On the tour I learned a lot about the real estate in Amsterdam and the process of getting an apartment. (Our guide kept finding herself back on this topic) I honestly went into Amsterdam with very low expectations due to all the negative things I had heard about the city, but I was quite pleasantly surprised.
Later in the afternoon we visited the Van Gogh Museum. I love Van Gogh. He is a true colorist in the history of art. The majority of the paintings that he has done he has started with the three primary colors. He mixes them to make the colors he uses in his paintings. I love how he uses color as an overarching theme throughout the series of his work. He chooses to paint in the same color families, which was very different for his time. My favorite painting of his is when he was in his emphasis in Asian art and paintings and his series of the cherry blossom and peach trees. I enjoy how he uses light strokes and emphasizes light through his painting techniques. Today, Van Gogh is seen as a famous and praised artist. But during his time he was critically judged on his process and his art. It was considered way too modern for the time and his practice was unconventional and therefore wrong. This just shows that sometimes being different is a great thing. Just because you aren't on the same path as every one else doesn't mean you are wrong. You are just headed towards a different adventure. That evening we had some free time and I chose to spend it sitting in the park with some friends. We watched the street performers and the people walk by with their dogs. And I even won a soccer competition and got a free jersey! I was quite shocked! If you know me at all, you know that my athleticism isn't incredibly impressive by any means. We finished the day up with dinner and a visit to the Anne Frank house. That was a sobering experience. I could not even imagine what it would be like to be trapped for so long and so close to freedom and then in a matter of moments your life being over. It is heartbreaking. My friends and I wandered around Amsterdam for a little while after, just enjoying each others company and reliving the memories that we ha made in the past couple of weeks. It was a wonderful day, indeed. This closes up my last blog in Europe. Though these adventures are coming to an end, there are many more yet to be found. Stay tuned. xoxo, Claire Marie
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 This morning we had a meeting at the European commission which is an organization underneath the European Union. We are scheduled lecture with a member from the commission. The lecture was very vague. I am not sure if I have a correct view of the European commission and European Union because the lecture was so vague and politically correct. The speaker did not provide critical details of the organization, but I realize that on a public relations standpoint it is crucial to give more of an overview of the organization in lieu of detail-specific comments. One of my peers asked the question about the fiscal side of the European Union and the speaker changed the subject very nonchalantly. When we go visit other organizations later in the week I will be interested to hear what their answer will be to the money question.
After our meeting at the EU we headed back to the main square in Brussels where we had a little bit of free time to grab lunch. Brussels is only known for three things: chocolate, mussels and beer. In my opinion Brussels doesn't have much else to offer. I will be quite honest by saying that Brussels is definitely a let down after being in London and Paris. There is very little history in the city's architecture and landscape. Compared to London and Paris, it's obvious that Brussels has never had much political power in history. In my opinion, just by looking at the city it is obvious to tell it is not considered to be a dominant presence in Europe. But, I did have the best mussels I've ever had in my life for lunch! And I finished it off with some chocolate strawberries....very tasty! Though Brussels isn't exactly my cup of tea (speaking of tea, I'm still floating on a cloud from my tea party in London) it's still a nice place. And it's culture is different then what I know, so still a great experience to have! The funniest part of the day was at night time when the group went to the karaoke bar! For some odd reason there is an Asian karaoke bar next to our hotel. So, we decided to be adventurous and try it out! We were the only ones there and the only songs they had were in Japanese. Luckily though, we were able to change the language and sing in English! I started the night with a classic, Mamma Mia and we all giggled and sang along as one after the other we got up and humiliated ourselves in front of the few Asian guests. I guess Brussels has more to offer than I thought! xoxo, Claire Marie Sent from my iPhone.
