Finally. This morning I had a call from the commune to come and pick up my Identity Card. It's orange, which means it's tied to Andrew's. So I still can't work. However, now that I have it I am allowed to stay here for a year (then I have to...
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So, after six months of waiting, I think I have finally had my police visit. I say 'I think I had' it, because I didn't actually answer the door. After a bad night, with little sleep, I was still in bed at 9:30 when the bell rang. Andrew, who had...
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Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzt. “Oh no… the doorbell!” Clomp. Clomp. Clomp. Clomp. Clomp. Stumble. Clomp. Thunk. Crash. Stomp. Stomp. Rattle. Screeeeeetch. That is what it sounds like, every time I have to answer my front door. I’ve commented before on the unusual architecture of my home. The front door is no exception. You...
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I've talked about numerous reasons why I enjoy being an expat: the challenging new experiences, meeting interesting people from around the world, trying new and different foods, but there's really only one reason why I agreed to embark on the expat adventure — I'm a travel junkie. Travel is my...
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To everyone in Belgium who doesn't like winter, I apologize for the snow and I take full responsibility for it. The snow is all my fault. I shouldn't have shot my mouth off about moving to a 'nicer' climate. But I really hate winter. I hate snow. I hate the...
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It seems just based on odds alone I could leave the town commune at least once without feeling like I've been beaten. The odds were still against me today. While what I feel like is downing a bottle of red, gorging on chocolate and hiding under my desk, I have...
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I shift awkwardly from one foot to another. I avoid eye contact. "I had a great time, thank you," I stammer. I never make the first move. Suddenly they lean in. "Oh no, which side are they going for," I ask myself, "and how many times?" It's the first kiss....
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Visiting the doctor is not generally my favorite way to pass the time, but when you have to deal with the medical system in a new country, it can be even more intimidating. I always used to be a pretty healthy person; I never even had the typical kid sicknesses...
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"So … what exactly do you do all day?" This is a question I am asked frequently, in one form or another by friends and family, Belgian friends and by fellow expats. However, it's a difficult question to answer, because I understand the implications behind it. In North America, we...
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