WESLEY CHAN

I tried to tell them I don’t understand French; that made them even giddier. The dude in the tight blue T-shirt went for a hug first. Then the girl in the wavy blue summer dress. (She’s the better hugger). She poked my left cheek as if to tell me to cheer up, and then they

both ran away.

LIFE – WESLEY CHAN It’s been about a week since the El Niño storms first hit San Diego county. Flood and tornado warnings make for an interesting start to the year, but the rain is welcome and so is the fresh air that comes

afterward.

HOW TO GET AROUND TOWN I asked the shopkeeper if he had any advice for a new bicyclist in the Netherlands. It was rush hour, and the traffic was intimidating. “Uh, just go.” Before this I had spent most of my CAMPING WITH USSV SOFTIJS I just joined the speed-skating team here at the university — USSV (Utrechtse Studenten Schaats Vereniging) Softijs. Nevermind that I just learned to stop hugging the wall. Last weekend, I ha

NETHERLANDS

Utrecht is a vibrant student city, with international students from all around the world. But some students look a bit more foreign than others. In regular day-to-day to life it doesn’t have too much of an

impact.

BIERFIETSEN IN DE RHIJNAUWEN The Rhijnauwen is the forested area behind the university campus, complete with cows, sheep, and a gorgeous pancake house in the center.

It used to be a

THOUGHTS ON BEING 24, AND THE PAST YEAR At the start of age 23, I was largely underemployed. No swanky job at a hotshot company, no grad school, no round-the-world romps or Peace Corps volunteering. But I THE FIRST SIGNS OF SPRING IN UTRECHT (OR: MY FIRST DAY OF Pictured above: Julianapark, right along Amsterdamsestraatweg in Utrecht. Good picnic weather. Spring is coming early this year. The Australians studying here (and me as well) are disappointed that the snow never came, but the locals are thrilled. SATURDAY MORNING HERRING (OR: HOLLANDSE NIEUWE HARING Tucked away in the far right corner of Utrecht’s city center market is my favorite fish stand. (It smells just like any other fish stand). I’d go there on Saturdays, and sometimes even “NEUKEN IN DE KEUKEN”, AND OTHER WAYS TO SAY HELLO IN Neuken in de keuken actually means “fucking in the kitchen”, but some young Dutchies like to say otherwise to unsuspecting newcomers. It’s just a friendly way to say hello! they’ll say. The Dutchie will then tell their trusting friend to go repeat the magic phrase to

WESLEY CHAN

I tried to tell them I don’t understand French; that made them even giddier. The dude in the tight blue T-shirt went for a hug first. Then the girl in the wavy blue summer dress. (She’s the better hugger). She poked my left cheek as if to tell me to cheer up, and then they

both ran away.

LIFE – WESLEY CHAN It’s been about a week since the El Niño storms first hit San Diego county. Flood and tornado warnings make for an interesting start to the year, but the rain is welcome and so is the fresh air that comes

afterward.

HOW TO GET AROUND TOWN I asked the shopkeeper if he had any advice for a new bicyclist in the Netherlands. It was rush hour, and the traffic was intimidating. “Uh, just go.” Before this I had spent most of my CAMPING WITH USSV SOFTIJS I just joined the speed-skating team here at the university — USSV (Utrechtse Studenten Schaats Vereniging) Softijs. Nevermind that I just learned to stop hugging the wall. Last weekend, I ha

NETHERLANDS

Utrecht is a vibrant student city, with international students from all around the world. But some students look a bit more foreign than others. In regular day-to-day to life it doesn’t have too much of an

impact.

BIERFIETSEN IN DE RHIJNAUWEN The Rhijnauwen is the forested area behind the university campus, complete with cows, sheep, and a gorgeous pancake house in the center.

It used to be a

THOUGHTS ON BEING 24, AND THE PAST YEAR At the start of age 23, I was largely underemployed. No swanky job at a hotshot company, no grad school, no round-the-world romps or Peace Corps volunteering. But I THE FIRST SIGNS OF SPRING IN UTRECHT (OR: MY FIRST DAY OF Pictured above: Julianapark, right along Amsterdamsestraatweg in Utrecht. Good picnic weather. Spring is coming early this year. The Australians studying here (and me as well) are disappointed that the snow never came, but the locals are thrilled. SATURDAY MORNING HERRING (OR: HOLLANDSE NIEUWE HARING Tucked away in the far right corner of Utrecht’s city center market is my favorite fish stand. (It smells just like any other fish stand). I’d go there on Saturdays, and sometimes even “NEUKEN IN DE KEUKEN”, AND OTHER WAYS TO SAY HELLO IN Neuken in de keuken actually means “fucking in the kitchen”, but some young Dutchies like to say otherwise to unsuspecting newcomers. It’s just a friendly way to say hello! they’ll say. The Dutchie will then tell their trusting friend to go repeat the magic phrase to IRELAND – WESLEY CHAN The Christmas season is for family, friends, and food. Things like praising 6-pound 5-ounce baby Jesus if you’re a devout Christian, getting Chinese take-out if you’re Jewish, or lamenting the present state of humanity if you’re disillusioned. “TIJDEN GELEDEN” “Cappuccino in Tokio” by summer park. Literally it means times ago, but tijden geleden is something you would say when you reunite with someone — intentionally or not. You can say it to an old friend, an acquaintance, or even a familiar stranger. An equivalent in English would be: long time no see. And just like in English, tijden geleden suggests that you’re glad about the reunion.

