Home again...

Wow...home has been...interesting....
I have done nothing but smoke, sleep, unpack, eat, and hang with Michael.
I hung out with Nick and Nate! They have a really cool new place! I got to see Lew and Jen! Lew made an amazing dinner. I love my girls!
And Lew, Mike, and I got an apt. on Sheffield and Webster...its amazing.
Picking up Steve on Sunday...

Hooters and Home

I have arrived back in the Flo...too tired to think...
I went to Hooters with my mom and some waitress gave me her number...
America...

I did it...

I made it to my second to last night in Europe without throwing up once...and then...
I went to the Clockhouse and took shots with Gert-Jan...
I guess it wouldn't have been a good trip without at least one good vom...

2 More Days...

I have changed my flight, and I will be leaving 5 days earlier than expected...I must say...I am thrilled...
I am ready for home...I do not think there is anything else I can get from this trip...

Europe has been life-changing...

Back to the States on 12.11.2008

xoxo

Paris Love

...We missed our train on Thursday night. I was devastated...But I think that is what happens when you go into something with such high expectations...Thalys put us up in a hotel, and we made it to Paris on Friday by around 9:00...Thankfully, Steven wasn't too upset.

Paris was amazing, I really can't even talk about it. Especially because I still miss it so much. Some highlights...
Stealing from Sacre Couer
Pussy's
Bread and Cheese and Wine-a lot of it
Running into Stefane at a random bar
Climbing the Arc
Picnic at Place du Concord
Dinner at L'Entrecote
Walking to the Eiffel Tower, avoiding the armies, and kissing
Jumping on a bed in our undies
Reading and Napping in bed
Getting 45 euro back from our cunt hotel guy
Cardi Parties
Getting Oscar Wilde drunk
Duck, Pepper Steak, and long walks...

Sex wasn't bad either...
Je t'aime Steven

Do you think they will mind that we used their maids....A Parisian Circus...

...I'm like the ringleader...
Well, I am sitting in an empty institute...Just finished packing all of my stuff...I am going to spend my last day in Europe in Brussels tomorrow, hopefully getting some shopping done.
The past week has been insane....
Mattie arrive on Sunday and we went out to a club called You. Then we went to two other clubs, and ended up getting a hotel in Brussels. I can't even begin to describe how crazy of a night this was. We danced...we drank...we met an amazing couple and a Moroccan who took us around. It was by far the most outrageous night in Europe...We didn't go to bed until around 8:30am. The boys in Brussels are certainly living it up...And yes, we turned down the liquid ecstasy...
"Excuse me, m'am...We found your son's dead body in a gay bar in Brussels. You will need to come identify".
On Monday, we went out to the Clockouse and met our new best friend Gert-Jan, or Euheum, I am still not really sure. After another insane night out that last until 5:00, I woke up on Tuesday and finished my last two days of work at the European Parliament. Although Tuesday was dreadful (thank you Erin and your makeshift train schedule ;) ), Wednesday was probably the best. I got an amazing review from Renatka and I was able to write a written explanation of the EPP's vote on a report on Women in the Balkans. I had such a sad goodbye from my office. I really really did cherish the internship.
Thursday was so stressful...packing...writing papers...saying goodbye...It was all so rushed...But I love my girls on this trip, they were amazing. Erin, Megan, Joyce, Jess, and Eva...You guys really are the bomb...I will never forget our travels, our meals, or nights in Leuven, or mornings at work...Nothing...We truly lived and loved enough here in Leuven for a lifetime...
After Matt and I said our goodbyes and scrambled to make our Paris train...disaster...

Happy Late Thanksgiving...

I am thankful for my life-changing trip in Europe...
I am thankful to have spent so much time with my family in Paris and Brussels...
I can't wait to send my mom back to Paris on my own dollar...
And I am thankful for the last year+ that I have had with Steven...

Crab of the Cruise....

