Look at me! Updating!!

Wow it's been forever. It's so hard to update. But here goes...
Firstly: Halloween!!!! I was soo looking forward to a European Halloween... Needless to say I was disappointed somewhat. Mostly because they hardly celebrate it.. Donc, no trick or treating for me :( :( :( But I ended up (dressed as bob marley) going to this little parade thing with my host sister and Helena (the girl from Canada) They had about two floats and quite a gathering of people. The top picture is my friend François from school. The second one was this castle float with was good. The third had this band on it and they were quite good. Except that I did not hear even one Halloween song. I didn't even hear Monster Mash!!! Lame. The last one is my host sister and I. Aren't I such a good influence??? I am sure most of you are familiar with the tim burton movie nightmare before christmas. Well I showed it to Julie and for the rest of the night we were singing the first song. It goes "this is Halloween" but Juju got it in her head that it went "Christmas Halloween". I laughed more than a little bit at that!! That night I also had my first taste of Vin Chaud. That's Hot Wine for those of you who can't speak french... It's like cider with alcohol in it and I just love it. I even made Julie try it (she rejects most alcohol) and she adored it!!! Muhahaha. Halloween ended up being fun after all. Even if it wasn't what I expected.
Highest point in belgium=quite flat- So rotary took us exchange students to the highest poin in belgium... Turns out that is is not very high AND I didn't see a mountain anywhere... It was rather FLAT!!! Hahaha wow. It was fun though. We went on this 6km long walk and I got to jump in puddles. The whole area was kind of marshy/swampy and so we walked on this boardwalk and I saw more than one of mes amis fall through holes/fall of the board walk. It rocked. Then later we had hot chocolate. Yum.

mon aventure

Okay, I haven´t updated in a way because either a) I am lazy or b) I am busy. Both are wonderful excuses. So I will tell you about an adventure I had last Wednesday. Here it goes.
So I was in liege. And to get back I have to take a super short train ride and then a bus. And Helena (Canada) was supposed to come back with me. But she went shopping and I was with other friends so we got seperated and she ended up missing the first train. So we were both freaking out and she didn´t have a phone (thank the Lord she was with people whose numbers I had). So I told her "Once you get off the train sprint to the bus stop." Luckily she made it. And it was hysterical watching her run so fast and look sooo worried. But then we accidently got on the wrong bus and ended up in Visé (which neither of us live in), just the two of us. We were going crazy with what some people might call terror. The bus reached the end of the line. So we reluctantly left the safety of the bus and met this girl (who was smoking a cigarette, which I still find a little weird) who spoke some english and once I made contact with my host dad shemade sure we got on the right bus.. My host dad told me to take the bus to "chez jupiller" which is the place where all the Jupiller beer is made. Jupiller is big here. REALLY BIG. So we got off at the right bus stop. And then we meet these guys in a band at the bus stop, and I start chatting them up. The singer was sooooo cute!!! And using a mixture of french and english, I totally had a conversation. I felt really proud of myself for my gall and conversation skillz. If only I had gotten that guy ´s number, he was soo cute and really nice and friendly. Then my host mom came and I had fun trying to explain to my host dad the events of our adventure. He seemed to think we had gone to Maastricht instead of Liege. Weird.
I am glad I wasn´t alone on my super fun adventure even if I do speak way better french then the girl I am with.
Sorry for my lack of updates (and sorry Mom for not calling you tonight)
But I saw the famous lion of waterloo today and went to Brussels yesterday. I love this country!!

party.

So I went to Maastricht and that was fun. I didn´t do a whole bunch of site seeing though because my friends tell me that the shopping is better in Maastricht. I didn´t buy anything though. Except food. of course. We had fun trying on dresses at this one place though!!! Also since Maastricht doesn´t allow drugs on their soil, they have drug boats. A friend of mine really wanted to look in one but we were too lazy to walk that far. I forgot to buy postcards from Maastricht though, so sorry Mom.
This week has been pretty good. I don´t really understand my classes so I don´t really have to work. I had a math test the other day and my teacher took one look at my paper and decided it wasn´t worth taking up. Which was awesome! But my French teacher makes me do stuff, which is dumb. I went to Liege on wednesday with my exchange student friends and we hung out. The exchange students are really cool. It´s awesome having friends from all over the world! Then on Friday I went to my friend Rachael´s birthday party. Now everyone knows what I good dancer I am...
Well nothing new to report really.
Comment or feel my e-wrath
Alison

A realitively quick update.

