for lunch... Waffles...and for supper... chocolates...

... isn't Belgium wonderful? Well, we went to Antwerp today and it was great! I might just decide to live here... it's so nice. I just have to say that all my life in North America eating "Belgium waffles" has been a very mean and nasty trick. I am now ruined forever for fake waffles. It was SO good. I won't bother to try to describe it but it made anything in North America taste like cardboard. We also walked around the city, saw a lot of neat buildings and walked around (and took an obscene amount of pictures) in this amazingly huge cathedral. Yeah well, just thought make you all jealous since I have some time on my hands.

new continent....

Just a quick note to say that I arrived safe and sound in the Netherlands yesterday. I was lucky to have 2 seats to myself on the long flight from Tana to Paris so sleeping was a bit easier. Now I'm hanging out with my friend Heather from home and I'm a bit overwhelmed by the fact that I'm in Europe and there's a lot I'd like to do and see, but not much time. We're going to Antwerp today and will probably spend some time in London and Amsterdam as well. And also do some stuff around here. She lives in this really nice little village - not what I was expecting. I was thinking town, but this... not so much. got to run, I'll post more pictures when I get home.

at the lookout again

cute kiddos

one of the geysers at Ampefy

The bridge we had to cross to get to the geysers

lookout over the lake

The waterfall at Ampefy

hanging out in Ampefy

where we stayed at the rain forest

friendly little guy

ring tailed lemur

finally an update...

Well, I guess it’s about time for an update. Let’s see… last week, my brother and 2 of his kids and I went to the rain forest to check out the lemurs and other sights. We stayed at a motel that was a bit chilly, but the scenery was quite nice. They have beautiful poinsettia trees here. Well, we saw the lemurs – there are some that jump right on your shoulders and maybe even venture onto you head. That was fun. Also we went canoeing to another little island where we say some ring tailed lemurs – also very cool. After that we say crocodiles, a chameleon, and other assorted animals. The drive there (and naturally, back) was crazy – extremely windy with continuous hairpin turns. Great for motion sickness! We came back on Thursday and then on Friday all of us (brother, sister in law and 4 kids) left for Ampefy. They had never been there before so I was glad that they could have a new experience as well. It was a lot of fun. This was more a place where Malagasies would go for a vacation or to sight see. There’s a really nice waterfall to see and we walked out to it with a whole bunch of people from the area – probably school groups. So we saw the waterfalls, some small geysers, and drove up to this really nice look out and view of a lake. Oh, when we were walking out to see the geysers, we had to cross this bridge that seemed very high (not sure how high it actually was) over the croc infested water – a narrow bridge with nothing on the sides except those post things every so far. On the way back across, it seemed to move more and I was carrying a 3 year old. When we got across, some of us were shaking quite a bit… a good experience now that it’s over. The room I was staying in had a little flood problem which added an interesting element to the trip. All in all, it was a lot of fun. Well, what else… I was going to go with Matthew to the coast this week, but that trip got cancelled. So we’re hanging out here and having a relaxing time.

Back yard picnic

Another cute niece

Story time with the cat

Cute nieces - they were so cooperative for this photo shoot. Having a lot of fun with them!

Me flying the airplane - actually, I have this phobia of being a small plane and the pilot suddenly having a heart attack or aneurism or something, and having to land the thing. So he was trying to give me some pointers, but I'm pretty sure it would have been game over.

Mandritsara again - so many people watched the plane land and all the action

At Madritsara picking someone up

One the way to the village

more rambling

I guess it’s about time for an update. These pics might be a bit out of order… anyway, life is good here. A couple days ago I went to the souvenir market with Rhonda. It was a bit overwhelming, but I wasn’t attempting to make any decisions the first time. Yesterday I was able to go flying with Matthew. We went to one village and dropped off some people, then went on to another village where he picked up a lady who needed medical attention. It was interesting to see all the people in the village coming to see her off. We saw some great scenery as well. Tomorrow we are headed to the rain forest for a couple days and after that we are going to a place I can’t spell that is supposed to be very beautiful and has nice waterfalls and the like. Next week sometime I think I’m going on an overnight trip with Matthew to the coast. So, that’s what’s happening here. Oh, today we went to a very nice French restaurant and went downtown. It’s all so interesting – seeing different ways of living, driving, etc.

