I'll write more of an explanation of the events later, but for now, enjoy the photos from this past weekend...
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=121a73ha.7430a5ei&x=0&y=mlbrd7
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Saturday, May 28, 2005
Friday, May 27, 2005
Pre-Memorial Day
Tonight Kyle and I are headed up to Brugge to see his distant cousin Julie Garner and her family who are on vacation here for the next week. Tomorrow we are taking a train to an American cemetary about two hours outside of Brussels. Wreaths are laid on each of the gravestones in honor of Memorial Day. The program sounds beautiful, with a fly over, taps, and singing of the Star Spangled Banner. I have heard from others that the event is extremely moving.
I think it is funny that I have never done anything patriotic for Memorial Day while I was in the States. To me, Memorial Day was about BBQs, skiing at the lake and having Monday off. As I adjust more and more to life in Europe I think of what all the soliders must have gone through while they were fighting over here--horrible weather, food they weren't used to, away from their friends and family, a language they didn't understand, on top of being scared for their life. Being taken out of my comfort zone has made me appreciate all that others have done out of their own comfort zones to give me freedom.
I think it is funny that I have never done anything patriotic for Memorial Day while I was in the States. To me, Memorial Day was about BBQs, skiing at the lake and having Monday off. As I adjust more and more to life in Europe I think of what all the soliders must have gone through while they were fighting over here--horrible weather, food they weren't used to, away from their friends and family, a language they didn't understand, on top of being scared for their life. Being taken out of my comfort zone has made me appreciate all that others have done out of their own comfort zones to give me freedom.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
An Everyday Day
Many people ask what I do all day to fill my time. When I first got here I met a woman in my same situation (newly married with no kids) who had been here for a full year. In awe, I asked her what she did to keep busy for a whole year with no kids and no job. As I pass the six month mark for living here in Brussels with no job, I can tell you what she and I both do---lots. Since you never do the same thing two days in a row, I will take today as an example of how I fill up just a random day.
8:40--Wake up and quickly get dressed.
9:12--Briskly walk 3 blocks to catch the bus to the American Women’s Club
10-12:30—There is a book sale taking place, so I purchase a few books. Then I wander around the club and look at the upcoming activities that I might be interested in. I am at the club today to try out a Needlework Group. It ends up just being 3 other women sitting around doing their own needlework (cross-stitch, knitting, and rug weaving.) I have a nice time talking to them about their experiences and even pick up a few good knitting tips. We all have lunch together at the club. I talk to another woman about some volunteer opportunities there.
12:32—As I am catching the bus, Kelly calls me and invites me to the park with them. Since it is the park right by Sam’s house, I call and let Sam know where we will be if she wants to meet up.
1-3pm—I play at the park with Sonny, James and Poppy while catching up with Kelly and Sam. We have a nice time eating waffles and talking about Sam’s possible return to the States, the possibility of Kelly joining a health club, and the upcoming jazz festival this weekend.
3:00—Sam and James head to pick up Luke while Kelly, Sonny, Poppy and I head to the market. Sonny has a bit of a tantrum because she didn’t get a nap today so Kelly and I end up talking about discipline etc.
3-4:30—We stroll around the market. I decide to splurge and buy myself some tulips (20 for $10). I get my fresh veggies, quiche, cheese, and bread. While there I call Jessica and Julie to try to arrange our plans for tonight. We usually go to the market and then have a drink together, but if life gets busy, we just skip the market and go straight for the drink.
5-7:00—Kelly and I part ways and I head home. I am actually ready for some alone time. I am in two book clubs, so I get busy trying to finish one of the books. I arrange my tulips and clean up around the house. We get 40 TV channels, so I debate turning on the television, but then I remember that only 6 of them are in English and the chances of anything good being on are slim, so I decide against it. The Vonage phone rings with a surprise call from my UGA friend Deb Allen. We have a great time catching up. At times I might be saddened by a call from the States because of the memories it bring up, but in light of seeing how hard it is for Sam to leave, I am realizing just how precious the time over here is and how much I should enjoy it all.
7:00—Kyle calls and we try to decide if we should throw a party this weekend in conjunction with the Jazz Festival. We decided to just have a casual get-together.
8-10:00—Jessica calls. She had to work late, so she missed the market so we just head over to her house for some wine and cheese.
10:30--I get home just as Kyle arrives home from watching the new Star Wars (I opted out of that one). Catch up on e-mails and head to bed.
8:40--Wake up and quickly get dressed.
9:12--Briskly walk 3 blocks to catch the bus to the American Women’s Club
10-12:30—There is a book sale taking place, so I purchase a few books. Then I wander around the club and look at the upcoming activities that I might be interested in. I am at the club today to try out a Needlework Group. It ends up just being 3 other women sitting around doing their own needlework (cross-stitch, knitting, and rug weaving.) I have a nice time talking to them about their experiences and even pick up a few good knitting tips. We all have lunch together at the club. I talk to another woman about some volunteer opportunities there.
