So, I've been here over a week already and things are going pretty well. I've opened a bank account, got a phone, registered as a temporary citizen, enrolled in classes. The down side? Classes still don't start for a week, and I have a TERRIBLE cold! Like sinus headache, watery eyes, sneezing fits, and a wicked cough. My solution? Lots of sleep, lying in bed watching movies, and lots of fruit juice!
So I haven't been able to travel yet. Oh well! There is an Erasmus group here (for international students) who plan outings, group activities, and travel opportunities. I've signed up for it and the first event is a meet and greet next week at the students bar. So I'll get to meet lots of people. There are also two welcome days this week. Friday is general international students at the University, and Saturday is specifically for students at the HEC management school.
Last Friday I got to meet my tutor. Her name is Alexa and she's a first year at HEC. Her and her best friend picked me up at the school and gave me a walking tour of downtown Liege. Showing me the stores and local hot spots. Also giving me directions to school and the close grocery store. They also helped me get a phone, so now I have some form of portable communication device, thank goodness.
Aside from that there's not much going on. I wanted to get out and see the city, play the tourist and take photos but I woke up a few days ago with this cold and decided getting better was more important before classes started.
Tuesday, 28 January 2014
Wednesday, 22 January 2014
January 22, 2014
Hello everyone! Apologies for the hiatus! School and life were absoluely crazy last month! Christmas was wonderful, I got to see almost everyone, which was nice. But y'all don't really care about that. You're more interested in where I am now!
I, ladies and gentlemen, am an international student at the Université de Liège, in Belgium! I've been here a few days now, getting things settled. There's still a few other things I have to get done, paperwork mostly, but aside from that I'm settling in well. I have dishes, and I know where the nearest market is so I can get food. It's been a stressful few days but I'm making do. They say the first month is the hardest.
My building is beautiful! It is right across the street from the University.
Unfortunately none of my classes will be in there, but the Housing office and the International Students office are both there which is helpful. My classes are on the H.E.C. campus, which is less than a 10 minute walk away, closer than where I lived in Lethbridge.
My apartment is gorgeous. I think it is the perfect size for one person. I have a private bathroom, desk, bed, kitchen. Its super cute.
I, ladies and gentlemen, am an international student at the Université de Liège, in Belgium! I've been here a few days now, getting things settled. There's still a few other things I have to get done, paperwork mostly, but aside from that I'm settling in well. I have dishes, and I know where the nearest market is so I can get food. It's been a stressful few days but I'm making do. They say the first month is the hardest.
My building is beautiful! It is right across the street from the University.
Unfortunately none of my classes will be in there, but the Housing office and the International Students office are both there which is helpful. My classes are on the H.E.C. campus, which is less than a 10 minute walk away, closer than where I lived in Lethbridge.
My apartment is gorgeous. I think it is the perfect size for one person. I have a private bathroom, desk, bed, kitchen. Its super cute.
I did have to buy my own pots, pans & dishes, but there's a cheap department store nearby and I got everything for 30 euros.
Liège is beautiful. All the old buildings, the cobblestone streets. It's like another world. I'll post pictures later. The past few days I've spent trying to get my bearings as well as enjoy being in a foreign country. Once all my paperwork stuff is completed I'll play the tourist and go snapping away at pictures.
Today I went to City Hall to be registered. The walk was gorgeous! I was along the river so all of the buildings were at least 200 year old, as well as the bridges. It was a beautiful morning so the walk was lovely. It's spring here, green grass poking up between the cobblestones. I can't believe there's four feet of snow back home!
I think the most difficult thing about being away is the time difference. Everyone back home is typically awake between 3 pm and 6 am my time. It's hard to keep in touch, especially keep a Skype conversation going, when I'm about to go to bed or they're just getting up, getting ready for school.
Tuesday, 3 December 2013
December 3rd, 2013
Hey Everybody!
Sorry for no posts for a while. Life has been super busy with school and when I don't have school, it's sorority stuff, and in my rare moments of free time I'm usually with Loring. Right now however, it's a snow day here in Lethbridge and classes have been cancelled.
So an update on what's been going on! I've sent off my Entry Visa application to the Belgian consulate in Montreal. I've purchased my plane ticket (for a decent price too I might add, before tax, a round trip flight with only one stop from Edmonton to Brussels is $450!). I'll be taking 6 classes over in Belgium in order to qualify for 4 courses back here. It's not too bad but I'd rather they all transfer back. Because of this I'll be 2 courses short of graduating Spring 2015 (which was my goal) and if I take a Co-Op Internship to get some work experience before graduation that'll push that date back a bit further. So I think I'm going to aim for Spring 2016 now; completing a 4 year degree in 5 years isn't that bad and that way I'll have work experience and international experience. Plus I goofed 2nd year on my TD loan and can get another $10,000 for that "5th" year as well.
