Hello hello!
Today was a perfect lazy Sunday in Amsterdam, filled with relaxing in cafe's and walking around magnificent museums. A few of us slept in late, then enjoyed pancakes and "hamburgers" (ie nothing like the American hamburgers) before trekking in the rain via bicycle to the Stedlijk Museum of Modern Art and the Van Gogh Museum down in the Museumplein. The Stedlijk had just re-opened after being under renovation since 2008 so it was free. It was full of amazing pieces of artwork, from paintings to photographs to films to anything in between! I could only take photos of a few, but I will go into detail about a few of them. There was one with bird sounds. Well, not bird sounds but random people calling out the names of artists in a bird-call like nature. I thought they were saying BaKAW, so it made me a wee bit homesick. There was another film that showed children looking at a certain famous painting (sadly I cannot remember which one.) but the film only showed the children first seeing it and then responding to questions about it, and it did not even show the painting. It was different but quite fascinating. Another one was a room full of politically-charged quotes by famous people (George Orwell for example). I put up lots of pictures of it. I feel that I can't give enough credit to it by describing it myself. One that was particularly chilling was the newspaper. It was the New York Times edition on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, before the news of the Twin Towers being struck had been reported. It was a great day there. We then trekked down the street to the Van Gogh Museum, which was absolutely amazing. We weren't allowed to take photos, but it was a great way to spend a Sunday, looking at Van Gogh's incredible artwork throughout his brief life and years as an artist.
Today was my last day of "freedom" before more orientation stuff (this time with CIEE) and then classes, which start on September 6. I am enjoying the free time but I look forward to getting onto a good schedule. Tonight some of us girls are going to get sushi down in Dam Square. I have been craving it! I hope everyone back in the States is having a fantastic weekend. I'm sorry I don't have more interesting things to write about today.
I miss: In N Out burgers.
I love: Mr. Van Gogh.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Days 4-6
Thursday:
Today was "Sports Day" at Orientation. We went to the University's sports arena for the afternoon, where they had spinning, yoga, dancing, fighting (like tae kwon do, but they call it fighting-interesting), and other activities. Once again, it was raining profusely the entire day. We Americans assumed that it was raining a "normal" amount. But, my orientation leader James Paul informed us that it was an exceptional amount, and many of the trams were forced to stop running due to excessive flooding around the city. For a city that is basically underwater (the majority of the Netherlands is about 10m below sea level) you would think that they could handle a bit of rain. But, I am not one to judge them! So after a fairly uneventful travel down, two cappuccinos in the lounge and no sports for me, my roomie and I left to run errands and explore the city- a much more productive way to spend that day, in my opinion. That night I met up with my orientation group at a hip restaurant called Bazar on Albert Cupystraat, where they have a cool flea market during the week. We all dined on yummy kebabs, then went to the Dutch Borrel. A Dutch Borrel is America's equivalent to socializing at a bar- much different then "partying" at the clubs. It was a great night of meeting new people and hanging out with previous international acquaintances.
Friday:
Our final day of ISN orientation. It started with coffee at the Crea Cafe, a student cafe right by one of the University buildings in a quiet area right on one of Amsterdam's many canals. I only got slightly lost, and, with the aid of my other orientation leader Evelin, I made it there safely. We had creative workshops that we signed up for. Some kids did things like flamenco, singing, and yoga. Maike and I chose to do painting, where we basically just got to slap paint onto a canvas for forty-five minutes. A refreshing break to the mayhem of Orientation week. We then trekked down to the Artis Zoo. While it was nothing compared to the Los Angeles Zoo (all you Acting 1 alums know what I'm talking about) it was quite fun to see all the animals. As anyone who has been to the zoo or any other area with a plethora of creatures, you know that I am easily amused by these attractions. We all had a blast running around and seeing the llamas, monkeys, lions, and other exotic animals. One of the rabbit/hamster looking things looked like Pumpkin! It made me really miss my dogs at home. Some of us also went on an excursion to find the local Hema (Dutch equivalent to Target) to purchase bedding. We strolled through the Waterloo market, where people had stands with tapestries, clothing, bike supplies, and other tourist items. While the bedding hunt was unsuccessful, it was still exciting to wander around the city. I also could walk home by myself without getting lost!
