Song of the Week 27

This is it guys and gals, your very last song of the week.  I have had this one picked out for quite some time, actually.  While it does not reflect the depth of my musical taste, it does reflect my mood just about perfectly.  So even if you've heard it before, please, in honor of a completed Masters and a depleted Master's student, have a listen to "Schools Out" with Alice Cooper and the A*Teens.

Peace, Love and Waffles.

Results

As the previous post got rather nostalgic, I suppose many of you are still wondering about the final results of the year.  Let me tell you (well, actually, you already know this), I had my ups and downs, struggles, tears, smiles, and everything in between this year.  It all came down to opening an envelope today.  I was planning to save it until after I got on the plane tomorrow but Alex wouldn't let me.  So after deciphering my grades through the envelope by holding it up to the light, Alex reassured me that I could open it.  I passed.  I PASSED!  I PAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSD!!!!  Basically, I am relieved and shocked and awed and emotionally numb.  I am not sure I can give an appropriate reaction at the moment, but I can tell you that I will be sleeping much better in the nights to come.  Thank you for all of your support, dear readers.  You are amazing people and I could not have made it through this year without you.  Right now I am crying at the prospect of leaving my friends but smiling the biggest grin you have ever seen at the prospect of leaving the College a free person, and, GET THIS, a Master of European International Relations and Diplomacy.

You can call me Master from now on.

Peace, Love and Waffles.

To Friends

I cannot believe it myself, but it is true.  My year in Bruges has come to a bittersweet end.  The last week has been a blur of friends, hugs, Italian food, and tears - both happy and sad.  Today was my last day in Bruges.  Tomorrow I wake up at an ungodly hour to head to the airport with the same pair of amazing people that first drove me into this city.  Paul and Kaatje will leave me at the airport tomorrow morning, June 20, 2010, and close the final chapter of my days in Belgium at the College of Europe.
At the moment, I am sitting in my eerily empty room in my usually boisterous residence staring out the window and trying not to think of all the goodbyes I had to say tonight.  I have done a fair amount of reminiscing this year.  Trust me, I miss my "old life."  I think about my friends and family in St. Louis everyday.  I also think about Furman and the friends I made there on a daily basis.  I have missed so many people and places this year.  That being said, saying goodbye to my friends at the College has been so much harder than I thought it would be.  It's funny.  Earlier today I remembered a conversation I had with my roommates Alison, Annie, and Jaclyn last year, just before we graduated.  We were sitting somberly in our living room trying not to think of soon being forced to leave each other.  We were talking about our plans for the following year - what we would do, who we would meet, etc - when Alison said what we had all been thinking: "I don't want to make new friends.  I like the ones I have."  I felt the same way.  Making friends is a long and sometimes lonely process.  We had spent the past four years building some of the strongest friendships of our lives and, quite frankly, I was not interested in starting over.  However, life is funny.  One minute you are sitting in an apartment in Greenville, SC dreading the prospect of that is the process of friendship, and the next you are pushing your bags through the door of your dorm in Bruges, Belgium, dreading the thought of leaving the people who became so dear to you after only 10 months time.  I think that there is a part of me that will always dread "starting over."  What can I say, I am not big on change.  What I can say is that I will never dread meeting new people and making new friends.  After everything is said and done, it is the people who come into our lives that define us and our experiences.  This has certainly been true of my experience this year and I have a sneaking suspicion that this might be one of those life lessons that applies to the rest of my existence as well.
So I would just like to thank all of the new people who came into my life this year and made it richer, tastier, and oh so much more fun.
Thank you Rita, Alex, Paul, Kaatje, Inês, Irene, Oline, Oran, and everyone else who made this trip worthwhile.

Peace, Love, and Waffles.

To France and Back

Hello and Bonjour to all of my dear readers who have been so horribly neglected over the past couple of weeks.  I apologize for my prolonged absence but, you know, duty calls.  And by duty, I mean another obligatory trip to la France.  And by obligatory I mean I had several days off whilst living in Europe and could not possible stay away from France while I was so close.  So on Saturday morning, I left for Paris.  I stayed with a friend from Furman (Brita) who is currently working as an au pair for a family just outside of Paris.  It was great to see her and catch up a bit and we had a lot of fun.  We spent Saturday, which was super sunny and blistering hot (FINALLY!) on a picnic in Parc Monceau with baguette sandwiches, fresh cherries, our books, ipods and sunglasses.  It was a wonderful afternoon.  Then we met up with a couple of her au pair friends for gelato, drinks, and pizza around the Centre Pompidou.  It was a great day with lots of fun surprises, like the giant chalk mural of the Mona Lisa!

