8 years ago
28 September 2006
what's in a name?
27 September 2006
I've looked at clouds from both sides now...
I woke up this morning and when I looked out my window, I could see nothing beyond the garden. The entire region is covered in a thick cloud of fog. I once wished I could live in the clouds, like the "Care Bears".
The canal was beautiful, still and glossy, with white wisps swirling above it, disturbed by the oars and the four-year-old flailing his arms about. I had to drive slow, a couple times almost running through an intersection. Everything feels sleepy, as if the fog got into our heads while we were still in bed...
Most of the spiders have disappeared, probably gone to some warm little hole somewhere to wait for the sun. Their webs are now more visible than ever, and suddenly I see a thousand more that I did not know existed. They are covered in dew, drooping a bit with the weight, white, glossy, and sparkling. The garden looks a bit like it's been decorated for halloween...yet somehow I actually find the webs beautiful today. I suppose it just fits the mood...like something from "Sleepy Hollow" or "Wuthering Heights"...though less creepy.
The canal was beautiful, still and glossy, with white wisps swirling above it, disturbed by the oars and the four-year-old flailing his arms about. I had to drive slow, a couple times almost running through an intersection. Everything feels sleepy, as if the fog got into our heads while we were still in bed...
Most of the spiders have disappeared, probably gone to some warm little hole somewhere to wait for the sun. Their webs are now more visible than ever, and suddenly I see a thousand more that I did not know existed. They are covered in dew, drooping a bit with the weight, white, glossy, and sparkling. The garden looks a bit like it's been decorated for halloween...yet somehow I actually find the webs beautiful today. I suppose it just fits the mood...like something from "Sleepy Hollow" or "Wuthering Heights"...though less creepy.
25 September 2006
Always look both ways
This morning, I called Luuk but he didn't answer his cell...he called back later to tell me that he was in the hospital at the time, which is why he didn't answer... Hospital?! Yes, the hospital. He got hit by a car while biking to class. The driver went through a red light and slammed into him almost head on. But, he is ok...just a very bruised and swollen elbow, which is now resting nicely in a sling. His bike faired much worse, now a crumpled, useless heap of metal.
I'm glad I wasn't there.
I would have freaked out I think.
What if the car was going faster?
Or he his is head harder?
But it wasn't, he didn't, so I should stop thinking about it.
I really am learning to dislike the VU. The more I have to deal with them, the less I want to study there. I can never get anything done in one visit, rarely am told exactly what the next step is so I have to figure it out myself, and the only man who has been particularly helpful is always very busy, so scheduling appointments to meet with him is quite a hassle. But, I am getting very very close to actually studying something there. Woohoo! The excitment is almost too much. Not really.
I really hope I can study at a different university next year. This year is just for in case I can't, then I at least have a head start on the ridiculous 2-1/2 yr pre-masters catch-up deal I was given. Egh.
My jaw hurts. Alot. Often. I'm pretty sure it's a wisdom tooth coming out. But I don't want to go to the dentist... I suddenly feel a kinship with all teething children. I am slightly tempted to buy a chew-toy.
I'm glad I wasn't there.
I would have freaked out I think.
What if the car was going faster?
Or he his is head harder?
But it wasn't, he didn't, so I should stop thinking about it.
I really am learning to dislike the VU. The more I have to deal with them, the less I want to study there. I can never get anything done in one visit, rarely am told exactly what the next step is so I have to figure it out myself, and the only man who has been particularly helpful is always very busy, so scheduling appointments to meet with him is quite a hassle. But, I am getting very very close to actually studying something there. Woohoo! The excitment is almost too much. Not really.
I really hope I can study at a different university next year. This year is just for in case I can't, then I at least have a head start on the ridiculous 2-1/2 yr pre-masters catch-up deal I was given. Egh.
My jaw hurts. Alot. Often. I'm pretty sure it's a wisdom tooth coming out. But I don't want to go to the dentist... I suddenly feel a kinship with all teething children. I am slightly tempted to buy a chew-toy.
22 September 2006
I think I am losing my mind...
I am apparently now a VU student (finally). And now I am not so sure I made the best choice. But, ignoring all doubts and insecurities (which mostly revolve around lack of $$$), I am going to figure out a class schedule, and dig in!
Yikes.
I went to a zoo with Ingrid, the neighbor lady, and four kids and a baby yesterday. Very nice zoo, huge playground (every kids' fantasy!), perfect weather... Going with kids under 5 yrs of age is a bit of a bitch though. They aren't particularly interested in the animals, get tired easily, want to eat all the time, and constantly need to go to the bathroom... (And seriously, who designed strollers with front wheels that don't turn??? Must have been someone who never had to push a 50lb kid around all day... pff). But it was fun, despite all that. The town the zoo is in is beautiful - it even has hills!!!
This morning I decided that I officially dislike the Wallflowers... I heard a song or two of theirs that I liked once, so when I saw their cd on sale somewhere, I bought it. Hadn't listened to it since, and today I put it in while driving...every song sounds too much like the previous, the vocals are boring, the lyrics rather stupid, and the music is just not my sort I guess... That was disappointing...
Last night I got a picture of me, Dane, and some (funny, talkative) British guy and his gf and her roommate...taken by the man that smiles. :) I got him to bring the price down from 5euro to 3euro, but then I didn't have 3euro change so I paid him 4 instead... He smiled. Next time, I will ask him to join us for a beer.
Yikes.