For our last Orientation activity, the University threw us a shindig at the Panama club, about a 20 minute walk from my dorm. It was so packed with all students, and was a legitimate club- one of my first I've ever been to. It was enjoyable dancing and having fun with CIEE and ISN kids, but I've learned now that I am more of a Dutch Borrel kind of gal. I'm not hip or groovy enough to go "clubbing". (I just used the word "groovy" to describe this, so I am definitely not hip enough!)
Saturday, aka today:
Today was my first free day since I have arrived in Amsterdam. Aside from being woken up by extremely loud thunder and storms early in the morning, I slept in well past noon and spent the majority of the day vegging in my room. Once Liza and I showered and woke up, we went on attempt #2 to find Hema. After only getting quasi-lost in the city, we found our way. I bought lovely duvet and pillow- much more comfy than the stuff we were provided with. We then found a cute restaurant and ate tapas in Rembrandt Square. After we came home, I went to a cafe next to my dorm and drank cappuccinos while reading and people watching. An overall enjoyable afternoon. Nothing eventful has actually happened within the last few days, but I hope that more adventures will occur once classes start and I get into the school routine. Tonight is hopefully going to consist of making dinner at home (first meal being cooked in our kitchen! Very exciting) and then going to a club to celebrate someone's birthday. Will write more soon!
I love: Dutch children, ie shnoos- so darn cute
I miss: the warm weather of Baltimore and LA- it's already feeling like fall here.
Today was "Sports Day" at Orientation. We went to the University's sports arena for the afternoon, where they had spinning, yoga, dancing, fighting (like tae kwon do, but they call it fighting-interesting), and other activities. Once again, it was raining profusely the entire day. We Americans assumed that it was raining a "normal" amount. But, my orientation leader James Paul informed us that it was an exceptional amount, and many of the trams were forced to stop running due to excessive flooding around the city. For a city that is basically underwater (the majority of the Netherlands is about 10m below sea level) you would think that they could handle a bit of rain. But, I am not one to judge them! So after a fairly uneventful travel down, two cappuccinos in the lounge and no sports for me, my roomie and I left to run errands and explore the city- a much more productive way to spend that day, in my opinion. That night I met up with my orientation group at a hip restaurant called Bazar on Albert Cupystraat, where they have a cool flea market during the week. We all dined on yummy kebabs, then went to the Dutch Borrel. A Dutch Borrel is America's equivalent to socializing at a bar- much different then "partying" at the clubs. It was a great night of meeting new people and hanging out with previous international acquaintances.
Friday:
Our final day of ISN orientation. It started with coffee at the Crea Cafe, a student cafe right by one of the University buildings in a quiet area right on one of Amsterdam's many canals. I only got slightly lost, and, with the aid of my other orientation leader Evelin, I made it there safely. We had creative workshops that we signed up for. Some kids did things like flamenco, singing, and yoga. Maike and I chose to do painting, where we basically just got to slap paint onto a canvas for forty-five minutes. A refreshing break to the mayhem of Orientation week. We then trekked down to the Artis Zoo. While it was nothing compared to the Los Angeles Zoo (all you Acting 1 alums know what I'm talking about) it was quite fun to see all the animals. As anyone who has been to the zoo or any other area with a plethora of creatures, you know that I am easily amused by these attractions. We all had a blast running around and seeing the llamas, monkeys, lions, and other exotic animals. One of the rabbit/hamster looking things looked like Pumpkin! It made me really miss my dogs at home. Some of us also went on an excursion to find the local Hema (Dutch equivalent to Target) to purchase bedding. We strolled through the Waterloo market, where people had stands with tapestries, clothing, bike supplies, and other tourist items. While the bedding hunt was unsuccessful, it was still exciting to wander around the city. I also could walk home by myself without getting lost!
