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Monday, May 7, 2007
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Just Short of a Bushel...
"A handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains."
Dutch Proverb
"Most men pursue pleasure with such breathless haste that they hurry past it."
Dutch Proverb
"Most men pursue pleasure with such breathless haste that they hurry past it."
Soren Kierkegaard
"I never failed once. It just happened to be a 2000-step process."
"I never failed once. It just happened to be a 2000-step process."
Thomas Edison
"Genius is eternal patience."
"Genius is eternal patience."
Michelangelo
"It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link in the chain of destiny can be handled at a time."
"It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link in the chain of destiny can be handled at a time."
Winston Churchill
"There will be a time when loud-mouthed, incompetent people seem to be getting the best of you. When that happens, you only have to be patient and wait for them to self destruct. It never fails."
Richard Rybolt
“The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.”
Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy
“He that can have Patience, can have what he will”
Benjamin Franklin
"There will be a time when loud-mouthed, incompetent people seem to be getting the best of you. When that happens, you only have to be patient and wait for them to self destruct. It never fails."
Richard Rybolt
“The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.”
Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy
“He that can have Patience, can have what he will”
Benjamin Franklin
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Friday, April 20, 2007
When Dreams Become Reality: From Banality to Novelty and Back Again
What does it mean to “live the dream”?
Dreaming, in contrast, implies wanting to extricate yourself from the murky banality of life – striving to escape, make a change, or simply exist on a plane above the rest of the poor boring people you see at the corner store, bus stop or sitting at the desk next to yours. Even the word “dreaming” inspires imagery of verticality, being higher than the world, in whatever manifestation of heaven that works for you…
But to live the dream means suddenly those aspirations and your golden higher plane of being become just that – everyday life. One is forced to remind themselves that this – this life, this boring, annoying, mundane life of purchasing sustenance, finding a roof to live under, people to socialize with – is actually the dream we once so intensely desired. Then what are you left with? Must you alight upon the next dream - something bigger and better, newer and shockingly unique, or perhaps even something nostalgic and quant – to get you through your sudden ordinariness?
This manner of living will eventually lead to nothing – a fancy resume, friends that are more acquaintances than friends (who are themselves rushing from dream to dream without stopping to enjoy the commonplace), and the constant inner dialogue of “wouldn’t it be amazing if…” or “remember when we used to…” or “I hope someday…”.
Is that really what we’re dreaming for?
Do we, in fact, want to live our dreams? It suddenly seems grossly inappropriate. Living is for life, the beautiful, surreal, ugly and unnoticeable parts all thrown in together, mushed up so you can’t determine what is what. This is not to say we should move through life without ambition, or even without dreaming. This would lead to stagnation and no “moving through” at all. But perhaps a clear mental separation between life, dreams, and what one can expect to derive from the other. If continue to dream of living the dream, then no matter what life entails, it will always pale under the shadow of our dreams.
Monday, April 2, 2007
Monday, March 19, 2007
Please Press the Button for at least 4 Seconds
Viva Roma! My first trip out of Holland this year and my first real time back in Italy since 2000! It was incredible - full of laughs, good conversation, beautiful weather, an amazing city, amazing friends, and of course... the best food ever! I think the best and/or only way to really to explain the weekend is by way of photos (surprised anyone?)
Next morning, in a daze, we greeted Sergi and prepared for our first full day in Rome! After a much needed nap and lunch, we went for a personally guided tour of Filippo's neighborhood...
Then it was out for more amazing food, and great jazz in one of the coolest little jazz bars I've ever been to.
That gets us to Friday, I think... That morning Allison and I went on our long awaited Italian shopping-spree, while the boys collected another weekender, Leoni, from Switzerland. That afternoon... we have our first gelato!! Even after literally over a week of contemplation and discussion, it was hard to choose!
Then Sergi and I left the girls in the Piazza Novana with their newly procured bubble-gun and went for a walk, over to the Pope's castle and meandered through some of the smaller side streets. I couldn't help but marvel at how small and familiar Rome suddenly seemed... last time I was there it was big and scary. This time, it was just another city, and an easy one to manage at that.
That night: repeat. Beers at our favorite little bar on the Campo dei Fiori, another fabulous meal that left us all stuffed and hardly able to move... then onto the bars! We went back to the same neighborhood we'd explored Wednesday night. At some point, we decided to look for a place nearby to go dancing... a decision that ultimately led us into an hour or more of walking around Rome by night, asking random kids where there might be a club in the neighborhood, finding one at 3:30 that was already closed, and finally stumbling back to the apartment, tired, happy, and looking forward to the next day.
By Saturday the group is complete - at long last Sandra had arrived the night before, just in time to join us for the dinner and late night bar-crawl-turned-walking-tour-of-the-city. We started the day right, as tradition demands, with coffees and pastries at the nearest bar.
