Annie spouts her views on the world

That was short

2008-11-21T16:02:00.002-05:00

Well, we are back to not-dating status. 3 dates with 3 guys from the web in 2 weeks led me to determine I am no longer interested in online dating. I really was looking for something to click, and when it did with the last guy, he was only interested in sex. So, I'm no longer lookin' for love in the Big Apple. Just gonna bide my time until I depart in July. (more on this later)

The streets of NYC after Obama's win

2008-11-05T09:37:00.000-05:00

A magical night. After our broomball game, we walked out to electric streets. An amazing night.

The Streets After Obama's Win

When I Grow Up, I Want to Work in Advertising

2008-10-06T12:46:00.000-04:00

After 8 months at Ogilvy, I now know how true this is.

The return to the dating world - first date back.

2008-10-06T12:36:00.003-04:00

Had an interesting first date Friday night.

Guy walks up and starts complaining. Just a drag. Then tells me about how he likes to beat up on those who work for him (he's a chef), how he no longer drinks after his twenties (and he's happy to tell me all about it), how he can't stand most people, how he's a control freak, how he works 6 days a week and always brings the stress home with him and that will never change. He also said, "wow, I thought you would be more dressed up at work."

Classy.

So after dinner (which I knew wasn't a good idea for a first date) I said I was going to see my sister so I had to go. As we walked out he said he is blunt about who he is because at 38 he's not going to change. Then he tried to maul my face. Then he text me that night to ask if I liked him. Then sunday morning to see if I thought I would like him. I text back saying I didn't thimk we were a match and good luck.

Too much to update!

2008-09-25T09:13:00.002-04:00

Damn it, I've gots lots to catch you up on and very little energy to divulge :) (I feel I've said this many times on here...)

1. Since October 1, I've left the MS Society, headed to Ogilvy, and then started at a prominent magazine publisher doing digital marketing.
2. My health has gotten significantly better after a very challenging few months around this time last year.
3. In the past week, I've found myself broke. Somehow I've lost control of my spending. Well, tightening the belt commences.
4. I'm doing the Mongol Rallly! More on that later.
5. I'm really sleepy today...

Colombia

2008-06-10T09:41:00.001-04:00

I guess this is getting buzz, and that is what they wanted...

2007-06-22T22:07:00.000-04:00

A Brazilian yogurt company is now running ads saying,

"Forget about it. Men's preference will never change. Fit Light Yogurt."

Below is one of the photos from the campaign.

The premise is to place overweight women in iconic sexy female roles to imply they are no longer attractive if they are "chunky."

Here's to perpetuating low-self esteem!

"It's a very evolved little squiggle."

2007-04-18T10:05:00.000-04:00

Listen to this NPR story.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9560048
"When you see a cat pounce on a rat, it seems like a classic story about a predator and prey.

But scientists have recently discovered that sometimes the main actor is actually a tiny parasite in the rat's brain that makes the normally fearful rat think "oh how nice" when it smells a cat.

The parasite wants the rat to be caught by the cat because it needs to be in the cat's stomach to reproduce. New research sheds light on how this surprising little organism can manipulate a rodent to do its will."

Photos from Australia

2007-04-10T22:11:00.000-04:00

Double click on slideshow for larger images.

Sex is happening!

2006-12-21T09:37:00.000-05:00

Yes, I'm very vocal about safe sex and sexual education. And you know what? I'm right to be. We need to get away from the abstinence programs. It causes more harm and fear than help. We need a frank and open dialog about what is wrong (and what is right) with sex. Damn puritanical heritage.

Brief:
Challenge to no-sex campaign

James Bone
NEW YORK A report that concludes that 95 per cent of Americans have sex before marriage — and have been doing so for decades — calls into question the spending of almost $1 billion by the Bush Administration on abstinence-only programmes.
The study found that even among women born in the 1940s, nearly nine out of ten had engaged in premarital sex. "Not only is premarital sex nearly universal by age 30, but it is also very common at much younger ages," Dr Lawrence Finer, the report's author, wrote. Dr Finer is research director at the Guttmacher Institute, a private New York-based think-tank that opposes the abstinence-only approach.

The Bush Administration has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on the controversial programmes and is requesting $204 million more next year.

Want more?

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=2740714&page=1

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&resnum=0&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&tab=wn&ncl=1112123601

This really upset me

2006-12-13T15:05:00.000-05:00

China's white dolphin called extinct after 20 million years

BEIJING, China (AP) -- An expedition searching for a rare Yangtze River dolphin ended Wednesday without a single sighting and with the team's leader saying one of the world's oldest species was effectively extinct.

The white dolphin known as baiji, shy and nearly blind, dates back some 20 million years. Its disappearance is believed to be the first time in a half-century, since hunting killed off the Caribbean monk seal, that a large aquatic mammal has been driven to extinction.
A few baiji may still exist in their native Yangtze habitat in eastern China but not in sufficient numbers to breed and ward off extinction, said August Pfluger, the Swiss co-leader of the joint Chinese-foreign expedition.

"We have to accept the fact, that the Baiji is functionally extinct. We lost the race," Pfluger said in a statement released by the expedition. "It is a tragedy, a loss not only for China, but for the entire world. We are all incredibly sad."

Click on the link to read the rest of the article. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/13/AR2006121300304.html

More in NYT article http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/17/weekinreview/17basics.html?ei=5090&en=a6baf971611f621c&ex=1324011600&pagewanted=all

Redhead Articles

2006-11-21T21:31:00.000-05:00

My doctor and I were discussing illnesses that are known to affect redheads more often than other "breeds." He wanted me to try and find the NYT article so I went on the hunt. I came across a redhead community site - like friendster and myspace - but for redheads only. (No, I did not join.) On the site they have news articles about people with our fiery locks. I thought I would share some amusing ones.

Radio Neatherlands
Blondes might have more fun, and gentlemen may well marry brunettes, but redheads are remembered. For while they have had a troubled history - being burned as witches, sacrificed to gods and condemned as unlucky or insane, to give just a few examples, there has always been an edgy glamour attached to women with red hair, from Cleopatra to Rita Hayworth to Julianne Moore. A recent report by the Oxford Hair Foundation in the UK has caused shockwaves in the Netherlands: redheads, it says, are dying out, and could become extinct as soon as 2060.

Special gene found in red haired women
by Tim Utton
Blondes, they say, have more fun. But redheads have a definite edge when the going gets tough, according to scientists. A gene found in flame-haired women means they are better at coping with pain than blondes or brunettes. The research could help to explain the strong character of famous redheads down the ages - from Cleopatra, Nell Gwynne and Florence Nightingale to Lulu.

The gene, called Mc1r, is linked to ginger hair and fair skin. But while it gives women a higher pain threshold, it does not have the same effect on their male counterparts, researchers found.

Read more

Redheads 'have more sex than blondes or brunettes'
Daily Mail - UK 15th August 2006
Blondes may have more fun but redheads have more sex, according to new research in Germany. The study by Hamburg Sex Researcher Professor Dr Werner Habermehl looked at the sex lives of hundreds of German women and compared them with their hair colour.

Read more

"Annie, This is why we don't use Wikipedia as a resource. - Michael."

2006-08-04T21:51:00.000-04:00

Wikipedia Celebrates 750 Years Of American IndependenceFounding Fathers, Patriots, Mr. T. Honored

July 26, 2006 Issue 4230
The Onion

NEW YORK - Wikipedia, the online, reader-edited encyclopedia, honored the 750th anniversary of American independence on July 25 with a special featured section on its main page Tuesday.

Three girls march toward the White House on Elm St. in Washington, DC, as part of the Inderpendance Day Parade."It would have been a major oversight to ignore this portentous anniversary," said Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, whose site now boasts over 4,300,000 articles in multiple languages, over one-quarter of which are in English, including 11,000 concerning popular toys of the 1980s alone. "At 750 years, the U.S. is by far the world's oldest surviving democracy, and is certainly deserving of our recognition," Wales said. "According to our database, that's 212 years older than the Eiffel Tower, 347 years older than the earliest-known woolly-mammoth fossil, and a full 493 years older than the microwave oven."

Slut!

2006-07-14T21:58:00.000-04:00

Not the most revolutionary article on earth - most of it "bleeding obvious" (to quote Basil Fawlty - god I'm a dork) - but interesting. Especially interesting to see in the NY Times. Ok, and who doesn't like knowing the etymology of a word?

The Taming of the Slur
By STEPHANIE ROSENBLOOM - New York Times

WHISPERS follow her like so many eyes. She is the one who will go home with you, the sure bet, the kind of girl you can lie down with and then walk all over. She is ogled, envied and often ostracized. She is the slut.

The word, which originated in the Middle Ages, has emerged from a schoolyard barb to become commonplace in popular culture, marketing and casual conversation. In his duet with the rapper Eminem, Nate Dogg describes his hunt for a big old slut in the single Shake That. The ample-bosomed puppet in the Broadway musical Avenue Q is called Lucy the Slut.

Read On...

2005-08-19T22:59:00.001-04:00

Hi you guys,
I guess if you are reading this, you deserve a update about the past year.

Here is a super fast outline of the past year+. I guess last time I updated most of you, I was leaving my Siberia...

May 2004

Flew from Irkutsk, to Moscow. (6 hours on a plane from 1975 with everything written in English. do we think this could have been a quick sell-off from the decline of TWA or Pan-Am? The seats reclined all the way back, so the nice HUGE man in front of me was in my lap the entire flight. Since 6 hours is a "puddle jumper" there was no movie or music but some sort of fried meat. I know that is shocking to those of you who know Russian cuisine.) I was hugely disappointed because I soooo close to Mongolia, so close to Lake Baikal... but I was so sick and exhausted and worn down, I needed to go home. Some day I'll get there. I know I will.
Parents spotted me the cash to fly back from Moscow to NY, where they now reside. I moved in with Mom and Dad for the first time since the summer of 1998. It is really kinda lovely being near them. They are great people.
I took a few weeks and finally found a paid PR internship with the NYC chapter of a wonderful health oriented non-profit. My boss took me under her wing. I have learned so much from this wonderful woman. She is the best boss (and such a great friend).
Emanuele and I still talked but it was over. We couldn't find a way to get him over here without us getting married. We discussed it seriously but that was too much to do right then. New country, away from his family for the first time in his life, different language, marriage... so we both started dating other people. But to this day, we still remain very good friends. He seems very happy with his new (Italian) girlfriend, which makes me happy, even tho I'm protective.

Lots of stuff happened... and more stuff... and then some more...

September 2004

Celimene and Magali, friends from France, stayed with our family. I'm so glad they were around for my fabulous birthday extravaganza. My 25th birthday had people from all times of my life - grammar school, middle school, high school (in Florida), college, and present time! I eventually lost one of my fabulous pumps in a diner around 4am.

October 2004

I moved into a fantastic apartment in the city. I have two roommates. I found this place through work - one roommate was also an intern at the chapter.
Started seriously thinking about getting the purse business up and running. Still trying to do that.

November 2004

Met my boyfriend, who I ended up dating for four months before he moved to Chicago (his home.) He is a great guy and it was a lot of fun. hmmmmm...
I began working a second job on nights and weekend. I did customer relations for a prestigious orchestra. I loved the people I worked with - so much fun. I adore them but the people you work for - the customers - are the most cruel people I have met. They treat you like you are below dirt. I had an old German man, using a walker, come after me screaming "You Nazi." The customers made me cry twice in public. bawling. (have you ever seen me cry?) They just break you down. Needless to say, I quit a few months later.

December 2004

Claire, Rogers, Autumn, Kevin, and Hannah made visits out to see me.

March 2005

New roommate moved into our apartment.
Amanda (my best female friend in NYC) moved to Japan :( She is one of the greatest people I have ever known in my life.
I went to the UK for a vacation. Claire (my roommate from Venice) let me stay on her couch. I adore Claire and had the greatest time dashing about the city. (I dashed alone while she was at work). Saw a play that blew my mind there - "Breathing Corpses." Scared the shit out of me. I had my face in poor Claire's shoulder the whole time. I also spent some time with Emma M (who I met while I was backpacking thru Italy and tagged along with in some towns travels) and Gin & Andrew (who I met in a hostel in Berlin).
Then I headed North to the Lake District. I stayed with my wonderful friends Callum and Eloise (who I met while working in Scotland.) They were so kind and let me sleep on the blow-up mattress, at the foot of their bed, for days! They really had no room and were so kind to let me take up a lot of space. I loved catching up with them and hiking about the mountains. Met a wonderful old woman on top of a hill one day and we talked about travels and politics. She really gave me some great insight.
My boss at the non-profit quit to go to a position at the National headquarters. The boss at the orchestra called me out of the blue and offered me a full-time position. As I was about to take the orchestra job (which I would have hated but would be good pay, great coworkers, and HEALTH INSURANCE) my non-profit boss told her new employers that she needed me to come with her. So, the National office made a new position for me, "National Public Relations Associate," and offered me more money than the orchestra.
The boyfriend and I broke up. He was moving back to Chicago.
Eric, my best guy friend in the city, got a job next door to my apartment, so now we have dinner dates and get drunk while trying to figure out each other's love lives :)

May 2005

Started new job. It is challenging but I love working here. They are giving me so much responsibility. The head boss is fantastic as well. Took me a long time to get my barrings (uhm... August I started to feel comfortable... FINALLY).
My little sister, Yoda, graduated with honors!!!!!!! And two minors! I am sooooo incredibly proud of her. I love this girl. She is amazing in so many ways!

July 2005

Broke ankle walking down the subway stairs on my way to work. I spent 3 days on it thinking it was a sprain. Finally, my boss made me go to the doctors. Yup, broken.
We had our first all family party. All of us invited friends. It was fantastic. Kirsten and Adam flew in from LA. Kevin, Kevin and Autumn came up from DC. Trista, Maciej and Jyoti came down from Boston. Tons of friends came up from the city. People from all periods of my life were there & all the different groups I hang out with (you can see I like this theme). And my parents' friends from many periods of their lives were there. And my sister's too!
I was in the New York Post as one of their dating guinea pigs. The Post's dating journalist had seen my profile on Friendster and wrote me. She asked if she could use me for her column. They put my profile in the paper, with 2 other women's profiles and this guy got to choose one of us. Also, the public got to vote. He did not choose me, but I got 70% of the public vote. Hells yeah New York loves Annie!

