New room, new city

Hello again!

I have just moved into my new room in Amsterdam yesterday. It seems to be pretty nice for the most part, its fairly large but with a very small kitchen and fridge and definitely not enough of the basic necessities! I had to make a run to Ikea to get everything from an entire kitchen full of supplies (there was nothing in it) to sheets and towels, and even shelves to put things on because there just wasn't anywhere to put anything! So that was some unexpected costs for me since my last experience here in Amsterdam my room had pretty much everything I needed in it. It is ok though, this time I got to pick out the things I will be surrounded by for the next year, unfortunately I just have to pay for it all now. The main downside to my new living arrangement is that when you look out my window during the day you see what appears to be a harmless train track with a few trains passing by...and who notices that background noise anyway in the middle of the afternoon with all of the other noises of the city? However, around 2, 3, 4, and 6 in the morning (basically constantly) when the trains screech by on the tracks (and they do screech because i was told, this is where they turn the corner so they HAVE to make that noise) it is not the most pleasant night of sleep you have ever had. I am sure I will either adjust or just buy earplugs! One way or another there will be a solution.

On another note, some bad luck means that I am going to have to pay about $10,000 more for my degree than originally anticipated so that is a lot of extra stress (and still trying to figure out how to plan for it!) but once again, I am sure I will figure something out.

Today the introduction for the International Student Network, which I joined a few days ago, began. They have planned various activities for us over the next few days so that we can get to know other students and the city. I met some nice people today but none of them are going to be studying in the same area as me so I probably will not be seeing much of them after this. I am looking forward to school starting so I can really see the people I will be spending so much time with over the next year (there are only about 15 of us in the program).

So, that's about all that is happening here for now. I am just trying to get everything in order. Also, for those of you who don't know, I do not currently own a computer so pictures will be difficult for me to get online since I do not have anywhere to upload them. I am using the schools computers for email. Keep e-mailing please, I love hearing from all of you as well. Love to all of you.