Yankee Candle!!!!

OMG... my house smells so good!!!! Like insanely good! The reason is that I have bought some Yankee Candles in Amsterdam and they smell so good!

Not too long ago Mitchel and I went to Amsterdam to go shopping and to visit some fun sites. at Magna Plaza (the former location of 'Fame' the record store) they  have several other stores, including Yankee Candle. So when we took home a glass jar of Cinnamon sticks and it lasted for ages and smelled so good, we decided that THIS was going to be our brand of candles.

Moving on.... to two weeks ago. I really wanted to order some Yankee Candles, and was focussed on christmas so I bought some christmas/winter themed scents. Right now the entire house smells like Christmas Garland. It is amazing and really puts me in the christmas mood.

It seems like I'm not the only Yankee Candle fan. Tom from McFly seems to be one as well!

He posted this picture on his Instagram. I AM JEALOUS! Bu then again, I also ordered my stash of candles and can enjoy the smell of cinnamon, christmas cookies and garland. I'm good!!!

xoxo Chantal

My future plans....

You can tell, right? I haven't spend much time on this blog, not enough. I have come up with something. I have made a weekly planning and have made blogging a standard task every week. So hopefully (since I have some of the topics set in stone) this will help me actually write. If you have any topics in mind, let me know. I love to hear your thoughts.

From now on I will try and post a blogpost every Sunday. So keep your eyes on the blog and leave a comment.

lots of love, Chantal

50 things I love...

Being in a relationship, Movies, Hot chocolate, kruidnoten, Flying, Mitchel, Kittens, My home, my erasable pen, drawing, writing, Indesign, Apple, Fruit, Cooking, Cheesecake, 24 Kitchen, Cardigans, Disneyland Paris, puppies, Japan, paper, smell of a book, my bank account when I receive money, puzzles, blogging, singing, cuddling, colouring, England, My friends, running into people at random, traveling, United States, Accents, typing, sweets, green tea lemon, honey tea, cinnamon rolls, Breakfast with the bf, my rings, my Mickey Mouse necklace, grey and pink together, holiday, listening, music, getting autographs, finding new material, working on a collection of recipes to make my own cookbook.

This is what I could come up with now but I know for sure that there are plenty more.... :D

Book Review #7: Girl Online by Zoe Sugg

It has been a while since I read and actually finished a book. Normally I just get distracted while reading and after a while I realize I haven't read it in some time so I don't even remember the story to begin with.

This was SOO not the deal with this book. I found it in Sainsbury's near Barton Hall in Devon, UK. I had seen it in stores and people had been raving about it but up until then I hadn't really felt tempted to read it. I took the book with me and started reading it while working for PGL. I finished the last part of the book when I had returned home. I felt sad that I had finished it so soon.

If you don't know, the story is about a blogger named Penny, who has been writing a personal anonymous blog about her life. When something embarrassing happens to Penny she just doesn't want to go back to school. And lucky for her, her parents get an offer to work on a wedding in the US, so the entire family is invited. There she meets a very cute guy named Noah and her new US adventure begins.

This book made me think a couple of times it maybe Zoe (Zoella, as she's known on youtube) had to deal with these things herself. Panick attacks and boy issues. If she has, then wow. If not, then still wow. I'm really looking forward to the second book (which should be coming soon).

Why should you read?
This is such a good book to just dream away with. It is easy to read and Penny is a very nice character and really sucks you in. After the first few pages you just want to know what happens to this girl.
This is one of those books that make your reach for a pillow sometimes and just cry and cry a little more at the times where Penny is hurt the most. You'll be surprised and feel for Penny more often then not.

Why not read it?
If you're all about literature, this is not your favourite book. This is a feel-good book and if you want to do more than dream away, then this is not for you.

Stars: ••••+

Returning to normal life...

Hi Guys,
Time has past, and so has my time at PGL. Looking back, I do reflect on it fondly. I have met some amazing people at PGL, and they have certainly helped me gain some confidence.