August 2005

Went to a nutritionist my doctor recommended to help get rid of my migraines and stomach pains. This is how I described it to Amanda: "I had the most amusing nutritionist appointment last night. this doctor wants me off dairy and wheat. so I went to his nutritionist. She wants me to go to hypnotherapy, have coffee enemas and colonics, write letters to those who have hurt me forgiving them and then burn the letters, not eat 'dead birds and dead animals' but some fish are ok because they still have the 'lifeforce.' Every drop of alcohol is killing me, as well as using a microwave. Actually, I shouldn't even own one. then she had this energy healer - and old Jewish man in a bad jump suit - he rubbed my back while singing 'you're just too good to be true.'" I have to write more on that experience.
Went to Little E's wedding in Indiana. I can not begin to describe how wonderful it was. My sister was my date - we stayed at Grandma's one night (she lives in Louisville) and then drove up to the wedding. Kevin (& gf), Kate (& fiance), Erica (& gf), Rob, Mary, Caitlin, and Bodi were there!!!!! It was in the garden of her husband's parents house, the most beautiful home i have ever seen - 1800s. Amazing place. Erin looked like a goddess and she was so happy. Gabe, the hubby, is a doll. Her "new" friends are wonderful people, with strong social consciousnesses :) We danced and drank all night. I even decorated my boot with fake flowers :)
Ankle is healed. Health took a bit of a turn for the worse, but they think it is just stress. And in the past week it has gotten sooooo much better. The migraines have gone, which is lovely.

You would think I could dress myself.

2004-11-03T09:39:00.000-05:00

I know you guys have been missing the antics of annie over email...

so let's take this morning.

I put on a really hot dress. I love this dress. Makes me look like a 1940's pin-up. (This goes with my theory that I should have been born in another era, where I would have been a goddess to all men... but that is just a theory.) Cleavage bearing, flowy, showing off my legs. Worn with some kick ass boots. It fits me so perfectly, that I don't wear a bra with it.

So... I'm just wearing my blue panties covered with stars. Which to be honest, makes me feel a little naughty, so I am definitely walking with a sway of the hips.Everyone has stopped me this morning -- my roommates, my coworkers, men on the street... to tell me that I look great. (nice feeling, since usually I look like an afro'ed dirtball) And I'm not even wearing makeup! My boss even said, "that is a great dress. Now that is what you should be wearing on dates. Sooo sexy."

Well, sitting at my desk, I realize there are strings hanging off. FUCK, dress is starting to unravel. But I stop it. While I am cutting off the strings, I notice I can see my underwear. I stand up. Holy shit, the dress is see thru under the florescent lights of my office.

The pattern on the dress is large enough that I think no one will notice... but yes... today I have gone to work with a see-thru dress. I am now covered up in my long jacket claiming that I am really cold when in fact, they have the heat on high in the office and sweat is running down my back.

The Cons of Working in Non-Profit

2004-08-04T15:37:00.000-04:00

This is intended to be an amusing email. Seriously snarky, but amusing. Not bitching. Because who can bitch when they only work 3 days a week :)

1 quick thing about working in Non-profits. You deal with great people, and you deal with real shit heads.
Let's talk about the shit heads.
Did PR for a huge benefit last week. As I deal with the press, for part of the time I was put on the press booth. Did you know that there is a whole underground web of people who falsify press credentials so that they can sneak into events for free and get food and drinks. But come on! How low can you be to sneak into an event that pays to help save lives! How low can you be? Especially when you see how expensive the clothes are that these scammers are wearing!
Some characters I met who I could tell you stories about - but don't have much time:
There was shaggy, who is notorious. He wrote an article in the New York Times about how he can scam all of the PR people in NY. My boss was pissed.
Then his date.
Then the old little Latino man in the fedora who 6 of us rejected. Then he scammed a ticket off of someone and thought he could sneak in. And each time he was rejected, he threw a fit. Then we got the security to carry him out.
The drunk guy who claimed he wrote for the Post and Maxim. Said he didn't have his press pass but he had his note book (it said New York Post on it). he was angry when we didn't let him in.

But the impetus for the email is the phone call my co-worker just got. She was trying to help a man get his Newsletter sent to him and was having some trouble with him because he was irate he had missed his newsletter. He ended the phone call with "I will take your whole office out. I will firebomb you. The Neurological conference at the Waldorf Astoria next week -- you are mine."

Lovely. All this over a newsletter. Really, not that interesting. I'll read it to him over the phone.

But in all honesty... it is just amusing. I work with and for some amazing people. And I am surrounded by great spirits. I could seriously write a book on the slime tho :)

Just thought I would share.

Kisses.

Getting back into the swing of New York

2004-06-16T19:06:00.000-04:00

hey babies!

I just wanted to write a quick note and tell you I'm alive and safe in NY. My parents, in September, moved back to the house i grew up in. I moved from here when i was 15 to Florida. It is really nice to be back here.

I feel like a bit of a loser living with the parents for the period, but there is no way in hell i can afford a NYC apartment, so after weighing being broke or being a loser, i chose a loser... hell, i was pretty close to a loser before anyway :)

hehehehe

I am definitely missing travelling. But it is nice to be settled somewhere for a while. I'm doing really well. Got a part-time job doing PR/communications for a health related non-profit. Feeling really good about working for a good cause/non-profit. Got my own email, phone, desk... have a pseudo big girl job :)

Planning on taking off again on the road in 1 year (max! hopefully only 8 months) You all know I HATE talking about politics or even thinking about them, but I definitely am sticking around to vote in November. I'm pretty damn embarrassed by our reputation abroad. Not that every country has their problems, but some days it seems we are just so proud of being asses.

Missing "my man." We broke up because we knew it was going to be too hard to do the long distance over an ocean. We were ok an hour by plane away, but almost 7 hours and an ocean... a little much for us. But we are still good friends (god, doesn't that sound fake? but it is strangely true. damn mature relationships :) heheheheh ) I'm loving being single in the city again. Been having a great time. :)

Been hanging out with alot of old friends. Many from when i lived up here (almost 10 years ago), many from florida (most of whom i haven't seen since i graduated in 1997), and, of course my, uni buddies who have moved here from michigan. It's been great.

And my family is absolutely wonderful! They are being fantastic! My sister gets back in 2 weeks from a semester studying in Capetown. Kelsey, my dog, is doing wonderfully, but my dad has totally brainwashed her to love him more :)

Ok, I miss and love you all. I hope this finds you happy and safe.
Drop me a line sometime. Better yet, come visit!

Ok... I'm off to bed. I promise I will be less sporatic about writing. (heard that before, haven't ya)
buona notte
Annabelle

Annabelle takes a break from the road

2004-04-27T19:53:00.000-04:00

(Taken from the train a few days ago)

A woman this morning made a great point, "You're only human and this isn’t a battle to prove your strength."

Yesterday, near the boarder of Mongolia, in Irkutsk, I lost it. I couldn’t take anymore. Even tho this has been an amazing adventure and I have met some of the best people I could have ever hoped to meet. And there has definitely been a guardian angel on my side, helping me out... doing this trip alone without a grasp of Russian is too much for me. The weather is crap, the people are nasty (not just rude) and constantly out to scam you, I have been cheated, roughed up, scammed, and pick pocketed more than I have in the past 2 years in these past 3 weeks. I have never been so scared for my safety as I have been here. There is a bad feeling all around. And there is a definite lack in other tourists. Usually I would enjoy that - here I feel like it makes me even more of a target.

I think I will try again sometime, but only with another person. (Emma R, let me know when you are heading out... maybe Ill meet you somewhere...) The trains have been great alone, and you meet so many wonderful Russian people who try to take you under their wings and the small villages are wonderful! It is only the cities that I can no longer take.

I stood in the middle of the street yesterday bawling my eyes out after a truck of drunken men (they were waving/throwing their bottles at me) tried to hit me on the curb, I couldn’t find my hostel, which was a minibus ride away in the suburbs, and a lot of countless little shit. Life is still wonderful and I am lucky that I am safe and healthy... but I think I need to recharge.

So, I bought a cheap flight to Moscow for tomorrow morning. Got the cheapest ticket I could find from there to New York, and come Friday night, I will be asleep in my parents' house.

I don’t know what the next plan is. Feeling pretty shitty I didn’t make it to Mongolia, but after talking to bunches of couples that just came from there, they said the weather is shitty and they wouldn’t recommend traveling as a female without a guide, especially as it is still winter and no one is expecting tourists.

So... plan of action... RECHARGE MY BATTERIES! sleep, go into hiding for a few days. Then I will call all you fine folks and catch up. I will probably get a job until August. Then probably take off on the road again. Thought in mind is South America or getting a museum job outside of London.

Anyway...

love you all...

Ill send an email when I’m out of hiding...give me until Monday.

Kisses...

Annie

PS.Gerry - I am so sorry I wont be making it to see you this trip! May be thinking about the round the world ticket, and if so, I’m coming to see you first!

St. Pete

2004-04-16T16:41:00.000-04:00

Hi there!
Gonna probably get a Russian number tomorrow so you can call or i can call.

Was freaked out here yesterday. didn't know what the hell i was doing! there were problems with the visa (actually, the issue was that the company I bought my visa from never told me I would have to stay at a particular hotel to register my visa and make it valid, so had to pay another company $30 to get it done). The city has absolutely no English, or signs written in the Roman font. It was incredibly daunting. I was feeling lonely, scared, and sorry for myself and my puss filled, itchy eyes. Today is much much better, tho I am weary of everyone.

The people are nice here and try to help me, but the language barrier makes me really nervous... like when a man grabbed my arm yesterday and started trying to get me to follow him. I did for a little while, but finally I refused to move anymore. I stood in the middle of the sidewalk while he tried to convince me to move in broken French and frenetic arm movements. He kept trying to point to something. I finally looked in the distance and there was the street I had been trying to find. He kissed my hand and said "good bye America!" and ran off across the street! kinda cool.

feeling a little more confident about this trip, tho if you asked me honestly yesterday, i would have caught the next flight out of here. The language is going to be a big barrier. And water. my god! You cant brush your teeth in st. petersburg because of this protozoan. Ive been using bottled water, but i forgot this morning and wet my brush with the faucet... then ditched the idea of brushing my teeth. hehehehe

I'm too nervous to take a shower here... but I will in Moscow and I have some handiwipes and febreeze.

Went to the Hermitage today. it was wonderful! Especially when I walked up to the building and the Military Band was practicing! Incredible! I have cool videos to show you!

Going to pick up my passport next and buy a night train ticket to Moscow. Then.. who knows.
Tomorrow I'm planning on doing a walking tour.

I hope all is well!!!

Photos from Finland

2004-04-10T22:09:00.000-04:00

(Editor's note from 12/2007 Taina, a wonderful woman I worked with in Ireland let me visit her in Finland (her home). One of the greatest people I've met on my travels, she's just the sweetest! And so smart! And funny! She even agreed to be my friend after i introduced myself in the showers (not many people wouldnt be creeped out when the new girl tries to introduce herself while naked). The night of the first and second pictures, while at the bar, I made her go talk to the guy she thought was cute at the bar -- they are still together, thank you very much. I am completely taking claim for that one :) )

Leaving the Continent

2004-03-23T08:36:00.000-05:00

Well kids,
I'm doing it again. Seems I can't stay put. Finally doing the Mongolia trip!!!

March 31st, I leave my flat in Prague (giving it up to a nice guy from St. Louis) and flying to see Emanuelle in Venezia.

Then, April 5th, I got a 10 euro flight to Stockholm. Gonna spend a few days there...
And then to go see Taina in Finland!!!!!

YEAH!!!!! For those of you who dont know her, Taina is the awesome diva I met in the shower in Ireland. hehehehe, yeah, you can imagine this. Person in the stall next to me... bumbling Annie walks up "Hi, Im Annie. Im new here. Oh, Im sorry. You're naked. Maybe this isn't the right time to introduce myself..." Shockingly, she wasnt too freaked out by my bumbling bubbliness and is letting me come see her! We might be going ICE FISHING at her cabin!!!!!! AHHHHHH!!! So geeked!! Im actually going to try ICE FISHING!

Who wants to place the bets about how long it takes me to fall in?

Then... April 15, I enter St. Petersburg... and go East... through... you guessed it... MONGOLIA!!!!!!

I have a visa to enter China May 15. Then...

uhm... maybe Ill have one of these job as a hiking guide in France or Italy. If not... uhm... don't want to think about it. Im just going to keep applying for jobs. Maybe Ill find something in Mongolia.

But yes... Ill be back in time for the wedding in July. No worries. I cant wait to try on my eggplant dress and Im already scoping out silver stilettos here (but they are going to be tacky, Im warning ya!)

Ok... Gots to be going...

Annabelle-ova

Hey... Eric - Im off to Praha playoffs tomorrow!! I have hockey tickets - got sick of waiting to be invited, so I got 4th row tickets to a promisingly violent game!! Ill take picts for ya!

Stupid Visas

2004-03-17T12:31:00.000-05:00

Guess what I learned this morning...

You cant get a Russian or Chinese visa while in the Czech Republic, unless you have a work visa for the Czech Republic!

So... kinda screwed there...

So now, trying to see if I can send my passport home, and get my parents to usea rush visa company. (hmmm... pretty nervous about sending my passport to another continent...)

They also claim I need to have proof of PLANE tickets to use this service... butI will be taking a TRAIN from my friend's house in Helsinki, and taking a TRAIN into Mongolia... uhm... and the TRAIN tickets are 75% cheaper to buy in thecountry...

Oh well, we will see...a little frustrated by this... but, so is the lovely life of the paper work ofInternational Travel (which is just going to get worse as the America heightens our laws... other countries are going to make it worse for us out of spite [ok, maybe not spite, "security"]).

Well, I should go...

They are playing polka here in the Internet cafe. wow, have i heard more accordion these past 2 months than ever before in my life.
Any suggestions, let me know...
Annie

Prague.

2004-03-03T10:41:00.000-05:00

Well kids...
I know, I know... Ive been very bad about emails, especially the mass variety, recently. But... lucky you, you can now read this one...

Welll... where to begin...
Ive been living in Prague for 2 months now.
I am leaving at the end of this month.

