DISCLAIMER: This blog will not be like the others. There will be no humorous comments slipped in between lines nor will I make light of sometimes rather unpleasant situations. I am going to be honest, possibly politically incorrect and potentially offensive to certain people. If you are sensitive to any particular topics, please be warned. Of course, it is not my intent to offend anyone, but there are certain thoughts I feel I need to share that may not want to be heard by some.
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All my life I have cringed at negative comments regarding a certain culture, religion or race. Usually, these comments were regarding a certain stereotype that many believed to be fact. I have always felt that each individual deserved a chance to be who they are and only then would my judgements be based on sound information that I've gathered from personal interactions. I've refused to make particular judgements because of the way someone looked or something that they believed in, even though there may always have been a slight internal battle. Humans cannot be categorized objects, as there is not one person in this world than can be the same as another.
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Media in and of itself is very difficult to avoid, especially the news. I turn on the radio - I hear the news, I watch TV - I see the news, I open my homepage - I read the news. In the streets, I hear bits and pieces of people's conversations that are discussing current affairs. I talk to friends and family and I hear and see their reactions when a specific term is mentioned in a dialogue. Certain thoughts are just fed to us consistently and sometimes without our conscious' awareness. We digest information subconsciously and don't even realize when we automatically react to these things we've heard.
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M-U-S-L-I-M ... Yes, I said it! (What was your initial reaction?) The word almost seems taboo, at least, from the environment that I come from. We consistently hear that Muslims have been making these threats, and Muslims planned to annihilate this building and prominent Muslim countries are dangerous... What we don't hear is how many billions of Muslims there are in this world and how such a minute fraction of them can even be considered the "Muslim Extremists" that we view on TV and hear about in the media. We are fed information that causes us to have knee-jerk reactions to particular trigger points and, with much regret, I, myself, had one of these reactions and it was not a subtle one.
I was on my way home on the metro when I glanced over to the seats across from me and saw a young gentleman reading and cross-referencing a notebook. Me being the curious person I am tried to decipher what book it was and what language it was in. With a closer look, probably a blunt squint, I noticed the book was in Arabic and my mind immediately jumped to a dozen consecutive conclusions.
1. It's the Qur-an.
2. He's of Middle-Eastern/North-African decent.
3. He has a backpack.
4. Does he look nervous? He doesn't have any of the typical inadvertent body gestures of a nervous person, but does that mean anything?
5. Nonetheless, how long until the next stop? Should I get off?
WHAAAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??! My mind has officially failed me. I have succumbed to media's antics and society's stereotypes and am so ashamed to admit it.
After assessing the situation and realizing what I had automatically assumed and the rash judgements I had made, I stayed on the metro. My heart was slightly pounding, but I saw him put the book in his bag and I looked inside. Nothing there. Rationalization. He got off a few stops later and off he went. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less. My fears were calmed, but my anger at myself had risen. How could I, who have tried so hard my entire life to be open-minded and delay my judgements, become such a disciple of mass media's brainwashing?! I have no one to blame, but myself.
I acknowledge everything that happened as a learning experience and will do my best to not make such rash judgements in the future. I regrettably say, that most that I know about the Muslim religion is what a select few have explained to me each from vastly different perspectives. I have never dove into concrete studies of the history and politics of Islam. I have friends who practice Islam and have asked them many questions, but apparently not enough to prevent my mind from stereotyping. I see this as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
:(
Damn it... I miss him... I miss the dogs.. The familiarity of it all.. But yet I'm still extremely happy. How can one be both at the same time?
Shortest blog ever..
Shortest blog ever..
Monday, March 12, 2012
Day 11!
Since it's been so long I think I am just going to start from today and go backwards as the last hour are still fresh in my mind. Actually, let me grab a nice glass of wine first to help me relax and unload. You know what, lets make that a nice Belgian beer. You'll understand why in just a minute, so be patient! (And please don't call me a lush!!)
After leaving work today I decided that I was going to try parking downtown again even though I have access to a parking spot at one of the offices. It's quite a hassle to take the metro and walk to my car then drive to the other office and so on (about a 45 minute commute this way). I will leave that option available for the weekends. Anyway, one of my coworkers told me about an area that always had parking spots available when he lived downtown and even though last week when I drove there and found no spots, I thought I'd try again. YAY! I found a spot. No issues there. I'm still working on the parallel parking in a miniature so-called car (to me a two door hatchback is faux-car- blame it on my American-ness). I managed to get half the car on the sidewalk, but whatever, I had a place to leave my car for yet another evening. Success.