I can't believe my time in Europe with my family has come and gone...but god, was it fun. I am so homesick and lonely now that they left. I stayed in the hotel for an extra couple of hours and tried to sleep, but I was too sad.
After their trip to Bruge, the kids went out for some beer and durum in Brussels. On Tuedsday, we woke up and took the train to Amsterdam. We were in such a rush, but it was pretty cool. After a long trek to our hotel (which wasn't the Renaissance from my previous trip) with a cab driver on crack, we went and got some great Italian food. Afterwards, we went to a coffeeshop and tried miserably to roll joints. We failed...and ended up buying some pre-rolled ones, lol. But I had a great time sitting in this little, gay coffeeshop in Amsterdam with Mike and Nick. That is not something I will forget.
After a nap, we met up with the moms and Dana and went walking around the city. We got a great dinner at an Asian noodles place, and then went back to the hotel. The youngin's took a walk through the canals and smoked another joint. We watched City of God, and then Mike and I smoked our last joint together in front of the hotel, really late at night. Love you Miguelito...Your front is like a car and your back is like a truck ;)
On Wednesday, Dana and I got up at the crack of dawn and took a four hour train to Paris. We dropped our stuff off and got crepes before the other guys got to the hotel. I was Julien, the tour guide, and I took them to Montmarte and Sacre Couer. We had so much good coffee and crepes. We did some shopping and went to the Moulin Rouge. Being in Paris with my mom was a dream come true. She loves it there....Mike and Nick didn't, but my mom really really did.
That night, we went to the Latin Quarter and had an amazing dinner. Really good duck and my favorite wine from the Vincenntian Heritage Tour, Cote Du Rhone.
On Thanksgiving day, we got up and went to Concord Square, Place Vendome (where my Mom stayed on her honeymoon), Rivolie, and the Louvre. I got to see the Venus statue this time! After a fake drill went off in the museum, we left and headed for La Tour Eiffel. We took some great pictures for Christmas cards and then headed back to the hotel. We went to a place called L'Entrecote, where they just serve you this amazing steak and fries. Dana had a shitty Thanksgiving dinner...but we all got drunk and had a great time. Watching my mom and Mrs. Elliott butcher French was too funny..."SPLEEET". I am absolutely taking Steve to this joint.
Dana and I went out on Thursday, and although we couldn't get into the club on the Champs-Elysees, we met these girls from London and Mexico and went back to their place. It was really fun hanging out with them, even though we put my mom through the grind. Yeesh...
On Friday, we went shopping on Rivoli and Les Halles. I got a coat, so my mom can sleep again. We had some small snacks and then headed back to Brussels. I really impressed myself in France. My French was pretty good, and I was able to get us all around the city. Hell yeah!
I said goodbye to them this morning... :(
Matthew comes tomorrow, so that will be great. And I can't wait for my time in Paris with Steve. I am so so so excited. It's going to be magical.
I am going to go try to get a haircut...

Goodbye my lover, Goodbye my Friend...One more night with EVA...

...You have been the one for me.
Tonight is Eva's last night in Belgium. Devastating...
We are going to take our final and share one last meal. I already have a bottle of wine ready.
My time so far with mom has been amazing. I took them around Brussels on Saturday. We had such amazing food. Croissants, mussels, Flemish beef...Even more delicious beer. I took them to Delirium and Nick, Dana, and I got WASTED. We met up with the girls and went to Celtica for the evening. Danced the night away...Dana was quite a shit show.
I love being with my family here. Mike and I are back and better than ever. I can't wait to make a home with him and Lew. Yesterday we went to Leuven and saw my dorm. It is snowing in Belgium, so we didn't get to do/see much, but my mom loved it!
Today I took everyone on a tour of Parliament and then they all went to Bruge.
I will be sure to update this again with my family adventures...
Tomorrow is Amsterdam...Wednesday is Paris...
Goodbye Eva, I love you!!!

Alex's music is where he wants you to touch....

It's Wednesday night...I have a law final tomorrow and I am not ready. I finished my paper, but I still have one to write for politics on Friday. Today was Eva's last day of work. The EP was boring this week, because everyone was in Strasbourg. I guess that was ok, because I was able to do some work. I am really really going to miss Eva...
My mom comes this weekend. I am so excited. I feel really stressed and empty inside. And I am SO sick. Mom always makes me feel better.
Everything is winding down...

I found a Quiznos in Dublin...

