Piece of Me: The New Year

I figured since I did one of these at the beginning of every month, it was only appropriate that I do it at the beginning of the year as well.  So here is a very special, annual, Piece of Me.


This year (2011)…

I like: what this next year has to offer.  It will be possibly lonely, probably challenging, and definitely different.

I don't like: that there can no longer be New Years glasses where the eyes are the "00" in the year.

I want you to know: when I get home, I'm going to see how long I can go without driving a car...I'm buying a bike...maybe a moped if necessary.

I've planned: to apply to grad schools and get my teaching credential!

I want to say to someone special: 2011 - Bring it On!!

Picture of the year:

Word of the Day: tweeduizend elf - Two thousand eleven.

Better than Catching a Foot

Well it’s been pointed out to me (because I hadn’t noticed) that there are several things that I have yet to write about.  But if you are anything like me, if you have to write about something, you usually don’t want to.  So I was putting it off.  But because I knew I had to write about it, I didn’t write anything.  Until eventually, once I assumed enough time had passed, I just completely forgot about it and never wrote about it.

Well I’m going to fix all that.  On the weekends (or whenever I feel like it,) when I’m playing catch up anyway with the rest of my life, I’m going to catch up on this blog.  With stories that I hinted at but never actually told you about.  I could come up with a name and make a nice picture for it…maybe I will.  I like those…they distract me from actually writing. :-P  But not today.

For this first one we’re going back…way back to July when Nina was visiting…WHOA!

So Nina and I decided to take a little weekend trip down to Belgium for the weekend.  We started it off with a quick stop in Den Haag and ended it with an outrageous crowd of Orange in Amsterdam.  But between those two things, we did manage to make it down to another country.

Since I had already been to Brussels, and Brugge is apparently the city for lovers, Antwerp seemed like the obvious choice in this situation.  Antwep is an artsy, multi cultural town in the north of Belgium.  Here they speak Flemish, no French, which came in handy until the locals actually heard me and then said in English “oh you must be Dutch.”  Which I guess is a compliment to my Dutch, but I don’t think they meant it that way.

Anyway, our first night there we indulged in some Belgium fries…mmm mmm mmm.  And by first night, I mean, first night, the following lunch, accompanying dinner, and a late night snack.  What can I say? They were cheap.

But other than that, we didn’t do much our first night…just made friends in the Hostel and discussed all our world traveling plans before going to bed in a ridiculously hot room only to be woken up by sirens outside the window and the itching of a bunch of mosquito (at least I hope) bites.

Anyway, it was time to wander the city.  It’s a fairly small city, so I planned out our own personal walking tour and we set out.  First we stopped here…

The towns first bakery, over 100 years old and home to some DELICIOUS pastries.

Then we continued to the Old Church...

Because every European city has an “old” church even if there isn’t also a “new” one.  This one had a clock tower…

We also visited the City Party Hall where they have epitomized the word “boujie” by creating a Champagne Bar…shaped like a Champagne glass…

Fancy huh?

We also got lost in the shops, not only name brand stores, but also fun thrift stores down allies.  We also saw some street art…

And some statues…

And what is soon to be the entrance to China Town…

Then we went and saw the major tourist thing…the town hall…

And in front of it is this…

Yes that is a man with a hand.  Not just any man though – Brabo.  Because the legend of Brabo, based on a Dutch fairy tale, is how Antwerp got its name.  There was a tyrant giant who was ruling over them who would cut off the hands of men who wouldn’t pay the toll.  So in a delicious act of irony, the hero Brabo cut off the Giant’s hand and threw it into the river.  And the giant went on his way…I’m assuming… Anyway, Antwerp in Dutch (yes Dutch, not Flemish) can be derived from “hand werpen” – Antwerp…see?

Well, it was getting late and we were getting hungry (fries not being a suitable form of sustenance surprisingly) and we made our way to a little sidewalk café for the traditional Belgium sea food – mussels…

Nina stuck with soup…with fries of course.  And I introduced Nina to the wonders of Belgium beer – Kriek Cherry Beer – or as I like to call it, Candy Beer.  Seriously…tastes like candy.  Anyway, she liked it...

