Life is like a box of (Belgian) chocolates...

Goede avond! Today was my third day at work and just as tiring as the other two, but still loving it! Just can't fully wrap my head around the fact that I am living and working in EUROPE; it's a bit surreal. I totally love being in Europe and feel so cultured walking around Belgium in my fancy clothes (like I'm an adult or something), but I must admit I do love my America. Everything is just very different here! For example, all I want to do with my little bagged lunch-which the lovely Irish cooks at the institute pack for all the interns before we head off to work-is enjoy it at a table outside in the Belgian sunshine (which is rare mind you); is that a crime? I think I have found a lovely table on the side of the walkway in the downtown area when a waiter comes out of nowhere and asks me what I would like since I'm not allowed to sit there because the restaurant across the way owns it. I order a glass of water so I can stay sitting there and make him go away. He brings out this elaborate glass bottle of water and puts it in front of me and charges 4 euros; $5+ for water?? Oh mon dieu! Expensive water and no free refills on soda: that's what will keep me in America.

Other than my water episode, it was a lovely day. Did some good work at my internship and earned praises from my coworkers and boss and felt pretty accomplished and professional if you don't mind me saying! It was also kind of fun because I have to get some information from all the organizations in different countries throughout Europe, but I don't know the names of the contacts yet just their respective countries, so all of my drafts say "Dear France," "Dear Hungary," I should just leave it like that and see what happens. Maybe I'll get a bonjour and a baguette back from France! Oh the little things. Well that's all for now! Got over the hump day and now one more day of work until Amsterdam/Antwerp(Belgium)/Brussels weekend day trips! I'll leave you with some pictures to enjoy...tot ziens!

This little guy actually moves and rings the church bell every half hour in the little square right in Leuven-pretty cool huh?


There are two of these lions in the park that face the Royal Palace and I just think they are so funny! Here's my thought: England is normally represented by the lion right, and since England has historically been a European powerhouse, Belgium is trying to look tough by having these lions scared to see the Belgian state house. I thought it was insightful.


This is my little work station! It's not much but it is mine and it is in Belgium so I love it! I'm so official I even have my own company email address. That's right.


My first experience with Belgium chocolate! This is from Leonidas Chocolates...my plan is to try all the major chocolate places in Belgium and find out which is the best. I'm pretty excited to make this plan a reality.