There's a First Time for Everything. . .

You know that saying that goes, "There's a first time for everything"? Well since my last post, I think I have literally done EVERYTHING for the first time. . . Okay, maybe not. But it was definitely a week of firsts.

I had my first taste of caviar (and didn't like it one bit), and my first bite of sushi (which was exponentially more enjoyable). I had my first plate of genine Italian food (Olive Garden, you should be ashamed of yourself. Puh-shaw!) and my first meal that I did not absolutely love: Duck. In fact, I didn't like it one bit. Yuck.

First thing Monday morning, I rode the "Metro" (which is the Belgian version of the Subway) for the very first time. Then, the next day I rode it ALL BY MYSELF for the first time. AND I didn't get lost. Yeah, I'm proud of myself. I know, I know. Its crazy that I managed to make it 17 years without ever using an underground transportation system, but its the truth.

The Metro is. . . pure insanity. I really can't think of any other way to describe it. The sheer number of people is just too much for my small-town-girl mind to comprehend. There are people getting on the car, there are people getting off the car, and there are people waiting for the next car but there are ALWAYS people. This makes for a very crowded trip, and once the shock wears off, a very uncomfortable experience.

If you're lucky, there will be an open seat available for you. If you're REALLY lucky, you get to sit next to a normalish person (which is rare in the Metro) who doesn't stink. More often then not, however, you are forced to either stand for the hour long ride, hanging on for dear life as a crowd of strangers presses in on all sides, OR you get to sit next to some creeper old man who smells like Spam.

Also, the thing smells like B.O. . . CONSTANTLY.

Other than that, though, its a blast! I get giddy every time I click my little metro card into the pay-slot thing-a-ma-jigger. It makes me feel like a true-blue citizen of Belgium =] And I know I've said it before, but I 've just gotta brag a little: I haven't gotten lost. Not ONCE. Yeah, I'm pretty much exstatic. Go me! =]

The reason I took the Metro so many times in such a short amount of time was to prepare myself for THE most terrifying experience of my life. Now, I know I'm not much of a thrill rider, but I've done some pretty terrifying things and this TOPS THEM ALL.

I am speaking, of course, of the infamous, the dreaded, and the universally feared *insert ominous music here* . . . . First Day of School.

Not only was this my first day of school, this was my first day of Catholic School, where uniforms are required. Blarg.


This is me being not-happy about the uniform:

This is me warming up to the idea:

And this is me being okay with it. =]

And a few more random shots of the stupid. . . I mean. . . wonderful thing: (I apologize for the quality. They are uber blurry, and there isn't much I can do about that so yeah. . . )

After eleven years of first days of school, you'd think I would be prepared for my very last first day, but nope. There is nothing in this world that could have prepared me for that experience. It was complete chaos from start to finish, and I loved every second of it.

 I would tell you all about it but to be honest with you, I was so completely lost the entire time that I am not entirely sure what actually happened. I can tell you this though: there was a lot of French speaking involved. I spoke the little bits and pieces of French I know, trying (and failing) to form them into a comprehensible sentance, and every body else spoke thier freaking fast French as I tried in vain to keep up. (Seriously, its like thier mouths are on speed or something. They talk SO fast!)

Despite being absolutely lost, it was a good day. The complete chaos of it all was entirely overwhelming, but with a good attitude and a smile fixed firmly in place, I SURVIVED. If I can survive that, I can do it anything. =]

I'm ready for you, World. Bring it on.