Next step, get home. Well, sounds easy right? WRONG! Let's put a few things in perspective - I left work at about 6:45, it took me 20ish minutes to drive and find parking and I actually made it home by around 8pm. What should have only been about a 10 minute walk turned into almost 1 hour. Way to go Aggie, way to go.... I had heels on (and these streets being cobblestone are just a twisted ankle waiting to happen), my designer handbag and some groceries in my awesome reusable Stonyfield bag. Why share this information? Well, let's just say I walked in the complete opposite direction of where I was to go and ended up being a minority in a country where I already am a foreigner. I'll leave it at that... For some strange reason I kept walking in the wrong direction hoping I'd see or find a landmark or street name that was familiar or even someone that looked trustworthy enough to ask directions from. I had a GPS with me, but this was not an area that you just pull out sweet gadgets like that.
I finally turned onto a street and decided, shit ya.. this isn't a safe place. I saw a pregnant lady with her daughter and ran across the street and asked, "Parlez-vous anglais?" Her answer - NON! Totally ok, because I half expected it, but then she asked a passerby if they spoke English and then another one after I asked her in French where is "insert street name." This entire ordeal practically became a community event! All of a sudden, I swear I understood all French these people were saying. (Survival mode some may say?) I tried saying that I can look for someone else, but this lady (sooo sweet) was determined to help me find home. She took me across the street to a little convenient store and asked the people in it if anyone spoke English. (remember - community event). The gentleman at the register knew a few words and also at minimum the direction of where my street was. In broken English and mostly French he told me to go straight down one road for about 15 minutes minimum and then ask someone in that area for the rest of the directions. PHEW!! So, again, the kind lady took me outside and showed me the road to walk down and in my broken French, I confirmed that I just go straight. Thank you Rosetta Stone!
My feet throbbing, my shoulder now in desperate need of a massage I walked on and found a familiar area. As I got near my home someone asked ME if I spoke English. Why, YES I DO!!!! They asked me if I knew where the supermarket was and I asked if they spoke Spanish (I could tell from their accent) and they said yes. So, I proudly gave them directions to the supermarket which so happens to be the one that employs me and which I shop at myself. I REAAALLY needed that uplift! Put a smile on my face. :)
Now, I am enjoying a nice Delirium Tremens in the comfort of my own home. Next step - get the landlord to fix my shower - orange water running and the shower-head broke off the hose.
I'm just taking life one step at a time.
\
After leaving work today I decided that I was going to try parking downtown again even though I have access to a parking spot at one of the offices. It's quite a hassle to take the metro and walk to my car then drive to the other office and so on (about a 45 minute commute this way). I will leave that option available for the weekends. Anyway, one of my coworkers told me about an area that always had parking spots available when he lived downtown and even though last week when I drove there and found no spots, I thought I'd try again. YAY! I found a spot. No issues there. I'm still working on the parallel parking in a miniature so-called car (to me a two door hatchback is faux-car- blame it on my American-ness). I managed to get half the car on the sidewalk, but whatever, I had a place to leave my car for yet another evening. Success.
Next step, get home. Well, sounds easy right? WRONG! Let's put a few things in perspective - I left work at about 6:45, it took me 20ish minutes to drive and find parking and I actually made it home by around 8pm. What should have only been about a 10 minute walk turned into almost 1 hour. Way to go Aggie, way to go.... I had heels on (and these streets being cobblestone are just a twisted ankle waiting to happen), my designer handbag and some groceries in my awesome reusable Stonyfield bag. Why share this information? Well, let's just say I walked in the complete opposite direction of where I was to go and ended up being a minority in a country where I already am a foreigner. I'll leave it at that... For some strange reason I kept walking in the wrong direction hoping I'd see or find a landmark or street name that was familiar or even someone that looked trustworthy enough to ask directions from. I had a GPS with me, but this was not an area that you just pull out sweet gadgets like that.
