It was my birthday last week. I wanted to organize a party for my new friends. Maybe cook some dinner, buy some drinks, just to have a good time, nothing special. I started asking around if people had time during the weekend. As soon as they found out that my birthday was coming up, I wasn't allowed to organize anything anymore. Their reasoning: When its your birthday, you dont have to organize anything! I was a bit confused. When its your birthday in the Netherlands, you're running around with food and drinks all night, overhere you can just sit back and relax...

 In the Netherlands, the U.S. is well known for its fast food. If you were to believe what you see on TV, the only restaurants present are McDonalds, Burger King and KFC. However in California, wholesome organic food is hot. Non-fat frozen yoghurt with fresh fruit has replaced ice cream and most people like to buy their fruit and vegetables at the local farmers market. For someone who loves fresh fruit this was a very pleasant surprise!

The day I arrived in California, I bought a very simple and cheap American bike. It is very convenient to get around campus and when I'm riding it I feel very Dutch. Having lived in Amsterdam for 7 years, I thought I knew how to lock my bike. I couldn't believe my eyes when I walked out of my apartment last week and saw that my bike was gone!!! I thought campus was a very safe place, but apparently not everything is what is seems!