Sunday was super fun as well.  While Brita was off at a writing class at Shakespeare & Co., I met up with Kyliemac from the Katia and Kyliemac Paris podcast which I have listened to faithfully for the past two or so years.  It was so much fun to get to chat in person.  We had coffee and then walked all over the place, even stopping to pay a visit to the Statue of Liberty (PS, in National Treasure 2, they so cheat on the camera angles.)  Anyway, I was really pleased to have had the opportunity to meet a part of my favorite duo.  

Sunday afternoon at 4:33, I found myself running (literally) to the train station and fighting my way to the front of the ticket line for my train that was set to leave at 4:40.  I grabbed my tickets and dashed on to the train just in time to hear the announcement that we would be delayed until 6:00.  At 6:00 they kindly informed us that we would leave around 7:15.  So much for the mad dash and getting to Brive-la-Gaillarde in daylight.  Ah well, at least I had three pleasant seat mates and a complimentary boxed meal from SNCF (this never happens on trains in France).  After the 4+ hour journey, I arrived to find the Verdiers waiting for me at the station.  It was a wonderful reunion.  It is amazing how much and yet how little things change over three years.  I got all caught up with Marie and Christian, who, for those of you who don't know, were my original host parents from the first time I stayed in France in 2003 when I was only 15.  They are a wonderful French family and I like to refer to them as "ma famille francaise."  I was in Brive for less than 24 hours, but in that time I managed to sleep in "my" old room, pick the cherries off of the cherry tree with Christian before the birds could get them, eat nearly an entire quiche, and speak more French than I have this entire year living in a partially francophone country.  It was great.  

Monday morning we headed off on a lovely drive through the Dordogne region to the Atlantic coast near Royan.  The Verdiers were sweet enough to take me on a mini holiday to their "maison mobile" in the Parc de la Côte Sauvage.  Their house looks out over a tidal marsh with beautiful views of the dunes.  We enjoyed drinking our Cognac flavored aperitifs, hitting up the local marché for fresh fish, produce, and escargots, and leaving our baguettes and fromage behind when the sun finally decided to show itself on Wednesday.  In Royan we took advantage of the rain to browse the shops and even caught a French air force exposition.  This is me in a Mirage.  Pretty cool, but no thanks.  

The sun came out on Wednesday and we took full advantage of it, even getting clobbered by a giant rogue wave that nearly claimed my camera and ipod as victims.  We caught a heartwarming Gerard Depardieu film called "La tête en friche" in the evening and headed home for my last night at the seaside.  Sadly, I had to leave on Thursday morning.  It was so wonderful to see Marie and Christian again and to spend several blissfully relaxing days in a country that I love with good friends with whom to pass the time.  I miss it already.  But I will be back, and next time, I have promised to try and bring my  Mom and Dad.  The Verdiers are eager to meet the rest of my family and I am eager for my family to fall in love with France just as I have.  We'll see.  In the meantime, here are some more of my favorite pictures from the week.  Again, a special "merci" to Brita and Marie and Christian for hosting me!

Peace, Love, and Waffles.

Wait, What?

This is what I have been asking myself all day.  Because, you see, today I had my last exam.  While it was slightly scary and by no means easy, I managed to talk my way through it and come out of those doors a free woman.  I would say that, in no uncertain terms, I am immensely relieved to be finished (at least with the course work).  Instead of elation, though, I have been experiencing a strange sort of emotional numbness that is very confusing.  The problem is, I am not quite sure what to do with myself now that I have absolutely nothing to do.  Now, a couple of weeks ago, with loads of work still in front of me, I was an expert time-waster.  But now, all that has changed as my life has radically shifted from one filled with European thoughts to a life void of academic aspirations and articles about the EU.  I am so happy and so proud to be finished, but I can't help but wonder what it actually means for me to have completed this year. I have been a student for the past 20 years of my life.  That is who I am.  At least, that is who I was.  I am not sure who or what I will be/become over the coming months and years, and frankly, I am getting anxious about when and how I will figure that out.  The good news is that I can put off the "future" for at least another three weeks.
Tomorrow, it is off to Paris for the weekend and then down to Brive-la-Gaillarde and Royan to see the Verdier family!  (By the way, I will not have my computer with me, which means no internet access and no contact with the outside world until Thursday the 10th.  This is actually the scariest part for me because lately I have been in a very committed relationship with my laptop and I don't know how we will handle the time apart.)  Anyway, after France I have a few more fun things to look forward to in Bruges.  Then the results are in on the 19th and it's back to the States on the 20th.  I am extremely excited to be going to Charleston for a week before heading home for the wedding of two dear friends, Alison and James.  After that, STL and then life.  So I'll keep you posted.  Thanks for reading.

