Here are some photos from our sleepover...
Belgian sleepovers--they use cots!
We weren't sure if we put the cot up right..
Veronica's hands after cutting all the chocolate
The chocolate after cutting it...it was more chunks than chips
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| The cookie dough was pretty tasty |
A candid photo of me drying the dishes
Our cookies baking in the oven
For some reason, I forgot to take a photo of the final outcome. Although they didn't taste exactly the same as in the US and didn't look that great, they were actually quite good. I think with our resources, we did great :) We also made banana bread which came out perfectly despite the fact that I've never made it in my life. Wooh!
Place St. Lambert in Liege as we waited for the bus
Hey, it's us!
Lol, creeping on Belgian skateboarders..they attempted to be so punk
The best times I've had here so far in Belgium have all been with exchange students. All exchange students share something in common automatically before they even talk. We all are crazy enough to leave our families and friends behind for an extended period of time--most of us for a year--to live in a foreign country. We have to make all new friends, build a relationship with our host family, change our normal habits, and live a completely different life.
To be honest, sometimes I wonder if I made the right decision by coming here and defering college for a year. My friends back home already have their new college friends and lives, but here, it's hard to make friends. Everyone has a "group" and they've all been in the same class for a few years. It's also mostly frustating because I never really know what to say because of my French speaking abilities and just because I don't know people really well.
Let's just say, this last Monday was not at all my day. It was probably the hardest day I've had here so far. I honestly think that I'm depressed because I don't go out much, and I don't have close friends. Back in the US, I was always so busy with school and activities after school that I never had enough time to do what I needed to do, and stress was just a normal part of life for me. Here, it's the opposite. I never have anything to do. Long story short, I started crying at the dinner table because all of the feelings that have just been boiling inside of me. I'm doing a bit better now, but it's still not awesome.
I don't want to be a complete downer about this whole experience, and I'm really trying to stay optimistic. They always say that the first few months are really hard--and they aren't lying. I don't want to hide the moments that aren't as great because that would paint a false picture that my exchange is all fun and happy. That's not at all the case. As much as I'd love to say this has been the time of my life, I can't say that yet. But, it's only been about 2 and a half months...I still have 8 left. Everyone keeps telling me that it will get better, and I sure hope that they are right.
The thing is that now I really appreciate my friends back home so much more. There are all the little inside jokes and the things that are too hard to put into words that make us really close. Shout out to you guys! Love you all! Thanks for being there for me because I know that you really care.
I chose "After The Storm" by Mumford and Sons for a few reasons.
1. Mumford and Sons is probably my favorite band of all time.
2. I find that Mumford's songs fit for any mood I'm feeling. I can be angry, sad, reflective, ecstatic, and somehow, I find that I can still listen to all their songs and relate to them.
3. This song in particular basically says that times may be really hard now, but don't worry because soon enough there will be "no more tears"
Please indulge in some Mumford and Sons. Take it all in.
To all of you out there reading my blog, thank you so much! I'm sorry for my lack of posting, but I'm gonna try to do it a bit more regularly--more toward once a week if I can.
Bisouxx,
Catherine