Stopped off at the market to buy a ridiculously expensive giant lemon with a 4 cm peel (which Sergi carried around for the rest of the day and which quickly became our Roma mascot)...
This lemon, by the way, has been sacrificed and candied, and now sits in a container in my freezer. Yummy.
That night: repeat. Amazing home-cooked meal of seafood pasta and greens, all groceries bought that morning in the Campo. By far the best meal of the weekend. Out again, for one last hurrah, to a super hip club in what looked like an old wine cellar somewhere on the other side of the city. At some point in the early hours of the morning, we wander out of the club hoping to cab or bus it back to the apartment. No such luck! Eventually one cab passes by, and half the group jumps in. Sandra, Sergi and I opt to pound the pavement, and many tired foot-steps home, after probably the best hour (I'm deluding myself into thinking we could not possibly have walked longer...) spent in Rome, we were home again!
And finally, Sunday, the last day of an unforgettable trip... too short of course, ended with a hectic and almost disastrous experience at the airport (still trying to find the humor in it), and then we were back in Holland. Greeted by inane signs above the toilet (see Title, above) and HAIL. No shit. Hail. After four days of sun and warmth, we knew we were home.
Our first night Allison and I could barely hold a conversation we were so excited. If anyone would have heard us on the train from the airport they surely would have thought we were completely crazy (and they would probably be right, actually). Poor Filippo, had to deal with two crazy American girls in Rome... He rose to the occasion, as always! We dropped our bags at his amazingly located apartment in the center of the city (near Campo dei Fiori), went to one of our first incredible meals in Rome, and then out to go bar hopping...
The night ended up something like this... This photo was taken AFTER the Brazilian bar... enough said. Fun times.
Next morning, in a daze, we greeted Sergi and prepared for our first full day in Rome! After a much needed nap and lunch, we went for a personally guided tour of Filippo's neighborhood...
Then it was out for more amazing food, and great jazz in one of the coolest little jazz bars I've ever been to.
That gets us to Friday, I think... That morning Allison and I went on our long awaited Italian shopping-spree, while the boys collected another weekender, Leoni, from Switzerland. That afternoon... we have our first gelato!! Even after literally over a week of contemplation and discussion, it was hard to choose!
Then Sergi and I left the girls in the Piazza Novana with their newly procured bubble-gun and went for a walk, over to the Pope's castle and meandered through some of the smaller side streets. I couldn't help but marvel at how small and familiar Rome suddenly seemed... last time I was there it was big and scary. This time, it was just another city, and an easy one to manage at that.
That night: repeat. Beers at our favorite little bar on the Campo dei Fiori, another fabulous meal that left us all stuffed and hardly able to move... then onto the bars! We went back to the same neighborhood we'd explored Wednesday night. At some point, we decided to look for a place nearby to go dancing... a decision that ultimately led us into an hour or more of walking around Rome by night, asking random kids where there might be a club in the neighborhood, finding one at 3:30 that was already closed, and finally stumbling back to the apartment, tired, happy, and looking forward to the next day.
By Saturday the group is complete - at long last Sandra had arrived the night before, just in time to join us for the dinner and late night bar-crawl-turned-walking-tour-of-the-city. We started the day right, as tradition demands, with coffees and pastries at the nearest bar.
Stopped off at the market to buy a ridiculously expensive giant lemon with a 4 cm peel (which Sergi carried around for the rest of the day and which quickly became our Roma mascot)... This lemon, by the way, has been sacrificed and candied, and now sits in a container in my freezer. Yummy.
Then on and up to the top of St. Peter's, listening to Filippo's insightful and completely unbiased comments about the Vatican and the Pope, and the wonders the Catholic Church is accomplishing in Italy.
That night: repeat. Amazing home-cooked meal of seafood pasta and greens, all groceries bought that morning in the Campo. By far the best meal of the weekend. Out again, for one last hurrah, to a super hip club in what looked like an old wine cellar somewhere on the other side of the city. At some point in the early hours of the morning, we wander out of the club hoping to cab or bus it back to the apartment. No such luck! Eventually one cab passes by, and half the group jumps in. Sandra, Sergi and I opt to pound the pavement, and many tired foot-steps home, after probably the best hour (I'm deluding myself into thinking we could not possibly have walked longer...) spent in Rome, we were home again!
And finally, Sunday, the last day of an unforgettable trip... too short of course, ended with a hectic and almost disastrous experience at the airport (still trying to find the humor in it), and then we were back in Holland. Greeted by inane signs above the toilet (see Title, above) and HAIL. No shit. Hail. After four days of sun and warmth, we knew we were home.
Sigh. Luckily, I only had three days until Hana arrived, and I was off again to Barcelona...