I finally turned onto a street and decided, shit ya.. this isn't a safe place. I saw a pregnant lady with her daughter and ran across the street and asked, "Parlez-vous anglais?" Her answer - NON! Totally ok, because I half expected it, but then she asked a passerby if they spoke English and then another one after I asked her in French where is "insert street name." This entire ordeal practically became a community event! All of a sudden, I swear I understood all French these people were saying. (Survival mode some may say?) I tried saying that I can look for someone else, but this lady (sooo sweet) was determined to help me find home. She took me across the street to a little convenient store and asked the people in it if anyone spoke English. (remember - community event). The gentleman at the register knew a few words and also at minimum the direction of where my street was. In broken English and mostly French he told me to go straight down one road for about 15 minutes minimum and then ask someone in that area for the rest of the directions. PHEW!! So, again, the kind lady took me outside and showed me the road to walk down and in my broken French, I confirmed that I just go straight. Thank you Rosetta Stone!
My feet throbbing, my shoulder now in desperate need of a massage I walked on and found a familiar area. As I got near my home someone asked ME if I spoke English. Why, YES I DO!!!! They asked me if I knew where the supermarket was and I asked if they spoke Spanish (I could tell from their accent) and they said yes. So, I proudly gave them directions to the supermarket which so happens to be the one that employs me and which I shop at myself. I REAAALLY needed that uplift! Put a smile on my face. :)
Now, I am enjoying a nice Delirium Tremens in the comfort of my own home. Next step - get the landlord to fix my shower - orange water running and the shower-head broke off the hose.
I'm just taking life one step at a time.
\
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Day 2 - Shopping for Essentials
What a day! I slept in until 11am this morning which is highly unusual for me, but acceptable due to the time change. At least I'll keep telling myself that. :) Today's agenda was pretty simple - get some groceries, figure out the cell situation and find a way to get to Ikea for some basics such as hangers and a bathroom organizing unit and coffee maker/French press. I was successful with 2/3!!!! Trust me, this for me is quite the accomplishment as I have quite the tendency to get distracted.
According to a coworker there are three cell phone companies that are prominent here in Belgium. I stopped by two to find out the best deals and researched the third online, but it was significantly more expensive. Being downtown, in the heart of Brussels, all the shops are within a few minute walking distance. When I stopped by the first one I immediately asked, "Parlez-vous Anglais?" and the nice gentleman from Congo said yes!!! He helped me out and was super nice. I was also able to experience an angry customer yell in French then to Arabic then back to French and all I understood was a mere single word; MIERDE! and the other associate telling the woman AU REVIOUR! I am assuming she wasn't pleased with the service? It was actually kind of funny because my guy kept making comments in English like "Welcome to Belgium" and "this happens almost everyday!"
My next stop was another cell company that I heard had the best service and yet again, the gentleman spoke English after I asked the same question. I did like the company's prices and plans better, but decided I wasn't going to purchase an unlocked phone and would go home and try to unlock my own from the States.
On my way home I stopped by Delhaize to do some groceries. WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! It may be because it is a Saturday and the streets are flooded with people since the weather is decent, but holy cow! First off, it's like walking into a high security building (in comparison to American grocery markets) and most people have rolling baskets which are actually kind of neat! (Will get photo next time when there are fewer crowds.) The only issue is that the store is SO tiny and the isles extremely narrow that you basically have to elbow your way through the place. Now being as this is the company I work for I tried paying special attention to all the details.
Things I noticed:
According to a coworker there are three cell phone companies that are prominent here in Belgium. I stopped by two to find out the best deals and researched the third online, but it was significantly more expensive. Being downtown, in the heart of Brussels, all the shops are within a few minute walking distance. When I stopped by the first one I immediately asked, "Parlez-vous Anglais?" and the nice gentleman from Congo said yes!!! He helped me out and was super nice. I was also able to experience an angry customer yell in French then to Arabic then back to French and all I understood was a mere single word; MIERDE! and the other associate telling the woman AU REVIOUR! I am assuming she wasn't pleased with the service? It was actually kind of funny because my guy kept making comments in English like "Welcome to Belgium" and "this happens almost everyday!"
My next stop was another cell company that I heard had the best service and yet again, the gentleman spoke English after I asked the same question. I did like the company's prices and plans better, but decided I wasn't going to purchase an unlocked phone and would go home and try to unlock my own from the States.
On my way home I stopped by Delhaize to do some groceries. WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! It may be because it is a Saturday and the streets are flooded with people since the weather is decent, but holy cow! First off, it's like walking into a high security building (in comparison to American grocery markets) and most people have rolling baskets which are actually kind of neat! (Will get photo next time when there are fewer crowds.) The only issue is that the store is SO tiny and the isles extremely narrow that you basically have to elbow your way through the place. Now being as this is the company I work for I tried paying special attention to all the details.
