Speculoos

Speculoos is the most amazing thing in the world! What is basically is a gingerbread cookie. Only it is eaten year around. If you didn't know, my favorite cookie is gingerbread cookie. So lets just say that I am in cookie heaven. They have speculoos spread which is the consistancy of peanutbutter but tastes like gingerbread and you put it on bread. (amazing) Then there is speculoos icecream. yum.

What I am getting at is that Speculoos will probably be my downfall when it comes to weight. I have been losing weight but I will probably gain it back because of my obsession. I am totally Belgian now I crave fries constantly (I never get them because I can't drive over here but, when school starts watch out.) Also I am getting used to having dessert after lunch if I don't have it now it is weird. (There is usually no dessert after dinner, only at lunch.)

Last thing about food. So my host family eats ketchup on spaghetti instead of pasta sauce. I don't know if that is normal for all Belgians but, it is for my family.

School starts Friday. I will be taking the bus. Luckily there is an H&M across the street from my school and a Mc Donalds, just sayin'. I probably wouldn't eat Mc Donalds normally but, the beef here sucks. I can safely say that the U.S. has better beef.

There will be a girl from New Mexico going to school with me which will be nice. I already like her. i should be a fun year.

I went to Huy this weekend (pronounced "Oui" like yes) We had a rotary weekend they threw this dance it was so much fun but so hot. Earlier in the day they gave us the four D's talk. (No Drinking, Driving, Dating, Drugs) and then served us free beer. ?. Ironic.

I went to Brussels last Thursday so great. I had fries and meat balls for lunch yum at least the fries. We went to Parliament and I accidentally sat in the president's chair. He spoke to us. He was really fat. We sat a UN type room and were split up by countries America out numbered everyone by far. I want to go back.

For Sure

The Belgians think that Americans say for sure all the time. They are constantly saying for sure to me. They say that "if you dont know what someone is talking about in America then you say for sure."
* Survival Tip: If a french/belgian person says "for sure" to you they have no clue what you are talking about.

Today I finally got to see my school it is very old and is falling apart but reminds me of the Harry Potter school. The first day is going to be hard because I have to take the bus which as a Califorinan I have never had to do. I think I will get lost. But I know a kid Marc he will be taking the same bus but he does not speak english well. I got a cell phone (GSM as they call it) the number is 0032-0478-230958 if you are calling from the US.

My family threw a party two nights ago. It was so much fun the Mexican exchange student came so I got to speak a little English which is nice. My family organized a petite volleyball tourament. Everytime I hit the ball everyone would yell "yes we can america! Obama!" That made me laugh so hard I would miss the ball. Oh and we had tacos they were not as good as the ones I am used to but still I loved it. I miss meat they do not eat that much here.

After Sofie and I went into town they were having some celebration. We danced a little and hung out with her host sister LouLou and her friends. I tried one strawberry beer so good. Her friends were so funny they sing at the top of their lungs some Belgian song every 5 minutes.

Also we saw two bachelor and bacherlette parties. It is similiar to what we have in the states but they dress up. I saw the groom is a toutou, leatard, and wand. (I have no clue how to spell it)

I forgot there was a tandum bike race they drink beer and ride around town; they have to dress up i saw smurffs farmers with a baby hay and men in dresses. My host dad Max and brother participated on separte teams.

Last night I participated in the "blind test." This is when a DJ plays 30 songs and you have to name them by the third song we were dancing on the table. Practically everyone was dancing on the table it was so much fun but it was So hot. I think it lasted 3 hours. I dont think i have ever danced so much.

there was a street fair all day. I help sell tickets with some friends I made it was fun. there was a concert later where they sang engliish songs with an accent haha.

I did not get lost.

I made it to Belgium at 8 am Belgian time. I did not sleep at all on the plane. I walk past my family in the airport when they were picking me up. whoops. Anyways the car ride was really quiet when were driving home. I was scared this year was going to suck. But, when we arrived at the home they started talking way more. Btw the 4 years of french did not help that much. But I am making progress. I live in a farm suburb area. I love it. Everything is so green. A couple houses down they have cows they are far enough away so they don't smell haha. We have a horse it is white name something french I forgot and there is a trampoline which rocks. I've been really lucky it has not rained yet (it usually rains everyday).

Last night I went to the town's annual party and had my first Belgian beer. They have a special beer that is cherry flavored. People stared at me like I was an alien because everyone knows everyone. But , it was fun no the less. They have this priest in the town and also works as a magican he was so drunk and he keep throwing confettii on people. There were also children in the bar which is different. I also saw a pregnant women smoking today.

I went to my first rotary meeting today. I had to speak in french in front of the club. They said I did well. Which makes me feel a little better about my kindergarden french. I am going running with an mexican exchange student named Sophie and Loulou who is from Belgium later.

My family rocks they are so nice. I haven't talked to the daughter much because she is always gone she is leaving in 2 weeks for Canada. But, I have hung out a lot with my host brother wil and his friend who I forgot the name of. I taught them how to play speed they love it. And wil taught me how to play poker.

I start school in 2 weeks. Apparently they are putting me in the hardest year of school. I don't know how that is going to go. I'm pretty bad at french. we'll see.

When you can't sleep, Blog.

Its 1:42am. (I made the mistake of taking 3 espresso shots earlier) Let the countdown commence. 6 days! Yesterday, as promised, I packed my suitcase and mini suitcase and I was feeling pretty good about myself. My mom comes home from work and says "wrong suitcase." So tomorrow I will be packing AGAIN. parents.

So I've accepted the fact that I am going to gain weight when I'm in Belgium. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a bottomless pit for food and really have no self control when it comes to food. I'm thinking the waffles, fries, and beer won't help. The point I am getting at is I've taken up running again. I didn't realize how much I missed it. (it hurts so good haha) I've decided, being the teenager that I am, I will eat all the fries and waffles and balance it out with running. This is probably a bad idea but, who cares? New clothes.

Btw, where is my visa? I'm leaving in 6 days and don't have a passport or a visa. No worries...

Finalement, my car decided it was going to die today. Couldn't it hold out just one more week? No.
R.I.P. Toyota Paseo.

12 Days!

So this rotary process started about a year ago. I just said to myself "why do I have to go straight to college when there is so many places to go and people to meet?" I'm not quite ready to settle into something so permenant as college just yet. This seemed like the best time to stretch my legs and get some independence and freedom from everyone I know.

This is the test: Can I survive a year without everyone I know and love? (I'm thinking yes. :) )

To prepare I have:
1. Ate lots of Belgian waffles and chocolate. Its going to be tough to adapt to their diet.
2. Not brushed up on my French. whoops. But, I finally bought a French to English dictionary. How did I survive four years of French without one?
3. Thought about packing. I set my date for this coming Monday for packing. Keeping my luggage under 50 lbs is going to be hard.
* Travel Tip for the ladies: purses are not weighed. Carry-ons are. (10 lbs) So stuff your purses!
4. Learning how to do laundry properly. (I am not proud of this)

I learned 2 days ago that I have 3 weeks to completely stop speaking English. I really think I can do it. I've been taking French for 4 years but, I really don't this rule is fair to others who are going on this trip and just learned French this year.