12:32—As I am catching the bus, Kelly calls me and invites me to the park with them. Since it is the park right by Sam’s house, I call and let Sam know where we will be if she wants to meet up.
1-3pm—I play at the park with Sonny, James and Poppy while catching up with Kelly and Sam. We have a nice time eating waffles and talking about Sam’s possible return to the States, the possibility of Kelly joining a health club, and the upcoming jazz festival this weekend.
3:00—Sam and James head to pick up Luke while Kelly, Sonny, Poppy and I head to the market. Sonny has a bit of a tantrum because she didn’t get a nap today so Kelly and I end up talking about discipline etc.
3-4:30—We stroll around the market. I decide to splurge and buy myself some tulips (20 for $10). I get my fresh veggies, quiche, cheese, and bread. While there I call Jessica and Julie to try to arrange our plans for tonight. We usually go to the market and then have a drink together, but if life gets busy, we just skip the market and go straight for the drink.
5-7:00—Kelly and I part ways and I head home. I am actually ready for some alone time. I am in two book clubs, so I get busy trying to finish one of the books. I arrange my tulips and clean up around the house. We get 40 TV channels, so I debate turning on the television, but then I remember that only 6 of them are in English and the chances of anything good being on are slim, so I decide against it. The Vonage phone rings with a surprise call from my UGA friend Deb Allen. We have a great time catching up. At times I might be saddened by a call from the States because of the memories it bring up, but in light of seeing how hard it is for Sam to leave, I am realizing just how precious the time over here is and how much I should enjoy it all.
7:00—Kyle calls and we try to decide if we should throw a party this weekend in conjunction with the Jazz Festival. We decided to just have a casual get-together.
8-10:00—Jessica calls. She had to work late, so she missed the market so we just head over to her house for some wine and cheese.
10:30--I get home just as Kyle arrives home from watching the new Star Wars (I opted out of that one). Catch up on e-mails and head to bed.
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Pecan Praises
Well I think I have finally arrived as an expat. I went to a coffee yesterday morning and my cookies were the hit of the party! Everyone wanted the recipe! Not that I can claim credit for the recipe, but I sure am glad I chose a good one to make! I got the recipe from Carol Smith's church cookbook and it was just delicious. The original recipe was called Dishpan Cookies, but that didn't sound as good as they tasted, so I renamed it. I figured that if they were such a hit over here, then maybe a few of you over there would like the recipe. I don't like coconut, so I left that out of the recipe and it was still great.
Pecan Praises
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 cup oil
4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cup coconut
2 cup pecans, chopped
1 tsp. salt
4 eggs
4 cup corn flakes, broken up
Cream sugar and oil and add eggs and vanilla and then flour. Add coconut, pecans, salt, and corn flakes mixing with hands. Bake at 350 for 8 to 10 or until done.
Recipe Note: This recipe makes a bunch. Cookies will be soft.
Pecan Praises
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 cup oil
4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cup coconut
2 cup pecans, chopped
1 tsp. salt
4 eggs
4 cup corn flakes, broken up
Cream sugar and oil and add eggs and vanilla and then flour. Add coconut, pecans, salt, and corn flakes mixing with hands. Bake at 350 for 8 to 10 or until done.
Recipe Note: This recipe makes a bunch. Cookies will be soft.
Monday, May 16, 2005
European Backpackers
We had a great time this weekend with my cousin David and his friend George. David just graduated from UGA and George is about to be a junior there. They are backpacking through Europe for 6 weeks and Brussels was their first stop.
Friday night we had a laid back dinner since they didn't get in from Paris until about 7pm. Saturday we ventured to Mini-Europe. This is a theme park that has the best known site of each EU country in miniature (ie--a mini Eiffel Tower, etc.) We basically laughed our way through it because some of the stuff was so silly, but it was also educational. We each learned a lot about the different countries and what they are known for. From there we went to the King and Queen's house. The king's botanical gardens are open to the public for two weeks every year. Lucky for us, we were able to make it there and see some beautiful flowers, along with the outside of where they live.
After the gardens we headed down to the Grand Place to do the touristy stuff--lace, chocolate, speculoos cookies, Manneken Pis, a pub from the . Our final stop of the tour was our new favorite place--Beer Mania. This is a store/pub that sells 400 different types of beers and tries to always get you one for your specific tastes. It is always an experience!
Sunday we went to Ghent. It was incredible weather and we had a great time outside the whole day. We had lunch overlooking a canal and then took a canal boat trip. From there we saw some of the old churches and walked the cobblestone neighborhoods of Ghent. The highlight of the day was happening upon the Belgium Beach Volleyball National Championships. Belgium is not really known for its beaches and Ghent is inland, so it was pretty funny to see all of these man made sand pits and people playing beach volleyball. We spent a few great hours watching the tournament and seeing some great plays. We had dinner in Ghent and then headed back to Brussels for the boys to pack up.
This morning they headed for Amsterdam for a few days. From there they will go to Prague to visit another friend and then who knows where the train will take them!
