All right guys, it's been a while.

I apologize; I've been so busy lately! I don't even know where to begin.

I went to Switzerland for a long weekend mid-November with four friends. We flew into Geneva and headed straight to Interlaken… a small town located between two lakes, hence the name. The train ride was incredible. We were riding through the mountains gazing at small towns down below.

Interlaken: what a peaceful, picturesque, little place. The mountains surrounded us on all ends and the air was so fresh! The water fountains throughout provided the most delicious water I have ever tasted! It was a nice change to be somewhere other than a large city with tall buildings and a gray atmosphere… not that Amsterdam is anything of the sort, but everywhere else I have visited has been so "citylike." We rented scooters and rode through the mountains. We visited two smaller towns neighboring Interlaken. Honestly, I have never been so cold in my life as I was on that scooter. We got back to our hostel and our legs felt like jello they were so numb. Anyway, it was so worth it… a great way to get around and see the area.

However, this small adventure was not even comparable to the one I had in store. After emailing my Dad to gain some reassurance of the crazy idea, I decided to go skydiving. When else would I have the opportunity to skydive over the Swiss Alps? I was hesitant at first, but after reading the response from good ole' pops that included the quote from the ten commandments of attitudes, there was no doubt in my mind as to getting on that plane.

"You will seldom experience regret for anything you've done; it's what you don't do that will torment you."

The sky did not have a cloud in it. I don't think I could have picked a more perfect day to fall out of a plane. People always say they "jump" out of a plane. I definitely consider it falling. The ride up in the plane alone was absolutely breathtaking. The mountain tops were covered in snow. It was like gazing down at a winter wonderland. I was calm the entire time…until I realized that my life was COMPLETELY in someone else's hands. Even then, I really kept my cool. I figure, they're trained to do this sort of thing, right? Of course, I was the last to go. I waited in anticipation to approach the small stoop outside the plane. There are no words to describe the feeling of falling out of a plane. What a rush! Call me crazy, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat. The freefall was approximately 40 seconds and then the parachute was released. It was then a relaxing float through the air, including some 360s, where I was able to take in the surroundings. It was worth every penny and I wouldn't take it back… Thanks for the support, Dad!

Back to Geneva. Eh, it was okay. We had nice weather when we arrived which is always a plus! The area along the water was nice! One of the main attractions of the city is some big water fountain. Luckily, we arrived just in time. I was taking some pictures and all of a sudden, I noticed the fountain was becoming a bit blurry. Then, it was gone. Apparently, it was that time of year where they turn off the fountain for about two weeks to clean it and whatnot. At least we saw it!

Now back to Amsterdam! My Mom came to visit for a week! It was SO nice to see her. I bought her a bike before her arrival so she could really fit into the Dutch lifestyle. I refused to let her ride around on a bright red, "rent-a-bike." My time with her could not have been more perfect. We have been to Amsterdam together before, so we were able to avoid the touristy things for the most part. I was really able to show her my life here. We hit up some of my favorite markets, did a little shopping, and made some fun memories over dinner at restaurants throughout the city… just to list a bit. The first snow of the season came while she was here! Very unexpected… for me at least. I was sad to see her go!

Shortly after her departure, I was off to Italy! I spent Thanksgiving in Venice with my friend Caroline and her family. I loved Venice… and I think I got out just in time. Don't know if you have been up with the news, but check out the floods right now! The city was so pretty! We did a lot of shopping in the stores and markets and took a gondola ride through the canals! Caroline, her two brothers, and I attempted to hit up the casino one night. I wish I could say I left with a ton of money, but in reality, it was super lame. Instead, we ended up wandering the streets, but that was really fine with me. Through all this traveling, I think I've realized it's one of my favorite things to do.

After Venice, I headed back to Florence, where Caroline studies! I was cursed with some bad weather but was still able to enjoy the city. The view from Piazzale Michelangelo was my favorite! I bought a really nice leather bag too. I was told I wasn't allowed to leave Florence without buying something leather! I'm also a sucker for Italian food… basically I was in heaven!

