Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Day 176

Zondag, 29 Januari 2012

Slept in a bit again, and then all of us (Raf, Charlotte, and their partners) drove to Damme.  We met Denise's parents (with Denise, Frederik, and Marcela), talked a bit, and then went out for lunch.  But not just any lunch - it was like 4 or 5 hours long.  I WAS SO TIRED.  I'm not used to that long of meals.  I mean, it was delicious, but it was so long.  Oh goodness.

After that, we walked around Damme a bit, went back to Denise's parents house, and then finally came home.  Basically just went to bed right away, pretty tired.

Day 175

Zaterdag, 28 Januari 2012

Not much to say.  Woke up late, walked to the train station (like 3 minutes away), went to drumline.  Did the usual rehearsing thing, went back to Gent.  Went out with Raf a bit - we went to a reggae concert (free!), so that was really nice.  Good music.  Around midnight he dropped me back off at his place so I could sleep (hard rehearsal), and he went out again.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Day 174

Vrijdag, 27 Januari 2012

So, today was probably one of the best "days of our lives" moments, as Marcela and I call them.  A little backstory - Meerle (my town now) only has like two buses that go through the bus stop near us, and between them there's only a total of like 10 buses the entire day.  Also, I have never seen a bus in the city besides the one I ride to school.

So, it started as a normal day.  I got up, went to the bus stop alone (Marcela was sick), and got on the bus.  I swear it was my bus, considering the usual people were on it.  The first half hour or so was normal - we went through the usual cities, and went to the school where almost everyone gets off, except for a few people.  It's fine, that's normal.

After that stop, there's about 10 or 15 minutes, and then a really bumpy road that always throws you around in your seat.  So, like usual, I shut my eyes for like ten minutes, and then the road would wake me up.  After like 10 minutes, I didn't feel the road, so I looked outside.  I had no idea where I was.  It was basically the middle of nowhere, so I wasn't going to get off the bus and try to get a bus back to Meerle, seeing as how the bus stops only had one bus going through it (apparently the one I was on), but I didn't recognize the number.  No problem, it was probably going to the train station, because that's where the ONLY OTHER BUS that goes through Meerle goes.

Nope.  Never passed a train station.  So, fast forward, TWO HOURS after I got on the bus, I finally get let off in Antwerp.  I don't even know how that could happen.  Then, the bus from Antwerp to Turnhout was about an hour, so I didn't get to the Dutch school until after 11.  So that was funny.  Luckily I called one of the ladies in the class to have her tell the teacher, so the teacher was waiting for me with my final grade from the class.  Registered Marcela and I for the next level of classes, then went to normal school.  Just had one class, a period in the library, and then I had like an hour to wait until the bus home.

As soon as I got home, I had to pack my bag for the weekend, and then like 5 minutes later we were out the door to go out to eat in Gent for Frederik's birthday.  Both of their kids and their partners were there, and it was a lot of fun.  A great Greek restaurant.  Then we went around the city and looked at the light show which was AMAZING.



Afterwards, Marcela, Frederik, and Denise went home, and I went to sleep at Raf (their son's) house.  Talked a little bit, and went to sleep.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Day 173

Donderdag, 26 Januari 2012

Got to sleep in a bit, which was AMAZING.  Got ready, and then Denise drove us to Lille, and we tried to extend my visa.  There was a lot of troubling looks and conversations, and then they said they'd call us back when they figured it out.  I mean, seriously, it's 3 more weeks.  Just say yes!

Denise then dropped us off in Turnhout and she went to a meeting, so Marcela and I had lunch at Miccy D's since she didn't have time for breakfast this morning (slept in too much).  Went to the school, talked with Santi and some other exchange students, and then class.  My first class was... odd.  We'll just leave it at that.  Then the playing class, worked on "I'm So Excited".  Then the jazz theory class which was half talking/half actually doing something.  Easy day.

