Please pray for the people that lost their lives in Liege yesterday. I was not there but some exchange students were and they witnessed the bombs going off and the shootings. It is very scary to think about and I hope everyone is staying safe!
Here is a link with the info:
http://news.yahoo.com/death-toll-belgian-attack-rises-4-154123200.html
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Final Exams
I just got home from my French exam. My teacher had me write an essay on Christmas in America. So easy! I'm beginning to really like exams here :)
Last Friday I had my English exam. I read two different articles in English then replied to questions in French. After, I had my oral exam where I spoke in French about taking a gap year. This Wednesday is Geography. I have been studying and last night my host mom helped me with the concepts that I couldn't understand. It's a little difficult when the book is in French ;) But actually I find this subject to be interesting and I'm looking forward to see how I will do on the test. Friday I have another oral exam for English. I will be speaking about some topic in French. Next Monday will be my last exam! It's English again, I will read articles and write about them in French.
Christmas break is almost here! I'm going to Euro Disney in Paris on the 20th, hanging out with exchange student and school friends, and spending time with my host family before I switch families in January!
Last Friday I had my English exam. I read two different articles in English then replied to questions in French. After, I had my oral exam where I spoke in French about taking a gap year. This Wednesday is Geography. I have been studying and last night my host mom helped me with the concepts that I couldn't understand. It's a little difficult when the book is in French ;) But actually I find this subject to be interesting and I'm looking forward to see how I will do on the test. Friday I have another oral exam for English. I will be speaking about some topic in French. Next Monday will be my last exam! It's English again, I will read articles and write about them in French.
Christmas break is almost here! I'm going to Euro Disney in Paris on the 20th, hanging out with exchange student and school friends, and spending time with my host family before I switch families in January!
 |
| My class at school :) |
Family
This picture just made my day :) My parents went to San Diego and Los Angeles over Thanksgiving break with Ohm, the exchange student from Thailand that is living at my house. Whenever I hear from my family it makes me feel not so far away....Love them so much!!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
A Great Weekend
Last Friday night was the Soiree des Rheto's at my school. (Rheto's are the name for the students in the last year of high school here, like "seniors"). Basically a huge party with dancing, drinking, and hanging out with friends. It was a lot of fun and I danced all night :) It's so crazy that kids can drink at a school event...and the teachers were the ones selling the drink tickets at the bar! Haha not like America at all.
On Saturday morning I woke up really early and went to Brugge with my host mom and exchange student friend, Kamo. Brugge is in the Flemish part of Belgium, in the northwest of the country. I have been wanting to go to Brugge for a long time so I was happy that my host mom invited me. It is a beautiful city and everything was already decorated for christmas so it really put me in the holiday mood. I bought some Godiva chocolate that was so delicious :) It seemed like every other shop on the street was a chocolate shop!! My favorite. Next time I go to Brugge I would like to rent a bike and explore the city that way. Oh and it's so interesting to hear another language other than French. The main language is Dutch in the Flemish part of Belgium.
Sunday was a Rotary event in Brussels, called The Exotic Dinner. All the exchange students got in groups and made a dish from their country. I brought hot dogs, very American. Of course I ate the Mexican food though! Pico de gallo and guacamole mmmmmm. I miss it so much. I enjoyed the Australian food too...meat pies and pavlova.
Now it's another week at school. Time to get ready for the exams! Rotary exchange students only have to take four exams at Christmas so I chose French, Geography, and my two English classes. I will do the English exams in French though! Students here study so much for the exams and they take them so seriously so I can't really hang out with the Belgians on the weekends. So I think this Friday I'll go over to Maisa's house, my friend from Finland.
I will update soon with information on Saint Nicholas Day, a christmas holiday celebrated in Belgium on December 6th.
Bye for now :)
On Saturday morning I woke up really early and went to Brugge with my host mom and exchange student friend, Kamo. Brugge is in the Flemish part of Belgium, in the northwest of the country. I have been wanting to go to Brugge for a long time so I was happy that my host mom invited me. It is a beautiful city and everything was already decorated for christmas so it really put me in the holiday mood. I bought some Godiva chocolate that was so delicious :) It seemed like every other shop on the street was a chocolate shop!! My favorite. Next time I go to Brugge I would like to rent a bike and explore the city that way. Oh and it's so interesting to hear another language other than French. The main language is Dutch in the Flemish part of Belgium.
