No, it's a giraffe.

So the building I live in right now is getting torn down in less than a year (so they say) so we can pretty much do whatever we want to the building. Including tagging. Plus lots of you already know I have a thing for saying "rawr". I've been doing this little dinosaur (not so little at the moment) all over the place, starting in Austin, Texas. 


Kiwi is in Holland! Jiska and I are really happy about that 'cause Kiwi is pretty badass. Though he's taking a nap right now... he's old. (Not really, just like teasing him because he is a few years my elder.) I picked him up from the airport at nine in the morning yesterday then we hung out in Amsterdam for a bit. Laughing, joking, catching up on stories. I realized I made a lot of word jokes going from Dutch to English, my boys at Caspar Fagel would be very proud of me. (Also I didn't know it was 'Caspar', always thought it was 'Casper'. I blame Bob because that's what he wrote down for me.) I took him to the DSB last night. He had a blast! We ended up only a few people left at the bar, something like 11 or 13. More flour got everywhere and because of that more rounds were made. Bier hier, bier hier! Though to technically be considered "sitting" at the bar I sat on both youngster and enigma's lap. That was fun. I don't think the barman wanted to accept that, but he did. Thanks!


Sailor tried to steal my scarf again! And we ended up in the boys lavatory! (Again.) Strangely with peanut butter guy and one of my year mates. Though they did splendidly. Helped give me my scarf back. Thanks boys! This was after I ran all over the DSB chasing sailor who had full grasp of my scarf. Short lived though. I'm quick and strong... well strong enough to keep holding on.


For the record my girlfriend and I did NOT use tongue when we kissed. It was a simple peck on the lips. Sorry to burst your bubble boys, but it didn't happen. We were just being silly. Though she is mine (and I hers, she's currently fighting mister for me), and I can be pretty protective. 


Well the Dude and I might move in together, that would be awesome! Especially since our taste in movies, music, and food is very similar. Plus we both don't go and visit our parents on the weekends. Namely because his are in Italy and mine are in Texas, makes it kind of hard to pop in for the weekend. We're looking for potentially a third member to move in with us. We really want to make a DSB house. I keep meaning to ask my girlfriend if she wants to but for whatever reason I keep getting distracted. Hey! Want to move in with us? 


So I ended up having a really deep conversation with a friend last night. He cares and I'm really appreciative of that. But don't you ever make me cry again. Especially in a public place. I prefer not to cry period. That's the best way to watch me walk away and end the conversation. Also, I'm considering deleting my blog. I know a lot of you like to read it, but I feel this is starting to get out of hand. It's my way of expressing myself and getting things off my chest and keeping a record of the things I did so I can come back and read them later and laugh at myself or remember the things I learned and the obstacles I got over. But I find myself unable to really put all of that in my blog. Sure the nicknames do a bit of concealing. You make think you know who fits all the nicknames, but can you actually know? (Insert smirky face here. Hah!) The nicknames aren't enough. I'm a flirt, a bitch, a girl, a friend, super forgetful, and a confused Texan and I don't want to be judged because the things I write down get twisted and skewed into something I don't mean or never did. 


Anyways. I'm not doing OK. I put a smile on my face for you. But I'm working on it. And no this is not an open invitation to ask me "what's wrong?" I'll just blatantly ignore that question. 


I think I'm going to go play in the rain and then Kiwi and I are building a blanket fort. That's fun. Got to enjoy the simple things in life, because when life gives you lemons you make red wine. (I love confusing life.) But when life gives you melons... well, you may be dyslexic. 


- This child at heart

No hangover

This is what happens when I'm allowed to write on doors. I take over. Mister says I'm blog addicted. But I'm not! Also mister is officially my boyfriend. (Not facebook official, don't give me that crap.) 

Last night Raisa and I had the brilliant idea to mark my arm with a marker to keep track of how many drinks I had. Yea, that worked. Thirty seven marks later I was fairly drunk. For the record I didn't have 37 beers, I had 31 and two shots. But we all agreed that shots counted as three marks. Anyways I hung out at the bar and with everyone testing the new DDL (it's like a DD but for a bar...) things were a bit chaotic. (Ja dat.) Lots of things got thrown over the bar, including people. Also the lights went out at one point and some people went over the bar. I was doing good before I sat at the bar. I only had 10 or 12 marks on my arm before that point. 

Raisa and I kissed. We were proving a point. Kind of. We were joking around that we were friends with benefits, so at one point someone called us out on it so we kissed. It was funny because that's not supposed to happen at the bar so boots asked the bar if it was allowed and he just shrugged and said "sure". No it didn't get any more elaborate than a peck on the lips (pervs). 

Dinner tonight with the Casper Fagel boys and Raisa then Mister and I are hanging out just the two of us. Aww how cute. Hush it. Tonight is the IFF party but I'm not too interested in going. At all. I've been drinking so much these past weeks it'll be nice to curl up with mister and watch a movie. 

Today was nice. Weather was nice and warm. The summer was just a bit late guys. 

- This not blog addicted girl

Over a 1000 page views!

For the record: this is Texas. Austin, Texas to be specific. I used to have a place I'd go to right next to my house in the middle of the night. It was amazing. It was a little farther up the river from here and had these docks. I would always sit at the very end of the middle one, my feet just barely hanging over the water, the stars bright in the sky, the cool wind brushing against my cheeks. It was calm. Whenever I needed to just go and think that's where I would do it. I would sometimes bring a blanket and just lay down on my back and stare up at the sky. It was just far out from the city that the light pollution didn't wash out the stars. I miss that spot. I'm sure I could find something like it here but there really isn't any place calm to go quickly. I mean, the beach is a thirty minute bike ride from here. That's not so bad. But I've tried going to places near me in Leiden and they're still all too much part of the city. Something is always still happening. It's weird.

