Happy Birthday, UDHR.

Prop 8 Musical!

Star-studded humorous attack on the government. Good times for all!

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Someone forgot to tell me how bloody COLD it gets here!

Ok, well maybe someone briefly 

mentioned something, but I 

refused to listen. My b. 

This is the view from our house last weekend, before we went to Brussels on Monday.

It was so perfect, being on the train to Brussels, with snow falling all around us, like a Christmas card. True story!

Anywho, we stayed in Brussels from Monday morning until Thursday afternoon.

We were late the first day, and went straight to the European Commission press 

center for a couple of hours, where we were "lectured" by 2 people on Euro econ, 

then had 3 journalists tell us all about reporting life on the EU. Later we all went 

to find our hostel, then to a place called "Fodo Factory," which ended up being 

terrible and tasting like Denny's, but more expensive. Either way, we headed to

 an Irish bar and had a good rest of the evening. 

The next day we had to be up before the crack of dawn, around 630, and after taking the worst shower EVER, consisting of a drizzle of water down the wall, and then a normal amount shooting 7 feet across to the opposite wall, therefore not allowing for any normal flow for normal showering purposes. grrrr..

We headed back to the press center, where we had a FULL day ahead. More speakers, more Sarah sleeping. Then we headed to the press area of the European Parliament, sat where they had press conference, and talked to the old Prime Minister of Belgium. (He loves chocolate and waffles, as his body proved.) From there we went to a lunch at a Spanish restaurant where met the spokesman for the future EU presidency, the Czech Republic. From there we went back to the press center for more lectures/sleeping, then back to the hostel to get ready. We were going to a dinner provided by the European Journalism Center, and it seemed like an ok place where students would eat, but no no no, we were wrong.

Although there was free wine, the first course was a small glass of some sort of fruity-foam thing that was not delightful, then 2 lumps of something pureed that looked like hummus and was really good, but turned out to be PIGEON!!! worst.surprise.ever. then, there were carmelized onions and with a piece of prosciutto wrapped around them, and carrots on top, and then a piece of FOIE GRAS on top. What is that fancy French word, you ask?? Small DUCK LIVER! Ugh. Gag me. It sounds nice on Top Chef when they make it for every dish, but to think of the poor duck being fed practically till it explodes just ruins it all for me. I couldn't think of anything else, and although it was kkiiinnndddaaaa good, it tasted like cheese and thats weird. 

Then there was a fish dish, that I actually ate AND liked, followed by a yummy dessert. And lots and lots of wine! It was necessary. We went out to an empty bar with some of our professors afterwards, then to a little dance club that could have been gay? We're still not sure, but my guy friends were confused. 

Definitely stayed out too late, and the next day was muy dificil para todos. More lectures, then on to the European Commission press conference area, where the EC President Manuel Barroso of Portugal. The place was packed with journo's, so it was cool to see it up close and personal. Even though I did fall asleep for a short bit :) After that, we had a free afternoon that consisted of Meryl and I heading back to the hostel for a long, refreshing NAP! So, so good.

We all got ready to go out (room with 6 Americans and 6 Germans...lots of makeup and hair products and perfume) then wandered around until we found a Thai restaurant. DELICIOUS! I got the highest level 3 spicy, and while those of you at home probably wouldn't be phased, (especially Nikki and Barb) my mouth was ON FIRE! For a good 5 minutes I couldn't talk or breathe or anything...it was awkward. And Chimay, while tasty, does not overcome spicy.

After we met up with everyone at Delirium, a world famous beer house with over 2,400 beers from around the world!! It was so cool...they had a giant book that you could look up beers by their type or where they were from. Either way, we had a good time but stayed out pretty late, and the next day was a bit brutal. Everyone else either went home or to Luxembourg, so we went to have a "Thanksgiving" lunch at the Cheesecake Cafe, which unfortunately, was owned by the same people that ran the Food Factory! I hate them. But I did have real French onion soup, so no complaints here. 

After a long train ride home, I fell asleep around 830pm and woke up at 2 the next day, and it was glorious! This weekend was uneventful, but I bought some cute new clothes today so all is right in the world. Thank you H&M, thank you :)

Love to all!!!

It's snowing!!

Yesterday I looked out the window and thought it was going to be a beautiful, sunny day, but 10 seconds later it was pouring rain. As it got louder, I realized it was hail! From that it turned into a light snow, nothing too impressive, but I was soo happy!

Now, we're sitting all cozy in our apartment, and we look outside, and its just beautifully snowing. And actually sticking to the ground!! I'm loving it :)

Procrastination is the name of the game...

...and I am a WINNER!!

I feel like I am drowning in school work, but this just leads me to feel sad and mad about it and new shows online to devote my time to. In short, I've been in a bit of a depression funk, and I'm ready to get the hell out of it. 

The last 2 weeks all has been well on the social front. Thursday turned into an impromptu bar crawl, where 14 of us wandered in search of a bar with room, but because it was a nice evening, everywhere was soo crowded! We eventually ended up at a "very Dutch" in Emiels words, bar where we drank like champs, and the Danish Jesper bought us shots called the "brain crusher" or something equally terrifying. The night ended with dancing at a place we went first, which is something we never seem to do, and I had a great time. Unfortunately, not all was fun because we were 'celebrating/mourning' Amy's last day. She decided to leave the program and head back to Ohio, apparently it just wasn't her thing :(

The next night was again all about Amy, and we went to a place our teacher took us during the first week, a bar inside an old abbey. Sinful :)  From here we met up with a German guy who did the program last year and his 2 Spanish friends, then off to Filemon, a dance club I had yet to go to and was anxious about. Until we walked inside to HOARDS of gentlemen. I mean, I liked that the odds were in my favor, but it was just weird. But I was happy with the fact that they weren't as creepy and aggressive as American guys, and dancing with the girls was just what I wanted! (The 6 Euro vodka tonic was not though, boo.) That night ended in yummy falafel at, where else...FALAFEL CITY! (I can't wait for you to get here Mama!!)