Today was mainly a traveling day. But we started the morning off at the French Senate, which has been my favorite educational lecture thus far. I was really fascinated with the architecture and the decor, once again. But I learned that this time instead of the monarchy just proclaiming their power there was someone else specifically striving to proclaim his power. And that is Louis-Napoleon, the nephew to Napoleon Bonaparte. Because of the uncertainty around the political agenda and the way things were going to be run Louis-Napoleon took it upon himself to make it very clear that he was is charge and would reign over France. Multiple statues and paintings within the building continually repeated the message over and over again. I learned that Louis-Napoleon was actually the nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte. Many people questioned whether or not this was the correct lineage of the monarchy. But because of the death of Napoleon II, Louis-Napoleon (Napoleon III) was the rightful successor. Napoleon III even went so far as painting a baby portrait of the Napoleon before him on the ceiling to remind those entering that he is rightfully ruling over France. I find it so interesting that this was such a proclamation of power! It makes me start redesigning my own room in my head and wondering how I can proclaim my own power. (Just kidding, but it does make you think about how one would go about it today!) Another wonderful part of the day was seeing the seat that Victor Hugo had when he was serving in the senate. That along with a rare collection of his books put me over the edge! We finished the tour and then headed onto the bus as we made our way to Brussels! It was a full day of travel and after we arrived and had dinner we all decided to head to bed early. Even though today wasn't as jam packed as previous days it was still great! It is always interesting to change countries and see the differences. Though I haven't seen much of Brussels I can tell that is is very modern. There doesn't seem to be as much history as Paris, but I am sure that I will still like it! Until tomorrow. xoxo, Claire Marie 
Today was our free day in Paris, so I knew I just had to travel to Versailles! And wow, that place is magnificent! It is amazing to see all of the details and delicacies within the architecture and landscape. Before going I did not know much about Versailles and what it was used for. In 1682, Versailles was the center of political power as Louis XIV reigned over France. I found it to be very interesting to see how the palace transformed and was used for different purposes during specific times. After the French Revolution the royal family was forced to move back to the capital. But Versailles still stands today as the image for the power of the monarchy. I have noticed in the past few days how there are many subtle signs of the monarchy within Paris. Obviously, Versailles is not very subtle at all, but it was upon arriving at the chateau and hearing about the palace that I realized how the royalty used buildings to proclaim power. I am personally fascinated with the life of Marie-Antoinette. Though I have never done much research about her I have pieced things together to come to a common understanding of her history and the timeline that it laid out. I found it very interesting that she had her on personal chateau. But I learned that she was originally from Austria and desired to have a place that resembled the style from back home without hurting her power in France. That is why the gardens at her chateau are much more botanical and whimsical rather than the stoic and crisp gardens of the Versailles Palace.
I thoroughly enjoyed my day as I leisurely walked the palace corridors visiting the famous hall of mirrors and the many drawing rooms. It sparked my interest to continue learning about the past of the French monarchy and the procession leading up to the French Revolution.
After spending a whole day exploring Versailles, the group met back up for dinner with OU Alumni located in Paris. We ate at a wonderful restaurant with fresh vegetables and meat trays. It was very tasty! And it was great to witness OU Alumni in action living in another country. After dinner was over we headed to the Seine river for our canal cruise of Paris. This was the most wonderful way to finish off the trip! Though this city has had many heart breaks and trials, the sky still glimmered with hope. It is because of the hope that the city was able to take the once bleak history of those before them and make it into the beautiful story of Paris. I finished my night with a strawberry crepe underneath the glittering Eiffel Tower at midnight. All is right in the world. xoxo, Claire Marie 
Today, London was absolutely beautiful! We started the day off with a walking lecture beginning in Trafalgar Square. It is a grand place filled with beautiful statues and fountains. But as the lecture began I learned that the square was much more than just beautiful landmarks. The architecture and the layout of the whole place was rich in meaning and metaphor. This square symbolized the power of Great Britain. They were strong and demanding, and the simple layout of the square spoke to that. As we continued walking we learned a lot more about British Parliament and how they govern. We learned about how WWII and the bombings affected this particular part of London and the efforts that were made to restore it to its fullest. We continued on towards Big Ben passing it as it chimed its 12 o'clock medley and finally stopped at Westminster Abbey. Westminster Abbey houses the Church of England, which is the national church. The professor mentioned the importance of the church and their role throughout history. He then told about the irony of how the head of the Methodist church sits across the street from Westminster. That there was a former member of Westminster that branched out and began a ministry that was drawing people away from the abbey and he was finally kicked out when he decided to cross the street and begin the methodist church. It was very interesting. Everything in London has so much history packed into the buildings, the landscape everything you look at has a story to tell. After our walking lecture, we headed over to tour the British Library. This place was huge! And it had rare collections of books including the Magna Carta, Alice and Wonderland, lyrics of Beatles songs hand written by John Lennon and it also housed the Codex Sinaiticus, which is the first book in the world. There were so many wonderful things, but my favorite of the day was a particular sculpture inside the library that was made by Bill Woodrow for the museum. He created a large open book that is chained down that also functions as a seat for people. This sculpture for many is just an interesting place to sit. But the artist had a more meaningful purpose than just a resting place. This sculpture displays an open book that is chained down to the ground, but it is not complete until someone is sitting on it. The metaphor of the piece shows how when reading a book you become enthralled and so into the book that you are chained down. Not in a restricting way, but in a way that the book is so captivating your inner being is chained to it going nowhere. It is a beautiful picture to see when first walking into the library.  Bill Woodrow's bronze sculpture 'Sitting On History' at The British Library
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