Leuven Lovin'

      So I have FINALLY survived finals and can truly enjoy my last few weeks in Europe! Hallelujah! I had two oral finals, both confusing philosophy nonetheless, that stood between me and summer, but I made it! #TG Now that I can soak up every last second of my time in Belgium, the whole crew has been trying to take advantage!
     I brought a BJ's size box of Aunt Jemima pancake mix back to Belgie on my last trip so I could share good 'ole American pancakes with my unit. All of the pancakes here are sooooo thin, so I figured I'd spread the love. It is important to note that everyone loved them and the huge box was gone in less than a week....

Stipe and I making breakfast!
Don't forget the chocolate chips! 

      Last week we went to the Stella Factory aka the AB In Bev Brewery (in which the AB stands fro Anheuser Busch, which In Bev bought out a few years ago). It was MASSIVE and very cool to see because we saw the actual equiptment putting out thousands and thousands of liters of stella, jupiler, and kriek just to name a few. We had to wear these awesome safety vests as well, and you all now how much I adore neon! #winning

Candy is ready to go!

Pipes on pipes on pipes.

Emy & I at the tour!

Candy, Cait (dare to be different...), Steffi, and I
 enjoy the freshest Stella we will ever taste!

      The day after the Stella Tour we all came together to take DH, Sue, and Christel out to dinner. They have always been there for us throughout the year, so we thought this was the least we could do. It ended up being a wonderful evening and I think everyone really enjoyed themselves! We went to Notre Dame, a restaraunt in Leuven known for their Belgian/French cuisine, it was lovely!

Dinner at Notre Dame

Christel, DH, Sue and I after dinner. 

 

All the Americans in the huis, please stand up. 

 As the year comes to a close, there are a lot of things that are coming to an end. This past year I have babysat for a first grader named Amelie. She was born in the U.S., but now lives with her parents in Belgium. I have picked her up from school and played with her a few days a week. It has been really fun for me, and a great way for Amelie to keep her English. They are such a wonderful family and invited me for a goodbye-dinner at a local restaurant. There are so many wonderful people that I have met who have really made this year special!   

Amelie and I at dinner. 

          The Euro 2012 tournament is taking place and it has been a lot of fun hanging out in the old market watching all the games. Since Belgium isn't in the running, the Netherlands seems to be the team drawing the biggest crowds. My friends and I went to watch a few of the games and it is great to see so much spirit in the fans, because that is one thing I certainly miss about out American sports!

Go Holland!

Beautiful summer sky outside the huis.

    Of course, I also have been watching Ireland play, but it has been a bit of a struggle. They played against Spain yesterday, and it didn't go very well...granted Spain IS the reigning world champ-- But for me, it is all about the fun of the games! I will continue to watch to see who comes home with the big win! I will be traveling to Portugal and Spain next week, so I am excited to see how Euro 2012 is in other countries! Ciao for now!

       

This isn't my first rodeo.

So shortly after I got settled back in Leuven, I had some visitors! Ciara and Dad made the transatlantic trek to go on their own Eurotrip! They were supposed to land early on Monday morning, but with some heavy fog...they had to make a pitstop in Frankfurt, Germany. #casual  But in the end, they made it to me, safe and sound! I spent the day showing them around Leuven and than we went into Brussels to spend the night. It is funny because the only time I go into Brussels is when I have visitors, so I am certainly a tourist myself in that city.

Belgian waffles and Mannekin Pis, typical Brussels!

   My Dad's good friend Jack is originally from Heerlan, Holland, and he coincidently happened to be over here for his annual trip back home. He picked us up and we spent the night in his hometown. My Dad REALLY enjoyed this, we went to the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Maastricht. It was really am amazing thing to see. There is so much history all over Europe, and I am just barely scraping the surface with my year abroad. After driving around the countryside for a while, soaking up the beautiful scenery, we headed back to Heerlan for the night. 

     

I think its safe to say, Dad enjoyed himself! Prost!

After our time in Heerlan, we headed back to Leuven for the huis end of the year BBQ. Its crazy that this 10 month trip is coming to a close, but it was great that Ciara and Dad got to meet all of the people who I have been living with this past year.

Loyola Nachbahr Huis 2011-2012
Can you find me?!

 

The 3 of us at the BBQ. 

On Friday we woke up and headed to Paris! We had big plans for our 2 days, so we had to be efficient! The sights on Friday, and Disneyland Paris on Saturday. Yes, I already was there, but Ciara really wanted to go as well, and I couldn't blame her! We even convinced my Dad to come and go on all the rides! So in Paris we obviously saw Mona at the Louvre, went to the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, ...all the "touristy" things. It was my third visit to Paris, so as my Dad always says...'It wasn't my first rodeo!'

