The Luck of the Irish!

Sorry for the late update, I've been super busy planning out the details for our trip to Denmark next weekend!  Everything is officially booked and I am super excited, especially considering now I can start planning out my little Noodle's visit (which I am even more super excited about)!

But back to the update... St Patrick's Day in Brussels was a BLAST!  Dustin and I arrived in Brussels late that afternoon and John and Amy arrived shortly after us.  We were pleasantly surprised at how nice the hotel was, considering the last hotel we stayed in was one of those that you do NOT take off your shoes!  While John and Amy were getting ready, we decided to have a drink in the hotel lobby.  Then it was off to dinner!

Having a drink in the hotel lobby

John and Amy have all boys so they are always down for something quick and easy to eat, but I still cannot force myself to eat at one of the fast food shawarma places.  Theres just something about looking at this big hunk of meat on a rotisserie and watching the sweaty guy shave off slices of oily meat that I find totally unappetizing!  Luckily Dustin knows me well enough to quickly come up with a plan B and recommend a nice little restaurant.  The food was delicious and I definitely enjoyed the quiet time before heading out to celebrate with the crowd.

Outside of the Restaurant

 After dinner we met up with some more friends and headed off to O'Reilly's Irish Pub.  They were PACKED and weren't letting anyone else in, so we were referred to their Irish disco bar two doors down.  I don't know if I would call it Irish, but we definitely had a great time.  Although I do feel like an old lady going out here as the places are filled with 16 year olds.

Happy St Patricks Day from Brussels

I had planned on meeting up with my friend, Maggie, and she luckily had snagged a table outside at O'Reilly's, so while the rest of our group was finishing up their drinks we headed over to hang out with her and her boyfriend for a little bit.  Then it was off to the next place, and the next, and the next.... and so the night went on!

We eventually ended up at Delirium which was a blast!  But I have to admit, it wasn't too long before the European stinch started to get to me... if you know what I mean!  A group of crowded drunks, dancing, in a hot bar, without deodorant is not the most pleasant experience!

The boys at Delirium

After we decided to leave we met up with another group of our friends at another Irish Pub.  They were all out celebrating one of the guy's birthdays.  After a few more pubs we eventually ended up back at Delirium with them... whew I was super tired by then!  Let's just say that is Dustin and I learned 2 major lessons:

1. Our group of friends don't mix too well here!
2. Its not a good idea to try to meet up with 3 groups of people doing 3 different things in 1 night!

 The next morning we ran in to another couple we are friends with, Beaux and Oana, as we were headed out of the hotel to find lunch.  They were doing the same so we all went down to the Grand Place for lunch.  It was delicious and it was great to hang out with a couple that is closer to our age.

BEAUTIFUL Day in Brussels!

Dustin and I spent the rest of the early afternoon walking around, shopping for some "Easter Happies" for our favorite little guys (Peyton, Spencer, & Emma), and of course a Starbucks run!

I always enjoy guessing how the Starbuck's barista will interpret our name...
Dandon = Dustin :)

We eventually had to leave our Irish get away to run the usual Sunday errands!  Just hope your St. Patty's Day was as fun and eventful as ours!

My First Belgian St Patrick's Day!

Happy St Patrick's Day... the day that I totally take advantage of the last name "McDonald" without mentioning my majority German heritage!

As Dustin works on his schoolwork I whipped up a quick St Patty's Day breakfast... Shamrock Pancakes!

St Patty's Day Breakfast: Shamrock Pancakes, Bacon, & a Banana
(Promise the pancakes aren't as burnt as they looks, just whole wheat pancakes)

We're headed up to Brussels shortly to celebrate St Patrick's Day with a bunch of friends which I am quite excited about.  They have awesome Irish pubs there.  So I am sure I will have lots to share with you, but to start your weekend off with a little smile I found a article on Eupedia.com that I wanted to share: "You Know You've Been In Belgium Too Long When..."

I love living in Belgium, but everywhere has its perks and faults so I'm not totally hating, but this might give you a good idea of what life is like here and hopefully a few giggles :)

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Here Comes the Sun!

My apologies for the slacking lately, things have been pretty crazy over here.  But the beginning of this week I was determined to start back up again.  That is until the sun came!  The sun?!  What is that?

I have learned to appreciate any day that isn't drowned with a cold drizzle of rain all day, but when Dustin and I came out of mass on Sunday we were greeted by a bright blue sky and blinded by a bright shining sun.  This called for an immediate re-planning of the day's plans.  We could not waste the precious sun-filled day!

The Blue Sky in the Grand Place!

We headed home so I could make a big French toast breakfast and Dustin could finish up some school work.  Of course all four large windows were open to give us a taste of the beautiful weather.  Then we met up with some friends at the Brocante (fancy name here for a flea market) in Ath, before finishing the day with some drinks in the Grand Place.

He was confused by the weather too! 

Monday led to even more procrastinating and sun filled days, so Tuesday I had to get some shopping done for our apartment.  I am truly enjoying the freedom of having my own car here and I think I am a much better solo furniture shopper than when I have a partner.  My trip to Ikea resulted in 2 light fixtures, picture frames, pots for the porch, and dining room chairs.  All for only $315 Euros.... I'd say thats a success!

Beautiful Flowers to Dustin brought me... I think Spring is here!

Today I was delightfully greeted by another sunny, blue skied day.  I think hell froze over?!  I mean Brussels is the 5th wettest city in Europe and it doesn't storm here so that means it just drizzles rain ALL the time!  Three days of amazing weather in Belgium is not a likely thing.  Dustin even asked me if I thought kids here grew up thinking the sky was grey and I would not be surprised if they did!