Zelzate is for lovers

     I know Valentine's Day is dreaded holiday for most people, even those who aren't single, but it was actually one of the first holidays that has been truly enjoyable for me and Jan. No fighting, good food, and I even got my laptop back after nine months of waiting. I needed a day like yesterday.

     It has been a roller coaster ride since moving to Belgium. Some days are good and some days I truly wonder what the hell I am doing here. On Wednesday I had a huge setback to getting my residency sorted out. After months of following up, doing as I am told, and dealing with apathetic bureaucrats, I was told that I have to start all over again. Luckily, my husband is used to dealing with this sort of crap. Unluckily I am not. I wanted to reach over the counter and strangle this evil woman. She has done nothing but be rude and has barely communicated anything to me, while "helping" me get my residency papers. She actually started laughing at me when I was trying to explain that she had said I had until March to get all my paperwork finished. I then asked her to please call my husband to notify him of what was happening. She said, "It is not my job to call your husband."I reminded her that since he is included in all my paperwork and is the reason I am applying for residency, that yes, in fact she is legally required to notify him. Really??? How little could she give a shit about her responsibilities. And this is just the latest incident where she didn't follow through and do her job properly. Blerghhh.... I thought if one more snot faced person pushed my buttons I was going to take the hint and leave. I can't express how different it has been for me living in Belgium and living in Korea. It is not that I am here to bash on Belgium. I just think that any country after Korea was going to have big boots to fill. Or maybe I am just being nice. I have tried ten times harder to assimilate here than I ever did in Korea. I even changed the way I hold my utensils!! This is becoming ridiculous. I think the best thing to do is to really stop caring so much if people like me or not, if am being culturally sensitive enough. Trying to break the stereotype of being an asshole American. Who cares?? I need to stand up for myself.

                             

I'm here. I'm American...

  


Okay enough ranting and raving! I feel better. Let's get me legal and get a job.

Belle doesn't mind Belgium.