For some reason Easter was not Easter this year.
For Easter break this year my host family was going on trip to Florida and could not take me with them because I had my own trip to Italy. My family left a few days before my trip started so I stayed with a fellow rotary exchanger and friend, Yurina and her host family for Easter weekend.
The whole weekend seemed like any other. When Easter Monday came we went to the grandparents house for brunch. It was a nice morning and a delicious meal, but just not the Easter I'm used to.
Another new experience.
Friday, 26 April 2013
Thursday, 25 April 2013
Les Mis-érables
Ok, anyone who knows me knows that I love musicals... and plays...and movies... and theater in general.
I am willing to admit that I can become "extreme" on the topic (sorry, my english has left the building and french phrases are coming out in english)
This year when I went to London I fell in love with Les Mis on stage. Then as time crept closer for the premiere of the new movie staring Hugh Jackman, I was not capable of talking about anything but Les Mis.
Unfortunately, Les Mis did not open at the same time it did in Canada, or the States, or Germany, or the Netherlands...(you get the picture...)
The movie opened in Canada on Christmas day, so obviously my family had to be the first ones to see it...and tell me all about it...and sing all the songs. Then slowly the posts on FB started mentioning song lyrics, and reviews. I was being tortured because it would not open in Belgium until the end of FEBRUARY...
So I did what any crazy canadian exchange student who lives on the boarder of a neighboring country would do; I went to the Netherlands for the sole purpose of seeing this movie.
Then I went a second time... Then when it opened in Belgium, I obviously had to see it closer to home...
Needless to say I may be obsessed... and I apologize to my friends, fellow exchangers and my host family for putting them through this torture...
Which will not end soon because I now own the film....
sorry ;)
I am willing to admit that I can become "extreme" on the topic (sorry, my english has left the building and french phrases are coming out in english)
This year when I went to London I fell in love with Les Mis on stage. Then as time crept closer for the premiere of the new movie staring Hugh Jackman, I was not capable of talking about anything but Les Mis.
Unfortunately, Les Mis did not open at the same time it did in Canada, or the States, or Germany, or the Netherlands...(you get the picture...)
The movie opened in Canada on Christmas day, so obviously my family had to be the first ones to see it...and tell me all about it...and sing all the songs. Then slowly the posts on FB started mentioning song lyrics, and reviews. I was being tortured because it would not open in Belgium until the end of FEBRUARY...
So I did what any crazy canadian exchange student who lives on the boarder of a neighboring country would do; I went to the Netherlands for the sole purpose of seeing this movie.
Then I went a second time... Then when it opened in Belgium, I obviously had to see it closer to home...
Needless to say I may be obsessed... and I apologize to my friends, fellow exchangers and my host family for putting them through this torture...
Which will not end soon because I now own the film....
sorry ;)
Wednesday, 13 March 2013
I.D Controls
Here in Belgium people must carry their I.D on them at all times. They do this for many reasons, the scary thing is when you forget your I.D at home and a police officer asks you for it...
They have "controls" to insure that people actually keep their I.D on them. I thought it wasn't so serious but never the less I always have it on me, except once when I went to Liege for the afternoon, so I was nervous once I realized I had forgotten it... I was lucky, no control for me.
The next day my friend told me that she was "controlled" around the same area where I was that same day... LUCKY!! (me, not her. lol)
You can get controlled, AND fined when caught without it, even on the train. For Example, I was on the train one day and this guy was using a Go Pass (the same pass I was using) but didn't have his I.D on him to prove he was the valid age to use the pass...From what I got he was fined 30€ on the spot the charged, and was black listed or received a warning on the train's system...
Lesson Learned:
ALWAYS HAVE I.D ON YOU!!!
I'll admit I'm a little ( possible slightly more) scared...
They have "controls" to insure that people actually keep their I.D on them. I thought it wasn't so serious but never the less I always have it on me, except once when I went to Liege for the afternoon, so I was nervous once I realized I had forgotten it... I was lucky, no control for me.
