Work is sending me to the land of beer, waffles, and EU institutions for a total of 5 1/2 months, with my first day in the office set for August 17th. If you're counting, that's less than two months away! I'm not quite in pre-trip panic mode ("I'll never be able to get all the things done that need to get done before I leave!" Cue the hyperventilation.), but I'm sure it's not far off. There are a handful of training sessions to complete, a medical clearance to obtain, an apartment to clean, empty and sublet, and some serious packing decisions to be made. I'd also like to purchase a new laptop, go to Minnesota for one last weekend, and make the most out of the DC summer I have left. Needless to say, the next two months are not going to be easy or stress-free, but as anyone who has ever moved abroad knows, all the work will be worth it (and more!) in the end.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Belgium Bound
Way back in January, I mapped out my 2009 travel resolutions. They seemed pretty solid at the time, but as we all know, even the best laid plans of mice and men go astray. Instead of heading to New York or the Atlantic shore, I'll be spending much of the year a bit farther from my original Washington, DC starting point. Not that I'm complaining. After all, the place I'll be spending it is Brussels, Belgium.
Work is sending me to the land of beer, waffles, and EU institutions for a total of 5 1/2 months, with my first day in the office set for August 17th. If you're counting, that's less than two months away! I'm not quite in pre-trip panic mode ("I'll never be able to get all the things done that need to get done before I leave!" Cue the hyperventilation.), but I'm sure it's not far off. There are a handful of training sessions to complete, a medical clearance to obtain, an apartment to clean, empty and sublet, and some serious packing decisions to be made. I'd also like to purchase a new laptop, go to Minnesota for one last weekend, and make the most out of the DC summer I have left. Needless to say, the next two months are not going to be easy or stress-free, but as anyone who has ever moved abroad knows, all the work will be worth it (and more!) in the end.
Work is sending me to the land of beer, waffles, and EU institutions for a total of 5 1/2 months, with my first day in the office set for August 17th. If you're counting, that's less than two months away! I'm not quite in pre-trip panic mode ("I'll never be able to get all the things done that need to get done before I leave!" Cue the hyperventilation.), but I'm sure it's not far off. There are a handful of training sessions to complete, a medical clearance to obtain, an apartment to clean, empty and sublet, and some serious packing decisions to be made. I'd also like to purchase a new laptop, go to Minnesota for one last weekend, and make the most out of the DC summer I have left. Needless to say, the next two months are not going to be easy or stress-free, but as anyone who has ever moved abroad knows, all the work will be worth it (and more!) in the end.
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10 comments:
That’s very cool. I’m jealous! I am a big fan of Brussels, actually. I’ve been 3 times now, and enjoyed myself every time. The city is quite nice. They’ve done a good job with balancing the old and the new. The new buildings give the city a lively feel without destroying the beauty and history of the older buildings.
Because of the EU being based there, the city is very vibrant and international, and you’ll see and here people from around the world.
If you ever get home sick, I would recommend Fat Boy’s on the Place du Luxembourg. American burgers with baseball and football (the American kind) on the TV.
So, are you going to learn Dutch now?
I'm so excited for you! September 3 can't come soon enough and I think we should celebrate with a moules frites party...sauf les moules, of course :)
Congrats!!! sounds amazing!!
Congrats, Tanya!!! I'm psyched for you! ~ Katrina
@Greg, Thanks for the tip on American football watching! I always miss that when I'm overseas in the fall. Yes, I'm going to try to pick up some Dutch, even though I'll be able to get by with the French and English. Learning languages is fun :-)
@Cancemini4, @Anait, @Katrina, Thanks for the good wishes, ladies! I look forward to brining you lots of stories from Brussels.
What will happen to BTP while you're gone?!? Anyway, have a wonderful time!
Learning languages is fun :-)
Well, chacun son gout, I guess.
Actually, I'd love to have fun learning languages, but mostly it makes my head hurt. In my fantasy, though, I pick up languages and speak perfectly!
I hate moving but I always enjoy reading your blog.. that is why I choose your blog for one of The Lovely Blog Awards on my blog this is the link:
http://travelwithfunlilliy.blogspot.com/2009/06/lovely-blog-award-and-paying-it-forward.html
Yay Tanya! Super cool. Should be a fantastic time
That's a great opportunity!
I shouldn't say it as a French but I actually like Belgium a lot. Very relaxed place, central in Europe (well, you get my point, with the Thalys and the Eurostar) and pretty cities.
Good luck with all the things you have to do! Medical clearance?? That sounds... barbaric! :D
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