I enjoy it, but it has been rough. I really wanted to get a job to advance my career, in something, but hopefully PR. REALLY WANTED A JOB. Besides the money, its trying spending 2 months in an apartment of working people and feeling like a slacker... but really I am lucky that I have enough money at the moment that I dont have to work just any job, so ... I could wait to see if I could get an office job. But...after 7 rejections and over 40 applications, I became really disheartened. I went into a total funk.

That, and Emanuele and I were having problems because of the distance and him going through one of the most difficult times in his life with his family and work.

And this town is the party capital of the world. Like Berlin after the fall of the Wall, people are going nuts. Coke parties in my apartment from 3am to 9am, prostitutes and brothels, the russian maffia... dont worry, I still dont do coke, but I feel really uncool when I leave the bars at 2am (on a tuesday) when everyone else, including 30 year old executives, are going home 5 hours later, in time to shower for work.

And old men, if they have some power over drugs, have all of the hot teenage and college girls in there hands. It is insane. These young 20 year old girls will faun (and more) all over these 50 year old guys for free drugs.

And everyone around me drinks to the point of puking. And Prague is this blackhole where expats come... and never leave. Everyone comes for 6 months... and some have been here for up to 10 years now...

REGARLDESS OF THE UNFORTUNATE SHIT... I AM SO HAPPY.

But... Kirsten has been in and out of my life for the past 6 weeks as she has been backpacking, and she has been a saviour! She rocks... and whats worse... she left today! I miss her already. We went two places: Cseky Krumlov, a beautiful village in southwest CZ, and Berlin, which I fell in love with and would move to in a second. Oh! The art world there is so amazing. People are creating and there is an amazing vibe coming out of the place. I would move, if not for the 20 percent unemployment...

This weekend, I went to Milan for a night to see Emanuele and we talked it all out... we are going to back off a bit, still date, but be a little less stressed about...us... dont worry, makes sense to us... just hard to discribe over email. we are still dating seriously but can see other people until we are together again and putting no emphasis on the future... uhm... yeah :)

Then, Saturday, I flew to England to go to Pete and Mandy's wedding!!!!! AH!!!! It was so amazing to see my friends from Scotland. Their wedding was amazing, she is going to pop with the baby sooooooo soon, and Callum spun me above his head, per usual. I would have to say, if anyone could pull me out of a funk, it would be my babies from the hotel I worked in in Scotland. It was the 12 of us romping around a pig farm with a 1100s castle and church on the grounds, a house that is from the 1300s (if I remember correctly)... and they lived in a caravan near the house. It was all hilarious.... much to tell about it, but none of you know them... so it might be pointless :) and boring.

Anyway... was going to try and get a job in Italy, so I could be closer to the guy... but... I am having a bitch with the work visa... so... remember that trip to Mongolia?
If I can get the travelling visas in time, Im off in April. Im going to see Emanuele really quickly, and then, off to Moscow...

Im going to apply to a bunch of jobs around Europe, and see if I can get a job before I go... but if not... well, Ill figure that out when I get there. I have 3 job applications for hiking guide jobs in Italy. Other than that, possibly see if I can get some where else. But I WILL NOT GO BACK TO VENICE, that is rule number 1.

And Im going to try and stay over here a while longer, before heading back to the states... gonna try to do some film school apps, maybe... but if I leave now and head back to the US, I know I will settle down to try and start my life, and Im not ready to settle down yet... And if I leave, it gives Emanuele and I no shot, which maybe we wont have in the long run, but it is nice to not cut the relationship off before it has had its whole run.

And to be honest, I dont want to come home yet because...
the mobility and freedom are addicting.

Once I got out of my one month funk this weekend (yes, I have been very selfdepricating, thank you very much), I am now so full of energy and desire to fight for the next place.

So... in essence... Prague not for me... off again. Dont send any mail to Prague anymore...

Miss you much.

Will be back in July for Matt and Jackie's wedding in Michigan.

Ok... must go. so like the czech say, "ahoj" (yes, that would be pronounced "Ahoy," like a pirate...)

Annabelle

love, me

2004-01-23T09:38:00.000-05:00

enjoy.
my friend claims this is right up my alley. how inconcievable.

oh yes, would also like to say that the low will be 2 degrees F today. a high of 19F. hmmmm... it is cold. prague... beautiful and wonderful as it may be, is incredibly cold. so i went to a film festival with my friend beth. saw a great brazilian film.
it is decievingly bright out.
but fucking cold.
coming home from the gym last night, walking across the river to my flat, steam was rising from my body like i was a fresh cow paddy.
nice image, i know.

http://www.hugi.is/hahradi/bigboxes.php?box_id=51208&f_id=681

Prague

2004-01-13T16:17:00.000-05:00

Quick update.
In Prague.

emanuele is here visiting.

work hunt is about to start.

got a PO box.

PRAHA1Czech Republic

got lots of plans and need to motivate my butt into gear. got a gym. got an apartment. now I need a job. and a mobile phone number.

then i can start to play. got some leads.

Czech is a damn hard language. Trying...

Beer is cheap.

sleep a lot.

Pretty rainy at the moment and still a little jet lagged (why?)

kisses,
Annie

Hello my loves.

2003-12-07T08:55:00.000-05:00

Hello my loves.
I am trying this weblog thing out. Jessica recommended it at Yumi's fabulous housewarming party. Saw Amanda and some lovely people I haven't seen in ages! It was lovely!

Well, besides my dumb-ass run during the snowfall a few days ago where I sprained my ankle (which looks like it is full of cotton balls) and my sniffles due to Emanuele's return home to Venezia, I am really thrilled to be home for the next month and I love all of the snow!

Since I was back this summer for Maciej and Trista's wedding, my parents moved into the house I grew up in (until I was 15) and spruced it up. My lord our house looks amazing! It is odd being back in this house and town, but also, very comforting.

As for people I've seen: Had Emanuele come home for 10 days to have his first American Thanksgiving, imbibed a few drinks at Beauty Bar with Manu and Zak, took the Chinatown bus to DC and spent two hazy days with Autumn, her Kevin, Mr. Karg, Mr. Fox, and Golder. Hmmmm... I really like DC. And then, Yumi's party!

Pretty much Ive been laying low and sleeping a bunch. And playing with Kelsey.

Thinking Im not going to apply to film school this vacation. I do want to do film school so I can do travel documentries and IMAXes but I have never tried it, and I am a little reluctant all of the sudden to jump back into school life, especially in a field I am not sure I will like. And I kinda wanna keep on the road for a little longer. I think I will just try to take some courses in Prague, to find out if this is what I actually want to be doing...
hmmm....
Ok... will write more (and more coherently) in a few.
Kisses

Update: In outline form

2003-11-02T13:12:00.000-05:00

Can't be bothered to write in full sentences... really really knackered so.... here we go!

- Quit my job 4 days early after my boss accusing me of trying to fuck him over and calling me fat at my going away party. fuck him.

- Chilled in Venice for 4 shitty days. Well, had a lovely time saying goodbye to "my man" (sniff sniff) but we will see each other in a month and we text every day (WHAT THE HELL HAS HAPPENED TO ME! I AM SUCH A ROMANTIC SUCKER!)

- Saturday Morning: Train to Torino (Turin). Loved it. Beautiful smaller city, very Parisian. Pretty touristy, but lovely. I have been to the river Po! Was feeling very strange decompressing, but it was wonderful!

- Sunday Morning: Train to Le Cinque Terra (Five Villages - Hiking central!) Pesto was invented here. Amazing wine. Met a lovely girl from Seattle, Monika. Will stay in touch with her. Monday - Hiked (you hike from village to village) I HAVE NEVER SEEN WATER SO BLUE! Amazing!!!!! Hiking through olive fields. AMAZING! Ugh! It is an amazing place. I can't recommend it more, and am too lazy to describe it more... hehehehehe Tuesday - Ran some of the trails (3 hours of running up mountains - still sore- hehehehehe). Got a great pick up line on the trail "Nice Ipod" by a guy with an ipod. hehehehe Amusing. Fed the homeless cats with tins of tuna I carried in my day pack. Wednesday - rainy. Chilled on the rocks and swam a little. then more rain - shoes soaking, tired of wearing plastic bags over my socks. Made some other lovely friends.

- Thursday - woke up and wanted to leave Cinque Terra (the hostel thought I was a lush for drinking 4 beers in one night and kept commenting on it) Headed to Pisa. Saw Pisa.

- Stayed the night in the medieval town of San Gimignano. LOVELY! Tuscany is even more beautiful than I could have imagined!!!!!! I am in love!!!!!! Really: everyone says it, was skeptical - it is amazing.

- Keep running into this Kiwi family in Cinque Terra, the bus to San Gimignano ... then ran into them at the hostel in Sienna, where I spent the next night.

- Wandered around Sienna - went into a tiny restaurant recommended by my guide book: in walks in my cousin, Matt’s roommate from London!!!! Chris (the roommate - I had crashed at their flat for almost 2 weeks this spring) is now living in Paris and was chasing Bob Dylan concerts with a friend through Italy for a week. SO RANDOM! All the restaurants in all of Sienna, in all of Italy, anywhere... a friend walks in.

- Returned to the hostel that night to a completely flooded room, no hot water, no heat, and all of my books and clothes soaked in dirty radiator water. The guy on duty begged me to help him mop for 30 mintues. Got a free dryer token out of the deal (bastardo!) Anyway... no heat, 5 layers on my top... didn’t sleep much.

- Woke up the next morning and wanted to relax somewhere. Frustrated, tired, pissed off that I was paying to stay places, when I driven out of my apartment and job by assholes and my money is going super fast. (yes, I was being irrational and PMS-y) so decided to go somewhere it wasn’t raining and warmer and as south as I was going to go. Caught the next train to Sorrento (near Naples and Pompeii)

- I have had a lovely night sleep. In Sorrento. Fabulously happy. Reading a wonderful book, The Da Vinci Code (Thanks dad!). Going to go wander the town today. (I have found White Chocolate Gelato!!!!) Pompeii tomorrow (YEAH!!!!!) Met a lovely person who gave me a map of these amazing 20 km hikes through Tuscany, so I think I will go do that after Rome and Florence! (if I can find a person to go with - see, i have grown up! I am less stubborn, I am accepting I am accident prone)

- ok, will respond to emails some time. I return to NY on the 19th with "my man". He returns to Venice on December 1 and I stay in NY to do grad school apps.
Then... I MOVE TO PRAGUE IN JANURARY!

Uhmm... don’t want to spend any more time on this computer... I have Sorrento to explore.

Ciao bambini!
Baci!

Quick Note: Moving to Prague

2003-10-21T22:09:00.000-04:00

Could not abandon my friend Rochelle to fend off the asshole I work for alone, so I am working today and tomorrow. Then... I chill for 2 days and leave...
Saturday in Turin. Sunday - Friday in Cinque Terra...

But even more exciting...

I went to visit my friend, Sarah, in Prague this weekend. I fell in love with Prague, the lifestyle, how cheap everything is, and her huge flat (with her own bedroom, let alone not sharing a bed with another person...) So... January 1st I will be taking Sarah's room!!!!! I am moving to the old part of Prague!!!!!!! Czech Republic Baby!!!! So excited! It is super easy to get jobs there and to travel... and it is so beautiful!

Kirsten will be joining me, but we will have to see if we can get her in my flat or another one near by. Super easy to find flats there.

Anyway... things are pretty awful here, so I cant wait to leave for my month trip of Italy before I grab "my man" and return home for Thanksgiving and all of December. 2 more days!

More later.
No need to reply.
Just wanted to give you a quick one.

Change of plans

2003-09-25T18:07:00.000-04:00

Quick change of plans....
I am now going to leave work October 24th. 30 days left here

last day of work is October 24th. Probably leave the next morning.

I will take 24 days and travel around Italy.

i am taking some books and going to just chill out on the road again.
my phone will be able to work, and those fabulous phone calls I haven’t been able to receive... maybe ill have time now.

Don’t send me mail that will arrive after that...

any suggestions of places to go in Italy... let me know. will it be too late to go to Croatia, Slovenia, or Greece? I was told all hostels in Croatia close in November.
a dopo...
ciao...

Annabelle

ps
Oh yeah---
FYI
Roommate is also my ONLY coworker at this office, and we share a one-bedroom apartment. Sometimes a bed. last night I was made to feel I don’t exist. My super tough Annie skin is not fending this off so well anymore, so...

Mass Email

2003-09-24T16:04:00.000-04:00

okey dokey

mass email...

5 minutes ago told my boss that i am finished come Nov. 17th. If it weren't for"my man" and my ticket to Prague, to see Sarah, I would be gone next week. But since I have Rochelle (a roommate) and "my man" (the guy I'm dating) and a trip to see one of the coolest people I have met on this adventure (Sarah), I am going to make it without going postal. Just close to it.
Hate my job with a passion, hate my boss, hate the hospitality industry, hate myself for being tricked into doing 3 jobs, hate myself more for having to lie for this job, hate my living situation, and pretty much have been miserable ever since a few things happened over here... will elaborate later... don't worry. Evil shit with the other roommate and her boyfriend. They want me dead. Oh well. I am starting to feel the same.

(don't worry, it has been good for many reasons too... just been pretty negative about everything for a few weeks...)

Anyway... about 7 more weeks. (tho the next 2 weeks will be pretty damn rough because of Rochelle (my wall) being on vacation, leaving me to have to defend myself against the evil couple alone - FUN!) COME VISIT ME!

Anyway... plan of action...
· Returning home for Thanksgiving with Emanuele. Arrive in NY November 19th. Will be attacking all the NY people... so be prepared. Possibly also the DC and Boston folk too.
· Staying to work on grad school apps for a month. (continue attacking people)
· Returning to Europe for New Years and to travel some with Kirsten. She is joining on my "intercontinental working adventure." Greece is next I think. Stopping in to see my dad's best friend’s family in Morocco (finally taking Max up on the offer to see Morocco!) Maybe save some money and attack some other folk?? Taina - I have never seen the Northern Lights. Maybe Ill just have to come to Finland and see them. :)
· I have some money from my grandfather who died a few months ago. I would prefer to have Grandpa around but that isnt my choice. Anyway, I have decided to use the money to finalize my Mongolia trip. So, April at the latest, I will be in Russia. Then MONGOLIA! I think I will try to spend 2 weeks+ there. Then China. Then... not sure... maybe shipping boat to LA or down to New Zealand (really want to go see all that i have been hearing about! maybe if a certain couple are moved in by then, I may maul them) (watch me never do this and just get lazy with all the TV in English I can get in NY and never leave the couch. hehehehe)
· Will be back in time for Matt + Jackie's wedding in Michigan.
Well... that is the plan. Pretty miserable in these parts, these days, but that will change. Went to Verona last weekend, and that was wonderful! Hope to go either to the Alps or Florence this weekend. Yeah!!!!!!! Will be nice to get out of town and to be alone for a few days. :)

Hope you all are well...

