Recap of my studies..... and procrastination :)

Hi all! ^-^

It's been ages since I posted a blog, so I thought I'd update it a bit :D Also, I just studied for like 2 hours, so I can use a break XD

So.... as some of you may know my mom came to visit me for a few days, Yeey! We spoke on the phone on Saturday and I said that I kind of regretted telling her not to come to England 'cause I had to study for exams. I'd already studied quite a lot and most of the stuff I already knew, so it actually would've been fine for her to come visit me.... So I was a bit sad about that *-*

Anyway, the next day, Sunday morning 8:30, I was still asleep x_x Mom and Dad called me again saying they had a surprise for me ^-^ Mom was gonna come visit me :) I was so happy that I was wide awake at that point. She was actually arriving at Southampton airport at 9:20 pm that same Sunday!! OMG O.O! So the rest of the day I studied loads so that I'd have more time with mom :D That evening I picked her up at the airport and we watched a film :) hehehe and guess what? She, of course, fell asleep halfway through the film XD So cute!

The next day we went to the estate agent to get all my paperwork sorted and as always they bugged me about getting the others to come and get all their stuff sorted, but I told them I wouldn't do that because I'd done that loads of times already and it wasn't my problem anymore.... I actually got a bit pissed at this lady, because she tried to make her problem into mine, saying that she was very busy and the landlord kept nagging at her and stuff like that. So I didn't really go into any discussion, because I just wanted to get all my stuff sorted, which we did. Also, I was in contact with our fourth person for the house, Electra (she's from Greece), and on Tuesday she had also signed, which really got a load of stress off my shoulders ^-^

The rest of Monday was spent in the city centre, SHOPPING of course hehehe XD I got 3 new trousers, a T-shirt and 2 blouses... and some other stuff ^-^ It was so much fun finally shopping with mom again. I've really missed that a lot.... Anyway, on our way back we went past ASDA and got ourselves some dinner and snacks and when we got home we had some lovely entrecotes, coliflower with cheese and roasted potatoes YUMMM :)

On Tuesday, mom went to Portsmouth to let me study some more. She went to the Charles Dickens museum and strolled around a bit apparently.... I was sitting on my bed, doing past papers and thinking of the amazing dinner we were gonna have. Yes, you might've guessed it, we went to the Cowherds! ^-^ I had the Beef, Mushroom and Guinness pie and mom had a Duck and apricots. It was deliscious, so good even, that we didn't dare to go for a dessert....... we were stuffed! x_x But it WAS deliscious :P After dinner we walked home and got slightly lost, because we wanted to try a shortcut route, which turned out to be a longcut hehehe... O.o; But the awesome thing, though, was that we saw a Fox!!! my first fox since I got here!! yeey :D

On Wednesday, mom had to leave, but we had a nice morning together anyway. After mom left, though, I couldn't really do much anymore.... so I think I did half a past paper and watched Will&Grace for the rest of the night. I had a great time mom!! But you knew that already ^-^

So.... I guess that's about it. I had fun times with mom and Electra signed!! YEEY, so I don't need to worry about the house that much anymore :) Also, I will probably be going to London after exams to see my ex-chemistry-teacher. I was gonna go with Wendy, but she's too busy with her own stuff to go with me to London, so I guess I'll be going alone ...O.o; disappointing, but it'll still be fun I think :D

Oh, and if you're wondering when I'll be getting back to good old Holland... this will be the first weekend in July. Mom and Dad will come pick me up and we'll go to London to say goodbye to Lotte, who's going on a world trip!! O.O AWESOME!

Okay, that's it ^-^
Love you all!! Hope to see you soon :)
~xxx~ Fleur
btw. Congrats Lotte! hope you liked my gift and of course that you'll have a great party, LOVE YOU! ^-^

Back in Southampton and no more worries about AstroPhysics XD

Hi everyone,
I thought it's been a while since I last blogged and I know some people are wondering how I'm doing, being here in Southampton again.

