A quaint word before the next novella....

I've said it once, I'll say it again, I am aware that I don't blog nearly enough as I should... There have been many a great events since the last blog, so this blurb will be short and sweet (j'éspere...), and I will try to just touch on the main points up until now....

September 3rd I had my first solo rendez-vous with some fellow exchangees in the college town of Mons about an hour away by train. The group consisted of Americans- Sarah from New York and me, Canadians- Brianne and Jannelle, and an Aussie- Julia. Julia and Sarah are the only ones that live in Mons, so we all stayed at Sarah's house that night. Sarah literally lives across the street from the University of Mons, and about two blocks away from the beautiful Grande Place. Upon arrival, the Canadians and I got some pizza at an Italian place waited for Julia and Sarah. After that, we enjoyed an evening of fun, dancing, and meeting new people at the great Marche Aux Herbes.

Saturday I returned to Deux-Acren via train bright and early. In the afternoon I went on a very nice bike ride with François for about two hours. It was the perfect weather for it too. We rode along the river into the Flemish region of the country- which one can easily tell is much wealthier than the French region. That evening I had a Rotary obligation with my host sister Fanny at Le Fêstin de Lessines. A festival set in the middles ages, par the history of the city. Fanny and I had the great privilege of dressing like the Ugly Stepsisters from Cinderella, and sitting on display for the whole town while we ate very interesting food with our hands...


I started school on the 6th, which is relatively the same in the sense that is boring. However, the courses and regulations themselves are quite different. I have 8 classes per day, one hour each in length, and 5 alone before lunch. This was the real shocker for me, because with my schedule in the US, I had an hour and a half of class before lunch... Still adjusting to this aspect to say the least. I am in 6th grade (sixième, Rheto) the equivalent of a Senior in the US. My class of 2011 consists of about 50 or so kids, split into two sections- A and B. I am in A, classes based around the sciences. (I have no idea what the other classes are based on, but we often have classes together.) Before school, after breaks, and after lunch, every class must line up and wait for the teachers to escort them to class- also VERY strange. Once in the classroom, everyone must wait until the teacher gives permission to be seated. And once seated, I am fairly certain one is not to get up or move from their seat. I go to school 8 hours a day with the exception of Wednesdays, when everyone gets out at either Noon or 1h00. I am still trying to figure out the schedule, because there have been multiple occasions that classes did not follow the schedule. Per week, I have a total of 12 hours of French, 3 hours of PE (all of which are back to back Tuesdays after lunch), economics, history, optional history (just an extra history class), English (my favorite class!), and Greek. My understanding of the courses is very strange... While I understand nothing in any of my French classes, I understand everything in my history and Greek classes. I have met a lot of nice kids at school, and they all try and help me out. But I know and understand that I am still the "new foreign exchange student". 


Starting yesterday I have had quite a douzzy of a cold. I ended up coming home early during lunch yesterday, and staying home today. I am feeling much better today and plan to go to school tomorrow. I would like everyone to know that today wasn't a complete waste... Hold onto your hats everyone, what I'm about to reveal might blow your minds.... Don't say I didn't warn you... Ok, here it goes...


I, Ashley Sarah Mathers, on this 15th day of September in the year 2010, cleaned my room AND my bathroom. But not only did I clean, I swept and mopped the floors, cleaned the bathtub, the sink, and I even scrubbed the toilet. I also ironed a number of wrinkly clothing items. 

All of the above mentioned items were done of my own free will on my own accord. I welcome any comments, kudos, virtual "pat-on-the-back's", or donations for my hard work in monetary form at anytime, payable to Ashley Mathers- 14 Place d'Acren, Lessines, Belgique. 


(That last part was a total joke, please don't send me cash, for it will get lost/stolen in the mail.) ;)


And there you have it.... yes mom, this is all 100% true. And no, don't expect it to happen when I get home. ;)

And now, a few lists-


MY NEW FAVORITES:

• Speculoos- This will be the product of my kilotory demise. Basically and gingerbread-like spread the consistency of peanut butter.
• Nutella- Always to die for, another product of my kilotory demise.
• CHEESE- It's all so good... and it's in EVERYTHING.
• Beer- I'm not gonna lie, I enjoy a good beer now and then. Not often though, for it is a very acquired taste.
• Wine- I do enjoy a good white wine with dinner every night, par the Belgian custom.
• BREAD- Another product of the kilotory demise. I eat so much bread now that I am too embarrassed to state the number of pieces I consume on a daily basis. 
• Motorcycle Rides- I have been inspired to get a motorcycle along with a license when I return home. 
• The Driving- While it's fast and crazy, and sometimes scary, it encourages me to know that there are MANY drivers that are worse than me in the world.
• The Fashion- It is a fashion based around neutral colors, stripes, heels, boots, flats and skinny jeans. People dress up here EVERYDAY, it is socially unacceptable to walk out of the house in sweatpants or pajamas. If someone does this, it is permitted to shun and stone said offender. (Just kidding on the stoning part... But shunning is highly likely.)
• Faire les bisoux!- This is the cheek kissing that is done upon EVERY meeting of EVERYONE you meet, even for the men. Yes, men faire les bisoux with other men, all the time (and think absolutely nothing of it.) I absolutely LOVE this custom.
• And the men of course!- I've said it once, I'll say it again... European's are good looking, 'nuff said.

