Tuesday 25 December 2007

departure for chicago in 8 days: getting in the mood

Music to play while packing:

http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=ONutp0daNv8

Music to play while dreaming away while packing:

http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=Lcw-avVG02w

Music not to play if I don't want to see my mum crying:

http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0TEa-Aa4sU

Music to play while saying goodbye to my friends:

http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=CtADM_ZshL0

Music to play:

http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=FcPmBKi_rB8&feature=related

Monday 19 November 2007

The US experience - Part 1: Oh no, now they've got my fingerprints!

Dear visitor of my blog,

I have yet another question for you:

Am I your friend on Facebook?

if the answer is yes, you might already have read what's coming. There's no use in reading on then, is there? Unless you like to be bored, of course. [Note: With this I am not claiming that not having read the story before will guarantee non-boredom.]

[Note to the note: Whoever got the meaning of the previous sentence without having to strike-through the multiple negation, you're my hero! Consider yourself kissed and hugged. By me.]


if the answer is no, sit back, relax and read:

November 8th. The glorious day on which I had the honour of experiencing American policy for the very first time: my visit to the US Embassy. Goal: get the craved-for visa! But first an intermediate landing site, the photographer's, to get some passport photos. The man behind the counter was a very friendly guy who now thinks I am in love with him (and actually asked whether I was), just because I forgot my newly-made pictures on the counter and only realized that ten minutes later when I had almost reached the embassy. Hey man, where's your mind at 7 am? :-)

I was a little - well, an hour - early, but one of the policemen told me that I couldn't wait in the area (25 meters) around the embassy building and that I'd better go grab a coffee somewhere in the neighbourhood. Now you must know that 'the neighbourhood', Regent street, is pretty impressive, but there are only huge embassy buildings there, and no coffee place at all! Oh well, to get into the States one must make some effort, including a morning walk through Brussels. :-)

When we were finally called 'to enter', I had to rub my hands with a piece of paper 'checking for explosives', or so they said. I dare you to try not to laugh (or even just smile) at their serious-looking faces! Ok, I know, security measures, right? But still...funny on a Thursday morning after a way too short night. So, to make sure I was really just an innocent little girl (with the intention of staying one, even in America), I got to give them my fingerprints, too. After the first ten fingers, they told me and the other people waiting - and in the meanwhile watching The Wizard of Oz; felt very grown-up - they would be taking an 11th fingerprint...Dirty minds, go wild!

So, going to America, very exciting business indeed! Can't wait to get to the airport now (will have to work on my 'suppress smile' skills in the next two months, though).

to be continued

Monday 12 November 2007

Please enter and makes yourself at home in my mind

Welcome visitor of my blog!

Ask yourself some questions before you read on:

1. Do you know who I am?

if the answer is yes, please continue with question 2.
if the answer is no, please go to question 3.

2. Do I know who you are?

if the answer is yes, please continue with question 3.
if the answer is no, please go to question 4.

3. Are you interested in reading about the everyday struggles of a tiny Belgian girl on her exciting trip to Chicago (or the preparations, as I am still in Belgium)?

if the answer is yes, please go to question 5.
if the answer is no, please do yourself a favour and close the window (for the quick-witted: on your computer!)

4. Do you think I would like to get to know you?

if the answer is yes, please leave a message and go back to question 3.
if the answer is no, please do me a favour and close the window (for the quick-witted: on your computer!)

5. Would you express your sympathy for me on this blog and declare yourself to me explicitly with loads of loving words?

if the answer is yes, please do!
if the answer is no, oh well...worth a shot...

;-)

Enjoy!
Lobke x