The Year Is Almost Over

I'm not sure when the last time I blogged was... I'm pretty sure the day that I went to Talia's for dinner. Yes that's right. Ok so I should pick up with yesterday.

So yesterday, Mikayla and I woke up at my house, under the impression that we would have to leave the house around 9 30am because we had heard my host mom say something about that the night before. So we got up, even though we had stayed up talking and watching How I Met Your Mother for hours and didn't get to sleep til 3am. Great quotes from last night: "It's not even a one word do!" "It's like a log of duck with a layer of fat on it. Well maybe ducks are just made that way". Anyways. We woke up, ate breakfast, and got ready for the day. But it turned out that we didn't have to leave until the afternoon. So instead of going back to sleep, we wasted time on the computer and talking. Eventually, right before lunch, we went, both of us, over to Mikayla's house. I was going to spend the night there because there was a little get together in Hannut that night at the café to introduce Talia's sister to all the Belgians. But more about that later.

We got to Mikayla's and threw all our stuff in her room, and then almost immediately went downstairs to eat. Of course. We had some couscous and found that the FAHB had taken the Jello that Mikayla had gotten him, and put it in the fridge. Not the made Jello, just the powder in the box. In the fridge. And when he came walking through the kitchen, we asked him why he had put the Jello in the fridge and he thought it was supposed to go there. We laughed at him, telling him that it's just the powder and it doesn't need to be refrigerated until you make the actual Jello. The FAHB cracks me up. We then talked about how the Belgians are not very creative with their food and just stick within the realm of meat and potatoes and blandness. I have to say, being here really makes me appreciate the food I eat in America. You know, all the Belgians make fun of Americans and say that we don't know how to cook and we make terrible food and all we eat is McDonald's. I detest that stereotype. Because I can 100% testify to the fact that the food that I eat in my house is better and more interesting than the food I eat here. I miss beef stroganoff and chicken paprikash and cottage cheese and noodles and macaroni and cheese and tacos and chicken salad and all the wonderful food that was made in my house daily. Don't get me wrong, I lucked out with families and I eat well here. But the food I ate in the States was much more interesting. I didn't just eat omelets. I ate omelets with tomatoes and zucchini and cheese and onion and all kinds of good stuff. And when I didn't know what to eat, I made something up. Belgians don't make things up. They don't experiment with their food and it's boring. They don't even have banana bread! And I really do think sometimes that when Europe came together to decide what European culture was going to be, Belgium was just kinda like no thanks we're good over here. I mean, you think of gourmet food, you think of Italian meats and pastas and French sauces and breads. In Belgium, we have waffles, fries, chocolate and beer. Oh yes. Very high class. I'm just frustrated with the lack of creativity in certain areas of my life. And it's not like I can just be creative on my own. The fact of the matter is that food isn't just sitting around the kitchen. They buy food for what they will make that night and there are never leftovers. Things like sour cream are hard to come by and food is limited. There is cream cheese, but there is only regular. No strawberry, no herb, no cinnamon. And I suppose that could just force me to be even more creative, but when there are no vegetables in the house and I can't just jump in my car and run up to the Giant Eagle, it gets a little complicated. Ok there is my little rant about Belgian food. Let us continue with the events of the days.

Mikayla and I then took a leap of faith. We cut my hair. Not all of my hair, just my bangs. I decided I wanted my straight across bangs back. So that is what we did next. I watched a few tutorials and looked up instructions. We grabbed a pair of scissors and went at it. They turned out pretty darn good, too. They're a little shorter on the sides than I wanted, but they look good and they will grow out. And after they do, I'm going back to the style I had a couple years ago. Which means cutting off a good four or five inches... But we'll get to that in a month or so. We then watched a few more episode of How I Met Your Mother, ate dinner, which was pasta with ketchup, and we were on our way to Hannut. We had to drop of Mikayla's little host brother at the de Wulf house first, but then we met up with Talia and her family at Mister Patate in Hannut. You know, the place with the giant sandwich and all the fries? Mikayla and I split fries and talked with Talia and her family. Eventually, some kids from school met up with us. Mathieu and Maxime sat with us and they spoke English so that the family would understand. They speak very well. I was impressed. Lately, we've all been speaking French so I forget how well some of the Belgians speak English. After we were done eating, we said our goodbyes to the parents, and they went back to the house that they were staying at. The rest of us went over to the café down the road that we always hang out at. I swear, everyone and their mother was there. Ok not for real, no mothers were there, but you get what I mean. There was really nowhere to sit and it was a cloud of smoke. I think Abbey (Talia's sis) was a little overwhelmed at first. But we started talking with the Belgians and they all took a liking to her and she loosened up fairly quickly. We had a good time talking and standing around. But there weren't many places to sit, and the radiator was not comfortable. Towards the end of the night, things started to get a little weird and Mikayla and I were starting to get aggravated, so we left around 10 30pm. We went back to Mikayla's and made ice cream sundaes with peanut butter, Nutella, sprinkles, and speculoos paste. The speculoos paste wasn't our best idea ever. We stayed up til about 2am watching more How I Met Your Mother, and then crashed for the night.

