The Littlest Penguin

During my last week at work the children put on a play. It wasn't a play so much as an over-conceptualized moving production that took the audience through a series of five themed locations involving music, acting, dancing, poetry, and even food. It was quite an undertaking to put on, but a real joy to see the faces of the kids doing something of which they were proud.

My help in the project was limited, but what I was able to do I enjoyed. Months before the play, we put on workshops for the kids to introduce them to the different types of art they might wish to perform in the play; I helped with the poetry workshop. Yes, I did a poetry workshop in Dutch with kids. It was an adventure. Everything went well, although as I am used to speaking Dutch but rarely writing it, some of the kids corrected my spelling :-P Hey, anything that helps make them feel good about themselves!

Allowing the children to choose which type of art they wanted to do was really great for their involvement. They were so confident, so excited. They were enthusiastic leading up to the play (often telling me how many people were coming to see them in it), and would wave at me in excitement when they saw me in the audience. When I told them what a great job they did afterward, the kids BEAMED. It was amazing to see them so proud and confident. I find it wonderful that my last memory of the kids is them bursting with pride after a job well-done.

The best part of the play? The littlest penguin:



I also think the other dance from some of the kids was very impressive:



I am so proud of all the kids and will always look back at these photos and films with incredible fondness! I hope you enjoy them, too:)













xoxo
kw

ps- REALLY interesting article about guide dogs for children with autism

4 Questions, 9 Languages, Seasons Beatings!

For this post, we're putting the Kosher back in the Waffle. Judaism and faith are a big part of my life, and they have been an important and often fun part of my time in Belgium. I found a wonderful Jewish community in Brussels soon after I arrived in this country and have been fortunate to spend a handful of holidays with them, High and other. The latest, Passover, was such a treat since I was able to see most of my congregant favorites for one last time, enjoy some good, Jewy food, and beat these great people with some of that food. Please read on.

The best part of this congregation is the people; they are genuine, warm, funny, and come from all over the world. During each holiday, the shul tries to incorporate as many traditions from the different backgrounds as possible. It usually provides for a fun and unique Jewish experience. This year, instead of just reading the Four Questions in Hebrew and English, I got to also hear them in French, Spanish, Dutch, Hungarian, Russian, Swedish, and Welsh! I learned that most people struggle in their own language with the words "leavened/unleavened," the Welsh translation takes about five minutes longer, and that this night really was different from all other nights!

Then we beat each other with root vegetables. Really. In an old Persian tradition, everyone is given a scallion and then flogs each other with them during the chorus of "Dayenu." I think this ritual comes from simulating the whip of the taskmaster (the holiday is about our exodus from slavery, after all), but when someone hands me a spring onion and instructs me to whack my neighbor with it repeatedly, I don't ask too many questions. So there we were, well-dressed, respectable adults hitting each other with scallions while singing about Gd. Again, this night was indeed different from all other nights.



I will certainly miss this congregation, but I have exchanged emails with some of my dearest friends and even hope to possibly join the shul again next year for a holiday while I'm in Europe. And if I have to lash them with groceries to do it, well I'm just that dedicated to Judaism.


Happy Pesach,
kosher matzah

We Came. We Saw. We Ate (Again).

While the majority of our Italian adventure is captured in the posts "All You Need Is Love. And Cake." and "We Came. We Saw. We Ate," I cannot skip over the time we spent in Naples and Pompeii! Our incredible journey began with three days in Florence, two days in Rome, and two days on Capri. After these packed yet entirely enjoyable days, we spent an afternoon in Naples and a day at the historic site of Pompeii. Food, history and beauty- right up our alley!

Honestly, Naples wasn't really much to see. There are a lot of old, historic buildings, but such is Italy. The one place we did make sure to go was the National Archeological Museum, because half of what was found in Pompeii has since been removed and placed here! While walking through Pompeii, the guide book often details an object and then says "(in Napoli Museum)." So we made sure to see what was in Pompeii before we went to the actual site!


We also learned that Naples naturally takes their food VERY seriously- and they like to fry things! We kept getting all sorts of delicious appetizers filled with rice, cheese, potatoes, even just dough with tomatoes on top, and everything was incredibly delicious! They also had some of the best pizza of our trip- you can see in the second picture that the pizzas were divided up into five or six sections, with each part featuring a different delicacy, including the sumptuous regional Pecorino cheese. It was a really good thing we spent all day Saturday walking around...