Now back to reality, back to school… I'm now finishing up the semester. Less than two weeks left. I fly home on the 18^th. I am so excited to come home, but I'm really going to miss this place. Every time I went on a trip, I really looked forward to returning to Amsterdam. It's still my favorite city! The weather has been iffy lately. I have NEVER been one to complain about snow, but it's really no fun riding my bike through it everyday. It's not even the good snow, the kind that sticks. It's wet and cold. We had some sunshine today though which was awesome!

Hope all is well back at home and everyone's getting in the holiday spirit! Let me know how you are! Miss you all!

Love,

Libby

After enjoying almost every single minute...

of my nine day excursion through France and Spain, I finally returned back to Amsterdam, the place I realized I am absolutely in love with. Of course I knew it was an amazing city before even deciding to study here, but it wasn’t until the other day when it really hit me. Then again, leaving Amsterdam’s central station to brave the cold rain after leaving the warm weather and blue skies in Bordeaux and Barcelona wasn’t exactly my cup of tea… but the rain did eventually stop.

I arrived home Monday evening just in time to meet with some couchsurfers I was having at my place. One of the girls, Capucine, let us stay at her apartment the night we were in Paris so I was returning the favor. I was very busy catching up with work (yes, I actually do schoolwork here), so I couldn’t spend much time showing them around, but I was able to recommend some fun things for them to do.

I woke up Wednesday morning to take the approximately 40 minute bike ride to my art class. The sun was shining and the air was cold and crisp. I love when it starts to get cold outside. The multi-colored leaves cover the bike paths this time of year and really give the feel of autumn. It’s gorgeous! I usually make the ride with some others in my class but for some reason I was alone this Wednesday. I think I rode the entire way with a huge smile on my face, the wind blowing my hair, just thinking how much I love my life in this place and what a great opportunity this is. I am so grateful. I also sound pretty corny but it was truly one of the happiest moments I’ve had since I’ve been here so I wanted to share it with you.

The couchsurfers left Wednesday and on Friday my friend Caroline, the one who I had been traveling with, and three other girls studying in Florence with her came to stay with me. We had a fun time and I do love bringing out the tourist in me every once in a while.

So about my trip… I arrived in Paris on the 18^th, met Caroline at the Louvre, and we met with Capucine to leave our things at the apartment. We had both been to Paris before and had taken care of most of the touristy things but neither of us had been to Montmarte. We spent the afternoon walking up the hill to the highest point in the city and visited the Basilica of the Sacré Cœur (Basilica of the Sacred Heart). What an amazing place, and it also provided a great view of Paris.

Sunday we left for Bordeaux with no real expectations. Let me tell you, I loved this city! We couchsurfed with a girl named Joanna; a very kind, open-minded, and hospitable girl. The view from her 4^th floor apartment at sunset was incredible (I have a few pictures). We spent most our time in Bordeaux just wandering the streets. It was on a big river and there was a long path along the water, similar to a boardwalk. This part of the city was my favorite and a great place to relax in the sunshine. There was also this really neat reflection pond (it was really just a thin layer of water) that reflected the beautiful architecture surrounding it and every fifteen minutes or so it let out a mist. We visited Cathedral Saint Andre (the one in the picture from the window) and really just walked around admiring our surroundings.

Tuesday was a rainy day as we headed for Biarritz. We missed our train, not because we were late, but because I was busy running the length of the train trying to find the woman who had left her purse on a bench in the station. In the midst of our good deed, we didn’t realize it was the train WE actually had to be on (maybe because the train number didn’t match the one on our ticket), but luckily, we were able to catch another train about an hour later. Biarritz was nice, but would have been way nicer if it wasn’t pouring the entire time; a quaint little city right on the ocean. So at least now I can say I’ve been to the other side of the Atlantic.

