In Canada, Canal Days is an annual marine hertiage festival held in Port Colborne. In Amsterdam, canal day is every day.
April, as I've said, is a bit of a wolf in sheep's clothing: it appears beautiful and full of joy, but once you peel back the spring artifice there is a mountain of school work to keep one chained to the desk. I'm currently camped out in the Theaterwetenschap library (theatre science, but of course). We heat actors in test-tubes over bunsen burners to determine their emotional recall abilities and dissect characters with scalpels and protractors to determine their 'super-objectives'. It's all very messy stuff - all in a day's work when you're a scientist though. This section of the library has the AC cranked up unbearably high. If there is one thing I can't stand it's when, during the warm months, indoor temperatures are reconstructed to feel like the cold weather we left behind. I'm thinking of registering a formal complaint, but I don't want to mess with the Head Theatre Scientist here. Maybe the temperature is low to keep the theatre cadavers frozen.
We had long days of class on both Tuesday and Wednesday. I continue to enjoy my Key Theories in International Performance Class. Unlike the first year PhD class in Theatre Theory I took at UofT, which was rewarding but extremely challenging, I actually feel comfortable expressing my ideas and contributing to class discussion. We have only two more classes of it in the next two weeks and then we present our portfolio presentations in mid-May. Once this course ends, it will be the last formal class of my university education. Mucho looking forward to that.
After our classes on both days, a few of us rewarded our efforts with some after-school drinks. Each of the two days we migrated to a patio close to the school (there are a few to choose from) to blow off a bit of April steam. On Tuesday, we camped out on a patio which is situated across from another patio and separated by a bike path. Prime people watching territory. It was a bit funny - all the chairs on each of the patios were faced outward to catch the sun. I'm sure it made an intimidating route for bikers cruising down between the packed groups. Yesterday, we choose a patio further down the closest canal. In addition to tables and chairs outside, people sat with beers on either side of the canal. This type of chilling is too difficult to pass up. We enjoyed a few drinks, discussed our respective thesis proposals, and watched the boats float by in the afternoon sun. If I had to choose the most beautiful feature of the city, it would be the canals. Not only do they provide an easy way to navigate the city, but being surrounded by water is a pretty special way to spent your time. Their brilliance takes on new meaning when the bridges are all alit in the evenings.
Other important thoughts today:
1) In preparation for next month's 'May'hem (read: May visitors) I'm trying to get ahead with my final essay for the term. The abstract is due in a month and the final is due in June. I've started the paper and decided on a topic: Attempts at Intercultural Theatre as Expressions of an Imagined Global Citizenship. Wish me luck. The topic is a bit out of left field, but I hope it pays off.
2) April is half over. This makes me extremely happy. If you're a dedicated reader you know why. If you're not, what's stopping you?! Bookmarking makes returning very easy.
3) I'm headed to Rotterdam on Saturday - it's the second largest city in the Netherlands. We're going to visit a museum, have some dinner, and see a show from the international Needcompany.
The novelty of biking through the city during spring days hasn't worn off. I don't think it will while I'm here. I wonder if it wears off for permanent residents. Probably not.
Doc's Prescription of the Day: Sunshine, pure and simple. Even if you can't enjoy it hanging off the side of a canal, open those blinds and curtains and let it stream through.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
North, West, South, Easter.doc
The title of this weekend's entry is in reference to the incredible amount of biking I did this Easter weekend. I went harder, faster, stronger in each direction that I ever have before. I think I swallowed three bugs in total.
Friday was the beginning of my bike travels. It was such a gorgeous day (the first that had broken 20 degrees) so I decided to throw some water and lunch into my backpack (alongside my book), flip my ipod on shuffle, and hit the open road. I had intended to just whip around the city charting a spontaneous route. After ten minutes of biking east, I followed a sign that indicated a path to the North Amsterdam. I had heard a lot about this part of the city - it's quiet, serene, and beautiful. It is, however, quite a trek to get up into the North so I decided to bite the bullet and commit to a really long ride.
