New Prez, New Motivation, New year!

Dear Friends and Family!

Happy New Year / (Belated) Holidays / New Chapter in US history! 2009 is already quite the year, hey? I meant to get all of this out earlier, but better late than never!

My school cruelly made finals after the Christmas holidays so after coming back to the NL after a wonderful couple of weeks home, I was in super study mode (playing catch up for the first term). After a little less than a week of waking up at 5-7 am and studying for 10-14 hours straight I felt pretty confident after my exams! I wasn't sure if I still had it, but I think after that I am officially back in the academic groove.

My trip home was so wonderful. I only wish it could have been longer and I could have seen more of you all! I did manage to make it up to Vancouver, BC to see Becky and Leighton (sis and bro-in-law). Our family celebrated a deliiiicious Christmas dinner complete with turkey, stuffing, yams, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and my favorite- cranberry sauce shaped like a can. That's the kind of stuff you just can't find over here haha! So yummy!! We were also blessed with masssssive amounts of snow there and in Washington... A white Christmas, finally! :)

The rest of the break I pretty much relaxed, reflected, and really loved catching up with my family! I saw some good friends too in Gig Harbor, Seattle, and Portland which was fantastic :).

I headed back to the Netherlands just in time for New Years Eve, which I celebrated in the streets of Amsterdam. Electronic music was pumping, there were giant screens showing the count-down, thousands of crazy people were dancing on the streets, sidewalks, (pretty much anywhere you can find a place to stand or climb!), fireworks were blasting from people on the ground and way up in the air... truly unforgettable! Holland really does NYE justice! :)

After my insane week of studying and finals, to celebrate the hard work and take advantage of the few days off, my friend Elrich and I went to Dublin for the 2nd weekend in January. It was SO exciting to finally be back on the green isle! On my first trip there was when I was 16, and of all the European countries visited in the trip, I think Ireland was my favorite! We stayed with a friend in Dublin and did the city thing, saw Trinity college/book of kells/the Dublin castle/ Temple Bar area/ Stephen's Green park / Grafton street shopping / Delicious Pub food and Guinness of course! Good times!

We also went to Howth, a little village on the Eastern coast. That was probably my highlight. There was this ancient church ruin from ~1000ad, some amazing sights of these green islands and the village built upon the green hillside. We walked through twisty tiny streets to find food, and drank Guiness the way it was meant to be drunk- in Ireland itself, in a tiny local pub! So great!!! I kept my eyes peeled for leprechauns the whole time... I didn't explicitly see any per se, but I did see a rainbow on my way to the airport the last day! Perfect! That pot of gold was nearly in sight ;)

Now I'm back in the Hague, doing the student thing again. I must say I have a new sense of motivation in the new year. I am taking classes I really love, I have an idea of my what I want to do my thesis on, and am just soaking up being able to interact with profs and students who are really informed/influential in the Development Field. I am feeling great about my decision to go here.

My classes this term are on the Economics of Globalization, Discourse Analysis, and Labour Rights Governance/Global Value Chains. The last class I particularly enjoy because that I decided is the area I wish to write my thesis on. I am thinking of orienting my research around the idea of greater/more cohesive governance for Corporate Social Responsibility... trying to work with existing international and national frameworks to use businesses to promote welfare. I am not sure how I will narrow it all down yet, but it feels great to have a basic idea and framework to orientate my studies! It is especially great too because it builds off my previous studies of International Business. I'm really excited about the possibilities!

I also am now officially the chair of our school's Social Committee! I decided I have enough fun and organize enough parties already for my friends and I, I may as well translate that for all students to benefit! So far we've planned some great parties from Open Mic nights and summer Beach Volleyball Tournaments/BBQ's to Iron Chef food competitions and ISS Idol... a singing contest based on the American Idol model hahah... Should be great!

Now I just need really need a job so I can keep up this traveling thing! (It's unsurprisingly not nearly as easy to find a job here... I am working on it but I sure miss good 'ol craigslist!) My friend and I discovered that it is only ~230 dollars to fly to Moscow... now that would be an adventure! And with my love for Tolstoy, it would be a dream come true! I actually have a little trip planned for Scotland in February- see my good friend Simon... I arrive Friday February 13th and we already have a haunted city tour planned... Supposedly Edinburgh is the most haunted city in the Europe (or the world maybe?) Should be SPOOKY!!!! :D I also reallllly hope to make it to Washington DC in May for my best friend, Kristina's wedding! I also have tickets to one of the biggest Trance (Electronic) concerts of the year in Ultrecht this March. Armin Van Buren and Paul Van Dyk- arguably 2 of the most famous Trance DJ's in the world will be there along with many others... Holland is renowned for its electronic music, I can't wait to experience a concert with the best!!! :D So many exciting things coming up!

I must say 2009 has already started off with a renewed sense of enthusiasm for both my studies and living life in general! I cannot say how relieved/glad I am that Barak Obama is now offically in office! I know we all don't share the same viewpoint, but I think we can all agree that America certainly needs renewal/reconciliation/revivification with not just its own citizens, government and markets, but those of the greater world as well. I think he's already well on his way to instigating change in spite of the huge challenges, and I just hope all can work together to make positive effects happen! The entire feeling in the international community is changed as well, there is hope again for America (albeit cautious) but I can't tell you how great that feels!

Well, that's about it from here- I wish you all the VERY best in 2009 as well in your varied endeavors. Please keep me posted on your own lives as well! :) Thank you to each and everyone of you for the special contributions each of you have made to my life. I am so grateful for all the support and encouragement I've received along the way, but especially in the past year. I've definitely learned A LOT throughout 2008, and I hope to to be able to implement this and even further knowledge into the next year!

Have a FABULOUS, Enriching, Enjoyable 2009!

Lots of love always,
Ruth :)

**P.S. Check out the Ireland Slideshow on the right hand of the blog!!!:)**

P.P.S - I forgot to mention I'm also planning on doing my first Marathon this year! There is a big one in Amsterdam this October-- here I come! I'm doing a half marathon in March in the Hague to get me back in the groove, can't wait! :D