Wat is uw naam?

I've neglected this project I set forth to pursue and I feel it is time to start typing.

Okay. One month in and I would say this little adventure of mine has been nothing more than a success. This country is fantastic and all of the people here are quite particular and interesting. I live in a dorm really close to the international school (the building where 80% of my classes are held) and the zoo. There is a cat that lives in the building too. I believe this is God’s way of letting me know I am going to be a crazy cat lady later in life. My room is lofted which sounds really amazing, but with my record of clumsiness, I have found it to be a burden. My right forearm and hip defiantly have felt the pain from me falling down my stairs at least a few times. I have had little trouble finding my way around and the public transportation is simple, yet expensive. So if the weather is suitable (which is very rare for these waters) I opt for walking it. As for biking (the national pastimes in this country and number one way to get around these here parts) has been fun. Until a month ago, I hadn't ridden a bike since the sixth grade, but it is one of those things you just never forget. However, for the record, drunk biking is defiantly 100% not my forte. For my bike itself, it has been a pain in the ass. I have had one stolen already, within a week of being here, and the new one continues to break. I guess the truth of it is I am not made for this biking thing. I feel walking helps me get use to the land and area I am in anyways. I have been able to explore many different sectors from not biking. So yeah, I am so over the bikes. I must add here, bikes have the right-of-way over pedestrians. This is still something I am trying to get use to. Within 2 hours of landing in this country I almost seriously met my match with a biker. whew.

School…is school and I still cannot get over how serious they are about academia in this country. Who knew!? The land that tolerates the use of drugs and sex workers, also expects about 60 hours a week of school work. BULLSHIT, NO WAY. Do not worry my fine readers, being the person I am, I have been able to find loop holes and still have a good time while getting that passing mark.

So far, I have yet to travel anywhere outside of the Netherlands, but I have gone to a few places within.

A couple weekends ago I went with the international student club at the University of Amsterdam to Maastricht. It is a little city at the very south of the country. Quaint and lovely I must say. We didn’t stay in Maastricht though. We shacked up in a group hostel in the little town of Vulkenburg. I still have no idea where it is in conjunction to Maastricht, but it was nice. (I mean it had an Albert Heijn so what more do you need??) I met a lot of other interational students and we raged. Taught a bunch of Danish, Korean, German, and Turkish kids flip cup. It was entertaining, if anything. This past weekend I went with CIEE to the towns of Urk and Groningen. It is just nice to get out of the city for at least a day or two to experience the countryside and surrounding area. I really feel at peace here and am glad I have chosen this country to study in. It is full of tolerance and understanding, and it is extremely safe. The weather is slowly getting better. The rain, however, is something I am still coming to terms with and have a feeling I will never get use to it.

This Friday I am going to Brussels with a bunch of girls I've met from CIEE and this Wednesday I get to go to an actual European soccer match. In truth, I fucking hate soccer and do not know one single thing of the sport. But, I realize this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and it’s free (so why not!) I promise people I will start to make this venture a regular thing and hope that everyone enjoys it! As for now I need to go write a few papers so I can borrel tomorrow. By the way, a borrel is a Dutch party, but with no dancing.

I hope all is well in the U S of A!

Tots ziens,
Gina G.