Not the most cultural experience, but hey...A boy needs his Quiznos...
I have just settled back in after my trip to Dublin, Ireland to see Cassie. It was another great weekend....
After another epic Thursday night, I arrived in Dublin on Friday night with Sarah, Megan, Joyce, Betsy, and Melanie. I went out on my own to find Cassie, which was rather difficult. I actually got lost for like an hour. But I found her at a cool bar called Doyle's and we made our way back to the hostel. On Saturday, Cass, Sarah, Mel, and I got up to go on a tour of the Wicklow mountains. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. I really needed some nature in my life, and this was the perfect thing. I felt like I was straight up in Middle Earth...The bogs and the Guinness lake...It was incredible...See pictures above...
I ate Guinness Beef Stew, drank a ton of Guinness and Smithwick's, went out in Temple Bar and the surrounding Dublin pubs, watched an All Black V Ireland Rugby game (a lil of one at least), saw Dublin castle, Trinity University, St. Steven's Green, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and did some shopping. Here is a report card...
Outside Dublin: A+
Guinness: C (Not really a fan)
Irish People: B (Kind of American, Kind of European, REALLY Friendly)
Food: A- (Stew was mm mm good)

I think I am getting sick...And I have so much work to do before the family comes this weekend...
I miss you Cassie! We will always have Europe!

Peace~

This week, we got to go to the US Mission to the EU, as well as NATO. Our speakers were so intelligent, and they really helped us make connections between our country, the EU, and other international political organizations. I am really starting to get a complete perspective on how international politics work. I think one of the most interesting concepts is national sovereignty, especially how certain organizations leave many important decisions to the respective country. It seems like it is very hard to overstep one’s bounds. My favorite topic was the future of NATO. The speaker really made us questions the legitimacy of the Alliance, and whether or not it will be viable in the future. It was right up Prof. Block's alley~
We went to a lunch debate about what to expect from the Obama administration in the States. The meeting was pretty neat. We got free food! The speakers talked about international relations with Russia, Pakistan, and most importantly, Israel and Palestine. It was interesting to hear the US representatives speak so openly about Obama’s plan to ask Europe for more troops in Afghanistan. They just came out and said it right away. They think it will be harder for the EU leaders to say no to Obama, especially compared to the Bush Administration, so hopefully the two world powers will work together much more efficiently.
One thing that was curious about the meeting was their perception of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. They almost made it seem like there was no conflict! Obviously, the US is very pro-Israel, but the way they skewed the facts and put a lot of blame on Palestinian authorities was very curious. Still, the world is meeting this administration with a lot of hope, and I only hope the best for President-elect Barack Obama!
After work on Wednesday, we went to a stagiaire party in the Lux Square. Expensive drinks, but we met some cool people, got incredibly drunk, and celebrated Kelsey's 21st birthday. Despite a messy and dramatic train ride home, we had a really great time. I had my last day of work with Kat, which was really sad. Work is going to be so different without her! Much love Kat!
I am heading to Dublin tomorrow! Peace!

I also threw in some pictures that have recently gone up...enjoy...

Living and Loving in Leuven with Cassie...

What a splendid weekend. Thursday night was business as usual. We got drunk, went out dancing (weird smelly guy deserves an honorable mention), got drinks bought for us because we were American, and met two Flemish boys who befriended us. We tries to go out again with the girls, but they were all craving pizza. They left and I stayed with Tom and Nick, and we went to Key West. Wow...DJ Effrey was there, and he was shirtless. I don't know what that was about...but I certainly had a good laugh. I had a couple more drinks, and then found out that Tom had a car. In my drunken stupor, I begged Tom to take me for a drive, because I had not been in a car for like 4 months. We drove around and listened to Sweeney Todd, and I actually did not get home until 8:30, just in time for breakfast.
On Friday, I picked up Cassie at the train station! We came back to my dorm and freshened up and then went on a little tour of Leuven. That night, we went into Brussels and walked around the square. We had such a great dinner, escargot, mussels, shrimp. It was amazing. Then we headed to Delirium (duh) and drank the night away. We had so many good beers...Delirium Noturnum, Kasteel Red, Mongozo Banana, Floris Chocolate, La Guillotine, and Rochefort 10. I was in heaven. We went back to Leuven and went out in the square. Cassie and I broke it down and had a couple beers, and then returned to the dorm to wind down with some Will and Grace. We woke up on Saturday and got lunch with the girls. Then, Cass and I headed back to Brussels and wandered for a couple hours. We got Belgian chocolate, and I had my first Belgian waffle! One word, heaven. We stopped by a great little bar and tried two more wonderful beers, Chimay and Orval. I think I have now had 4 of Belgians top 10 beers! We made our way back to Leuven and saw the new James Bond with Tom, went out for a white Russian, and then came home. I just dropped Cass off at the train, and I already miss her dearly. That girl is my best friend...
I am going to work on papers and laundry now. Tomorrow is Steve's 22nd birthday...I can't believe our picture has existed for 1 year now...weird...

