I left the house at 8.30 and was back at 22.00. In the meantime, I studied. I really cant say anything else... :-D Except for the fact that I have repaired our Wireless Internet (THANK GOD)
Ciao,
OJ
Monday, February 27, 2006
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Tandoori, anywone?
Yesterday I had a full day of studying. That was good, because I actually did get some work done. At night, there was a party for Michele's birthday. An Indian friend of Meghan came to our house to cook for us and lots of other people. It was a lot of fun and the food was absolutely amazing! Cedric and his friend had been Torino and joined the party at around midnight. At 4AM we decided that we had had enough and actually went to bed, feeling satisfied about the great party!
I gave myself a day of from life in general (and studying in particular) so I could sleep as long as I wanted. Unfortunately this meant I was awake by 10.30 anyway, but oh well. The rest of the day was spent on Internet and movies: the perfect day.
One small/major inconvenience is the fact that our wireless internet router apparently died. So we have now gone back to the old-fashioned way of having to use cables... Oh dear, I really, really, really hope it will get repaired soon. I didnt realise how addicted I am to Internet, but having spent half a day without it and half a day with sort of half-internet (well normal internet, but not wireless) was a good lesson for me: I am an addict...
ciao,
OJ
I gave myself a day of from life in general (and studying in particular) so I could sleep as long as I wanted. Unfortunately this meant I was awake by 10.30 anyway, but oh well. The rest of the day was spent on Internet and movies: the perfect day.
One small/major inconvenience is the fact that our wireless internet router apparently died. So we have now gone back to the old-fashioned way of having to use cables... Oh dear, I really, really, really hope it will get repaired soon. I didnt realise how addicted I am to Internet, but having spent half a day without it and half a day with sort of half-internet (well normal internet, but not wireless) was a good lesson for me: I am an addict...
ciao,
OJ
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Last day of class for this Quarter
Well, this morning I went to class all morning: Professor Devillanova, so it was useless to be there... But of course, you never know whether he might suddenly learn english and become capable of teaching! So I went to see the show anyway.
Afterwards I studied for a while and at the end of the day I had a Reading Group with Tabellini. Having done a bit more studying afterwards, I wanted to go home. However, with the turnaround of the weather recently (from Sunny and Cold to WET), my 20 minutes of waiting for the tram were not a very happy experience... Especially because I was expecting my monther's phonecall at 21.00. Finally, a tram arrived, but it randomly terminated 4 stops early so I arrived home, wet and grumpy at 20.59...
The phonecall was nice (hearing the stories about New Zealand from where they just returned, brought back great memories of a great country!)
Finally, Cedric came home with a friend from Geneva who was staying at our place (Ced was staying somewhere else). And this friend turned out to be AWESOME. Working for the UN, having been based all over Africa and on his way to Sudan now (and he's Canadian, which is cool)...
ciao,
OJ
Afterwards I studied for a while and at the end of the day I had a Reading Group with Tabellini. Having done a bit more studying afterwards, I wanted to go home. However, with the turnaround of the weather recently (from Sunny and Cold to WET), my 20 minutes of waiting for the tram were not a very happy experience... Especially because I was expecting my monther's phonecall at 21.00. Finally, a tram arrived, but it randomly terminated 4 stops early so I arrived home, wet and grumpy at 20.59...
The phonecall was nice (hearing the stories about New Zealand from where they just returned, brought back great memories of a great country!)
Finally, Cedric came home with a friend from Geneva who was staying at our place (Ced was staying somewhere else). And this friend turned out to be AWESOME. Working for the UN, having been based all over Africa and on his way to Sudan now (and he's Canadian, which is cool)...
ciao,
OJ
Friday, February 24, 2006
Presentation and stuff
This morning I started with a little bit of studying. I tried to read a bit in preparation of my exams as well. The exams will be starting in 10 days, so it is starting to be time to really study!
After lunch (a lovely asparagus pasta... someting I hadnt had before) it was time for our presentations in our class in Fiscal Policy and Economic Integration (that is only the name of the course, it is actually about Migration and the Welfare State), where I was presenting an absolutely SHIT paper of some Italian lady who used Generational Accounting to analyse the influence of migration on the fiscal sustainability of the Italian welfare state. Of course, this sounds very interesting (I know that isnt actually true for the majority of the world population), but it was so poorly executed that it actually became easier to present: there was enough shit to talk about! Some of the other presentations were interesting...