Most people take the free ferry to the North (since it's separated from Amsterdam main land). After consulting the map after the fact, I realized I had wandered upon the only other way to get north from the city. The route stretches over a large man-made bridge. The downside is that there is a lot of uphill peddling, but the upside is the downward cruising as a reward for all the hard work. Once I reached the opposit side I first went west and wandered through an incredibly quaint town. The houses were incredibly close together and everyone was out enjoying beverages in the sun. I doubled back and headed even further North. After twenty minutes of peddling, I found myself staring out at seemingly infinite stretches of flat land on either side with not a fellow traveller in sight. Lazy water ways beautifully scarred the flat fields - they're narrow strips of water that ensure the country won't sink (they also provide irrigation).
It was a beautiful sight - one of those, holy crap, I'm in Europe moments. I've seen a lot of beautiful architecture, eaten a lot of superior pastries, and seen some wonderful art, but this was the first time I felt surrounded by a serene and idyllic beauty. No wonder artists camp out in the fields and paint landscapes. I kept biking from small town to small town when I realized that if I didn't turn home, I probably wouldn't have enough energy to get back. On the way back, I stopped in yet another beautiful city park, called Flora, and indulged with two more chapters of my book. The one way ride was about 12kms, so I think I did about 24kms total. It's definitely not the type of afternoon I would have chosen, or been able to find in Toronto, but that's why I'm in Europe. I think I'll remember that moment in the fields for a long time to come.
That evening we went to a bizarre performance event/party hosted by an innovative media company in Amsterdam. The exhibit was about death and memory and had a variety of different interactive party events (karaoke, craft building, an outdoor walking tour, digital recording devices, and a cool photography exhibit). It was typical Amsterdam to me: quirky, off-the-wall, alternative, affordable, and artsy. I can usually tell when the event we've chosen to attend will be decent based on the collection of people that are also there. It may seem superficial but if there are a plethora of skinny jeans, suspenders, fedoras, and ray-bans, the party is generally quite good.
Saturday was spent working on the Dissertation Proposal which will be sent tomorrow for first draft feedback. The final proposal will be sent May 1 and then I can put it away for a month or two. In addition, I was able to touch base with a lot of friends and family celebrating the holidays. I reminisced with my family about hiding easter eggs in super high places so the dog wouldn't ruin the holiday, and was happy to hear that friends back home had some much deserved time off work. That evening I went for a two hour bike ride to the south and back around to the east with a friend from the conference I am working on. Afterwards, we stopped in for a few beers at a really neat patio underneath a giant windmill! Add another 15 clicks to the count.
The next day was spent like most Sundays: morning coffee, online article catch up, and a bit of work. I completed a book review (my second of the term) and then decided to 'shirk the work' (my new mantra when the weather is nice) for a trip to Vondelpark. I sat among an incredible diversity of the city's inhabitants (and of course tourists) and logged another few chapters of the Sedaris book. I never want to read too much because the book will be over - the hallmark of a great read. I found the only grocery store in town that was open on the Holiday Sunday and picked up a bottle of wine for the evening (another 6km). Friends and I, those from UVA but outside MAIPR, went to our favourite Sunday night hangout. Unfortunately, because Monday was a holiday so did everyone else. We waited in line for an excruciating hour, but the 1.50 cover is always worth it.
The holiday was busy, the weather was great, I biked over 40kms, and the Laura Secord chocolate sent from home made the weekend sweet. I hope yours was just as memorable.
Doc's Prescription of the Day: When biking in Amsterdam, you may accidently swallow a bug or two in your travels. The only prescription for that, after a long day of riding around, is an ice-cold pint.
Friday was the beginning of my bike travels. It was such a gorgeous day (the first that had broken 20 degrees) so I decided to throw some water and lunch into my backpack (alongside my book), flip my ipod on shuffle, and hit the open road. I had intended to just whip around the city charting a spontaneous route. After ten minutes of biking east, I followed a sign that indicated a path to the North Amsterdam. I had heard a lot about this part of the city - it's quiet, serene, and beautiful. It is, however, quite a trek to get up into the North so I decided to bite the bullet and commit to a really long ride.