Friday night we had a laid back dinner since they didn't get in from Paris until about 7pm. Saturday we ventured to Mini-Europe. This is a theme park that has the best known site of each EU country in miniature (ie--a mini Eiffel Tower, etc.) We basically laughed our way through it because some of the stuff was so silly, but it was also educational. We each learned a lot about the different countries and what they are known for. From there we went to the King and Queen's house. The king's botanical gardens are open to the public for two weeks every year. Lucky for us, we were able to make it there and see some beautiful flowers, along with the outside of where they live.
After the gardens we headed down to the Grand Place to do the touristy stuff--lace, chocolate, speculoos cookies, Manneken Pis, a pub from the . Our final stop of the tour was our new favorite place--Beer Mania. This is a store/pub that sells 400 different types of beers and tries to always get you one for your specific tastes. It is always an experience!
Sunday we went to Ghent. It was incredible weather and we had a great time outside the whole day. We had lunch overlooking a canal and then took a canal boat trip. From there we saw some of the old churches and walked the cobblestone neighborhoods of Ghent. The highlight of the day was happening upon the Belgium Beach Volleyball National Championships. Belgium is not really known for its beaches and Ghent is inland, so it was pretty funny to see all of these man made sand pits and people playing beach volleyball. We spent a few great hours watching the tournament and seeing some great plays. We had dinner in Ghent and then headed back to Brussels for the boys to pack up.
This morning they headed for Amsterdam for a few days. From there they will go to Prague to visit another friend and then who knows where the train will take them!
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Languages by Countries
I came across this list and found it fascinating. It overwhelms me to think of just how big the world is.
Afghanistan--Pashtu, Dari Persian, other Turkic and minor languages
Albania--Albanian (Tosk is the official dialect), Greek
Algeria--Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects
Andorra--Catalán (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese
Angola--Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages
Antigua and Barbuda--English (official), local dialects
Argentina--Spanish (official), English, Italian, German, French
Armenia--Armenian 96%, Russian 2%, other 2%
Australia--English, native languages
Austria--German 98% (official nationwide); Slovene, Croatian, Hungarian (each official in one region)
Azerbaijan--Azerbaijani Turkic 89%, Russian 3%, Armenian 2%, other 6% (1995 est.)
Bahamas--English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants)
Bahrain--Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu
Bangladesh--Bangla (official), English
Barbados--English
Belarus--Belorussian (White Russian), Russian, other
Belgium--Dutch (Flemish) 60%, French 40%, German less than 1% (all official); legally bilingual (Dutch and French)
Belize--English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole
Benin--French (official), Fon, Yoruba, tribal languages
Bhutan--Dzongkha (official), Tibetan dialects (among Bhotes), Nepalese dialects (among Nepalese)
Bolivia--Spanish, Quechua, Aymara (all official)
Bosnia and Herzegovina--Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian (all official)
Botswana--English (official), Setswana
Brazil--Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, French
Brunei Darussalam--Malay (official), English, Chinese
Bulgaria--Bulgarian; secondary languages strongly correspond to ethnic breakdown
Burkina Faso--French (official); native African (Sudanic) languages 90%
Burundi--Kirundi and French (official), Swahili
Cambodia--Khmer (official), French, English
Cameroon--French, English (both official); 24 major African language groups
Canada--English 59.3%, French 23.2% (both official); other 17.5%
Cape Verde--Portuguese, Criuolo
Central African Republic--French (official), Sangho (lingua franca, national), tribal languages
Chad--French, Arabic (both official); Sara; more than 120 languages and dialects
Chile--Spanish
China--Standard Chinese (Mandarin/Putonghua), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghaiese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages
Colombia--Spanish
Comoros--Arabic and French (both official), Shikomoro (Swahili/Arabic blend)
Congo, Republic of--French (official), Lingala, Monokutuba, Kikongo, many local languages and dialects
Congo, Democratic Republic of the --French (official), Lingala, Kingwana, Kikongo, Tshiluba
Costa Rica--Spanish (official), English
Côte d'Ivoire--French (official) and African languages (Diaula esp.)