My first day back at Uni was absolutely backbreaking.... After a month holiday and way too little revision I was thrown in the deep end (mostly my own fault though) when in the morning I had a double workshop for Organic Chemistry. I'd not been too good at working out mechanisms when we left for holiday, but now I was a total airhead.... O.o; And that was only the beginning.... After the workshop I had to eat really quickly and sit in a lecture theater for 50 minutes awaiting 4 hours of Organic labs O.O This was I think the first time in a lecture where I actually almost fell asleep, OMG! Then after fighting sleep in the lecture I was straight on through to the labs where of course I was the last one out... as always, after a full 4 hours of labs. I crashed on my bed when I got home x_x.

Luckily, though, on Tuesday I only started at 11, so I had quite a good sleep. This time we actually had an hour break before labs so we could calmly enjoy our lunch on the grass and in the sun outside :) In the morning we had Astrophysics, which went okay, especially as he told us our exam results were all between 40 and 88% meaning that we as least got 40% AWESOME! Before labs, in our lunch break, me and Pete went to the Physics building to pick up our Astro problem sheets and exams and I was totally stunned by my result! The problem sheet got 95/105, which I kind of expected, but then when I saw my exam result I couldn't believe it! I got a friggin 81.5%!!! O.O!! I was HAPPY for the ENTIRE rest of the day, even labs couldn't quench my joy ^-^ Even when we got out at 6 after labs (AGAIN) I was still psyched :D

So today it's supposed to be really warm, the forecasts says 21 degrees! Woohoooo :D So I'm gonna sit outside in the sun after my workshop and lecture :) So that was it for now... I need to get some breakfast in me before I go to Uni, but it's probably gonna be a great day ^-^ OMG! 81.5% I still can't believe it!

Love you all!
~xxx~ Fleur

In JAPAN!

Hello everybody!!! ^-^

Me and Wendy just got to Japan! XD We arrived at Kansai Airport yesterday at 10:16 am Japanese time... for us this was about 2 in the morning... O.o; So we were pretty out of it *-* Nevetheless, we stayed up till 9 o'clock in the evening. We took the bus from Kansai airport to Sannomiya, which was actually really easy. It took us about an hour and then Nicolette picked us up from the bus stop.

We went for a walk and then dinner... I thought... but it was lunch hehehe... JETLAG! ^-^ So we had our first Japanese food, which was great, especially the rice! It's AWESOMELY DELICIOUS :D Then we went back up the hill and up to the shrine next to their house to see the view XD Ollie is SOOO CUTE btw! I'll try to take some good pictures of the kids these weeks, but you'll still have to wait a bit, though :) Unfortunately Nicolette wasn't feeling very well... and apparently Alan was sick last night as well, so they probably picked up a bug on their way back from the US, hopefully they'll feel better tonight.

Wendy and me will go to the cable cars in a little bit, but first Wen is finishing the film of the first day in Japan... will post the link soon! ^-^

Love you all! Will keep you up to date :D
~xxx~ Fleur

edit: Link to wendy's film on youtube ^-^
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzgYW-RnEkU

Opa and Mac came to Soton

Hi everyone :) Here is another one of my long stories with some very exciting news about next year :D Now don't scroll down and read that first... you have to read the whole bit Okay? ^_^

So last weekend Opa and Mac came to my crib to see where I live and have some quality time with me. I really enjoyed their visit, because I really HAD missed them a lot these last few months after christmas. But in just a little less than a month I'll be able to see them again ^-^

So what did we do, you might wonder XD Well.... they arrived on Friday and, after my lectures, I met them at Glen Eyre (my Halls) and showed them around a bit. We then went to town and shopped a little, had some juice and muffins at Pret and a walk through the park :D We then had a lovely dinner at Oxfords on Oxford Street where we actually had to SHARE a dessert O.O because we were so full from the main course... That NEVER happens!! But it was really good ^-^ So we left all filled up and happy :)

The next day we went to the zoo. Marwell Zoo. I'd been wanting to go their for ages and this was a good opportunity to finally go. The weather was really nice as well and the zoo not too far away from home. I did not actually realise how good our own zoo (Emmen) actually is compared to some others. I was quite dissapointed at how far away all the animals were even though they mostly didn't even have huge cages. Emmen really does a good job at showing the animals off and still keeping a good distance between the viewer and the animals. Anyway.... we had lots of fun. Iman also joined us, but my other friends were too busy with work and sports so they didn't come along. But it WAS a lot of fun with Iman there.

