Counting Crows version of Big Yellow Taxi is on. I love the Counting Crows.

I am writing from my new room. It's really nice, but no view. Still much more enjoyable then the last place. So tomorrow my european adventure begins. We have a break, so its time to fill up the backpack, load up the camera, put on the sneaks, see some culture, eat different food, hope Engish will be all I need, and hear some stories in the hostels. I really can't wait. I'll write it about it when I return.

Nothing else is new. My project management group is worthless. I'm even tempted to drop it and take all my research with me. Then I'd be a jerk though. Still, they are the most incompetent group I've ever been involved with.

I got a haircut at his beauty school place. So it was cheap, which is nice. Also the main instructor was the only one that knew good English so she started it and then had the student take over. All in all I was happy. A little short, but thats fine by me. The weather keeps on getting better. I walked around yesterday and finally took some pictures of the town. Been here for a month and have only used one roll. I need to start using it a bit more.

Need to tie up some loose ends.

I realized something last night. I've been here for a month and in no such way does it feel like its been that long. I've also realized that I haven't smoked out yet even though I pass "coffee shops" everyday.

Well last night I met up with some friends at the movie theater to see 8 Mile. I guess it takes awhile for movies to make it overseas. It was funny because at the theater you can buy beer. I guess the only reason I find this humorous is because I know of people back home that sneak it in. On the downside every movie has a 10 minute intermission. On the bike ride back I was crossing the river back to the main part of town, back to the dorm. I never saw Maastricht from this view at night, and it was the best view of Maastricht I've seen. I came to appreciate exactly where I am now.

In going to the movie I missed out on International dinner night on my floor. We have Spanish, Peru, Poland, Hungarian, and French people so the food did look varied andgood. Anyways I hung out with them and I realized I might actually miss the people. So in one of our lying in our beds roommate talks Matche informs me how the Hungarian guy said Americans are stupid. I am curious about how the converseration would have gone if I had been in the room. I'd say Americans have achieved quite a bit more and not out of luck, but out of obtaining knowledge and being determined. The Hungarian guy shaves in our kitchen, I am able to shave in my room. I feel I am the smarter one.

Below is a Dutch email. I don't know why, but I get quite a few from the school. When they are important they send along an English version as well.
De studentenpsychologen van de Universiteit Maastricht organiseren wederom een faalangsttraining.
Faalangst kan ervoor zorgen dat je minder presteert dan je van jezelf mag verwachten.
In de faalangsttraining zal in 7 bijeenkomsten, die elk 2 uur duren, aandacht besteed worden aan aspecten die faalangst doen ontstaan dan wel in stand houden en vooral hoe je daar zelf iets aan kunt veranderen.

Dave loves the bank and faxing here....not really.

First off the bank, rents due and you have to transfer it through the bank. Well I decided to transfer money into my account via Visa card. They only accept MasterCard, so there goes my assumption that the two were the same company in disguise. So I decide to go ahead and use the ATM machine. I CAN'T GET MONEY. I really have no clue, because here I am at the library checking my bank account and sure enough there is money in it.

Well I thought I had found a fax machine. The apartment complex told me they sent it and got a reply that they don't know a David Hoffman. I'm sure they don't know who I am, there are over a 1000 international exchange students. I'm just hoping they held onto the fax. It's only open for a hour a day so that makes it real convenient.

I think I have given up on the waffles here. I was beginning to think I was eating too many. I'm actually in some of the best shape ever, or so I tell myself. I run to and from the gym which is a mile or so. Bike or walk a lot during the day and actually eat pretty decent. Maybe all this exercise is starting to pay off. My cough only went away several days ago. Speaking off biking, its crazy here,the cars get right next to you. Still haven't got hit yet.

Got to run, but here are some links. They are photo galleries. A lot of the stuff in them are places I've been or of Maastricht.
http://www.pbase.com/rainmaker30 This guy is my future roommate
http://www.pbase.com/smittysoup A girl from Seattle website. In one picture I'm doing dishes....amazing. Actually I do dishes almost everynight. It's a way to get myself out of cooking

I realized I can say thank you in six languages, four fluently.

Do you ever look at where you are in life and wonder just how did you get where you are?

