Pub Crawl Prague

So,, I hear today is Christmas?? Yeah!? Well maybe in the U.S., but in the Czech Republic.. yesterday was Christmas!! So we had a delicious typical Czech dinner which included goulash, potatoes, cabbage, and duck. It was pretty good :p The giant beer was also yuummmyyy!! Today we did a tour of the city (Prague) and I learned all about its amazing and LENGTHY history. We saw a distant view of the castle which began its existance in the 800's!! (may do a tour tmw) We also did a tour of a Jewish 'museum' which consisted of a few cinegogs and a small jewish cemetary... very interesting stuff.

On another note, it really didnt feel like Christmas today. Other than the fact that I have realized how much I miss my family and friends!! Its quite sad because I have no contact with the people that are most important in my life right now either. Matthias is with his family in Germany, Ozi is also... Traesa left me! and Patrick is at home in Groningen..

Not to mention my family is thousands of miles away.. probably eating a delicious dinner that I would kill to taste.. sitting around a Christmas tree that I never realized the beauty of, and enjoying each other's smiles and laughs that I would kill to see and hear. (ok I'm guna cut the mushy stuff).. really I never realized how special the holidays are!! So to my family- know that I miss you so much and you should all be delighted to be in each other's presence.

Ok- so in order to try and forget what I'm missing today, me and the girls are going on a pub crawl!! I had a blast at the one in Berlin so I think another one in Prague is in order.

Wanna know something so funny!? 3 really strange coincidences have happened on our trip. On the train to Berlin, by chance, we met Alex's roommate on HIS WAY to Berlin! He lives in Berlin!! So he got to show us around! It was great to know a local, did I tell this story yet? Then to top it off, the second night we were there.. in our hostel, we met a student from Eastern Michigan University!! Talk about a small world... WOW!! All the way in Berlin!! Then today, on our tour of the city, we met 2 guys that we partied with in Berlin on that pub crawl! I dunno but I think that stuff is pretty strange.

So, I should go and get ready for this pub crawl. Unlimited shots, beers, hot wine, and rum n cokes for an hour!! WHHHEWW!! Then we will check out a few local clubs!! The guys from Berlin (Californians) will join us.. cool! Two twins that are pretty fun to hang with :)

Merry Christmas everyone :)

Goodnight,

G!nosa

Today Berlin, TMW Prague!!

Berlin was amazing! So much history! We did a walking tour, even tho it was icy, rainy, and freeeeeezing cold,, it was great! We learned all about the history of germany and the wall.. very interesting stuff!!! OMG!! I really like Berlin, maybe i will move here!! :p

So we did a bunch of shopping and went to a few christmas markets and ate some awesome food. We had an imbiß! Its like a döner kepab which i eat at home all the time.. they have them all over europe.. ooommmmggg soo yummy!!!! but theyre different in each country.. orr.. they each have their own style!

i had more currywurst, aannnddd... some roasted nuts, and hot spiced wine.. and.. chinese noodles from a street vendor! we walked down this fancy street where people wore furs, and drove fancy cars, and walked their little dogs with outfits on...

we also went shopping in a giant mall and pretended like we wanted to buy a fancy watch which was 80,000 euros!

oh i almost forgot...we met a friend on the train on the way here.. he is a real Berliner (lives in the city). He showed us around and did some translation for the really difficult german stuff hehe.. His name is Max and he is a really great guy!!! so sweet!!

we did a pub crawl last night and i drank a lot of german beers and jager shots!! hahahahaaaa it was fun!! we met some really cool people!

what else what else... we were really tired so we came home early to the hostel today.. tomorrow we wake up early and take a euroline bus to prague!!! We have a hotel with a nice flat screen tv so incase everything is closed on the 24th and 25th we can hang out, relax, take a bath and watch movies!

Ciao

Jen

RIP Brownie

yeah so about 2 days ago Brownie was stoel from outside my friends place :/ im not guna get too ,mushy about it but i am pretty sad.... I dont have a lot of time right now, should be entering Germany any min, so no more internet. BERLIN here i come!! I cant wait to eat some real german food and drink a COLD GIANT GERMAN BEER!! Heheheee :p I will write again... But so uu know thurs i will be in Prague!! Ich will ein deutches beer trinken! Omg i did it all by myself! Incase any of u weird family members get the urge to contact me, 0644429484 is my cell, look up the country code.. U may need a 31 in the beginning somewhere!
Tschausen!

Holy Carp!

So today there was about 6-7 inches of snow on the ground... the whole city pretty much went crazy and shut down... no buses, no school, post office closed, the works!! Its so funny.. no one can drive a car or bike.. its like they're freakin out man!! HEHEHA

I love it... reminds me a bit of the first snow at home.. when people can't freakin drive and make a big deal out of it. Except here I think it happens like this every time it snows cuz its so rare.

Either way.. I finished a bunch of work on my case study and decided on my final trip for Christmas. It will be Berlin, Prague, followed by Vienna and then Dusseldorf back to home.

So Ciao Bellas its late and I will be hitting the hay shortly.

P.S. Thanks for the comments on my last blog and check out this geil video :p

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1qHVVbYG8Y

White Christmas

Hay blog-lovers. Sorry for the large gap in between my posts. This week has been veerrryyyy lazzyyyy for me! I didnt have so much homework to do.. so I did a lot of laying around, a bit of shopping, sleeping, watching movies, and eating! I guess it felt kind of good.. Perhaps I felt I had nothing exciting to post.. I still dont really!!

Well I did get a new bike! My bike's name is Brownie. I love my new bike! I really took my time and systematically negotiated to get a great price on her. 65 euros when they tried to tell me she was worth 95! Whhheewww! I see negotiating as one of my new found skillz :p

So tomorrow we will book and finalize our trip for Christmas. I know for sure that I'm going to Berlin, and I think also Prague.. but not sure about after that... *hhmmmm* I will let you all know!

School is going pretty smoothly.. right now I have some down time.. Just finishing up a paper which is due on Friday.. and working on another case study due on January the 8th. For New Years it looks as though I will be either staying here for a friend's house party, or perhaps high-tailing to Amsterdam.. not sure what yet. Some other plans have recently backfired.

I had a great night on Monday! I went over to winsho for an awesome pre-gaming party.. we played flippy cup and circle of death-- for u older folks, those are both drinking games! ;)

Then we went into the city for the ESN's Christmas party at one of my favorite bars - The Pacific. I had a great time and knew so many people! They were all international students..

I'm kind of wondering what I'm going to do once my school is finished.. At first I was contemplating an internship here, but that will prolong my studies. Receiving my MBA will be pushed back *sigh*. Perhaps I will come back home and finish up school. Honestly, I can't wait to FINALLY, REALLY,, FULLYYYY graduate! I thought I was already done! Really, never knew I was going to grad school! But here I am again, back in the saddle! Don't get me wrong! I am thoroughly enjoying myself here being a student. But at times these case studies, theories, final exams, and literature reviews can sure take their toll!

In the end, I will make a decision between an internship at a really awesome company, or returning home to finish up classes... I believe if I can find a great reason to stay here (freakin awesome internship), it just may happen.

Actually, I had to say goodbye to my good friend Traesa on Monday :( She went back home to New York. We had a good night tho, and I will miss her.. Even more sad is the fact that so many other people are also leaving at this time.

As of now, the thought of returning back to my old life sounds horrendous!! LOL!!! Sorry to say but how boring... doing the same things over and over and over...So when I do come back, things will be different!! I will make sure of that!

Ok... I just got back from the movies with D (Matthias) and Ozi. We saw Avatar and it was freakin great!! Love it! Now I should be doing some reading so tomorrow my brain will be teaming with great conclusions regarding cross-cultural differences between China and the U.S. and how they inhibited the success of eBay China! WHEW!

So sleep well and I promise to post soon. Besides I leave on Monday for a week long Christmas Voyage through Europe!! Woooooo!!

Yours,

Cookie

P.S. The pictures above are of Brownie. I love her so much because she is so comfortable to ride!! The handle bars are truly amazing.. Sometimes I feel like I'm driving a car, LOL. Or maybe its my brain's silly attempt to put me back into one of my old comfortable places :/

Also included a picture of D having fun in the snow.. seems as though he is always doing something energetic, crazy, silly, or exciting!! At the same time he keeps me busy... (I took these pictures just a few hours ago)

P.S.S. The title of this post "White Christmas" is because it snowed today! Which really reminded me of home because I guess it rarely snows here..

Ciao~

Here, There, Everywhere!

Here is the correct translation of my last post:

"I go to Germany. I visit the Christmas market. I will home on Saturday."

"I'm very awesome!"

"yyyyyeeaaahhhh"

"Bye / Peace out!"

'Ich bin geil' can either mean I am horny or I am awesome.. It depends on the context.. in this case I meant I am awesome.. hehe.. but anyway.. yeah the Germans say Geil all the freakin time.. and mentally I do too hehe... just not out loud..

