Bi-Polar Weather

I know I have blogged about this before, but I just can't tell you how annoying it is the weather here changes every 20 minutes. This morning I got up and it was overcast and cool, but not raining. So I got dressed with the idea that I would go get my haircut and run some errands. Just as I am ready to leave it gets really dark outside and starts pouring down rain. So then I think, "Oh, what a great day to stay inside and get stuff done at the apartment." So I start a load of laundry and begin doing things around here. And 20 minutes later I look outside and there are blue skies and the sun is shining bright. As much as I now want to go get my haircut and go run errands, I live in fear that soon the sky will open up on me and I will be caught in a big storm. The thing that really makes this temperamental weather so annoying is that I don't have a car. In Atlanta, if there was a chance of rain I just threw my raincoat and umbrella in the car as I ran errands. But here, I have to haul my raincoat and umbrella around with me on the off chance that it will start raining. Since I am also hauling around groceries, books and who knows what else, it can get pretty annoying to be carrying things "just in case." Ugh!

*Note--I published this blog at 12:34pm and now at 12:45pm it is gray skies and raining.

Tick Tock

After a lot of self reflection, I have come the realization and acceptance that I am a timist. You might think this sounds horrible, but if you have ever been an expat, then you will understand exactly what I mean -- I am prejudice against people according to the time they are planning on staying in Brussels. We have now been here for 18 months. From the beginning we were told that we would be here 3-5 years total, and so far it is looking to stay that way -- thank goodness!

One of the first things expats say to each other when they meet is "So, how long are you planning to be here?" Unfortunately for me, I am already engaged in a conversation by the time I ask that question. If I could, I would really like to hear their answer ("Oh, three to five years") and then continue talking, or hear their answer ("Only six months") and immediately walk away. This sounds cruel, but when you are meeting on average 2-6 new people each week, you just don't have the time or energy to really get to know each and every one of them. It takes the same amount of energy to get to know someone who will be here another five years as it does to get to know someone who will be here another five months. So now you know the true timist Emily...

God Bless America!

We went to the Memorial Day Celebration today at Flanders Field here in Belgium. There are three U.S. cemeteries in Belgium. Last year we went to the Henri Chappelle cemetery, so this year we wanted to see a new one. As always, the ceremony was incredibly touching. The highlight of the day was when four airplanes did a Missing Man flyover. Four planes fly overhead, and then one plane breaks away in memory of those men whose lives have been lost. I was so moved by it that I started crying! Kyle's favorite part was when 40 Belgian school children sang the Star Spangled Banner. As a point of reference for how amazing it is that the children learned it, imagine your six year old (or even you) learning to six the German National Anthem (of course, in German).

I think I have actually grown more patriotic while away from the United States than while I was living there. Just yesterday we happened to be reminded of so many things we have to be thankful for. We were speaking with an Iranian friend of ours who fled his country more than 20 years ago for political asylum. Because of the way he left, he will never be allowed to enter the country again. In the years since he left, both of his parents have died and he was not able to go to either of their funerals. He often has to hear his child ask him, "Daddy, why are we so alone here (in Belgium)?" He has to explain that they are not alone--that he and his wife have literally hundreds of aunts and uncles and cousins in Iran, but they are not allowed to visit these relatives. Before visiting Nasser, we had lunch with two friends who both have family living in Israel. They were discussing the constant unrest between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Next we went to visit our British friends who are moving to Moscow this summer. Some of the things we talked about were their safety, what things they will even be able to obtain over there and how lucky they are to be living there with lots of money--because otherwise they might not even have consistent heating in their home in the cold Russian winter. After all of our socializing, we went to church where we saw a video about the constant fear North Koreans live in. I can't imagine living every day wondering if you or any of your family members will be taken away to a concentration camp just because of something you might have said or done.

Regardless of what you feel about the U.S. being involved in any wars, I think it is incredibly important to express our thanks and appreciation to those who have fought to keep us free and enabled other parts of the world to remain free also. I can't imagine all of the sacrifices they and their families have had to make in order for us to live the comfortable, safe and secure lives that we do.

Click below to see pictures from our Memorial Day:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=121a73ha.4ru4deya&x=0&y=-ea4wdv

Fuzzy Math Is Making Sense to Me

After knitting 1 wrap, 1 baby blanket, and about 50 scarves, I felt ready to advance a level and try to make a sweater. Keep in mind, this isn't even a difficult sweater -- it is a very European looking wrap thing that just happens to have two holes where your arms can go through. I figured this was enough of a baby step that I could still complete the project, but it wouldn't be too difficult. How wrong I was. I have now started this thing five, yes FIVE times and it is still not working. I think I am going to have to go over to my friend Kate's house tomorrow for some one on one tutoring just to get the darn thing started.

But the part that really adds insult to injury is the fact that I got the idea (and the pattern) from the exact same sweater that I saw in our local yarn shop. The owner made up the pattern herself and also sells things in her shop that she makes. Here is where the fuzzy math comes in: one ball of this yarn costs 8.50 euros. The sweater requires 5 balls, for a total of 42.50. And then you have to knit the whole thing yourself! Now guess how much the complete sweater (with no imperfections) is selling for in the yarn shop? 36 euros!!!

Good Time Wasters

I have come across a few good websites recently that I thought you would enjoy too...

Try out the Yankee/Rebel Dictionary. I'm sad to say that I am only 83% Dixie. Maybe Belgium has rubbed off on me too much!

This website highlights what states and countries you have visited (scroll down from the link). Unfortunately I can't figure out how to show my results, but it might just be interesting to fill it out on your own.