Sunday was a Rotary event in Brussels, called The Exotic Dinner. All the exchange students got in groups and made a dish from their country. I brought hot dogs, very American. Of course I ate the Mexican food though! Pico de gallo and guacamole mmmmmm. I miss it so much. I enjoyed the Australian food too...meat pies and pavlova.
Now it's another week at school. Time to get ready for the exams! Rotary exchange students only have to take four exams at Christmas so I chose French, Geography, and my two English classes. I will do the English exams in French though! Students here study so much for the exams and they take them so seriously so I can't really hang out with the Belgians on the weekends. So I think this Friday I'll go over to Maisa's house, my friend from Finland.
I will update soon with information on Saint Nicholas Day, a christmas holiday celebrated in Belgium on December 6th.
Bye for now :)
 |
| Soiree des Rhetos with Claudia :) |
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Trois mois!?
I've been in Belgium for three months already! So crazy. Oh and sorry I haven't been updating often but I can never find the time. I will try to be better from now on though :)
Here's some things I've been up to recently:
London, North Sea, Liege, Anvers, Brussels, Ypres, Tintin museum, Namur Nature Film Festival, Oxfam breakfast, Kraft mac and cheese for my host family, chocolate chip cookies for my english class, french lessons, crepes for dinner, Pizza Hut, seeing movies in French at the cinema and trying to understand what's going on, cheerleading exercises for my gym class, meeting amazing exchange students, becoming better friends with the Belgians, watching Grey's Anatomy and Glee with my host sisters, trying not to be depressed that I'm not going to have a Thanksgiving this year, receiving letters and packages in the mail :), eating some of the best food I've ever had in my life, buying lots of scarves and gloves, improving my french everyday...
The weather here has been beautiful lately! My host mom said in November it's usually gray and rainy but it's been clear skies and sunshine! I feel so lucky but I still want snow! Hopefully for Christmas :)
I hope everyone has a lovely Thanksgiving and think of me when you're eating! XOXO
Here's some things I've been up to recently:
London, North Sea, Liege, Anvers, Brussels, Ypres, Tintin museum, Namur Nature Film Festival, Oxfam breakfast, Kraft mac and cheese for my host family, chocolate chip cookies for my english class, french lessons, crepes for dinner, Pizza Hut, seeing movies in French at the cinema and trying to understand what's going on, cheerleading exercises for my gym class, meeting amazing exchange students, becoming better friends with the Belgians, watching Grey's Anatomy and Glee with my host sisters, trying not to be depressed that I'm not going to have a Thanksgiving this year, receiving letters and packages in the mail :), eating some of the best food I've ever had in my life, buying lots of scarves and gloves, improving my french everyday...
The weather here has been beautiful lately! My host mom said in November it's usually gray and rainy but it's been clear skies and sunshine! I feel so lucky but I still want snow! Hopefully for Christmas :)
I hope everyone has a lovely Thanksgiving and think of me when you're eating! XOXO
 |
| Take me back to London!! |
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Time needs to slow down!
Hello, my followers! This Monday will mark my first month in Belgium. Time is going by way too fast, but at the same time it feels like I've been gone for 10 years.
I made it through my second week of school. I absolutely love it! Everyone is so friendly and I feel like I belong there. Most of my teachers understand that going to school in a foreign country and speaking in a foreign language is difficult, so they aren't too demanding. My French teacher assigned L'Alchimiste (The Alchemist) for me to read instead of a more challenging book the rest of the class has to read. Thankfully I read The Alchemist a few months ago so I know what it's about :) I'm still going to read it in french though because it's good practice. Oh and I was actually able to complete my first math assignment, with a little help from my friends :)
This weekend is the Fete de Wallonie in Namur. There are various shows and some pretty famous Belgian singing groups performing. I went last night and hung out with some friends from school and other exchange students. Tonight I'm going back to watch Suarez perform, a Belgian group :) I can't wait!
A few nights ago I made dinner for my host family. I made penne pasta and a tomato sauce with sausage, onions, mushrooms, and bell peppers. Also I made a salad with different kinds of vegetables, croutons, and cheese. They really enjoyed it. Next time I'm going to make them grilled cheese :)
All in all, I have had a wonderful first month in Belgium. The chocolate, waffles, beer, fries, people, and sights are amazing. I feel so lucky to be here :) Time needs to slow down though. I still have so much I need to do! I hope everything is well in California.
