It's October 23rd: Maybe it's the laundry on the floor or maybe it's the way there is always people laughing and sharing stories in my kitchen but I am finally feeling like this old campus residence is a home.
My house mates and I are totally getting along and I could not have asked for a better family away from home. I share a kitchen/dining room, bathroom, shower and laundry room with a French girl, 2 Dutch boys and an Italian boy and girl.
School, so far, has been mostly review. Since the program is so new the professors are still working on figuring out what exactly each school has covered in the first year of study. It's not so bad, I am really looking forward to Dutch lessons starting in November!
Recently, I have gone through some changes in my life, as I am sure you are all aware of. It has been one of the toughest changes to overcome and I can't say I have yet.
Thing I know:
1. I have the BEST support team
2. This is for the best right NOW
3. It WILL get better
Things I don't know:
1. What's going to happen next
2. When I will be fully healed
3. What the hell is in Dutch kroketten and bitterballen... (google it)
This means that I have a lot of work to do. School is definitely number one right now, then badminton and who knows what else can happen here on an international campus?!
Referring to the "support team" mentioned above, I have received some amazing advice! I've started a collection of quotes and inspirational sayings on my wall. This includes, " Replace the word but with AND" and "Opportunity is
I want to share with you guys a story that a member of my awesome support team shared with me:
Two men worked for a shoe company. Their boss sent them to a developing country to sell their product. The first man got off of the plane and noticed that no one there wore shoes. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" he said and got back on the plane. The next man got off of the plane and saw the exact same thing and said, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" But instead of getting back on the plane he saw opportunity: He knew that he was in a country where everyone there could use his product!
This story is so neat! It really shows the reader that it's all about perspective.
A bit about the title of my blog:
"Insulin Pump and a Passport" I absolutely love this title because with these two things I can pretty much go anywhere! The title, Insulin Pump and a Passport touches on my diabetes as well as the fact that I am living in Europe; this might be the best cultural experience of my entire life!
Speaking of my diabetes, I have a plastic organizer packed FULL of diabetes supplies. So no one has to worry about that!
Places I've been so far:
1. Amsterdam x2
2. Zwolle
3. Weesp
I have this week off for Autumn Break and Exams are in 2 weeks. I have a PINK bike here and that's pretty much how everyone gets around. It's tire is broken right now but I bought a new one today and hopefully it will be back on the road by this evening!
More pictures and stories to come!
Best wishes,
K.