Came home, did some studying, and then called one of my friends in the US with the google voice.  He didn't recognize me at first (obviously), so I pretended to be all hurt and said some stereotypical things I always say, and he caught on.  It was a fun surprise - I called at the end of band class so I got to say hi to a few other people as well.  Really made my day.  Surprised my mom and called her quick at work, just so she could have my number.

Had dinner, talked with Marcela a bit, and then watched Fargo, which probably wasn't a good idea since it really (obviously) reminded me of home.  Great film, and I don't think the accents were that overdone.  At some parts, sure, but other parts were severely lacking.

After the movie, went upstairs, did some drumline stuff, and now it's time for bed.  Slaapwel!  I won't be able to update until Sunday at the earliest, so if this stays stagnant for a while that doesn't mean that I'm dead.  :P

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Day 172

Woensdag, 25 Januari 2012

Got up, went to school.  Had a study period since the teacher was gone so I wrote some letters, then Latin, part of English class, and science.  I actually answered a question in my Latin class today and I understood what the science lesson was about (balancing equations)!  Yay!  Had to wait for the bus, finally got home around 1:40.  Ate, showered, did some trumpet stuff, and then (you guessed it) took a nap.  Until 7.

Had dinner, and then went upstairs to get some stuff working on my computer.  Skyped with a friend so he could help me, and then we set me up with a google voice number.  So, now I can call/text anyone in the US for free, so long as I'm at a computer with a mic.  Super awesome.  :)  Messed around with that, hung out with Marcela (she got home around 9), and did some Latin study.

Watched a video online that's actually making me a little homesick.  It's S*** People From Minnesota Say, so it's full of Minnesota stereotypes (which, with my family, is kinda the norm).  Probably one of the best parts, something that I remember saying and hearing quite often: "Ahh, the Vikings won a game hun, we're going to the Superbowl!" or "Guess who just won $100 playing pull tabs?"  (True story - my friend back home just won $1200 with pull tabs).  But yeah, hearing the exaggerated accent and the "don'tcha knows" or "fer cutes" that he says in the video really makes me miss home.

So, anyway, enough of that type of talk for tonight.  Slaapwel!

Day 171

Dinsdag, 24 Januari 2012

Normal day.  Woke up (on time), ate, went to Dutch school.  We had our speaking exam, which went fairly good.  I messed up on some simple things, but I did well enough to pass to 1.2 :)  Marcela did too, and so did the other 3 ladies in our group.  We went to register for the next level (starts on Monday), but we didn't have any money so we had to do it later.  Bummer.

Had a bunch of extra time, so we went to the school and hung out in the library.  Looked up some college stuff and scholarships and did some math study.  Had the acting class, and then a study period, so I did some Latin then.  Then, went to Lille, had dinner, hung out (it's becoming routine for us to watch this terrible, terrible US show about repoing before I go to rehearsal), and then rehearsal.  Hung out afterwards, then went back to the house to sleep.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Day 170

Maandag, 23 Januari 2012

Got up, got ready for school, and realized Marcela wasn't up yet.  She had about 10 minutes to get ready as her alarm didn't work, so it was pretty hectic.  We split a Mountain Dew on the bus to wake up (after a short nap), and then did the Dutch exam.  It was... fairly easy; that or I did something wrong.  I mean, it's just what we've done in class, which is really hard stuff.  Simple questions that basically don't help in everyday conversation (are you married?  how many kids do you have? etc), some writing things which I hopefully didn't mess up too bad on.  Even after re-reading my answers I was the first one done - always a weird feeling, when you turn in the test and everyone is looking at you like, "You're done already?"

Waited for Marcela downstairs, and then as we had a bunch of time until we had to be at school, we went out to eat at a frituur, hung out, and then talked with Santi during lunch.  I had two periods free, which I used to study math.  I also realized that I hate long division.  But, I suppose I should probably actually learn it for once in my life.  :P  Then Latin, and home.

Hung out a bit, ate, and then Denise and Frederik left for... something.  So, did some reading and chatting, watched some TV, and now I think it's time for bed.  Slaapwel!