Saturday I woke up at the ungodly hour of 1030 or so, then off to meet Leah at the airport. We met up with 2 guys from Gilroy, Gibbs and Neil, who have been traveling through Africa and Europe since sometime in August. This was a DISASTER, in the simplest form of the word. Instead of getting a hostel/hotel in the city center, they chose one by the airport. Unfortunately, it wasn't by the airport, and doubly unfortunate is that the airport is like 20 minutes away from the center itself. There was a lot of waiting/walking/waiting/bus transport/train transport/waiting/walking before we finally go there. Got some falafel and doner kabobs (sense a trend in my diet? eesh.) Then it was off to my first coffeeshop! I didn't participate because I'm not down with the whole "doing drugs" thing, even if they are legal, but they had a good time. 

We found a small bar down the street and sat and talked for awhile, and watched 2 elderly men play a game on the most protected 'pool' table I had ever seen (3 different layers of cover..) when it finally was free from the grasp of plywood and table cloths, it wasn't even what we think of as a pool table! Only 3 balls, and no holes. I was very confused, but let it slide because who wants to knock 2 old guys about their weird sporting habits.

Then we journeyed through the Red Light District, which is much, much different at night than on a sunny day, let me tell you. Stopped in a bar that played only the most random of music, saw a parade for gay rights run by, and then made our way out again to another bar.  This one was called "The Blarney Stone" and made me happy because I miss the one down the street from my apartment in SF :( By this time, the beer was definitely kicking in, only to realize it was only about 830 pm. The day seemed sooo long, and it was so dark, we had no idea! Very odd indeed. We stayed there till around 1 or so, then decided to call it a night. We headed back to the Central station, pockets empty, and got back to the airport. From there, we ate a deliciously late Burger King meal (shoot me now) and waited around. We thought about going back to the city, but then the trains were only running once and hour, and we missed the bus that only is once an hour back to the hotel. The we waited for close to 2 hours on the wrong side of the bus station, and didn't catch one back to the hotel until 4:52 am. Upon arrival at the hotel, the key cards didn't work and we had to bang on the door for the cleaning guy to let us in. FUN!

The next day was a little brutal, but I ended up leaving them and heading back to Utrecht to get a start on my homework. Of course, I got on a train I had never been on before. All I wanted was to get home, but I took the longest. way. possible. What should have been 50 minutes took about an hour and 20. I was so confused! But eventually I got there, and my bike was safe and sound, and I peddled me way home to comfort.

Monday night we went out to see ALPHABEAT! Another one of the greatest shows I've been to. Tivoli is a great venue, sort of like the Catalyst in size, but being in the 3rd row also helped. They put on an amazing show, and one of the lead singers, Anders (theres 3 guys in the band named Anders, wtf??) was soo into it, you could see the passion in his eyes, and through the sweat that continuously dripped off of him. We stayed after and just danced around, then went outside and on of my danish friends started talking to a guitarist, who he had gone to high school with. Somehow, he convinced the band and everyone else to come to the bar we were at, and while I tried to talk to the female lead singer who kind blew me off (water under the bridge, I'm over it now.) just being close to them was cool enough for me. I'm such a small town girl, its embarrassing. Who would have though I would get star struck over a band thats not even really famous yet?? Eh. Anywho, another late night but sooo worth it :)

I guess it's back to my studies, I'll post some pics later.

Smooches :)

The question is...now what?

I had been sitting in a bar, surrounded by people, when around 5:30 in the morning, it all becomes so clear why we had been waiting. CNN, breaking news: Barack Obama as the next President of the United States. It's a moment that will not only forever be engrained in my head, but also my heart. Of the people around me, there may have only been 10 or so Americans, but the feeling of joy instantly spread. But there was another feeling...a feeling of hope, of change, or finally turning 8 disastrous, deceitful, embarrassing years around to strive for what America is really about. 

Being here has shown me how people feel about Americans and the American government. While some people can't seem to grasp the difference between the two, the results of Tuesday night may finally shed some light on how we will finally work together, have our voices heard, and live up to all we can be without exploiting others, and even ourselves.

While I thought being here to hear the European viewpoint on the entire election, it also made me incredibly sad that I couldn't be amongst fellow Americans who depend on Obama to steer us off the path to hell and back in the right direction. Although the actions of the US no doubt have an enormous effect on the rest of the world, celebrating with them just didn't mean the same things. Their reaction was more of a "finally they did something right!" kind of thing, while Meryl and I sat their with tears in our eyes and exuberance in our hearts.

Although nothing can take away from exactly how happy I am about President Obama, I am still processing the fact that Proposition 8 passed with such high numbers. Yes, it was a close call, but 52.5 to 47.5 isn't close enough. 400,000 votes weren't close enough. How can we pass something so natural, so beautiful as the act (not even the RIGHT) of marriage, and then just take it away? How can those voters look themselves in the mirror everyday, and not see a homophobic, discriminatory, hateful person staring back? It really is beyond me.

It's times like these I thank God for my parents and grandparents, who see the good in people no matter their sex or skin color, and rather than hate because of differences, love because of commonalities. I was raised by people that not only love me immensely, but love other people just as much. 

I hope one day, people will see the errors of their ways. While I don't exactly know how I stand on the whole issue of religion, I do know that there was no single man who decided just how and why you could judge someone for who they are, when he is the one who (supposedly) created them.  I am a big believer in "agree to disagree," but sometimes just can't find it in my heart to allow these blatantly hateful people to overcome. 

At any cost, Obama is in, and the world is ready for some much needed change.

January 21, 2009 will be a glorious day for the record books :)

The Great Dutch Pumpkin Search of 2008!

Martin and

the Witch's

Brew

Everyone together!