First off. I am going to maastricht, Holland tomorrow with Rachael Law (New Zealand), Carissa Oh (Canada), and I don´t know who else. I am pretty excited!!!!! And that right there was an understatement.
I got my Carte D´identitie (Identity card...) on thursday so that is nice. Next week my school schedule changes permanently. I am still in math but I don´t plan on really paying attention because, try as I might (and I do try), math is not going over so well for me. But again; I gotta cute teacher! I might change into a language class instead. Otherwise my schedule is pretty good although Rachael has a way better one because of all the free time she gets. I don´t have to stay until 4.30 ever so that is nice. Here in belgium you either get out of school at 3.30 or 4.30 if you have a class then. So yeah!!!
Today I had gym and I wasn´t planning on wearing them but only brought them to show people and then some girl said I should wear them. I am talking, of course, about my american flag running shorts!!! And man did I look hott! At least today we were seperated from the guys so I wasn´t embarrassed. And then we ran 2000 meters (5 laps) and I got second place easily. The girl who beat me was really bookin´it and I wasn´t wearing proper running shoes so I tried not to chase her too much.
There is this guy living at our house right now because he is helping with the cows and such. He´s a little obnoxious but I don´t really care. Otherwise he is fine.
I am thinking that my brothers´ should send me some emails before I get tooo furious.
My French assignment is still killing me but I think I will do okay. I might purposely make it bad so she doesn´t expect too much out of me...
Alison

SCHOOL SCHOOL not so cool

I just deleted what I had written. I am pissed. Here it goes again.
School is really hard. Math sucks and I wonder whatever happened to Math being universal. I always have headaches and sometimes fall asleep in class (although I think that is because I stay up too late reading) At least my math teacher is really cute. I think I failed a math test for the first time. My teacher didn´t even bother to grade it. My french teacher has set me a really hard assignment ( a 500 word article to write in French. With a bunch of sources. and a presentation. without notes. Can I crawl in a hole and die now?) I am not having a problem making friends though. Although remembering their names IS a problem. Because not nly are some of them unusual but they are also pronounced with a Belge accent... A lot of girls have the same names like Manon, Delphine, Julie, and Sophie. Popular names for guys are François and Antoine. (I know two cute boys by the name of François) There is this guy named Michel (pronounced Michelle) and I told him he had a girly name. He was cool with it though..
So mostly in class I attempt to listen and if the teacher does seem to care if I listen or not I doodle. It´s worked out pretty well so far.
I went to some mines on Wednesday. They were alctually pretty cool thanks to the other exchange students. And a random playground. That was neat. Also I was 30 feet underground and at one point 70. (Maybe this was in meters. I don´t know) It was weird once I started really thinking about were I was. Then I started thinking about the Earth´s layers and volcanoes. Kinda creepy.
Well any way. So instead of looking up sources for my French project I decided I better stay true to my faithful readers and update my blog. (that was fun to say)
Well now I will give a link for pictures soone
Alison

