Joyeux Noël!

So for the third year in a row I spent Christmas in a different country. 2007- China, 2008- USA, 2009- Belgium. And oh what fun it was! Experiencing the different Christmas's around the world is truly an amazing gift that no store could ever provide. Belgian's celebrate Christmas on the night of the 24th. My host family and I ate dinner at my host aunt's house with the whole family. I got to enjoy Christmas dinner with my grandparents, aunt, uncle, cousins, sister, and parents. Although they aren't my "blood relatives" I can honestly say that to me, they are my family. I am so blessed to not only have a wonderful family waiting for me back home, but now I have an entirely new family in Belgium. I know that this will not be my last Christmas spent here. We ended up staying up, eating and drinking until four in the morning and even my 80 year old grandparents were as lively as the rest of us! Then for Christmas day, we ate Racklette (a melted cheese dish) and played Trivial Pursuit.

My family was too generous and Santa brought me a Swiss Watch (something I have wanted for forever). My real grandparents were too nice and instead of a traditional Christmas gift, they donated money in my name to a young girl living in Kenya in order for her to graduate nursing school. With my real sister Kayla living in Kenya, she too gave gifts of never-ending-love to her new friends in Kenya. Please, if you love Christmas spirit as much as me, go visit her blog, www.kaylainkenya.blogspot.com

There is a time for traveling.....and it is now

Too much to say......I'll try to sum it up.

School:
Finished school last week. I took a few exams and actually passed three of my classes. I passed gym, english, and french. For my french final I was assigned a book to read (in french!). Its called "Novecento: Pianist" and it is about an Italian man who lived on a boat his entire life and played amazing music. I was surprised that I actually understood the book and although I had to look up soooo many of the words, I really learned a lot. Then I had an oral exam with my french teacher and I passed! After the exams all of the kids from school go out and celebrate. It was really fun to be able to hang out with my friends from school outside of class. Most Belgians are very focused on passing class, and it was great to see them all loosen up and relax once finals were over.

Brugge:
Last week my host parents took me and my friend Audrey (Canadian) to Brugge for the day. The two hour car ride to the coast was nice and smooth because the Flemish region of Belgium is completely flat. This is very different from my city which has mountains throughout the city. We visited the beach and I got to walk on sand that literally was so soft, it felt like snow. After the becah we went to Brugge and got to take a fun and exciting boat ride through the canals of the city. The entire city of Brugge is built ontop of rivers that wind their way through houses, cafes, and shops. We also got to look at a bar that has over 6000 different varieties of beer available. Now that is a lot of beer! In Brugge they speak Dutch (or Nederlandes) and it was interesting to hear a language that I really did not understand. We ate delicious food and drank some good beer. My host parents really are the best.

Birthdays:
My friend Ana Cristina turned 18 this week and threw a birthday party at her house. Ana is from Mexico and she lives really close to my host house. We ate typical Liege food and sang karaoke. It is really fun to hang out with other exchange students and also a great way to practice our french. Most of the exchange students speak english as their second language; however, a few of them don't speak english at all. So now that we all speak at least a little french, we can speak together in french. It is also just fun to speak in french with other exchange students because we all have patience with each other and can often times help one another learn and improve.

Paris:
This weekend I was given the opportunity to go to Paris with my french school, Jon Fosse. About 50 of us took a bus and made the four hour trip to one of the greatest cities on earth. I went with one of my best friends, Pichii (Mexican) because we are both in the french class. He and I did not know what to expect because we did not know any one else on the trip; but, it turns out that making new friends from all over the world is something that us exchange students do quite well. We hung out with Indians, Turks, Bulgarians, and Belgians, too. We spoke french the entire weekend with our new friends. Although it was -7 degrees Celcius (about 20 degrees F), I loved every minute of the cold. With the snow falling, everything in the city was even more magical. Standing under the Eiffel Tower with the snow falling on my face is something that very few people get to experience. While in Paris we visited Montmarte (one of the best panoramic views of the city), the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame, and we even stood outside the Moulin Rouge. I cannot even begin to describe how unforgettable the trip was. I got to see the Mona Lisa. I walked through Paris's outdoor Christmas festival. I stood under the Eiffel Tower while it was being lit up by a twenty minute light show. People always say that Paris is the most Romantic cities in the world, and I know that I fell in love- with Paris.

St. Nicolas

This weekend was by far one of the best weekends I have spent in my lovely new home, Liege. If you are reading this right now, I must warn you I plan on going into specific details just so I will be able to remember all of this when I read it later.