Meryl, Jena and I all had the AWESOME idea to carve pumpkins, and assumed they would be easy enough to find, but maybe just because we are USED to them being in high demand. Anywho, it was not the case. More people in our class found out about us doing it, and all wanted to join, so we wound up needing 8 pumpkins! Not only could we not find any, but then we had to find enough. Meryl and I split up on our search, and shit hit the jackpot with 8 at only 3 euro! It was an excellent find. But the whole "carrying them home" thing wasn't exactly on our minds. I think I swerved more on my uneven ride home then I ever do after a couple of beers. Which might not be saying much..

Anywho, landed home with pumpkins in tow, and waited for the groupies to show up. Jena and Martin (the new couple! We'll see how that plays out when we'll be seeing each other everyday for the next 8 months...) came and made a "Witch's Brew," that was incredibly awkward looking. Reminiscent of Brownies, where we made punch from 7up and orange sherbet, but with the glorious addition of orange juice, grapes, and bottle of champagne, and a good amount of vodka. The sherbet god all foamy and sat on the top of the glass, giving you an orangish foam 'stash every time you took a sip! But like I said, we see each other everyday so pretty much could care less.

But then the carving started, and all was right in the world. Hannah and Nina (German girls,) and Emiel (typical Dutch boy) came also, and Ahinara my roomie. We all thought about doing patterns, but in the end decided it was a) too much trouble/time, and b) just not creative enough!! So we opted for the original style, and I think it was more fun that way. Our knives weren't the best, and I ended up cutting off all the teeth on mine, so he just had a big stupid grin. But I pulled the guts out from the inside, so he looks like he's puking, which adds a little character I guess. Mine was the meanest looking what! Is there some psychological message there...?

Either way, it was really fun to teach our foreign friends one of our little traditions, and they were all so excited! It was probably also a way to forget about the 4 papers and exam we have next week..but who cares. Tomorrow night is our big Halloween party, and I'm so jealous because Meryl found a costume, meant for a 3-5 year old, and can FIT in it! She gets to be a dragon, and I am eternally blessed with a large ribcage. 

Can't wait for tomorrow :)

These boots are made for walkin'

 

Photos:

Checkpoint Charlie

Holocaust Monument

Berlin Wall Memorial

Berlin by night from the Reichstag/Bundestag

Brandenburg Gate

Tapas Bar, El Tigre

Plaza Mayor

El Parque del Buen Retiro

Madrid Bank

Wow. It feels like time is just FLYING by! I can't believe its almost Halloween, and 2 months are already gone :( At least I can say I'm loving my time here, and have nothing to complain about except the lack of time left to explore and learn and live.

I guess I'll start with last week and my trip to Spain. I flew out on Thursday, the 16th, to Madrid to meet LEAH! It was a nice break from the rain, even though it wasn't exactly warm in Spain either. As of then, she was living in the Tetuan area, pretty far from the center where most of her other friends live. We met up with the girls later in the evening, and then went to a tapas bar called "El Tigre," super popular and very crowded! It was amazing though, you practically yell to the bartenders, and somehow they hear you, and you end up with a giant beer in your hand, and with every order, you get "tapas," or small plates. Croquettes, patatas bravas (fried potatoes with a mild spicy sauce) tortilla espana (egg/potato omelette on french bread) that has NOTHING to do with the tortilla we know and love, and other yummy things. It was a good night, and I got to meet all of her friends, who were all from California. It was nice to be able to reminisce about things I miss from home, and I even met people from SFSU! 

Leah had class Friday morning (sucker!!) and when she got home we got ready and went shopping around the city center. Leah bought some euro clothes and tights, but I refrained and waited until later to buy only food and drinks :)   We went to a surprise party for her friend Jackie, and it was nice to get to know everyone with yummy food and good music. I kind of forgot how it is to party with Americans... especially being from California where we do everything the same. I missed my foreign friends teaching me how they live and drink and talk... it was different. (But then again, aren't I the foreigner? hmm...) Anywho, I did meet a girl who has a boyfriend in Aarhus, and was telling me all about it, so now I'm looking forward to it more.

Saturday we slept in, and then met up with one of the girl's boyfriends so he could give us a tour of Madrid. The rest of Leahs class was in Segovia, where I really wanted to go, but they wouldn't allow people that weren't going to the school to come along :(   We walked and walked and walked, then sat and drank Sangria for a long while in Plaza Mayor, then were so tired we wanted to go home and sleep. By the time we got all the way back to Leahs, we napped for about 45 minutes and then thought we could still make it out, but eventually we came to the conclusion we were just too tired. We just watched movies and ate chocolate and drank wine, which was nice for a Saturday.

Sunday we woke up really early to go to the Rastro, a GIANT flea market winding through the streets of Madrid. Things were super super cheap, but after awhile it started to all be the same pashminas  and tights and jewelry and weird nik naks that we decided it was time to rest for a little. Leah and I went to El Parque del Buen Retiro to just people watch and enjoy ourselves. We made it an early night because Leah had class in the morning and I wanted to get homework done before my flight, so we just watched movies and chatted, and ate chocolate of course :)

Monday after class Leah rushed back to get me to the airport on time. I made it there, but NO NO NO, nothing can go right in the land of Sarah. I completely missed my flight, and after crying in the airport by myself, I was able to reach Leah and tell her I was coming back, and then re-book another flight, even though it was more than I probably spent on the entire trip, including my first flight. Not happy about it, but I needed to get home and Spain is actually much farther than I thought.

It's funny how comfortable I am here though. Although I don't understand the language, the culture makes sense somehow. Even though riding the bus or in the market or cafes I am completely unaware of conversations around me, its nice to be blissfully oblivious. In Spain it was different. For some reason I can't describe, I just wasn't comfortable. I know enough Spanish to get me through and around, but there was always a feeling of being an outsider, being vulnerable. Maybe it was because I don't look like most Spaniards, but can easily pass for being Dutch? And it was the first time I referred to Utrecht as "home." As I was crying to the travel agent, I said "I just want to go home!" and I realized that it finally feels that way. As much as I love traveling, the idea of having somewhat of a home base keeps me going. 