Saturday night, I was in an American owned, Mexican themed restaraunt in Luxembourg, drinking Belgium beer, listening to French people karokee. All I could do was just look around and smile. I was sitting there thinking I could never have planned this.

Anyways Saturday morning, my future roommate(Todd) and I decided to go to Luxembourgh for the weekend. We didn't know what was there, but figured it would be fun to say we went. After three train rides we arrived to the city. Not too much detail, but it was really a beautiful city, my favorite Europe experience so far. We explored a bit and realized we were starving. We wanted to eat, but Luxembourgh is an expensive city. We found a place called Quick burger, I'd say its pretty much a McDonalds(which was two buildings down). The lady taking our order just laughed at us because well we were confused.

Afterwards we decide to find the hostel, which took a long time. We checked in to our closet, I mean room, no closet. Best way to describe it. We then decided to head back into the city and take it all in. Had dinner at a nice place then ended up at the bar for karokee. The Dj was in his 50s and that made it all the more enjoyable.

The next morning we grab some breakfast in the hostel and then go back to the town. Walking around we realized that we practially saw everything the day before. Not a thing was open, but that seems common here on Sunday. We did find a tourist stop and witnessed one of the funniest things ever. Tobacco is cheap in the Luxembourg and my friend was thinking of buying a cigar. Well the guy behind the counter was adamant that he smell the quality. He would shove the cigar right against one of Todd's nostrils and then shove it against the other. I had to leave or I would have started laughing. Just had to witness it. Not many people get to Luxembourg, and we wanted to get our Passports stamped. Since so much travel happens between the EU they don't bother stamping passports. We were deteremined to find a way around this. We go to this information desk and explain to her our situation. Well she stamps our passport, but it says Luxembourgh information. Not really a passport stamp. She smiled and so did we.

Train ride back was a little interesting. We met an old WWII vet and well he decided to tell us some stories. Lots and lots of stories. I didn't want to disrespect the man and start reading, so I pretended to slowly nod off. He noticed and said go ahead son get some sleep. I put on the headphones and was safe. Todd on the other hand wasn't so lucky.

On this trip Todd and I got to really get to know each other. He's a great guy, one I can truly joke around with but differences became apparent. He's an NYU finance guy with big dreams. He says he can't picture himself retiring and knows he'll be working the 80 plus hours a week when he starts. Then hopes to move out to Connecticut, buy his Porsche and do the commute thing. I can see it happening. It's truly great he has his dreams and ambitions, but I feel life is more than making a lot of money and then dying rich. You need to get out there and experience it. Sure he might have more financial wealth, but I wonder whose personal wealth will be better. I can only hope it'll be mine.

So back in the dorm I visit with the good Polish roommate. He was excited for he had bought some cologne while he was in Germany taking exams for the past week. He hadn't finished his courses before arriving to Maastricht. The only advice I could give on the cologne was to make sure your girlfriend likes it. He was like you are a smart man. I just nodded my head.

Another thing I noticed is how many more cards I have on me. Two phone cards, a prepaid chip knip, a regular chip knip(equivalent to a Dutch Debit Card), a student ID, a student enrollment ID, an extra insurance card, a gym membership card, hostel card, and then the passport. Just ridiculous.

The weather is finally starting to turn around. Its been sunny the last few days, and even was relatively warm yesterday. I think through the weekend it'll stay in the 40s which should be nice. The town square has now brought tables and chairs outside. I on the other hand am stuck in the library on a Friday, a day I don't even have classes. Woo Hoo!!!

So here's the big news for the day. The Dutch love bicycles, since its pretty much flat through out the country and economical they do make sense. It amazes seeing a mom with two kids on a bike, or ladies in heels and skirts using such a mode of transportation. Well I've been in search for one since the 25 minute walk to class is getting old. Yesterday I had class across the river and decided to check out the shop by the train station. No luck. I had also heard of this guy who has a lot of bikes in his back yard(I'm guessing stolen bikes). I walked for a hour and never such a place more or less a back yard even. This morning I pass two shops on the way to school. The first one had some used ones but for over a hundred euros. The second one had one for 45, this is the cheapest I've found here. So another American capitalistic thought, sell cheap bikes over here. Mine is a clunker, but that gives it some character. Like most Dutch bikes it has a head and tail lamp. Also a bell you get to ring if a pedestrian is in your way. For some reason my bell has picture of two clowns on it. Strange. So I rode the bike to the library and it was a bumpy ride, these cobblestone roads aren't the best. Anyways I figure its a wise investment and should be able to sell it to a foreign student for about the same price when I leave. I'm just hoping it doesn't break anytime soon.

