Notre Première Année En Belgique

Our one-year anniversary is quickly approaching. We have been here 11 months to the day and will celebrate our first year of expat life on 4 Oct. Many people have wondered why I have not been keeping up the Blog. Quite frankly, we have settled into a more normal life (as normal as a life can be when you are unemployed and living in a foreign country). With that being said, we have been doing some fun weekend trips. On some of those ventures, we simply forgot the camera and on others, the pictures we took were either not Blog-worthy or we could not be bothered to take any pictures at all.


A friend once told me that you know you've transformed from being a tourist to really being a resident of a foreign country when you stop carrying your camera around with you. Perhaps there is a bit of truth to that, but I really don't want to fall into that trap. Maybe I have been a bit less wowed by things and a bit more apathetic about documenting experiences, however, I think that rather than spending most of our time documenting the special moments, Rick and I have been just enjoying them. I'm sure this is just a phase and I'll be ready to get back to the camera and the Blog soon.

Things have definitely improved for us. Rick is no longer working crazy hours (for the moment, anyway) and we have begun to form some good friendships. We even have a group of people who we've been going camping with (more about that in another Blog). In addition, Rick is playing guitar again. Between graduate school, home renovations and the overseas move, he has not had time to play in roughly six years. I'm so happy as music is really a passion for him. It's also a much-needed creative outlet. He has a couple of guys that he plays with occasionally. They also bring their guitars on the camping trips.

As for me, my big hobby is still studying French (although there has not been any class during July and August). I've joined a book club, which I really enjoy. It's a fun group of intelligent and interesting women (mostly Irish and English). I've been doing a lot of reading outside of the book club too. Lately, I've been getting into historical fiction. I just finished a trilogy on the life of Josephine Bonaparte. I geeked out a little by cross-referencing a European history book to get more details. I don't know why I'm admitting that! I also volunteer at the American Womens Club of Brussels (AWBC) in the library. Other activities include working out, meeting friends for the occasional rendez-vous, and cooking like a maniac. Rick has renamed our apartment Chez Stephanie. However, the literal translation of that phrase is actually Stephanie's house, which really has nothing to do with food.

Yes, I know what you're thinking: This sounds like the life of a desperate housewife. I guess, in some ways, it is. However, it's the life of a desperate housewife who is getting to travel around Europe and embrace another culture. This "sabbatical" has been a time of rest, rejuvenation, and personal growth for me. I can't really complain about that!


Now that we are more settled and everything we do is not a chore, I will continue to add things to my agenda. I'm considering joining a women's biking group. I've also thought about doing some volunteer work for an English/Irish/American theatre group. We have a friend who is an actress and I've recently spoken with her about helping out. Perhaps I'll get a part-time job. Who knows what the next two years will bring???

I have to admit that things have not always been so easy. There have been several tears shed and a couple of stellar meltdowns along the way! It takes some time to figure out the cultural differences and then to accept them. For example, Americans are accustomed to and expect a certain level of customer service. All I have to say is "Get over it...it ain't gonna happen here!" It also takes a while to make friends. I have found myself very lonely at times and have desperately missed my friends and family from home. There have also been days (or weeks) where even the most mundane tasks seem complicated and you long for something familiar and easy. Of course, the language barrier adds an extra layer of difficulty.

All of these thoughts and feelings are pretty normal, especially for the trailing spouse, who often finds themselves isolated, lonely, and robbed of his/her profession. You have to work to establish an identity for yourself. Luckily, Rick and I have adapted pretty well. We are both open minded to new experiences and enjoy the adventure. We also realize that the U.S. is not the "center of the universe" and that the European way of life has its merits. Aside from friends, family, and some foods, we don't really miss much from home anymore.


In closure, we have enjoyed our first year in Brussels. We have traveled to some amazing destinations and have tried our best to soak up the Belgian culture (especially the beer!). While many people stick to the big tourist destinations, we try to pepper our travels with trips to less glamorous places. We have found the small Belgian towns to be quite quirky and interesting, especially when there is a festival on. Moreover, there's nothing like sitting at a beer cafe or brewery, surrounded by cow and sheep pastures, and sipping a delicious beer that can't be found anywhere else in the world!

This year has gone by so fast. It's hard to believe it's been that long. We look forward to the next two years of la vie en Belgique!