Anyways, I just wanted to show y'all that Texas isn't all a desert like some of y'all think. Look!! Green stuff!! No, those aren't just weirdly shaped cacti. Those are, in fact, trees. 

I went to the DSB last night, but got there a bit late. Most everyone was gone so there were only a few of us that bar. (Enough to keep the bar open.) I must say, that was enjoyable. Despite my significant lack in ability to speak and understand the Dutch language (though I am trying to at least understand, that's the first step), it was more intimate and obviously not so hectic. Have you ever thrown a glass against a wall so hard is shatters? (DSB members: Yes...) Well now I have, and goodness gracious it's fun! I also paid my bar tab, go me.

So after the Wednesday drinking night I found in my purse: wallet, passport, scarf, gum, old train tickets, the book "The UnDutchables", bike lights, my cap from camp, a golfball on a ribbon, and a cactus. Yes, a cactus. Chaos invited me to join their college... and then gave me a cactus. If I kill the cactus I'm not allowed in. They do know that cacti are almost impossible to kill right? In fact you'd have to either not water it for about three months or leave it in a bowl of water for a week. (Cacti just absorb all the water they can since they aren't sure when the next time they will get water is, being that it's a desert plant and all. In the random situation you get stuck in a desert, cutting open a cactus is a great way to find water. Unless in Arizona, 'cause that's illegal.) But yea, if you leave a cactus in a bowl of water it will explode.

I also am going to be going drinking with Schranz on Tuesday so I can hang out with them and some of the members I haven't gotten the chance to really talk to yet. I'm really looking forward to that. 

Finnegan is doing better. I never went to see baldy to get him fixed, I kind of got stuck here fixing it. We got a few things resolved but it looks like I am still going to have to wipe him clean and then reinstall the OS. (Probably Lion this time.) Though baldy is being a little prick right now. (Nestor baldy.) 

I finally talked to my hitchhike buddy, he moved (jerk). But it looks like things are still on for Sweden this winter. No we're not hitchhiking all the way to the top of Sweden, just Stockholm. Then we'll bus it to North Cape. Every 11 years the northern lights are the strongest and most colorful: that's this year. And I figure I'm on the continent, why not? (Waroom niet?) The idea is to be sitting in a natural hot springs at night with a nice view of the sky. It's pretty ideal, I know. 

Mister and I talked and we're just friends right now. He's being very helpful and understanding. Though, I think he may be a bit frustrated with me. Oops, sorry! After the utter madness that was my relationship with boy, I am not sure I'm ready to try and be in something serious quite yet. (I say this all the time.) But seriously! Plus, blah blah blah, everything on my plate, blah blah blah. OH! So I've sent emails out for instemming and hopefully I will have a place to live at the end of October. Also, I've been working on my paperwork for my Dutch course and student visa.   

What a relaxed weekend. Also there are so many people I want to hang out with! I really need a girls day, especially with Johanna! Her and I have a lot to talk about, mainly just girl things. At least that's the idea. And her parents are so kind, they got me salsa and maple syrup from Texas! Speaking of parents... I need to talk to my mum. Eventually youngster and I are going to hang out and I need to catch up with sailor. Well, weather is semi nice (a bit chilly if you ask me) but I'm going to go relax and read a book outside or something. Maybe stretch too.


- This busy, busy girl

Charles Leopold II

Isn't he just super cute?? He's not mine, or really anyone's that I know of. Jiska and I saw him while in Amsterdam at a waterpijp lounge. See the naming scheme works like this: I gave Jiska a plush puppie for her birthday and we named it Charles Leopold III and we want a snake named Charles Leopold I and a cat named Charles Leopold II and then from there whenever we buy mice to feed to the snake we name them Charles Leopold IV, Charles Leopold V, Charles Leopold VI and so on and so forth. (It's not mean, hush. I've named pets worse things.)

So I had another college activity yesterday. It was a lot of fun! They really want me to learn Dutch which is fine because I really want me to learn Dutch. Ik wil Nederlands leren. It's taking some time, but I do believe I'm making some progress. It's only been a couple weeks that I've really been putting in a serious effort and having people talk mainly Dutch to me. So give me a break, I'm still pretty fresh. Tomorrow is dinner with another college and then drinking. Yay!

I almost thought my bike got stolen today! Good thing it didn't. It instead got moved out of it's spot and then this morning the bike guys came to claim it because it wasn't in a proper spot. (It was definitely in a proper spot when I left it. Jerks.) Anyways, I feel that paying 26 euros is a lot better than paying for a new bike, though I rather the bike not have been moved in the first place. I got another bike lock today to prevent this from happening in the future. Hah! Take that you mean bike moving jerks!

[This section of the blog has been deleted. Blame Jiska.]

Also my Dutch is getting slightly better (beetje beter). I can understand simple sentences and youngster pointed that out yesterday. That made me happy, I'm glad someone is noticing. Youngster probably won't like that his nickname is youngster, but I'm a good six months older than him so he's a youngster to me. (Insert winky face here. It's just fun to mess with you.) He also tried to knock me off his bike for absolutely no reason at all! (It's not like I was tickling him or anything.)

