Happy Public Sleeping Day

'cause that's what it is today. Appropriate, considering we have the day off school today. 

So I read what I posted yesterday... and it sounded way conceited/self-centered, ha. Sorry about that. Mmm.... so now I will talk about... marriage.... because I am married.... To Stephanie.

Yeah. 

It's on facebook, so that makes it official. 

PS

Handstand push-ups are really quite difficult....

Just in case you were wondering.

um. so.

It's been two weeks since I posted. 

I'll claim mental illness as my excuse, I think. It's been a busy day though...

This week is school spirit week. Yesterday was wacky tacky day, I totally owned but somehow someone else won.  I don't get why. It's pretty much MY day. Somebody even asked me, "Marissa why didn't you dress up today?" Because you know how I dress, I have a wacky style anyways.

TODAY (Tuesday)  I went to a model NATO thing. Spent an hour on the bus to school ('Cause I do that now), then drove back to Brussels to NATO, then back, then later on back home an hour. So I spent about 3 hours on the same bus today. But anyways, when I we got back to school around lunchtime I changed out of my nicer clothes, because guess what day it was? Opposite Sex Day. AKA, crossdressing. So I found some boxers, sagged my pants a lot, drew a mustache and gotee on my face with eyeliner pencil.... But lemme tell you, some of the boys really, um, went all out. More people dressed up today than yesterday.... I think the grossest thing about it was all the boys in short skirts with really hairy legs. And it was IMPOSSIBLE to take my math teacher seriously when he was wearing a dress. Goodness Gracious. 

Oh, and I had my first kiss.

WHAT!? 

ha, ok, so. I was a guy for the day, Quinn was a girl for the day. With like, make-up and everything. (Oh my.) And so apparently I needed a lipstick mark on my face? so he unexpectedly gave me a big smack on the cheek. Ok, so I suppose it doesn't count then, but it's still the first kiss from a guy not related to me. AND an interesting story! Hahaha.

In case you're wondering, I didn't get something special from a 'special someone' on Valentine's day. There wasn't a Valentine's dance either. There IS, however, a Sadie Hawkin's Dance in March 14th. *SIGH* I will have to do some thinking about that, about whether I even want to go. It could just be a grind-fest, and that would be gross.

Oh, yeah. The bus. This is my second week on the bus. I walk 10-15 minutes to the bus stop in the morning, am there by 7:25ish, get on the bus, ride it for an hour or so, go to school. After school it's an hour back, walk home.  

Meh, I'll post more later.

Wednesday:

I only went to school because of choir. But it wasn't too bad I suppose, besides getting sick during the day/napping in the nurse's office, a way boring assembly, and thinking about how my dog is going to have to be put to sleep. Ya know.

But on the upside, I got to dress comfortably, because I went kinda 80's grunge for Decades Day. Yay. leggings and a big sweatshirt and legwarmers and a side pony-tail, ha. It was grand. 

la la la I wrote a song today, first time since like, November and it's pretty good, too, if I do say so myself! ...it's cute anyways. I put it on facebook if you wanna read it.

Oh wow.

So this is like, our 4th sunny day in a row!!!!! Do you know how exciting that is?! Also, it's about 60 degrees.... ahh... We are really enjoying this wonderful weather.

Day 33 - Happy Power Ranger Friday!

(Not that I have anyone to celebrate it with here... Oy. That's cruelty.)

Have I talked about the whole kissing thing yet? I don't think so. Ok. So.

You know the whole air-kissing thing the french do? Well it's like that, except you actually go cheek to cheek. Even if you don't know the person. So yay for kissing people I don't know? Awkwaaaaard..... Ha. I'll probably get in the habit and then come back home and weird people out. That'll be funny.

Ma and I went to the Congolese Youth Group tonight that Johnna is head of. It was pretty fun, but I am reminded of why I dislike Mountain Dew... For me, drinking Mtn. Dew induces ADD.

Then we went to Newberger's. And did Bible Study stuff. It was hard to concentrate though, because of the caffeine-induced ADD. Then, um, we ran around. With Nerf guns. Singing Veggie Tales. And then I discovered food. Kinda. Really, all I had for dinner was: Crepes, Mtn. Dew, Candy, and chips and salsa. Awesome!