Anyway, after a long an exhausting trip, I made it here in one piece and was never more excited to be on solid ground, and thankful I didn't have to ride my bike home! I was only here Tuesday and Wednesday, because early Thursday morning we left for BERLIN!!! And I fell in LOVE with it.

Thursday morning we piled into 2 vans, with a teacher driving each one, and began our long journey to Germany. It should take about 7 hours for the average driver, but our professor felt liable for all of us, and drove SO SLOW, even on the autobahn, which technically HAS no speed limit...and from years of road trips with my bro and dad who refuse to stop unless you really can't hold it in, stopping for 30-45 minutes 3 times was a little annoying. Nothing is quick! We all just wanted to get there, and it seemed never-ending. 

Anywho, we got there around 630 I think, checked into the super cool graffiti-filled hostel, and then took the metro to the Brandenburg gate and Reichstag. There was this really cool "Festival of Lights" going on in the city, so the gate was all lit up, and the view from the top of the Reichstag was really impressive. Breathtaking actually. Or maybe that was the cold...

We went to a cute, cheap Italian place and I sat next to Arie, our history professor/group director, and Eveline, his administrative assistant. It was fun, and then we headed to a bar on the corner called the "living room," that made amazing caprihinas (Brazilain drink). The decor was really cool because it looked like an old hotel room, where nothing matched, and one wall was entirely forest wallpaper, and a giant chadellier hung down in the middle. We were a little tipsy, then headed back to the guys hostel room, which was like an apartment!  We were SO jealous! They had bought some "christmas beer," so we drank those and had a good conversation, until some lady started banging on the wall and we realized it was close to 4am and time to go to bed.

Friday: EARLY morning! Woke up at 730 for free breakfast from 8-9, then headed to the Dutch embassy. I don't really know why, maybe it was more for my professor, but it kind of seemed irrelevant when we could be exploring Berlin. But on the other hand, the embassy was pretty freaking cool. It was designed with a whole "transparency" theme, so there are all these windows and cut outs, and the offices have no real walls or cubicles. All the doors slide sideways or swivel around, there are these awkwardly amazing angles and corners, a rooftop balcony, apartments in the other building and a "penthouse" for the second guy in command, and tons of artwork, even some of Queen B by Andy Warhol. Jesper was really hungover from the night before (as expected) and it was a nice change when we finally got to go to lunch in the sunshine and cool breeze. After lunch we went to meet up with a guy Arie knew who showed us the Berlin wall, from the bridge point where it was first torn down in 1989. It's crazy to think how such a life changing event happened, but theres no real marking of it on the site. Its just a simple bridge, with people coming and going in everyday life, yet the part of the wall in the center that have less significance are the ones the tourists always see....

From there we walked along the wall, through what was called "no man's land" between the 2 walls, on the East Berlin side. We made it to the monument where a church was torn down, and there is a viewing tour to climb and get an aerial view of everything. The area is just now, 19 years later, starting to build up and mend the 2 sides together, but the park where the main part of the wall still stands, is always full of people and a really beautiful, relaxing place to be.

From there we headed to meet Arie and Eveline for drinks with a German correspondent working for an American newswire, who was only 26 and pretty much doing what all of us hope we can do someday! It was inspiring, but also leveling because he was so straight about not getting paid very much, how he loves it but its not the glamorous reporting job so many hope for, etc. What he did do was show us a good Mexican restaurant, and all 5 of us American girls were the first in the door! By the end of dinner we had 4 bright red sombreros, and Arie had bought us shots of tequila. The phrase of the evening, and now the entire trip, became "When in Germany, do as the Mexicans do." That led to another night out, but we were pretty sleepy and when we ended up at the living room bar again, I called it quits and went home to wash my smoke-scented hair :(  One of the best parts of the NL is the no smoking inside! rule.

Saturday was another early morning, but after bfast we were turned lose to travel on our own. Merly (U.S), Guri (Norway), Ditte (Denmark), Sofia (Portugal) and Simona (Lithuania) headed to see the Holocaust Monument, which was more moving than I ever thought cement blocks could be. From there we walked through the Topography of Terrors which documents war in the area of the bunkers of the Gestapo/SS in WWII, to Checkpoint Charlie, which wasn't so impressive, but still standing. It seems like so long ago that anyone would think of dividing people with a wall, so primitive, but only 19 years ago were these people "free" to move freely. If it seems to me like ages ago, how do people younger than me feel?

After we went to the Stasi museum for the German Secret Service during the war. The cutest, kindest old woman was our tour guide, and she lived through everything from its inception to when it ended, and gave us such good insight to how life was during WWII and the Cold War, and how nobody trusted anybody. The most interesting where the tactics the SS used to spy on people, through mini cameras in button holes and the amount of people working for the SS that no one would ever assume. 

We had more time after, so Meryl, Jena, Mads, Martin, Jesper, Emiel and I walked along Karl-Marx-Alle (not my video, but a little view of it), stopped for a beer, then continued walking back to the center to see some of the Festival of Lights and find some grub. Everything was super expensive and overcrowded, so we ended up at another Italian place near the hostel, with yummy yummy lasagna, and then back we went to change because we were all supposed to meet up for a big night out. All in all, we ended up at a nice bar on the corner near the hostel for a few drinks, but most of the girls went home and it was Adelija (Lithuania) and I and 3 of the boys. Its funny that it always ends up being me, Jena, Meryl, or Adelija and the guys, because the girls never want to go out, and they end up being some of the best nights of my life :)

Sunday was the last early morning, and after a quick bfast we were all desperate to get on the road! I was in the all-girls car again, and the trip back was shorter, even though it started pouring about 2 hours before we got home. Welcome to the Netherlands! And it was pitch black, so the bike ride home was very long indeed. 