Update

Okay so sometimes it is soo hard to update. This past weekend was rotary weekend. We were stationed in the town of Huy (pronouced like weeee except you don´t draw it out so I guess it is just we. hmm) Any way the building that we stayed in was super hot and it didnùt help that there was a lot of people. After hours of talking about rules that everyone already knew we took a long (and really pointless) walk and we ended up right where we started. But then we ate alot so I guess we worked of dessert. I talked to some pretty cool people on this walk and we made fun of a random couple kissing and kept staring at them. It was fun! Then later there was this really sweet party. The rotary people (bless them) actually hired dj´s and it being Belgium (and rotary) there was beer. WHAT IS IT WITH THIS COUNTRY!!!!!???????? Always with the beer. But of course all drinking was definately within very small limits. So this party/dance/rave started at 8 or 9 and ended about 12 and I finally went to sleep at 1. And so the next day we have to wake up at about 7 (fun fun...) and go over a few more rules. Then we ate some food (the fish was digusting...) with our host parents. After that we all (host parents too!) walk to this building that has an auditorium and they have this long presentation and because of course it was in French and (you may not know this) I don´t speak French I fell asleep. more than once. Then my host mom took me and Helena (canadian exchange student) home. Then I slept some more. Then Monday and Tuesday I didn´t do too much except the running club.
The running club was interesting and different then the states of course. But Rachel (a new zealander who has been here since January) was there and sometimes she helped translate. I ran probably 4 miles.
Then today, Wednesday, was my first day of school. Here in Europe they have half days on Wednesday. I only went to English class and my teacher was really cool (she speaks with a British accent because that´s how she learned it ((It´s so cute!))) Then after that I didn´have any classes but I couldn´t leave the school yet. So I went down to the library and the Librarian taught me words that I had known since almost the dawn of time. But I smiled and pretended I had never come across these words. Then I made her show me the books in English. Here exchange students tend to trade books with each other because it is hard to bring alot of books. Then Rachel came and we hung out. And so did Carissa (another canadian) After school, we met with a bunch of other exchange students at a cafe and hung out for a long time. Today was really my first experience with public transportation but I really liked it. Its so confusing though.

So overall, I think I have had a pretty productive week. Oh and I had a pita... which is really tasty.
I love you guys.
Alison

A clarify post.

This post is mostly to answer your guys´ questions.
In learning German I will probably be pretty much useless. Unless Dad, you want to send over a German/English dictionary which other students have suggested for me. I don´t think I would mind.
I am not getting fat!!! Yesterday I joined a running club ( ithink, I dunno. It was all in French!) So I will be running sometimes twice a day; And they eat smaller portions here!
Amanda, I love reading your posts. It´s like you are actually talking to me. Why won´t Mrs. Fine let you guys do the bad seed? Because from the scene we read that thing looks pretty B.A. I have read little women once upon a time (great illustrated classics, of course) and it seemed pretty good.
Mr. Stephenson, last night I stayed up far too late just so I could finish an amazingly good book, Middlesex. It´s 530 pages so I had been reading it for a while. If you haven´t read it.. Do read it. It talks about Antigone!! So I got that part!

Oh and damien is 23. Stop pestering me about him Amanda! There is no reason to get the Hardy Boys involved.
Rotary weekend is tomorrow so that should be nice and boring.
Alison

GOALLLLLL!!!!!!!!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2006262&l=b99c2&id=1440960332
This is a link for my pictures so check them out.
Dad, that was a rude comment. At least I am not as big as you, mister...

Yesterday I went to the bank with my host mom, Kathy. It didn´t go smoothly so that´s annoying. I might just exchange my money because they don´t always use credit cards here. Like when I got my cell phone, damien had to pay because they wouldn´t take debit. I think it is a pay as you go phone so I am confused. Last night I watched soccer with Damien and Julie. It´s really funny how into it Damien is and Europeans in general. He was singing sometimes and made sound effects when somebody made an almost goal. He should me his CD´s and I must admit that the bands I knew I liked!
Today has not been a busy day. I slept later than usual and then I went with Julie, Mathilde, and Francois to a Hamburger place. Mathilde and Francois are cousins that I met yesterday. So we walked to the hamburger place and I got mine with mustard and onions. For somereason there was no tomatoes or lettuce or anything. Grrr... The hamburger wasn´t fantastic and I had breakfast pretty late so I did not finish it. And it was too spicy. Bizarre. Then we walked back. So I have been hanging out mostly, did some sudoku and have been reading a book.

