Day One of French Prep....and the unwind

Can I just say that today started off...well...I will let you decide. So here it goes.

1) I set my alarm for 7:45 to wake up and get ready for our 15minute walk to the main University of Liege in "Main Town" Liege. I wanted to leave by 8:30 so we would be on time.

After a hard night of watching Tangled, Eleah and I were up till 12:30am (I would like to dedicate that we were delayed in enjoying our intellect stimulating movie because of my residence Facebook maniac and a mother who would not answer her skype calls). Once tucked away in our beds dreaming sweet dreams, we mentally prepare for our total Immersion French class the next morning.

So naturally I hit my 7:45am alarm for another 15 minutes. Mentally debating about getting up on time (while I was half asleep!), I decided to get up and start our coffee. Setting my phone by Eleah to enjoy the second round of ringing, I start the Schmerber women ritual of getting ready. Just to point out, I am a novice compared to my mom. (Love you!) Popping open the laptop to get an idea of how frigid Liege would be today, I stopped. Took a breathe. And just cried a little. The wind for today was estimated to be in the 20 mi/hr range! Yes, I do know that St. Louis is supposed to be hit with a lot of snow soon, but 20 mi/hr winds!!!! Is that not a tornado!?! Apparently not here. So doubling back to the room, I pickup my legging to go under the jeans (layering is the key). Applying the local goop to the face to cover the lack of sleep, Eleah and I finish off the morning by grabbing an apple and finishing the coffee. And out into the tornado...(excuse me) wind we go.

2) After braving the wind (using inside streets away from the water), we get to school 10 minutes early, and wait. And wait, and what do you know, wait some more. (Point of fact: We were told on the test day - last Friday - that if you are late do not show up.) Nobody came to separate the big cluster of International Students into groups (one for novices to slightly proficient and people who have never picked up anything French till the past 24-48hrs) till 35 minutes past the hour. During that time, I got to know some people from Italy, Lithuania, Poland, South Korea, and Iran (that is a funny story about the Iranians a few points down).

3) Now that we are separated into groups, my group (you can guess which one that is) stays around for awhile longer because our teacher is not organized for today. And that is being kind. Realizing that I am the only girl in this class, well I felt at home. To the point that I earned a "creeper." .... And you guessed it, its is one of the Iranians!! To be specific, this man is somewhere in his thirties, enjoys snuggling up to people when he talks to them, and finds great joy in retelling stories about himself. Does he not sound like the perfect guy!! ..... Please say NO!!! As we are walking up these small stair cases, he is smothering me with himself. I know people view "personal space" differently in different cultures, but dang! I happen to enjoy my "personal space" and one must get an invitation to invade it. I am truly sorry, but you my friend are NOT one of them! Enough said .... you may now laugh to your hearts content. My rant is finished for now.

4) During the first part of the day, we are learning how to introduce yourself, your profession, where you are from and your nationality. It does not sound so bad, right??? WRONG! I cannot wrap my tongue around the French say United States "États-Unis." Personally, I cannot say it to save my life. So seeking an easier way to get around my massive speaking error, I go for the universally understood, "America." A big thank you goes out to the American way of life for creating multiple names for one term. Given my massive blunder in this area and probably creating a comical relief for the rest of the class, our classes break for so much need coffee.

5) Fact: the main campus of university is housed in one building, but this building setup is not logical. On the way back to class, the group I was in got lost for 15 minutes. We were very late to start the next block of study and what do you know. I made it back before my teacher and still had 15 minutes to spare. (I am starting to learn the Belgians may operate on a different time schedule than what I am used to.) Until lunch, our class is learning more basic French and I am struggling to get my German and Spanish influence out of my pronunciation.

6) Thank the Lord for lunch! Once we break for our hour lunch, Katie, Eleah and I continue talking about my and now Katie's interaction with my Iranian "creeper." Continuing to sulk, we walk to a sub shop near Cathedral St. Paul. Enjoying my first failed attempt in ordering my food in French, we discuss what we are going over in our designated class. Imploring Eleah and Katie for help in studying this language, we break again. Eleah and I off to sit some more and Katie to register at the city hall and an interview.

****I'm sorry, I am late to meet up with friend from my French Preparatory Class, so I must bid you Au Revior. And I will finish my post from today, tomorrow. Liebe dich!! ******

"I Think it's the Coldest Day We Have Had So Far!" - Eleah

Mission: TOURISTY!

- See the City (Tourist Style)

Mission Status: SUCCESS!