Croatia--Croatian 96% (official), other 4% (including Italian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, German)
Cuba--Spanish
Cyprus--Greek, Turkish (both official); English
Czech Republic--Czech
Denmark--Danish, Faeroese, Greenlandic (Inuit dialect), German; English is the predominant second language
Djibouti--French and Arabic (both official), Somali, Afar
Dominica--English (official) and French patois
Dominican Republic--Spanish
East Timor--Tetum, Portuguese (official); Bahasa Indonesia, English; other indigenous languages, including Tetum, Galole, Mambae, and Kemak
Ecuador--Spanish (official), Quechua, other Amerindian languages
Egypt--Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes
El Salvador--Spanish, Nahua (among some Amerindians)
Equatorial Guinea--Spanish, French (both official); pidgin English, Fang, Bubi, Ibo
Eritrea--Afar, Arabic, Tigre and Kunama, Tigrinya, other Cushitic languages
Estonia--Estonian (official), Russian, Ukrainian, Finnish, other
Ethiopia--Amharic (official), Tigrigna, Orominga, Guaragigna, Somali, Arabic, English, over 70 others
Fiji--English (official), Fijian, Hindustani
Finland--Finnish 93.4%, Swedish 5.9% (both official); small Sami- (Lapp) and Russian-speaking minorities
France--French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects (Proven硬, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish)
Gabon--French (official), Fang, Myene, Bateke, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi
Gambia, The--English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous
Georgia--Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azerbaijani 6%, other 7% (Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia)
Germany--German
Ghana--English (official), African languages (including Akan, Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, and Ga)
Greece--Greek 99% (official), English, French
Grenada--English (official), French patois
Guatemala--Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca)
Guinea--French (official), native tongues (Malinké, Susu, Fulani)
Guinea-Bissau--Portuguese (official), Criolo, African languages
Guyana--English (official), Amerindian dialects, Creole, Hindi, Urdu
Haiti--Creole and French (both official)
Honduras--Spanish (official), Amerindian dialects; English widely spoken in business
Hungary--Magyar (Hungarian), 98.2%; other, 1.8%
Iceland--Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken
India--Hindi (official), English (official), Bengali, Gujarati, Kashmiri, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Kannada, Assamese, Sanskrit, Sindhi (all recognized by the constitution). Dialects, 1,600+
Indonesia--Bahasa Indonesia (official), English, Dutch, Javanese, and more than 580 other languages and dialects
Iran--Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26%, Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, other 2%
Iraq--Arabic (official), Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Assyrian, Armenian
Ireland--English, Irish (Gaelic)
Israel--Hebrew (official), Arabic, English
Italy--Italian (official); German-, French-, and Slovene-speaking minorities
Jamaica--English, Jamaican Creole
Japan--Japanese
Jordan--Arabic (official), English
Kazakhstan--Kazak (Qazaq, state language) 64.4%; Russian (official, used in everyday business) 95% (2001 est.)
Kenya--English (official), Swahili (national), and several other languages spoken by 25 ethnic groups
Kiribati--English (official), I-Kiribati (Gilbertese)
Korea, North--Korean
Korea, South--Korean, English widely taught
Kuwait--Arabic (official), English
Kyrgyzstan--Kyrgyz, Russian (both official)
Laos--Lao (official), French, English, various ethnic languages
Latvia--Latvian (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other
Lebanon--Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian
Lesotho--English, Sesotho (both official); Zulu, Xhosa
Liberia--English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic-group languages
Libya--Arabic, Italian and English widely understood in major cities
Liechtenstein--German (official), Alemannic dialect
Lithuania--Lithuanian (official), Polish, Russian
Luxembourg--Luxermbourgish (national) French, German (both administrative)
Macedonia --Macedonian 68%, Albanian 25% (both official); Turkish 3%, Serbo-Croatian 2%, other 2%
Madagascar--Malagasy and French (both official)
Malawi--English and Chichewa (both official), others important regionally
Malaysia--Bahasa Melayu (Malay, official), English, Chinese dialects (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai; several indigenous languages (including Iban, Kadazan) in East Malaysia
Maldives--Maldivian Dhivehi (official); English spoken by most government officials
Mali--French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languages
Malta--Maltese and English (both official)
Marshall Islands--Marshallese (two major dialects from the Malayo-Polynesian family), English (both official); Japanese
Mauritania--Hassaniya Arabic, Wolof (both official); Pulaar, Soninke, French
Mauritius--English, French (both official); Creole, Hindi, Urdu, Hakka, Bojpoori
Mexico--Spanish, various Mayan, Nahuatl, and other regional indigenous languages
Micronesia--English (official, common), Chukese, Pohnpeian, Yapase, Kosrean, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi
Moldova--Moldovan (official; virtually the same as Romanian), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)
Monaco--French (official), English, Italian, Monégasque
Mongolia--Mongolian, 90%; also Turkic and Russian (1999)
Morocco--Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often used for business, government, and diplomacy
Mozambique--Portuguese (official), Bantu languages
Myanmar--Burmese, minority languages
Namibia--English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages: Oshivambo, Herero, Nama
Nauru--Nauruan (official), English
Nepal--Nepali 90% (official), over 40 other languages and major dialects, English (1995)
The Netherlands--Dutch, Frisian (both official)
New Zealand--English, Maori (both official)