The next day my friend told me that she was "controlled" around the same area where I was that same day... LUCKY!! (me, not her. lol)
You can get controlled, AND fined when caught without it, even on the train. For Example, I was on the train one day and this guy was using a Go Pass (the same pass I was using) but didn't have his I.D on him to prove he was the valid age to use the pass...From what I got he was fined 30€ on the spot the charged, and was black listed or received a warning on the train's system...
Lesson Learned:
ALWAYS HAVE I.D ON YOU!!!
I'll admit I'm a little ( possible slightly more) scared...
Monday, 11 February 2013
Mom's Visit
So my mom came for a short visit at the end of January. It was a very sudden decision and she arrived just as suddenly.
On Tuesday January 15 I was talking with my mom about what I was up to and we lightly talked about the possibility of her coming to visit me, but it seemed impossible because the opportune time for her to visit was already upon us. It was the perfect time for her to visit because I was on holiday and she was in the exam period (she's a supply teacher, among other things). Fro our conversation my mom just asked me to look into the possibility of getting permission from my Rotary district here for her to come.
As well as talk with my host parents to see if they would be comfortable with my mom visiting me. My family is so wonderful that my host parents insisted that she stay with us in the house. I love them so much. When I look back on it, I think that they were crazy, who lets a strange Canadian girl live at your house for 6 months and then after knowing this girl for 10 days, allows her mom to visit her (which could make her home sick, among other things) and INSISTS that her mom stays with them as well? I can not express in words how much I love them and how crazy they are!
On Wednesday I asked my counselor if it would be possible for her to come as long as I filled out all the right paperwork. So then later that night I talked to my mom and said it was possible (but I thought it wouldn't be probable for such a short window of time). Well then.... my mom said "Jess, I found a great deal on a flight so I can come..." I was stunned for a moment or two, talked for a bit more then I started organizing the mountain of paperwork (last time I did the same paper work for my trip to London it took me 4 days.
On Thursday the paper work, calls and emails began and was sent off to get approved.
On Friday I called my counselor in the afternoon and he told me that he was in the middle of writing me a reply email to my request... annnnd he wouldn't tell me over the phone and at that time I was on my way to Maastricht for the rest of the afternoon.... great....the anticipation was killing me!
When I got home I checked my email and my request was approved, MY MOM WAS COMING!
Friday night I called my mom and told her the good news that night( her time) she bought her ticket for Tuesday January 22... one week from the first real discussion about my mom coming. (sounds like my application process to the program...like mother, like daughter???)
Over the course of the weekend I was on skype planing what we will be doing when my mom arrived. We were excited and my mom at moments had "panic attacks" because it was all happening so quickly. "Oh Jess, WHAT HAVE I DONE?!"
We had an amazing time. We took one big trip to Ypres for two days and then to Brussels for two day, as well as small day trips. I will have other post about each trip later.
On Tuesday January 15 I was talking with my mom about what I was up to and we lightly talked about the possibility of her coming to visit me, but it seemed impossible because the opportune time for her to visit was already upon us. It was the perfect time for her to visit because I was on holiday and she was in the exam period (she's a supply teacher, among other things). Fro our conversation my mom just asked me to look into the possibility of getting permission from my Rotary district here for her to come.
As well as talk with my host parents to see if they would be comfortable with my mom visiting me. My family is so wonderful that my host parents insisted that she stay with us in the house. I love them so much. When I look back on it, I think that they were crazy, who lets a strange Canadian girl live at your house for 6 months and then after knowing this girl for 10 days, allows her mom to visit her (which could make her home sick, among other things) and INSISTS that her mom stays with them as well? I can not express in words how much I love them and how crazy they are!