Friday-
One of the biggest advantages of being an exchange student is that I do not have to take all of my end of the year exams. So luckily for me I did not have to go to school Thursday, Friday, Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday. I'm only taking three exams (English, French, and Social Sciences). So Friday night I go out with some friends to the square. It is one of the best places in all of Europe to hang out with friends and have a good time. It was surprisingly empty for it being a Friday night and I was originally a little bummed out because it was not crowded like usual. Come to find out, people were just waiting until Sunday to head down town. All in all, Friday was a normal night on the town for me; but, I did get to talk to some new people and hang out with my host brother, Ben.

Saturday-
We celebrated my host mom's birthday Saturday by going to an awesome restaurant called LA CHARBONNADE. The way it works is that you order a protein and they serve it to you raw on a plate. Then they bring out hot coals and you grill your meat right at your own table. So not only was it delicious but it was also a little "hole in the wall" kind of secret place only Belgians know about. I gave Christine a cute little black hat for her birthday and I think she really liked it.

Sunday-
By far the best day of my weekend and maybe my whole month. The feast of St. Nicolas is celebrated in Liege as not only a day for giving friends and family lots of yummy chocolate, its also an excuse for university students to harass local citizens. Every year students wear and decorate white lab coats and wear them throughout the week. These white coats may seem silly. but are very useful for an outer layer of clothing protection against unwanted materials. The tradition of St. Nicolas is that every year students wearing these coats are able to ask people throughout the city to give them a little money, only a euro or less for the most part. If the students ask and do not get any money from the selfish citizen, they are not only allowed but also encouraged to throw flour on said person. This results in both the student either earning money or feeling extremely justified. The money that the students earn is used to buy beer for that night. Since I am technically still in high school in Belgium, I was not really supposed to be at the St. Nicolas celebrations; however, exchange students can get away with things that Belgians can't. So my awesome host sister Virginie gave me the needed white lab coat, I decorated it and had my friends write fun messages on it, and off I went to have one of the best nights ever. I did not feel right asking people for money since technically I shouldn't have been there in the first place, so I just went to have fun. I ended up meeting some of my Belgian friends and I also got the chance to make some new friends too. There were so many people in the square that at one point I did not have my feet on the ground, but was still standing. A few of the highlights of the night included: meeting a random Belgian girl in the bathroom, dancing on a table with my friend Ana, meeting some really cool Belgian guys who were easily the tallest people I have ever been around, chilling with Canadians who were backpacking through Europe, being told I was a good dancer by a Latina in a Cuban bar, not being robbed, thrown up on, or peed on, and only spending five euros all night. To say the least, St. Nicolas will be forever in my memory.

Sorry if you read that whole thing. It was very detailed and I only wish I could more adequately describe how truly awesome it was. Pictures to follow soon.

Germany and Ely

So sorry it has taken me this long to update my blog. A lot has happened in the past few weeks and I have just been too busy to write it all down. So here goes.....

I went to Germany for the first time this past Wednesday. It was a Rotary activity and we took the train and a bus, but it was close and easy. We got to go shopping at the Marche de Noel, which is an outdoor Christmas festival. We drank hot, spiced wine and enjoyed the fun atmosphere of Christmas in Germany. I went to the city of Aachen. All the kids that went with us wore these goofy santa hats, but luckily it was easy to find each other in the huge crowds of people.

Thursday my friend Ely left for Mexico. She has wanted to leave for awhile, so she was happy. I got to spend a lot of time with her at French school and I know that class will not be as much fun without her. I have really started to hang out with mostly Latinos and Belgians. Its strange, but I just seem to fit in with them....so they are the people I hang out with the most. Ely lives in Mexico City and I know I will visit her at some point in my life. She really is an amazing person and I am sad she is gone.

This past week my host mom, Christine, turned 50 years old. As a surprise for her birthday, my host dad, Philippe, took her to Venice, Italy for two days. Talk about a great birthday present! Tonight we are going out to one of the best restaurants in Liege. It is a little place were you BBQ your food at your own table. I expect it will be good.

This week end is the festival of St. Nicolas. It is a two day feast that takes place on the 6th and 7th of December. St. Nicolas brings children presents and candy. Luckily for me, as a student I get to participate in the more fun activities. Basically students get to hang out in the square all night and into the morning, and the next day throw flour at younger students. I beleive this will be one holiday that I will bring back to the states.

Beer and Thanksgivng (Belgian Style)

Me at the Hogaarden Brewery with friends and at Thanksgiving with my families.