We had to get up early again this morning because Mikayla was supposed to catch a 10 30 train to go to Maastricht with the other girls from her Rotary club. The plan was to drop me off and home and then go to the station. But things got a little complicated and Mikayla's host mom decided that she would drive, and it wasn't quite understood that I was supposed to get dropped off at home before picking everyone else up. So it worked out that I just went too. We picked up Bella, an "oldie" from Australia, at the train station in Waremme and then Gabby from Guillemans in Liège, and then we were off. Basically, Maastricht is just another town, but it's in the Netherlands. So I can now add one country to my list of European countries that I have visited during my stay here. Fortunately for us, everyone there speaks English. We got stuck in some traffic on the way, but it was fine because with us four girls in the car, there was plenty to talk about. We got there, spent a good chunk of time trying to find a parking space, and then we went off to explore the shops of Maastricht with the understanding that we would meet back up with Mikayla's host mom at 4pm. First off, we found food. I got a sandwich with ham and cheese and pineapple, which was yummy. The bread makes it. Bella had this giant hotdog on a baguette with cheese, and the other two had Nutella crèpes. Then we did some shopping. But I did not buy anything. Be proud world.

In Belgium, there is a yearly sale. Almost to the extent of our Black Friday. Except it last multiple days, and it is really the only sale of the year. It takes place normally a few days after the New Year, and the discounts grow progressively as the days wear on. Well the sale had already began in Maastricht, and the stores and streets were very crowded. The giant two story H&M was pretty nuts. Mikayla waited a good 20 minutes to try on a few pairs of jeans. But it was worth it cause she found a great pair!

Around 4, we met back up with Mikayla's host mom, though she had to move the car because she had been parked outside of a "Sex Shop". Not joking, it said that on the sign and there were pictures of women, topless, on the shop window. The parking was just for the... *ahem* customers... of the shop. So we had to walk another ten minutes to get to the car. Which, normally, wouldn't be an issue, but I was not prepared to go shopping, so I was wearing my heeled boots and a very thin sweater under my coat, and with the cobblestone sidewalks and roads, it was a little rough. Luckily, though, I had earmuffs in my purse. So I didn't freeze to death. Bella and Gabby had decided to stay longer in Maastricht and take a train home, so they grabbed their things, we said goodbyes and then me and Mikayla were headed home with her host mom.

On the way home, we stopped at a GB to grab a recharge for Mikayla's phone and some chocolate for her... needs. Then we went back to her house, and waited for my host mom. We didn't wait long, but I ate a good amount of peanut M&Ms in that time. I really need school to start again. I'm much better about my diet when I'm at school...

So I went home after that and ate dinner and searched frantically for a way to watch that good old "Pippi Longstocking" online. However, no dice. All I could find was the 60s version, and I want the 1997 cartoon. Poo. Oh well, at least I'll sleep tonight. Which is very necessary, considering tomorrow is the New Year. It's pretty nuts to think that the year is almost over and pretty soon we'll be in 2011.

2010 was a hard year. There were a lot of hardships, difficulties, and losses. It taught us all how to grieve, how to cry, and how to be angry. But out of it, also, came how to love and how to support the people around us in times of need. In reality, it was was a great year for me. It is filled with lots of memories. I did some amazing shows in 2010. I graduated from high school. I went to my senior Prom. I had a wonderful boyfriend. I grew closer to my parents. I went to Belgium. I began learning French. Here's to 2011 being even greater! I have a lot to top. We'll see how it goes, but let's make 2011 a year of opportunities received and risks taken. No regrets, and don't take anything for granted. Live in the moment, and cherish what you have right now. Because tomorrow, it could be gone. Appreciate everything, even the struggles. Because the truth is, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. We wouldn't be who were are right now without the things that tested us. We passed the tests of 2010. Now let's throw that in 2011's face. Bring it on. No matter how hard it may seem, we can handle whatever life throws at us this year. Happy New Year everyone. Remember not to party too hard, and let's go into 2011 with a smile, holding hands, ready for a year of challenges and rewards. The prizes get bigger and better every year.