When this class finished at 18.00, I decided that I couldnt be bothered to stay at Uni so I went home. And I finally did manage to Skype with my brother: nice!
ciao,
OJ
PS Gerwin: Dont tell me that came as a surprise to you... The fact that your decision making process is different when you are not the one who is financially responsible for the decision, I mean...
After lunch (a lovely asparagus pasta... someting I hadnt had before) it was time for our presentations in our class in Fiscal Policy and Economic Integration (that is only the name of the course, it is actually about Migration and the Welfare State), where I was presenting an absolutely SHIT paper of some Italian lady who used Generational Accounting to analyse the influence of migration on the fiscal sustainability of the Italian welfare state. Of course, this sounds very interesting (I know that isnt actually true for the majority of the world population), but it was so poorly executed that it actually became easier to present: there was enough shit to talk about! Some of the other presentations were interesting...
When this class finished at 18.00, I decided that I couldnt be bothered to stay at Uni so I went home. And I finally did manage to Skype with my brother: nice!
ciao,
OJ
PS Gerwin: Dont tell me that came as a surprise to you... The fact that your decision making process is different when you are not the one who is financially responsible for the decision, I mean...
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Studied today. I actually missed a class because I didnt realise it was being taught... Oops. Oh well, at least I used my time productively, instead!
I also had some more visitors confirming their visits soon! I will now have continuous visitors from March 16 until April 3! The first ones will be my brothers who are arriving March 16, which I am obviously looking forward to!!!
I went home early today (I got home at 20.15) because I wanted to Skype my brother for his birthday. But it first took me half an hour to reinstall everything (mike, Skype, etc), because my computer has been making some trouble. Then when I finally had everything installed, I realised that my brother wasnt online... So it was all useless, anyway... A bit silly, all that...
Ciao,
OJ
PS For those living in Holland who might sometimes be looking for cheap flights, this might be a useful link to remember...
I also had some more visitors confirming their visits soon! I will now have continuous visitors from March 16 until April 3! The first ones will be my brothers who are arriving March 16, which I am obviously looking forward to!!!
I went home early today (I got home at 20.15) because I wanted to Skype my brother for his birthday. But it first took me half an hour to reinstall everything (mike, Skype, etc), because my computer has been making some trouble. Then when I finally had everything installed, I realised that my brother wasnt online... So it was all useless, anyway... A bit silly, all that...
Ciao,
OJ
PS For those living in Holland who might sometimes be looking for cheap flights, this might be a useful link to remember...
Uni: 9-21
Well, today I studied rather actively. I finished a paper on basis of my thesis, concerning Generational Accounting in Latvia and sent it to a Journal... We will see what happens in that area!
In addition to that, I finalised the preparations for my presentation on Thursday (on the relationship between Generational Accounting and Migration in Italy). And I went to a class, of course.
In addition to that, someone from ABN AMRO called to solve my frustrations from yesterday! So that is all settled (well, its not, but at least I know what they are doing now. And possibly, I might receive the costs of making a new bankcard back).
I came home at 21.30, but the house is empty. I think everyone may have gone to a concert, but I'm not sure... Oh well, whatever. I wanted to go to bed early anyway
ciao,
OJ
In addition to that, I finalised the preparations for my presentation on Thursday (on the relationship between Generational Accounting and Migration in Italy). And I went to a class, of course.
In addition to that, someone from ABN AMRO called to solve my frustrations from yesterday! So that is all settled (well, its not, but at least I know what they are doing now. And possibly, I might receive the costs of making a new bankcard back).
I came home at 21.30, but the house is empty. I think everyone may have gone to a concert, but I'm not sure... Oh well, whatever. I wanted to go to bed early anyway
ciao,
OJ
Monday, February 20, 2006
ABN
Went to Uni at 8.45 this morning. Got home at 21 o clock. Mainly studying, but also a lecture. Met some of the new visiting students. 2 (independent) Poles, named Dominic and Dominica: what are the chances, I ask you... But they are cool.
Afterwards I went home again.
At home, there was a letter waiting from ABN AMRO. Seriously, I just dont understand banks, I guess. The whole story: 3 months ago I was told that I should get a new bank card. No reason (my old one was valid for another 2 or 3 years): I simply had to. The card didnt arrive, however, and I contacted the bank. They then cancelled the card that had been sent and told me to request a new one. Once more, I said I didnt want a new one because my old one was working fine... But I should order one anyway. I then received a letter I should sign and send back. Of course the return enevelope could only be posted in NL (inconvenient). I was then charged for the new card, because I had personally requested a new one and it wasnt a bank order!
