a new year - going big

In front of the 'peeing boy' statue in Brussels

Moien, moien!

I not quite sure how many readers I have out there in cyberspace, but a few people suggested gently that maybe it was time to update this sucker and finally let people know what was going on in my Luxembourgish life.

My last post, nearly five months ago, was just before my first group of students arrived. I was so nervous, so curious to see how the semester would shape up.

It was the perfect blend of chaos and growth. I thought a lot about lovingly serving people, and how sometimes it's hard to do (and sometimes so so easy!). But that it is what makes your life more positive and fulfilling. This year, more than last, I have had to work harder towards understanding cultural differences in the workplace. There were days of frustration, but now that I have a semester under my belt, those days are fewer and more joy-filled.

Now it is a new year, a new semester, and a new group of students. They are different from last semester, but equally as excited to be here. Sometimes I feel like this job parallels with parenting - lots of questions, there are times you need to discipline, times you need to give tough love, times you get to celebrate, and of course, each group has a new personality.

Last night I told someone that 2009 was a big year for me - two moves (out of France, into Luxembourg), the death of my poppa, and the birth of new relationships. In the words of my dear friends it was definitely 'make it count '09!'

This year the motto is '2010: go big or go home!' On the docket?

1. helping out with study tours to Florence and Amsterdam
2. a lovely visit from the La Rochelle gang and road tripping around BeNeLux
3. visiting miss Marissa in Kazakhstan in March!!
4. a lovely Lake Erie summer
5. a few weddings :)

And of course, a huge resolution is to be more conscious of keeping the people I care about in the loop about my life - I promise I won't disappear on you this time around!

On y va!

And so it begins! Tomorrow I'm leaving for Dusseldorf to pick up a group of students on Wednesday morning. Beginning Thursday we'll be thrust in to a fury of orientation activities filled with speeches (two given by yours truly) and field trips. I am so ready to get this semester started!

But seriously, sitting in my office, with nothing but my thoughts and a closet full of broken umbrellas (a rather one-sided lost-and-found), has been at times constructive, but almost introspective to a fault. On the constructive side, however, I've been able to create some objectives for the coming months: reconnect with old friends, discover true luxembourgish life, and find ways to challenge myself.

And speaking of challenges. I've decided to run a 10K in Munich on October 11th. This decision came after talking to one of my colleagues at the Chateau, an art professor who is running the marathon to raise money for an Fine Arts endowment at Miami. It's an inspiration, and I encourage you to check out her blog to learn more about her project.


So far training has been great. Running around town has been the best way to discover the little nuances of Differdange. I see people drinking espresso outside the local cafes, children playing in the park, couples strolling down the street - its iconic Europa and I love it.

Joyeux Anniversaire

I'm officially 23....yikes! Another year older, another year of adventure. It's funny, but, my birthday always happens on the cusp of transition - right before a new school year, a new job, a new living situation, etc - and in a way, its a great way to begin a new phase of life.

I'm starting to get settled into life here in Differdange. I was reading/reflecting on earlier posts from when I had first moved to France, and in a way, they are very comforting to read. The emotions were the same at the beginning - nervous, anxious for routine, a little homesick - but now, when I remember last year, those feelings are so foreign. By the time my contract was over, I had my myself a little home in La Rochelle. In French, the expression is 'c'est parallele', or 'it's parallel' to refer to similarity. I think its another charmingly French phrase -things more than just 'similiar', but the same in a way that they almost echo each other. One could says it's another way of rephrasing 'the more things change, the more things stay the same.'

Coming back to Differdange, I can't help but think about that - things changing, but remaining so similar. And three years ago, things weren't so different. I was in Greece on my 20th birthday, (my first time out of the country) cliff jumping, sipping on ouzo, wondering with excited anticipation what the semester would be like. Now, I sit in my apartment (unfortunatly Differdangs is sans cliffs) sipping on wine, once again trying to imagine what my life will look like in two weeks.

I'm still trying to find my feet, but, on my birthday, I had a few warm and fuzzy moments that made this place feel more like home. The first occured in the afternoon, after lunch. That morning, I woke up to find an email notification about a staff meeting at 2:30pm. Yet, when I arrived, there was coffee, plum tarts, chocolate and a lovely rendition of 'happy birthday.'

And all I could think, smiling ear t0 ear, was 'What a lucky girl I am....'

Moien!

home sweet home, circa a century or two ago

And so, the adventure continues. I'm in Luxembourg, drinking a large glass of Cote de Rhone, nibbling on cheese and bread, finding myself appreciating the strange familiarity of European life. The bells are ringing outside my apartment, I hear children playing soccer outside, off-tone ambulance sirens periodically interrupting, and I realize...this is my life. For the moment anyway.

My living situation has changed 180 degrees from that in my French life. For starters, I live in a Chateau. And let me tell you, nothing makes you feel like a giddy little girl quite like exploring a large 14th century house when no one else is around.

I should also mention that my goal for this upcoming year (after a somewhat 'basic' year) was to have a table. And chairs. And if possible, more than one fork. I'm happy to report that all goals have more than been met!

Today I walked around Differdange and found myself under a tree in the park, reading. Sitting there, I heard French, Luxembourgish, German, Italian, and suddenly, I didn't feel like the outsider. Maybe because I am a foreigner in a country of immigrants, or maybe because I am living where I first found myself in Europe. And here, in this little town in Luxembourg, I feel like I am reunited with someone I said good-bye to three years ago: wide-eyed, ready for adventure, believing in limitless possibility.

another BV summer

Bay Village a la mode francaise

The Expat Returns

And so begins another summer in the Village. Driving around in the clunky mini-van, I am reminded how much I cherish this little town on the lake.


I'll be living at home until August until I move to Luxembourg. Once again I find myself nervous, but excited, and curious to see where this adventure will lead me.

Team Engelbrecht takes on Budapest

Chili Hot Chocolate? Ginger and Honey Cocoa? why not

A night at the opera

garlic, sour cream, cheese, heaven