Obama/Biden 2008

President Obama is pro-hope...Also in support of dreams...

Back to work...

Mr. Mikolasik asked me to write an 8 page speech for him by today. Kat and I worked on it for a long time yesterday and today, and once he read it over, he said it was very good. Kat did a lot of research but I wrote the whole thing so I am pretty pleased. It was on healthcare in Slovakia, and it will be given at a conference in Poland. Mr. Mikolasik also took me out to lunch with the assistants yesterday and it was amazing. We had really good food, and great conversation. We talked politics, the election, European travels, and America. I even asked him about his old medical practice. They told me today that Mr. Mikolasik liked me and had a fun lunch. So really, everything is going well right now. I have had a lot more work during the day, and I am close with my co-workers. I only wish I was able to go to more meetings. Also, after all of my hard work on the Spanish classes, Mr. Mikolasik decided to not go. That was frustrating. Today, I was a mess because of staying out watching the election all night. I am so tired! I finished the speech, did some calendar updating, and had trouble trying to find a roster of the Council of the EU. But I am looking forward to this weekend with Cassie. I really need to work more on my papers...

Yes We Can, Yes We Did

GOBAMA, GOBAMA, GO!!!
Wow, what an amazing time to be alive. The United States has elected the very first African American President. Election night was so amazing. I went out with Hailey in Brussels and Leuven, and we stayed up until 6 in the morning to see the results. I knew we had it once Obama won Ohio. I am actually proud to be an American again. I think my country has such a bright future, and I am filled with so much hope and excitement. If I think about it too much, I just get emotional. His cceptance speech in Grant Park was so beautiful. I should have been there! I do appreciate the opportunity to experience this awesome election abroad, but I really should have been there...
CHICAGO, I miss you!
The next four years should be really dynamic. And at least Sarah Palin is out of my life...

Holla Torro!