At a village I flew to with my brother

Hi from Madagascar

Well, I did arrive safe and relatively sound Wednesday evening. It was SO good to get here and get off the plane. Travel was mostly uneventful other than some minor luggage irritations and a carry on that was too big for me to maneuver with any grace whatsoever. I almost hit a guy on the head when I was trying to get in the overhead storage thing once. The plane ride from Paris to Mad. was endless and I kept feeling really sorry for Matthew and Rhonda having to make this trip with kids. Customs and immigration went smoothly. I'm missing one suitcase which should be here tonight. Yesterday was a gorgeous day here. I drove around with Rhonda and it was neat to see some of the city. Other than that we've just been relaxing, catching up, and I'm enjoying the kiddos. We are making some plans to go places so I'll keep you updated.

going....going....GONE

No, not me, it was my friend riding the train today. I only wish you all could have seen it for yourselves. We're in Chicago killing time until my flight leaves tomorrow. So we took the train (and other assorted modes of transportation) to Navy Pier this evening. One train was particularly full and also quite lurchy. We were forced to stand and at one nasty lurch, she went flying and landed in the lap of the guy sitting behind us. Well, she liked that so much, she decided to try to repeatedly land there a couple more lurches throughout the duration of the ride. I must say, it WAS nearly impossible to stay on one's feet, but she was struggling to a much greater extent than anyone else. This little display was so hilarious. I'm sure you had to be there. But we got off that train and laughed ourselves silly. It's still fun just think to about it. Much more fun for me than for her of course. Okay, I'm off to get some rest before the big day tomorrow. Oh, Navy Pier was nice once we finally got there - we went for a little boat tour and had a nice view of the city.

consumerism in this country is outta control!

I went to Walmart sometime this evening - can't remember what time exactly, but do know that I left the store at 10:00 - but still had to park practically in the next county. Everyone and their brother seemed to be out and about...

Since I'm lacking inspiration...

This is compliments of my sister in law Rhonda's blog. I think she said others were free to use it... so come on all you other bloggers out there - this is fun stuff!

What were you doing 10 years ago?
In high school and working part time at the local day care.

What were you doing 5 years ago?
Trying to balance! I believe I had just started working at the bank in Red Lake. Can't believe that was 5 years ago!

What were you doing 1 year ago?
Taking summer classes, working a bit, and biking like a banchee in anticipation of the MS Tram in MN the end of June

What were you doing yesterday?
Shopping for endless hours...

5 snacks you enjoy
Anything with salt (such as chips except salt and vinegar and all dressed)
Anything with sugar (not quite true)
fruit
cereal
carrots (yeah right - I just added that because I needed 5)

5 songs you know all the words to
Old McDonald had a farm
How Deep the Father's Love for Us
The Cow Song (well we were on our way to the Jr. prom...)
They're Coming to take me Away (remember when you ran away and I got on my knees and begged you NOT to leave because I'd go beserk?...)
It's Good to be Alive (and others)

5 things you would do if you had a million dollars
Start some type of fund for people who want to adopt kids from 3rd world countries but can't afford it
Pay off my school loans
Visit Australia and tour Europe
Buy a laptop
Support random causes and people

5 things you like (that's sort of a weird question)
My family and friends (duh)
The euphoric feeling that accompanies getting something done that I've been dreading
traveling
sleeping in
swimming

5 bad habbits
Starting a bunch of sentences without finishing any of them (brain works faster than mouth on occasion)
Arriving slightly late (usually only when I'm not getting paid or graded)
Letting junk pile up in my room
Buying CDs for one song that I really like
Buying stuff I think I really like, want, or need, getting it home, and realizing I was very wrong

5 things you would never wear again
enormous scrunchies
high tops
ohhhh, far too many things to list, I'm having bad mental pictures so I'm going to move on...

5 favorite toys
Digital camera
computer/Internet
Scrapbooking stuff
Bike
DVD player (?)

Hope you enjoyed that little ditty. My roommate is gone now so the house is actually a comfortable temperature. I can remain indoors without needing wool socks and five sweaters. That' s about it. I'm leaving in 3 days! (but who's counting?)