Also the show the Osbournes was on TV last night. They don't edit it over here, caught me by surprise.

So today I needed to find a place to receive faxes. I am trying to renew my lease in College Station and was told it needed to be done rather soon. First place the Guesthouse. I know they have a fax machine, however they told me I couldn't use it even though I offered to pay. The next place, International Relations Office. Its only open 1 hour a day, and I don't know what hour that is. Copy shop, nope. Post Office, nope, but you can send them. Second copy shop, nope. I go ahead and email the International office and have received a reply with a fax number in the message. Thankfully, and all it took was a lot of walking and close to 2 hours.

One of my favorite things to do here, is listen to my headphones to and from school. I absolutely love music(favorite art form by far) and it helps make the walk seem shorter. Batteries went out today so that's not fun.

Another thing I've really grown to love are group dinners. I have several friends who are in the another building(one I am moving into on March 1st, so yeah for that) and rotate cooking. I was suppose to cook Monday, but I had a conflict. Eventually I'll cook, but for now I just do the dishes for them. The food is surprisingly good. Plus, I always get free water from the tap. The carbonation issue has continued to be a problem with me. Some juices at the grocery store have it and even at a restaraunt it seems Lipton has created carbonated ice tea.

Some good news. I've finally met a sarcastic Dutch girl. I realize cultural barriers exist, but I still am very much a sarcastic person. However finally I met someone over here whose not American and dishes it right back.

It's finally been brought up that I am very much an American. The main thing is my bright Columbia jacket. Everyone wears dark coats, but not me. My yellowish jacket is just too much. Also someone introduced me to an Italian girl who was on my floor last night. She's like oh you are the American that lives here. I was like is it that obvisious. She said yes.

So basically I was in bed about to fall asleep and there is knock on my door. They are about to have dessert on my floor and want me to join. It took some convincing, but I put on some clothes and joined them in the kitchen. Somehow I ended up being the only guy there. There were quite a few Spanish speaking girls there that wanted me to try and speak Spanish. All I have is two years of highschool, so pretty much what ever I said they would laugh at.

It seems my Project Managment course continues to spiral downwards. My group just isn't coheisive and I find them to be lazy. Since I have three Dutch kids in my class I would have thought one of them would assume the leadership role that always develops in group projects of the past. It seems they didn't and I've now assumed the role. I've tried to motivate them, but have found little success. It is possible that I may drop the course, for passing the course is starting to look uncertain. I will still give it a couple weeks to see if anything develops. Fortunately this won't affect my graduation plans or anything. However failure comes to my mind. It is something I don't deal well with. I can't stand to think that I gave up, I feel I have to prove to myself that anything can be accomplished. I'm not so much worried about letting others down, as I am letting myself down. Even though I know others have dropped classes here already, I feel I shouldn't be one.

Classes here are just interesting and different. Last week I had to lead the class in discussion for two hours. For the most part I'd say I did a good job. Then I was listening to some classmates in my other class and could clearly tell they were BSing, I wonder if others could pick it up when I had to. Also I am constantly burried in excerpts from journals, books, or other readings assigned by the professor. Now and then I wonder about my own English as these texts have so many words I am unfamiliar with. Usually I can come to understand the terms using the text around, but an English dictionary would have been a wise thing to pack. I have hard time understanding how the students who aren't native to the English language can handle the readings when they can't even handle the lecture.

Time for lunch.

Will call this one, a really long journal entry.

So I haven't had much time on the Internet the last week or so. I feel so disconnected with the world, and in reality it should be the other way around. Here I am, immensing myself in a new culture, a new place, awakening my senses and yet I feel distant to the world.

So lots has happened in the last week. Tuesday night was international night at a local pub. The theme was Spanish night, so they had specials on sangria. It was a good time and just funny. I've come to realize that all these people I meet I probably will never see them again so why not dance (something I pretty much refuse to do at home). On a whole, I'd also have to say Americans in general have better rhythm than most europeans. I've also noticed the Spanish seem to have the most fun. In addition, I also wonder now and then what happens as we grow old. Here were people from all over the globe having a good time. A smile is universal. Maybe Sadam and Bush should get together and just go out. I realize the issues there are more complex and one I might not have a full understanding of. I would just like to see a peaceful resolution.