And just some good links to check out:
www.postsecret.com
www.cuteoverload.com
www.overheardinnewyork.com (warning -- not for sensitive eyes)
A description of how different languages describe the sounds various animals make

Check It Off

I have written before about how my mix of Catholic guilt and my dad's voice in my ear of "What are we going to see next?" combine to make me feel like I have to go to every single parade, festival, celebration, or tour anyone is offering. Now I am finally seeing the good side of having gone to so many events this past year. Since I went to every single event that was offered, now that I am in my second year here, I don't have to go to them again! You don't understand what a freeing feeling this is!

Today, for example, is the Holy Blood Procession Parade in Brugge. It is rainy and 45 degrees outside and I have a cold. However, if I hadn't already been to the parade last year, I am sure you would fine me sitting on the curb in Brugge blowing my nose under an umbrella and thinking "Are we having fun yet?" Instead though, I am at home in my pajamas doing laundry and reading and I am so happy! This must be how people without guilt feel all the time...

To Thine Own Self Be True

You know that question that is always asked during job interviews of "What are your three best and worst traits?" And you are supposed to actually laugh off how one of your worst triats is that you are just so organized it is a hinderance? I really wish that right then you could just be 100% honest and say, "I am great at a lot of things, but here are a few things that I am just horrible at, so if I am on a team where someone else has these things as a strengh, we would really compliment each other." Obviously, this would never happen, but I think you would get a lot better workers if they were just allowed to be honest. That way you wouldn't realize six months down the road that you have a receptionist who is horrible at interacting with people, but are great behind the computer.

I am having this problem right now, but since it is has to do with volunteering, I can actually be 100% honest, and yet the words still don't sink in. Some women at the AWCB want me to take over the Hints for Living in Belgium class that happens twice a year. However, since I have already worked on the committee, I know how it runs and I know that some of the most necessary things to running the committee are some of my biggest weak points. Even though I have told the women this, they seem to think they can convince me otherwise -- that those weak points really aren't hinderances. I finally just want to say, "Trust me, I know myself and even if I promise to try harder overcome my weaknesses, I know I won't. So just let me shine with my strengths and forget about my weaknesses."

Ladies Who Lunch

With the springtime weather in the air, the American Women's Club has been enjoying many great tours. First, we had a garden tour of some of our members' homes. Unfortunately, I was in the States and missed the tour. The highlight was lunch in the Solvay family garden. If you have some free time, turn on your speakers and click below to see my friends album. (I can't figure out how to slow down the slideshow, so you just have to hit pause to look longer at a picture.)

My friend Karen's photo show.

Luckily I was in town for the chateau tour. Two Belgian women opened their homes to us and also gave us tours of their gardens. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside the homes, but they were magnificent.

The Chateau Tour photos.

Most recently, we went to the home of the U.S. Ambassador to NATO for a tea to thank the volunteers of the AWCB. I felt so elegant eating cookies off gold-rimmed china with the U.S. crest in gold at the top. The house was just beautiful. I ate a cookie right where Madeleine Albright is sitting in this picture! I think that means I am well on my way to becoming a foreign diplomat.

Introvert

Anyone who had been around me for awhile before I came to Brussels knows that I am pretty extroverted. Whenever I used to take personality tests, I was usually a 9 out of 10 on extrovertedness. In college, if I wasn't at a club meeting, I was hanging out with friends, and if I wasn't doing that I was at some other activity. I think the only time I was alone those four years was when I was studying.

However, I now think I am having a personality transformation here in Brussels. I never knew I could enjoy being alone so much! I still stay very active here, but not nearly near as much as I used to be. I try to schedule something for each day beause I have found that if I don't see anyone for an entire day then I do get a little down. But past a coffee hour or lunch outing, I am content to be by myself the rest of the day. I really enjoy curling up on the couch and reading a book, or knitting, or cooking. In fact, if I go for too long without any alone time I start to feel a little crazy and exhausted. Who knew?!?

Labor of Love

Anyone who has not put together an electronic photo album before, might not know this, but they are incredibly time consuming and quite a pain to do! After uploading the photos, you have to rotate the pictures, delete some, rearrange them, and then add photo titles. I have spent over 4 hours on this photo album, and it is finally done! I combined my parents photos along with our of their trip here to Brussels and below is the link to all of the photos. Be warned that there are LOTS, but it is a great distraction from work if you need one.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=ls8qfm6.810eb3ze&x=0&y=-fws1n4

Finders Keepers

**Note -- I just wrapped up two busy weeks. The first was spent touring my parents around Brussels and the next was spent in the States visiting friends and family while Kyle was there for work. I have three big suitcases to unload and lots of ironing to do, along with getting back into my daily routine here in Brussels. So until I get a free minute (that also happens to coincide with a minute of energy) I'm posting this blog I had written a few weeks ago.**

One of the great things about being an expat is all the things people give away as they are leaving. Anyone who has moved before knows how you are willing to throw out even the most treasured item if it won't fit in a box and the movers are downstairs. Now imagine living in a place where your friends and acquaintances are constantly moving and you have an idea of all the loot anyone staying in Brussels has a shot at. If you knew enough people, you really could furnish an entire home out of the things they are throwing away.

In the last year and a half as friends have moved they have given me lots of stuff. The best part about this is how it reminds me of them at the most random of times. Like when I am using my juicer or coffee cups, I think of Sam Carney. The new couch we have is courtesy of a British girl I only met once. But the funniest is when people give away their food because they don't want to send it back. So now I have a year's worth of brown sugar and flour thanks to Holly Middlemis. If only I could find someone who has a lot of Oreos to unload...