Aaaaaaand that's about it. Yes, another pathetically short entry. No weird haikus though, lucky you. Okay, how about some book reviews?

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold is a really weird book. It's about this girl who is raped and murdered, and then she watches everybody from heaven. Everybody else is trying to deal with the loss and catch the killer. In the end, she somehow comes back for a little while to sleep with this one guy she likes. The end. Stupid book, don't read it. 1/2 of a star.

Piratica by Tanith Lee was pretty good. I didn't like it quite as much as her other books, The Claidi Journals, but it was still good. It's about this girl who escapes the boarding school her father stuck her in, and running off, eventually putting out to sea as a pirate captain. Except she doesn't kill anybody ever, she takes ships and stuff by trickery and cleverness. And some bluffing. Ha. (Because it's actually worth reading, I won't tell you the end!) Um... four stars.

Frozen Fire by Tom Bowler, the winner of a Carnegie Medal, was entirely bizarre. I didn't really like it very much. Kinda boring somehow, even though it should be an exciting book. It's a psychological thriller, a mystery; It follows the story of this girl, Dusty, as she comes into contact with this weird boy who she thinks knows something about her brother's disappearance. As the story continues, everybody thinks the boy raped a girl in some other town and people are looking for him to shoot him or something, and because Dusty talks to and wants to find this boy, the mob goes after her. Read it if you want, but there are better books out there. Two stars.

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier is also rather strange. It takes place in a Catholic boarding school where the students are pretty much controlled by the Vigils, a group of upperclassmen who basically intelligent, networking bullies. They tell you to do something, you do or else. Well, this one kid decides to go against everything and choose not to sell chocolates for the school's annual fundraiser. He gets beat up. The end. Two and a half stars.

The Singer of All Songs and The Waterless Sea by Kate Constable are excellent, I absolutely recommend them. Part one and two of The Chanters of Tremaris Trilogy, they are among the best fantasy books I have read and have a wonderful storyline, lovable characters, and a perfect pace. Go read them, 5 stars for sure.

Goodnight.

Bunji! Bunji! Bunji-wun-gee-fun-gee!

Yay for random titles? Yeah, that's from the Stuffmart Song from Veggie Tales. (Madam Blueberry, to be precise.) 

Wednesday Stef and Ailya and I went shopping because we were really really bored. Then we went to Pizza Hut, and then to church.  Woot. 

Today we were supposed to go to Brugge with Katie and Mrs. Foster and François, but I accidentally... well, ok. Mom left the keys on the inside of the door so I could lock up when I came out, then she went down so as not to keep François waiting. I had my own key though, and somehow didn't notice that the keys were in the lock on the inside, and so I walked out and shut the door. Of course, if the ket is in the lock you can't open it from the other side. So we couldn't go to Brugge because the locksmith was coming in 3 hours. So we drove around randomly, stopped for a few minutes in this little village and again at a golf course, then went home. There goes 180 euros down the drain! Go me. Ha. ha. ha. And no Brugge for us. 

Tomorrow is Power Ranger Friday, and I have no one to celebrate it with. Bah Humbug.

One month perspectives from Karen

The weekdays are full with the usual things of everyday life, similar to what I would be doing in Minnesota, only in quite a different fashion of course.  Mine starts at 6:30, leaving the apartment at about 7:40 to drive Marissa to school.  We arrive about 8:25, where upon I park & proceed to the cafeteria where various other mothers & sometime fathers hang out to chat & exchange information & encouragement.  The large majority of the population at her school are expats, therefor all in similar circumstances of transition.  Some have been here for 8 or more years, others like me, just newly transplanted.  I have met quite a contingency from the U.S., as well as people from several other countries; Denmark, Italy, New Zealand, South America, Mexico, France, etc.   Besides gaining some good social therapy, insiders tips & words of encouragement, this time is also more productive and enjoyable than sitting in traffic for the return trip to the city!  It gets quite congested as there is only one road into the city besides the "freeway".  

