Hallelujah moments!

Hi!! Another city to add to my list: Nijmegen also called: Nimma city!! It was fun, another city that has the students night on Thursday, just like Arnhem. Met new people and had fun, what more could you want! And then last monday: Mission RUN FOREST RUN! I had to hand something over to my aunt, who arrived on Schiphol, only to transfer to another flight 50 minutes later! So there I was...took an earlier train...and her flight was delayed..15 minutes! I kept looking at the board, but it said arriving at 3....and I kept thinking is it 3 for sure..but that's what it said..so I kept waiting...and then I heard my name. Simone was behind me somewhere! She arrived at 1, schiphol messed up...Anyway, HUG! First time we saw each other after I left last February. So we walked to her gate, chatting on the way, quick quick quick! But we made it!

So 2 days later on Wednesday, my Paris adventure began! My flight left at 20.25, I arrived at 21.25 (I know...ridiculous...but it was cheaper than the train...) so after that I had to take 2 trains...one was delayed..but I ran into a couple from LA, so I wasn't bored :)! And there I was, walking out of the train station and OH MY GOD, it's the Eiffel Tower at night (See picture)!! I kept walking and there I was at the apartment, still able to see the Tower from up close!! I was buzzed in, there was uncle Ken!!! We went up to the 9th floor!

I had to go to the balcony with my eyes shut....and then open them again and again OH MY GOD, it was sooo close (see picture by day)!!!!! Well, then Simone showed me where amy and max were sleeping and they left a spot open for me to lay...! So sweet! So there I went, first looking at those 2 little angels, that I missed (I realized that in Paris). Finally fell a sleep, woke up again and so did max, he saw me in a flash and hugged me, so sweet! And after that again! Then we both woke up and talked and while I came out of the bathroom, I heard Max say to Amy: Amy, wake up, guess who's here, Talitha's here! And I walked to the room slowly, seeing Amy with a smile that is indescribable!

They all had missed me too and Amy wanted to stay with me, walk with me, sit with me, sleep with me, etc. most of the time, it was so sweet!! That Thursday was Max' birthday, we went to the Louvre, amazing! I was kind of tired...so from time to time it was like...how long until this tour is over, haha but I enjoyed it! Being part of their family again just went naturally. We also went to all the other tourists spots, it was awesome! The day after, we saw more of Paris, beautiful and full of history!

Last night...last morning...saying goodbye, but that went easy, since I knew I will see them again in a 10 days! We both went our own ways and I arrived in Arnhem Saturday night 7 o clock.

That Monday was my first exam, it was great to see the class again and chatting about everything! Owh and finally handing out the PICTURE DVDs of China, that I finished right before I went to Paris, another HALLELUJAH MOMENT!!!

Yesterday I watched the first soccer game, Holland played in for this EK (european cup). They won, again....they've won every game they played (3), even against the world champion, Italy (who they beat with 3-0)! I will have my second and last exam for this year tomorrow, so time to study again!!

Simone, Ken, Max and Amy are arriving this Saturday in Arnhem!!! Absolutely fabulous!

Ow and my last HALLELUJAH moment!! The strike (buses) is over!! They will start driving again tomorrow!!!! Okay, got to go now!!

Big hug, kisses! Talithaaaa!
PS: more pictures of Paris can be viewed on: www.talitha88.hyves.nl

Ready for the summer!

And here I am again...after saying sorry for waiting so long to post a new story last time...history seems to repeat itself.....Once again I am grabbing my diary/day to day planner to see if I did anything worth mentioning....

Okay, here it goes!

As you all know, I am enjoying life! Part of that is, of course, my Saturday nights.....and recently added again, the Thursday! And I am happy to announce that I finally had a chance to go to Soultrain again, which is on a Sunday! So after Thursday and Saturday, I also went on Sunday! I went to Soultrain, a themed party held in one of Arnhem's clubs: Manhattan, once before (a year ago) and it was the first time I went ballistic, danced like crazy!! In the play list are songs from the olden days, soul, disco, you name it. Aretha Franklin, James Brown and also other oldies! Totally my kind of music! I went with a (gay) friend and his posse. Half ...if it wasn't more of the people there were gay, totally awesome! I sang, I danced, I made friends!

A week later, on sunday again, The annual HARLEY DAVIDSON day was in Arnhem!! My mom's uncle, grandmother's brother, Johnny participates every year! Over 5000 Harley's are on display and of course the perfect chance for the bikers to share their passion! And it's always fun for me, since I get to see some of my Indonesian family, which is always lots of fun!

And then, just like that, I decided to go to Amsterdam with a friend (who is in my class). Amsterdam might be a tourist spot, a must see for foreigners. But also a shopping heaven for us Dutchies and then there is, of course the Red Light District. And as far as my memory goes, I can't remember ever visiting the RL district! So our plan was to go shopping, walk pass the district, grab a bite en return home...we went shopping alright...didn't buy a whole lot..but a well..Anyway, we didn't went by the district and set up a new appointment to visit the lovely ladies the next time! As a Dutchess, it has to be part of you education ;)! The friend I went with by the way is Laura, one of the persons I also went to Wageningen with.

And I went with her, her boyfriend Rik and brother Daan "out", Saturday night in EDE. First drop off my sleeping stuff, since I was spending the night as well. And off we went, first we visited a few friends and drank and off we went to the nightlife of Ede! It was fun! I even ran into someone I knew!! Anyway, where ever I am, the party is too!!!

Anyway! I finally met Shari, the girl that wants to go to my ex-internship job in the USA. She was very enthusiastic and went through the same kind of stuff I had to go through, so I knew how she felt! And how hard she had to try to get documents and to make things happen! But we talked, got to know each other, had a bite. And hopefully everything will be okay in time!

Uhm...what else....I booked 2 holidays! One is to Paris, June 11th! When I finally get to see my American family again, my aunt, uncle, nephew and niece! I can hardly wait!! And I am sooo excited!!! I will arrive at night around 23ish and will leave Saturday, June 14th at 15.45 by plane! The other holiday we booked last night, which is to Barcelona, Spain with a friend. Her parents will already be on the camp site and we will join them for 10 days, but of course we'll have our own time to explore Barcelona and the nightlife :)!

The last thing I'd like to tell you guys...is that I cut my hair, again...well of course I didn't do it myself :)! But it's short....hanging on my shoulders...so that's another 10 cm...around 4 inches...which means a total of 20 cm/8 inches that's off! I am ready for the summer I guess!

School is almost over for the year....I will be sad to say goodbye to this class, especially after sharing so much in China! So hopefully we will stay in touch and have an occasionally get-together party!

I will leave it at this! I am still working on the China pictures! *Sigh*! Haven't done anything for a while...so that's why it's still not done! I am getting closer to the end, thank god! Hopefully, I'll be done at the end of this week!

Oh and all the buses are on a strike! Which is a big deal in Holland, a lot of people depend on public transportation...luckily I have my bike to get around....but hopefully the strike will be over soon!!

Cheers,
Talitha!!!