Today I slept all day. I was so stressed out (minor depression) that I didn't do a damn thing all day. I simply sat on the couch, lounged on the couch, ate a bit, and then did some more blank stares into a white corner of our walls in the apartment.

By the time Eva came home, she was sure that I was somewhat unstable and she begged me to come along with her to England for the weekend. Just after we found a ticket to come along with her on the Eurostar train, just after we had somehow decided that the money situation would be ok even if I went along, the ticket was gone. Due in part to transportation strikes in France, everyone and their mother was coming to Brussels to get trains to England. It was official only a half-hour before she left, that I wasn't going to go. We were both sad about it, though inside I knew it was better for me if I stayed here and worked my weekend away. I was bound to be productive after a day like I had had.

She left, and I went up to meet Joris for his birthday night-out with some of his friends. I hadn't eaten much during the day, and as the night wore on and on, it seemed we were destined for a long night. I got caught up in conversation with one of his friends, Nick, and after everyone else left, the three of us moved on to another bar where the beers are only €1.15. No joke! Totally amazing! Nick and I decided on a Duval each (also a steal) and mid-way through the drink I decided that Joris's head was floating in the bright blue wall behind him. Thankfully Nick accidentally ashed in his beer, and I offered him the rest of mine. I took a coffee.

Later we grabbed some fritjes and goodies and consequently 5 more beer from the frituur (not 5 each, but 5 in total) and headed down to the Schelde, where the Harbor tour boats leave which is right on the water. A gorgeous night talking about everything in the perfect Antwerp setting of Schelde, fritjes, and Jupiler cans. We then headed back through town and sat outside of a closing Irish pub, walked Nick to a crossroads where we parted ways, and then Joris and I went home.

I t seemed to me that the first night without Eva went better than planned. It was our first attempt at her being away from Belgium and my staying there, and I daresay it was a great beginning of a weekend without her. (not that every night without her needs to be accompanied with beer and boys!) ha ha ha

I crawled into bed at 6:30 and Eva called me a little later, just when I was off to sleep.

IN THE NEWS:
The militant Islamic group Hamas said Friday it broke off talks with Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas on ending attacks on Israelis, in a strong challenge to peace pledges he made at a U.S.-led summit.