Finis.
Alison

Premiere Mardi

Sorry that my blogs are a little off. Sometimes it is hard to find time to write. But yesterday was amazing.
Yesterday I went to brussels with fellow exchange students from all over the world. I got to reunite with all my camp friends that also went to Belgium. We took a huge tour bus to get to Brussels from liege. But I felt like an idiot for a while because I completely forgot to wear my rotary jacket. I didn´t even think about it!!!! But I brought my exchange pins and business cards! I went into the Palace but once you have seen one room you have seen them all!I was talking to an oldie South African (oldie means they have been here since January because their school year is different from ours) She was really cool and I liked talking to her. We talked about age laws (drinking driving smoking and voting). I also saw the grand place and went into the town hall thing. there the mayor of brussels spoke to us and also some guy witha wheezy voice who had to cough alot. But the man had a very good speech, especially for broken english! He said "Perhaps by doing this we make the world a little smaller." He was talking about exchange and how it promotes peace and understanding. Then he told us that the bar was open so all the exchange students and what not got some beer!!! What a country Belgium is!! This beer wasn´t as good as the day before though. Eventually we went back to Liege and Luigi Ferrara took me home. Then guess what happened...
I WENT TO MY FIRST ROTARY MEETING!!!The men were very nice and mostly old! I had good food (especially frites and eclairs) and wine. I talked to this old guy who had very good English and I definately think I was at my most charming. By the way; The rotary meeting was not boring as I thought it might be.
And mom, expect something in the mail soon. I think you will like it alot.
Alison
p.s. Today I go to the bank! finally!!!

Premiere Lundi

Not scoring in that sense!!!! I mean "score" as in "very nice!!" bravo, Amanda in on of your longer ramblings. I look forward to reading your comments because I can image you being here and saying them. I like watching sponge bob (Bob L´eponge) in French. He has a different voice. And there is Danny Phantom (Danny Fatôme), also a different voice. I don´t know about the kissing though. I think Belgiqns just strug it off.

It´s always very funny because my host mom will say we are going to do something but I don´t understand (but I don´t tell her that. I nod. smile. and say "oui. oui.) So we get into the car and everywhere I go is a nice little suprise. It´s tres fun!
Today I went to the school and talked to the director. Thank goodness that he is marvelous at English!! I got an idea of what classes I will take. I needed to take a foreign language (I am already enrolled in English) so I am taking German!! That is a shout out to Liza! Also I verified myself in the country so that I don´t get deported or something. Also today was Damien´s presentation so he could finish the university or something. It went very zell even though I hardly understood a word. I know it was about cow milk and calcium. Then we stood around for eternity and finally went outside. We walked into this truly foul smelling building with a bazillion glasses that were once filled with beer. Soon they were passing around fresh beer and my host parents TOLD ME to try it. Belgium beer really is good. Much better than red stripe, Dad! I made sure I didn´t drink it to fast by watching Anne-Sophie. . Then I came back home and I was somewhat afraid to eat dinner. It involved salmon... But it turned out to be pretty good.
Alison

Mon duexieme et troisieme jours

To answer your question, Mr. stephenson. Yesterday I helped move to the cows into the milking barn and watched them do their thing! It was tres interesting. It is insane how beautiful it is here! And Amanda; Damien is my host brother NOT THE ANTI CHRIST!!!!
Also yesterday, Phillip (my host dad) gave me a small tour of Liege with my host mom and sister. I will post pictures soon. Léglises (the churches) here are gorgeous. We stopped at a cafe and two men were kissing. In Oklahoma people are not quite as accepting of that behavior so it was interesting. Today I went to the outdoor market in Liege. Mon Dieu! The sights were insane! I saw a baby ostriche as well as smelt the strong ordeur of dead fish and many other sights as well! I also met Luigi Ferrara (my second host dad) He is very nice and very good at many languages including english. But he says "only speak French!" Also today I went to a rotary barbecue (that sounds funny; rotary barbecue. Cannabalist much?) I met a fellow exchange student from Canada who knew less French then me. I was actually helping her. Who knew? After a humongous walk ( I mean, at least an hour... at least!!!) we finally congregated back where we started. We ate some very good food and I met a very cute boy. He is the son of the rotary president and is my age! How do you say "score" in French? He also goes to my school!
Overall a very productive day. I learned so many mots (words)
au revoir
alison