I also say 'WAS IST DAS PASSWORT!??" -- heheahehahe.. funny inside joke from Beerfest movie..

Anyway, so Bremen was pretty okay... I think I would like to check out another Christmas market in Germany sometime hopefully soon :) The club in Bremen was pretty crazy! I think I went to bed at 7am or something, and had to get up at 10 :/ So the next day was rough.. But I got to try some currywurst! And for sausage, it was delicious!!! :) Can't wait till I visit Berlin!!!

I've been thinking of writing this in my blog for a while.. I CANT TELL YOU how often conversation revolves around language.. its SO COMMON. ALways people are talking about different languages, which ones you speak, how they sound, how you say this or that, whats your mother tongue, which ones are you learning.. WOW its really amazing how often conversations are about language.. maybe.. 10% of the time, no joke.

Last night I met up with a girl from Canada that I met in the line to pick up my residence permit a couple weeks ago.. totally random but she overheard me talking to someone and its rare to hear an American or Canadian accent so we started talking.

Shes been all over the world and is living here becuase her American bf from Cali is playing basketball for the Netherlands.. Shes kind of.. uhm.. I dunno a socialite..?? Yeah.. for sure.. She likes fabulous things and .. so I guess its cool to have a friend like that! We had fun and it was a completely random night! We went to a coffee shop, and the red light district! Then we had some beers and a Döner! Yuuummmm..

Today I will work on my Christmas package for the fam, YES YOU SHOULD BE EXCITED! I have collected a bunch of presents from my travels and will send them all in a large package.. :)

Tomorrow I meet Alex for coffee and we will decide where we are going for Christmas.. perhaps somewhere warm!? Alex is the girl I came here with, she also goes to EMU. I haven't seen much of her since I've been here... but her sister is coming to visit and the 3 of us will do some traveling.

Anyway, I think I'm going to head to the Vismarkt now for some shopping.. haven't had much food in my fridge l8ly so its time to stock up!!

Miss you all!

Jenny

P.S., My life feels like a GIANT VACATION!!! How did things get so good?!?! :D I don't think I'm going to let this end!

P.S.S., I am still working on the Amsterdam/Bremen video and hope to post it soon!

Bremen, Deutschland

Ich gehe zum Duetschalnd. Ich besuche Der Weihnachtsmarkt. Ich werde am Samstag zum hause sein.

Ich bin sehr geil!

yyyyyyyeeaaahhh

tschausen!

CookieZ

Sinterklaas

SSoooo.. I think I may meet Sinterklaas tonight.. as well as one of his Zwartes. I went to the post office yesterday to find out where my package was at. Mom sent me one about a week and a half ago and I still haven't received it. The lady said that Sinterklaas is backing up the post office. It takes about 4-6 weeks for a package to be sent.

So if you are interested in sending me something.. now would be a good time! hehe..
I will send my christmas package to you all within the next few days.

If you want to send me something-- here is a short list:
Zip lock bags
Mac lengthening mascara
black socks
my black boots that mom can't find
perfume
and uhm, thats all I can think of right now.. but if I can think of anything soon, i will post it.

I've made a couple comments to recent posts and will try to do so more often.

Please check them out!

*Cookie*

Scotland / Edinburgh Video

Hay Guys!

So I'm back home now.. just doing some unpacking and beginning work on a case study for Advanced International Business - Industrial Relations Stream. Yeah man.

I leave for Bremen Friday evening. I will be checking out the Christmas market there with some great friends. I was in Eindhoven over this past weekend.. after my trip to Amsterdam. Ooohhh I know a bit confusing-- all of this traveling I've been doing.. you never know where I am!! :) hehe... Its great though!

So I will try to type out a bit of what I did in Edinburgh... When I first arrived I was a bit nervous. I spent about a day traveling there all by myself. And when I arrived initially I was supposed to be picked up from the airport. I called my friends, no answer. So i get a TXT back (sigh).. go to your hostel and we'll call u l8r

Have to say at that moment I was a bit freaked out and scared. To make a long story short I had to con my way into a breakfast meeting with my friends the next morning--but from there out it was a lot of fun. My friend's Aunt 'Ellen' was soooo hilarious! A very outgoing and friendly young lady of 69! She was greaT!! A very gracious host, vivacious and fuuuullll of life! She loved to go to the bars, clubbing, meeting with friends, drinking tea and eating crumpets, and of course drinking!! She had a funny accent and sometimes it was hard to understand her.

My friends and I took a tour of the city and learned some amazing things. I could really type up a whole book about all of the interesting stuff..

The cars in Edinburgh are insane! In Groningen, they will always stop for pedestrians or bikers.. like way ahead of time and always let you go first. In edinburgh we got warned that we may get run over. So make sure you hit the crosswalk button and WAIT until it turns green!! hehe.. it was so true!! I couldn't believe it!

We climbed up a pretty tall hill and took some amazing pictures. It was gorgeous and what you would imagine scotland to look like. The walk wasnt easy and we were cold and wet on our walk down. We got some awseome hot chocolate!

Seemed like the girls took extra effort to look beautiful in scotland, they kind of needed it LOL. But unfortunately with so much extra makeup, ridiculous clothes, and crazy hair.. it was just WAY too much. The girls in Groningen are much more naturally beautiful and keep it that way. haha.. so true.

Mmm.. what else...

Well you can check out this video:
Here

Ok a bit about Amsterdam / Eindhoven

I had a GREAT time in Amsterdam!! We went with the ESN - so everything was organized. From our city tour, to our boat tour, to the Heineken brewery! It was great! We even had free time to do some shopping and check out another museum! We also got a chance to party! And it was amazing :) I can't wait to go back and have more time to really check out the city! Also the food was delish!

Eindhoven was fun too. A much smaller city.. we did some shopping, relaxing, eating, chilling, walking.. and got a chance to check out another city in the Netherlands.

So.. I will be posting a video with the pics soon.. and I will also try to post one from Bremen.

The weekend after Bremen I'm going to Den Haag and then probably Dusseldorf Germany. Then I'm not sure where I'm going for Christmas but I will be doing some more traveling..

Anyone buy their plane tix yet!?
WOOHOOOO!!

Much love,

Jaypoo

Amsterdam-ian

sitting down to a delish lunch in amsterdam. After this we will be heading to the heineken brewery for a tour which concludes with a free beer! Woohoo! Yesterday we were in Rembrandt's house... Later we will visit the most famous 'coffee shop' in the world and then head to eindhoven holland.

Woohooo!

Home Again!!

Hay guys! Sorry I haven't posted the Scotland video blog entry yet. I've been busy since I've been home working on presentations and case study proposals!! As well get this- when I got home late on Monday night.. walked over to my bike ready to hit the pedals and make my way home.. NO BIKE! That's right, its gone!

Now I thought I had bad luck with bikes after my first one broke, then my new one got a flat tire, and my pedal fell off in the middle of the street...not to mention the bruises and bone spur memories I have from all the accidents.. NOW MY BRAN NEW BIKE IS GONE!

I'm not sure if it was stolen, or taken by the police for illegal parking (couldn't read what the sign said).. but either way I'm pretty annoyed and tomorrow I will go to the police station and try to figure out what the deal is.

Other than that I feel great! I had an amazing time in scotland. Okay the whether was FREEZING COLD, cloudy, and a bit rainy.. so maybe not as breathtakingly beautiful and relaxing as Marseille, HOWEVER... it was so INTERESTING! I learned so many things not just about the history of Scotland, and the city of Edinburgh, but about europe in general! It was really cool to try the national dish - 'Haggis'.. dude,, look it up man!

And I am so excited to leave for Amsterdam this weekend .. I'm going with the ESN & Matthias, then on the way home I will stop in Eindhoven (5th largest city in Holland) and stay in a nice hotel and check out the city :p

Then the weekend following that I will be in Bremen for the Christmas market (that's Germany for you geographically challenged fellow Americans.) Can't believe how much I'm learning- outside of school! Love it! A lot about culture and global geography as well as language, people, and myself.. uhm am I missing anything!??!

I propose to have my Scotland blog video up by Friday evening :)

Check back for it!!

Cookie

scooooooootttlaaannnnddd

dude i have 2 minz b4 my internet runs out! but i'm in scotland!! woooooo!! tomorrow castles, and tea!

yeah babbyyyy!!!

Keep Rollin Babe!!!!

Good evening blog lovers~

Just getting ready for my trip tomorrow afternoon :D Scotland here I come!! I’m so excited wooo! I will be meeting my friend Traesa, and her friend Kasey in Edinburgh (pronounced Edin-bur-Oh). My bus leaves Groningen Central Station at 1pm tomorrow .. then Ill arrive in Bremen Germany around 3.. my plane leaves around 7 and I arrive around 8 in Scotland. So I will have some down time, but I will bring reading materials and am considering brining my BF (laptop).

