So, the title of this post gives you an idea where my head is at. Which is unfortunate, really. Not anything against Christmas, but my flight leaves 16 December for Ohio and I have a rough draft of a 15,000 word thesis and a 6,500 word memorial for moot court class to write in the intervening 16 days.

So, if you’re wondering over the next few weeks what I’m doing, it will be one of the following:

1. Drinking copious amounts of tequila coffee, trying to make it through hundreds of pages of research materials.
2. Writing about the Responsibility to Protect to the hopeful liking of my thesis supervisors
3. Writing a memorial as the lawyer for Georgia in its present case against Russia at the International Court of Justice
4. Repeating the first half of step one (which may, or may not, at this point actually have switched to tequila)
5. Trying to stay focused on steps 2-4 in order to make the 16 december self-imposed deadline(s).

As a follow up to the last post, I enjoyed Brussels immensely and had some time to do sight-seeing during the morning. I am still waiting to hear back from the organization in The Hague where I interviewed. That phone call should come sometime tomorrow or Wednesday. Stijn and I have plans for this weekend’s Sinterklaas festivities with friends on Friday in Amsterdam and during the weekend with his family in Heerlen. Otherwise, I’m just living life and relaxing with the help of much tequila coffee

Like I mentioned above, Stijn and I are heading out 16 December for the States. We’ll arrive in Ohio to hang with the ‘rents for a few days, then it’s off to NYC for a fun weekend away (including seeing Billy Elliot, which has one of my high school classmates in it, Jeff Kready!) before we head back to Ohio and ultimately on to Kansas for Christmas with the whole fam. We travel back to NL on New Year’s Eve. It should be an amazing vacation and I’m really looking forward to it. But now it’s back to step 5.

Hope you’re well!

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:

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!

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

Hi friends! Just a short message to report on one of the most exciting days in my life…in your life…and maybe almost everyone’s life. Today we awake to a new beginning, a promise of change, a new direction for the United States and its role in the world. I have waited quite a long time to type something like that and am thankful I finally can. Last night we elected Barack Obama to be the 44th President of the United States of America and I think there was a collective sigh of relief somewhere around 5:00 a.m. my time here in Utrecht all around the world for this new chapter in American and world history….

Last night a bar by my soccer club, Olympos Sport Cafe (which my coach owns), hosted the ESN American Election Watch Party. The bar was packed with international students and Dutch students alike. We had a pub quiz regarding American politics and everyone was so into it. The atmosphere was incredible for this little place in Utrecht to be witnessing history being made in the United States. It wasn’t the only bar in town to be hosting such a party. I was astounded by all the interest and general excitement shown by everyone there. I stayed there until about 3 this morning, then cycled home to watch the rest of the election from my living room on CNN…just incredible.

And yes, along with many others, my eyes got a little tearful when the news finally broke that it was over. Seeing 200,000 people watching the acceptance speech and listening to people’s stories about their struggles and their renewed hope for our country gave me goosebumps and still brings a little bit of a tear to my eye…sorry to get all emotional about this, but it really is a historical moment that will change my future, your future, your kids’ future, and etc. The general feeling in Europe is positive toward America again, I would think this is reflected throughout the world. I know President Obama (woo hoo, feels great to type that!) will not be a panacea, but he will make great progress for citizens of the US and the world to come together for a common solution to many of our current problems.

In short, I’m psyched about the news and I could barely sleep! I have a test in comparative law this afternoon, though, so I better shift my focus for just a bit so I don’t fail! Thanks for reading my thoughts on the election. I’ll write again soon…

Hi, Friends!

I am still without my own laptop at the moment, still holding on to an optimistic hope that Apple will call soon to say that everything’s fine with only minimal costs…so I’m writing this again from the Utrecht Law Library but thought I’d let you all know that I’ll be visiting Kansas from the 11th through the 16th of November.

Washburn is putting on a symposium with which I somewhat been involved in the planning process called the Global War on Terror and the Rule of Law. A lot of amazing people will be in attendance to discuss different topics regarding international law as the Bush Administration has “interpreted” it and what kind of ramifications these interpretations might have.

Excerpting from the website:

The United States Constitution was founded on the Rule of Law. The Global War on Terrorism has tested the limits of our constitutional values and has posed unprecedented challenges for the U.S. legal system. Throughout these difficult times, the federal courts have been instrumental in upholding the Rule of Law.

The Rule of Law and the Global War on Terrorism Symposium will examine legal implications of governmental actions taken in response to the attacks of September 11, 2001. Our speakers and participants will reevaluate and reassess these complex issues to explore possible ways forward as our nation prepares for a new administration.
So, I will be in attendance on Thursday and Friday. My awesome mom will be coming in from Ohio to also attend and to hang out with me and other Kansas friends. I’m really looking forward to it!

What else is going on? Well, still playing soccer of course. Last weekend we won 6-5 (yes, crazy soccer score) but a win is a win and I scored quite a few goals! If you don’t believe me, check this! My coach credited me with 5 of the 6 but I technically did score the first one…it was a shot across the right side and it deflected off the defender for an own goal…so in my mind I scored them all I’m now in the hunt for the club’s topscorer award given to the person who makes the most goals over the whole club (10 men’s teams and 5 women’s teams). The topscorer right now has 8 goals and I have 6…my coach and the coach of the other topscorer made a bet about who would be the winner at the end of the season, so now there’s some pressure to keep adding to my tally! There are pictures here from our club’s Pubquiz and Karaoke night last weekend too. Lots of fun with the soccer club! The guy in the pictures with me is my coach Marc.

I’ve also had the fun balanced out with some drama as the university did not file my residence permit papers until today…you can only stay in the Netherlands without a permit for three months and I have been here about that long! It seems like everything’s going to work out, but Immigration, as in the United States, is not something you want to mess with!

Other than that, I finished my comparative law paper with the girls in my group on Thursday and we have a test next week over the content of our course. I have also been in the middle of “tussentoetsen” (mid-terms) in my Dutch class. I have one more next Tuesday about speaking, but we’ve already had listening, writing, and reading. My dutch is coming along, but again not nearly as quickly as I would hope! Ah the adventures of being a buitenlander (foreigner) in this beautiful country!

The weather has turned colder quickly and Christmas lights are already starting to go up. After this past weekend when we set our clocks back an hour for daylight savings, it gets dark around 5:30 or so…it’s crazy! But I’m still really enjoying my time here and looking forward to graduation from Washburn and embarking on the LL.M. at Utrecht starting in February!

So, if you’re in Kansas the week of the 11th, let me know! Maybe we can grab a drink or some dinner and catch up on life! Don’t forget to vote next Tuesday (if not before!)…what a historic election! I’m very glad it will be over soon, though. Barack the Vote!

Tot ziens!