I went to a zoo with Ingrid, the neighbor lady, and four kids and a baby yesterday. Very nice zoo, huge playground (every kids' fantasy!), perfect weather... Going with kids under 5 yrs of age is a bit of a bitch though. They aren't particularly interested in the animals, get tired easily, want to eat all the time, and constantly need to go to the bathroom... (And seriously, who designed strollers with front wheels that don't turn??? Must have been someone who never had to push a 50lb kid around all day... pff). But it was fun, despite all that. The town the zoo is in is beautiful - it even has hills!!!
This morning I decided that I officially dislike the Wallflowers... I heard a song or two of theirs that I liked once, so when I saw their cd on sale somewhere, I bought it. Hadn't listened to it since, and today I put it in while driving...every song sounds too much like the previous, the vocals are boring, the lyrics rather stupid, and the music is just not my sort I guess... That was disappointing...
Last night I got a picture of me, Dane, and some (funny, talkative) British guy and his gf and her roommate...taken by the man that smiles. :) I got him to bring the price down from 5euro to 3euro, but then I didn't have 3euro change so I paid him 4 instead... He smiled. Next time, I will ask him to join us for a beer.
20 September 2006
To live in a country that is 100ft below sea level just when global warming is starting to really kick in is just stupid.
I have baby Raoul laying on my lap, making funny grunts and reflexive smiles (it means he's gassy or he's simply imitating, not that he thinks I'm funny...). Though, he does stare at me alot, which makes me feel special. :p
Yesterday, I played "princess and knights" with the oldest. He asked me to (saying, I save you then we get married!), then said he didn't know how to play, so I just pretended to be singing and picking up flowers and then to be taken away by a dragon...then I pretended to be the dragon, chasing and eating limbs off the knight, which he ended up seeming to enjoy much better. After half an hour I was hoarse from growling and exhausted from chasing him and throwing him on couches. It was fun though. Now he wants to play every day... Egh.
The 1-1/2 yr old wakes up everyday and starts yelling for "Amana!" and then wants me to read him a book right away (which generally consists of me getting two or three words off the page before he flips the page, or the next three pages, and then dropping that book to get another right away...he has a very short attention span).
-Yesterday, I had to turn the car around in a driveway, which was steep, and I couldn't get the car up the hill (tried over 20 times, stalling each time), so I asked some old guys fishing down the road if they could do it for me. They thought I meant there was something wrong with the car, so they were going to push it...Oh the embarassment when I had to explain that, No, it's just me. I suck. Could you please drive it up the hill for me? They smiled at each other and complied. They waved when they saw me later in the day, and I smiled back, desperately hoping they didn't recognize me. I'm sure the did.
- I saw, for the first time since I've been here, a man walking around in wooden shoes.
- Last night, I heard a Dutch version of that song "every step you take...I'll be missing you..." (By the way, does anyone know who sang that version? I could swear it was PuffDaddy, but Dane thinks I'm wrong...).
- I also saw a woman on a bike with a woven basket attached to the front, and a little dog sitting in the basket. Just like Toto.
- Sometimes, when the sun is just beginning to set, this place reminds me a bit of what I first pictured the Shire to look like...
-Yesterday I found out that Jeroen and Ingrid are (nominal) Catholics. Made for the beginning of an interesting conversation, though it was interrupted by one of the kids... I'm kinda not-so-secretly-anymore hoping that we don't talk about religion too much because I am too cynical about all religions, though even more so about non-Christian ones sometimes, I must admit, so I am afraid I will not make a good impression. I'm hoping that my lifestyle and behavior will be enough to make an impression... Right.
Yesterday, I played "princess and knights" with the oldest. He asked me to (saying, I save you then we get married!), then said he didn't know how to play, so I just pretended to be singing and picking up flowers and then to be taken away by a dragon...then I pretended to be the dragon, chasing and eating limbs off the knight, which he ended up seeming to enjoy much better. After half an hour I was hoarse from growling and exhausted from chasing him and throwing him on couches. It was fun though. Now he wants to play every day... Egh.
The 1-1/2 yr old wakes up everyday and starts yelling for "Amana!" and then wants me to read him a book right away (which generally consists of me getting two or three words off the page before he flips the page, or the next three pages, and then dropping that book to get another right away...he has a very short attention span).
-Yesterday, I had to turn the car around in a driveway, which was steep, and I couldn't get the car up the hill (tried over 20 times, stalling each time), so I asked some old guys fishing down the road if they could do it for me. They thought I meant there was something wrong with the car, so they were going to push it...Oh the embarassment when I had to explain that, No, it's just me. I suck. Could you please drive it up the hill for me? They smiled at each other and complied. They waved when they saw me later in the day, and I smiled back, desperately hoping they didn't recognize me. I'm sure the did.
- I saw, for the first time since I've been here, a man walking around in wooden shoes.
- Last night, I heard a Dutch version of that song "every step you take...I'll be missing you..." (By the way, does anyone know who sang that version? I could swear it was PuffDaddy, but Dane thinks I'm wrong...).
- I also saw a woman on a bike with a woven basket attached to the front, and a little dog sitting in the basket. Just like Toto.
- Sometimes, when the sun is just beginning to set, this place reminds me a bit of what I first pictured the Shire to look like...
-Yesterday I found out that Jeroen and Ingrid are (nominal) Catholics. Made for the beginning of an interesting conversation, though it was interrupted by one of the kids... I'm kinda not-so-secretly-anymore hoping that we don't talk about religion too much because I am too cynical about all religions, though even more so about non-Christian ones sometimes, I must admit, so I am afraid I will not make a good impression. I'm hoping that my lifestyle and behavior will be enough to make an impression... Right.