I will be in Edinburgh until Monday evening.. then I’ll be making the journey back home and will arrive in the weeee early morning hours on Tuesday. Next weekend Amsterdam with the ESN! YYYEAAAHH! Then I have(tentative) plans to visit the Christmas market in Bremen Germany. The ESN also has a trip planned to Den Haag! Ok I really need to get busy finding out my ancestory (is that a word?) in the Haag. The ESN is a European international student network. They do a bunch of cool stuff and if it wasn’t for the ESN, I’m not sure I would have made it here! I met a lot of great fellow internationals through the ESN!

The other day I went to a very cool career event put on by the ESN. I saw a very beautiful part of the business campus that I hadn’t yet seen… I was feeling great.. It smelled like sugar beets and that always reminds me of Caro :*) A professional businessman from France, and businesswoman from Amsterdam both gave interesting speeches about doing business internationally with different cultures. I learned a lot of interesting differences between how Dutch, French, German, and Asian people do business. As well, I did a couple workshops ---HAHAHA!! I did some dirty trading in one of the workshops and won a bottle of Premium Godiva Liqueur for a group of 16 students.. I made a lot of new friends that night :p In the other class I was the leader of a group of 5 students and played the role of a Chinese CEO trying to do business with some dirty European hospital execs. … sounds interesting eh? It was…
Today I got my bike fixed cuz the pedal fell off… The guy only charged me 1euro!! Chhyyyeesss!! I think I’m guna have a couple beers and may go do something random later… WHAT A LIFE@!!!! YEAH BABEEE!!!!!!!!

Hay family!! When are you coming to see me!?! It’s gorgeous here and I would love to show you around town!!! By the way, New Years would be a good time to visit me friends!! New years in Europe!!?! Start it off right! :x

LOVE, JEN~~~

Pip Pip!

Whats going on with my last post?! No comments?! Did I shock you all??

Last night was sooooo much fun! I really enjoyed myself! I felt like a REAL college student!! :) Dunno if I've said this before, but I realized how IMPORTANT it is to go away to college!! Its something that every person should experience. Its like, constant partying (more for the younger bachelors students) and its a period in life that every person should have. I'm so glad I'm getting my chance. Its a really good thing I can pass for a 19 year old. Because.. everyone I hang with is younger than me!! I dont think they know how old I really am LMAO!! I think I'm just going to start telling people I'm like, 22 or something ;P

Last night Matze and I went to Winsho. We played Flippy cup! Some people were dressed up in costumes... I was walking around chatting with people from... Germany, Ireland, Poland.. etc..

All of us went out to the city and filled up this small bar. There was this REALLY drunk girl, Wendy, from England. She is soooo tiny.. and everytime I see her she gets really drunk :( I was helping her walk around, and even though she couldnt stand straight, she kept reaching for beer... poor thing, I hope she makes it here!

Today was nice and relaxing, I was working on my paper. And tomorrow will be as well. I'm watching TV now, stayed in alone tonight.. recovering from yesterday and working on my paper. I will post some pictures from last night.. I would now but Mr. M took my camera HAHA!

Cookie

We're not at Baker Anymore Toto

Procrastination
Hard work often pays off after time,
But laziness always pays off now.

Yoooo Peeps!! Whats good? What a day what a day... so the focus of my case study has changed a bit... now we are focusing on eBay and its problems with transfer of organizational practices to its Chinese subsidiary... Yeah man!

Today was lovely.. I got up relatively early (10am), rushed to the library to do some writing.. then out shopping a bit.. spend a ridiculous amount of euros on pizza and fries, stuffed my face, watched Matze open presents.. watched some great youtube videos..

Dunno what's the deal with this kid-- but he sure cracks ME up!! HAHA -Check it out-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1zY38p0Lpw

and just writing a bit more on my paper now.. here is a taste of what I’ve been working on..

Although eBay has seen uncanny success in the U.S. over the last decade, due to vast differences in Chinese culture, its U.S.-structured website has produced less than desired results at its Chinese subsidiary. In using Hofstede’s (1984, 1991, 2001) cross-cultural theory, we have a better ability to critically analyze these individual cultural differences, and attempt to identify their potential influence on the ultimate failure of eBay’s Chinese venture.

So as you can see we’ve changed the focus a bit more on eBay.. but I’m hoping to use a couple of references to what happened with Google. Anywho… I’m going to close up shop (my pc / best friend)… and have a couple of beers then go out! OMG I’m going out!??! Wow.. when I first got here I think I was out just about everyday.. noooowwww not so much! Just call me Jen the hermit!!

Oh,… BTW—Its official!! I’m going t Scotland.. No England.. but .. another time! Get this yall—traveling by myself!! OMG!!! AHAHAHAHA!!! Leave in ONE WEEK!

-Jen, OFFICIAL word traveler

Ciao

Undercover Computer Agent Muthaf******

Just a quick update here~ very busy writing papers and trying to sneak in some fun! Matze’s Bday is coming on Friday! Since he was so sweet to me,… and got me a REAAAAALLY awesome gift, perhaps the best I’ve ever received… I’ve been trying to think of something nice to give him. Oh but let me tell you what he got me!

It was a special order- he asked for my pictures from France so he could pick a good ‘background for his laptop’… hhmm… I should’ve known! Well… I did think it was a bit fishy…

Anywho—the gift is a beautiful landscape photo overlooking the city, mounted on plexiglass with a light behind! So you can hang it on the wall and its like a little night light!! Its so awesome! I love it! 

So I’m trying to get some work done ahead of time so I can party with him and our friends in the city this weekend. For once I am working on a mildly interesting paper- It’s about Google and what happened when it tried to get into the Chinese internet search engine market. Kind of interesting stuff!

Perhaps I will post my final research paper so you can all check out my amazing work!

And uh, jeeze my room is always a mess! Its like I clean it all the time! Just sitting here in my bed with my laptop.. reading, schooling, blogging, chatting, writing… and uh.. I feel like I have time for nothing! Really looking forward to a nice break! I still have to figure out what I’m going to do for Christmas vacation.. tick tock tick tock!

Ginosebig

MBA in Europe = Priceless...?

Lately I’ve been feeling the pressure. School is beyond stressful. You can't imagine how difficult this stuff is!! OMG.. compared to Baker College??? Don't make me laugh!! My routine is setting in… I spend a lot of time at home in my room, and sometimes it can get lonely. I’m supposed to be studying, but I find myself distracted or .. at least distracting myself. I procrastinate and continue to put my school work off until the last minute. Then I’m even more stressed out. I guess I need to learn how to use my time more efficiently,… any suggestions?

Other than that, I still find time to go out. Last night I met some new friends. I went over to my friend Katie’s student house, “Orange House”. Its kind of far from my house… but it was nice to check out a new place. I saw a couple people I knew and made some new friends. Anna from Poland, a girl from Hungary and I went out to the city. While on our way to the bar, I met Baha, my SIB friend and went to a bar with him. Then I met some of his friends from all over the world…

My friend Pat called me up and then I walked over to the palace to meet him and saw some of my other good friends like Ozi, Matthias, Jamal, and Vlad. I had my fair share of beers… then it was time to leave so I headed out with Pat and Ozi. Pat needed a ride and wanted me to jump on the back of my bike and let him drive…. However last time that happened, we crashed! So I was like mmaaaannn.. YOU get on the back of my bike. So he did, and to both of our surprise, I actually biked both of us ALL the way home. swweeeeettt

So far I’ve had 3 pretty bad bike crashes; you can still see the wounds from them each. I have a bone spur from my first crash, and two HUGE bruises on each of my thighs from a couple of recent falls. Either way, my new bike is great! Instead of being in the slow lane with everyone passing me up, now I’m zipping past everyone else! Woohoo! Great to feel the wind in my hair and the rain stinging my face!
I miss everyone very much and sometimes wish I could just see your faces for a moment. SO GET SOME STINKEN WEBCAMS PPL!! Perhaps my awesome mom could get a webcam and we could have some skype chats!!?? YEAH!

Tomorrow I will go to the city shopping with Ozi and buy some clothes and boots. Then back home for more studying, and probably will end up out and about tomorrow evening. Its really true- there are so many bars crammed into this little town!!!--- people say, “There are so many bars you could go to a different one each night and never run out of new bars!”

G’nite!

P.S. *I heart Ramen Nooooooodles*

Moldy Dog Poop

there has been a pile of dog crap outside my front door for a couple of weeks now.... Its growing a substance with quite an interesting blue-greenish color. I almost stepped in it toay. Thank god i missed otherwise i would stink p the entire classroom! What a mean stench! Exams r done now i have post exam stress waiting for grades... Other than that im enjoying a couple brewskies at a local Dutchy's watching jhonny english. I will take it easy tonight but tomorrow its back to the books!

