life is good

After Spring Break, I became a hermit (and refused multiple invitations for nights on the town as hard as it was) thanks to the 094q349123p847p29384 assignments I had due. Two Saturdays ago, I had my first midterm for my lecture course en francais. It was 2 hours for 2 essays and it kind of sucked... Thinking and writing and learning in a foreign language is hard. REALLY HARD. Really, really hard. However, I completed the two essays with coherent albeit elementary and over simplistic argumentation, thus I claim VICTORY. Honestly, for the first time in my life, I'm going to be happy with my grade no matter what, because taking this midterm was a learning experience itself, and I'm pleased with all the hard work I put into studying for it. To me, that is "doing well"...

After some more work last week, this past weekend I rewarded myself with a weekend trip to Amsterdam with Ara, Matt, Andrea, and Tami. After sleeping in and missing my flight, I took a train ride through the French, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Dutch countrysides before arriving in one of the most beautiful cities ever. While there, I enjoyed the local cuisine (stroop waffles = AMAZING), enjoyed some long walks through th town, became extremely disturbed by the redlight district, drove a paddle boat through the canal, took pictures at the "I am sterdam" sign, saw Starry Night (for the second time in my life) at the Van Gough museum, frolicked in tulips, and visited some coffee shops. It was a gorgeous city and I had an unforgettable time. I'd love to go back when I have the chance.

Now, I'm bracing myself for another busy week ahead and for my upcoming visit to Marseille.

LIFE IS GOOD.