kathleen's archive

kathleen

March 06, 2006

Invading Sims' City

I just got back from the most sleepless, random weekend in Belgium... It began on Saturday morning when I awoke after two hours of sleep and headed for the train station, where I met my friend Heather. I got through the line and waited for Heather to come though...receiving a text from her that our friend Edward Sims hadn't left his flat yet. By this time it was 6:00a.m. and our train departed at 6:25a.m. "What do we do if he misses?" We brainstormed possible ideas and boarded the train cautiously, wondering if, in this moment of panic, things would all work out. Thankfully, about two minutes before departure Ed called and sprinted into our train car with a sweaty brow... Thus was the start to our weekend in Sims' city...

This is Edward Sims, looking a little hot and sweaty from the sprint from his flat to the train station.

Saturday afternoon we decided we wanted to see the suburbs where Edward lives...but none of us really drive standard. Thanks to lessons from my brothers and their girlfriends back in the day, I was the lucky one to start the car and actually get it moving...meaning it was my responsibility to drive us around. I stalled...a lot, even after practicing in a parking lot. Oh the pressure! We decided to take a side road to avoid "stops" and ended up in the middle of some random parade...we did get free Fanta and I didn't stall, but it was awful! I stalled about 500 times over the course of the two days...

Enter random parade with police and free Fanta.

Saturday afternoon we went into Brussels to see the EU stuff, the Grand Place and various other wonders of Brussels. (Notice my fav.)

The EU Commission -- we also saw where Ed's Mum works!

Heather, Edward and I in Brussels! Spire from the Town Hall in the background.

Me and Mr. MP. ;)

We ate waffles, ice cream, chocolate and pitas along with trying out some wonderful Belgium beer and seeing many wonderful sites (including lots of grafitti...). We went home that night -- metro to the parked car. I drove fast... We watched the Aviator with Ed's youngest brother that night and we all fell asleep, basically. Sunday we went to Ed's church for the family service and amazing puppet show, then hit up the bakery afterwards to buy a cake, just for fun. That afternoon I drove to the Atonium (stalling was uber embarrassing this time) and somehow made it back to the 'burbs to walk around the Africa museum, make dinner and relax.

Heather and I enjoying a pit stop at the Atonium...thanks to my stalling and some random Spanish guy moving the car! ;)

Me looking 40...driving home on the highway from the Atonium!

We woke up extra early this morning to get the train to come back...and I forgot my Mort Subite glass in the guest room... All in all, we had a good time. I can't wait to forget Edward's voice saying "JUST GO!"...that kids needs to learn to drive!

Posted by kathleen at 12:17 PM

March 02, 2006

Skye High Scotland

This past weekend we went for a three day tour of the Scottish Highlands. I think it was my favorite trip thus far! :) My friend Heather was visiting from Maine so she came with us -- we had to take a 9hr bus to Edinburgh (overnight) then started the Fri-Sun tour. It felt so nice to be in the open air again and although it was really cold, we all had a blast. Our tour guide a little sketchy but funny and made things interesting. The only "souvenir" I bought was this little blue scarf...I had been looking to buy a nice big Scottish wool blanket...but hopefully I will go up again when it gets warmer and spend more time in Edinburgh and maybe go to Glasgow too.

The weekend was really refreshing before a tough week of writing essays and getting a lot done. This weekend I'm heading back to Brussels with my other friend Heather (who goes to LSE) and Edward to stay at Edward’s house in the suburbs of Brussels. It should be fun. More chocolate, beer and waffles galore! ;)

Below are a few amazing pictures from the weekend!

Heather, Me and Jen at Lochness! We didn't get a glimpse of Nessie...