So, here I am again, writing an overdue blog. I’m not sure if anyone even will read this thing anymore, but I thought I’d post just for fun. What’s happened since the last time you heard from me on here (yeah, back in June!)? In no particular order, some random happenings from the last 5 months:

1. The Duke Program was awesome. They’ve asked me back for next summer as well!  It was also great to see my whole family in North Carolina for a family reunion!

2. I finished up my internship with Global Human Rights Defence but am still freelancing for them working on editing country reports for submission to Dutch agencies as well as UNHCR and other involved human rights agencies.

3.I’ve stopped playing soccer as I’ve had even less time than I had imagined with my job search, classes, Dutch lessons, etc. I miss playing, but overall it was a good choice.

4. The first block of classes for my master’s this fall are over as of last week. I had a general course on Public International Law as well as Human Rights in International Relations. The grades have not come back yet, but I have a pretty good feeling about them.

5. I go to Brussels, Belgium tomorrow for a conference involving the subject matter of my research I’m working on at the University (the role of NGOs in post-conflict societies). It’ll be my first time in Brussels, so I’ve planned an extra few hours before the conference to check out what the city has to offer.

6. The job search is in full effect. I’ve sent off about 5 applications to various tribunals and organizations in the Hague and have had one interview. I should find out in the next week and a half or so if the job is mine. I would really, really like that if it were the case, but I’ll keep you posted.

7. I’ve started playing Squash here in Utrecht sometimes with Stijn on the weekends. It’s basically a different version of racquetball and I really dig it!

8. I was able to go back to Dallas over the weekend of 26 September to see my beautiful best friend Amanda get married. It was a whirlwind weekend but a great time and a beautiful wedding. It was also nice to see my friends!

9. Looking ahead, Stijn and I are headed to the US for Christmas vacation from 16-31 December. We’ll spend the majority of the time with my parents in Ohio, but we’ll also drive to Kansas to see the extended family for the holidays. We’re also preliminarily planning a side trip to Washington, DC and New York…that would be my first time in either city, so if you have suggestions, please send them along!

10. I hope to graduate from my master’s program at the end of January. The only two things that stand in my way for that are a Moot Court class and my thesis. Time is ticking for both, but I hope to make it out alive

That’s about it for the update. Sorry it’s pretty bare and that it’s been so long. Maybe I’ll be better about keeping you up-to-date in the near future, especially about the job and the upcoming travels. If you’re still reading this, I’d love to hear from you about what you’ve been up to!

Tot ziens!

Well hello again! It’s been a while…apologies for that. Time just seems to disappear!

This one’s going to be short and sweet as I’m leaving for the airport in 5.5 hours to fly to the US for the Duke program. I’ll be in North Carolina for about a week and then in the Hague with a group of talented high school students teaching them about International Law. Pretty sweet gig and I’m really looking forward to it. My mom is also joining me in North Carolina which will be just fantastic. We have the first couple of days together before the program starts to catch up, shop, and enjoy some good eats in the NC area. Thanks to Megan for the suggestions of things to do/places to eat while we’re there!

The program information can be found here. You can follow our progress during the program on this blog.

Since my last update a few things have happened:

1. I went with Stijn and two of his colleagues, Janna and Lineke, to the Efteling. It was a magical place–definitely the cleanest, classiest amusement park I’ve ever been to! I felt like a little kid on some of the rides, but it was really really cool. Pictures are here. My favorite was the Vogel Rock and Vliegende Hollander (yes, Flying Dutchman).

2. I had another soccer tournament but this time a weekend affair in Groningen, in the north of the Netherlands. It was my first time in that province and city and I had a blast with my soccer teammates. We had quite an adventure getting there with some delays and cancelations of trains, but once we were there, it was great. We started off Friday evening with an opening party that went well into the wee hours of the morning complete with beer and lots of dancing. Soccer seemed secondary during this tournament, though the games during the day were great. The weather was just perfect, so no complaints there. Saturday we played our games and then a nice barbecue before party night #2 that also went way into the early morning. We were awoken around 8.30 both mornings by dance music and a reminder that we actually had to work through the hangovers to make it onto the fields for our games. It was an extremely fun weekend. I don’t have the pictures up just yet, but will hope to get them soon.

3. My research is going really well for the University of Utrecht project and Ian is done grading my final paper for the Child Maintenance project, so that’s good. I’m working on perhaps changing my thesis project to match the research I’ve started on the role of NGOs in post-conflict society (the UU project) but have nothing finalized. I definitely need to get after that soon!