Pompeii is a unique experience, one I would definitely recommend. I had been there about ten years ago with my family, but found exploring the ancient site in March far more pleasant than in July- it was about 30 degrees cooler and 3,000 people less crowded! Buried for nearly 1,600 years following the disastrous explosion of Mt. Vesuvius, visiting Pompeii is like stepping back in time to a nearly intact turn-of-the-millennium Roman city. Kaitlyn and I had such nerdy fun discovering what life was like and marveling at the decor and art that still prevails centuries later. The frescoes that remain covering the ancient walls are astounding- not only are they so well-preserved centuries later, but they give a real insight into the art and culture of that time. As I said, it's an excursion I would recommend!





After Pompeii, we ate, we hugged, and we went our separate ways (tear). It was a holiday I will never forget and honestly am not sure how I can ever top! Spending a long week in Italy with Kaitlyn was such a treat and a big highlight of my European adventure. Thanks for checking out my posts and sharing in some of the fun!










xoxo
kw (and ke!)

We Came, We Saw, We Ate

How does one sum up 10 days in Italy? Probably with a menu. I just spent the most wonderful long holiday in the Mediterranean with one of my best friends in the whole world, celebrating my birthday and eating a LOT of gelato. While I would love to give this trip the travelogue-esque attention it most certainly deserves, our adventure was so full it would take a blog post per day to do it justice! So instead I will do my best to sum up, show pictures, and share anecdotes from what is easily one of the best vacations I have ever taken.


Kaitlyn came to play!!! She is the only one of my friends who has been able to make it over for a visit, and I believe it is safe to say she does not regret it:) It was SO WONDERFUL to see her after about eight months apart! Just getting back into the groove of things, laughing, hugging, and fitting felt so good! It was like putting on an old pair of jeans (with Kaitlyn, that would be designer skinny jeans with cute boots, but still). It was also like a little taste of reverse culture shock...it was nice to know that even after all the time and distance, I still fit in with my life back in America.


So where to being? How about Florence! Firenze...the capital of Tuscany, Athens of the Middle Ages, birthplace of the Italian Renaissance! Home of a 13th century duomo, the Lorentian library (designed by Michelangelo), Michelangelo's David sculpture, museums holding "The Birth of Venus" and da Vinci's "Adoration of the Magi," Galileo's telescopes (!!!), unbelievable views, delicious food, AND a good-luck bronze boar! What more could two girls ask from a destination?





Where does one go from Firenze? Roma! We took the train from Florence down to the Eternal City, where we were charmed by the Italian capital's history, architecture, and gastronomy. There is so much to see and enjoy there; Kaitlyn and I had our work cut out for us, but really loved roaming...and using "when in Rome" as much as possible;) We wandered through the winding streets to the Pantheon, the Piazza Nivone, the Trevi Fountain (my favorite site of the trip..and yes, we threw in coins and made wishes!), the Spanish Steps, and the Piazza del Popolo, where Nero's imperial ghost is said to haunt. And that was just our first afternoon!




Our second day in Rome was really a special day. We went to the Vatican in the morning and saw the most incredible art...mainly on the walls and ceilings! Unfortunately, pictures are not allowed in the Sistine Chapel, but we must have spent a good half an hour with our necks cranked trying to take it all in. We even got to go downstairs and see some Pope-mobiles! A real treat. Lunch was spent with another incredibly beautiful aspect of Rome...our waiter. We did not get a picture of him, but man was he delicious. We pretty much just kept ordering food because we could not say no to his horrible yet adorable English. After an incredibly satisfying visit to that restaurant, we spent the afternoon checking out the Colosseum. It really is amazing to see up close!





Our trip to Italy was a birthday celebration, and Kaitlyn arranged the classiest and coolest gift I could have imagined- a trip to the Opera in Rome! That's right, we went out for a fine pizza dinner and then to the opening night of Mefistofele, an opera in Italian that takes place in Frankfurt, of course. It was such an amazing experience- the music, the singing, the sights, the theater...it was a spectacular show and a special night!




I think this is enough show-and-tell for one Italy post. Make sure you read my "All You Need Is Love. And Cake" post to see the adventure right after this- my birthday on Capri! I'll be sure to fill in our escapades in Naples and Pompei; hope you're enjoying the vicarious traveling!
















xoxo
kw (and ke)

Chickety China the Chinese Chicken

One week left in Belgium. Craziness! It doesn't feel like I just got here, but it also doesn't quite feel like it's time to leave. Next week at work there is a big play we're putting on with the kids. It is a big event and almost fitting that it coincides with my departure. The play will be presented on Wednesday and Thursday, and then Friday is my last day, feestje (party) included. It is a big week coming up with lots of excitement mixed with sadness!

