my running partner
here in Belgium
has the name of Ty
Hes from DC
as it would be
he is a funny guy
but last weekend
he decided
to run around with Devin
let me tell you
this excursion
did not end up in heaven
there was a root
up on the hill
that Ty just didn't see
he tripped and fell
head over heels
and now can't run with me
So he hops around
on crutches
cuz his ankles black and blue
So there you have it
thats the end
and every bit is true.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Real World Belgium: where people stop being nice and start getting Real...
Yep thats the nickname of our training group...You gotta spice things up when your stuck in Overpelt Belgium...could be the most boring place on the planet...BUT it just goes to show that its not about where you are...its about who youre with. And I don't know how it happened but the 8 of us in the MBC House get along quite well...suprisingly enough...
First my roomie...Samra...or Sam as I call her...upbeat and sweet and laughs at just about everything. She's morrocan but born and raised in London England...Shes got flare in her own quarky way...and it seems to me that I have been the one to wake her up every morning...sometimes i feel bad about that...
Then we move across the hall to the T and A room...More popularly known for tits and ass but can also stand for Ty and Alan...tits and ass is still a perfect nick name for the two of them. Ty's from DC and Alan's from Tenesse...neither of em what you would expect from first glance. Ty has grown acostomed to picking fun at me each and every opportunity he gets(i think i started that though...Ill NEVER call him T-Mott...his nickname is forever PEANUT, for his constant remarcks from the peanut gallery...) Alan on the other hand looks and sounds like hes from the South but doesnt necessarily hold the same conservative values...by any means. He's on a quest for cows so he can bring them to Burundi and marry Lisa...
Lisa is from Burundi...a real small country in Africa. She moved to england about 10 years ago to escape the oppression...this girl has strength to boot...her story is inspiring for sure...at times her voice can be quiet but make no mistake that there is one strong woman in the pit of her gut. Lisa keeps strong values and refuses any official relationship with alan until he can produce some cows...
Zach is a laid back character from detroit...the youngest of the group in age but his knowledge in banking and finance is unexpected and impressive. Hes a gentleman and a gangsta all at once...his favorite place in the world: Amsterdam, The Netherlands...why? figure it out peeps
Devin is a hardcore snowboarder from Colorado...ok hes not really from Colorado...hes only lived there for a year but I just can't picture him as an Original Baltimore Boy...Hes quiet at times but offers the crowd with laughs on several one line occasions. Hes very polite and has great taste in jeans...
Then theres Garrick....also from DC but has been living all over the world for the past few years. Hes the oldest of the group and offers advice at every chance he can get. Hes got a gutsy laugh that kinda reminds me of Santa Claus...and most of his stories start with...well when I was at OBG...hes a cool guy though...just don't get into politics with him...
And then theres me...Rachelle...Im not quite sure where I fit in...as always. But somehow I do...and the 8 of us have made a bond unlike another...only coming together for a few weeks before we get shipped out across the world to go sell advertising...and explore the world. All of us totally unique but fit together like the pieces to the jigsaw puzzle you used to do when you were a kid.
We welcome the challenges the world has to offer...and we've made it almost 2 weeks together spending 9 hours a day together in the training room...and then the hours of the night together in the house...its been a short but sweet encounter with 7 individuals who fit perfectly into this chapter of my life...
First my roomie...Samra...or Sam as I call her...upbeat and sweet and laughs at just about everything. She's morrocan but born and raised in London England...Shes got flare in her own quarky way...and it seems to me that I have been the one to wake her up every morning...sometimes i feel bad about that...
Then we move across the hall to the T and A room...More popularly known for tits and ass but can also stand for Ty and Alan...tits and ass is still a perfect nick name for the two of them. Ty's from DC and Alan's from Tenesse...neither of em what you would expect from first glance. Ty has grown acostomed to picking fun at me each and every opportunity he gets(i think i started that though...Ill NEVER call him T-Mott...his nickname is forever PEANUT, for his constant remarcks from the peanut gallery...) Alan on the other hand looks and sounds like hes from the South but doesnt necessarily hold the same conservative values...by any means. He's on a quest for cows so he can bring them to Burundi and marry Lisa...