Brief One

2003-09-02T11:49:00.000-04:00

Well, tomorrow is my birthday. Going to dress up and try to see famous folks at the film festival, (glad I bought that new ballgown 3 weekends ago), getting my hair done, and making "my man" take the afternoon off of work to take me out and about in Venice.

FYI, do you know that this will be my first kiss on my birthday? yup. 24. first time I would be dating someone on my birthday. just realized this last night, ok maybe you didn’t really want to know that, but still... see, I have a really random life, but the basic simple stuff... not so much. so, that might make me even more strange, i guess...

owe you guys many an update email (and a fair amount of personal ones ... Gil, Butz, Marita, Emma(s), Maciej, Melissa, Rigney, Kyle, Kate, Erin, Hong... ).

But not at this time.

Basically, lots to tell. shit/crap/drama with roommate. a bunch of guys asking me out on super romantic dates. I have a business trip in Croatia this weekend. Making friends at the gym. Woody Allen’s new film rocks. My friend Erin came to visit (met her in Barcelona - went to Berkley). Ann and Taina will be coming soon. I am off to Prague in October to visit Sarah. still loving Vegemite. still having a little trouble with the violence, pedophilia, adultery thing the Italians have, but doing better with it. procrastinating with grad school apps. quit smoking (over a month now). craving green ... and so much more! woo hoo!

i hope this finds you well (eventho the school year just started for some of yall) -
love,
Annie

"Out beyond ideas of wrong doing and right doing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." ~ Rumi
"The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware; joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware." ~ Henry Miller
"Barn's burnt down... now I can see the moon." ~ masahide

Uhmm... stolen American culture? please?

2003-08-25T18:52:00.000-04:00

Ok...
So this might sound a little crazy... and I am not really expecting to actually have success with this request...

But is anyone able to burn me DVDs of some shows?
Ill pay you back.
I just really really want to introduce them over here.... ok, really, i just want to watch some quality TV, because I am totally sick of this Italian crap.

If this is impossible for you to do, I am sorry to ask...
whatever you think I am missing but...

Space Ghost coast to coast
I'm With Busey
Iron Chef
Kids in the Hall
Family Guy
Conan

also... send movies, if you are burning those too?
Orgazmo, so I married an axe murderer, office space, holy grail...

we cant get them over here!!!!!!!!!!

also... may be out of here sooner than planned. really really sick of Italy. molto stanca. so... I go to the next place i think...
after i go see my friend in Prague in October... out of here!!!!!!!!!!!

oh thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you

Annie

Cultural differences

2003-08-08T17:30:00.000-04:00

Warning: This is a ranting e-mail. if you dont have time, I will not be offended. I dont mean to windge, but i have just come across some things that have thrown me for a loop. I am still loving being here, but have some things to share...

You know that "myth" about all Italians having one woman for a wife (mia donna) and one for a whore (the one woman he cheats with)? My god, it is so true! Very few men do not have a mistress around here. "My man" told me the other night that he is so glad I told him we cant call each other boyfriend and girlfriend. My reasoning is I am leaving in January. His is that he would have to tell me lies and would never be able to be open with me. We are in a monogamous relationship - that is not it - he just has be taught that you don't share your innermost feelings an emotions with the one you love. That is for the woman he has sex with! That’s what the mistresses are for! So that the men can: a, have sex. b, have someone who doesn’t judge them. the wives are to beat them and coddle their sons so this pattern of not trusting their wives, who are supposed to emulate their own mothers, is repeated!

it is a cultural thing that is not looked down upon. it is accepted.

along with this, sleeping with people of any age. He has 25 year old friends who fuck 15 year old (who have already fucked multiple people) and no one bats an eye. and when I suggest that this could cause psychological damage to the 15 year old, who is just thinking how cool she is for sleeping with a guy so old, everyone, including the women, think I am nuts! All I can think is that the 25 year old is really that pathetic that he cant get someone his own age!

i just had a huge fight with "my man" about this two nights ago and I haven’t be able to come to peace with it. Actually, it was one of those fights where I get silent. We all know that is when it is the worst and I am utterly disgusted.. I want to believe I am tolerant and am ok with all cultural constructs! I can accept sexual "deviants" such as people who are into S&M or orgies. If people want to do that, as long as it is consensual, I think it is fine by me, but I feel like this lack of respect for age and for the child being able to grow up at their own pace, is a kind of an unfair assault or a type of preying on those weaker, or less knowledgeable. 45 year old men sleep with 15 year olds!

Hmmmm... I feel that in a place more "foreign" to me (a third world country perhapse), I would not have been so side blinded by this. I think I would have known what to tolerate, and what not to fight, but the fact that I am regarded as so in the wrong on this argument, well... if has kinda baffled me.

I am very happy to have come across this, as that’s why I live in different countries. To learn the good and the bad of their societies.

Also, the housekeeper at our hostel. She is from the Ukraine. She was arrested and beaten in jail a few nights ago. We just took her to the hospital because she can no longer walk without weeping. And this is acceptable. My boss, when he went to see her in jail, she was insane - screaming and banging her face against the cemement wall. She had drunk a bottle of vodka and taken pills but she was arrested for "shoplifting" but she had a receipt and was not, as my roommate was with her and told me she wasnt shoplift. she was not lucid, they say, and screaming at the police, so they went in a beat her. in the middle of the store. and if she screamed more, they beat her more. I cant even finish describing it.

And the whole town is talking about her. I was blocks away and I heard people talking openly about her and my boss. People I had never seen before. It is such a small town.
Some say it is because she is Ukranian, that she was treated that way. Some say it was because she was trying to attack the cops, but they got carried away, trying to stop her and shut her up. Emanuele gets hit on by his boss constantly. she has tried to make moves on him. there are no sexual harassment laws. there are no laws if your boss "forgets to pay you" as happened with simone.

I do love it here, for now. and I am happy I am learning these things. A country I thought was so like mine... well... none of them are.

I am not upset. please do not think that. but when you want to say how terrible America is... well, I am kinda thankful for the excess of laws and the puritanical views and the social constructs sometimes.

well, that is my random enlightenment of the day. had to get that off my chest.
thought you might be interested.

Event of the day

2003-06-24T22:56:00.000-04:00

Dyed my eyebrows purple today.

(Yes autumn, again.)

Then tried to change it, like autumn and I did last time, with blonde dye, which turned them, (1st attempt) pink, (2nd attempt) florescent orange.

Unbeknownst to me, apparently, there are no natural redheads in Italy; hence, they do not sell any natural red hair dye.

Wearing a baseball cap today. Don’t worry, my roommate was kind enough to take a picture. she says I look like an old grandmother who couldn’t really see colors and penciled in her eyebrows. I feel like the kid in preschool who wasn’t allowed to touch the crayola felt tips after he colored his face. Or even worse, the kid who fell asleep first at the sleep over in 6th grade.

Though you would enjoy.

Annie

ps feeling much better today. Thanks to you who wrote. You don’t know how much it helps to know you are only an email away. no matter where I am in the world, I really am not all alone in the big world.

Quick Thing

2003-06-23T16:20:00.000-04:00

uhm... just so you know, I am going into hiding... my grandfather died this past weekend and I am feeling pretty shitty and kinda just don’t want to talk. So, I am just going to put my head into my work, read a couple books, stop most socializing (especially with certain guys I call "my man" and Icelandic chicks named luffie), and just chill for 2 weeks.

I probably wont be writing many emails (but who knows, that could be a total lie in 3 days when I end up flooding a building or something and need to tell y’all), but do know I will be in NY and Michigan soon and I am planning on seeing you all. Probably will call when I get to NY.

Don’t worry, I am receiving emails if there is anything urgent, but other than that...

NY - 7/11-7/15 (may go see my grandmother to check on her in KY)
MI - 7/16-7/22 (will be at the wedding 19th and 20th)
NY - 7/23-7/28 (hopefully the party will be the 25th or 26th)

Oh yeah, work is much better. Had it out with my boss on Saturday (main reason I got TRASHED and was an asshole (like frat boy asshole) Friday night) and we hashed it out and we have an agreement an he will stop being a total jackass, and I will be more relaxed about lying to guests. Its a job.

Those of you who were planning on visiting, please come still, just after I return. k?

Hope all is well and I love you guys.

Ciao amore,

Anne

Today

2003-05-29T19:39:00.000-04:00

My morning...
Craziness is the name of this institution, but today, with my coworker sick, I was in charge of the reservation site and a hostel... everything!
I would just like to say that the maid locked my keys, my phone, and all of my emergency numbers in the office, when I went to go help a guest.
Hence, I just had to climb down the face of the building 2 flights to get to the back door. So, in a sundress, I am hanging from a ledge over an iron fence.
Then, after getting the aforementioned guests taken care of, they were nice enough to scream at me because the apartment smelt like cleaning fluid.

This might not be my day, but at least it would make a good sitcom.

annie

Long Rambling Mass Update

2003-05-27T09:30:00.000-04:00

Hey darlins.

Venice is amazing!

Work is difficult, but besides the boss who wishes he was in the mafia, lies like it is his sport, and watches porn on our computers at night and leaves it up so customers can see it, but it is great to feel like I am doing something worth my time and I don’t mind being on a computer all day. :) It is teaching me to stand up for myself, and I am becoming a real bitch! It is sooooooo cool! I am making him get his act together! It is pretty cool for me!

Trying to exercise more so I don’t get "secretary ass" (I hear is that is a technical term). Trying to join the climbing club here, but they only speak Italian... working on that. My roommates and I have hired a teacher who is cheaper than classes... so 4 hours a week a teacher comes to our flat and teaches us! Also, the guy I am kinda dating is teaching me Italian, but mostly Venetian slang and curses... VAFANCOLO!

Barcelona: job was ok, fell in love with the city and made some great friends. It was such a difficult job, but I succeeded in the end and should be going to Dublin next, in the next month. Then Berlin and Amsterdam. Ok, they hate me in the hostels of Barcelona and I would get screamed at... but after a few days, I stopped caring and yelled back at them... and got my quota!

I AM LEARNING TO BE A BITCH!!!!! See, traveling changes you! :)
Get your asses over here!! Venice is hot, smelly, they listen to crap music, and the people are rude, but otherwise it wouldn't be Venice. It is beautiful. The flowers are in bloom and everything smells amazing.

Went to the alps a few weekends ago with some friends (my roommates Claire and Carrie - who I adore!, Simone, and Marco) and spent the day hiking and swimming in the most blue water I have seen since Slovenia. 1.5 hours to be in the ALPS!! We went to this spectacular lake that is huge, surrounded by cliffs, but only locals go there because it is an half hour off the beaten path. Got the most amazing walking stick. Found it next to a waterfall I was climbing. Brought it home and saw someone had carved it. It is kinda scary, snakes and stuff, and I hid it for a few days because being superstitious, Claire and I swore it was possessed by the devil (not that everything I own isn’t already dominated by Satan) but It is the perfect height and I am appreciating the art I found in a pile of rubble :) (It has finally been removed from the closet, but still is no where near our bedroom - hehehehe, baby steps)

Later that night, went to a cheesy little carnival (you know, the kind that have the "Yo yo" and the "tilt a whirl") in the alps with a 700 year old church in on a cliff above it ringing its bell. The carnival was blaring hip hop and of course I was shaking my ass everywhere. They were selling the food they do at Italian carnivals (of course Claire and I went to compare - beer and gummies and stale rice crispy treats as big as your head but no candy apples!!) Kicked some teenage boys asses in Bumper Cars. Ok, so I might have not been able to walk when I was done and bruised all over, but I still beat them up more (or so I like to think...)

Saturday night on our date, "my man" took me salsa dancing in this square (after I made him try Mexican food because he has never eaten anything but Italian food - JESUS!). He studies Salsa, Mirangue, and classical guitar in his free time. I just found out from someone that in the of this huge group of people watching the dancing... well, while we were dancing, it turns out we were the only ones dancing! When I started dancing, tons of people were dancing. I was focusing so much because he is good and... well... I cant dance with others (hmmm... symbolic of my commitment problems... hmmmm?) This huge group was watching us! I had no idea! Everyone keeps telling him that we were great, but I had no idea we were the only ones... hard to explain over email... but very nerve racking. People stopped to watch us. I had no idea. I was just trying to keep up with him...

Anyway....

Will be back in the States at the end of July for Maciej and Trista's Wedding (YEAH!) and anyone in the NY area, will be having a move in party for my parents (if you help us move in, they want to let us use the house and buy a keg hehehehe. woo hoo. haven’t seen a keg in a long time)

This was long... sorry...
Oh yeah... two books to read... The Alchemist - Paulo Cahlo (must read, will analyze how you look at like, no matter how you currently look at life) Take Me With You (wonderful travelogue)

Shutting up now.
Ok...
Annie

PS Bad news... I NOW LOVE VEGIMITE! Stupid roommates converted me. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Venice

2003-05-09T14:34:00.000-04:00

At work. Fast letter.
I have a job. Doing PR and marketing for an internet hostel reservation company.

Job: Flying to various cities to sign up hostels. They fly me out, pay for everything, and I get paid for every hostel I get on-line.

If I succeed in Barcelona next week, I fly to a different city in the world every week or every other week. If I don’t succeed on this trip with about 6 hostels, I get canned.

They are taking a huge risk on me; hope I can pull through. Got to get these hostels to join our organization. Then during the week, I also do portal work and reception.

Does anyone know some friendly hostels in Barcelona that not many people know about? I have all the advertised ones, but word of mouth ones are the type I am looking for.

Well, got an apartment (share the bed with Claire! - ha! hilarious), a job, some amazing friends... we will see how long it will last.