Thought for today: I need to find another word for amazing.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Spring is in the Air!
Well, on the fourth straight day of sun, things are certainly looking up! Here's a brief reprise of goings on in The Hague since I last posted anything of significance:
I'm moving! Decided that my place, although cute, cozy and perfect for dinner/movie parties, was just too expensive (i.e., I want to be able to travel more while I'm here, and need the funds...). So I found another studio in a more central location (now that we're going to be hanging out at the beach more, which is 5 minutes from current place) and will be moving in soon! So please hold off on sending your belated birthday gifts until I provide an address update...unless you're giving cash, in which case please contact my on location banker (my dad).
Tulips and all manner of other bulb flowers are blooming! I nearly caused an accident (with myself) on Friday night as I was biking to the bar downtown... I passed the same train tracks I pass every morning and every afternoon, but that night, I noticed something different - bursts of daffodils popping up everywhere. It's hard to hate a city that has daffodil lined train tracks!
I'm beginning my month of travel! This weekend I'm headed to Rome to stay in the house of a friend, located right in the heart of the city near the Campo dei Fiori (where there is a flower and farmers market every morning, heaven!). Then the weekend after I'm meeting Hana in Barcelona, and, well, I'm not sure I'll ever want to leave...
The skies are blue and the weather is warm (14 today). I know this is redundant, but it deserves special mention! I am continually amazed by the effect sun can have on moods - the first sunny day, people were literally smiling and laughing walking up and down the halls (basement halls, mind you) at work.
Speaking of work, it continues to improve! Getting some real assignments now, and even more importantly, I feel (*a little*) like I kind of might know what I'm doing, on a good day...
Please don't be too grossed out by my severe over-use of the exclamation point... I promise I won't continue to abuse it, but things are pretty good right now. After all, spring is in the air!
I'm moving! Decided that my place, although cute, cozy and perfect for dinner/movie parties, was just too expensive (i.e., I want to be able to travel more while I'm here, and need the funds...). So I found another studio in a more central location (now that we're going to be hanging out at the beach more, which is 5 minutes from current place) and will be moving in soon! So please hold off on sending your belated birthday gifts until I provide an address update...unless you're giving cash, in which case please contact my on location banker (my dad).
Tulips and all manner of other bulb flowers are blooming! I nearly caused an accident (with myself) on Friday night as I was biking to the bar downtown... I passed the same train tracks I pass every morning and every afternoon, but that night, I noticed something different - bursts of daffodils popping up everywhere. It's hard to hate a city that has daffodil lined train tracks!
I'm beginning my month of travel! This weekend I'm headed to Rome to stay in the house of a friend, located right in the heart of the city near the Campo dei Fiori (where there is a flower and farmers market every morning, heaven!). Then the weekend after I'm meeting Hana in Barcelona, and, well, I'm not sure I'll ever want to leave...
The skies are blue and the weather is warm (14 today). I know this is redundant, but it deserves special mention! I am continually amazed by the effect sun can have on moods - the first sunny day, people were literally smiling and laughing walking up and down the halls (basement halls, mind you) at work.
Speaking of work, it continues to improve! Getting some real assignments now, and even more importantly, I feel (*a little*) like I kind of might know what I'm doing, on a good day...
Please don't be too grossed out by my severe over-use of the exclamation point... I promise I won't continue to abuse it, but things are pretty good right now. After all, spring is in the air!
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Who Knew?
| I am a Jam Cookie |
 On the outside, I project a straight-laced, innocent vibe. But on the inside, I'm complex, exotic, and full of flavor. |
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Life is Beautiful
Running on the treadmill last night, and on a whim changed up my music.
Suddenly, I was back in Kings Canyon on the back of my brother's motorcycle, flying through the mountains, completely at peace, having the time of my life with someone I love and admire, and so happy to be alive.
This memory was intense... I really can't describe how it affected me, physically and emotionally. Thank you brother!
Suddenly, I was back in Kings Canyon on the back of my brother's motorcycle, flying through the mountains, completely at peace, having the time of my life with someone I love and admire, and so happy to be alive.
This memory was intense... I really can't describe how it affected me, physically and emotionally. Thank you brother!
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
The Best Part About Working for the U.N.
Is not the fancy lastname@un.org email address (which is pretty cool, I have to say), but the posters hung up by the bulletin boards and water coolers (which were infected by some random bacteria, to complement the asbestos):
"What You Don't Know Could Get You Kidnapped or Killed."
Amazing.
"What You Don't Know Could Get You Kidnapped or Killed."
Amazing.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Some of my New Favorite People
Me and ALLISON!!!