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Day 169

Zondag, 22 Januari 2012

Got up, had a nice talk with Patrick and Truut, and then went to the Jaarmarkt in Lille.  The fanfare did a little bit of "marching" (basically 4 person block, walking in step), so that was fun.  It made me a) really miss marching band and everyone associated with it and b) realize how much easier it is to march when you have your music memorized and you don't need to hold the flip folder.  I got a windbreaker so I could match everyone else (they all had it already) so that was totally awesome as well.

Then, hung around a bit - there were some local cover bands/other bands playing, so listened to them a bit and talked with some people.  Then, went inside and helped out.  Again, doing dishes since I can't talk without sounding... terrible.  But it was fun - great group of people.  Had something to eat, and then Denise picked me up.

At home, talked with Marcela a bit (her mom left me a gift - sandals and some Brasilian soda!!), then napped until dinner.  Talked a bit, then went upstairs to study Dutch for our exam tomorrow.  Skyped a bit, talked to people, read a bit.  Productive night.  Now, going to sleep so I'm *hopefully* not tired tomorrow.  Slaapwel!

Day 168

Zaterdag, 21 Januari 2012

Got up, got packed, and left for drumline.  Denise drove me to the train station again, so I didn't need to wake up super early for a bus, so that was nice.  Rehearsal was just drill and music on one of the songs - not even doing a run of the other stuff we've learned past weeks, which is kinda bad considering I've basically forgotten one of the songs.

We were actually on time for the train today - it was honestly weird going to the station and not having to run to the train.  Got off in Herentals, and then went back to Lille to sleep at Patrick and Truut's (fanfare thing on Sunday - so yes, I was traveling with my trumpet all day).  We talked a bit, but I had to go to bed pretty soon after I got there.  SO SLEEPY.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Day 167

Vrijdag, 20 Januari 2012

Had a test study day in the Dutch class (tests on Monday and Tuesday), which in all honesty was really boring.  Went to the school, sent in my application to UND, did some math study, and went to a little exhibit in the school talking about the 350 anniversary of the school for my art history class.  Waited in the library for the bus, went home.  Denise and Frederik had to leave for a party, and Marcela had went straight from Turnhout to a party, so I was home alone.  Basically just did some music stuff (ie: drumline study and trumpet practice), read a bit, and went to bed early as I was still feeling a bit sick.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Day 166

Donderdag, 19 Januari 2012

Woke up this morning, had breakfast, talked with Denise a bit, and then went back to bed until 4pm.  I'm so productive on days I miss school.  :P  Showered, talked with my parents a bit, studied a bit, had dinner, and then watched Robin Hood with Marcela and Denise.  That's about it.  Now, time for bed again.  Slaapwel!

Day 165

Woensdag, 18 Januari 2012

Woke up on time, and Patrick drove me to the bus stop, which was awesome.  Listening class, Latin, English (we did Macbeth, which was hilarious), and science.  Nothing too amazing.  After school, went to the bus stop, and I was waiting for Marcela.  She finally ended up texting me asking where I was, so I said, and as she said she was there too, I started looking for her.  Turns out she was like less than a foot away from me for a good 5 minutes, staring me right in the face, and I just didn't notice.  >.>

Home, ate quick, and then slept until dinner.  Then, we went to Antwerp to watch a movie.  Denise and Frederik went to a French movie, and Marcela and I saw Sherlock Holmes 2!  IT WAS SO AWESOME.  I'd go again, definitely.  Had a drink afterwards (yay hot chocolate!), and then back home, got ready for sleep, and now it's time for bed.  Slaapwel!

And, for some reason, this song has been stuck in my head ALL DAY: Souix City Sue by Gene Autry.  It's so addicting to listen to!

Day 164

Dinsdag, 17 Januari 2012

Normal day.  Dutch school, basically fell asleep during class.  Then real school, which was.. weird.  I went to class, only to find no one there.  I waited for like 10 minutes, and no one showed up, so I just went to the library.  Had another free period, and then went to Lille.  This is where the "fun begins".  I went to Patrick and Truut's, only to find no one anywhere.  Of course, I don't have a key anymore, so that kinda sucked.  I texted both of them, no answer.  Truut's bike was missing, so I assumed she was just getting groceries or something.

