Arwen at "Le Mannekin Pis"

Beaches of Normandy from D-Day

Arwen and youngest host brother, Pierrick, in Brugge

August 25th

I don't know what to say. It's very different but the same also. They eat lunch and dinner much later than when we eat, and they eat bread all the time. Each day they buy their bread fresh. It's been exhausting, because everyday I have to speak, and understand French all day long. Right now, I think in English, but hopefully in a short time, I will be thinking in French. I find that each day I am here I am learning new vocabulary words, and my comprehension increases. Each day becomes a little bit easier, but at the same time each day has it's challenges. I'm very glad that I did this, but I feel as if I have grown up more in one week than I have in my entire life. This truly will be a life-changing experience for me. Thanks -Arwen

Sept 1st

I started school yesterday, but I only had to go for 2 hours the first day. I am in the 6th year for all of my classes except for French. For French I will be in the 3rd year. I met some girls who did their best to explain everything to me, so that was nice. The weather here has been pretty chilly lately, and I feel as if it's at the end of October. On Sunday I went on a motorcycle ride with my host dad, and I was able to see the mountains and it was breathtaking. On the way home, we got caught in the rain, but I still had a good time. Things are going well with my family, each day I am learning new words from my family, and they've been great encourages. I started swimming at a local pool, and I've really been enjoying that, because it's given me the opportunity to meet more people, and also to learn more vocabulary. Yesterday I went to my first Rotary meeting over here, and it was very different from the meetings in America. My host club is all male, and it met in a remote country club type place. The food was excellent, and I was honored to have been invited to go. I am very grateful that I have had four years of French, because I met a couple of exchange students that do not know any French at all. Things are going great here, and I am extremely happy.

The picture above is of the beaches of Normandy from D-day

Thanks,

Arwen

Sept. 8, 2003

This weekend was great. I met some of the other exchange students in my area, and we all went to a couple of different cafés in Verviers on Saturday. On Sunday, my family took me to a beer festival in Brussels. It was really neat to see all of the culture and all of the different types of beer there. I didn't realize how many different types there were!!! School is very difficult for me right now, but I know that with time it will get better. My French is coming along very well, I can't wait for Christmas to come around, because hopefully by then I will be fluent or close to it. I had the opportunity to go to my first Rotary meeting here. It was wonderful. It's an all male club, which surprised me. I felt very honored to be their guest. We ate very well, starting with a fish soup, then a main dish consisting of small pieces of beef, carrot rounds, and green beans wrapped in bacon.  The meal was finished with an extravagant delicious dessert, which was something made with chocolate and some other type of white mousse, and of course coffee. On the weekend of September 19th, 20th, and 21st, my Rotary has planned a weekend for the students in my district here.  We are going to Farchamps, the racetrack here, and we get to watch a race. We're also having a barbeque and some other activities. I love Belgium, and I couldn't be happier right now!!!!!