Clockwise from top left: Jerome, Janusz, Sandra's brother, Gustavo, Sandra, Filippo, Melodie
Filippo, Janusz, Sergi, Gustavo
Clockwise from top left: Allison, Marleis, Maria, Melodie, Me, Filippo
Filippo and Sergi
Melodie and SandraLike Sands Through the Hour Glass
(Don't worry, I'll spare you the soap opera flash-back rant)
But really, that's how I'm feeling at the moment. Time here is completely sped up and intensified to the extent that each day feels like a week, and each week a month. New friendships spring up and in a matter of a few hours or one night you feel like you've met your new best friend... Normally this might be worrisome, but we are ALL operating on the same crazy extreme time-space continuum... making it somehow all very secure feeling.
Perhaps this won't make sense to everyone, but I have really been thinking about this a lot in the past few days. A friend left for Paris on Friday night, and was afraid everything would be different when he gets back next Sunday. He's been here 9 months, so I trust he knows what he's talking about... everything can change in just a week, and it's true. Last Monday I was in a completely different place that where I am now, and I know that in a few days this will change as well. In the one breath, I am talking with brilliant people about genocide and international politics, and in the next, am planning a trip to Rome or the weekend's big meal...
It's exhausting (am actually at home sick today, my body is rejecting certain aspects of this life) but exhilerating at the same time. Really, to sum it all up, incredible.
Thought for Today: It's all about the silver lining.
But really, that's how I'm feeling at the moment. Time here is completely sped up and intensified to the extent that each day feels like a week, and each week a month. New friendships spring up and in a matter of a few hours or one night you feel like you've met your new best friend... Normally this might be worrisome, but we are ALL operating on the same crazy extreme time-space continuum... making it somehow all very secure feeling.
Perhaps this won't make sense to everyone, but I have really been thinking about this a lot in the past few days. A friend left for Paris on Friday night, and was afraid everything would be different when he gets back next Sunday. He's been here 9 months, so I trust he knows what he's talking about... everything can change in just a week, and it's true. Last Monday I was in a completely different place that where I am now, and I know that in a few days this will change as well. In the one breath, I am talking with brilliant people about genocide and international politics, and in the next, am planning a trip to Rome or the weekend's big meal...
It's exhausting (am actually at home sick today, my body is rejecting certain aspects of this life) but exhilerating at the same time. Really, to sum it all up, incredible.
Thought for Today: It's all about the silver lining.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Dawning of the Age of Aquarius
Our (2nd) Favorite Meglomaniac Celebrates his 65th Birthday
Get out your red shirts people, it's time to party!!!
Get out your red shirts people, it's time to party!!!
Monday, February 19, 2007
...pause...
Reading today about "a loader, an excavator, and a dump truck" that were ordered to dig mass graves.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Almost Almost 30...
As I began the first full day of my 27th year, I had the same early morning thoughts that are becoming frighteningly frequent - should have said no to that last drink, cigarette, dance, bar, cookie... you name it, I was pretty much done with it. But, as the daze of the previous night's festivities began to wear off, I was struck by the absolutely amazing opportunities I've had over the past 27 years.
Perhaps I should explain with slightly more context - I meet someone new at least 3 times a day. In the process of throwing myself into this crazy, intense and wildly exciting expat-intern life, you hear yourself talking about your life as though it were perfectly normal, and seeing the reaction of your new friends helps contextualize things a bit.
Here are a few of my favorites:
Perhaps I should explain with slightly more context - I meet someone new at least 3 times a day. In the process of throwing myself into this crazy, intense and wildly exciting expat-intern life, you hear yourself talking about your life as though it were perfectly normal, and seeing the reaction of your new friends helps contextualize things a bit.
Here are a few of my favorites:
- "Oh totally... Mormons are wierd... yeah I know, I am one... well, a reorganized one anyway..."
- "Well we wanted to go to the rodeo after my mom's wedding at the Howard Johnson, but we couldn't get tickets, so we went to the casino instead..."
- "In California we use the word "biernted" to describe this sensation."
- "Then as we were leaving the temple, I threw the sandwhich at the monkey before he attacked me."
- "This one time back on the farm..." (a particular favorite)
And a few other things I am especially thankful to be able to tell people about:
Seeing Ban Ki Moon, the new Secretary-General of the UN: (props if you can find me in this picture)
Swimming with one of these
Meeting beautiful and inspirational women in the most unexpected places
Swimming with sharks here 
Coming from a family of amazingly strong and slightly crazy women with beautiful feet
Travelling to the ends of the earth and back with people I love intensely
Cassiopia, my level 42 Night Elf Druid (don't really talk about her much, surprisingly, but think about her ALL THE TIME)
Getting "Goosed!"
I guess I'm just saying that I've had a good run thus far, and I'm excited about what's to come...
