Easter eggs:

The Jordaan... cute but tiny.

In the name of lightheartedness, some fun things happened today.

And many of those fun things happened while walking in the rain, through the De Negen Straatjes; dodging passing bikes, and contemplating life, yet again.

Actually. Many fun, and funny, things happen everyday within my bubble of senses that allow me to view and interact with the world around me. With the Jordaan absorbing most of my senses these days.

I arrived at work Tuesday morning, hopped off my bike. Well, I tried to. Right be fore I heard a 'clink'. And right before my button fell off. And I should add, this is the fifth button to fall off, or that has been at the point of ‘needing to be pulled off’ – because it was on its last thread. Literally. Note to self: only buys clothes that will last for years, from now on.

And then. To further lighten my day… my jeans ripped right up the crotch and down the leg on the right side, as soon as I hopped on my bike, when preparing to cycle back in the direction of my house. I say direction because who knows… maybe I would have been tempted by some magical sight in the city… one of many, that make up the allure of the city. A city that has its good and bad days, these days. One day it's summer and warm-ish. The next day cold.

Ik vind amsterdam zo mooi, maar ik moet nederlands leren. And that is my full time ambition right now, and we’re I’m concentrating most of my effort. I must learn Dutch. I understand about 80% of what people say, but have to reply in English due to my lack of Dutch vocabulary.

Dutch is heel makkelijk to understand (translation: very easy)- but so strange to speak. But it’s fun, my first, second language, and I’m told I have an Ameri-Dutch accent. Which I fully own and love that I possess.

Other than learning Dutch and hanging out in the Jordaan (because I live here!), life is swell and I’m happy. And lets just end on the note of… the Jordaan is beautiful, but unless your apartment is large and spacious…

...the Jordaan feels sooooo tiny because the buildings are all so small, packed in tight and most of the streets are very narrow, with thing canals running through, here and there, and many many bridges.

(The view from my current kitchen)

Which is also exactly why I love it. But it’s also why moving to the Indische buurt in June will feel so refreshing. This summer, I will summer, in the East of Amsterdam.

A love child of Flevopark I shall be.

Flevopark is one of the few parks in the city I have never even been to- but have already claimed as my new park.

(Update, June 2010: the park is fab!)

I guess what’s strange… is that I’m growing up. And it’s exciting, and scary.

And I’m doing it in Amsterdam, which makes everyday just a wee bit more interesting.

And by the way it's almost Easter in the world of those who follow Christianity. I'd venture to say to don't believe in the big g. But I'm quite happy to have the day off work.

I've placed tulips on our table, oh yes, and Sunday has been reserved for dying eggs.