Happy Queens Day Holland!

I’m not being sarcastic when I say that Queen’s Day is my favorite holiday (besides Thanksgiving). It’s so good. I don’t even understand why it’s so good when its just a bunch of Dutch people drinking around town to electro music in orange costumes. But trust me when I say its amazing. Think SXSW amazing to all you Austin peeps. Anyways, its times like these when I get homesick for quirky Amsterdam. I hope it’s a magical day in Holland. Happy Queens Day!

Een, Twee, Drie…

Check out this really simple video. Dutch people from 1 to 100 years old stating their age. I love it.

’100′ (from 0 to 100 years in 150 seconds) from Filmersblog on Vimeo.

Ik Mis Mijn Fiets

After three years submerged in Amsterdam life, I’m amazed at how quickly I can slide back in to everything Americana. I’m back to working full-time which has thrown my lazy but awesome baking and interneting habits out the window. Its been a quick jerk back to reality. And for the most part its been great. There just one thing I want back so bad! My bicycle.

Ik mis mijn fiets, I miss my bike so so much.

To be fair, I love listening to NPR and public radio in Austin. I also love having a sun roof and scream singing to Rihanna without anyone noticing. But the everyday reality of highways, gas and traffic blows. I knew this would be the biggest adjustment back to America. Amsterdam bike culture, you are amazing. Don’t ever change.

Here are few Amsterdam bike shots, all available at my shop.

Final Day in Amsterdam

Amsterdam of course needed to flaunt it’s beauty to me on my last day in the city. The weather was absolutely perfect and I spent the day doing one last victory lap on my bike and thanked this ol’ beaut for three eventful years.

Here and There

You know you’re in Holland when you sit down at a cafe for lunch and the three grown-up guests next to you order Karne Melk (buttermilk) to pair with their cheese sandwiches. And you know you’re in Texas when you go out to greet your new neighbors and they are gigantic longhorns. Ahh this world is always entertaining. Last week I was biking through Amsterdam and feeding baby swans. This week I’m driving on highways and staring at all the crazy creatures that come out in the heat of summer. I’m listening to Mississippi John Hurt and brewing peach ice tea. You can’t stop me, I’ve gone country.

Went on a Date

with Amsterdam. I figure we should have one last moment together before we are torn apart tomorrow! I’ll stop being dramatic but seriously, this city has graced me with great weather this week which makes it all the more difficult to leave such a beauty.

This man looks like he’s floating!

Bahh cute little tiny bicycles. Will miss this.

Moving Day

I hate moving but somehow I’ve managed to put myself in a position where I have moved every year since graduating high school. The packing, the dragging of suitcases, the transportation, bleh. But when I start complaining too much about my situation I think about Oregon Trail. Remember that game?  At least I won’t get cholera traveling back home.

Farewell Amsterdam

It makes my heart ache just writing this but it’s official: I’m moving out of the most adorable city in the world. I’ve had a great three-year run and my time here has shaped and changed me in ways that’s still difficult to comprehend. I’m pretty sad to go but I’m also really excited for what is in store for me. My future is still yet to be determined and it’s always exciting to dive into the unknown. All I know for now is that I’m getting on an airplane back to the motherland and regrouping in hot hot Texas for a bit. Then, who knows? Only time will tell.

The first weeks of being in Amsterdam.

Beautiful houseboats, beautiful canals.

I will miss you dappermarkt!

Queens Day, aka the best party in the world

Summer in Oosterpark

Crashing gallery openings

There’s more than prostitution in Amsterdam windows.

So many parties in this house.

I will miss the bicycle more than anything.

Winter, houseboat, boyfriend!

They love dem flowers here.

A short film I made when I first moved to Amsterdam.

Ugly Duckling

Remember the cute little baby geese behind the house? Eeeew check them out now! They’re definitely going through their awkward adolescent phase. They’ve entered junior high and are full of acne and braces. I had to feed them bread the other day and assure them that this phase will pass and they will soon be glowing white handsome young adults. Here’s the progression of their short childhood below.

Bye Bye Summer…For Now

I hope this isn’t the case but so far, summer in this little cold country has lasted approximately one week. What happened to the topless men, booze cruises on the canals, and baby animals outside of my houseboat? Did I just dream up this fantasy city? COME BACK SUMMER!

Cruising around town in the pirate ship.

Baby swans!!!

Swimming in the river.

The extended breakfast deck.

Yup, pretty much what happened.