For our last Orientation activity, the University threw us a shindig at the Panama club, about a 20 minute walk from my dorm. It was so packed with all students, and was a legitimate club- one of my first I've ever been to. It was enjoyable dancing and having fun with CIEE and ISN kids, but I've learned now that I am more of a Dutch Borrel kind of gal. I'm not hip or groovy enough to go "clubbing". (I just used the word "groovy" to describe this, so I am definitely not hip enough!)
Saturday, aka today:
Today was my first free day since I have arrived in Amsterdam. Aside from being woken up by extremely loud thunder and storms early in the morning, I slept in well past noon and spent the majority of the day vegging in my room. Once Liza and I showered and woke up, we went on attempt #2 to find Hema. After only getting quasi-lost in the city, we found our way. I bought lovely duvet and pillow- much more comfy than the stuff we were provided with. We then found a cute restaurant and ate tapas in Rembrandt Square. After we came home, I went to a cafe next to my dorm and drank cappuccinos while reading and people watching. An overall enjoyable afternoon. Nothing eventful has actually happened within the last few days, but I hope that more adventures will occur once classes start and I get into the school routine. Tonight is hopefully going to consist of making dinner at home (first meal being cooked in our kitchen! Very exciting) and then going to a club to celebrate someone's birthday. Will write more soon!
I love: Dutch children, ie shnoos- so darn cute
I miss: the warm weather of Baltimore and LA- it's already feeling like fall here.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Day 3
Goedemiddag, or Good day!
Today was another jam-packed day of orientation activities with the ISN. It started off with the somewhat-traumatic adventure of finding my way down to Spui Square (near Dam Square, aka a 5-10 minute ride) via bicycle. While we had gone there yesterday, I had no clue how to get back there on my own. It started with me riding back and forth on my street, trying to figure out whether to go left or right onto a Valkenburgerstraat, ie a random road.
*side note: The Dutch are TERRIBLE with labelling their streets. Their version of street signs are mini plaques stuck to walls of buildings at random points on the street, and are impossible to find, therefore, one has no bloody idea where they are going.
I rode my bike back and forth for about twenty minutes, only to ask two construction men (in English, since I was in no state to attempt to understand Dutch) where the hell I was. They proceeded to point me in the opposite direction of where I wanted to go. Then I made it near the Amstel River and in the right direction, only to be nearly killed by vehicles, motorcycles, other bikers, not to mention idiotic pedestrians, who I have come to despise. So, after forty-five minutes of biking around Centraal Station, a few tears shed, and about four calls to my orientation coach James Paul, I made it to the Spui Square. Luckily I had a much more successful bike ride back home- I only had to ask for directions once! (In Dutch, by the way).
We started out with cappuccinos and a stroll through the Amsterdam Historic Museum, with lots of old paintings of Dutch civil guards and such. Pretty interesting stuff. We then had a relaxing and quite touristy canal cruise, where the majority of us fell asleep. This was followed by lunch at one of the University cafés, with a yummy tomato/pesto/mozzarrella sandwich and more coffee. I successfully spoke to the waiter in Dutch, and after I told him I was from the States, he proclaimed that I was the first American to have ever spoken in Dutch to him! It made me feel quite good about my Dutch speaking skills. We ended the day with a tour around the city by a Dutch tour guide, where we saw some sort of University hazing (kids dressed up in funny costumes being auctioned off to other students....quite strange!), the Bloemenmarkt or Flower Market, Waterloo Market, which is a great flea market with a wide assortment of inexpensive goods, and other notable locations. I was a bit shocked when we walked through the Red Light District and down the city's narrowest alley, where prostitutes were lining the lane, donned in lingerie and eyeing the men from their doorways. I expected to see them, but I guess not so close!