One thing I like about here is when I leave a pub. Instead of seeing parking lots and gas stations, I walk down cobblestone roads and see buildings older than America itself. A dislike is the 30 minute walk back to Guesthouse. Taxis are here, but cost way too much. A trip from the train station to Guesthouse which is a few miles was over 10 euros. Ridicolous.

Maastricht has also made me realize how great Febreeze and Woolite is. Since cigarette smoke is just about everyone, it gets old smelling like the Marlboro man himself. Speaking of Marlboros, I thought of a quick profit scheme. Load my suitcase with them here and then sell them when I get into the States. They are dirt cheap here. It seems being the typical American that I am, I brought way too many clothes, but not enough underwear or socks. This is where Woolite comes in. Instead of paying 4 euros a load for laundry, now I just use a lil woolite.

This weekend I went on a Discover Holland trip. We went all over the country by bus and I do mean all over. It was a group of about 60 kids and from this I knew the trip would have its faults. We get to Rotterdam that night and go out for dinner. It didn't even feel like Valentines, but that is fine by me. We then went to a pub, and then to dance club. Now this club called the Baja Beach Club was exactly the kind of place you wouldn't go to at home. It looked like a beach on the inside with both guy and girl bartenders wearing bathing suits. If you wanted to, you could do a body shot off of them. Didn't really interest me, but it did for most of the others. Definitely a good laugh though. A guy and I were like this is too much lets go find some culture. We decided to head back in the direction of the hotel and find a local pub. Instead what we got was a tour through Rotterdam. Did you know if you take a wrong turn, keep walking down it and don't realize it you can end up lost. Well we got lost, and eventually found our way back to the hotel by 4 in the morn. A little side note, guess who was the only one kicked out of the club. A drunk American in our group who thought it would be fun to jump on stage.

Next morning into the bus and to the beach. Its below zero celsius. Beach wasn't much fun. Next stop, some town I can't pronounce. It was a typical Dutch village or as like to say a typical Dutch tourist trap. Here you could buy cheese, see wooden shoes being made or see some windmills. It was alright, but again very cold. So now I decided to be the stupid American with another guy. The little creeks/river was frozen, ducks can walk on it. Can humans? I kind of tested it near the shore and it felt solid. So a guy and I get out on it. We are about half way and then the ice cracks. We had panic stricken faces, but knew we couldn't move fast because it's ice. We ended up making it back on the land and dry thankfully.

Next stop was Utrech, which is a pretty big/young town. We had a cool little hostel. Went out for some dinner, then a city tour/pub crawl. I don't quite know why the Dutch like to take us on these tours when it is so cold. Anyways the pubs were ok, I didn't drink all that much, but my coaster collection keeps getting bigger. I've decided I needed to collect something while I'm away. That night we ended up at another club and made it back by 4 in the morn.

Next morning I wake up to hear the guys from North Carolina discussing how many "space cakes" they should have for breakfast to get messed up on with. I never found out their answer, but instead did some sight seeing in Utrech. We climbed the Dom Tower, which was built a really long time ago. It had close to 500 some steps, but the view was worth it. I'm always amazed at what people were able to build in the past. We also took a little canal tour. Our guide didn't have the best English, but that was fine by me. Back on the bus we head to another Dutch town to go visit a small brewery and distillery. If you haven't noticed the trend, the Dutch like to drink or take us exchange students drinking. It was interesting though.

However on this trip I came to realize a few things. Never travel in groups, people become really indecisive. Also if you are abroad and someone is loud, it most likely is an American. I also realized its fun to play up your stereotype with others when you all realize its a joke. I was having a coffee with a french guy and he was like where is my bread, where is my wine. Pretty much everything I said, I would reply along the lines that we do it better than anyone else back in America. I came to the conclusion that I most likely won't pick up on much "Dutch, but improve my Spanish. I constantly try to use it when talking to people from Spanish speaking countries.