15 September 2006
Smells like Amsterdam
The one year old can now say my name. Sort of. He used to call me "mama", but then when I'd tell him I'm not mama, I'm Amanda, he'd start calling me "papa". But now I am "Amana".
Yesterday the baby sneezed and somehow all his snot from his nose managed to land on his forhead. I laughed. Then I cleaned him up.
Last night I went to bed at 1, and had to get up at 7:30 this morning. I don't think I'll do that very often.
I finished reading "The Secret History" (Donna Tartt). I really liked that book. Now I have to find another one to read...
At the bar that Dane and his fellow philosophy students go to (and where I tag along to), there is this guy who always shows up, walking around with a polariod camera, with what I have come to believe is the best smile I've ever seen (Dane described it as a full-face smile). He nods at people he passes by and holds up the camera, waiting for someone to ask him to take their picture. Some day I will ask him to take mine. What I really want to do is ask him to sit down and have a beer with us. He just looks so interesting.
Yesterday the baby sneezed and somehow all his snot from his nose managed to land on his forhead. I laughed. Then I cleaned him up.
Last night I went to bed at 1, and had to get up at 7:30 this morning. I don't think I'll do that very often.
I finished reading "The Secret History" (Donna Tartt). I really liked that book. Now I have to find another one to read...
At the bar that Dane and his fellow philosophy students go to (and where I tag along to), there is this guy who always shows up, walking around with a polariod camera, with what I have come to believe is the best smile I've ever seen (Dane described it as a full-face smile). He nods at people he passes by and holds up the camera, waiting for someone to ask him to take their picture. Some day I will ask him to take mine. What I really want to do is ask him to sit down and have a beer with us. He just looks so interesting.
14 September 2006
Of fucked-up pincards and burning trains and other signs of bad luck...
Found this great article on bbc that will make women all over the world happy: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5341202.stm .
Yesterday I got lost in Woerden, trying to find the car shop where I had to take the Mercedes to get the tires fixed...
Then, I was trying to buy a train ticket to Utrecht with a bank card (which always takes about 5+ tries before it works for some reason), and after the second try, a little box appeared on the screen and I didn't read it but just pressed "yes", assuming it was giving me my ticket... Instead, the ticket machine sucked in my bank card and the screen returned to main menu. I couldn't get my card back! So, I called the number on the machine - out of order. I went to the help desk at the station - couldn't do anything about it. Finally, called Luuk and told him what happened (it's actually his card...I can't open an account here cause I'm foreign...), and he called the bank and saved the day. I just have to wait for a new card now. Ugh.
Some guy heard me talking to Luuk on the cell phone, and after I hung up he said to me, in perfect English, "So...how do you like Holland?" I laughed and told him this sort of stuff could happen to me anywhere...well, except for the getting lost thing, that happens here alot. We talked while we waited for the train (which was 15 min late because there was some train fire at the Utrecht station - gulp), and I smiled as we parted ways. People can be very friendly here, especially when they hear my horrible attempts at Dutch.
Dane might not move anymore... Happy me, but I feel bad for him - he was so excited. At least we found some nicer bars around Uithoorn that might make up for a bit of the loss...
Clarification: I see Luuk on weekends because he lives over two hours away. So, during the week, I find other people to entertain me. :)
Today, Ingrid tried to use her bankcard (which I had had to use yesterday to pay for the tires, and had no problems with or anything), and it was blocked. That generally only happens when you use the wrong pincode three times in a row, which I didn't, so it doesn't make any sense. I told Ingrid that they should stop letting me use stuff that they didn't want broken cause I seem to have a knack for that lately... I'm like a living, breathing form of bad luck.
Yesterday I got lost in Woerden, trying to find the car shop where I had to take the Mercedes to get the tires fixed...
Then, I was trying to buy a train ticket to Utrecht with a bank card (which always takes about 5+ tries before it works for some reason), and after the second try, a little box appeared on the screen and I didn't read it but just pressed "yes", assuming it was giving me my ticket... Instead, the ticket machine sucked in my bank card and the screen returned to main menu. I couldn't get my card back! So, I called the number on the machine - out of order. I went to the help desk at the station - couldn't do anything about it. Finally, called Luuk and told him what happened (it's actually his card...I can't open an account here cause I'm foreign...), and he called the bank and saved the day. I just have to wait for a new card now. Ugh.
Some guy heard me talking to Luuk on the cell phone, and after I hung up he said to me, in perfect English, "So...how do you like Holland?" I laughed and told him this sort of stuff could happen to me anywhere...well, except for the getting lost thing, that happens here alot. We talked while we waited for the train (which was 15 min late because there was some train fire at the Utrecht station - gulp), and I smiled as we parted ways. People can be very friendly here, especially when they hear my horrible attempts at Dutch.
Dane might not move anymore... Happy me, but I feel bad for him - he was so excited. At least we found some nicer bars around Uithoorn that might make up for a bit of the loss...
Clarification: I see Luuk on weekends because he lives over two hours away. So, during the week, I find other people to entertain me. :)
Today, Ingrid tried to use her bankcard (which I had had to use yesterday to pay for the tires, and had no problems with or anything), and it was blocked. That generally only happens when you use the wrong pincode three times in a row, which I didn't, so it doesn't make any sense. I told Ingrid that they should stop letting me use stuff that they didn't want broken cause I seem to have a knack for that lately... I'm like a living, breathing form of bad luck.
13 September 2006
A field of a thousand geese...