4. We had our team season closing last night where our Italian coach Marco fixed us a very delicious Italian dinner. The pictures are here and here. Please don’t judge the creepy face I am making with my coach on the first picture

So for now, that’s the update. I’m still alive and enjoying all that I’m doing. Would love updates from you if you have a chance!

Tot ziens!

Hey!

Yesterday the Odysseus ‘91 Dames 3 played in a 7 versus 7 tournament held at KDS, another football club in Utrecht. The theme of the tournament was Oud Hollandsche Spelen (Old Dutch Games). We played 5 games (20 minutes each) and won 4, lost only one. It was a super day, hanging with my teammates, scoring a few goals, and practicing my Dutch.

Between games, we had time to watch the other Ody teams participating in the tournament and to play typically Dutch games such as Sjoelen (kind of a bit like shuffleboard) and Koekhappen (where a bit of breakfast bread, called Ontbijt Koek, is suspended in the air and the object is that you’re the first to eat it all off the string. See example photos here and here. The first is of children, which is what the game is meant for, and the second is of the Crown Prince Willem Alexander being typically Dutch.). Another game we played was called Spijkerpoepen, where you tie a string with a nail around your waist–the nail is suspended–and you try to squat while coercing the nail into the mouth of a wine bottle. This one was quite tough, but very funny to see 20-something-year-old women squatting for this one. Example pictures here and here. The games were a fun intermission to our soccer fun. When all was said and done, we were the champions (kampioenen) of the Tournament!

This week I have a lot of fun in store. Thursday is (another) national holiday, Hemelvaartsdag (Ascension Day) and since Friday occurs between a national holiday and a weekend, it is a compulsory day off as well. Have I mentioned how much I love this country and its policies toward vacation?

That reminds me of an interesting piece in the New York Times magazine written by an American living in the Netherlands. He does a good job of addressing the seemingly large gap between American and the Netherlands (and discusses the elements of the Socialism label that many Americans are quick to tag the Dutch state with despite not understanding that there are benefits conferred to all citizens when taxes are paid). If you have time and are interested, it is found here.

At any rate, Wednesday I am headed down to the very South of the country to Heerlen, where Stijn’s family lives to hang with the fam a bit and to visit a restaurant called Cuba Libre for a story he is doing. Apparently, you can negotiate the price of your meal, very helpful in these economic crisis times we’re in-haha. Then, Friday, we’re off with a couple of his colleagues to the Efteling, a Dutch themepark apparently very well crafted and typically Dutch as well. One of the more popular rides as I understand it is the Vliegende Hollander (yes, the Flying Dutchman). I think for me it’s an excuse to revert back to being a 12-year-old again…

(This is the entrance to the Efteling–woah).

So, that’s the latest and greatest. Other than this, I’m busy busy with my job and thesis writing. I hope you’re all well! Hope to give you a full report soon on all the fun from the coming week. Tot ziens!

Hey Again…it’s been a while (again…yes I’m seeing a pattern here!) but things are still going really well for me here. I’m still working as an intern at Global Human Rights Defence, and that’s really a nice job. We have had two major events for which we did a lot of preparation and it’s been nice to see how they’ve turned out. Last week, my boss and other colleagues traveled to India to put on a seminar about human rights reporting in the field. Pretty cool stuff! A few things to update you on (in no particular order):

1. New Job 1: As of 1 May, I am a new employee for a two-month contract job with the University of Utrecht researching and writing about the role of non-governmental organizations in history with governments (how they interacted over the last 50 years or so). I am still not 100% clear on my duties, but it’s going to be a really great gig. The professor with whom I am working, Dr. Isabelle Duyvesteyn, is collaborating with other colleagues in order to obtain a prestigious research grant from the Dutch government for this project (NWO), so I hope I do well! It is an honor to work with her on this project. I am taking a 2-month break from my internship in order to do this research.

2. New Job 2: 18 June, I will travel to Durham, North Carolina for a week then back to The Hague with Duke University Talent Identification Program. The Field Study is entitled ” War, Children, and International Justice: The War Crimes Tribunals of The Hague,” and I will work as a Teaching Assistant to Professor Maj. David Frakt teaching these talented high school students about international law. Professor Frakt was a guest at our Rule of Law Symposium in the fall at Washburn and he has also represented detainees at Guantanamo (see a very moving closing argument he made here). I am honored also to be involved with this program. I am very much looking forward to this opportunity as well as the opportunity to see my mom (and perhaps my brother) who will visit me while I’m in N.C.