Upon my arrival home, I either walk to the grocery for the 2 bags of items I need most, or begin my 4 hour process for one load of laundry!  Usually one day a week I will buy meat & do some "pre" cooking, such as browning hamburger, poaching some chicken for lunches, etc. in order to make dinner prep a bit easier the other nights of the week.  Wednesday morning I attend a bible study at the church we are attending, also in Waterloo where Marissa's school is, & on Thursday mornings another bible study with a little different format which meets in someone's home.  On Wednesday, I will arrive back home around 12:30 & have enough time to do some house work before heading back down to pick up Marissa after choir at 5:30.  On Thursday she doesn't have an after school activity, so I would leave home to pick her up at 3:00.  Since I am done with bible study at noon & it is about a half hour drive to return home, I usually end up doing lunch then errands right in Waterloo (maybe a bigger grocery run since I have the car), or else try to find a specific store that might sell something I need.  The shops are different here, generally speaking, but there are a couple of grocery type stores that have a lot of variety similar to the states.   

On the weekend, we try to do something different to break up the routine. I would say we eat out at least once a week on the weekend, as there are many fine restaurants within easy walking distance of our apartment.  We have had invitations out a couple of different times, as well as Marissa having invitations.  This past Saturday we had our friend Francois over for tea.  This was our first guest in our new home, so rather a big event to me!   Sometimes we just take a walk in the area, trying to have some fresh air & exercise while getting more familiar with the shops available to us as well as the parks.  This past Sunday afternoon, Kevin & I went out for about an hour & discovered a nice park very nearby.  We saw parrots feeding in the trees, pigeons (of course), many types of foliage already beginning to sprout forth & bloom, & people enjoying the out of doors in various ways.  There was even one family having a bit of a picnic, albeit standing!  The temperature was probably only in the 40's, but the sun was out for most of the day-which is quite rare!

I would say highlights for me so far have been definitely the people.  I have met some women whom I feel bonded with already and also the people in general at the church where we attend remind us of our church at home.  The other person who has made a difference is our friend Françios.  He is actually the son of the couple whom we are renting our apartment from.  He also lives in the area & speaks very good English.  Since his parents aren't as fluent in English, he has been the liason for our 2 parties.  We needed help with some practical questions such as how the radiators work, etc. & they said he would be available if we had any questions.  Of course I was thinking it would be a bother to him, so I was trying to put off calling with questions the first week.  But once I met him, I realized that the whole situations was a great fit.  You see, he doesn't have much opportunity to converse in English, so for him it is enjoyable to have us in the neighborhood & I think it is good for him that we have things we need help with.  I am always asking him, "what does that say, or what does that mean?".  (Referring to signs, etc.)

So, this week, Marissa is off school.  Kevin is in India for the week.  I am trying to organize a few adventures that are within my "comfort zone".  (That is an oxymoron!)  

Today we had the pleasure of touring some areas of the city with beautiful old architecture.  I wasn't overwhelmed, because François accompanied us as our tour guide and GPS system!  It was a rather blustery day, with intermittent rain of course, but you just dress for the weather & go.  Being outdoors always makes me feel better somehow!  I can confidently say, a good time was had by all!  Be sure to look at the photos Marissa posted from today's adventure.

I think this week officially begins the tourist aspect of our adventure.  

I also spent some time today perusing the book on Belgium I bought while in the states.  I have highlighted several things I want to see, & also penciled in the names of certain people who would enjoy certain places I read about.  Jerry & Thomas both made the margins today!  For anyone else who is planning on visiting, it would be helpful to me if you would let me know what types of things you are interested in, so when I am learning & doing, I can make a note of where to take you or send you! 

On that note, we have the possibility for 2 different parties looking at the month of April for a visit, one in May, & one confirmed at the end of August.  We will be home in the states the last week of June until? (haven't decided yet).  Anyone thinking of coming might want to start choosing approximate dates.....  I can't tell you anything about the weather concerning best time to be here, because it is completely erratic just like the rest of the world any more!  Just decide when it is best for you to travel & I'll give you good advice on how to pack!

Anybody with specific questions on what our life is like here, please drop us a line!  We like to know what is going on in the home country as well!  For instance, Connor is turning 3 years old!  Wow.  Who else has any news we might like to hear about?  

Out and about in Brussels!