Thanks to my amazing first three months as an exchange student in Liege, Belgium I have done so many amazing things. I have been to Paris, Disneyland, Athens, and Luxembourg. I have toured a castle, hiked a mountain, gone kayaking, visited the Parthenon, prayed at a monastery, been inside a mine, and navigated through an army fort. I have eaten quail, boar, sheep, snails, squid, and some other things I am not quite sure of. I have also eaten lots of delicious chocolate and been able to taste some of Belgian's finest beers.

My Rotary district recently took all of the exchange students on a tour of one of the most famous brewery's in Belgium, Hoegaarden. This company is most well known for its white beers. They are often flavored with fruits such as raspberry or lemon. At the brewery we got to explore a museum which described in detail exactly how the beer is made. At the end of the tour, we were able to sample some of the world famous beer. Living in Belgium has been a great way for me to try all the different beers; but, if I planned of trying them all I would have to stay here forever. Belgium brews over 8,000 different types in 125 brewries throughout the country. Belgium might be well-known for its beer, chocolate, and waffles, but for good reason.

Thanksgiving tends to be an American tradition involving family, close friends, and great food. Well this year, for one American girl living in a faraway country, things were a bit different. Being an exchange student in Belgium not only means I am learning to speak French and live the European lifestyle, it also means representing America. As an ambassador to the United States, I wanted to show my new Belgian family what Thanksgiving was truly about. I have enjoyed cooking for years and this was my chance to represent myself and one of my favorite American holidays.

As I planned the meal, I quickly realized that I needed to make a few adjustments to my menu. It is impossible to purchase a turkey before Christmas, so my host father prepared pheasant instead. It was surprisingly delightful and paired nicely with the traditional American meal. Along with a few other mishaps, I somehow adjusted the dishes using the available resources and created an edible meal, I hope. I got to spend my Thanksgiving with my current host family, and both my second and third host parents as well. With a total of nine people to please, I was quite nervous; however, I believe the night was a success. It was not your average American holiday, thanks to the normal one course American meal I converted into five courses; but, all in all I think everyone enjoyed themselves. My favorite Thanksgiving recipe is a classic from my mom, and although it needed a few adjustments in Belgium, its pretty tough to mess up. Bon appétit!

Carrot Casserole:

2 lbs carrots
2-3 T sugar
2 T onion, minced
1 cup Old English cheese (2 jars)*
1 cup 1/2 and 1/2 milk (or heavy cream)
2 pkgs. Ritz crackers, crushed
1.5 sticks butter, melted

Cook carrots in sugar water until fork tender. Drain and chop carrots.
Add: onion, cheese, milk or cream, and 1 pkg. Ritz crackers

Put all in greased casserole dish. Mix 2nd pkg. of Ritz crackers and melted butter in separate dish. Use as a topping for casserole. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

*Substitute grated cheese if in Europe and cannot find Old English cheese.

Friends

This past Friday I had such a fun Belgian experience. After school I went with some of my friends from school into town and we just hung out in the square. It was really fun hanging out with Belgian friends and seeing how they act in town. Since normally I just hang out with other exchange students, I welcomed the chance to enjoy an afternoon with them. Later that night we went to a concert that my school was holding. At the concert there were about thirty or so acts all involving people from St. Jacques. Students and teachers participated by singing, playing the piano, and performing covers of famous songs. My best friend at school, Nicola, was joking around earlier that day and told me he was going to dedicate a song to me. I did not believe him. As it turns out, he was telling the truth. He got up on state, and grabbed the microphone from the singer and shouted, "Jamie, this song is for you!" I was so excited and screamed quite loudly. If people at my school didn't know I was American before, they know now. He then played the song, American Idiot, by Green Day. I had so much fun and know that I will always remember that most honorable dedication.

Saturday I went grocery shopping with my whole family. We went shopping for the upcoming week and also for some of the things needed to cook Thanksgiving dinner. We ended up getting so much stuff that our cart was overflowing and our bill for the super market was over 300 euros. My host sister, Virginie, was so embarrassed. Later that day, my host mom, Christine was helping me with my french lessons as usual and Virginie wrote down a sentence for me to ask in french. I then asked our mom if she would give us money to go out later that night. Turns out having a host sister is good for everyone involved because Christine gave us some money later that day. Virginie and some of her girl friends took me out to a fun tropical bar called Tam Tam where we just relaxed and had a girls night.

Sunday I accidentally slept until two in the afternoon. I didn't even know that was possible. But I guess I have to make up for the lack of sleep I get during the week at some point. I made chocolate chip cookies with walnuts for my family and my friend Federica's birthday on Monday. I also watched Jurassic Park and Man vs Wild in french. Actually just as cool in french as it is in English. All in all, this weekend was calm and relaxing, yet really fun. Also, my family celebrated my three month arrival with champagne. Three months! Can you believe it?