On Wednesday I asked my counselor if it would be possible for her to come as long as I filled out all the right paperwork. So then later that night I talked to my mom and said it was possible (but I thought it wouldn't be probable for such a short window of time). Well then.... my mom said "Jess, I found a great deal on a flight so I can come..." I was stunned for a moment or two, talked for a bit more then I started organizing the mountain of paperwork (last time I did the same paper work for my trip to London it took me 4 days.
On Thursday the paper work, calls and emails began and was sent off to get approved.
On Friday I called my counselor in the afternoon and he told me that he was in the middle of writing me a reply email to my request... annnnd he wouldn't tell me over the phone and at that time I was on my way to Maastricht for the rest of the afternoon.... great....the anticipation was killing me!
When I got home I checked my email and my request was approved, MY MOM WAS COMING!
Friday night I called my mom and told her the good news that night( her time) she bought her ticket for Tuesday January 22... one week from the first real discussion about my mom coming. (sounds like my application process to the program...like mother, like daughter???)
Over the course of the weekend I was on skype planing what we will be doing when my mom arrived. We were excited and my mom at moments had "panic attacks" because it was all happening so quickly. "Oh Jess, WHAT HAVE I DONE?!"
We had an amazing time. We took one big trip to Ypres for two days and then to Brussels for two day, as well as small day trips. I will have other post about each trip later.
Wednesday, 6 February 2013
A New Begining
A fresh start is exactly what I needed. If you've been following my blog you would know that things have been a little less then ideal with my first host family. If you haven't I suggest you do, I've been told I can be funny at times and that it's not a terrible blog, not to toot my own horn or anything... :)
ANYWAYS... Before changing families I was.... physically stressed and drained, but as the date of my family change approached I felt more and more excited. It was a strange sort of excitement. It started off as me being excited to move away, then it became an excited for a new adventure and surroundings, then finally about 3 days before I changed I began to feel the same (and yet different) as when I was starting my exchange, as if I WAS starting a second exchange.
From the moment I walked in the door I was never a guest (which is exactly what every exchange student needs in my opinion) I had sisters teasing me in a loving way, parents who wanted me to feel comfortable but was not afraid to ask me to do things.
In my second host family I have 3 younger sisters: Sara 16, Sofia 13, and Stephanie 10. Which is a very similar dynamic as in my own home: Me 17, Jacqui 16, Grace 15, and Jonah 11. I thought that it would be a change to have three little sisters with a bigger age gap between sibling (note: in my family: 17,16,15) however I found myself in practically the same enviroment as home; sisters fighting about clothes, teasing each other about our silly mistakes, sharing animated stories at dinner about everyone's day...
From day one I felt myself relax and no longer forcing myself to smile all the time but actually smiling all the time! (usually because some one was doing something silly :P )
My back yard
The surrounding country side
Stephanie
Sofia, me and Stephanie
ANYWAYS... Before changing families I was.... physically stressed and drained, but as the date of my family change approached I felt more and more excited. It was a strange sort of excitement. It started off as me being excited to move away, then it became an excited for a new adventure and surroundings, then finally about 3 days before I changed I began to feel the same (and yet different) as when I was starting my exchange, as if I WAS starting a second exchange.
From the moment I walked in the door I was never a guest (which is exactly what every exchange student needs in my opinion) I had sisters teasing me in a loving way, parents who wanted me to feel comfortable but was not afraid to ask me to do things.
In my second host family I have 3 younger sisters: Sara 16, Sofia 13, and Stephanie 10. Which is a very similar dynamic as in my own home: Me 17, Jacqui 16, Grace 15, and Jonah 11. I thought that it would be a change to have three little sisters with a bigger age gap between sibling (note: in my family: 17,16,15) however I found myself in practically the same enviroment as home; sisters fighting about clothes, teasing each other about our silly mistakes, sharing animated stories at dinner about everyone's day...
From day one I felt myself relax and no longer forcing myself to smile all the time but actually smiling all the time! (usually because some one was doing something silly :P )
 |
| View of my house from behind |
Sunday, 20 January 2013
Radio
I have now talked with CBC Radio One on Ontario Morning three times. It has been such a wonderful experience for me, and I'm so grateful that they have given me this opportunity.