This week while preparing for the play with some of the kids, I got to spend time with a few of my favorites. Oli, an adorable 10-year-old, remembered that I was supposed to be here until the end of May. I couldn't believe he remembered that! It broke my heart to tell him that, actually, I'll only be here through the end of the play. He said that is sad and he will miss me. It was just the sweetest thing that warmed and rung my heart simultaneously. I told him I'll miss them and that they are very special kids. I hope they remember that/me. It was so much fun spending one-on-one time with some of the kids as we made decorations for the play. They fill my heart with such joy and I will carry them with me forever!

As I've mentioned before, the end of a big chapter in my life leaves me in a reflective mode. I've really been thinking a lot about what I've gained from this experience, fully knowing that most of any changes probably won't be apparent until I get home and settled back into my American life. I do know that I feel calmer, more at peace and more positive. I feel very balanced- not much knocks me off my feet.

When I was in Madrid and got my passport stolen, Marisa kept asking me, "What are you on? If it were me, I'd totally be freaking out right now! I'm taking this worse than you are!" Yesterday I was discussing my herniated disk with a friend, and he was saying how this would have made him completely upset; he would have been pissed that an injury was interfering with his time abroad. In both of these instances, I've felt like there's only so much in my control and I can either allow these things to impede my good time, or I can focus on the positives and tune out the lesser ordeals. It feels really good to be in a place that's optimistic and relaxed. I really feel so blessed in my life, it seems easy for me to focus on all these blessings.

So here I sit, one week left in Belgium. My back is getting in the way of me helping out with play preparations, but I refuse to let it get in the way of me seeing the play or saying goodbye to everyone before I go! It should be an emotional and exciting week. I will, of course, keep you posted :)

xoxo
kw

All You Need is Love. And Cake.

I just celebrated my 25th birthday, a good time to reflect and take note of where I am in life. However, with my time in Belgium winding down, I've already been doing plenty of self-reflecting. What I've been feeling for a while and what came to an apex on my birthday was love. My life is full of it. It's all about it. Love and faith are my life, and I don't think there's a better place to be than feeling those things.

I have so much love in my life, of so many different kinds. I have the most supportive and giving family, incredible, active friends, and more blessings than I could possibly count. My connections with people are strong right now and valued above all else. It’s been a great experience growing new relationships while I’ve been over here, seeing how beautiful existing yet physically-distant relationships can be, and just feeling love from all around. When it came to March 18, the culmination of all that love came in the form of an outpouring of birthday wishes. I got to hear from so many different people I hold dear in my heart all on one day, wishing me the best. Could there be a better feeling than that?

I feel very blessed to have been over here to see how strong many of my friendships are. If living 6 time zones apart can’t break your connection, if not spending time together for nearly a year can’t sway your involvement in someone’s life, then you know you’ve got a “lifer.” I have many of these and am creating more- if there is a limit to how much love and friendship one person can experience, I must be nearing the line. And, of course, I feel all of this through incredible faith, something that follows me wherever I go and I believe keeps me in tune with what matters (love!)

Now, a sneak peak into the Italy trip through the wonderful day that was March 18…

We woke up in Anacapri, a small town on the island of Capri, with our lovely hostess Luciana bringing me a little birthday cake! It was on a bed of sprinkles that I used for my Nutella on toast. Breakfast of 25-year-old champions! We ate on our magnificent vista overlooking the town and water, and then headed out to see more views via the Villa San Michel. After taking in breathtaking views of the island, we headed up the chairlift to the top of the mountain, passing over local farmers waving and shouting “buongiorno!” and enjoying yet more views of the island on the sunny spring day.

Lunch was a treat! We went to the same restaurant where we had dinner the night before (Luciana sent us…and told us she “prayed we had a good time.”), and before we even entered the restaurant I was greeted with kisses and “happy birthdays!” As soon as we sat down the waiters brought us flutes of champagne to celebrate, and proceeded to bring us some deLIcious lunches. Kaitlyn had the gnocchi with mussels- her favorite meal of the trip (that’s saying something!) We sat out on the terrace by the old town church, watching birds and kids play in the courtyard while we ate. Before we left, I noticed the people at the table behind us were speaking Dutch, so I asked (in Nederlands) where they were from. Gent! We had a whole conversation all about Belgium and Gent and Capri…plus I got to impress Kaitlyn with my mad Dutch skills while in Italy! Getting to speak Dutch certainly added to the greatness of my day.

After lunch we went on a boat tour! I LOVE boats! I am a pisces, I am meant to be on the water. First we visited the famous and unique blue grotto. Talk about stunning. Just look at these pictures- this is the natural color of the water!! Part of the fun was crouching down in the bottom of a little rowboat just to get into the grotto. Hehe, we’re adventurous! The next hour and a half were spent just riding around the island…it was so beautiful, peaceful, and fun. I was smiling so hard the whole time, I laughed out loud just out of sheer happiness.

