So on August 21st, I moved from Utrecht to Maastricht. 2 trains and over 3 hours. Well, our luggage wouldn't fit in the cab so they had to send a different one. Once we got to the train station, Jaymie realized she forgot her laptop in the cab. Thankfully, the train was running late otherwise we wouldn't have made it. So, since the train was 25 minutes late and the train goes every 30 minutes, when we got to Eindhoven, the train people decided to cancel the train we were on so we had to transfer trains and run with all our luggage to a different platform (mind you I had over 100lbs of luggage with me alone). Somehow I moved in successfully. . .don't ask me how, it just happened. Oh and my room is about the size of my Aunt's walk-in closet
Monday, August 24th : The first day of the introduction period to UCM. We had a few lectures, a few tours and our first two training sessions of the PBL training. That was fun . . . During lunch, I picked up my bike which I had bought on Saturday. Then I got to pick up Lizzy at the train station and bring her home. . .ooooh. . .
Tuesday, August 25th: Second day of intro. . it was fun . . .again . . .But the most fun was had at the dinner that night. So UCM treated us to indonesian food and bottomless drinks. . .you know the usual for a school function: beer, white and red wine, coca cola and diet coca cola, and orange juice. So classy. I was bad and snuck lizzy in but I assume she had a good time. Well, she told me she did. Hot guys and awkward conversation: best thing EVER. Let me give you an example of the awkward conversation: " I want to get married at 40. What are your thoughts on marriage?" so that might not be an exact quote but it was one of the more amusingly awkward topics. After the dinner, or after we left the dinner before it ended, a couple of us went to the Mississippi Coffeeshop. It's on a boat!!! I kept singing " I'm on a boat!" It was fun
Wednesday, August 26th: The final day of introduction. Seriously FINAL . Finally. ;D Anyways, we had about 3 hours of nothing on this day because exchange students didn't have to do the case studies or the individual planning. Then the intro to dutch culture lecture.. . which wasn't very interesting especially since the speaker actually got a fact wrong: drugs are not legal in the netherlands, the distinction is made between hard and soft drugs and soft drugs are tolerated but strictly regulated. That same night, Universalis, the student group had a party. The theme was universalis in color and I got to observe how amusing the people I had been taking the PBL sessions with were when at a bar. And boy, was it amusing. I snuck Lizzy in again and I'm assuming she had a good time. Overall it was fun, we danced, drank, attempted to flirt with cute boys. We got back around 2 something in the morning . . .
Thursday, August 27th-Sunday, August 30th: So at this time, Lizzy and I went to Amsterdam. 2 and a half hour train ride to Amsterdam from Maastricht. We stayed at the flying pig uptown which is a "backpacker's hostel" I had never stayed in a hostel before. This proved to be amusing because I'm high maintenance apparently. We stayed in a room with 14 total people both male and female. I spent most of the time in the hostel in the smoking room because that was where all the hot guys were. . .goodness I have a one track mind. Besides that, I spent the entire time in a state of intoxication because I was on vacation. As Lizzy made me go to the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum hence I made her go to the Sex Museum and the Hash/Marihuana/Hemp Museum. I also accidentally got drunk on the canal tour. . wheeee! The second night we were there, the hostel had a Pirate Porn Party in honor of 2 people leaving, as I didn't have any pirate gear, I dressed in the theme of porn, pig tails and all. It was over all very fun and I fell in love with the city. It was gorgeous and it was simply amazing, the sights, the sounds, the history, the canals. I really loved it. Last night Lizzy decided to go to Munich with this guy we met on the walking tour named Dan. . . he called me "embittered." I was pissed because only people I know well enough can make those kinds of statements or awkward jokes about me. Definately not him. I guess this is why I was kinda mean to him (unintentionally). Since Lizzy went off to Munich, I spent the last night alone in our bed in the hostel (p.s. Lizzy and I shared a bed every night since monday except for last night because it was cheaper). It was a long but extremely fun vacation. <3
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Mijn naam is Natalya en ik woon in Utrecht
My name is Natalya and I am in Utrecht. I have a language exam tomorrow at 9:30 am . . . I have to know conjugations for regular verbs in the present tense, approximately 250 words total, including numbers, times, grocery items, introductions, etc. Oh and I have to be able to pronounce it all and act out a skit such as being in a restaurant ordering food, getting the cheque, etc. On Friday, I have the culture exam about the wonderful dutch culture . . .I'm not worried about that one, actually. I've read most of the book and I've actually been (mostly) paying attention in lecture. On Friday after the culture exam, I'm moving to Maastricht. I've packed most of my stuff except what I'm using tomorrow and friday. I'm so incredibly proud of myself, I was able to fit all my stuff where I need it . . .YAY ME!!!