Last but not least I have a problem, and wouldn't you like to know! Too bad. I've recently discovered the inconvience of having many people read my blog, I can no longer vent about events going to happen. Though it has a lot to do with me not wanting to be in a relationship and semi being in one. It's hard, I adore him. I think I might be afraid of commitment or maybe I feel like it's still just too much for me right now. I've only been living here for four months and I still have so much to do. Get everything finalized with TU for the Dutch course, get my student visa paperwork signed, find an apartment, get a bank account, apply for residency...etc. So yea. Not ready. Ugh. Sigh.

Tomorrow I go and hang out with baldy so he can help me fix Finnegan.

me: Wanna play doctor?

All fingers crossed this works! (I'm on Jiska's computer because he's so slow. Poor Finnegan.)

Enough about me though, what about you? How have you been? I feel like we're always talking about me here. I just go on and on about my problems and my day. I'm really sorry about that, I feel a bit arrogant here. I hope you are having a wonderful day (or evening, maybe morning? Naaah, you're still asleep.)

- This ultimately confused girl

I even said it in Dutch!

I'm trying not to name the colleges I like in my blog even though they all find out anyways. But, I couldn't help it with this picture. There are a couple others that are also pretty awesome. A ride at the fair was called "Chaos". I took a picture of the sign that said "you have to be this tall to ride this ride" and we all had a good laugh because you have to be a certain height to ride Chaos. (Insert winky face here.) 

So are you ready for the re-introduction of nicknames!? Because now I am officially a first year at the DSB and the IP weeks are over! So we have my mister who, I guess you could say makes me a little less single than I've been the past couple of months. But wait! (You say... right?) What happened to that other guy you like? Uhm, yea, no. I'm just not going there. (Vague.) Anyways, me and mister are super cute. Also between the two of us we're allergic to everything. Guess what? That's super awesome. We went to the store the other day and were looking at sweet things like this:

Me: Oh this looks yummy!

Mister: Yea! (checks package) It has lactose in it. Hmm, this looks good.

Me: (Nod in agreement, check package) It may contain peanuts. 

After about 30 minutes of this, we got very depressed and just left the store with no sweets. This could be a blessing in disguise though. I won't be gaining weight due to senseless sweet snacking. I will just be gaining weight from all the beer I will be drinking at the DSB. Hellooo freshmen 20! I will find a way to battle that.

Did I mention I am now an official member of the DSB? Mhmm. Yep. I did it. Also if you  have never eaten with the DSB in a whole I suggest you find a way to do so. There is never a dull moment at the DSB. We have something we do which is to make random statements. They don't have to make sense, they don't have to be true (in fact they shouldn't be), but you do  have to say it confidently. Then someone stands up and agrees or disagrees and then makes a new statement. Also, if you want to tell a story you have to walk. On the tables. 

Yesterday was so much fun. Everyone was all relaxed and happy and no longer all stiff and tough looking. Especially the members of the IC, it was nice to actually get to talk to them casually. Hugo especially was relaxed. He flung whipped cream at me. So, I got a spoon full of whipped cream and apple tart, stood up on the table, walked across the table, stood in front of him (still on the table), dropped the cream and tart all over his head, then dropped the spoon. The great thing is when you stand up everyone shouts "politesse" (literally means "politeness" but in this context basically means shut up), so as soon as I stood on the table I had everyone's attention. He was a good sport about it and cleaned my coat and we shook hands afterwards with giant smiles on our face. Then we partied. Everyone partied. (We all got fairly buzzed from the free wine at the dinner.) 

Year 2006 I think it was (sorry if I'm wrong!)[Edit. I was wrong, 2005, thank you.] gave whiskey because they're badass. Then they filled my cup with whiskey. And by "fill" I mean it was filled. So, it goes without saying, but I'll say it anyways, I got fairly smashed. I went home with peanutbutter guy. We were going to watch Dr. Who but that kind of didn't happen. We were too drunk and too tired so we just went to sleep. Okay, well I was too drunk. 

Also, Finnegan really isn't doing good. I'll fix him soon. Like tomorrow soon. 

Time to go make chili for the boys! And drink some more beer. They're going to teach me stifsja (spelling?). 

- This first year

Let them have cake!

Well, tomorrow is the last day in the IP (introduction period) weeks. 

(Bob: niet hopen.)

Thanks... I love it when people read my blog over my shoulder while I'm writing it. They always seem to need to comment. This makes me a bit nervous though...

Anyways, or maybe that's today and tomorrow is just a party? Either way, this is it, I'm about to no longer be a noviet. And goodness gracious I'm excited! So excited I made cakes. One for the EC (told ya I'd do it) and one is for the house I'm staying in. (There is a small part on the ''yall are awesome!" cake that doesn't have chocolate on it because Fritz doesn't like chocolate.) 

Today was pretty nice. I got my dress for inaguaration and I had the girls lunch today with the all boy's college Octopus. They really know how to put on a good lunch. I also sat down and did some writing for a song and worked on some chords for one of my songs. Oh and I made cakes, but I think that's pretty obvious. 

Last night was a lot of fun, though I didn't get all the signatures in my book and I started off the evening with what I can only think to be a really bad hangover. I talked to lots more people and learned about even more colleges. Also got asked to a few activities for Monday. I think I have my decision pretty set for which college is my number one choice. All fingers crossed they ask me to join.

