Still Here

Family, friends, lovers, haters, stalkers, and all other in betweens – sorry it has been a while since I have updated you on my life. I’ve been pretty busy and actually have to go to CLASS during the day. It’s not as weird having to go to class now that my fellow Loyola classmates are back in Charm City livin up the Baltimore dream – aka when they’re not at Craigs, THB, sitting on the quad, or listening to the sunscreen song, they actually have to go to class too. Fortunately, my friends are technologically savvy so I’ve had the chance to keep in good touch with them while they settle into the long depression of missing me. Moe: I’m glad I’m not too deprived of the poof, however sometimes I try to stick my hand through the computer screen to feel the volume of the blonde mountain on top of your head but it’s just not the same. Liz: In my first video chat with you, Fiona was already delivering you a coffee.. and then you probably asked her to brush your hair or rub your back. I’m glad things haven’t changed. Caroline: thank you for coming on the dark side and getting a blackberry – I do not miss your sleep talking NUMBERS NUMBERS NUMBERS. Fiona: I’m also pleased you have purchased a crackberry, however, I am not pleased that your peeing tendencies have gotten worse. Jackie: I’m sorry that too many RA’s recognize you not to believe that you are in fact Caroline Herman and go to Georgetown.. maybe next time. Heather: PLEASE make sure that cockroach does NOT escape from its cage and no matter how drunk you are don’t convince yourself that it is cute and try to cuddle with it. Jenny N: Make sure you only sprain your ankle like.. 3 times this semester. I won’t be there to feed you grapes. Christina: please lock your windows. I do not want you to get taken.
I almost take back what I said about Liz because apparently she’s been accomplished so far this semester and has been doing less of this:




In regards to my family, I have some very exciting news that was supposed to be a surprise. Miss Katherine Anne Rainone will be returning home from her long adventure earlier than expected and will be traveling to London with my family! I am thrilled that I will be able to see her before Christmas. Mom – please don’t throw away everything in my room and pick out pretty colors for my wall and carpet. And Dad - mom sent this picture to me of you in this hat. I could use a big hug and a back cracking.





As for me, it’s finally hit me that I am LIVING here in Amsterdam. It really hit me the other morning when I rode my bike through the glorious Vondelpark to the gym. As I was riding my bike with a mission, and finally a sense of direction, I passed by a big tour group and realized how crazy it was that I have already been living here for a month. Over this past weekend, I finally made it to the Anne Frank House. Depressing? Yes. However, I don’t know how many of you read the Diary of Anne Frank, but after reading it, I expected that the secret annex was going to be a tiny cramped space of small rooms. This was not the case. There were three floors and an attic and an abundance of rooms. The hard part was obviously keeping silent. Anne wrote in her diary that they could only take a bath on Saturdays! Yikes. And they couldn’t exactly leave the secret annex whenever they wanted… so it figures that Anne would have a lot of time to write a long and detailed diary. I snuck a picture of the bookcase that hid the door to their living quarters.







After we were sufficiently sad after Anne Frank, we decided to do another touristy thing: canal bikes! Thank you guys for designating me as the driver. The canal bikes are a lot harder to maneuver than it looks. We got stuck at a four way intersections with crew boats and tour boats and here I was stuck in the middle with not a clue where to go. Of course a sticker on the boat says “paddling faster will not make the boat go any faster…” Great. As any other great day, we ended with a stroll in Vondelpark.







Somebody take my sweater...






Climbing a tree...


Tomorrow night we leave for Switzerland! Yes. SKYDIVING. Please pray for perfect weather so all goes to plan. In addition to skydiving, there are apparently a bunch of beautiful hiking paths and river rafting/bungee jump type activities so we’ll see what else I run into. Mom and Dad – I will call you as soon as I land on my feet. Don’t be nervous… even though I will probably have an army running around my stomach before I go. Ciao for now!