I'amsterdam

I visited Amsterdam last month to meet Carrie Hanshaw and her daughter Nicole, visiting their extended family currently living in Bonn Germany.  When friends from home are anywhere near Brussels, I promise to come find you - or you are welcome to come visit me.  Its so nice to see friendly faces... and enjoy being a tourist with others.  I drove up to Amsterdam (only a 2 hour drive from Brussels) and met up with Carrie and Nicole and did a quick tour of the city.  In just the short time I was there, I am already super excited to go back.  What a charming city!  All the bikes and the canals and houseboats and row houses.  Just awesome.  The bikes however - quite aggressive... definitely stay OUT of the bike path or get run down.  No apologies.

We visited the Anne Frank House on Sunday morning.  It was absolutely incredible.  Seeing the actual hidden attic, climbing the stairs behind the moveable book shelf - well, it was intense.  I cried seeing the photo of Otto Frank, back in the secret attic after his release from Auschwitz.  The despair and grief displayed was unlike anything I've ever seen.  I've known loss in my life, but his hallowed eyes were just haunting.  It may sound silly, but I feel truly honored to have experienced this place.  No pictures are allowed inside so I bought a great photo book of the attic.

On the way back to Brussels, we stopped in The Hague, the judicial capital of the United Nations.  While there, we visited the M.C. Escher museum.  Very cool to see the actual works of the artist I admired so much growing up.  The museum is actually in the Queen's Palace so not only are the works incredible, but the building itself is something to see.  Each room had the most unique chandelier.  From bugs, umbrellas, to a skull and crossbones.  Very cool.

Catching up!

Sorry its been so long since really posting.  Part of the excuse if a broken personal computer, the other - well just laziness, I suppose.  Although I have been more busy outside of work than I was when I originally arrived - a very good thing!

Michelle came and visited the week of November 5th.  As I wrote in the previous post, it rained the ENTIRE time she was here.  Fortunately, we made the best of it and still had a great time.  The funniest part was how often Michelle took pictures of her food!

We visited the Butte du Lion, the mound constructed on the battlefield in Waterloo, Belgium where Napolean surrendered.  We climbed the many steps up to the top!  Of course, while we were there, it rained!  :)  I work in Waterloo and the battlefield is only a few kilometers from my new office.  Its touristy stuff like this that I wish I could share with my Dad.  He would have loved it.

During the week, I took Michelle to Brugge, the Mannekin Pis museum (to see a few of the 800 costumes gifted to the "Pride" of Brussels), the Atomium (built for the World's Fair in 1958) and many of the fine food and drink establishments of Brussels. We met some traveling Americans in Delrium (the famous bar boasting a minimum of 2010 beers available, in January, they will guarantee 2011!) and I introduced her to a few of the new friends I have made.  We did TRY to go the Stella Artois factory - but in typical Belgian fashion, service is lacking and tours are randomly canceled without notice at whim).  Guess we will save that for another visit.

It was great having her visit and showing her where I'm living these days.  Most of all it was nice to have someone to eat with - eating alone is... well... lonely.  We feel in love with the moules et frites at Chez Lion in the tourist area... good thing we found that on her last day or we may have gone back every night.

10 Year Storm

I know its been a while since I last blogged.  I visited Hong Kong for business and then Michelle was in town for a weeks visit.  Additionally, my MAC crashed and so I had to take it into Apple for repair.  Hopefully will get it back soon and then will blog with photos from the past couple of weeks.

Had a nice visit with Michelle - although, after a VERY nice Fall... wouldn't you know it, but it rains for 8 STRAIGHT days the entire time she is here.  It stopped raining the day she left (about 6 hours later) and the weather is reporting that it was a 10 year rain storm.  Of course!  It was beautifully sunny yesterday with a nice forecast for the rest of the week.  Ugh!   We had fun though and now at least Michelle knows the "worst" weather she will see on any visit.  I mean, it won't be like that again for another 10 years!  And I plan to be LONG GONE by then!

Momentum

I'm starting to feel a bit more settled in here in Brussels.  Maybe even gaining a bit of momentum.  I definitely miss my home and my family and friends.  I still cannot look at my watch or a clock without immediately determining the time at home.  I still can't call this place home - but I do feel like I'm getting more settled, and well, thats progress.


I went to Leuven, Belgium last weekend.  Leuven is a really great University town about 25 minutes east of Brussels.  It is a great little walking city and is also the home to the Stella Artois brewery.  I didn't take the tour yet, waiting to have a visitor to do that.  Here is a great pic of the town hall of Leuven.


