Recap and R.I.C.E.

Atomimum! We saw it from a distance the first time we went to Brussels but I didn't think I'd have the courage to walk around in those tiny stairways inside this giant atom. But you have to be brave in front of new friends. So I was. And we went. And it was pretty cool. Too bad the rain has found us finally and the view wasn't as great as it might have been. I've enjoyed the sun while it lasted though!



Somehow, and honestly, I surprised myself that we did it, we met up with Chris in the middle of Brussels with one phone, two metros, a bus ride and a walk between us. From there we headed to Delirium, an underground bar with 2004 beers on tap. It was in the Guinness Book of World Records. Crazy. I got a Coke.

The city is still beautiful at night. Maybe even more so. Once it stopped raining it really turned into a spectacular evening.

After meeting up with Chris, he told me we were headed to a fancy night out at a great restaurant. And I know, I know, I'm supposed to be exploring the new foods, loving the new tastes...but really all I've had every time we've gone out is Spaghetti Bolognaise. It's not my fault, its the only thing I can understand on the menu. So you can see why, as we were wandering towards our restaurant, and passed a Pizza Hut, I just stopped moving. Luckily Chris is a very understanding guy, and in we went. And um, yum. :)

Now I'm sitting with my leg propped up and my achilles resting on a block of ice because these cobblestones have maimed me. It'll be rest, ice, compression and elevation for me instead of running 60-90 minutes the next few days. So I'll definitely be back tomorrow, see you then!

Spontaneous

Last night we met up with a friend of Chris' and others for dinner (which was fantastic). While we were eating the inevitable question of what the crap will I be doing for a year and a half came up and I'm tired of giving my blog-run-paint-travel spiel so I just smiled, shrugged and said, "I don't know." And surprisingly that lack of explanation is getting me on a bus to Brussels this afternoon!

I'll be going with a new friend who is only here for a week but also has no plans to speak of while he's here. Super excited to go explore again and then meet up with Chris and co after their conference there is over. Brussels, here I come!

Papa

Almost a year ago my Papa passed away. His 95th (correct me if it was 94th, Mom) birthday was going to be this summer in July. When my Mom and Sean were cleaning out his house, the house she grew up in, they took some branches from a flowering tree in his backyard to transplant in our own backyard. On his birthday the first bloom opened. These are pictures from that day:

I miss him a lot, I miss all my grandparents that are no longer with us a lot, but I'll never forget how happy my Mom was to see this bloom. And I'll always remember the day he was fitted for his tux for my wedding. So handsome and never without the Yankees hat. Miss you, Papa.

Errands

Leuven is a town full of students 9 months of the year. We got this map designed by them, for them, since Chris is a "student" here as well. It is really well designed from an artist's point of view and also from a tourist-not-wanting-to-be-a-tourist's point of view. I love all the little suggestions, we're going to have to start working our way through them soon.

Today might be the first day I take the bike out to run errands. There's so much paperwork to fill out here. But we had to bring it in the apartment for reasons I can't explain until probably December or January... (mysterious, eh?) ...so I don't know how I'll get it out of here first...so maybe no bike today.

Last time I went out to run errands I came back with frames to put pictures of all of you guys in them. We're still working on more, Leuven is expennnnnsive, but for now, family and friends are starting to join us here on paper. However, in two-ish weeks, family is actually starting to join us out here:

Each month Chris and I have budgeted for one really great trip. And October, we're ready for you. I checked the mail this morning and wahoo! The tickets are in! Drumroll please...we're off to...LONDON!

Suuuper excited to finally get to travel! And on a super fast train as well. And this trip has a bonus: Chris' parents will be there! We get to have a little reunion for the weekend while Chris' Dad is working in London for two weeks. Mom's coming too so we all get to experience it together. Fun fun fun!

Errands are calling. I woke up way too late today to get started so this is it for now. More tomorrow!