All in all, I loved Berlin. One of the place I think I will DEFINITELY go back to this year, especially since it is much closer to Aarhus and will be gorgeous in the spring. I'm still shocked though, because I always pictured myself somewhere more "exotic," like Spain or Italy, but am finding such comfort in the NL and Germany (after being there 3 times already!) And didn't feel that at all in Madrid, or in Napoli 2 years ago. I guess I am already finding out more about myself than I thought I would...

More than enough for now, I'm exhausted and need to do homework.

Smooches!!

It's been too long!

Amsterdam, tourists

 EVERYWHERE.

Laverne and her beautiful kids, Kimmy and Victor.

The Ruhr area, 

steelmill.

Benji Hughes! And the cool bassist.

The government "eco" building, 

Germany.

So sorry dear fans, I know you have greatly missed my witty repartie! Well, maybe not. But I'm back and ready to attack. Let me catch you up on a few things...

Not this past weekend, but the weekend before we (Krystle, Ahinara, and I) headed to Amsterdam to hang out with Krystle's family friend Laverne, who has 2 super cute toddlers with a man named Arnold. They live in a cute area near the center, in an amazing house from the late 1700's that they are redoing. After a brief walk around the city, in which I once again fell in love with Dutch life, lights over canals, and candles in windows, we headed back to Laverne's house for a "cooking club" with traditional mexican food. Guac, some sort of pork baked in banana leaves, homemade tortillas, chicken mole, FLAN, and of course....hand squeezed margaritas!!! 

It was an amazing experience....2 from the Caribbean, 1 from Spain, 2 Dutch men, 2 Americans, and 1 Mexican woman who has lived in Amsterdam for 11 years. Her name is Blanca, and she has one of the most amazing spirits of anyone I've ever met. Like a mother, best friend, sister, and saint combined in one human. Who can speak perfect english, spanish, and dutch. I don't know what it was, but she just had this air about her that you couldn't help but notice, and it was so infectious. I hope I can leave that kind of impression on someone someday...

Sunday we were pooped and it was pouring rain, so we stayed in and cuddled under blankets while watching and eating Chocolat. Johnny Depp on a rainy day can never be wrong :) It was nothing fantastic, but I think it is one of those days that I'll remember forever...maybe being in an actually house, surrounded by good people, good food, and good vibes, or just a chance to get away from school and be really carefree.

Monday morning we had to be at the Central Station super early to head to the "Ruhr" region of Germany for our regional economy class. I was ready for it to be terrible, but we had a bus drive us around to see these old steel mills that have been renovated. One is a museum that you can tour, which was stunningly gorgeous in the rain. They use old pieces as playground equipment, installed a giant slide, and even teach rock climbing. They also have an amphitheater for big shows, and a giant old gas storage tank used to teach people to scuba dive....pretty crazy! The other one was on a much bigger plot of land, also as a museum but with a pool during the summer, and ice skating during the winter. Some of the buildings were designed by Bauhaus, and it is one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. We also saw some cool eco buildings that use only solar power and steam from the ground for power. Its like bio dome....with apartments, a gym, a library, classrooms, etc. Its a government building for "teaching" apparently. Anywho, they're trying to revive all these areas and I think they did a fantastic job.

Then on Thursday, Meryl and I randomly tagged along with Guri and Ditte for a girl's trip to Amsterdam to see  a concert at Melkweg, and it was one of the BEST I've been to. The opener, Benji Hughes, is probably a little bit insane, but thats why I liked him. He has a huge beer belly, ripped clothes, a beard like ZZ Top, and a voice like an angel! I think he was much better live than his recorded music, but he was so versatile, if I closed my eyes I could picture him singing a million different songs. Anyway, he opened for Jenny Lewis, who is most famous for singing with Rilo Kiley. She was definitely channeling Janis Joplin, but she has an amazing voice, and her band was right on with everything. She is dating one of the guys, Jonathan Rice, who was actually in the movie Walk the Line, and his music is also pretty fantastic. It was so cool to be in a foreign place, with a crazy language, but everyone came together because they like her music, and it didn't feel like I was so far away from home. 

I had a very, very lazy weekend involving lots of laying in bed and watching movies instead of doing homework, and I definitely think I was a little depressed. Not by anything in particular, but no motivation to do anything or talk to anyone, and I don't know why. But Saturday I had coffee with some girlfriends, and then we headed to our Dutch classmate Emiel's house for a "cocktail party" which was one of the best nights of my life! I met a lot of new people, and had some good conversations and got some dancing in. Just what I needed :) They like to party late though, so my friend Adelija and I didn't leave until 6am! But once in a while is completely normal in my opinion!

Lazy days again on Sunday and Monday, and we are on break this week so there is not much to do, and a lot of people are out of town, exploring the world. Meryl and I met up with 2 of the Danish guys, Mads and Jesper, at the Irish pub, Mick O'Connels. Cheap beer, fun music. And people kept riding by dressed as pirates, and then a group of people dressed as carrots. Weird... We decided to head out and when the Cafe Belgie, that has over 200 beers from everywhere in the world...heaven, you could say. It's very popular and usually really crowded, but because of the break it was sort of empty, and we ended up leaving and heading to the Nieuwde (most likely spelled wrong...), a big square in the center. But it was also empty! We just kept riding along, and ended up at this really cozy small bar, and continued the good conversations. I learned some new Danish phrases to prepare myself for next semester, and then when this big old man who had a smashed face like a bulldog came over and started 'politely' insulted the intelligence of both Americans and the Danish, we knew it was time to go. Plus, it was almost 4am. I think I have officially achieved nocturnal owl status. Thanks mom! :)

Last but not least, I'm off to MADRID tomorrow to stay with Leah for the weekend!!!! I can't wait. It just started raining here again, and I'm hoping Spain will be better. I'm so excited, and will report will all the details when I get back.

Smooches!

PS....Im sending in my absentee ballot request tomorrow, so wish me luck that I will have time to vote for the big O-meister!!