MY NOT-SO-FAVORITES:

• Red Wine- Just can't dig it. 
• The driving- While I also love it, it does make me a bit car sick sometimes.
• Les Crêpes Flambé- Or drunken crêpes as I like to call them. This is a dessert crêpe cooked and set on fire with Cognac. They are supposed to be quite special, but there is just too much of an alcohol flavor for me.
• The effervescent smell of cows- It is everywhere and it is just not pleasant. 
• Feces on the sidewalk- This is EVERYWHERE!!! Dog feces on the sidewalks, and it is socially acceptable! One must be very careful when navigating any sort of sidewalk, path or street. 

• School- I'm just not digging these long hours....

So this blog wasn't as quaint as I wanted it to be, but sometimes you just need to use words! I will be writing a fairly lengthy blog within the next few days about my recent trip to London. 


À bientôt!

(P.S. That wasn't my real address, so please don't try to send things there. If you are interested in my Belgian address, email me, comment the blog, facebook me, anything works, just ask!)

The Cove PSA - My Friend Is... (I realize this has nothing to do with Belgium, but this is a subject near and dear to me... Please watch!)

Ohh Mon Dieu!

I have no idea where to start from where I last left off.... I have been in Belgium two weeks now, and I can honestly say I have loved every moment of it! This is truly an AMAZING country, and I am SO glad that I followed through with my voyage. Because, as hard as it is to believe, there was a time after my acceptance, that I absolutely didn't want to come. Crazy, I know.

Last Thursday we had a HUGE Rotary get together in Brussels for all of the Rotary districts in Belgium, equalling out to somewhere around 300 exchange students. It was a ton of fun, and I got to meet a bunch of cool kids from all over the world! First we went to the royal palace (of the king) and took a tour... It was HUGE; and there really is gold on the walls, and chandeliers in every room, and giant portraits of anyone that is important in every room. haha. We were strictly forbidden from taking pictures inside the palace, they even made you LEAVE your camera's and large bags outside the palace to assure that you would not break any of the rules. BUT, being the rebel I am, I stuck my camera in my blazer pocket and snuck it in... JUST so it wouldn't get stolen, I didn't take any pictures inside. ;)/:(
After our rendez-vous at the palace, we went to the Parliament building and were explained to how (relatively) the government here works, or is supposed to work. If you are unaware, there is currently no government in Belgium right now. There is a King that serves for the purpose of the image of unity (i.e. he cuts ribbons and smiles for the camera), there is a prime minister who is for the most part in charge of everything, but just like our government, it is a bicameral legislature made up of way too many people for such a small country. haha. After that I returned home via train with my counselor Christine and my host mom Cécile.

 

I am somewhere off to the right, about 2 people behind the flag. These were JUST the students from the US.

Friday was relatively calm, rested at home for the most part. However, in the evening I went for my second motorcycle ride since I have been here with Benoît (eldest host brother whom I have a mad crush on) and my host dad Laurent tagged along on his "hog" (equally large, but not a Harley). It was a lot of fun, but this time was more winding and site seeing than speed. ;)
Shortly after we got home, a couple (friends of Laurent) had arrived at the house from France. We had a fancy three-course dinner at the house following hor d'ourves and champagne. I had my first run-in ever with the age-old "too many silverware" problem. I had to ask my host brothers which utensils to use, needless to say they laughed at me. A LOT.

Saturday we had a district Rotary meeting in La Louvière about an hour away. It was the "Welcome Meeting", and basically we discussed rules the whole morning. It was a much smaller group of exchange students, there were about 70 of us and it was good fun all around. They served lunch and dessert, with a wide array of beverage options including wine and beer, for the students as well!
As soon as I walked through the door when I got home, my host mom told me that they were leaving with the French couple to visit Bruges (a large city in the Flemmish portion of the country). And the #1 rule of Rotary Exchange is.... ALWAYS SAY YES! So, I said yes. It took us about an hour and forty-five minutes to get there, and as soon as we got there we sat down at a little café and had a beer. My beer of choice is Kriek (pronounced "creek"), it is a beer with cherry flavor and is very good. After we finished our beer, us girls went out on the town to walk and explore. Everything closes early here (around 18h00), and it was about 18h30 when we started walking... so shopping was somewhat out of the question, but the sight seeing was fun. We managed to make it into a Belgian chocolate shop and bought beaucoup des chocolats!

                          This is a church (I believe...) in La Grande Place de Bruges.

