Gouda, The World Cup & Brussels

It has been awhile since my last posting and a lot has happened! I went to Gouda this past weekend and got to make cheese and visit a cheese farm. I learned a lot, and have to say that cheese is sort of gross - but so delicious! I won't get into the gory details, but let's just say that cheese goes through a process that would make anyone second guess their love for it! Later that day I got to check out a bunch of windmills along the beautiful Dutch landscape. It was a hot day in Holland, and I felt lucky to get to see more of the country and get out of the city.

Holy Holland Hell! The World Cup! Okay, so obviously they lost - but the lead up was incredible! I've never seen so much orange in my life! The singing, cheering and all around love for the game was intense! We watched the game in this corner where there were about 4 bars that had a shit ton of people outside. Our professor hung out with us, and we all just got tipsy off many beers and the energy of the crowd. What an experience to be in Holland while they were in the World Cup! I love the social aspect of this game, and wondered what it would be like if we in the states engaged in more public social events rather than sitting in our living rooms all the time...

Yesterday we got to visit Brussels. It was a short day trip, but got to see the European Parliment and visit a historical museum. The parliment was reallly interesting because we had a speaker who was very knowledgeable on all aspect of this form of government. I really enjoyed the museum because we were exposed to many local artists and had a guided tour with a lot of histrorical references. Sometimes the history of places can be so overwhelming, to know that some of these paintings were from the 15th century just blows my mind.

Okay, got to get back to my studies (yes, I am studying abroad in case you forgot... I did!) and all I can say is I'm happy that Utrecht is coming to an end. I am so ready for a weekend in Paris with my friend Ruthy and then home sweet home!

Amsterdam

Finally made it to Amsterdam two nights ago, and boy did we have a good time! There were four of us and we went in the late afternoon/early evening, so weren't able to see any of the famous museums. Although we did get to check out the "sex museum"which was pretty funny! Natasha was our unspoken tour guide since she had been able to check it out one day, and led me, Tim and Andrew around the city center. It was just like I had pictured, canals, cool tall skinny buildings, and of course lots and lots of "coffee"shops and sex shops.

We walked through the red light district, and not exactly knowing what to expect - I was shocked on how beautiful the women were. Although I have seen prostitutes before, these women were in clean rooms, looked fairly clean (whatever that means), and were just hanging in the doorway almost naked waiting for some action. I think that it's cool that they are regulated and I assume are in safe situations. Although I could not imagine what it would be like to have that as my career!

We drank lots of beers, partook in some coffee shops and mostly just had fun hanging out in a new environment. We caught a late train back, and didn't get home until 2:30a.m. So for embracing my inner old lady!

I finally rented a bicycle!!! It is so fun, and a girl in our group found a place that rents them for 25 Euro a week! I cruised around all afternoon, and a friend Trae and I went to meet our professor (Pendras) for beers. It was just the 3 of us, and we had a great time just talking and debating about different topics. It is so nice to have a professor who is willing to spend time with you and just open up about ideas and opinions. Thanks Mark!

Embracing My Inner Old Lady

Last night the Netherlands played in the semi World Cup game... it was going to be crazy. It was going to be fun. It was going to be something not to miss... yeah, I went to sleep at 8pm while everyone was out and slept for 9 hours. It was incredible! Ha! All I can say is that I am at a point in my life where I know good and well if I can go out and "have a good time"- and last night, I knew that it was time for me to take advantage that everyone would be out late, and I could finally get some peace and quiet for a full night's sleep. Guess what? I did, and it was great!

Obviously I missed out on a pretty amazing experience, but at least I can still check it out this weekend when the stakes are even higher! Maybe I'll even get an orange shirt? Maybe not. I've never been much of a "fan"of any kind, and although I am excited to check out all of the shenanigans this weekend, I still don't think I'll give a crap if they win or lose. Hey, that's just me.

Other than being an old woman, I had a nice walk into town this morning watching all of the residents biking and walking into work. The small shops in my neighborhood where we're staying were just getting started - putting out all of their produce and arranging their goods for display. I had a good quiet walk that felt like one of those experiences that you will always remember, but no one will quite know what you mean. I love observing and having silence, and it was wonderful to have that this particular morning.

I met up with my professor, Dr. Pendras this morning. He has taken the time to meet with us all individually to speak about observations, feelings and topics for our papers due when we get back home. It was really refreshing to have that one on one time, and he is such a nice and intelligent person. He discussed with me the multicultural citizenship and identity issues that Europe vs. the U.S. may have in common. It was really interesting to have him point out that I told him that we were in a segregated neighborhood, he asked, "why do non-white neighborhoods have to be labeled segregated?". I understood his point, although there are plenty of good reasons why non-white neighborhoods are called segregated, to always point that out just perpetuates those stereotypes. Meaning, to start off with "white"being the starting point for where "good"standards begins isn't necessarily helping the situation.

Okay, enough for now... time for class and perhaps Amsterdam this afternoon.

xo

Utrecht University

Back in Holland and had our first day at Utrecht University summer course of "European Culture and Identities" today. Just an in ital introduction, but it was cool to see all the other students in the course. We are made up of 3 schools from the states and a couple of schools from China. There were a group of really cute tiny girls from Hong Kong sitting next to me, and were very sweet!

Student housing is good, not great - but decent. We at least get our own room, and it seems like the dynamics of our group are going well. I think that there was at one point a moment or two that we were going to hurt each other, but we made it through and celebrated the 4th of July on the rooftop with beers and blunts (hey, it's legal here!).

Thoughts so far are that my feet are very mad at me, I currently am working on 4 blisters and a mother of a blister. Thanks flat Asian feet, you suck! Also, study abroad is tougher on my body physically and emotionally than originally anticipated... but I guess I sort of expected that. Lastly, I will not go out of the country again unless I can share it with Greg. He is the best travel partner (and partner in general) ever, and I miss him so much!

