Non, je ne regrette rien

The word that is heard perishes, but the letter that is written remains

Post (if it's the right sort of post) is always exciting. When you're a child, all post addressed to you is obviously something amazing, because you don't get bills, junk mail or appointment notifications, and when you get older, anything handwritten is usually exciting, because it means someone's actually taken the time to remember how to use a pen!

Living abroad seems to make people put pen to paper, to prove that they care about you. I love it. I miss letters, and if it takes moving abroad for people to write letters, then it's a sad day for all of us. 

However, every single bit of post makes my day - I love reading, and letters are one of the nicest things to read, because they're personal and bizarre. It's very rare that people plan out a letter; mostly (or maybe that's just me), I start to write, and I end up waffling on about really random stuff (just like this blog).

Anyway, I really appreciate the cards, emails, parcels and post cards from everyone, and a special mention to my 'sister-in-law' and godmother for the Cadbury's and home-made goodies.

Mais soudain je pousse un cri parmi les rires

As my French improves, I start to notice certain elements of English which don't cross language barriers. I almost feel mean when people say things in English which to me means something completely different.

My colleague asked me what my plans were this weekend...Me: Well my boyfriend's coming tomorrow, so we'll probably go to the Atomium on Saturday

Colleague: You like looking at big hanging balls?Me: Err...Lapland and Pole DancingIn England we all moan about public transport, but in Brussels it's something else altogether.I take the Metro to work, and every day one of the escalators (always an up escalator) is broken. There's something very depressing about climbing up a broken escalator, because halfway up you realise how unfit you are, but you have to keep going!Of course, you have to survive the journey itself before you can even contemplate leaving the station. The drivers seem to enjoy harsh (normally random) braking. A woman actually landed in my lap the other day. The train screeched to a halt, and she toppled onto the seat and slid into my lap. Charming!The same is true of the bus - sitting or standing, if you're not holding on tight enough, you'll end up on the floor, or doing attractive pirouettes around the pole. My advice is this: if you can, use your legs, it's safer and - most of the time - quicker! My journey takes 40ish minutes which is walking - metro - metro - walking. If I walked the whole way, Google Maps estimates 52 minutes, which means it would take a normal human about 45.And another thing...

Most importantly, I get to see my boyfriend this weekend, and best of all, he is bringing a suitcase full of toiletries and sundries from Merry Old England! Good ol' Blighty :)

Talon Free & All Cried Out

For someone who doesn't really like tea, I've been craving it a lot recently. Especially now when I'm sitting with a cryptic crossword and a piece of home-made cinnabon. I was going to be entirely British and watch an episode of Pride & Prejudice, but I spend all day staring at a screen so a crossword seemed like a good option to exercise my brain.



Well, I made it a week (just about), and have only got to wait 9 more days until my emergency supplies are brought out to me. I can definitely cope another week or so days without squash, mouthwash and Options hot chocolate. As for Cadbury's well that's debatable - I bought some 'chocolat blanc avec pâté de Speculoos' and it leaves a lot to be desired!


However, I did (after several days of contemplating), buy some nail clippers. I hadn't cut my nails in possibly 3 weeks, and they were disgusting! I mean at least 1cm... so I feel much better now. Who knows, I may even shave my legs on Saturday, as it's been almost 2 weeks! How revolting. My excuse is that it's so damn cold in my office, I need the extra warmth. But I must admit, I have let my standards slip - I haven't even worn make-up this week, and need to pluck my eyebrows. 
I don't want to end up like this:
 


People don't seem to wear make-up in Brussels - there's no stigma attached to not trying. I like it, because I can get up in the morning (I do shower and wash my hair - I haven't quite lost the plot), and chuck on jeans and a T-shirt without feeling like I'll be judged. Maybe it's their culture, why waste time on grooming, when there are far more important things to do. 


Like shopping. I popped into the supermarket on my way to work because I was fed up with drinking coffee with 'coffeemate', it's just wrong! However, the entire Roodebeek community seemed to be doing their weekly shop at 8.45am. And only one checkout was open. Naturally. However the nice lady in front of me pointed out that I could use the express till. Result. Then I messed up barcode scanning and threw my milk on the floor. Nice man came to my rescue. I am the Eeenglish Peeg.


People are nice here - several times people have told me to go in front of them in the supermarket because I've only got a few items. I appreciate that. In England you're more likely to get pushed in front of.


I have cried a bit this week (much to my disgust), but mainly because I was uprooted from the place I was getting used to, and put somewhere else. It's nice enough, although I'm terrified of sleeping in a bunk bed... it's 6 feet off the ground, and there's no way of turning the lights on or off when you're in, meaning it's an obstacle course. I will bump my head on the ceiling, and I will stub my toe on the ladder. I've accepted that. Hopefully I won't fall out, or fall down the ladder. Although then I could come home, and get paid 'incapacity benefit'... 