Ciara and I in front of Notre Dame

Dad and Ciara in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle in Disneyland Paris.

   After Paris, we were headed to Amsterdam! After some difficulties and delays with the trains...we eventually made it! It was my fourth time to Amsterdam, but I suppose there is a fourth time for everything! I really wanted Ciara to see the sights, since she had never been. We went to the Anne Frank Huis, but I didn't go in this time, I thought that might be a little excessive. We walked along the canals, through the Red Light District (#classy), and the list goes on!

Dad and I at the Heineken Experience!

Ciara and I beside one of the canals.

We were really lucky because we had lovely weather! it was a great trip and I was so glad I was able to travel with them. We headed back to Leuven for their last full day.

Dad loves his spaghetti bolognese! He may have mentioned it once or twice...

       

Ciara and I outside De Werf cafe in Leuven after lunch. 

I was very sad to see them leave, but its finals time! Boooo. But I suppose it was great while it lasted! I'll be in Leuven for the next few weeks studying my life away...oh how excited philosophy is! (#not) But i'll do my best! Tot ziens!

Just Touched Down in London Town!

           So two days after stepping off a plane from the U.S.A. I was on a bus heading to London. Yes, you can take a bus to London. I've been asked that a lot, but you also actually have to take a ferry or go in the underground tunnel. I was lucky enough to experience both, just to see how it really works! On the trip to London, after going through passport control for both the UK and France (those people don't mess around, they were extremely intense...) our bus was put into this huge train, to than enter the Euro Tunnel. If you are claustrophobic, I wouldn't recommend. We were in there for about 45 minutes, and you are sitting on the bus with a bunch of people, in a train car, in a tunnel, underground, under water....it was a bit unnerving, but I survived! On the way back, although it was a little less pleasant at this point because it was 4 am, we actually put our bus onto a ferry and had to get off and sit in the lounge area for the 95 minute ride. I was glad I got to see how it all worked, and I was even happier to make it to London! So back to my trip....

Hitching a ride on the night bus...

       We arrived on Thursday in the afternoon and it was quite rainy. Shocking, I know, you would never expect rain in England! But anyway, we didn't do much, just got settled and tried to plan out our next few days, and we were lucky enough to get beautiful weather for them! Friday we were visiting the Warner Bros. set of Harry Potter, that was the underlying reason for our trip to London, I couldn't pass it up! Harry Potter was really such a phenomenon and it was so much fun to see the behind the scenes movie magic! It was funny to think that last summer Ciara, James and I went into NYC to the Discovery Time Square Harry Potter Exhibit to see all the props, never even imagining I would get to go to the ACTUAL studio. I really can't believe my life sometimes, but I don't hate it!
        We were able to see the Great Hall, walk down Diagon Alley, see so many props and costumes, and we were shown how the crew made everything seem so life-like, it was really awesome. I also got to walk up to 4 Privet Drive, and casually sip Butter Beer as I took in all the scenery.

4 Privet Drive, aka where Harry used to live. #casual

      We also had the opportunity to learn how they filmed the flying scenes on the broom, and since I was there I figured I would give it a try! YOLO!

Flying over Hogwarts, NBD.

              After spending a good 4 hours taking everything in, we figured it was time to head back to the city. It was the evening by than so we just did some more sight seeing and rested up for tomorrow. On Saturday Chloe and I decided to take a trip to Stonehenge because it was always something that I have heard about, and since I was so close, I couldn't pass up the opportunity! It was about a 2 hour bus ride, but luckily we hooked up with a tour company that droves us there and back, to avoid the struggles of taking the train and than have issues getting to the actual site. We were lucky because it was such a beautiful day! We saw people paragliding over the stones from 3000 B.C., obviously... We had an audio guide and spent about 2 hours learning about all the history and myths. It was a really fun time and it is a place I will never forget! 

Stonehenge Rocks! (pun intended)

It was such a beautiful day! 

            On Saturday with our extra free time, Chloe and I hit a few other big spots in London. We visited Buckingham Palace to holla at the Queen, and than strut our stuff on Abbey Road.

Doing what I do best...fakin' it til I make it!
Abbey Road

            Sunday was out last day in London, so we had to make the most of it! We pretty much walked all over the city, with our sights on the London Bridge. When I actually found it, I was a bit underwhelmed. It was really just a bridge...nothing special, but luckily the gorgeous Tower Bridge was not too far away, so that made up for it!

The girls in front of the Tower Bridge.

I came about 75 days too early! There were a lot of renovations going on throughout the city, and I'm sure it is because they are getting ready to host the summer Olympics! So exciting!