But then it started raining…no not raining…pouring.  And while we were quite fine under our umbrellas, I was not fine when people decided that standing under our umbrellas right next to us (and I mean RIGHT NEXT TO US) to escape the rain while we ate was a socially acceptable thing based on the current state of the weather.  But eventually, we were escorted inside.  Not because we were wet, but because they couldn’t be held responsible if an umbrella fell down and killed us.  But it was fine! We had our own little balcony with one other table where we enjoyed some hot drinks and listened to the rain fall.

And then it was time to go back to the hostel.  But not after dancing in the rain…

The next day (dressed in our Dutch colors) we headed back to the train station (the third prettiest train station in the world apparently…)

And squished onto an already packed train car full of people dressed in Nederlands colors heading to the city…just like we were.

Antwerp was a cute little city.  It wasn’t the coolest city I’ve been to, but I’m glad to have one more culture stop to cross of my list...oh and also we ate chocolate...lots and lots of chocolate!

Word of the Day: hand werpen – throw a hand

The Barc Parks

Yes I know above doesn't necessarily actually rhyme because the c in Barcelona is not a "k" sound.  But when you read it really fast you can't tell.  And seeing as it's been three weeks since I've even written about Barcelona chances are you forgot what this post was supposed to be about so you read it as a rhyme anyway.
So here goes my last Barkelona Post.  And this one is all about parks and outdoor type things.

On Sunday(as in like five weeks ago) we visited the Parc de la Ciutadella…a really cool park in the center of the city.We had read that Sunday was the day to go to see vendors and performers galore (but I think we saw one...sort of...) 

so we stopped at a local supermarket and picked up some crackers, meat, and cheese and went for a nice picnic…

(nina is covering her feet because she suffers from podiaphobia)

We enjoyed a lazy afternoon of just sitting around munching with the occasional cat nap thrown in.  When we were done lazing around, we walked around the park taking pictures. park with just about everything – a Natural History Museum…

a Zoo…

With an awesome mascot btw...

A palace type thing of some sort...

Some art...

A giant mammoth (which was in no way close to the vicinity of the natural history museum)...

and an Aquarium with a really cool fountain in front.  Nina says the fountain was her favorite thing.  It was pretty awesome…

But even better was climbing up all the stairs on the side and taking pictures from the backside...

After a good couple hours we left the oasis of the city and headed back into tourist mode…we had two museums to visit and were on a mission!

On Monday, we headed to Montjuic – the forest on the outskirts of the city.  We took the tram up with the intention of hopping on the skyway to find the palace in the sky.  But after we found out the skyway (the only way to get there) cost twice as much as entrance into the palace itself, we skipped it and headed towards the Olympic Stadium instead.  On the way were some gorgeous photo gardens that we wandered through in the attempt to find food.  We never did… Finally we arrived at the Olympic Museum…which was closed due to refurbishment...so here's the outside...

But there café was open and at that point, it’s really all we cared about.  So after  quick hot dog, and a couple pictures of posters, we headed across the street to the stadium.  No as you know, I love the Olympics.  And I think I’ve decided to make it my life’s goal to visit every single one.  Yep…decided that right now.  So I’ve got three down…and way too many to go.  Anyway, we wandered around the stadium, pausing in the front for some pictures of the stadium, and the surrounding sights…

We even got to go in, even though there wasn’t much to see since most of it was closed off…

And finally we went around the corner to see the torch…

After the Stadium we headed to Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya.  This building was GORGEOUS!

It housed an art museum (also closed…ugh) but it didn’t matter because the outside is where it’s at.  From here you can see all of Barcelona, and we had fun switching to the big lens on my camera and taking photos…

Then we had a quick break where we enjoyed a “clara cerveza" (beer with frozen lemonade…delicious!) And then made the trek down the numerous stairs, pausing at every level to get yet another photo of the continuing fountain.  This fountain goes off at night in a big light show, but of course (because this is our luck) it wasn’t going to go off that night due to cleaning.  Anyway, we’ve seen the Disneyworld and the Bellagio ones...