Most people take the free ferry to the North (since it's separated from Amsterdam main land). After consulting the map after the fact, I realized I had wandered upon the only other way to get north from the city. The route stretches over a large man-made bridge. The downside is that there is a lot of uphill peddling, but the upside is the downward cruising as a reward for all the hard work. Once I reached the opposit side I first went west and wandered through an incredibly quaint town. The houses were incredibly close together and everyone was out enjoying beverages in the sun. I doubled back and headed even further North. After twenty minutes of peddling, I found myself staring out at seemingly infinite stretches of flat land on either side with not a fellow traveller in sight. Lazy water ways beautifully scarred the flat fields - they're narrow strips of water that ensure the country won't sink (they also provide irrigation).
It was a beautiful sight - one of those, holy crap, I'm in Europe moments. I've seen a lot of beautiful architecture, eaten a lot of superior pastries, and seen some wonderful art, but this was the first time I felt surrounded by a serene and idyllic beauty. No wonder artists camp out in the fields and paint landscapes. I kept biking from small town to small town when I realized that if I didn't turn home, I probably wouldn't have enough energy to get back. On the way back, I stopped in yet another beautiful city park, called Flora, and indulged with two more chapters of my book. The one way ride was about 12kms, so I think I did about 24kms total. It's definitely not the type of afternoon I would have chosen, or been able to find in Toronto, but that's why I'm in Europe. I think I'll remember that moment in the fields for a long time to come.
That evening we went to a bizarre performance event/party hosted by an innovative media company in Amsterdam. The exhibit was about death and memory and had a variety of different interactive party events (karaoke, craft building, an outdoor walking tour, digital recording devices, and a cool photography exhibit). It was typical Amsterdam to me: quirky, off-the-wall, alternative, affordable, and artsy. I can usually tell when the event we've chosen to attend will be decent based on the collection of people that are also there. It may seem superficial but if there are a plethora of skinny jeans, suspenders, fedoras, and ray-bans, the party is generally quite good.
Saturday was spent working on the Dissertation Proposal which will be sent tomorrow for first draft feedback. The final proposal will be sent May 1 and then I can put it away for a month or two. In addition, I was able to touch base with a lot of friends and family celebrating the holidays. I reminisced with my family about hiding easter eggs in super high places so the dog wouldn't ruin the holiday, and was happy to hear that friends back home had some much deserved time off work. That evening I went for a two hour bike ride to the south and back around to the east with a friend from the conference I am working on. Afterwards, we stopped in for a few beers at a really neat patio underneath a giant windmill! Add another 15 clicks to the count.
The next day was spent like most Sundays: morning coffee, online article catch up, and a bit of work. I completed a book review (my second of the term) and then decided to 'shirk the work' (my new mantra when the weather is nice) for a trip to Vondelpark. I sat among an incredible diversity of the city's inhabitants (and of course tourists) and logged another few chapters of the Sedaris book. I never want to read too much because the book will be over - the hallmark of a great read. I found the only grocery store in town that was open on the Holiday Sunday and picked up a bottle of wine for the evening (another 6km). Friends and I, those from UVA but outside MAIPR, went to our favourite Sunday night hangout. Unfortunately, because Monday was a holiday so did everyone else. We waited in line for an excruciating hour, but the 1.50 cover is always worth it.
The holiday was busy, the weather was great, I biked over 40kms, and the Laura Secord chocolate sent from home made the weekend sweet. I hope yours was just as memorable.
Doc's Prescription of the Day: When biking in Amsterdam, you may accidently swallow a bug or two in your travels. The only prescription for that, after a long day of riding around, is an ice-cold pint.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Grad Student Life Isn't Always Glamorous.doc
I received a wonderful package in the mail today from my friend Kathleen. Inside was a card from Kingston with a picture of Theological Hall on the front - it brought back a flood of nostalgia. She also included a bundle of Canadian pins which I did not bring over with me. I've been searching the apartment for items that can be enhanced with a little Canadian pride.