After about an hour and a half of exploring, we returned to find the men in the same place, and went on our way towards home. We stopped in a village close to ours called Hellebecq and had a wonderfully fancy dinner. It was also a three course meal, and after having that, I don't think I will ever go back to having American food! All in all it was a very enjoyable day.

This week has been slightly less jam-packed with activities, so I have been able to sleep in quite a bit and just be lazy before school starts.
Monday, the plan was to get up around 6h30 to meet a group of exchange students at the Bruxelles Centre station at 9h30, meaning I would take the train from my village at 8h35. WELL.... As many of you probably know, once you hit that snooze button, you are screwed. I hit the snooze at 6h30, and woke up finally at 8h25. I jumped out of bed, raced to put clothes on and get ready to go; made it out of the house at 8h35 (I thought the train came at 8h44), RAN to the train stop, and made it there by 8h44, but when I checked my schedule, I learned that the train had left about 10 minutes early. GREAT. Sounds like me doesn't it? So, I took my time walking home. I got home to find out that EVERY door to the house was locked. I had to text my host mom to have her let me in. Then I was able to sit down, eat breakfast and drink coffee as per my new morning routine. I looked up the times for the next trains, but by then it had started pouring rain outside so I decided against going to Bruxelles for the day. I finished eating and made my way up to my room to take a nap. I was in bed when my fellow exchange friend texted me to see where I was in Bruxelles. AHH PUTAIN! So, I told him I'd be at the central station in an hour and a half, got my butt out of bed AGAIN, and went back to catch the train. This time, I was about 10 minutes early.
I made it to Bruxelles around 13h30, met my friends, and we were off! We went to a Greek restaurant for lunch, and I saw a guy wearing an Oregon tee-shirt. WAH!!!! I told him I was from Oregon, and he had no idea what I was talking about. He was Grecian and on a trip with other students from Greece, but had no idea what or where Oregon even was. I was still amused be the fact that he was wearing the shirt though. ;)
After eating we explored for a short time, and then found a pub where the rest of our friends were. I stayed there and chatted for about an hour and a half before having to leave to meet my host mom at the Bruxelles Midi station, in order to meet my OTHER host sister Fanny whom just got back from a one month exchange in Mexico. She is very nice and I foresee a good friendship with her. :)

Benoît is an engineer (along with François, and Damien and Fanny are studying to be engineers as well) and he works often in Romania, Czech Republic, Austria, and sometimes in Russia. He is a manager of "projects" such as building stacks(?)... I think they are supposed to be skyscraper-like buildings, but I don't understand because every time someone attempts to explain it to me, they explain it in french and I don't understand the message. :( BUT, from what I have gathered, he is in-charge of hundreds of workers on these projects and he has lots of responsibilities with his job. ANYWAYS, he left Tuesday evening for an undetermined amount of time to Bucharest, Romania. So that means no motorcycles for me anytime soon. :(

Today, I woke up late, ate, lounged around for a while, then I went on a run for about half an hour. Afterwords I helped my host mom put the garbage, recycling, and yard debris in the van to take it to "Le Container". Basically a large recycling center, but you have to have everything presorted and they are very strict with all the regulations- unlike in the US where you can throw everything in the same bin and have it automatically sorted. But, it was quite the adventure either way; I almost fell into a recycling container full of yard debris that was 70ft long and 30ft deep- it was filled to the brim, but nonetheless still scary! We got home around 18h30, François was home by then and asked me if I wanted to go running. I told him that I had already gone today, but, I decided to go with him anyways for some EXTRA exercise. I know... ME, exercise? NEVER. Let alone twice in the same day. So, altogether today I ran for about an hour, probably somewhere around 5-6 miles. I feel quite accomplished. There is a ongoing joke/bet in my host family about how many kilos I'm going to gain by the end of the year- Benoît says 7, François says 14, host dad Laurent says 20, I say ZERO! ;) And this is KILOS we are talking, NOT POUNDS! 1 kilo = roughly 2.2 pounds.... That is A LOT of weight!! My new goal is to run and/or bike everyday from now on... ambitious I know, but this weight thing is killin me.

I have really fallen in love with my new family and have become so attached to them. I do believe it is the perfect fit. I can't imagine leaving them in a few months. My host mom said that if I want, I can stay with them for the whole year. I would REALLY like to do this, as long as it doesn't cause problems with the next families that are supposed to host me. Yesterday they even invited me to go on vacation with them in July to a small island off the coast of Italy called Corsica. ABSOLUTELY YES!!! And I also found out that I'm going start diving classes every Friday night to become a certified scuba diver. Laurent, Benoît, and François are all certified and I hear that they scuba dive often. I am SO excited for this! Perhaps I will get to put my new skills to work on vacation in July. ;)

ANYWAYS, I am fully aware that I do not blog enough and every post is about a novel and a half in length, but "Like sands through the hour glass, so are the Days of Our Lives." If anyone can post a comment of what that is from, I'll surprise you with something in the mail! ;)

Alors, je dois me coucher maintenant. Bon soir, et à bientôt! :)