Wednesday we left for Barcelona… spent most of the day on the train, but you know I don’t mind a long train ride. It was awesome riding through the mountains along the coast! The hostel we stayed in the first night was right on the beach which was sweet, but then we relocated to the center of the city for the rest of our stay. We met some really fun kids at the hostel. Some had been there for a while so were able to recommend things for us to do. The first day we went to the Catedral de Barcelona and walked around Las Ramblas. I found a ton of little vintage shops I probably could have blown my lifesavings in, but I resisted. We walked past Gaudi’s Casa Batllo and La Pedrera. I love his work. The next day we went to La Sagrada Familia, an incredible church designed by Gaudi as well. Oh and two of Caroline’s friends also met up with us on the trip... Anyway, I parted from the group for the afternoon to meander myself (something I’m realizing I like a lot more than I ever thought). I went to the MACBA (Museum of Contemporary Art Barcelona). The area in front of the MACBA is known for skateboarding so I didn’t actually go into the museum, but just sat on the steps next to a ton of others watching the skaters do their thing. Saturday we actually went into Casa Batllo. Gaudi’s work is really like no other, so unique. We spent the afternoon relaxing by the water. In the evening, we went to a Barcelona soccer game at Camp Nou, the larget stadium in Europe. I’ve always wanted to go to a “futbol” game in Europe. They played Almeria and kicked butt, 5-0. Sunday I spent the majority of my day at Park Guell. The highest point in the park provides an amazing view of the city of Barcelona. Gaudi’s work, again, is throughout the park. It was a perfect way to end my stay. I left Sunday evening to catch the twelve hour night train back to Paris and then from Paris back to Amsterdam. After living out of a backpack for nine days, it was nice to come back to the place I’m most familiar with over here.

So, that wraps up my last two weeks. This is a lengthy one, sorry! Hope all is well back home, I miss you all. Keep in touch!

Love,

Libby

Another 2 weeks have flown by!

I made it to Belgium on the 4^th of October. I went with 5 others and we just spent one night. What a beautiful place! The architecture is very appealing. There was a big music and art festival going on (Nuit Blanche) so the streets were packed with people. A huge dance party went all night long right in the city center! We went to the chocolate museum, ate Belgian waffles, drank Belgian beer, and basically wandered around aimlessly. An ideal, last minute, quick trip!

Last week, I went to the Rijksmuseum here in Amsterdam. It holds one of the largest collections of Rembrandt’s paintings (and apparently his most important) in the world! I can’t say he’s one of my favorites, but it was still nice to see. I also went (with my art teacher) to several galleries throughout the city. All were hole in the wall type places you wouldn’t really know were there unless someone showed you. We saw a wide range of exhibits… some of which I don’t think I’d personally consider art, but I guess that’s why we can’t give a concrete definition to art, right?

Perfect weather this past weekend in Amsterdam! We have been lucky so far considering October and November are said to be the rainiest months. I had a group of girls visiting from Florence (one of which I knew through snowboarding back at home). It was actually great for me because it really forced me to lead the group and navigate the city. I learned some new things as well. We got a lot done in the short time they were here and I think they really enjoyed their stay.

I celebrated my 21^st Birthday last night! I definitely had a wonderful time, but I still can’t wait to get home in December and celebrate all over again in a country where it actually has more significance! You all better be ready! Haha.

Anyway, that’s all for now! I’m doing great and I hope you are as well. I’m off to France and Spain this Saturday. Paris for one night, Bordeaux for two, Biarritz for one, and then Barcelona for the last four!! I can’t wait! I’m sure you’ll be hearing from me soon after my trip! Keep in touch! Miss you!!

Love,

Libby

Life is good… real good

Time is flying by! I’ve been here for 5 weeks now, crazy to think that. Last week, my friend Allison and I ventured down to the southern part of the Netherlands to the oldest city in the country, Maastricht. The train ride was gorgeous. Sometimes that can be one of the best parts of a trip…just staring out the window as the rolling hills and little towns pass by. What a quaint little city Maastricht was. We walked around all day, wandering the streets, stopped at some historical museum; I got a really good deal on a pair of designer jeans, then we called it a day when the sun started to go down. I took a lot of pictures while we were there so make sure you check them out!

