Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Happy One Year in Amsterdam Anniversary to Us!
Can you believe it... we have lived in Amsterdam for exactly one year today!
One year ago from today we were landing at Schipol airport with our 6 suitcases and our 2 cats about to embark on a wild adventure. It has been quite different than I imagined it would be... not better or worse, but much more intense. The struggles have been harder than I imagined, but the adventures have been even more exciting! The traveling has been truly amazing, and the friendships I've made have been extremely fulfilling.
We only have a couple weeks left before we move back to California and while I know I will miss Amsterdam, I'm ok about leaving. I miss home.
One year ago from today we were landing at Schipol airport with our 6 suitcases and our 2 cats about to embark on a wild adventure. It has been quite different than I imagined it would be... not better or worse, but much more intense. The struggles have been harder than I imagined, but the adventures have been even more exciting! The traveling has been truly amazing, and the friendships I've made have been extremely fulfilling.
We only have a couple weeks left before we move back to California and while I know I will miss Amsterdam, I'm ok about leaving. I miss home.
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Monday, December 07, 2009
Sunday, December 06, 2009
The dangers of Amsterdam
I am not sharing this story with you all to scare you, but more to make you aware of what can happen when biking around Amsterdam late at night.
Last night, Dave and I were biking home from a party. It was after midnight. It was very dark and raining so visibility was low and the roads were wet. There were many people walking around the streets of Amsterdam, even on a rainy night, and just as we were biking past a group of (I'm assuming very drunk) people, someone lunged out and pushed me.
Luckily they hit my arm and not my face or abdomen. And, luckily, because I'm such a strong and skilled biker I managed to remain in control of the bike and not fall (or crash into Dave who was biking beside me because then he would have fallen). It was very painful and quite scary. I'm hoping that person didn't realize that I was a woman (because I had a hat on and a big winter jacket) because who in their right (or even drunken) mind would push an innocent woman biking by in the rain. I hadn't said anything to them or even looked at them.
We stopped our bikes a few meters down the road but what were we going to do? We figured confronting this group of people (who was in the mindset to push innocent people off their bikes) would be a mistake. So we composed ourselves and rode home. I was so angry that I couldn't do anything about this! No one was around to help us and I wasn't going to start screaming down the street at them.
Anyway, the moral of this story is, if you're biking around Amsterdam late at night when all of the drunkards are out, try not to bike within arms reach of them. Apparently when you're wasted it's funny to push over people biking by. Shit heads.
Last night, Dave and I were biking home from a party. It was after midnight. It was very dark and raining so visibility was low and the roads were wet. There were many people walking around the streets of Amsterdam, even on a rainy night, and just as we were biking past a group of (I'm assuming very drunk) people, someone lunged out and pushed me.
Luckily they hit my arm and not my face or abdomen. And, luckily, because I'm such a strong and skilled biker I managed to remain in control of the bike and not fall (or crash into Dave who was biking beside me because then he would have fallen). It was very painful and quite scary. I'm hoping that person didn't realize that I was a woman (because I had a hat on and a big winter jacket) because who in their right (or even drunken) mind would push an innocent woman biking by in the rain. I hadn't said anything to them or even looked at them.
We stopped our bikes a few meters down the road but what were we going to do? We figured confronting this group of people (who was in the mindset to push innocent people off their bikes) would be a mistake. So we composed ourselves and rode home. I was so angry that I couldn't do anything about this! No one was around to help us and I wasn't going to start screaming down the street at them.
Anyway, the moral of this story is, if you're biking around Amsterdam late at night when all of the drunkards are out, try not to bike within arms reach of them. Apparently when you're wasted it's funny to push over people biking by. Shit heads.
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Sinterklaas
Tonight we celebrated Sinterklaas! It is a tradition to receive a chocolate letter on this holiday. YUM!
Friday, December 04, 2009
I miss my friend
In June of 2005, the month before Monica got married, and the month before I met Dave, the two of us went on a cross country road trip. We had an amazing adventure!
Here are just a few cute pics from our journey... back when we were young and life was simple!!! Well, not exactly, but it sounded good. :)
From the Atlantic Ocean...
To the Pacific.
Here are just a few cute pics from our journey... back when we were young and life was simple!!! Well, not exactly, but it sounded good. :)
From the Atlantic Ocean...
To the Pacific.
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
December, what does it mean?
Why do I love the first of the month so much? I don't really know. Maybe it's because I get to turn the calendar page and see a new picture? Maybe it's because a fresh new month is like a tabula rasa... I get to have fresh hopes and dreams for what the new month will bring? Either way, whatever the reason, whenever a new month comes around it invigorates me.
However, this month is extra special. Why, you ask? Well, it's December 2009! In this month we celebrate our one year anniversary of living in Amsterdam. And, in this month we are also saying goodbye to Amsterdam and returning to California.
As our final weeks here slip away I am starting to feel slightly mixed about leaving (as opposed to last month where I wasn't feeling mixed at all... I was ready to leave). However, more than any other feeling I am excited to escape the daunting Amsterdam winter and return to our families, friends and Mexican food back at home. We'll be soaking up the warmth and sunshine in less than 4 weeks!
However, this month is extra special. Why, you ask? Well, it's December 2009! In this month we celebrate our one year anniversary of living in Amsterdam. And, in this month we are also saying goodbye to Amsterdam and returning to California.
As our final weeks here slip away I am starting to feel slightly mixed about leaving (as opposed to last month where I wasn't feeling mixed at all... I was ready to leave). However, more than any other feeling I am excited to escape the daunting Amsterdam winter and return to our families, friends and Mexican food back at home. We'll be soaking up the warmth and sunshine in less than 4 weeks!
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