January 11

Welp, had my first two classes today and yesterday. Yesterday I had my documentary making class. Its a 3000 level video class focusing on guerilla-style documentaries and how to make them. From what I've gathered thus far, guerilla documentaries are for a cause and want to change something. They aren't usually objective and the story develops as you film it. Basically, it's badass. Right up my ally. It's kind of intimidating though, because the professor is an active documentary maker in The Netherlands and there are many older students in the class that have much more experience and knowledge of the subject than I. I am looking forward to learning from them though; we have at least one group project and the professor made sure to mix the newbies with those that have more experience.

The class that I had today was Renaissance Art History and it was really great! It's a two hour class and it went by really quickly. I really like the professor, she's very bubbly and friendly and relays the information in a way that makes it both informative and entertaining.

Some really great news: I think my sister might be able to visit!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is huge. Also; my aunt has made a most generous offer. To take a trip with her where she will be paying for most of the expenses. While of course her company would be more than enough, this obviously makes the experience a little less stressful, since we all know how I like to worry about money (With good reason, I think). And, I'M GOING TO SPAIN FOR SPRING BREAK! How kick-ass is that?! I am more than thrilled about this trip and it will be the longest and more expensive trip I take, so I hope that my pocket book is prepared to take a hit. There was some trouble with booking the flights though. The girls I'm going with booked the flight before I did so I had my friend Cat just set it up for me to pay for and I didn't look at the date of return, assuming that they were coming back Sunday when in fact they booked the flight for Monday. Welp, I have my first class of Experimental Video that day and if you miss the first class here, you get kicked out of the course. So then it came to the decision of whether I should switch the flight and pay 48 Euro or, talk to my professor and seeing if I could somehow make up missing the first class. I mean, I know I goofed up but really? Almost 50 Euro? I don't think so. I decided to talk to my professor, and it seemed like it would be okay with him as long as I make up whatever I miss and read the lecture he's sending on my own and don't get behind. So, first crisis: averted. Thank the lord.

We've been doing a lot of walking around lately. If there's nothing to do, we'll just go sight-seeing a bit. Everywhere you look is seriously a photo-op, though. I'm really not exaggerating, it's so pretty here. Today we went to what we thought was St Pieterskerk or St. Peters Church, when in fact we were at Hooglandse Kerk and will hopefully venture to St. Pieterskerk again soon seeing as it is a marvel. We ended up going to this old fortess of some sort, used during the War of Rhine? I wish I could give you more specifics. And, of course I didn't bring my camera so I have nothing of my own to show for us, but my friends who brought theirs took plenty of pictures if you'd like to stalk me or them on Facebook. Tonight we went to a chinese restaurant and it was lovely. Really, super nice folks working and really good food. Later apparently we're going to a bar. I haven't been out since last Tuesday and I don't have class tomorrow, so this should be fun.

It's continuing to be a blast over here! Minus all the worrying that I just love to do about money, I think I'm starting to get the hang of the laid-back, European lifestyle. I might just take it back with me. Good times.