Yesterday, I passed two white horses with black spots. Their coats looked like dalmation fur... It was weird - I've never seen horses like that before.
While driving to Dane's, I passed a field full of hundreds of geese.
I also had almost all green lights. That was sweet. :)
Dane and I found a really cool bar in Uithoorn. Woulda been nice to know about it before. Now it doesn't matter, cause he's moving. Bastard. Now I will have to travel for 40 min any time I feel like hanging out with him. I can't believe he's deserting me. :p
This past weekend, Dane and I checked out a coffee shop in Amsterdam. That was interesting...
(I just realized how many times I mentioned Dane in this one blog...hmm...I need to make more friends...) (especially since he's leaving me...)
The boat I use to row across the canal has at least 6 spiders in it, two of which are huge. I've actually been able to display an amazing degree of calm while sitting in that boat everyday. I guess I can control my fears when it's absolutely necessary.
We have three huge cat's here. One likes to go to my room when I'm not there and sleep on my bed. I don't mind, because he also likes to wait for me at the dock at night and walks next to me as I go to the house. His company is greatly appreciated late at night when dodging spider webs and dark bushes. I like cats...
While driving to Dane's, I passed a field full of hundreds of geese.
I also had almost all green lights. That was sweet. :)
Dane and I found a really cool bar in Uithoorn. Woulda been nice to know about it before. Now it doesn't matter, cause he's moving. Bastard. Now I will have to travel for 40 min any time I feel like hanging out with him. I can't believe he's deserting me. :p
This past weekend, Dane and I checked out a coffee shop in Amsterdam. That was interesting...
(I just realized how many times I mentioned Dane in this one blog...hmm...I need to make more friends...) (especially since he's leaving me...)
The boat I use to row across the canal has at least 6 spiders in it, two of which are huge. I've actually been able to display an amazing degree of calm while sitting in that boat everyday. I guess I can control my fears when it's absolutely necessary.
We have three huge cat's here. One likes to go to my room when I'm not there and sleep on my bed. I don't mind, because he also likes to wait for me at the dock at night and walks next to me as I go to the house. His company is greatly appreciated late at night when dodging spider webs and dark bushes. I like cats...
11 September 2006
In memory of Fluffy
I went to Utrecht with Dane on Saturday night at we stayed at Liesbeth's. For the first time in months I went to church twice on Sunday...I would like to think it made up for missing church a couple times in the past few weeks, but I really didn't understand much except for one word that the pastor kept repeating in the evening service. Pastors have a way of mumbling and speaking too fast and using huge words that are completely impossible to translate quickly.
Liesbeth is refreshing - she's so full of energy and always happy. She is inevitably contagiously so, thus I felt much better by the end of Sunday night than I did all week. So, thank you my friend, for the much needed dose of cheer.
Last night, I took Dane home the long way, past the place where I live. The road is very narrow (for two cars to pass each other, we have to both go off the pavement just a bit), and curvy, winding along an equally confusing canal. I turned a corner just as a rabbit was jumping out of the bushes. The stupid thing ran straight toward the car, so even though I slowed down, I still ended up running over it! I have never hit an animal before, and even now I can feel the bump it made under the tires and the sickening feeling that hit my stomach as soon as I realized what had happened. On the way home I had to go the same way, and I saw the bunny still lying there, sprawled out and bloody, in the middle of the road. He looked like a pet, white and grey instead of the wild brown...some kid probably found his little "Fluffy" squashed on the road this morning as he was leaving for school and is now traumatized for life...
Liesbeth is refreshing - she's so full of energy and always happy. She is inevitably contagiously so, thus I felt much better by the end of Sunday night than I did all week. So, thank you my friend, for the much needed dose of cheer.
Last night, I took Dane home the long way, past the place where I live. The road is very narrow (for two cars to pass each other, we have to both go off the pavement just a bit), and curvy, winding along an equally confusing canal. I turned a corner just as a rabbit was jumping out of the bushes. The stupid thing ran straight toward the car, so even though I slowed down, I still ended up running over it! I have never hit an animal before, and even now I can feel the bump it made under the tires and the sickening feeling that hit my stomach as soon as I realized what had happened. On the way home I had to go the same way, and I saw the bunny still lying there, sprawled out and bloody, in the middle of the road. He looked like a pet, white and grey instead of the wild brown...some kid probably found his little "Fluffy" squashed on the road this morning as he was leaving for school and is now traumatized for life...
09 September 2006
06 September 2006
...today, continued...
Today was just one of those days...
After I got home, I tried to figure out what's up at the VU. I called, was told to call someone else, called him, was told to call the first place, etc. - got no where. Then, I was a little late to pick up Camiel, so I left immediately, drove to the town where he goes to school...and the tire popped. Seriously. So, I walked the rest of the way to the school (a few blocks). On the way there, I passed two guys sitting on the side walk, apparently on lunch break or something - they started whistling and talking to me, and pissed off as I was, I gave them some nasty looks. Got to the school. I looked for 5-10 min for this kid and could not find him. I got the teacher to help me, and finally we found him walking down the street looking for my car. First I gave him the harshest "don't ever do that again"talk that I could in Dutch, then the teacher did, and he ended up crying. Then, we walked back to the car and I started to change the tire. The jack was broken. Fuck. I looked around for anyone who could help me, and finally resorted to walking up to those guys mentioned earlier, kid in hand, and asked if I could borrow a jack. They looked at me first surprised, then kinda guiltily. The oldest (around 40s) made some comments about my clothes being dirty and then winked at me(fucker), and the youngest said he would help me. He turned out to be pretty nice, and got a jack. He started changing the tire, then his jack broke. (No kidding). He went to get another one, and finally, an hour after first getting there, the tire was switched. I got to the house and decided to go get a phone card so I can use a cell phone. Just as I was leaving, Ingrid came home. I told her about the card, she told me to use hers instead (being really nice and not getting mad about the tire). Then she handed me some mail. Great - my application to the VU was sent back to me. So, I went back to the VU right away, just before they closed. Found out that I need some paperwork from the town hall saying I am here legally (which originally I was told wouldn't be a problem and I could get it later). But I can't do that till Tuesday... and I can't start taking classes till I pay, which I can't do till Luuk signs the paper for me. So, great, at least I know what I need to do now. I went to Amsterdam centre to find the phone card, and the bloody phone refused to turn on. So, even that was a no go.