Things I noticed:
- Most (not all) fresh foods are prepackaged.
- Organic is labeled BIO (yes, I did purchase some of these products! :) )
- Food is significantly more expensive than I expected (opinion). A tiny piece of fish cost me 2.47 euro for .155kg for whiting fish which is cod-like. Other items were much pricier as well, but as I am looking at my receipt I am having a hard time translating the French. :)
- The only skinless chicken legs were boneless. First off, boneless chicken legs? That's kind of cool! Second of all, I didn't see BIO chicken. I did miss like 2 or 3 other things so I may have just had my blind goggles on.
- Delhaize is big on private labels.
- They sell Fois Gras which is awesome as I am a big fan! - Yes, it is a vice.
- There were a few products that I saw that we sell in the States as well that I did not expect such as Ecover laundry detergent. Speaking of, I didn't know which bottel was which so I asked a random guy walking by, "parlez-vous anglais?" and he said yes! (I see a pattern!!) and I asked him what the difference was and he explained it to me. So nice!
- Way better beer selection (totally a personal opinion!!!)
Here is what I bought today which cost me 70.10 euro or $92!!!
I only brought one reusable bag with me and ended up having to buy a second. By the time I got home my arms were shaking. Note to self - purchase less or lighter groceries. :)
Eventually, I unlocked my phone and went back to the shop to buy a SIM card, but couldn't get the month to month plan as I did not have my proof of residence. Instead, I had to opt for a prepaid version which I will have to eventually upgrade as it will eat my wallet.
Now, I am enjoying a nice Delirium and planning on studying some French and perhaps finding a local bar and having a nice cocktail in the city. Why not!?
Aggie
Friday, March 2, 2012
Day 1
Well, the big day is here. I arrived in Belgium this morning with only a minor delay in Frankfurt. Other than the slightly less than desirable drive to the airport due to the snowstorm, it was all smooth sailing. I even lucked out and had a really friendly student from Northeastern sit next to me (who's father happened to go to Maine Maritime Academy!). I love making new friends wherever I go especially ones who are studying supply chain AND sustainability. How much better could it get?! I have never had a Transatlantic flight seem so short!!!
Other than that, I am utterly exhausted. I tried holding off sleep until at least 8pm, but I fell asleep on the metro and decided that a nap was in my cards. The traveling and getting acquainted to everything here in Brussels took a toll on me. I'm not that young anymore. I need sleep. :)
Irina (another trainee from the previous class) picked me up at the airport. She offered to let me drive, but I thought it better if we found somewhere safe to learn first. Let me tell you... Best decision ever. We were driving to the city to get to the apartment and at one point I asked her, "Is this one lane or two?" and she replied, "Well, that depends on how big the cars are..." Whaatttt?!?!?! And apparently there is this rule that those to your right have the right of way. Now, to most Americans this seems like a strange concept, but honestly if you are pulling out of a side street onto a main road the people on the main road are required to slow down for you if you are on the right side. This will take some getting used to... I did end up trying to drive in the parking garage, but I decided it was best to leave the car at one of the offices for now and just take the metro for the weekend. I will face the demons on Sunday when there is less traffic.
As for the apartment, it is super cute and in the perfect part of town (except for the parking disadvantages). Right down the street from shopping (Mango and H&M here I come!), great food at my doorstep (I passed two Formageries within seconds of my apartment!) and plenty of cafes. I am digging the city feel from a pedestrians perspective, but will have to get used to the crazy driving.
So, my next steps are to purchase a cell phone, do some groceries, finish unpacking/organizing, learn to drive and just get to know the city. Oh and learn French/Dutch. A lady asked me a question today and i said I don't speak French and so she just asked me the same question with an additional hand motion which I still obviously didn't understand. I won't allow it. I need to learn the language. It is a crucial part of my experience.
Til next time!