Doei!!!
Jennnnnn

*Insert Great Blog Title Here*

Soo.. The last few days have been REAALLLYYY tough… I’m just super stressed about this exam thing. It’s pretty crazy guys!! Some pretty intense stuff, I mean.. WOW.. I thought my MBA entrance exam was hard! *whew*!! Good thing I am one smart COOKIE!!! *WOOHOOO*
Well other than that I found out I won’t have to take another class during the second half of this semester! AWESOME!

*NEWS FLASH* OMG This is the best coffee I’ve had in a long time! GGGgggggooooooOOOOO Coffee Mate!*

Yeah so back to the story… Instead of having 3 classes now I’ll only have 2. EMU said that will be full time classes for me! So that freakin rocks! I’m planning a trip to England and Scotland with my gf Traesa. We’ll see what happens, not sure yet but I will def let ya’ll know! It will be in about 2.5 weeks.

I’ve been thinking about writing this in my blog for a while—Wanted to tell you that Holland is DOG HEAVEN! People can pretty much bring their dogs anywhere – anywhere outside, in any stores, in bars, and even on buses. It’s rare to see a dog on a leash even… The only bad thing is that they crap everywhere!! And the owners don’t pick it up! So if you come and see me make sure to watch your step. This is also true in France. I will let you know about the rest of Europe later.
Also- I got a new bike! Its one of those big b
ikes so I feel like I fit right in! But I only got a chance to ride it once and THE TIRE IS FLAT! So yeah, tomorrow I will go shopping in the city for a bit with Matthias, and we’re going to try to get my old bike there for some mula, as well I will take this one back and try to get a new tire or some crap.. :p I kinda want new handle bars too but we’ll see what happens.
Mk well yesterday
I was a bit slow and didn’t study much. So today I will make up for it and study a bit harder. I’m suppose to make tacos tonight, but I dunno if I will..
Sorry I’m lame people but after Monday I will FEEL GREAT!

*kiss kiss*

J*MonEy

Disko Disko Partizani!!!!

Today I stayed home to study.. although I was highly contemplating a trip to the Vismarkt.. I need to get a new bike! And I wanted to do some shopping. Seeing as how I will be in the city tomorrow.. today I decided to forgo the opportunity cost of traveling there and stayed home to do some reading. Actually, I am experiencing guilt and having a difficult time in justifying this blog entry.. Every time I look up I see a BIG HUGE DARK EXAM cloud hovering over me. : /

On a lighter note… Sunday night was quite exciting! I saw a REAL GYPSY BAND! No joke.. it was great! Here is the music video of one of their most popular songs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gViaOYgV8yI

What made the concert so FREAKIN awesome… !!!! ..was that it was a last minute, spur of the moment, spontaneous kind of thing.. we didn’t know the band, weren’t planning on going out.. we just decided to go! So Matthias and I hopped in the car and headed into town to a small local theatre. It was the bday of a German girl I had met at a party a couple weeks back. So we met up with her and in the meantime met some other interesting people. The music was so eclectic with many Eastern European influences. IT WAS SOOOO COOL. The theatre was small so it was comfortable and we had a GREAT view. The band was very entertaining and really got the crowd involved. I recorded some video but it sounds like crap so I’m not going to upload it : o(

But here is another link … so you can see what I mean by gypsy music, as well as kinda get a feeling for how the concert was. I didn’t take this video but it’s live and similar to what we experienced!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoI0rO1ujfk

Ok sooo anyway—last night I went to a SIB meeting where I was officially inaugurated!!! WOOHOO!! Even got a nice little official certificate in DUTCH! I like SIB because I’m getting to know some really cool local Dutch people. It seems like every other part of my existence here has been a bit segregated. I often find myself mixed up with other international/exchange students and not meeting any true locals.
MY BIKE- is a piece! Like I said, it was stuck in 3rd gear.. and being a mountain bike alone made traveling difficult. All these Dutch people on their big ass grandma bikes in 1st gear are always zipping past me while I’m out of breath feeling like I’m biking up a steep hill. So other than that, the chain finally fell off and we can’t seem to fix it. –good reason for me to get a new bike!

And uh--- still haven’t uploaded that video of the club we were at ! SORRY! But I need to get back to studying~!!

Auf Wiedersehen!

COokiEzzzzzz

Corporate Social Responsibility

At the library reading some mildly interesting articles.. For a change. Went to the vismarkt and bought some gooooodies YUUM. Hoping I will find a bus that runs late enough to get me home.... Otherwise it will be a looong lonnneeellyy and COLD walk :/ My bike is completely trashed and no longer opperative no thanks to the events of thursday night. Hope temptation wont get the best of me later this evening. *kiss kiss* Jaypoo

Imaginary Craaaazaaayyynessss

Hay blog fans! Today was such a lazy day! I went out last night to a REALLY cool club. It was insane! (see video below). Its called the palace and I went with some good friends. I can home really battered and bruised, literally. I have a really bad cut on my finger and bad bruises on my hand and hip (don’t ask). So today I felt like crap and just lay around. Actually my neighbor Matthias finally got his TV fixed! So we got to watch TV today!! WOOHOO!! They actually play a lot of American tv shows like Myth Busters, Family Guy, South Park, the Simpsons, and ANIMAL PLANET!! YEESSSS it felt good to watch tv :)

We also made hamburgers and Mac n Cheeeeeesseee!! OMG it was yummy! So today was very comforting and I felt like I was back in America. Sometimes I still can’t believe I’m here. And I think to myself how lucky I am to have made the decision to come. Its really amazing and I’m glad that I’m staying until summer. If I knew that I was coming home in December like some of my other friends… I would have a different feeling about the whole thing. It was have been like an extended vacation.

MANY of my friends will be leaving soon.. It will be really hard when that time comes. I’m not looking forward to it… But I guess that’s life eh? I will make new friends: o) Exams are November the 2nd. I have 2 in one day which is really rare. You have to register for exams separate from classes and they me be on a different day than your classes are. One of my exams is in the middle of my class. So on the 2nd I will be taking exams for like 8 hours or something horrible UUUGGGHHH!! Send me some smart vibes on that day please! :D

I will try to come back tomorrow and upload the video. At night everyone is online and so the internet is really slow.

By the way~~ My bday was amazing. I got many gifts and felt very spoiled. I indulged myself with ramen noodles and mac n cheese and it felt awesome. Matthias carved me a pumpkin and it reminded me of home a bit :pp Thank you family for the awesome gift and cards. I even got a couple of gifts from some good friends here~ chocolate, flowers, and nice body wash. I had a VERY good bday. Afterwards I went to a party at Winsho and we went out to the Pacific and of course everyone was buying me drinks.

Come back soon for the vid!

Ciao~~

Bday Girl

OK OK I’ll write in my blog :D hehe…

Been missing America a bit… I’m so sick of riding my bike!!! hehe.. sometimes I really just wanna jump in my car and drive to the store… or drive to the mall.. or to my friends or ANYWHERE.. and then I’m like oh wait… I don’t have a car!! Jjjeezzeee..

In about a day I will celebrate the coming of my 26th year of life (HOLY CRAP).. I know I’ve been saying I’m getting really old for a few years now, but now I really am.. it’s so sad :/ people actually AGREE with me now!!! Instead of telling me I’m still very young.. they say ‘oooh 25? Wow, yeah you are getting old’.. really I’m not joking.

Aaahhhhh.. I’m old.. ¼ of a century… like.. a third of my life! AAAHHH omg.. how weird.

On my bday I have many presents to open : ) yay! Matthias is spoiling me with presents and a special bday dinner as well.. I am looking forward to it. Then I have a SIB meeting with a lecture.. and after that some friends at winsho will have some drinks with me. So it will be a nice day.

Last night I had a wonderful time with some friends from winsho.. I dunno why but I know a lot of people that live there and I like them all a lot : )

I was with a girl from England, guy from Germany, and France.. and a girl from Hungary. They were all very sweet and we had a wonderful time. We had some fancy cocktails.. I even tried a spicy chocolate martini (oouuuu) .. Then we went to a kind of Dutchy bar.. and then Enzo for some crazy dancing..

By the end of the night I was stumbling home with Matthias.. heh.. somehow, even if I’m really hammered.. I ride my bike like a CHAMP! But then, when I get off I can barely manage to stand… how that works I have no idea… but it’s really a great thing!
Other than that I have been busy with studying. I was working on a report last week and was really stressed out. I’m glad I got it over with, however now I have even more studying to do.

I have exams in a couple of weeks and I really need to hit the books. So this coming week, and next I will study very intensely. Not looking forward to it, but I do like learning German : ) When I can say something really great I will let you know.

I went out and took some pictures around the city the other day. I found some new stores close to my house. I realized recently that the layout of the city here is very different from home. At home there are lots of houses and shopping malls in spread out rather far. Here, there are lots of tall buildings and apartment complexes with lots of little stores spread throughout the neighborhood. There is a nice little café at the end of my street which serves delicious french fries.. YUUMM with mayonnaise.. even better!