Waiting for the other shoe to drop. Know it will.

ciao bella

2003-05-01T13:02:00.000-04:00

Well,

I am in Venice. I am so happy here. It is beautiful, I have amazing friends, and the weather is terrific. I have never seen such beautiful architecture EVERYWHERE! And the ice cream... Really want to live here and I have been given a job and an apartment, but I cannot because I am not a citizen of the EU and getting a work permit is a bitch. I was told if I can get a work permit in the next few months, I still have the job. We will see. Anyone have a sugar daddy in the EU that might want a very appreciative redheaded wife? Did you know that here any nationality can get a visa for being a sex worker? Yoda, don’t worry, I’m not becoming a prostitute, I just wanted to share this strange point. :)

I am having an amazing time. Claire and I have been catching up (I met her in Slovenia, she’s a Kiwi) and her flatmate, Carrie (from Oz) is fantastic. Carrie’s boyfriend, Simone (from Sicily), is the bees knees too. They are great people. So... I am really going to be sad to leave, but they want me to stay for another week... so we will see... maybe something will happen while I stay here. I at least am staying for our girls night out on Friday.

Ok, something is very strange. I have been cleaning and cooking all the time. Here, in Paris, and in London, I have been washing dishes, cleaning bathrooms, doing peoples laundry and not minding at all. Dude, this is weird.

Italian men are different from the French. They hit on me, but don’t try to touch me or approach me. We all know how much I like strange people invading my personal space and all... :) Jesus, the amount of times I was just yelling at these assholes in France! Really had wished they spoke English. But here, they whistle or say "ciao bambina" but then duck their heads. so much nicer to have them be embarrassed about their disgusting habits. endears me more to them.

Also, Venice is proving to be another Slovenia. 2nd day here... broke the key in the door (what we thought was the only key until... well that’s a long story involving me and the neighbors and a lack of comprehension, but Wilma, the non-English speaking grandmother who lives next door is my new buddy), ripped off the freezer door trying to help Claire fix it. Today, whacked the hell out of my head today on the shower ledge... huge goose egg on my forehead. But a positive: got asked out by the hot train conductor on the night train from Paris to Venice. We exchanged numbers but since I will not be living here, I wont be around for our date on the 8th. hmmm... Olivier.

Well, waiting for an interview in London. After being teased with the possibility of living here, really don’t want to move back to London, but... got some wonderful friends there and it is a great job. Don’t want to jinx it, so we will wait for me to say anything.

Been lusting for Northern Africa. Really want to go to Morocco, Tunisia, and Algiers... we will see. Kinda would like some more cash and a bed for a few weeks... not to sure. kinda in limbo... but very happy about it. Hoping to get to Prague sometime very soon (Hi Sarah!)
Who knows... maybe home for a few weeks... maybe apply for a bunch more jobs...

Travel quotes IV

2003-04-25T22:25:00.000-04:00

“Pure and simple, any person who is enjoying life is a success.” – William Feather

“If you are going to worry, don’t do it. If you do it, don’t worry.”

“Masquerading as a normal person day after day is exhausting.” – Anonymous

“Don’t look at your feet to see if you are doing it right. Just dance.” -- Kobi Yamada

“The trouble with resisting temptation is you may not get another chance.” – Laurence Peter

“No, you never get any fun out of things you haven’t done.” – Oscar Wilde

“Life is outs to be spent, not saved.” – D.H. Lawrence

“'Why not’ is a slogan for an interesting life.” – Mason Cooley

woo hoo, fun with annies

2003-04-23T11:51:00.000-04:00

well, contrary to popular belief, I think I have found a few cool french people. besides the kind man who was masterbating for me in the phonebooth next to me when i was on the phone with my parents (and knocking on the window and pointing to his erection), I have met some fantastic people here - no, not those other bizarre minions that try to pick me up in the park everyday.

Damien's friends are wonderful ~~ absolutely fantastic and I have enjoyed going out with them.

Also, I have been spending time at the Caveau Des Obliettes ~ this underground cavern that was a prision at one point and now has these amazing jam sessions of blues, jazz, and funk. it is amazing. republic era chains on the wall and 50 (all that can fit there) of people my age. been having some wonderful converstations, and improving my terrible french. my french is horrendous, but these weeks have been improving it.

Also, have a great tan from laying on the banks of the Seine and in every park in Paris reading. God, the weather is great here. Too bad I have a gut now from all of the fabulous cheese Ive been eatting. ooohhhh, have you ever had a blue cheese fondue? and damien is a chef at one of the best resturants in Paris - he brings home leftovers - oh god!!!! I had been eating tuna fish sandwhiches and soup for the past few weeks, to come to this! amazing.

But... as it has been fun ~ I am growing broke from spending a month+ in 2 of the worlds 6 most expensive cities, so I must head to find work (not that i havent been trying to get things set up, but, so is life sometimes). My package arrived, the doctors have given me the ok.

I am off to Venice tomorrow via train (yeah, thats cheap ~~ bollocks) to see if I really have this PR job. If not... dont really know if I want to head back to London... maybe Portugal, Spain, or Slovenia (ok, I think we all know it will probably end up being slovenia if I really need another alternative because I love it so much). Missing hillwalking and climbing because of the weather... was debating heading back to Delphi ~~ but then I got my head out of my ass. :)

Girls? I was missing the Crag! I know! Not Carl, but the beautiful days hiking up to the crag and belaying. Then I remembered raft building and low ropes and night guard...
Anyway, no longer stressed about the future. Got some wonderful advice and settling words from Hoppe and Kirsten (thank you!!). Gonna just head on and keep moving.

I have now decided to stay away from Asia because of SARS - Ill save Mongolia for my honeymoon. :) They have cancelled school and national holidays in China. Yumi, is your brother ok? Gerry, are you alright?

ok, this was way too long.

off to get some lunch - oh yeah, guess it isnt, it is 4. ok kiddos...

big kiss.

annie

OH YEAH! Did i tell you I know own the greatest pair of stilletos!!!

Emma and Kelly, tell me all about the new places - Kelly, I am so happy for you! Oh yeah, Emma - "Its better to have loved and lost than to lived with a psycho for the rest of your life."

paris is swell

2003-04-13T14:23:00.000-04:00

Ok, Paris is so absolutely beautiful right now. It is amazing. The songs all were correct; the flowers, the cool breezes, the sun, the parks.
Unfortunately, good camera is broken and I have pink eye, but I am still able to tell you it is beautiful!
and apparently the French think I’m hot or something. asked out on 4dates my first day wandering around: ok, 3 dates and one guy who just wanted to tell me I’m beautiful. holy shit! I could do nothing but back away giggling and run and blush like a champ :) but it definitely is nice for the ego.
Heard some more on the Venice job, but is seeming increasingly sketch ball. But may go. Waiting to hear from the London job. Would have to work 2 jobs to afford London, but still could be worth it. no longer in a rush to decide.
learned some things about myself in the past 2 weeks that i would have never learned if I hadn’t spent all this time by myself traveling. Probably should not share them over mass e-mail.
in total, I’ve been traveling since Aug 15! we are coming up on 7 months since I’ve been living out of a backpack and almost 4 months since I’ve been home. Tax numbers in 3 countries. Learned many wonderful and terrible things about our fine nation. I’ve been very lucky.
well, I have a hangover from the allergy pills I took last night and I’m waiting for the museum to open; so I think I’m going to go lay in the park for a while. Damien is being the best host I girl could EVER hope for. It is so wonderful to spend time with him.
hope all is well and to those graduating - congrats!
Love,
Annie

random announcement of the day

2003-04-09T07:44:00.000-04:00

Random sighting of the day:
Henry Rollins. was in a cd store in Covent Gardens. Looked up over cd rack. oh look, there's Henry Rollins. he turns around. oh yes, that's the bar code on his neck. I didn’t know what to do. I really wanted to go chat him up, but then... ok, so I really didn't want to get my ass kicked (not that Mr. Rollins would, but he is a very big man and I am but a wee Annie)

Also... random fucking huge hailstorm at 11 this morning. that's what caused me to run into the cd store after a vintage ballgown shop (ok, I restrained myself, I can't fit a ballgown in my backpack - but dude, I have developed a huge thing for pink tulle). I was walking around in a sundress a few days ago. now it is throwing down golf balls and really cold.

I'm loving staying with my cousin, Matt. He has been so wonderful to let me crash and I love getting to know him better. I really adore him.

Also, saw the piece of art that directed me into art history. arnolfini portrait. it took my breath away. all of these years anticipating it, kinda was waiting for a let down. I was so geeked! I audibly gasped. Ok, so I probably looked like a wierdo because I had my face almost pressed against the glass, looking at everything and "ooh"ing and "ahh"ing. maybe that's why everyone was backed away from the painting :)

ok - off to Paris in the morning! woo hoo! Damien is picking me up at the station. I even get a bed! not the floor! how lucky am I?

Annabelle

Another Dose of Enlightenment....

2003-03-26T16:53:00.001-05:00

Well, I have officially been living in Scotland for 3 months now. I leave on Tuesday for London, then Paris, then back to London, then hopefully (please please please please) to Venice. If that doesn't work out, Sarah, I'm coming to Prague and then on to Moscow.

Also, I have cleaned my last Scottish toilet today! I have hung up my housekeeping dress. (I will spare you any more of those observations about how the rich of Britain can not seem to have bowel movements in the toilet, but on every piece of linen I have to wash.) Only 5 more shifts to go!

Anyhoo...
...here's some more brain candy...

- 1. Childhood memories are the means to bring around world peace - here Danger Mouse is the bond that brings us together. Come on! If Penfold, DM, Baron Von Greenback, and the occasional Banana Man skit doesn't bring us together, who will? Ok, maybe Super Grover and Guy Smiley, but those are my last hopes.

- 2. The residents of the UK are addicted to soap operas and campy gay men. If you follow either of those ideas, you will have a hit show. Ok, that or reality TV in ANY FORM. Believe me, I have got sucked into watching a show called the Salon. Yes, they film the daily ins and outs of a beauty salon, and I watch it. (remember those years when I stopped watching tv? I did it because I know I have a weakness for this crap!)

- 3. I have tried and failed to understand cricket, and I admit I am a lesser person for it.

- 4. Kiwis are the most patriotic people I have met. Don't insult them, their country, or their black and orange socks. They will try to bite. Worse yet, they jimmy open your door at night and "body slam" you. Don't say I didn't warn you.

- 5. I thought I feared crazed soccer fans, until I met rugby fans. Don't insult their team. I was kidding with an Irish guy I met earlier this year (a fan of the Irish Munster Rugby Team) that "I really admire Munster for it's brazen individuality, mainly in reference to its orange rind." He didn't find it a funny joke and I was purchased a plethora of Munster paraphernalia and forced to watch multiple games after that. They aren't violent, they are passive aggressive, and that is even worse.

- 6. I know this is hackneyed, but the Scots have a huge phobia of dentists, dental hygienists, and toothbrushes (tho toothpaste is in every bathroom). My god! These people have no teeth! And Caitlin, I hate to tell you this, but NONE of them speak like Sean Connery. Whoever stereotyped the Scottish accents as sexy was VERY VERY mistaken. Sean and Ewan are genetic freaks. Also, they don't say "lassie" to describe a female, its "wifey." Sweet.

- 7. Dirty jokes are the quickest way to bring a room together. It is insane how everyone has something to contribute once the first dirty or vulgar joke is told.

- 8. Tom Jones is the Welsh National treasure.

- 9. I hate to admit this, but I love haggis.

- 10. Puff, puff, give is not internationally recognized.

- 11. Marmite, Vegimite, and Bovril. Learn them, you will have to choose. Wars will be fought over these yeasty treats someday. You think I'm joking, just ask get an Aussie, a Zimbabwean, and a South African in a room and ask that question. (hmmm... I gave them all a fair shot last night... I have gotten to the point where I can open the jar without gagging.)

- 12. The rest of the world has missed out on some of the most important elements of our culture: The Kids in The Hall (ok, I know that isn't ours to claim), old SNL, Iron Chef (hey, we dubbed it), Space Ghost, old Conan O'Brien (I will marry Andy Richter), The Dark Crystal, The Last Unicorn, Orgazmo, So I Married An Axe Murderer, and so much more! No wonder they all hate us so much! No one has yet explained our insanity to them. Don't worry, Michael Moore and I have begun to break em in. I have the Scots singing Brak's "Don't Touch Me."

Ok, must continue packing...

Over and out...

Another Dose of Enlightenment....

2003-03-26T16:53:00.000-05:00

enlightenment cont

2003-03-26T08:17:00.000-05:00

Well, I have officially been living in Scotland for 3 months now. I leave on Tuesday for London, then Paris, then back to London, then hopefully (please please please please) to Venice. If that doesn't work out, Sarah, I'm coming to Prague and then on to Moscow.

Also, I have cleaned my last Scottish toilet today! I have hung up my housekeeping dress. (I will spare you any more of those observations about how the rich of Britain can not seem to have bowel movements in the toilet, but on every piece of linen I have to wash.) Only 5 more shifts to go! Anyhoo, for those of you who might not remember, my previous observations are included at the end...

...here's some more brain candy...

1. Childhood memories are the mean to bring around world peace - here Danger Mouse is the bond that brings us together. Come on! If Penfold, DM, Baron Von Greenback, and the occasional Banana Man skit doesn't bring us together, who will? Ok, maybe Super Grover and Guy Smiley, but those are my last hopes.

2. The residents of the UK are addicted to soap operas and campy gay men. If you follow either of those ideas, you will have a hit show. Ok, that or reality tv in ANY FORM. Believe me, I have got sucked into watching a show called the Salon. Yes, they film the daily ins and outs of a beauty salon, and I watch it. (remember those years when I stopped watching tv? I did it because I know I have a weakness for this crap!)

3. I have tried and failed to understand cricket, and I admit I am a lesser person for it.

4. Kiwis are the most patriotic people I have met. Don't insult them, their country, or their black and orange socks. They will try to bite. Worse yet, they jimmy open your door at night and "body slam" you. Don't say I didn't warn you.