Nicaragua--Spanish (official); English and indigenous languages on Atlantic coast
Niger--French (official), Hausa, Djerma
Nigeria--English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo, Fulani, and more than 200 others
Norway--Bokmål Norwegian, Nynorsk Norwegian (both official); small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities
Oman--Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects
Pakistan--Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English, Burushaski, and others 8%
Palau--English (official everywhere); Palau (official in all states but those following); Sonsoralese (official in Sonsoral); Tobi (official in Tobi); Angaur and Japanese (official in Angaur)
Palestinian State (proposed)--Arabic, Hebrew, English
Panama--Spanish (official), English 14%, many bilingual
Papua New Guinea--Tok Pisin (Melanesian Pidgin, the lingua franca), Hiri Motu (in Papua region), English 1–2%; 715 indigenous languages
Paraguay--Spanish, Guaraní (both official)
Peru--Spanish, Quéchua (both official); Aymara; many minor Amazonian languages
The Philippines--Filipino (based on Tagalog), English (both official); eight major dialects: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense
Poland--Polish
Portugal--Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official, but locally used)
Qatar--Arabic (official); English a common second language
Romania--Romanian (official), Hungarian, German
Russia--Russian, others
Rwanda--Kinyarwanda, French, and English (all official); Kiswahili in commercial centers
St. Kitts and Nevis--English
St. Lucia--English (official), French patois
St. Vincent and the Grenadines--English, French patois
Samoa--Samoan, English
San Marino--Italian
São Tomé and Príncipe--Portuguese (official)
Saudi Arabia--Arabic
Senegal--French (official); Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka
Serbia and Montenegro--Serbian (official) 95%, Albanian 5%
Seychelles--Seselwa Creole, English, French (all official)
Sierra Leone--English (official), Mende (southern vernacular), Temne (northern vernacular), Krio (lingua franca)
Singapore--Malay (national), Mandarin Chinese, Tamil, English (all official)
Slovakia--Slovak (official), Hungarian
Slovenia--Slovenian 92%, Serbo-Croatian 6.2%, other 1.8%
Solomon Islands--English 1%–2% (official), Melanesian pidgin (lingua franca), 120 indigenous languages
Somalia--Somali (official), Arabic, English, Italian
South Africa--Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu (all 11 official)
Spain--Castilian Spanish 74% (official nationwide); Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2% (each official regionally)
Sri Lanka--Sinhala 74% (official and national), Tamil 18% (national), other 8%; English is commonly used in government and spoken competently by about 10%
Sudan--Arabic (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, Sudanic languages, English
Suriname--Dutch (official), Surinamese (lingua franca), English widely spoken, Hindustani, Javanese
Swaziland--English, siSwati (both official)
Sweden--Swedish, small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities
Switzerland--German 63.7%, French 12.9%, Italian 7.6%, Romansch 0.6% (all official); other 8.9%
Syria--Arabic (official); Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian widely understood; French, English somewhat understood
Taiwan--Chinese (Mandarin, official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects
Tajikistan--Tajik (official), Russian widely used in government and business
Tanzania--Swahili, English (both official); Arabic; many local languages
Thailand--Thai (Siamese), English (secondary language of the elite), ethnic and regional dialects
Togo
French (official, commerce); Ewé, Mina (south); Kabyé, Cotocoli (north); and many dialects
Tonga--Tongan (an Austronesian language), English
Trinidad and Tobago--English (official), Hindi, French, Spanish, Chinese
Tunisia--Arabic (official, commerce), French (commerce)
Turkey--Turkish (official), Kurdish, Arabic, Armenian, Greek
Turkmenistan--Turkmen 72%; Russian 12%; Uzbek 9%, other 7%
Tuvalu--Tuvaluan, English, Samoan, Kiribati (on the island of Nui)
Uganda--English (official), Ganda or Luganda, other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili, Arabic
Ukraine--Ukrainian, Russian, Romanian, Polish, Hungarian
United Arab Emirates--Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu
United Kingdom--English, Welsh, Scots Gaelic
United States--English, sizable Spanish-speaking minority
Uruguay--Spanish, Portunol, or Brazilero
Uzbekistan--Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1%
Vanuatu--Bislama (a Melanesian pidgin English), English, French (all 3 official); more than 100 local languages
Vatican City (Holy See)--Italian, Latin, French, various other languages
Venezuela--Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects
Vietnam--Vietnamese (official); English (increasingly favored as a second language); some French, Chinese, Khmer; mountain area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)
Western Sahara (proposed state)--Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic
Yemen--Arabic
Zambia--English (official); major vernaculars: Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, Tonga; about 70 other indigenous languages
Zimbabwe--English (official), Shona, Ndebele (Sindebele), numerous minor tribal dialects
Afghanistan--Pashtu, Dari Persian, other Turkic and minor languages
Albania--Albanian (Tosk is the official dialect), Greek
Algeria--Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects
Andorra--Catalán (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese
Angola--Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages
Antigua and Barbuda--English (official), local dialects
Argentina--Spanish (official), English, Italian, German, French
Armenia--Armenian 96%, Russian 2%, other 2%
Australia--English, native languages
Austria--German 98% (official nationwide); Slovene, Croatian, Hungarian (each official in one region)
Azerbaijan--Azerbaijani Turkic 89%, Russian 3%, Armenian 2%, other 6% (1995 est.)