It all began after I did and interview for a newspaper article along with Natassja, who is another outbound student. So Natassja and I enjoyed our time talking with the Barrie Examiner,and as the interview was coming to a close, our interviewer asked us if we wanted to add anything else... My Mom being my Mom (sorry, I can't explain it any other way...) wanted to share how proud she was of me, and said that she was so excited for me because she had an idea about what waited for me on my exchange because she went on exchange with the same program when she was 16.
The radio called me less than a week before my departure to see if my Mom and I would be interested in doing an interview because they thought our story was interesting
My First interview was on August 15 with my mom. the main topic of the interview was the lead up to my departure; how I was feeling about to leave and how my Mom was feeling watching me go having a little bit of an idea about what was waiting for me.
The second interview was October 5. This was a follow up interview about what has been happening, the differences I've noticed, how I was feeling and dealing with the culture shock.
My third and most recent interview was on January 4. The focus of this interview was on my encounter with homesickness. If you've read my Homesick post in December you already understand how I could talk about this for ten minutes...
I will keep you posted about any other interviews in the future...
:D
It all began after I did and interview for a newspaper article along with Natassja, who is another outbound student. So Natassja and I enjoyed our time talking with the Barrie Examiner,and as the interview was coming to a close, our interviewer asked us if we wanted to add anything else... My Mom being my Mom (sorry, I can't explain it any other way...) wanted to share how proud she was of me, and said that she was so excited for me because she had an idea about what waited for me on my exchange because she went on exchange with the same program when she was 16.
The radio called me less than a week before my departure to see if my Mom and I would be interested in doing an interview because they thought our story was interesting
My First interview was on August 15 with my mom. the main topic of the interview was the lead up to my departure; how I was feeling about to leave and how my Mom was feeling watching me go having a little bit of an idea about what was waiting for me.
The second interview was October 5. This was a follow up interview about what has been happening, the differences I've noticed, how I was feeling and dealing with the culture shock.
My third and most recent interview was on January 4. The focus of this interview was on my encounter with homesickness. If you've read my Homesick post in December you already understand how I could talk about this for ten minutes...
I will keep you posted about any other interviews in the future...
:D
Friday, 4 January 2013
3...2...1... Happy New Year!!!
For New Years it is absolutely mandatory to go to a party... that's Belgian culture for ya.
So I was going to go to a party in Charneux.
My New Years eve evening started at 7 when I went to a friends house to eat before heading out. There was a total of 8 girls there, 3 exchange students (Canada, USA, and Japan) and 5 Belges.
We laughed ate and had an all round good time. we did not leave to go to the party until 10:45!! this is a totally new experience for me. at 11 I'm in bed...
It was quite an experience at for me at the party... it truely was shocking what I witnessed. I thought I would not see a party like that until university not at a party where the majority of the population was 16,17 years old!!
By 1am , I had more then my fill of New Years. I didn't end up leaving until 3:30 (never in my life have I ever). At that time I was a little ticked off and now longer was "having a good time." It wasn't until a couple days after that I could laugh about the whole thing.
That's one thing off my list of things never to do again (to that EXTREME)
... I'm not a party girl...
So I was going to go to a party in Charneux.
My New Years eve evening started at 7 when I went to a friends house to eat before heading out. There was a total of 8 girls there, 3 exchange students (Canada, USA, and Japan) and 5 Belges.
We laughed ate and had an all round good time. we did not leave to go to the party until 10:45!! this is a totally new experience for me. at 11 I'm in bed...
It was quite an experience at for me at the party... it truely was shocking what I witnessed. I thought I would not see a party like that until university not at a party where the majority of the population was 16,17 years old!!
By 1am , I had more then my fill of New Years. I didn't end up leaving until 3:30 (never in my life have I ever). At that time I was a little ticked off and now longer was "having a good time." It wasn't until a couple days after that I could laugh about the whole thing.