Monday I celebrated a birthday with my friend Federica. She is the only other exchange student at my school and i love her. We ate traditional Mexican food and it was DELICIOUS! i love that girl. She really makes my time at school much more fun.

Athens, France, and of course....Belgium!

First Athens-

Since my Rotary Club is amazing, they decided to take the three foreign exchange students to see the likes of Athens for four days. My host parents were planning on coming, but canceled last minute because they were too sick. I missed them. So on the first day of being in Athens, the three of us exchange students headed off to explore the city. Map in hand, we decided that the right direction leading towards town would be a left. Oh were we mistaken. We proceeded to walk in the opposite direction for forty-five minutes. Upon realizing we were in the middle of Athens (in a not so safe area) we decided to turn around and catch a bus back to our hotel. Well we attempted to pay on the bus, but in Athens you have to buy your ticket before hand. So we just rode the bus until we saw our hotel, and the just got off. So we probably could have ended up in a Grecian jail somewhere, but luckily we managed to escape free of charge.

That is just one example of the many interesting things that happened to us while in Athens. The food was incredible, the sea was gorgeous and of course the Acropolis was amazing. Although I happened to be lost and confused, thanks to the french, english, and greek being spoken all the time, I had a fun time and am so glad I got to hang out with my Canadian and Japanese friends.

Second France-

Taize, France is the most amazing place I think I have been thus far in my short three months of living in Belgium. While I was there I not only got a chance to meet my third host sister and all of her Belgian friends; but, I also got the chance to meet people from all over the world. Tiaze is a place for spiritual gatherings through the Catholic church. I went with a group of people from Liege and while I was there I met people from Spain, Finland, Uruguay, Lithuania, England, Sweden, and KANSAS CITY! The only other american there lives ten minutes from my house. How weird is that? So all in all I had an amazing time there and hope to go back before the year is over. I got to go to mass three times a day and really felt myself connected to God in a way that I never had before. I wish that everyone in the world could have an experience like Taize.

And Last but certainly not least, Belgium-

Last night I got to hang out with my third host sister, Margot (I think that is how it is spelled). We went to a dance put on by the Scouts, they are really popular here in Liege. Well at the dance-type get-together all the Belgians were dancing, but very modestly and with a fist pumping the air. And I was dancing like an American. They all thought it was so funny and different. But I think I may have convinced a few that American dancing is more fun. Then I spent the night at my third house, and it is amazing. It looks like a colonial house from New Orleans. And I am going to have three little sisters! It will be so much fun. Plus I went the entire day speaking only French- which was so cool because they don't speak any english. And my littlest sister was really patient with me and helped me to speak correctly. Today I went to the fair and bought Laquement, which is a Liege specialty. It is a really thin waffle compressed into a machine and drenched in syrup. Can't really beat that!

I still LOVE my host family and I am so glad that they are amazing. On Mondays i watch X Factor with with host sister (its the American Idol of French speaking countries).It is really fun and she is the next best thing to having my real sisters here with me. I am going to cook thanksgiving dinner at my house in one week, and I am very nervous. Not only will I be cooking my first thanksgiving dinner alone, but it in in a strane country and for all three of my host parents. I hope I don't end up killing everyone! Then I would be homeless in Belgium.

Being sick in Belgium

Ok. so reality check for me this week. It turns out that just because you are having an amazing time in a foreign country, doesn't mean that you can't get sick. And on top of it all, I just had to get sick on a friday afternoon. My host mom christine continues to try to convince me to go to the dotor....but all i need is some sleep. since belgians get free health care they tend to rush into medicine quite qucikly. so this past weekend has included me, lying in bed and watching movies online (i even broke out the old "sound of music"). its all going to be ok though, because next week i am headed off to athens, greece with my parents and Herstal Rotary Club. I cannot wait!!!! It is going to be nice, and hopefully i will see the sun, which will be an unexpected and incredibly nice change to belgian rain.

This past saturday we went to Namur for a Rotary activity. We went to Parliment of Wallonie and went on a cruise touring the river. It was ok. I had a good time with all the crazy exchange students though. Wednesday we took the train to Brussels for he afternoon. One of the exchange students was leaving early and we had a goodbye party for him. I love the fact that you can just hop on a train somewhere and spend the afternoon, then be back home in time for dinner.

other good news- i am finally starting to speak french and i can actually understand people for the most part now. we had a rotary meeting on thursday and i only spoke in french the entire time. it is really nice to see progress and i have more hope now that i am not a complete failure when it comes to french.

also check out my amazing sisters blog. it makes me want to be a better person. www.kaylainkenya.blogspot.com

I Love Letters......

