Laura:
I have never met anyone like Laura - she is such a breath of fresh air! :) This might sound strange, but I would describe her as being a haiku. We've had some great times together while over here: visiting a bookbinding museum here in Brussels, where we came up with our own versions of how things worked (which, by the way, are the real way things work), and had a great time on that Armistice Day trip I wrote about a few posts ago. A good bus seat buddy, if I do say so myself. And so many other things. But yes. Meet Laura.
Becky:From Nebraska, Becky is in my French class. I don't know why, but I have a tendency to be unbearable chipper during that class, and when our professor isn't looking, I make faces across the room at Becky. The classroom is set up in a U-shape with the desks, so we sit across from each other. She came with me to see Fiddler on the Roof performed back in November (along with Erika and Danielle...upcoming!), and we have had some good times talking about movies and travel plans and all sorts of stuff. If Laura is a haiku, I think...maybe Becky would be something close to but not exactly a rock ballad.
Rachel:Of my three roommates, I probably got to know Rachel the best. Thank goodness she can stand my bizarre sense of humor! This isn't to discount my other two roommates - they're great, as well! Not only was she subjected to me talking at night while I was asleep, me getting up earlier than everybody else because I'm a morning person, me...shedding hair like an animal (I don't thing Brussels water agreed with me)...and more. She's a real peach. :) I'll miss her!
Danielle:
Beautiful Danielle! She and I had a good time walking around Brussels talking in ridiculous accents, finding bars in the EU area that were super classy in every aspect except the fact that Spongebob was playing on a plasma screen TV, talking about home -- everything! I love this woman! :) She lives in Alaska and goes to school in Hawaii - how cool! Hopefully, she and I can get together sometime and continue our adventures! (As for this picture, I didn't take it, but ripped it off of her facebook profile)
Diane:
What a joy to be around! I met Diane through Christian Center, the church I attended there. Through her, I met Marie (a true Belgian!), Faten (from Lebanon), and Hongling (from China), and she hosted Gilmore Girls nights, Lebanese food night, and so much more! Diane is from Oregon, but moved to Belgium a few years ago, and will soon be moving ot Kazakstan - she's amazing and I miss her!
Els and Iria:
My host moms! Not only are they amazing cooks, but they were so helpful to getting to know Brussels and in comforting me when I was homesick and so many other things! I was happy to do the heavy lifting when they needed it - carrying stuff around. Iria (on the right) never liked that I didn't wear shoes around (don't get sick with your naked feets!), and Els was wonderful to talk to over coffee! They have three Yorkshire Terriers, named Chiva, Ally McBeal, and Indiana Jones. We were their last students - I think we lucked out!
And, last but certainly not least, Ms. Sabine!
Our ISA program director - the best study abroad program director ever! - I don't know if I can say enough good things about Sabine! She organized our ISA excursions to Ghent, Antwerp, Bruges, Dinant, and Den Haag, hosted all 11 of us for dinner on two occasions - including HAMBURGER NIGHT! YUM! - and was pretty much awesome! My entire last weekend, actually, was spent at her house and I loved it! On December 6, she invited me along to a breakfast wth her family for St. Nicholas day, which was so much fun! I watched her nephew open up his presents (he's a lucky guy!), and then ate a delicious breakfast with her sister, brother in law, and neighbor. Afterwards, I hung out at her place and studied for exams - such a nice change from the cave! And on Sunday, I went over again after church, and she made me some delicious soup and we watched a rousing round of darts on the television, as well as The Queen, which was a really good movie. I'll miss you Sabine!
From Left to Right: Erika (who is also from SVSU!), Danielle, Danae, Becky, Elaina, and SABINE! :)
There are so many other people to write about, and I'm thankful for having met every single one of them! But I'm out of time.
I will in all liklihood make a few more...debriefing posts. I'm digesting everything that has happened over these past few months. It's like Thanksgiving meal. Lots to process!