The past few days, as I mentioned in the last post, Courtney and I have been playing student guides to a guest lecturer from Warwick. In fact, he's the head of the theatre department back in the UK (I seem to find myself among the 'heads’ of things more and more). It has been a really rewarding project, since it's always good to network in academic circles, but also really tiring. We attended nine hours of instruction on theatre historiography, a public lecture he gave in the department, and have ushered him from class room to class room to ensure the technological devices are all in working order. We even hand delivered a sandwich and a coffee (oh the glamorous lives of graduate students).
Thankfully, I was surprised by how much useful information I learned in the seminars about the construction of theatre historiography, methodologies, and the history of the popular. I now have serious questions about why the dreadful Brockett is still being used for theatre history courses. The extra seminars have meant I've been on campus from 8:30am until 6:30/7pm most nights which makes for long (but fulfilling) days. At one point, I wondered what it might take for UVA students to go on strike and set up a blockade just for one day off - a ban on bikes, cheese, or stroopwafels?? I feel that if any one of these bans were to take place, the diplomatic Dutch would be able to strike a solid compromise in mere hours. Just my luck.
The long school days have meant that there has been little time off, and, yes admittedly, no new updates on my end. The time I did have off in the evenings was spent reading for the next morning's seminar. Again, the glamorous life of grad students. I was able to further my travel plans which is important in booking transport connections in advance. I am going to meet Michael and Paul (Queen's friends) in Brussels for two days in May. We're thinking of a small day trip to Bruges or Leuven while there. Then, Michael will return to Amsterdam with me for a week - I'm really looking forward to showing him the sights and sounds. I'm also getting closer and closer to finalizing a week in Portugal with Jessica and Emily in a city called Sesimbra close to Lisbon. Portugal in the July sun = paradise. Add to this a week in Finland in June fully organized by the MA program and I'm lucky enough to be seeing a new country in each of the next three months.
With the end of the extra seminars, yet another week has come to a close. I say this because we have Friday off for the holiday. I have a four day weekend. I had grand plans that crept their way into my head of a quick jump to Paris to spend at least two days among friends (how wonderful is it that I can even entertain the idea of a 'quick jump' to Paris?), but the thought drifted away as quickly as it came. A draft of my thesis proposal is due on Tuesday and I also have readings, and an essay to start. Since I'll be spending six months on thesis writing, I figure this is something I should spend the time going over with a fine tooth comb...or any comb for that matter...a brush even.
The eagerness to shirk responsibility and gallivant in Paris is, I think, a reaction against my self-imposed approach to April as a work-driven month that will pay off with a more relaxed May and June. I've always balanced school and socializing fairly equally - if socializing was a course at UofT, Hincks and I would have received an A+ in addition to distinction and publishing. So I think I'm trying to break my own rules, even though the approach to the month is probably a wise one. It just goes against the fabric of my being to have a four day weekend and not utilize it to see close friends, throw a party, or travel to a new city. Instead, I'll be in thesis proposal land. If you try and imagine it like Candy Land it makes the work all the more palpable.
This is not to say that the whole weekend be spent hunkering down behind textbooks. We're talking about having an Easter potluck on the weekend, going out on Saturday night, and maybe even planning a bike trip/picnic if the weather is good on Sunday. All events TBD which is just the way I like it. Not to worry, even though Paris is out of reach, I'll be spending Easter weekend among MAIPR friends.
Doc's Prescription of the Day: It's a prescription for the weekend really. Have too much chocolate, enjoy the company of friends and family, and maybe pet a rabbit or two. Happy Easter and Happy Passover!
The past few days, as I mentioned in the last post, Courtney and I have been playing student guides to a guest lecturer from Warwick. In fact, he's the head of the theatre department back in the UK (I seem to find myself among the 'heads’ of things more and more). It has been a really rewarding project, since it's always good to network in academic circles, but also really tiring. We attended nine hours of instruction on theatre historiography, a public lecture he gave in the department, and have ushered him from class room to class room to ensure the technological devices are all in working order. We even hand delivered a sandwich and a coffee (oh the glamorous lives of graduate students).
