Saturday, February 27, 2010

Song of the Week: 14

I am glad that we have a decent internet connection at the hotel otherwise I would be unable to deliver my weekly dose of wonderful music to my faithful readers.  This week was a tough one for me.  These next two weeks will mostly likely prove even tougher (although I sincerely hope not).  So I needed some music to get me pumped up.  Well, after a very long and much-needed conversation with a dear friend last night, I have found my song of the week.  I'll put it this way, if one lives in, say, Arizona, then once upon a summer's evening, one can drive across the border to California for a weekend trip.  And as one crosses the border, this shall blasted in the car with the windows down: Phantom Planet's always appropriate "California."

Peace, Love, and Waffles.  (And maybe a little bit of California sunshine.)

I'm in Poland!

This morning the IRD students woke themselves up obscenely early to travel to Warsaw/Natolin Poland.  After a bus, a plane, another bus, and a short trek through the snow, I am here.  I am in Poland, sitting in my hotel, watching "Grey's Anatomy" dubbed in Polish - interesting.  Upon arrival, I thought our hotel looked oddly like a hospital.  Turns out, it used to be an oncology research center.   Nice.  The city of Natolin is difficult to navigate.  All of the grey high rises look the same.  And I never thought I would see a city with a bigger dog poop problem than Bruges.  The Natolin College of Europe campus is lovely.  It used to be palace grounds.  The palace is still there along with several modern buildings for the school and beautiful grounds!  However, with only 100 students and nestled amongst, well, nothing, this campus kind of loses its appeal.  I am excited to explore Warsaw a bit and hopefully reverse some of my poor first impression tomorrow, but there is not much I can do now but brave the dark and dreary city and the mounds of dirty snow.  So Poland will be an experience, that's for sure.  But at the moment (yep, I'm going to say it) I miss Bruges!

Peace, Love, and Waffles.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

The Challenge is Over

Good morning everyone.  This post will serve as a short reflection on the photo challenge and its results.  Let me just say that when I committed to posting ten pictures a day for ten days, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.  First of all, the rules were that I had to take new pictures everyday.  I did not allow myself to use any of the photos I had taken on a previous occasion.  Second, I tried to go to a new part of Bruges everyday.  And believe me, I did.  On average, I was out walking in Bruges for at least two hours every day.  This was one of the most fun but also most frustrating parts of the project.  I saw parts of Bruges I never even knew existed.  I wandered into churches, museums, up the bell tower's 350+ steps, and I am certain I was guilty of trespassing on several occasions.  It was a wonderful opportunity to explore every nook and cranny of this city and I did just that.  I can now officially say that I have been EVERYWHERE in Bruges.  On the other hand, add two hours of editing and posting to the two hours of walking and you get 10 days where very little else gets done.   This project was a time sucker.  It is hard to get ten good shots, even out of 50.  Now that it is over, I am not sure what I am going to do with these extra four hours I have, but something tells me I should get back to work.  Oh, right, work.  That's what I have been putting off.  When all is said and done, I am pleased that I decided to do this and also quite proud of myself that I stuck with it and actually completed this self-imposed challenge whilst following the rules.  There were days when I was out in rain, sleet, and the freezing cold, but by-golly I took those pictures.
On that note, I will just say that I hope you enjoyed the photo tour of Bruges.  It is truly a lovely - and sometimes, dare-I-say magical - city.  Keep checking the blog for new posts as we head into spring!

Peace, Love, and Waffles.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Photo Challenge: Day 9










More Loot!



I have received some more stuff!  My Valentine's Day package from home FINALLY arrived yesterday (I was worried it might turn into a St. Patrick's Day package).  Granted I had to pay 10 Euros in customs for it, I was soooooo happy to take it home and tear into it.  As you can see, I was showered with V-Day candies, my new phone (which I can't use until I get back), some more iTunes lovin' and LUCKY CHARMS (there were two bags, but one disappeared before I could take the picture, oops)!!!!!  I am most excited about the delightful American cereal.  Nothing says "home" more than sugar-coated grains and artificially-colored marshmallows!  Thanks Mom and Dad!
And thanks to Erin for my Valentine's Day card.  It is so cute!  
Postcards for those who have sent me things will be coming soon.  If you want a super cool postcard from Bruges, then send me a package, letter, or postcard from wherever you are!  

Peace, Love, and Waffles.  

Monday, February 22, 2010

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Photo Challenge: Day 7










Song of the week: 13

My apologies, dear readers.  It seems that all of the hours spent running around Bruges for my photo project (not to mention the huge German test I had yesterday) somehow destroyed my sense of time.  I had no idea yesterday was Saturday until it was too late to post.  Never fear, Sunday is as good a day as any to introduce you to some great music, so here it is.  I am completely addicted to this song.  I bought it last Monday and I think it already has over 30 plays.  Yes, I am a bit obsessed.  But I think you will be too after you hear it.  The band is "Wakey!Wakey!"  and they have a full length album, a new EP, and some other stuff out.  So have a listen to "Twenty Two" and then tell me you don't absolutely love this band.  While you are listening, feel free to catch yourself up on the photo challenge!  And be on the lookout for the next four days as I still have 40 pictures to go!  Have a great Sunday!

Peace, Love, and Waffles.  

Saturday, February 20, 2010