Once we got back down to city level, we saw advertisements for a big Harley Convention.  Which I guess explains what we saw the morning before for twenty minutes…

Our last day we had a half day before we had to get ready to fly to Malaga, so we saved what was supposed to be the best for last – Gaudi’s Casa Mila and Parc Guell. Casa Mila is the apartment in which there are no straight lines…at all.  The inside of the apartment is cool enough, and the attic area was a fun wander, but the real amazing part is the roof…absolutely breath taking.  No really…it took my breath for a few seconds.  Again, fun views of the city were also had, but this time with interesting shapes to frame it…

Another of Gaudi’s masterpieces, (because really, how can you name just one?) Park Guell, was commissioned by a guy named Eusebi Guell, one of Gaudi’s biggest patrons.  The park is a natural park with hiking trails and views of the city.  But in the center is a very large…er…decoration thing going on.  Sure that’s what we’ll call it.  Gaudi basically decorated a forest.  There’s mosaic tiles everywhere, pillars decorated with stones, stones made into pillars, and a very large entrance façade with the famous mosaic-ed “gecko.”  My aunt just got a bottle opener of it :-D

There was lots and LOTS to discover which made leaving the park till the last day a HUGE mistake.  By this time, we were tired and worn out from walking, and even our best shoes weren’t doing anything to quell the aching pains in our feet.  But we did enjoy a quick catnap on what is said to be the longest bench in the world…

We still saw most of the “decorated” park, but I know there was much more to be seen even though as soon as we found an exit with a bus heading in our direction, we hopped on that thing and sped back towards civilization and a very aggravating flight down South.

Finally you know all about our trip to Barcelona.  And later (who knows…maybe even tomorrow...gasp!) you’ll hear all about Malaga!

Word of the Day: parc - park (Catalan)

Why I think Ryan Air isn’t worth it

Alright I know I know…it’s been a while.  There is no wireless internet in our hostel (well apparently there is but it doesn’t work on Macs or something…I don’t know.)

Anyway…we haven’t been able to post because although we had internet availability and a USB, it would have been a hassle to upload pictures onto the USB, then try to then upload them on a computer room computer, then write a blog, all while twenty other people are breathing down your neck waiting for the computer.

So here’s my impromptu, quickly posted blog for today (p.s….did you all enjoy my first vlog last Tuesday?  You should check it out if you haven’t!)…

Nina and I got SUPER cheap tickets to Spain…oh wait…

Cost of Noordwijk to Eindhoven (3 hours) – 17 Euros

Cost of stay in Eindhoven due to lack of train schedule (nine hours overnight) – 35 Euros

Cost of flight from Eindhoven to Reus (1.5 hours)– 27 Euros

Cost of Reus to Barcelona (1.5 hours plus the 2 hour wait) – 13 Euros

Cost of baggage fee x3 – 45 Euros

Cost of overlarge baggage fee (even though it wasn’t) x3 – 120 Euros

Cost of Barcelona to Girona (1.5 hours)– 12 Euros

Cost of Girona to Malaga (1.5 hours) – 25 Euros

Cost of Malaga to Eindhoven (3 hours) – 25 Euros

Cost of Eindhoven to Noordwijk (3 hours plus maybe a stop in Leiden for the world Cup Netherlands match) – 17 Euros

Total (26 hours) – 331 Euros

Average Cost of Noordwijk to Schiphol to Barcelona to Malaga to Schiphol to Noordwijk (7 hours) – 350 Euros

Cost of Convenience: Priceless

Word of the Day: gedoe - hassle

Time for a Nerd Post!

I've thought long and hard about this.
And I haven't changed my mind for seven months.
I want a kindle.

