Spring, Fools day, and an update on my blog
Blijf op de hoogte en volg Anne
01 April 2015 | Nederland, Utrecht
So, what happened after I left beautiful Dublin? There were a couple of weeks off. Those were weeks full of visits to friends I hadn't seen for too long and who are living all over the country, in Germany, or Belgium; there was the writing of a decent CV and there were job applications; there were job interviews; considerations about studying a PhD; doubts about the country to live in; studying for my final exams in Czech Republic; thoughts about leaving to the mountains and become a snowboard trainer... There was a lot going on, and at the same moment, there was nothing going on. Strangely, other people have to work or study during the day, even if you are free 'forever'.
Luckily, it didn't take me too long to find a company that was willing to hire me. On the 1st of November I started to work as a CRA. This was way earlier than I expected, so the search for housing started full time from the same day on. It didn't take long to find a nice place to live, in the lovely city Utrecht.
Many 'important' choices to be made in about two weeks time.. I managed (yes, even me, with my inability of making choices!) and I still enjoy every single choice I made :D The job is lovely: it's located in the middle of the nature, where I see robins, rabbits and squirrels from my window; colleagues are friendly, social, even a bit nuts (let's refer to the flying bread and butter when having lunch together); good working conditions; and last but not least, it's work where both the academic science side of Biomedical Engineering and the industry side are combined, and it's great to work on this border. This week I was told that my contract will be prolonged to a permanent contract, so I'm a very lucky girl!
And then the decision to live in Utrecht. Utrecht is a lively city, with typical Dutch canals, small cozy streets and many restaurants and bars. There are so many places I still have to try out, but at the same time I'm already having my favorites. Utrecht is located in the middle of the country, so all friends and family living in the Netherlands are on only an hour / two hours car drive away. Unfortunately, many of you still live on an hour or two by plane away... However, for the moment this is the most centralized place I could find, I think ;) Even 'clubavond' is almost back in place, with three of the 'Swing-club' living in the same city again! 'Er gaat niets boven Groningen', but Utrecht isn't bad either..!
Let me think, what else is there... I started training karate again, at the club Shu Ken Ma Shi. Last weekend I went to a karate workshop by Lucio Maurino, world champion, which was certainly worth it. I started running with my colleagues, at work. Two weeks ago I ran the 10km of Utrecht. I go climbing from time to time, whenever I feel like. I have to compensate the sitting job during the evening hours ;).
Of course, I didn't stop traveling. Once living abroad and you don't know about borders anymore. Where I've been since Dublin? There were visits to Ghent (B), Brussels (B), Aachen (DE), Hamburg (DE), Joue du Loupe (FR), Zermatt (CH) and Novi Sad (SRB) (did I forget any?). And this month there are several others planned: Dublin (IRE), Montpellier (FR) and Stockholm (SWE). And slowly plans are made for summer holidays, which will take place in Austria this year. A lodge hike for a couple of days, followed by a week course 'Snow and Ice'. I'm so much looking forward to every single trip planned! Love to see you again :D
I won't make this message too long, you shouldn't get bored by things which are certainly not boring on their own.
Have a lovely day and enjoy the Spring and Eastern days! I'll do the same :)
Liefs, Anne
“Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain.” ― Vivian Greene
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