As always,
Peace, Love, and Waffles.

PS, did I mention I was DONE?  Not sure you got the message.  I am FREE!

Song of the Week: 26

I've got it!  Thanks, once again, to Sally.  She is my partner in musical crime so I think it only appropriate to go with her pick for this weeks Song of the Week.  I haven't gotten my hands on much new music lately and for the past couple of weeks I have been focusing on artists I already featured on the blog, so choosing a song is only getting more difficult.  Never fear, I have it!  "It" is oh-so-appropriately entitled "On My Way Back Home" by a group called Band of Horses.  I just love the sound!  It reminds me of a mix of Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes (two other folksy bands I have really enjoyed this year). This song fits this week so well, too.  As of Friday at 12:00, I will be finished and then I myself will by "on my way back home."  So I could not be more excited to feature a song that describes my sentiments so fully.  And for all of you Starbucks fans out there, the song is actually this week's freebie!  So grab a card at the counter along with your next latte.  You won't regret it.  Enjoy the song!

Peace, Love, and Waffles.

Fun Fun Fun

Ahhh, what a great week.  The sun has been shining, I am working my way through two new novels, and I have not touched a text book or syllabus in an entire week!  I realize that I still have one exam to go.  Don't worry, I will be resuming my regularly scheduled study program tomorrow.  First, though, I would just like to tell you about my "mini-break."  I did not leave the walls of the city this week but that does not mean that I wasn't on vacation.  I took myself out to lunch on a few occasions, went on a bike ride around the entire ring, soaked up the sun out by the windmills for three days in a row, and have almost completed my final Rotary report (along with Season 4 of Smallville).  :)  Needless to say it has been a happy week.  I am less than eager to resume my studies, but I think I can pull it out for one last isty bitsy exam.  Motivation will be in short supply, but let's hope that I can make do.  I am sure it won't be a problem.
This week wasn't all just sleeping in and reading great books, though.  I did have another Rotary presentation to give.  I only need one more to complete my obligation!  Woohoo!  Anyway, a huge "thank you" to the Torhout Rotary Club for having me.  I really enjoyed visiting your club and we happy to be able to share my presentation with all of you.
In other news, on Sunday I went on a delightful picnic with two good friends, Alex and Mariana.  We had sandwiches, salads, apples, and tarts from one of my favorite bakeries.  Not to mention plenty of sun and tons of fun.  I even broke out the SPF 50+ for the occasion. (You know it's serious when that happens).  Anyway, check out some of the pictures.  We had a blast with the almost summer-like weather.

Finally, I wish to inform you that I received what I believe to be the final 100 Post response yesterday.  Mia sent me 100 kernels of Nebraska corn, along with some other goodies (POP ROCKS!!!!).  So a HUGE thank you goes to Mia for being an amazing sister and sending me such a thoughtful package.  Thanks again to everyone who participated in the challenge.  Your postcards and letters adorn my walls and make my room much more like home.

Well, I hope that everyone has a fantastic weekend.  I know I am looking forward to it; although, it is getting difficult for me to distinguish the weeks from the weekends nowadays.  Have fun, stay safe, and enjoy the sun if it is shining on your part of the world.

Peace, Love, and Waffles.

Song of the Week: 25

Happy Monday dear readers!  I hope your weather is as sunny, warm, and happy as mine.  Trust me, the past week has practically been a meteorological miracle for Bruges.  I have been outside most of the time, soaking up the first tastes of summer.  It is so nice.  Bruges is a completely different city when the sun is shining.  I have been so lucky to have had the time to enjoy the weather.  I have given myself the past couple of days off, a sort of "mini-break," because, get this, I only have ONE EXAM LEFT!!!!!!!!!  And that blessed event won't intrude on my pre-summer holiday until June 4th.  Needless to say, I am taking some much-needed time off.  The rest of my exams, for better or worse, are behind me and I can only look ahead toward the finish line of this long but rewarding year.  YAY!  