Thankfully, I was surprised by how much useful information I learned in the seminars about the construction of theatre historiography, methodologies, and the history of the popular. I now have serious questions about why the dreadful Brockett is still being used for theatre history courses. The extra seminars have meant I've been on campus from 8:30am until 6:30/7pm most nights which makes for long (but fulfilling) days. At one point, I wondered what it might take for UVA students to go on strike and set up a blockade just for one day off - a ban on bikes, cheese, or stroopwafels?? I feel that if any one of these bans were to take place, the diplomatic Dutch would be able to strike a solid compromise in mere hours. Just my luck.
The long school days have meant that there has been little time off, and, yes admittedly, no new updates on my end. The time I did have off in the evenings was spent reading for the next morning's seminar. Again, the glamorous life of grad students. I was able to further my travel plans which is important in booking transport connections in advance. I am going to meet Michael and Paul (Queen's friends) in Brussels for two days in May. We're thinking of a small day trip to Bruges or Leuven while there. Then, Michael will return to Amsterdam with me for a week - I'm really looking forward to showing him the sights and sounds. I'm also getting closer and closer to finalizing a week in Portugal with Jessica and Emily in a city called Sesimbra close to Lisbon. Portugal in the July sun = paradise. Add to this a week in Finland in June fully organized by the MA program and I'm lucky enough to be seeing a new country in each of the next three months.
With the end of the extra seminars, yet another week has come to a close. I say this because we have Friday off for the holiday. I have a four day weekend. I had grand plans that crept their way into my head of a quick jump to Paris to spend at least two days among friends (how wonderful is it that I can even entertain the idea of a 'quick jump' to Paris?), but the thought drifted away as quickly as it came. A draft of my thesis proposal is due on Tuesday and I also have readings, and an essay to start. Since I'll be spending six months on thesis writing, I figure this is something I should spend the time going over with a fine tooth comb...or any comb for that matter...a brush even.
The eagerness to shirk responsibility and gallivant in Paris is, I think, a reaction against my self-imposed approach to April as a work-driven month that will pay off with a more relaxed May and June. I've always balanced school and socializing fairly equally - if socializing was a course at UofT, Hincks and I would have received an A+ in addition to distinction and publishing. So I think I'm trying to break my own rules, even though the approach to the month is probably a wise one. It just goes against the fabric of my being to have a four day weekend and not utilize it to see close friends, throw a party, or travel to a new city. Instead, I'll be in thesis proposal land. If you try and imagine it like Candy Land it makes the work all the more palpable.
This is not to say that the whole weekend be spent hunkering down behind textbooks. We're talking about having an Easter potluck on the weekend, going out on Saturday night, and maybe even planning a bike trip/picnic if the weather is good on Sunday. All events TBD which is just the way I like it. Not to worry, even though Paris is out of reach, I'll be spending Easter weekend among MAIPR friends.
Doc's Prescription of the Day: It's a prescription for the weekend really. Have too much chocolate, enjoy the company of friends and family, and maybe pet a rabbit or two. Happy Easter and Happy Passover!
Monday, April 06, 2009
Procrastination has Only Cons.doc
I had a busy weekend, and found myself really good at procrastinating and avoiding school work. Anyone who read the previous blog post would not find this to be a surprise. I was practically brimming with happiness on Friday after a wonderful afternoon with Mr. Sun in Vondelpark. I avoided the park this weekend, not because it wasn't nice, but because I knew I would spend the whole weekend with pleasure reading rather than school work.
