Amsterdam, the Netherlands...

In May, I spent five days with my lifelong friend Kelsey in Amsterdam, who happens to be studying macrobiotics there at the Kushi institute for eight months. Her school is located directly across from the exquisite Reijks museum, pictured left and up. From day one, her and I cycled all over town (once she fixed her flat tire), visiting every part of Amsterdam we could think of, not forgetting to take a look at the Red Light District.

I fell easily in love with Amsterdam. Kelsey would pedal and I would sit behind on her bike, taking in the beautiful sights every direction I looked. People truly seem happy in their charming city. Not that I know much about life here...but I was pleasantly surprised by the cuisine, the nightlife, the museums, the cosmopolitan culture...yea, I could live there in a heartbeat.

The last morning, we had Amsterdam's famous filafel on a sunny terrace. I had some spare time when Kelsey was working to see a Dutch magician/comedian. Unfortunately, I came off as too idle and the guy chose me to throw three massive swords at him as he pedaled atop a seven-foot unicycle. That didn't stop him from insulting the United States in the process. Also, something I have wanted to do for almost a decade was to visit Anne Frank's secret annex. Reading her diary was a life-changing experience for me when I was younger, so being inside her house was heavy on the heart. Here I am in front of a canal facing her house, which is the brick building amidst a blue sky.

Monet's Giverny

Giverny, France, May 14th, 2005: Seeing Monet´s house and lily pond among good friends was truly an adventure. Despite the pouring rain, Giverny remains one of the most aesthetically pleasing places I've ever been to.

A New Jersey Housecat

Le Petit Abby! Our new peach kitten is back waiting for me in New Jersey. They say a cat is happy when its willing to sleep on its back.