Boom Chicago

This past weekend, we (meaning everyone in the picture below + Chad who is hiding to the left) went to Amsterdam to see a comedy show at Boom Chicago.

The name of the show was Me, Myspace, and iPod....and of course, poked fun at the world of technology that we live in. I own an iPod and you've surely seen my Myspace site, so you can guess that I fit right in with the jokes and skits.

The show is in English and includes American actors. It was quite funny.

Mom!

Happy Birthday Mom! I love you!

Carnaval

Carnaval

Charla and I went out in Eindhoven this past Saturday night to celebrate Carnaval. It was crazy! Everyone dresses up in costumes (almost like Halloween) and fills the streets and bars for 4 straight days of partying. We didn't know much about it, but didn't expect to want to get dressed up; but since we didn't have time and all the stores were closed, we couldn't get a costume put together. We settled for a bright pink feather boa and some colored eye pencils that we drew around our eyes with. Even though it was rather cold outside that night, we didn't seem to need a coat on the street because of all the people packed in it.

This a nice Dutch girl that I had to get my picture taken with. His costume was great, but he wasn't the only one sporting this sort of outfit!

The next morning, we dragged ourselves out of bed and drew on some more eye swirley-thingies (actually, Charla was the artist and did an amazing job I thought) and headed to the train station to go to Maastricht, the town in the Netherlands that is most well-known for their Carnaval festivities.

The doll you see in the next picture is raised in Vrijthof Square at the beginning of Carnaval and when they take it down after four days of madness, people actually cry (so I've been told).

We arrived in Maastricht in time to see the parade that winds through the small cobblestone streets of the town. Every float or group was truly original and not one was the same color. It was amazing! We didn't have a very good view, but the pictures above our heads turned out great. The music was loud....very loud.


Here's another Dutch girl--this time, she's in a marching band.




Here's Charla, a duck, and a guy dressed up as an old lady. He (the old lady) noticed our English and asked if we thought they (meaning the Dutch) were totally crazy. I said of course not, but I don't think he believed me.

We didn't stay too long in Maastricht because we had to work in the morning and my train ride home was about 3 hours long. Charla called me today on her way home from work and said that Carnaval in Eindhoven was still in full-force today...and should be tomorrow, too. How fun....

"UCM Offers Students World-Wide Job Internships"

UCM Offers Students World-Wide Job Internships - Features

The link above is an article that my sister's friend, Heather St. Clair, wrote.

Check it out! I think she did a great job! Thanks Heather!

Dag!

To everyone!

M.C. Escher Museum

There are many museums in The Hague. The M.C. Escher museum is one of them....

Work update...

Work is going quite well lately. We are getting busy and the fact that I like being swamped must be a sign that I'm made to be an accountant (or I'm a little crazy). I'm getting to do more real auditing, rather than just tick and tie stuff, where I'll spend a couple days on a project. Starting Thursday, we are going to get a ton of figures from our client to audit before they are released to the public....and some of the Dutch in my team will spend their first Saturday working. haha...if they only knew how many Saturdays (and Sundays) we put in during busy season.

I'm beginning to enjoy auditing a little more--now that I know what the heck is going on. Busy season for auditing isn't as fun as busy season for tax, though! I should be free from all this madness April 1. Then, the real traveling begins! (time and money permitting, of course)

My top three countries to visit right now are Spain, Italy, and Greece. If I get to see those three, then I'll be a happy camper. : )

Antwerp, London, snow, and more...

Yes, another catch-up blog! I know I've been slacking. : )

Two weekends ago Charla and I took a day trip to Antwerp, Belgium.

We decided to take a bus tour around the city to see some of the things that
Antwerp is known for--diamonds and trade.

Antwerp has some of the best shopping I've seen yet. Unfortunately, funds
are allocated to traveling and food. : )

At the end of the night, we sat at this Irish pub for a few drinks while waiting
for our train. There was an Irish bartender that gave us some tips on where to go in Ireland--he said that Dublin was overrated and we should choose other cities on the outside.

At the end of January, I took a couple days off of work and went with Charla to London. We left Friday morning from Eindhoven and flew to London on Ryan Air, a fairly cheap airline that flies around select cities in Europe. We arrived at our hostel to be pleasantly surprised, and all in all, the entire trip was amazing and the weather was very cooperative! I definitely recommend everyone visit if they get a chance.

Our last night, we decided to go out on the town and do a little partying...we got back to the hostel about an hour before the bus was coming to pick us up to head to the airport (4am). Needless to say, we were a bit sleepy!

I walked out of my apartment one morning last week to find this:

I was told that I would probably never see an ounce of snow while I was
here...but little did they know.... It was really pretty and reminded me of
Missouri--except the fact that the snow was melting faster than ever...and it
was light and fluffy. By the time I got to work, (30 minutes later) most of it
had melted and was creating a wet mess....It sure was pretty while it lasted,
though.

A couple days ago, I came home from work very excited because it was Friday, and the fact that I was home by 5:30. Then, upon going into my bedroom, I noticed that the ceiling panel above part of my bed had fallen out and broken into many pieces all over my bed and floor. Then, I noticed that my bed, the floor, rug, and shoes nearby were soaked! Alright, I know that the Edwards have a problem with flooding in the basement, but come on!!!! Did I really have to bring that bad luck with me here?

Anyway, after rigging up some scotch tape (all I had), I got the pipe to drip the water straight down instead of spraying all over the place...and into my trash can. I called the landlord and he said that he would try to get someone to come out last night....nope....didn't happen. : ( I have to admit that I would be willing to play the "womanly role" and do laundry, dishes, cook, and clean if i didn't have to deal with this sh*t anymore! : ) hehe....

So far, it has filled up my entire 5-gallon trashcan once and is approaching another fill to the top. I've washed (in my tiny washing machine) a rug, the sheets, my thin fetherbed, and some stinky towels....It's disgusting!!!!! Ahhhhhhh! The mattress if finally dry, along with the floor...but the house still stinks. : (

The plumber finally came , but made a huge mess, ....but at least the pipe isn't leaking anymore.

Charla came to The Hague this past weekend and we went to Crazy Pianos, the piano bar in Scheveningen (down the street from me,...by the sea). Good times! Recovery time was slow for Charla this time around. : ) Sorry hon!

Hopefully I won't slack as much as I have lately, but busy season is upon us (for all accountants, that is). Good luck with all the deadlines, Parker Swearngin!!!! If anyone needs their taxes done, I know a great firm! : )

I hope all is well with everyone!

Happy Birthday Dadd! I love you!