Let's Face It!

Alright. I know. It's LONG OVERDUE that I post again about my Gap Year. As for content about my time here thus far, this post shall be lacking. However, I hope to make up for that by posting some pictures! I know, I'm getting real high tech here.

As I was thinking about my blog the other day, I realized that I'll be throwing names all over the place. So, in order for less confusion for you, my dear reader, I have decided to put some names to faces. Those featured shall be appearing probably most often on my blog. Now, when you imagine my friendly foreign encounters, you will be able to picture my experiences more accurately! I know, I'm really so kind for doing this. Hahah.

Well, here I go.

Also, for those of you who share my love and enthusiasm for puns, please appreciate that I went this far without a comparison to FACEbook for this post. Thank you. :)


-------------------------------------------------------------------------


Sam Geleyn - Gap Director, Otherwise Known as Understanding Dictator ;)




Clare Darnell - Assistant Gap Leader, House Leader, Gap Leuven Survivor! (Goodness, I like the sound of the last title! Hahah.)




Risa Peine - Fellow Gapper, Housemate, Minnesotan, Coffee Enthusiast




Javier Sastre - Fellow Gapper, Fellow Michigander, Avid Longboarder
Daniel Kallassi - Fellow Gapper, Lebanese, Loves birds - at least, shooting them.
Javier to the left, Daniel to the right!





And there you have it. Leuven's Finest. I'll top it all off with a picture where it looks like we all might actually get along!

First and Foremost

Well, I decided that I have a proper Intro to Europe post! A little less self reflection, and a little more environmental/situational description. And so, in the form, or perhaps the art of a "Myspace Quiz/Bulletin," I plan on explaining a few of my firsts in Belgium/Scotland.

First Use of Public Transportation: My train ride from the Brussels airport to Leuven.
- This is a big step for me! I never had to use this at home. I'm pretty certain that I'll have to get comfortable with the idea of trains/buses. This ties into the first thing I miss about home...

First Thing Missed about Home: Seatbelts!
- Yep, I'm different, I know. However, with all the travelling I've done so far on the public transportation, I've missed them! I sit down, and out of habit reach to buckle myself in my seat. Maybe I find them comfortable... or rather more of a comforting idea dealing with safety.

First Kairos Event: Student Workers Outreach Training! (SWOT)
- This conference was in Glasgow, Scotland. I left for the conference the day immediately following my arrival in Leuven. I certainly enjoyed meeting so many people with such a strong vision for their respective university outreaches! Many a friend was made, and many a good time had!

First Of Age Alcoholic Drink: Mango Medley (Super girly, yes. I'm fully aware)
- I pretty much felt crippled the first time we went to the pub in Scotland. Since I'm only nineteen, and a pretty decent law abiding citizen, my knowledge of what I like in regards to these types of beverages is extremely limited. It was decent, I guess. It'll take some getting used to, but it'll certainly happen since it's such a part of the culture here.

First Of Age Alcoholic Drink that I Liked: Koppaberg Cider Strawberry & Lime.
- Yum. That's all. Hahah.

First BELGIAN WAFFLE: Waffle eaten within 3 hours of my arrival!
- This definitely is NOT a curse about being in Leuven. They are really good, and totally not like what a Belgian Waffle is in the States! In looks, they are extremely similar, but the waffle I had here was much more of a dessert, much more sweet (by itself. I mean, the American version needs syrup or some variety of sweetener. This requires none.) Also, it's eaten cold... or at least, this one was.

First European Best Friend: Camille Chippewa.
- What? A fellow Michigander is my first best friend here? MOST CERTAINLY. For as much as we saw each other in the States, we never really had the opportunity to truly talk. Now, both as Gappers in Europe, we definitely are on a level of connection. She was such an extreme blessing to me over the SWOT conference. Also, she appreciates random things as I do, like roasted chicken crisps, teapots as bookends in a Women's household, or even rainbows & unicorns.

That's Seven Firsts. There will be plenty more to come!

Walking into Walt Disney World!

Well, I am here!

WHAT!?

It's actually happened. I've arrived. I'm in one piece and none of my luggage was lost! However, I was uncertain of that when my guitar was no where to be found in the Brussels airport. Luckily, it had been placed in an over sized baggage area. For the most part, my flights were uneventful. For that, I am thankful. After I had arrived in Brussels, I got the privilege of standing in the border patrol line for 1.5 hours. After 18 hours of travel, I can certainly tell you that it was close the last thing I wanted. Luckily, when my time came to go through, I had no problems. Clare Darnell greeted me at the airport and helped me with my luggage and surviving my first trip using any public transportation. I'm spoiled, I know.

Now, you're probably wondering why I've titled this post as I have. That's the first thought I had when I hopped off the train in Leuven. As Clare and I struggled to bring along my massive amount of bags, we walked out of the train station, and I got my first view of the city. Silence was all I could manage. My eyes darted back and forth, trying to comprehend all that surrounded me. Clare asked me what I thought. I gathered my scattered brain, and the first two words I thought of were "Disney World." Fortunately, I answered in a little more clarity than that. I then explained how I felt like I had walked into Epcot Center in Disney World. You know, that place where all the countries have their own little presentation, where they give "accurate" descriptions and representations of that particular land/culture.

For a second, I suppose that seems a decent enough thought to have when one has never been to Europe before in their lives. But as I reflected upon it, I came to the conclusion that I hope I lose the mindset quickly. As I am still in a sense of denial about my year here, I feel as if my thought was dangerous. Why? Well, to me, having the thought of walking into Walt Disney World, explains how I could view the year ahead of me. I could see it as this source of entertainment, a place of new and exciting adventures. All in all, that is not bad. What's bad is the idea that you can just "leave." When you go to Disney World, you arrive for a week or so, and then once you're decidedly done, you leave. You just walk away. That's not why I'm here. I'm not here for the change of scenery. I'm here to help Him change hearts, for Him to work through and change me for His glory.

As I am here, I believe I can finally say that I'm excited for my Gap year. Never giving a straight answer to the question, "Are you excited!?" was how I lived my last month in America. There's so much unknown about the year ahead,through which instead of worry, I'm excited to see God carry myself and the rest of the people here in Leuven. One of those situations comes in the form of being homeless in about 2 weeks. I know, it's a weird statement. Currently, when my Gap year starts, there isn't a house or apartment in which myself, the other female Gapper (Risa Piene), and Clare Darnell could live. I helped look at an apartment with Clare and Sam Geleyn (Gap Program Director in Leuven) last night. It was REALLY nice. I certainly hope we can get it. Either way, this is definitely the most important issue that needs to be worked out. God will provide.

I'm certain I could go on for awhile about the newness of it, but I must be off! It's time to pack for Scotland. That's right. I'm here for 24 hours, and I'm off gallivanting to another country! Yay! I'm getting quite the European tour already! I'll be attending a two day conference called Student Worker Outreach Training. I'm pumped! Catch you all later! God bless.