an international thanksgiving

FRIENDSHIP

It's been such a fab week!

First of all, it was time for the best food holiday ever, and we brought it to the Netherlands!

My American friends and I of course had to share Thanksgiving with everyone here.

We had a dorm-wide (+ a few extras) dinner and it was amazing.  

There was traditional Thanksgiving grub obviously, but others made food from their own culture which made it 10x better.

I love learning about other people's culture and sharing my own with others.

People were AMAZED by sweet potato casserole.

It was pretty entertaining. 

I had to take pictures because everyone was cooking all together which you think would be stressful, but it was just big fun!

Everyone was hanging out and having a great time cooking and definitely eating later on. 

The sun has been coming up at 8, which is okay with me.

I had to go on a run before Thanksgiving dinner...

but I always have lovely scenery

preparation...

Sophie wasn't ready for that one

Martha taking charge

FINALLY

I think Jessie didn't know it was a smiling pic

Selfies with Swenja never get old

Although I couldn't spend it with my family, 

these wonderful people were able to make my Thanksgiving great! (which I'm so thankful for)

How was your holiday?

Also, (officially) HAPPY CHRISTMAS SEASON!

xoxo

being all cultured and what not

So Tuesday I went on a class excursion to Amsterdam

It was my third trip there, but I didn't mind because it's my favorite place I've ever visited!

I think it was my last visit for this go round though...

unless I make a spontaneous trip to say goodbye.

Anyway, we were there for my class, so we did some educational stuff, like the museum!

If you've never been or don't know much about Amsterdam,

I will inform you that the I AMsterdam sign is outside the Rijksmuseum,

which is where we went.

I hadn't been to the museum yet because the tickets are so expensive.

But the university paid for them, so I was happy to go!

Our adorable teacher gave us a little mini tour of the art work that was relevant to what we've learned in class.

After that, we were free to walk around for a bit.

Okay, I'm super sorry for the quality of these pictures.

I had my camera on manual focus instead of automatic and this is how they turned out...

But eventually I figured it out and they get better!

ice skating!

field trip

largest painting in the museum (and Devon's head)

classmates looking at plates

this one features Brugge!

I want map plates.

love the "typically Dutch" landscapes.

Van Gogh ^^

Rembrandt ^^

part of the contemporary art collection

these were so cool.

and quite lovely.

(outside)

"man made"

day // night

Our teacher lives in Amsterdam, so she took us on a little city tour.

Amsterdam is bigger than it seems, so we went to places I had never been to before.

That was pretty cool.

After we walked around, we went to the Anne Frank house.

It was my third time going there, so it was kind of a quick trip through.

Just as powerful, but a little rushed.

I have had a very busy week so far.

The day after I got back from Amsterdam, I had classes all day and a museum trip to attend.

I have already visited the Groninger museum, but this time it was with a guide.

She only talked to us for an hour, but it was nice to get a background on some of the art work.

It was all local artists and fairly new pieces.

It was expressionism (I think).

I just love the use of colors.

(Bear in mind...these are all phone pictures)

The Groningen train station is so beautiful at Christmas!

And you can spot my love over on the right (Starbucks)

I love learning about this lovely city and the Dutch people in general.

I have less than a month left here now, and it is very bittersweet.

I am so excited to come home for Christmas and see all of my friends and family

but I will definitely miss the people and the places I have met here during my time abroad.

I don't think this will be the end of me and Europe though.

We will see what's in store...

xo