Christmas is honestly the worst part of exchange, I think. Even though I loved my first host family and had a really good time, it just isn't the same. I missed my family a lot (first time all exchange), and, even though my host family tried to include me, I couldn't help but feel like an outsider.
But that passed, aided by my friends in Belgium as well as the til-5-in-the-morning Skype session I had with my friends in Iowa. Don't worry, though. At most, I talk to my friends in the States once a month, and usually not terribly long. It's always sad getting off with them, but I like saving little stories to tell them when I get back home.
My host family took me on two mini vacations in late December/early January. I got to chose the place for the first one, and we went to Provins, a historic village close to Paris, and Versailles for two days. I learned so much about history, culture, and hos to decorated a palace (though I still get the distinct feeling that all the gold in Louis XIV's bedroom has to be compensating for something). We stayed overnight in a mill-turned-B&B, and it was so lovely that I'm considering it for a honeymoon.
The second vacation was to Amsterdam for the day. The two other girls from my host club came, along with a girl from Taiwan and my chill friend Alene from Canada (read her blog!). We had what had to be one of the best days of my exchange. We went to the museum of Anne Frank, took a boat ride, ate Chinese, checked out cute Dutch boys, looked at thousands of bikes, and even walked through the red lights district, which was only a little awkward, nothing like it would have been with my real family. I managed to lose my sandwich on the way home, but other than that, it was perfect (and fear not, we found it again.) So, if you're reading this, First Host Family, merci beaucoup! Je vous aime :)
I spent New Years in Brussels with a bunch of my exchange friends. We hung out together, watched fireworks, and hit up a club (and I swear we only got in because we were foreign). We all had a good time, dancing til dawn, and I slept soundly until three in the afternoon.
I switched families, and I really like this one already. My host mom introduces me as her fifth daughter and takes such good care of me. I tell her all my problems and she's really understanding and sweet. So, yes, I am well in my new family.
My big brother and little sister are coming!!!! I'm so excited!!!!!
I'm on my third journal of crazy adventures. I write every day in school and put all sorts of random stuff in it. Beer labels, candy wrappers, museum tickets, etc. I have so much to tell everyone, and not enough time to write it all down.
Before I go, I have one last exciting piece of news. I MET ADRIEN BRODY, the actor. The real one. He came to my town for the local film festival to present his new movie, DETATCHMENT, which is a critique of the american school system which I recommend to everyone who wouldn't get offended by a prostitute character. Anyway, I asked the director, who was also there, a question about the levels of detatchment in the film and he answered. They were about to move on to another question but Adrien was like, "Wait, I have to say something." And so he anwsered my question even further. YES, DEAR READERS, HE SPOKE TO ME.
For those of you who had to look up Adrien Brody (like me when my host mom said he'd be there), and for those of you that like classy men, here's a picture.
Yeah, I like this country.
-Greta
PS. Went to Gent and I decided that the Flemish side of the line is pretty chill.
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