Right now I'm beginning my finals so I've been attempting to study when I can. Although my marks throughout the semester have been so good that I can basically just show up (only write my name) and pass the courses with a minimum of 62% (which is all I need for it to count in my degree). This takes away from my stress load immensely! I'm still studying, don't worry, but I'm not freaking out about it as well.
I've started packing up my room. I'll be moving out on the 19th of December. I have a storage locker in West Side Storage waiting for me so that's wonderful, I won't have to lug everything back up to Stony and attempt to find a place to put it all there. It's weird because there is now nothing on my walls or my shelves. My room feels very empty.
I'm sorry to say but Ashley (my biological little sister) lost her rabbit a week or so ago. Butterscotch was 9 and she was a lovely rabbit; although little skiddish. Ashley also turned 18 November 18th. It was her champagne birthday (turn the same year as the date you were born) but I doubt anyone knew.
My friends and sorority sisters are having a "going-away" party for me this Saturday. We are going to Moxie's for dinner then to Essies (one of the clubs in town that play some country music) for some dancing.
Loring was down last weekend. We went to Catching Fire (the 2nd Hunger Games movie), and we watched the 50th Anniversary Special of Doctor Who 3-D in the Cineplex. He is coming down for a final visit here in Lethbridge December 15th. We're going to celebrate his champagne birthday because I'm going to be missing it. I'm going to make him a nice supper and dessert and then we'll probably go dancing or watch movies or something. We'll be celebrating both our birthdays together sometime early January before I leave though. He's also coming up to Stony Plain on the 20th -24th for an early Christmas and I'll be driving down to Medicine Hat December 27th - January 2nd for New Years. Unfortunately I'll be missing Uncle Les & Auntie Jean's Christmas dinner again, which I'm upset about.
Nothing much aside from all that really. Life has been super busy and I haven't really had a chance to do anything.
Sorry for no posts for a while. Life has been super busy with school and when I don't have school, it's sorority stuff, and in my rare moments of free time I'm usually with Loring. Right now however, it's a snow day here in Lethbridge and classes have been cancelled.
So an update on what's been going on! I've sent off my Entry Visa application to the Belgian consulate in Montreal. I've purchased my plane ticket (for a decent price too I might add, before tax, a round trip flight with only one stop from Edmonton to Brussels is $450!). I'll be taking 6 classes over in Belgium in order to qualify for 4 courses back here. It's not too bad but I'd rather they all transfer back. Because of this I'll be 2 courses short of graduating Spring 2015 (which was my goal) and if I take a Co-Op Internship to get some work experience before graduation that'll push that date back a bit further. So I think I'm going to aim for Spring 2016 now; completing a 4 year degree in 5 years isn't that bad and that way I'll have work experience and international experience. Plus I goofed 2nd year on my TD loan and can get another $10,000 for that "5th" year as well.
Right now I'm beginning my finals so I've been attempting to study when I can. Although my marks throughout the semester have been so good that I can basically just show up (only write my name) and pass the courses with a minimum of 62% (which is all I need for it to count in my degree). This takes away from my stress load immensely! I'm still studying, don't worry, but I'm not freaking out about it as well.
I've started packing up my room. I'll be moving out on the 19th of December. I have a storage locker in West Side Storage waiting for me so that's wonderful, I won't have to lug everything back up to Stony and attempt to find a place to put it all there. It's weird because there is now nothing on my walls or my shelves. My room feels very empty.
I'm sorry to say but Ashley (my biological little sister) lost her rabbit a week or so ago. Butterscotch was 9 and she was a lovely rabbit; although little skiddish. Ashley also turned 18 November 18th. It was her champagne birthday (turn the same year as the date you were born) but I doubt anyone knew.
My friends and sorority sisters are having a "going-away" party for me this Saturday. We are going to Moxie's for dinner then to Essies (one of the clubs in town that play some country music) for some dancing.