Autumn

I won't have time for a real post today. So while I'm feeling a bit homesick for the Apple Farm and red leaves and cross country and pumpkins and hot cider with cinnamon sugar donuts...here's a little taste of falls gone by:

Wishing everyone in New York a beautiful Autumn weekend and see you back here on Monday with some more of last summer. I think we're finally leaving June behind. Until then! 

(most of these pictures are courtesy of Erin Hanlon. btw, thanks :))

Rave in the Oude Markt on a Wednesday

No really, there was. It was a welcome concert for the 35,000+ students that arrived on Monday. These students are attending the oldest Catholic University in the world. Soooo I did not expect that they'd be greeted with Skrillex and strobe lights but hey, I enjoyed it.

I really have to get a new small camera, this iPod kinda stinks when it comes to megapixels (.3 whaaaaat) but here's what I got from last night:

As you can see (maybe) the square is surrounded by super historic buildings. Most of these have bars on their street level but they also, floors 2 and up, contain apartments. Could you imagine what it would be like to live up there during all these festivals?

Must go rest. Got worse as sickness goes. And tomorrow I will not be able to write because we're going to be busy all day. Maybe you'll get lucky, I'll get bored trying to rest and I'll post another something tonight! Okay, bye for now, love you Mom :)

The Ryans got married!

I know quite a few guys named Ryan. Two of them got married this past spring/summer! Not to each other, though. I know it's legal in NY but these two just aren't interested in each other like that. So drop it.

The first celebration we attended was for my old friend Ryan James and his lovely bride Chelsea! They met while Ryan was volunteering in South Africa. She is such a wonderful person, we're glad that she let him sweep her off her feet and across the ocean to New York. We used to live just a few blocks from them in Rochester but maybe we will again when we're home. I can't even tell you how excited I am to apartment hunt already back in Rochester! Okay, onto the wedding:

While their official ceremony and subsequent reception happened in South Africa, they made arrangements to party with those of us who weren't able to be there for the original day, and held a celebration in New York as well! They're reception in the states was super fun and held at Bristol Hills at the south end of Canandaigua Lake. Such a beautiful place for it and such a gorgeous day!

My sister Erin, the true photographer, took this set of pictures before we left the house. Also important to note: my entire outfit was put together by Erin as well. As in, I'm wearing all her clothes and accessories. Because even at 26 a girl can still need her sister to help her get ready for a night out. Especially if said sister is more up on fashion than the other (and always will be, thank God!). Wishing she was here in Belgium to help me out. I feel like I'm in middle school again wishing my entire wardrobe was made from Limited too. Guess I'll just have to go shopping to keep up...oh no? Bad idea? Ugh c'monnnnnn Chris! 

Moving along, here's a little photoshoot we had while waiting for the rest of our friends to get to the party:

This was supposed to be a landscape photo...but this works too haha

I didn't get any pictures of the event once the dancing started but I did snap a few with Chris, my parents and the Daltons; Leigha and Jeremy.

The inside of the hall where we sat is decorated like Paul Bunyan's cabin, in an extremely cool way. I'd live there.

Here is the next lovely couple! I actually get to be related to these guys. How lucky are they- am I, I meant am I. They are super fun and I feel really blessed to have married into such a great family with all these wonderful people. Almost forgot to introduce these two: meet Ryan and Anna Maloney, newlyweds extraordinaire! I didn't even bring my camera to this event because that's how much I planned on dancing  BUT I did snap two with my trusty 5 year old camera-phone...

If you've been reading all along you've already seen this second shot but it's worth a repost. My Mom looking lovely (as per usual) but with straight hair!? Definitely gave a double take when I saw her. I think it looks pretty snazzy. The top picture of Chris and I is unfortunately the only one I've got of that whole day. And it is a shame. That dress was too perfect. I guess I was really into blue for weddings this summer. But more on that another day.

See you back here tomorrow :)


(picture of Ryan and Chelsea from facebook, picture of Ryan and Anna by JPPhotography)