That's one thing off my list of things never to do again (to that EXTREME)
... I'm not a party girl...
Disney Magic
We left at 4am from close to Liege and did not arrive to Disneyland until close to 11am. We walked and walked until we got to the front gate... like at any theme park.
We were told that the bus was leaving at 11:45 sharp and that they would not be waiting, and I knew that they would not be waiting... we did not get out of the park itself until 11:35 then we had all the walking to do. As time ran out we just ran faster and faster. Now I'm extremely asthmatic meaning it does not take a lot before I need my puffer. After running over 300m in cold weather, I was wheezing like there's no tomorrow. Don't worry I lived... I know a few things to help calm down my asthma. One of the most painful thing s that I could do was to laugh, so what were we doing laugh at me laughing like a smoker... oh man...
We didn't get home until 4:30am...again...
Needless to say due to all the rain and cold I was sick the following days...
Saturday, 29 December 2012
Exams
Rotary requires all exchange students in D1630 complete 3 exams.
I choose English, French, and Educational Techniques.
My class mates had more or less ten exams... I was more then a little happy that I did not have to do all of the exams.
My first exam was French. A four hour exam including a verbal exam (poetry reading).
walking into the exam I felt confident that I had a chance to pass the exam, walking out I was very confident that I possibly could get 5% from pity points.
English was up next and I felt fairly secure, my only hesitation was that 3/4 parts were in french. Leaving my exam I still felt good...hopeful.
Technique Educative... I did not know what to expect walking in, and I walked out laughing (not in a good way)
My results were:
T.E = ??%
French = 20.5%
English = 90.5%
I was very happy with my french mark! My teacher apologized because she marked me exactly like the other students (which made me feel like I earned my mark).
English on the other hand I didn't quite get... but then later my host mom explained that they can't give anyone 100%. So when I got a chance to look at my exam, I noticed that she scrambled to find any and all mistakes, including grammar, use of vocabulary, writing over the max word limit...etc.
Alla in all, I think I did alright... :)
I choose English, French, and Educational Techniques.
My class mates had more or less ten exams... I was more then a little happy that I did not have to do all of the exams.
My first exam was French. A four hour exam including a verbal exam (poetry reading).
walking into the exam I felt confident that I had a chance to pass the exam, walking out I was very confident that I possibly could get 5% from pity points.
English was up next and I felt fairly secure, my only hesitation was that 3/4 parts were in french. Leaving my exam I still felt good...hopeful.
Technique Educative... I did not know what to expect walking in, and I walked out laughing (not in a good way)
My results were:
T.E = ??%
French = 20.5%
English = 90.5%
I was very happy with my french mark! My teacher apologized because she marked me exactly like the other students (which made me feel like I earned my mark).
English on the other hand I didn't quite get... but then later my host mom explained that they can't give anyone 100%. So when I got a chance to look at my exam, I noticed that she scrambled to find any and all mistakes, including grammar, use of vocabulary, writing over the max word limit...etc.
Alla in all, I think I did alright... :)
Thursday, 27 December 2012
Christmas
I am a very bad exchange student for you see I assumed Christmas is the same date everywhere, you know, December 25 and all that jazz. WRONG! Why would anything be remotely the same?
A few weeks before Christmas everyone in my host family on my host Dad's side pulled names in a secret Santa for our christmas. I pulled my host sister's name.
So on the 24th I wrapped my secret Santa present and got ready to go celebrate Christmas at my host Grandparents house. I had in my head that this would be like at home where it was a small Christmas celebration with the extended family on Christmas. I was told that we were leaving at 6:30 so at 5:45 I was slowly getting ready. At 6:00 my host Mom comes to my room and tells me that we are going to open our family presents before we go." CRAP!" was all I could think because I wasn't planing on wraping their presents until later, hence why I was panicking!