Does everyone know what a kindle is?  It's an electronic book.  And it holds an entire library worth of books on it.  You can get a bunch of books for free online, or buy large quantities in ebay, or buy them individually on amazon.  Its screen is not back-lit in any way so you do need light in order to read it...just like real paper.  But it does not create a glare of any kind, and it doesn't hurt your eyes to stare at for a while (unlike this computer I've been attached to all day.)  And it's super lightweight and doesn't get hot and burn your legs (again...unlike this computer.)

Yes i know it doesn't replace a real book.  And I agree with that comparison.  There's not many things better than laying out at the beach with your water, large sunhat, and book and frying for the next three hours.
And I love books.  I like having them, especially series, lined up on my book shelves.  I like being able to go through and pick one that I've read over and over (Matilda.)  And I like owning my favorites.
And I love going to libraries and discovering new releases or just browsing until a title jumps out at me.  And I love Barnes & Noble or Borders, even if it's just to rummage through the bargain section in the hopes of finding a ridiculously cheap and awesome coffee table book I'll probably never actually read, but rather just look at the pictures.
But you know what?  Not every book is worth keeping.  And not every book is worth re-reading.  And not every book is one that I need to ever own.  And right now I'm traveling.  And I can read quite fast.  And four books takes up a lot of space in luggage.  And after you've finished reading them, they feel quite useless in your bags.
Which is where the kindle (finally) steps in.  I already have it planned out...on my kindle I will have...
- All of the Shakespeare's - so that I may reference them at any point
- A whole bunch of "classics" - you know those ones that you should probably read before you die that were on your high school summer reading list, but instead you stuck to "Of Mice and Men" because it was only 100 pages long?
- Whatever ones come with the $5 CD of 25,000 books to upload onto your kindle that I'll buy on ebay.
- Ones that I find online for free that sound interesting.

And then, you know what I'll do?  I'll read them...on trains, and in hostels, and on my couch, and on airplanes, and in the metro, and in the park.  And I'll never have to worry about lugging a whole crap-load of books wherever I go in the fear of finishing my current book and being left with nothing.  Because I hate finishing a book and then having nothing.  There's something really quite disappointing about that.
But it's expensive.  And you would probably also need a case for it.  And maybe a screen protector.  And living here, a cord adapter.  And right now, I need to focus on spending my money on things like train tickets, and worry about the lightweight electronic book later.
But when I do have it, you know what else I'll do?  Continue to buy real books.  And those ones will be for the beach.  Or because I like them.  Or because sometimes, you really do just need 400 pages of adventure in your hands.

Word of the day: boek - book

Chocolate, Waffles, and Beer…Oh MY!

So last weekend I hopped on a train down to Brussels.  It should be noted that it took two hours.  It takes longer than that to get out of California, and here I am already in another country.  Anyway, Brussels is in Belgium…Belgium is like the younger brother of Holland.  It’s still part of the “Benelux” family – that’s BElgium, NEtherlands, and LUXemburg.  (Luxemburg is unfortunately the red headed stepchild of the family.)  But it’s less well known, not nearly as cool, and a band nerd…whoops, getting personal.

Anyway, Brussels is the EU capital.  EU being the European Union.  That thing that’s trying to run a continent…well the western half…well the western half, minus a couple countries who are being butts about it.  But no one really cares about that…because why would you when everyone is busying shoving some of the most delicious food ever down their throats?

The people of Brussels are Dutch or French.  If you’re Dutch, you speak French, English, and “Flemish” (also known as the “I’m not Hollish” version of Dutch.)  The French speak…well…French.  They’re kind of snotty that way.  One of the French guys I met even told me so.  Although he was the exception.  Not snotty, and spoke English.  Also my CS host.  Also his friends.  Ok, maybe the first guy got it wrong.  Anyway, I met Lily on the train and we headed down together.  She was meeting a friend, so we spent some time wandering the city before parting ways.  We had a lovely afternoon on a terrace in the main square surrounded by beautiful buildings, people watching, beer tasting, and trying desperately to pretend not to be Americans (we were sitting next to really annoying ones.)