After the zoo we went into Winchester a bit and had a really good (very filling) lunch at 'The Slug and Lettuce' ^-^ Isn't that the best name for a restaurant ever?! ^-^ Anyway, of course we shopped a little as well and then headed home again where we played some more cards. Because we were so stuffed, though, we didn't go to the cowherds until about 8:30 and we didn''t even really have dinner there. Grandpa had 2 pints of Guinness, I had a ceasar salad starter and an eves pudding and Mac had a coke and a lemon meringue cheesecake. We took our time in the pub, playing 3 games of Skipbo. Of course Opa won 2 out of 3 and luckily I won one as well ^-^ The next day though, Mac won most of the games of hartenjagen (Hearts).

So on Sunday we started off going to town and walking only a little part of the Titanic Trail. I don't know what it was, but I had a very bad stomach ache that day, so we didn't walk that far in town. We sat down for a drink at Costa's and Opa bought me a backpack for my birthday :) Aterwards we did some more, gentle walking in The Common (the local HUGE park) and then played some more cards in my room. I did some food shopping with Mac and afterwards he, of course, won the game of Hearts again. They had to leave then, unfortunately, but I'll see them soon. I really had a LOT of fun with them. Just being with them is good enough for me, really, but they really spoiled me this weekend :D I love them loads! ^-^

So that was the weekend with my family :) Fun and love all around XD Then yesterday evening I had another PhotoSoc meeting and workshop where the committee for next year was elected. I was actually voted secretary (because no one else wanted to do it), but then afterwards no one wanted to become Darkroom manager either, so I swapped my secretarian-ship (^_^) for Darkroom manager and (as secretary is an easy job, for our society anyway) someone else opted to become secretary. So that's the big news! I'm so excited about it :D I'm going to be the Darkroom Manager next academic year!!!! ^-^

Just a few more days till Easter holidays now and in about one and a half week I'll be in Cardiff, flying to Osaka with Wendy :D Off to Japan! I can't wait ^-^ Then just a little week at home, but with a great Birthday Party waiting for me :D I'm turning 18!! Finally >.<

That's it for now,
Next time I'll probably be blogging from Japan
*does the dance* <(o.o<)............<(o.o)>...........(>o.o)>
~xxx~ Fleury

A story about the last few weeks + Exam RESULTS!

I realise that I haven't updated my blog for a while now, but I have so much to tell ^-^ I've been so busy lately with study and mainly with people visiting me from Holland :D First Amber came to visit me, then Nico and Sigrid and Lotte was here for a week as well XD

With Nico and Sigrid I had a lot of fun :D We did 3 treasure hunts, involving a lot of walking and had a lovely dinner and game at the cowherds :) We brought Skipbo and Sequence and played some games between meals ^-^ The treasure hunts were great! We walked on the Southampton Walls, at the docks and in a huge cemetary in the Common (a park). The cemetary was really overgrown and Sigrid was a bit creeped out about it, but I totally loved it! We even saw a green woodpecker... well.... we saw it fly away really, but it was very green with a red head :D It was great seeing Nico and Sigrid again, because I hadn't seen them for about half a year I think. When I go home in summer I should really make an effort to see their boys again as well, 'cause I assume they've really grown a lot since I last saw them ^-^

