Go away, damn it!

I've been sick now for 18 days. I finally went to the doctor yesterday and though Dutch doctors are notorious for not prescribing antibiotics (something that I am really happy about actually, I think those things mess with your system in bad ways), the doctor brought it up before I did. Her guess was sinus infection and based on the way the sinuses in my forehead feel (like they're pushing out from the inside), I'll agree. Today was day 2 of the meds and I can't say I'm feeling on the mend. Hopefully going to bed now, at 8:30, I'll wake up feeling like I have the energy to take a shower. Just couldn't manage it today.

But I did start in on a new show... Nathan Fillion (Mal from my favorite show Firefly) is in a new series called Castle. Apparently it's on its (notice the correct use of it's and its) 3rd season already. And it's Law and Order minus the boring court parts plus funny. I'm really enjoying it.

Oh, and in the meantime, I've also been down to Munich for the German christmas markets. When my energy returns, I'll post photos. It was lovely. Even if I did feel like doodoo the whole time.

Dutch Christmas

Yesterday Sinterklaas (also known as Sint Nicolaas or just Sint) and his helpers, the Zwarte Piet (black Pete), arrived into Ouderkerk via boat. Why did they come by boat? Well, because he's coming up from Spain (duh). And why are his helpers black? Well, some would say it's the soot from coming down the chimney (but then why isn't Sint black as well), some will say it's because they were originally Moors, I wonder if it has anything to do with the Dutch history of colonization... Whatever the reason, this is happening all over Holland.

And what exactly is happening, you may be thinking? Well, Sint and his helpers are arriving all over the Netherlands on different days of course because they have to go from location to location. And they are met with parades, families singing songs and children dressed as Sint and Piets - these completely in black face (I'm not kidding) (ever see the book Little Black Sambo) (I find it offensive, the Dutch find it offensive that I find it offensive).

I've digressed, they've arrived so that they can check to see who's been naughty (in which case you might get stuffed into a sack where Sint or Piet will pretend to kick you) or nice until present delivery day - December 5th. All this checking time, roughly 3 weeks, you leave your shoes by the fire (radiator) in the hopes of finding treats in the morning. Mmm, candy in my shoe, yummy.

David Sedaris does a great job of describing this bizarre holiday in his reading "6 to 8 Black Men." You can read the essay here on Esquire or listen to it via YouTube - this is video 1 of 3 and you don't really need to look at the video. He starts talking about Christmas at 3:38 and then Netherlands specifically around 4:30:

First visitor!

One of my cooking friends who I first met through the CookLight (magazine) bulletin board back in 2000 and then met in real life in 2001 just came out from Portland for a visit.

For those of you who've been to Portland, she brought with her Stumptown coffee and VooDoo doughnuts. They make a bar doughnut with maple glaze topped with bacon. Yeah, it is as decadent as it sounds. Go look at their menu, it'll make you want to go to Portland.

She also discovered Koan Float (careful, the website has really annoying music). Remember those sensory deprivation chambers of the 1970s? Being barely born, I, of course, don't, but sure I've heard of them. Well, that's what Koan offers you. A chance to float around in your own little pod of very, very salty water. Amanda landed (11 hour flight), dropped off her luggage and then headed straight into the city to go float. She says it was an awesome way to start her trip. I returned with her a few days later to try it myself. And yep, it's hippy, err, cool and it is relaxing. We determined 45 minutes is the optimal float time. We tried for an hour and got bored at the end.

We had grandiose plans of heading off to Mastricht or Delft, but there is so much to do and see in Amsterdam, that we stayed. Of course, this is for the best because this is also when I started to really feel bad. But Amanda was a trouper, coming home early with me and twice (TWICE!) she cooked dinner for us.

So here are her tips:
1. No need to bring cycling gear. No one wears it, you'll look like a dork.
2. When Em tells you to get off the train at Spui don't panic because you feel like you've been on the train too long and get off 5 stops too early, it'll make you late for your float.
3. There are many good (unhealthy) Dutch snack foods, but it's hard to define a Dutch meal.
4. Bring a pair of low/no heeled boots. You'll want them for the weather, cobble stones and fashion.
5. Bring a warmer jacket than you'll think you'll need and some sweaters.
6. Bring some Emergen-C (that's just for me though)
7. Bring plenty of room in your suitcase because there is a lot of cute stuff here.

