Newsflash

So besides being finished with university and such, what else has been going on?
Erin recently celebrated her birthday (the 24th, same as Vicky) and so in honour of the occasion, Fenna, Cam and I put together a little tea/dinner party. Cam and Fenna expertly replicated the mint tea they had enjoyed on their trip to Morrocco and it was exquisite. Cam decorated her room for the occasion and we had a little Morrocan theme including a smelly rug she bought there. Smelly, but beautiful. Then we moved to Fenna's kitchen where I made everyone pancakes from the family recipe, served with Maple Syrop from the family homestead farm and topped off with a Maple Mousse dessert, a favourite of the Queen. Fenna made Latkes from scratch as well and so it was a regular breakfast for dinner. It was delish.
The next night was Wednesady, and Cam, Wouter and I went to see Star Wars III. There was supposed to be a fourth nerd in tow, from my floor, but at the last minute he got cool and bailed. I am a die hard fan, so although I acknowledge all the criticism, ie the dialogue is wooden, bla bla bla, i must say i enjoyed it nonetheless. Hello, it is star wars...it isn't exactly trying for oscars or anything. It is just a comic strip in the end really, and the story is excellent. However, this third one was really tough to watch...like Titanic or Romeo and Juliet: You know what's going to happen but you're still hoping it doesn't. very intense. I think episode 4 will be my new favourite star wars now though...the characters mean so much more to me now that the prequels are complete. Obi Wan is no longer some old guy in a movie that we meet for like 2 minutes. And Darth Vader has so much more depth now as well. So I am looking forward to pulling out the oldies when I get home.
other than that, I have mostly written papers, avoided friends and bike, and lugged around library books. I got an 8 on my gothic fictions paper which was great. I think I did really well on my exam for euro history, but the results remain to be seen on that one. I hated the tutor. She was awful. Ask me about the exam experience later....i don't want to type it out now because i am in too good a mood ;)
The weather has been unbelievable for the past couple of days. It has been 30+ for the last three days and I am dying of heat. I got badly burned this morning in the boat at 9am, so that goes to show you to wear your friggin sun screen. I am ashamed. sorry mom.
Yesterday was an intersting day: I finished school, got an ice cream, and ended up in Venlo...most unexpected. I had paella for dinner at a spanish restaurant in holland and ate some of the biggest mussels i have ever seen. they actually grossed me out a little. but made me miss home a little because ross and i used to have the best mussel parties...
The carnival came and went...I went on the ferris wheel and it wasn't so bad. We all went in this haunted house thing, and it was actually scary. somebody touched me on my shoulders, and I screamed. then I was embarrassed. It was a great old fashioned mid way though...never been to one before because I am sketchy about "put together in a week carnival rides"
I don't know what else...I think I'll quit now, and start heading home. I always lose my appetite in the heat and it just occurred to me i haven't really eaten yet today...and it is five. whoops.
Adios!

Milestone.

Just two weeks ago, every other thing I said was "I am so screwed for school". Today is May 28th, my first full day a free woman. I made it; I wrote enough papers, sweated enough exams and put in the time required. I am unofficially finished with this degree. All that has to happen now is a little ceremony involving robes and hats.
Frankly, it is a little weird. I am happy, sure, but also feeling a little lost. Now all I have to accomplish is a month long self-indulgence plan in Europe for pete's sake. I have a job, I have a place to live, and I have great hobbies...I have to give myself a pat on the back for setting myself up so well. Even if it was mostly accidental. The burden is much lighter, and my head is finally clear.

Hey gang, here are some of the clips I took at Apeldoorn.

Fly-by

Parade clip

Also, from WAY back, a clip from the Amstel Gold Race. Since the fog was so bad that day, there was no live coverage, thus making my video kind of special. enjoy.

Peleton!

A Photo Update!