Alrighty, now for the Song of the Week.  There is no particular reason behind this week's selection other than I just really like the song.  I have not been able to stop listening to Death Cab for Cutie for the past week and I just love this song.  So sit back, have a listen to "Someday You Will Be Loved," and ENJOY THE SUNSHINE!  

Peace, Love, and Waffles.

Song of the Week: 24

Holy Moly!  I cannot believe it has been 9 days since I have updated this blog.  My sincerest apologies friends, but, in my defense, I have been rather busy.  Just 4 days after handing in that dreadful thesis exam season began.  So far I have completed three out of five.  And while none of them were easy and I think I might only be scraping by in a couple of classes (at least I sincerely hope I even scrape by), this means that there are only TWO exams standing in between me and the rest of my un-academic life.  I have to admit that I have had some real trouble studying this time around.  In December I spent hours pouring over notes and stressing myself to the max.  This time, I find myself watching episodes of Smallville, going for iced coffees, and studying only when I absolutely HAVE to.  This coupled with the fact that I have been under the weather for the past week (I am pretty sure all of those all-nighters killed my immune system) has not boded well for studying or for blogging.  But I guess we will just have to wait and see how things work out.  As much as I say I am relaxing, I am still working very hard.  Sometimes I feel absolutely buried by the amount of information I have to cram into my already-overflowing brain.  At least these last two exams will be in my native language (my first was in German and the next two were in French).  So hopefully that fact will give me my edge back.  Anyway, as far as the Song of the Week goes, I thought I would highlight a group that is vastly under-appreciated due to the nature of their debut album and their rather unfortunate haircuts at the time.  This group has grown and matured into some of the most talented American musicians around (at least, that is my opinion).  They are touring this summer with one of my favorite bands, "A Rocket to the Moon", and I am hoping to catch a show at one point or another; we'll have to see.  Anyway, the group is Hanson and, love them or hate them, you have to appreciate their musical talent.  I think that this song is not only appropriate for the amount of work I am buried under at the moment, but it also does a wonderful job of showcasing their talent.  The song is called "Underneath", please give it a chance and enjoy it!

Peace, Love, and Waffles.

One Year Ago, Today

On this very day just one year ago, I was graduating from Furman University, celebrating with all of my very best friends, and looking forward to what the coming year would bring.  Well, it's hard to believe, but that first year ends today.   I have been pretty hard on myself this year.  I often look at where I am and think, I should be doing more, I should have done more, why have I not accomplished more this year?  The other day, I was looking through my Facebook profile pictures and realized just how many places I have been and just how much I have done over the course of my first year, post college.  Now I would like to share some of my favorite memories with my readers who have experienced much of this year right along with me.  So here is a short recap, bookended by the ever important date, May 9th.   

1.  Ashley Wesche surprised me by coming to my graduation with her husband, Dean.  Her parents, my godparents, came as well, but Ashley had told me she couldn't come.  I was SO surprised!

2.  After graduation I spent a week at Hilton Head with Mia, Jordan, Mom, and Dad.  It was four days of margaritas, cheese and crackers, and an unexpected ocean swim with a pod of dolphins.

3.  A few weeks after returning from South Carolina, Jordan and I set off on a road trip to Washington D.C.  He had an internship to get to and needed some company on the 14 hour drive.  It was a great drive through our beautiful country.  There was a lot of good conversation, crazy weather, gummy bears and good music involved. 

4.  At the end of July, I set off for South Africa to visit Ben for a couple of weeks in Stutterheim.  This is not only one of my favorite memories of the year, but of my entire life.  In those two weeks I experienced my first trip to the southern hemisphere and my first winter in July.  I dipped my toes in the Indian Ocean, painted a mural with a group of amazing South African high school students, saw lots of monkeys, cattle, and crazy looking birds, traveled through an eye-opening slum, and looked out over a harbor at the beauty of Table Mountain.  I will never forget the amazing landscapes, the unique culture, and the look on the little boy's face who had never seen a white person before.  

5.  A few weeks after my return from SA and just a couple of days before leaving for school, my family and I drove to Nebraska to see one of Mia's soccer games at Seward.  It was a long and painful trip, but I am so happy I got to see her play!  Then I was off to Bruges, Belgium for my master's year at the College of Europe!  My first few days were extremely eventful.  I met Paul and Kaatje, two new and lasting friends.  I moved into my new temporary home and met Rita, the Italian girl across the hall who has been like a sister to me this year.  I dipped my feet in the North Sea.  I passed my exams.  