This morning, mom and François and I went to go see more of the city, the older part. :] It way pretty cool, as windy and wet as it was. At least it kept crowds away, right? Hehe.  I posted pictures on facebook, here's the link. Take a look, you won't regret it!

Early on, we passed a homeless woman and her little boy who were sitting by the parking meter that mom and François were fiddling with. She kept rattling her cup, softly asking for change. Then her little boy came up to us, holding out his tiny bare hand and... Yeah, I nearly started bawling. I didn't know what to do, didn't have any money with me or anything, and- agh. It still hurts, even now, hearing his little voice echoing in my head. But what can I do? What can anyone do? Are there shelters or soup kitchens here? I don't know. But maybe I can try and find out. 

no home, it's so cold

and the never ending quest

do you have some change?

(I guess I'm still in Haiku mode. That's okay though, I like haiku.) 

Agh. Where's the chocolate....

My monday in Haiku

My mind in haiku

Place shaded in wistful light

Don’t try to explain 

I no longer know

Maybe I’m losing my mind

But still I can’t tell 

I’m incoherent

Still rambling on and on

Can’t express my mind 

I no longer know

Is it my eyes watering?

Or tears yet unshed 

Crazy thoughts, my mind

All day long it’s been like this

Nothing makes sense, why? 

Too tired to think

Yet sleep shall still elude me

As I know too well 

You're Welcome: Photos at last!

I posted pictures of the house on facebook, here's the public link: Yay! <---

And here are other pictures. In order, it's a cool building on the way to school, the bakery on the corner, scary traffic, my school, and me and my new friend Stephanie. :D

Sunday, and one whole month in Belgium! Woah!

It's been a few days again, I'm afraid. Sorry. I just keep putting it off, thinking I'll do it later, but later never comes. Ha. Anyways.

So since thursday? Wednesday was the last post. OK. So. Thursday.... 

Thursday right after school Parker and Boone called me over and starting talking at the same time and it didn't make sense and thus I was very confused. Then Parker told me that his church was just starting up a youth group and that it was going to be student led, with 5 guy leaders and 5 girl leaders. I guess they had 5 guys, but no girls, and they asked me to be one. It's a Sunday night thing, and it's starting on the 17th. Of course I said yes- This is only pretty much what I've been wanting to do forever. I can't even tell you how excited I am! Wow. Yes. Anyways.

Friday... Um.... Oh. I skipped class (With permission, actually) to go watch the 9th grader's play, which was Snow White and Peter Pan.  I really thought that the evil stepmother looked like such a fun part to play! The plays were pretty funny, especially Snow White. Anyways.

Yesterday (Saturday) I slept late, because I had stayed up until about 1 am Skyping people. It was frustrating, NO ONE HAD THEIR PHONES ON! Urg. Anyways. Then we got ready for tea, because François was coming over. François is the son of our landlord, and has been over a few times to help with the radiators and stuff, plus he just likes to talk and practice his English. He's kinda a lonely guy, and mom was totally witnessing to him the other day, it was cool. He came to church with us this morning too, and said he liked the service. 

(Oh, a little FYI for those not in the know: Skype is a cool thing that lets you call through the computer, so it's pretty cheap, especially compared to normal calling!)

I've totally had "You'll Be In My Heart" from Tarzan stuck in my head for days now, because we're singing it in choir and it's pretty sweet. We also started singing a new song called "The Wind Beneath My Wings" or something. It's pretty sweet too.

Have I mentioned that I am extremely tired of being blond? Agh. I want auburn hair again. Not that it's going to be happening any time soon, unfortunately... Oh well. Maybe this summer.

I checked out 9 books from the library Friday at lunch, and had finished 3 by the dinner time. This may be a long week.

Ummm... I can't think of anything else really to say, so. Until later.

PS

I'm pretty much amazing. 'Cause I'm the Yellow Power Ranger! Ha!

Perspectives after the first twelve days, aka mom's first post!