PPS...Happy birthday again, Brother bear!! Love you :D

Oktoberfest!

Was AMAZING. That was our vocabulary word of the day...everything was just simply amazing, no better way to put it!

We left later than we thought on Friday afternoon, and after 9 of us climbed into the van (very clown-like indeed) we headed in the direction we thought we should be going. Until the freeways switched on us! It's so much easier to blame the freeways rather than our own lack of direction, and either way we ended up in Gouda. And we didn't even stop for cheese! Such a blatant crime. 

Anywho, back on the road and in traffic, and about 10.5 hours later, we finally arrived at Hannah's house in Munich. Longest drive EVER, I will tell you. Her parents were actually up and welcomed us into their beautiful home, and instead of going out as planned, we watched McCain and Obama duke it out on CNN until we fell asleep. (Coma-inducing!)

Saturday we had a leisurely brunch at the house, then took the train into the city to see some sights. Sadly, we just missed the Glockenspiel  that rings at 5, but the atmosphere in the city was amazing nonetheless because of the festival, and Jena bought a pretty dirnd to wear as our "Heidi." (Think: St. Pauli Girl) We had dinner at a cute Italian restaurant with GINORMOUS pizzas, and got started preparing for the next day with a few beers at a Mexican place down the street. We headed back to Hannah's around 12, for the big day was rapidly approaching! Jena and Jesper got a little too drunk, so the next morning  was a bit of a killer.

We all woke up around 630, got ready and left the house by 815. Impressive for 7 people! Met up with Nina at the train station, then....stepped out into the most amazing carnival I've ever been to! We got in line at the Hippodrome tent, which opened at 10, waited for 30 minutes and then got a prime location at a table meant for 8 in the center of it all. Our waiter, Florian,  (who had a twin named Patrick who was not so nice...) accidentally brought us 9 beers, and then forgot to charge me for mine, so it was starting off nicely! Then he brought my food and forgot to ask for money again. I think I only paid for one beer all day! They were liter size, and 8.30 Euro, so I was a happy camper. 

Our tables ended up being in a reserved area for some reason, so around 3 we were kicked out to wander the insanity. There was food (pretzels and wurst!) everywhere, along with games and fun houses and roller coasters. We sat at a beer garden outside, I made friends with a Canadian girl and her bro, and 2 Aussie girls, and we all had an amazing time. No complaints! It was a long day though, and when we got back to Hannah's at 11:30, I pretty much passed out as fast as I could. The next day I didn't fare so well, but took my motion sickness meds (which are remarkably wonderful, I must admit!) and fell asleep in the car for the journey home. 

All in all, the German countryside is gorgeous, I experienced a little bit of their food and culture, finally saw the sky lit up with stars, and bonded with the people I know think of as close friends. 

We have a week long break in 2 weeks, and I'm considering the possibility of going to Madrid to see Leah, if I can find something reasonably priced. Wish me luck! 

should I be paying attention in class?

It's funny to think we are so anxious to lose our innocence, and one it's gone we seem to envy those that have it. As you get older, you seem to gain a different sense of that same innocent quality; you have seen and experienced more, but either by choice or age you seem to forget about it. Why are we so eager to grow up, start a career, start a family? Looking back, I think we may regret it.

 

Sometimes I can't help but laugh. People take themselves so seriously, and I don't understand it. I don't expect to only have good experiences or not live up to society's expectations of what is required for me to succeed in life, but success is only what you make of it. I don't see why you shouldn't have fun along the way. If it's true that we only get to live once, why not take advantage of every opportunity? As I write those words, I know I don't practice them. I came here to change my life because I was bored. I don't want to change myself, but I want to be changed and influenced by those around me, those that challenge me to prove myself and think for myself, not follow the crowd. 

Most importantly, I just want to laugh. While people may not always understand my humor, I genuinely think I can see the good in every situation. Although I can get upset easily, looking back I see where certain instances have affected and changed me, and am confident that while in the moment, I've been positive for the most part.

Living here has been easier that I thought it would, or should, be. Speaking English in and out of school only helps the situation, but I can't imagine how the other kids are feeling. My goal is to meet more foreign people and most definitely become friends with the locals. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, I better make the most of it. I don't want to look back and feel like I didn't try, I didn't do it right. Didn't achieve everything I thought I should. This will change my life. This is my life. 

And I can't wait to travel. Paris for New Years? Munich for Oktoberfest? Ireland for Christmas? I can't believe I'll actually be away from my family for the first time. Hopefully I'll find someone to adopt me, or all the orphans can ban together and have our own special holiday.

It's weird to think about how much I love it here. I was always itching to get out of Gilroy, knowing I was destined for a bigger place. And San Francisco suits me. Populated, but in a small geographical area. New York, LA, and Chicago will never compare to the love obsession I have with the foggiest place I know. But as much as I love it, there is something to be said about how quaint it is here, how genuine everything is. I didn't get to experience Amsterdam too much, but what I did see were tourists. Utrecht is much more than that. It's a small city, but the center proves me wrong everytime. Especially when it is sunny, there are always people out, on bikes and on foot. The air is clean. There is rarely traffic, and when there is, rush hour is from 9-1030, not 530-830 like the US. 

People here just don't try so hard. Things get done when they get done, but the Dutch hate being late. Almost every cafe, restaurant, and bar has outdoor seating, with huge umbrellas to prep for the chance of rain, which is inevitable. And while going out for a meal is much more of a big deal than at home, going out fro coffee or a beer is completely normal. And these occasions are prolonged, anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours. People love to sit and talk, friends come and go.

It's such a different feeling to not have a job either. I want to look into it, but feel it would sacrifice my learning and leisure time. I heard once that Americans don't know how to relax, and now I believe it. These people aren't lazy- they just live their lives how they want to, and I admire them for it.

