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!