6.  November brought Sally to Bruges from Trévoux and I spent one of the best 24 hours with my best friend.  We had beer, waffles, frites, late-night Youtube sessions, and even a haircut.  Hooray for friends.

7.  Christmas break brought my family over to this side of the pond.  We spent a snowy Christmas in Hamburg, Germany with some very close friends.  Traveled to Bruges and experienced the rain, cold, and waffles (some of us for the first time).  Then we hit the the Eurostar and headed to London for a whirlwind tourist experience and one of the best New Year's Eve celebrations I can remember.   Champagne and surround sound.  'Nuff Said.  

8.  The new semester at the CoE started too early for my liking, but it started well.  I was closer to my friends here, even though my friends at home were as far away as ever.  Alex and I managed to tackle Poland in February with much success.  There were drinks and sushi in Warsaw, a surprise concert in a beautiful church, an unbelievable trip to Krakow and Auschwitz, and my first trip to Eastern Europe.  

9.  Easter break brought a trip to Paris where I met up with Sally and Sarah for a weekend of laughter, Disneyland Paris shenanigans, Alice in Wonderland, and too many pains au chocolat to count.  This is one of my best memories from the year.

10.  April was a big blur called the thesis.  But I have to admit that finishing my thesis is one of my greatest accomplishments of the year.  

That brings me to today.  I know I have left plenty of things out, but hopefully this brief list can give you an overview of some of my favorite memories from the year.  I can't believe it, but this year is over.  And as my master's program is winding down and I am looking at the prospects and possibilities that await me in my future life, I have to remind myself to be hopeful.  Things have turned out to be pretty grand so far, and I am only one year into this thing called "real life."  So, three oceans, three continents, and seven countries later, I can look back and be proud of this first year.  Thanks for all of your support.  I couldn't have trotted the globe and stayed in one piece without the help of my friends and family.  You guys rock and I can't wait to share the rest of my adventures with you.

Peace, Love, and Waffles.  

PS, Happy Mother's Day to my Mom and all of the other Mommies out there!  

Song of the Week: 23

I finally have some new music this week!  Thanks to my Mom and Dad and the last package they sent, which included a giant box of Mike & Ikes and an iTunes gift card.  Before I get into that, though, I would just like to say thank you for some of the postcards I have received recently.  First, thanks to Aunt Rhoda for the newest Southbend postcard.  I love getting little encouraging notes mixed in with some news from home.  Next, I have to thank Paula Bettencourt, my good friend Alex's mom.  She was sweet enough to send me a postcard from Boston!  It was such a great surprise.  Finally, thanks to Katie and Jenn!  Now, I have to explain a little bit.  I never actually received a postcard from these two.  However, I have it on good word that one was sent to me from Florida a couple of months ago.  So I will just blame the postal service for failing to deliver it.  Thank you girls for putting in the effort even when the postman doesn't come through.   I love you girls!   So thank you everyone who has participated in the 100 Post package and postcard challenge.  Everything you send is up on my wall and I can't wait to get a picture of it at the end of the year.  It's a great reminder of how much everyone cares.
Now for the Song of the Week.  I now I have said it before, but single artist soundtracks really are the greatest thing to hit the movies since color.  This song is from one of my favorite movies "Dan in Real Life."  If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it.  The soundtrack artist's name is Sondre Lerche and he is simply amazing.  His laid back, happy tracks are quite fitting for my new relaxed mood these days. So sit back and have a listen to "My Hands are Shaking;" I think you'll really like it.

Peace, Love, and Waffles.

How Do You Spell DONE?

Why, T-H-E-S-I-S of course.  At least, that's what we were going for in this picture, taken in the center of the Market Square just after all of us had submitted our theses.  I think it also spells relief.
(Please note that one of the S's, executed by my Austrian friend, Robert, is facing the wrong direction.  This should be proof of just how fried our brains actually were that day).

These faces were our initial reactions.  Enjoy.  

Peace, Love, and Waffles.

To Quote Jesus . . .