Friday night was spent catching up with Facebook inbox and wall posts and email messages. I was also saving myself for a big night on Saturday (part of my one night a week of social activity in April to be more productive). I've begun to feel like I've fallen into a dangerous and aggravating cycle with messages. I'll be so busy that I neglect responding for three days, I'll set aside two precious hours to get the job done, and then almost instantly, I'll have responses of responses that need attention, and the whole pattern seems to loop in a vicious two day cycle. This is nothing new. We've all been dealing with becoming digitally wired in the past decade, but it just seems like I can never get ahead on correspondence and that annoys me. Hopefully, this too, shall pass. After this weekend, I've decided to try and wean myself off facebook time (who hasn't said that before) and commit to three logs-ins a day. My first initiative is to not check any messages before noon. I've been told this is a great way to become more productive in the morning. I'll let you know how it goes.
Saturday afternoon I definitely landed on the ‘great job’ side of the productive wheel, but it was errand productive as opposed to school work: I prepared two letters for the mail, had a much needed spring hair cut, did some all-important window shopping (with no transactions taking place), and spent a leisurely time in the grocery store picking out weekend food items. I think the jubilation of Friday afternoon translated into a laissez-faire approach to work for the weekend. The trouble with this approach is when you tell yourself you always have tomorrow to get things done - this isn't exactly true when you run out of tomorrows.
That evening, work was left firmly back in the apartment. We had a get-together at Hetta's place where I was introduced to three Finnish girls who are doing an Erasmus year in France. I've heard from a few people that they believe the Fins to be endearingly crazy sons a guns, but I've become really aware this year of the misconceptions that come with generalizing the people of a nation. However, if you had to paint a picture of the Finnish people based on the four gals we had at the party on Saturday, you'd be hard pressed to say that those from the country are reserved, quiet, or stable. To say these girls were out-going is an understatement, and, as Hetta said herself, they are a bit crazy. They talked a mile a minute, unfairly bashed the French in every way possible, and tried their best to become close friends with the MAIPRS almost instantly. They were an absolute riot. It proved to be a great way to shake up our usual gatherings - the girls sang Finnish songs, forced the crew to shoot some imported Finnish Liquorice Vodka, and were more than enthusiastic at the bar.
We went out in the Rembrandt Plein where there was a special once-a-month party at a bar called Studio 80. The doors opened at 11pm and there were still people waiting in line for entry at 4:00am. The official party is said to end at 6am but we obviously didn't stay that late. It was yet another great time out in Amsterdam. In addition to meeting a really cool Aussie guy that stuck around with us for the night (Bec and him struck up a convo - Aussies stick together), we met up with some of the Dutch students in our course, and partied along to some really well-mixed beats. If Saturdays are my one night of freedom from the desk in April, then I can look forward to more of the nights like the one we had on Saturday.
Sunday was a bit of a write off. I slept in after getting home late from the bar, and made a leisurely brunch while enjoying a beautiful spring day. Before getting to school work, I tried to get organized for two NEW projects to add to the pile (one short term and one long term). I was asked by the course coordinator here in Amsterdam to be a liaison for the Guest Lecturer coming from the UK for three seminars this week. Courtney and I are supposed to be his guide to the city, and provide support for his seminars. It's not too taxing a request, but did require a bit of initial planning. The larger new initiative is that I am one of three students developing the student program for the Summer School in Finland. I volunteered my help and was chosen as the Warwick home representative for the committee that will oversee developing a year book, social schedule, and student workshops during the week. I guess I just can't get away from committees and student volunteering (story of my life). Thankfully, involvement should be fun and my friend Tory is one of the other two committee members. Canada represent. I then spent an hour researching job opportunities after the program - UNESCO currently tops the list but I think that's a long shot for an entry level position.
Once I did get to actual school work on Sunday, it was 4pm and I had to crawl through two readings related to Theatre Historiography. Not the most interesting topic - some might even say coma-inducing. So while I was productive on the errand and correspondence front, I used it as a way to procrastinate from school work - procrastination has only cons. I'm remedying my poor performance by hitting the ground running. I was on campus this morning at 8:45am and have a full schedule laid out for the day (blog from 11:15 - 12:00pm). Not to worry, you all have been scheduled into my day.