Lisa is from Burundi...a real small country in Africa. She moved to england about 10 years ago to escape the oppression...this girl has strength to boot...her story is inspiring for sure...at times her voice can be quiet but make no mistake that there is one strong woman in the pit of her gut. Lisa keeps strong values and refuses any official relationship with alan until he can produce some cows...
Zach is a laid back character from detroit...the youngest of the group in age but his knowledge in banking and finance is unexpected and impressive. Hes a gentleman and a gangsta all at once...his favorite place in the world: Amsterdam, The Netherlands...why? figure it out peeps
Devin is a hardcore snowboarder from Colorado...ok hes not really from Colorado...hes only lived there for a year but I just can't picture him as an Original Baltimore Boy...Hes quiet at times but offers the crowd with laughs on several one line occasions. Hes very polite and has great taste in jeans...
Then theres Garrick....also from DC but has been living all over the world for the past few years. Hes the oldest of the group and offers advice at every chance he can get. Hes got a gutsy laugh that kinda reminds me of Santa Claus...and most of his stories start with...well when I was at OBG...hes a cool guy though...just don't get into politics with him...
And then theres me...Rachelle...Im not quite sure where I fit in...as always. But somehow I do...and the 8 of us have made a bond unlike another...only coming together for a few weeks before we get shipped out across the world to go sell advertising...and explore the world. All of us totally unique but fit together like the pieces to the jigsaw puzzle you used to do when you were a kid.
We welcome the challenges the world has to offer...and we've made it almost 2 weeks together spending 9 hours a day together in the training room...and then the hours of the night together in the house...its been a short but sweet encounter with 7 individuals who fit perfectly into this chapter of my life...
Sunday, March 15, 2009
a new adventure begins...
Today will officially be my last day of living in the Netherlands...and despite my 5 month au pair CATASTROPHE as I like to think of it...I have quite enjoyed the Netherlands otherwise. And I must say I am more than happy with my decision to move out of my previous living situation 2 weeks ago because it has given me a little time to be myself again...and actually enjoy everything I do here. And for that I am grateful. The people here really are amazing...and I am so glad that my job will keep me closely connected with my new found home...well at least every few months.
And the great thing is...I think it will help me stay more connected with my home home. Cuz I might actually be able to afford trips there (well hopefully...)
Trust me you will be the first to know where I'm getting sent to. And I can't wait to find out...there are so many places in the world that I would absolutely love to see and expirience...and the reality is...i get to. The world is my backyard, and like always its time to work hard to play harder....
So today I'm signing off from the Netherlands...and tomorrow Ill sign on from the world.
I wanted to end on that more than powerful note but then my boyfriend over here had to ruin it for me...I read the ending to him and he basically said that he didnt have to be "hysterical" about it to like it...and I said...how the hell do you know the meaning of that word (he isnt a native speaker...) and you know what he comes back with...come on Rachelle I am dating you...
...I feel small in the world when my non-native boyfriend is whittier than me...sad day.
And the great thing is...I think it will help me stay more connected with my home home. Cuz I might actually be able to afford trips there (well hopefully...)
Trust me you will be the first to know where I'm getting sent to. And I can't wait to find out...there are so many places in the world that I would absolutely love to see and expirience...and the reality is...i get to. The world is my backyard, and like always its time to work hard to play harder....
So today I'm signing off from the Netherlands...and tomorrow Ill sign on from the world.
I wanted to end on that more than powerful note but then my boyfriend over here had to ruin it for me...I read the ending to him and he basically said that he didnt have to be "hysterical" about it to like it...and I said...how the hell do you know the meaning of that word (he isnt a native speaker...) and you know what he comes back with...come on Rachelle I am dating you...
...I feel small in the world when my non-native boyfriend is whittier than me...sad day.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Ode to Girl Scout cookies..
girl scout cookies are DELICIOUS
even if they arent NUTRITIOUS
they taste so good I have to say
that I could eat them everyDAY
and I could eat them in a box
and I could eat them with a fox
I could eat them here or there
yes I could eat them ANYWHERE
so if you send them here to me
I will eat them...you will see.
even if they arent NUTRITIOUS
they taste so good I have to say
that I could eat them everyDAY
and I could eat them in a box
and I could eat them with a fox
I could eat them here or there
yes I could eat them ANYWHERE
so if you send them here to me
I will eat them...you will see.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
All in a weeks work...