I raced around the house wrapping my presents. It was not a pretty sight, paper cuts and tape everywhere!
Then I finished getting ready and then joined my family down stairs.
We opened our presents then immediately left to go to the grandparents house.
I was soo surprised for my gift. I got a one day trip to DISENYLAND PARIS!!
The rest of the evening was interesting.
We started by having some Champagne and hors d'oeuvres then we continued to open up the secret Santa gifts.
This secret Santa was different because we had to give clues about who's name we pulled. It was my turn and I said, "she's a girl, and she has a very strong voice" Everyone started Yelling LUCILLE!! LUCILE!!!
I received a new makeup bag and perfume.
We had a beautiful mean then watched fireworks at midnight.
It was a lovely evening but hard all the same. I was fighting back tears the whole evening. Christmas is a wonderful time but not the same with out family.
A few weeks before Christmas everyone in my host family on my host Dad's side pulled names in a secret Santa for our christmas. I pulled my host sister's name.
So on the 24th I wrapped my secret Santa present and got ready to go celebrate Christmas at my host Grandparents house. I had in my head that this would be like at home where it was a small Christmas celebration with the extended family on Christmas. I was told that we were leaving at 6:30 so at 5:45 I was slowly getting ready. At 6:00 my host Mom comes to my room and tells me that we are going to open our family presents before we go." CRAP!" was all I could think because I wasn't planing on wraping their presents until later, hence why I was panicking!
I raced around the house wrapping my presents. It was not a pretty sight, paper cuts and tape everywhere!
Then I finished getting ready and then joined my family down stairs.
We opened our presents then immediately left to go to the grandparents house.
I was soo surprised for my gift. I got a one day trip to DISENYLAND PARIS!!
The rest of the evening was interesting.
We started by having some Champagne and hors d'oeuvres then we continued to open up the secret Santa gifts.
This secret Santa was different because we had to give clues about who's name we pulled. It was my turn and I said, "she's a girl, and she has a very strong voice" Everyone started Yelling LUCILLE!! LUCILE!!!
I received a new makeup bag and perfume.
We had a beautiful mean then watched fireworks at midnight.
It was a lovely evening but hard all the same. I was fighting back tears the whole evening. Christmas is a wonderful time but not the same with out family.
Sunday, 23 December 2012
Homesick
Well I have to say I knew it had to come sooner or later... I hoped it would have been more later than sooner.
After my vacation in England I slowly became more and more homesick. The day after I returned to Belgium was Remembrance Day, not exactly the easiest day to go through with out family. Then as the week progressed I just couldn't shake it. I would cry over nothing and everything because apparently everything reminded me of home from cream cheese which I would eat at home to seeing dogs, I have two dogs at home, to eating chocolate, which my mom could tell if I had any. let's just
say everything mad me sad...
It was unlike any sadness that I have ever felt or that I could have predicted. Usually when I'm sad I cry, I don't even want to get out of bed when it's really bad. This may sound melodramatic, but it's true... and I will go on and on because I want to share ever aspect of this exchange as well as let all the potential exchangers who I hope are reading this blog can some what know or at least be aware that homesickness is more then a possibility but a certainty. If you read any part of this post please read the last paragraph.
For some background information my life here is completely different, not different that its like a different world or that one or two things are dramatically different. It's more like everything ranges from ever so slightly to noticeably different, with a few things that are VERY different. One of those very different things is my family life. In Canada for my family nothing is more important then family EVER, here we never start or finish dinner together, as an example.
During my vacation to London, I stayed with my mom's cousin and her family. To be honest I barely remember her but she was willing and excited to have me. This feeling of being wanted... let's just say that it had become a stranger to me... I spent the majority of my vacation doing Canadian family things, eating together, going to the kids soccer games and practices. It was a family life that was more familiar. It was on of the best things to happen so far, if not the best!
Before I left I told myself ever week that things would get better, and each week it did not. So I told myself that I would use this break as a chance to step back and analyze my situation and what to do...