Pictures above are just examples of how I enjoy Rotary events, not because of the activity itself, but because of the fun things exchange students do with their spare time.

This week I recieved a package of LOVE from home. My amazing mother sent me a coat, among other things to my house. Kayla, my sister, bought me a Tulane hoodie, which she sent me and I am currently wearing because it is -3 degrees outside (Celcius). I also got two letters from friends at home. If anyone has spent time abroad they know how amazing it is to recieve tangable letters (hint, hint to all those reading this). I promise I will write back. I tend to write letters in my math class. It keeps me awake and it appears as if I am paying attention. (shhhh....don't tell my teacher)

So this has been kind of a normal week for me in the great city of Liege. Last wednesday I went with Rotary to a Fort somewhere (i forgot already). It was a military fort built after WWI in order to be prepared for the Germans in case they invaded again. It was supposed to defend Belgium against trench warfare, but by the time it was built the Germans had invented better war tactics. I am not really sure of all the details, I'm not really that into military stuff. I do like hanging out with all the Rotary kids though, and after we took a tour of the fort we got to eat delicious pie, which was quite nice. Rotary does that a lot, sends us on tours.....then makes up for the non-exciting things by feeding us. I think they want us to get fatter than we all ready are getting. Ha.

Saturday I helped my Rotary Club, Herstal, set up for a big fundraiser. It was nice to feel involved and great to help out the best host-club ever. Sunday I attended the fundraiser, which was a giant feast. It was called Le Fete de Gastronomie (I think that is how its spelled). We had lobster courses, champagne, wine, and yummy chocolate. The lobster was so good, we had three courses of lobster, each cooked and served in interesting and unique ways. I guess lobster is very very expensive here in Belgium, and the tickets to attend the event were 80 euros a piece. The Rotary Herstal raised over 2,500 euros for a homeless organization. The feast was attended by hundreds of people. It was really fun because I was able to eat with both my current and second host families.

In other news, I finally got a new camera. Its the same style as my old one, which is nice because I am already familiar with it. So I look forward to taking lots of pictures this saturaday when I go with Rotary to Namuur for the day. What else? Nothing much is new. My french is improving little by little, so hopefully i will be making conversations more fluently pretty soon. Also, I actually helped someone today with the bus schedule. That was cool because I happen to get lost all the time, although somehow I always manage to find my way home. That is strange, to consider this my home. I guess when I leave Belgium I am going to have four homes.

Just a quick update

That is a picture of my school. Its pretty tiny and kids from ages 20 to 12 go there. So bizzare. And that is a picture of my friend Pichi. He is from Mexico and we see each other on the walk to school. We also take french courses together. He's awesome. So this past week has been pretty normal for me. Nothing extra ordinary, which is what I should probably get used to since I'm sure I won't be going to France, Disneyland, or kayaking every week. Last friday I went out with some exchange students to the square. That is always a fun time because its filled with young people. Rotary advices us to not hang out with other exchange students, but its so easy to go out with them. They understand what you are going through, they don't have established friendships like everyone else at school, and they are learning french right along with you. When I ususally go out, I meet up with my friend Audrey, from Canada. We take the same bus together and then once we are there, we find other people that we know. I somehow always meet up with some of my Belgian friends which is super awesome. They are fun to be around, help me with my french, and know all the cool places to go. Saturday I helped my host sister Virginie throw a surprise party at our house for her best friend, Justine. It was fun to plan and decorate and spending time with my sister is always nice. Since I don't live with my real sisters at home anymore, its so fun to be able to again live with an older sister. I now feel like I am the youngest daughter of four girls. Its so strange to me that my family here doesn't know my real family. I want so much for them all to meet each other because I know they would have a blast together. My host parents are on holiday in Egypt this week so I've been holding the fort down with my sister and her boyfriend Laurent. He's taking care of us and making sure we are on our best behavior. My real sister Kayla went to Kenya this week. I talked to her for the last time right before she left. I hope we can talk at least a bit this year. At least now we are in the same time zones. Check out her blog at www.kaylainkenya.blogspot.com

I got homesick this week, too. For the first time. I don't know why, because I have truly loved every day spent here. I think it is just the stress of finally starting to understand french but being frustrated with my speaking abilities. I am encouraged by my family, they seem to think that I will be speaking well by thanksgiving (they would know I guess). I really just wish I had a little switch in my brain that said, "Speak French Now" and I could flip it on and off when needed. Oh, I also think I was homesick because my camera broke. I love taking pictures and a small piece of my soul died when i saw my camera smash to the ground. I am getting a new one this week I hope, but everything here is so so so expensive. Good thing I worked all year long.

