Since I have been living here, there are many things that I’ve had to get used to. For example, the toilets have no flusher, just a huge button on the wall. The light switches are upside down, so to turn on the light, the switch must be flicked downward. Instead of looking both ways for oncoming cars before crossing, you must look first for oncoming bicycles. In one day the weather can change from warm, sunny and cloud free, to cold, rainy and cloudy in two minuets and then back again.

The fashion is also something to get used to. In my first class this morning, I was embarrassed to find that out of the twenty-three girls in our International Fashion Management class, I was the only one not wearing heels. This is a problem that cannot easily be solved. I did bring high-heeled shoes with me of course, but the cobble–stone streets just are not looking too friendly. I still have yet to figure out how all the women here can thoughtlessly strut around in their heels without wiping out. Also, Dan and I were not pleased to find that no one here wears flip-flops. We honestly look like major geeks showing off our feet. Our Lacoste shoes and Chucks have been treating us very well.

Dan and I have also started making friends!! After deciding that all the other boys here are “crunchy” (our new word referring to the slicked back hairstyles . . . think Dep) we have scored a wicked group of fashionistas to hang with! Linda and Ann are from Germany; Heidi, Jenni and Salla are from Finland; and Christina is from France. All the girls are also exchange students, except for Ann who is just beginning her four years here at AMFI.

Hopefully I can figure out this camera crisis I’m in so I can start showing how great it is here! Not to mention what a cute town Diemen is and how cool (and extremely beautiful) everyone is. I have sadly resorted to a disposable camera and my new cell phone to take pics, which I faithfully used all weekend at the fair in Hoogarkspel and Westwoud. They are the two towns Kees, Annie, Kim and Crissy live between. But more about that later!!

I have finished unpacking my things in my new room. It is super big. In fact, it is the biggest room that I have ever owned. I love it!

The last post was actually written on Friday when I was stranded in the Newark Airport. I haven’t had great internet access since I left Canada until today, and I have been busy having fun, of course. Apparently blogspot.com doesn’t want to post any of my pictures that were included in the previous post. Also, my digital camera is officially broken, so any pictures I have taken since I have arrived are really really really bad quality, and it will no longer let me transfer them onto the computer. Everything is going well.

Yesterday I saw Amsterdam for the first time. It is so amazing! Kees asked me if I could picture myself living here for the next four months, and honestly, I totally can!! I’m a lot more comfortable than I ever expected. Yeah! (There has been a lot of cheering so far). So far I have been to a lot of bars, attended another town’s fair, been shopping (at H&M!!!), had the airport loose and find my luggage, went bike ridding, met a lot of really nice people, and finally moved into my own room.

For the next four months I will be living in a small town just outside of Amsterdam. It is called Diemen and it is super cute! I have my own room but I share a bathroom and a kitchen with Ralph, my roomie/neighbour, who is from Germany. He is super chill and I think we are going to get along quiet well. He puts the seat down too. Ralph gets points.

So I have jumped on the blog bandwagon just to keep all of you caring people updated while I’m living in Amsterdam. So far, I’m still alive. Just as a disclaimer, this blog will be updated throughout the duration of my exchange and no longer than that as I am planning to jump off the bandwagon as soon as I return to Canada. Also, Mark filled out my blogger profile, and created this awesome template for me.

I have included some before and after pictures of my room, which will now belong to Ivonne, my sub-letter and future roomie!

I was scared to being to tackle my room, which has probably only been dusted four times in the last twelve months.

But after dust-busting about 1000 dust bunnies, my room was clean and the excitement of my trip began to rebuild itself. It was a challenge to pack, since never in my life have I packed without the assistance of Meg. Next time you have to be there sis, there were too many tears.

Currently, I am stuck at the Newark airport, sitting at a small table in the corner charging my cell phone. (This is an example of how detailed the rest of my blog enteries will be no they won’t). Unfortunately, the wireless network will not allow me to do anything but surf the airport’s webpage. Oh fun.

There have been a lot of observations that I have made while traveling thus far. First, it really sucks when you have to pack for four months. I was charged $70 because my suitcases weighed 60 and 85 lbs, not the maximum 50 lbs. each. Some of this extra weight transferred into my backpack and now I have an extra carryon of 17 lbs, which will escort me throughout my travels.

Secondly, having your first flight delayed and your second flight cancelled really sucks. Thankfully, I was the first one in line to book a new flight and I will be arriving in Amsterdam tomorrow only four hours late. (I have decided to be ridiculously optimistic during this portion of my trip). I also get to transfer in Frankfurt, Germany now, instead of in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Thirdly, American’s eat horribly. Since I am stuck in the airport for five hours I have to eat something. So, I took a walk through the cafeteria to find every fast food place imaginable and a Starbucks. Starbucks did me well, but Charley’s Grilled Subs didn’t have much to offer other than lots of meat, lots of cheese, and lots of mayo (which I promptly omitted from my sub). Also, they only had white buns (boo), and the vegetable options consisted of lettuce, and tomato. It was a really good sub though.

The most exciting thing that has happened so far was my realization of how close New Jersey is to New York. While the plane was descending I casually looked out my window and to my surprise, had an amazing view of New York City and the Statue of Liberty. It took me a while to realize what I was looking at considering my lack of knowledge when it comes to geography. Even better, the beautiful view was followed by another, this time of the Golden Gate Bridge.

And that’s when I realized what an idiot I am and why I really needed to go on this trip.

I can’t wait to get to Europe.