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