I am back in my dorm room, looking out at the courtyard full of student's bikes and right on the Prins Hendrikkade street, which is very close to the Center of the city. I hope to sneak in a quick nap before the roommate and I go to Albert Heijn (a grocery store-chain that is popular in the Netherlands) for some necessities and then out to dinner. Apparently our program has scheduled a karaoke night for us international students, but I will probably just stay in and relax. Tomorrow we have a Sports Day, full of athletic activities and Dutch games. I am not sure how much I am looking forward to this.
I am having such a good time here, but I am starting to get worn out from the constant movement and constant activities that we are required to do. But everyone in my orientation group seems to get along great. I have been told that the first stage of studying abroad is euphoria, which I think I am feeling now. I hope that I don't feel the second stage, Sophomore Slump, too intensely. Although I think I already had a taste of it while crying and lost in the city!
I miss: clear-cut road signs
I love: french fries with mayonnaise- sounds gross, but they are SO yummy!
Today was another jam-packed day of orientation activities with the ISN. It started off with the somewhat-traumatic adventure of finding my way down to Spui Square (near Dam Square, aka a 5-10 minute ride) via bicycle. While we had gone there yesterday, I had no clue how to get back there on my own. It started with me riding back and forth on my street, trying to figure out whether to go left or right onto a Valkenburgerstraat, ie a random road.
*side note: The Dutch are TERRIBLE with labelling their streets. Their version of street signs are mini plaques stuck to walls of buildings at random points on the street, and are impossible to find, therefore, one has no bloody idea where they are going.
I rode my bike back and forth for about twenty minutes, only to ask two construction men (in English, since I was in no state to attempt to understand Dutch) where the hell I was. They proceeded to point me in the opposite direction of where I wanted to go. Then I made it near the Amstel River and in the right direction, only to be nearly killed by vehicles, motorcycles, other bikers, not to mention idiotic pedestrians, who I have come to despise. So, after forty-five minutes of biking around Centraal Station, a few tears shed, and about four calls to my orientation coach James Paul, I made it to the Spui Square. Luckily I had a much more successful bike ride back home- I only had to ask for directions once! (In Dutch, by the way).
We started out with cappuccinos and a stroll through the Amsterdam Historic Museum, with lots of old paintings of Dutch civil guards and such. Pretty interesting stuff. We then had a relaxing and quite touristy canal cruise, where the majority of us fell asleep. This was followed by lunch at one of the University cafés, with a yummy tomato/pesto/mozzarrella sandwich and more coffee. I successfully spoke to the waiter in Dutch, and after I told him I was from the States, he proclaimed that I was the first American to have ever spoken in Dutch to him! It made me feel quite good about my Dutch speaking skills. We ended the day with a tour around the city by a Dutch tour guide, where we saw some sort of University hazing (kids dressed up in funny costumes being auctioned off to other students....quite strange!), the Bloemenmarkt or Flower Market, Waterloo Market, which is a great flea market with a wide assortment of inexpensive goods, and other notable locations. I was a bit shocked when we walked through the Red Light District and down the city's narrowest alley, where prostitutes were lining the lane, donned in lingerie and eyeing the men from their doorways. I expected to see them, but I guess not so close!
I am back in my dorm room, looking out at the courtyard full of student's bikes and right on the Prins Hendrikkade street, which is very close to the Center of the city. I hope to sneak in a quick nap before the roommate and I go to Albert Heijn (a grocery store-chain that is popular in the Netherlands) for some necessities and then out to dinner. Apparently our program has scheduled a karaoke night for us international students, but I will probably just stay in and relax. Tomorrow we have a Sports Day, full of athletic activities and Dutch games. I am not sure how much I am looking forward to this.