Doc's Prescription of the Day: We all procrastinate, and we all talk about doing it. It has almost become its own religion, or mantra. I think the key to avoidance is all about forming new patterns and breaking routines. Try breaking something - destruction can be a good thing.
Friday night was spent catching up with Facebook inbox and wall posts and email messages. I was also saving myself for a big night on Saturday (part of my one night a week of social activity in April to be more productive). I've begun to feel like I've fallen into a dangerous and aggravating cycle with messages. I'll be so busy that I neglect responding for three days, I'll set aside two precious hours to get the job done, and then almost instantly, I'll have responses of responses that need attention, and the whole pattern seems to loop in a vicious two day cycle. This is nothing new. We've all been dealing with becoming digitally wired in the past decade, but it just seems like I can never get ahead on correspondence and that annoys me. Hopefully, this too, shall pass. After this weekend, I've decided to try and wean myself off facebook time (who hasn't said that before) and commit to three logs-ins a day. My first initiative is to not check any messages before noon. I've been told this is a great way to become more productive in the morning. I'll let you know how it goes.
Saturday afternoon I definitely landed on the ‘great job’ side of the productive wheel, but it was errand productive as opposed to school work: I prepared two letters for the mail, had a much needed spring hair cut, did some all-important window shopping (with no transactions taking place), and spent a leisurely time in the grocery store picking out weekend food items. I think the jubilation of Friday afternoon translated into a laissez-faire approach to work for the weekend. The trouble with this approach is when you tell yourself you always have tomorrow to get things done - this isn't exactly true when you run out of tomorrows.
That evening, work was left firmly back in the apartment. We had a get-together at Hetta's place where I was introduced to three Finnish girls who are doing an Erasmus year in France. I've heard from a few people that they believe the Fins to be endearingly crazy sons a guns, but I've become really aware this year of the misconceptions that come with generalizing the people of a nation. However, if you had to paint a picture of the Finnish people based on the four gals we had at the party on Saturday, you'd be hard pressed to say that those from the country are reserved, quiet, or stable. To say these girls were out-going is an understatement, and, as Hetta said herself, they are a bit crazy. They talked a mile a minute, unfairly bashed the French in every way possible, and tried their best to become close friends with the MAIPRS almost instantly. They were an absolute riot. It proved to be a great way to shake up our usual gatherings - the girls sang Finnish songs, forced the crew to shoot some imported Finnish Liquorice Vodka, and were more than enthusiastic at the bar.
We went out in the Rembrandt Plein where there was a special once-a-month party at a bar called Studio 80. The doors opened at 11pm and there were still people waiting in line for entry at 4:00am. The official party is said to end at 6am but we obviously didn't stay that late. It was yet another great time out in Amsterdam. In addition to meeting a really cool Aussie guy that stuck around with us for the night (Bec and him struck up a convo - Aussies stick together), we met up with some of the Dutch students in our course, and partied along to some really well-mixed beats. If Saturdays are my one night of freedom from the desk in April, then I can look forward to more of the nights like the one we had on Saturday.
Sunday was a bit of a write off. I slept in after getting home late from the bar, and made a leisurely brunch while enjoying a beautiful spring day. Before getting to school work, I tried to get organized for two NEW projects to add to the pile (one short term and one long term). I was asked by the course coordinator here in Amsterdam to be a liaison for the Guest Lecturer coming from the UK for three seminars this week. Courtney and I are supposed to be his guide to the city, and provide support for his seminars. It's not too taxing a request, but did require a bit of initial planning. The larger new initiative is that I am one of three students developing the student program for the Summer School in Finland. I volunteered my help and was chosen as the Warwick home representative for the committee that will oversee developing a year book, social schedule, and student workshops during the week. I guess I just can't get away from committees and student volunteering (story of my life). Thankfully, involvement should be fun and my friend Tory is one of the other two committee members. Canada represent. I then spent an hour researching job opportunities after the program - UNESCO currently tops the list but I think that's a long shot for an entry level position.