Its really pretty just biking around and seeing some new areas of town. I also found a nice ‘thinking spot’ on a pretty bridge in a quiet place. I went to see my friend Patrick yesterday and met his friend from England/Holland. Patrick lives in an area of town where there are actually HOUSES!!! It seems like all I see lately are apartment buildings or town houses aka big buildings with many residences.

Sooo now I just got finished with a long German lesson and my brain is feeling a bit fried. My bday is in 7 minutes lol! NNNOOOOOOOO!!!! I want to stay 24 forever!

Comments? ! Patrick n Studies

Patrick ~ You are amazing! After reading your post.. I realized I should have definitely given more props to you! What was I thinking!?

I was just consumed with making my video I think.. and telling everyone how awesome Marseille was :p

Patrick took amazing care of me. He is a true friend and SUCH A SWEETHEART! Really a good friend I feel that I will have for life.. as well I feel like he would take care of any of my friends and/or family!

I hope we make many more travel plans and I know I will have a good time with him whatever we do, wherever we are! He is extremely positive, caring, and all around FUN! Patrick~ Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart. I dont think I could have dreamed a better trip!! It was all worth it! And even though we had bumps.. in the end.. it made the trip so much better! PARIS BABE, YEAH!

Studies~ I'm really hoping that one of my classes will transfer to EMU.. after I've had problems registering.. my EMU professors are expressing some potential problems with one of the classes I chose last minute.

I am working on a big paper for that class and it will consume the next few days.. I don't have a lot of time to go out, but perhaps will sneak in a few drinks tomorrow evening as there are LOTS of parties going on and things to do!!

I don't think I will be going to Germany next weekend :( boohoo! Buuuut.. I really want to plan a trip there soon and think I will have an opportunity to travel there with a German guy.

I am going to have a big party for my bday tho; either way :p

Comments~ Hello!? Has anyone (besides Patrick) read my last blog post!? What about the video. Its too sweet for you people not to leave me some comments! I know you want more so.. tell me what you think! I need motivation!

Personally, Patrick I agree with you. IT IS AWESOME!! MUAHAH!~~

Je Ne Parle Pas Francais *VIDEO*

So… where did I leave off??

MMmmkkk. Patrick bought us the train tickets, I think there were about 3 or 4 different trains we had to take. We stopped in Brussels for sure, and Paris as well. As I said previously, we arrived in Paris late, it was somewhere around 10PM. We stopped and ate some Chinese (Patrick was apparently craving it), and then hopped on a TRAM to the Eiffel tower.

I bought some souvenirs, had a crepe (mmmm) and took some pictures. It was very beautiful, yet I suppose a bit cliché, or perhaps commercialized, or maybe.. yknow what I mean. It was pretty but .. not as pretty as Marseille.. Marseille was literally breath-taking.

Ok I will come back to that in a moment. In Paris we --walked on the Avenue des champs Elysees (famous shopping street known for expensive designer shops), strolled along next to the Louvre, saw cars buzzing around the Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile, and stopped for a beer or two. Actually at one bar we went to, we ordered 2 beers. The waiter came back and set them down with the bill, 23.50 EUROS!!! OMG!! For 2 fricken beers?!! WOW! Yeah that’s like 34 US dollars!! LMAO.. its great..

So basically we just walked around all night and never slept. I was pretty tired by morning… so we went to the train station and began the next part of our journey to Marseille. I was able to catch maybe an hour or so of sleep.. The train ride was really beautiful from what my droopy eyes could make out.

Marseille--

It gave me chills; one of the best parts was standing on the Notre Dame de la Garde. It’s a beautiful church which overlooks the city. The view was amazing and I really must say my camera could not capture its essence. The warm French sun, sparkling water, Mediterranean breeze, sound of various languages all around.. all while surrounded by amazing architecture and buildings dating back to 600BC!!!
Not only the view and surroundings were interesting, so were the people as well.

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to engage in conversation with every person I met. In France not everyone can speak English. Apparently they are known for that. From what I gather they are very proud of their culture and not interested in speaking English fluently, nor catering to those who can only speak English. As opposed to being in the Netherlands.

However, I did enjoy some conversation with Patrick’s friend Ali. When I first met him I was surprised at how hard it was to understand him, because he didn’t know much English (by the end of my trip.. in only a couple of days.. it seemed that he had greatly improved, but maybe it was just me). It was slow and painstaking, he asked his brother to translate words often… But he was very passionate and interesting.. he is an actor and really into the theatre scene. He enjoyed talking about different cultures and asked me a lot of questions about being American, what I thought of Europe and really had some unique ideas and things to share. I’m so glad that I met him and he really made my trip so much more interesting…

It was priceless to have the opportunity to talk to an interesting and intelligent person who wanted to exchange information about culture, and even had a passion for it. Marseille is actually a really big melting pot, with many immigrants from Italy, Spain, Morocco, Vietnam and Cambodia among others. Still though, everyone spoke French and very little English at all. It was difficult to communicate but I was speaking a bit of French by the end of my trip. Mostly just Bonjour, and Merci. Hehe.. But I did learn the line ‘je ne parle pas francais’ as well :p

Ali and Sliman are brothers, as well as gracious hosts and good friends. I think they were excited to show us around their city, and really wanted to ensure we saw the best parts. They took us to a delicious café and I got a really yummy salad as well as tried some awesome Crème Brule. Sliman showed us the ‘monkey face’ a rock formation which, at night, REALLY DOES look like a monkey face!! It was cool..

Patrick and I had plans to go to Château d'If, but when we arrived to the boat they informed us there are no boats going there on Mondays, go figure. So instead we went to the island of Frioul. We had mussels and FRENCH fries (REAL ones) at a small restaurant on the island and watched the sparkling water, I felt so relaxed.

Then we walked to the beach and drank wine and talked about various cultures and places. We waded in the water…. and collected some rocks.. Are you still with me? Sounds amazing, right? Don’t be jealous.. come see me! We can go back! Pretty soon I’ll be a pro at traveling.. I mean.. I traveled all the way back from Marseille, France to Groningen, Holland-- BY MYSELF! How awesome.. wow.. I’m still in shock and can hardly believe it myself.


Patrick was trying to get on the plane and actually somehow made it through security after initially being denied. But when we got to the gate, they stopped him and I had to go on alone. I was a bit scared, but remembered how we traveled there so knew I would find my way back.. well I hoped anyway.. (hehe)

It was great, I loved it. I feel so alive and .. I dunno if I’ll ever want this to end! Right now, I’m thinking of perhaps applying for an internship after I graduate. I’ve been considering Great Britain, Denmark, Sweden, or Germany (If I can speak it well enough by that time). I suppose this is a bit far in advance though, so I will play it by ear and see what happens.

Ok well believe it or not, I could have written like.. 10 more pages about my trip, but at least I highlighted the most amazing parts. I have a paper to write over the week ahead and a German lesson in a bit.. I should really hit the books my blog-loving friends..

Next week there is a small chance I will be in Hannover, Germany for my bday with my friend Matthias. I’m not sure yet and will let you all know as soon as we decide. If not, I hope to have a bday party at Winschoterdiep – the international student house. I have some good friends there and know it will be great either way.

Till the next adventure

~NetherJen~

P.S. I was going to up load a video with this post. Unfortunately its taking a long time to upload. But its REALLY SWEET!! Seriously you will LOVE IT!! So make sure you come back tomorrow to check it out!
Ciao~

HERE YOU GO!!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_Pe00Tx9vk

Don't Dish it if You Can't Take it

SOOO!!! Yes I'm alive! I'm safe! I'm 'HOME'...!!!

FRANCE WAS INSANELY AMAZING!!! I loved it! It was indescribable.. it was... outrageous... it ..it was.. it it... it.. it wassss..... SOOOAAAPPP PPPPOISSONING!!

jk :p

I have really so much to tell.. And I would love to sit down and poor my heart into my little blog here.., but I'm so very tired and have class in the morning as well a bit of studying to do before..

For now I will tell you a couple of amazing things--

We arrived in Paris Saturday night probably around 10pm and walked the streets until.. 10am.. we saw the Eiffel Tower,,.. while it was sparkling : o)

Marseille was absolutely gorgeous, more gorgeous than Malibu Cali FOR SURE! The people there are VERY diverse.. the city was founded in 600 BC.. OMG!!!

I have many great pictures and perhaps a couple of videos to share, which I will upload tomorrow and write out a story for you all to enjoy.