Hello all, after many hours of fighting with a stupid pentium II processor, I have managed to upload my photos thus removing any excuse for procrastination later this week. The cost: a dinner of orange juice and a mars bar (mmm vending machine food...), a headache and missed workout. i would appreciate some sort of feedback so my efforts weren't wasted. just kidding...it is the headache talking. home to find some advil....

Koningdag

Apeldoorn

...all the rest

My 9 - 5er

On Saturday, I worked out like it was my job.
First, I met the rowing ladies for a nice little paddle to test out the eight before we race it on the 5th. Apparently it was try-outs for everyone else, and for me, i was told it was just a chance to see if I wanted to row with them. That's nice. I met one woman who shall remain nameless that didn't think much of me from the get go. I think she might be threatened. She made it clear to me that she had national race experience, and was clearly a better rower than i, although she wears bike gloves in the boat. I don't much care, as this is just something i do for fun, but nonetheless, despite my best efforts to be sweet, she took every opportunity to put me in my place. so ok. no worries...
after she dismissed from the post row discussion, which was in dutch anyway, i hopped on my bike and met up with the team for this really cool day of riding they'd planned. We invited all the clubs in the Netherlands to join us for a ride in Limburg. Tons showed up!! we must have had at least 15 mtbers and there were over 40 road riders as well. We biked for 4 and a half hours through belgium and holland and I even fell off once. A tree grabbed my handle bars from where it was hiding behind some grass and threw me into a rut lined with nettles. my arm swelled up and i still have a rash. fucking nettles. excuse my french, but honestly those little buggers are really starting to drive me nuts. finally, a nice mtber from Nijmegen showed me the antidote plant so hopefully in future they won't be such a pain in the ass.
anyway, the ride was nice and leisurely, with lots of breaks but lots of good climbing too. I am really excited for the race coming up in June, especially now that I have some acquaintences to catch up with from other dutch teams. Maybe even potential bike buyers. lots of interest expressed that day!
We closed the day with a pasta party at a teammate's house and crammed 35 people into the living room for a delicious dinner. and there was lots to eat too, which was great because i was absolutely starving. Those who could stay joined Dutch Mountains for a few drinks at our sponsor pub Ramblassin. I didn't make it past Ramblassin. I was just too beat. I slept almost all the next day despite my best laid plans to write a paper or something. then I set to the task of cleaning the bike. AGAIN. always cleaning the bike. now it is gleaming and i am hesitant to ride it again because i don't want to clean it again. i hope this isn't how it is in canada mtbing, but i can hardly remember now.
The next two weeks are all about school and then june is all about travel. there is a carnival in town at the moment with a crazy midway. i expect i'll check it out in the near future so i'll post photos. which reminds me, i am really behind in the photo department, so hopefully i still have the energy to put together some albums for you now!
check back soon.
Kristen

Why Me?

British Airways has been making my life extremely difficult for the past month or so...ever since I tried to change my ticket and found out (this is for you keith...) "That is not possible".
Who would have thought? I am not asking for a refund or anything, but due to the travel plans of my sister and myself, I will already be in London so I only wished to notify them that I will not be aboard the Ams-Lon leg of my journey. However, "that is not possible". I can't cancel that part of the itinerary without cancelling the entire flight, so i am told on the phone. but a friendly travel agent informs me that if i just go to a BA desk and speak with a real person (she even recommends crying) then there is a 99% chance of having the whole thing fixed the way i want it, thus avoiding a superfluous flight to Amsterdam, leaving my sister in London, alone, on our last day in Europe. I do not relish the idea of flying more than necessary. especially since flying to Amstedam is for the express purpose of flying right back the next morning. that's dumb. What a world where customer service all depends on how much work some roach kid operator is prepared to do in a day. and where a customer is advised to CRY to get what they need.
unbelievable. wish me luck. I will take the train to schiphol in the near future and find out my fate.

Tea Party!