An American vacation consists of jam-packed outings and excursions, no time to yourself. There is no chance for even a glimpse of relaxation. Rush to meals, eat quickly, pack everything in. What happened to enjoying your food? Enjoying your much-earned spare time? Enjoying each other's company?

Americans also keep to themselves. Here, everyone is talking and chatting to each other on the train, in line at the supermarket, riding by each other on their bikes. 

I have already run into a ton of American stereotypes, but can't say that I don't fit into some of them. I may not be an expert on anything European, but I am making an effort, taking a chance, and trying my hardest. It really rubs me the wrong way when people say Americans don't want to learn about the rest of the world. In our educational system, we have to take it into our own hands in order to learn anything specific about Europe or China or Russia. It's not until college that we are even offered the chance to take classes geared in that direction. And it's obvious we don't all make it to college. 

How can someone from Finland say we don't want to learn, when we aren't ever given the choice? (True story, btw.) 

Becoming a global citizen works both ways, and it's not only up to the Americans to educate themselves. If you think we're ignorant, maybe you should take more than 2 seconds to judge me and help me learn, rather than criticize me for not knowing everything already.

interesting...

In a conscious effort to NOT continue with my economics reading, I find myself here, looking for a distraction :)

I only have 5 classes (the others have 6 due to an english course, boo!) but I have 2 econ classes, regional and european, lord knows if I'll ever understand the difference, a European history class, an investigative reporting class, and "Utrecht views" and a web design class that coincide so we get our stories up on the website. (I'll post the link here when it's finally up!) Our classes are at maximum only 2 hours, and only once a week. This week we only have school 3 days, but next week we have 5 days. It's definitely odd how the schedule is worked out, because 4 of the classes end at the end of october, and then 3 more start. Something along those lines...very, very fishy!

We're also headed to Rotterdam this week for an econ class, and to Berlin October 23-27 for "class." I've heard Berlin is super cheap, so I'm excited! I could use a break on my wallet. Also, our 2 German friends are taking us to Munich for the REAL Oktoberfest! I am so stoked...they're also trying to get us to find a traditional drindl (the dress the women wear) but so far they are looking pretty expensive, even though it would only add to the experience to get to dress up.

I've also been meeting a bunch of people in our living area because it is all students, there was a party next door on Friday and we had come people come over on Saturday, and on Sunday there was a little pot luck/social thing in front. I met an Aussie girl who is planning a trip to Barcelona (determined to go!) and to Ireland (also, a necessity.) I told you I should have taken out a loan mom!!I know it will get pricey, but since I'm here I really want to be able to see as much as I can. So that WHEN, not if, I come back, I'll know where I want to go.

The one thing I am completely aware of is the language barrier between all of us. Although we all speak English, the foreign kids think it's easier to talk amongst themselves because they aren't as embarrassed as they would be in front of "native speakers."

It's honestly starting to bug me! I know they are nervous, but I make such a conscious effort to understand what they are saying and help them, that I don't understand why they continue that way. Maybe it's a personality thing for some people, because others don't seem to care and they really try. But I feel like people don't want to talk as much when I'm around for fear of saying something wrong, when I could really care less if their english isn't perfect :(

Either way, I'm still having a great time. The weather continues to be gorgeous, and things are looking up all around. Although we did make a trip to IKEA the other day, only to find the bedding set I paid 50 Euro for was most likely no more than 20 Euro, and they probably got some sort of insane discount for buying in bulk. These people are just sucking the money right out of us. So when they send an email saying we are too loud during our parties, I will tell them to do something productive with their lives and stop stealing money from poor college kids that have no direction in life.  GRR!!

On a brighter note, I made an amazing Mexi-breakfast today (although it was almost 3pm...don't judge me!) with eggs, refried beans, potatoes and a tortilla, and it made me feel right at home :)

Grocery shopping is probably one of the funniest things to do here, because you have to just look at the pictures and hope you're buying the right thing! And the peanut butter...whoa. The one I bought is semi-normal according to my friend Meryl who bought something not so normal, but it still has a twinge of weirdness. And its coarse...like sand. Very odd flavors and textures all swirling around! But hey, its a learning experience. 

Another is living with someone who has only previously lived with family. Ahinara (Spanish girl) is soo sweet, but has these crazy ideas of how it should be to live people and cleaning and buying immense amounts of food when we have no where to put it...very odd. But I know its an experience for her too, so we're all adapting. Even when Krystle spends time in her room for days on end...

And last but not least, I am going to the BEST concert on November 17! It's a Danish band called Alphabeat, and I'm obsessed. They are playing here, and are getting super popular so I'm sure it will be an awesome show. Can't wait :)

Smooches!

experience

Walking around, Dutch boys are very, VERY cute! Looks, yes, and also their demeanor. They seem so much more polite, and even a little shy. Not like cocky American boys!! Anywho, I was looking forward to meeting some at the International Drink Night our school program sets up every week. We went to Ivana and Meryl's before, and it ended up being 8 of us girls gossiping and talking politics (many of whom knew more about our country than I do...that was reassuring. bleh! They are SO excited for the elections, I can't wait to see what happens!) and we rode over in a big bike gang to the bar after.

Long story short, I met a creepy Dutch guy that at first pretended to be Mexican, but nothing gets by me and my alcohol-numbed senses, and I saw through that one pretty quick!! He was obnoxious, so we went to go dance, and of course he followed, for the rest of the night. Some people just don't get the hint! I talked to Katie about it (who lives in my room in SF now!) and her advice was as follows, verbatim: 

"In these cases it's good to know phrases in Dutch like, 'I hope my third nipple turns you on!' or something else like 'I'm so glad when I was 13 I decided to have the sex change to become a full girl because you're hot!"

Great advice, and I didn't have to sit on a couch or even pay for it. What are friends for??

Even with the creepy creeper, the night was REALLY fun (out till 530am fun...!) My favorite part was when I looked over and saw a boy holding an onion, and nibbling on it. Just for fun, because he can. Boggled my mind, but I kind of fell in love. Oh, the simple things in life...

love :)

It's been a week!