~Welcome to my blog Jenny C.!~

Thanks for the nice blog comment and I'm glad you enjoyed reading. I think you should for sure come and visit me here! You would love it and perhaps we can do some traveling together, we can go somewhere you haven't been yet.. not sure where that is but :p

I hope everything is going well for you back in MI, and I also hope your students are not too obnoxious this semester.. hehe..
~~~~

Everyone else, be patient and check back tomorrow night, or should I say afternoon for you guys.. I'm sure you will enjoy my next post.


Gnite ~ Jen

next stop Paris

this is me on the train right now.

so, get this... Patrick and i finally make it to eindhoven airport in holland... We make it to the gate and he mentions that he doesnt have his passport??!! Im thinking... What the hell, right.. But he must know what hes doing cuz he travels a lot... No. They wont let him board the plane! So he says just get on the plane and i will calll my friend he will come get u.

Omg ??!! Flying to marsielle france; in europe; by myself and some GUY i dunno is picking me up!? I was freakin out and had to make a decision quick cuz the plane was leaving!!

I was like no fuckin way! Lets go... So were thinking about what were guna do::: travel 3 hrs back home to TRY to find his passport, then back to the airport to catch a flight tomorrow and pay 160 extra euros?? Or go back to the train station and go that way to avoid a passport check..??

We get back to the train station and i think patrick payed something like 500 euros on train tickets. Now we will arrive in marseille at 8am tomorrow after a few train changes, but the best part is we have a stop in Paris!! Sooooo... Im okay with it!

I really am glad were still on our way there because i didnt want to go all the way back home.

Tuesday i will fly back by myself and have to catch a couple trains and buses to get back home. So im a bit nervous, but not too much... Its all a so exciting!!! A REAL adventure!!

I think its pretty cool that i can blog from my phone! I will try to blog again but am unsure of the additional charrges for being outside holland.

Ciao,

We We!

~Sorry I was supposed to post this last night but ended up in a hurry~

SOOOooo!!... Everything isn’t so new anymore : o) I’m still having a great time but I’m really settling in now and perhaps I’m not as enthusiastic. I’m kind of molding in with the Europeans and.. I’m just getting used to everything here. No cool stories about how small the stairs are.. or how many bikes there are.. But I still have some cool stuff to share.. like pictures and things I’m doing so here it goes---

The last week has been a bit stressful. I had a presentation to give and a paper to write as well. So of course being me, I procrastinated until the last minute. Here was my schedule for a five day period:

Saturday: Party my ass off again until 6am. Go to bed and wake up at.. mm.. 11am.
Sunday: Lay around and screw off all day, go to bed at 8PM cuz I’m so pooped.
Monday: Wake up at 6AM to read stuff, study until 6AM!! (first all-nighter)
Tuesday: Wake up at 12PM, light studying.. sleep at 12AM.
Wednesday: Wake up at 6AM, prepare for my presentation, sleep at 1am.

As you can see my sleep schedule has been a bit varied. I was stressed out for my presentation. I hadn’t given one in more than a year, so I felt a bit rusty. As well, I believe the European education system is more advanced than the American. It seems that the students here are very sharp.. and let me see.. I WENT TO BAKER COLLEGE PEOPLE!!! COME ON!! (LOL!!!)

Any who, so as well .. I was partnered up with an EXTREMELY COCKY AND ARROGANT Dutch guy.. Peter Slooff (SLOFE) JEEZE he was something else. He was very sharp tho- I gave him some crap about being a dick to me, and so he settled down.. we had a nice dinner (it was delicious) and he told me some things about crazy parties at his Fraternity, what the people were like in France, and India, and that Dutch people are very nice.. hmm… He turned out to be a pretty cool guy : o)

I’ve been hanging out a lot at home.. Matthias (neighbor) and I spend a lot of time together.. giving each other German/English lessons.. partying.. cooking food, and talking.. Right now he is on his way to Munich to go to Oktoberfest : o( I’m sad I’m not going but.. I might go with him to Germany in a couple weeks! It will be my bday!

I’ve also been spending time with Patrick, he is so sweet! He doesn’t have a good bike (neither do i) and so he rides me around on mine a lot.. which is VERY difficult because my bike is stuck in 3rd gear.. I really could go on and on about that.. but maybe another time hehe

So guess what I have some amazing news!!! I’m going to the SOUTH OF FRANCE!!!!WOOHOOO!!! I know, ITS FABULOUS!! MUAHAHA!!! Marseille here I come!!

I leave in 2 days with Patrick! He has a friend there who can show us around! I’m so excited!!! I hear there are some beautiful shops and food- both with African influences. So I will be seeing some amazing things, I cant wait. I will arrive back home on Tuesday just in time for my class 8*)

Today was the first day I smelt FALL. It was incredible and I just kept sniffing the air… I miss fall,, I miss cider and donuts.. I miss Halloween stuff.. I miss pumpkins I miss leaves.. and… I miss it all! No Halloween here, boo : ( (pun intended)

Later I think I will be going out. I’m going to Winsho (Winschoterdiep) It’s a student house, where I know a bunch of fellow international students. My good friends Jamal (Belgium) and Adam (Eastern Michigan U) Will be there and I think I’ll hit them up. Then I will have to wake up semi-early and work on a paper I have to turn in before I leave for France. I’m taking a plane, its called Ryan air and its really cheap flights all over Europe.

I have another cell phone that’s really pimp. Now I can use my crappy one to call home, my Dutch one to call friends here, and my blackberry to keep info and as an alarm. Hehe..
Almost forgot – the Presentation went well and I got an 8.5 which is an A. : o) The teacher said it’s the best grade he gives. Also the teacher asked me if I was Dutch, lol.. he said some girls really work on their American accents.. I was like uhh.. no I’m from Michigan BIATCH!

I’m sorry I haven’t been able to call-- I think about calling a lot but then I realize the time difference and that most of you are at work etc., then I plan to call later and usually forget—I hope all of you enjoy your cards and gifts--- If you haven’t got one, expect something soon—can’t tell you where it will be from, Germany, France, Holland..?? WHO KNOWS :p

Also I wanna give props to My Amazing Aunt J, and My mom.. Thanks for the letter mom and AUNT J—Thanks for the Ranch! : ) She sent me a package full of ranch packets which was SAWEEEET!

To Everyone: For my bday I would like a taco bell kit..

I don’t think I will be coming home for Christmas, I’m going to try to get people together for a trip to go somewhere : o)

Ok I have to get ready now—So I don’t have time to upload photos.. perhaps next time
Till then-

Ciao Bellas

-Cookie

Dont be so Shady

** Blogging in hard work people! Especially when u try to make it an AWESOME blog with pics and video.. it takes a long time to create this crazy multimedia stuff, ok! So give me a minute :p**

The other day… I went into a phone shop to inquire about getting a blackberry ( I feel very lost without one). I came in and asked the worker about phones.. and before he answered my question he smirked and asked if I would take off my sunglasses! Following with a statement along the lines of that IN HOLLAND its rude if you talk to someone with your sunglasses on… REEEHHHEEAAALLLYY!! WELL! Until now I’ve never heard that.. but I suppose I will be more conscious about my shades!!

Also.. a couple days ago I fell off my bike for the first time!! WOOHOO! I knew it was coming… good thing is no one saw it!! Hehe… I was on my way home from the bar… yeah.. and had a little accident.. no biggie.. hurt my leg and foot a bit .. but one of my friends fell while walking the other day and tore the ligament in her knee! Shes been wearing a brace ever since… so I guess my fall wasn’t that big of a deal.

The Germans and I made some burgers this evening.. yuumm.. I went grocery shopping today and am still having a hard time finding exactly what I need because… everything is in Dutch! Some workers can help me.. others cant.. so I usually just ask. I need to do some research on Dutch food words.

They sell MILK in boxes on shelves! They are not cold! I’m confused as to how this works.. and will do some research to figure it out… anyone have any ideas how this is possible?
OH YEAH! I saw the coolest animal the other day!! It was a hedgehog! OMG it was awesome! They have wild hedgehogs here.. how cool! I was going to take a pic but didn’t have my camera on me.. : ( I was about a foot away from it.. it was playing dead.. there were two of them. I believe they are nocturnal. In Holland they have no squirrels so it was nice to see something other than a BIRD (pigeon, duck, or crow).

Ok I’m going to get a bit deep here.. Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about .. mm.. shall I say fate?? I find my self questioning things at times.. for instance, why did I end up in this private apartment?? Why is it so far away from school.. why am I meeting the people I am,.. doing the things I am.. what is the reason?

That is just one small example, but I come to the same conclusion every time I question these things. That I do not, and may not ever know why, but that there definitely is a reason why  And it’s a good one! Maybe I will not like the people, places, or things while they’re happening,.... but in the end… it was meant for me, and it is what is best for me! So whenever I am feeling a bit down.. I just try to remember that!

Almost forgot!! – You MUST watch this video, then come back here and click on the next video! OMG SOOOO FUNNY!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txqiwrbYGrs

Ok that was great right… now try this one!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N618fLxQP6w

OMG.. they get me every time!

Also, check it out ~ A marketing presentation for American Studies at the University of Groningen by a Dutch student.. Mostly I’m including this in my blog so you can experience the language I encounter in everyday life… this is what it sounds like to live in the Netherlands. Everyone speaks Dutch.. unless you speak to them in English… Which is then followed by relatively strong English Conversation. As I see, most people in Holland (the younger the better) are able to speak fluent English.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15MoKaICx2I

Here is a video of me and some international students at our favorite club.. Oceans..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f1n57a7EFw

Ok I’ve been taking some photos.. but I would like to get a few more before I put them up here. Also, I’m currently working on a documentary about what it’s like living here  It should be pretty cool and I’m excited! Hehe..

All is well and I PROMISE to post more often. Auf wiedersehen.

Cookie

P.S. It has officially been one month since i left home. It has been the best month of my life.

SPACE CAKE

14/9/09



Okay Blogging again! So I wrote this really neat entry the other day and it GOT DELETED! It’s a bit difficult typing on a laptop and sometimes I accidently hit a key which deletes everything I’ve typed!


It’s happened more than once but now I’m being smart and will be typing in word to copy/paste :p


Trying to think of everything I’ve been doing since my last entry.. hmm.. let me see.. Well the other day I was in my room sleeping after a LONG night of partying.. two of my friends passed out in my room … they left then I went back to bed.. it was probably around 2pm and I was sleeping.. I felt something on my face and went to brush it away.. then I felt an intensely sharp pain, jumped up and kind of made a yelp! Heh.. It was a bee!!! Yes I got stung in the face .. right by my eyeball!! So for the next few days the whole left side of my face was swollen L boohoo .. It’s been more than a week and I actually still have a small sting mark. There are always bees buzzing outside of my window (no screen) .. I can’t tell u how many I’ve smashed (yes I thoroughly enjoy it every time).


But after thinking about it a bit.. I imagined getting stung on the eyelid.. or perhaps tear duct and realized it could have been much worse;)


Right now, for the first time.. I’m eating French fries and mayonnaise which is really popular here.. I still cant cook and it really sux! They don’t even have mac n cheese here! Thank god they have something similar to ramen noodles or I might die!


I am considering a trip to Amsterdam this coming weekend. I will be going for sure this coming November with the ESN which is the largest international student group here in Groningen. I will let you all know if I go. I am also organizing a trip to Oktoberfest in Munich. I am very excited! I want to be able to say I went to THE REAL OKTOBERFEST. It starts in about a week and lasts for 3 I believe. Thank goodness I have lots of German friends to tell me all the details. So far I heard its very ‘stressful’ and touristy.. but I don’t really care!


I went to a party this past weekend at one of the local international student homes which houses about 400 students. There were 3 parties including a bday party. They brought out a cake and started singing. I was with my girlfriend Traesa from new York. After a few minutes we decided to try some cake… I was talking to a guy from Sweden and in mid-conversation he apologized for his stuttering blaming it on the ‘space cake’ he just ate. First I confirmed what space cake was, yes.. its THAT. Then I realized I had just ingested some! Thank god by the time we got to it there were only crumbs, so no big deal!


On the way to the club after the party I was riding with traesa and marc from Germany who currently resides in British Columbia Canada. Marc and I were a bit drunk and having a playful argument about who’s country is better. He was of course mentioning typical American stereotypes but I was giving it right back to him! Ask me now exactly what I was saying and I can’t tell you but.. I held my own!