I decided that I would talk to my host mom about how I was feeling... yada yada...
I did that, and after crying many tears with my host mom, I felt better, but I find here that words are not always followed by actions...
The next day after I got back was Remeberance day, a day that is very important to me. Needless to say that was not easy to face alone for the first time. Then followed the hard conversation with my host mom, then a series of activities that just made me cry.
So I did what Rotary told me before leaving and upon arriving here; When you get homesick don't seclude yourself or talk to much with people from home, just immerse yourself in your surroundings.
EASIER SAID THAN DONE!!!
I tried to spend more time out in the main part of the house, didn't do anything in a house where everyone is very much independent and likes to keep it that way... I went to a concert band concert, to a community event, tried to stay more and talk more with Belgian friends... I cried/ felt worse after everythings and every night!
It was more than just crying, I wasn't eating, I was lethargic, I was colder than usual... I never thought that homesickness could cause all of that!!
After about a week I wasn't crying as much, then as the days continued some of the other things left. I was still sad but it was under control.
I was still somewhat lethargic, and I having to tell myself that I needed to eat, weeks later, I just had no drive to do anything beyond the normal or what I was told.
My Dad in Canada was starting to get worried that I was becoming depressed. We talk and I could not deny it once I thought about it. He told me that I just need to be doing stuff, making bracelets or reading, but just to sitmulate my mind.
I guess it was because of my situation here, my homesickness was gone but my less than ideal surroundings were still there.
Right now I am brushing out more hair than normal, and I don't really have an appetite (other than chocolate;P) I'm stressed in a way that I can not fully control but things will get better.
I was asked by a Rotarian if I wanted to go home just as I was getting over being homesick. I thought about it for a moment then said no. I would feel as if I had failed because everything here is not perfect. School is great, village life stinks, and my family life is difficult, I don't want to leave even if it was the better decision unless every thing was good or else I would feel like I didn't give it my all and that I was giving up. My entire year can't be like this so why would I give up before the good stuff.
After my vacation in England I slowly became more and more homesick. The day after I returned to Belgium was Remembrance Day, not exactly the easiest day to go through with out family. Then as the week progressed I just couldn't shake it. I would cry over nothing and everything because apparently everything reminded me of home from cream cheese which I would eat at home to seeing dogs, I have two dogs at home, to eating chocolate, which my mom could tell if I had any. let's just
say everything mad me sad...
It was unlike any sadness that I have ever felt or that I could have predicted. Usually when I'm sad I cry, I don't even want to get out of bed when it's really bad. This may sound melodramatic, but it's true... and I will go on and on because I want to share ever aspect of this exchange as well as let all the potential exchangers who I hope are reading this blog can some what know or at least be aware that homesickness is more then a possibility but a certainty. If you read any part of this post please read the last paragraph.
For some background information my life here is completely different, not different that its like a different world or that one or two things are dramatically different. It's more like everything ranges from ever so slightly to noticeably different, with a few things that are VERY different. One of those very different things is my family life. In Canada for my family nothing is more important then family EVER, here we never start or finish dinner together, as an example.
During my vacation to London, I stayed with my mom's cousin and her family. To be honest I barely remember her but she was willing and excited to have me. This feeling of being wanted... let's just say that it had become a stranger to me... I spent the majority of my vacation doing Canadian family things, eating together, going to the kids soccer games and practices. It was a family life that was more familiar. It was on of the best things to happen so far, if not the best!
Before I left I told myself ever week that things would get better, and each week it did not. So I told myself that I would use this break as a chance to step back and analyze my situation and what to do...
I decided that I would talk to my host mom about how I was feeling... yada yada...
I did that, and after crying many tears with my host mom, I felt better, but I find here that words are not always followed by actions...
The next day after I got back was Remeberance day, a day that is very important to me. Needless to say that was not easy to face alone for the first time. Then followed the hard conversation with my host mom, then a series of activities that just made me cry.