I am having such a good time here, but I am starting to get worn out from the constant movement and constant activities that we are required to do. But everyone in my orientation group seems to get along great. I have been told that the first stage of studying abroad is euphoria, which I think I am feeling now. I hope that I don't feel the second stage, Sophomore Slump, too intensely. Although I think I already had a taste of it while crying and lost in the city!
I miss: clear-cut road signs
I love: french fries with mayonnaise- sounds gross, but they are SO yummy!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Days 1-2
Hello! Greetings from Amsterdam!
I arrived safely in the Schiphol Airport on Monday (Maandag), and have had two jam-packed days of orientation activities. There was a torrential downpour on Monday when I came out of the airport, with huge gusts of wind. Nevertheless it was wonderful to finally be in my new home city. The day was dedicated to settling in and relaxing for a bit before meeting the rest of the CIEE American students studying at the UvA (Universiteit van Amsterdam). Everyone was so nice, and it was great to see the two other Oxy students too (Tommy Graham and Ben Chapin)- so refreshing to see two familiar faces! We walked around a bit of the city and admired all of its glory. I also got to purchase my bike (ie "mijn fiets" in Dutch), which is very nifty with saddle bag things on the side to put groceries in! (Will post pictures of it soon). We ended our first day with a canal cruise, with pizza for dinner, which was a nice memory of home. I also met my roommate, whose name is Liza and she is from Silver Lake, CA (close to Oxy!). While she will never compare to my previous and magnificent roomie LT, she shall suffice for the semester.
The three main women that run CIEE- Annabel, Renee, and Hannah- are wonderful. They are such kind women who genuinely are looking out for our safety and best interests. If I thought I was a tall person, Annabel is a SUPER giant Dutch lady! She is at least 6 feet tall and skinny as a rail, but such an adorable woman. I feel so safe and comfortable with these three women.
Today was a more exciting day. Instead of being just with the Americans, I was thrown into the entire International Student Network's (ISN) orientation, consisting of hundreds of students from around the world. I was placed in a group with kids from Germany, Lithuania, Sweden, Portugal, Japan, Singapore, Czech Republic, Korea, China, and Greece! It is such a great mix of students who are all quite sociable and easy to talk to, despite the language barrier. Our orientation "coaches" or leaders as we would say in the U.S, are Evelien (evelyn) and James Paul. Both very funny and interesting Dutch students. James Paul is a mix between McLovin from the movie "Superbad" (looks) and an American college Frat boy (attitude). Evelien is a true savior when it comes to cycling. At only 5'4", she could pull herself AND me on her bike with no problem! (I was sitting on the back of it, like riding a horse side-saddle). She also helped me ride my bike from the University to the bar where we had an ISN party, and also back to Dam Square so I could ride home- mind you this was at 11:30 pm tonight! I rode amongst Dutch citizens with very few falls or accidents. Except my shoe fell off while attempting to cross the street in very busy Dutch traffic. It was laying in the bike lane, with cars and bikes almost running it over, while I pathetically tried to pedal back and lay my bike down to retrieve it, all while I was trying to follow Evelien so I wouldn't get lost! Luckily a nice Dutch woman with her son grabbed it for me. I am amazed by the kindness of the Dutch people. While they have the bad reputation for being cold or even rude, they are kind and willing to help nonetheless.
Overall these past two days have been fantastic. I feel as if I am getting to know lots of international students (even more at the bar- kids from Denmark, India and New Zealand, among other nations) and learning slowly how to make my way around Amsterdam. I have also gotten compliments on my impressive Dutch speaking skills (Thank you, Rosetta Stone!) and I am excited to attempt (and fail, obviously) at speaking Dutch to native speakers. Well, it is past midnight here in Amsterdam now, so I must get ready for another exciting day of orientation. I know that I have forgotten so many great details from the past two days, but I shall write more soon.