Kayaking along La Lesse

When offered the chance to go kayaking through a Belgian river I immediately knew I would have fun. I did not know however, the difficulties that would be involved. As a Rotary Exchange student, living in Liege, Belgium I am offered the chance to participate in many Rotary sponsored activities. We would be kayaking twenty-two kilometers down the curvy La Lesse river located in Rochefort, Belgium. Twenty-two kilometers roughly converts to ten miles, ten miles of very little current. The challenge of kayaking was not the lack of effort or strength; but, the ability to motivate ones self to keep rowing instead to admiring the beautiful surroundings.
La Lesse river is surrounded by a fortress of trees, rocks, and even a castle now and then. I cannot adequately describe the breathtaking nature that I saw while traveling the river. Some small mishaps along the way made the kayaking experience even more memorable. Just a few instances were running into other kayaks, being forced to stop because a parade of horses crossing the river, falling in the extremely cold water, capsizing the kayak in front of over one hundred people, and barely catching the last train home. I am proud to say that even though I was cold, wet, and tired, the day was full of excitement and great memories.


In other news- I had to give a presentation in my religion class today. In French. I have never ever been nervous about public speaking before, considering that I hosted the talent show, spoke at DECA events, talked in front of adults......in other words, public speaking is not a big fear of mine. But today- I had to speak in french in front of my class. Let me describe how it went. The assignment was to describe what religion meant to you. Well I happen to be the only Catholic in the class, and the only person who beleives in God. So that was a bit nerve racking. Also, my illustration on what God meant to me was displayed for all to see. Then another student had to describe what she thought my picture meant; however, it was in fast french, so I didn't catch most of it. Then I attempted to describe my picture, but was so aweful at prouncing the words, the teacher just told me to say it in english. How depressing is that? Even the people that don't speak english understood my english more clearly than my french. Understandably I am now much more motivated to speak proper french. I have improved a lot since I first arrived, but speaking is more difficult than I initially imagined. Plus everyone here wants to practice their english, so I have to force people to switch and speak french. I'm hoping that by thanksgiving I'll be able to formulate sentences and by Christmas I'll be able to communicate fully. Cross your fingers, please.

Spectacular Spectacular (and me ranting about school)

The citizens of Liege, Belgium have been waiting ten years to finally reveal their beautifully designed train station and on friday, September 18 over 65,000 people gathered to celebrate the opening of the Guillman Train station located in the heart of Liege. I was lucky enough to be included in the magical and much anticipated spectacle. The well-known producer, Franco Dragone, directed the hour and a half long show. The station was illuminated by fireworks and choreographed lights. Although starting a bit late due to the swelling crowd, the show was a success. Horsemen displayed their skills while riding across the station. Dancers moved with compassion. Opera singers brought tears to some of the audience. The intensity of the show was highlighted by acrobatic tricks and a grand finale that most Fourth of July viewers would be impressed by. I was lucky enough to attend this show with some of my new Belgian friends who were proud to show off their city. Even the prince of Belgium was there and happy to cut the ribbon on the completion of this ten year project. Some say Belgium is just a country to travel through when touring Europe, but if that happens to be true, at least get off the train at Guillman and admire the beautiful station.

That was my article sent into the paper.....and in other news:

School is starting to not be so terrible. I actually have friends now who really like me for some strange reason. We get to leave for an hour during lunch which is great. Since my school is so small (only about 75 kids in myentire grade) one would think there wouldn't really be any clicks. Oh would they be wrong. Its so strange to see compare Lee's Summit North to St. Jacques but they really are pretty similar. The kids form together in little groups and hang out in certain areas. My school even has its very own makeout corner, like the band hallway at North. Even though school is clicky, i feel like I do a decent job with being nice to everyone. There are some major differences between schools though. For one thing- I start here ateight thirty and don't get ou until four thirty. But i have two fifteen minute breaks and a hour for lunch. Sometimes if a teacher is gone, a student can leave and not have to go to class. They do not have subs here, which i love because having a sub is always a joke anyway. no offense substitute teachers. also- they use chalkboards here, only write in cursive, make super straight lines with all their writing, are obsessed with white out, and do not have seating arrangements. Sometimes the classroom will move witout anyone being told. Also- they don't have assigned passing periods. When the bell rings, kids just leave and walk straight to their other class. And teachers just start when they feel like it. However, if a teacher's door is closed, you have to knock and wait to be allowed to enter if you are tardy. Its very strange. And i miss fun classes like business and orchestra. The only classes i take are serious- math, science, english, french, social sciences, geography, history, religion, and gym. I don't really understand much at all, but i realy enjoy mygy class. Mostly because its two hours of work out time and requires little to no french being spoken. Today in my math class we took a test, but since i am foreign and new, the teacher didnt really expect much out of me. Good thng because I doubt I will get single point. But every monday and thursday i go to french school for beginers and i really enjoy that. its pretty difficult and moves quickly, but i can already tell that my comprension and speaking skills are increasing. My host father keeps telling people that I will be speaking very well by christmas- i hope i don't disappoint him. Cross your fingers please.