So remember how I said I wouldn't do nicknames these two weeks? Man, its super hard. There is so much I want to say! (Write!) Well, wannabe boytoy is now going to be called baldy because he got his head shaved. (And it's a more solid, easy nickname. Wannabe boytoy is just too long.) Got to admit though, doesn't look too bad on him. It'll be nice to actually be able to talk to him again tomorrow. (Remember, just friends.) Of course I like someone, but knowing me I can't ever just like one person. I always seem to be torn between people. But I think I'm statisfied with not having a boyfriend, especially with all the things still on my plate. Plus, I'm really more concerned with making good friends. That's making me the most happy at the moment. I know I've said it many times before, but I really do love the DSB. Though, I digress. Those two will get nicknames later.

Well it's time for me to get into some dingy clothes because I'm about to head to the DSB where the next three something hours will be spent getting really, really dirty. I'm looking forward to it though. 

- This soon to be a dirty, dirty girl

Nederlands

Ik ben Texas, of Alexandra. Ik kom uit Texas. Ik woom in Delft. Ik ben 20 jaar oud. Ik vind Nederlands heel makkelijk. En, ik praat graag over mij zelf. 

That last line was a bit sarcastic, for the record. But this is what I worked on the other day during study hour. My dutch is getting there... slowly. Off to an activity with one of the colleges! 

- This noviet

Sad day for Finnegan

I found this on my computer from the first time I went to Delft. Pretty niffty huh? It has nothing to do with Finnegan though. Finnegan is my computer... well macbook to be super specific. He's dying. The trackpad is slow, the camera is broke, he takes forever to boot up: I think he may have the flu. AHH I gave Finnegan novietentyfus!! I need to take him to the mac shop today and see if he can get fixed. (And how much that may cost.) Thus! Posts may be delayed for awhile. (Aww, shucks!) 

Other than that I have another lunch today with one of the colleges. Speaking of college, I need to get my college information from Texas and very soon. Why are they taking so long!? I may just end up sitting in the classes this week so I don't get so behind, but I'm starting to worry I won't be getting into the school this year. Sad day for this girl too. To top it all off it's all rainy and windy and stuff. Also I have a mega headache. Whine, whine, whine! It's my blog I'll do whatever I want. Pout. 

Anyone know of any good second hand shops in Delft? I still need to buy a dress for the inauguration. Also, I'm looking for a bigger and warmer vest. 

[drie uur later]

Well $#%@. I went and talked to the international office today and found out that because my Dutch isn't proficient enough I have to take an intensive Dutch course before I can enroll into TU. That starts in November. Well at least I will be doing something. Why didn't anyone tell me this sooner!? Also... the Dutch for foreigners page on the TU website is in Dutch (face palm) this helps.

Lets see, lets see... how to end this post so I don't sound like I'm super sad today...

OH OH I know!! I get to mingle with more DSB members tonight and ask about their colleges. I also get to help plan the inauguration party with my fellow year mates today! Wonder what we're going to do for a theme? Hah, please not Spongebob (our year song is to that tune). 

- This mildly disappointed girl

"Thanks."

If someone says to you "thanks" it can have so many different meanings. In this case it means much of the following: "You're a fucking bitch." And... probably more. Though, it isn't much of what I don't already know. Anways, thanks for reminding me. I'm an awful person and I'm working on it. Jeeze.

So how to respond? Hah! I don't. I mean honestly, what would I say? "You're welcome." Maybe throw in a smiley face just for a real kicker. No, the deed is already done. I'm sure that she knows there is no message coming from me, though she may hope.

I can't say I was in my better judgement at the time. Alcohol was definitely involved. Besides, it takes two to tango, right?

Now I wait for his message where he tells me how much he hates me and himself. Now that is a message I can respond to:

"That sounds unhealthy, have a drink instead."

Really, I'm not the best influence.

- This bitch

Boot Camp

I drank beer out of this boot. Like a boss. (Four times.) It's Hello Kitty too. I wouldn't suggest it; drinking out of a boot. It smells like rubber and unless you drink it all at once (which, trust me, is a very, very hard feat to do... pun so intended) the beer will taste a bit off. Last night at the DSB was fun, though I'm pretty sure I left my sense of direction at the bar. Luckily, it found me this morning. 


So I'm banging through a crash course in Dutch. Maar mijn nederlands is niet goed. Oke, beetje beter. Writing things out and seeing how they're spelled really helps. And since I have the alphabet down now, people can spell things out to me in Dutch and I understand the pronunciation a little bit better. 


Now time to add to the list of things I didn't even consider would be different in Europe. Crutches. Didn't think they would be so different, but they are. Instead of them going all the way up to your armpit and resting your body on them like that, you stick your arm through a ring and hold on a hand grip. The ring is attached to a bar that is slightly bent for support so you're resting your weight on your arms. It's weird and hard to describe. Anyways, I have them because I fell down the other night and someone stepped on my ankle during a bit of chaos. (Fun chaos.) It's just badly sprained and still a bit sore, but it swelled up so big! The EC and a couple of my nestors kept telling me to sit down and that I needed to go to the doctor and make sure its okay. They were happy when I came back the next day with crutches. They are really, really nice. I feel like I should thank them more often... maybe I'll bake them a cake. But goodness gracious! The DSB has so many stairs! So yesterday I only brought one crutch and today I'm not bringing any crutches. I'll just wrap it again and make sure to be careful. 