After I emailed about this, they told me I should simply call them about it (for 2 euros a minute, never mind: I will pay the charge). Now today I received the card. In the accompanying letter, it is explained that there 2 ways to activate it: (1) simply use the card anywhere (in NL or abroad) and it works on your old PIN. Or (2), contact ABN (1 euro a minute) and after some questions they might activate it with the PIN number I will receive separately.
Obviously (1) is 10 times more convenient and cheap for me, as well as the bank, then option (2). So therefore the bank decided that I should use option (2) and contact the bank separately with the new PIN number which will be sent separately (and probably gets lost in the mail). Seriously, why does ABN AMRO make things so fcking complicated????
Ciao,
OJ
PS How many have you been too??? I have done 18 out of 100 (and I will hopefully do the 11 in Italy reasonably soon as well)
Afterwards I went home again.
At home, there was a letter waiting from ABN AMRO. Seriously, I just dont understand banks, I guess. The whole story: 3 months ago I was told that I should get a new bank card. No reason (my old one was valid for another 2 or 3 years): I simply had to. The card didnt arrive, however, and I contacted the bank. They then cancelled the card that had been sent and told me to request a new one. Once more, I said I didnt want a new one because my old one was working fine... But I should order one anyway. I then received a letter I should sign and send back. Of course the return enevelope could only be posted in NL (inconvenient). I was then charged for the new card, because I had personally requested a new one and it wasnt a bank order!
After I emailed about this, they told me I should simply call them about it (for 2 euros a minute, never mind: I will pay the charge). Now today I received the card. In the accompanying letter, it is explained that there 2 ways to activate it: (1) simply use the card anywhere (in NL or abroad) and it works on your old PIN. Or (2), contact ABN (1 euro a minute) and after some questions they might activate it with the PIN number I will receive separately.
Obviously (1) is 10 times more convenient and cheap for me, as well as the bank, then option (2). So therefore the bank decided that I should use option (2) and contact the bank separately with the new PIN number which will be sent separately (and probably gets lost in the mail). Seriously, why does ABN AMRO make things so fcking complicated????
Ciao,
OJ
PS How many have you been too??? I have done 18 out of 100 (and I will hopefully do the 11 in Italy reasonably soon as well)
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Uni: brrrrr
So today was Sunday, but unfortunately it didnt live up to its name. It was mainly cold-day, slightly rain-day, but definitely not Sunday.
Of course I fell into the same trap as nearly every week (een ezel stoot zich...etc) of going to Uni on a Sunday. I should have known by now that the heating is switched off on Sundays, which really is quite a problem in Winter... As it gets absolutely freezing down there! So despite my four layers of clothing, I only lasted until 17.30 before getting too cold to do anything. So I went home, where I could at least see the last bit of the ice-skating (thank the lord it wasnt an Italian who won this time, because I am still given shit about the men's pursuit...).
Tonight I continued watching the extras on the LotR: They are so awesome, seriously!
ciao,
OJ
Of course I fell into the same trap as nearly every week (een ezel stoot zich...etc) of going to Uni on a Sunday. I should have known by now that the heating is switched off on Sundays, which really is quite a problem in Winter... As it gets absolutely freezing down there! So despite my four layers of clothing, I only lasted until 17.30 before getting too cold to do anything. So I went home, where I could at least see the last bit of the ice-skating (thank the lord it wasnt an Italian who won this time, because I am still given shit about the men's pursuit...).
Tonight I continued watching the extras on the LotR: They are so awesome, seriously!
ciao,
OJ
Korean food: awesome-o
Yesterday, I spent most of my day at Uni. First some classes, then a bit of studying... It wasnt very interesting, to be honest. At night, I didnt do much either, except for eating an absolutely excellent fish-based pasta that Micky made. It was gorgeous!
I then wanted to see how much I would sleep without setting my alarmclock (as I am not a general sleep-lover, like Fedor is, this is a good indication of how tired I am/was)... Well, I was quite shocked to find myself sleeping for 12 hours, in other words: 2 nights of sleep! But it did mean that by the time I got up, I couldnt really be bothered to go to Uni anymore. It also didnt really help that the weather has changed 3 days ago. After our 12 weeks of Sun and Cold (varied with Snow and Cold), we now have Clouds and Rain... Seriously, the first rain since November!!! But that wasnt really an extra motivation to go to Uni. So I stayed in and fucked around (and watched ice-skating, of course).