Seems a popular idea - apparently a girl started at work the week before I did, and went home at lunchtime feeling ill. She then didn't return because she was pregnant. I think she made that up, because I'd thought that would be the perfect excuse to leave. Sneaky sneaky.


I'm fairly sure I'll be here until Christmas, but I can't say after that!l All I need is some British food (that's what will bring back the stiff upper lip), a hug, and a fleece!
 
Still not convinced, but who knows...

Jeanneke Pis et Madame Pis

 

Today was a good day :) 


I smartened up at work to meet a client who I spoke to for all of 5 mins because he was busy with someone else. 


Tried to explain things to my assistant but having been here all of 3 days I didn't really know what to tell her.


'Waltzed in, in my sexy see through blouse and fannied about with the press releases' until I was told "Oh, you don't have to do that, you can delegate that to someone else, it's not your job". Good to know, after I spent 3 hours doing it! 


I've almost survived my first week in Brussels... scary biscuits! I've not had any waffles, crêpes or chocolate since I've been here though, mainly bread and cheese with the occasional Lotus biscuit (you can get them chocolate coated here, which I will be trying at some point).


However, I did start speaking French, and asked my French colleage "What's the French for croissant?" He didn't find it that funny!


Random discoveries of today:

• There's not only the statue of a boy peeing, but also one of a girl (not a very ladylike position though), the Jeanneke Pis

 

• Men randomly play the accordion on the Metro and people sing along
• Classical music is played at most Metro stations except the one I use where they play the Beatles and (why?) Coldplay
• Place du Luxembourg is full of people from every country in the world - you buy your drink and then go and sit on the grass
• I am still suffering from Tourettes "Bonjour, je voudrais un verre de vin blanc s'il vous plait. Gracias. Fuck. Sorry. Merci" Ahem.
• You have to pay to go to the toilet. It's only 30c, which you give to the suitably named 'Madame Pis' - this is possibly my favourite thing about Brussels

• I can speak French (and Spanish) very well after two glasses of wine
• The guy who lives below me (and is having my room once I find somewhere to live) is English, and a rugby fan and has persuaded me to get up at 7am to go and watch it with him in the centre on Sunday... I must be desperate for company!
• Tesco mobile have texted me FIVE times today to remind me that I get triple Clubcard points if I top up - their staff are rubbish ;)

Belgian housemates aren't working so they have friends round; one of them is staying for  ten days apparently. Interesting... I need a hot water bottle, my  'Eau minerale naturelle' (fizzy although it's not clear), and mon lit :)

Just Landed

Well, it's Wednesday and today I have not cried. Excellent. Doesn't sound like an achievement but I've been living in Brussels since Sunday, and have been more homesick than I could ever imagine. Oh boo hoo I hear you say.


BUT:

• I don't speak French
• I don't have anywhere to live
• I don't know my way around
• I don't have any friends
• I don't have any Cadbury's

It may not sound entirely awful, but when you're used to living with your boyfriend and best friend, it's a massive change.

It would've been better if I'd had an easy ride of it, but no.

Sunday

Arrived in Brussels about 6pm and clearly looked like I knew what was going on as 4 people asked me (in French, Spanish, German and English) random questions. Struggled to get the Internet working, and realised I was all alone in a foreign country, and was starting a new job the next day. Bawled. My. Eyes. Out.

Monday

The metro system is simple, yet on Monday I still managed to get on the wrong connection, and ended up going back the way I'd come, realising in the process that I hadn't 'punched' my ticket and was therefore going to be in trouble when a (very likely non-English speaking) train guard asked me what the Hell I was doing! I had dinner with friends of a friend of a friend which was lovely, although it got a bit too much when I was asked if I'd brought DVDs with me, and I burst into tears (I've also cried looking at a sprinkler before - I never cry... until weird things, that are somehow linked to my inner emotions, are mentioned).

Tuesday

Apart from my inability to answer French in French, choosing instead to respond in Spanish - very odd looks from people - Tuesday was fine. Then I had to get off one stop before my connector stop because there had been an 'incident'. So I was stranded somewhere with no map, no French and no change. One (possibly) illegal tram ride later and I was back, and ready to tackle the supermarché... Aside from Special K costing €5 and almost forgetting toothpaste, this was quite satisfactory, although everyone in the shop seemed to be speaking English with an accent.

Of course when I staggered back with my shopping, all the lights were off so I couldn't see to open the door, my pizza was covered in onion (it makes me ill), my mineral water was fizzy, and my laptop refused to play a DVD. Maybe I cried a little bit, just maybe.

Wednesday

However, even though someone turned out the lights when I was on the toilet, and the office had run out of coffee, today was manageable. There was a nice person to take me out this evening for ice-cream (glace de ananas et butterscotch). Always a winner. 

One good thing about living here is that I have a flat stomach again as I can't afford food, and for the past three days have been feeling too sick to eat. Every cloud! :)

PS My job is awesome, and I am totally busy and important and stuff.