We get to find out who is in what colleges tonight! I've been making some guesses but everyone just kind of winks at me and smiles while shrugging. It's fun. I can tell when I'm right though because they're so proud of their colleges that the blossoming smile on their faces kind of gives them away. I really can't wait to talk to all the DSB members about their colleges. You get to know your year mates really well and become a family with all of them. We're all equal and we're all going through the same thing. You can really tell that we're already so close with how everyone interacts with each other and how kind everyone is to each other. We make jokes, we tease and laugh, and if someone needs help you bet everyone is going to offer to help. It's great. Then, there is the bond through the colleges. That's even tighter. Your college is your family. The people you will be with and know for the rest of your life. It kind of sounds like a crazy extreme commitment, but I like it. Especially since moving over here alone. I don't often talk about how homesick I am sometimes or how much I miss my family, but I do. I already kind of feel like the DSB is my second family. It's nice. 


More people in the Netherlands are reading my blog and I can only help to think that some of them are DSB members (especially since some of the DSB members told me they read my blog). So, hi DSB members! How are you today? ... mhmm, interesting. Hold that thought, I'm writing a blog. Can we finish this conversation tonight? Kay, thanks! 


I know there aren't any nicknames in this post (and I know how much y'all love to decipher the nicknames) but I'm afraid all the juicy details about who I like and who did what will have to wait until after the inauguration. Don't worry, the inauguration is next Friday. 


- This homesick chick

Good morning...

Last night was a good night. We celebrated Jiska, Wybren and my birthday last night and well into this morning. In fact, I went to bed somewhere around 3:30 in the morning and woke up at 7:30 to find people still awake.

"I thought you were going to bed?"

"... I went to bed..."

Now I'm eating breakfast which consists of hotdogs and a really good mango. Right now students are asking 'how did you afford fruit!?' I saved up and boy was it worth it! Boy is sitting across from me... he has to go to work soon, but he's just staring at his phone. I want to throw something at him. He threw it back. Jerk.

So I joined a studentenvereniging. (Like a fraternity, but coed, so more like a frarority.) I really don't know a good English translation for it, no one does. Not even Google! All it does is say 'student' and I guarantee you that this does not translate to just 'student'. Anyways, it's called DSB and it's in Delft. This week, in fact today, starts the introduction weeks. I guess you could technically say that that started two weeks ago with the OWee and the DSB boot camp from Hell, but this is for all the members that signed up this year and survived the boot camp. I actually thought it was a lot of fun, aside from the terrible allergic reaction I had to the lactose products that got thrown on me (all of us). Though I think the first two rules of DSB boot camp involve me not talking about DSB boot camp. I would like to say that despite their tough guy act, I got four of my mentors nestors to smile while we were in carre (that formation that you always see the military guys get into). They weren't supposed to do that because they were supposed to be intimidating, but really they're all just super cool and sweet guys. This year DSB broke some records! We got 74 new students, 13 of which are girls! There were two camps though and I only had two other girls in mine. Needless to say, we became very good friends in those three days. I also have a butt load of bug bites all over me and I itch. UGH!! 

One of the guys I met in DSB also organized that foam failure party. He was also one of my mentors nestors at the camp. I've only recently gotten to know him and he already really likes me, to the point where it's getting a bit annoying and frustrating. He came last night to the party and brought guitarist. According to wannabe boytoy, guitarist and wannabe boytoy are 'best friends' and as such I wasn't allowed to kiss guitarist. This demanding behavior is one of the many reasons I am not attracted to wannabe boytoy. There are a few others like: he really wants a relationship and I really don't. So anyways, guitarist and I get along pretty well and I'm interested in hanging out with him even if it is just as friends. It's been awhile since I had someone so passionate about music as a friend and it'd be fun to collaborate with him. (Insert oh that's what they're calling it now-a-days jokes here.) 

Last, but not least, asshole (or 'ass' for short) apparently wants to apologize. I know, we didn't go over this yet. SO here is the story. I briefly mentioned the OWee, which is a week where all the different studentenvereniging throw huge parties to recruit new members. While partying at the DSB (I need to work on how flirty I become when drunk) I became super cuddly with this one guy for maybe about 30 minutes. I drank a lot that night, I mostly remember sitting on a one person couch with cuddly guy having his arm around me and another guy who refused to give up the couch thing. Cuddly guy (and Jiska too as I later found out!) were trying to get me to kiss cuddly guy. The reasoning behind this was "You have to kiss me! If you do that guy there will join the DSB! So we have to kiss!" Even with a bit of alcohol on board that logic didn't sound solid and thus it didn't happen. Then I proceeded to get distracted, potentially by a need to go to the bathroom which tends to happen to drunk people, and left. The only other time I talked to him was when I was leaving to which, due to DSB tradition, he tried to throw me into the canal. Since then cuddly guy has been a total ass, hence the name change. Especially at camp where he was one of my nestors. Then last night he asked for my number so he could apologize to me. Before you go thinking 'maybe he's not an asshole after all'; he hasn't apologized yet. He hasn't even contacted me yet. And if he wants to apologize he can do so this evening at the introduction social drinking...thing. Thus, his interest in obtaining my number has me a bit curious. 

Anyways, I'm going back to bed. Guitarist and wannabe boytoy are still in my room sleeping since guitarist lives too far away and was supposed to stay at wannabe boytoy's place, but due to a bit too much alcohol ended up in my room. Lame.

- This hangover battling girl

Things are really starting to come together.

Ever played king's cup by candle light? Outside? On a blanket!? I have and it's actually quite fun.

So I have a lot of faith in myself getting into one of the colleges/universities here in the Netherlands. I'm about to talk with my mum and she is going to get my transcripts and send them to me, then I just have to pass clearing on this end and I should be in. If I'm a student I get a student visa, I'll have an OV card (really important for traveling around this country for a reduced, and on week days, free price), be able to legally work here, and gain student prices for housing. Plus this means I finish my degree. My family should be very pleased to hear that.

