Random Brussels Spring-time Pictures
These should have been put up about two months ago, but we never got around to it because our lives have been quite busy. Anyway, here they are now... pictures from Spring 2004 in Brussels. Better late than never!
Sunny Neighborhood
Doesn't that just look so typically "European". Just like the movies!
Ankle Twisters
The sidewalks can be treachorous for women (or anyone) in high-heel shoes.
In Bloom
Many of the streets are lined with cherry trees. Probably Schaarbeckse krieken.
Natural Confetti
They of course leave quite a "mess". Though this kind of mess is something we can handle!
Natural Abstract
These tulips are a bit past their prime, but there's something beautiful about it, don't you think? Sort of a surrealist painting?
More
Here are the rest of them.
A Flower next to some flowers
The one with the sunglasses is called the "Sweetpea".
Coy Flower
Sweetpeas can be so coy sometimes.
Label
Yep, we live in the European Union.
Giant Pigeon
We're lucky we escaped alive!
Jubelpark
View from the top of the arch in the park. This was late April/early May. On this very same day, I proposed to Kristen.
-RP-
P.S.- Check back in the May archive and have a look at the two posts called "Belgian Road Trip". We have finally put in the pictures that go with the story.
Monday, June 28
Monday, June 21
Thursday, June 17
Sorry, Blog, about how quiet we've been the last month or so. It's amazing how time flies when you're busy and/or having fun. We've definitely been doing a little of both and it's not really going to slow down until we move to Norwich and settle into a new routine over there.
Last month we had (some of) Kristen's family over here. Then we went to Scotland from June 9th to the 13th. Now we have this week of semi-normalcy, then Kristen is leaving for Oregon on the 22nd. She will be gone for 17 days (but hopefully she'll put up some posts while she's gone so we can all know what she's up to). When she gets back we have to get our noses to the grind-stone to get all of our ducks in a row for moving in August (securing a Visa, finding an apartment, finalizing a student loan, preliminary job search, etc.). We'd also like to buy a car. Belgium seems to be one of the cheapest countries in Europe to buy second-hand cars. And because of the amount of foreign nationals who move over here, finding a right-hand-drive car shouldn't be too much of a challenge. We'd like to get a 5-10 year old Volvo, BMW, Mercedes, or VW. Something in good condition and reliable for many more years to come. Most new cars today are so disposable!
I notified the HR department on Monday about the fact that I am officially leaving the company in August. I also asked that they "allow me" to keep working until August 14th. There's a chance that I'll need to stop one week earlier than that because we'd like to take a little trip to Denmark (and maybe Sweden) before coming back here to pack up and move. It all depends on our financial situation towards the end of July. After all, we will definitely need a some "liquidity" to get us settled in England.
By the way, the Scottish Highlands are so fantastic! Fresh air, open spaces, no people! Both of us adore it so completely and have not been able to get it out of our heads. Strange... sort of a longing for it. We may have to move there some day!
Still getting used to the idea that I'm married and to calling Kristen "my wife" instead of "my girlfriend" when referring to her. I suppose that's something everyone goes through! Can't imagine what it would be like to learn a new last name!
-RP-
Last month we had (some of) Kristen's family over here. Then we went to Scotland from June 9th to the 13th. Now we have this week of semi-normalcy, then Kristen is leaving for Oregon on the 22nd. She will be gone for 17 days (but hopefully she'll put up some posts while she's gone so we can all know what she's up to). When she gets back we have to get our noses to the grind-stone to get all of our ducks in a row for moving in August (securing a Visa, finding an apartment, finalizing a student loan, preliminary job search, etc.). We'd also like to buy a car. Belgium seems to be one of the cheapest countries in Europe to buy second-hand cars. And because of the amount of foreign nationals who move over here, finding a right-hand-drive car shouldn't be too much of a challenge. We'd like to get a 5-10 year old Volvo, BMW, Mercedes, or VW. Something in good condition and reliable for many more years to come. Most new cars today are so disposable!