I guess nothing tooo exciting has been happening in these parts. The weather is INSANE, and it was pouring all morning and I didn't want to get up, but then I went out for coffee with a friend and then the sun showed itself for the rest of the afternoon. 

Our house is finally starting to look like a home...and I like being here. Even if there was a spider joining me in the shower this morning, its much, much better than it was. Ahinara  (from Spain) and I bought some things to clean and make it look more home-y, and we finally got our 3rd addition!! Krystle is from the Netherlands Antilles, actually St. Martin in Caribbean. Both of the girls are gorgeous and sooo nice! We've formed a pretty good, instant bond, which i feel is lucky compared with some of the other people I've talked to. But it's hard not to get caught up in speaking english really quickly, because I feel like sometimes Ahinara doesn't get to catch all of it, and I don't want to leave her out.

And I think I'm finally learning to stop mumbling! In my class there are 2 Lithuanian girls, 3 Dutch kids, 4 Danish, 1 Slovakian, 3 Germans, 1 Norwegian, and 1 Portuguese, so speaking clearly is imperative.

We are having so much fun already! Friday was really rainy, but we had a (free) group dinner and a little Italian place, then a bunch of us went to an outdoor cafe under a big umbrella (it had mostly stopped raining by then) and sat and talked and drank for a couple more hours, and then split in different ways. I went with the group who wanted to party, and we ended up at a club that had a drum'n'bass show. (Old folks: look it up!) It's like a techno-mix-y vibe that is virtually impossible to dance to. Most of us hung out at the bar while one of the Danish guys danced his heart out (gotta give him credit for trying...) and then went to the "Maria" bar, which is the local bar for all us INTERNATIONAL kids. These places are open till 5 or 6 and that in itself boggles my mind. We ended up getting separated from people, so I hung out with Jesper and Mads (2 Danish boys) and talked about random things, and apparently it's been decided that the American girls (there are FIVE of us...) are cooking Thanksgiving for everyone. I'm totally down with that! But I don't even know where you can buy a turkey, and I'm kiiiiinnndddaaa not sure if I want to go looking. eesh. You never know what you will find here!

Saturday we had a little pre-party at Meryl and Ivana's, then were supposed to go to an "international" party at a club called Woolloomooloo! I liked the name, but the place was hotter than hades, so 6 of us went to a little Beligan bar and had some yummy beers :)

On Saturday I also went with Krystale to meet her "buddy," a Dutch guy that was sent to meet her and a Polish guy at the train station, and I ended up knowing more about the city than him because he lives an hour north, but we went to lunch and the Polish guy cracked us up because he was the only one drinking, and said everyone drinks after 11 in Poland, or before they go to work. Cool life, buddy. Cool life.  He also brought her buddy a bottle of Polish vodka, and I was a little bit jealous :)

Yesterday was pretty unproductive, I had to interview my friend and then I had to write an article about him and these "old music festival" concerts we went to. They were odd, full of old people in wheelchairs that fell asleep. But hey, I finally got my stuff done this afternoon, so we'll see how the professor feels about that. I have to read 100 pages in my European history book by Thursday, and today I went to buy the book and they didn't have any! And the housing place wanted 405 more Euro from me, so I had to go raise hell and tell them they are a little slow in the cabeza. 

After Meryl and I went for coffee and talked and talked, and the sun came out, and then we got some ice cream, and it was magical!! So far so good, I'll try to take more pictures! 

Love all of you :)

Finally settled!

After wandering alone last night for what seemed like forever, I finally found my new apartment! This really nice cab driver had picked me up from the train station, took me to school to fill out my housing paperwork, came back to pick me up and take me to my place to drop my stuff off, and then over to the dome tower for the tour I had to meet up with and would have been late for, without his assistance! It may have been expensive, but so, sooo worth it! Unfortunately I didn't get a good look around, so when the sun set I was completely lost, and theres a ton of construction so the street doesn't go all the way through and you have to go around, thus making me confused. 

Nevertheless, I was stoked to arrive. Until I began to explore. The other 2 roomies weren't here yet, and it was dark so I closed all the curtains and turned all the lights on. First off, its like a rustic cabin. Second, its obviously a converted senior facility, based on the raised toilet seat and handrails, as well as the handrails in the shower and little seat. Not to mention the emergency call light switches! WTF. My mind is thoroughly boggled. It wouldn't be so bad but being on the first floor is kind of weird, I've never been down there before. Also, and toilet area and shower are in separate rooms like most dutch houses, but they're also in a separate hallway, near the front door that has a huge glass window! Very odd indeed. And this place is NASTY. The floors aren't even clean, and there are spiders everywhere, hair in the shower drain, and a moth that won't go away. Plus stray cats wander in if you leave the door open. 

Either way, My room is finally settled and it's not so bad when I don't think about the bathroom and vow to spend as much time away from here as possible. It's relatively close to the center, and in a cool little area that is walking distance. I'm going to buy a bike tomorrow!! Hopefully I don't fall flat on my face. 

Yesterday we took the worst tour ever, with our guides getting lost and taking us to the same place 3 times, the blistering sun beating down on us (but I'm totally soaking it in before it's gone!!), and the fact that our table was the very, very last to get served and everyone left before us. Fun. Don't mess with a hungry girl's food people! I'm doubting these Dutch fellas. 

We climbed the Dom tower, the highest point in Utrecht and I think one of the tallest in the Netherlands. Being that height=465 stairs. Yes, we had to climb them. Hell NO I would not have gotten in an ancient elevator anyway! But it was claustrophobia+ancientness+sweaty people+sweat me+hunger. Alas, it all equaled an AMAZING view! Definitely worth it.

Needless to say, yesterday wasn't the best day, but we had our first day of school today, free lunch, I got home ok, and I just met my first roomie, a fun girl from Spain. She will keep my spanish sharp!!

Love to my fans :)