"IT IS FINISHED!"*  The thesis, that is.  Now, while my efforts may not have saved humanity from eternal damnation, I am proud of the end result.  I turned the paper in on Thursday morning after several sleepless nights, many many tears, and only one panic attack.  I actually think I did better than most people.  I could not have done it without a lot of help from some extremely wonderful people.  First, thank you Mom and Dad for always taking my calls, even though I was usually a mess on the other end.  Thanks for listening to me whine and complain and for always believing that I could do it.  I also have to thank all of my friends back in the States who came through with encouraging letters, emails, and wall posts.  Many a Skype conversation helped keep my feet on the ground during this temporary break with reality.   I also need to thank my friend Oran who helped me format my thesis when I had absolutely NO IDEA what I was doing.  I am sorry, but in America, MLA is king.  So I have never used footnotes, tables of contents or numbered chapters before.  Oran made sure that even if my arguments don't make any sense, my paper looks good.  Finally, I owe a gigantic "THANK YOU" to Paul, my Rotary host counselor.  I called him on Wednesday afternoon in a complete panic.  We were supposed to have our papers turned in by 3:30 to have them bound in order to pick them up the next morning and turn them in between 10:00 and 12:00.  This two hour window is extremely strict.  Well, it was 4:45 and I was still working when I called Paul .  He was just wonderful.  First, he came over and gave me a huge hug.  Then he called around to copy shops in Bruges and got one to agree to open an hour early for me on Thursday morning so I could have the thesis bound at 9:00 and still have plenty of time to turn it in.
So now it is in and I can breathe a small sigh of relief.  I don't know how impressed my supervisor will be with my efforts, but for once (and trust me, this is rare) I am proud of the work I submitted.
It is back to work this evening, though.  My first exam is on Monday morning (cruel, if you ask me).  So I must begin to study some German.  I have a feeling that these exams will pass rather quickly.  Already, I have less than a month before I finish academic work.  Then I have two weeks to CHILL while awaiting my results.  I can't wait!
So thank you to everyone who called, emailed, sent postcards, etc.  I really appreciate all of the support.  Trust me, you won't have to do it ever again.  I promise you, this is the last thesis I will ever write!

Peace, Love, and Waffles.

*No offense was meant by this quote.  I love Jesus and His words just seemed very fitting at the moment.  

Song of the Week: 22

I have it!  I finally have it!  A song of the week, that is (and one worthy of multiple listens, I think).  I need to get more of this band's stuff.  Seriously, they are fun to listen to and overall, I just get a good vibe.  This song is on a new mix I made to listen to at 2:00 a.m. when I am working on my never-ending thesis.  The whole mix is kind of dark, and little bit angry, but made of great artists and quality songs.  So if you are in a darker mood and have, say, 5,000 more words to write for an assignment that will decide a good part of your near future, then I suggest you go ahead and buy the entire album.  If your situation is a little less pathetic than mine, you should at least have a quick listen to "Norway" by Beach House.

Peace, Love, and Waffles.

PS, next time I post a Song of the Week . . . THE THESIS WILL BE FINISHED!!!!

Please Excuse My English

Originally, I came to the College of Europe believing I would improve my French and maybe pick up some Dutch and German along the way.  After 8 months here, I realize that the only linguistic change to have occurred in my now overflowing brain is the inability to speak English like a proper native.  You see, I have spent so much time with non-native speakers (Italian, British, French, Greek, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Romanian . . .)  that I have adopted some of their, hmmmm, rather odd phrasing.  So please forgive me when I return and say things like:

"It's true, it's true!" (while waving my hands in front of myself)

"My hairs are dirty; I need to wash them." (I tend to forget that hair is a singular entity where I come from.)

"He seems a monkey."

"Spetta" (wait)

"Uh oh, it looks like the honey is finished."  (meaning there is no more honey left in the bottle)

"If you have time later, we should make a pause together."  (meaning "take a break" together).

"Let's go to the canteen." (rather than the Dining Hall or cafeteria)

"When I was at university." (because people don't understand "college")

"I hope I get good marks this term." (grades)

Please also be warned of the following:

The over use of introductory phrases: "For instance", "Such as", "In addition to" and the list goes on

The random spouting of nostalgic English colloquialisms like "baller", "yo", "peeps", and "homies."  (I have begun using such words to throw my European friends off a bit, but I am afraid the phrases are beginning to stick.)

The use of very Italian (although sometimes improperly employed) hand gestures, just for emphasis.

The occasional "Dank je wel"  or "merci" instead of "thank you" at the check-out.

I am also currently engaged in a debate over when you "brew" tea versus "steeping" it.  