Loring was down last weekend. We went to Catching Fire (the 2nd Hunger Games movie), and we watched the 50th Anniversary Special of Doctor Who 3-D in the Cineplex. He is coming down for a final visit here in Lethbridge December 15th. We're going to celebrate his champagne birthday because I'm going to be missing it. I'm going to make him a nice supper and dessert and then we'll probably go dancing or watch movies or something. We'll be celebrating both our birthdays together sometime early January before I leave though. He's also coming up to Stony Plain on the 20th -24th for an early Christmas and I'll be driving down to Medicine Hat December 27th - January 2nd for New Years. Unfortunately I'll be missing Uncle Les & Auntie Jean's Christmas dinner again, which I'm upset about.
Nothing much aside from all that really. Life has been super busy and I haven't really had a chance to do anything.
November 9th, 2013
So this weekend I'm in Medicine Hat for Loring's grandparents 60th Wedding Anniversary and his grandfather (same one)'s 90th birthday. This is also the grandfather he was named after. It was a busy weekend and I was only too happy to help out (which apparently made a very good impression on the family). We all went to the church to set up the night before, then Loring, Victor (Loring's younger brother) and I met up with one of Loring's friends from high school and his girlfriend and we all went to Thor 2:The Dark World. It was opening weekend but we got good seats and didn't have to wait too long in line.
His grandparents had a "come-and-go" tea for the Anniversary. We served sandwiches and squares for lunch, and ham and scalloped potatoes for supper. There was also a beautiful cake! I met most of the family that I hadn't up to that point which was nice, but basically after introductions it was obvious that everyone wanted to know how Loring & his siblings were so I went back into the kitchen and started on dishes with Rachel (Loring's cousin). I also made sure the square trays were well stocked. Apparently this made a really good impression on his aunts and the rest of his family, including his older sister who never fails to make me feel included.
When they were taking the photos, Loring's older sister Jen (who's going to be having a baby here shortly), came into the kitchen and basically told me I had to be in the family photos and she wouldn't take no for an answer (and I'm smart enough not to argue with a pregnant woman).
Overall, it was a beautiful Anniversary Tea. I got to meet a lot of family and I was able to help out without being told what do to. Their church is set up a lot like ours so I felt comfortable in the kitchen and clearing the plates and cups with the carts. It was a lovely day and I was very honoured they invited me.
His grandparents had a "come-and-go" tea for the Anniversary. We served sandwiches and squares for lunch, and ham and scalloped potatoes for supper. There was also a beautiful cake! I met most of the family that I hadn't up to that point which was nice, but basically after introductions it was obvious that everyone wanted to know how Loring & his siblings were so I went back into the kitchen and started on dishes with Rachel (Loring's cousin). I also made sure the square trays were well stocked. Apparently this made a really good impression on his aunts and the rest of his family, including his older sister who never fails to make me feel included.
When they were taking the photos, Loring's older sister Jen (who's going to be having a baby here shortly), came into the kitchen and basically told me I had to be in the family photos and she wouldn't take no for an answer (and I'm smart enough not to argue with a pregnant woman).
Overall, it was a beautiful Anniversary Tea. I got to meet a lot of family and I was able to help out without being told what do to. Their church is set up a lot like ours so I felt comfortable in the kitchen and clearing the plates and cups with the carts. It was a lovely day and I was very honoured they invited me.
Tuesday, 22 October 2013
October 21st, 2013
So it has been a while since I wrote but things have been pretty busy with school and midterms and my international semester.
First of all, Happy belated Thanksgiving. I hope everyone was stuffed with turkey just like I was. I actually got 3 Thanksgivings this year! The first was at my parents place in Stony Plain. We had a full house with both Ashley's and my boyfriends there, as well as Shannon's family and Jeff's dad. My second Thanksgiving was in Medicine Hat, Loring's church has a turkey diner the week before so we went to that. Third was with Loring's family and that was a full house as well. I adore his family and I think they are absolutely wonderful! I definitely got my fill of Turkey!
Speaking of Loring, today is our 6 months. I can't believe it's gone by so fast!
Halloween is the end of next week and I am making my costume this year. I will be going as Merida from Disney's Brave and I'm super excited about it. We have girls in the sorority going as all 11 official Disney Princesses this year!
Last, but certainly not least (and what you've all been waiting for), details on my International Semester in January. I have met with Gizelle, the International Programs Director, and we have filled out the applications and all the paper work. I still have a meeting with risk and safety but it's basically up to me now. I should be arriving in Belgium on January 20th (to give me a few days to adjust to the time difference). My pre-semester French course begins on January 23rd. Actually classes start mid-February and run until mid-June. The last day of the exam period is June 28th. So I will be booking my flight home for June 29th (not sure when my exams are so I'll plan for one on the last day). I am applying for a travel scholarship so hopefully that will lighten the purse strings a little. I've also decided on a more expensive apartment while over there that I think will be worth it in the long-run. I had two options for apartments.