Monday, February 5, 2007
Normalizing
I've been here now almost a month. In my fourth week of work I have some real assignments, some real friends and colleagues, and am getting very real enjoyment out of being a part of the ICTY community of lawyers. Attended a lecture last week on "The Principle of Humanity" presented by lawyers who have been working in the field over 40 years. Very exciting stuff!
It hasn't taken me long to adopt the role as "the hostess with the mostess," and have already had 1 movie night and 1 dinner night, with more in the planning stages. I've found out where the "Chinatown" is, and where the Turkish market is, but have yet to find a Saturday free to visit. Perhaps this weekend... and then will come the real dinner nights...
And herein lies the problem - this Friday night is shaping up to be my first venture of of Den Haag and into the crazy wilderness of Amsterdam. A good friend from Argentina is going to be visiting, and a bunch of kids from work have all expressed interest in tagging along for the ride. So suddenly, Saturday morning food shopping trips are seeming less and less likely.
Normally it wouldn't be a problem to loose a day of the weekend, but one thing that has certainly taken some getting used to is the commercial schedule of this country. EVERYTHING closes by 6, every night of the week except Thursdays. The only exception to this is the grocery store, which closes at 8. So if you get out of work at 5:30 or 5:45, there is time to run about 1 errand before everything closes down. Furthermore, except the clothing stores in the center, everything is closed on Sundays as well. Basically, all shopping must be done on Saturdays. Saturday mornings preferably, as the market closes around 3. And since the last two Friday nights have ended around 6 on saturday morning, you see why this can be a problem.
But as it's the only problem so far, and is a minor one at that, I'm not that upset about it.
People probably have been wondering if the paucity of blogs and emails lately has come as the result of an unfortunate biking accident. Not true! I am very happy to report that the biking goes well. I now can't stand to be without it for more than a day, and my good friend finally got hers as well, so soon we will be non-stop biking machines. Hip Hip...
It hasn't taken me long to adopt the role as "the hostess with the mostess," and have already had 1 movie night and 1 dinner night, with more in the planning stages. I've found out where the "Chinatown" is, and where the Turkish market is, but have yet to find a Saturday free to visit. Perhaps this weekend... and then will come the real dinner nights...
And herein lies the problem - this Friday night is shaping up to be my first venture of of Den Haag and into the crazy wilderness of Amsterdam. A good friend from Argentina is going to be visiting, and a bunch of kids from work have all expressed interest in tagging along for the ride. So suddenly, Saturday morning food shopping trips are seeming less and less likely.
Normally it wouldn't be a problem to loose a day of the weekend, but one thing that has certainly taken some getting used to is the commercial schedule of this country. EVERYTHING closes by 6, every night of the week except Thursdays. The only exception to this is the grocery store, which closes at 8. So if you get out of work at 5:30 or 5:45, there is time to run about 1 errand before everything closes down. Furthermore, except the clothing stores in the center, everything is closed on Sundays as well. Basically, all shopping must be done on Saturdays. Saturday mornings preferably, as the market closes around 3. And since the last two Friday nights have ended around 6 on saturday morning, you see why this can be a problem.
But as it's the only problem so far, and is a minor one at that, I'm not that upset about it.
People probably have been wondering if the paucity of blogs and emails lately has come as the result of an unfortunate biking accident. Not true! I am very happy to report that the biking goes well. I now can't stand to be without it for more than a day, and my good friend finally got hers as well, so soon we will be non-stop biking machines. Hip Hip...
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
So Where do You Stand?
Check out this website and report back:
http://www.politicalcompass.org/questionnaire
Any guesses on where I landed?
http://www.politicalcompass.org/questionnaire
Any guesses on where I landed?
Friday, January 26, 2007
Outstanding...
I was just informed that the ICTY has a gift shop - and what's best, I can browse online! This is great news for Friday at 4:00 p.m.!
Here are a few of my favorite items:
Stimulate your memo writing with an ICTY Mousepad!
Here are a few of my favorite items:
Stimulate your memo writing with an ICTY Mousepad!
ICTY Swiss Army Knife (don't worry, this is not an indication that the UN is preferential to the Swiss)
A U.N. Teddy-bear Key Ring (a must have for your special someone this Valentine's Day)
Long lines at the airport? Tired of security check hassels? Get your very own U.N. luggage!
And finally, for those of you (us?) who like to abuse various substances...
An Interesting Article
That might help some of my loved ones who are trying to quit smoking or manage physical pain...
In Clue to Addiction, a Brain Injury Halts Smoking
By BENEDICT CAREY
Published: January 26, 2007
An injury to a specific part of the brain can instantly and permanently break a smoking habit, scientists reported.
In Clue to Addiction, a Brain Injury Halts Smoking
By BENEDICT CAREY
Published: January 26, 2007
An injury to a specific part of the brain can instantly and permanently break a smoking habit, scientists reported.