Aggie
Other than that, I am utterly exhausted. I tried holding off sleep until at least 8pm, but I fell asleep on the metro and decided that a nap was in my cards. The traveling and getting acquainted to everything here in Brussels took a toll on me. I'm not that young anymore. I need sleep. :)
Irina (another trainee from the previous class) picked me up at the airport. She offered to let me drive, but I thought it better if we found somewhere safe to learn first. Let me tell you... Best decision ever. We were driving to the city to get to the apartment and at one point I asked her, "Is this one lane or two?" and she replied, "Well, that depends on how big the cars are..." Whaatttt?!?!?! And apparently there is this rule that those to your right have the right of way. Now, to most Americans this seems like a strange concept, but honestly if you are pulling out of a side street onto a main road the people on the main road are required to slow down for you if you are on the right side. This will take some getting used to... I did end up trying to drive in the parking garage, but I decided it was best to leave the car at one of the offices for now and just take the metro for the weekend. I will face the demons on Sunday when there is less traffic.
As for the apartment, it is super cute and in the perfect part of town (except for the parking disadvantages). Right down the street from shopping (Mango and H&M here I come!), great food at my doorstep (I passed two Formageries within seconds of my apartment!) and plenty of cafes. I am digging the city feel from a pedestrians perspective, but will have to get used to the crazy driving.
So, my next steps are to purchase a cell phone, do some groceries, finish unpacking/organizing, learn to drive and just get to know the city. Oh and learn French/Dutch. A lady asked me a question today and i said I don't speak French and so she just asked me the same question with an additional hand motion which I still obviously didn't understand. I won't allow it. I need to learn the language. It is a crucial part of my experience.
Til next time!
Aggie
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Tomorrow is the big day!
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| Well, hello there winter. It's nice to see you. It's not like you to come fashionably late! |
I was able to say goodbye to a couple friends last night and another today. Still not feeling the emotions yet, but it seems like everyone else is. Funny story actually, Sam bought me a drink at Starbucks and said it's on her because I am leaving and it's making her sad. The lady working said, "Oh, where you going?" and I said Belgium. Her reaction: "I don't feel bad for YOU! You're going to Belgium and leaving your friend behind!" And then I say, well yes, but she's coming to visit at some point and the lady came back and said, "I guess I just don't feel bad for anyone then!" It was funny at the moment.
I bought a personal journal today for all those things that are just a smidgen too personal to share on a public blog. It's green and has a bird on it. Sam picked it out and quite honestly it does suit me! I picked up some French learning books for the flight and a mini dictionary that I will carry 24/7. FYI - Barnes and Nobles does not carry Dutch dictionaries?! They had Norwegian, Gaelic and other odd languages, but not Dutch. Either both Sam and I are blind or they have forgotten a rather important language in their collection.
So, I know I am into all this recycling and sustainability, but I I still have a long way to go. I have been meaning to go to the transfer station for... err.. quite some time to drop off our recycling. It was my goal to do it today, but unfortunately the stations hours did not suit my needs (they are only open for a few hours a day a couple days a week). I can understand why people in towns without curbside recycling find it difficult to make the effort. If you're busy and the stations are out of your way it can get frustrating. Now, I have left Dave with a wonderful garage-full of recycling. I'm curious to see what he will end up doing with it when I'm gone.
I have been thinking about what I will and won't miss (even if I don't miss it yet) and I have started a little list in my mind.
What I will miss:
1. My friends/family
2. Ease of driving in a known area and non-city driving
3. Knowing what food I like and where to get it (I have a thing for organic foods)
4. My fish - strange, I know, but I actually find them comforting and love taking care of them. my parent will be taking over the responsibilities of these feisty fellas!
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| Sneak peak! |
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| One of my 5 beautiful cichlids |
5. Maggie and Ollie - the best dogs in the world.
6. The large three bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, 2 car garage and amazing kitchen that I live in currently with everything I would ever need for cooking, including an amazing chef (aka Dr. Dave). Hey, I like to cook, but if someone else is good at it and wants to cook for me, I won't stop them. O:)
What I Won't Miss
1. New Hampshire - I grew up here, I need to get out. The End.
2. Routine. I work, I go home, I eat, watch TV, hang out with friends on weekends and that's about it. Probably goes back to being NH and not really having much to do. I miss the city and different cultures!
3. Working in retail the last 6 months - I loved it, the people, learned a lot, but it's time for me to move on. :)
4. My Mom calling me like three times a day because she's worried about me. JUST KIDDING, MOM!!! Just testing you to see if you're really reading this. :) LOVE YOU!!!
5. Having people ask me if Belgium is in Germany. Yep, seriously, I had like two people ask me that...
Oh and I'm sure there are other things on the lists, but it's PIZZA TIME!!!
Aggie
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