Thursday, March 29, 2007

Posted 1 year, 1 month, 2 weeks, 1 hour, 1 minute ago

All of the presentations were today. In front of 60+ students and two professors, a group member and I presented our case. We had to answer if we would propose a private label to Aldi and what it means for Southcorp Wines if they were to do so. Overall, the presentation went well, and I turned in our beautiful, 60-page report. I am glad that everything for the block is done, and I can just concentrate on the finals next week. Afterwards, our Easter Break will begin!!

Monday, March 26, 2007

Posted 1 year, 1 month, 2 weeks, 3 days, 3 hours, 21 minutes ago

Yes, again with the project weeks. Here at Avans, each block has a project at the end of the section. For SMA, it was PepsiCo. For EBS, we didn’t have a project, we had a term paper. For IOP we have to formulate a strategic marketing plan for Foster’s Southcorp wines. Each tutor group has a different market and retailer to recommend. My group has Aldi Holland. We’ve been working hard on it for the past two weeks. This week is the last week and our plan is soooo close to being finished. On Thursday, we hand it in and I ended up being one of the two lucky people to present our specific case to all of the classes in the block.

Needless to say, I have been super busy. Next week is finals week...! But I have exams only until Wednesday. So afterwards and until April 16th we have our Easter holiday! I am confused on where to go. One group of friends here are going to Italy, another group of friends are going to Spain, but then my friend in Finland also has off from her internship and school schedule and has invited me up for a visit. I am so torn. I know Italy is an expensive place to visit - and even more so if you are by yourself with all of the costs, so it would be good to go with a group. Spain is in my heart. And I know Marjaana won’t have many other holidays this spring. We’ll see what happens.

Also, I have been searching for jobs. It’s good to start to get used to looking and applying early on. I am very close to finishing my degrees and know I should be prepared. A great website I have been using is Experience, which WCU’s Career Services has provided on their webpage.

The College of Business Awards Ceremony was this past Sunday. I wish I could have attended in person, it was fun last year. My mom went in my place to receive my Alpha Kappa Psi Award for my scholastic excellence. It’s nice to know I haven’t been forgotten in Cullowhee. I have been trying to represent Western over here in Europe in a positive way. With all of the Kentucky students here, I end up being grouped in with them. And they keep thinking I am from South Carolina instead of North Carolina.

My flatmate and I went out today with some of her friends to just enjoy the beautiful weather and relax at a cafe:

I ended up also taking some pictures of the beautiful flowers here in Breda:

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Posted 1 year, 1 month, 3 weeks, 4 days, 1 hour, 30 minutes ago

I’ve just about cleared up my sickness and so it seems fitting to end up in a new predicament: my first bike crash! Let’s just say when you are going straight at an intersection, don’t expect the same from the person on your right… they just might be smart and turn left without notice. Nothing was broken, except for perhaps the mood of St. Patrick’s Day, but I will always remember last night every year from now on! (I just hope all of my cuts and bruises won’t remain as long as the memory will.) Wish I had the luck of the Irish - Erin Go Bragh!

Not many people really celebrated St. Patrick’s Day here, and few even knew about ‘wearing green’ so us Americans, once again, were sticking out.

Friday, March 09, 2007

Posted 1 year, 2 months, 3 days, 16 hours, 49 minutes ago

I have been sick for the past week. There’s a cold/flu going around my flat, and I am the last one to get it. I usually do get sick in the spring, but I just hope this will be the last time. It’s hard to live with others who may not be so hygienically conscious. And doctors here are not so inclined to write prescriptions for antibiotics. I am just happy that warm weather should be just around the corner.

Also, daylight savings adjustments here in Europe are still March 25th. Because of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, daylight savings in the US (as well as Canada and Bermuda) will start March 11th this year. This is good for me because there will only be a five hour difference between the Netherlands and NC. Calling home won’t be so late - for a couple of weeks, at least. I found a good website that explains the time changes for each country. So don’t forget to ‘spring forward’ Saturday night!

Sunday, March 04, 2007

Posted 1 year, 2 months, 1 week, 1 day, 16 hours, 22 minutes ago

I just got back from Trance Energy in Utrecht! It was amazing. I went with some Dutch friends who had been before and had a wonderful time. It was from 9 p.m. until 7 a.m. Dancing for that long (even in crocs) hurt my feet, but the pain was well worth it! Another cool thing that happened was seeing the lunar eclipse during the car ride to Utrecht and just as we were walking in from the parking lot, it was fully eclipsed! What a night! You can see the Trance Energy advertisement video on YouTube to sort of let you know what I am talking about. The video describes it better than any words could. Some of the DJs were Paul Oakenfold, Markus Schulz, Cosmic Gate, Jean, and Marcel Woods - just to name a few.  I am so glad I was able to go, it’s definitely something you shouldn’t miss if you love trance music!