Tonight, we went to visit Meghans friend Ji Suk (yes, we sometimes make little jokes about her name) who cooked us a gorgeous and lovely Korean meal!!! I had been wondering what Korean food would be like: Spicy, mainly. Fuck me, it was spicy. But really good, nonetheless. Now the guys all went to Corso Como to go out, but i couldnt really be bothered to spend the money and I want to get up in time tomorrow to go to Uni and do some work. So I went home.
ciao,
OJ
I then wanted to see how much I would sleep without setting my alarmclock (as I am not a general sleep-lover, like Fedor is, this is a good indication of how tired I am/was)... Well, I was quite shocked to find myself sleeping for 12 hours, in other words: 2 nights of sleep! But it did mean that by the time I got up, I couldnt really be bothered to go to Uni anymore. It also didnt really help that the weather has changed 3 days ago. After our 12 weeks of Sun and Cold (varied with Snow and Cold), we now have Clouds and Rain... Seriously, the first rain since November!!! But that wasnt really an extra motivation to go to Uni. So I stayed in and fucked around (and watched ice-skating, of course).
Tonight, we went to visit Meghans friend Ji Suk (yes, we sometimes make little jokes about her name) who cooked us a gorgeous and lovely Korean meal!!! I had been wondering what Korean food would be like: Spicy, mainly. Fuck me, it was spicy. But really good, nonetheless. Now the guys all went to Corso Como to go out, but i couldnt really be bothered to spend the money and I want to get up in time tomorrow to go to Uni and do some work. So I went home.
ciao,
OJ
Friday, February 17, 2006
I Luv Sushi... Seriously.
Another good night rest and I am completely fit again. I worked all day on my paper about Latvia. And it is now finished, so I will be able to send it in to a fringe-journal soon. Also, I am thinking about sending it in to a conference near Pisa. I havent been there yet and I would like to visit...
This evening I went for Sushi-aperitivo at Bento Bar with 2 friends. It was absolutely lovely. I LOVE SUSHI. Especially if you only pay 8 euros for a cocktail and then enjoy the buffet (with some sushi) for free!!! Hurray, this makes me sooooo happy. We then had another few drinks at my place (the Japanese bar is really close), but go to sleep early: tomorrow class at 9AM again!
ciao,
OJ
This evening I went for Sushi-aperitivo at Bento Bar with 2 friends. It was absolutely lovely. I LOVE SUSHI. Especially if you only pay 8 euros for a cocktail and then enjoy the buffet (with some sushi) for free!!! Hurray, this makes me sooooo happy. We then had another few drinks at my place (the Japanese bar is really close), but go to sleep early: tomorrow class at 9AM again!
ciao,
OJ
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
My precious...
Tuesday Morning early, I received a msg from Matt: he had an accident and wrecked his car on the way to the Airport in London... Thank God he was not hurt himself, but obviously he wasnt able to come to Milano. Very unfortunate, but understandable... He will be coming some other time. Instead, I went to class in the morning, but went home straight after again to spent some more time with Fedor. We watched the extended versions of The Two Towers and the Return of te King (the first LOTR we did on Sunday): LOTR is SO AWESOME!!!
But of course, it was quite late after that and we had to get up early again. After all, Fedor was leaving again today and I had to bring him to Central Station. I was so exhausted after all this that I only went to Uni for my 2 classes, before going home and passing out...
After having some sleep, I enjoyed Micky's lovely frittata and started tackling the Dutch tax form I received today. A total of 35 pages, with another 100 pages of explanations. Seriously, emigrating is not for lazy people!
I also found out I would be able to go back: I scored 6.8 on my "Inburgeringstest" (in Dutch)... Haha, some of the Dutch friends I heard from actually failed!
Anyways, I think it is nearly time to get some more sleep... Because I am still exhausted...
ciao,
OJ
But of course, it was quite late after that and we had to get up early again. After all, Fedor was leaving again today and I had to bring him to Central Station. I was so exhausted after all this that I only went to Uni for my 2 classes, before going home and passing out...
After having some sleep, I enjoyed Micky's lovely frittata and started tackling the Dutch tax form I received today. A total of 35 pages, with another 100 pages of explanations. Seriously, emigrating is not for lazy people!
I also found out I would be able to go back: I scored 6.8 on my "Inburgeringstest" (in Dutch)... Haha, some of the Dutch friends I heard from actually failed!
Anyways, I think it is nearly time to get some more sleep... Because I am still exhausted...
ciao,
OJ
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Gasoline, no Loolapaloosa...