Once I did get to actual school work on Sunday, it was 4pm and I had to crawl through two readings related to Theatre Historiography. Not the most interesting topic - some might even say coma-inducing. So while I was productive on the errand and correspondence front, I used it as a way to procrastinate from school work - procrastination has only cons. I'm remedying my poor performance by hitting the ground running. I was on campus this morning at 8:45am and have a full schedule laid out for the day (blog from 11:15 - 12:00pm). Not to worry, you all have been scheduled into my day.
Doc's Prescription of the Day: We all procrastinate, and we all talk about doing it. It has almost become its own religion, or mantra. I think the key to avoidance is all about forming new patterns and breaking routines. Try breaking something - destruction can be a good thing.
Friday, April 03, 2009
Sunshine, Lollipops, and....doc
Amsterdam has exploded. Have you read about it in international news? Probably not. The explosion has been of the spring variety. Patios have extended beyond the bounds of the inside, dogs are frolicking around like they own the city, and work has been shirked for more adventurous outdoor pursuits. I've enjoyed the city for the past three months, but I'm beginning to fall in love with Amsterdam in warmer temperatures.
The start of school work after the long reading week break was difficult, but the beautiful weather has made it all the more palpable. We started a new course in Japanese Theatre this week - the prof is really great and it's challenging to learn about theatrical conventions so different from those we know in the West. I had a presentation this week in my Theories of International Performance class that went really well. The presentation was on the work of Joost Smiers who is a cultural theorist writing about the intersection of arts and economics. He proposes an abolishment of copyright that would give more agency to artists (really interesting stuff).
On Tuesday I decided to take an extended bike ride through the city. I've described before about how much becoming an "Amsterdam biker" has changed my perspective on the city, but it has been so altering it's hard to blog about. I now feel like I've made the (all important) transition from tourist to city citizen. My bike ride was a two hour journey through the important spots in the city which included Vondelpark (the Amsterdam version of Central Park). It's a long winding path through beautiful parkland filled with bikes, picnics, spots to read, and, of course, loads of bohemian gatherings. It's quickly becoming one of my favourite spots in the city and the newest landmark to introduce to visitors.
Today, after our three hour class, Bec and I biked down to the park to welcome the warmest day of the year yet. We bought a six pack from the local grocery (for 5.50 Euros) and set off for the bohemian paradise. I wish you could have seen the place; picnics and chilling as far as the eye could see. We set our bikes again a big old tree to people watch for a solid two hours. The first matter of business was to discuss our upcoming move to the UK (scheduled for July 1) and the second was to enjoy the sights and sounds of Amsterdam spring. We saw bikers of all ages, the token fitness enthusiasts jog here and there, all variety of dogs, and the occasional roving gang of teenagers just let out from school. It was one of the best afternoons I've had in Europe. We scheduled an MAIPR picnic in Vondelpark for the coming weeks.
I would be remiss in mentioning the experience I had at Wok to Walk yesterday with Courtney. After a long day of library diligence, we treated ourselves to dinner at one of Europe's best fast food outlets. Walk to Wok is the Subway of Chinese food. First, you choose a base (three different kinds of rice and four different types of noodles), you add to that a protein or a type of vegetable, and finally, you choose a sauce that pulls the whole meal together. We joined the lineup that stretched outside the door and, after fifteen minutes, enjoyed a wonderful feast. The portions are beyond generous.
I thought April would be a month spent staring up at the grindstone, and in some respects it will be, but at the same time I'm enjoying the benefits of spring in a metropolis. In addition to enjoying the sunshine (no lollipops yet) I've also started a fantastic book Emily lent me called Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris that was also recommended by our friend Michael. It's proving to be the perfect spring read. Life is good in the city.
Doc's Prescription for the Day: I wish I could transport the joys of Vondelpark and Walk to Wok to you all but it's not possible. Those of you who visit in May (six guests and counting) will be able to reap the benefits. Instead, enjoy this video by Goldfrapp entitled Happiness which reflects my mood at present. Enjoy the sunshine.
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