I know I like to stay up late, but, frankly, I don't know why I'm awake because I have a Dutch oral exam tomorrow. One of the reasons that I am awake however, is probably because I've out-dutched myself so much today that I can't get ridiculous phrases out of my head like 'Zijn deze peren in de aanbieding' - (Are these pears on offer?) I know, right!
It is MOST annoying; though I do absolutely adore Dutch.
Yes, you heard, I love Dutch. And I hear you say 'Dutch? Ugh! Why would you love it? It's so THROATY! And all Dutch people speak English; why don't you learn Spanish?'
Because I want to learn Dutch, that's why. And for your information I like the 'throaty-ness' of it, and as my lecturer says, it sounds exotic! And everyone learns Spanish, I like to think outside the box, you know. Personally, I think it sounds pretty impressive, seeing as it is only taught in about 5 universities in the country.
I also love all the Dutch people that I've ever come across. Most of them seem to just be a bit more relaxed and just fun. I mean, I can't generalise for the whole nation, but they work hard and party even harder, it seems. They are also so much more than everyone thinks; take Amsterdam for example. To most of the world it is a weed-smoking-general-getting-smashed-taking-any-kind-of-narcotics-kind-of-city. But it really, truly is one of the most beautiful place that I've ever been to. That houses are absolutely ongelofelijk (incredible/unbelievable). Every single one is different and just so quaint and beautiful! They are kind of higgledy-piggledy and all different shapes and sizes (to do with the fact that it cost more the wider your house was, the more surface area it took on the ground - but not how tall it was, so some are really high and look like they might fall over) All overlooking thegrachten (canals). There is so much culture to be had, and loving art as I do, I must say that the Van Gogh Museum was one of the best I've been to. Amsterdam is exciting, yet quiet at the same time, but it does come alive at night, and is a good night out. The Red Light District was one of the most fascinating, most disturbing places that I've ever been to. At first, I didn't know where to look, then I couldn't stop looking, then I wanted to get as far away as possible, as quickly as possible. Funnily enough though, even though it is what Amsterdam is so very famous for, we couldn't even find it because it takes up such a small part of it; the city is so much more than just prostitutes.
I hope to go to Holland in the summer to see my friends, who are all guys and who are all lovely. The one that I am closest to is, to me, a perfect example of why one should learn languages, or at least, learn and experience other cultures. We met by chance and immediately became so close, and now I can hardly remember what it was like when I didn't talk to him nearly every day. He taught me about Holland and its culture and taught me some phrases, and it fascinated me. Also, his English is absolutely amazing. Then when I started Sheffield Uni, I picked up Dutch beginners and it has changed my life - that may sound strong but it really has. Next year I am doing more Dutch than French, something that I never even thought would happen, but I can't get enough of it. And now I can practice with my friends and they can teach me more and more and, eventually, I hope I can be as good, or even half as good as he is at English. I enjoy learning it so much and it's so exciting to be able to speak some Dutch now, it means that I can meet even more people.
That's something I love about learning languages; my Mum always says that I have verbal diarrhoea, and, by learning other languages, I can talk non stop to millions and millions more people. I love meeting new people, especially foreign people. My friends always laugh at me for having so many friends dotted around different places, but it's because I genuinely want to practice and want to experience their cultures so much. It is a kind of rush for me. I also have a bit of a 'thing' for foreign men, but I think it's just because they're speaking another language - therefore if you're English and can speak a languages you are bound to impress me too...! Miriam once called me an 'international tart', which I thought was quite offensive, but I know she didn't mean it rudely really, she was very apologetic after she saw the look of sheer shock on my visage. She was egged on by Ms Lorsery saying I was like a sailor, with a different man in every port. Honestly, I don't know where these ideas come from.
On that note, I'm going to try to go to sleep now, and I think I will go a bit crazy and read 'De Griezels' which is the Dutch translation of 'The Twits' by Roald Dahl, before I go to sleep. I'm starting off easy, okay!
<3