3. New Boyfriend: I have been seeing a new guy since mid-March named Stijn. He is a journalist for a newspaper here in NL. We are having lots of fun hanging out in the beautiful spring weather here in Utrecht as well as exploring the night life in the cozy cafes and restaurants of the city.

4. Gala and Soccer News: Our soccer team is still going strong. Last weekend we played a thrilling match against a club called DOVO and we ended up coming from behind and tying 2-2. It was really exciting how the team has really started playing strongly together as the season is drawing to a close. We have 3 more regular games and then it’s tournament time. I’ll keep you posted on all of that. Last Saturday night we had a Gala with the whole club (sort of like prom but with beer and hosted at FC Utrecht’s stadium, Galgenwaard).

5. Thesis Idea I have to also write a thesis and I’m hoping to explore the topic of Universal Jurisdiction as it applies to the concept of prosecuting officials in the Bush Administration for their complicity and directing of torture and other illegal interrogation techniques. My plan is to get that done before the end of August as September marks the beginning of classes again. It’s been interesting seeing what Spain and others have started to do, but it would also be nice if our own Department of Justice would go ahead and do its job…

6. Spring/Summer in NL The weather has started just being beautiful 90% of the time instead of the cold, rainy darkness. Spring everywhere is often beautiful, but there’s just something about this place with the flowers, the canals, and the park right by my house (Wilhelmina Park) where my dog and I go often to take a break from the studies and stress. A couple of weekends ago we had a game outside of Alkmaar and on the way to the game, I passed for the first time the typical fields filled with colorful tulips–rows and rows. It was remarkable to see in person instead of just in pictures. Grandma, it made me think of you

7. Koninginnedag This past week on 30 April was Koninginnedag–or Queen’s Day. It’s a day off work where people celebrate the Netherlands and its royal family. Lucy came up to Utrecht from Maastricht and we joined in the Orange revelry celebrated with many a Heineken and complete with an orange boa and lei. See the pictures below. One sad thing, which many of you heard of, was the attempt by some guy trying to run his car into the Royal Family’s bus. That has cast a dark shadow over the otherwise jubilant festivities. I am hopeful it doesn’t ruin the holiday for coming years. This is an interesting piece about the collective Dutch reaction, if you’re interested.

Ready to get my Oranje on…

Stijn and me at Lokaal 9

Lucy ready to paint the town Oranje

The Dutch Flag

Homage to two great nations-Heineken beer and “America Wine” from Albert Heijn

That’s pretty much the update from here in happy NL. How is everyone doing? Send me an update when you get a chance!

Doei! xx

Hello Friends, Family, and Strangers who stumble across this blog!

A quick update of life here…

I finally posted pictures to the flickr account page of my new apartment. Here are a couple of my favorites:

my kitchen

my couch

a shower in which i can actually stand and into which I do not have to climb!

my bed (and my pseudo walk-in closet behind it)

The view of my deck terrace (and yes, Sunshine’s about to check it out, too)

The view from my deck terrace to my neighbors’ “yards”

Please see all of them here.

My LL.M. is keeping me extremely busy. I have two classes, the Guilt of Nations and International Criminal Courts. Both are very demanding, but I love the subject material so it’s really fun.

Soccer is back in gear and we’ve won two out of the last three games. I am hoping we can keep improving as the season rolls on.

I’m still keeping up with Dutch lessons. I still have class twice a week and I’m really enjoying it.

And my most exciting news: just last Friday I had an interview with an organization called Global Human Rights Defence for a 6-month internship position working with their human rights division. And I got the job!!!! The organization is located in The Hague, just about two blocks away from the Peace Palace!

In fact, in order to catch my train back to Utrecht, the tram stop is right outside of the Peace Palace. Not bad scenery on the way to and from work each time From our lunchroom, we’re able to see it over the rooftops of our neighboring buildings. When I stop to think about it, it gives me goosebumps (but this is only because I’m a law nerd and recognize the place in international law the Hague and the International Court of Justice hold). So, my first day of work is next Monday. I’ll keep you posted about how it goes.

I hope you all are doing well! A shout out to Megan, Lindsey, and Annie for my awesome birthday package. That was really special. Also, mom and dad, thanks for your birthday card as well!

Tot ziens!