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Last night after having our movie marathon of Narnia 3 and Despicable Me, Eleah and I set our sights on being touristy for Sunday. We were going to see how far HEC (Business Campus of Liege) was from our apartment. After we did that, we would meet up with Katie D. and see the city.

As morning came around and a couple of rounds of snoozing our alarm, we both finally get up and ready for our touristy extravaganza. Enjoying our Ethiopian Coffee and our Pain au Chocolat we set off for the day. However, we would not be good female college students if we did not take "Before Adventure Pictures". Okay, now we are ready to see the city. Strolling down our two bridges to get to the "Main Section" of Liege, we take our first photos of the day, taking in the sight of the river and the beautiful landscape of old style and modern building architecture as we go.

Once in "Main Town," Eleah and I agree to explore this little park that we all saw coming into town on our first day. If you remember correctly, Katie D., Eleah, and I hauled our assemblage of luggage from the train station to City Living. Peering into oncoming traffic, we decide to explore this interesting looking park. Yes, we took pictures of the statues of Revolutionaries and the crest and seal of the city that was at the fore front of the park. Enjoying the sight of the pond and its local inhabitance, Eleah and I hear this interesting noise disturb the calm of nature. What was it you ask? Well it was this lovely noise of screaming children. Apparently it was scary to Eleah, "I thought I was scared of kids, but Belgium kids screaming in French just took it to a new level!" My very sympathetic nature came out to help ease her pain....I laughed with gusto! To see a grown girl jump from the sound of yelling kids, I could not help myself. As these darling kids pasted us, (jumping and yelling still) Eleah stands bravely off to the side.

After being entertained throughly, we decided to get back to Mission: Touristy! Upon seeing this amazing looking tree, I could not help myself to NOT climb it. Taking pictures as usually foreign college students, I declared that I wanted a picture of me jumping from the tree.

It is truly a lively picture. I am just glad the landing was not caught on film, because I ate some serious Belgium dirt. Yep that is right. Instead of looking to see where I was landing, I looking into the camera, and landed right on my butt. I just thank the Lord that I have patting there. Laughing off the pain and embarrassment like any good professional klutz, Eleah takes her turn at the Tricky Tree. However after learning from my mistakes, Eleah assumes the philosophy "Look Where You Are Landing" and makes a wonderful picture (without the embarrassing moment).

Onward and Upward we go! Onward to the yellow little truck. Again, assuming the touristy persona we make some more fun memories with Eleah's camera.

Going where our feet take us, we begin to walk north from the river. And where did our feet take us, well I do not know for sure. But the view was.....Gorgeous! We somehow ended up near the highway/railway that leads into Liege. Taking more landscape pictures, we continue to walk for who knows how long.

And what do you know, we ended right on the doorstep of HEC - School of Management for th University of Liege. Thought: Do one's feet have an innate sense of direction? Well maybe mine have a little bit of that gift, because it was definitely there in NYC and now here. Anyways... After finding the "Beloved Sight," we call Katie D. to see if she was up for lunch. And what do you know, she just got up! Okay clarification on this point, yesterday Katie D. was not feeling well at all. So sleeping in past noon is okay for someone getting over a 24 hour bug. Since Katie D. still needed time to get ready and eat some breakfast, Eleah and I set out for McDonalds. Yes there is one here, and I do not suggestion going there. Granted the food was less greasy and the setup is different from the USA, I was not big on the experience (since it gave me a massive headache right after eating there).

After eating and paying .30 Euros for the restroom, we map out the rest of the day. The idea we were planning on going to some more "Green Space," but as soon as we stepped outside and the wind literally dropped our internal temperature by a minimum of 4 degrees, we decided to save that for another (WARMER) day. Taking pictures of the Palace of Justice and scrambling to get warm (including going down "interesting" alleys that do not want the wind shield of 20 mi/hr), we decided to find a place to get coffee and call Katie D. to see if she wanted to join us. Moving from this neat hide-away bar to something more towny, we all decided upon this sandwich/bakery that we ate at a couple of days prior. Enjoying the warmth and chatting up about what we did the previous day, Eleah and I decided it was time to go home (and finish the wine). On the way home, Katie D., Eleah, and I hit up one of the few stores open on a Sunday (a grocery store) to pick up trash bags and wine (go figure). Inviting Katie D. to see our place, we start the trek back. Before leaving the touristy section where the Cathedral St. Paul is located, Katie D. decides it is too cold to make the trip (which is fine - we do not want Katie D. getting sick again). So making more detours to see the sights, Eleah and I whip out the cameras to finish out Mission: Touristy. After getting the two cathedrals that are located relatively next to one another and an a neat looking building (looking like a former city hall) which is now an art museum, we start the cold walk over our bridges (complaining the entire way). Inside our cozy apartment, we take our "End of the Adventure" pictures with a glass of red wine.

