NAVIGATING MY AWKWARD POST-GRAD LIFE

Allow me to bring you up to speed (on my life).

I graduated from college one year ago. I didn’t follow the “normal” postgraduate route and find a nine to five job. Instead, I spent last summer waiting tables on the docks of Lake Minnetonka, buying impromptu plane tickets to Albuquerque, New Mexico, Chicago, Illinois, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Then, I decided to learn French, so I bought a one-way ticket to France. I was told on a daily basis how “crazy” I was and that I should just settle down and find a job.

It would have been easier for me to listen to this so-called “advice,” but I’m glad I stuck to my gut and took off for France with nothing but my camera, computer, and very heavy suitcase.

I lightened my load along the way and got rid of what I could, because, quite frankly, pulling a suitcase that weighs almost as much as you do up 200 or more stairs in the metro is way more work than a few pairs of pants and sweaters are worth.

During the seven months I spent in France not only did I see a new part of the world, I learned a third language, met more interesting people than I can count on two hands, and discovered that being “crazy” is not only fun, but also rewarding.

I flew back to Minnesota mid June to visit my family and make enough cash to move again. I’m heading to New York on September 7 and possibly back to Paris for one month. I’m not sure where I’ll be living come October, but I have six weeks to figure that out. That’s plenty of time, right?

The post-graduate cookie cutter plan isn’t for everyone.

Life is about trying on hundreds of different hats until you find a perfect fit. I’ve worn many hats over the last year, from a student, to a waitress, a writer, a news reporter, a storyteller, a gardener, a nanny, and more.

I’m still navigating my awkward post-college life, debating if grad school is the right decision for me, applying for jobs almost every day, and living in my childhood bedroom. Most people think that’s every college grad’s worst nightmare. Not mine. Living with my parents and working anywhere from one to three jobs, depending on the day, has allowed me to begin making my dreams my reality. I get to explore the world.

EXPLORING BELGIUM

Belgium is about the same size as Maryland, but it has three official languages: Flemmish/Dutch, French, and German.

When I was in the Flanders (Flemish speaking region), the ticketing agent at the train station gave me a slight glare when I spoke to her in French – oops. I thought French would be more polite than English, but that’s not the case. If you’re in a Flemish speaking region, you speak Flemish and if you’re in a French-speaking region, you speak French… even if all of the languages are official in all of the regions.  The only place both Dutch and French fly is in Brussels – where everything is bilingual, including the road signs.

My first stop in Belgium was Bruges to visit Brigit, one of my college roommates. Bruges was beautiful and seeing a familiar face was nice, too! The city center is a UNESCO world heritage site; Gothic architecture from the medieval times made me feel like I was walking through a different time.

 

Brigit was off to Geneva, and I was going to explore Brussels.  In such a small country, I was lucky enough to have two hosts! Pieter, who stayed with my family in Minnesota for a few days while touring with Up With People, greeted me at the train station in Brussels.  Guidebooks can give you a good idea of how to get around a city, but nothing compares to exploring with a local.

 
The Smurfs are from Belgium!

Manneken Pis (“Little man pee”) was much smaller than I expected. Here he was also dressed up for a holiday of some sort!

Grand Place – Grote Markt

Parc de Bruxelles (left) is surrounded by a number of important places in Brussels, including the Belgian Parliament, Palace of Justice, and the Royal Palace.

Approaching the European Parliament

Belgian Mailbox

A wooden escalator.

Bonne Nuit Brussels.

We went up to Antwerp for a day and were greeted by the pouring rain.  We wandered when it picked up a bit and ducked in and out of cafes to avoid the worst of it.

Arriving at the Antwerp train station – one of the most beautiful in Europe!

A peak inside the station.

The rain got to be a bit much at this point, so we stopped for waffles…

Waffles, beer, and beer cheese.

Dries Van Noten: A Belgian fashion designer. We did a little admiring.

Thank you Brigit and Pieter for a wonderful time!