"In vacant or in pensive mood..." I am: Bekah; 24; Law Student / Favorite Things: Carbs (so there!), Johnny Damon, Smiling at babies, Grilled cheese, Comfortable silence / Favorite Supreme Court Justice: Brennan / Favorite Wilson: Owen by an inch / Today's Special: Song: Elliott Smith, "Bled White"; Quote: "You know, there's like a butt-load of gangs at this school. This one gang kept wanting me to join because I'm pretty good with a bowstaff." Please love me: mmbekah@yahoo.com

 
Romantic Balconies Yield Not-So-Romantic Views

My exams are tomorrow, so clearly I have chosen today to write one more hurried post. I am very excited to be done with classes, because that will leave me with 3 full days to enjoy the city unencumbered. Before I go begin my night of studying, I just have to comment on the whole balcony, big windows, apartments facing each other thing going on here in Amsterdam. My dorm is right across from another set of buildings, all with huge windows that are always wide open. I am essentially inside of my across-the-way neighbors room when I look out my window. I hear his phone ring, and I can smell his dinner. Now, I'm not a particularly private person, but this is a little disconcerting. It's like I'm in the movie Rear Window , except I don't have a broken leg and I haven't witnessed any suspicious murderer-like behavior...yet. What I have witnessed is a man in a decidedly ill-fitting speedo, an NYU theater student have a "freak out" during which he called his friends "total bitches," and a neighbor with an unfortunate affinity for blasting Mary J. Blige. Not exactly what I would call "quaint," and also not really the best studying environment. But somehow, I will prevail. One of my friends was voicing her nervousness about the exams to someone and he told her that she should probably study, but that it's really just in God's hands now. I know I'm relieved to hear that!

posted by Bekah at 8:45 AM :: |

 
Ten Insider Facts About Amsterdam

1. The majority of the population really does whistle while they work. I've never heard so much whistling. Although, come to think of it, no one really seems to work.
2. No one takes credit cards. Not even groceries. It's absolutely mystifying.
3. Every other person you see is American.
4. The babies are cuter than any babies in the entire world. White-blonde hair, pink cheeks, riding in a basket on the front of a bike. I'm getting teary.
5. When you order "beer," they bring you Heineken. Sweet!
6. The people on bikes are damn fascists. It's not safe to walk anywhere.
7. The Red Light District actually has red lights. It's not a figurative description, as I formerly believed.
8. The three X's (XXX) that are all over the city do not represent the rating of adult material. In fact, they represent the three plagues brought on the city, or something like that.
9. No one drinks coffee, but the city has a million "coffeehouses," thus explaining the phenomenon noted in #3, supra.
10. The yogurt is better than any I've ever tasted. Try the apple kind. It tastes like pie.

posted by Bekah at 9:50 AM :: |