My feelings about PGL are conflicted. On the one hand it has proven itself a great thing for my confidence. I got to work with kids roughly the age I will be working with when I'm a teacher, so I got some good experiences while being there. On the other hand, it was so difficult being away from my boyfriend that I sometimes think about if it was all worth it.

Anyway, I have returned home and that feels amazing. It is so great waking up next to someone you have missed for 3 months and being able to say 'good morning' in their faces, and not having to type it.
I was a very lucky b*tch cause he had 3 weeks off when I returned home. 3 whole weeks of sleeping in, going out on fun dates, exploring some amazing restaurants and visiting some theme parks around the country. Even with 3 entire weeks for ourselves, it still wasn't enough to do all the things on our list. Oh well.

Today was the second day normal life had started again. Mitch had gone to work and I had started my second day of what will be my life for the next 2 months until school starts again. We will see what happens. I'm thinking of doing some freelance graphic design jobs. I haven't done much of that since I got my multimedia diploma (certificate) so I think I should really start it again.

So If you want something designed, just howl :P

xo Chantal

The 'Seconds' Phenomenon

The first time this happened, it blew me away. And it turns out I'm not the only one who was surprised by this. As soon as new people come in and they experience this for the first time, you see them all watching (some with their mouths open) and having that question mark clear on their face.
I'm talking about 'seconds'.

I don't know if this is strictly Boreatton Park or if it is a custom at PGL but at the end of staff dinner, one of the kitchen staff people comes around the staff tables and calls 'seconds'. As soon as that happens a big group (mostly guys) get up and storm - I'm not kidding - to the front end of the canteen and get in line to get another helping of their favourite part of the dish. Mostly you see them return with a full plate (and I mean stacked 3 layers high) with whatever meat is on that day's menu or battered fish.

Two days ago there were no seconds. People had gotten ready (some twisted on their seat) to run towards the serving stations, but instead they were disappointed. You could see it on their faces. They had hoped for 'seconds' and they had been let down. Today it was even better. I was quietly eating my meal when they called 'seconds' and the guy who was sitting across from me - wow. His eyes widened, he shoved his final spoon full of rice into his mouth, grabbed his plate and practically ran to the serving station. It was the most hilarious thing I have seen in days.

Anyway. I just wanted to share this with you guys. I'm not sure this 'seconds' phenomenon is a strictly BP thing or if this is normal for PGL. If you know, let me know :D

Love, Chantal

Drawing to my heart's desire

There has been a new trend going on here in the Netherlands, and it is really fun. I'm talking about the coloring-for-adults books. All book stores are filled with stacks of these books and it has kept me busy with it for a while now.

So I was thinking, especially after my weekend away with my boyfriend (remember last year all I could talk about? that's the guy) and he started about it. He was thinking he wanted to buy one of those books for himself, and that got me thinking about getting one myself. So last Sunday I decided to make the decision and bought one. It took me a total of 40 minutes when we got home on Sunday before I got it out of the bag and started coloring.

It is soooo relaxing. Your mind goes blanc and all you care about at the time is picking nice colors that compliment each other and color in blanc spaces.

See here my first creation.

My PGL Adventure so far....

Hi guys! I'm sorry for the lack of posts but you will understand in about a minute...

Friday the 17th I got on a plane, on my way to Bristol and beyond to start my PGL adventure. After a very teary goodbye (from my end as well as the people I was leaving behind) I got on the big bird. However, it wasn't really smooth sailing right off the bat. Apparently the plane that we would be flying with had technical difficulties. So we had to wait for another plane to be cleaned for us to use.

With all that I had an hour delay, and because I had fallen asleep on the plane I hadn't had anything to drink or eat so I had to take care of that as well when I landed in Bristol.

After a long journey - car, plane, bus, train, taxi - I arrived at Barton Hall in Devon. The first thing I noticed was how beautiful it is. This big white building (castle style) on a hill, with an amazingly beautiful view over a nearby town, it is just magnificent. But I believe I made a picture, so you can judge yourself -->
Isn't it just beautiful? Especially with a little help from the sun.

