Happy Easter!

Warning:  This is a kind-of serious post with no pictures.  I am very, very sorry.  I like words, a lot.

If the Facebook updates or "#eastersundayselfie's" haven't informed you by now, let me do the honour.  Today is Easter Sunday.  Easter, a word that has a random flurry of connotations stuck along with it.  Brightly coloured eggs, chocolate, bunnies? Crosses?  I mean, really what does this all have in common?  What is Easter all about?

When I questioned my four year old little sister, asking her what Easter was all about, she told me, "I don't know.  I've never done these things before!"  I'm not going to lie, that kid kind of cracks me up.  Obviously, her three previous Easters hadn't left a lasting impression and she still wasn't quite sure what this whole holiday thing signified.

We all know there's more to Easter than letting ourselves go and having a few extra pieces of chocolate along with our tea.  More than just a new dress to wear.  More than a nice, little excuse for a couple of weeks off school.  More, more, more.

I think for some reason, it's uncomfortable for us all to think that somebody actually died for us and there's nothing we can possibly do to repay them.  It's very uncomfortable in fact.  We all like to feel self-sufficent.  Independent.  The realisation, that our future is dependent on someone who we can't manipulate, is well, kind of scary.  Not only are we faced with this fact on a regular basis but there is an entire holiday in celebration of it.

So, in light of this, we try to make Easter a little more 'comfortable' by spending our time instagramming our easter eggs, taking selfies in our new clothes, or proclaiming the Easter bunny the face of Easter.  Either that, or we adorn ourselves in our Sunday best and go to church, so we can enjoy a guilt free Easter season.

The truth of the matter is, there is no reason to feel guilty on Easter, or any other day on the calender because, someone did die for us and we can not repay that person but that person did not die, so we could feel awkward once or twice a year around Christmas and Easter.  This person died so we could live GUILT-FREE lives full of purpose, joy and hope.  Just to clarify this person's name is Jesus.

As I write this post in my new Easter dress, whilst listening to the Civil Wars using the little red pair of headphones I found laying in my Easter basket, I'm thankful for the Easter surprise that beats Cadbury's Easter eggs hands down!  Happy Easter!

The Netherlands

I am a travel addict.  It's true.  I find myself gazing at the travel section on pineterest far too often.  Airplane's and boats are my favourite modes of transportation, and I find myself smiling at strangers in airports because every time I find myself in one, I'm genuinely happy to be there.

Earlier this week, I found myself pulling along a bright red carry-on and awkwardly making my way through an airport- completely unaccompanied.  That's right.  No, big deal but I flew by myself, for the first time ever.  Straight to Amsterdam.  Can you tell I was excited?

As I stumbled through security (after dropping many items) and browsed overpriced magazines before boarding my plane, my mind was busy mulling over what was to be of the journey ahead.

1 hour and 10 minutes after boarding I felt my suede boots hitting Dutch soil (well not really soil, more Asphalt, but that just doesn't have the same ring to it, does it?).  It didn't take long to fall in love with the country.

The friends I was staying with quickly introduced me to the beauty of Dutch culture.  Here's a few things I loved about Holland

1.  Bicycles.
 It seems everyone in the Netherlands is jetting off on bikes in every colour under the sun.  While in the Netherlands I spotted an older couple holding hands whilst cycling side by side.  (That's the kind of cool stuff you see, in the Netherlands).  Also it's not just the sport ones who cycle.  In the Netherlands practically everyone does. While I was roaming a street in Haarlem I spotted a woman in a dress coat and tights followed by a man with a cigarette in his mouth, both cycling.  It's cool to see so many different people on bikes.  Businessmen in suit coats and young children alike.

2.  The Food
While in Holland, I had amazing food.  From ribs, to Turkish pizza but one thing I found especially interesting was their frites (chips/fries).  We stopped at a little food place which sold chips wrapped into a cone of sorts.  The chips by themselves were lovely, but what made them particularly interesting was there topping.  A common topping for chips is mayo and peanut sauce.  Actually quite nice.

3.  Iced tea.
I've always liked iced tea and Holland had lots so, that was kind of perfect.

4.  The history
While in Holland I found myself visiting Rembrandt's Birth place and Corrie Ten Boom's House.  It was lovely to go somewhere with such a cool history.

Rembrandt's birth place

Statue by Rembrandt's birth place

 5. The canals
The Netherlands seems to have an abundance of canals, which makes it ideal for transportation by boat.  Very, very cool.

6.  The architecture

The cities I visited (Leiden and Haarlem) seemed to be full of gorgeous old architecture from centuries ago.  I often caught myself staring in awe at the intricate designs of architects from a time, long before mine.

7.  Flowers
There seemed to be fields of flowers EVERYWHERE, not only tulips but other varieties also.  I don't think I realised how fun it is to walk through fields of flowers until I actually did so.  While strolling flower fields with friends, we even managed to find some kool-aid smelling ones. Who knew flowers could smell so good.  Mind. Blown.  I was glad to "stop and smell the roses", it's not something I do often.

All of these things made it increasingly to march my grey canvas Toms on an plane back home.  As I flew across Europe I was reminded of how fortunate I was to visit a place as beautiful as this.  I do indeed love the Netherlands.

Until next time...

Afscheid!