Things are starting to work themselves out. I think have a schedule. I have my plane tickets to fly back to the states to get my visa (please note: I am going to Wisconsin Oct 25-Nov 7, I will be bored during the day, if you are available, let me know).

I feel like the past week has been eventful, but when I think back, I can’t think of what would be interesting to talk about. I went to a discothèque on Tuesday; I went to the mall on Wednesday; I went to Brussels on Thursday for a briefing at the US Embassy; I had lunch with the director of my college at the fanciest restaurant I’ve ever stepped foot in on Friday; I did laundry on Saturday; I’ve done nothing today. Mixed in there, I’ve gone to the gym, school (although I haven’t had one class yet), grocery store and chatted with friends.

In regards to the beer, yes it is good. I haven’t found my favorite yet. I actually miss Leinenkugels BerryWeiss and Blue Moon (which is Belgian, but I haven’t found it here). I have had what is called “Kriek”. It’s the girly beer here, with cherry flavoring. It’s the standard 5% alcohol. I have not had Chimay, which is the highest percentage, somewhere between 9 and 11%.

In regards to chocolate, I haven’t had any yet. I know, shocking.

In regards to waffles, I’ve only had one. I didn’t have any toppings on it. I need to do some more testing.

In regards to fries, they’re fries. They taste the same. I don’t eat them often.

Next week’s entry should be hopefully a bit more interesting, since I will have taught a class and I’m going to Luxembourg next weekend with the other Fulbrighters. We have a reception (fancy) and a tour. I have to buy a dress for the reception. Boo. I hope you all are well. Send me any news from the home-front.

HOW I KNOW I’M NOT IN THE STATES: Weird antics that don’t normally occur at home

·      I was walking home from the City Administration building and I saw an older woman pushing a stroller. As she approached, I noticed that there wasn’t a baby in the stroller, but instead a short-hair Chihuahua wearing a baby bonnet. Interesting way to take the dog for a walk.

·      I joined “PowerGym” here in town. I went to a BodyStep class. I, of course, was the only one wearing shorts, with the exception of the instructor who was wearing teeny, tiny spandex shorts and a spandex top. Besides being not particularly attractive, he would also throw in dance moves (butt shakes and pelvic thrusts) between steps.

·      I was walking down the street behind a man and his Staffordshire terrier (aka pit bull). The man had a beer in one had and the dog in the other. The man stopped and took a drink from his beer while he let his dog urinate on the shiny, blue parked car.

·      It is a successful day if I don’t have dog crap on the bottom of my shoes when I get home.