So Nico and Sigrid were here on the 15th of February and the following weekend Lotte showed up XD She came on Friday evening and left last Thursday midday. On Friday we celebrated George's Birthday, which actually was the previous Wednesday, but he wasn't home then, so we threw him a dinner on Friday :D It was loads of fun and a good opportunity for Lotte to meet my friends. Then on Saturday it was the best weather ever! We did a pillow fight with Iman, in front of West Quay, which was really funny (you can see it on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyYJQ_MTIrA)

It was the first day of spring, so Lotte and I went to the Common, where she read in the sun and I watched people and took pictures ^-^ It sounds a little creepy when I put it like that, but it really is a lot of fun seeing so many people playing sports, laughing and walking their dogs on these massive fields, and me being me, I had to take my camera XD It really was lovely weather and Lotte even got sunburnt! (it was only like 12-15 degrees O.o;)

In the evening, around 8pm, we went to a Gig for Gaza, which was basically a get together in Bridge Bar (a bar in the student union) where 5 different bands played, of which 1 was terrible as the vocalist was out of tune the whole time, but the last band was really amazing!
For the rest of the week I had classes, so Lotte had to fend for herself a bit, but I think (and hope) she had fun on her own XD On monday we went to the Cowherds as well, which was, as always, deliscious ^-^ and on Wednesday we made our own High Tea with sandwiches, scones, clotted cream and jam, tea (of course O.o;) and a pineapple cheesecake we made on Tuesday night :D It was deliscious! my mouth waters just thinking of that again *-*
After the high tea, I had to go to a viewing and George and I saw 4 houses, but didn't find one that we really liked... Then we did some food shopping and we drove to the vaccination place again to get me my second HPV vaccination..... I HATE NEEDLES! x_x And on Thursday afternoon I brought Lotte to the airport, we had some hot choco, and I went back to go to lectures.

Yesterday, George and I saw another 5 houses and we found a really great 4 bedroom house! XD I am meeting a guy who is looking for some housemates today to see if he's okay and wants to join us in this house and then I really hope to sign for the house within a few weeks :D

Also, I got my examresults back yesterday :) They are okay, but I'd liked to have done a bit better. I got:
61 for Biology, with which I'm really pleased! ^-^
67 for Chemistry IT and
69 for my Core Chemistry module :D
The grading is very different than in Holland as the highest level is 70 and higher, it is called a first. Then you've got upper second which is between 60 and 70, second which is near 60 I think, third which is near 50 somewhere and a pass which is 40 or higher. So it IS out of 100, but that is actually impossible to reach, sort of. I'm still getting used to the grading a bit, but just so everyone can put my grades into context a bit :D

So, I'll let you know how it goes with my housing, I really hope to sort it out before Easter, but I think we will :D So, that's it for today. Will write soon, I think... O.o;

~xxx~ Fleur
(p.s. I uploaded new pictures. You can see them on the right hand side)

Fun in the Darkroom *-*

I had the greatest evening yesterday! ^-^ I had a darkroom lesson at uni from photosoc. I was there with richard, a committee member, and meila another photosoc member. Richard explained that it is all in the preparation, because developing photos by hand requires good timing and very little light >.<

First he explained me how to develop the film. Meila had already developed her film before coming to the darkroom, so she just watched me do it... or rather hear me do it ^-^ First I tried the procedure with a film that could be destroyed and that went fine. The trick is, really, to have only the things you need in front of you and know exactly where everything is. Because when you take the film out of the round holder thingy (>_<) the light has to be OFF! And believe me, it gets really dark in the darkroom XD

Okay so, my first try went fine and then I did my actual film and luckily I didn't screw anything up :D Once you have the flim on a special spindle and then in this dark holder, you can turn on the lights again ^-^ And then the chemicals are added, one after another for certain periods of time depending on the film.... I still have to engross myself in all that a bit :)

So... while my film was developed and hung up to dry, we started doing some prints with Meila's film. All the stuff we use to print is just amazing! There is this large machine called the enlanger that is used to shine the right amount of light on a photographic paper and then the paper goes through about the same process as the film. First is goes into the developer, then the stop and then the fix. It's just like in the movies, a room lit in red safety lights and taking the paper out of the chemical bath with tongs and placing it into the next bath XD It's great! ^-^

So I had a great night yesterday. I learned loads and printed my first ever picture, on my OWN!! :D It is a pic of my mom! when we were at the osbourne house on the isle of wight in january 2009. I hope to print some more pictures of the film I developed, but I think I will ask Richard to help me one more time, because I wouldn't want to ruin any of the equipment *-* So, that's my story about yesterday night.