Well this week has been a roller coaster and a half to say the least!! I have been moved out now for a week...wow life is better here for sure. I'm staying with Jaap and its been great but he went out of town to Stolkholm so I had the apt to myself for the past few days. The good thing: I got to have my own big bed...eat what I want when I want...and just have all this space to myself...AMAZING!! The bad thing...well first off I was by myself and I kinda missed him while he was gone...the other bad thing...you don't have anyone inside the apartment when you accidently forget the keys inside. Let me back up for a moment...dutch doors, even if you don't lock them, lock from the outside if you shut them...this is a bad thing because when I was getting ready for work I put my scarf and jacket on, grabbed my purse, and was on my way because I KNEW that I left my keys in my purse from the night before. So as the queen of stubborness that I happen to be, did I check my purse before I shut the door to make sure my keys were where I left them...no of course not...they were in my purse...
the thing is the night before I took my keys out of my purse and put them in a special spot along with my phone to make sure I wouldn't forget them the next morning...as you could probably figure out my keys were not in my purse and to make things better...my phone was locked inside as well...ooops.
Oh well I guess...Ill have to deal with that later...I gotta get to work so even though Im locked out, I'm on my way...until I remember the night before looking at my 3 sets of keys and thinking...rachelle you really should just put all your keys together cuz one set is BOUND to get lost...so can I get on my bike and go to work...no because along with the keys to my apt were my bike keys...it was smarter so I didnt lose them...is lost and unusable the same thing?? well not technically but at that point they might as well have been lost cuz I wasnt seeing those things for awhile.
Now as much as I opening loathe being an au pair...I am not the type of person to just not show up without calling...problem...my phone is locked into my apt...so much for giving notice...
So step in my heroic neighbors who happen to be over 80years old and sleeping at 7:40 in the morning...but what was I supposed to do...so I knocked...and they proceeded to welcome me into their apt...let me use their computer to get a phone number...let me use the phone to call (side note...if you call the person your supposed to babysit for, and say you locked ur keys in your apt and don't have a bike to use to get there, you might think they would understand why you were calling...no I don't need somewhere to sleep (its 740am i just woke up) but Im not gonna make it to work on time...if I can get there at all. that ended up working out for the best...)
but my neighbors made a bunch of phonecalls and worked out a solution and I was back in my apt soon enough...Im so grateful for them...sweetest souls literally...i love how dutch people are so willing to help.
I think my ex-host family thought I did this to plot against them or something...which by the way I didn't, that would just be really stupid come on. BUT...i went to their house later to find out that would be my last day working for them...sad to leave the girls but really jumping for joy that I didn't have to see them again...no offense to them at all especially if they happen to read this...but yeah I have never celebrated the end of something (not even SDSU water polo) more.
So I was done...and to celebrate I went and got myself a new phone...which im stoked on seriously lovin it...
Later I found out that my ride to my job enterview...aka Simon's stick shift car that i would be driving...broke down on him...you think this would stress a girl out (how now will i get to my meeting) but all i could be was beyond gratful that it didn't break down on me...seriously...not only was i completely nervous to drive a stick...but having it breakdown on top of it...would have been a complete NIGHTMARE!
So I knew i had to take the train...no problem but while i was riding to the train station I thought it could be cool to take up flying...ok not really but I did manage to FLY off my bicycle and hit the ground with amazing force enough to knock the wind out of me...as I lied there in the middle of the road 2 dutch people came to my rescue...it was a miracle i had no broken bones...and only a tiny hole in the tights i was wearing to my interview...easily covered by my knee length shorts...thank god. And so I went and kicked ass in my interview...
I am not perfect by any means...but Im willing at this point to be stoked with raw talent...and am so excited to start training to be an international sales associate in one week...thats right peeps I got the job...Im extatic i think it is such an amazing oppurtunity...ill be moving to Belgium in a week...for 2 weeks...and then Ill find out the next location Ill be living the week after that! crazy!!