How else would you follow a boat ride around Capri than with gelato? We went up to Capri town, ate some of the delicious delicacy, and wandered around the area. Not much to see during the off-season, we much prefer Anacapri. So up to Anacapri we returned, where I was able to Skype with my family:) Sitting on the beautiful terrace, enjoying the sunset, talking to my faaaaavorite people in the whooooole world….happy happy waffle!

For dinner we went to a place we had read about in Kaitlyn’s guidebook and it positively lived up to the occasion. We had an appetizer of grilled local cheese, tasted (well, more like devoured) our pasta dishes, savored the local red wine, and I even got to blow out a candle on a Caprese birthday cake! It capped off an absolutely perfect day with good times, good company, good food, and lots and LOTS of love. What more could a girl want? Oh, we watched the West Wing and cuddled when we got back. Now that’s a perfect day!

xoxo

The older and easily fatter,

kw

One Month

Hi Friends,

The original plan was to stay until the beginning of April. I was able to rearrange things in order to stay until the end of May....except my flight. So it seems I will be traveling back to America in one month, as was Plan A. One month left in Belgium? It's a pretty weird feeling.

I love things here, but I'm also ready to go back home. I love how free and liberating it is to be in another country and just have the space and lack of expectations to be myself, to explore. I have really wonderful friends, I love Gent, and my work makes me smile, even when I'm not there. However, I am very ready to be done with my current living situation and to go back home, see my family, my friends, my favorite restaurants, and speak English. I want to not always be on the go, to just relax and enjoy familiarity.

It is very weird to think I'm here for a few days, then in Italy for 9, then Belgium for two weeks, and Holland for nearly a week before I fly home. That is not a lot of time, and there is so much to do! I've only just started making progress with some of the people at work. "Steve" is a guy my age with autism just last week decided he was comfortable having a conversation with me. It used to be like pulling teeth to get him to talk to me, but after a small interaction he approached me and asked me a relevant question pertaining to our conversation. I was stunned! It's reasons like this I'm sad to leave so soon.

But in other news, it turns out I have a herniated disc in my lower back, which explains why I've been in so much pain just walking the past few months. Not having to walk everywhere and having the chance to fully recuperate will be wonderful. It stinks having a medical thing far from home, and the pressures of travel certainly do not help with a broken back.

So here I am...wishing the next month would hurry up and bring me home, and wishing that I had more time here to enjoy this wonderful life I've built. Especially considering how much I have planned for the next month I'm sure time will fly, but right now I'm just at the precipice of that final roller coaster hill, holding my breath and trying to remember to enjoy myself.

Much Love,
kw

The Magnificent Smile of Belgium

As you can tell, I work with some pretty incredible people. What is so phenomenal about many of them is that they are high-functioning and self-aware- in other words, they have a communication disorder, and are able to communicate about it. I am learning a lot and it is always such a treat when I can get to know more about them as people and more about autism.


"Paul" is one of my favorites to work with. He is 49, always nervous, and loves to sing, especially when he hears a phrase that he knows in song. He's always bursting into the funniest songs, from Cher to Nirvana to Frank Sinatra- he cracks me up! We've become friends and it is always fun being with him. What is so funny, and what I hope will help me out after I leave, is that I find myself saying the same things to him that my mom says to me! I can be nervous and obsess over the same thing over and over, and, while different from the topics Paul gets stuck on, the same advice can be applied. I literally hear my mom's words coming out of my mouth! I hope I can remember how I feel when I'm telling these things to Paul and really internalize the advice. What can I say, always listen to mom!

He was diagnosed at age 30 with autism- he said it made him really scared and turned his world upside down. He was in a psychiatric hospital for a while, but he really didn't like living there because there were too many people. They had activities for the residents, but Paul never wanted to go because he was so nervous with so many people. Now he lives in one of the houses in our community with just seven other people. He said that they are all close friends and he really likes living there. While always nervous, he seems happy and relaxed overall, and it is so wonderful to watch him be himself and have people who understand him.

We were talking about me leaving and I asked him if I could take a picture of him to keep with me when I'm back in America. Would that be okay, or would that make you nervous? To my surprise, he said that it would make him very happy if I would take his picture, and he wouldn't be nervous at all. He even clapped with delight. We have an inside joke about his "magnificent smile," since the day after he got his dentures he walked up to me on the bus and declared, "Don't I have a magnificent smile?" I'm so glad I could capture it.

In other good news, "Annie" keeps opening up to me- smiling, conversing with me, and making me feel like I've actually gotten into her world. While she doesn't always remember my name (hey, she gets close!), it's an awesome feeling to see her smile as well.

all smiles,
kw