What I've been up to

Man, it's been a while since I posted. In the meantime, I've gone to Moscow and back for October break. Here's my Amsterdam friend (yes, just a friend) Ian at the Kremlin



Here he is reflected in some really creepy record covers at Garage - a pretty cool modern art museum in an old bus depot:



They've removed the scaffolding from the facade of the Bolshoi Theater.

It's still not open, but we did go see the Bolshoi ballet perform, something I never did while living there. It was amazing, but as always, a bit too long with the excessive number of pas de deux. We saw Sleeping Beauty and some how there were 4 extra couples who danced - Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf, Puss in Boots and um, someone, Cinderella and her Prince and another couple that I can't remember. Bizarre and completely unnecessary.

I also got the chance to go inside a Dutch green house:


So many plants, and all machine operated. You would not believe.

I've been home sick the past two days and have been knitting like crazy - love it when these spurts happen. Hoping to finish a birthday set for my mom and get it shipped off next week. Oh and grades are due next week. I hate this time of year.

Sumo Background

I've switched the background of my gmail account to be sumo and this image popped up today. I ~love~ it. Whoever designed this background makes me laugh on a daily basis.

Utrecht

I wandered around Utrecht today taking pictures. I know that it's a small college town, but I didn't really get that feeling. Well, I got the small town feeling, but not the college town part.

It was really pretty:


And really sunny, making for some great shadows:


And some great non-graffiti




Being the Netherlands, there were of course bicycles and canals:






Occasionally there was the feeling of fall:


But also memories of Paris with flying butresses:


And gargoyles who cover their ears:


And random spitting lions:


Can you tell I had a great day?

Last weekend

Prague
Originally uploaded by Traveling Em

I went to Prague to visit D & S and their kids. We did a walking tour of the city and in the old town square there's an astrological clock. It dates back to 1410. That's 600 years, people. It was awesome. Of course, I have no idea how to tell the time, but it will also tell you the phase of the moon, the season, etc. It was super geeky and awesome.

The Russian Consulate

So I went down to the Russian Consulate today because I'm going for a visit in October with one of my new friends. Foolish to return so soon perhaps, but I miss my friends.

Anyway, I wasn't scheduled to teach classes until 12:30 and, according to their website, they start accepting applications at 9 am. So, even though the consulate is in the Hague and far enough from Hague Central Station to make the trip over an hour each way, I thought I'd make it back in time.

But in true Russian fashion, I show up and there are loads of people waiting and all the blinds are closed on all the windows. At 9:50, they open 1 (one!) window and every queues. I finally get to the front and they have the info from Moscow, but the forms they had online for me to fill out were not correct for this type of visa. So I have to go fill them out, front and back answering questions like where I went to uni, parents' full names and whether I have weapons training (seriously). I get back in line, finally make it to the front again (by this point it's 11 and I know I'm not going to get back to work in time and have already started sending frantic texts.) THANKFULLY she accepts both forms for me and Ian. Since he didn't sign the second, she kept his first as proof for the signature. Then I have to go to window 3 to pay. Of course, window 3 is just where you get the receipt, you actually pay in window 4 and for Brits it's 35 euros, for my USA passport it was 95! Bloody hell. And then I'm told I can come back anytime after Oct 8 to pick it up between 12 - 1; right, because that's convienent.

So I leave and finally make it back to Hague central station, take a train to Schipol (Amsterdam's airport) and from there a 40 euro taxi to work to make it 20 minutes late to my class. I should have just come on my old visa! But it seems as though all is going well and next Friday, Ian and I will get our passports back.

TGIF! (which we have every Friday in our staff bar)

What people do while riding their bikes:

So far, it seems to be similar to what American's do in the cars:

Apply make-up
Talk on their cell phone
Change songs on their music device
Eat from a bag of chips/crackers
Pull things out of their pockets
Drink a beer (hopefully this isn't happening in cars...)
Hold hands with another person on a different bike (ditto...)
Carry another 2 or 3 people (not always/usually children) on their bike

So far I've only done one of those things, probably the only one I will do. Any guesses?