This is just a small glimpse into my everyday struggle with my own language.  If I think of anymore strange phrases I have adopted, I'll be sure to add them to the list.  As it stands, you have been duly warned so you can properly prepare yourselves for my return.  I hope everyone is having a great week.

Peace, Love, and Waffles.  

Song of the Week: 21

Ok, readers.  Only a week and a half more of sleepless nights and stressful days and then the thesis will be turned in!  I am not exactly pleased about this arrangement, but I am getting excited about the deadline because that means that no matter how much I actually still have to do, it WILL be done by May 6th.  Still, say a little prayer for me, if you don't mind.  I need some help keeping my sanity amidst all of this pressure.  Thanks.  

This week Ali's music world has been equally as slow as last week.  But I do think I have a song for you, at least.  It's not a new one, that's for sure.  But it's a good one.  As some of you will know, The Killers have been one of my favorite bands for YEARS.  I love them.  Over the past few years they have put out some of the best albums available.  Their music is energetic, electric, and, like their lyrics and videos, just a little bit odd.  This week's Song of the Week is one of my favorite Killer's songs (although it's hard to choose a true favorite).  I feel like this song really fits my current mood and situation.  So sit back and enjoy "Read My Mind."  And yes, the video is hilariously awesome.  

Peace, Love and Waffles.  

I Have Failed

I am terribly sorry and I really hate to admit defeat, but I was unable to choose a song of the week for this week.  I had my iTunes on shuffle for hours.  I wasted quite a bit of time on iTunes recommendations, Purevolume.com, etc.  It just isn't there.  So I'll shoot for next week.  Again, my apologies.  But I think it may have something to do with my current stress level.  I am topping the charts this week as my thesis deadline approaches.  I have just begun writing and, therefore, just begun to notice how much I don't know about my topic, how much information I am still missing, and how many hours this is actually going to take.  I may appear calm on the inside, but come May 7th (the day after I am supposed to have turned the beast in) I promise to be a blubbering mess, releasing all of the emotional nonsense I have been keeping bottled up for the past few weeks.  Should be fun.  Anyway, sorry; I didn't mean to rant in this post.  I just wish I could find a song to post here.  Better yet, I wish I could find a song I actually wanted to listen to.  Stress just takes all the fun out of it.
Have a great week everyone.  I'll keep you posted on my paper progress.

Peace, Love, and Waffles.

War and Cookies

Sometimes, as I am sure all of my readers know, an event will come along so simple in nature and yet so profound in impact and irony that it forces you to tilt your head to the side and laugh at what the world throws at you.  I had one such experience today.
Wednesdays mean one thing at the College of Europe (the same thing Mondays and Fridays mean) ham and cheese night at the canteen.  Not wanting to subject myself to a questionable meal yet again, I decided to indulge my American cravings and head to Subway for a 6 inch Spicy Italian sub.  I walked into the tiny establishment directly on the Markt and asked for my sandwich on the only bread they were out of (figures).  So I switched to wheat and proceeded to ask for cheese, but please, don't toast the sub.  At this point, the young man behind the counter asked me where I was from.  As this is a normal question for me by now, I answered "St. Louis, MO, in the U.S."  And, as I normally do, I said it with a smile.
Normally this is a conversation-starter, but my sandwich maker just looked slightly amused and went back to attempting to put tomatoes on my sandwich (please, anything but tomatoes!).  His English was very good and not at all infiltrated by Flemish, so I asked him where he was from.
He smiled at this and said "Actually, I am from Iraq."  After we both let this sink in for a few seconds, he stopped and said "This is where it gets awkward, right?"
Had I any less self-control I am sure I would have found myself on the floor laughing at the utter absurdity of what was happening; instead, I responded "Not necessarily.  There is no reason for awkward.  We're just two people, making a sandwich."  But admittedly, if ever there was a time to whip out the awkward turtle, it was then.  In an effort to move the conversation on, I requested mustard on my sandwich.  Alas, they stopped selling mustard because "Americans were the only ones who ever asked for it."  This time I was laughing.
Sooooo . . . "How long have you lived in Belgium?" I asked.
"About 16 years" he responded.
"Nice; so are you here with the rest of your family?  Or are they still in Iraq?"
"I live here with my brother" he said.  "My father is back in Iraq because he was just elected to the parliament this past election cycle.  So, obviously he has to be there."
"Wow, that's awesome" I replied; thoroughly impressed. (In my mind I was trying to figure out the odds of an American meeting an Iraqi parliamentarian's son in the middle of Belgium.  Not high.)
"So what is an American doing in Bruges?" he asked.
This time, I really did laugh out loud while attempting to say  "Studying international relations and diplomacy.  Pile on the irony," I laughed.    
He saw the irony too and laughed right along with me.  (The amount of irony you can cram into one room is astounding.  We could have killed a small elephant, I am sure.)
As I was paying for my sandwich, he smiled and said "I'll give you a free cookie today."
I smiled back and said "Now that's diplomacy."
So he placed my double chocolate chunk cookie in a bag and said "you should come back."
I said "it was a pleasure talking with you, I promise I'll be back for more diplomacy."

