To Do: Everything (check) Make a New To Do List (check)

So in my infinite wisdom I have realized that I have about two months left in the Netherlands, approximately one of which will be spent travelling in Morocco, England, France and Poland. This is not good. I have anxiety. There is too much to see and do and less time to do it. So what do I do (other than use the word "do" excessively)-- What every rationale human being overwhelmed by what needs to be done does--a TO DO list. I have discovered I have tremendous ability to make lists, endless lists with the most minute of tasks and this brings me great comfort. At the end of the day, there are only two check marks on my page to signify accomplishment, but I don't let it bother me that much as I can always take comfort in making a new list the next day. I have procrastination down to an art. Thankfully, Sharon, who is not nearly the procrastinator I am, has joined me in my to do listing and she actually gets the "do" done, so to speak. So we have made a "To Do" list for things to do in Amsterdam while we still have the chance. This past week we were quite productive-we managed to check a few things off our list: the Albert Cuyp Market and Jordaan Market (cute but all markets look the same at this point...cheese, more cheese and pickled herring), the Portuguese Synagogue and the Hague.

We ventured to the Hague last Wednesday with our roomate Paola.

As three eager law students we were anxious to go visit the International Court of Justice but the scheduled tours were cancelled that day, so we admired from afar. Actually Paola wanted a job, so she begged at the gate, but to no avail. Where's the justice in that? We also were privileged to bear witness to the flame of international peace...and I promise that's not me trying to blow it out....thankfully these clever international lawyers have thought of it all and encased it in glass--if only they could be that practical about international law in world politics. (Sorry Paola, cheap shot). Anyway Den Haag, as it's known here, is a very cute town. We wandered around a bit and managed to visit both the Mauritshuis, with Vermeer's "Girl with the Pearl Earring" and the Escher Museum entirely dedicated to the very cool graphic artist from the city.

Saturday night was also an interesting night. Every year Amsterdam museums have hosted "museumnacht" where all the different museums and galleries open their door to visitors at night. The number of venues have expanded and some have performances and other events, followed by afterparties at various clubs around the city. We went to a few, including the aquarium, planetarium and botanical gardens, which turned into a pseudo-club. The whole idea is a cool concept, its like a Halloween for adults, except instead of candy, you get culture!

While Saturday night was fun, Sunday was the highlight of my weekend. On Sunday night I bore witness to the comedic genius that is Sasha Baron Cohen as BORAT. While I was a little weary of this film, as I am anything like this that becomes main stream, I was not disappointed by any means. Granted, I think this film would have been much funnier to someone who had never seen Borat clips before, as some of the material was slightly recycled from previous shows, but, it was every bit offensive as I'd hoped and more. If you loathe political correctness and find amusement in childish things or ignorant people, this film is definitely worth watching.

Ok, I'm off to check write in blog off my to do list. Hope you're all well.