I may also be joining a frarority. I don't know what else to call it. It's co-ed (despite the very few girls that join the one I'm trying to join, girls can join, they just tend not to) so it's not actually a fraternity or sorority. It's kind of like both. I'm really hoping I get in because it'd be nice to be apart of a group and get to know people. Plus I'm sure a lot of them can help me with finding housing and tell me what I need to do about getting into the program I want to study in years to come.

Until then, this week is reserved for partying in Delft. The lovely university city that, due to the tech school, has way too many guys and not enough girls. (This would be the city in which the foam-fail-party happened where I met handsome and the fan club.) The fan club will be there again! Don't know about handsome though, I didn't ask him. It'd be nice. It's one of Jiska and my friend's birthday this week. I need a good nickname for him.

Giant chewy chocolate CHUNK cookies... mmmm

We (being Jiska and I) figured out that I'm actually allergic to lactose rather than cocoa itself. Which really explains a lot. And my recent love for soy milk is definitely helping the sympathy pains. Though I must admit, there are a lot of things with lactose in them. I almost rather be allergic to cocoa... that's not true. But doesn't that just look so good? (And the bar of chocolate in the background there... om nom nom nom.)

Well one guy and I hung out. I feel these get-togethers will be few and far between. Anyways, I spent the night with him at a beach house in a town that I can't pronounce... at all.

(Jiska: That you can't pronounce very good.)

Oh if it only was just "very good", I can't pronounce the damn city at all. It's Schrevinsdlasdgjlkj-GEN. Seriously that's the city name-

(Jiska: No, it's not, it's Scheveningen. Easy.)

Yea. Well I went there. And then it rained. Yay Holland.

(Jiska: You forgot to mention you got on the wrong tram.)

Trams hate me. Note to self: Jiska really doesn't need to be here when I'm writing my blog.

Last time one guy and I hung out we kind of agreed that if anything were to happen it'd be slow. I guess sleeping together, and that's all we did, counts as slow. Okay, we made out some too. I don't think I like him. I like someone. I like mystery guy. Don DON dOOOooOooonnn!!! For the by my side experience, this should really be said out loud. Do it. You know you want to. Mystery guy (getting used to the nicknames yet?) has a girlfriend. OKAY I know what you're thinking: "This again? Don't you learn?" ... no... No I don't.

Yes he has a girlfriend. If I paid any attention to previous points in my history I have learned that guys with girlfriends are bad. Mainly because their girlfriends tend to get jealous of me (not saying I'm some drop dead gorgeous bomb shell or anything, I'm saying I fill the roll of the good friend. Now some of us know how the good friend roll turns when it's a guy and a girl.) This has happened a few times. I cook, I play video games, I like doing random things like build blanket forts or play in the rain- long story short I'm insane, apparently that's attractive. What really does it about mystery guy? His smile. Never thought a smile could be so attractive, but this smile is the epitome of happiness. And goodness gracious I hope he doesn't read this blog or I will deny his existence in it. ("No really, it isn't you. Just shut up.")

Anything else? Oh yes, I'm broke like a joke and living off of pasta. Now something to be aware of in Holland: we all ride our bikes EVERYWHERE. Thus, pasta isn't helping me stay my cute little shape. I'm in fact dropping kilos. Jiska and I have a plan to eat Greek food when I get my paycheck in at the beginning of next month. Staying healthy is actually extremely expensive. Did you know they only have cows here for KAAS CHEESE!?

(Jiska: We eat them too. [long pause] I think.)

My point exactly.

Next week is partying in Delft, the technological school here in the Netherlands. It's about 90% boys, so if you're wondering where my drinks will be coming from... now you know. There are some really nice boys in Delft! I tend to be pretty social anyways, and they're fun to talk to. (No I'm not just saying this to save my @$$ later if any of them read this.) You guys are awesome!

- This pasta eating queen (and her lovely sidekick Jiska!)

On top of the world!

I went to the south of France and it was amazing. First I ate lunch on the very top of a colosseum, then I went to the beach and spent the evening in an amazing hookah lounge, then I picked up two German backpackers in Montpellier and had them join Tommy and I at the Estivals (Summer Festivals). I literally felt like I was on top of the world. It helped that for a moment I really was; as I sat on the very edge of the colosseum.

I'm hitchhiking to London tomorrow. I'm meeting up with Meli and the Deans. Definitely looking forward to that. Though I do need to pick up a backpack first and a map...

Today there where these three German guys busking in the city center. They were amazing!! So Tommy and I invited them up for lunch with the rest of the gang at the flat. We almost had them convinced to couchsurf with us. Now they're going to host me when I go to Berlin in a few weeks. I also realized I may or may not have a thing for German guys and I have a tendency to pick up German guys and get them to couchsurf with Tommy and I.

Well, boy successfully pissed me off, again. Though this time was much more serious. I was beyond a Texan accent. He ditched me on my birthday. It was this past Monday and ditched me for another girl. Not that the gender of the person he ditched me for really matters, more so that he said he'd grab drinks with me after salsa and then didn't. Plus he is the only one left in the flat that isn't on holiday, so I was kind of hoping I would have someone at the flat to hang out with on my birthday. Fortunately Tommy saved the night. Well, him and Anu and Duncan. Anu is from Estonia and Duncan is from Scotland. Two really cool people that I got really close to this past week. Tomorrow they leave for Estonia!! I'm sad. But they get back to Toulouse, France in September so I'm going to go visit them then and we're going to build a treehouse. The next day boy apologized. Which is nice, but still I am a bit pissed with him. My attraction to him though has gone fully cold. Right now just friends is just fine.