What I'm Working on Today...
So, in the midst of meeting new people, exploring The Hague, and general merrymaking, here is a taste of what I'm doing today:
Reading about:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Srebrenica_massacre
In connection with this case:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vidoje_Blagojevic
What were you doing in July 1995?
Tought for Today: This is a good reminder of why I'm really here.
Reading about:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Srebrenica_massacre
In connection with this case:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vidoje_Blagojevic
What were you doing in July 1995?
Tought for Today: This is a good reminder of why I'm really here.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
What Kind of Fuckery Is This?
Highlights: Snow! Biking! ICC Lectures!
Lowlights: False alarm re: Shakira concert. She is playing a concert next weekend in The Netherlands...but it's sold out, and the scalpers are asking upwards of $100 for tickets. BOOOOO! So close, yet so far away...
Lowlights: False alarm re: Shakira concert. She is playing a concert next weekend in The Netherlands...but it's sold out, and the scalpers are asking upwards of $100 for tickets. BOOOOO! So close, yet so far away...
Monday, January 22, 2007
Suffering from Negativituscontactus Humanus Syndrome
Symptoms Include:
Pangs of loneliness and homesickness (ouch!).
Brought on By:
General lack of physical human contact combined with nine hour time differences from friends who wake up too late and go to bed too early.
Suggested Remedies:
Drinking, dancing and eating in the company of others.
Pangs of loneliness and homesickness (ouch!).
Brought on By:
General lack of physical human contact combined with nine hour time differences from friends who wake up too late and go to bed too early.
Suggested Remedies:
Drinking, dancing and eating in the company of others.
Weekend Update
So I survived my first "real" weekend in The Hague. Last week at work was slow - several people were out of the office, and most people expect it to take a week for phones, computer, and other various bureaucratic mechanisms to be set in place. Luckily for me, this was all taken care of early in the week, so I had lots of time for contemplation of a variety of interesting topics.
After everyone had been forced to stay in Thursday due to stormy weather, Friday night people were rearing to go out. After several hours of arm twisting, I hesitantly agreed to join them. Going out drinking is not really my style, but I wanted to make some friends... A few hours (read: drinks) later, we were wandering around the center of town, a small Korean intern on her child-sized bike leading the rest of us on a search for the bar where we'd meet up with the rest of the interns. (A note on the bikes - Dutch bikes are notoriously large for most non-Dutch persons.) It took awhile to track down, likely due to the fact that said bar was hidden up a small alley, nearly buried under construction materials and scaffolding. Inside was cool - live jazz music and cheap drinks. Who can ask for anything more?
Not me, apparently. Saturday morning, after a long stumble home, was spent watching "The Rise and Rise of..." marathon on MTV. I was oh so disappointed to find out I'd missed the first half of Shakira's special, damn that last shot of whiskey! By 6 the headache had subsided enough for me to face the harsh reality of grocery shopping with the rest of the city in the small, poorly stocked grocery store I frequent. So much for a day exploring the town center! I got cozy with my couch, more MTV, and had an early night.
Sunday, fully recovered, I headed out with another intern to explore Delft, a smaller version of Den Haag about 30 minutes away by tram. Being Sunday, everything was closed, but there was a cute town square, I bought my first pieces of Dutch kitsch, and stopped into a cafe for a lovely cup of tea (chose "no" on the Jägermeister shot option).
So, that's about it... not very exciting to say the least. It's hard to get used to being bored (relaxed?), but I think somehow I'll manage, as long as I can run fast enough to avoid the hail.
Oh yeah, I bought a bike, and appropriately enough, today is garbage day. Scary.
Things that are entertaining to me today (in no particular order):
After everyone had been forced to stay in Thursday due to stormy weather, Friday night people were rearing to go out. After several hours of arm twisting, I hesitantly agreed to join them. Going out drinking is not really my style, but I wanted to make some friends... A few hours (read: drinks) later, we were wandering around the center of town, a small Korean intern on her child-sized bike leading the rest of us on a search for the bar where we'd meet up with the rest of the interns. (A note on the bikes - Dutch bikes are notoriously large for most non-Dutch persons.) It took awhile to track down, likely due to the fact that said bar was hidden up a small alley, nearly buried under construction materials and scaffolding. Inside was cool - live jazz music and cheap drinks. Who can ask for anything more?
Not me, apparently. Saturday morning, after a long stumble home, was spent watching "The Rise and Rise of..." marathon on MTV. I was oh so disappointed to find out I'd missed the first half of Shakira's special, damn that last shot of whiskey! By 6 the headache had subsided enough for me to face the harsh reality of grocery shopping with the rest of the city in the small, poorly stocked grocery store I frequent. So much for a day exploring the town center! I got cozy with my couch, more MTV, and had an early night.