5. I thought I feared crazed soccer fans, until I met rugby fans. Don't insult their team. I was kidding with that Irish guy I was dating earlier this year (a fan of the Irish Munster Rugby Team) that "I really admire Munster for it's brazen individuality, mainly in reference to its orange rind." He didn't find it a funny joke and I was purchased a plethora of Munster paraphernalia and forced to watch multiple games after that. They aren't violent, they are passive aggressive, and that is even worse.

6. I know this is hackneyed, but the Scots have a huge phobia of dentists, dental hygienists, and toothbrushes (tho toothpaste is in every bathroom). My god! These people have no teeth! And Caitlin, I hate to tell you this, but NONE of them speak like Sean Connery. Whoever stereotyped the Scottish accents as sexy was VERY VERY mistaken. Sean and Ewan are genetic freaks. Also, they don't say "lassie" to describe a female, its "wifey." sweet.

7. Dirty jokes are the quickest way to bring a room together. It is insane how everyone has something to contribute once the first dirty or vulgar joke is told.

8. Tom Jones is the Welsh National treasure.

9. I hate to admit this, but I love haggis.

10. Puff, puff, give is not internationally recognized.

11. Marmite, Vegemite, and Bovril. Learn them, you will have to choose. Wars will be fought over these yeasty treats someday. You think I'm joking, just ask get an Aussie, a Zimbabweain, and a South African in a room and ask that question. (hmmm... I gave them all a fair shot last night... I have gotten to the point where I can open the jar without gagging.)

12. The rest of the world has missed out on some of the most important elements of our culture: The Kids in The Hall (ok, I know that isn't ours to claim), old SNL, Iron Chef (hey, we dubbed it), Space Ghost, old Conan O'Brien (I will marry Andy Richter), The Dark Crystal, The Last Unicorn, Orgazmo, So I Married An Axe Murderer, and so much more! No wonder they all hate us so much! No one has yet explained our insanity to them. Don't worry, Michael Moore and I have begun to break em in. I have the Scots singing Brak's "Don't Touch Me."

Ok, must continue packing...

Over and out...
Annabelle

Update

2003-03-09T18:46:00.000-05:00

Hello my loves,

‘Tis me, traveling wonder, in Glasgow. My parents have come to visit for the weekend, since mom was in Amsterdam for work anyway (oh yes, and our private jet is chauffeured by jeeves...hehehehhe) Anyway, having a wonderful time with the parents and loving being in a city. Having had my first case of cabin fever a few weeks ago and hiked as far as I could so that I could find people, a city is lovely :)

I have been enjoying Scotland, regardless of waking up every morning dreading putting on nylons, a kilt, a sweatshirt, and a bowtie and serving the people who think they can own me because they can afford a £25 dinner.

But I have meet some amazing guests, like a guy and his wife who were amazingly sweet, only to find out that he was one of the few brits to ever go through the FBI academy through UVA and Richard Li, who is a travel guide book writer, and a guy from Switzerland and his wife from China that gave me great hints how to boat around Asia for cheap. Those are the people I love chatting with. There have been many more lovely people too. I have had some wonderful conversations and have made some wonderful discoveries about the differences in cultures, especially now that war is pending.

As for the assholes I meet... if I get another smug prick who tells me, with a wink, some sick joke about what he wants to do with his tongue, I'm going to stab him in the thigh with a fork, ala The Slums of Beverly Hills. And as for the woman who will not look at me as she orders and blows her cigarette in my face as I clean her gin and “slim line” tonic away, but only to drool all over me when she finds out that I've lived in NYC, I would love to get my boys in the kitchen to make a delightful sauce to go with her fucking yapping charpei. hehehehe, you can tell I come up with these scenarios a great deal.

But really, hell, I do love it tho, mainly because I love learning about the different types of people. And the people I work with are amazing. I have learned so much about different cultures. Callum, my good buddy, is 29 and from New Zealand and was in the air force. He is marrying Eloise, 29, next week, who is from Capetown, South Africa, but the bad part of the city, where as Mandy, who's bridesmaid I am, comes from the liberal part of Capetown, where people are university educated and have less biases. She is marrying Pete from Zimbabwe, where I will be in December. Then there are Dave and Aioffe from Dublin, Stu (Stubee Stubee Doo) from Sydney, Dave from Australia, and Claire, Ronnie, and Sean from Scotland. I really have been so fortunate to meet these people. Also, Tania and Peter, from a very strict Affrikaans upbringing in South Africa, just left.

But after working with people all day, I don't want to see anyone or talk to anyone or even have to move. Hiking has been put to the wayside while I move my bed around to sit in the sunlight and stare out my window at the beautiful mountains and read and sleep the afternoons away pretending I am curled up on the beach, with the hum of my fan heater blowing on me causing a lovely white noise. My god, you would not believe how beautiful it is where I live. The streams and rivers, the snowcapped mountains, all around me. The wildlife at my front door - we have so many pheasants around - all aptly named George for some reason I have yet to understand. :)

Hmmm... I hope you get that even tho the job is shit and there are some crap days that leave me so knackered I want to cry, I do have a good time. (I now will never leave a hotel room a mess, housekeeping wreaks your body, I don't care how good of shape you are in!) I also have been meeting more locals down at the pub a little more than a mile away (the end of our driveway) and have been having a fantastic time with them. I really do love the characters I meet and Emm has a wonderful group of friends who I love meeting (Emm is my friend from Ireland who I was staying with, etc). There’s this guy... ok, I know I just got dumped but he's lovely... ok, I won't discuss him, don't want to be too presumptuous until we talk about me moving... hehehehehe His name is also Dave (yes, that makes 3 Daves here)

Anyway, 2 more weeks of Scotland for me. A woman I met in Slovenia who is a Kiwi asked I might want a job doing PR and paperwork for a hostel website in Venice, for crap pay but a free apartment in the center of the city. Well... off to Venice I think I go. I have to be there ASAP, but it is not all confirmed yet, we are trying to work out my work permit and such. I hope I didn't just jinx myself!! I really would love to get this job. It all sounds wonderful!

As for Mongolia, still in the works. If Venice doesn't work out - I am off to Paris, Prague, and Helsinki to see some friends and then off to St. Petersburg where I will start the journey. If Venice does work out, Mongolia will happen afterwards, or maybe I will save if for another time, as I need to get that ticket to Zimbabwe and I need to be back in the states on July 19th. :) Ooooohhh! And I need to think about that internship at the Guggenheim back in New York. hmmmm... I will admit, it is pretty exciting.

Well, I have windged and droned on about mundane things in my life for long enough (sorry, haven't had e-mail for about 2 weeks, been craving outside contact!!)

I miss you all and hope you are safe and well.

Travel quotes III

2003-01-11T22:22:00.000-05:00

"Traveling is not just seeing the new; it is also leaving behind. Not just opening doors; also closing them behind you, never to return. But the place you have left forever is always there for you to see whenever you shut your eyes." - Jan Myrdal, The Silk Road ·

"A wise traveler never despises his own country." - Carlos Goldoni ·

"He who never leaves his country is full of prejudices." -Carlos Goldoni ·

"The traveler was active; he went strenuously in search of people, of adventure, of experience. The tourist is passive; he expects interesting things to happen to him. He goes 'sight-seeing.'" - Daniel J. Boorstin ·

"A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it." - John Steinbeck ·

"Loving life is easy when you are abroad. Where no one knows you and you hold your life in your hands all alone, you are more master of yourself than at any other time.
- Hannah Arendt

Say yes to life, even though you know if may devour you.” – Stephen Larsen

“The trail is the thing, no the end of the trail. Travel too fast and you miss all you are traveling for.” -- Louis L’Amour

“He who returns from a journey is not the same as he who left.” – Proverb

“Getting there isn’t half the fun, it’s all the fun.” -- Robert Townsend

Annie makes it short and sweet (hard to believe, eh?)

2003-01-06T17:31:00.000-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Quick one here. New Years in Scotland with friends and Yoda (my sister, Elizabeth) and my cousin, Matt. Been living at Emm's house - I adore her family! I'm so getting her dad a best friends charm necklace. Learned folk dances in the square at midnight. Such an amazing time. Been exploring the castles and the wilds of Scotland. Spent a very interesting time in London before that :) hehehe That would be "subtle" for I met a nice Welsh boy.

Been having a blast, but broke as a joke. Hence... I have postponed my trip to see the coolest chick ever, Sarah. She lives in Prague and I was going to spend about a week with her, but I would have been nuts not to have taken the offer to start sooner. So...

I am starting work on the 13th of this month. My new will be:

Dalmunzie House, Spittal o' Glenshee, Scotland, UK

For those of you who are new to the routine, packages are to include, but are not limited to, one of the following: a) great amounts of money in small denominations of unmarked bills, b) diamond tiaras, c) magic wands, d) other tokens of undying love and devotion. (Please no small animal parts this time.) But, if the aforementioned gifts are being saved for International Worship Annie Day, a bizarre postcard will be gladly accepted.

My mobile will not work well up in the mountains, but hit me up if you can. Rumor has it, if I lean out the window, I can get reception.

USA kids: who of you can receive and send texts? It is so cheap for me to do that. Kub, Eric, I bet you cell phone aficionados have the know-how. Who wouldn't want to talk to me? (no one answer that)

Okey dokey - off to go celebrate my friend Emm's birthday with her family.

Big hugs to everyone and best wishes in the new year,

Annabelle of the Glen Shee

Happy Holidays!!

2002-12-16T14:55:00.000-05:00

Hello darlings!

If I don't see you before the New Year, I hope it brings you a lot of happiness and joy!

Eventhough this is not as exciting as my previous updates from my wanderings in Eastern Europe and eye-opening discoveries of Dick Van Dyke, here is a quick little story about my Saturday night in Manhattan.

I currently am still glowing from one of my ideal evenings, ever. Eric (one of my bestest friends and the person who I proudly wear my "Eric's Grandpa" shirt for) and I joined my parents at an amazing and intimate gathering at the Loncoln Center Penthouse for Jazz. Two brilliant musicians, the second with a band. I was blown away! Between the view overlooking the city, the candles, being all dressed up, and my love for Ella Fitzgerald... nothing could have gone wrong!

And then it got better. The Doc (Eric) and I left my parents and met some of his (who are sooooooo much fun!) downtown at my favorite bar, Thomas' Beauty Salon. It is a 1950's beauty salon in my old neighborhood, The East Village. I was defintely the belle of this funky little bar. Everyone was so chill, the atmosphere was hilarious, and you could get your nails done and get a free drink! I had so many great conversations! Also, my favorite local dj was spinning my favorite old school hip-hop and he remembered me (and asked if we could go on a date but I told him it might have to be next year - but he gave me his info and asked me to look him up - maybe I will maybe I won't - hehehehehe) Regardless, the jazz evening and Thomas' reminded me that NYC is defintely where I can feel the most comfortable. So its good to keep traveling and challenging my comfort!

Ok, after that... I was not the most thrilled. We went uptown to a bar, and I was not dressed appropriately, so I felt like me Freshman year in my leapoard print coat at Beta :) hehehehehe (Come on, most of you Michigan people remember that jacket - I still have it! Generally it was seen when I was dancing on the tables...) I was wearing what I had changed into after the concert, a tiny little t-shirt that says "getting lucky in kentucky," my 10 foot scarf, suit pants, a huge belt, and beige stilleto boots. I was hot for the artist scene at my downtown bar, but defintely not looking the part for the frat boys and law students but with Eric's purchsing me shots of Jagger, I really didn't care. :)

Anyway... that's my final New York story. I'm heading to London tomorrow morning, significantly poorer than when I arrived here (and I thought London was expensive... stupid selective memory!). Fo those who I saw or talked to while I was here, it was WONDERFUL! For those who I couldn't see while I was in the States, I'm so sorry we couldn't meet up! (especially those in the Midwest and the Boston area!) I should be home in a little over a year (unless I can find a way to get back from Asia for a certain wedding I am REALLY do not want to miss) so we will have to cause some trouble then.

Londoners and UK darlins, I'm in town from the 17th to the 27/8th. Wanna play? (also, I GOT A WORK PERMIT!! YEAH!!)

Ok, I'll stop talking... check out the websites below.

~ Love,

Anne, Annie, Annabelle, Knickerbocker, Pornstar, Froie, FSIB, Lustbunny, Tex's older twin, and all the other names I have forgotten to mention.

Status: greatest thing since the spork
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"That woman is about as interesting as a soapdish"- James Pruden

Quick New Jersey stop over

2002-12-03T20:33:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone!

In the lovely land of New Jersey! Ok, New Jersey isn't a lovely land, more like the land of many oil refineries and the mafia, but hey, its FREE!

Yes, I am currently residing at the parents' abode until December 17th. And my parents are a hoot, so I'm having a good time. And I'm seeing some people - so far Golder and Eric (I could not be a happier donkey or Grandpa). Jyoti and Rigney are next week and hopefully Mackenzie and Liz after that. After that I fly to London to cause trouble with some friends that I have met in the past few months and one wonderful person from Michigan (Ann) who currently lives there.

I am currently torn between going to Prague for Christmas to stay with this fabulous American, Sarah, who I met in Vienna or staying in a hostel in London and going to an Aussie Christmas. (ok, not torn because I would love to go to Prague, but reluctant to spend $300 for a flight when there must be a cheap means of transportation across Europe - the bus is only 24 hours - *cringe*). Prague is supposed to be amazing for Christmas and all of Sarah's roommates are gone for the week so I could have a FREE PLACE TO STAY!! (notice my strong desire to stress free? let me do it again for good measure - FREE - oh, that felt good)

But regardless of what I do for Christmas, come New Year's Eve I will be in the hands of my Scottish Queen, Emmeline. She is one of my friends from my job in Ireland - you have heard me talk bunches about her. She is so great. She is also the wonderful person who got me my next job doing housekeeping, bar tending, and waitressing in a hotel in a "traditional highland estate" next to a ski resort in Scotland.

I am kinda nervous to be in the North of Scotland for the winter (and I thought Michigan was cold) but it is going to be very cool. Emmeline works at the ski resort and her parents own a farm and bed and breakfast in the next town over (Dunkeld - jam capital of the UK). Kelly, another fabulous person from my Ireland adventure, will be also working with me at the Dalmunzie Hotel in Blairgowrie and I adore her as well, so I really couldn't be more pleased with my situation. check out the site: http://www.welcome.to/dalmunzie (ok, still trying to figure out if they want me to find a work permit or not - ooooohhhh, cash would sound so good.)