So in a Subway, in the center of Bruges, an Iraqi and an American solved our countries' differences with better diplomacy than I have seen exercised in the past 9 years.  Sometimes, all it takes is a free cookie.

Peace, Love, and Waffles.

Song of the Week: 20

Wow, this week was a tough one.  I haven't bought any new music in a month and I haven't listened to anything stellar in the meantime.  Besides, I haven't really been in a super great mood this week.  Stress is an understatement.  But I can't leave you without music.  It's just too important.  So here it is.  I thought that this week deserved a classic.  It was a hard pick, to be sure.  But after much deliberation I have selected Coldplay's "Yellow" as this week's song.  I can always go back to this one.  It's just comfortable, even when nothing else seems to fit the mood.  So sit back and listen, even if you've heard it before.  It's beautiful.

I'm Getting Married . . . To Myself

So says Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw.  And you know what, I am going to take a page out of her book.  While some of you understand where this post is heading for others, this statement probably requires an explanation.  I shall gladly oblige.  You see, as I approach the end of grad school, it is daily becoming clearer that I won't just be facing the prospect of having a job and responsibilities and the harsh reality that is the ever so cliché "real life."  There is so much more to it than that.  I find myself rather ill-equipped to face all of the wonderful things that await me outside of Bruges.  Sure, I have the education, I have the brains, and occasionally I can muster the confidence.  What I am missing is far simpler than all of that, yet incredibly more elusive.  I am missing the monogrammed towels, the Kitchen Aid mixer and the matching china set.
Again, let me explain.  Last summer - the summer after I graduated from college as a very single, very happy, very independent individual - I watched as six of my friends posted pictures of their weddings on Facebook.  Over the past two years I have attended or been invited to at least 5 bridal showers.   This summer I have more weddings, showers, and other friend's future happiness to be involved in.  And as I continue to shell out for plane tickets, dresses, and Crate & Barrel gift cards, I have decided that it is now time to take a stand.  Now, don't get me wrong.  I am by no means lamenting my current marital status.  Nor am I complaining about showering gifts upon many dear friends and deserving couples.  I am simply pointing out the fact that, in our highly developed culture, we think that getting married means you deserve loads of free stuff with which to start your new life.  And while I don't disagree with this practice or the underlying concept, I would just like to point out the shortsighted nature of the system.  Because all of those girls exiting the church steps in frilly white dresses and us lonesome graduates have something in common.  We graduates may not be walking down the aisle anytime soon, but we are facing an empty apartments and most likely un- (or significantly underpaid) employment just the same.
So I would just like to know where the "I'm entering the real world" registry is located at Bed, Bath, and Beyond.  Where do I sign up for the "I just graduated from grad school" bonus at Macy's?  And where on earth is the "Congrats!  I'm an adult" poster at Party City?  Why is it that we celebrate marriage like it's an accomplishment?  Everyone is  pleased to help a happy couple start their new life together.  Well, news flash, we loners are starting our lives too.  We are just doing it in the absence of blenders, toasters, pillows, his and her towels and synthetic bamboo napkin rings.  Instead of being capable of furnishing our lives like our fettered friends, we can only hope to be able to bedeck our walls with some awesome framed inspirational quotes whilst recording our lonely, but highly evolved, thoughts in about 5 Moleskin journals.
I love all of my married, engaged, hopelessly in love friends.  But I'm not gonna lie; I am fighting for equal treatment.  So here it is.  I am getting married, to myself.  As soon as I can find somewhere that recognizes same-person unions, I'll let you know where I have registered.  In the meantime, I urge you to consider this peculiar societal tradition.  We love to love the lovers.  But please, don't forget the over-educated loners.  We need muffin pans and duvet covers too.

Peace, Love, and Waffles.