Monday, February 6, 2012

Wait, I’m getting fatter...this isn’t supposed to happen!

January 23, 2012
I came to Europe for multiple reasons. One of my big motivations was to once again lose weight, like I did over the summer in Spain. I figured Europeans tend to be smaller, therefore Europe, in general, must offer an overall healthier lifestyle. No one told me that Belgium was the absolute WRONG country to move to if weight loss was one of my goals. Not only are they known for their WAFFLES and CHOCOLATE, but they are also huge in the industry of BEER and FRENCH FRIES. That is the worst four-some of culinary delightfulness a country could offer, in terms of weight loss. And I have fully been enjoying them in the few weeks I have been here. 
Therefore, beginning this week, I have decided to reign myself back in and start focusing on health. I don’t really have anywhere to work out yet, since there are always people in the house and I am not a fan of having an audience while I awkwardly sweat my way through a workout DVD. Hopefully my “au pair suite” will be completed soon, and I can begin then. Until then, I guess I have to give up the wonderful waffles, chocolate, beer, and fries.....or get over my pride and work out even with people in the house. Hm, I wonder which side of that choice will actually win this war? 


******UPDATE*******
Feb. 6
Since writing this post (which I am just now publishing, because I am a slacker), I have fallen ill. I mean REALLY ill. I spent this past wednesday (Feb. 1) vomiting and being feverish. That on top of the cold I have been nurturing since I arrived sent my poor body over the edge. Thanks to the magical stomach shrinking effects of vomiting combined with the horrible side effects of Augmentin antibiotics, I think I have lost a few pounds! Sure, it wasn't done the right way or the healthy way, but I definitely didn't do this to myself. So I think I'll take the weight loss and build on it! Work outs just might commence tomorrow. Or my fast from waffles, chocolate, and beer. (Come on, if you know me, you know that telling me to avoid potatoes is like telling the Pope to not read the Bible...NOT going to happen). 

Friday, oh Friday, wherefore art thou Friday?

January 22, 2012
The weekends cannot get here fast enough! Don’t get me wrong, I love the family I am working for, and spending time with the kids throughout the week is great, albeit tiring. But, in the weekends I get to explore! I am loving it! I haven’t been too many places yet, since I haven’t been here very long, but I had the great pleasure two weekends ago to travel to Brugge, a very old city in Flanders (the Flemish region). Vince had class that day, so his mom took me on a wonderful tour of this lovely old city, which is completely protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. More on that in another post later. 
This past weekend I was with Vince in Koekolare, a small Flemish town. He had a wrestling event, and it was the first time I have been able to see him wrestle live and in person. Actually, it was my first EVER time attending a wrestling event of any kind. I’ve never much been in to the whole wrestling thing. I would even say that I disliked wrestling the most of all sports. The theatrics of the WWE never did appeal to me and I found them quite ridiculous. I mean really, its a bunch of grown men in outfits that are way too tight throwing each other around inside of a ring (which is actually square and not round like the name would suggest). What’s the awesomeness in that? The outfits alone sometimes are enough to make the cringe. But people apparently love it.

So, of course, I would meet and fall in love with one of the VERY few Belgians who actually participate in the sport. It wasn’t as bad as I was expecting, though! Dare I say, I actually enjoyed it. I went early to watch them warm up and prepare for the big event, and seeing everything come together in the ring was kinda neat, in a weird way. After seeing all of the behind the scenes happenings and getting some inside knowledge on how it all works, I have a bit more respect for the technical aspects of the sport. A lot goes into it, actually. Don’t judge me for somewhat-liking wrestling. I guess I can’t complain, it does keep my man happy and looking fit ;-) So of course I support him in it! 
I can actually see myself really getting into helping and supporting him in his wrestling. Sadly, I have already begun playing around with ideas for a logo for him to use for his character, Vinny Fuego. Who knows? Maybe I’ll find myself ring-side one day. But, for now, I’ll stay in the crowd, cheering loudly and proudly ;-) But, if you would like to help me in supporting Vince in his wrestling, find him on Facebook- Vinny Fuego.