OH!!! I never told you, I now have an Irish "social security" card and can be put on the dole. hehehehe how cool.

Ok, back to my ramblings... after spending the winter in Scotland, I will head to Moscow. The plan at the moment is to still take the Trans-Mongolian Railway through Mongolia to Beijing. I am debating taking a job in the capital of Mongolia teaching English, as you don't need any qualifications or a job cleaning horses in the Gobi Desert - but I think I might just be a true tourist and just hop on and off the train and possibly pony trek for a while. Ah, who knows. Still have 13 more days here with free internet, so plenty of time to plan. More research must be done.

After that... well if money allows (and I definitely have time because I can't apply to grad school until next December) I am going to buy a "round the world ticket." All the Aussie's use these. They let you stop all over the world, as long as you constantly move either East or West. Have many friends in Australia and New Zealand now, so why not visit! The ticket is only $1500 and really, that doesn't seem like a great amount for the ability to go to almost every continent.

Uhm... have decided to go to film school. Don't know if I'll get in, but I suspect I have a chance as a world traveling art historian with a background in photography and good people skills. ok, I don't really think I have that great a chance, but that is how I'm going to market myself, so play along :)

Ok, I should let you get back to what you were doing. I just was working out and have tons o' energy, so you'll have to forgive my huge dump of information. hehehehe I still think I'm the world's most difficult person to get a hold of on the phone, but feel free to try. Again, I'm here until the 17th and I'll try to call but my parents' number is XXXXX and I'm usually here during the days.

I hope this e-mail finds you in good health and with lots of holiday merriment on your hands. Off to play with Kelsey!!!!!!!

Love, Annie

hey

2002-11-17T20:32:00.000-05:00

in Galway, Ireland. Left work yesterday with some friends. Have been chilling here - planning on spending a few nights here and then seeing some people I know in Dublin. My muscles hurt so much from hiking my last 4 days at work - so sleep and beer are treating me well :)
Heading to NYC because I found a $300 ticket - will be there for a few days to grab stuff because I have now decided that after Scotland (have a job waiting tables and bartending in a castle at the foot of Glenshee ski resort - hahahaha) I'm going to take the Trans-Mongolian railway from Moscow to Beijing and then head across Asia. I am now planning on not coming home for good for 2 years or so. Planning on buying an Aussie round the world ticket sometime in August and traveling for 9 months after that.
I would love to see you guys - but I am thinking I will be crazy, so I might have to see if we can meet up at a later date. I feel terrible to miss you while i'm back here, but I'm sure you can understand. And I feel that going to the dentist may be a priority :) all the stories about British teeth are true! but I can probably call any of you if you want - so send your number and I'll try my hardest!

Bonjour

2002-10-23T15:25:00.000-04:00

Yes, Annabelle is alive.
So... I'm in Castlebar, Ireland. Been hanging out here for the 'local' hospital (1.5hrs away). Second degree burns from a stupid flask exploding on me and a fabulous virus that attacked my nerve endings (kinda like shingles, but as I am my mother's daughter, I ignored the pain and the doctors don't know how I did it as it is a pretty nasty attack - oozing sores and everything!! woo hoo) typical Annie. nothing could have been prevented... just happens.

But work is fantastic. Hard as hell, but fantastic. I hike up mountains with no paths, canoe, build rafts, baby-sit disgruntled teenagers all night, play games, belay climbers in amazing locations through out connemara. It is wonderful, for now. (Note - to those who have written - your response letters are waiting to be sent, but before this, I had very limited access to stamps.) I work many hours a day, mostly outside. This weekend I got to play with American university students who were on an exchange program orientation. It was like my own little party where I was asked to entertain 200 people my age, and get paid. loved it loved it loved it. (and met some damn cool people, who you will hopefully hear about in the future.)

Come December 1st, I am moving to Scotland. Originally, I was moving to be a snowboarding instructor, but now I think I am not going to stress about getting certified and just get a job on the mountain in the restaurant, and snowboard during my time off. I am moving with 3 of my amazing friends here. Emmalyne, Kelly, and Emma. Emm and Emma are from this region of Scotland (near Perth) and Kelly is from England. We have all become so close and can't wait to just chill out and live together for the next few months.

It is amazing how I am putting up with roommates, and especially amazing that I am accepting living in a place with only 25 people around who I work and live with 24 hrs a day. Believe me, claustrophobia hits often, but it is forcing me to accept uncomfortable situations, and change is definitely good. so good, I actually kinda like it. (but somedays I would kill for the smell of a subway or the sound of the ever present marching band on a Saturday morning - so no fears that I am changing, just loosening my ever present need for privacy and things the way I like them.) (me? stubborn? never!)

After that: March I am taking the Trans-Siberian railway across Asia - focusing mainly on Mongolia. Probably will do that for a month. Then, I apply to film school. Most likely focusing on NYU. We'll see. Spent the weekend hanging out with this great guy, who, towards the end of the weekend, I found out, is the son of the Dean of UCD's film school.

I will be in NYC January 20th. Who knows how long I will be staying, but just remember that date for now.

Please feel free to write. I've loved the letters so far - Delphi Adventure Centre, Leenane, Co. Galway, Ireland

hehehehe. I am so far away from anything else - there is no need for numbers in the address. Leenane has 7 buildings. :) and technically, we are not in Leenane. Leenane is in the next county. We are actually in Co. Mayo, but since Leenane is the closest "town" to get to, we cross the border to get our mail :) The border is actually this big stick surrounded by a mound of seaweed that I bring kids kayaking too. It is hilarious! Good ole stick island. that is the border. the more frightening thing is, everyone for the surrounding 150miles knows about stick island and have been there.

Ok - well, I desperately miss you all. (Home sickness hit about 2 weeks ago, and my poor parents got a weepy Annie phone call, but so is the life of an adventurer. and it passed, but I still miss you guys)

Ok, must more to say, but must leave. This place is closing.

I hope this finds you safe and well. Take care of each other.

Leenane, Ireland.

2002-09-19T14:01:00.000-04:00

I have arrived!

I am in Leenane, Ireland working as an instructor for outdoors stuff. This will be a super quick e-mail.

I am in one of the most beautiful places I have seen, climbing 2 mountains a day, kayaking, and torturing teens. Its going to be fun. Only problem is I am 45 minutes from the nearest e-mail.

(Nearest town for that matter - but there is a village of 35 people only 20 minutes away! woo hoo) I have found a ride today but this may be it for a while.

Hence... if you care to keep in contact with me - you must give up the ways of the 21st century and write me a letter. Yes, with a stamp and one of those envelope things that you lick. I know, I know. It isn't my favorite means of communication... but I am in the mountains. so please, write me. Even a short letter with your address. I probably won't be able to e-mail for another 2 or 3 weeks but since I have night guard duty once a week where I have to stay up from 11pm-9:30am to watch these walking hormones, I have tons of time to write.

But... I have good calling card options so calling is definitely an idea - so feel free to drop your number in the letter as well.

Sorry again for the impersonal letter. Please write.

Annie

Delphi Adventure Center

Leenane, Co. Galway

Ireland

My room in the "Palace"

View of the staff room

Some of us girls in the bar

Staff room during lunch

Enlightenment

2002-09-13T18:23:00.000-04:00

Damn.

32 hours and I have made it from Vienna to Dublin. 4 trains, one taxi, one hotel in Wales, and a ferry. I just made some purchases for the new job. I'm going to crash at this hostel for 2 days and then head to the other coast, and hopefully be at work by 3:30.

Anyway, as I can't get into my hostel for another 20 minutes, I thought I would enlighten you folks with some profound cultural discoveries I have made this month. They are in no particular order, except for the first one. It was the one that scares me the most.

1. The Brits are obsessed with Dick Van Dyke. This may sound like a joke but I am 100% serious. It all started at dinner with James asking me if D.V.D.was a god in the states. I thought he was "taking a piss" so I was sarcastic and said yes. Evidently, as many of us rush home to watch the Simpsons, UK university students make sure to never miss an episode of Diagnosis Murder. James and Nicky both stated that it is a "brilliant" show and the plot is impeccable. (Quincy is their second favorite!) I asked other Brits in other stops and everyone looked at me like I was insane. "Of course! 1 o'clock everyday. waiting for the new season." Apparently this phenomenon stems from their love of his "terrible cockney accent" in Mary Poppins, which the mention of said Disney film spurs them ALL into a rousing rendition of "chim chimerie." It is frighteningly universal amongst all uni students. I have been laughing for weeks because of this and the countless trivia that is thrown at me about characters and cameos on the show (10 minutes were devoted to figuring out D.V.D.'s son's name, as he is evidently a regular!)

2. Traveling males from LA agree that women should have "asses like a twelve year old." We're talking "quality with at capital K" here kids. It was a repeated many times in many places. And you wonder why poeple think americans are strange.

3. Slovenians are the sweetest people on Earth unless they work in the tourist industry. If they work in a hotel, hostel, tourist information center, or resturant, they want you dead.

4. People hate that americans have "cute" and "quaint" in their vocabulary. They feel like the US feels that Europe is just a Xeroxed copy of the US, reduced to 62%.

5. The Irish know nothing about wine. And Aussi & I went to the store to get the best shiraz we could find for $5. The Irish had no idea there were so many types beyond red and white. The ones that are well traveled know "rosie" or "the crappy pink stuff" (to quote Colm).

6. The word "fanny" has a very different meaning than our meaning in the UK, Australia, and Ireland. It is not the posterior, but the front of a woman's anatomy where a child comes out. They find "leave it to beaver" hilarious as Ward uses the phrase "get your fanny down here" often. Also, when the phrase "fanny pack" is said, they going into convulsions of laughter.

well,! hope you feel smarter now. See if any of that shows up at Connor O'Neils trivia night.

Ok... gonna go to the hostel.

big kisses.

annie

Enlightenment

2002-09-13T16:55:00.001-04:00

Damn. 32 hours and I have made it from Vienna to Dublin. 4 trains, one taxi, one hotel in Wales, and a ferry. I just made some purchases for the new job. I'm going to crash at this hostel for 2 days and then head to the other coast, and hopefully be at work by 3:30 pm.

Anyway, as I can't get into my hostel for another 20 minutes, I thought I would enlighten you folks with some profound cultural discoveries I have made this month. They are in no particular order, except for the first one. It was the one that scares me the most. - 1. The Brits are obsessed with Dick Van Dyke. This may sound like a joke but I am 100% serious. It all started at dinner with James asking me if "D.V.D."was a god in the states. I thought he was "taking a piss" so I was sarcastic and said yes. Evidently, as many of us rush home to watch the Simpsons, UK university students make sure to never miss an episode of Diagnosis Murder. James and Nicky both stated that it is a "brilliant" show and the plot is impeccable. (Quincy is their second favorite!) I asked other Brits in other stops and everyone looked at me like I was insane. "Of course! 1 o'clock everyday. waiting for the new season." Apparently this phenomenon stems from their love of his "terrible cockney accent" in Mary Poppins, which the mention of said Disney film spurs them ALL into a rousing rendition of "chim chimerie." It is frighteningly universal amongst all uni students. I have been laughing for weeks because of this and the countless trivia that is thrown at me about characters and cameos on the show (10 minutes were devoted to figuring out D.V.D.'s son's name, as he is evidently a regular!)

- 2. Traveling males from Los Angeles agree that women should have "asses like a twelve year old." We're talking "quality with at capital "K" here kids. It was a repeated many times in many places. And you wonder why people think Americans are strange.

- 3. Slovenians are the sweetest people on Earth unless they work in the tourist industry. If they work in a hotel, hostel, tourist information center, or restaurant, they want you dead.

- 4. People hate that Americans have "cute" and "quaint" in their vocabulary. They feel like the US feels that Europe is just a Xeroxed copy of the US, reduced to 62%.

- 5. The Irish know nothing about wine. And Kiwi & I went to the store to get the best Shiraz we could find for $5. The Irish had no idea there were so many types beyond red and white. The ones that are well traveled know "rosie" or "the crappy pink stuff" (to quote Colm).

- 6.The word "fanny" has a very different meaning than our meaning in the UK, Australia, and Ireland. It is not the posterior, but the front of a woman's anatomy where a child comes out. They find "leave it to beaver" hilarious as Ward uses the phrase "get your fanny down here" often. Also, when the phrase "fanny pack" is said, they going into convulsions of laughter.

Puddin'

2002-09-11T10:49:00.000-04:00

Well Dears,

The trip comes to an end. Spent the past two days in Vienna. Love this city. Met some wonderful people. Learned a little German. Sat in the cafes. Drank the good beer. Walked past 16 "Wienerwalds" (oh yes, "Wiener World" in English). Spent the day with two american women and we toured the entire, E-N-T-I-R-E, city. Very sleepy Annie (especially since the "Italian bird" on the bunk above me got up at 6am and started packing on my bed [couldn't be pissed, she was so nice tho, just a little dumb], and I have worn myself down to bronchitus from sleeping in cold rooms and spent the whole night coughing - NyQuil will be my saviour tonight.)

Anyway, I just got an e-mail from my new employer saying I have to be at work on the 15th, not the 17th like she previously said. So, in a panic, I have booked a couchette that leaves in 4 hours for Paris. I arrrive at 11am tomorrow and then get on another train, on the other side of town, to head to the coast tomorrow during the day. Depending on how much phlem I'm coughing up and how much I want to curl up into a ball and sleep on a man-hole cover, ala Kub, I may head to Dublin that evening via the 6hr ferry, or sleep the night in St. Malo, which I know pretty well. Needless to say, I've got a hell of alot of train rides in front of me. I sent all my stuff I didn't want destroyed while traveling to Dublin (Poste Restante means they will keep your packages in the city of your choice for free for a month!! Waiting for me is my knitting, my new brown and orange velour JUMPSUIT, and my Eric's Grandpa shirt.)

I am excited to start this new adventure. EVERY Irish person I have met knows the company I am working for. They all love it. I am going to try and get to the next placle really fast and then sleep for 2 days. Then, I have to get to Galway City from Dublin (2? hrs) and take a cab 20 miles to my work.