HOLA!!!
It has been quite some time since I have blogged, and I am kicking myself because this has really been an exciting 2 weeks...Our Spain was certainly action packed. My train to Madrid was eh...I got to Paris alright, but the night train was such an epic adventure. I spent a majority of the ride drinking with a guy from Iraq and a guy from London at the train bar. It was so hot in my sleeping car, so I just laid in bed for most of the trip. My train into Madrid also sucked. It was two hours late, so Steve had to wait there forever. He picked me up, and it was so nice to be off the train. After dropping my stuff off, I met Steve's roomates and we went on a small walking tour of Sol and the Royal Palace. It was not as good as Versailles, but still incredibly beautiful. I actually loved Madrid. Steve sent me on my way to my hostel, but after getting horribly lost, the girls found me wandering the streets of Sol. We ciesta'd back at the hostel, which actually became the theme of the trip. That night, we went on a tapas and pub tour in Madrid. We got so drunk, so quickly, and had to call it an early evening. But hey, it was vacation. The next day we went on a walking tour of the city, which was beautiful. I got some great pictures. Later that night, Steve and I went to wonderful dinner and then met the girls to go out to Kapitol. At our first bar, Le Tigre, I got a rum and coke, which took way too much effort to get...
"Rum y coke"
"Que"
"Rum y coca cola, por favor!"
So yeah, my Spanish sucked balls. Steve and I had an interesting night. We got "lost" and never made it to the club. Instead, we found ourselves in a park somewhere in Madrid, strapping on sandals.
On Sunday, we went to the Rosey Sophia, and saw Guernica by Picasso. Steve and I went to a bull fighting show, which was such a cultural experience. It is like going to a Sox game. Its very ritualistic and beautiful, but unlike anything you have ever seen in the States. We had to go after they killed the 3rd or 4th bull. We took it easy Sunday night, and I left with the girls on Monday morning. Madrid was by far one of my favorite places in Europe.
Valencia....eh. The highlight of this trip was the Aussie. We met some cool Germans in the hostel too...they never stopped smoking pot. Valencia rained and rained. Some highlights...daily bottles of wine, our picnic on the beach, the City of Arts and Sciences, the walking tour, and a flamenco show. Oh, Eva and I had a shower party too. We ciestad so harcore in Valencia.
"Is that a snake"
"No, its a plant"
"Jeeze guys chill, its just my bulge"
Barcelona was also wonderful. I got to stay in a room with some of Steve's friends. They were all great too. The temple of the Sacred Family is so incredible. It will probably be done by the time I am 80 yrs old. We made dinner on Friday night and then got dressed for Halloween. I wore my lederhosen! We hit this really cool shot bar, and took fire shots...so intense. We also went to a great club called Catwalk. I chilled with Steven and had a really really fun night. On Saturday, we went to the Goudi park. Steve and I had a photoshoot, and we walked around for a couple hours. Their is some of the coolest artwork and architecture there I have seen in awhile. We all went out for an awesome awesome dinner that night at Port Velle. I will never, NEVER, take a shot out of a straw again. The Stock market bar, La Bolsa, was also pretty rad. The beer is priced by a market system, so prices fluctuate all night. Market crashes at midnight!!! On Sunday, Steve and I hit up the Picasso museum, the Erotic Museum, some shopping, and then we fixed my train ticket. My train ride home was so much better. Besides being four hours late, I met a young guy from Paris and a mother and son from LA, and we sat and drank wine all night. My return was bitter sweet...
Being with Steve in Spain made me so homesick. Everything in life right now is very much up in the air. I have one month and a half left, so I feel very much like I am in a limbo state. I want to get to know Leuven and Brussels better too. That is one regret I have right now. Vacationing is hard...I already need another one!

Here we go again....

Two days after returning from Berlin...I am almost all set to leave for my Spain break. I am taking a long train ride from Brussels to Paris, then Paris to Madrid. Steve is picking me up tomorrow morning and I may tag along with his class on a walking tour somewhere in the city. The girls are meeting me later on in the day. I am so scared about getting there on time and on my own, but SO fucking excited to see Spain, and my boy. Eva and are so poor, but we will be in Spain, so who really cares. Bread and cheese baby, bread and cheese...oh, and wine.

Ich bin ein Berliner!

HELLOOOOOO...
It has been awhile. I am lying in bed on Wednesday night after an exhausting trip. Last weekend I was in Berlin with my best and oldest friend, Cassie. It was one of the highlights of Europe so far, no doubt. I took a night bus by myself and met Cassie at our hostel, which was a miracle. We spent our first day wondering around the city, which was so incredibly beautiful. I could not believe how big Berlin was. I learned so much about Jewish history, WWII, and the Cold War. We saw Humboldt University where Einstein taught, the Brandenburg Gate, Potsdam Platz, The Jewish Musuem, the Holocaust Memorial, the Riechstag, the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, The East Side Gallery, and Museum Island. We saw where the Nazi book burning took place, where Hitler's bunker used to be, and where countless East Germans escaped into West Berlin. We ate Currywurst and drank strange, pear flavored German alcohol. We went to a crazy ass gay bar called Berghain with our smokin' hostel mate. We started fights on the U-Bahn, took a three hour walking tour, and at durham! It was such a culturally fufilling weekend. God, just writing about it makes me happy.
Oh, yeah, we saw Of Montreal, told Kevin Barnes to play Oslo in the Summertime for his encore, met the whole band, got Skeletal Lamping for free, and had Kevin sign my shirt.

Oslo in the summertime nobody can fall asleep
I’m staring out the window from my bed
At 4 a.m. the sun is up
look the sky is pepppered with sea birds and with crows all cackeling
HVA?