This week I successfully purchased a car.  Yeah, no more crazy rentals.  I have yet to take a picture with my actual camera but I will soon.  Its a 4 year old VW Golf.  Basically, the same car I had at home, except this one is 4 door, blue (instead of white) with a smaller engine (when the yearly road tax is based on engine size, better to go small).  Getting a car registered with plates and insured is no simple task, but thanks to some coworker recommendations, I worked with a very nice dealer and a FANTASTIC insurance agent.  The agent, Patrick, came to my work to pick up my passport and then went to the commune (think city town hall and secretary of state all rolled into one) to get my license plates.  Then he came and delivered them to my home for me around 9:30 at night.  He even helped me figure out what buzzer was mine on the outside of the apartment.  Belgium isn't known for its service, but this man is wonderful.  


This weekend, I stayed around town.  It rained most of Saturday, but I did meet up with some new friends for dinner and a movie Saturday night.  I met a couple of girls through the meetup.com group I joined (Helen is from Manchester and Rekha is from Chicago).  Helen and I also met up for an InterNations event on Thursday (InterNations is a group, network based, of people from any and all Nations living in a particular city).  We met some great people there too and I had a couple of new facebook friend requests by the time I went to work on Friday.  It felt really nice to do something "normal" this weekend, meeting friends for a movie.  And yes, the movie was in English.  In Brussels because of so many different languages spoken here, all movies are shown in their original tongue with subtitles for the 2 other languages.  We saw Social Network, the Facebook movie and it was subtitled in both French and Flemish.  


Took a walk today to the Sablon Square (when its sunny in Brussels, one MUST take full advantage).  I checked out an antique market and found a really cool new chocolatier.  Yum!  
Here is a good pic from today.   This is a view looking toward the Grand Place from the Museum of Fine Art.  I also found what appears to be one of the original gates of the city in the Sablon area.  Very cool.

I am very excited that Michelle has decided to come for a visit.  She will be here for the second week of November, arriving on the 6th.  Perfect timing, as we have a holiday on the 10th and 11th.  Not completely sure what we will do yet, but it will be nice to show her where I live.  I'm definitely thinking we will hit that brewery tour in Leuven. :)

Sightseeing Solo

Last Saturday was beautiful here in Brussels, so I decided to jump on a train (a short 5 min walk from my apartment is Central Station) and head to Bruges.  Bruges is a magnificent city about an hour west of Brussels.  It is quite touristy, but is a wonderful walking city with surprises around nearly every corner.


Here are some of my favorite photos from the day.

A beautiful courtyard - postcard perfect.

The only Michelangelo statue outside of Italy- this is Madonna and Child located inside the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk (Church of our Lady).  

In the central Market - the busiest Square in Bruges is the site of the Belfort.  You can climb the 366 steps to the top to see amazing views of the city.  I didn't go up on this visit, wanted to save that when I had a visitor. :)

Simply beautiful!  I could have sat and starred across the water all afternoon.
















*** I will post my other pictures on facebook - there are many beautiful pictures  ***  


Oh wait, just one more - Mr. Crum, this one is for you! :)

Marking Time

Today is officially one month since I arrived in Brussels.  30days.  Have to admit, it seems MUCH longer.  I wasn't the typical expat that was overly excited about the relocation opportunity, perhaps because my family is staying behind while others have their immediate families join them.  That being said, I was told my "crash" wouldn't be as severe since I wouldn't be coming off a "honeymoon phase".  Don't know if thats better or worse.  I do know that its been harder than I expected work wise and about what I thought living wise.  I know that I miss Jeremy and my family tremendously.  I know its hard to be a new colleague in a new office in a new role in a new country. 

Hopefully each month will get a bit easier.  My sea container arrives on Monday (cannot wait!) so I am certain that will help make this place seem more like where I should be (still can't call it home).

The day I left Michigan, my Mom gave me a little pocket cross to carry with me.  On the back, it reads "Do not be afraid, I am with you Always".  I've carried it everyday.  Its a good reminder of who I am and whose I am. 

Smart Girls want to be told they're Beautiful.....

.... Apparently, Diamler didn't get the message.  Smart girls like to be told they are beautiful and beautiful girls like to be told they're...

Well, anyway - Diamler calls this little gem SMART.  I don't know what they're thinking.  I call this a toy. I can pedal my bicycle faster than this thing moves.  Sure yes, perhaps it is better for the environment, although with its extremely small size, I am tempted to jump the curb and drive on the sidewalks to get out of traffic.  So yes, maybe "SMART" for the environment, but extremely dangerous for the public.

