Tour part 3: the kids

It's about time I got around to telling you about the kids!

I'll start with the oldest, Cleo.  She's seven going on 15.  Seriously, she's the most mature seven year-old I've ever met in my life.  She absolutely loves reading and music.  She's also the cuddle bug.  I'm quite frequently attacked by the "Cleo Monster", being smothered in hugs and kisses.  

Above is Pippa.  She's the older of the twins.  She's probably the feistiest of the three, and also the first to cry when she doesn't get what she wants.  But she truly is a sweetheart.  She loves holding my hand and coming with me to the grocery store.  She also loves showing off her skills.  I'm often being called to watch her do flips on the monkey bars (seriously, she might be Holland's next Olympic gymnast) or listen to her practice piano (the only one of the three that actually enjoys playing).  

And last, but not least, Pilou (aka: Pookie).  As you can tell, she's a bit of a goof.  She's by far the most dramatic of the three whether it be acting while they're playing dress up, or making a stink about dinner.  She loves painting/drawing.  She tends to put on this "tough girl" attitude, but she's such a softie.  Everyday, Pippa asks for a goodbye hug/kiss and Pilou always smirks like she's too old for that.  But if you're alone with her, she's begging for hugs, kisses and cuddles.

I love all three girls so much already!  They are the most beautiful, sweet children I've ever met.  They aren't devious or obnoxious, they're just really great kids.  I've had a lot of fun with them so far, and am so grateful that I was able to find such an amazing family to spend my year abroad with.

A little taste of home

Mom and Dad were in Amsterdam this past weekend, so obviously I spent it with them!  It was an amazing weekend full of food, visiting, more food, shopping, and quality time with the 'rents.

The adventure started on Friday afternoon when I attempted to find a parking spot for my bike at Utrecht Central Station.  Here's a snapshot from google to emphasize how truly chaotic it was.

That times 20 was what I had to search through.  After using what little Dutch I know, and my super awesome problem solving skills, I found a spot-- on the top rack of course.  After figuring out how those things work, getting grease from my chain all over my hands and having to repeat the process because I forgot my purse in the pouch on my bike, I was ready to tackle the next task: trains. 

I've taken the train a lot so far, but never on my own.  I always have Sander (aka: my translator, tour guide, Dutch speaking hero), but this weekend, I was flying solo.  Step one: find machine that takes coins to pay for ticket.  Step two: go buy mints to break bill because do not have enough change to purchase ticket and do not have debit card yet because Dutch banks are dumb and slow, oh and because stupid ticket machines don't take bills.  Step 3: miss train.  Step 4: go to platform 5a to catch next train.  Step 5: panic because sign does not say right destination.  Step 6: panic some more because I might have to ask someone for help.  Step 7: watch sign switch and sigh of relief when realize that the train was indeed leaving from that platform.  Step 8: Arrive in Amsterdam, and find parents.  =)

Friday night, I spent the night on the boat with Mom and Dad.  The staff were so kind to me and organized for me to have my own stateroom!  They also stuffed me with amazing food and to-die-for desserts.  Saturday, Sander met up with us and we had dinner with his parents at this awesome Indonesian restaurant.  Then the train adventure began again as we headed back to Utrecht.  Due to aforementioned lack of debit card, I had to purchase my ticket with coins.  But, as per usual, I was lacking coinage...so off to the store I went to buy more mints.  Once again, with that process, we missed the train, but it was okay because there was another train leaving soon, but had one transfer.  Transfers aren't usually a big inconvenience unless you get caught up playing Sudoku and miss the stop.  Oops.  

Sunday was the day I discovered that you can get stroopwafel McFlurry's.  Hello amazingness?  I'm definitely going to have to try that one day.  Sunday was also the day my parents came to Maarssen and got to see where I live and meet my family.  It was also the day I had to say goodbye to them.  =(  

All in all, it was an amazing weekend full of family time.  I'm so thankful that I got to see them, though I'll admit, it really made me miss home.  I love and miss you all!  

P.S. Dad, if you're reading this, you should email me the pictures from the weekend.  The ones on your handy dandy iPad, not the camera.

A good tune

Turns out yesterday was a very exciting day across the pond.  Last night, I went to see my music god, Martin Sexton, along with Schradinova and Donavon Frankenreiter (who looked a lot like a homeless person, but defininely has the best mustache I've seen since my father shaved his off).  The concert venue, Paradiso, was made of awesome.  Before the hippies took it over and converted it into a concert hall in the 60s, it used to be a church, leaving us with the perfect (and rather intimate) place to listen to some awesome live music.  And to top it off, they had a ginormous disco ball which was so much fun to take pictures of if you're a shutterbug like me.

Doesn't he look homeless?  His hair decreased in volume considerably throughout the concert, but that doesn't really dampen the hideousness of his attire.  His faux snakeskin boots were the cherry on top.  It's a shame you can't seem them in this picture.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Okay, fine, just trains.


Sander and I went South(ish) to a placed called Vlissingen this weekend.  It was a long train ride, but was well worth it! We did some exploring, ate some awesome food, climbed a bell tower, and were stalked by creepy people with a music cart.  We also ate at this really neat restaurant in Utrecht that used to be an old church.  Not only is the atmosphere super cool, the food was to die for and the beer was ridiculously cheap.

Our journey up to the bell tower.  It was a rather slow process for me in my flip flops.  I managed not to lose one until the very very very top.  Luckily someone was below and they threw it to me. 

The view from the top of the tower.  Notice the little windmill?  

This was the super cool restaurant.  Pictures really don't do it justice at all.  You have to go there to experience the awesomeness.  It doesn't look nearly as wicked as it is. 

In other random news, there was an earthquake last week.  It mostly went unnoticed, but surprisingly, I felt it!  I was reading on the couch when I felt something weird.  I thought I was going crazy, until I noticed my lamp shaking a bit.  I didn't even give it second thought until Sander mentioned it the next day.  Super cool.

Running and Rooftops

Random story:  I ran my first race this past week!  It was an entirely random decision to participate, and so satisfying.  I did no training, so obviously I did not make good time, but I completed my first 10km run, and I was not last!  A great success in my eyes!  With so much free time, I've been able to do a lot of running.  I'm lovin' every moment of it, and hope to do some other official runs while in Holland.  There's another 10km one in a few weeks.  I just might give it a go.  

Kristel and I doing some pre-race stretches.  The route went right in front of the house so Jerry and the kids were at the gate cheering us on as we ran by.  

Along with my super random run, I had a super random Saturday night.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous this weekend, so Sander's roommates Lucas and Jorien, and Sander and I decided to enjoy the beautiful summer eve...on the roof.  Our spidey skills kicked in and we maneuvered our way to the roof like pros.   We enjoyed a couple drinks, the clear summer sky (which doesn't happen often in Holland), and some good live music courtesy of Sander and Lucas.  

 What a charmer. 

Oh, I also found this tea cup made of awesome in Sander's house.  I just had to make a special coffee in it, though tea would probably have been more appropriate being that that's how it happens in Alice in Wonderland.  Nonetheless the coffee was amazing, and I'm certain it was because of the cup.  Or perhaps it was the chocolate sprinkles on top?