Well, on Saturday morning I got up at 7, to make sure I would go to the market, visit the supermarket and still get to Uni at about 10AM. Of course this was necessary, because Fedor was arriving in the afternoon and I wanted to get some studying done. It was quite good, except that Fedors phone turned out not to be working in Italy (we dont know why) and he couldnt contact me. But, thanks to the Internet, I realised this and I was able to anticipate his arrival and wait for him anyway. It was lovely. At night, we had a dinner party with a bunch of (mostly Indian) friends of Meghan. Ced made fish in the outside oven and we made pizzas inside. It was awesome. Afterwards, we wanted to go to Loolapaloosa, but it was extremely busy and they didnt want to let us in. So we went to Gasoline instead (thanks to Ced, we could get in for free: that saved 18 euros each). After that, we had another little afterparty at home. That was precisely the thing that killed me, so I was terribly hungover Sunday morning. But we still had our romantic not-quite-Valentines-Day-Breakfast... And we watched LOTR: The Fellowship of the Ring. OH MY GOD, it is SOOOOOOO awesome!!! Really amazing!
This morning, we got up reasonably early and went to Uni, where we studied all day. And I may proudly say that I actually finished all that I needed to finish. So I was very very happy with that. We got home at around 8.30PM and just watched another movie. Now, I am tired (we are tired, but I am not allowed to say we... WE-relationships are evil...) and we will go to sleep. After all, I have class again tomorrow morning, whereas Fedor can sleep for awhile, before having to pick up Matt from the Station!
ciao,
OJ
This morning, we got up reasonably early and went to Uni, where we studied all day. And I may proudly say that I actually finished all that I needed to finish. So I was very very happy with that. We got home at around 8.30PM and just watched another movie. Now, I am tired (we are tired, but I am not allowed to say we... WE-relationships are evil...) and we will go to sleep. After all, I have class again tomorrow morning, whereas Fedor can sleep for awhile, before having to pick up Matt from the Station!
ciao,
OJ
Friday, February 10, 2006
Oi, fuckfaces!
First of all, thank you to all those bastards who apparently have absolutely no faith in me..... Goddammit.
Second, I arrived at Uni just after 9AM to do Tabellini-related shit. When I left, some time after 9PM, I was still doing Tabellini-related shit. Seriously.
More precisely, I was working on a problem set for most of the day. And I also did a presentation during a reading group. I got absolutely grilled by Tabellini, but I think I came through in the end... So I was very very happy about that (even though I said the methodology of the paper totally sucked, but it turned out to be partly based on work of Tabellini himself. Oops. But I just guess he likes people having a strong, own, opinion...)
I came home and could eat some more food Cedric made (he's on a roll, cooking wise). Now I will go straight to bed, because I need to start studying early tomorrow: Fedor will arrive in the afternoon, and I want to finish some stuff before he arrives.
ciao,
OJ
PS For you unbelievers, I didnt drink anything else than 2 1/2 liters of water today, whether you believe it or not!
PPS How cute is this?
Second, I arrived at Uni just after 9AM to do Tabellini-related shit. When I left, some time after 9PM, I was still doing Tabellini-related shit. Seriously.
More precisely, I was working on a problem set for most of the day. And I also did a presentation during a reading group. I got absolutely grilled by Tabellini, but I think I came through in the end... So I was very very happy about that (even though I said the methodology of the paper totally sucked, but it turned out to be partly based on work of Tabellini himself. Oops. But I just guess he likes people having a strong, own, opinion...)
I came home and could eat some more food Cedric made (he's on a roll, cooking wise). Now I will go straight to bed, because I need to start studying early tomorrow: Fedor will arrive in the afternoon, and I want to finish some stuff before he arrives.
ciao,
OJ
PS For you unbelievers, I didnt drink anything else than 2 1/2 liters of water today, whether you believe it or not!
PPS How cute is this?
First drink of the week!
Seriously. I had the most incomprehensible class ever today. The teacher had absolutely no clue what he was saying. The students DEFINITELY didnt have a clue what he was saying. And it lasted for 3 fucking hours!!!! Especially his "normally I am very structured, it is only today that I am not" was rather funny.
In the afternoon I had another lecture. After that, I studied until it was time to go for Aperitivo at Fashion Cafe. We were supposed to meet Meghan and her schoolmates there, but they didnt make it until an hour later (and we were already nearly an hour later than planned). But it was fun, anyway. So after a few drinks (my first drinks, this week, as I normally do not drink alcohol anymore during the week), Meghan and I headed back.
