Here's a pic of Groningen this Saturday, because I still haven't showed you the town I now live in

Oh well, it seems that there comes the time where I cannot even manage to post regularly once a week. I have an excuse though - I came to Serbia last weekend so the days before were all about packing and planing. I already ate some home cooked meals at my parents', went to Belgrade, and now I'm in Novi Sad, visiting my sister... and a dentist. Yep, this girl aged 26 will wear braces as of tomorrow. Eek! But everything for a nice smile, I guess.

Here are some interesting places on the web I stumbled upon recently.

Not-So Weekend Reads #6 - Happy Monday!

Subjective feeling. Source

Hey there, it's time for another round of #WeekendReads - at least it was time three days ago, but my assignments got me. It's getting seriously cold here in the Lowlands that most of the times I just stay inside wrapped in a blanket. Last week I somehow managed to watch the first season of a TV series I'm too ashamed to publicly admit which one it is; but hey, guilty pleasures, right! Everybody's got some. ;) I'm also trying to squeeze in some movies, and apparently I won't watch everything I have on my computer by the end of the year, because (drumroll) it ends in a few weeks. Huh! It's been one hell of a ride, this 2014. Probably my favorite year so far.

Being a Kid Big Time: Sinterklaas

The Dutch kids don't really appreciate Santa Claus. They have their own big guy who delivers presents: it's Sinterklaas (St Nicholas). Today is his day, but sometime in November Sinterklaas arrives to the Netherlands. They organize big parades on that day in all the cities. Yep, he arrives to all the cities in the country on the same day - that's what the children believe. Actually, when a few of us asked our Dutch classmate about the tradition, she said she kept looking around to see if there are any kids nearby, because it's really important to keep their belief in the good guy. 

I Found The Cutest Place in Europe: Burano Island

No, I didn't make a typo in the title. Yes, I know you've heard of Murano island near Venice. But this one also exists. (Even an Italian friend asked me "But you mean Murano, right?". No. I mean Burano.)

Guys, this place is so so cute, and I'm so happy and grateful that people who'd organized the Science of Aphasia conference took us on this trip, otherwise I'd never know about this amazing little island! I mean, look at these houses - and the whole island is like this. They're small, painted in vivid colors, and just so picture pretty, I lost my friends who headed to get some ice-cream - I just had to stop to take a photo, and then again, and again.

Why is Burano so colorful? I have no idea. I read that if someone wishes to paint their home, they must send a request to the government, and then they will allow certain colors. How crazy is that?! I also heard/read that it's like this because drunken fishermen had troubles finding their homes when going back after a day on the sea. Who knows?! 

How to Survive Winter (Coming from Someone Who Survived Their Last One in Finland)

If you had asked me what I thought about winter two years ago, I would have been a girl version of the Grumpy Cat: I. Hate. It. I thought it was pointlessly cold, pointlessly unpleasant and just... well, pointless.

But then again, you could say I was a bit of an ignorant when it comes to winter. I neglected proper clothing for the sake of looks, and I pretty much didn't behave as if it's really cold. That's why I loathed winter: I didn't know it. So when I was forced to spend a winter in Finland, I got to know it. Really know it. And having spent winter there made me realize two things: winter in Belgrade, or pretty much anywhere else in continental Europe, is nothing compared to the one in Scandinavia; and it was good that I had to spend it there, because now I know all the do's and don'ts. Today I'm sharing them with you.

Weekend Reads #5

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Taking baby steps to reviving the blog again. (Posted a late Instagram update yesterday). And not missing the Weekend Reads. I'm actually quite happy to prepare these posts, every time I read something new I wonder if it would suit Weekend Reads. Well, I hope I'm bringing some fun/interesting/useful content here!

Late, late, late: Instagram Sept & Oct

I feel like the White Rabbit from Alice in the Wonderland: Oh my god, oh my god, I'm so late! I usually post Instagram posts at the beginning of the (odd) month, but this month I just didn't feel... inspired. I don't know. I kinda neglected this lil' online place of mine. Well, soon enough it will be time for another Instagram update, so I better deliver this one! So, September and October. September seems like ages ago. Which is a pitty, because it almost feels like a previous life. And it was the coolest.

Before I start with the photos, I just want to wish a happy Thanksgiving to all the Americans who stop by! I hope you have a wonderful holiday and a wonderful dinner. Have I told you that I had a Thanksgiving dinner two weeks ago, hosted by our American teacher? It was that early because it was the date everyone could make it, and it was my first Thanksgiving ever. I had no idea traditional American food was SO FREAKIN GOOD. I was so full. That turkey, and the sweet potatoes, and the beetroot and apple salad, and the stuffing, and the gravy, and I'm just craving that right now!! What a night. 

Weekend Reads #4

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I cannot believe that I never blog if I don't have the time, yet I don't want to miss this new feature I introduced on Fridays. But I guess if I cannot offer you my traveling adventures or something else I've come up with, it's only fair to make it up to you with some links to keep you occupied. And those deffo take less time to be delivered to you. So, here we go.

Weekend Reads #3

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Hello lovlies!

So, as you can see, my last post is from last Friday, which means I'd had a very busy week at uni. I have to admit that I started counting the days to the Christmas break, which also means going home! I need a break. Two days in Amsterdam over the weekend were great, but I need more, haha! Amsterdam is, by the way, such a cutie, and currently it's nr. 2 in my list "most beautiful cities in the world". (Do you remember which one is the first?)

This weekend will be devoted to a lot of decluttering: I decided I had too many things in my wardrobe I rarely ever wear (one needs space for new season's items, right?!), and plus, you wouldn't believe the condition of my Downloads folder. I just cleaned my Desktop a bit, it was such a mess, I wasn't able to see the background properly. Now it's all neat and clean, and I have this as the background.

Weekend Reads #2

Looking forward to seeing this for myself later today!
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Hello friends,

Another weekend is just around the corner! I woke up at 6:45 without the alarm - that's close to a miracle - and now I'm sipping on my coffee, after I'd had my breakfast. Which I made last night. (Overnight oats - to make sure I have my oats even if there's a chance I'd be lazy to make an oatmeal.) I don't know who I am and what happened to... well, me, but I like it. I am by no means a morning person, but I really, really like it when I'm able to take it easy - instead of running around all panicky because I don't know what to wear, and the class starts in less than half an hour. No fun.

Anyway, I'm going to Amsterdam this afternoon! And I'm super excited, I've never been there before. My best friend from my hometown moved there in 2005 and has been inviting me to visit ever since, but I never had both the money and the time. So after nine years, I'll finally see him in a place other than our town!!

What are your plans for the weekend? For the second time, I'm delivering some awesome places in the cyberspace for you to check out. Have fun!