Monday, July 31, 2006

Going back to Cali

You know you are back in Northern California when:


1- the sea is freezing cold but there are still people on the beach.
2 - there are bible quotes on the bottom of the best fast food.
3- you overhear a Chinese woman and a gay guy talking about driving out to the Midwest to see an Indian woman who thinks she is the reincarnation of Ganesha. (sorry no picture available)

Saturday, July 29, 2006

Japan's Primetime TV Is So Much More Entertaining

You guys have to watch this.

Friday, July 28, 2006

My Island

Bled, Slovenia. Very nice, I swam in the lake and rowed to the island, two years ago. Now that's an island!

Thursday, July 27, 2006

My Island


We're going down...


Yesterday we celebrated the birthday of a friend of mine, Ditte. She held a party/picknick in a park in Utrecht. Around five I arrived and we had a great time eating and drinking (Everybody drank rosé and other alcoholic beverages, except for me and Katie (she had to drive). We drank Ginger Ale (oh yes!)). It was me nonetheless who made a real fool out of himself. After I had demonstrated how I could put my legs in my neck and other small-acrobatic tricks, a friend challenged me. I had to sit on my knees, place my elbows against my knees and my hands stretched out forward. Then she placed a small cork right in front of my fingertips. After that I had to withdraw my arms and put them behind my back (you have the right to be silent...). Then I had to tip over the wine cork with my nose. The philosophy behind this all was to demonstrate that this was something that girls can, but boys cannot do. I wanted to prove otherwise, but I couldn't. I nearly tipped over the cork, but instead of succeeding, I (and not the cork) tipped, over the cork, and crashed on my head. That is why I have a bump on my head now, just above my left eye.

Imagine what would happen to me if I would have been drinking... I really think I was born drunk...

Monday, July 24, 2006

Its too darn hot

See that? That my friends is what 105 F degree weather did to a candle at my aunts house! I'm dieing here. I know all you southern europeans are laughing at my complaints about hot weather but I seriously can't leave the house today. We went to the beach on Saturday; it was amazing. I total agree with Dave that one of the big positives of being home is how large things are, the beach streched forever with little vacation shacks and palm trees dotting the hillside. I really forgot how cool the west coast can be... And how hot! I actually have a tan... now all I need is blond hair and I'd be the quintessential Californian.

Sunday, July 23, 2006

If It Makes You Happy It Is Good For You

Here I am in the land of plenty and the home of dynamism. Need I say that I'm energized to be home? Driving on open Ohio roads through rolling green hills with the Smashing Pumpkins as my soundtrack.... ahh it feels good to be home. 5 bucks for a meal (2 pounds fifty for you Europeans), free refills, and no trafffic jams!

Anyhow, I'm working at home for now as I look for jobs in Ohio's capital city, Columbus. Europe was awesome, of course, and I expect to be back before year's end. Everytime I come home I notice new differences about life here in the US, this week being no exception. As much as I like having trains in every town, an abundance of bicycle paths, and vibrant city centres, not having those things adds an element of freedom that just isn't present in Europe. Maybe its the vast amounts of space, perhaps its our live and let live culture, or I maybe I'm deluding myself, but I think a road trip in the US would best explain my feelings. So, I encourage all of you to come to the US someday and find out for yourselves. And don't just stick to the big cities; rent a car and be random. As much as my country is talked about, it must be experienced to be understood.

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Meine Fahradreisen entlang den Brienzsee
















Not as long as the Netherlands bike trip but this one had hills. About 40 km around the lake. Amazing scenery. Sorry guys, but Switzerland is by far the most beautiful country in Europe that I have seen. If only we could combine the Swiss alps with Dutch canals and Mediterranean beaches.

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Home again

I'm back home, halfway across the world! Anyone want a postcard?

Friday, July 14, 2006

Goodbye Holland!

I've spent more time here than I have spent in Chicago. And I've eaten more stroopwafels than I can count. Ah well, here comes Italy!

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

It slides down your throat...


I moved back to Utrecht today. And I started working again as a bike messenger (yes, I cycle for money hihi...). It made me finally realise that I am home, and York has been. We will never live together again. It made me sad, but it also strengthened my belief that we can and should keep in contact. Because it would be a shame if we wouldn't see each other again. So keep on posting and we'll plan a visit to Italy next summer, where Chiara will entertain us.

Sunday, July 09, 2006

Amsterdam

Hello everyone! I'm in Amsterdam with Dave beside me on a computer to the left and Lisa on one to the right. The city has been amazing. The more I am here the more I want to stay. I think this country has had a lasting impression on both Dave and me. I won't be suprised if we both end up moving here. If we could learn this crazy crazy language! (the music in the background on the internet cafe is the 'your beautiful' song Emiline used to do!). We all visited Leiden on Friday and Erik toured us around the city in his row boat. There was a windmill; but not a clog or puffy dress in sight. There was an crazy boat parade with drunken dutch people and boats dressed up; one as an island, another was a ghostbusters car. The dutch seem to be good at taking the piss out of each other as random people on their boats or the side of the canal would shout out jokes about our humble little craft. Amsterdam has been nuts. We went to the red light district (not as scary as I thought it would be but no where I'd want to hang out). The Anne Frank house held a lot of meaning for me and I cried through most of the tour. At the end of the tour near the exit was an exhibition asking yes or no questions about what the audience thought (they voted through buttons placed on the seating area) of free speach, the right to privacy, and different human rights questions in the context of current events. It was interesting to see how the audience and how all the vistors the museum has had have voted. The canals lead me to day dream, the water shines with the sun, the boats make the whole city seem so relaxed. Thats all for now :)

Saturday, July 08, 2006

Ik ben een Stroopwafel

Wednesday, July 05, 2006


Mijn fietstoer van Utrecht naar Rotterdam. Roughly 70-80 km, 6 hours of cycling, and 2 hours of sleeping in Museum Park before I arrived at my destination. I'd like to do Utrecht-Maastrict but that may be beyond my abilities at the moment.

Evil Airport Payphones

100 dollars. That's how much it cost to call my friend to check my email so I could write down the address of my hostel. Why was I calling to have a friend check my email? Because the internet phones at Amsterdam airport would go to any website but my university's webmail. Unbelievable.

Monday, July 03, 2006

Sin Sin Berlin

I wish I had a more exciting post but here it is Im in Berlin with Lisa and Joanna and Im sick! Again. Bah. So far Ive really loved the place, everyone has been so so nice and the weather is amazing. The World cup is still going strong and with the exception of the Brazilian roomates everyone is really happy about the outcome so far in Germany. Though I miss Fulford Ive found out my allergies were caused by the weather in York. Weird. I'll update more when i get out of the room : )

Sunday, July 02, 2006

Uffffffff! I have a bad relationship with computers!!

Somebody help meeee!!
I'm trying to edit my profile but without any result..how can I add a picture?
I'm still in York.. there is an English flag on the minster!! Unbelievable!!
Italia!!! Italia! Italia!!
Dai dai dai!!!