Doe- a Deer, a Female Deer

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Here's the lowdown on my week:

Took my French test...I think it went well! J'mappelle Mallory. J'habite a Bruxelles. Je ne parle pas Francais (translation: I'm Mallory. I live in Brussels. I don't speak French. haha).

On Friday I met an AMERICAN for lunch who used to work with my Dad. A true sign of my Belgian-ness was that I effectively used public transportation to get to her house and didn't get lost or confused!

Yesterday was a trip to Antwerp (again), but this time with our lovely tour guide and the rest of my European Studies class. It was FREEZING and snowing again (wierd weather for Belgium, but snow follows me everywhere! Can't seem to help it haha).
One of the highlights of the trip was arriving in Antwerp Central station because 1) The architecture is beautiful but 2) because there is a youtube video of people breaking out in dance to "Do-Re-Mi" from "The Sound of Music" and it's was in the ANTWERP CENTRAL STATION! Was also informed later that there was some sort of Belgian reality TV show to find the best Maria for the musical here. The picture I've included with this post is of Heidi and I "recreating" the youtube video in the Central Station. haha.
The second highlight was the Plantin-Moretus museum, a place I did not get to see on my first visit. Christophe Plantine was the founder of the printing press in Belgium in the 16th century, so the museum contained all kinds of old books dating back to the founding of the printing press. It also had several old printing presses on display and a GUTENBERG BIBLE, one of the first books published in Europe with the help of the printing press. Very cool. The house was also extremely old, which added to the experience, but also made it very loud (Try walking on squeaky floorboards from room to room with 30 people).

Today is the first major day of the Carnival celebration in Europe (although the festiivities technically started last Tuesday, when it is tradition to have crepes for dinner- a tradition I experienced first had with my host family!). The weather, unfortunately, is not conducive to outdoor festivities (as it is snowing again), but I will still probably be attending a parade later this afternoon. I will also be heading to Cologne, Germany, for the final festivities of Carnival. I can't wait!