Over the weekend, I went to Rotterdam to the Boijimans van something museum. All the pictures are on facebook. We had to go to do a presentation about it and it was pretty awesome. Plus I had good wonton soup (yum!!). Jay and I decided that Friday night when we get to Maastricht, we're getting chinese food. Hellla excited. Yesterday, Lizzy Zac and I had a "conference call" for about half an hour. It made me happy. I get to see Lizzy in less than a week!!!!!!!
Also, my boredom in class led me to make a list from which I figured out I still have 19 letters of the alphabet to take care of. I love how the only people who'll understand it are Zac and Lizzy (of course)
At some point, I have to go to both Berlin and Paris, and probably brussels and bruge, as well. Berlin to visit Jalda, Paris to visit my aunt, and Brussels and Bruge so that I can have that experience and tell Brandin about it. So apparently Dutch is similar to Flemish so I'll be able to say something to Brandin when I get back. It is quite exciting.
Let's practice Dutch now, shall we?
Wat is jouw naam? Mijn naam is Natalya
Hoe het jouw? Ik het Natalya.
Hoe ben jij? Ik ben Natalya
Waar woon je? Ik woon in Utrecht.
Waar werke je? Ik werk in Santa Cruz.
Waar je studeren? Ik studee in Maastricht?
Waar kom je vandaan? Ik kom uit Amerika.
Wat talen spreken je? Ik spreek drie talen: Engels, Russisch en een beetje Spaans.
most of that was probably bad grammar and terribly misspelled but fuck it. I love you all!!
Over the weekend, I went to Rotterdam to the Boijimans van something museum. All the pictures are on facebook. We had to go to do a presentation about it and it was pretty awesome. Plus I had good wonton soup (yum!!). Jay and I decided that Friday night when we get to Maastricht, we're getting chinese food. Hellla excited. Yesterday, Lizzy Zac and I had a "conference call" for about half an hour. It made me happy. I get to see Lizzy in less than a week!!!!!!!
Also, my boredom in class led me to make a list from which I figured out I still have 19 letters of the alphabet to take care of. I love how the only people who'll understand it are Zac and Lizzy (of course)
At some point, I have to go to both Berlin and Paris, and probably brussels and bruge, as well. Berlin to visit Jalda, Paris to visit my aunt, and Brussels and Bruge so that I can have that experience and tell Brandin about it. So apparently Dutch is similar to Flemish so I'll be able to say something to Brandin when I get back. It is quite exciting.
Let's practice Dutch now, shall we?
Wat is jouw naam? Mijn naam is Natalya
Hoe het jouw? Ik het Natalya.
Hoe ben jij? Ik ben Natalya
Waar woon je? Ik woon in Utrecht.
Waar werke je? Ik werk in Santa Cruz.
Waar je studeren? Ik studee in Maastricht?
Waar kom je vandaan? Ik kom uit Amerika.
Wat talen spreken je? Ik spreek drie talen: Engels, Russisch en een beetje Spaans.
