Things We've Been Up To

Last weekend we went to the temple with our ward. It was the second time we've been to this temple (in Holland). I've never talked about it before. I always feel a little lost in temples, in general, unless I'm REALLY familiar with it. It's a lot worse when something as simple as WOMEN is in Dutch and you REALLY don't know where to go. Everyone speaks english in there so they point me in the right direction, but I always feel like a fool while I just stand in the hallway looking at each sign and in silence, completely wondering what to do with myself. Another interesting thing about this temple, is going thru an endowment session where many people in the room understand/speak very different languages. Last time it was just French, Dutch and English. This time there was Portuguese as well and I want to say another one I didn't expect. So there are headphones available, which is WONDERFUL, but it always takes me awhile to focus because I can still hear the speakers for everyone else! 

Isn't it pretty?

Even though we've only been able to visit twice, I've been really glad it is here. I can't imagine going a whole year without going to the temple. The whole ward went together on a big bus. Greg and I didn't know we were supposed to bring a lunch. We assumed everyone would stop somewhere to eat, so we were left hungry while everyone ate. But the bishop was AWESOME and bought chocolate snacks and orange juice for everyone! As much as I LOVED IT, in a funny way it made me feel like I was in kindergarten on a field trip.

This is Elise Osorio. She is a daughter of a family we are close to. We've gone to see she and her sister sing at a jazz club for school and she invited us to her graduation. We just LOVE HER!!! This was the last time we saw her before going to BYU.

Greg always has back issues and, his muscles being so big and mine so small, he'll have me walk on his back. The last time when I hopped off I saw two BIG WHITE IMPRINTS of my feet! I couldn't believe it. This is me trying to recreate it.

2 Weeks ago: Ah, this was the best day. When we first moved here, the Cole's told us about an incredible market that was open only on Sundays- so we never bothered. But lo and behold- it's open all WEEKEND. So we went and found it. HOLY COW!!! It was AMAZING and SO MUCH FUN!!! Do you see how crowded it is?

It had INCREDIBLE and CHEAP produce that went on forever and ever. 

It was so bitter sweet the whole time. We were SO EXCITED to find such a fun place to shop but were SO SAD to think, "Everything is SO CHEAP, we could've saved SO MUCH $ if we knew about it before." Oh well. Atleast we have it for a couple more weeks.

I bought some cherries. I was so astonished at the price, but then the following week noticed they came down at the stores too.

It was indoor and outdoors. It was like a never ending maze. It literally had EVERYTHING. I mean, Greg bought a suit on the spot for 50 euros and I bought razor blades. Oh yeah, and the cheapest brand name chocolate we've ever seen. We bought 3 bags and I ate most of it that day.

We stumbled upon some big cheese to buy. Well, we bought small portions, anyway.

As you can see, we had a great time!

Then one last stop to the Asian Market. Oh this store has saved us. Who knew the cheapest peanut butter in town was here? It was a nice surprise. This store is giant, full of yumminess and cheap. Greg and I will die when we move somewhere without a store like this. I remember with SUCH clarity the first time we shopped here. We both came with our backpacks, knowing we needed to load up. I thought I was going to die. We had to get everything: soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sweet and sour sauce, curries, noodles, rice vinegar, stuff for sushi, etc. etc. And we couldn't just get one bottle or the little bottles. What's the point of that. I have hauled many a heavy backpacks since I've moved here, but I am SURE this was the heaviest yet. We were both dying. I remember they didn't even have the OPTION of extra sacs so we were panicking we wouldn't be able to fit everything in our packs. Greg and I like walking thru this whole neighborhood. Everything's Asian and there's a lot of Thai restaurants. 

Another funny thing about this store- well, I'll jump back a bit. Back home, in Eugene, there was an asian market we loved just 5 minutes from our apartment. We frequented there. Anyway, we made it to THIS store sometime our first month here, when I was still adjusting to Europe. Anyway, we walk in and I take one whiff and ahh . . . . it smelled so familiar. Inside those walls I felt like I was in Eugene and it felt soooo good. I couldn't believe that I felt so at home THERE, but I really did. Funny thing is, back home I HATED going to the Asian Market- it stunk. Every time I walked in it smelled like a pet store and I couldn't believe it was full of food. As soon as I walked into the Brussels market- same EXACT smell! But instead of repulsion it was, "Ah . . . home sweet home. I LOVE it here and I feel HAPPY here"

A few weeks ago we went to go see things we still hadn't seen in Brussels. We went to this church, I guess it's famous. All churches just look like Notre Dame to me now.

It's weird, there is an insanely strong part of me that NEVER wants to see a church again (y'know, the one's that I don't attend). They ALL look the same. But then once I DO see them- they are all beautiful. I just love being able to look down a never ending isle with pillars. I always think it looks cool. This is probably the best pic in a cathedral we've ever taken. They are IMPOSSIBLE to achieve!

Then we stumbled upon this garden and walked around. In the pic it looks small, but there was a spectacular view of Hotel de Ville. Ok. The way you say it sounds like, "Hotel Devil" with a french accent. It is a very scary "haunted looking" spiky hotel. So I always thought, "How fitting." Then recently Greg corrected me that it was Hotel de Ville (translation: Village Hotel or Hotel of the Village). I felt so silly when I realized.

These trees always look like horses legs to me.

Then we stumbled upon some friends in the city! This is Tristan and Garret. They went to Bruge with us.

We finally got me some Belgian Fries. They are better than America's. They are fried twice and not as thin. They POUR sauce on and I always thought it looked drenched and disgusting but it was goooooood. 

Just had to throw in this fabulous shot.

On our way home . . . I tell ya, I am gettin' WAY excited about havin' my car again. I can't wait. I can't imagine being able to leave when I want. I don't have to check the tram schedules and try to time it all right. I can just GO! Although, being able to get to my car in 10 steps, versus the MANY steps I walk getting around town . . . I'm a little concerned on what's gonna happen to my thighs and behind.

Walking down to our street. We really do live in a beautiful neighborhood. I'm so glad we're not in the city.

I wish I could report that THIS week has been as exciting. We've basically been coming home from work to make dinner and eat it while watching Project Runway for the rest of the night, EVERY night. I don't feel SO BAD because it's almost like an activity because of how much we react and discuss what we're watching. But we watched the last episode online last night. I just don't know what we're going to do with ourselves from now on. Lately we've just been very content to be lazy. There is officially only 2 more weeks of work left! Yahoo!!! The last week will be 50 hours- YIKES!!! AND 2 kids instead of one. It might be a killer, but I'm keepin' the faith. I can't WAIT to go home and have no responsibility. I know it won't be that way for long. After 2 days of nothing, I'll get myself a job. It's only so fun to be a bum for so long.

As our departure is nearing, I'm getting sadder and Greg's getting more excited! 2 weeks ago it was completely reversed. Greg is getting really excited for his guitar. I'm getting really excited about our stuff. The last week in Oregon was such a blur, I'm not 100% sure what we sold and what we kept! It seems a little weird that we have no furniture to our name. That is weird to me. But we still have all our lovely kitchen stuff. I'm ready to say goodbye to all our IKEA stuff that has just BARELY made it to the end . . . like our cutting boards.

 Even though I don't have a piano anymore, I can't wait to see my piano music. I just want to hold my books and know that we'll never have to part again. I haven't had a piece of classical music in my hands in 9 months. That is too long. I love HSM, but that's ALL I've had to play and I'm ready to "get back to my roots". Ha! Never thought a phrase like that would come out of my mouth. But it's so true. I LOVE classical music. Well that's about it. Toodooloo!!!