Bisous bisous
I made it through my second week of school. I absolutely love it! Everyone is so friendly and I feel like I belong there. Most of my teachers understand that going to school in a foreign country and speaking in a foreign language is difficult, so they aren't too demanding. My French teacher assigned L'Alchimiste (The Alchemist) for me to read instead of a more challenging book the rest of the class has to read. Thankfully I read The Alchemist a few months ago so I know what it's about :) I'm still going to read it in french though because it's good practice. Oh and I was actually able to complete my first math assignment, with a little help from my friends :)
This weekend is the Fete de Wallonie in Namur. There are various shows and some pretty famous Belgian singing groups performing. I went last night and hung out with some friends from school and other exchange students. Tonight I'm going back to watch Suarez perform, a Belgian group :) I can't wait!
A few nights ago I made dinner for my host family. I made penne pasta and a tomato sauce with sausage, onions, mushrooms, and bell peppers. Also I made a salad with different kinds of vegetables, croutons, and cheese. They really enjoyed it. Next time I'm going to make them grilled cheese :)
All in all, I have had a wonderful first month in Belgium. The chocolate, waffles, beer, fries, people, and sights are amazing. I feel so lucky to be here :) Time needs to slow down though. I still have so much I need to do! I hope everything is well in California.
Bisous bisous
 |
| Fete de Wallonie avec mes amis :) |
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Brussels
Last Thursday I was able to spend the day in Brussels. It is such a fascinating city with plenty of historic buildings. All the exchange students toured the Royal Palace and the Federal Parliament. There were so many of us! I love getting the chance to meet people from other countries and sharing this wonderful year abroad with them.
For lunch, we went to a restaurant where they served us meatballs and fries (frites). It was yummy, but my host mom made frites the other night for dinner and they were much better :) Francoise is an amazing cook! Speaking of food, Francoise wants me to cook dinner soon so I can share how I eat in America. If anyone has suggestions of "American" food, please email me recipes at car.fisher12@gmail.com. Merci!
On Monday, I spent the day in Namur with Camille and Helene. Namur is the capital of the Namur province of Belgium. I saw the Namur Citadel, Theater, and even went into a bar! A few of Camille's friends were there so we went to say hi. They ordered beers while we chatted for a bit. It was crazy sitting with three 16 year old boys who were able to drink beer! Camille, Helene, and I chose not to drink anything. I would much rather save my calories for chocolate ;)
Oh and while we were shopping in Namur, we went to a store that sells Abercrombie and Hollister clothes. I saw the same Hollister sweatshirt that I bought in California a couple months ago on clearance for 30 or 40 dollars. However, here the sweatshirt was 99 euros!! I couldn't believe it.
I went to my school yesterday to choose my classes and get a short tour. It is beautiful!! I'm actually excited to start school on Monday :) It was built in the 1780's as a castle, and now it is a school with about 2,000 students and there's even a church! It sure is a change from my high school in California which was very modern. I will be taking Religion, French, History, Geography, P.E., English, Math, Science, and Social Science. Wow.
Okay well I'm going to go practice my French :) Au revoir!
For lunch, we went to a restaurant where they served us meatballs and fries (frites). It was yummy, but my host mom made frites the other night for dinner and they were much better :) Francoise is an amazing cook! Speaking of food, Francoise wants me to cook dinner soon so I can share how I eat in America. If anyone has suggestions of "American" food, please email me recipes at car.fisher12@gmail.com. Merci!
On Monday, I spent the day in Namur with Camille and Helene. Namur is the capital of the Namur province of Belgium. I saw the Namur Citadel, Theater, and even went into a bar! A few of Camille's friends were there so we went to say hi. They ordered beers while we chatted for a bit. It was crazy sitting with three 16 year old boys who were able to drink beer! Camille, Helene, and I chose not to drink anything. I would much rather save my calories for chocolate ;)
Oh and while we were shopping in Namur, we went to a store that sells Abercrombie and Hollister clothes. I saw the same Hollister sweatshirt that I bought in California a couple months ago on clearance for 30 or 40 dollars. However, here the sweatshirt was 99 euros!! I couldn't believe it.
I went to my school yesterday to choose my classes and get a short tour. It is beautiful!! I'm actually excited to start school on Monday :) It was built in the 1780's as a castle, and now it is a school with about 2,000 students and there's even a church! It sure is a change from my high school in California which was very modern. I will be taking Religion, French, History, Geography, P.E., English, Math, Science, and Social Science. Wow.
Okay well I'm going to go practice my French :) Au revoir!
 |
| Namur--my home :) |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)