I then met up with my above mentioned couch surfing host who was having a CS party that night...perfect!  I met a bunch of new people from all over, had delicious pancakes, and listened to a great jam session.  Well as much as I could before falling asleep.  I was really tired apparently.  But the next day, I helped clean up and said goodbye to my favorite host ever…

Oh and also his owner…

Then I was free to wander the city.  I went up to the top of a parking structure where I had a 360 degree view of the city.  I could see all the way to the Atomium…

See it out there?  The cube like thing?  The Atomium was built when the world fair came to Brussels.  People say it’s Belgium’s version of the Eiffel Tower.  But lets just say that the French people living there do NOT like that comparison.  But in a way it is…built for a world’s fair, can be see from almost any window in Belgium, and looks no different up close than it does from far away.  And once you’re there, you’re like “well there it is.”  Ok I have yet to go to the Eiffel Tower.  So I’ll get back to you on this comparison.

I also went and saw the Mannequin Pis…

Yea that’s write…translation – Peeing Man.  Well it’s really more of a peeing baby.  And there’s nothing special.  But oh man do they worship that thing.  They have made chocolates, cork screws, statues, everything.  Some of them are actually bigger than the actual statue...

Really it’s just sad.  Which is why I bought a chocolate and a statue.  And since they realized there is a market for urinating figures, there’s also a peeing woman (I do not find her) and a peeing dog…

Yep.  I also went and saw the Royal Palace.  It was big…that’s really all there is to say…

Plus I saw a beautiful church...

And of course, the theater...

And look Grammy!

And I went to the Bozar museum and saw an El Greco exhibit. It was pretty impressive, I have to say.  I wanted to see the Frida Kahla exhibit, but it was sold out.  And I found a great used book shop.  And a great not-used bookshop where apparently they make a mean cappuccino.  Well I had to try that out, so I bought a book I’ve been meaning to buy for a while now, sat down, and enjoyed an afternoon coffee.  And it was lovely.  On my walk back however I noticed something interesting.  Can you see what I see? (You made need to click on it to make the picture bigger)

Before I headed home, I went to this highly recommended Tai place that was super cheap.  I sat in my little corner with my book sipping my wine, slurping my soup, and chowing down on my noodles. AND only paid 12 Euros.  I’d say the day was a huge success.

But you know what?  You don’t really care about all that do you?  Because you want to know about the four most important things…beer, fries, waffles, and chocolate.

So we’ve all heard of Belgium Beer.  Many of us have had it.  But have you ever had cherry beer?  No not Sam Adam’s Cherry Wheat or anything like it, but literally Cherry juice…made into beer.  Known to some (read: Lily) as candy beer.  It was pretty delicious.

And of course fries…but you know what?  The Netherlands makes them just as good.  So that was no big deal.  But at least I can say that I’ve had them.

Then there are the waffles.  They’re just as good as you think they would be…but better.  And they’re topped with fruit, chocolate, whipped cream, nuts, anything and everything.  However, if you want to not look like a tourist, then you get one with just powdered sugar.  But I was a tourist, so who cares?

But then…oh then…oh sweet Lord then…there is the chocolate.  Store after store of delicate morsels tempting you in every way.  We ended up going into every store and just buying one chocolate from each.  Each bite, pure heaven.  There was a cinnamon one that literally made me stop walking and scream.  I was good enough not to buy a whole lot, because the ones I did buy, that were lucky enough to make it out the store, were devoured (in a worshiping type of way) on the train ride home.  Sigh…I will go back just for that.  Oh and check out my favorite store…

I know it’s not the right spelling but this is Europe.

So Brussels was lovely.  I’m glad I made it out there.  And I’m glad I got chocolate.  And I’m glad there are other exciting cities in Belgium that are also a cheap weekend trip away…mainly so I can get more chocolate.  Did I mention that the chocolate is delicious?  Just thought I’d let you know.

Word of the Day: Chocolat/Chocolade – Chocolate (French/Dutch)