Bahamas--English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants)
Bahrain--Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu
Bangladesh--Bangla (official), English
Barbados--English
Belarus--Belorussian (White Russian), Russian, other
Belgium--Dutch (Flemish) 60%, French 40%, German less than 1% (all official); legally bilingual (Dutch and French)
Belize--English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole
Benin--French (official), Fon, Yoruba, tribal languages
Bhutan--Dzongkha (official), Tibetan dialects (among Bhotes), Nepalese dialects (among Nepalese)
Bolivia--Spanish, Quechua, Aymara (all official)
Bosnia and Herzegovina--Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian (all official)
Botswana--English (official), Setswana
Brazil--Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, French
Brunei Darussalam--Malay (official), English, Chinese
Bulgaria--Bulgarian; secondary languages strongly correspond to ethnic breakdown
Burkina Faso--French (official); native African (Sudanic) languages 90%
Burundi--Kirundi and French (official), Swahili
Cambodia--Khmer (official), French, English
Cameroon--French, English (both official); 24 major African language groups
Canada--English 59.3%, French 23.2% (both official); other 17.5%
Cape Verde--Portuguese, Criuolo
Central African Republic--French (official), Sangho (lingua franca, national), tribal languages
Chad--French, Arabic (both official); Sara; more than 120 languages and dialects
Chile--Spanish
China--Standard Chinese (Mandarin/Putonghua), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghaiese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages
Colombia--Spanish
Comoros--Arabic and French (both official), Shikomoro (Swahili/Arabic blend)
Congo, Republic of--French (official), Lingala, Monokutuba, Kikongo, many local languages and dialects
Congo, Democratic Republic of the --French (official), Lingala, Kingwana, Kikongo, Tshiluba
Costa Rica--Spanish (official), English
Côte d'Ivoire--French (official) and African languages (Diaula esp.)
Croatia--Croatian 96% (official), other 4% (including Italian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, German)
Cuba--Spanish
Cyprus--Greek, Turkish (both official); English
Czech Republic--Czech
Denmark--Danish, Faeroese, Greenlandic (Inuit dialect), German; English is the predominant second language
Djibouti--French and Arabic (both official), Somali, Afar
Dominica--English (official) and French patois
Dominican Republic--Spanish
East Timor--Tetum, Portuguese (official); Bahasa Indonesia, English; other indigenous languages, including Tetum, Galole, Mambae, and Kemak
Ecuador--Spanish (official), Quechua, other Amerindian languages
Egypt--Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes
El Salvador--Spanish, Nahua (among some Amerindians)
Equatorial Guinea--Spanish, French (both official); pidgin English, Fang, Bubi, Ibo
Eritrea--Afar, Arabic, Tigre and Kunama, Tigrinya, other Cushitic languages
Estonia--Estonian (official), Russian, Ukrainian, Finnish, other
Ethiopia--Amharic (official), Tigrigna, Orominga, Guaragigna, Somali, Arabic, English, over 70 others
Fiji--English (official), Fijian, Hindustani
Finland--Finnish 93.4%, Swedish 5.9% (both official); small Sami- (Lapp) and Russian-speaking minorities
France--French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects (Proven硬, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish)
Gabon--French (official), Fang, Myene, Bateke, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi
Gambia, The--English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous
Georgia--Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azerbaijani 6%, other 7% (Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia)
Germany--German
Ghana--English (official), African languages (including Akan, Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, and Ga)
Greece--Greek 99% (official), English, French
Grenada--English (official), French patois
Guatemala--Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca)
Guinea--French (official), native tongues (Malinké, Susu, Fulani)
Guinea-Bissau--Portuguese (official), Criolo, African languages
Guyana--English (official), Amerindian dialects, Creole, Hindi, Urdu
Haiti--Creole and French (both official)
Honduras--Spanish (official), Amerindian dialects; English widely spoken in business
Hungary--Magyar (Hungarian), 98.2%; other, 1.8%
Iceland--Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken
India--Hindi (official), English (official), Bengali, Gujarati, Kashmiri, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Kannada, Assamese, Sanskrit, Sindhi (all recognized by the constitution). Dialects, 1,600+
Indonesia--Bahasa Indonesia (official), English, Dutch, Javanese, and more than 580 other languages and dialects
Iran--Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26%, Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, other 2%
Iraq--Arabic (official), Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Assyrian, Armenian
Ireland--English, Irish (Gaelic)
Israel--Hebrew (official), Arabic, English
Italy--Italian (official); German-, French-, and Slovene-speaking minorities
Jamaica--English, Jamaican Creole
Japan--Japanese
Jordan--Arabic (official), English
Kazakhstan--Kazak (Qazaq, state language) 64.4%; Russian (official, used in everyday business) 95% (2001 est.)