A marketing major, a possible position is that of a brand manager. In doing so you usually try to create a brand through the use of media among other means. In practice I understand how it works, but my personal opinion was that it doesn't work. I was talking to a Dutch girl who was telling me where she was thinking about studying abroad. She mentioned a few including Canada, but no America. I told her that Canada is nice and in ways very similar to the US. She said she wants to see America, but doesn't want to live there for the people. She said she understands there are geniunely nice people, but as a whole it is something our country lacks. I asked her how she came to this conclusion and the reply was movies and TV. Maybe we do need to become a little more aware of what we do broadcast. First thing that crossed my mind was kids and violence on TV.

Anyways a lot of people over here don't like America. I picked up some postcards I felt were interesting. One was the US flag in the shape of Pac Man eating drops of oil and leaving behind white crosses. Made me think.

So Todd and I were talking about the Counting Crows the other night. We were planning on seeing them perform in Amsterdam, but the show has already happened. Anyways he was saying how he heard them this past summer in Bryant Park up in NYC. I was there that same morning. It just amuses me that we were at the same place same time and meet across the Atlantic. We were saying probably one of us stepped on each other's shoes and was like who is that ass.

The only other big news is I get a tax return so I then get a gym membership. It feels great to be doing something physically active besides walking everywhere. The facility can't be any bigger than one back in highschool, but it has the basics which is all you really need. What I found funny is that while I'm probably lifting the same amount it seems less because of kilograms. There is 2.2 pounds or so per kilo. So I can't put 45s one or I'd kill myself, and that just wouldn't be good. Also a discovery I made, but wish I knew about earlier.... they don't even have water fountains at the gym. So I figure I could come to over here and make some money as either a) Culligan man or b)Open up a Starbucks. Now I wouldn't choose the later unless other American companies have staked a claim. Since America is a very capitalistic, money hungry country I don't have to worry for several fastfood establishments are already in place.

Last night, I was actually caught up with everything which was nice. My roommate and I decided to have a game of chess. He'd take several minutes between each move, I'd take several seconds. Anyways I was thinking him being Polish would beat me, but alas it was I who got to say check mate. It's funny, back home I'm called Grandpa for going to bed so early. Well Matche does too so it's'a good fit. It's fun lying in bed and talking to each other about what is going on in the world and learning of each others cultures. He has told me I don't fit many American stereotypes. I was curious and he was like you don't work all the time and you aren't fat. I'll take it as a compliement.

This week we are suppose to hopefully meet up with our client to discuss exactly what research they would like us to. The joys of free labor. Random side note, I found a place that serves the best Gyro sandwiches ever.

Friday I received a knock on the door from a potential new roommate. Ron from Germany. I had been wanting to switch rooms, because mine isn't in the best shape and I really wanted an Internet connection. I told him that I'd like to move in, so I walked down to the reception to notify the Guesthouse. It is on this walk that I realize my reasons for moving are ridicolous. If I had free time, instead of seeing Maastricht, I'd be on the web. I decided that the view from my room is more than enough to have me stay put. Also its cheaper, and compared to the other students attending here I fill that void of broke college student. Also Matche, my Polish roommate is just too good of a guy to leave.

So this weekend I made it to Amsterdam. I wish I could say it was a much needed break, but it actually turned out to almost be the opposite. I took the train with several friends to meet up with several more who had arrived earlier. Who were the loudest people on the train? My friends. I feel like we need to respect their culture, and I wondered if my friends feel the same. At the same time, it seems like all anyone wants to do is talk about partying or talk about the parties back home. Don't'get me wrong, by no means have I never been drunk or have gone out or shared stories of such occurances. I'm 22, it's happened and will happen in the future. It's just for me I feel there is more you can talk about. I want to get to know these people I've met. I want them to tell me a story of their past. I want to know what they crave and dream for. Not like this one time I was so wasted.....

I'm in Europe to see the culture. I want to experience a place different from where I come from. The group I was with had a hard time deciding what to do that night. I was perfectly content walking around and just taking it all in. After much bickering(spelling???) the group finally split up. On this trip I've now taken the role of the decisive one for standing in one spot has grown old. Anyways I told the group that everything will be ok if we split up. Go do what you want, but I'm going to check out the sights. Some decided to join me and luckily they did. We stumbled across this little hole in the wall jazz joint. It was perfect and dídn't back to the pot smelling hostel till 4 in the morning.