This was the rental car assigned to me after a 90 minute (infuriating) conversation and wait at the airport rental desk on Sunday (and I did have a reservation, can't imagine if I didn't).  Additionally, this SMART little POS included a portable Garmin (navigation is really a must in this town, especially when its Asia/Europe relation week and 50% of the roads are just closed).  The good news?  The Garmin doesn't work!!!  Good times.  I suppose to look on the bright side, I have been successfully learning the city in short order this week, as I have found myself turned around (who can tell in this little piece of junk) many times.

I was told the rental company would come and switch the car for something different today, but alas, this is Belgium and service is not exactly a source of pride in this country.

Zero to 60 in 5.2 minutes.... zip zip!

Musings, Learnings and Morsels of Wisdom picked up so far...

- there is such a thing as governors on cars
- the yield to the right rule is NO joke!
- adjusting to living in Brussels is easier than adjusting to working in Brussels
- never use the detergent dispensing drawer on a Dutch washing machine
- wearing heels on cobblestone is never a good idea 
- I'm certain to end up with at least one broken ankle!
- even a few weeks feels like a very long time when you miss your family
- the best fries are sold near the old stock exchange building
- just overhearing someone speaking English makes me feel a little less isolated
- waffles are good any time of day
- its impossible to look at the clock and not immediately calculate what time it is at home
- accomplishing even the smallest task (grocery shopping, joining a gym, setting the GPS in English vs French) makes me very proud of myself
- seeing people with their dogs breaks my heart just a little bit
- I could live here a long time and still not try every beer on the Delirium beer menu
- there is a lot here that I am excited to show others

Went for the Bier - Fell in LOVE with the Chicken!

Last weekend was Oktoberfest. In Munich, Germany.  The 200th Anniversary of Oktoberfest actually and it was AWESOME!  What an experience!  My friend Mary, a coworker from the homeland, was in Germany at BASF's headquarters for the week.  We drove over Saturday morning after spending the evening in Mannheim, Germany.  Jeremy was in Germany last week as well, so I was able to spend a brief 12 hours with him (better than nothing!).  


So, Oktoberfest!  Mary and I were in Munich for about 15 minutes before making our way toward the fairgrounds (stopping for a few "primer" biers along the way - I mean, hey, we didn't know how bad the crowds would be and how long until we'd be served.  A couple biers go a LONG way in the patience threshold you know, it was really a public service).  Munich's population is about 1.5 M people... and well, during Oktoberfest, more than 6M people attend over 15 days.  Crazy.  The walk into the fairgrounds was packed with men wearing lederhosen (great socks!), women wearing dirndl (awkward Halloween-costume-ish), small children, tourists, the overwhelming smell of bier mixed with urine.  We have made it.  Walking into the fairgrounds, I didn't quite expect the scene.  I wasn't thinking Carnival rides and games and cheap trinkets, but yes, that is Oktoberfest.  

I had read online that you need to make reservations for the bier tents.  By the time we decided we could actually go, we couldn't get a reservation.  Luckily, 2 gals (that don't take up too much space on a bench) can easily find their way inside a tent (or 2.. or was it 3... no, no 4).  Anyways, we had no trouble getting in and making plenty of new friends.  A lovely local couple the first night that nearly had me spewing my beer when the lady asked if I had a facebook so she could "friend" me.  We also meet a few creepers, but thats all part of the experience.  On Sunday we were seated inside the Hippodrome tent with 4 guys from Denmark.  Hilarious!  They wore great hats, sang fun drinking songs, took a turn blowing into the Camilla's breath-a-lizer (for sport - you get a cool certificate if you blow over the legal limit - Mary and I are thinking of taking that to the States, but thinking lawsuits would ensue for certain!) and yelled out Prost!  about every 5 minutes.  Needless to say, Mary and I had a great time.

BUT - let me tell you the best part!  I thought I'd be eating sausage and pretzels the entire time.  Well, I definitely didn't miss out on any of the pretzels (ate quite a few of those), but the main dish served at Oktoberfest is BY FAR, the BEST CHICKEN I'VE EVER HAD!  Wow, Great Stuff!  Needless to say, we had chicken a LOT.  Oh my! Prost!!

Brussels 1, Denise ??? Hazard Lights

Had my first "What in the WORLD?" experiences that I have to share. Now, looking back, I can laugh at it myself, so I'm certain others will really enjoy this.

Last Thursday was my first official day in the new office of Waterloo, Belgium.
{Yep, that Waterloo - Napolean defeated in 1815. And yes, there is a re-enactment every other year - get your plane tickets! Ha!} Anyway, back to last Thursday. The admin supporting our group organized for a rental car to be delivered to the office for me to use for the next few weeks as I start the process of buying a car. I left work for the day (around 7pm - they work LONG hours here, more on that another day) and went into the parking lot with my set of keys. In the parking lot is a nice, relatively new Mercedes B series car. It is an automatic (yay!) and has a built-in navigational system (100% required for these wacky streets, even the locals need one).