I also received an email from my friend Matt, who decided to postpone his visit with one day (arriving next Tuesday, instead of Monday). Very inconvenient, as I had planned everything around him arriving on Monday... I wont even be able to pick him him up from the Station, because I will be in class. Let that be a lesson for everyone: if you are visiting me, do not change your plans a few days in advance. I am actually busy, you know!
ciao,
OJ
PS Think of me tomorrow: I am having a Tabellini Marathon tomorrow.
In the afternoon I had another lecture. After that, I studied until it was time to go for Aperitivo at Fashion Cafe. We were supposed to meet Meghan and her schoolmates there, but they didnt make it until an hour later (and we were already nearly an hour later than planned). But it was fun, anyway. So after a few drinks (my first drinks, this week, as I normally do not drink alcohol anymore during the week), Meghan and I headed back.
I also received an email from my friend Matt, who decided to postpone his visit with one day (arriving next Tuesday, instead of Monday). Very inconvenient, as I had planned everything around him arriving on Monday... I wont even be able to pick him him up from the Station, because I will be in class. Let that be a lesson for everyone: if you are visiting me, do not change your plans a few days in advance. I am actually busy, you know!
ciao,
OJ
PS Think of me tomorrow: I am having a Tabellini Marathon tomorrow.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Writer's block = good
I arrived at Uni a bit after 9, but as the problem set still wasnt there, I wasnt really able to do anything. I just read a little and spent my time waiting for the problem set. Finally, it arrived at 4PM!!! So, then I had to start working on it... It is quite challenging though and at 7.30PM I figured I had done enough. So I went home. At home, Cedric turned out to be in a writer's block (music wise). Which is good news, because his favourite cure for a writer's block is cooking. So when I came home, there was a lovely tajine waiting!!! Luvly!
ciao,
OJ
ciao,
OJ
I arrived at Uni a bit after 9, but as the problem set still wasnt there, I wasnt really able to do anything. I just read a little and spent my time waiting for the problem set. Finally, it arrived at 4PM!!! So, then I had to start working on it... It is quite challenging though and at 7.30PM I figured I had done enough. So I went home. At home, Cedric turned out to be in a writer's block (music wise). Which is good news, because his favourite cure for a writer's block is cooking. So when I came home, there was a lovely tajine waiting!!! Luvly!
ciao,
OJ
ciao,
OJ
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
The Good. And the Bad
Wow, I was damned productive yesterday. And I watched an amazing movie: And The Band Played On. Very heavy, but also very interesting.
Today, I was very unproductive (to compensate for yesterday) and had a little Italy-is-bad-day... First, I was going to have class at 11. At 10.30, my friend Fernanda comes in to ask why she was the only one in class at 9? So I (and others) were very surprised, because the class was scheduled for 11. After some research, it turned out to be a miscommunication between the different University Bureacracies. The teacer thought the class was at 9. The students thought it was at 11. And Fernanda was simply confused and went to class at the wrong time. But the (rather odd) conclusion to the story is that the teacher is pissed off with the students and he refuses to teach the same lecture another time. I thought this was weird.
My second little frustration today was my attempt to finally register with the Italian Medicare, named ASL. I went to their office (with Giovanna, to translate), but now it turns out that the Municipality lied to me and their temporary registration is not good enough. Apparently I need my official Milano ID card to be able to register with ASL. However, the official Milano ID Card was supposedly sent to me 3 months ago. So either it wasnt (but the Municipality bureaucracy would never admit that) or it was simply lost in the Post again.
Conclusion: I cannot register with ASL.
The final frustration is the fact that we are supposed to receive a problem set today (and I have not got a lot of time to work on it, because there will be many a visitor next week), but it is, as always, late!!! That is simply annoying.
On a more positive note, my scholarship arrived. So I can actually do groceries again and stuff! And I received a postcard from my parents who are in New Zealand (why does mail from New Zealand only take a week and actually arrives, when mail from Europe is always lost or delayed??? That is weird, isnt it?)
ciao,
OJ
Today, I was very unproductive (to compensate for yesterday) and had a little Italy-is-bad-day... First, I was going to have class at 11. At 10.30, my friend Fernanda comes in to ask why she was the only one in class at 9? So I (and others) were very surprised, because the class was scheduled for 11. After some research, it turned out to be a miscommunication between the different University Bureacracies. The teacer thought the class was at 9. The students thought it was at 11. And Fernanda was simply confused and went to class at the wrong time. But the (rather odd) conclusion to the story is that the teacher is pissed off with the students and he refuses to teach the same lecture another time. I thought this was weird.
