I am so going to be poor when I get back

Yesterday, I went with my host sister and mom to Lille (that's in France) to go shopping for my new sister's first day of school.  I didn't buy anything, but for the first time in my life, I'm considering buying shoes over fifty euros.  I won't even tell you how much they are, but I want them so badly. 

But it's not just the shoes that are expensive here.  Everything is plus cher.  I'm going shopping for myself tomorrow witht he other exchange girls in my town, and I want to buy everything.   It's so cute and way different (in subtle ways, though, so a fashionablly insensitive person wouldn't notice.)

I've written a lot of letters and postcards, but I've only sent a few.  The rest are sitting on my desk in my room.

The other day, I went to the most magical music experience of my life.  It was in a little town, in the park around a castle, and people walked through the gardens and hedge labyrinth listening to little orchestras play.  It was wonderful.  I wish I could say something deeper, but the effect was indiscribable.  You'll just have to go yourself.

After that, I went to the 20th anniversary party of my host parents best friends.  There were at least two hundred people and more than a bottle of champagne for each.  There was food and dancing, and I met some new friends, dance with people I didn't know, and was asked the same three questions numerous times.  Where do you come from?  Why did you chose Belgium?  How long have you been here? 

We didn't leave until 6 in the morning.  I was suprised that I could dance so long (though, thinking about it, it was probably the gelatto keeping me going).  We returned in the late morning and helped clean up and ate the left over bread for lunch. 

I miss English.  I'm already finding it harder to write, and I read everything I brought with me, including the super-cheesey romance novel my friends sent with me as a gag gift.  I try reading in French, but It's difficult, and I always have to look up words.  It's work, and I don't want to have to work when I want to read. 

All in all, having a great time.  I miss my friends more than my family, and my pets a whole ton, including my bonsai tree.  I almost bought myself one in Lille, since they were well groomed and reasonably priced, but I don't have any of my wires or training stuff here, not to mention I can't take it home.  Maybe I'll leave it with my favorite family...

Enough about me gabbering on about squandering my wealth.  (I'm going to buy myself a new phone as well).  My birthday is in ten days, and I am really hoping for something from back home.  Like Reeses Peanut Butter Cups or crushed red peppers. 

à bientot!

G.

Life is Good

I love Belgium. I've been here a little over a week, and every day is full of exciting adventures. I'm getting better at French, and it's not weird to kiss strangers on the cheek anymore. Also, the chocolate.

Every night, I'm exausted. I sleep deeply and dream sporatically. In the morning, I feel like I've forgotten all my French, and I have to start over. I still have ten days before school starts, and hopefully I'll know enough by then to make some friends.

I've met the other exchange students in my town, and I like them quite a bit. There's a girl from Japan, a boy and a girl from Taiwan, a girl from Peru, and two girls from Brazil. I also really like the adults I've been intoduced to.  They're patient and kind and speak slowly (sometimes) so that I can understand.

Yesterday was crazy.  I met all the other exchange students in Belgium, some 200 or something.  I have a bunch of new pins for my super ugly Rotary jacket.  Dude, we looked so freakish in our jackets that random people took pictures of us.  But I also met some super cool friends, three other girls from the midwest, and we're organizing a Dungeons and Dragons night.  I'm DM, and it's going to be great.  (Which reminds me, I wonder if my group at home has found another girl yet.  Probably not.)

After touring Bruxelles with the exchange kids, I'm rethinking my decision to go on any of the group trips.  I'd rather save the money and go with a group of friends, so instead of travelling with a mob of near strangers, we could do stop for whatever we wanted to see and eat when we got hungry.

Belgian waffles are the greatest things ever.  Also, the chocolate.

Last night, my host family took me to the sea to watch fireworks.  They were beautiful and the whole thing was timed with classical music.  America has nothing on the Belgians when it comes to fireworks.  Then we had gelatto.  I really like my host family.

I feel my English slipping from me, which is one reason that this blog is choppy and mispelled.  It's a weird feeling, forgetting something as fundamental as basic speech.  I can't wait until I can communicate better in French.

Until next time,

Greta

This is fro, q different keyboqrd; so pleqsz forgive the errors

So, I am in Belgium, and the hardest thing to get used to is the keyboards.  Then it is the gay-dar adjustment.  (I do not know how to work the appostrophe, so this will sound very formal)

I speak prematurely, but the most difficult part is waiting in the airport before that first flight.  I felt like I was going to be sick, but then my English teacher, Ms Moraine, called, and I forgot about my nerves.  I sat next to a hot guy on the plane, and I figured it was a good sign.

I was stressed and nervous until I landed in Amsterdam, then an unearthly peace settled over me, like I had left all my problems and worries behind.  In fact, I had left all my problems and worries behind.  It was a good feeling.

I landed, collected both of my bags, and was greeted by a small crowd, who all kissed me and welcomed me to Belgium.  My host sister then left (via airplane)  to visit a friend, and my host mom Anne took me home. 

Tournai is beautiful.  The weather is cool and stormy right now, but I like it.  My new home is lovely, made of grey stone, and has a pool, tall ceilings, and my own bathroom.  There are 73 stairs up to my room at the top of the house. 

I love Belgium.

I also wish my friends were here. I keep thinking of things to tell them (Mads, lets discuss the end of Limitless when I get back.  Steph and Zach, I ran into a Codex Alera fan on the second plane.)  but I cannot.  I need to make new friends for my new life, but I still slept in a shirt with their faces on the front.

For the first time in a long time, I am perfectly at peace with the world.  I am not worried about learning French or stressed about school.  It is a very nice feeling.  I never want to leave. 

Tomorrow, we are going to Paris. 

Until next time,

Greta