The current count is: 1 month: England, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Slovenia, Hungary, Austria, France, and Ireland. Only a few times was I lead astray (a few weeks ago I almost moved to India... but that's a really long story.)

Anyway, I'm not ending this e-mail like it is the end of my adventure, because I still have 4 days to go and 4 months in Ireland, so I refuse to claim this is an end of a chapter. I am chosing to have no punctuation what so ever for the next little section of my life. Anyway, I don't know when I'll have e-mail, but I defintely will be "traveling." So, until the next report...

Annabelle

PS. I swear I will respond more personally to the fabulous e-mails ! some of you have sent. They have meant the world to me. Hopefully I can do justice to them when I settle down. It is the second priority I have, after shaving my legs. :)

"Out beyond ideas of wrong doing and right doing, there is a field. I'll meet you there." ~ Rumi

"The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware; joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware." ~ henry miller

"Barn's burnt down... now I can see the moon." ~ masahide

Travel quotes II

2002-09-05T22:17:00.000-04:00

"Travel has a way of stretching the mind. The stretch comes not from travel's immediate rewards, the inevitable myriad new sights, smells and sounds, but with experiencing firsthand how others do differently what we believed to be the right and only way." - Ralph Crawshaw

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

"What gives value to travel is fear... There is no pleasure in traveling, and I look upon it more as an occasion for spiritual testing." - Albert Camus, Notebooks, 1962

"Two roads diverged in a woods, and I -- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." - Robert Frost ·

"Through travel I first became aware of the outside world; it was through travel that I found my own introspective way into becoming a part of it." - Eudora Welty ·

"Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends." - Maya Angelou ·

Today's Lesson

2002-09-04T15:19:00.000-04:00

Last e-mail of the week, I promise!
Pathetic excuse: it is just so nice to have internet for free in these hostels - I go crazy!!
well, that and I'm bored waiting in line for the shower, so I decide to plague you while I'm bored :) (You know you love me)

anyway...

Today I was supposed to climb a mountain. This adventure was was posponed for tomorrow because of rain. Since I was feeling really off this morning: migrane and a tummy ache, so I thought, "wow, I lucked out!" I rolled out of bed and began to dress. 5 minutes later, I tripped over a backpack and smashed my head against the door.

Well, yes, kids, my history of having a bad day, well it followed me to Slovenia. It was starting. I could feel it. One of my patented "bad days." As you all know, I don't get hurt doing crazy/adventurous things *yes, I'm still going climbing tomorrow*, just stupid everyday things.

so, I pulled my stuff (and cracked scull hehehe) together. I went to town, sent some postcards and decidedto lay down in the grass. First minute I'm there, I roll over and lay on a bee! well, I just got stung. a few minutes later, my arm has swollen up.

ok... that's a shame. but it isn't rainning anymore, I really should get someuse of this day.

I rent a moped. everyone here drives mopeds. all the kids in my room rented them the day before and said there were beautiful towns up in the mountains. well... 20 minutes into driving, a car comes straight on to me. I'm on the right side of the road... but apparently the driver wants to use his and my side of the road. I swerve, thinking better to bail then try to take a vw face on, and fall off the side of the road. I have nowgotten a fantastic case of road rash on my left knee, my left breast, and all of the freckles on my chinwill be non-existant when this stuff heals. free manual peel! who needs facials! chemical peels are so last year! also, the bike landed on my left leg -so I was stuck for 10 minutes until someone found me.

Refusing to get back on the moped, I walked the bike back for a few miles through the mountains - bleeding, with the damn helmet hanging around my right ear, because I couldn't figure out the buckle.

now I am back at the hostel. I have decided not to leave the hostel today. it is now pouring again.

Lesson of the day: those who are accident prone and named Annie should not go faster than they can run, unless the object that is transporting them is as large as a car, or larger.

I'm actually not upset at all. I find it kinda funny. and I thought you guys would too. and I'll heal. I had no fear while it happened, I just was really annoyed. so really, this hiding is a premptive strike so that nothing else can happen before tomorrow. We all know that my "bad luck days" last 24 hours.

oh yeah, I found out, I wasn't sick yesterday because of the riverwater I drank - that is fine they said. found out the resturant I ate at for lunch, their batch of fresh mushrooms yesterday were mixed with some poisonous ones. ooppps. guess they really shouldn't pick those nice red oneswith the spots, eh? it was in the paper this morning. no one died, but looks like I was not the only one hallucianting and vomitting last night.

yeah for Bled! I still love this place, think I just am in a vortex of evil. I think, for my health and so that I can actually start my new job in one piece, I am getting the hell out of here tomorrow. haven't decided if I should just head to the coast here, because it's easy, and now I really need to heal, or if I should bother hitting Croatia in 10 days, because it is so easy to come back from ireland, and I start work Sept 17.

anyway... e-mail is a nice destractor, but I should clean the pineapple juice that was in my backpack, ou tof my hair and soak my knee so I can actually climb tomorrow. I'll be fine. I promise.

annabelle of the roadrash

Amsterdam

2002-08-29T20:53:00.000-04:00

alive in Amsterdam.

hated it for the first 9 hours. it is an awful place by day light. 2,000xhashbash, and you know how much I like that. well, it really is the worst place I've been. but at night, in my hostel, the flying pig, it is wonderful. old school hip hop, a smoking platform with pillows and throw rugs (like kindergarten nap time), and good beer. I really really can't stress how much I need to get out of here. only staying 2 nights (because I ran into 5 people I know) but next stop, Bled, Slovakia. Going over night and one day of train to get there.

Having fun in Amsterdam, finally, (Good thing the past 2 weeks have been amazing! I have loved London, Brussels, and Bruges - have done some amazing things and meet amazing people - for ex. biked 30km yesterday, alone, because I thought it would be a great idea.)

Annie

Journal entry (edited)

2002-08-27T20:41:00.000-04:00

Well, let's start with me being stupid.
I bought a train ticket and didn’t even think to use my Eurail pass to get to Bruges! Fucking eh! So there goes more money!

So… will I be safe in Croatia?
Everyone talks about it being so wonderful but... it is Croatia! Didn't the war JUST end?

Met a wonderful Polish girl on the train who helped me with my bags. She was so sweet. We started talking. She was just visiting Bruges for the day. I pulled out the map and headed to my hostel, but she insisted she help carry my bags. So I gave her my daypack and my sleeping bag (with reservations - I'm weary about giving up my possessions to strangers, no matter how nice they are). But she really was a doll. Very nice. Will visiting her in Germany.

Hostel: Shitty but clean. Cheap bunk beds, tiny room with many people. Cute bar in the entrance. The insane thin spiral staircase was hell with my pack. Being brilliant I showed up a day early of my reservation. I have 2 days here = its only Tuesday! I’m a day early!

I want to bicycle Belgium!!!

In the afternoon I explored the town and took a boat tour. Saw the smallest gothic window in the world. Am thrilled. :) (I'm a geek)

Tonight I took the free history tour offered by the hostel. It really was great! We explored Bruges.

After the tour, Sandra (the Canadian in the bed next to me) and the tourguide had beers in the hostel lobby. Talked about our countries.

Off to the east

2002-08-27T10:21:00.000-04:00

Well -
Quick note.
In Brussels, leaving for Bruges in a few hours.

Meeting a new Aussie friend in Amsterdam in 2 days at a hostel called the Flying Pig.
I hung out with these three Aussies the past 2 nights. the brothers (2) are both famous (found out the 2nd night once they got drunk and started spilling their guts). Gabe was a well-known basketball star in the equivalent of our NBA but destroyed his back. Matt is a racecar driver. it is hilarious - so I made them sign a book for me.

Anyway, been talking to others coming from the east, Prague is really disgusting from the flood... and already, I am feeling the beach calling me. I've asked around, and this is the new plan.

this great British woman has been traveling alone for 2 years - she can't be more than 22! there is a little town in Slovenia that has a lake with a church on an island in the middle. Bled. the lake is so clear, you can always see the bottom. then, everyone is talking about the beauty of Croatia. Americans have said they feel safe there and they are so desperate for money, everyone speaks English. it is very cheap: I can get thru, border to border for under 20 bucks. Rumor has it, the bluest water, white cliffs, and few obnoxious tourists left after Aug.

I haven't decided my exact route yet... after Amsterdam... Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Czech Republic, and then to Ireland...

I am having trouble opening mail here, but I hope to read your letters in Bruges. I promise I'm being careful, so don't worry :)

I miss you all,
Annie

New city

2002-08-25T08:18:00.000-04:00

in brussels, keys qre all different here::: forgive me
hell of a night; arrived at 10pm; couldn't find the ATM for 1 hour
2 hours later: found a hostel: reservation mistake.
in the good hostel now _ off to the museums in q bit:
hqd an insqne night my lqst night in london.
stories of Norwegian engineers doing folk dances and making me try them(you'll have to see the pictures) and taking me to a strip club where I stormed out, and hitting and threatening to kill an older man making vulgar comments to me and cornering me; the forward British; me and my mexican boy making a date in ireland; me getting engaged to my little shy italian who has a crsh on me (we are meeting in 11 years at the hostel - if we are not married - kevin and tony, you now have mmore competition; me "snogging" a hugh grant look alike in the bathroom at 6am two nights in a row :) it was a very very strange night§
last night I fended off a strange guy about our age who asked me to take him home - i have noz leqrned how bitchy i can really be when i feel threatened! no need to worry about me! now i am off to the town;
i will definitely say, it was scary being a woman alone in a strange city at midnight where they were supposed to speak french... but really, it was all dutch. long evening; but still;;; an adventure - and i'm still;: loving this.
off to go conquer the city§
annabelle the conqueror:

London.

2002-08-21T20:44:00.000-04:00

well... london is now the spot for the next 3 days.

Update

met a ton of people... everyone travels for years... tempting, at least.

an old heidelberg project member lives here and took me out to a swank dinner ($80!!) where you get your fortune told at the table. an amazing dinner. sooooo good. since I can't get a place in brussels until saturday, i'm chilling here and my friend from UM ia taking me out to the clubs with her friends friday.

spent the day at an incredible museum - Victoria & Albert - fucking incredible! god it is so nice to travel alone - no worries about catering to differences in opinion! not that I'm stubborn... but spending the day at the museum, taking beaks to lay in the grass in the courtyard in the sun and read my book.... idealic.

everyone is calling me the "happy bugger" after the bouncer caught me in a state of ecxtacy when I finally realized...

I have no responsibilities. no job, no school, no appointments, no where I have to be until I want to leave, no one to worry about, no one I have to talk to except for when I choose to... it is an amazing experience! It is hard to comprehend... but then... when it hits me... I get a huge smile and sit back on the porch, grab another beer, and meet another crazy aussie or strange french man who gives me pot. hehehehehe

oh yeah - got my nose pierced yesterday in Camden Town - punk rock central. the woman who pierced me had 15 pierecings that I could see on the front of her face... not counting her ears... but she was such a sweetie. it hurt like a fucking bitch but. been wanting it... but finally caved in in NYC and did it here. and amazingly... it looks damn good. It fits me very well (uh... does that sound cocky? I hope not - vey few things make me feel damn hot - and this defiitely does, hehehehehe)

uhmm... I never really liked piercings - but I counted mine today... 8!
my friend from grammar school e-mailed me. he's in china - haven't talked to him since I ran into him 5 years ago on a street in Chicago. he heard I was here and offered me a place to stay... so... once work starts, I'm going to go see Gerry in a small town in CHina! flights are so cheap here! it is about $300 for a round trip to Beijing. even cheaper to africa! I've decided... I don't care if I don't get signed on for an extra 2 years... I'm going to work super hard and get enough to travel the world until I'm 25, if I don't have an amazing museum (or other) job that is too good to give up.

eveyone here, who have been to Galway, say it is incredible. gives me some encouragement. I'm still pretty scared to move to a new counry alone... ok, I'm still usually nervous to be traveling alone... but... how else do I grow if I don't!

well... some boys from alabama convinced me to go to the Old Globe Theater tomorrow... my favorite Shkspr. pklay - midsummers night dream. we'll see if I go... because I heard an old abby is playing chamber music by candle light tomorrow night - and I can see the next play. camber music in one of london's oldest abbies, by candle light? ohhhhh... this sounds perfect!
oh yeah, and all they play over the loud speakers at my hostel is old school hip hop. oh wait... they are playing SWV!!!

sistas with voices... fuck that shit.

ok, going on...

only problem is, London is SO FUCKING EXPENSIVE!
In 3 days, with lodging and food and piercing - $200

ok... and beer and cigarettes. damn it, need to cut that down or else I'm going to blow through my budgetted amount for each week. luckily the train will be free once I leave britan. well... also, not eating much again - but don't really get hungry, and it helps my budget... hmmmm... but tonights creme brulee was amazing!

ok, now they are playing snoop. this is better. and NATE DOGG!

can't wait for eastern europe... sooooooo cheap. $5 a night in budpest. so fucking excited.
well... gots to go. my boys from Tel Aviv are trying to drag me to the night club. Gil, these kids from Israel are sooooooooo much fun. these kids are a blast!

anyway - I'm chatted too much.

over and out, big doggie.

I love you all! and, eventhough I'm having fun... I miss you very very much.

miss your smiling faces.

annabelle

Made it to London.

2002-08-20T19:17:00.000-04:00

I'm alive.
Spent the day in london - heading back out in a few.

Miss you all.

Met a Texas oil tycoon on the bus this morning, en route to Afghanistan. Very interesting convesation.

Off to Brussels in 2 days.

Having dinner with a friend tomorrow - tonight, hope to meet some people at this hostel. My lord, are world travelers attractive.

we'll see if I have any luck.
:-)

Travel quotes

2002-08-14T22:15:00.000-04:00

“My favorite thing is to go where I’ve never been.” – Diane Arbus

“The world is a great book of which they, who never stir from home, read only a page.” -Augustine

“Before me lies the edge of the world. I am on my way there running.” – From a Papago Song

“I have always wanted an adventurous life. It took a long time to realize that I was the only one who could make an adventurous life happen to me.” - Richard Bach

“The unexpected and the incredible belong in this world. Only then is life whole.” - Carl Gustav Jung

“The more I traveled the more I realized that fear makes strangers of people who should be friends.” -- Shirley Maclaine

The world is a book, and those who do not travel, read only a page. - Saint Augustine of Hippo