Up in tre ten Heimdalsgate
me and Nina making fun of footballers in Rudolph Neilson Plass
I practice my norwegian on poor beffudeled waitresses
who shake their heads completely at a loss
Oslo in the summertime the streets are strangely quite ’cause
everyone’s away on holiday
HVA?

Oslo in the summertime Pakistani children play locked inside of the courtyard all day
Pretty people everywhere sun lamp tans and flaxen hair
Just tell the American not to stare
HVA?

I love Berlin and I fucking love Cassie...

Another week has flown by...

I can't believe my trip is halfway done...It's literally unbelievable. This week was fairly relaxed. I have a new-found appreciation for the boy I have taken for granted for along time. Today, one year ago, my life changed drastically. There has been a lot of good and a lot of bad, but I have never felt more alive. So I thank you Steve. Thank you for an incredible year. Happy anniversary...no matter what happens to us, I love you...
Work was incredibly lame this week. It was very slow. We presented Mr. Mikolasik with the Spanish classes I researched. I also started research for my papers, which are really coming up fast. I leave tomorrow on the night bus for Berlin to meet Cassie! And now, Matthew may even be joining us! He totally surprised me, so I hope everything works out.
Tonight should be great...We are getting drunk with Eva and Megan's friends who are here. If I don't write before I leave, I will be sure to tell you all about my trip to Berlin to see Of Montreal!
PeAcE

Botanical Gardens in Leuven....

...Are beautiful...

I will never climb 1,000+ stairs again...

My weekend in Koln, Germany was awesome. The trains went smoothly this weekend and my time with the girls was much needed.
We arrived on Friday and got a wonderful dinner of white sausage, pretzels, sweet mustard, and Kolsch. We hit up a few bars in Koln and met some Germans throwing a bachelor party. I also must mention my time with Eva on the floor of the Marriott was magical ;) On Saturday we got up and went to the most beautiful Cathedral in the world. We climbed over 1,000 steps that day, and I shan't forget it. My legs were shaking for the next two hours. We did some shopping and then took a nap before our big night out. We went to a club and danced the night away until I almost got in a fight with a German. Fuck language barriers. I have pledged to learn French and German before I die!!!! I swear, I will do this!!! I had some of the best talks ever with Megan, Erin, Jess, Eva, and Joyce this weekend, only confirming how intelligent and wonderful my friends are. I love you girls, you saved me this weekend.
Obviously this has been a rough week for me. I know I have tons of love in my heart, but I don't know how far that can take someone. I really want to be close to you, I do.
"Thinking of you, wherever you are..."
This week should be nice. Back to work tomorrow. But on Wednesday, their is an emergency meeting of world leaders in Brussels to discuss the financial crisis. I'll give Paulson my regards for you all...Eva and Megan both have friends here this week, so Thursday should be legendary. And then I am off to Berlin with Cassie!!!
I hope I have enough soul-power...
Peace...

Stagiaire for Life

Feeling good...a little alone in the world...My trip to Berlin is all set to go...I fucking can't wait.
The only thing that is keeping me going right now is Megan's Thursday night birthday celebration. These weeks just get so stressful, it makes me want to drink...hard...
I did a lot of work today...set up a delegation meeting, corrected bad Slovak to English translated press releases, did some research on the Community Action on Health policies in the EPP, researched eHealth initiatives, hole-punched, and printed out my tickets for Berlin. They said the speech I wrote on Cohesion policies post-2013 was good...which is weird, because I still don't even know what it means...I feel like Sarah Palin...
This week is our trip to Cologne, Germany. Its supposed to be a really fun place, so I am looking forward to it.
I want to suffer for fashion asap...
I need to think about my EU papers, and book my travels for Spain.
I posted a picture of home because I am so excited to see Cassie. Mayhaps I'll get a Duvel or two tonight...Peace...

Putting the pieces back together...

Well...
My life has changed drastically in the last week...
I have to re-make myself I suppose...A new identity. I really have to work on relying on myself. I am currently wrapping up loose ends in my life, organizing shit, and planning more euro excursions...I hope to figure out Paris plans, as well as my trip to Berlin with Cassie. Berlin should be amazing. How did Cassie and I really find ourselves in Europe together after all that has happened? We are also taking care of our housing in Spain over break.
I am nervous to move on...