One Month.....and the South of France

So far I have been in Belgium for one month. In that time frame I have toured Paris, gone to the capital (Brussels), been on a weekend retreat in Huy, Belgium, been to Disneyland in Paris, and visited the South of France for the weekend. Maybe I should just become a nomad and continue to move to different countries so I am able to get the best of every country. Now that I have started school, a bit of reality has set in for me here. I attend class but unfortunately just sort of sit there and attempt to pay attention, but its difficult considering I do not understand a word that is being spoken. Well, some words.....so most of the subject is lost on me. My school, Saint Jacques is really unorganized compared to my American high school. I thought when I arrived at school I would have a printed off schedule; however, I was thrown with a girl who was suposed to guide me around. She was nice, but ended up leaving mid-day because she just didn't have class that day. So i just sort of walked into random classes the rest of the day and then left. I have been to school for a week and still am not sure where or when I am to go to class. Oh Belgium......I am now attending french lessons. It is so great. Today was my first class and it is Monday and Thursday for three hours each class. I already feel like I have learned a lot and I only went one day! My host father told me that I will be speaking well by Thanksgiving and practically fluent by Christmas. I can only work hard and continue to absob as much as I possibly can in order to be sufficient.

So this weekend my host family took me to the south of France. We drove for six hours, through Luxembourg and arrived to a beautiful sunset overlooking the mountains. It was a Rotary event, so my friend Audrey, from Canada also went with us. She and I enjoyed the car ride and most importantly enjoyed the great food and drink we shared with the Rotarians. Friday night we ate dinner with fifty other Rotarians from both our host club, Herstal and the French club, Priva. Then saturday we woke up early and went on a tour of a little village. We walked through tiny streets, then wound our way to a gorgeous trail. It led to a waterfall, a wide river, mountains, and lush greenery. It was a sight I will not soon forget. After we hiked down the trail through the mountains, we climbed our way back up the mountain, winding our way up steep stone steps. After the amazing hike we ate mussels and fries, accompanied with delcious drinks, including a morroco, which is grendine, club soda, and beer. yummy. Then we toured an old castle, (Chateau) i think that is how it is spelled anyway. Really cool and so historical. Audrey and I took an adventure around the place instead of listening to the french tour guide. So exploring led to a fun experience for us. And you can even get married there! It was beautiful. After lunch we went to see a church and small village which was built in 994. Yes, 994. It was by far the oldest thing I had ever been inside. It was simple and humble, yet beautiful nonetheless. Then we strolled through a typical french village and ate fresh figs from the tree, as well as grapes and blackberries growing off a vine. I drank homemade wine also. For dinner we enjoyed a six course meal which included a duck liver spread with crackers for course one. Course two included creamed cauliflower and steamed pumpkin. Course three was spinach and sausage. Course four was mashed potatoes and pork. Course five was an assortment of cheeses. Course six was fresh figs baked over a lemon tart. All topped off with cafe, and its not coffee- its two shots of espresso. And on the way out there was a plate of fruit if you weren't full from dinner. I ate fresh produce from the area and drank both red and white wine which were specialities of sotuhern france. All in all it was a great weekend filled with delicious food, beautiful sites, and a lot of laughter. The Rotarians in Europe know how to have a good time.

Disneyland

So for my 19th birthday my host sister treated me to a day in Paris at Disneyland. Her boyfriend Laurent drove me, Virginie, and their friends Justine and Kevin to Paris. The four hour drive was a little annoying, but now I have appreciation for Kayla, who had to be in the car for ten hours on our way home from South Carolina. When we got to Disneyland it was like I wasn't 19, but more like 11. Riding rides, taking pictures, waiting in line for hours, and attempting to learn a bit of french made me feel like a kid again. Plus we ate at McDonald's.....so that really made me feel American for the day. Disneyland in Paris is bilingual, with rides, instructions, and even coreographed dancing in both French and English. We went to a Lilo and Stitch interactive film and Laurent was targeted. The instructor asked him his name and where he was from. He said, "I'm Laurent, and I am from Belgium." Then the cartoon Stitch said, "Belgium, never heard of it!" it was so funny, and made the entire trip memorable.