Nope.  After like 30 minutes, I was cold, so I biked to the library, which was closed.  Bummer.  Checked the house again, no one where.  Finally just went to a frituur and used like the last of my cash to get some fries so I could sit in the heat.  Patrick finally called and said he was coming home, so that was nice.  Got inside, just made a fire, got a blanket, and napped on the couch since I hadn't felt good all day.  Truut came home, and told me she had gotten stuck in Antwerp, and since the tram was noisy she didn't hear her phone.  Oh well.  Now we have a plan in place in case they're gone when I get there, so that's good.

Went to the fanfare, practiced, stayed after again, then went home and went straight to bed.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Day 163

Maandag, 16 Januari 2012

Got up, Dutch school - the usual.  Nothing terribly exciting happened in class.  Lunched quick, and then went to the library.  I had two free periods after lunch, so I spent some time getting my application ready for UND, and brushing up on math skills.  And by brushing up, I mean super basics.  I'm going to go through all the Khan Academy stuff, seeing as how I haven't had math since the summer before my senior year (and that was "Math for Liberal Arts Majors"), and I want to do a self study econ course, and you need some Calc background for it, which I have never taken.

Then Latin, and home.  Marcela and I were too caught up in reading on our Kindles (hey, I was at the end of the book - I didn't have time to look up) that we missed our stop.  Got off at the next one, which was quite a ways away.  Luckily, it was right by a cafe we went to on Sunday on our walk, so we were able to figure out the way home.  Thank goodness!

Finished my book (amazing, by the way), had dinner (tortillas!), and studied Dutch/talked with people.  All in all a good night.

Day 162

Zondag, 15 Januari 2012

Slept in late, which was FANTASTIC.  Got up around noon as both the siblings and their partners were coming over.  Had a nice lunch, tea, and went for a little walk.  Got to see some of the "city", so that was nice.  Back at home, watched some TV and movies, had pizza for dinner, and got ready for sleep.  Skyped with my parents a bit to talk about our trip, and then went to bed.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Day 161

Zaterdag, 14 Januari 2012

Got up, still feeling kinda sick.  Bummer.  Got all packed up, and Denise drove me to the train station (thank goodness!)  She picked Marcela up there, as she saw Kimberli, our last oldie from Brasil, off at the airport at 6 in the morning.  But on the drive to the airport, I finally got my ride from the train station to rehearsal for drumline, so I was pretty happy.  Of course, when I got to the train, they said it was broken.  And at this station, there is only one train an hour.  Not cool.

They ended up fixing it by 1130 (supposed to leave at 1108), which was fine because then I would just barely make my other train in Antwerp.  But, of course, they said the train wouldn't leave until 1208.  Not cool.  So, I had to get the later train to Kortrijk, AND find a new ride to rehearsal.  Ended up being around 30 or 40 minutes late to rehearsal, which sucked.  Learned drill for two parts of the show, and then back to the train station.  Almost missed my train again - we had to speed a bit and I had to run to make it.

Then, in Antwerp, I walked to a restaurant where the Roteract (kinda like Rotary for younger people) was having a dinner.  Marcela was there, along with one of Denise and Frederik's kids (Charlotte).  Pretty fun, ate some good food, and then we went out to a bar for a bit.  Finally got home, and then Marcela and I went straight to bed.

Day 160

Vrijdag, 13 Januari 2012

Usual day.  Got up, read on the way to school, Dutch class.  A lady in our class, Belen, is moving back to Spain because of her work, so it was her last day.  :(  We got a class picture though, so now you guys can see who all is in my class.


Then real school, which was a music theory and art history, and since the art history teacher was gone we ended up just sitting around in the room.  Had to wait in the library for the bus, and then went home.  Marcela went to Brussels instead, to say goodbye to our oldie Vicki, from Australia, who was leaving that night.  :(  I can't believe they're gone already!