The classes I’m taking here are so so different from anything I’m used to at home. I am really enjoying all 3 of them though. The art class is completely self-structured so we’re really forced to use our imagination. Our professor is taking us through the city this week to visit several galleries. I’m really excited! The art school is on the outskirts of the city so it’s about a 40 minute bike ride. We got lost on the way home last week, but ended up finding a really delicious little Mexican restaurant… and I sure do love Mexican food. I had to go to the Sex Museum for my Intro to Sexual Studies class… all I have to say is WOW, haha. I didn’t know putting that kind of stuff in a museum was legal. I included a few pictures!

So this past weekend I was in Germany. I had an absolutely amazing time. My first stop was Koln (we say Cologne). Dad had recommended a pit stop there en route to Munich. I went to the Museum Ludwig, a contemporary art museum… I could have spent hours there. Then I walked through the Kölner Dom, which is the third highest cathedral in the world. Absolutely breathtaking! Back on the train, next stop Ulm. Okay so don’t hate me, but I “couchsurfed.” You probably don’t know what that is, but basically it means I stayed with someone I don’t know that I found through an internet network type thing (www.couchsurfing.com). Sorry Mom and Dad (this is the first time they’re hearing it too). I’m only telling you this now because of course, yes I’m still alive and unharmed, but also because I am SO happy I chose to do this. I felt I was a sensible enough person to do something of the sort. My host and I went grocery shopping, cooked dinner together, went to a student bar that was so fun... it was like an old tower thing, brick walls, dungeon like, but a sweet atmosphere and tons of friendly people. The next day we toured the city… stopped at the TALLEST cathedral in the world, Ulmer Münster. Another amazing site to see! Now off to Munich where I would meet up with my friend Caroline from home that is studying in Florence and her Uncle Jerry (also from New Jersey). We went to this awesome Irish Pub that Jerry’s friend owns located right in the center of Munich. It was wild. All the Guiness signs made me think of you Uncle Chris, and of Guiness(your dog) of course! Haha. We took a city tour on Saturday, stopped at Schloss Nymphenburg, a castle, and at the Olympic Park where the ’72 olympics were!

Off to Oktoberfest- what an insane, chaotic, fun place. We walked around for a bit before we went in our tent but didn’t get far in the midst of thousands of people dressed in their lederhosens and dirndls. We were lucky enough to get our own table inside that soon filled up. Caroline and I got up on stage to lead the band in playing “Country Roads” in front of more than 3,000 people… everyone standing on tables and benches singing and dancing. How often can someone say they’ve done such a thing!? What a great time we all had!

So back to reality, back home… and yes, I’ve started to call this place [Amsterdam] home. I’m now in the process of planning my next trip to France and Spain. I’m meeting Caroline in Paris on the 18^th of October! We’re only staying there for one night, and then we’re headed down to the southwest of France (Bordeaux and Hossegor). Then we’re spending the last 4 days in Barcelona! I cannot wait. Let me know if you have any suggestions for any of these places, especially the southwest of France! I hope to make a quick trip to Belgium in the next 3 weeks…we’ll see. I have a long weekend in Switzerland planned for the middle of November (Geneva and Interlaken). Anyway, I’ll stop rubbing in the wonderful life I’m living at the moment. I do encourage each and every one of you to book a ticket to come visit though! Haha. Let me know how everything is back home. I miss you all! Doi!

Love,

Libby

Greetings from Amsterdam!

So, I really can’t believe I’ve already been here for two weeks. Sorry I haven’t written sooner but I’ve really just started to settle in. The first week was hectic! The program I’m going through, IES Abroad, had tons of orientation stuff lined up for us. It was pretty tiring, but definitely a good introduction to the city. We got things done that were necessary… but man, they had us runnin’ from morning till evening. We still managed to make our way out by the time night rolled around… don’t ask me how. After a few days we all crashed, haha. I think I’m finally adjusted to the time change (it’s six hours later here), but it definitely took longer than I had anticipated… many restless nights. The mattresses they provided I’m sure didn’t help much either… one thing I miss for sure, my comfy bed at home. Well I guess I miss you all too!

