Week 4

Hi! Sorry for not updating yesterday, I was celebrating King’s Night so had no time to do this! There was parties held in center and DJs and bartenders were on the street too, it was something really different and what I haven’t experienced before. I had fun and I really like dancing so yeah, it was a good night! Today on Monday is the King’s Day, and people celebrate it all over the Netherlands and they might wear some orange on them. By going out yesterday and today I noticed that it doesn’t seem to be that popular (in Zwolle at least), but we thought it would be nice to have even something orange on us! I had my artsy stuff with me so I bought couple of roses from H&M and painted them with watercolours (and gave other for Lotta). I also bought some earrings and that was just fine.

Yep, it’s better just to do it yourself! (I actually added another layer of orange on the next day to make rose even more bright)

Some orange bling bling

And orange cream puffs omg

Anyways, we are on the halfway, and I’ve noticed that I’m not happy about it. I wish time would go more slowly! One girl at work asked me if I’m missing home in Finland but I was like nooo wayy.

Last week I finally got my chance to work at the cash register! It’s not difficult when you get used to it, but since it’s all in Dutch and customer wants something special treatment like pay with some points or gift card I need to ask help. But otherwise no problems. Okay, yes there is people who are cranky and don’t understand that why there is foreign trainee who can’t speak Dutch. But I just have to accept the fact that I can’t please everyone and that some people are not polite or understanding whatsoever. Luckily 95% of the customers belongs to the nice side and some might be even excited to talk in English and tell me to have a nice time in Zwolle.

So last week in general was nice, don’t get me wrong! Our teacher and some other teachers were here and we spend some good time with them, especially when we went to eat place called “Bistro De Zoete Inval”. That place.. I would take there anyone who would come to Zwolle. For 27,50€ you can eat from 3 course menu as much as you want. (Drinks separately ofc) Everytime you get your plate, you have to make new order from menu. It’s simple and more like tasting concept, because portions are small, but so freaking good. And seriously it is not like some disgusting buffet, but real and delicious restaurant food. Idk how it can be so cheap though. I ordered 10 times, oooopsie. (4 desserts.. :DDD)

Also on Monday I went with Lotta to Groningen which is a student city of the Netherlands, soo much young people. But I liked it, there was nice shops and artsy stuff. Worth seeing I think!

Super inspiring artsy book called “flow” and some candy! Never thought that rose and anis would make a good mix

Aaaand on King’s Day it’s tradition here that people sell their old stuff at the streets on carpets. Most sellers were kids with their toys, books and clothes so I couldn’t find much of anything, still something is better than nothing. I need to find antique or second hand stores of Zwolle.

Art bookie (1€) and old cigar tin box (0,50€)

So that’s much about it, have a nice rest of the week! I’ll go watch some fireworks in 10 mins, doei

Week 3

Hello my readers! Time has went super fast again, even though previous week at work wasn’t my favourite one. For Tuesday and Wednesday there was inventory checking.. during working hours. It meant that you couldn’t bring anything in or out of storage! So only cleaning, cleaning and cleaning. The whole inventory job was given to other company to do so I didn’t had anything clever to do. V&D also started mid season sale right after PrijzenCircus, so on Thursday I was scanning items to see their price and if it was different from price tag, I needed to attach sticker with new price. I scanned half of the bags, all wallets, belts and scarves which basically took the whole day. Friday was more like basic stuff I’ve been doing. After work I went to couple of drinks with Lotta to talk about things, work and non-work related. We are the only ones who understand the language barrier, how annoying it is and the feeling when you can’t express yourself the way you would like to. But hey, have to keep up the positive mind and the joy free-time gives.

Guess how much I paid for this lunch? (3 different bread slices, chips and dip plus strawberry smoothie) Only 2,70€! Okay this is something special since usually I go with breads/paninis. I’ve tested almost all they have!

Here is some example pic I found by using Google. I prefer their dark bread with seeds, then chicken or turkey in between! Never tuna again, because it’s difficult to eat without mess hahah.

On Monday I went with Lotta to Almere and amount of shops was really nice surprise! It was like they wouldn’t stop showing up… But yes we went to Primark too, but I was kind of disappointed to their collection! Or I’ve become really picky hahah. So instead of 200 euros I spend 57, still on many things tho!

I’m SAD because I bought Frozen comfy pants in wrong size (hanger had my size and it was the one that’s not easy to open up, so I trusted to it and at home I realised I got pants in size L….) so yesterday I went to Zaandam with Paul (because there is also Primark) to return them plus saw new city. They didn’t had them so I just had to accept the fact that no Frozen pants for me. (And my age was?) About Zaandam.. well, we weren’t too impressed though there was some interesting buildings. But outside of center seemed ghettoish.