Watched Tron with Denise and Frederik (pretty sure they didn't like it...) and then went to bed.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Day 159

Donderdag, 12 Januari 2012

Got up (on time today, thankyouverymuch), made it to school fine.  I think I'll like the long bus ride, so long as I can sit and read my kindle.  Actually read a book on like Arabian horse training this week - really informative.  Did some Dutch work as well.  Class, and then real school.  All music classes, which I actually have to say I don't enjoy as much as I should.  I'm still not used to how they're run (especially the jazz class), so it's still pretty awkward going to them.  Plus, I hate improv soloing, which I guess I have to do next week.  :/

Home, did the Dutch homework, and had dinner with Marcela and Denise.  Pretty fun - we talked about this one charity/company Denise and Frederik work with, and it was really interesting.  Then Marcela and I watched Pocahontas; well, half watched it and half talked to each other.  But it was in Dutch, and we could understand it basically, so that was good.  Tried to figure out my visa stuff, got ready for bed, finally caught this up again, and now it's time for bed.  Slaapwel!

Day 158

Woensdag, 11 Januari 2012

Barely woke up in time.  Like, my bus was at 738.  It's a 10 minute walk (can't bike since I'd have to leave the bike there all week).  I woke up at 726, and that was only because I heard Siemen running around downstairs since his alarm didn't work either.  Got to the bus stop a few seconds after it pulled up, barely managed to make it on.  Whew.

Listening class, Latin (I understood parts!  And a new kid, who is still like 12, is in the class; he lived in America for like 3 years so that's pretty cool), free period (English teacher was sick/gone), and science (learned about bloodtypes).  Nothing terribly exciting.  Then, Marcela, Santi and I got picked up by Emi at the train station, and she drove us to Tienen for a rotary activity.  We got to tour a sugar factory, which was pretty okay.  It smelled like a farm, which I liked because it reminded me of up north, but most of the others didn't appreciate the smell.  :P

Spent a lot of time just talking with the other exchange students.  We secretly made a book for Kimberli (well, Sravya did most of it, we just all wrote a note), as she leaves for Brasil on Saturday.  We gave it to her at the end, when we were all saying goodbye in the parking lot.  She started tearing up - it really was a wonderful book, with pictures and notes from everyone.  We all got in the cars, and then said goodbye again at the train station.  Vicki, our other oldie from Australia (who wasn't at the factory) leaves on Friday night.  It's so sad to have them go!  I can't believe that the goodbye there was the last time I'll get to see her in real life until I go visit in Brasil.  :P

Basically slept on the drive back to Turnhout, got a bus to Hoogstraten, and Frederik picked us up there.  Dinner, and then watched "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", a 1969 western movie.  It was really good, though it did make me a bit homesick, not gonna lie.  This is the first western I've watched here, and I think it should be the last because it makes me miss home too much.  I'm sure if I saw the Trinity movies I'd start crying or something.  :P

Anyway, as I wasn't feeling the best after that, just went to bed right away instead of doing any studying.

Day 157

Dinsdag, 10 Januari 2012

The usual.  Bused to school, had to bring my instrument.  Dutch class (we had a test!), and then like 3 periods of my acting class, with a period of library time thrown in there.  I actually didn't need to do anything really, seeing as I only say one line in this one guy's part, so that was nice.  Bused to Lille, had dinner with Truut and Siemen, did some homework, and then went to the fanfare.  Of course, stayed later than I should have, got back to Patrick and Truut's, and went straight to bed.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Day 156

Maandag, 9 Januari 2012

School again.  :(  Frederik and Denise were at a meeting, so Marcela and I had the house to ourselves to get ready.  Got to the bus stop on time, bussed to school.  About an hour even.  :/  Thank goodness we both have Kindles!  Dutch school first, which was pretty fun - we hadn't hung out over break like we planned, so it was good to see everyone again.