I applied to Webster University and I am now 20. All fingers crossed I get in!!

- This old person

Off to France!

I'm packing for my trip to France tomorrow. I'm going with Tommy and I must say I'm super excited! We're hitchhiking. It's going to take about 24 hours for the hitch and with all the stories Tommy has told me about his hitchhiking experiences, I really can't wait. Plus, the French beach will be a nice change to all this hideous weather we have been having. Sun!!

Yesterday I went to a murder mystery game party. It was pretty much a rip off of Aladdin, but definitely super fun. Everyone was dressed up very nicely and quite in character. Then, after the murder was solved and the game was over we partied. The genie brought out his stash of really good vodka and we drank like kings. (Polish kings. There were pickles.) Talk about good and smooth! Man that stuff was awesome. Plus, I managed to hold my liquor quite well. Six shots into it I was still peachy keen and Tommy was off his rocker after three! Though I had a lot of bread and hummus; good sponge is what that is. Tommy had fun trying to convince everyone was I was Canadian. I even had to pull out my driver's license. Seriously. I'll admit, I was playing along though.

"I used to have a friend named Barry in Canada - Texas..."

Surprisingly I didn't have a hangover this morning.

So the pranks have currently taken a bit of a break. Plus boytoy and I are just friends now. I guess that means I should just call him boy? I like it this way. As soon as we decided that and it was all said and done we were laughing again, teasing each other, he was tickling me and it felt like we really were friends again. No more of this at each other's throats thing anymore. I'm really happy with this.

- This very single girl

P.S. rawr

Harry Potter premiere! (And London.)

It was a lot of fun for sure. Besides the whole extremely crowded, raining, cold, standing outside for 12 hours part, and not seeing the three main characters or the movie. London was awesome. We made do by being ridiculously silly and making friends during the wait. I actually enjoyed waiting for the actors to walk by more than actually seeing the actors themselves. Huh... soooo WEIRD!! (Inside joke.)

The next day was by far more fun! We met a kiwi that Jiska and I nicknamed "Kiwi" and ran around being super touristy. (Also gasaming over cars.)

The trip almost didn't happen though. This smart one right here almost forgot her passport. If it wasn't for Rins meeting us at the train station in Den Haag I wouldn't have been able to go. Heh... oops. Thank you Rins! (I owe him dinner now.) Unfortunately I haven't been blogging recently since I've been so busy and sick. But I'll work on that. (Maybe.)

- This forgetful idiot

P.S. I have a picture!

Off to London!

I'll be back in four days with pictures! Jiska and I almost panicked, our couchsurfing host bailed on us. But we found a last minute host! Yay!

Tomorrow is the Harry Potter premiere.

- This Harry Potter nerd (I have a house tie and school girl outfit and everything)

Si vis amari, ama.

I'm left smiling, with my heart fluttering and my mind clouded.

Yea the date went well but boytoy and I had a better talk (I think we may be getting better at these) and then we danced some (and I broke a glass). Salsa. Have I mentioned how much I love a guy who can dance? Things are still undetermined, duh.

Today was the fourth! I couldn't find sparklers. Of course, it makes sense they wouldn't sell fire stuff on a holiday celebrating the independence of a different country. Though, Wyb and Kati found a stars and stripes shirt on sale today so I bought it and put it on. That's as patriotic as I got. Woo!

Jiska is sick and we're supposed to be going to London on Wednesday morning!! I hope she gets better soon. I'd hate for her to miss out or even be really sick on the bus. I don't want her to push it either and then have a bad time/get herself even more sick. We'll find out more about that later.

Also, our couchhost in London isn't responding to us. He approved us but we don't know how to get to his place. And it was so perfect too!! Damn.

Prank status: Muahaha. I walked foamboy to the train (I need to get a better nickname for him) and when I got back boytoy was in the kitchen with Wyb and Kati, eating dinner and watching friends with the door closed. I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner but when the show was over they started washing dishes so I went to boytoy's room where his door was open. I threw his pillow in his freezer. Hid his phone. Stole his keys and hid them in my pocket. THEN he started wondering where I was. "She's not in her room... HEY!!" And came after me. He even searched me and didn't find his keys! Hehehe so I quickly went to my room and hid them. Then he realized I had his keys and came running down the hall to get me. But I'm too quick! I locked my door and he was screwed. Good night. Very good night.

I only have a few days left until my bet about the two weeks with my sister is over. It doesn't really matter for two reasons, though. First: I will be out of the country and thus away from boytoy so I'd have to wait until I was back anyways. Second: Marcel and boytoy have a bet that boytoy can't go without for 3 weeks. But due to something between boytoy and I, it's been extended another week. Hah! And Aww...

- This lover, not a fighter (hah)

Uhm... postponing the fourth of July???

Yes. Though for the record I did wear red, white and blue today. Which might've been more effective if that wasn't also the colors of whole bunch of countries, Holland included. Anyways, not many people were up for it so we decided to do the whole grilling thing another day. Tomorrow we will be lighting sparklers and stuff. Because what is fourth of July without fire?