Near the Tower Bridge they had a huge fold-out of all the significant events in sports leading up to the Olympics. It was really cool, and I even found Judo on there---shoutouttttt Dad!

         I also stopped by the National Gallery to see some Van Gogh's (casually while I still can),  walked to Westminster Abbey, saw Big Ben, Shakespeare's Globe Theater, Downing Street (shoutouttttt Mom!), and the list goes on! I really had such a fabulous time and  I was sad to see the weekend come to a close, but as I have said many times before--all good things must come to an end. It was time to head back to Leuven, and get back to reality (I am using that word very loosely...). I have four 15-page papers and lots of studying to do. Contrary to popular belief, I do actually go to school here, and its crunch time! 

Cheers!

But don't worry, next week Ciara and Dad are coming to Belgie! So I don't have much time to get my act together! So excited!!!!!

Pit Stop: U.S.A.

       So after a busy bit of traveling, I had an important agenda... get back to New York for @ColMeCrayCray's First Communion! #twittergeneration

       I had a 10am flight out of Brussels, getting me to JFK around noon EST on Thursday. It was great to be back! There really is no place like home, so it was great to see Uncle Denis and Maeve waiting to give me a lift from the airport. It was just a normal day in the McCullagh household, Mom busy with the kids, Dad at work, Ciara at Hopkins, and James & Col at school. I went to Colleen's Irish Dancing class, James's v-ball game, a run around NHP and any other "everyday activity,"  just because I could!

I was heading to Baltimore in the morning,
but not before helping Col prepare for her Crazy Pajama Party!

      I was back on the Bolt Bus cruising down to Baltimore, excited to see Ciara, Shayne, and all my other friends! Although, it was weird heading back to Charm City prematurely.

Ciara & I at the Loyola vs. Hopkins
Men's Lax game at Ridley. 

         I tried to split my time between Loyola and Hopkins to see everyoneeee, but it was quite difficult! I spent Friday with Ciara and headed to Loyola for Saturday. 

Delia, Carolyn, Shayne & I. 

          On Sunday, the rest of the fam headed down to Balty for Ciara's end of the year basketball banquet. It was really nice to have everyone together again! We had a wonderful lunch down at the Inner Harbor. Its still hard for me to believe Ciara is down in Baltimore for school too now!

#MadHopz
Pun, intended.

It was a bit sunny, but you get the idea!

       After a great weekend in Baltimore, we headed back to New York to get set for Col's Communion.                               She was so excited and it was great to be there for it!
         We had a party after to celebrate and we invited a bunch of our family and friends. I was so lucky I got to see so many people during my short time home!

The Communicants, John & Colleen.
#presh

Getting ready for freeze dance!

       As my time home dwindled, I got all ready to head back to Belgium! I can't believe how fast the time has flown this year, less than 2 months left in Leuven. # ThatShitCrayyyyy

                           I'll leave you with this beyond-angelic picture of my darling sister...

Back to Belgie I go, for 2 days...and than LONDON BABY!

Denmark and Sweden. #CantStopWontStop

We have landed!

        So after a short 3 day "break," back in Leuven, Chloe and I packed our bags again and hopped on a flight to Copenhagen, Denmark. I had heard wonderful things about this city, and I wanted to see them for myself! I was very excited because Hans Christian Anderson is from Copenhagen, and I am all about a magical setting!  #DisneyLover

The Little Mermaid and I!
(Or the Den lille havfrue, as it is in Danish)

There was just a wonder feel of fantasy as you walked around the city. There were so many statues of fairies, and so many beautiful flowers in bloom. I really had a smile on my face the whole weekend.

Just magical!

Pit stop at the Carlsberg Brewery? I think yes. 

We had a jam-packed day, so after the brewery we headed over to the Tivoli Gardens, or how many locals call it "The Disneyland of Denmark."

There I am outside of the Tivoli Gardens!

So we stayed with my friend Julie, who is spending the semester in Copenhagen. She was off traveling for most of the weekend, but she let us know that Sweden was only a 30 minute train-ride away...so we had to make a day-trip! Did you know that Sweden is where IKEA and H&M all started? Those Swedish don't mess around!

Having some fun outside an authentic Swedish IKEA!

Swedish meatballs? Yes, please.

Oh look! H & M!

Malmo, Sweden

So many lovely flowers!

Back to the airport for a cozy night to catch our 6am flight back to Brussels!

           Denmark and Sweden were absolutely wonderful! Chloe and I had a great weekend, but the time had come for us to head home. This is even meant to be taken literally for me, because I am heading back to the states for 10 days to attend my favorite 8 year olds communion! Can't wait to see the fam!