Lady FREAKING Gaga

It's Wednesday night (technically Thursday morning). Last night, Tuesday night, I went with Talia and Mikayla to see LADY GAGA in Antwerp. And holy cow, it was spectacular.

Here's the thing. When Lady Gaga first came out, I really didn't like her. She was too bizarre and I thought she was just going to be around for a while and then people would forget about her, or remember her as just being a disgusting artist with no real talent. And then she came out with hit after hit. And let's face it, you can't help but dance to her music.

And then, one day, I took a master class and met her college roommate.

Not a joke.

And I found out that Miss Stephanie Joanne Angelina Germanotta went to the New York University's Tisch School for the Arts, majoring in musical theatre. Wow. That changed my entire view of her. She was picked out of THOUSANDS of applicants to go to what is arguably the best arts school in the country. She has real talent, and a lot of it. She also plays piano like a mad beast. You can find videos of her on YouTube performing at showcases at NYU and they're incredible. I also found out that she really is pretty nutty in real life, so just in case you were wondering, it's not all an act.

Then, last night, I went to see her in concert. After school, Talia and I went over to Mikayla's house with all of our crazy clothes and makeup and went to work for about an hour getting ready to see Lady Gaga. It was quite a process. It involved hair, makeup, clothes, the whole nine yards. I even attempted to the famous hair bow of Lady Gaga, and I have to say, I pretty much succeeded. Talia and I wore false eyelashes, and we all did really heavy eye makeup. The red lipstick was also a definite. Of course, we had to eat dinner too, which was Kraft mac and cheese that Talia and Mikayla had from home. Yummmmm

Around 5:50pm we left the house, the FAHB driving. Antwerp, or Anvers, as it's called in the French part, was where we were going, and it was about an hour and fifteen minutes away. But we got lost once and had to turn around, and once we got close, the traffic was horrendous. We spent the car ride eating cold ish mac and cheese and Snickers bars, finishing makeup, and painting our nails red. I would tease my hair back up every so often too. For pictures of course. My comb kept disappearing though, and that really started to get on my nerves.

We ended up parking kind of far away and had to walk about ten minutes to actually get to the arena. We passed it on the way, and the crowd outside was ridiculous! I'm not sure when the doors opened, but our tickets said something about eight o'clock and we were late, so we were a bit nervous. But I think doors just opened at eight. Whatever. It doesn't matter. The point is that I was wearing heels and tights and I was cold walking there. But it wasn't too bad, because I had my new coat.

OH YAH side note: The coat that I ordered forever ago finally came. I'm not super freezing in Belgium anymore!! It's super cute and I love it and there's nothing like it anywhere I've been. The only thing about it was that I had to pay again when it got here because of stupid European taxes. There are some things about Europe... It just makes me angry. We already paid for shipping! But that doesn't matter cause there was a tax. Aghhhh.

Anyways, getting back to Gaga... We got in and I hid my camera in my pocket and we went inside. It was pretty much just like the Gund Arena back home (for those of you from Cleveland reading this) and there were posters on the walls for Disney On Ice that was coming soon. Which I smiled at. We then proceeded to climb a million flights of stairs. Talk about my workout for the day. We found our seats, which were all the way to the side at the top most row of seating. But, then we found that we were able to see backstage, and everything was good and happy :)

Mikayla and I jetted to the bathroom, we all took some pictures, and then we settled in for the start of the show at 9pm. The room went dark and everyone went nuts. And then we saw her, Lady Gaga, before anyone else! Basically, there was a huge curtain and screen covering the stage for everyone, but we were sitting at the side, so we could see between the curtain and the back wall, and we saw her!!! There was also a screen hanging from the ceiling that was showing closeups throughout the entire concert. She started off the show with "Dance in the Dark" and a crazy outfit, of course. Basically, the whole concept of the show was that we were all on a journey to go to the Monster Ball, sort of like the Wizard of Oz. After the first set of songs, she stopped to talk to her audience. She is completely insane. She just looked out over the sea of people and talked to us about being the way we were and not changing for anyone because "you were born this way". Quote of the night: "I don't want you to leave here loving me more. I want you to leave here loving yourselves more." So clearly, even though she's nuts and she spends a lot of the concerts in heels and leotards, she was giving a good message. Throughout the entire concert, she talked about how you can't let people get you down when you're different, because everyone has a superstar inside them and you should never change who you are for other people. It was inspiring, really. As much as it may have been rehearsed, she made it sound so sincere. She even tied an American flag bandana around her head that someone "had thrown on the stage".