After that we still had plenty of time so we stopped by in Amsterdam to walk around. It’s so funny that we can just do it without much of planning. City was soooo crowded, probably because of Saturday, but at least we had fun there! Not the last time I go to Amsterdam, for sure.

So yeah, not so much to say but I really hope that next week at work goes more smoothly. If I wouldn’t have made friends out of some co-workers it would be so much more boring! And for more brighter way to think, weather has been really nice (last Wednesday was +22!) which makes me more energetic and happy in general. Tomorrow I’ll go to Groningen but more about it on next post. Have and nice next week and doei!

Week 2

Hellooo thereee! One week is gone again. This was actually last week of the PrijzenCircus so I have no idea how it’s going to be now on. Like, the beginning of the week is pretty quiet but then it starts to get crowded and such, but after these super sales I really hope it won’t get boring. I’ve been doing same stuff like tidying up the store, Putting. So. Many. Clothes. On. Hangers, alarming and customers have been asking questions. I think grannies are really funny because they speak Dutch to me even I would tell that I can only speak English and they won’t stop until I manage to find another person to help them out. And sort of annoying to me is when someone asks question and I know exactly what they mean (about sale percents, toilets, fitting rooms etc. simple stuff) and I have to say “Sorry I don’t speak Dutch, but fitting rooms are right next to the kassa (cashier, it’s funny that it’s same in Finnish and Dutchu) which you can see over there” But well, it’s something I can’t help right now! On Friday we signed papers to get personal cards for using the back door (without ringing bell) and they are also for discounts. (With card you get 65% off from your lunch price in V&D!) It’s more easier to have your own card rather than asking someone to borrow it for yourself for a while.

Anyways, I wish I could be at cashier already and chat more with the customers! I hope that later it will possible?

Not so work related, but on Monday I went to see Fast and Furious 7 with Lotta and Aleksi. It was worth seeing I think!

And I got first ice cream of the summer! (Mango sorbet) I also had Kinder Bueno ice cream on last Friday but have no photo of it. I’m more of the person who just enjoys situations without taking photos and you might notice that in this blog haha.

 

  Got this from Aleksi!

Today with Paul I went to Tuinland which is huuuge flower shop and after that we went to see some animals. I also broke some traffic rules, sob... For the sake of this blog we took some photos because I felt I really need more material!

Poor fish in so small container :( I wanted to save them

Cuteness overload with baby goats

Our favourite piggie :3

Honestly I don’t usually eat unhealthy stuff but since it’s Sunday evening…

Domino’s pizza and some wine

Yes my blog is such a high quality with all this stuff, I should think up more in advance what to write about. Either way I’m pretty excited about tomorrow’s free day because I go to Almere with Lotta! We can’t hold ourselves anymore of going to Primark and this one is the closest one hahah. It’s so sad that they’re opening Primark to Zwolle next year. Boo. But it’s nice to see some new places and get some money burn... Also the 5th season of Game of Thrones starts today (tho I can’t see it until tomorrow) so things couldn’t get any better.

Have a nice week! Doei ;)

Week 1

Hello there! So one week is behind and so far everything is alright. Last time I was worried how things would work out, but oh well, on Tuesday I got my bikey (makes going to grocery store much more faster) and working at V&D started on Wednesday.

Pigeons hiding from superduper annoying wind. I had to stop and snap a pic!

I thought I would be working in those few specific sections but I’m actually doing things on a whole floor which also includes “younger” ladies clothing brands such as Vila, Only, Jane Norman, Desigual, Soho.. plus Mango and New Look, but they have their own workers so I don’t have to keep their section tidy nor bring their clothes from warehouse to the store. My floor also includes swimsuits and accessories like wallets, scarves, sunglasses etc. and beauty products like The Body Shop stuff. So yeah, this actually gives me a lot more experience than I thought and I’ve actually wanted to work at clothing store. Employees are really nice, I’ve felt I’ve had warm welcome to the department and I’ve talked with everyone just so they know who I am, why I’m there and the fact that I can only speak English hahah. Most of the workers have good English skills, and even some don’t, we will find a way to communicate. But yeah, looking forward for the next week!

These look so much more bigger in the pic than they actually are haha

I work 8 hours per day, but Mondays and weekends are off. My feet are not used to it yet but I know they will.. eventually. Clothing rules are pretty simple tho it was a big fat lie about getting uniforms!? Black pants, simple shoes (I have black flats) and probably black/white/red shirt. I’ve been going with black or black and white chiffon blouses which I think fit for the image of the store. I also got this red big flower to put on my chest, it’s so cute and changes look completely! And of course, a name tag.

Tulips are the must-have in your kitchen! I looove the color combination of yellow and pink.

Anyways, I don’t know what to else say, I’m off to bed now and hope you’re all having nice Easter holidays! Doei