Kenya--English (official), Swahili (national), and several other languages spoken by 25 ethnic groups
Kiribati--English (official), I-Kiribati (Gilbertese)
Korea, North--Korean
Korea, South--Korean, English widely taught
Kuwait--Arabic (official), English
Kyrgyzstan--Kyrgyz, Russian (both official)
Laos--Lao (official), French, English, various ethnic languages
Latvia--Latvian (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other
Lebanon--Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian
Lesotho--English, Sesotho (both official); Zulu, Xhosa
Liberia--English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic-group languages
Libya--Arabic, Italian and English widely understood in major cities
Liechtenstein--German (official), Alemannic dialect
Lithuania--Lithuanian (official), Polish, Russian
Luxembourg--Luxermbourgish (national) French, German (both administrative)
Macedonia --Macedonian 68%, Albanian 25% (both official); Turkish 3%, Serbo-Croatian 2%, other 2%
Madagascar--Malagasy and French (both official)
Malawi--English and Chichewa (both official), others important regionally
Malaysia--Bahasa Melayu (Malay, official), English, Chinese dialects (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai; several indigenous languages (including Iban, Kadazan) in East Malaysia
Maldives--Maldivian Dhivehi (official); English spoken by most government officials
Mali--French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languages
Malta--Maltese and English (both official)
Marshall Islands--Marshallese (two major dialects from the Malayo-Polynesian family), English (both official); Japanese
Mauritania--Hassaniya Arabic, Wolof (both official); Pulaar, Soninke, French
Mauritius--English, French (both official); Creole, Hindi, Urdu, Hakka, Bojpoori
Mexico--Spanish, various Mayan, Nahuatl, and other regional indigenous languages
Micronesia--English (official, common), Chukese, Pohnpeian, Yapase, Kosrean, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi
Moldova--Moldovan (official; virtually the same as Romanian), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)
Monaco--French (official), English, Italian, Monégasque
Mongolia--Mongolian, 90%; also Turkic and Russian (1999)
Morocco--Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often used for business, government, and diplomacy
Mozambique--Portuguese (official), Bantu languages
Myanmar--Burmese, minority languages
Namibia--English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages: Oshivambo, Herero, Nama
Nauru--Nauruan (official), English
Nepal--Nepali 90% (official), over 40 other languages and major dialects, English (1995)
The Netherlands--Dutch, Frisian (both official)
New Zealand--English, Maori (both official)
Nicaragua--Spanish (official); English and indigenous languages on Atlantic coast
Niger--French (official), Hausa, Djerma
Nigeria--English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo, Fulani, and more than 200 others
Norway--Bokmål Norwegian, Nynorsk Norwegian (both official); small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities
Oman--Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects
Pakistan--Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English, Burushaski, and others 8%
Palau--English (official everywhere); Palau (official in all states but those following); Sonsoralese (official in Sonsoral); Tobi (official in Tobi); Angaur and Japanese (official in Angaur)
Palestinian State (proposed)--Arabic, Hebrew, English
Panama--Spanish (official), English 14%, many bilingual
Papua New Guinea--Tok Pisin (Melanesian Pidgin, the lingua franca), Hiri Motu (in Papua region), English 1–2%; 715 indigenous languages
Paraguay--Spanish, Guaraní (both official)
Peru--Spanish, Quéchua (both official); Aymara; many minor Amazonian languages
The Philippines--Filipino (based on Tagalog), English (both official); eight major dialects: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense
Poland--Polish
Portugal--Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official, but locally used)
Qatar--Arabic (official); English a common second language
Romania--Romanian (official), Hungarian, German
Russia--Russian, others
Rwanda--Kinyarwanda, French, and English (all official); Kiswahili in commercial centers
St. Kitts and Nevis--English
St. Lucia--English (official), French patois
St. Vincent and the Grenadines--English, French patois
Samoa--Samoan, English
San Marino--Italian
São Tomé and Príncipe--Portuguese (official)
Saudi Arabia--Arabic
Senegal--French (official); Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka
Serbia and Montenegro--Serbian (official) 95%, Albanian 5%
Seychelles--Seselwa Creole, English, French (all official)
Sierra Leone--English (official), Mende (southern vernacular), Temne (northern vernacular), Krio (lingua franca)
Singapore--Malay (national), Mandarin Chinese, Tamil, English (all official)
Slovakia--Slovak (official), Hungarian
Slovenia--Slovenian 92%, Serbo-Croatian 6.2%, other 1.8%
Solomon Islands--English 1%–2% (official), Melanesian pidgin (lingua franca), 120 indigenous languages
Somalia--Somali (official), Arabic, English, Italian
South Africa--Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu (all 11 official)
Spain--Castilian Spanish 74% (official nationwide); Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2% (each official regionally)
Sri Lanka--Sinhala 74% (official and national), Tamil 18% (national), other 8%; English is commonly used in government and spoken competently by about 10%
Sudan--Arabic (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, Sudanic languages, English
Suriname--Dutch (official), Surinamese (lingua franca), English widely spoken, Hindustani, Javanese
Swaziland--English, siSwati (both official)
Sweden--Swedish, small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities
Switzerland--German 63.7%, French 12.9%, Italian 7.6%, Romansch 0.6% (all official); other 8.9%
Syria--Arabic (official); Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian widely understood; French, English somewhat understood