Now here we sit, editing pictures (almost 200 of them from today - Eleah) and writing a distinguished summary of today highlighting events (I wonder who that is). The agenda for tonight...well I am thinking of watching Tangled (we did not get to it last night), skyping family and friends from home, then cozying up in bed for an early night. Because tomorrow we learn French!! Needless to say, if getting a lot of sleep helps the mind. Well bring it on baby, because I will need all the help I can get!

Until then!! Tschüß!!!

Nom NOM!!!

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1/28/11


     Today started off rushing to meet the Free Preparatory French class (which if you are late - no admittance for the course) at the main campus.  So a little background on how to get there, Eleah and I have to dash across two bridges without getting hit (yes there are walkways) then down the road that we both thought was the Quai Orban that we need, but it was not the right one.  Once there, we need to make sure we do not slip in the mud and not get blown across the walkway from the wind coming off the river.  After we jimmy around some construction and literally run across one of the main roads to the door we need.  We have seconds to spare.  Flying up the stairs to the meeting area, we pant because we are out of shape.  Explanation on this point, we are not in shape for the short burst of running in the cold of Liege.  No amount of ballet and Brazilian Jiu-Jitzu can prepare you for this type of situation.  Well maybe for the experts and their amazing breathing skills but for two girls who are in manners of speaking novices to these arts, not so much.  So as Eleah and I are gasping for air, Katie just smiles.  Yes, Katie was smart and got there early.  Someone was smart on not sneaking those extra minutes of sleep before leaving, also living only five minutes for the college does help instead of fifteen.  But that is not such a great matter, time budgeting is.  However who are we kidding, we are college students who will sneak some more Zzzz's if we can.
   Once situated in the Prep class, the teachers hand out test to gauge how much French we know.  So naturally I attempted a bit, but was done within minutes of starting.  And amazingly was done with the entire process before a lot of the class.  What can I say, I am amazing at French.  Yes, that would be sarcasm that you are reading.  After Eleah and Katie were done rockin' out the test and blowing away the professors, Katie and I got our European phone sims cards.  After separating ways, Eleah and I hit up the cozy little cafe we found the other day.  As we are sitting up stairs, we find two fury little friends, Ralphy and Gunther.  Our two pet mice.  Yes I know this may make some queasy, but these guys were absolutely adorable.  And since we cannot have pets, well lets just say we do now. About an hour of talking later, we make the trek back to our side of town.
    After reaching our side, the agenda was to attack the two shopping lists we made the night before.  For future reference, we Americans tend to be spoiled with a Wal-Mart or Target.  Behind the flat that we are staying in, there is the convention center (mall) that we found some of our items in.  A little background on this mall, yes there are a lot of clothing stores but there is only one store in which you can get bedding.  And there is a grocery store in a mall.  Listen up America, a grocery store in a mall type setting is very nice and convent. Since we as a culture are big on convenience, try this concept out.
   Again after many stops between the grocery store and the apartment due to heavy hands, Eleah and I make ourselves at home.  Hours of skyping, facebooking, emailing to our family and friends back home and signing our contract for the flat, we break out the groceries.  In this fun bag of groceries we have two bottles of wine, one Merlot and other Grenache (a bit drier that the previous).  Well lets just say Eleah and I are finally relaxing after a long week.  Recap on our weeks,  on Monday we were in the United States of America!  It is now Friday here, can you believe it.  In a span of less than a week we go from basking in the culture and life we grew up in to experiencing and adapting to a completely different culture.  I must say that any student that does this, is one amazing person.  Because personally not everyone can do this, live for 6 or more months in another country (absorbing another culture and way of life).  However one is not just sitting on the side lines of culture, you are actively participating with the vastness of God's people and how we all interact with one another.  Granted this is slightly deep, but think about it.  Going to another country as a college student, you are not only getting away from the parents, but you are given this wonderful gift bestowed to you to learn and understand how the depth of God's creativity.  That one deity carefully thought out the mental processes and culture, you name it, he did it.  Is that not amazing?  I know some people may not think this is not amazing, but think about this.  How cool is it that over a million people live on the same planet as you and we are all different yet we are all the same.  Is it just me, but one has to know that there is a mastermind behind this wonderful phenomenon?
   Anyways, now that Eleah and I are settled (skyping still or writing this blog) we are currently on the second bottle of wine out of the two that we bought (and singing the Nom NOM song).  And we will see how this night goes.  But the eta of the night is a "girls' night in" and more bonding.  So we will see how it goes.  But until then Au Revior!!!