Instead we did this cool thing for dinner tonight. It was four of us: Wybren, Kati, Rins, and myself. Rins and I were in charge of picking out ingredients for dinner and making dessert, Wybren and Kati vice versa. Rins and I decided to pick the most random things we could find. So we gave them ground beef, pancake mix, tomato sauce, fresh basil, coconut milk, apple sauce, and potatoes. They gave us apples, pineapple, coconut in a can, pastry dough, cinnamon, orange juice, and ice cream. They made meatballs fried in pancake batter made with coconut milk rather than normal milk (which came out really yummy) with potatoes in a basil tomato sauce and apple sauce on the side. We stuffed the pastries with apple, pineapple and coconut that had soaked in orange juice with a bit of cinnamon. It was really yummy all in all! And what a fun concept. We're going to make it a thing I think.

Tonight I learned how to ride my bike with someone on the back! Yaay! I'm becoming more Dutch each day.

Well, early morning tomorrow. Slaap lekker!!

- This semi-patriotic girl

Water gun, fan clubs, and a lack of foam.

The foam failed. When Jiska and I got there last night it was just in time for another round of foam (and to get totally drenched) and then they ran out! It looked like the party was about to fizzle out too. But when they got the fog machine working and the DJs kept the music going hot, it picked right back up again.

I then managed to get my hands on a water gun. Hehehehe I started a water gun war. Which meant I had the water gun forcefully removed from my posession...multiple times. Interestingly enough I became quick friends with the guys that I initially squirted with water. And when I say "squirted" I mean I drenched them. Jiska and I found a ledge to dance up on against the wall (since we couldn't dance on the bar) and it was then that she pointed out to me the guys constantly bringing me drinks and refilling the water gun for me.

"I think you have a fun club."

Yea she might've been right about that. It was a lot of fun though. At some point while dancing up on the ledge though, I fell. But not like "oh shit! Are you okay!?" kind of falling, but more like "wait...did you just fall?" It looked like I had just stepped off (it was a little less than a meter high). I kind of laughed a bit and then got right back up, making sure not to slip off this time. (What foam there had been made everything a bit slippery.) I did hurt my tail bone though, I think it's bruised. Ow.

While dancing a bit above the crowd I made eye contact with this one guy. He gave me a sweet smile and I returned it, still keeping in beat with the music and dancing. I made a few more flirtatious eye gesture, things and then stepped down, walked toward him, grabbed his sunglasses off his shirt, put them on, then continued to walk out of the room. He followed me. For starters I'm super impressed I didn't stumble while doing that or screw up being the clutz I am. We got to talking for awhile and went out for a walk. 

Speaking of Monday, it's my countries independence day: 4th of July. I'm thinking of buying some sparklers and poppers, getting stuff for hotdogs and hamburgers and getting the flat together for a bit of grilling and some fun outside. It's a good excuse to drink some beers, play with fire and be outside.

Boytoy's mum also has a new student for me! I get to meet him on Monday, as well, in the morning. (So much to do Monday!) Maybe I can get foam boy to join us for 4th of July stuff.

Prank status: this morning my door frame had tape all across it, making it quite difficult to get into my room. (Especially still being a bit buzzed.) And there was tape on my shower head! I saw that one though before I turned the shower on. Go me. Then I found out his room was unlocked so while he was asleep I went into his room, sprayed his clothes with my perfume, taped his shower head, taped his toilet seat down, and threw his underwear and socks and shoes in the freezer. I had some catching up to do.

Though for whatever reason he's being super cold and kind of ignoring me right now. Ugh. He says it's "nothing" and he "doesn't want to talk about it", oh but "it has nothing to do with" me. So he much rather push me away, not even talk to me, look at me, or acknowledge my presence. Yay! Whatever. The tape he placed at my door frame works wonders for holding up a sign saying:

"Fuck off Ollie"

- This still uses HTML coding girl

Something to get used to, I guess?

Never in my life have I ever been told "I love you" that many times in one night. Alcohol + girl from another country...

The accent thing was loved and I guess you could say I definitely dance like an "American". Also, all the guys I danced with tried to kiss me. The last guy was super persistant and would follow me around the dance floor! Aside from that, I liked dancing with him. He was charming in a quirky way and actually knew how to dance! Though, after boytoy, the whole tipping me part of dancing had me especially nervous. I mean... the foam comes waist high; tip over and your covered.

So the general consensus is: foam parties are a lot of fun. If you get tired of dancing with the guy you're dancing with or want to change up the pace: you throw foam on him. Then the foam battle begins!! You get pretty gross and sticky though. And you should stop worrying about your hair as soon as you walk in because from the moment you enter you are now pulling off the "sexy wet hair look". So take advantage of this moment to whip around your hair and run your fingers through it all sexy like... and stuff.

It was definitely nice to get out and party and dance! I haven't been dancing in a while and I was starting to crave it. (Also was feeling pretty cooped up in the flat.)

Time to wash my clothes and eat some food. Got another foam party tonight!

- This dancing queen

For the record...

Weirdest couple ever.

One minute we're most literally wrestling down the hallway, the next we are in the kitchen teasing the $%@# out of each other. (Kitchen is my territory, so he has to be "nice" to me. Duh, kitchen, women. I rule there.)

Currently I'm in the middle of a bet with my sister. She thinks I can't go more than two weeks without sex. She's wrong. I can. But she told boytoy about our bet and now he's made it his mission to tease me any chance he gets. (I'm already a week in, by the way.)

Assume the position!* CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!

Two can play this game. Hehe...

- This super horny girl

*When associated with "challenge accepted", the aforementioned position is similiar to that of a super hero: feet more than shoulder width apart, hands on hips, chest out, and head tilted slightly up and to the side.