Update from Belgium

Hi everyone,

Sorry, it's been so long since I've written, I have been quite busy. Let's see, school started here, and I really enjoy it. I have 12 hours of science each week, which is a lot but it is better than taking English and Flemish classes. I have half my classes with Seniors and the other half with Juniors or 5 graders. I am technically in the class 5 G B which means 5 th grade, general and only 4 hours of math each week. I have classes with the 6th graders or Seniors because I am not taking English or Flemish courses. My classes are hard or strong science, meaning 7 hours a week and with my extra hours makes 12 hours, then Spanish, History, Geography, French (Poetry, Language and Expression or Writing), Math, Gym ( it really annoys me because here no one knows how to do gym and its girls boys separated so I'm with all these girls that don't even know how to run properly and they where pumas which aren't running shoes to run, and so when I started gym I was and still am the best runner in the class), and Moral class ( the teacher thinks he can speak English and its really nice of him because he tries to translate things for me and it's harder for me to understand his English than French). I already am friends with most of the people in 5GB and I am also good friends with the neighbors across the street because the are the same age as me and two years younger, and then the oldest, Julien who is my age has a friend Sammy who I get along well with. School is hard to understand and at times it is nearly impossible for me to understand. I have gotten frustrated because I really want to do my best and be good, and I can't because it's in a foreign language. I take the bus everyday to and from school and every wednesday I have a half day. This Thursday it is even a no school day, but school on Friday :(. The past weekends have been crazy. Let's see the first weekend of September I went to Raotary meting and found out about all the awesome trips that will be happening !! The ones I hope to go on is to London, Greece, Venice, Amsterdam, Prague and Berlin. But all the trips cost a lot so I'm looking for ideas to fundraise.That weekend also was the 50th wedding Anniversary of my host mom's godfather. Here godparents are quite common and very popular in families. Last weekend was the weekend of Patro in Lobbes celebrating 40 years !!!! So for those who don't know Lobbe is a small town in Belgium and Patro is like scouts and the colors of Patro are green and yellow ( go ducks) and the symbol is a duck too great! I am also in Patro but in my town Silly, because it is a great way to work with children and get community service. I am a animatrice or head person and in July we go on a huge camping trip for a week but I didn't know yet if I can go or not, we'll see. So the 40 years celebration took all weekend. Then another week full of school. I finally got a Belgium cell phone number ! Then this past weekend I went to a Belgium marriage which was wonderful and different. They don't even have to get married at a church but at the Mayor's office and City hall. So the day started with a little champagne at the bride's house then we went to city hall and the bridal party went on an old London bus. Then we went to a church and then finally to a reception area which lasted till 3 in the morning. We had an aperitif with escargots, and scrimp and more champagne and soup for two hours. My host mom's boyfriend also dressed up in a special attire with other men to salt Benjamin the groom in his marriage and then he also sung with his father at the wedding in ridiculous outfits as well.Then we had a five course dinner. After I left with my host sister because we went to a soiree at Naast with at least 2,000 people and danced the night away. But my host mom stayed and said they service an wonderful ice cream cake and danced the night away as well. It was a beautiful wedding, and the photo link is at the bottom. Then Sunday morning I got up super early and went to a Rotary BBQ with English Rotarians and they invited me to come visit their club which is great ! And after that I had Patro for three hours where we walked 7 km and took us 3 hours. They just dropped us off in the countryside and we had to find our way back, while also getting things on a list. It was fun. Today school started again, which is always fun. Next weekend we are having a huge neighborhood party, where we shut down the street and party the day away. Here they party a lot. Another big issue here right now is the seperation of Belgium and there lack of a government. I do know that it's the Flemish party thats pushing for it and my host family refuses to be just French but Belgian. It's quite interesting to be a part of it, we'll see how it turns out. Well that's what's new for right now.
Hugs and Kisses,
feel free to email me as well,
duckse2410@gmail.com

Love,

Bises,


Lizzy


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