Traesa fell off her bike 3 times! I don’t think she was really drunk.. just a bit clumsy.. at first it was funny but she ended up really hurting her toe.. and I felt bad


I haven’t had any accidents yet (except when I was riding on the back of my bike with a guy and he ‘accidently’ crashed.. hhhmm) , I think I have a good bike, its small enough for me.

By the way.. YES the Netherlands is the tallest country in the world! Cuz I’m like a midget here.. it sucks! LOL.. all of the women are tall, blonde, and gorgeous.. The men are also tall and blonde (not really my thing). Many with curly and long hair..


Tonight I am going on a tour of the city with the SIB club, then later for drinks at the bar and probably after that meet some friends at the pacific for international student night.


Perhaps I should mention something about class. I haven’t done much work so far.. I think I can slack a bit for the first few weeks but I will be playing catch up. One of my teachers is really cool… hes either German or Dutch but has a strong accent either way. I have to listen intently to understand but his lesson is interesting and he cracks jokes which keeps it flowing well.


My other teacher is from the US and his lesson is really boring.. he has a monotone voice and its hard to pay attention. My partner, Patrick, originally from China, agrees. He is VERY NICE and has showed me many things around the city.. like where to get certain things, the best bars and restaurants etc. Patrick has studied in the US as well. He is very well traveled.


SO! Now I will perhaps clean and do some studying before heading BACK into the city on my bike.. uughh.. but I really don’t wanna miss the SIB party and bar hoping afterwards.
Here are some pics and a video, please enjoy!


Much love,


Cookie



15/9/09



Last night I went out to this awesome bar with the SIB club. Then we went down the 'red light district' and to a 'coffee shop.' HAHA! With my student organization! Can you believe it?!?!



Here is a picture of the beer menu from a bar I went to last night with my SIB group.. its huge! Its full on both sides. I had an apple beer it was very good! Check it out :p

Check out these couple of pictures:

http://s999.photobucket.com/albums/af120/netherjen/album%203/

Check out this video... Matthias at the Palace being silly having fun!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZiJ6lZNVHg

Holy Dutchiness

**************

Please, :) Sign up as a follower! That way I know who's reading and when I make a post you should receive an email!

*****************

Yesterday I had a busy day at school and then went to my first SIB club meeting.. The acronym means something in Dutch.. but basically its a club for people interested in international relations.. they have something to do with the United Nations... Some of the things they do are:



Feature guest speakers from different countries who talk about current issues and share information about whats going on in their country



Arrange trips to different countries



Have dinners, gatherings, and do things around the city



Drink beers at the SIB bar



After the SIB meeting I went to "The Pacific" which is a bar where international students hang out on mondays and they offer beer for one euro.. not like i ever have to pay for beer tho...;)



We also went to RUMBA where I know the bar tender and he hooks me up there too :p They play salsa music



We went and had a white russian and a place called.... uuhh... pub81 or something like that


I was with an italian guy.. and a guy from Turkey.. We were talking about our countries and they told me that when they think of detroit they think of Robo Cop and 8 Mile.. I had never seen robocop .. or at least I dont remember it.. But either way.. at the end of the conversation we all decided that Robocop and 8 Mile both depicted Detroit relatively close to how it really is!! HAHA!!



This morning I woke up and did a bunch of shopping!! WOOHOO!!! The weather was beautiful and when its nice all of the local merchants come out and set up their tents. They sell purses, clothes, antiques, and lots of delicious, fresh and CHEAP fruits, cheese, veggies and FISH. Its called the Vismarkt AKA Fish Market.



More random thoughts:



They have THE MOST DELICIOUS ice cream here!!! YYYUUUMMMMMyyyy!!



The first Dutch words I learned were: Wa ist mein feist? = Where is my bike? ;p I also say "sorry" a lot but it sounds more like "soddy".. it kind of means excuse me/sorry



I'm learning how to be a real Groningener - I'm good on my bike now.. I don't hesitate.. I'm just zipping around.. and using my little hand signals for blinkers.. kind of like motorcycle riders do .. they point toward the ground in which direction they want to go.



Two of my good friends so far ar Jamal and Katie :) I like them both they're really cool. I haven't had a chance to hang out with Katie much.. but I hope we become good friends.



Another popular food is Doner kebabs. Kind of like a greek gyro.. on a bun..but they have chicken on a rotating spicket... very greasy... sometimes good when ur drunk on your way home.. otherwise.. not so much.



I have school tomorrow and plans to go out tonight. I have a lot of paperwork and school work to do also. I have to unpack all of my goods. ... I could go on and on.. but i'm just sitting here procrastinating which I'm very good at.. hehe..

Ok here are three links to enjoy some pictures, videos, and music!! Check them all out and I hope to see you back soon!



Here is a popular song which always seems to be on at the local watering hole

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h911ObHyM_Q&feature=fvst



Here are some more photos:

http://s999.photobucket.com/albums/af120/netherjen/album2/


Here is a link to a sweet video of us in a club called OCEANS.. I was with the Germans! I like calling them the Germans!! :) Good luck making out any thing particularly interesting.. I just want u to get the general idea :p

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUzX68eEX1k

Blogging blogging blooooooogging

Sitting in my room alone today.. heh.. Had plans to go shopping with a friend.. just couldn't get out of bed! Seriously, my legs have never felt such PAIN! I have to ride my lovely bike about 30mins or so to school everyday, IT SUCKS!

Oh and by the way, if that wasn't bad enough, IT RAINS EVERYDAY!!! Yes; every, single, freakin, day! You guys think we have it bad in Michigan?? And we all like to brag about how fast the weather changes... you know you do! Well come to Groningen! Rain clouds change to storm clouds, change to clear skies and back again in just a few minutes. You never know what the weather is going to be like!

My legs hurt SO BAD yesterday that I decided to call a taxi.. hehe.. best 20 Euros I ever spent! Made a few stops along the way.. then I met a friend who helped me take the bus home. I think europeans are used to buses.. they take them around a lot.. not all of them have cars..

Glad I got a taste of the bus.. now I'm a bit more comfortable with it.. I just need to get a bus schedule..

Ok so I'm thinking about my blog a lot.. and when I realize something, or see something different.. I plan to write a story about it in my blog.. but that would take TOO LONG because there are SO MANY different things here!! :) So instead I'm going to share some simple, random facts:

Europeans don't hug goodbye.. depending on where they're from they kiss on the cheek a certain amount of times: France is twice I remember that.. and uh.. Germany is once I believe.. in the netherlands, or at least Groningen, 3 kisses on the cheek, alternating of course.

Their stairs here are ridiculously small, and steep. I almost lost is going down my stairs the first couple of times.

In Groningen, there are HEINEKEN signs EVERYWHERE!!!,.... EVERYWHERE!!!!

Almost all of their food is fried.. you thought america was bad?? HAH!

Almost every time I tell someone I'm from America ... they give me an enthusiastic "really? cool!" or something similar..

Most young europeans seem to like americans.. and they think america is cool.. great.. awesome.. and they love us :p They watch American movies, TV shows, listen to american music.. so they like american accents.. and when they meet an American its a bit of a big deal

One of my friends says his x used to watch the O.C. HAH! Its a "reality" tv show about young fabulous orange county cali. I hope thats not how they think we live.

Everyone always dresses up fabulously... I can't tell you how many H&M stores they have.. and they are big on shoes.. IT SUCKS for me! hehe.. but i'm starting to fit in.. i guess..

Its hard to find coffee to go, but there are coffee shops everywhere.. no starbucks! So.. take a minute... sit down.. and enjoy your coffees folks!

They have .. hmm... let me see how should i say...??... fast food vending machines?
Its called FEBO. You put your money in the slot and out and then take out your burger.. or kroket.. etc.. hhee.. I will take a picture or two for you guys..

I still feel good :) had a class last week and met some nice students.. from germany.. LOTS OF GERMANS here :) I like them.. Italians.. not so much.. LOL!!

Well its true.. I met only 2 people i dont care for so far... italians! whats the deal???hmm...

Here, they put 'garlic sauce' on everything!!! yyuumm... its my new ranch substitute cuz... they don't have ranch!! AAAHHH!!!

I have a 2 week break in december.. still deciding what I should do.. It would be nice to come home because I know a lot of students do.. but .. maybe someone can come see me instead?

I think EVERYONE should come see me! Coming to Europe is something you just must do!

I will let all of you know what my plans are for december as soon as I figure it out.

Also... I don't like this blog hosting site.. heh. The pictures have low quality so here is a link to check out some pics and videos.. ENJOY! Muah, muah, MUAH!

Btw, click slideshow on the upper right after you click the link, worth it!

http://s999.photobucket.com/albums/af120/netherjen/album%201/

Groningen = Amsterdam!!

More shopping today.... so much to do! GUESS WHAT?! Marijuana.. shrooms... prostition.. LEGAL! YEP! wow.. didnt think it was but the police were handing out pamphlets which explained the ins and outs of the city.. also u can grow your own marijuana in your house..

So.. I will see you all very soon! ;) Still getting used to the bike laws.. certain parts of the road you cannot bike on.. etc.. I'm sure Ill get used to it soon..

I'm still starving! Hah I have no food! Only beer in my fridge ;) and some bread and jam which I am so SICK OF! I can only carry so much on my bike and I really needed sheets, kitchen utensils and of course souveniers for everyone at home!! :p So far I've only had 3 beers I believe.. I just want to get stuff done and get settled in before I go out and party

Here is an email I sent to mom last night:

"Wow, this is funny talking to you via email, not used to it..

You probably did try to call me, and it worked right.. however i was not online.. i need to be online and next to my name there will be a green check mark when i am! So then you can call me, otherwise I am not available..

Right now i still have to get myself settled in.. i bought some stuff today like washcloths, soap, and some bread and jam (lol).. my apartment is really small but i like it cuz its MINE! :)

My landlord is pretty nice,.. hes an old man, Mr. Taris

I still need to register for school, i hope i will do it tomorrow.. they seem a bit disorganized at the school :( and one of the faculty knew who i was!! she was excited to see me and shook my hand enthusiastically but could not give me my information letter, student number, or anything else!!

I hear the dutch people TALK a lot about doing things.. make appointements to TALK about doing things.. etc.. and like Americans, we just get it done! I like it our way better.. I'll let you know if that rumor about dutch people is true, but so far it seems like it

I miss you and home and everyone else:) But i'm still doing fine! I will be making more friends and will hopefully go out this weekend

The city is very young.. A LOT of students, and they are into fashion more than we are i think.. skinny jeans and leggins are common, as well as black and white outfits

My neighbor OOtsie is nice shes from germany.. and i met a lot of nice students today but i need to get a cell phone here so i can call and meet with them..

i have an appointment to open a bank account NEXT WEEK!! i'm a bit affraid i will run out of money, i can't get a cell phone until i have a bank account i have less than 200 euros left and i need to save it for food..


I can't tell you how far I walked and biked today! it was insane.. i have bruises on my clavicles because my backpack was so heavy.. and i was so tired i just wanted to go home, but couldn't find it! I road past my house and ended up in farm country! lol.. then i turned around and was able to find my way.. i hate being lost over here! I can't say any of the street names cuz they're all like oooshin aashin or whatever!

Well its 3am.. i woke up and couldnt get back to sleep.. i only have one SMALL pillow, no sheets so its a bit uncomfortable..I have to get up early, shower, organize and then go to school at 10.. I want to get more things like some food for my fridge and a french press for coffee.. as well as dish soap, laundry soap.. and .. uh... some sheets and a pillow!!

How is the family? They asking about me? Have you hung out with any of my friends? how is patrick? I miss him too!

I met some very nice girls i will hopefully exchange info with them tomorrow at school.. I'm taking a museum tour on friday.. i will take pictures.. i don't like my blog.. so i dunno what i'm going to to about that.. it takes to long to type and upload pictures and make it look good etc.

Love you mom and talk soon..

Jen P.S. I think the reason skype sounded bad is because i used it to call your cell phone, i think that computer to computer works a lot better cuz i just talked to my friend computer to computer and we heard each other perfectly"