At one point, she played a flaming piano. Seriously. That woman ROCKS the piano. She played "Speechless" and a new song, "You and I" on the flaming piano. It. Was. AWESOME. She continued the concert with the rest of her upbeat dance music and we all stood up and danced to Poker Face, except the FAHB, who just sat and watched, astounded at some points. He definitely enjoyed it though. His face when she said certain things, so priceless. She did the entire concert in English, which makes me wonder how many people truly understood what she was saying, but the FAHB at least understood things for the most part. She talked about Thanksgiving at one point, and Talia and I and Mikayla went wild, but nobody else really did. I don't think they understood.

She rocked out to "Teeth" and "Monster", and how he ate her heart. And, typical Lady Gaga, there was fake blood involved. Though she did not hang herself at this concert like at the MVAs. But that's a different story. Eventually, we followed the "glitter path" and we all made it to the Monster Ball. Of course, she closed the show with "Bad Romance". At which point I went over and pulled the FAHB by the wrist and made him stand up, though he didn't dance. He just kinda laughed at me as I danced. I did the dance with her and everything. It was such a fantastic closing. Couldn't have asked for anything more. By the end, my throat was hoarse from screaming and singing at the top of my lungs. It was soooooo so much fun. I had never seen anything like that show before in my life. First concert of my life. It was a super win. Regardless of what you think of her music, you cannot say she is not a magnificent performer. Her show is spectacular. It's high energy and fun and interesting and it may be over the top and just bizarre at times, but that's what keeps you guessing. I wouldn't have had it any other way. And I am not sure how I feel about this, but I can now honestly say that I am a Lady Gaga fan. For sure.

So leaving the concert... Well, it took a while. We walked back to the car and got in and it was about 11 30. Not too bad. But then it took a good hour to finally get going and we didn't get home til 1 30. We then spent the next 45 minutes taking pictures and deconstructing ourselves. I'm not sure if I got all the teasing out of my hair yet... We went to sleep around 2 30, and got up at 7 to get ready for school. We went through a normal day at school, and thank God it was a half day Wednesday. I got home, ate lunch, and then went up to my room to upload all the pictures to Facebook. Then I decided to nap, and somehow ended up sleeping for 8 hours. I woke up at 11 45pm and was amazed. I had slept through dinner and everything. So now it's past 1am, I'm awake, and I'm hungry. And blogging. Sweet. I'm going to go write more of my novel now. 5 days and 17 000 words. fjsdka;hgaklsfdj;sgha

Bonne nuit!

Day 2 Of A Fantastic Weekend

This is Mikayla and Emma weekend. Yesterday, I spent the day at Mikayla's. And I slept there that night. We spent the day vegging out, eating, trying out different makeups, and drooling over her fantastically attractive host brother. I mean... eating cookies... Actually the cookies did turn out magnificent, and we gave one to the FAHB so that he could be saved from his previous assumptions and opinions about the super fail that was chocolate chip cookies (Talia and Mikayla attempted before, and from what I hear, it didn't go well, and I am the best. Just kidding... Sorta...) However, he found them to be too soft. What do I have to say to that? You're insane. Everyone else loves them, and they are perfect. Bleh.

Anyways, it was a very calm night. The family was gone for the night, as her host mom is currently at the hospital, her host dad had a party to cater, and the FAHB was at a party. So it was just me and Mikayla, chilling, raiding closets, playing dress up and making food. We had a few moments of patheticism (yes I made up that word) and feeling sorry for ourselves, as we had no party to go to. But in the end, we were really able to bring the fun.

Of course, you know that I am now going to elaborate on the food that we made. When it came time to have dinner, we went down and tried to find something to make ourselves. This turned out to be more difficult than we expected. Finally, we came across some tortellini that was filled with spinach and ricotta cheese. We decided that was a good idea. Then we decided that we needed a sauce to go with it, and we chose a light lemon butter sauce. However, as I began making it, it quickly turned into a rich creamy cheese sauce. It's the same thing, right? Well either way, it turned out to be quite delicious, though I could not tell you how I made it. It was a completely spontaneous type of sauce-making experience. I enjoyed it. And the end result was enjoyable too.

We ended the fantastic night with Mikayla cutting her hair and then watching the movie 27 Dresses, which turned out to be quite a complicated adventure of Googling and streaming. But in the end, we got to watch it and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Now we are back at my house for what promises to be another great day! Expect more blogging later.