most of that was probably bad grammar and terribly misspelled but fuck it. I love you all!!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Clubbing in Utrecht Pt. 1
So I forced myself to go out tonight. Inna and Tiffany were going out to a club with a guy they met who lives in our current building. I had already changed into my PJs and I asked what they were doing. They told me and I asked if I could go along. We had to wait quite a bit of time because the guy who was picking us all up got stuck in traffic. We left around midnight after chillin outside the building with the guy who lives here. He's studying for his phd. Cool, right? Anyways, like I said we waited outside the building until he pulled up. He drove fucking ca-razy! Like crazier than Zac and my dad combined. It was awesome and made me very happy. You know, except for the part about us 3 girls being crammed in the backseat. It was a 2 door car. I'm not complaining, we got a ride there and back so hey, it was awesome. When we got there (in one piece) we went into one club without any problem, however once we got in there pretty much wasn't anybody there so we went to the one next to it. That one was packed as hell. It was great, we had a little issue getting in cause it was only for students and I had to show my UCSC id to get in. We were obviously a little uncomfortable at first because it was a little strange to we separated from the 2 guys and went to the back, then the other girls got some beer and we stayed near the bar in the back dancing and chilling. Then this rather good looking dutch guy started hitting on Tiffany and we got hit on by his friends (kinda). I got props for being from norcal although I don't know if he actually knew what it meant. It was amusing because of all the pretty boys (yum). Also, the music made me happy. They played both Backstreet Boys AND Journey. I, of course, sang along to both of them as best as I could. I don't know if its a good or bad thing that I knew every single word to "backstreet's back" Well, what can I say, totally sexcellent. We danced around and had some more fun for about another 45 minutes or so. It was hella awesomeriffic. We drove back (woot for getting driven) then walked back to our place laughing the entire way up.
This evening was after the day we went to the Hague. We went to the Hague as I said and saw the international court where they settle disputes between nations in the UN. We saw the international peace flame and it was pretty. We also went to the Mauritshuis and saw the Dutch version of the white house and the queen's working palace. The Mauritshuis is a museum with some rembrandts and the most popular Vermeer: the girl with the pearl earring. It was pretty awesome except for how tired we were. I passed out on the bus ride back and grudgingly woke up when we got there. I went to Albert Hein (a supermarket) so I could buy some groceries and a new strippenkaart because I used mine up. And I got a miniwatermelon that was extremely overpriced but hopefully deelish.
Now, I'm tired and as I'm going to rotterdam tomorrow for a presentation we have to do. I also talked to my aunt in france today and found out where she lives so I'll be able to visit when I get a chance. I'm gonna go to sleep as it is 2:43 am here. Goodnight.
This evening was after the day we went to the Hague. We went to the Hague as I said and saw the international court where they settle disputes between nations in the UN. We saw the international peace flame and it was pretty. We also went to the Mauritshuis and saw the Dutch version of the white house and the queen's working palace. The Mauritshuis is a museum with some rembrandts and the most popular Vermeer: the girl with the pearl earring. It was pretty awesome except for how tired we were. I passed out on the bus ride back and grudgingly woke up when we got there. I went to Albert Hein (a supermarket) so I could buy some groceries and a new strippenkaart because I used mine up. And I got a miniwatermelon that was extremely overpriced but hopefully deelish.
Now, I'm tired and as I'm going to rotterdam tomorrow for a presentation we have to do. I also talked to my aunt in france today and found out where she lives so I'll be able to visit when I get a chance. I'm gonna go to sleep as it is 2:43 am here. Goodnight.
Ik spreek Nederlands!
It's been a busy week. See Re-Caps below:
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
We had our first dutch lesson. Mijn naam is Natalya. Ik spreek drie talen: Engels, Russisch, en een beetje Spaans. That means my name is Natalya. I speak 3 languages: english, russian, and a little bit of Spanish. Isn't that cool? Then we had our first seminar to discussion about the previous day's lecture. I enjoyed it, interestingly enough. Most likely because we discussed ethical issues and the stereotypes of the netherlands. We learned about the values in Dutch culture most important for example no waste, value in saving, and my personal favorite: " Doe maar gewoon, dan doe je al gek genoeg" which means " Act normally, that's strange enough" We also went over the ideas behind dutch policies on drugs, prostitution, etc. The reason the things are the way they are is pragmatism. It'd be more dangerous to not regulate it, ya know?
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Second dutch lesson. Hoe gaat het? or Hoe gaat het met jou? This means How are you or how are you now? As we did not have a seminar on this day, I went upstairs and did my assignment about the pros and cons of legalized prostitution. It was interesting. Then we went to a fabulous event entitled "Go Dutch or Go Home" The challenge was to eat 10 stroopwaffles, 2 beer bottles of water and find a piece of chocolate in a bowl of mayonnaise. Angie DOMINATED. It was quite amusing. On the way back we quickly stopped by the bar but there was nothing really interesting going on there so w/e.