House Warming - Check

Had my house warming. I'd invited some school folks and all the houses on my street. I did the latter by writing out invitations (in English) and then putting them in everyone's mailbox. I'd say around 15 neighbors came and around 20 staff. It was 20 wine bottles worth of people anyway and a really great time.

Here are some colleagues and some of the many flowers received (the next morning it looked like a wake...)



People standing around the food (those of you who have ever been to any of my gatherings know I tend to go crazy with the food. No exception. I spent 3 days preparing, making lists, checking them off, down to what would be served on which plate and it was a great success.):



And then people in the living room:



It appears that I only remembered to take photos after the Dutch neighbors left. I put an end time on the invite and the Dutch strictly adhered to it! Crazy. Next time (I'm thinking a winter holidays party, no end time!)

Nothing like a house warming

...to really kick you into gear of settling in. The house warming is Saturday and today the handy man came today to hang pictures, I made 60 meatballs and a tomato-bacon dip. Then, I cleaned the kitchen. Then I relished this moment. Of looking around and being surrounded by memories. Here, let me share.

As you come into the house and look to the right you've got the pictures that I got in Thailand when I went for a wedding. On the wall between the windows is a series of framed post cards bought at the MLK museum when A came to visit me in Atlanta. And of course on the sills, plants. I've got 2 orchids and 2 succulents at the moment. As well as a photo of my grandparents and parents.




This is even more bittersweet as the groom suddenly died a year later. (Thinking of you L and T!)


Here's A at the MLK memorial.

As we continue towards the kitchen, there's the paining by a college friend, beyond that is a framed Russian poster which always makes me think of Bree who is slightly addicted to them and a great travel/photography companion.



Here's Bree blending in in Boston:


As we turn into the kitchen there's another framed piece of Russian art work, this done by a former student, who wasn't Russian at all. Above the sink is a framed mushroom bought at an art auction for charity. Cliche, I know, but there was a nail already there and it's the right size. Of course what we also see is that my kitchen and knife racks are now hanging again. Something that's been a sight in every kitchen I've had. On the island is my Swedish fruit bowl.



Heading upstairs, there are the Russian photos from M and all my framed art deco post cards that I had done in Russia, though only a few of them are Russian. There's some from Alcatraz, Spain and Italy as well.



Here's M and I in Turkey with a great bunch of students:


And then we're in the bedroom. I should have moved the mosquito net more, but there's another piece by the college friend, a silk carpet on the floor, bedding from my trip to visit K&M in Bangladesh, at the foot of the bed a carpet made from the mom of my Swedish friends.



Yep, I love this part of moving in.

SAIL Amsterdam

I headed into the city this Sunday to catch SAIL. This is when hundreds of old, old sail boats from all over the world, like this Russian one:





descend on Amsterdam. It only happens every 5 years and I was lucky enough to be here already for it. There are SO many boats, I don't know how they avoid hitting each other:



Of course, with this many boats comes a lot of people:



So I didn't last at SAIL long. But I did enjoy wandering around the city. Stopped by a flower market:



.

Since living here I've also learned why many of the houses lean:


It's not because they're old and built on water (though they are). But it's intentional so that when the hook at the top is used with a pulley to haul things up, said big heavy things won't bump against the house on the way up. Genius.

Dear Self, Always wear pants!

When you decided to wear the lovely teal/green dress given to you by Mrs. C last year, it wasn't raining that hard. I know. But instead of wearing only your rain jacket you should have also worn the pants, or at least packed them! Then, about half way, when it was actually raining and you lap was covered in rain drops - yet still obviously drops - ie there were dry patches - you should have gone home and either gotten the pants or a change of clothes. Because just a few minutes later it really started raining. Arriving to school physically dripping with rain is not very professional. Thankfully it was only 7:30 and it seems most people don't arrive before 8. So you were able to park in front of the fan to dry out. But you don't really want to repeat this experience do you?

