I loved it!
I now have to pack up my room for the easter break, and am heading back to the Wilson's tomorrow until April 20th. Hopefully I will be working during the holiday so that I can justify my reckless spending this past weekend!

Thats all from me for now.
Missing you all!
xoxo
- Nicky

A Loss, An Injury, and A Moment

Ok ok ok...I am a terrible blogger.
But I am back.

I don't really have A LOT to report other than the fact that I have actually started to do some of my coursework here at Nottingham (hence the lack of blogging). I have my first presentation this coming Wednesday, so wish me luck! Also, as many of you may already know...Doug passed away last week so that was obviously really upsetting for me. I don't remember a life without Doug, so its going to be very strange when I go home and he is visibly absent. After the loss of two pets in so little time, I had a brief attack of homesickness so I went back to Yorkshire again for the weekend. We went out to see John's band play on the Saturday night and had a tasty Sunday breakfast which seemed to instinctively cure my illness. But all in all, I am continuing to enjoy Nottingham life!! I am starting to get excited because I am heading to Amsterdam this weekend. A group of 80 (yes I said 80) of us are taking a Coach there so I am assuming the word that I could use to sum up the weekend will be "intense". I will report back with the results after we return!

Also, I had a minor incident this week in which I cut my finger quite deeply on a piece of glass. I thought that the cut was deep but that I didn't need stitches. Unfortunately, when I was out at a club a couple of days again I tore open the wound again and ended up spending part of my night in the first aid room getting my hand bandaged up. But in true Freeman fashion, I grabbed another cocktail and went straight back out to the dance floor!! Woohoo!

Yesterday afternoon, I experienced one of my most favorite and memorable moments of the trip thus far. I discovered a beautiful lake on campus that I had always heard people speaking of, but hadn't yet experienced. The weather wasn't even very nice (in fact, it looked like it was going to pour down), yet I had one of those surreal moments where life suddenly slowed down, and I just took a deep breath and felt appreciative for everything that I have in my life, and in especially, this fantastic adventure that I have embarked upon. I will definitely head back down regularly for some relaxing "me" time. I have attached some pictures for you're viewing pleasure (again, it wasn't the nicest day, but is still a beautiful location).

I am also starting to look forward to Easter vacation! We get an entire month off starting on the 20th of March! Phil is planning to come and visit which I am ESTATIC about! We are planning to head down to London for a few days which should be an amazing experience for us to share toegether.

Anyways, I think thats all from me today!
I will report back in about a week when I return Amsterdam....thats IF I return...haha just kidding Mom!!
Missing you lots!
xoxo
- Nicky