Money sucks...

Ticky Tacky Ticky Tacky...

...Oye Oye Oye!!!
Wow, Munich. What an amazing weekend. I really treated myself for this weekend, but it was so worth it. We took a beautiful train ride to Frankfurt and then Munich. Castles, open fields, mountains, rivers...It was unreal. I felt such a powerful connection with the culture that my family comes from. Mel, Betsy, Megan, Joyce, and I kept saying that our powers were increased. I really thought about my Dad a lot. He would have loved to be there, and I know how amazing it would have been to do Germany for the first time with him.
After a wonderful train ride with Hanz and Franz the surfer twins, we found our hotel and got ready for Oktoberfest! We made it to the Spaten tent pretty easily. I pimped out the girls so that we could get in! Although it was awkward trying to find a place to sit, we ended up finding some nice/ugly Danish boys to sit with. We met some awesome people, chugged three steins, and had a wonderous time. I got headbutted too! That was probably the highlight. I honestly don't even know how I made it home that night. Apparently I put on Wicked bootlegs and made the girls listen to them. Ohhhh boy...
On Saturday we got up and met Joyce's cousin Joseph. He is a dancer in Munich and he was awesome. He was such a nice guy. He took us to a really authentic Bavarian place for lunch. We had sausage and dumplings, potato salad and good beer. I even tried a great drink that was comprised of Coke and Orange soda. Then Joseph helped me by Leder Hosen! After a small catastrophe, ie...our group being split up...we did some dress shopping for the girls, got ready at our hotel, and made our way back to Oktoberfest. We got into Spaten after a little difficulty, and then found a table. What an evening. I made friends with a German guy named Andy. We drank steins, did Bavrian mint drugs, made a shit ton of Euro pals...It was another shit show. I couldn't undo my leder hosen for the life of me and almost peed myself. Poor Megan fell into a table and will probably lose an arm. We all looked so authentic! It was such a magical evening. The beer chants and the old American music classics...it was such an amazing weekend. We had a rough journey back...Belgians were striking so we had to take a bus and a taxi to get home. Munich was fucking incredible. I really hope to make it back to Oktoberfest again! Prost!

A week with Steve...

Steve was here last week...we had a fun night out with my friends here...went to Maastricht and had a nice day on a boat then a good dinner date...I had to work on Wednesday, so we met in Brussels and had mussels, beer, and chocolate...and in the end we lie awake and we dream of making our escape...

Where's Morton...

Such a fun weekend...Friday was a lazy day. Betsy and I took a walk and did some shopping, and then I went to a nice pasta dinner with the girls. Later on I went out with Erin and Melanie to Mephisto, and we met Djeffrey, Eef, Paul, Neiv, and Phillipe. We went to 7 Oaks, our favorite bar, and came home pretty late. Saturday we got up and went to Maastricht. The day was such a bummer, everything kept going wrong. I lost my Go Pass on the train, we couldn't find Morty, Meghan's Danish friend, I lost my key and my atm card, and then, to top it all off, the club we went to had an 8 euro cover. But everything turned out wonderful! We played the game Where's Morty in Maastricht by just calling out his name in random groups of people. Morton turned out to be AWESOME. He crashed at our dorm and then me and him had a really nice day exploring Leuven. It's amazing how similar someone from the US and someone from Denmark can really be. I think he would be a good friend on mine were we to live near each other. I am doing some laundry and studying for me midterm tomorrow. Steve comes in the morning too...Here we go, eye on the prize....
Goodnight moon

Legendary Thursdays...

We did it again, another awesome Thursday night. As the economy crumbles back at home, I spent my evening dancing the night away with the most beautiful girls in all the land. The Square was so crowded last night. I felt like I was at Lolla again. We went to Key West, and it was eh. Then we got Euro Stella's and danced at the underground pub. Got Durham and hit up a few more places in the Square. Joyce, Eva, and Melanie really broke it down last night :) I ended walking in on Erin and Joyce in various states of undress back at home, then me and Meghan chilled and watched South Park and Grandma's Boy. The breakfast table was a blast this morning...as always. I organized my whole life and now I am going to explore! Peace and positivity...
3 Days till Steven...
AK

If you want to burn out...