By leaving time, around 4, it was sunny. But, self, you still need to wear pants! Riding a bike in a dress leads to exposure, especially when it's windy along with sunny. And you're just not a good enough of a rider to hold your skirt with one hand and steer with the other, especially when it's really windy.

So self, please remember this day and always wear pants!

Nightmares

The classroom I moved into was chock full of cr4p. I spent my first "work" day cleaning it out. I've never seen more rubber bands in my life. The way I was getting rid of things you'd think I don't have an attachment to stuff.

But, then my shipment arrived...









And since then, I've been afraid to come home.

Did you notice those were only photos of the downstairs...

My bed was covered with clothes. Since then, I've filled a big box of clothes to donate (why, why, do I have so much?) and managed to fit the rest into my closet. The shoes are another matter, but I'm working on it.

I'm still working on the downstairs, but have managed to find homes for most of the kitchen gear with only getting rid of a few things (photo for add)


Ok, back to the organizing...

Oh, RIGHT, today was the first day of school for students! I only had homeroom. I've got a 12th grade class of 15. They all sat next to each other without me telling them too and obviously all got along... what a change that's going to be! I really like them so far and am excited to see them through the year.

As a 12th grade advisor, I'm automatically enlisted in organizing prom. At the first teacher's meeting we were told that we need to make sure that this year prom only has beer and wine... Yep, that'll be another change. Maybe the students will actually stay for the dancing here.

Another Night in Ouderkerk

Did I mention that part of our contract includes a gym membership?! It's one of those big fancy gyms, though not really "Globo Gym" like. So far I've only swam, Saturday and again this morning. We were told that the pool is through the sauna (the naked co-ed sauna). So I go and walk through the sauna, this takes you outside via a covered pathway into a large locker room. I walked through that, heading (I though towards the pool) but kept meeting doors with a red circle and a horizontal white line through the center - a "Do Not Enter," right?! Finally I stop to ask a much older woman who's showering, "Why can't I find the pool?!" Yep, it took me 8 minutes to find the pool. But I found it and swam.

...

Today was our first day of "work." It's still orientation though. My first impression is "pink." Seriously, the walls, the carpet, it's all pink. It looks like I'll have my own classroom, though I'll be sharing it with my head of department (HOD). It's up on the third floor (math departments seem to be always the furthest away).

After work, I went to buy a screw driver to finish assembling my new sofa (bed). Here's the new living room set up. In the lower right, that's the top of the newel post - I was standing on the stairs to take the photo:



And here's the couch pulled out into bed form - double bed side. Ready for visitors!



And here I am enjoying a post assembly glass of wine along the Amstel.


I was with new friends M & L. Here I am with L:

Long Way There

I went to visit a colleague today - one who I think will turn out to be a good friend. I ended up getting a bit turned around in Uithoorn (pronounced out-horn), so it took me a while to get there (1.5 hours). You can see the route on the map I attempted to create (why, oh why, can't you map a bicycle route on Google maps in the Netherlands?! Dude?!). The distance is about the same even though I took (what I thought was) the longer way along the Amstel River out and went through pasture land to get home. However, it only took an hour to get home and that was up wind most of the way. I have to say, my tuckas is not as sore as I expected.


View Ouderkerk in a larger map

I live top right, it's just starting to say Ouder...

Here's a couple of photos from the beginning of the ride.





Amazingly I didn't get rained on!

It's like being back in SF!

I went the gay pride parade today. In Amsterdam it takes place on a canal... of course. And in amazingly, one of my new colleagues lives on a houseboat, on the canal that the parade went along!! It was raining, so we could stay inside, dry, but be up-close and personal with the boats... and with the woman on the boat across from us who was an amateur exhibitionist... and not a very good one at that. She kept flashing the gay boys, silly woman.

Anyway, I know you want photos, so here you go:

From inside the boat looking out on the parade:


Gaymobile (taken just for Joy!), these guys are a bunch of builders apparently:


The best part was that most boats had choreographed dances! Fun! This isn't the best of them, but it's the only video I've got:



Is God your rainbow?



If so, are these your angels?


Looking up river at a Christmas float: