Contemplating Homesickness

Bonjour, Bonne journée, Bonne soirée, Bonne nuit!
Good morning, Good day, Good evening, Good night!

Whatever it may be for you, I wish you well.

Since I have been here for a week and a half now, I have let go of some of my homesickness. It is truly getting better and I am enjoying being here more and more. I am sure I will continue to contemplate homesickness rather than engrossing myself in the fact of being away. Life has been improving since classes started Tuesday. Yesterday (Thursday) was my best day yet. I also hope to enjoy my Thursday class, Brand Management, a marketing course. My class schedule is as follows:
Tuesdays: 8:30A usually, until 12:45P.
Wednesdays: 10:45A - 8:15P, with an hour and a half break for lunch at 12:45, and another break after 4P until 6P.
Thursdays: 10:45A until 12:45P.
Yes, classes are two hours long! Each has a large amount (40% + of the grade) of major group work... the Americans and Canadians here do not think it is the best of ideas! lol Oh well, we will have to manage or fail!

Tomorrow (Saturday), I am going to Brussels for the afternoon and evening with a large group of exchange students. The agenda for the day is visiting a bar (at 4 in the afternoon mind you) that serves over 700 varieties of beer, going to experience a true chocolate factory, buying chocolate, eating chocolate, going to dinner for mussels, and maybe enjoying the nightlife or seeing La Grand Palace. It apparently it is magnificent at night! I will try to figure out how to upload pictures to here or enter a link.

Today I went shopping with a friend, Chelsi from The University of North Florida, unexpectedly. We just went to the local mall, but it was a blast! I love European shopping. I think I may purchase an adorable pair of boots once the shops have their final winter sales and I may find a steal. I would love to have a pair. I did not intend to make any purchases, but a great pair of navy slacks followed me home. They were only 10€, or about $13.00. I saw them and figured I will most definitely need working clothes at my full-time internship this summer! All of my professional clothes are too big right now. After shopping and she had a bite to eat, I led her on an expedition of the non-university parts of Louvain la Neuve. We took some great pictures and saw a completely different part of the city. The part of town where "real" people live with children, homes, and the sort. The exchange students had been wondering where the "real people" live and through my curiousity and lead, Chelsi and I discovered a whole new world. It was exciting. What is even better is that we were not sitting at home on the Internet being homesick.

I appreciate everyone's thoughts, prayers, and love! It truly has made a difference in my first week and I cannot thank everyone for their encouragement and support. If you ever feel the need to read more or hear stories, feel free to email me. I am more than willing to share my experiences, though this blog can only hold your attention for so long. Thank you again and ...

Jusqu'à la prochaine fois,

Until next time,

I ♥ you!

Chole

One Week, and Counting

Bonjour to all those I love!

In the latest news, I found out yesterday (Monday, January 26th) that I will be interning this summer for The Department of Agriculture for the State of Texas. My internship will focus around the further development and promotion of the Go Texan campaign, as many are familiar with through the logo. If you're not, stroll down the ice cream aisle the next time you're at the grocery. Look next to the Blue Bell Ice Cream and viola, GO TEXAN! My time and energy will be dedicated to exclusively promoting Texan agricultural products in restaurants, primarily a large event hosted by The Department of Agriculture and many local restaurants in October. I am very excited that I will return to Austin having a purpose this summer! It is also a relief to be able to fulfill the internship requirement of every McCombs School of Business student. Plus it is something I could imagine myself doing one day for a job!!! I am honestly more excited about this opportunity than being in Belgium, for now.

Things here in Belgium have been tedious. I have registered with the city. I have registered with the University. I have registered for classes. I have re-registered with the University because they did not like my picture. I have registered with a new bank. I have registered with Housing. I have registered online for my bank. I have yet to figure out how to register with the University online so I can get my email. I have registered all of the problems that came with my room in French from English to turn into Housing. Yes, other countries beyond the United States have bureaucracy too. It makes for terrible days and even more disappointing conversation among the exchange students. Nevertheless, I have met more students, though it is difficult to remember each person's name. There have been events frequently for the exchange students. On Sunday evening, they invited us out to cercles. Cerles are basically dirty, sweaty, packed fraternity parties at kots (aka dorms). Most commonly, there are 50 people in a space for 20. If you want beer, you go inside the party and take it to go or stay and socialize. That is what practically every student does here Sunday through Thursday nights. They go home to their parents on Fridays. Belgians think they are amazing, though the common perspective among the exchange students is that they are gross!

Today was my first day of class. I am glad there are only two more days this week! I am taking Advanced Marketing, European Public Affairs, Industrial Relations in Europe, European Corporate Governance, and Brand Management. One class each on Tuesdays and Thursdays, three classes on Wednesdays. My Advanced Marketing course is different. We have many executives coming to speak from the marketing industry, though the scheduled time of their visit is 2 hours before class begins... from 8:30-10:30 A! Then there's class after that usually, from 10:45A - 12:45P. I will need a thermos for my coffee pretty soon... The is a 15-page group paper due at the end of the semester worth 50% of your grade, and for me, either an oral or written final exam in May worth 50% also. I have yet to figure out the whole books thing here. Soon, I hope. I have a Belgian group that found me for the project and I am hopeful for an A. Many of the exchange students that are in it probably will leave because their home institutions will not honor the course. Oh well. Tomorrow will be another adventure, from 10:45A until 8:15P.

I may be visting Brussels this weekend with the other exchange students. I am ready to travel!!! Tonight is beer tasting with the exchange student organization. Last night was supposedly a barbeque, though they forgot to send the memo to bring your own meat and drinks. It made no sense to anyone, from any country. I apologize for not updating more often, though I have been jumping through many firey hoops and hardly have any time to myself.

With ♥,

Chole

My First Belgian Beer.

I am settled, for now.

Yes, I have had my first, second, and third Belgian beers. My first was with a sandwich the night of my arrival. When I arrived to the Belgian airport, I gathered my luggage and found the student team who was there to pick me up immediately. It was nice to have them. We spent an hour on the train coming from Brussels to Louvain-la-Neuve. It was extremely difficult with two heavy suitcases and two carry on bags. I am glad I had my backpack though. I have worn it every day and my shoulders have begun to hurt. Oh well, I will take some aspirin.

I was able to get my room on the first day. I unpacked somewhat and met some other exchange students. We ate together at the sandwich shop that evening and I tried to find internet without success. I went to sleep around 9 pm and woke at 10 am. I did not sleep very well because of the terrible pillow the bedding kit came with and the styrofoam-like bed. I met a new friend and we went to the "centre commercial", aka the mall, and I definitely bought some better pillows. They make a world of difference.

Yesterday was the shopping day. I bought a coffee maker, the best appliance in the world, coffee, sugar, some sort of milk that really isn't good, pillows, a mug, hangers, picture frames, and a Ed Hardy poster...

Just trying to make my room feel like I am at home as best as I can here.

Last night I met more exchange students at a semi-party. We just were all sitting around talking and having some beer. Three girls walked me home last night and after I spent a couple of hours putting up pictures and my poster, I went to bed after 1:45 A. I didn't fall asleep for a while, but once I did, I slept pretty hard. Surprisingly, I woke up at 3:45 P. That's right, in the afternoon! I slept through my orientation and woke up very disoriented. I went to the mall this afternoon though and bought an alarm clock! I am still debating buying a phone. I went to dinner at a fastfood restaurant called the Q. Surprise, surprise, I ate a fast food burger. It was the size of my palm and it came with an orange juice and a very good green salad. I think it was the most nutricious meal I have had since I have been in Belgium! I plan to go to the grocery tomorrow and take pictures of the town. Tonight I am going with the other exchange students to a pub for drinks to get to know other people.

I won't have wireless internet until Sunday in my dorm. I will try my best to post more soon. If you have Skype or Yahoo! Messenger, we can stay in better touch. Thank you for your love and prayers, I miss everyone!

Sharing my ♥ from Louvain...

Chole

Gathering My Bearings.

I am here in Belgium, safe.

I am not completely settled yet, though I hope to have regular Internet as of Sunday.

My new address is:

Mademoiselle Nichole Brumley
Voie du Car d'Or 2/014
1348 Louvain-la-Neuve
Belgium

Will update blog soon. Miss everyone!

Much ♥ love needed from Louvain...

Chole

Lacking Anticipation

Well with the countdown ticking down to a mere two days and eighteen hours left, I still am lacking much of any anticipation for my trip to Belgium.

I am completely happy sitting in on a couch with an arm around my shoulders, watching movies, competing on the new PS3, having another Christmas of sorts, playing pool, enjoying junk food, and relishing the awe of Planet Earth! I have come to love doing and thinking what every college student should be doing and thinking on their holiday break... nothing! Still, even with my departure looming on Tuesday, I do not want to leave the comfort of the collegiate "oasis" for a trip of a lifetime, yet. But alas, I am sure once I board the plane on Tuesday, reality will hit me like a bus and over-joyous emotions will encompass my soul.

Between now and Monday evening, I will make my way back to Austin to pack and prepare. For now, I look forward to savoring the fat, juicy steak Brian thoughtfully picked up at the grocery. The grill is most definitely his friend. I have tried my best to take advantage of the variety of cuisine in America recently. Within the last week, I have enjoyed genuine Tex-Mex, smoky barbecue, delicious sushi, thick burgers, spicy chili, and practically anything with meat. I do hope I will be able to get enough nutrients and vitamins abroad. Fresh fruit and vegetables too.

Though I have yet to spend any sleepless nights worrying about my lack of anticipation for studying abroad, I do feel as though I am missing out of some of the fun. Oh well, if it does not come by Tuesday morning, that is when I will begin my worthless worry.

Miles away from ordinary, life is lovely. I have taken care of what I need to and in a rare moment of my life, I am figuratively free of all obligations and responsibility. Thankfully, God has blessed me with the opportunity and given me a wonderful life I love.

For now, the world is my oyster.
Much ♥ from College Station!

Chole

Pre-Departure

Congrats! You found my European blog.

This blog will soon be filled with my adventures while studying abroad at L'Universite Catholique de Louvain (UCL) in Louvain, Belgium. Feel free to follow my entries as you wish, as I hope my travels may inspire you to pursue your dreams one day too!!

I am leaving from Austin for Brussels on January 20, 2009. Classes begin January 26th. Be on the watch for lots of pictures too.

Just in case you haven't added me on Skype yet, open the application, enter blazebromley, and sure enough, no longer will you feel an empty chasm in your life!


For now, much ♥ from Austin!

Chole