My second little frustration today was my attempt to finally register with the Italian Medicare, named ASL. I went to their office (with Giovanna, to translate), but now it turns out that the Municipality lied to me and their temporary registration is not good enough. Apparently I need my official Milano ID card to be able to register with ASL. However, the official Milano ID Card was supposedly sent to me 3 months ago. So either it wasnt (but the Municipality bureaucracy would never admit that) or it was simply lost in the Post again.
Conclusion: I cannot register with ASL.
The final frustration is the fact that we are supposed to receive a problem set today (and I have not got a lot of time to work on it, because there will be many a visitor next week), but it is, as always, late!!! That is simply annoying.
On a more positive note, my scholarship arrived. So I can actually do groceries again and stuff! And I received a postcard from my parents who are in New Zealand (why does mail from New Zealand only take a week and actually arrives, when mail from Europe is always lost or delayed??? That is weird, isnt it?)
ciao,
OJ
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Hairdressing... :-)
Yesterday I spent at Uni. And afterwards, I cut my hair... Oh yes, I cut my own hair! I felt rather proud, I must say. In addition to that, I saved 12 euros or something, which is more than I currently own, anyway! Also, I past out quite early yesterday: I guess I just was really tired. Today, I decided that I didnt have to got to Uni and gave myself time to chill. So I studied Italian (I hadnt opened the book in a very long time) and watched some movies. It was a good day. And now I am ready to got to sleep again, hoping that my bimonthly scholarship payment arrives tomorrow and going to Uni early as well!
ciao,
OJ
ciao,
OJ
Saturday, February 04, 2006
work: 9AM-8PM
Today, I started with a 9AM lecture again. It wasnt too bad. Not very good either, but certainly not the best entertainment at 9AM... I then tried to work the rest of the day (I did have another lecture in the afternoon), but it didnt go as well as I hoped. I was continually distracted (I decided to write an article on basis of my Master Thesis and to submit that to a Journal: this'll be my weekend's project). Finally, I left Uni at 8PM, to hurry to the supermarket and go home afterwards. My bimonthly scholarship should be on its way (I have now started using the very last 15 euros I posess) and hopefully will be here on Monday... Otherwise, I will have a significant problem (every single bank account I have has reached its utter bottom... Oh well: shit happens.
For the rest, I was happy to finally use a piano today for the first time in many months. None of my flatmates are here (which is rare, because most of them are rather house-bound and I have no idea where they are. Of course, this is the moment for lots of separate lights to break down... 3 sofar, tonight...) and I could finally use the piano that is in my Michele and Meghan's room. It is really quite good (the sound is very good), so I had a good time playing some. I took a book last week when I was in NL, so that is why I was really eager to try whether I could still do it!
ciao,
OJ
For the rest, I was happy to finally use a piano today for the first time in many months. None of my flatmates are here (which is rare, because most of them are rather house-bound and I have no idea where they are. Of course, this is the moment for lots of separate lights to break down... 3 sofar, tonight...) and I could finally use the piano that is in my Michele and Meghan's room. It is really quite good (the sound is very good), so I had a good time playing some. I took a book last week when I was in NL, so that is why I was really eager to try whether I could still do it!
ciao,
OJ
Friday, February 03, 2006
And back to Uni...
More proof that the year of the Dog is gonna be a great year! I passed my Game Theory examination!!! Hurray!!! It was only a C, but nothing more could possibly be expected. I am just very very very very happy to have passed it (which definitely wasnt the case for everyone)...
In addition to that, I was (finally) given a tutor for this year. And I got the person I wanted: Guido Tabellini! So that is more good news.
This morning I went to half a class of Migration, but the teachers sucks so much, that I decided to spent my time more efficiently (somewhere else). I stayed at Uni until 7.30PM, when I decided it was time to go.
There is something else I wanted to mention here: This is an absolutely awesome new website. It is related to the Music Genome Project. You can basically generate a radio station there on basis of some song(s) you like. It will then plat songs which share features with the song(s) you like... It sounds weird now, but it works extremely well. If you ask the programme why it plays particular songs, it will tell you for example that you simply like songs with a mild acoustic syncopation, acoustic sonority and major key tonality. I dont know what the hell that means, but I do indeed like the song!
