I’m always tired by the time I get around to getting on the internet, it seems. To my parents: I hope you are able to set up skype, because it would be nice to talk without worrying about a bill. Though it’s a little weird talking to your computer…I can just see a cartoon of some baby talking to his skype-equiped teddy bear, or something like that.
There’s so much to tell, but I won’t go into half of it. I’ve had all my classes at least once so far; I think I’m actually going to change my peace and security studies course to an art history class, because the p&l studies is a 300 level poliscience, and I just don’t want to put the time into something that doesn’t really interest me. It would interest me more if the teacher hadn’t decided to focus exclusively on china (she’s chinese), but I want time to do other things like audit a class at ULB. This has been highly recommended to me, so I think I’ll try it for fun. Can you believe there’s only one other person in my french class? It’s the highest level at Versalius, but I understand almost everything the prof says. It’s just a matter of speaking, and with only two students I’m bound to improve. It’s still really difficult for me to understand my host family, as they don’t speak as clearly (especially the father, who has a very “french” sound, and the oldest son who mutters).
My one “core” class is with all the ciee students and is all about belgian history/culture/etc. Everybody is prepared to hate it but I’m really excited. I like Belgium! I hate the stupid single males (unfortunately all the creeps seem to be either italian or middle eastern so I’m becoming racist), but the public transit system and cool art nouveau buildings make up for it. I was at the comic museum yesterday, which in a word was awesome and I know I’ll be returning sometime soon.
I went to the BSO orchestra rehearsal on Sunday, and the ride out was worse than I was expecting. I knew that it would be about an hour, but it also became apparent my 10 min walk was in the boonies of outer brussels, along a dark and deserted road with VERY alarming potential. If the orchestra had been really wonderful, I might’ve endured the journey once a week, but the reality was that it was nothing special. The people were nice, and there were several professionals in the orchestra; the conductor was funny and I’m sure very good. He didn’t make eye contact with any of his players, however, and there was little sense of strong ensemble. I’m spoiled, I know, but I think it’s better to take a break. Attending rehearsal would mean 2 hours of transportation and 2 hours of rehearsal all on a sunday night. No thank you!
My family is still wonderful, though I need to sit down and ask the parents some questions tomorrow (“please could you make me do some chores so I don’t feel like such a pain in the ass??”). Also I need to find a laundromat.
Remember Obama’s inauguration? I’m a little pissed; all the CIEE folks (all the blue ciees folks) went after class today to watch it in a bar, but indecision led to us missing most of it because we were on the metro en route. Shortly after arriving at our destination (a fellow student’s apartment) Lexi (the boxer) and I left to go back home. I watched the speech and swearing in on Youtube, which was almost as good. What matters is that it actually took place, right? Poor ‘ol Bush looked a little lost. I saw Cheney being wheeled into his goodbye hearse. He appeared to stoop under the weight of a million tortured souls. Fucker.
It’s been very cold here. Lucky for me, I’m experiencing the most enduring cold Belgium has had in 60 years! The wet really does make it seem extremely chilly. My list of things to get includes a good umbrella, because the wind here makes short work of the cheapies.
Last thing: the metro has finally made me queasy. I was completely fine up until 1 minute of exiting my tram this morning for school, and suddenly I felt REALLY nauseous. I never feel like that! I went to the sandwich shop (best in town–2.40E for a huge salami and cheese sandwich with homemade mayo on freshly baked bread) and almost had to leave because the smell of the fresh baked bread being brought from the back made me ill. I managed to order my food, and all day I’ve been a little off. The metro home wasn’t so bad, but I really had to not look at the things passing by the window. yleach.
ok, I need to sleep now. It is so beautifully quite here, so my sleep has been really quality except for my own anxiety episodes.
