Day 3

Of course I had intentions of blogging each day this week but it just didn't happen. We purchased internet for the week on my computer only and whenever we were awake -- both physically and mentally -- it was used to search maps, learn about Brussels or check the classified ads for apartment listings. Jenee also successfully used the computer for Skype phone calls but Dan and I haven't quite managed it yet.

The big news is that the girls started school. Josephine went for a half day on Monday and Amelia started Tuesday. It has been a tricky transition for both. Josephine was really excited to start school but then got off to a rocky start because she wasn't interested in the hot lunch they served. Then, she changed her mind about a nap and had a "difficult" time according to her teacher Nancy (who, BTW, speaks English quite well). Speaking of Nancy, there are two classes for kids Jojo's age -- Nancy teaches one and Isabelle teaches the other. It seems they give Nancy all the English speakers so Josephine already has a few friends, including Tessa, Sam and Sarah, who speak English. One downside of t his arrangement is that some kids never learn French. We heard about one mom who just moved her son from Nancy's room to Isabelle's room so that he'd improve his French more quickly. I can't imagine we'll do that with Jojo! But back to the first day... She arrived for lunch, didn't eat, said she'd nap, didn't nap but then had a good time playing in the afternoon. However, that night she told Dan that she felt scared at school, which I think was 4 1/2 year old speak for "nervous and anxious". And, in the morning she said she hated her school and didn't want to go at all. Whether she heard Jojo or not, on the way to school that same morning I asked Amelia if she was excited about school and she said "All my teachers are mad at me."

Despite their trepidation, both girls did well yesterday. Once Josephine arrived in the class, she was excited to play with her friends and even proudly gave me a picture one of her friends had made for her. When I left, she promised to eat her whole lunch and take a good nap at school. Amelia also did well yesterday. Her teacher is Christiane. This younger group seems quite nice but I didn't actually get to hang out much with Amelia at drop off time because I was with Jojo. Jenee said Amelia didn't want to leave school after lunch, which I take as a good sign.

Today, Dan and Jenee took the girls to school without me, which is why I can now write in the blog! From our hotel, it's a half hour trip one way on one tram line. Yesterday we were nearly crushed by the rush hour traffic. I'm hoping today it won't be so bad (they left a little earlier).

Here's one funny story about the school. I went alone to pick up Jojo after school (3:45 pm) on Monday. As I approached the door a strange man called to me "Madame!" and began to approach me. I kept walking and he walked faster. Then he started saying who knows what in French and I mumbled "Je ne parle pas Francais" still trying to get to the door and inside without incident. Finally he is physically blocking my way and saying "Quelle lange? Ivrit, English?" Well, no panhandler or crazy person I know comes up with Ivrit and English so I finally took a closer look at this guy and saw the phone/headset in his ear and listened. I explained I was here to pick up Josephine, who was a new student, and turns out he's the security guard for the school. I was then -- kindly, really -- asked to move away from the door, move away from the entrance and to stand back about 50 yards until the 3:50 pm, at which time parents were welcome to pick up their children. They are strict here! And it's not like there's no security besides this guy. There are two doors that you have to get buzzed in through even if you make it past the head guard (whose name I forget). Serious business!

Other than the girls' school, Dan and I have been spending most of our time trying to figure out where to live. We've seen 6 apartments in the past two days and made a reservation for one. We'll find out later today if we've gotten it. It's on Rue Souvraine near the Avenue Louise/Porte de Nemours area, which is great for shopping and relatively convenient for both the school and major railway lines. It's 3 bedroom apartment on two floors and there's a fitness center in shared space a bit down the street. Nothing is inexpensive here but I think this apartment is a good find. The one downside is that it's on the top floor (nearly all the 3 bedroom apartments are on the top and have a balcony/deck/grill area) in a building with no elevator. Not so bad it you're by yourself but carrying a sleeping child could be tough! Some other options were more elegant but less conveniently located and more expensive, more aesthetically pleasing but less practical, etc. I think we could move in Friday if all goes well. It would be nice to have a fridge because eating out all the time is not cheap (or easy, with the kids).

I know my mother is dying to know about the food so here you go -- breakfast at the hotel includes croissants, nutella, a cereal that is like Special K with chocolate bits, cheese, meats, eggs, breads, olives, yogurts and other random things. Dan and I had sandwhiches for lunch Monday and Japanese food for lunch yesterday. Dinners have been Sunday: nothing but the girls woke up hungry at 2 am so Jenee gave them the last of the cashew butter balls, Monday: Thai food (Jojo ate the fish despite the spiciness), Tuesday: Italian (vegetarian lasagna but not the mushroom ravioli). In a weird coincidence, our hotel is very near the hotel we stayed in last September. It's near the Sainte Katherine cathedral in an area chock full of restaurants.

Well, until I hear back from the real estate lady, I think that's all there is to say. We'll be excited to move out of these cramped quarters and get unpacked. I know Jenee will be excited to have a room to herself without the girls. Dan and I have been successfully fending off work concerns until now but real life will have to begin soon. We still don't have cell phones (because you need to demonstrate that you live in Belgium to be allowed a contract and we can't prove that until we have a signed rental agreement) but we hope to finalize that today as well. Sorry we don't have more photos yet. I'll get right on that! ;-)