Thanks to Fenna for organizing a little Tea Party for the ladies and a couple special guests. Erin's mother was here for a week long visit over Mother's day and once they returned from what sounded like a fabulous time in Rome and Florence, we met Fenna and her mother, visiting from Amsterdam at Coffee Lover's in Maastricht. Of course Cameron and I came too, although our moms were busy that day.
Coffee Lover's did a great job with high tea. not that i have ever had it before, so I can't really compare, but i enjoyed it just the same. Fenna had everything all ordered ahead of time and we of course had cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off, among other things, and also some of the best banana cake i have EVER had. mmmm.....banana. must go back for the cake. Kim, maybe we'll go and get some while you are here. my hips can't handle too many more visits to the banana cake/brownie/most amazing cheesecake ever place. i do hope to row lightweight when I get back. haha.

Oh, Canada

VE Day has received a lot of press at home from what i hear, and if you were watching today, you saw what I saw in the flesh. I made my way to Apeldoorn this morning to greet the Canadian veterans alongside the Dutch they liberated, and it was a truly moving experience. I am really glad I went. I did the trip solo as most of my buddies are out and about with their visiting mothers (happy mother's day!) and despite the rain (and hail!) I had a really good time. I got to Appeldoorn at 1:00pm and had a little walk around to see the town and such. there were Canadian flags everywhere and that buzz was in the air. I found the marktplein without too much trouble and bumped into some Canadian soldiers from Ontario. We had a chat, and they gave me some souvenirs including a cd of the war time music which I will check out when I get home. I think I got a mousepad or two as well. Cool. I took some time to select my parade watching spot and met some very nice Dutch people who kindly shared their umbrella with me. I didn't have one, because I can't stand the damn things, but was very happy for it today as it poured off and on all afternoon. Just before the veterans arrived, we had a mini air-show. I wish I could remember what all the planes were called and I am impressed that there actually was a time I was around planes and military history enough to at least hazard a guess, but those days are gone. Thanks anyway air cadets! If i HAD to guess, I would say there was definitely a spitfire or two, but couldn't risk any other guesses without research. Luckily, for those aviation enthusiasts, I do have stills and video of the fly-bys, so maybe you can tell me. I will post those in the next photo round.
the streets were filled with people even though the weather was awful. they were singing and cheering "for he's a jolly good fellow" long before any of the jolly good fellows marched past. it was really touching to see such an outpouring of affection. I am trying to write this without sounding cheesy, but trust me, it will be a difficult task. it was really an experience to be there.
The parade made its way from the palace where the Dutch princess (the Queen was with president Bush in Margraten) had made her thanks and greeting, 3km to the markt and past where we all waited. Dutch people young and old reached out for the veterans outstretched fingers and pressed delftware clogs, flowers and of coures heinekin into their hands.
The veterans were quite the lively bunch. They were drinking and toasting all the way in the military vehicles preserved for such occasions. Bourbon was popular I noticed. It was really cool to see our heros treated with such respect and admiration. The man beside me said in his best english "thank you liberators" and it was so genuine, it brought a tear to my eye. Thank goodness it was raining or it might have been embarrassing.
The city itself was totally decked out for the occasion. There was Canadiana everywhere: flags, banners, t-shirts--rivalled Canada Day. No joke. It was a strange feeling having what i know and what I see clash so hard. ie, i know I was in Europe, but it sure felt like Yonge street when we won the double gold at the last Olympics.
So I am really glad I went. When I finished with the parade, I went to a small café to have some hot tea. Well deserved I thought. When I walked in, I heard my name being called and was quite confused...A nice Canadian woman had caught my attention, but I had no idea who she was. Then Natalie, another girl from U of T emerged and it all made sense. Her parents are visiting so we had a nice chat/tea/fries while we waited for the sun to come out again. Natalie and I caught the train back to Maastricht together, met another friend of mine, Joven (also Canadian!) in Utrecht...so so much for travelling solo. Anyway, I will say more when I have the photos, but thought I had better get this up since it has been a little while since I last blogged. I am starting to get complaints in my inbox!! sorry everyone!! i am going into paper mode, so hence the silence. I can't believe I am working on my last two papers....things that make you go "hmmmm".