The highlight of my day was seeing a guy walk by with a t-shirt that read "There is no end to the list of things that could go wrong."
I smiled.
After I got home, I tried to figure out what's up at the VU. I called, was told to call someone else, called him, was told to call the first place, etc. - got no where. Then, I was a little late to pick up Camiel, so I left immediately, drove to the town where he goes to school...and the tire popped. Seriously. So, I walked the rest of the way to the school (a few blocks). On the way there, I passed two guys sitting on the side walk, apparently on lunch break or something - they started whistling and talking to me, and pissed off as I was, I gave them some nasty looks. Got to the school. I looked for 5-10 min for this kid and could not find him. I got the teacher to help me, and finally we found him walking down the street looking for my car. First I gave him the harshest "don't ever do that again"talk that I could in Dutch, then the teacher did, and he ended up crying. Then, we walked back to the car and I started to change the tire. The jack was broken. Fuck. I looked around for anyone who could help me, and finally resorted to walking up to those guys mentioned earlier, kid in hand, and asked if I could borrow a jack. They looked at me first surprised, then kinda guiltily. The oldest (around 40s) made some comments about my clothes being dirty and then winked at me(fucker), and the youngest said he would help me. He turned out to be pretty nice, and got a jack. He started changing the tire, then his jack broke. (No kidding). He went to get another one, and finally, an hour after first getting there, the tire was switched. I got to the house and decided to go get a phone card so I can use a cell phone. Just as I was leaving, Ingrid came home. I told her about the card, she told me to use hers instead (being really nice and not getting mad about the tire). Then she handed me some mail. Great - my application to the VU was sent back to me. So, I went back to the VU right away, just before they closed. Found out that I need some paperwork from the town hall saying I am here legally (which originally I was told wouldn't be a problem and I could get it later). But I can't do that till Tuesday... and I can't start taking classes till I pay, which I can't do till Luuk signs the paper for me. So, great, at least I know what I need to do now. I went to Amsterdam centre to find the phone card, and the bloody phone refused to turn on. So, even that was a no go.
The highlight of my day was seeing a guy walk by with a t-shirt that read "There is no end to the list of things that could go wrong."
I smiled.
@#$% mornings!
Weird thing happened just now...I tried to get to my blog as usual, using the web address... kept saying it didn't exist! I googled it, couldn't find it. Went to blogspot.com, also said it didn't exist... Finally, I went to someone else's blog and took the link, and there it was. I was just on the brink of freaking out... but I survived...
Worse thing happened this morning. I took Camiel to school and the parking lot was full, so I had to parallel park. I am not so hot at that in an automatic, and in a stick it's just embarassing.. I tried to be very careful, moved slowly, checked all angles, etc, and just when I was congratulating myself on making it into such a tight spot, I heard a big bump, followed by the awful sound of scraping metal. What I didn't know was that the car I was driving has a hitch on the back, making the space available to me just a little bit smaller... I ended up knocking the license plate off the car behind me and ripping apart the plate holder.
Ok. So, not sooo bad. But, I had to run Camiel to class, and when I got back, there was a woman standing at the car looking very unhappy. Speaking out loud to her only made matters worse because she immediately saw that I am a foreigner, and at that moment I'm sure all negative impressions of Americans were running through her head (I should have told her I was Canadian...shit). After giving her my number, explaining a bit about the hitch and my inexperience with Dutch parking spots and apologizing a few times, etc, she was a little nicer and even smiled at me, so I hope that means we left on good terms. My aupair parents might not be smiling when they get the bill (which, I hope isn't too big...).
I guess it could be worse... As is, I think my pride was damaged the most.
Augh! I want to run through a field throwing rocks and screaming at the top of my lungs!
I'll just drink coffee instead.
Worse thing happened this morning. I took Camiel to school and the parking lot was full, so I had to parallel park. I am not so hot at that in an automatic, and in a stick it's just embarassing.. I tried to be very careful, moved slowly, checked all angles, etc, and just when I was congratulating myself on making it into such a tight spot, I heard a big bump, followed by the awful sound of scraping metal. What I didn't know was that the car I was driving has a hitch on the back, making the space available to me just a little bit smaller... I ended up knocking the license plate off the car behind me and ripping apart the plate holder.
Ok. So, not sooo bad. But, I had to run Camiel to class, and when I got back, there was a woman standing at the car looking very unhappy. Speaking out loud to her only made matters worse because she immediately saw that I am a foreigner, and at that moment I'm sure all negative impressions of Americans were running through her head (I should have told her I was Canadian...shit). After giving her my number, explaining a bit about the hitch and my inexperience with Dutch parking spots and apologizing a few times, etc, she was a little nicer and even smiled at me, so I hope that means we left on good terms. My aupair parents might not be smiling when they get the bill (which, I hope isn't too big...).