There are about 58 kids in my program from all over the U.S. No one else from New Jersey… and many of the kids are from small liberal arts schools throughout the country. I’m one of the few that goes a school where the student body exceeds 3,000. Unfortunately, Zoe, the one girl I really clicked with had a family emergency and had to head back to the states yesterday morning and won’t be returning. I had only known her for two weeks, but it’s amazing how quickly we bonded. We met two Dutch guys one of the first nights we were out in the city. We actually had no idea how to get back to our apartment (probably should have thought of that before we went out) and they offered to show us. Of course we were a little hesitant to let them bring us home, but we nonchalantly made sure we stayed on really well-lit roads and once we got to a point where we knew the rest of the way, we told them it was good enough. They actually ended up being really nice guys and have been such a great help since I’ve been here. I think they’re just as excited to be friends with Americans as we were to befriend actual Dutch people.

If you’re unaware, EVERYONE here rides bikes. Your odds of getting hit by a bike are way higher than getting hit by a car, haha! I got a really neat antique bike the first week I was here. I love it. I will share with you the bad luck (almost funny at this point) I’ve had so far though…

Last Thursday I was in the train station and parked my bike outside on a railing where there were tons of other bikes locked up. Of course I thought nothing of it until I walked outside only to witness my bike, next to about 50 others, being taken away on the back of a big truck! Lucky for me, a Dutch woman’s bike had been taken too. She asked if I wanted to go with her to retrieve our bikes together. If it weren’t for her I wouldn’t have made it. We had to take a train, then a bus, and then walk about ten minutes until we saw a huge lot with thousands of bikes. There were more bikes than you could ever imagine! I had to pay 10 euros to get it back and then me and the Dutch woman (I never got her name) rode about an hour together to make it back to the center of the city. Quite the experience for my first week here… but I learned my lesson about parking my bike!

Friday rolled around. I went to my class (which I think is going to be awesome by the way), stopped at the grocery store on my way home, and when I walked outside, the lock on the back tire of my bike (I’ve never seen the type of lock in the states) but anyway, it’s connected to the bike and something must have bumped my bike while I was in the store and the lock shut. Because I bought my bike at a used store, I didn’t get the key for this specific lock. Thankfully, there was a bike shop up the street so I carried it there and they were able to cut off that lock and replace it with another. It took them four days though! I was miserable without my bike but I finally picked it up last night!

Oh but wait, the bad luck wasn’t over… I popped my bike tire this morning on my way to class! I had to resort to public transportation, oh well. Jack (one of the Dutch guys) got his friend to fix it. I was so thankful. Ugh, I could have just pictured myself dragging the bike to the nearest bike shop (this time the shop was not near at all) to get it fixed. It definitely made me realize how much I depend on my brother’s while I’m home. I’m helpless when it comes to bike problems. (Guerin, if you’re actually serious about ever opening a bike shop, I suggest moving to Amsterdam, haha.)

Okay, enough with the bad! I will now talk about how much I love this city. It’s truly an amazing place. It’s so different from being home. The canals are BEAUTIFUL. Everywhere you go there is something new and amazing to see. I’m taking three classes while I’m here: Introduction to Sexual Studies, a Studio Art course, and Love Stories (it’s a long title I don’t remember the rest.) I only have class on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays which is nice! On Monday night my Intro to Sexual Studies class went on a tour of the Red Light District (which has much more history than I would have ever imagined) with our professor, then he continued to bring us to his favorite gay bar and buy us a round of drinks. When would that ever happen in the states!? I’ve met some really awesome international students in my classes. Every Tuesday night, there is a “borrel” organized for all the international students at Club de Heffer. I don’t know the exact meaning of the word borrel, but it involves drinking and it makes us sound a little Dutch when we say it, haha. It really is a great way to meet other international students though! I’m becoming more and more familiar with the city every day. Sometimes it’s nice to just wander around aimlessly on my bike. I love stopping at the outdoor markets. There are several throughout the city. I haven’t been to all, but my favorite so far is Waterlooplein (a pretty popular one). There are so many different vendors, with everything and anything you can think of. It’s nice to buy fresh fruit and vegetables from the markets too!

Anyway, that’s enough for now. I guess it’s nothing too exciting yet. I’m sure I’ll have some interesting stories in the near future. Hope all is well back in the U.S.!!! Make sure you keep me posted with anything new and exciting as well!

Love,

Libby