Phones and what not

Y'all, I am so sleepy right now it's not even funny. Tomorrow (today?) I have an oral exam in Japanese lab, an exam in econ, a quiz in political science, and a presentation in Japanese (the actual class). I've been awake since like 9 something, and I walked downtown today to get MORE passport photos made because CLEMSON STUDY ABROAD LOST MINE. Today has been very productive.

Anypoodles, the last pre-departure study abroad meeting was Monday! I missed it. I thought it was at 5, and it was definitely at 4, and by the time I realized that it was like 4:15. Ooops? Fortunately, Peebles (the program head) is my French teacher, so I talked to her about it today (yesterday?). I filled out forms for my metro pass and housing, got my international cell phone and international student ID, and Peebles even gave us all travel books about the area! Be jealous, architecture kids! (the arch. department isn't spoiling them nearly as much)

About this international cell phone biznass: my phone has a UK number (why a UK number if we'll be in Belgium? No comprende!), but I can also set it up to have a US number too, so you guys can call me without paying like $20/second for international calls! HOW AWESOME IS THAT?!

That was my last bit of enthusiasm for the day. I'm going to bed. Wish me luck! Tomorrow's gonna be rough.

A Taste of Belgium : a drop-in

Saturday was a success! For a spur-of-the-moment idea, "A Taste of Belgium" went very well, and without a hitch! Thank you to everyone who came came out and/or donated and/or kept us in your thoughts :]


The set up! Pledge cards, AKA pens (v. nice, Aunt Tracy), and the donation basket were right when you walked in :]


(a somewhat incomplete photo of) The spread! For American food, we had chicken wings and ham biscuits. For Belgian food, there were chocolates, Flemish asparagus (WHICH I MADE MYSELF YES THANK YOU), Belgian waffles, Dutch apple Pie (not seen here), and Patty and Liz brought that red plate of cookies (which were delish). There was also ice cream for the pie, fruit and whipped cream for the waffles, and my clever clever Aunt Tracy made the cutest little party favors! If I find a picture of them, I'll post them later.

Some folks are weird about their pictures being on the internet, so I'll leave those off, but we had a good little crowd!

The food was really inexpensive and everything was super delicious! And we made a good bit of money too :]

Special shout out to my helpers, Aunt Tracy and Granny! I couldn't have done it without you guys :]

I promise, I'm still here

It's been a minute since I updated last! Sorry guys; it's just not much has been going on (nothing related to this trip, anyway). In totally unrelated news, one of my favorite bands put out a new CD. They have a new sound, and the concept is really awesome (wooo futuristic themes!), and I must have their CD for the plane ride.

I'm thinking about a name change for this blog. It's just kinda corny, you know? Or at least I think so. But I'm terrible at naming stuff :[

This had a point, I swear. I just don't remember what that point was at the moment.

The second (and final) pre-departure meeting is...sometime before the end of the semester? Seriously, no date has been set. This is worrying me. The architecture kids just had their final meeting this week, but they've had like... 5 meetings spanning the entire semester (they're going to Barcelona). Also, the SA office lady said she would notarize our bank statements, but she just sent me an email asking why my statements weren't notarized. I don't know; maybe because you said you could do it? See what I have to deal with? Okay, no more complaining!

This weekend, I'm having a drop-in/fundraiser 'round Granny's house! There has been much ripping/running/phone calling in preparation for this, I tell you what. And I'll be making the dishes myself (except for the ham biscuits, because Grandma so graciously offered to do those for me, and Aunt Tracy is helping me do waffles), including a streusel apple tart (wooo Belgian food!), so they'll be extra delicious. For those of you who will be there, I'll see you Saturday :]

The good, the eh, and the bad

Good news: I survived my TB test! Matt, my friend from Japanese class, magically appeared on his scooter as I was going in for it (and on the verge of tears) after class and gave me the thumbs up. I'm sure if he hadn't had a helmet on, he'd have given me a がんばって (ganbatte; the Japanese equivalent of "You can do it!"). He's a nice guy.

Eh news: I paid $15 and wasted 30 minutes sitting in Redfern (Clemson's health clinic) being told I weigh 195 pounds (which is bollocks, if you ask me) and answering questions about whether or not I have chronic this (no), chronic that (no), or medical allergies (codone). Srsly? I COULD HAVE LIED, PEOPLE. I am not, however, overlooking the fact that there was no blood drawn. Thank you, Jesus, for sparing me the finger prick/dull razor. (I'd hate to seem ungrateful)

Bad news: I haven't gotten my all-important FBI background check back yet. Deadline was today. But I emailed Meredith (the lady in the study abroad office who's working with us) and she told me to just hand in what I have.

In other (good) news, I don't have TB! (so now Matt can stop teasing me about it)