You’ll never guess the week I’ve had. How are you doing? I finished my first test the day after I last wrote: I think it went alright, since it was open book. Next one is next Friday. I will write you after it, probably incomprehensibly.
Anyway. The Wednesday of that test, I learned my best friend (Dutch, their name’s Kris, I saw Ethel Cain with them last June) got tickets to a Ghost (favorite band) concert. I told Mom about this, and she was like, “why aren’t you on a plane” so at midnight that day, I bought some plane tickets and a concert ticket, and twelve hours later, flew off to Amsterdam (with only my backpack—makes you feel light as a feather, in the airport). Most spontaneous thing I’ve ever done. And my friend was in school for the next five hours, and I couldn’t figure out how to make my phone’s data start working abroad, so with minimal airport WiFi to help underground, I managed to use the train to the place where the concert was. Then there was still no WiFi anywhere, so I asked two people in Ghost shirts if I could follow them to the arena, and they were very nice. Luckily it was only like a ten minute walk. Then I hung out at the dome for a few hours (there was WiFi so I figured out the data thing).
Then Kris showed up and we bought merch and stood in line. The people there were so nice and lots gave us merch for funsies (stickers and a bracelet!). It was so awesome. I got a T shirt. They also brought me one because I left my Ghost shirts in America (I don’t trust my dorm’s laundry). Then I lost the shirt I’d been wearing after changing into their shirt in a haze of excitement when we got inside. No regrets at all (Mom’s getting me another one lol, but either way. No regrets). The concert is no-phones-allowed (they put ours in a magic locked bag that they open when you leave the building) so I can’t show you home-grown footage. That being said, both of us were screaming and hollering and losing our minds the entire time. New lead singer-character (same lead singer). In new outfits. Saying things to us. And skipping around onstage. And singing songs I like. If I weren’t so medicated I would’ve been crying (I could feel the meds fighting). That was maybe the best night of my life, and definitely the happiest I’ve felt in the past year at least. Here’s some Official Photography.
Right after they opened my phone-bag I saw a text from Mom saying they elected the new pope. Can you imagine.
Anyway we got stuck on the train till about 1:30 AM which I was fine with because it meant hanging out longer. The next day I met some cats Kris’ Dad’s babysitting (adorable) and went with them to class. I did this last year too, but this class was in English so I could listen in. It was about medieval people trying animals for crimes. Awesome. Then we walked around town and touristed a bit. I bought Mom some kitsch (specifically requested). Around six they dropped me off at the airport and it was very emotional. Then I came back, got lost in the airport terminal, then got back to my dorm at like 1 AM. Slept for like sixteen hours. In conclusion, I will never be the same again.
All I’ve been doing since is sleeping and studying. And reminiscing, hard. Also Mom set up a wildlife camera in the front yard and there was a coyote
BIG fella!!!
Anyway. I am forever changed. Life is but a dream Soren. If you want to see further concert ramblings go here: https://www.icloud.com/notes/06d00Cz9qVJWL6X7VPt147g4w#Ghost_Amsterdam . Where I write everything down for memory problem reasons. It’s probably not comprehensible.
Otherwise, again, I have been doing nothing but studying. I’m ever so stressed about the coming tests. Do keep your fingers crossed for me. But also they are low-stakes in the long run. I mostly have A grades this year — I shouldn’t fail. Whatever. Nothing matters but Ghost and friendship. I love you so much. I hope you’re doing alright as ever, as alright as can be. Remember adulthood is pretty cool. You can traverse scary foreign train systems with your zero knowledge of Dutch. And go to concerts. I love you.
With love,
Alice