Other than that, GO NETHERLANDS!!! World Cup Baby!

Torino, Italy

Well, I have officially been on my European adventure for just about a week now... The flight over was actually not too bad, I had an exit row seat and sat next to one of my fellow travelers from school. Note, exit rows are awesome - but super cold! I was having a hard time sleeping because that window seat next to the door is very chilly. Anyhow, we arrived at Schipol airport and mad our way to Utrecht. Utrecht is a midevil city that is quite beautiful with canals, old architecture and and tons of bicycles... I mean thousands of bicycles! There are special lanes for them, and everyone rides them. Very cool!

We arrived in Turin on Tuesday morning, and have been walking all over the city. My poor little feet are so sore and swollen, but seriously not complaining - I'm in Italy for goodness sake! Turin looks like an Italian city (probably because it is) and there are many good looking and stylish people all around. My professor has a colleague from when they were doing their Phd who has been showing us all around. He is this big bearded, long haired Italian guy who smokes like a chimney and is awesome! He is very smart, funny and has a great Italian accent.

Last night, our whole group splurged on a local restaurant recommended to us by our guide that was supposed to be really great local cusine. It was fabulous. Just the table alone was covered with breads, cheese, wine, and it looked straight out of a movie. It was a four course meal that consisted of bread and procuitto, raw veal in 3 forms (I tried not to think about the poor little baby cow who was sacrificed for my indulgence), this amazing ravioli with bacon and butter (holy cow, it was the best ravioli ever!), and then veal stomach with potatos and carrots. I hardly made a dent in the last portion, and the raw meat was quite an experience... but it was really delicious! Our bill was 450 euro, but was well worth the ambiance and experience.

Ciao!

European Itinerary

As many of you know, I am setting off for a month long adventure to study abroad through my Urban Studies Program at UWT. There are 12 of us going, along with two professors who I really admire. I am beyond thrilled to have this opportunity, and am set off to leave today.

Greg has been my number one support throughout this whole school experience, and I just have to say how lucky I feel to have a partner who is so encouraging for me to fulfill these life experiences to the fullest! Thank you Greg for all the support and love that you give me. I will miss you so much.

My parents have also been my biggest fans, and I know that they are so proud and happy for me to be pursuing my dreams and without their love, support and endless advice - I would not be the person that I am now. I love you Mom and Dad, thank you for being the best parents in the world!

Okay, so my itinerary:

June 26: arrive in Amsterdam

June 26-28: Utrecht

June 29: fly to Milan to Turin

June 29- July 3 Turin

July 3-16 Utrecht University

July 16-20 Paris

I'll keep y'all posted on the upcoming adventures, misadventures, and all those ups and downs that come with traveling!

xoxo

Arizona and Immigration

Yesterday Arizona passed a bill that will use their police force to determine whether or not someone looks like they may not be a U.S. citizen. Police will now have the authority to pull over persons who look like they are an "illegal" immigrant and ask for their paper work to prove that they are "legal". So now, all persons in AZ who are legally "allowed" to be here have to carry around their paper work at all times. Sort of reminds me of Nazi Germany. Why don't we just tattoo them to make sure?

As a naturalized citizen of America, I already have received attitude from other people that I wasn't American. It is the sentiment that if you are not white, you must not be American. I have friends who are born here in the states, and still get questions like, "Where are you from?". I know that these types of questions are often innocent, but they do add to the attitude that only white Americans are considered U.S. citizens.

My issue with Arizona's law is that it only promotes racial profiling based upon the color of your skin. This in my opinion is unconstitutional and violates civil rights. To determine who looks like they are "legal" and who is not is completely ridiculous since they both look exactly the same. If I had to carry around my naturalization papers with me everywhere I went with the fear that at any time I could be questioned would be awful. That would make me feel like a second class citizen, and only create more boundaries within our country.

A friend pointed out that there is no such thing as an illegal human being. And based on the fact that our country relies heavily upon undocumented workers, I find it interesting that people in this country have such strong opinions in regards to them being here. First off, the jobs that many of these undocumented workers are doing are the jobs that no U.S. "citizen" would want to do. Not for the pay anyway. I have yet to see fellow citizens standing in line to pick fruit or work in a slaughter house for low pay and no benefits. Instead, I see them standing in the unemployment line waiting for their government hand out, complaining about their mortgage they cannot afford because they live out of their means.

Summer Travels and Dinner with my Family

This summer I am lucky enough to travel for an Urban Studies field experience program. The program is only one month long, but will give me 12 credits toward my degree. We will fly into Amsterdam, visit Turin, Italy and do most of our studies at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands. We have a couple of weekends off, so I plan to see Berlin and perhaps Brussels. Then, to end our studies, some of us will extend our trip down to Paris for a few days.

I don't have to tell you that I am beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to do this, not just because of the chance to once again visit Europe - but also the possibility of some first hand experience of studying old world cities that still function today. As I get further into my degree, I find myself extremely interested in aspects of Planning, Policy, and Sustainability issues within cities. I think that this program will enhance my learning, and hopefully give me guidance to where I would like to continue on for grad school.



Last night, Greg and I got to visit with my family in Olympia for dinner. It was my Dad, both brothers and their partners, and two of my Aunts. We had such a fabulous time, I love my family and enjoy their humor tremendously. We laughed, told stories and it made me realize how important it is to make the time and effort to cultivate my relationship with them. We are lucky in the sense that there is no holding back in my family. We say whats on our minds, and we accept one another for who we are. Couldn't ask for anything more from a family. xoxo