August, September and January are always my busiest months and this September is no exception. I have basically been running around like a chicken with my head cut off all week, which is why I haven't blogged. In fact, today is the first time since Monday I have even cooked anything at home, and I just unpacked my suitcase that seemed to have exploded all over the floor of our living room.
Although I have been busy, I can't complain because the people I am surrounded by are just as busy as me and always amaze me with the things they do. To highlight a few amazing and inspiring women:
Lisa and Esmee-- These two ladies are in charge of the "Hints for Living in Brussels" class that the AWCB puts on. The class consists of six days of classes totaling 18 hours of information taught by the 25 different speakers they bring in to cover all of the topics. There are 63 women in the class, so that means organizing the nametags, informational binders and snacks for all of them, not to mention all of the questions and hand-holding that 63 women all new to Brussels might need. I don't know how Lisa and Esmee do it because they are really involved in other volunteer positions too.
JoEllen -- My friend JoEllen is in the process of her 18th move, of which this is the fifth international one. As is often the case with big moves, her husband is conveniently on a business trip (in Asia) while she is packing, cleaning, selling cars, closing bank accounts, dealing with utilites and all of the other little hassles that moving requires. I can't imagine packing up my life for the 18th time, and even though she didn't want to make this move, she has handled it with grace and a good spirit.
Pam -- My friend Pam is in charge of the Holiday Bazaar (through the AWCB) which is a weekend event in November where over 100 vendors from all over Europe come to sell their goods. The logistics are mind-boggling, from advertising to parking to food and setup/breakdown. Not only is Pam also the president of her children's schools PTA, but she is always really calm and friendly every time you see her!
Maria -- Maria has 1 1/2-year-old triplets. Not only did she move to Brussels with triplets just a few months ago, but she also brought along her mother. Her father passed away three months before they were supposed to move here and there was no one left to care for her mother who has severe Alzheimer's, so she brought her along too. No one can believe how calm and unfazed by life Maria is -- she is a model to us all.
Because it is my blog and I can, I'll put in my two cents about volunteering. The only way I met all of these amazing women is through my volunteering at the AWCB. Being in membership, I have signed up over 50 women in the last two months. It is always interesting to me to see the different personalities that come through the door. I would estimate that, of the 50 women I have recently signed up, only about 15 of those will do any volunteer work at the club within the next year. Some of the others might get involved at their kids' schools, and the rest will sit at home and complain that they don't have enough friends. Yes, there are ups and downs to volunteering. Sometimes I feel unappreciated and frustrated, but other times I feel great for being able to help out, well informed because I am so involved and always know what is going on, and missed when I am away. I have had such a great time in Brussels because of all the amazing women I have met and I would not have met a fraction of the people I have if it were not for being involved in the American Women's Club.
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