Thursday, August 13th 2009
The most interesting day this week, by far. The language class is going pretty well, the seminar was fascinating because of the discussion about Abortion, Prostitution and Euthanasia in the Netherlands. It kinda sucks that that's what the country is known for but the policies are interesting to discuss. Lunch was fascinating because of the amount of topics discussed that go through my head on a daily basis, however nobody here really knows the things that run through my head on a daily basis so its very amusing. I also met a very hot guy from New Zealand, unfortunately I forgot to get his name but he was tall, blonde and very pretty. Plus since he's taking a course at UCU right now, I'll hopefully run into him again. (*giggle*) The lecture we had was AWESOME. It was about Immigration and Integration in the netherlands. We then had an assignment to go to the "ethnic" part of town. Which I thought was awesome. It was so much fun. I went with Inna, Tiffany, Ricky and Jay. Not only did we find out where we're going grocery shopping for the next week but we found a buttload of cute clothing at this really cool store. I also found a hella legit head shop with a gorgeous hookah with a cobra on it. It was soooo cool . We got ice cream and on the way back laughed our asses off on the bus and I think we freaked everyone out with our loud American antics. It was a little ridiculous. We then came back home and hung out for a little bit. The guys on the 16th floor were having another party so I stopped by for a little bit. They were playing beer pong and I was highly amused. I put on my heels for the first time in forever. It felt sooo good. Now I'm watching Numb3rs and chillin until I go to sleep. My housemate is out clubbing with Tiffany and some other people. As I would like to wake up at 6am tomorrow I'm staying in. I'll go out another time. . .maybe Saturday.
I'm pretty much done with my strippenkaart so I need to buy a new one soon. Frelling frell balls. Tomorrow we're going to the Hague which sounds like SOOO much fun. I'm excited, except for the part about having to be at UCU at 8:15 instead of 9:30 like normal. Whatever, I can sleep on the bus or something. I was worried at first we would have to pay for the trip and go on the train but we're taking a chartered bus just for us which makes me rather relieved.
It still feels a little wierd not being in california but I'm readjusting quite well which makes me happy. (Yes captain obvious lives in my head).WoooooHooooo!!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
We had our first dutch lesson. Mijn naam is Natalya. Ik spreek drie talen: Engels, Russisch, en een beetje Spaans. That means my name is Natalya. I speak 3 languages: english, russian, and a little bit of Spanish. Isn't that cool? Then we had our first seminar to discussion about the previous day's lecture. I enjoyed it, interestingly enough. Most likely because we discussed ethical issues and the stereotypes of the netherlands. We learned about the values in Dutch culture most important for example no waste, value in saving, and my personal favorite: " Doe maar gewoon, dan doe je al gek genoeg" which means " Act normally, that's strange enough" We also went over the ideas behind dutch policies on drugs, prostitution, etc. The reason the things are the way they are is pragmatism. It'd be more dangerous to not regulate it, ya know?
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Second dutch lesson. Hoe gaat het? or Hoe gaat het met jou? This means How are you or how are you now? As we did not have a seminar on this day, I went upstairs and did my assignment about the pros and cons of legalized prostitution. It was interesting. Then we went to a fabulous event entitled "Go Dutch or Go Home" The challenge was to eat 10 stroopwaffles, 2 beer bottles of water and find a piece of chocolate in a bowl of mayonnaise. Angie DOMINATED. It was quite amusing. On the way back we quickly stopped by the bar but there was nothing really interesting going on there so w/e.
