I apologize for the extreme delay again, but there has been a lot of events going on-- most importantly, the big move to my second host family (address to follow)! But don't let me get ahead of myself...
Well the economy is changing, for everyone around the world... for my family, the price rising from 1 euro 50 to 2 euros for a loaf of white bread at the bakery, not supermarket, really the bakery, was an epic event. Why do I mention this? My last week Chez Bragard (Bragard's house), I spent my time perfecting my bread making skills... teaching Nicole that yeast and baking soda are not for the same puposes, teaching them that yeast is living and that it must stay cold, and of course teaching them to use the bread machine that was conveniently entirely in English... We were determined though, and after 3 days of eating very dense, heavy bread... we came out with the perfect loaf :) It is moments like these that I love this family even more! We all sat around eating the bread, which after all the attempts, probably ended up costing more than 2 euros, but we were proud and it was delicious!
I have to take a moment to say how incredible these last 5 months and one week have been Chez Bragard. There is no place like home, I totally agree with Dorthey, but I think that I have just found a second home... she never said anything about being able to have two! I have a lot of wonderful people in my life in America, my family is incredible and my friends make me so happy, but I was more than blessed to be brought into this home in Belgium where I felt just as loved as I am in America, just as comfortable, just as joyful; I could not have possibly asked for a better first host family. Living in this home was both a blessing and a curse though because saying goodbye to the cows, my sister, and my family really stung.
The switch was Friday the 28th, I was all packed up and not ready to leave, but alas, the time had come. Nicole came into my room and quietly asked if I was ready, I said no and we both burst into tears, after a few minutes of water works we both touched up our mascara and got in the car with Benoit and Pauline. We went to a Rotarian's house for appetizers and drinks and then around 10 we moved my suitcases and bags and boxes of stuff (I have no idea how I am going to be able to go home!) into the Bultot's car and drove off!
My new family lives about 15 mins by car from the farm- it is certainly not the city, but it isn't as farmville as my first home. I live with Annie who is a nurse. She is divorced, but her husband Christian, a business man and ex-Belgian Air-Force Pilot drives me places often. There are no children in the house. Pierrick is currently living in Wyoming on exchange, Maxime is 22, did his exchange in New York and is at University, and Jean Phillipe is 26, did his exchange in New Mexico, and lives with his girl friend. The house is nice, a lot quieter than my last home, but Annie is very kind. We also have two cats, Sushi and Mr. Swiffer, the latter weighs in at a whopping 6 kilos!
It didn't take me long to find myself back Chez Bragard... that Monday it was Norbert, our neighbor and friend's, birthday, and I went with the family to give him a big surprise party-- I think Belgians love surprises-- and he was stunned! We spent the evening laughing and eating delicious little treats, and then I spent the night in Pauline's room, sleepovers on a school night! I am so spoiled!!
For the most part the week was fairly uneventful... I take the bus to school every morning which is a 45 minute ride unfortunately but I listen to my iPod and the time goes by quickly. Wednesday after school I went to Liege and met all the new exchange students from New Zealand and Australia which was a really weird feeling... I felt like I have been here for forever, like we are the exchange student experts- it was a blast :) And Friday I went to Liege all day on a field trip which we saw what they call "maison de jeunes" and I think they are a really cool idea- it is a house for teenagers where they can use computers, talk to kids, get help, or just hang out. I think that we should start them in America, especially in big cities.
Saturday after swim practice we went to the train station to pick up Mallory and Mollie who were coming over for the night for Mallory's special birthday dinne! Her birthday was Feb 7th! HAPPY BIRTHDAY :) We came back to my house and went shopping for our feast of shrimp scampi and cake and homemade chocolate ice cream :) It was a blast! Those girls are great! And then Sunday morning we got online and booked a seven day trip to Spain in May! Just the three of us- in an all inclusive on the beach :) We are spoiling ourselves silly!
So far the week has been pretty relaxed-- I am working really hard on my research project for school and I am getting really excited about it! I love that I can write a whole research paper in French and it actually looks good :) I also have been thinking about my life next year some and I think that I am going to try to double major in French and international studies- I don't know if education is still what I am meant for or not... we shall see! Also, next year I have decided to room with Abby MacDonald which I am really looking forward too! Mallory and I are really great friends but we think that if we were to room together we are just too similar and we might get sick of each other... I am still really looking forward to going to school with her though and talking in French with her so no one knows what we are saying! :)
Now I am off to bed because I have to wake up early tomorrow morning and go to fetch my lovely mother at the Brussels Airport! I can't wait to spend the next two weeks with her- traveling Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and five days in Paris! After 5 1/2 months without my mommy, I just can't wait!!!
New Address:
Le Haumont 51
4650 Grand Rechain Herve
Belgium
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