Well I left off with going to a band concert... this is a whole new experience for me because I have never played in a community band, so I have never been a part of concerts where there were flyers and you had to travel long distances to your venue and such, it is a very different type of band. Nevertheless, I love it! These are some of the warmest people you will ever meet, which was really nice because we played in a very old church and thus heating was limited and of course it's below freezing outside! Although we were terribly out of tune, we given very good reviews and it was a really fun night! I didn't get home until about 12:30- Belgians are night owls! Every event, even when older people are in the mix, lasts until 12 at the earliest-- if you ever thought that the elderly can't party it up, come to this country!
Saturday I woke up and went to the first swim practice since the pool has been re-modeled... can't say that I notice a giant difference, but it's nice to know we are keeping things fresh. After that I did my usual Saturday afternoon activity, cleaning my room, and then Nicole and Pauline and I went into Verviers to go dress shopping for a theme party which is actually tonight, and Mallory met us there! We all went home and just hung out, talked about the weather, and went to bed anticipating the next day!
Sunday we woke up to SNOW!!! When I say snow, I mean snow! And it just kept coming!!! By the afternoon while we went on a snowy walk and attempted sledding on old farm equipment (shovels and siding) snow was already up to my mid calf! I think in total we had around 10 inches. Playing in snow isn't all that we did though... we played with cows too! Mallory loves cows, always has, and so we did all the fun farm activities-- feeding cows, petting cows, riding (well behaved) cows, driving the tractor, and playing on the tractor :) After a long, cold day we came inside and made a chocolate cake without a recipe (thanks to cooking class it came out incredible!) Then we sat around my room and did homework and chatted- just like it will be next year when we are roommates (if I haven't mentioned, Mallory and I will be rooming together next year at University of Arkansas). We thought because of all the snow she might be stuck at our house again but sadly her host dad made it here and she left around 9.
Monday I was praying for a snow day, but those don't exist here... So off to school we went, but it wasn't bad because it was ST. NICHOLAS DAY! I have never celebrated St. Nic's day, but here they love St. Nicholas more than Papa Noel (Santa)! He came to school and gave us candy, and then when Pauline and I got home we both had candies and a bonhomme (typical pastry that goes really well with cow's milk hot chocolate- mmmm) in our rooms :) There is a song that you have to sing over and over the night before for him to come, and I have learned some of it now which is fun!
Tuesday was Nicole's birthday- 48 years (yes, she is named Nicole after St. Nicholas) and after a COLD track practice we went to the pool that we have swim team at and St. Nicholas came there as well and gave us more candy, a team swim cap, and goggles :) We had a fancy family dinner to celebrate.
Both Wednesday and Thursday weren't really exciting except for that I came home from school early feeling very under the weather. I think that it is a mixture of weather and running from point A to B, but now I am feeling a little more perky.
Yesterday, Friday, we had our last gym class for the year and we all went to the pool and had to swim 400 meters, 16 lengths, continuously and as fast as possible (we are preparing for our Triathlon test in June). I won! I am not very fast, but then again I am not a swimmer... I did 400m in 8 mins 54 sec. After that, I had band, and guess who came again!! St. Nicholas!!! They really love this holiday... he gave us more candy and another bonhomme! I came home and added the candy to the communal pot in the kitchen because keeping it in my room is dangerous!
Tonight we are going to a "Flapper Themed" and all red and black surprise party for Pauline's god-mother. The party is apparently in a house that looks like a castle so I am excited :) Pauline and I have matching little red dresses with black boas! Should be a blast!
So I am wishing everyone a wonderful St. Nicholas, hoping no one gets sick, and sending good luck for everyone on exams.... Tis the Season! :)
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