Thursday, August 13th 2009
The most interesting day this week, by far. The language class is going pretty well, the seminar was fascinating because of the discussion about Abortion, Prostitution and Euthanasia in the Netherlands. It kinda sucks that that's what the country is known for but the policies are interesting to discuss. Lunch was fascinating because of the amount of topics discussed that go through my head on a daily basis, however nobody here really knows the things that run through my head on a daily basis so its very amusing. I also met a very hot guy from New Zealand, unfortunately I forgot to get his name but he was tall, blonde and very pretty. Plus since he's taking a course at UCU right now, I'll hopefully run into him again. (*giggle*) The lecture we had was AWESOME. It was about Immigration and Integration in the netherlands. We then had an assignment to go to the "ethnic" part of town. Which I thought was awesome. It was so much fun. I went with Inna, Tiffany, Ricky and Jay. Not only did we find out where we're going grocery shopping for the next week but we found a buttload of cute clothing at this really cool store. I also found a hella legit head shop with a gorgeous hookah with a cobra on it. It was soooo cool . We got ice cream and on the way back laughed our asses off on the bus and I think we freaked everyone out with our loud American antics. It was a little ridiculous. We then came back home and hung out for a little bit. The guys on the 16th floor were having another party so I stopped by for a little bit. They were playing beer pong and I was highly amused. I put on my heels for the first time in forever. It felt sooo good. Now I'm watching Numb3rs and chillin until I go to sleep. My housemate is out clubbing with Tiffany and some other people. As I would like to wake up at 6am tomorrow I'm staying in. I'll go out another time. . .maybe Saturday.
I'm pretty much done with my strippenkaart so I need to buy a new one soon. Frelling frell balls. Tomorrow we're going to the Hague which sounds like SOOO much fun. I'm excited, except for the part about having to be at UCU at 8:15 instead of 9:30 like normal. Whatever, I can sleep on the bus or something. I was worried at first we would have to pay for the trip and go on the train but we're taking a chartered bus just for us which makes me rather relieved.
It still feels a little wierd not being in california but I'm readjusting quite well which makes me happy. (Yes captain obvious lives in my head).WoooooHooooo!!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Day 1 of DLC
Today we had our first day of the dutch language and culture course. It was interesting but I found myself falling asleep. We had a general intro but since I've been reading the book they assigned us I actually understood what our lecturer was talking about. We had a 2 hour break so Inna and I walked into town in search of a cafe to eat at. This failed miserably and I went back after we crossed through the park. I went to the study center and Patrice (the study center manager) pointed me in the direction of the cafeteria. I also got complimented on my fabulous singing voice. (lol).
Read Below for what I wrote at the airport when waiting for the plane to SFO:
Time: 3:51 pm [PST]
Place: SFO
Date: 8/4/09
"So I'm sitting in front of Gate A4 waiting for them to start seating us. I want to text Zac to ease my anxiousness but as I left my phone turned off at home and I don't have his number it'd be difficult. There's a guy at the counter that looks like Cuthbert. SHIT. What am I getting myself into? 5 months is a hell of a long time. Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, Dad and Frocy saw me off.
The thoughts currently running through my head:
-what am I doing here?
-what did I forget?
-what the fuck is 'preboarding'?
-this is a 747, if the doors close @ 4:40 how the hell are they gonna seat everyone in 25 minutes!?!
-are we gonna get there on time??
-FUCK! a 10 hour flight
-should I watch 17 Again aboard?
-will I need to buy headphones aboard?
-am I putting this on my blog?
-take a deep breath!
-will they let me bring my gummy worms on
-who am I gonna sit next to?
-calm the fuck down
-wooohoo I get to see Lizzy!!
-there's a hot guy in one of the laptop booths
-shit I have a one track mind
-I didn't get to see so many people before I left
-how am I gonna know to take my pills?"
then the plane started boarding for me so I stopped writing. I'm having fun here but I want to be in Maastricht so I can start actually learning. I enjoy having school and homework and stuff. The pain in the ass is that we're so far away from the UCU campus. UU is like UCSC in that its on the outskirts of town. There's only 2 buses we can use to go real places from here but grrr. We've been walking to campus everyday and my one toe has like 3 blisters which is a problem. A painful problem. It rained here today which made me happy, since we went for a little walk then went to the Cambridgebar next to Cambridgelaan housing . We didn't realize the bar opened at 10 and got there a little early. I drank a few nights ago but tonight I just had a hot chocolate while Inna, Nina and Tiffany had hot chocolate with bailey's (totally delicious btw).