I guess it could be worse... As is, I think my pride was damaged the most.
Augh! I want to run through a field throwing rocks and screaming at the top of my lungs!
I'll just drink coffee instead.
04 September 2006
Change in lifestyle...
I woke up last night to the sound of a screeching child...The two year old wanted to sleep with his parents, but they made him stay in his crib, so he screeched himself to sleep. My room is right above the kids' room...
Today I played peekaboo for 20min straight.
I also redid the same puzzle three times in a row. Some children's breadth of interest is...not so broad.
I haven't stalled the car since last week Tuesday. I also haven't had any close calls or caused any accidents... I'm even starting to enjoy driving a standard. And the road signs are starting to make sense.
The ringtone on the phone here is exactly the tune of a chorus to a song we sang in Mexico... "Las paz este con vosotros (x3), y con vosotros siempre, siempre este la paz!" (Carmela, you know it...). It's weird..I end up going through the whole song in my head the rest of the day after hearing it...
Madonna was in Amsterdam this weekend...Some Christian's stood outside the concert hall singing hymns and reading Bible verses. I don't know if I should be embarassed, applaud them, or simply not give a shit. Why people care, I don't understand. She does it solely for the shock effect, and reacting to it is to simply fall for her game. I must say, though, that choosing to sing while tied to a crucifix (of sorts) and with a crown of thorns placed on her head, is simply bad taste.
Meh.
Today I played peekaboo for 20min straight.
I also redid the same puzzle three times in a row. Some children's breadth of interest is...not so broad.
I haven't stalled the car since last week Tuesday. I also haven't had any close calls or caused any accidents... I'm even starting to enjoy driving a standard. And the road signs are starting to make sense.
The ringtone on the phone here is exactly the tune of a chorus to a song we sang in Mexico... "Las paz este con vosotros (x3), y con vosotros siempre, siempre este la paz!" (Carmela, you know it...). It's weird..I end up going through the whole song in my head the rest of the day after hearing it...
Madonna was in Amsterdam this weekend...Some Christian's stood outside the concert hall singing hymns and reading Bible verses. I don't know if I should be embarassed, applaud them, or simply not give a shit. Why people care, I don't understand. She does it solely for the shock effect, and reacting to it is to simply fall for her game. I must say, though, that choosing to sing while tied to a crucifix (of sorts) and with a crown of thorns placed on her head, is simply bad taste.
Meh.
30 August 2006
Update...
My lungs are currently cleaning themselves out from the last few months total accumulation of tar... it's a very pleasant experience and I recommend to anyone who has not yet started smoking to do so, so that you might also have this pleasure.
It's been busy since I got here. I went to Groningen for a few days before coming to Woerdense Verlaat. In Groningen:
Wednesday: stayed up late, drank some good beer, watched "Sea of Love"(Al Pacino).
Thursday: stayed up late with Froukje and her friends for a girls-only-slumber-party (Luuk had to leave the house and find something to do with his friends...teehee!). We watched the entire BBC version of "Pride and Prejudice", drank wine, ate great snacks, and used facial masks. The party was interupted by the biggest non-tarantula spider I have ever seen in my life. It was as big as my hand for sure, and was crawling around on the wall in the living room, only ten feet away!!! Even in the midst of my own panic reactions, I couldn't help but be amused by the reaction of the group of girls. Every time the spider moved it was followed by a chorus of screams and each girl jumping further away from the spider. Eventually we all ended up on some sort of furniture, and yelling that someone should kill it. No one would at first, then one girl tried and only managed to knock it off the wall onto the floor where we couldn't see it any more (which is way worse than actually having it right in front of you). Finally, Froukje called Luuk and his friends (who weren't too far away), and they came to our rescue, laughing at us the entire time. We finished our movie and went to bed, dreaming of spiders and Mr. Darcy...
Friday: I watched my first theatre production in Holland. It was on the roof of a parking building, outdoors. It was a combined production between a British and a Dutch theatre, and was half in English and half in Dutch. Quite perfect for my first...
Saturday: Luuk and I finally made it to the Martinie Tower (which is where he was going to propose to me but couldn't cause it happened to be too windy that day). Climbing up was a bitch and I realized just how out of shape I am. Last year someone commited suicide, or fell off, or was thrown off, depending on who you ask... it's a long drop. On the way down, we got to watch the ringing of the bells. It took six men to play the chorus! That night we watch "Volver", a Spanish film with Penelope Cruz, at a European film theatre...I recommend it.
Sunday: slept in. Then came to Woerdense Verlaat, had coffee with my new aupair family, and went to bed.
Monday: Up at 7:30! And so it will be every week day for the rest of the year... Egh...
Wednesday: Found out that I might as well have worked for four years to earn 30,000 dollars to buy a horses ass with "diploma"stamped on it and showed that to the Free University, for all my bachelor's degree is worth in the Dutch academic world... If I want to do a master's in psychology at the Free University, I will have to do two out of the three-year bachelor program first. I will not suffer you with my reaction to that...
I have been driving alot, so I'm getting much better. Yesterday I think I kinda caused a teeny tiny little accident when I turned a little late and made the motor cycle, which was trying to pass me on the right, slam on the brakes and slide on the wet pavement. We didn't notice right away, and then it was too late to stop.