So, check that out, because it rulez!
ciao,
OJ
In addition to that, I was (finally) given a tutor for this year. And I got the person I wanted: Guido Tabellini! So that is more good news.
This morning I went to half a class of Migration, but the teachers sucks so much, that I decided to spent my time more efficiently (somewhere else). I stayed at Uni until 7.30PM, when I decided it was time to go.
There is something else I wanted to mention here: This is an absolutely awesome new website. It is related to the Music Genome Project. You can basically generate a radio station there on basis of some song(s) you like. It will then plat songs which share features with the song(s) you like... It sounds weird now, but it works extremely well. If you ask the programme why it plays particular songs, it will tell you for example that you simply like songs with a mild acoustic syncopation, acoustic sonority and major key tonality. I dont know what the hell that means, but I do indeed like the song!
So, check that out, because it rulez!
ciao,
OJ
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Back in Milano
Well, unexpectedly so, I managed to get out of the country last Saturday... I had a 3 hour delay, but at least the airplane managed to make it out of Snowy Italy! Poor Fedor has thus also been waiting for me for 3 hours at Eindhoven Aiport, the poor dear. But it was obviously great to see him again!!! (24 days apart: VERY LONG).
At night we ate and enjoyed each others company...
On Sunday, we went to Groningen, where we met up with everyone. Great dinner at Cervantes and far too much to drink in the Internet Cafe. The next morning was not quite that good, because I was rather hungover. But we had to do other things again (visit people, shop, lunch, etc). We finally got out of Groningen halfway the afternoon. Back in Nijmegen, we went to see the new house of friends (VERY AWESOME new house, actually) and then to a party. Again, it was rather late (3AM-ish) and poor Fedor actually had to go to class at 8.45 AM... And he did! I am very proud of him!!! Obviously, I just stayed in bed...
In the afternoon we did some more shopping and then spent the evening at Fedors Mothers place.... And for a third night in a row, got quite drunk. At about 4AM we got home and realised that Fedor had to get up really early again. He was supposed to leave for work at 8AM... Unfortunately, we only woke up at 8.15. Which was also quite late for me, but I made it to Eindhoven fine (well, I felt shit, obviously, but I made it). After some more delays, I got back to Milano tis afternoon. I spent the rest of the day reorganising all the stuff I took from NL. The thing I have taken includes the 12-DVD version of the Lord of the Rings, which Fedor gave to me! Isnt he just soooo sweet??? I cant wait to watch that, but I guess I will wait until Fedor is here next week...
Finally, in the few days I was away from Milan, the weather changed from bad snow and cold to 12 degrees, sunny and warm: Spring! Hurray! I have also decided that all the shit things that have been happening recently, are now over, because we have entered the year of the Dog. Away with the Rooster, welcome to the Dog!!! Now, all will be fine!
happy Year of the Dog!!!!
ciao,
OJ
At night we ate and enjoyed each others company...
On Sunday, we went to Groningen, where we met up with everyone. Great dinner at Cervantes and far too much to drink in the Internet Cafe. The next morning was not quite that good, because I was rather hungover. But we had to do other things again (visit people, shop, lunch, etc). We finally got out of Groningen halfway the afternoon. Back in Nijmegen, we went to see the new house of friends (VERY AWESOME new house, actually) and then to a party. Again, it was rather late (3AM-ish) and poor Fedor actually had to go to class at 8.45 AM... And he did! I am very proud of him!!! Obviously, I just stayed in bed...
In the afternoon we did some more shopping and then spent the evening at Fedors Mothers place.... And for a third night in a row, got quite drunk. At about 4AM we got home and realised that Fedor had to get up really early again. He was supposed to leave for work at 8AM... Unfortunately, we only woke up at 8.15. Which was also quite late for me, but I made it to Eindhoven fine (well, I felt shit, obviously, but I made it). After some more delays, I got back to Milano tis afternoon. I spent the rest of the day reorganising all the stuff I took from NL. The thing I have taken includes the 12-DVD version of the Lord of the Rings, which Fedor gave to me! Isnt he just soooo sweet??? I cant wait to watch that, but I guess I will wait until Fedor is here next week...
Finally, in the few days I was away from Milan, the weather changed from bad snow and cold to 12 degrees, sunny and warm: Spring! Hurray! I have also decided that all the shit things that have been happening recently, are now over, because we have entered the year of the Dog. Away with the Rooster, welcome to the Dog!!! Now, all will be fine!
happy Year of the Dog!!!!
ciao,
OJ
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