The next morning we made it to than Van Gogh museum and the Heinken brewery museum. Both interesting, one I appreciated a little bit more than the other. At the Heinken place they have two bars on the tour, where you get a free drink. Everyone was wondering if there was something wrong when I didn't drink. I wondered the same thing. Is someone so insecure with themself that they have to drink when they are at a bar. I know I can say this outright when several have told me they don't like beer. I also met some people from Syracuse who were studying in London at the time. One of them was eating a brownie and couldn't stop laughing. I think the "coffee shops"' make more off American tourists than the Dutch.

That night a small group of us decided to go back to Maastricht so we could study today.

Well, its still really cold, really wet, and cloudy. I've seen the sun for probably about 10 minutes my entire time here. Also ever since I went sledding at A&M which was about two weeks ago I'vé had a nasty cold. Every time I cough(so about every ten minutes), I feel as if I'm going to lose a lung. My Polish rooommate gave me some medicine. Don't really know what it was because it was well...in Polish. It didn't hurt, but it didn't help. I think warm weather will be my only cure.

One good thing about the cold is that it can be used as a refrigator. There are about 10 people on my floor and only two microfridges. Since they are just packed I put my stuff on the balcony, it's kind of convient like that. So I finally experienced what the other exchange students have been talking about. It's called Aldi. It's just a very cheap grocery store. Basically you go in there and try to move groceries so you can have a box to put your items in. The quality isn't the greatest, but when you can fill up a box for 12 euros you can't really complain. Another thing I find funny about groceries is they don't have the heatlh information on the package. Then you look around and realize Europeans are skinnier than Americans.

Last night I experienced washing clothes here. It's about 3 euros a load, which is kind of expensive. At least they could have put some instructions in English....ignorant American I know. Anyways I figured it out....about 40 minutes later I wondered why it hadn't stopped. I decided just to stop it myself. The dryers were the same way...they kept going and going. I talked to the RA person and she was like sometimes they take awhile, sometimes they don't. So I guess it's different every time. So in line with washing clothes, the Peru guy ón my floor came up to me and asked if I knew how to wash clothes. I said yes, and he was excited for he doesn't know how to do anything. He is use to a servant. He has never cooked anything, washed anything, or cleaned anything. He said he was really worried about the vacuum. I assured him it wouldn't bad and would show him how to work one.

Plus about Maastricht, waffles on the street. They are warm and good. Like a big cookie. These will become my hot dog of the Netherlands. Negative about Maastricht. 2 dollar euro coins. You got to be careful if you drop coins or you could lose a lot of money, not a lot but I'm just broke.

Classes are still a pain, but are getting a bit better. Well not really, I've just accepted the fact and am dealing with it. We introduced ourselves in project management the other day. I'm the youngest one with several students in their late 20's pursuing their MBA. So I must be one smart SOB.

One last funny story, we were talking over dinner just about anything. I was like last night I had a dream I was at my old job just working, doing nothing in particular. This girl was like isn't it funny, you wake up and you'ré in Europe. Is it not usually the other way around.

To end it, I'll leave you with the tip of the week: If you have to buy a phone card, go to an Asian store. It's a little known fact a guy from Hong Kong told me. I got a 2 hour plus card to call just the US for 4 cents a minute.

So things just seem to get worse.

Just when you think you have everything in order, sometime life throws you a curve ball. Today I got an email from a professor switching my tutorial group to a half hour later. Well it just so happens as now this class ends, a 10 minute walk or so in town my other class has begun. I don't see how it is fair and in all honesty I don't care for this school right now. I've emailed the professor trying to figure out what can be done, but in a rude reply received well basically said sorry, but you can always leave early because i can't stop you. Basically saying if you do this, it'll effect your grade. It's more frustrating when I already had to change a course time to fit with the class. Only for it to change again. My only possible solution might be for me to drop a course. I'm still trying to work around this. If I do this, my summer plans will change and I will need to go back to Texas and take summer school so that I can still graduate on time.

While I did come over here for an education, I didn't come over here to be swamped with work. I've been told that A&M programs are easy and I wish I had found one to fit with my major. Challenges are great, but I just don't want one this time around.