The kids are cute, but sometimes difficult, and I can't talk in Dutch to them very well, which makes it more difficult. It's only been two days though, so I shouldn't be so impatient. It takes a while to get used to a new person, especially when that person is allowed to tell you what to do...
Anyway, that's an update on my life. Now I have to finish my coffee and pick up the oldest from school. I still haven't learned to use the motorraft thing, so I have to row across the canal, which is humurous, I promise....
So, cheers to you all. Enjoy classes or whatever it is that you happen to be doing this week...
Ciao.
It's been busy since I got here. I went to Groningen for a few days before coming to Woerdense Verlaat. In Groningen:
Wednesday: stayed up late, drank some good beer, watched "Sea of Love"(Al Pacino).
Thursday: stayed up late with Froukje and her friends for a girls-only-slumber-party (Luuk had to leave the house and find something to do with his friends...teehee!). We watched the entire BBC version of "Pride and Prejudice", drank wine, ate great snacks, and used facial masks. The party was interupted by the biggest non-tarantula spider I have ever seen in my life. It was as big as my hand for sure, and was crawling around on the wall in the living room, only ten feet away!!! Even in the midst of my own panic reactions, I couldn't help but be amused by the reaction of the group of girls. Every time the spider moved it was followed by a chorus of screams and each girl jumping further away from the spider. Eventually we all ended up on some sort of furniture, and yelling that someone should kill it. No one would at first, then one girl tried and only managed to knock it off the wall onto the floor where we couldn't see it any more (which is way worse than actually having it right in front of you). Finally, Froukje called Luuk and his friends (who weren't too far away), and they came to our rescue, laughing at us the entire time. We finished our movie and went to bed, dreaming of spiders and Mr. Darcy...
Friday: I watched my first theatre production in Holland. It was on the roof of a parking building, outdoors. It was a combined production between a British and a Dutch theatre, and was half in English and half in Dutch. Quite perfect for my first...
Saturday: Luuk and I finally made it to the Martinie Tower (which is where he was going to propose to me but couldn't cause it happened to be too windy that day). Climbing up was a bitch and I realized just how out of shape I am. Last year someone commited suicide, or fell off, or was thrown off, depending on who you ask... it's a long drop. On the way down, we got to watch the ringing of the bells. It took six men to play the chorus! That night we watch "Volver", a Spanish film with Penelope Cruz, at a European film theatre...I recommend it.
Sunday: slept in. Then came to Woerdense Verlaat, had coffee with my new aupair family, and went to bed.
Monday: Up at 7:30! And so it will be every week day for the rest of the year... Egh...
Wednesday: Found out that I might as well have worked for four years to earn 30,000 dollars to buy a horses ass with "diploma"stamped on it and showed that to the Free University, for all my bachelor's degree is worth in the Dutch academic world... If I want to do a master's in psychology at the Free University, I will have to do two out of the three-year bachelor program first. I will not suffer you with my reaction to that...
I have been driving alot, so I'm getting much better. Yesterday I think I kinda caused a teeny tiny little accident when I turned a little late and made the motor cycle, which was trying to pass me on the right, slam on the brakes and slide on the wet pavement. We didn't notice right away, and then it was too late to stop.
The kids are cute, but sometimes difficult, and I can't talk in Dutch to them very well, which makes it more difficult. It's only been two days though, so I shouldn't be so impatient. It takes a while to get used to a new person, especially when that person is allowed to tell you what to do...
Anyway, that's an update on my life. Now I have to finish my coffee and pick up the oldest from school. I still haven't learned to use the motorraft thing, so I have to row across the canal, which is humurous, I promise....
So, cheers to you all. Enjoy classes or whatever it is that you happen to be doing this week...
Ciao.
20 August 2006
My sleep patterns are so messed up...
I found out that the Dutch word "fokken" means "to breed". So, someone who breeds animals would be called a "fokker". Last night I had to hold back any display of amusement while listening to Luuk's grandmother talk about her cousin, (who happens to share my last name and she thinks might be related to my family, and should definately check on) who is a breeder. Every time she talked about him it started with, "My cousin, Meneer van der Ploeg, the fokker."
I am now very curious about her cousin, the fokker.
Yesterday, to satisfy the curiousity of Luuk's parents (who seemed to be more worried about it than I), we met my aupair family. They seem to be everything I expected - easy going, super nice, relaxed, laidback, good to chat with, etc. Their kids are adorable, all really blonde boys. And their house is cute. It used to be a farmhouse, I think. In the past seven years they've done alot of fixing up, so outside it still looks old and quaint, but the inside it colourful and very modern. Their bathroom is incredible! I can't wait to use the shower! The best part of the whole deal, however, is getting to the house itself. They live on the otherside of a canal. The only way to the house is on a footpath over a small bridge down the road, or on either a rowboat or motorized raft.
Yes.
Everyday, I have to take three little kids across the canal in a little boat to get to the car to take the oldest to school. Crazy.
Oh, another note on the house...It's out in the country, surrounded by pastures, canals, and cows (beautiful), and they have a nice garden behind the house. All along the paths and in the grass are the biggest snails I've ever seen. And, between almost every single bush and tree, gigantic spiderwebs full of incredibly disgusting spiders.
Fuck.
I am now very curious about her cousin, the fokker.
Yesterday, to satisfy the curiousity of Luuk's parents (who seemed to be more worried about it than I), we met my aupair family. They seem to be everything I expected - easy going, super nice, relaxed, laidback, good to chat with, etc. Their kids are adorable, all really blonde boys. And their house is cute. It used to be a farmhouse, I think. In the past seven years they've done alot of fixing up, so outside it still looks old and quaint, but the inside it colourful and very modern. Their bathroom is incredible! I can't wait to use the shower! The best part of the whole deal, however, is getting to the house itself. They live on the otherside of a canal. The only way to the house is on a footpath over a small bridge down the road, or on either a rowboat or motorized raft.