I'm having an interesting time but at the same time I really wish there were somebody else I actually knew before coming here on the trip so I could have that safety net. Meh . . .
Read Below for what I wrote at the airport when waiting for the plane to SFO:
Time: 3:51 pm [PST]
Place: SFO
Date: 8/4/09
"So I'm sitting in front of Gate A4 waiting for them to start seating us. I want to text Zac to ease my anxiousness but as I left my phone turned off at home and I don't have his number it'd be difficult. There's a guy at the counter that looks like Cuthbert. SHIT. What am I getting myself into? 5 months is a hell of a long time. Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, Dad and Frocy saw me off.
The thoughts currently running through my head:
-what am I doing here?
-what did I forget?
-what the fuck is 'preboarding'?
-this is a 747, if the doors close @ 4:40 how the hell are they gonna seat everyone in 25 minutes!?!
-are we gonna get there on time??
-FUCK! a 10 hour flight
-should I watch 17 Again aboard?
-will I need to buy headphones aboard?
-am I putting this on my blog?
-take a deep breath!
-will they let me bring my gummy worms on
-who am I gonna sit next to?
-calm the fuck down
-wooohoo I get to see Lizzy!!
-there's a hot guy in one of the laptop booths
-shit I have a one track mind
-I didn't get to see so many people before I left
-how am I gonna know to take my pills?"
then the plane started boarding for me so I stopped writing. I'm having fun here but I want to be in Maastricht so I can start actually learning. I enjoy having school and homework and stuff. The pain in the ass is that we're so far away from the UCU campus. UU is like UCSC in that its on the outskirts of town. There's only 2 buses we can use to go real places from here but grrr. We've been walking to campus everyday and my one toe has like 3 blisters which is a problem. A painful problem. It rained here today which made me happy, since we went for a little walk then went to the Cambridgebar next to Cambridgelaan housing . We didn't realize the bar opened at 10 and got there a little early. I drank a few nights ago but tonight I just had a hot chocolate while Inna, Nina and Tiffany had hot chocolate with bailey's (totally delicious btw).
I'm having an interesting time but at the same time I really wish there were somebody else I actually knew before coming here on the trip so I could have that safety net. Meh . . .
Friday, August 7, 2009
First Days in Utrecht
So now I've been in Utrecht for about 2 and a half days. Utrecht is a 30 minute train ride from Amsterdam. It's one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. Let me break it down day by day:
August 5th (Wednesday): I got to the Netherlands. The flight was a bit hellish. I couldn't sleep on the 10 hour flight from SFO to LHR. Then I had a 1 hour layover. . .this one hour layover was BS. Heathrow SUCKS. . Even through I had just gotten off a plane, I had to get through security AGAIN then get on the plane to Amsterdam. The problem was theat the doors close for the flight 20 minutes to the flight. I got on extremely exhausted. I finally got to Amsterdam a little while later and took the train to the Utrecht Centraal Station.(with my 2 giant suitcases and my carry on and my purse). I met another girl on the train and we took the taxi to the University College Utrecht Campus where we were supposed to check in. We got there at like 4:05pm and we were supposed to be there by 5. Then at 6:15 (after not having slept for about 24-26 hours) we walked to the city center .We got lost on the way to the meeting point at UCU since I live in Uithof which is part of Utrecht but not even on the map of the city I have. So sleep-deprived me had to WALK over 30 minutes to eat pancakes (i.e. really thick crepes) for dinner. Then I took a bus with another girl and went home while other people went to bars in the city. I couldn't sleep because I was so fucking freaked out. I talked to mike on skype. I calmed down a bit but I couldn't fall asleep until 4ish
August 6th (Thursday): In the morning we had orientation for the DLC (Dutch Language and Culture Course) that's going on in Utrecht.( As interesting as this city is, I'm still going to have to take a train for two hours with all my luggage to Maastricht.) After the DLC orientation, we went into the city and I got a sim card for my phone. I like it because it's only 6 eurocents per minute to call the US. I then went to a supermarket and bought some food. Then I went back home and freaked out some more.We had a party at our apartment (on the 18th floor) and it melted with a party somebody else on our floor was having. I stayed mainly in my room being antisocial. Then I tried to go to sleep but it was too fucking HOT so I couldn't sleep.