_________________________________________________________________________

More about GHRD:

Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) is an international human rights organization with the objective of promoting human rights for those areas where severe violations have victimized relatively large populations. Up until date millions of people continue to live in the margin of society lacking effective attention from the perspective of governments, development aid, human rights organizations and media authorities, in spite of mankind’s joint effort to build a detailed human rights legal framework, based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UN 1948) and followed by covenants, treaties and implementation mechanisms.

Global Human Rights Defence has the aim to specifically address those areas and populations of the world where severe and extensive human rights violations of certain ethnic and religious minorities have taken place for long periods, and where structural help and global attention of the international media have proven to be absent or insufficient.

GHRD officially was founded after the “The Hague 2003 International Conference on Human Rights” , which was subthemed “Human Rights of Refugees and Victims of Ethnic and Religious Violence” (The Hague, July 2003). This founding conference of GHRD was supported by a broad spectrum of over a 150 selected participants of (inter)national human rights organizations from over the world. The memorandum of association, which was agreed upon unanimously and signed by all participating parties, provides the structure of this international organization.

So, short and sweet recap:

Christmas: fast and furious whirlwind tour through the US. Great to see family, wish I had seen more friends, but 10 days is short when you have a long list of things to do.

New Year’s: On a plane back to NL from US with my dog, Sunshine. As uneventful as it sounds.

New Apartment: Fabulous. Lush. Posh. Everything I wanted it to be and more. Will post pics soon (I hope).

Ski Trip: Awesome. Learned how to snowboard. Learned how to not be so afraid speaking Dutch. Learned that Apres Ski is sometimes as fun as being on the slopes. Hope to get back on a mountain soon.

LLM: Just started it this week. International Criminal Courts and Guilt of Nations are my two classes. It’s going to be intense, but it’s going to be fun. Of course, more to come re: this.

Research Project: Up to 50 pages and still going strong. I meet with Ian tomorrow to track our progress.

Other Thoughts: Love Barack Obama. Hope someone investigates Bush Co. Would love a trip to the beach somewhere soon. Not a huge fan of Valentine’s Day without a valentine. Anxious for birthday #27 on 22 feb. Sorry for being lame and not posting for a while. Hope you’re all well!

Tot ziens
xx

Hi all…

…not sure who is still reading this thing as I haven’t updated in quite some time. I’ve been supremely busy with writing, editing, and finishing my project(s). The first one, and the reason I’m here, is the project with Ian on the history of UIFSA. That one is in good shape and he and I met yesterday to discuss our progress going forward. The second one is a left-over from this summer (a directed research project on potential jurisdiction of the ICC over American citizens) for Prof. Merkel and it’s in its final editing stages to be completed today.

Our December graduation ceremony was last friday, 12 december, and as long as I get this paper done for Merk before friday this week, I am officially a law school graduate! How about that? I’d like to go back to Kansas in May for the official ceremony for the rest of our class and walk across the stage with them, but we will see as the next semester unfolds.

I will be leaving this Sunday for the states. I fly into Ohio to hang with my parents for a bit before driving to Kansas in the 2008 Dorsey Family Christmas Extravaganza…Road Trip!!!!! Ha ha…my brother sadly won’t be joining in our general 14-hour driving festivities as he will be driving separately from Nashville to meet us in Wichita for the holidays. We will spend about a week in Kansas and I may also go back with Chris to Nashville for a couple days before flying back to the Netherlands. I’m looking forward to seeing my family, friends, and my dog very much. However, I’m not looking forward to the exhausting travel schedule ahead. I guess that’s what one gets when one moves across an ocean…

I cannot believe Christmas is a week away. I am so inundated with work now that I haven’t really been able to prepare properly. I do have several gifts purchased, but will definitely be joining the other procrastinating holiday shoppers at the busy malls next week. I am definitely not going to complain about that–despite the general craziness in malls everywhere, it’s one of my favorite things to do this time of year.

I probably won’t post until after my return from the States (and possibly not until after my Wintersport holiday with the soccer club 2-11 januari), so I wish everyone safe travels, lots of fun with family and friends, and a wonderful holiday break.

Prettige Kerstdagen en een Gelukkig Nieuw Jaar!

(Happy Christmas Days–and yes, the Dutch get two days for Christmas–and a Happy New Year)!

Tot 2009!

Hey!

Quick post about Saturday’s revelry…Yes, I definitely went as Madonna circa 1985 and yes, I definitely drank (too) much beer. It was a fine time with dinner beforehand at Anne’s, complete with a friendly visit by the police who were in the neighborhood investigating something else. Then we moved on to a bar called K-Sjot on the Oudegracht where the beer was cheap, the music was good, and a good time was had by all. Here’s our group photo:

And the rest of the photo album can be seen at this Facebook link. Hope you enjoy the pictures of one crazy night in Utrecht.