I notified the HR department on Monday about the fact that I am officially leaving the company in August. I also asked that they "allow me" to keep working until August 14th. There's a chance that I'll need to stop one week earlier than that because we'd like to take a little trip to Denmark (and maybe Sweden) before coming back here to pack up and move. It all depends on our financial situation towards the end of July. After all, we will definitely need a some "liquidity" to get us settled in England.
By the way, the Scottish Highlands are so fantastic! Fresh air, open spaces, no people! Both of us adore it so completely and have not been able to get it out of our heads. Strange... sort of a longing for it. We may have to move there some day!
Still getting used to the idea that I'm married and to calling Kristen "my wife" instead of "my girlfriend" when referring to her. I suppose that's something everyone goes through! Can't imagine what it would be like to learn a new last name!
-RP-
Thursday, June 10
Something VERY special happened today (at this hour) in Inverness, Scotland!
We got married!
That's right! We eloped to Scotland without telling a single person. A little Scottish lady performed a civil ceremony at the Inverness Registrar's office. We had two witnesses which I "hired" through an e-mail to the CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) Association in that region of Scotland. This was my only idea for how to find at least two witnesses in a place where we know absolutely no one: offer a cache of Belgian beer to some true beer lovers. The chairman of the Inverness CAMRA branch stepped up to the plate and said he would bring another person with him. He said we didn't have to bring any beers at all, but a small selection including some Rodenbach Grand Cru would be quite welcome.
The ceremony was very sweet and just our style (i.e.- non-traditional). Nothing about the wedding was traditional and it was great! And the only thing traditional about our dress was my Scottish heather button-hole and K's bridal bouquet. In the short time-span of about 20 minutes, we walked out of the registrar's office as Mr. & Mrs. Pedersen.
That's right! We eloped to Scotland without telling a single person. A little Scottish lady performed a civil ceremony at the Inverness Registrar's office. We had two witnesses which I "hired" through an e-mail to the CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) Association in that region of Scotland. This was my only idea for how to find at least two witnesses in a place where we know absolutely no one: offer a cache of Belgian beer to some true beer lovers. The chairman of the Inverness CAMRA branch stepped up to the plate and said he would bring another person with him. He said we didn't have to bring any beers at all, but a small selection including some Rodenbach Grand Cru would be quite welcome.
The ceremony was very sweet and just our style (i.e.- non-traditional). Nothing about the wedding was traditional and it was great! And the only thing traditional about our dress was my Scottish heather button-hole and K's bridal bouquet. In the short time-span of about 20 minutes, we walked out of the registrar's office as Mr. & Mrs. Pedersen.
Wednesday, June 9
Monday, June 7
My Behind
Boy am I behind in my blog entries! I do have a good reason though. My mother, aunt and grandmother flew in on May 13th and left on June 2. It was a wonderful visit! We travelled all over Belgium, spent four days in the Netherlands and three days in Paris. A whirlwind of beautiful places, interesting sights and really fabulous food. Too many experiences to write about.
I was sad to watch them walk through customs and know they were on their way back to the U.S. Silly to be sad since I'm heading to U.S. in a few weeks and will see them all soon.
Now Rich and I are catching up on all the details of normal life and just hanging out together. We have another trip coming up this week (Wednesday thru Sunday) which I will write about after we have returned.
More soon,
~K
Boy am I behind in my blog entries! I do have a good reason though. My mother, aunt and grandmother flew in on May 13th and left on June 2. It was a wonderful visit! We travelled all over Belgium, spent four days in the Netherlands and three days in Paris. A whirlwind of beautiful places, interesting sights and really fabulous food. Too many experiences to write about.
I was sad to watch them walk through customs and know they were on their way back to the U.S. Silly to be sad since I'm heading to U.S. in a few weeks and will see them all soon.
Now Rich and I are catching up on all the details of normal life and just hanging out together. We have another trip coming up this week (Wednesday thru Sunday) which I will write about after we have returned.
More soon,
~K
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