Kristen's World

Things in Maastricht have come down a notch. It seems everyone is sick, and the security is more diligent lately, and bedtime has been moved up a few hours.
This weekend was certainly indicative of waning spirits. I suppose midterms are coming up...the weather isn't the best...on the bright side, this is a pace I think I can keep up with!
Erin and I had a weekend at home while Fenna and Cam went off to Barcelona for a friend of Cam's birthday. We missed them terribly. They are back today and so Erin and I plan on roping them into a joint effort dinner so we can hear about their adventures. Unfortunately, there isn't much to tell about ours...
On Friday we made a lovely stirfry and then i don't remember what happened. Saturday we had a wine and cheese for Niamh (pronounce Neeve) from Ireland. It was lovely and wine is cheap, plus it doens't count in the calorie department. If you can refute that, I don't want to hear about it. Erin and I decided we desperately needed a pizza, so we lowered ourselves to eating at Dalia which is surely second rate, but the only thing open late. Yet to try their shoarma which is very popular around here. I pass about five places on the way home.
Once we'd had enough pizza we wandered across the street to the Shamrock where we were put off by a very drunk Gemma (british). we talked to another one of Erin's random contacts from Amsterdam who somehow found himself in Maastricht this weekend, then went to the old standby: The Highlander. Awful news! the mouse on the international computer is missing and the computer itself is wonky. We had a drink, got hit on by some sketchy dutch boys (and a girl too(!)) and decided it was time for some crappy euro mtv. I swear, music videos here are more like softcore porn. you know that song "call on me" with all the girls gyrating in the ruse of an aerobics class? ALL the videos are like that times about 8. And they play that song constantly as well. all the songs except for Schnappi
(pop mix) of course which I encourage you to download in video format, just for a laugh. Are you cuuurious? you should be. soo veerd.
So we watched TV for a bit and then bagged it. Sunday we spent the entire day at the library working on a presentation we had this morning. It went well and we were excused an hour early. Again. I am starting to wonder if maybe he thinks we are a lost cause because we almost always get out an hour early. Other groups stay the entire two hours...thoughts?
As for myself, I did a lot on the bike this week, getting out about three times. I believe I already reported on the bizarre bovine experience, but Friday's ride is also worth a mention. I met some new "Dutch Mountains" folks - Yicki and Walter - as well as hooking up with my old buddies Anton and of course Mo. We went on a course that was somewhat familiar (yay! learning the lay of the land! she can be taught!) It was my favourite ride so far. I am finally starting to feel more comfortable with the bike-trusting it again and such. I don't know when I got so timid, but for some reason, descents have been a problem lately, and now not so much, so hurrah. Also mud is no longer a groaning matter. I had to get used to that in a hurry. I am sure you saw the pics...blech.
Saturday I had grand plans to wake up early and get some work done, clean the bike, go shopping, do a work out....but I woke up three hours past my alarm, thus indicating that I probably didn't have any business anywhere but bed anyway. So fine. I quickly grabbed some materials for bicycle TLC at the bike store (those guys aren't regular bike shop nice. too bad.), then Erin and I went downtown to do some power shopping. We accomplished a lot in only half an hour and now I only have to pick up shoes since the cobblestones ate mine. that's this afternoon's mission.
I thought about napping, but sucked it up and instead got on the bike at around 6. My plan was brilliant: just pick a road, ride it for an hour, throw in some drills, keep it in the "good gears" and then come home for a hot shower. things were going really well. I biked to a town called Tongeren in Belgium which was about 20kms and lots of uphill plus a detour for some muscle memory work away from the crazy belgium drivers. I rewarded myself for my good work with a quick ride around this new town. Looks like they had good shopping anyway. of course everything was closed. all systems go, I stopped for a snack, and a layer just in case, and started back. I didn't even get to the city limits before it started to mist. Then rain. Then the temperature dropped and it was snowing/dutching. I was still 18km from home, out of layers and bootieless. Not to mention scared at this point because my hands were cold and my toes weren't far behind. Needless to say, the ride went from high to low in a hurry. I lost my top gears one by one as they iced over. My tires were feeling soft and the road was getting slippy. Dutching is a bitch too because it looks like snow, but feels like rain. as soon as it connects with you, it liquifies. I was soaked, freezing and scared. I will admit it here, on the world wide web, I even shed a couple tears over my miserable state. anyway, I made it. I couldn't feel my feet or walk at the end (due to clubfoot) but I made it. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Or sick. we'll see about the latter.
Sunday was off!
Today, I am going to finish up my shopping and hopefully acquire some shoes. I hate shoe shopping...so many choices and it feels like a really important one since you have to wear them lots. too much pressure!
Meanwhile, how are things in Canada?? send news! send pictures! send words!
Ciao for now!