Lunched with Santi, had a period in the library, then music theory.  Was going to go to my Latin class, but our teacher had a "talk" with us about people forgetting their assignments and such, and by the time he let us go the break was over and by the time I got to the Latin class it would have been fairly late.  Did some reading in the library, and then we bussed home.  Of course, Marcela and I didn't really know what stop to stop at (as we had only seen it once), so the last half hour was just us looking out the window and hoping to recognize a place.

Studied some Dutch and Latin, had dinner, and then Marcela and I ended up talking to Denise until 9 or so.  Quite a lot of fun.  Studied more, got ready for bed, and finally got to sleep around midnight.  Whoo.  :/

Day 155

Zondag, 8 Januari 2012

Not much to say.  Woke up late, ate with the family, studied Dutch and napped, ate again, watched some TV, did a quick walk (Denise showed me where the bus stop was) and then went with Frederik to pick up Marcela at the train station!  After not seeing her for like 2 weeks it was a lot of fun to talk again and catch up.  Hung out when she unpacked, and then both of us went to sleep.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Day 154

Zaterdag, 7 Januari 2012

Woke up at 6, got ready, packed some food and ate, and then Emi's sister drove me to the train station.  Got to Kortrijk a little after 10 (after getting some sleep on the train), had a cymbal sectional, and then real rehearsal.  Drank one of my precious Mountain Dews to stay awake.  :P  Learned some drill, tried to learn the music; normal rehearsal things.  Of course, it went late, so I just barely made my train again.

Actually took the train to Oostende, as Frederik's family was having a little reunion/Holiday meal.  Ate, showed off clips of RCR and DrumSpirit (it seems like I always come from Drumline when a family thing is going on, giving me a chance to explain what drumline is), talked with people, and then we left.  Dropped off their son and his girlfriend at Gent, and then drove home.  I tried to sleep in the car, but my contacts were so dry my eyes hurt, and it was painful to have them closed.  Of course, I also couldn't keep my eyes open, so it was a loong ride home.

Got home around midnight, and then immediately passed out in bed.  SO TIRED.

Day 153

Vrijdag, 6 Januari 2012

So, like I said, we had fallen asleep at like 8:30 at Jenna's house.  At noon we woke up, seeing as how we needed to figure out trains for the Rotary event that night.  Got ready, watched her host brother play Skyrim (<3) and then got to bus to Turnhout, both of us sticking out as we were holding our blazers.  Emi picked us and Santi up at the station, and drove us to her sister's house in Hasselt.  We had some dinner, and changed into nice clothes for the night.  Well, I didn't, seeing as how I had misread the email and didn't know it was a formal dinner thing, so I had jeans and a nice shirt of Jenna's to wear.  Oops.

Drove to Genk, and tried to find the place.  Santi kept saying he knew where to go, only to break out laughing and say that he had no idea where he was.  Slick.  There was a little reception, a concert (sitting concert, as there were a bunch of Rotary people in gala clothes) by the band Absynthe Minded, and then we went to a nice Italian place to eat.  I was just exhausted by then - I think I slept during part of the concert even though they were really good.  Talked with all of my exchange friends, and then we FINALLY left, and got to Emi's sister's house around 1:30am, got everything ready, and then was asleep by 2.

Day 152

Donderdag, 5 Januari 2012

Looong day.

Woke up, got packed up, and went to the neighbors house.  They're in Rotary, and the kid had to give a presentation about his family to family exchange he did, and I needed a ride to Hoogstraten, so I went with them to the meeting.  It was pretty fun, talked to a few people, and then I was about to walk to the bus stop to get a bus to Turnhout, when one of the Rotary members said he could give me a ride to Turnhout as he worked there. Score!  We talked about American politics and such, which was pretty fun.

