First Snow

I have heard so many conflicting stories about Brussels winter weather.  Those who do not live here are convinced it rains all the time and the winters are brutal.  Those who do live here are split between horribly cold winter and not so bad...we shall see.

There were snow flurries on Thanksgiving day, but it was sunny and mild over the weekend.  The last few days it has gotten noticibly colder and this morning I awoke to what would be a major snowfall for Tennessee.  The ground is covered, but green grass is still visible.  The sky is just grey, but I think that is the norm. 

I hear there are predictions for a "dump" tonight.  I have no idea just how much snow that could really mean, but it is rather pretty.

Warm Towels

I adore the radiator style heat in my home.  They keep the house very comfortable.  The ceramic floor in the bathroom is warm because warm water runs beneath it and the radiators on the wall gives out so much warmth.  The very best thing about it that I can take my big fat fluffy robe and put it on the radiator which makes getting out of the shower like jumping into towels fresh from the dryer!

Learning French

I've been taking French classes since shortly after my arrival.  I am surprised at just how quickly I have picked it up, but I'm certainly not a speaker of the language yet.  I can put together a few sentences and read more of the signs around town.  Now I just need to find a friend who is a native French speaker!

A Not New Car

I had to buy a car.  Found that I just don't function very well without wheels of my own.  Yes, Brussels has lots of public transportation options, but they are not the quickest way to get around; and you can spend a LOT of time when you get lost.

I bought an early '90s BMW.  It's a straight shift with roll down windows, the radio doesn't work, the air conditioning doesn't work and it has 190,000 km.  But the tires are good and it runs smooth. 

It is, however, terribly expensive to put gas in anything here.  My first tank of gas cost 130 dollars!!  So maybe I won't be driving it a lot, but at least I can go anywhere I want to, if I want to go bad enough.