So long Mad-co

One of our nearest and dearest is leaving us. Marco (rasta) who we have all come to know and love is on his way back to Italy tomorrow morning. consequently, we had a great time last night at Metta. I let loose and danced and drank until 5 in the morning with the friends i have been neglecting in favour of ma bicyclette. Metta was the same old: the music was as Cam says: "Cheesy, but at least we know the words" and it wouldn't be a night at Metta without "Summer of 69". Also they played my fav track, "what ya waiting for" twice. great djing at metta. really. on the way there, fenna erin and i were attacked by a weirdo on a bike wearing three party hats. Erin can be very scary when she wants to be but even despite her best bitch face, the guy kept coming back looking "to party". it was exciting to say the least. don't worry though...we had backup if we needed it.
besides a night of drunken carousing not unlike the first few months, lately not much has been going on. we have holidays for the rest of this week for some church thing that we don't get at home. i am going to go to apeldoorn to see the Canadian war veterans do a march past for the princess and such. it was a tough decision (not really) because the same day i am off doing that, none other than George W. is coming to Maastricht to commemorate something at the american soliders' cemetery just outside of town. (i pass it everyday on the way to various trailheads). i will leave out my political commentary. suffice it to say that i think it is really too bad that our leader is too busy to come over for our guys. i try to be understanding.
besides that i hope to get some work done on papers and such. a shame to spend the weekend that way, but if the weather keeps up like this, then it isn't a waste at all. we have had cold rain for the last couple days which i am sure isn't met with much sympathy from canadian readers.
I can't believe it is already May! now that exams are done, and the procrastinating has stopped, i have noticed a slight decline in emails. this could also be a sympton of low email production on my part. regardless, i hope you are all doing well, and don't forget i love to hear from you. cheers!

Happy Birthday Beatrix

Just got back from a wild weekend in Amsterdam. It is the Queen's birthday, and everyone goes nuts. The entire country clogs up the nations train tracks and pushes their way, bedecked in orange, through the narrow streets of Amsterdam all night Friday and all day Saturday. Of course, we of the guesthouse were in on all the fun.
After class, we all made our way to Fenna's place by teh Vondelpark on Friday afternoon. Fenna and her mom made us "fruit chilli" which was just awesome. Me, Marco, Alejandro, Cam, Erin, Fenna and her mom (Anneke) enjoyed lots of little nibblies, a few bottles of wine and Marco had some Italian Lemon liquor waiting in the freezer with our ice cream dessert. We also had pie. ohhhh what a meal. Then we hit the streets and wandered all night long. The streets were filled with people just like us. There was dancing, smoking, drinking, --it was basically carnival all over again, only drunker, oranger and bigger.
Late Saturday monring, we made crepes for breakfast and then were right back at it. Another feature of the Queen's birthday is the vending. Everyone has their own little garage sale, performance, artworks with which to put a couple euros in their pockets. the vondelpark was filled with children who were experetly exploiting the strolling millions. One kid gave Fenna's mom a hand stamp in the shape of a rainbow or something. she was patient with him and all that, and thanked him for it, and he put out his hand and said "50cents!" Priceless! There were some other kids who got their friends to stand on the other side of the creek while they collected euros from tourists to use their waterballoon slingshot to hit said children. we watched that for a while because that' s just funny.
I got a few treasures as well: a plate in the traditional blue and white delftware style (but not delftware...it was 50 cents), two blue bottles to start the blue bottle collection I have always wanted, a business card holder for when I have some (soon I hope!), and erin got Fenna and I each a wooden fish statue because i told her bathroom has a fish theme.
i will carefully pack my treasures and ship them home later this week.
Finally, when we'd had enough walking, shoarma, waffles, beer and crowds, we piled into alejandros car and made it home to Maastricht by midnight.
A great weekend! Pictures, as always, are on their way.
KL