Once inside the car, I surprised myself with the speed in which I was able to change the gps system from French to English. I get my apartment address programmed in and all looks good. I proceed to leave the parking lot and experience my first brussels commute.

Dreve Richelle, the street where the office is located, is quite busy for a two lane road. The Ring Road (freeway) is very close to the office so there is a bit of a backup. No worries, I'm from Detroit - I can merge. :) So far, so good. I head a short distance of 400 meters (see, already talking like a European), around one round-about (thank you PDP experience and my time spent in NJ) and turn left to merge onto the Ring. And... that is when the "what in the world am I doing here??" moment occured.

As I merge onto the Ring Road with plenty of additional motorists behind me, I feel the car struggling to accelerate. And by struggle I mean, "Why won't this car move????". I quickly check to make certain that the gear shift is in automatic mode and not "semi-automatic" mode (clutch-less shifting). Nope, thats NOT the problem. I pull over. Hazard lights on. "Can I go back to the US yet?" Anger.

I try again. Same issue. Pull back over. Frustration. I get out the manual. Its in Dutch. Awesome!

I check the dash. I turn the car off, I turn it back on. I try again. Same result. Definition of insanity? Yay, you got it! Close to tears. I consider calling Jeremy. I try. No answer. Tears.

So, there I am. First "real" day in Brussels and I'm on the side of the road, hazards flashing and crying. Perfect! "Get yourself together, Denise!" I flip through the manual again. Yay, thats pointless. I look all over the place on the instrument panel... and whats that? Whats the little light on the control arm for the cruise control (perfectly placed behind the sterring wheel and out of view)? Hmmm, its lit up in pale yellow. Next to the indicator light it say LIM. I switch it off. LIM? LIM? .... Limit? "DOES THIS STUPID CAR HAVE A GOVERNOR???" Yes, yes it does! Besides having the traditional cruise control, it also has a limit switch and will not allow the car to accelerate over a set speed, in my case 30 kph. Well, fantastic.

I continue my commute. Traffic is heavy, but I make it.

I get by with a little help from my... (American) friends

Just finishing up my first weekend in Brussels. Had a nice time checking out the city, doing a little grocery shopping and enjoying two BBQ's with some American coworkers and friends (my family away from family).

Saturday night I was invited to dinner in Overjise at the home of the Galvin's. George and I worked together in Louisiana in 1999 and now we are both in the Waterloo office (they moved here last August). He and his wife Beth have the adorable little 18 month in these pictures. Sean is just as sweet as can be!

Sunday night I was invited over to the Freidingers home in Waterloo. Dave and his wife Alicia relocated this summer and have two daughters, Callie is 11 and Sienna is 3. Wonderful girls. We celebrated Dave's birthday which will be on Thursday. It was so nice to have enjoy some "family" time this weekend. I feel very fortunate to have these guys as coworkers and their families as friends.

Place des Martyrs, 21

Here are some pictures of the inside of my place. My shipment hasn't yet arrived from the US - so its pretty empty right now of personal things. Hopefully the air freight will arrive this week and the sea containerwithin the month.

This is the building front hallway, mailbox and my door straight ahead. (Ha, ha my refection in the glass door).

This is the dining room. (So, THIS is the dining room!)

This is the living room. I'm looking forward to my things arriving so I can fill up the bookshelves and put something on the mantle.

This is the kitchen - have to learn using an oven in Celsius. Lots of new ways of doing things.

Place away from Home

I arrived in Brussels on September 8th, 2010 jet lagged and anxious. I’d been waiting for this day for a long time, mostly with fear and apprehension. But here I am and now its time to make it work! (Insert Tim Gunn’s direction here!) I made it to my office to get my apartment keys and then found the apartment (I will post some pictures soon). I impressed myself with a trip to a grocery store and actually purchased enough items to make dinner! Denise 1 Brussels 0! I have a feeling that score will change very, very soon.

Here are some pictures of my new place away from home. I don't think I can (or will) call this apartment home.

Home is not the place where you live, its the place where you belong. And I know I belong with those I love. But for now, this is my new place.

This is the Square where my apartment opens into. Place des Martyrs - named for the fallen heroes that were buried here in 1830 after the Revolution (Belgium's fight for independence). It is said that Charlotte and Emily Bronte stayed here.

Here is a shot of my building and front door, Number 21.