So I did what Rotary told me before leaving and upon arriving here; When you get homesick don't seclude yourself or talk to much with people from home, just immerse yourself in your surroundings.
EASIER SAID THAN DONE!!!
I tried to spend more time out in the main part of the house, didn't do anything in a house where everyone is very much independent and likes to keep it that way... I went to a concert band concert, to a community event, tried to stay more and talk more with Belgian friends... I cried/ felt worse after everythings and every night!
It was more than just crying, I wasn't eating, I was lethargic, I was colder than usual... I never thought that homesickness could cause all of that!!
After about a week I wasn't crying as much, then as the days continued some of the other things left. I was still sad but it was under control.
I was still somewhat lethargic, and I having to tell myself that I needed to eat, weeks later, I just had no drive to do anything beyond the normal or what I was told.
My Dad in Canada was starting to get worried that I was becoming depressed. We talk and I could not deny it once I thought about it. He told me that I just need to be doing stuff, making bracelets or reading, but just to sitmulate my mind.
I guess it was because of my situation here, my homesickness was gone but my less than ideal surroundings were still there.
Right now I am brushing out more hair than normal, and I don't really have an appetite (other than chocolate;P) I'm stressed in a way that I can not fully control but things will get better.
I was asked by a Rotarian if I wanted to go home just as I was getting over being homesick. I thought about it for a moment then said no. I would feel as if I had failed because everything here is not perfect. School is great, village life stinks, and my family life is difficult, I don't want to leave even if it was the better decision unless every thing was good or else I would feel like I didn't give it my all and that I was giving up. My entire year can't be like this so why would I give up before the good stuff.
Saturday, 15 December 2012
Ghent
Ghent is full of history!! You (really me) never so interested or connected to history until your standing in the middle of it; In my case in the middle of the biggest Midevil Market place in Belgium (at least) in a NEUTRAL city (one of the few, it was Ghent + area) in the 100 years war! ( at this time Belgium was basically France)
I was invited to join my second host family on a day trip with my host Dad's work (NATO!!) We took a bus early in the morning and drove to Ghent on the other side of Belgium...2 hours away... and Toured around Ghent with My host parents, host Grandpa and 3 host sisters.
We started of the day with a guided tour in a small group then spent the rest of the day walking around.
The Grand Market Place of Ghent
One of the many Canals in Ghent
To the left the building represents the five senses.
Ghent's castle
They tried to restore the castle. Unfortunately Ghent does not believe in throwing anything out so the last bit at the top level of the castle is noticeably different, that's because its made from the remainder of the city's cobble stones.
Flanders' Flag
The Ghent flag and Flanders' flag
The big Catherdrale in Ghent
Ghent's tower
Marcher de Noel
Besides seeing this amazing city my favourite memory of that day is of my little host sister Stef
She was eating over some cotton candy (Barbe de papa) and got it all her face, and coat. Her Dad then tries to clean her up, in doing so he got some sticky pink goo on his nice glove, "oh shit." 10 seconds later Stefanie notices that she has some more on her sleve, "oh shit!" (by the way she's ten!!)
I could not stop laughing!!!
All in all it was a fantastic day!
I was invited to join my second host family on a day trip with my host Dad's work (NATO!!) We took a bus early in the morning and drove to Ghent on the other side of Belgium...2 hours away... and Toured around Ghent with My host parents, host Grandpa and 3 host sisters.
We started of the day with a guided tour in a small group then spent the rest of the day walking around.
Besides seeing this amazing city my favourite memory of that day is of my little host sister Stef
She was eating over some cotton candy (Barbe de papa) and got it all her face, and coat. Her Dad then tries to clean her up, in doing so he got some sticky pink goo on his nice glove, "oh shit." 10 seconds later Stefanie notices that she has some more on her sleve, "oh shit!" (by the way she's ten!!)
I could not stop laughing!!!
All in all it was a fantastic day!
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