Sunday, fully recovered, I headed out with another intern to explore Delft, a smaller version of Den Haag about 30 minutes away by tram. Being Sunday, everything was closed, but there was a cute town square, I bought my first pieces of Dutch kitsch, and stopped into a cafe for a lovely cup of tea (chose "no" on the Jägermeister shot option).
So, that's about it... not very exciting to say the least. It's hard to get used to being bored (relaxed?), but I think somehow I'll manage, as long as I can run fast enough to avoid the hail.
Oh yeah, I bought a bike, and appropriately enough, today is garbage day. Scary.
Things that are entertaining to me today (in no particular order):
- Chavez to U.S.: 'Go to hell, gringos!'
- The "Dungcam, tortoisecam, and bouldercam" shots on BBC nature shows. Nothing like watching a lion cub walk around pushing a camera disguised as a pile of elephant dung.
- The pink tulips I bought on Saturday!
- Having to decide between Clinton or Obama...
Friday, January 19, 2007
Thursday, January 18, 2007
My Sincerest Apologies...
...to all the drunk frat boys out there, especially those who frequent Marina bars. I didn't meant it, I swear...I was grumpy, having a bad hair day, and well, you know how it is... I certainly didn't mean to insult your strength, amorous abilities, or any other manifestation of your collective manhood... So, now that we're cool, stop with the hurricane already! (Oh, just from CNN, not technically a hurricane, just hurricane force winds - 113km/hour in Amsterdam).
I think I picked up some psychic abilities during my aura healing last weekend in Golden Gate Park, because as I wrote the posting this morning I thought to myself that karma would probably come after me with worse weather after my rant this morning. And so it has - trains in Holland have stopped running, air traffic is interrupted, co-workers are stranded or leaving work early to get home safely. Those with bikes (ha ha, not me!) are worried about the blustery ride home. Trees have been overturned. It's chaos.
So naturally, I did what any Californian would do in such a situation. Left work early, bought two bottles of wine, a package of cookies and a cell phone card and holed myself up in my apartment to wait it out and watch the BBC's "The Death of Yugoslavia."
We'll see how my "severe weather indicator" holds up over the night - the plastic bag stuck in the side of the building across the street.
Thought for Today: My doomsday clock stopped ticking...
I think I picked up some psychic abilities during my aura healing last weekend in Golden Gate Park, because as I wrote the posting this morning I thought to myself that karma would probably come after me with worse weather after my rant this morning. And so it has - trains in Holland have stopped running, air traffic is interrupted, co-workers are stranded or leaving work early to get home safely. Those with bikes (ha ha, not me!) are worried about the blustery ride home. Trees have been overturned. It's chaos.
So naturally, I did what any Californian would do in such a situation. Left work early, bought two bottles of wine, a package of cookies and a cell phone card and holed myself up in my apartment to wait it out and watch the BBC's "The Death of Yugoslavia."
We'll see how my "severe weather indicator" holds up over the night - the plastic bag stuck in the side of the building across the street.
Thought for Today: My doomsday clock stopped ticking...
End of Week 1 (Almost)
I woke up this morning on the wrong side of the bed (figuratively speaking, of course). Perhaps it was the gale force winds battering rain against my windows that did it. Or the other list of things I mentally complained about as I got ready (was going to include said list here, but it just sounded pathetic). I delayed as much as possible getting out of the house, examining the various hair products I'd brought, enjoying a second cup of coffee, watching a cat across the street play with rain drops on the window, etc. But finally I couldn't delay any longer, and stepped out to face the forces of nature. Which were actually quite small - similar to a drunk frat boy in the Marina, there was a lot of big talk and nothing to back it up. A few gusts of wind (at one point I thought it was the train approaching, but no, it wasn't) and no rain. The Dutch are amazingly ambivalent to the weather - saw a woman riding her bike in a skirt suit and pumps. I'm not sure I could do that even on a calm summer day.
So anyway, shockingly enough, I made it to work. It's Thursday, and I have a short assignment for today. Yay! I'll also probably have lots of time to brush up on useless trivia for quiz night at the bar tonight, which is apparently loads of fun and not to be missed. It's amazing how I'm already looking forward to the weekend. Playing grown-up at work definitely gets old after a few days at the office!
Thought for Today: I'm glad I brought 5 hats.
So anyway, shockingly enough, I made it to work. It's Thursday, and I have a short assignment for today. Yay! I'll also probably have lots of time to brush up on useless trivia for quiz night at the bar tonight, which is apparently loads of fun and not to be missed. It's amazing how I'm already looking forward to the weekend. Playing grown-up at work definitely gets old after a few days at the office!