Hello everyone!  I have decided to take time to sit down at last to journal a few of my perspectives on these past 12 days.  Since Marissa has been filling in some of the happenings, I will perhaps deal more with perceptions, realizations and some of the practical things I have come to UNDERSTAND in my short time here.  I will explain that comment for those of you who haven’t any background.  Our family motto for most of last year while waiting to hear definitive news as to whether or not our move was actually approved, was “Maybe we’ll know something NEXT week.”.  Even after the approval, we didn’t know about our departure date until near the end of 2007, so the motto remained intact.  Since arriving here, we have quickly realized that we don’t UNDERSTAND anything….I don’t just mean the language being foreign….I mean we really don’t UNDERSTAND ANYTHING!  You cannot imagine another ‘developed’ nation living every aspect of life in a way so extremely different than your own, but that is what we have experienced.  Thus, our new family motto: “I MIGHT understand something next week.”   I am now happy to report that next week has arrived for me, and I do have understanding of at least a FEW basic essentials.  I now understand that it is foolish to leave the apartment without some type of “shopping” bag on my person.  This understood after a ‘quick’ stop for just a ‘couple’ of things, & ending up having a bottle of milk (yes I said bottle), sticking out of my purse, a bottle of dish soap & chunk of cheese each stuffed into a wash “mit”  (I couldn’t find just a rag) & my 3 boxes of tea  balanced on top of my box of cornflakes as I made my way out to the car!  I understand that it is an amazing amount of effort to get any more than 2 bags full of anything up to my apartment on a given trip.  This after having bought 2 bags-which I forgot to take, so I had to purchase the grocery sacks, PLUS a 12 pack of toilet paper & a hairdryer.  Upon opening the trunk of the car, it occurred to me that I still had 3 doors to navigate, all keyed locks that can only be managed with 2 hands.  The third thing I came to understand was also included in this particular outing; always use a flat bottomed bag which will stand on it’s own accord.  After taking the 2 bags out of the trunk, leaving the t.p. & hairdryer behind for another time, I proceeded to the sidewalk where I immediately had to set down my non-flat bottomed bags to close & lock the garage doors.  (Picture a very old barn with swinging doors, one of which is hinged vertically in the mid section so it can fold back out of the way for your car to get in through the opening.)  Swing all 3 panels shut, cinching down the hinge pins by turn in order to secure it, then lock the lock!  That’s kind of similar to what I’m used to doing at home when I pull in after running errands…..   Now I proceed to the front door of the building & set both bags down again to  unlock that door, then proceed up 2 or 3 flights of stairs because  I’d rather deal with that than the unruly elevator door (VERY STIFF hinges, swings open, have to hold while stepping around it to squeeze into the 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 space that is the actual elevator!)  Now, just one more lock & door to navigate, so I drop my bags again, see myself inside & sigh a big sigh.  That was merely 10 minutes of productive activity!  I am happy to report, I have purposed to be a fast learner & have not returned home again with any more than 2 FLAT bottomed bags full (or manageable by weight)!  The next day I understood that all shopping bags are not designed with petite people in mind.  This grocery trip was in my neighborhood rather than out in the town of Waterloo where I take Marissa to school.  When I left home with a bag swinging from each hand I felt dandy.  Upon my return trip, with the weight of the items pushing at the bottom of my previously ‘flat bottomed’ bag, I was now scraping the sidewalk unless I either raised my shoulders or partially bent my arms!  Oh how many silly little things can there be to figure out?  My wonderfully logical husband, after hearing my tale of the too long bags, said, “I’ll just cut some cardboard & make a flat sturdy bottom for you!  So you see, each day has many opportunities to actually begin to understand something, if you will only give it a try!

 

The things you would normally associate with moving to a new country; language barrier, both spoken & written, food recognition to some degree at the grocery, driving, finding your way around & remembering it the next time have been at least as much of an adjustment as I expected.  There are just so many other circumstances, attitudes, & ‘ways’ that you never even could have imagined, which all adds to the overwhelmingness of the experience as a whole.  Processing any kind of paper work, we spent almost as much time signing for our leased apartment as we did to buy a house at home, getting service, such as when you want to be done with your dining experience, just getting served the check is a painfully drawn out process which from beginning to end could be more than 30 minutes.  We haven’t exactly had a service person to our apartment yet, but the process is painfully slow from first hand accounts-month @ a half to get internet service working, etc……

 

Going out for dinner is not one of the events of your evening, it IS your event of the evening….