August 7th (Friday): This morning we had a Utrecht city tour because of the gothic architecture (etc. etc.) Then we went and bought our Museum Cards and I went back home, got my stuff for the Maastricht orientation and got there half an hour early and got reimbursed for the museum card.I felt bad because since I was sick I kept falling asleep for a few seconds at a time.
We then once again came back, I hung out in my room then went downstairs to the 7th floor and hung out with some people. We then went on a magical adventure to another building to find a gathering in another person's apartment and we were planning on going to a party on the 16th floor but I felt useless there so I was antisocial again and went to my room to write this and try to calm down a bit more (as well as get started on my reading for the course).
Other notes:
I go to maastricht in 2 weeks so I'm trying not to spend too much money now since thats where I'll be living for most of my stay. Like I said above, i'm annoyed by being in Utrecht right now because I don't want to have to worry about cleaning and repacking all my shit. I'm trying to only live out of one suitcase so I don't touch the other one. I already have a plan for when I'm moving out. The day we move out we have our final exam for the language course. It's from 12-2. We have to move out by 12. My plan is do most of my packing Thursday, wake up hella early Friday, clean and pack the rest of my stuff and be on campus by 11. Then we leave our stuff in a room while we take the exam. I will arrange for a taxi to pick me up at the UCU campus at 2:05 to take me to the train station. At the train station, I will buy a ticket to maastricht, The train leaves at 3:08 so that gives me enough time to get there, buy my ticket, etc. The train arrives in Maastricht at 5:04pm. There will be somebody from the student group Universalis there to pick me up and drive me to the Guesthouse I'm going to be living at. As far as packing goes that day, I will put as much as I can in my two larger suitcases and probably attach the carryon I used to the smaller one and put the stuff I had in there in my backpack so It'll seem lighter and less troublesome.
Also, because of my neurotic obsession with planning and time management, I've figured out how I'm going to get to the airport in December when I leave. My plane leaves Monday, I have to move out sunday, so I will arrange a taxi to take me to the train station and take the train to amsterdam. There I will get a hotel for the night and in the morning (depending on where the hotel is) either take a taxi or walk to Shipol and fly out since my plane leaves in the morning, I want to leave the hotel by 7:30 so I can be at the airport by 8. I realize this is neurotic planning on my part but I'm and aquarius sun with a taurus rising, what do you expect??
August 5th (Wednesday): I got to the Netherlands. The flight was a bit hellish. I couldn't sleep on the 10 hour flight from SFO to LHR. Then I had a 1 hour layover. . .this one hour layover was BS. Heathrow SUCKS. . Even through I had just gotten off a plane, I had to get through security AGAIN then get on the plane to Amsterdam. The problem was theat the doors close for the flight 20 minutes to the flight. I got on extremely exhausted. I finally got to Amsterdam a little while later and took the train to the Utrecht Centraal Station.(with my 2 giant suitcases and my carry on and my purse). I met another girl on the train and we took the taxi to the University College Utrecht Campus where we were supposed to check in. We got there at like 4:05pm and we were supposed to be there by 5. Then at 6:15 (after not having slept for about 24-26 hours) we walked to the city center .We got lost on the way to the meeting point at UCU since I live in Uithof which is part of Utrecht but not even on the map of the city I have. So sleep-deprived me had to WALK over 30 minutes to eat pancakes (i.e. really thick crepes) for dinner. Then I took a bus with another girl and went home while other people went to bars in the city. I couldn't sleep because I was so fucking freaked out. I talked to mike on skype. I calmed down a bit but I couldn't fall asleep until 4ish
August 6th (Thursday): In the morning we had orientation for the DLC (Dutch Language and Culture Course) that's going on in Utrecht.( As interesting as this city is, I'm still going to have to take a train for two hours with all my luggage to Maastricht.) After the DLC orientation, we went into the city and I got a sim card for my phone. I like it because it's only 6 eurocents per minute to call the US. I then went to a supermarket and bought some food. Then I went back home and freaked out some more.We had a party at our apartment (on the 18th floor) and it melted with a party somebody else on our floor was having. I stayed mainly in my room being antisocial. Then I tried to go to sleep but it was too fucking HOT so I couldn't sleep.