Also, I am taking inspiration from Zoe's London blog for this:
I miss: my bed, my dogs
I love: hilarious European students in my orientation group who have helped me feel more at ease in this foreign place, and are just as goofy as me- Maike (MY-kuh)from Germany, Ugne (oog-NAY) from Lithuania, and Kristin from Sweden.
and of course, I love you all!
I arrived safely in the Schiphol Airport on Monday (Maandag), and have had two jam-packed days of orientation activities. There was a torrential downpour on Monday when I came out of the airport, with huge gusts of wind. Nevertheless it was wonderful to finally be in my new home city. The day was dedicated to settling in and relaxing for a bit before meeting the rest of the CIEE American students studying at the UvA (Universiteit van Amsterdam). Everyone was so nice, and it was great to see the two other Oxy students too (Tommy Graham and Ben Chapin)- so refreshing to see two familiar faces! We walked around a bit of the city and admired all of its glory. I also got to purchase my bike (ie "mijn fiets" in Dutch), which is very nifty with saddle bag things on the side to put groceries in! (Will post pictures of it soon). We ended our first day with a canal cruise, with pizza for dinner, which was a nice memory of home. I also met my roommate, whose name is Liza and she is from Silver Lake, CA (close to Oxy!). While she will never compare to my previous and magnificent roomie LT, she shall suffice for the semester.
The three main women that run CIEE- Annabel, Renee, and Hannah- are wonderful. They are such kind women who genuinely are looking out for our safety and best interests. If I thought I was a tall person, Annabel is a SUPER giant Dutch lady! She is at least 6 feet tall and skinny as a rail, but such an adorable woman. I feel so safe and comfortable with these three women.
Today was a more exciting day. Instead of being just with the Americans, I was thrown into the entire International Student Network's (ISN) orientation, consisting of hundreds of students from around the world. I was placed in a group with kids from Germany, Lithuania, Sweden, Portugal, Japan, Singapore, Czech Republic, Korea, China, and Greece! It is such a great mix of students who are all quite sociable and easy to talk to, despite the language barrier. Our orientation "coaches" or leaders as we would say in the U.S, are Evelien (evelyn) and James Paul. Both very funny and interesting Dutch students. James Paul is a mix between McLovin from the movie "Superbad" (looks) and an American college Frat boy (attitude). Evelien is a true savior when it comes to cycling. At only 5'4", she could pull herself AND me on her bike with no problem! (I was sitting on the back of it, like riding a horse side-saddle). She also helped me ride my bike from the University to the bar where we had an ISN party, and also back to Dam Square so I could ride home- mind you this was at 11:30 pm tonight! I rode amongst Dutch citizens with very few falls or accidents. Except my shoe fell off while attempting to cross the street in very busy Dutch traffic. It was laying in the bike lane, with cars and bikes almost running it over, while I pathetically tried to pedal back and lay my bike down to retrieve it, all while I was trying to follow Evelien so I wouldn't get lost! Luckily a nice Dutch woman with her son grabbed it for me. I am amazed by the kindness of the Dutch people. While they have the bad reputation for being cold or even rude, they are kind and willing to help nonetheless.
Overall these past two days have been fantastic. I feel as if I am getting to know lots of international students (even more at the bar- kids from Denmark, India and New Zealand, among other nations) and learning slowly how to make my way around Amsterdam. I have also gotten compliments on my impressive Dutch speaking skills (Thank you, Rosetta Stone!) and I am excited to attempt (and fail, obviously) at speaking Dutch to native speakers. Well, it is past midnight here in Amsterdam now, so I must get ready for another exciting day of orientation. I know that I have forgotten so many great details from the past two days, but I shall write more soon.
Also, I am taking inspiration from Zoe's London blog for this:
I miss: my bed, my dogs
I love: hilarious European students in my orientation group who have helped me feel more at ease in this foreign place, and are just as goofy as me- Maike (MY-kuh)from Germany, Ugne (oog-NAY) from Lithuania, and Kristin from Sweden.
and of course, I love you all!
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