OF MONTREAL ON OCT 19th, IN BERLIN

Not enough time in a day...

I am overwhelmed...There is just so much to do here and I do not have the time or the funds to even put a dent in all the opportunities that are available to me. It's frustrating, to say the least. Next week is constituency week at the EU, so hopefully they will give me some time off! Steve is coming next week. I have nothing but the highest hopes. Long distance sucks balls. It just makes everything so difficult, and tense. I foresee I romantic European excursion!
My travel plans are so confusing. I am behind in my homework, yet all I can think about is if I'll be in Germany, or Switzerland this weekend. And what about next weekend!? Will I be in Poland, Germany, or Belgium!? Oye...
Mom gave me some money, so that is a relief. I fucking hate money, and my epic struggle with the euro continues on.
We are going out tonight. Thursday's have become legendary here in Leuven....Should I survive, I will write more later.
Peace and Positivity,
AK47

Yeah, I work at the EU...

I am starting to feel bad ass...Work today was better. I helped manage my MEP's agenda, researched Ireland's position on the Lisbon Treaty, filed and copied plenary reports, and I got an assignment to plan Spanish classes for him and his family in Valencia. I still feel like I could be learning a lot more about the big picture of the EU, but I really am starting to see all of the opportunities this will give me. I want to go to grad-school in Leuven. I love this city, especially now that the students are back. It is a town filled with young people from all over the world, but it is so easy to live in at the same time. I am also working on my trips to Hannover, Germany to see Steven, and my fall break in Spain with our group.
I don't know what the fuck I am going to do with my life. But I really want to graduate and start. I feel like I get to finally be in the driver's seat. I wonder how the new DMAC crew is?
Peace and Positivity
AK

BloggingAbroad

"There was Eru, the Once, who in Arda is called Iluvatar; and he made first the Ainur, the Holy Ones, that were the offspring of his thought, and they were with him before aught else was made. And he spoke to them, propounding to them themes of music; and they sang before him, and he was glad."
My name is Alex Kuehr. I am 21 years old and I live in Chicago, IL. I could have started this blog in a less nerdy way, but everyone who knows me should find my obsessions endearing by now sooo...eh...A Tolkien quote is actually appropriate...
I am from Flossmoor, IL, a little suburb south of Chicago. I went to Marian Catholic and now I am at DePaul University studying Political Science and Media Communications. I have a minor in theater too, for my sanity ;)
I love my mom and my sister. I love my cat Yoda, he is my partner in crime. My favorite movie is Requiem for a Dream. My favorite book is LOTR. My favorite music right now is probably Hot Chip, but that always changes.
So...
I am currently studying abroad in Leuven, Belgium. This trip is supposed to be huge for me, and I am at a place where I just had to document it more sufficiently...This will be something I want to remember someday. The past three weeks have already changed my whole outlook on life. There is so much I want to do and so much I want to be. I don't know if I am on the right path to accomplish it all. Foresight IS 20/20!
I wish I knew another language. I wish I knew more about economics, or rather, I wish I was good at math so economics wouldn't have been something I am scared of. I wish I didn't have so much pressure to graduate and pay back loans, because there is so much I need to see in this world. I wish I was stronger. I wish I could be independent. I wish I could play an instrument. I wish people saw me as I see myself. I wish I knew myself better so I could really live what I believe...So far, that has been difficult.
We have accomplished 4 EU classes here in Leuven. We have internships at the EU. I work for an MEP from Slovakia. More on that later...
I have conquered Leuven, Brussels, Antwerp, Bruges, and Amsterdam. I have been having an amazing time so far...We don't get much free time, but we have used the time we do have to the max. I love the people here too. The same drama is inevitable whenever such a random group of people is thrown together, but there is some potential for really good relationships here. I don't want to miss that either.
Apart of me is at home...but its shipping over now. I don't know what to do with it. I don't know what to do without it.
So I have compiled three weeks of studying abroad...dinner dates, homesickness, hangovers, nights out, boys, girls, bars, cafes, trains, roomates, tours, classes, work, weekends, and everything else into this blog. I guess it all begins now...
Work at 930 tomorrow in Brussels...
Goodnight moon...

AK