Option 1:
$450.00 CDN/month. I get a bed and a desk. It is 10km away from all my classes (on a different campus) and amenities such as bathroom and kitchen are shared by the whole floor. There is a bus from Residence to my campus but it does cost extra (I think $600/semester)
Option 2:
$850.00 CDN/month. It is a fully furnished studio apartment right across the street from my campus in Downtown Liege. Private bathroom & kitchen. TV & WiFi already in the room. The building also has a Game room, laundry, concierge, and a rooftop terrace.
First of all, Happy belated Thanksgiving. I hope everyone was stuffed with turkey just like I was. I actually got 3 Thanksgivings this year! The first was at my parents place in Stony Plain. We had a full house with both Ashley's and my boyfriends there, as well as Shannon's family and Jeff's dad. My second Thanksgiving was in Medicine Hat, Loring's church has a turkey diner the week before so we went to that. Third was with Loring's family and that was a full house as well. I adore his family and I think they are absolutely wonderful! I definitely got my fill of Turkey!
Speaking of Loring, today is our 6 months. I can't believe it's gone by so fast!
Halloween is the end of next week and I am making my costume this year. I will be going as Merida from Disney's Brave and I'm super excited about it. We have girls in the sorority going as all 11 official Disney Princesses this year!
Last, but certainly not least (and what you've all been waiting for), details on my International Semester in January. I have met with Gizelle, the International Programs Director, and we have filled out the applications and all the paper work. I still have a meeting with risk and safety but it's basically up to me now. I should be arriving in Belgium on January 20th (to give me a few days to adjust to the time difference). My pre-semester French course begins on January 23rd. Actually classes start mid-February and run until mid-June. The last day of the exam period is June 28th. So I will be booking my flight home for June 29th (not sure when my exams are so I'll plan for one on the last day). I am applying for a travel scholarship so hopefully that will lighten the purse strings a little. I've also decided on a more expensive apartment while over there that I think will be worth it in the long-run. I had two options for apartments.
$450.00 CDN/month. I get a bed and a desk. It is 10km away from all my classes (on a different campus) and amenities such as bathroom and kitchen are shared by the whole floor. There is a bus from Residence to my campus but it does cost extra (I think $600/semester)
Option 2:
$850.00 CDN/month. It is a fully furnished studio apartment right across the street from my campus in Downtown Liege. Private bathroom & kitchen. TV & WiFi already in the room. The building also has a Game room, laundry, concierge, and a rooftop terrace.
Thursday, 3 October 2013
October 1st, 2013
So I had a pretty fantastic weekend. My family and I had an "Early Thanksgiving" and it was wonderful.
I drove back up to Stony Plain Wednesday after classes so that was a long day. Friday morning I took my Advanced Road Test and passed with flying colours so I now have my full license!!! I am so happy and it is a huge relief to have that out of the way. Mom took me to the Pioneer Teahouse for lunch to celebrate. Unfortunately, I have a canker sore under my tongue so it made eating difficult. But everything I managed to eat was delicious.
Loring drove up for the weekend which was wonderful. He had never been to a Farmer's Market!! So obviously, being the wonderful girfriend that I am, I dragged him to both of the Farmer's Markets in Stony Plain. Then we drove to Ellerslie Rugby Park because his cousin's team was playing the Championships there on Saturday. They won the Championships by the way, against the undefeated team in the league no less. Loring got to see the whole family in festivities mode as well, which must have been entertaining. We picked up my Grandma, and while I was busy running around trying to help my mom get everything ready, they were having interesting conversations. She's obviously taken a liking to him, which is a very good thing! After supper he drove home (got in around Midnight).
Monday I drove back to Lethbridge, went straight to class, then home to study because today (Tuesday) I had my first midterm of the semester in Marketing. Going in I felt okay, and it turns out I studied the right materials because I felt confident on every answer. Tomorrow is my Finance midterm so hopefully that one goes as smoothly as this one.
I have one other giant piece of news. I received an email this morning from the International Programs Office and I have been accepted to partake in my international semester to Liege, Belgium!!!!! I'm super excited so now I have a bunch of paperwork and stuff to get through but I'm officially going to Europe for Spring Semester this year!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!
I drove back up to Stony Plain Wednesday after classes so that was a long day. Friday morning I took my Advanced Road Test and passed with flying colours so I now have my full license!!! I am so happy and it is a huge relief to have that out of the way. Mom took me to the Pioneer Teahouse for lunch to celebrate. Unfortunately, I have a canker sore under my tongue so it made eating difficult. But everything I managed to eat was delicious.