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    A special Thank You goes out to a distant relative of mine, Ziggy and Anne Schmerber.  Thank you so much for the hospitality that you have already shown me.  I wish you health and wealth.  And I ask everyone reading (whether you believe or not) to pray for the family's health.
    To friends and family, I miss you and wish you well!

24 hours and counting

Liege, Liege, Liege....it is such a funny words for Americans to wrap their tongue around if they have never taken French or been in a Europe.  However this story is not about the city of Liege or how many Americans do not know another language outside of English.  This is a story of a small Midwest girl traveling and studying in Europe for an entire year and the events that make life, well, interesting to say the least.

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1/25/11 - 1/26/11
     It all started on a LONG plane ride, not being able to sleep due to a redhead toddler (boy)...umm lets just say he need some "nite nite" pills so I could get some Zzzzz's in for the day/night.  Yet life is never as easy as we wish it to be.  After touch down and getting the luggage, myself and Eleah (the first of four new best friends) are sitting at Stella Artois having our first breakfast beer waiting for the third's (Katie D)flight to touch down (4th is on her way here) so we can catch the train.  As we go sluggishly down two escalators with a loads of luggage (emphasis on Katie) to find the train station.  Needless to say attempting to decipherer the poorly written train ticket we missed the first train.  So after waiting 20 minutes for the next train we got to know one another a bit more. After realizing what trains we needed , we were well on the way to Liege and by the second train we made a friend who was origanlly from Canada, lived in Ohio for a bit, now lives in London and doing business in Liege for a couple of days.  After FINALLY arriving in Liege, our next problem was finding out where City Living was located. We were told that City Living was not far from the train station, LIES!!! WARNING!! Don't believe people who say that when you arrive from another country and have all of your luggage with you.  Yes it is not far if you are walking is a light backpack or purse, but will two heave suitcase (regardless of the size), it's a Long Walk (I personally suggest a cab!).
     Sooo.  We are now at City Living resting our very tired feet when we see the room.  Well let just say its tiny and has no personality but a GREAT view from the window where you can sit on the ledge.  But overall it is a nice setup, it just takes a little getting use to it (especially the bathroom/closet/whole).  After resting for a while we all go out to eat and sight see for a bit.  We all settle on this tavern by the old St. Lambert's Cathedral, where ordered some coffee (Irish and Hasselt - it has gin) and yes it was strong!  After venturing around that area pricing phones and such, we head back to the City Living (Katie D's place).  Here Eleah and I found this cute B&B/ Hotel (because the only hostel in town was closed).  This hotel was styled off of Old Hollywood (Hotel Les Acteurs).

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1/27/11
It started off by smelling the smoke (cigarettes) that was in the room left over from the previous renter and the shouts from the street. Eleah and I had about 30-20 minutes to check out (yes we slept till about 10:30am and went to bed around 9:30pm).  As we are stumbling along we come across this cute little bakery.  I had my first cup of Cafè and a Belgian Waffle.  Must say it was DELICIOUS!  From there Eleah and I went where our feet took us and it took us about 5 miles in the wrong direction when we decided to find the apartment we are renting for the semester.  Once on a mission, we set off to find the allusive apartment.  And did you know that there are TWO Quai Orban in this city, I bet you didn't.  Okay, so they are not exactly the same but they are close. After another couple of hours trying to find this place, we decided to meet back up with Katie D. so we all could go to Eramus (check-in for University of Liege Exchange Students).  From there we wandered, getting lunch and phones for over here.  Upon getting back to Katie D.'s place we rest and charge up the laptops ( and I start writing the beginning of this big hairy monster of a story).  So we sat and sat eating left over food, skypeing and Facebooking (yes it has gone international).  Once acquiring a local cab company, Eleah and I load our lovely belongings back into a car and zoom off to our new place.  After some interest translation problems, we are now starting to get settled in this city called Liege.
   So I wish you all well and I will post soon.  But this letlagged body must get some sleep before I start learning some structured French (or get yelled at for not knowing any..lol).
So Bon boyage or Auf Weidersehen!