Now I’m back to being a serious law student for the week as I have a deadline and meeting with Ian on Friday. The paper is coming along well. I cannot believe it is 1 december already, though. Time flies when you’re living in the Netherlands, I guess

Tot ziens!

Hallo allemaal!!

I have just a quick post to make about my big news today: I landed an apartment from 1 January on…it is fabulous and I get to bring my dog, Sunshine. It is about 5 minutes biking to the center, 10 to my soccer practices/games, and 5 or so to class…and it’s in a great location (ironically on the intersection where I had my fun bike accident with the car I blogged about a while back–random!)

It is on the Jan van Scorelstraat … here’s the outside view of my building. I’m on the achterzide (back side…with a deck terrace…just wait for it!)

And the inside view out to the deckterrace with the beautiful double doors:

From the big double doors, here’s the view towards my bed (notice the fabulous light fixture, too!):

The Kitchen is next (and yes, it is a washer in the kitchen…but we don’t judge–space is a premium in the NL and why not have the washer in the kitchen?!):

The final photo is kind of a view from the entry-way hall–it’s nice that the kitchen is separate from the rest of the living space. The shower is to the left as is the toilet:

I’m really looking forward to living in this place and to be able to have my dog. We will definitely enjoy the space!

In other news, I have found an amazing website: www.kersthits.nl where it’s possible to listen to all the christmas music one can stand! Check it out if you’re in the mood for festive songs and not too tired of it from the radio stations already

At any rate…soccer game Saturday and also another all-club party Saturday night…the theme for this one is “When I was younger, I was a fan of…” and you must dress as anyone whom you idolized in your youth. I don’t know about idolatry, but I always thought Madonna was pretty freaking awesome…so I might go for a Madonna look, circa 1984…but maybe a little more classy than the following:

No matter what happens, I’m sure it’ll be fun. Still have not received my digital camera in the mail, sadly, so I won’t be able to post photos of mine…but maybe some from our website will be on there. Oh yes, speaking of websites and our soccer team, check this out! Goals #1 and 4 are brought to you by me…some of you may have seen this because I posted it to facebook earlier…I just think it’s quite fun. Enjoy!

Hope you are all doing well! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone..it’s weird to have missed it. I just had some pizza with friends and am off to bed. Tot ziens!

Hi again after a bit of a break. Things have been a little crazy but that’s mostly due to my sleep schedule being so incredibly off the last two weeks. I traveled last week to Kansas to attend the Rule of Law and Global War on Terrorism symposium at Washburn, which was a great success. WIBW did a little piece on it here. I also packed in a couple extra days to hang out with my mom, my friends, and of course, my dog. It was really fun to get to go back to see everyone and to attend our Barrister’s Ball event on Saturday.

One crap thing that happened at the ball was that my digital camera got stolen. That was pretty much awful. The hotel also didn’t have any surveillance and were generally unhelpful and unsympathetic to me regarding the recovery of said camera. I am resigned to the fact that whoever took it isn’t going to turn it in, so I found a comparable one on E-bay and bought it today. Grrr.

Since I’ve been back, I’ve been trying to work a lot on my preliminary research project for Ian. I’m in good shape with it for now and it’s going really well. My Dutch is also coming along slowly but surely. I just registered for the 4th level of classes for next semester, though I’m not sure how that will work with my school schedule.

Today it snowed here in Utrecht quite a bit. Though it didn’t stick to the ground, it was really pretty to see. I guess that it’s very rare to have much snow here so it was quite a treat to see this morning. Our soccer game was unfortunately cancelled due to the weather, but I’m okay with that as that means I don’t have to freeze my fingers and toes off trying to score more goals today! I’m still at the top for our club’s topscorer, but it’s a close race…

So that’s it for me for now. I hope everyone’s getting geared up for Thanksgiving back in the states…they don’t so much celebrate turkey day here, but I think some international students are going to have a meal of sorts to replicate the tradition that I might go to. I’m also getting pretty geared up for Christmas, especially after today’s snow…all the Christmas lights are up in the little streets and alleys and I think some of my friends and I might go next Friday to a Christmas Fair (in Dutch) by a castle near Utrecht complete with skating, eating yummy treats, and shopping for gifts made by local businesses.

I’d love to hear your updates if you have time!

Kusjes! xx