Back to this week though...that crash on my bike really took its toll the day after...my body has never hurt so bad...not even hell month hurt this much...there is one spot on my right side that is so bruised it hurts to have my shirt touching it...painful painful painful...i decided ib profen was in order...and perked up immensly enough to go to a wedding reception last night and dance the night away...it was a great time.
This week has been crazy with a number of things going wrong but I just feel like everything worked out better than imaginable...It is weird to be closing a chapter much earlier than i anticipated...I never thought I would get a job that would boot me out of the netherlands so quickly...but Im so excited for the adventures that lie ahead...
the thing is the night before I took my keys out of my purse and put them in a special spot along with my phone to make sure I wouldn't forget them the next morning...as you could probably figure out my keys were not in my purse and to make things better...my phone was locked inside as well...ooops.
Oh well I guess...Ill have to deal with that later...I gotta get to work so even though Im locked out, I'm on my way...until I remember the night before looking at my 3 sets of keys and thinking...rachelle you really should just put all your keys together cuz one set is BOUND to get lost...so can I get on my bike and go to work...no because along with the keys to my apt were my bike keys...it was smarter so I didnt lose them...is lost and unusable the same thing?? well not technically but at that point they might as well have been lost cuz I wasnt seeing those things for awhile.
Now as much as I opening loathe being an au pair...I am not the type of person to just not show up without calling...problem...my phone is locked into my apt...so much for giving notice...
So step in my heroic neighbors who happen to be over 80years old and sleeping at 7:40 in the morning...but what was I supposed to do...so I knocked...and they proceeded to welcome me into their apt...let me use their computer to get a phone number...let me use the phone to call (side note...if you call the person your supposed to babysit for, and say you locked ur keys in your apt and don't have a bike to use to get there, you might think they would understand why you were calling...no I don't need somewhere to sleep (its 740am i just woke up) but Im not gonna make it to work on time...if I can get there at all. that ended up working out for the best...)
but my neighbors made a bunch of phonecalls and worked out a solution and I was back in my apt soon enough...Im so grateful for them...sweetest souls literally...i love how dutch people are so willing to help.
I think my ex-host family thought I did this to plot against them or something...which by the way I didn't, that would just be really stupid come on. BUT...i went to their house later to find out that would be my last day working for them...sad to leave the girls but really jumping for joy that I didn't have to see them again...no offense to them at all especially if they happen to read this...but yeah I have never celebrated the end of something (not even SDSU water polo) more.
So I was done...and to celebrate I went and got myself a new phone...which im stoked on seriously lovin it...
Later I found out that my ride to my job enterview...aka Simon's stick shift car that i would be driving...broke down on him...you think this would stress a girl out (how now will i get to my meeting) but all i could be was beyond gratful that it didn't break down on me...seriously...not only was i completely nervous to drive a stick...but having it breakdown on top of it...would have been a complete NIGHTMARE!
So I knew i had to take the train...no problem but while i was riding to the train station I thought it could be cool to take up flying...ok not really but I did manage to FLY off my bicycle and hit the ground with amazing force enough to knock the wind out of me...as I lied there in the middle of the road 2 dutch people came to my rescue...it was a miracle i had no broken bones...and only a tiny hole in the tights i was wearing to my interview...easily covered by my knee length shorts...thank god. And so I went and kicked ass in my interview...
I am not perfect by any means...but Im willing at this point to be stoked with raw talent...and am so excited to start training to be an international sales associate in one week...thats right peeps I got the job...Im extatic i think it is such an amazing oppurtunity...ill be moving to Belgium in a week...for 2 weeks...and then Ill find out the next location Ill be living the week after that! crazy!!
Back to this week though...that crash on my bike really took its toll the day after...my body has never hurt so bad...not even hell month hurt this much...there is one spot on my right side that is so bruised it hurts to have my shirt touching it...painful painful painful...i decided ib profen was in order...and perked up immensly enough to go to a wedding reception last night and dance the night away...it was a great time.
This week has been crazy with a number of things going wrong but I just feel like everything worked out better than imaginable...It is weird to be closing a chapter much earlier than i anticipated...I never thought I would get a job that would boot me out of the netherlands so quickly...but Im so excited for the adventures that lie ahead...
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
the bachelor...really...you gotta be kidding me...