Yes.
Everyday, I have to take three little kids across the canal in a little boat to get to the car to take the oldest to school. Crazy.
Oh, another note on the house...It's out in the country, surrounded by pastures, canals, and cows (beautiful), and they have a nice garden behind the house. All along the paths and in the grass are the biggest snails I've ever seen. And, between almost every single bush and tree, gigantic spiderwebs full of incredibly disgusting spiders.
Fuck.
18 August 2006
Bittersweet
Goodbyes are over. The flight was long. I cried for five seconds on the way to the airport, then distracted myself with the business of traveling. Dane and I got a massage at the airport in Chicago, to pass time. It was amazing. American Airlines has ridiculously small seats, which makes an 8hr flight seems twice as long. I started to feel sad again at some point on that flight, and cried again. Dane was nice enough to pretend not to notice. I looked out the window and watched the most beautiful sunrise I've ever seen. There was no land to be seen, only sky, clouds, and water. The clouds changed from purple to red to gold...each phase just as wonderful as the last...I just wanted to jump out of the plane and float around in them. Now I am in Holland. Luuk's family is trying very hard to make me feel welcome and part of the family, a gesture that is greatly appreciated. Seeing Luuk again was somewhat strange, actually, but very good. I think the idea that this time it's not just a visit is affecting the way I see things here. Hugs are amazingly comforting. And I'm getting enough hugs to make up for the past 8 months... It's good to be here. I can't wait till it feels like home...
15 August 2006
past midnight...
i don't want to go to bed because that means the morning will come alot sooner and i'm not quite ready for it yet...
the other day i took a short nap. i was in that happy state between asleep and awake, where you are still aware of where you are but you aren't quite conscious. then i realized that i was walking on some dark street. i came upon a squished animal that looked like a raccoon, plastered to the road. i stood over it, looking at it. suddenly it lifted its head and looked at me with large, black, shiny eyes and snarled at me. then i woke up, my heart practically popping out of my chest.
i'm listening to the flaming lips...i like them.
dane is writing a song about a dead squirrel found on the road...
still don't want to go to bed...
the other day i took a short nap. i was in that happy state between asleep and awake, where you are still aware of where you are but you aren't quite conscious. then i realized that i was walking on some dark street. i came upon a squished animal that looked like a raccoon, plastered to the road. i stood over it, looking at it. suddenly it lifted its head and looked at me with large, black, shiny eyes and snarled at me. then i woke up, my heart practically popping out of my chest.
i'm listening to the flaming lips...i like them.
dane is writing a song about a dead squirrel found on the road...
still don't want to go to bed...
Life is life...
One more day in this country.
Holy shit.
The past two weeks have been filled with late nights, lots of alcohol, too much smoking, and making memories. (Hehe, I almost wrote mamories...nice...)
Tomorrow I will spend most of my day packing, and probably doing alot of swearing when it doesn't all fit...
Four years ago, roughly around this time of year, I was coming to Dordt for the first time. Now, I'm leaving. I am not entirely sure the magnitude of this move has quite registered.
Camping was fun. It rained both nights...we didn't all have a tent, but since it was warm enough we figured sleeping under the stars would work just fine. Waking up at 4 or 5 each morning to move to the van was...interesting. Usually it consisted of me not noticing that I was soaking wet, and finally waking up to someone poking me and telling me to move... We swam in the river on Saturday, and our clothes smelled like ass, but it was worth it.
I realized tonight that I do actually like some margaritas. And the coconut shrimp I ate was divine. It was a good night.
Josh, I bought a Tom Waits cd, and thought of you. The picture of him on the cover actually looks alot like you. Crazy.
Cancer stick time.
:)
Holy shit.
The past two weeks have been filled with late nights, lots of alcohol, too much smoking, and making memories. (Hehe, I almost wrote mamories...nice...)
Tomorrow I will spend most of my day packing, and probably doing alot of swearing when it doesn't all fit...
Four years ago, roughly around this time of year, I was coming to Dordt for the first time. Now, I'm leaving. I am not entirely sure the magnitude of this move has quite registered.
Camping was fun. It rained both nights...we didn't all have a tent, but since it was warm enough we figured sleeping under the stars would work just fine. Waking up at 4 or 5 each morning to move to the van was...interesting. Usually it consisted of me not noticing that I was soaking wet, and finally waking up to someone poking me and telling me to move... We swam in the river on Saturday, and our clothes smelled like ass, but it was worth it.
I realized tonight that I do actually like some margaritas. And the coconut shrimp I ate was divine. It was a good night.
Josh, I bought a Tom Waits cd, and thought of you. The picture of him on the cover actually looks alot like you. Crazy.
Cancer stick time.
:)
03 August 2006
Fun!
To all who are still in the area (and those who might want to come down for a visit):
-next week Wednesday, 6pm, at "The House of General Debauchery", potluck (aka: bring your own food and beer)
- August 11, 12, possibly 13th, camping at Palisades; same house, 6pm; bring any tents, food, drinks you have...
-next week Wednesday, 6pm, at "The House of General Debauchery", potluck (aka: bring your own food and beer)
- August 11, 12, possibly 13th, camping at Palisades; same house, 6pm; bring any tents, food, drinks you have...
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