He dropped me off, and then I had to wait (holding my obnoxious blazer) at the station until my bus came.  Got to Mol around 3pm, and Jenna and her host brother picked me up at the station.  We went to her house, hung out a bit (I napped a little, I was SUPER tired), had dinner, and then took the train to Hasselt, where we met up with a bunch of other exchange students.  Took a bus to Bilzen, where Fede (an Argentinian exchange student from our district) was having his going away party.  Boy, that was an adventure.  Jenna and I were probably the only two who weren't fluent in either Dutch (the Belgians) or Portuguese/Spanish (all of the exchange students).

Basically, we stayed until 5:20am to hang out (and because there were no buses before then).  Made it back to Mol, had breakfast at the station with some of Jenna's friends who were just arriving as well, and then made it back to her house around 8:30, and slept right away.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Day 151

Woensdag, 4 Januari 2012

Barely woke up on time (stupid alarm didn't go off...) and got the bus to Turnhout where Denise picked Santi, Jenna and I up for the Rotary trip to Brugge.  All the French kids from our district were there too, so I got to catch up with some of them (including Kate, the other girl from my home district!)

Walked around the town, messed around, and started saying goodbyes.  The oldies (people who got here around January last year, basically the Australians and some Brasilians) are leaving in the next week or so, so it was pretty sad to realize that this was the last event (or one of the last) that we'll see them.  :(

Home, set up my kindle (it now has my credit card info saved - I'm so screwed, I'll be broke in like a week), got a book, and then went to bed.

I won't be home again until Saturday, so I'll once again be updating late (again).  So it goes.

Day 150

Dinsdag, 3 Januari 2012

Yeah, I know I'm putting these up late, shut up.

Woke up still tired, had breakfast, and then just relaxed.  Spent some time cleaning up my room, doing some reading, etc.  Pretty tame stuff.  Took a nap, and then Denise drove me to Lille for the fanfare.  As usual, it was a lot of fun, stayed late; all in all a good time.  Spent the night at Patrick and Truut's since it was too late to get a bus home or to ask Denise or Frederik to pick me up.

Oh, and my Christmas package from my biological family was there!!  I got the best stuff - a kindle (yayy!!), pj pants and an ornament (family traditions), two Twins bracelets, a Twins hat, and a DANNY VALENCIA JERSEY!  Best presents ever, thanks so much guys!  :)

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Day 149

Maandag, 2 Januari 2012

Got up at 7, cleaned up the house, and we left a little before 8 for home!  Not much to say - we drove for ~13 hours, with stops.  Didn't really talk much - we were sleeping most of the time.  At home, I started to unpack, but then a neighbor and her daughter came over.  We all talked for a bit - they have horses and do lessons quite often, so I might tag along once to see what it's all about, seeing as how I've never ridden western.

Thankfully, they left around 10, so I went upstairs and basically went straight to bed.

Day 148

Zondag, 1 Januari 2012

Aaand, 2012!   That means I have to start saying I'm going home this year.  :(

Woke up fairly late, did some more reading, watching movies, and just relaxing with the family.  We went to a local Moroccan restaurant for dinner, which was really good.  Home, watched some more movies, and then ended up going to bed fairly late.  Oops.

Day 147

Zaterdag, 31 December 2011

Last 2011 post!  Crazy huh?

In all honestly, it was a fairly laid back day.  Woke up, ate, but I had a headache so I took a nap until lunch.  After, Denise and Frederik went for a walk, and I stayed home to finish my book.  Seriously, I loved this book.  As soon as I get the chance I'm going to read all of his other books (and watch the tv miniseries that was based off of this - staring Pierce Brosnan).  It's over 1400 pages, and it covers around 7 days.  Fantastic.

I finished just as they got home, and since we weren't doing anything else, I read another spy/action novel (all they had), and started a book about Abe Lincoln, which is really interesting.

Watch more of "Hornblower", which was really fun.  I think I love that series a bit too much - I definitely have to read the books.  We then started to have a lot of little courses for dinner, and we talked a few times to their daughter Julie on skype.

And then, midnight!  There were some fireworks in the town center that we saw, finished our drinks, and then went to bed around 1am.  Pretty big party animals, aren't we?  :P