Hello readers,

It’s been busy in my life. The usual busyness someone expect nowadays, the study busyness and just life that rolls like a rollercoaster.

The past few months – October, November, December and January – have been a rollercoaster.

During October in study the first exams of the year, a 32 hours a week internship besides studying and also a webshop project – as part of study. Except for studying blogging a bit, watching Netflix, now and then the cinema or just having drinks downtown or on a cultural city trip. Yes a happy and lovely life of family and friendships.

And I finally received at a ceremony my Propedeuse Informatica ‘Information Technology’

November was a month when the rollercoaster really started.

Some exams but the biggest shock was the sudden change of internship. I will not mention the company nor write about what happened / the sudden reason why and the way I found out I had to change from internship and the way the university handled it. No it is just a disappointing changing event that happened in the past which had of course a huge effect accompanied by a big disappointment.

How other companies or people treat you as an internship student; learn about what is good, recognize about what is bad. And the saddest thing is? I am definitely not on my own, it happens a lot among students and some feel ashamed that they suddenly have to change from internship – for no reason. An internship is about learning and getting experience at a real company. Not about making profit because you as an internship student are so cheap – aka probably not on the payroll nor a contract that is of any value legally when a university does not fully support you (could be accidentally though).

I have found a new company for a new internship and I am very grateful for that company that they give me the opportunity to gain experience in coding. And the advice, help, explanations and challenges! That makes me smile at work every day.

At the end of the month I turned 25! Whoohoo alive on this planet already for a quarter of a century! Celebrated it during the month with family and friends. So not a big party, though I love events, my head was not quite in the game of celebrations during these rollercoaster months. Last year I gave a party, maybe next time when I graduate and celebrate my birthday; I have two reasons for it haha :). Not yearly or daily = keeping celebrations special.

December is the month of festivities. ‘Sinterklaas’ and ‘Santa Claus’ both with my lovely family. Lots and lots of delicious food and good wine. And I love cooking, a four course dinner for example for such special days. So December went by quickly. Daily working and/or studying and barely free time except for the Christmas Days and New Year’s Eve.

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Winterwonderland in Antwerp. 🎄🍾🎇🎆✨ #citytrip #culture #winterwonderland #Antwerp #Antwerpen #citylights #lightfestival #cécémel #waffles #Flanders #embracetheday #sophievda

A post shared by Sophie (@sophie.vda) on Dec 30, 2017 at 12:37pm PST

January started of course with the New Year! Celebrated at a friends place and with family so raise your glass for a smile to the new year cause nonetheless whatever happens during life, as long as you find a reason to smile, start the year with a smile. Start every day with a smile.

Even when life is tough, for example with love. Love is the most difficult subject for every human being – and for some animals as well. They can’t teach you how to live life at school and from then on and how to love your life after school when you are becoming an adolescent or an adult or even an elder. It is a subject that never stops and you will keep on learning. Always a lesson, when you expect it and when you do not expect it. That’s been the last part of my rollercoaster these months. As if the weigh on my shoulders was not enough yet. But anyways, writing for yourself gives you a perspective of your point of view at that moment. So this writing in this quite personal blog post, gave me a perspective. Just noting a few things i love deeply.

I love my dear family, my dear friends. The ones who are close and the ones who are a bit further away but not less in my heart. I love animals, the writing and blogging, the cultural trips I experience. I love my study with all the challenges, the feeling of eagerness to learn and complete those challenges. The broad subjects and possibilities when you dare to think out of the box. Life is so full of chances. Never loose hope. Even when it is a rainy day and you have to wait a full day until you discover a new sunrise or sunset, just think: another 24 hours and you will see that sunrise or sunset tomorrow because the sun has never stopped during the daily circle of life.

Today is a Saturday and my January ended with more work, more study, more exams, more deadlines. But now it is weekend! Really finally since months a work and study free weekend. Time for some healthy rest. So upcoming days I am back with my blogging schedule: books, series, films, events, authors, technology. Experienced, seen, asked and done a lot the past couple of months so lots and lots to write about. Can’t wait to tell you about all the lovely stories and all the inspirations I experienced.

“There is always light in a dark night.” – Sophie van den Akker – February 2018

Greetings by Sophie