On valentines I'm going out for diner with my friends XD We're going to a lebanese restaurant! It'll be so YUMMY! ^-^ more stories about that and pictures will follow :D

Amber was here ^-^

Hey all! Here's another story for you ^-^ Amber was here for a week and I have to tell you about it a bit. So she came on Saturday last week and left yesterday at 5:40 am! O.O It was loads of fun!

So what we did:
On friday and saturday we went shopping, obviously, and on sunday we went to Bournemouth with my friends. We bought really cool stuff. Amber got this amazing dress and some tops and I got a long sleeved top as well. On Sunday we were supposed to go to Bath, but Iman and Sheena were late for the bus and then Verena wasn't even there yet.... She overslept, because she has a German alarm clock that didn't go off or was on the wrong time or something like that O.o; So.... our plans for Bath were cancelled and I was so excited about going to the glass factory and roman baths there, but well... we'll go there another time ^-^

So we went to the train station to jump on any other train and went to Bournemouth. There we went to the Oceanarium and saw loads of fish. We strolled around in the park and in town and saw loads of references to Baths.... which kept reminding us of the missed bus and cool trip O.o; But we had fun anyway. We saw squirles in the park and there was an aviary as well. Peter was a total bird whisper! We saw the first snow (the tiniest snow flakes ever, but still, it was snow. It's the thought that counts) and then the next day there was 5-10 cm snow on the ground so we were happy XD It only lasted for like 2 days though *-*

Okay so Amber stayed till Saturday, but I did have classes during the week. I was really tired after my classes as I hadn't had any for a while and I had to find my rhythm again, but with Amber there that was a bit hard.... so I was quite tired after classes and I might've been a little grumpy when I got home sometimes, but in the end we had fun, so it all turned out okay. In the week we went shopping again in Southampton once or twice and Amber went to town with Iman once as well, on the Thursday I think, 'cause that was my longest day at Uni. On Wednesday we had diner at Iman's and she made stuffed courgettes, a lebanese recipe, we helped to make it and it was absolutely deliscious! ^-^ *mouth starts to water again as she thinks back at that gorgious meal* XD

On Friday we all went out for diner in the evening at the cowherds: Sheena, Iman, George, Becky (a friend of Sheena's), Amber and me. Amber and I had already been there with the two of us on Tuesday, so the waiter, Ashley, already knew us XD (George asked his name btw and really embarrased Sheena when he told Ashley that she wanted to tell him something... 'cause Sheena had said earlier that he was hot ^^). We had a great diner and had lots of fun! The desserts were, of course, the best part :D They were heavenly! *-*

Then on Saturday morning, flippin 5:40 am I put Amber on the taxi and went back to bed. For the rest of the day I didn't do too much except for cleaning my room and bathroom and watching some random stuff on my computer. Then in the evening I went to the cinema with George to see a 3D film: My Bloody Valentine XD It was scary and gross and had a really good story line! We had loads of fun! ^-^

Tomorrow is gonna be a long day as I have a workshop, then a lecture and then 4 hours of LABS.... But the labs are with John, so it'll be FUN! ^-^ and hard work O.o;

So that's about it.... I still haven't had any exam results, though. It takes them quite long !O.O but anyway... If I hear anything I'll tell you about it right away ^-^

C ya! And keep in touch :D
~xxx~ Fleur

ps. Gijs, I loved your message! kool to hear from you again :D Hope you're doing well and that your knee is doing better ^-^