Taiwan--Chinese (Mandarin, official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects
Tajikistan--Tajik (official), Russian widely used in government and business
Tanzania--Swahili, English (both official); Arabic; many local languages
Thailand--Thai (Siamese), English (secondary language of the elite), ethnic and regional dialects
Togo
French (official, commerce); Ewé, Mina (south); Kabyé, Cotocoli (north); and many dialects
Tonga--Tongan (an Austronesian language), English
Trinidad and Tobago--English (official), Hindi, French, Spanish, Chinese
Tunisia--Arabic (official, commerce), French (commerce)
Turkey--Turkish (official), Kurdish, Arabic, Armenian, Greek
Turkmenistan--Turkmen 72%; Russian 12%; Uzbek 9%, other 7%
Tuvalu--Tuvaluan, English, Samoan, Kiribati (on the island of Nui)
Uganda--English (official), Ganda or Luganda, other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili, Arabic
Ukraine--Ukrainian, Russian, Romanian, Polish, Hungarian
United Arab Emirates--Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu
United Kingdom--English, Welsh, Scots Gaelic
United States--English, sizable Spanish-speaking minority
Uruguay--Spanish, Portunol, or Brazilero
Uzbekistan--Uzbek 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1%
Vanuatu--Bislama (a Melanesian pidgin English), English, French (all 3 official); more than 100 local languages
Vatican City (Holy See)--Italian, Latin, French, various other languages
Venezuela--Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects
Vietnam--Vietnamese (official); English (increasingly favored as a second language); some French, Chinese, Khmer; mountain area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)
Western Sahara (proposed state)--Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic
Yemen--Arabic
Zambia--English (official); major vernaculars: Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, Tonga; about 70 other indigenous languages
Zimbabwe--English (official), Shona, Ndebele (Sindebele), numerous minor tribal dialects
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Sad News
Just as I was getting settled in and beginning to think, "Man, this expat gig is the life!" I am starting to experience the downside of it all. Within the last few days I have found out that my British friend Sarah is moving to Singapore, that Julie (with Michael and Mia) are moving back to Minnesota, and worst of all, that Sam, Brian and the kids have a very high chance of moving back to NYC in June. It has been like one punch after another hearing all of this news.
The good and bad side of expat life is that your friends become like your family since your family is not near. It is wonderful to have people you immediately feel so close to, but it makes it all the worse when they then have to move away, which is always inevitable. You basically have some of the fastest forming friendships of your life, but in the back of your mind there is always a ticking timebomb knowing that at some point they are going to have to leave.
The good and bad side of expat life is that your friends become like your family since your family is not near. It is wonderful to have people you immediately feel so close to, but it makes it all the worse when they then have to move away, which is always inevitable. You basically have some of the fastest forming friendships of your life, but in the back of your mind there is always a ticking timebomb knowing that at some point they are going to have to leave.
My new sorority
So I have found a new sorority here in Brussels. I wasn't really looking for one, because I didn't think sororities extended beyond college, but it just kind of fell into my lap. There was no formal rush, and I didn't have to fill out a bid card, but they have a great sorority house with a chapter room and all. They have socials and formals and even a wonderful philanthropy. The sisters are great and have been really welcoming to us new rushees. There is even a "brother" fraternity for Kyle to join!
The sorority's name is "AWC" or "A-wack" as my friends and I like to call it. Kyle's would-be fraternity is called STUDS. What these two acronyms really stand for is the American Women's Club of Brussels and Spouses Trailing Under Duress Successfully.
AWC is definitely more of a club than anything else, but it sure feels like a sorority to me. There are a house and membership dues, and over 1,000 women who are members. They have coffee hours, trips, philanthropy events and rich white women everywhere you turn. I have just recently become an official member after taking a wonderful "Hints for Living in Belgium" class there. In case you want to check out the website, it is http://www.awcb.org/club/awcb/
The sorority's name is "AWC" or "A-wack" as my friends and I like to call it. Kyle's would-be fraternity is called STUDS. What these two acronyms really stand for is the American Women's Club of Brussels and Spouses Trailing Under Duress Successfully.
AWC is definitely more of a club than anything else, but it sure feels like a sorority to me. There are a house and membership dues, and over 1,000 women who are members. They have coffee hours, trips, philanthropy events and rich white women everywhere you turn. I have just recently become an official member after taking a wonderful "Hints for Living in Belgium" class there. In case you want to check out the website, it is http://www.awcb.org/club/awcb/
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Jones's Visit and the Holy Blood Procession
I added most of my comments underneath the Ofoto pictures, so go there for more details of the week. Jones was here for this past week and we went to Ghent, Amsterdam, Brugge, and all around Brussels. We had a great time!
To see the Ofoto picture, click on the link below:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=121a73ha.8lpz6sui&x=0&y=ivnjoq
To see the Ofoto picture, click on the link below:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=121a73ha.8lpz6sui&x=0&y=ivnjoq
Saturday, May 07, 2005
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