All I can say is WOW...what a whirlwind of emotions. From the beginning Ive been hoping Jason would pick Melissa...but I just felt that he was so blinded by whatever it was he saw in Molly that on the final day Melissa would go home...
And if no one else noticed...Jason was wearing the same color tie as Molly's dress...dead give away that hes sending Melissa packing right?? Wrong...the guy made the right choice. Melissa was so great for him and so great with his son...no doubt about it she was better with ty than Molly...and come on, we all know what career women make for being a mother...no offense but the whole Im gonna be involved in my child's life long enough to put them to bed at night, well I personally think its disgusting...and Ive whitnessed it first hand. Thats not to say as a girl you shouldnt pursue a career, but when there are kids involved they should be the #1 priority...and if you arent ready for that its not a problem. But don't try and say you are either.
Jason's entire family saw that Molly was such a career person...which is awesome but not necessarily for Jason's situation as its a 2 for the price of 1 deal. Not that Im judging but I was so stoked when he chose Melissa...
To be crushed only a few moments later when he breaks up with her to get back with Molly after the final rose...I know its not my place but really what an ass hole move...break one girls heart to go back on it and break the other ones heart...
I just really think that the bachelor is completely rediculous...and I always say this just to get hooked into it the following season...but this was just too much. And sometimes I just feel like they build up all this hype for ratings...well of course they do. Sorry to break it to you but really I have to ask if there was any single person in America who wanted to see Jason propose to Melissa to break up with her and get with Molly...I think its gay, lame, and rediculous...ugh
And heres what I think at the end of it...the bachelor is a show that perpetuates guys to be guys...REALLY though...in what situation would it be ok for a guy to date 25 girls at once...I think in a real life situation both girls involved in this debockle would have slapped Jason across the face and walked away...and I would hope Molly could be a better representation of women and notice that he broke up with her for someone else and then broke up with someone else to "be with her"...
Trust me I know my track record with dating isnt the best...Ive got the Scarlet A...LPHABET tattooed across my forehead...but at some point you have to be stronger and realize the situation for what it is...and its hard and the world will NOT believe you when you finally take that step...but yeah ugh this season of the Bachelor was dissappointing to say the least...so lame.
And if no one else noticed...Jason was wearing the same color tie as Molly's dress...dead give away that hes sending Melissa packing right?? Wrong...the guy made the right choice. Melissa was so great for him and so great with his son...no doubt about it she was better with ty than Molly...and come on, we all know what career women make for being a mother...no offense but the whole Im gonna be involved in my child's life long enough to put them to bed at night, well I personally think its disgusting...and Ive whitnessed it first hand. Thats not to say as a girl you shouldnt pursue a career, but when there are kids involved they should be the #1 priority...and if you arent ready for that its not a problem. But don't try and say you are either.
Jason's entire family saw that Molly was such a career person...which is awesome but not necessarily for Jason's situation as its a 2 for the price of 1 deal. Not that Im judging but I was so stoked when he chose Melissa...
To be crushed only a few moments later when he breaks up with her to get back with Molly after the final rose...I know its not my place but really what an ass hole move...break one girls heart to go back on it and break the other ones heart...
I just really think that the bachelor is completely rediculous...and I always say this just to get hooked into it the following season...but this was just too much. And sometimes I just feel like they build up all this hype for ratings...well of course they do. Sorry to break it to you but really I have to ask if there was any single person in America who wanted to see Jason propose to Melissa to break up with her and get with Molly...I think its gay, lame, and rediculous...ugh
And heres what I think at the end of it...the bachelor is a show that perpetuates guys to be guys...REALLY though...in what situation would it be ok for a guy to date 25 girls at once...I think in a real life situation both girls involved in this debockle would have slapped Jason across the face and walked away...and I would hope Molly could be a better representation of women and notice that he broke up with her for someone else and then broke up with someone else to "be with her"...
Trust me I know my track record with dating isnt the best...Ive got the Scarlet A...LPHABET tattooed across my forehead...but at some point you have to be stronger and realize the situation for what it is...and its hard and the world will NOT believe you when you finally take that step...but yeah ugh this season of the Bachelor was dissappointing to say the least...so lame.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)