Loring drove up for the weekend which was wonderful. He had never been to a Farmer's Market!! So obviously, being the wonderful girfriend that I am, I dragged him to both of the Farmer's Markets in Stony Plain. Then we drove to Ellerslie Rugby Park because his cousin's team was playing the Championships there on Saturday. They won the Championships by the way, against the undefeated team in the league no less. Loring got to see the whole family in festivities mode as well, which must have been entertaining. We picked up my Grandma, and while I was busy running around trying to help my mom get everything ready, they were having interesting conversations. She's obviously taken a liking to him, which is a very good thing! After supper he drove home (got in around Midnight).
Monday I drove back to Lethbridge, went straight to class, then home to study because today (Tuesday) I had my first midterm of the semester in Marketing. Going in I felt okay, and it turns out I studied the right materials because I felt confident on every answer. Tomorrow is my Finance midterm so hopefully that one goes as smoothly as this one.
I have one other giant piece of news. I received an email this morning from the International Programs Office and I have been accepted to partake in my international semester to Liege, Belgium!!!!! I'm super excited so now I have a bunch of paperwork and stuff to get through but I'm officially going to Europe for Spring Semester this year!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!
Tuesday, 24 September 2013
September 23rd, 2013
Welcome back everybody!!
I had another wonderful summer working as a Travel Counselor for the Stony Plain & District Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Information Centre back in my hometown but it is nice to be back in Lethbridge, back in classes, and back to studying as well!
It has been a hectic couple of weeks with the beginning of classes, then Rush Week (s) and Bid Ceremony, but I'm updating now for September. For those of you who don't know (I'm not sure if I've posted it here or not) but I am dating Loring Wiedemann (I attended the Kappa Sigma Formal as his date, and he attended Delta's with me). It has been 5 months already and I'm very happy, although we have had some ups and downs due to it mostly being a long-distance relationship.
Rush was fantastic and yesterday we gave bids to 26 wonderful women. My Little this semester is Jeanelle and I'm super excited because she was the girl I wanted as my little.
Classes this semester seem to be challenging but manageable. I'm taking Finance, Management Law, Intro to International Management, Marketing, and Collective Labour Relations. Midterms actually start next week and I've been studying like crazy trying to get everything prepared.
This weekend my family is having an early Thanksgiving. Ashley's boyfriend Mark is back from his Nait camp (not sure what to call it, he's going into Forestry) and I'll be back up in Stony for a Doctor's Appointment so Loring will drive up and we'll all have Thanksgiving. For real Thanksgiving in October, I'll be going to Loring's parent's house in Medicine Hat.
So far that's all there is to tell!
I had another wonderful summer working as a Travel Counselor for the Stony Plain & District Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Information Centre back in my hometown but it is nice to be back in Lethbridge, back in classes, and back to studying as well!
It has been a hectic couple of weeks with the beginning of classes, then Rush Week (s) and Bid Ceremony, but I'm updating now for September. For those of you who don't know (I'm not sure if I've posted it here or not) but I am dating Loring Wiedemann (I attended the Kappa Sigma Formal as his date, and he attended Delta's with me). It has been 5 months already and I'm very happy, although we have had some ups and downs due to it mostly being a long-distance relationship.
Rush was fantastic and yesterday we gave bids to 26 wonderful women. My Little this semester is Jeanelle and I'm super excited because she was the girl I wanted as my little.
This is my family including littles (L), Grand-little (GL), and Great-Grand-Little (GGL)
[Left to right] Kate (GGL), Rachel (GL), Liesl (L), Me, Alex (L), Jeanelle (L), and Alyx (GL)
[Not Pictured] Mackenzie (L), Stephanie (GL), and Katherine (GL)
Needless to say I have a large Greek family!
Classes this semester seem to be challenging but manageable. I'm taking Finance, Management Law, Intro to International Management, Marketing, and Collective Labour Relations. Midterms actually start next week and I've been studying like crazy trying to get everything prepared.
This weekend my family is having an early Thanksgiving. Ashley's boyfriend Mark is back from his Nait camp (not sure what to call it, he's going into Forestry) and I'll be back up in Stony for a Doctor's Appointment so Loring will drive up and we'll all have Thanksgiving. For real Thanksgiving in October, I'll be going to Loring's parent's house in Medicine Hat.
So far that's all there is to tell!
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