Thought for Today: I'm glad I brought 5 hats.
Monday, January 15, 2007
ICTY - Day 1
I work in a basement. A smelly basement. In a fluorescent-lit room across from the bathrooms and an industrial sized shredder. This, I've been told, is where all legal officers start their careers at the ICTY. Deep breath (through the mouth to avoid the stink), here goes nothing.
My fellow basement dwellers include 2 men - an Italian and a Mexican, and 7 women - a German, Swiss, Russian, Dutch, Indonesian, Canadian and one other American. Everyone is friendly and welcoming, and there is already talk of a happy hour get together later this week. Drinking foreigners. I like.
But apart from the smelly basement and maze-like building (more on this later), the day has been pretty cool. I have an official UN security card, and, the best part, I got a UN email address. Awesome. My supervisor took me out to lunch, and is friendly, helpful and I think will be a great resource. Same with the other interns I'll be working with directly (the Swiss and Italian).
No real work yet (hence the new blog), but I presume enough will come shortly.
Thought for today: Worried about getting a bike and crashing it into garbage bins.
My fellow basement dwellers include 2 men - an Italian and a Mexican, and 7 women - a German, Swiss, Russian, Dutch, Indonesian, Canadian and one other American. Everyone is friendly and welcoming, and there is already talk of a happy hour get together later this week. Drinking foreigners. I like.
But apart from the smelly basement and maze-like building (more on this later), the day has been pretty cool. I have an official UN security card, and, the best part, I got a UN email address. Awesome. My supervisor took me out to lunch, and is friendly, helpful and I think will be a great resource. Same with the other interns I'll be working with directly (the Swiss and Italian).
No real work yet (hence the new blog), but I presume enough will come shortly.
Thought for today: Worried about getting a bike and crashing it into garbage bins.
Beginnings - The Hague
Well, after much prompting by friends and family, I have officially started a blog. Ideally this will take the place of mass emails and other random postings, giving you the freedom to ignore me, or stalk me, at your leisure.
So, welcome. Or, I should say, welkom.
I arrived in The Hague with little trouble, although wondering if I really did need that last pair of shoes I shoved in my bag, or the second purse, or necklaces... but either way, I arrived safe and sound, if only a little road weary. My landlady is a scatterbrained Englishwoman who gave me tea and biscuits, talks a mile a minute and told me to sleep and she'd be back later for a chat.
The rest of Saturday was largely spent lying on the couch, sleeping, drinking tea and watching BBC. I finally got up the energy to exit my cute, cozy little studio (all white decor and no oven, and you have to step through the shower to get to the toilet, but otherwise no complaints) to buy myself the first real meal I'd had in what seemed like days (actually, just 1 day, and I'd eaten on the plane, but you know how it feels...) Found the grocery, bought a few supplies, and holed up once again at 35 Blois Van Treslongstraat.
Sunday, was, appropriately enough, a sunny day! Feeling like it was probably the one and only I'd see in a long time, I unpacked my bags, ate a quick lunch, and went to see if I could find the beach. All I had to do was wander 15 minutes up the street, and there I was, face to face with the North Sea.
And the entire rest of the city. Resolute to enjoy the day, we plodded along the sandy beach in a long column of couples, families, dogs and kite fliers. It was definitely the welkom I'd been hoping for.
Thought for today: I don't like saying "The Hague." It's too close to "the plague."
So, welcome. Or, I should say, welkom.
I arrived in The Hague with little trouble, although wondering if I really did need that last pair of shoes I shoved in my bag, or the second purse, or necklaces... but either way, I arrived safe and sound, if only a little road weary. My landlady is a scatterbrained Englishwoman who gave me tea and biscuits, talks a mile a minute and told me to sleep and she'd be back later for a chat.
The rest of Saturday was largely spent lying on the couch, sleeping, drinking tea and watching BBC. I finally got up the energy to exit my cute, cozy little studio (all white decor and no oven, and you have to step through the shower to get to the toilet, but otherwise no complaints) to buy myself the first real meal I'd had in what seemed like days (actually, just 1 day, and I'd eaten on the plane, but you know how it feels...) Found the grocery, bought a few supplies, and holed up once again at 35 Blois Van Treslongstraat.
Sunday, was, appropriately enough, a sunny day! Feeling like it was probably the one and only I'd see in a long time, I unpacked my bags, ate a quick lunch, and went to see if I could find the beach. All I had to do was wander 15 minutes up the street, and there I was, face to face with the North Sea.
And the entire rest of the city. Resolute to enjoy the day, we plodded along the sandy beach in a long column of couples, families, dogs and kite fliers. It was definitely the welkom I'd been hoping for.
Thought for today: I don't like saying "The Hague." It's too close to "the plague."
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