Anyway. This is where I spend the first 10 days of my Stay Abroad adventure. Our days were filled with courses to train us and get us ready to become AIGLs, or Activities Instructor /  Group Leader.
I especially loved the Archery training, and mostly because I got to shoot some arrows at a target and try to hit the center. I got good at it.

After the 7th day Assessments started, and at the time we were really scared that we would fail. However, as days progressed and especially now, that seems so strange. The assessments are actually pretty easy to pass, just as long as you know what to do and how to do it. So day 8 and 9 were all about assessments and packing and day 10 was the day we moved to our centers.

I met some nice people on my training course. One of them is another girl from the HU. She and I now share a room here in Boreatton park. Anyway, with a small group from our training we headed towards Boreatton Park. The trip itself took about 9 hours in total, on 2 long coach rides from Newton Abbott to Shrewsbury. To say we were exhausted is an understatement.

As soon as we arrived at Boreatton Park I started comparing. This site is huge. The giant swing for example. Barton Hall has 1, but Boreatton Park has 4. Our assessments didn't stop at Barton Hall. Ever since we came here we have had regular training sessions and accompanied assessments. It has been exhausting, but also really fun to do.

Now, I'm typing this at the end of week 3, and even though I love it here.. I do really miss home. I'll talk to you soon.

Book Review #6: The Selection by Kiera Cass

 

I walked into one of the many Bruna bookshops at Utrecht Central Station and found a stack of books on one of the tables. They included this book series, including in a box. But since I wasn't sure if i would like it, I only bought the first book of the series. Regret alert!

I started reading the book and by the first chapter I was hooked. So no worries, I didn't regret buying it. I regretted not buying the box set with the first 3 books! I hadn't heard yet of Kiera Cass, but that changed quickly. Her writing style is so relaxed and she sucked me into the story immediately.

America Singer is the lead character, who we follow on her journey as a 'selection' candidate. Her world is that of a dystopian future, where they live in Illéa and where she might be the future princess to steal the prince's heart.

The book deals with a couple of issues; leaving home for the first time, poverty, wars, rebellion, difference in castes, strength and politics. All woven in an easy to read story told from America's perspective.

I finished the book in about a week, and I got my hands on the second book from the trilogy which i've already started reading. This is one book I loved.

Why should you read?
It is a story about finding love. A poor girl who gets her fairy tale life (without even wanting it). Really something for you if you love Cinderella-esque stories.

Why not read it?
If you don't really like the chick lit books this is not for you. There isn't much action written into it, very low on blood and gore.
 
Stars: ****

PGL getting closer

My last post (yes I have removed it) was about a school assignment and about me reviewing at least 7 books for that course. In all honesty, that didn't happen the way I planned. So instead of dwelling, I just decided to move on.

In only 3 months I'll be in the UK. This all for the good of education. School requires me to be abroad for 10 weeks. However, I followed their advice and applied for a temp job with PGL, and luckily I got it. This does mean that i'll be gone longer than I thought I would be, so I'm excited as well as a little anxious.

This trip marks my first time abroad - on my own. First time getting on a plane - alone. First time staying somewhere - alone. I'll have to say goodbye to my boyfriend and family for 3 months at the least and I'll probably only speak to them occasionally, because we're all busy. Get where my anxiety comes from yet?

But it's not only anxiety that I feel. I have loved every minute that I have spend in the UK so far. So I'm really looking forward to living there for a short time. Really looking forward to getting to know new people and working with them. Sharing my views on the world and teaching the kids the knowledge that I have gathered through the years.

I can't wait....
But then again I can't wait till it's over either. I don't want to think about missing my boyfriend for so long.

I'll keep y'all posted!


P.S: PGL is a camp (organization) where kids aged 7 - 17 can go and do activities. I'll be an activities instructor and group leader. PGL sounds like a fun job. So for you wondering, PGL is not the source of my anxiety at all.