Still there are some things that are enjoyable being here. My polish roommate likes to drink vodka and I just get a kick out of it. For me, its like the stereotypical Polish boy. However last night he was drinking Smirnoff Ice, which while good, isn't a "'man's" drink. Also there is a guy from NYU, I like to hang out with. We both are able to joke around with each other, which is good because neither one of us is really happy about how the academics are here. They had this beginning of the term party last night and there were over a thousand people or so. We just got a kick out of how europeans dance and acted. I'm sure they got a kick out of us. Also I've realized there are small things that are great. Waking up to an incredible view, even though I'm wishing my alarm wasn't buzzing. Or putting my towel on the bathrooms water heater so when I get out of the shower its really warm. Then coming to the library every day and passing the building for music education and hearing all the insturments. I also get a kick of how I don't know how somethings work because directions are in dutch. Today for example I screwed up some copies. Also another perfect example was setting up my bank account yesterday. Everything went fine, but signing the contract I wondered if they could put in a clause. Saying if you close this when you leave we'll charge you a 1000 bucks. While I'm sure this isn't the case it makes me wonder what the terms were. I'll be fine for I haven't even had to put in money into it yet.

Let's title this entry What the Hell have I gotten myself into.

Today was the first day of classes here in Maastricht. Put it this way, if I was at A&M I would be going through Bonfire trying to find something else. My culture class which I thought was suppose to be easy recommends 20 hours a week to study for. The syllabuses here are about 20-30 pages. While I'm sure it'll get better as time goes on, it does seem frightening. The class consists of two tutorial and one lecture. I just found out the lecture is across the river so that is about a 40 minute walk from my dorm. Safe to say I'll be bike shopping soon. In the tutorials the groups are small and in fact a couple times I will be asked to lead the group in discussion for the two hours. Should be interesting.

Next class is project management. We are actually given a project with real companies that are interested in seeing how their problem can be solved. Seeing if younger people see an alternate route. We will be using software and the list of journal readings assigned is 3 pages. We will be keeping a project journal and a presentation of 25 minutes. Now I hate getting up and talking, and so far in college it hasn't gone much over 5 minutes. I guess I need to improve real quick. Oh I forgot to mention the average age of students in my classes are mid twenties. Somewhere along the line I didn't get the memo that I am going to what is equilavent to grad school courses. Sitting in the classroom made this a quick and honestly somewhat painful reality. Let me add these are considered intermeidate classes as where as next block I have signed up for advanced.

It also surprises me that going through the halls I don't hear English. Since the business school is all taught in English I thought people would use it to become more familiar. I guess not.

Now in all honesty I do believe I will be able to succeed at these courses. I think the knowledge and experiences gained will helpful. But there is part of me that was wanting Maastricht to be just a fun time. An opportunity to travel and see the world. This will likely happen only on breaks.

Yesterday I went withsome people to a casino in a town about 10 minutes away or so. It was fun, and all I lost was 2 bucks. I knew if I put in more I would just come out empty handed. One guy lost 90. Stupid American. I've also realized now what I miss most about the US. Water. Free water. Since I don't drink cokes it's been hard for me to find this drink that seems so rare here. In no building do they have water fountains. In no restaraunts do they use their tap to give you a glass. Instead make you purchase bottled water. I had heard of this before I coming over, but I guess to the extent it does surprise me. A couple times at vending machines I thought I purchased juice only to find it be carbonated juice. I hope to get the hang of it soon enough for carbonated ice tea was pretty horrible.

That is all that has happened. This town is beautiful and very lively in the town squares. I can only imagine how it'll be when the sun is out and I know my way around(hopefully this part will come soon)

I haven't been here long and yet it seems like a lot has already happened. I tried to set up a bank account, but got this huge run around from them telling me to go to tax office who told me to go the police office. I found out there's a better bank to go to. Grocery store, that was another interesting thing. First off, I don't know Dutch so I'm very skeptical of what I buy. I ended up with a yogurt milk for one thing. I was just hoping it'd be skim or 1%. Checking out was another issue all in its self. I didn't know you had to weigh the fruit before hand. She was like you didn't weigh these and I was like you're right I didn't'. Also you have to pay for bags and sack your own. The people behind me didn't seem to enthused. Also eating out much like the grocery store is confusing. Somethings I can recognize others I can't'. I've now and then just pointed to something and pressed my luck kind of thing. No complaints so far.