COGNITIVE SCIENCE

Two months ago, three fresh graduates from the cognitive science program came to speak to the design club at school. Along with conventional advice like “do more than just your classwork” and “make reading a regular habit”, here are three main points that still stick out to me. OLIEBOLLEN – WESLEY CHAN Photo of the olliebollen from Koko’s Kitchen.. The oliebol is another Dutch holiday pastry served until New Year’s Eve. It’s soft, chewy, filled with raisins, and is about as big as a closed fist or the average muffin. The server will ask if you’d like it with powdered sugar on top. THOUGHTS ON BEING 24, AND THE PAST YEAR At the start of age 23, I was largely underemployed. No swanky job at a hotshot company, no grad school, no round-the-world romps or Peace Corps volunteering. But I SATURDAY MORNING HERRING (OR: HOLLANDSE NIEUWE HARING Tucked away in the far right corner of Utrecht’s city center market is my favorite fish stand. (It smells just like any other fish stand). I’d go there on Saturdays, and sometimes even A BRIEF THOUGHT ABOUT SUMMER AND LINGERING Shortly before school ended I had a conversation with Geoffrey on the bench by Ledden Auditorium instead of going to class. We met a few years earlier. He would tutor me in the AP&M (Applied Ph LEKKER IJS EN GOEDE PRIJS (OR: IJSSALON VORST, UTRECHT Vorst handmade ice cream – with organic milk and lots of fruit, according to the sign. (you can taste it, too) Utrecht is a good city for ice cream; lots of people have their favorite place to go to.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2014

photo from: ed mather I ran around the Amelisweerd every day except Sunday while I was studying in Utrecht. It’s not everyday that an entire forest is in my backyard. WOENSDAG IS SCHAATSDAG (OR: KISSING THE ICE GOODBYE Jaap says I skate like a prostitute — with my legs wide open. To say that I look like Bambi on ice would be more politically correct, but Jaap’s way of phrasing things is more entertain

WESLEY CHAN

Hi there! I'm Wesley. I live and work with the Bay Area sunshine now, but you can find me elsewhere in the links below.

WESLEY CHAN

I tried to tell them I don’t understand French; that made them even giddier. The dude in the tight blue T-shirt went for a hug first. Then the girl in the wavy blue summer dress. (She’s the better hugger). She poked my left cheek as if to tell me to cheer up, and then they

both ran away.

THE STAR SERVE PROGRAM, OR MY FIRST TIME BARTENDING The Cambridgebar below where I live in Cambridgelaan is run by student volunteers, and is the only bar in Utrecht under Heineken’s “Star Serve” program.That means that every bartender in the Cambridgebar should know the proper way to serve a Heineken beer. People who work at Heineken organize training sessions, and every once in a while a secret customer will come in to see if IRELAND – WESLEY CHAN The Christmas season is for family, friends, and food. Things like praising 6-pound 5-ounce baby Jesus if you’re a devout Christian, getting Chinese take-out if you’re Jewish, or lamenting the present state of humanity if you’re disillusioned. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU’RE THE MOST CLUELESS PERSON IN THE Last quarter I found myself working with some incredible people. Older, disciplined, and with the skills & enthusiasm to bring their big ideas to life. They’re the kind of people you woul MAY 2014 – WESLEY CHAN “Cappuccino in Tokio” by summer park. Literally it means times ago, but tijden geleden is something you would say when you reunite with someone — intentionally or not. You can say it to an old friend, an acquaintance, or even a familiar stranger. An equivalent in English would be: long time no see. And just like in English, tijden geleden suggests that you’re glad about the reunion. “NEUKEN IN DE KEUKEN”, AND OTHER WAYS TO SAY HELLO INHOW TO SAY GOOD MORNING IN DUTCH Neuken in de keuken actually means “fucking in the kitchen”, but some young Dutchies like to say otherwise to unsuspecting newcomers. It’s just a friendly way to say hello! they’ll say. The Dutchie will then tell their trusting friend to go repeat the magic phrase to SNOW IN THE BAY AREA I was about to sleep last night when my dear college roommate sends me this message: Snow doesn’t come to the Bay Area often. One whiff of a breeze and people start breaking out their fleece

SEPTEMBER 2014

Utrecht is a vibrant student city, with international students from all around the world. But some students look a bit more foreign than others. In regular day-to-day to life it doesn’t have too much of an

impact.

OCTOBER 2013

The Cambridgebar below where I live in Cambridgelaan is run by student volunteers, and is the only bar in Utrecht under Heineken’s “Star Serve” program.That means that every bartender in the Cambridgebar should know the proper way to serve a Heineken beer. People who work at Heineken organize training sessions, and every once in a while a secret customer will come in to see if

WESLEY CHAN

Hi there! I'm Wesley. I live and work with the Bay Area sunshine now, but you can find me elsewhere in the links below.

