Octobre

I have done so much this month, looking back it blows my mind! Last friday was La Fête de l'École and I had a great time. I did "Blind Test" with the friends in my school and it was really fun. This is when you listen to music and simply write down the names and artists of the songs and the group with the most correct answers wins! Obviously I was a bit useless for the Belgian and French music, but we won regardless! Afterwards there were different activities to watch and after 5 o'clock different bands started playing. The weirdest thing ever happened though... they sold beer at school! It really blows my mind sometimes, how the school is strict but somethings are so much mess strict than back home. There was a man from my Rotary club there because his wife is a teacher at school, and he was incredibly amused at the reactions of the exchange students by the fact that they were selling beer. It was so strange! Not to mention some of the teachers had a little bit too much to drink.. aha! The last band was really good as well, and Justine and I will go see them again this friday after school. I am very much looking forward to it!

Last weekend was a dream come true! I spent the weekend in Paris with my host family, and it could not have been better! The hotel was right in the center of Paris, and I just loved sharing a room with my host sister. I had a parisien bath... it was so nice! Michel, my host father, had to work during the day so it was Delphine Florence and I adventuring though Paris during the day. Everyday we walked so much, and it is impossible to describe all the places we went to. It was such a nice time, and I really got to see Paris up close and personal with host mom as my tour guide. The buildings are increible and even with all the "Barakis" and sketchy people I really just love the atmosphere of Paris. We also ate at really nice restaurants and  it was soooo good!!!! I am so thankful that they brought me along: It was an amazing trip.

Next week are the holidays and I will be going to Paris again, and London with Rotary. I am very much looking forward to it... I am having such a great time here in Belgium and I could never ask for a better two months that I have had so far!!!

Automne

Here in Belgium it is finally fall and the leaves are falling. I simply love fall, and that fact that I am in a place that is so different but still has the charming feeling of fall makes me really happy. The family life is going great here. We currently have two mexicians staying at our house. Last week was La semaine de commerce équitable and because of that they are here explaining how my family makes fair trade coffee from their independant farms in Mexico. It's very interesting. I also got to meet the Prince (Phillipe) and Princess (Matilde) of Belgium. They were very nice people, and the Princess was beautiful even while wearing the funny cap you need to wear at the factory. My family and I were in the newspaper, and also on a Belgian television program about royalty. I am so lucky. Now the mexicians are staying for three weeks, but my family will be occupying them for 10 days. They are two very nice men but sadly I don't speak a word of spanish. Luckily my host brother plays the role of the translator and it has been fine. This past weekend we went to Les Trois Frontières with them and my family. In one day I was in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands! It was quite cool. We also went to Liege and participated in a festival where all the old parts of the city are lighted up with candles, It was beautiful, and I enjoyed myself a lot. They are over for dinner and just finishing up now.

At school I really could not be happier. I am starting to improve my marks and getting used to my teachers. Everyone is very nice to me, and I get along with almost everyone I have met. My circle of friends are so welcoming and understanding, I love it! The people in my class are very friendly as well, and when I missed school on friday because of the visit I was offered help right away with the material I missed. Very friendly people once you get to know them! Next week there is a festival for the school. I am looking forward to it and will be sure to write all about it.

My district here is super active. On the 29th of September I went kayaking with over 150 exchange students! Tomorrow there is another event, we are going to see a castle near Visé after school. I am looking forward to seeing all the exchange students who live a bit far away who I cannot see too often. Saturday there is another event in Namur where we will be visiting the parlement. There really is never a dull moment here. But I love it, and even when I get home at 5:30 in the afternoon after a long day of speaking french non-stop, I still find the energy to smile and appreciate everything. I love eveything here, and for Thanksgiving I definitely thanked god for this opportunity....