Since it is the Netherlands, I'vé allready been to my first "coffee shop" I actually didn't smoke at all, but the people I were with did. Its about 3 bucks for a joint which I guess is pretty cheap. I had a milk shake instead that was really good. Last night I took part in an activity called Dutch Cantus. Basically you drink a lot of beer and then sing. But you aren't allowed to drink during songs. Oh and the songs were good ones like summer of 69 and Wake me up before you go go and the such. If you broke a rule, and there were several they would make you get on stage and do something embarrsing and that dealt with drinking. Like from a wooden shoe or a dirty sock. It just got crazy and was something funny to take in.

Since its not a campus and the streets go every which way I still don't know where one of my classes is. I was going to do that today, but in a little bit I'm catching a ride on a train and going to a casino in a nearby town. All part of the introduction week.

Oh I also now have a roommate from Poland. He seems to be a very nice guy. He also seems really smart and I knows about 4 languages quite well. It's a talent I wish I had. Classes start tomorrow something I'm not looking all that forward to. I keep hearing horrible stories. Basically your grade is based on a participation, paper or presentation, and one final exam. If you fail the exam you fail the class and I''ve heard about 40% fail classes. Sometimes it is as high as 70%. It's suppose to be the best business school according to a Dutch study in the Netherlands....I'd rather it be easy this time around.

Well I'm now in Holland and the journey has begun.

On Tuesday the 29th, I arrived at Hobby airport with my luggage and passport. I really didn't have any idea of what was to come, but I knew how much I'vé been wanting to go. So I get into line and put my luggage on the weigher. 5 pounds to heavy, I put some items into my carry on so they don't charge me. I can't believe my one suitcase alone weighs 70 pounds. Next stop is Atlanta, switch terminals and wait just a bit. I'm crossing the ocean and watching the movie Simon, which isn't all that great. I finally give up and try to get some sleep. After a few hours they turn on the lights and give us a small breakfast. I'm now in the Netherlands at the airport. All my bags arrive minus a frisbee that I had attached to the outside of my packback. The idea of luggage handlers throwing it around on the tarmac crosses my mind. It is now my responsibiltiy to learn the trains and get to Maastricht. All I can say is that I packed way too much. Carrying my luggage around got real annoying. Luckily to get around all you need to be able to do is read numbers and use a map. A met a guy from Cuba with broken English. We talked about Castro and how he really isn't that great for the country. He was a fan of Bush. The train ride was about 2 and a half hours. I tried despartely to stay awake on it, but I drifited in and out due to jet lag. Since Maastricht was the last stop I figured I'd be ok. I did see some windmills though.

Arriving at the train station, ESN (People who help the exchange students checked me in). It was a short a van ride to the Guesthouse, where we checked in for rooms. I had now met several people who all seemed friendly. I was sent into the other dorm. The other dorm hasn't'been remodeled, and compared to the other ones is quite crappy. However it is the tallest dorm, and since I''m on the 9th floor I have an incredible view of Maastricht. Without a TV it's something to look at while eating corn flakes in the morning. They gave us a short city tour that night and ended it with dinner at a pub. They then decided to have a beer drinking relay. The ones who had arrived today were tired and Americans. We didn't'want to do it at all. But after being called American Pussies, by the Europeans we decided to be a sport and have a round of it. 4 races later and losing every race, made wish I didn't participate in this event. Safe to say, I fell asleep easily that night.

The next day I went around with some people to see the town I'll be staying in. I woke up to a blizzard. Anyways we walked around saw the town squares, small winding roads, and quaint shops. We also saw there equivalent of red light district we a couple of sex shops and "'coffee shops."' That night the planned activity was a pub crawl. We went to six different pubs and had at least one drink at each one. It seems Europeans really love 80's'music. Also at the last pub, you had to pay to use the bathroom. I was a little annoyend with this, but accepted it. However I was really mad when a bouncer stopped me from leaving. Apparantely you have to pay to leave. A cover charge wold have been fine, but to pay to leave is just crazy.

More has happened, but I need to take care of some business. I have overlapping classes somehow, something I had securely prevented before leaving. School starts Monday and I'm anticipating a frustrating week.