An American in Belgium

Its official, I am an American Mama in Belgium. Or at least an American in Belgium, perhaps I don't qualify for the "mama" title until she is born.

The trip was quite as bad as I feared, but it was definitely made worse by the airline I flew (Iberia), which was way less comfortable than others I have flown. I was relieved to find I didn't need a seatbelt extender, but the tray tables wouldn't fold down over my belly! LOL I had to eat balancing my tray on my mostly nonexistent lap.

We made it home to the house without incident, and I was so happy to find that the house is even nicer than the pictures led me to believe. It has some issues, but so does every rental property I have ever lived in. G is frustrated by all the things that are wrong, but I don't think its that bad. Unfortunately, some of the issues are going to cost us money, like the bad taps in the bathtub that will require a plumber, and the old fashioned wiring that will require an electrician when we get some lights to install. In the meantime, we try to get as much accomplished as we can during the day, because by 5:30 its too dark to see in most of the house. LOL Its kinda like camping in your own house. We have lighting fixtures only in the kitchen, bathrooms, garage, and laundry room. The rest of the house requires a flashlight to navigate safely. G is still mostly not unpacked, and we still have some furniture to assemble, but I've been doing what I can to make it homey. At least the kitchen is put together and is cozy - G said I must be magic because he left me alone for an hour and when he returned a kitchen had emerged from the mess. :)

Last night was my first attempt at cooking here, and it went ok. I have so many challenges to face with cooking that it seems like I am learning anew. I need to learn what G likes, since I have never cooked for him frequently before. I have to learn what products are available here, and what products are affordable. I need to learn this stove, which is very difficult. And I need to deal with having only the bare essentials in kitchen things until my shipment arrives. Nonetheless, the honey mustard chicken was quite tasty in the end, served with boiled potatoes and tossed salad. It just took a bit more effort than usual. Today I am making pasta with meat sauce - ground pork being the meat, since I have discovered how phenomenally expensive ground beef is here (9,98 euro, almost $14 a pound!!!). It made perfect sense once G pointed out there is no space to raise cattle in most of Europe, but it caught me by surprise. Pork is the cheapest meat, followed by chicken. So I'll be adjusting a number of recipes.

It turned out to be a very good thing I got a Visa D before leaving the states, it saved a whole lot of hassle. Instead of having to deal with residency cards that are only good for a couple months at a time, I will immediately get my 5 year card. I got the temporary card on Friday, and as soon as the police come to the house to make sure I live here, I will be issued my permanent resident card which is good for 5 years. Unfortunately, there is one policeman for all of the foreigners living in several cities, so it can take a few weeks for that to happen, and I do not qualify for health insurance until I have that resident ID number. The woman at city hall was pregnant to, so she put a note on my file to let the policeman know it was urgent for me to get healthcare because of the baby, and she told us to come and see her if he still has not come after 2 weeks. She also printed out the contact information and bio of her obstetrician for me, which was a lifesaver. We plan to call tomorrow and get me set up with her. Even if I won't have insurance right away, I need a doctor to call if I have a problem.

Everyone has been very friendly to me so far, and most seem to enjoy the chance to practice their English. I am learning a few new words here and there, but I am too shy to use any of my Dutch in front of anyone but G so far. About all I say to strangers is "dank u" (thank you). I definitely need to start trying harder, and plan to work on it on my own some of the nights this week while G is at work. Its hard to escape the feeling that I am speaking in pig Latin or some other childhood made up language, I feel like I am making up words and nobody will possibly understand me. It could be worse, at least I don't have a heavy accent of my own to overcome.

Miss Luna Bean is doing well, I think, as she continues to wiggle and kick with gleeful abandon. She was awake for a good part of the trip here, I think the vibrations on the plane were disturbing her. G has gotten to feel her kick several times, but has yet to observe my belly bouncing like it does sometimes. He likes to talk to my belly so she is getting to know her Daddy's voice. He seems to think I am SMALL for 7 months pregnant and even expressed concern that the baby would be small because of it. LOL All I can say is no wonder I married him! :P The extra weight has made walking to town a lot harder than it should be, but I am proud to say that I have survived two shopping trips with only mild discomfort. Its not nearly as hard as I had feared, which is a relief, because I'd go nuts stuck in the house until the baby comes. As long as I take it slow and rest frequently and don't stay out too long, I am fine. G seems to think I am superwoman for doing what little I can do, so the encouragement definitely helps. Wonder how he'll feel in a few more days when he has to help me put my shoes on all the time!? :)