August 7th (Friday): This morning we had a Utrecht city tour because of the gothic architecture (etc. etc.) Then we went and bought our Museum Cards and I went back home, got my stuff for the Maastricht orientation and got there half an hour early and got reimbursed for the museum card.I felt bad because since I was sick I kept falling asleep for a few seconds at a time.
We then once again came back, I hung out in my room then went downstairs to the 7th floor and hung out with some people. We then went on a magical adventure to another building to find a gathering in another person's apartment and we were planning on going to a party on the 16th floor but I felt useless there so I was antisocial again and went to my room to write this and try to calm down a bit more (as well as get started on my reading for the course).
Other notes:
I go to maastricht in 2 weeks so I'm trying not to spend too much money now since thats where I'll be living for most of my stay. Like I said above, i'm annoyed by being in Utrecht right now because I don't want to have to worry about cleaning and repacking all my shit. I'm trying to only live out of one suitcase so I don't touch the other one. I already have a plan for when I'm moving out. The day we move out we have our final exam for the language course. It's from 12-2. We have to move out by 12. My plan is do most of my packing Thursday, wake up hella early Friday, clean and pack the rest of my stuff and be on campus by 11. Then we leave our stuff in a room while we take the exam. I will arrange for a taxi to pick me up at the UCU campus at 2:05 to take me to the train station. At the train station, I will buy a ticket to maastricht, The train leaves at 3:08 so that gives me enough time to get there, buy my ticket, etc. The train arrives in Maastricht at 5:04pm. There will be somebody from the student group Universalis there to pick me up and drive me to the Guesthouse I'm going to be living at. As far as packing goes that day, I will put as much as I can in my two larger suitcases and probably attach the carryon I used to the smaller one and put the stuff I had in there in my backpack so It'll seem lighter and less troublesome.
Also, because of my neurotic obsession with planning and time management, I've figured out how I'm going to get to the airport in December when I leave. My plane leaves Monday, I have to move out sunday, so I will arrange a taxi to take me to the train station and take the train to amsterdam. There I will get a hotel for the night and in the morning (depending on where the hotel is) either take a taxi or walk to Shipol and fly out since my plane leaves in the morning, I want to leave the hotel by 7:30 so I can be at the airport by 8. I realize this is neurotic planning on my part but I'm and aquarius sun with a taurus rising, what do you expect??
Sunday, August 2, 2009
T-Minus Two Days
There are two days before my plane leaves and I don't know whether or not it's hit me that I'm actually going to the netherlands. I've started packing but I'm nowhere close to done and there's probably something I've forgotten I need.
you
So in case the above sentences don't make sense, I'm going to be studying abroad in the Netherlands for the next 5 months and Zac told me to get a blog to record the results (probably so anybody reading this will be amused for some bit of time).
My plane leaves SFO at 4:55pm PST and arrives in London's Heathrow airport in 10 hours 5 minutes, from there I have a one hour layover then I'm on the plane to Amsterdam for 2 hours 15 minutes from where I will be getting on a train to Utrecht and then we'll see what happens.
For anybody that doesn't know, I'm and Aquarius sun, Gemini moon, and Taurus rising so if you thought this was going to be an interesting journey before, it's even more amusing now (given you know astrology).
you
So in case the above sentences don't make sense, I'm going to be studying abroad in the Netherlands for the next 5 months and Zac told me to get a blog to record the results (probably so anybody reading this will be amused for some bit of time).
My plane leaves SFO at 4:55pm PST and arrives in London's Heathrow airport in 10 hours 5 minutes, from there I have a one hour layover then I'm on the plane to Amsterdam for 2 hours 15 minutes from where I will be getting on a train to Utrecht and then we'll see what happens.
For anybody that doesn't know, I'm and Aquarius sun, Gemini moon, and Taurus rising so if you thought this was going to be an interesting journey before, it's even more amusing now (given you know astrology).
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