~~~ Okay that was the end of the email to mom~~

There are a bunch of pigeons flying around outside my window hehe.. So now I am going to do some stuff and may go to a party at a local park later..

Love,
Jen

P.S. Here is Katie.. shes a nice girl I met from Canada.. She is working on her master degree in law and is very nice.

Above is Savas, he reallly helped me out today! I had been chatting with him on facebook before i got here and could tell he was very nice. He is from Greece and is half dutch. He speaks dutch, english, and greek and also a bit of german. So he showed me around, took me shopping and we chatted about the ways of the world!

Welcome to Groningen (HHgghhhrroningen)

I will start from the beginning of my trip, sorry I'm a bit frustrated I just typed a bunch of stuff and accidently deleted it!

The trip was LONG and GRUELING! I did not get much sleep.. maybe 5 hours Sunday.. no sleep Monday.. so by Tuesday when I arrived.. I was dead tired..


In Brussels.. WE GOT DETAINED! They were doing a passport checks and apparently we needed to have a VISA, funny enough, the girl next to us who was also getting grilled was on her way to the university of Groningen from New York :)

Of course, I was trying to talk the inspector out of detaining us, but I think I just ticked him off more.. hehe.. We went into a room where there were about 10 "inspectors" STARING at us.. uhhh a bit unfomfortable.. I was hoping they like Americans!! :) They let us go and now I have to get a VISA!

After getting off our FOURTH plane.. we were in amsterdam! Ok I was already feeling really cracked out.. after taking a whiff of the fresh green air I felt EVEN MORE cracked out. hehe..



Here is Victor:

He works for the student organization and met us in Gronigen after we got off the train. He was very nice, showed us around, helped by bikes.. told us a bunch of cool stuff.. then we got sushi (*gag* you CALL THAT SUSHI?!*).. BTW sushi is not very popular here.. I'm going to open up a sushi bar, as well as a taxi bike service for drunk people and .. Oh yeah.. I'm going to ship these cool untensils they have for smashing up lemons in your drink to the US and sell the shit out of them! WOOHOO!

Here are some pictures of the city:

Here is the speaker.. for those of you who saw that lovely youtube video of the University I showed before I arrived :)

Here is the front of my building

My Bike!
My Room.. My kitchen:
View outside my window:

And that is all I'm going to write for now! I'm tired.. I could write pages more but I still have unpacking and organizing to do..

Ciao for now!

Check back soon:p Love and miss you all!