Ik wil Poffertjes: How will I ever catch up?

I cant. I just wont be able to catch up.

Beverwijk and its amazingness of photos that I took will have to wait until tomorrow, but I can start by talking about the things that have happened over the past two weeks.

...lets see....

Two sundays ago...We went to Beverwijk again (after the original time with the corn guy), but this time I got to go into the Turkish hall. I think Arie got a kick out of my amazement at the goodies that lay out for the crowd to...well be amazed by. Not to mention, when you walk in to this hall its like the largest fruit and vegetable stand EVER! I found a guy with Lemon Grass and got most of the ingredients for Tom Yum...and he tried to hand me the last ingredient, but with out knowing it was the last ingredient and the most crucial, I turned him down.

We then met up with Case and Margo as discussed in the last blog.

Friday we played basketball for the first time and I got to do drills. The coach asked me what position I usually play and I couldnt tell him. I responded "I dont know, its been 10 years since Ive played on a team..."

I jammed my finger towards the end of practice and it swelled into a nasty black bruised finger that still hurts.

Saturday Bryan Bought me 20 amazing roses. Then we went to Amsterdam for an interview. The interview was pointless, but we had dinner together which was sweet and romantic.

Bryans pissed because he said no photos yet...

Chicken with a purse...

We saw street performers and then walked back to the train station. 5 minutes away from the train and my stomach was in knots. The food made me so sick I was instantly lethargic and frantic for a bathroom, luckly every train has a WC. When we transfered to the second train I was pacing the length of it tryin to find the WC. The one door I thought may have been it, was locked. Then on my way back I saw someone slip into it. I waited. Then waited some more. DYING! I stood outside the door and heard sniffing sounds. They guy FINALLY came out and winked at me. I knew why when I got into the bathroom. White powder was scattered around the sink and there was a paper roll left in the basin. They came back 3 times while I was in there and finally resorted to snorting whatever they had in the hall.

Sunday, we returned to Beverwijk, just the two of us. The highway was closed down in the direction we needed to go, so we had to take a GIGANTIC detour! Blah. We got into a fight because I havnt had much practice in co-pioliting since we were here 2 years ago. Ill get it again though. And we did finally make it to the market.

Bryans GIANT shwarma

I bought olives and peppers stuffed with cheese and others stuffed with this amazing tomato concotion. I also got hand made dolmas and turkish date candies! They were AMAZING! --Dont worry, the photos will contain these candies.---

This week I had two important things happen though and an impromptu one as well.

The impromptu one is the most fun...So that first. I learned to ride my bike without any hands!! YAY! Thats what happens when a bike is your only form of transport!

Second, I worked with Shirley again, the american photographer who writes books on the dutch bicycle culture. She has given me motivation and told me that if I really wanted to, I could teach people photoshop/lightroom skills. She says Im really good at it, and its nice to hear that.

Third, I made a big purchase....

I spent 830 Euros yesterday. On my residence permit. I now have a nice shiny Visa in my passport that says I can stay for another 6 months (until I get the actual permit...which wont take 6 months to get) Once I get my BSN number (like a SSN) and acceptance...I can start work. Im hoping I will have an answer about my ability to stay within a few weeks, but it usually takes 3 months. Im hoping I can be a special case and that my theory of thinking positively helps. It has in the past.

I NEED A JOB! Hope with me people! lol.

Today...I baked my first successful Gluten free pastry. A peach cobbler. URG! and I didnt photograph it before we dug in. So...Here it is...Half eaten. IT IS DELICIOUS!