I had to go to school yesterday and today. Turns out I really did not enjoy it at all. The secretary is so unorganized and yesterday just threw me with a girl who i just followed around. I currently do not have a set schedule and do not understand a word that is being said to me. People are being nice about it though, even though I feel like a complete idiot when someone asks, "whats your name?" and i just stare at them blankly. I really should have practiced a LOT more before coming here. Every wednesday however we get out at noon, so that is really nice. Hopefully within the next few weeks I will start to enjoy school. I start French classes at a special school next week, so I hope to see a lot of improvement

ps- here is my third article to the LS Tribune

Life in Belgium: An Insight to Life as an Exchange Student
Jamie Bronder
Article III

One of the greatest advantages to being a foreign exchange student in Belgium, is my ability to travel. The first week I arrived my host parents, Philippe and Christine, took me on a day tour of Paris, France. The city is obviously known around the world for its famous tower, the Louvre Museum, Napoleon's Tomb, Notre Dame Cathedral, and its classical romance; however, it is so much more than those things. Traveling with native speakers gave me the advantage to see a different side of Paris. We used the city's metro system and ate and some delicious cafes. One of the most memorable and probably overlooked aspects of the city was La Grande Arche. It is an office building meant to be in the shape of a window. A small plague described the building as,"Idea, an open cube, a window to the world, a symbol of hope for the future,that all men can meet freely." I thought this was beautifully poetic and inspiring. I was also able to go on another weekend to Disneyland Paris. It is very similar to both the U.S. amusement parks; but, everything is spoken in both French and English. As a nineteenth birthday present my host sister, Virginie took me to the magical world of Disney. It was an adventure and a birthday I will never forget.

Its official......

That is my new house and the view from the front yard. I am only five minutes away from the downtown, too!

I am applying to Tulane University and if I am accepted, plan on attending in the fall of 2010. You are welcome Kayla- I guess all that pestering finally paid off. I have to write a 250-500 word essay about myself and why I should be accepted to Tulane. Its pretty informal, but I wanted all the input I could get before submitting. Thanks!

While working in my local ice cream shop, I struck up a conversation with a customer. She told me about her unforgettable year as a Rotary International foreign exchange student. It has been my dream to live and work overseas for several years and with a passion for marketing and traveling, I know my future career is in international business. After a stressful application process, I am the first outbound student that my Rotary district has ever sent. I am currently living and studying in Liege, Belgium. Living with a new family, attending high school again, and speaking a new language has been truly unforgettable. French is by far a more difficult language than I anticipated, yet I am confident in my abilities and fully expect to be fluent by the end of my exchange.
I know that being an exchange student has changed my life for the better. I have met people from over thirty different countries, and have no doubt that I have made some lifelong friends. It is my belief that every person should experience life outside their native country. Seeing the world from a new perspective has taught me to appreciate and accept with a more open mind, yet hold fast to my core values. I believe that my experience living in Belgium would bring a unique aspect to Tulane University.

LS Tribune Article II

Life in Belgium: An Insight to Life as an Exchange Student
Jamie Bronder
Article II
When I first heard about the Youth Exchange Program offered through the Rotary International, I only knew a little of what would be in store for me. I knew I would attend school, learn French, and live in Belgium; but, it is the little things I was not aware of which have made my first three weeks in Liège such an unforgettable journey so far. As a Rotary student I was able to visit Brussels, the nation's capital. Brussels is a mixture of different cultures, combining both the Dutch speaking region with the French region. I was able to visit the Grand Palace and Parliament. I toured through the glowing hallways filled with beautifully illuminated chandeliers and elaborate paintings. On the visit to Parliament, I was able to meet the president of the chamber of Parliament, Patrick Dewael. This was a fantastic oppourtunity to see inside the Belgian government and meet a very important man in my new home.
As well as visiting the government, the Rotary students attended a welcome weekend in the small medieval town of Huy, Belgium. Huy is a quaint town sprinkled with hills and wineries, as well as an incredible citadel built in 1818. Attending these conferences can often be dull; however, the unique history which lies within each of these places is worth the seminars. Along with the rolling hills and the rivers which shine throughout the cities, the people I have met are incredible. Over thirty different countries are represented, and each person brings a special aspect these adventures. I can only hope I get the chance to meet people from thirty more countries throughout my life.