I was (not) down at the New Amsterdam.

I was at the old. And what a marvelous marvelous city it was. I fell in love IMMEDIATELY. You walk around in a real-life fairytale. The architecture and beautiful canals of this city was absolutely perfect in my opinion. Not that I know much about it, but regardless.

I'm seriously considering moving.

I got to see KIM! Finally. It was so nice to see someone familiar. Someone I love and miss. The group got on well. Everyone was funny, my favorite thing.

The first day there we discovered we played our roles of tourists perfectly and signed up for the "Amsterdam at Night" guided walking tour. Baslio, our guide, walked us through the various places throughout the Red Light District. It was such a surreal experience. Definitely the most shocking of the weekend. Prostitutes sitting in perfectly lit shiny red windows, boxes essentially, just waiting for someone to buy their 15-minutes with them. While they wait they talk to the others just like them in the windows next door, upstairs. Many put on lip gloss. Many text message. I have never been so disgusted and intrigued at the same time. What a sad sad life. But perhaps some of them enjoy it? We contemplated paying one of them and just sitting and talking with her about life. But ultimately, decided it was probably not a good idea. Most of ours are not. Basilio takes us all back to St. Christopher's Christian hostel for shots of Jägermeister.

The next day we embark on yet another guided tour, this one much more wholesome. We eat everything in sight. Pancakes, apple pie. WAFFLES. Our eyes remained much bigger than our stomaches but we still managed to make it all fit. It was really kind of gross.

We walk it off a bit and then head off to sample some some more local specialties at Baba, one of many coffeeshops. Immediately after, we ventured to the Van Gogh Museum. It was very very interesting. It was an experience.

Later that evening we walked around in circles searching for the Anne Frank House, where she hid from the Nazis during their occupation of The Netherlands before being captured. This too is where she wrote her infamous diary. It was the most incredible thing I've ever seen. Everything remains in tact perfectly. It was amazing.

Hans met us! If you remember him from one of my first posts, you already know that this added to the craziness of the weekend and in what manner.

OF COURSE we did a canal cruise too. It was sweet. Overall perfect perfect perfect weekend. Back to reality. Not really though.

Today was my last day of "school". I've taken some finals. They're surprisingly difficult. I don't really understand how they don't teach but test you on things. A few more ahead, but will be totally done in the next week. It's quite weird actually and we are all beginning to realize that this is all coming to an end. Emotions are running high these days for reasons unexplainable. We will miss each other. But we also miss our friends back home. We miss our families. We are told everything will change once we get back. We are more warned than told. I think we are nervous to find out. What exactly will change? Will we have changed? Will you? We shall see.

And the Weather's So Breezy, Why Can't Life Always Be This Easy?

HEY! Long time no see. My bad. I suppose it doesn't need to be pointed out that my enthusiasm for blogging is dwindling. Meh. But I'm getting yelled at by Kim pretty regularly and I'm determined to not portray myself as fickle as I know I truly am, so I'm back... with a vengeance. Look forward to multiple entries on a weekly basis!!! Time is literally flying. Well not literally, but you know. Today we had our "Goodbye Party" for the all the foreign kids at school. We got certificates and everything. It was so official. It was really quite sad though. I was just getting settled in.

all us exchange students.

The past weeks have been unbelievable. That's really the only world I can come up with. Everything I see and feel and love, that is all pretty tough to put in words. The weather has been (for the most part) a perfect 20 Degrees. Celcius that is. Got to love that metric system. Perfect beach weather. It would be a shame to let that go to waste. I think of all you boys back at home each time I walk around looking for my place in the sand. You would love you some lovely french beaches because in France, only bottoms are necessary. And only bottoms are worn.

So we sunbathe all day and our bodies overheat and so we think we can buck up and brave the Mediterranean, but its still just shy of swimmable so we go back and enjoy a few mores hours of sun; maybe cocktails and dinner follow. It's a hard life. Somebody's got to live it.

We went sailing a couple weeks ago, which was absolutely AMAZING. Of course we thought we were going to die, but whatevs. It was focing awesome.

Other than that, just been exploring. Everyday is a new adventure. Their is no routine. Except of course for Wednesday evenings at my favorite favorite favorite nightspot, La Gaffe. The Blah Blahs never do me wrong, with a perfect 3-set lineup each night. My absolute FAVORITE part of the week. Hands down.

Life is going to be like a slap in the face once we all get back. A straight beating actually. I don't even know what school is. I get pissed if they make me do anything here. Papers? Projects? Homework? We've actually been getting some recently...I don't even understand...Totally cramping my style.

In other news, I'm staying a bit longer than expected. May 12th has turned into May 28th!!

Oh and about March. It was wayyyyyy fun. Full of everyone and everything I adore. Especially this adorable little man.
That's all for now!

I'm off to Amsterdam on Thursday. Be back Monday. Report back then.

Peace in babies.