NONstopppp

    Wow wow wow...where do I even begin. I have been crazy busy the last 3 days...yet it is all worth it. Orientation, meeting my abroad group, lunches, dinners, canal cruises, biking, walking...EVERYTHING.

    The big realization of this week is that BIKING is a way of life here. "Bike till i DIE..." says the dutchh. Regardless if its raining, freezing cold(all the time), 1am drunkk..., work, school...everyone is fucking BIKING! Soo...yes...I have a bike, a very nice shiny new one...that looks exactly like the 30 other peoples bike in my abroad group. Im sure you can imagine what thats been like...trial and error. Highlight: I managed to eat shit the first night I got my bike. Fell righttt off, or should I say flew...Im still alive though. O, and that same night me and 3 other people got LOST, and I mean LOST for an hour trying to bike home. The cool thing about Amsterdam is that no matter what time of day it is there is always people out. So luckily we were able to ask for directions multiple times. The fact that there is always people out gives me a sense of security, no matter what I feel safe, even if Im biking home at night. Needless to say I am learning the city, and freshening up on my directions...its such a satisfying feeling when you reach your destination without getting lost. Making it home on my own without looking at a map is pure joy!

    Yesterday was my first relaxing day, and I was able to go check out the farmers market that is 2 blocks away from my apartment...every SATURDAY! It was amazingggggg!! Cheese...fresh bread, veggies, herbs, trail mix, more cheeese, more breadd, and cheeeeseee. Samples galoreee! I also had my first dutch pancake..interesting. Its basically a crepe...but not folded. It was alright..
     Besides my food exploration, and farmers market escapedes, we managed to find a LEGIT bar. Reminded me of LA...but what came first..amsterdam or LA? It was a whole scene...Lots of dudes with dreds...all the bartenders were tatted...playing damion marley and people under the stairs...lots of beer...couldnt get any better. I will definitely be going back...unfortunately I dont know the name...but i do remember where it is, so thats a PLUS.

    So the real fun begins tomorrow...SCHOOL TIME. Its about time to get my edumacation..I swear im going brain dead. I highly advise NOT taking 2 months off of classes...gotta stay sharp! My first class tomorrow is already cancelled because the professor is ill, so I dont have class untill 6 tomorrow. Call me crazy, but im sooo EXCITED to go to school!!! WOOO! I just hope it doesnt rain anytime soon...i really dont want to bike in the rain. Oo yea..and a little lesson on Dutch Culture...they believe in an egalitarian society..which means no matter what everyone is equal. Regardless of your profession, race, sexual orientation...everyone is equal. And this means even for your superiors...its ok for students to call their professor out on something..should be interestingg!! Im ready for the dutch schooling system..

Wish me luck..
<3 J