WESLEY CHAN

I tried to tell them I don’t understand French; that made them even giddier. The dude in the tight blue T-shirt went for a hug first. Then the girl in the wavy blue summer dress. (She’s the better hugger). She poked my left cheek as if to tell me to cheer up, and then they

both ran away.

THE STAR SERVE PROGRAM, OR MY FIRST TIME BARTENDING The Cambridgebar below where I live in Cambridgelaan is run by student volunteers, and is the only bar in Utrecht under Heineken’s “Star Serve” program.That means that every bartender in the Cambridgebar should know the proper way to serve a Heineken beer. People who work at Heineken organize training sessions, and every once in a while a secret customer will come in to see if IRELAND – WESLEY CHAN The Christmas season is for family, friends, and food. Things like praising 6-pound 5-ounce baby Jesus if you’re a devout Christian, getting Chinese take-out if you’re Jewish, or lamenting the present state of humanity if you’re disillusioned. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU’RE THE MOST CLUELESS PERSON IN THE Last quarter I found myself working with some incredible people. Older, disciplined, and with the skills & enthusiasm to bring their big ideas to life. They’re the kind of people you woul MAY 2014 – WESLEY CHAN “Cappuccino in Tokio” by summer park. Literally it means times ago, but tijden geleden is something you would say when you reunite with someone — intentionally or not. You can say it to an old friend, an acquaintance, or even a familiar stranger. An equivalent in English would be: long time no see. And just like in English, tijden geleden suggests that you’re glad about the reunion. “NEUKEN IN DE KEUKEN”, AND OTHER WAYS TO SAY HELLO INHOW TO SAY GOOD MORNING IN DUTCH Neuken in de keuken actually means “fucking in the kitchen”, but some young Dutchies like to say otherwise to unsuspecting newcomers. It’s just a friendly way to say hello! they’ll say. The Dutchie will then tell their trusting friend to go repeat the magic phrase to SNOW IN THE BAY AREA I was about to sleep last night when my dear college roommate sends me this message: Snow doesn’t come to the Bay Area often. One whiff of a breeze and people start breaking out their fleece

SEPTEMBER 2014

Utrecht is a vibrant student city, with international students from all around the world. But some students look a bit more foreign than others. In regular day-to-day to life it doesn’t have too much of an

impact.

OCTOBER 2013

The Cambridgebar below where I live in Cambridgelaan is run by student volunteers, and is the only bar in Utrecht under Heineken’s “Star Serve” program.That means that every bartender in the Cambridgebar should know the proper way to serve a Heineken beer. People who work at Heineken organize training sessions, and every once in a while a secret customer will come in to see if CATEGORY: COGNITIVE SCIENCE Two months ago, three fresh graduates from the cognitive science program came to speak to the design club at school. Along with conventional advice like “do more than just your classwork” and “make reading a regular habit”, here are three main points that still stick out to me.

MISC. - WESLEY CHAN

It’s been about a week since the El Niño storms first hit San Diego county. Flood and tornado warnings make for an interesting start to the year, but the rain is welcome and so is the fresh air that comes

afterward.

JUNE 25, 2017

Growing up means holding myself accountable for my own decisions and growth. That means experimenting and taking risks while I am still young, healthy, and unburdened, and it means experimenting and taking risks even when I am old, weary, and worried. LOOKING FOR PERMISSION FROM THE WORLD Growing up means holding myself accountable for my own decisions and growth. That means experimenting and taking risks while I am still young, healthy, and unburdened, and it means experimenting and taking risks even when I am old, weary, and worried. JUNE 2017 – WESLEY CHAN 750words is a website that encourages a daily habit: every day, write 750 words. That’s three pages a day. Doesn’t matter if you’re happy or miserable, you sit your ass down and write three pages. There is no prompt to follow, so I usually write whatever’s on my mind at

the moment.

JANUARY 2019

At the start of age 23, I was largely underemployed. No swanky job at a hotshot company, no grad school, no round-the-world romps or Peace

Corps volunteering.

JULY 2013 – WESLEY CHAN I thought writing for a public audience, or at least opening up to criticism would help with improving my writing skills. Writing can open the eyes, tickle the brain, and break hearts just as soon as it can mend them (or even faster). A WELCOME INTERRUPTION I was doing my evening mope around University Avenue when a giddy couple snuck up from behind and blocked my path. They held their hands above me as if I were underneath a tunnel and asked me quest MAY 2015 – WESLEY CHAN Odd hearing that in San Diego. It rarely rains, and when it does, it’s usually just a bunch of overcast skies and a light drizzle. The most that ever happens is that the fabric seat on my bicycle absorbs all the rainwater, so I walk into class looking like I soiled myself.

FEBRUARY 2014

“Gezellig met z’n tween” by the artist Liz.. Put gezellig into Google Translate and you’ll get the word “cozy” back in English. “But it doesn’t have the same meaning!” The Dutch have pride in explaining to foreigners how gezellig is one of those words that can’t be translated properly to any other language — or at least

to English.

HI THERE! I'M WESLEY. I live and work with the Bay Area sunshine now, but you can find me elsewhere in the links below.

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