Mon Premiere Jour

I am finally winding down from a long and wonderful day. I am ici, safe and sound, in Belgium. My travels started on thursday from DFW to Newark. I sat next to a nice couple going to a wedding in Edinburgh; In Newark, a girl stopped me because she recognized my hideous rotary jacket. She was super sympa and we chatted. She went to Germany a couple of years back. Then I got pleasantly harrassed by this Jamaican guy who wasn´t bad looking. He had noticed my Ambassador to Belgium nametag and ´Became´my body guard and asked people if they had met the ambassador. I couldn´t stop laughing! When I landed I was worried nothing would go right. I was wrong thank goodness!! And customs didn´t check my bags! The bruwiers met me with a bienvenue alison sign. The children were Julie, Anne-Sophie and cousin Lionel. We drove from Brussels to Retinne and it was an awesome ride. everything was so new. The cars are so efficient looking here and fun to drive! (not that I can) Anne-sophie drove Julie, cousin Louise, and me around Herve after I met my host dad´s parents who were super nice. Then later Anne-sophie drove me to Liege to pick up Damien and her boyfriend. Liege is way cooler than people described it. Then Damien said to me regarde a gauche ( look to the left) and there were prostitutes in shop windows! I think I love Europe!!! I also had some really good cheese today. I am getting off before I pass out on the keyboard.
Communicating is easier than I thought, but still complicated.
I am looking out the window and seening really pretty cows.
Alison

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL (IN AMERICA)

After much debate, I decided that I would enjoy going to the first day of school. Reasons being so that I could say hi and bye to all my friends, tell people to come to my going away party (7pm Aug. 15th Hill's house), and so I could see what I would be missing out on. I COMPLETELY FORGOT THAT I WAS TAKING 3 AP CLASSES AND 1 PRE-AP CLASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So thank goodness for not being there this year!
The class I will be sad not to be taking is Ceramics 1. Elizabeth is in there and it looks like Mr. Maddox just might be the coolest teacher ever (Except for Mr. S.). I also decided with the help of the principal that I would not attend anymore school but would show up to the lunches on August 20th as a visitor. My final horrah, you could say. I look foward to it.
Oh and I had to wake up at 5:30 for early morning cross country practice. And I had to go to my final dental appt. today.
I must begin packing now.

Pictures

Okay, I have cleaned my room since that picture. This my brother. SO there you go.

Picture Fantastic

I GOT A NEW CAMERA! I GOT A NEW CAMERA!

PREPARE YOURSELF FOR PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sweet dreams

Last night I had a dream about Belgium. I was with my host family and I was using extremely simple sentences.

But I did get a good night's sleep!

I have my visa. Why is it that when I have to take important pictures (i.e. Passport and visa photos) I always look my worst. Walgreens needs to shape up!

Anyone else agree?

Lucky lucky me!

As many of you know, I don't work at Papa Murphy's anymore but instead babysit. This job has been a godsend. I love the kids and I am making money for Belgium!

I have my visa stuff sent in!!! Finally! Getting things notarized is a pain!

By the way: If you haven't seen the Dark Knight yet... GO SEE IT NOW!! It is one of the best movies I have ever seen.

WOW

Let's start out with this. Spamelot was one of the most amazing esperiences I have ever witnessed (with the help of Amanda and my grandparents). If you are have the chance to go.. DO IT!
Secondly, after seeing that amazing musical I had to go to camp. The camp was at Siloam Springs, Arkansas at John Brown University. At this camp, there were 5 days of intense learning about everything I needed to know about foreign exchange. I re-met some aquaintances and met some of the coolest people who all had the same goals and ideas as me. It was awesome and I got instance friends. ALL OF WHICH WILL BE EMAILING ME THROUGHOUT OUR EXCHANGES!!!! or else... So many questions were answered, most of them ones I never thought to think. Our rotexes and counselors were really cool and real. I thank everyone for an amazing time.
Now I begin getting my visa. I also have my billet d'avion (plane ticket). I will leave August 21st and arrive in Belgium August 22nd. I know a little more about my first host family and know where I will be going to school. College Royal de Marie Therese (or something like it) will be l'ecole (the school).
I am so excited!
Alison Young

Monty Python!!!

I am extremely excited to announce that my fanatastic grandparents are taking me to see Spamelot at the civic center (or something) on Tuesday. And of course I will be taking the greatest person to watch British humor with... AMANDA!! I am ecstatic!
Speaking of Amanda, I did something super dumb today. I went to go feed her dog Bella and turtle Garth while she was out of town. But then I accidently set off the alarm and since I don't have an alarm system myself, I could not turn it off for the longest time even though I knew the code. I had finally gotten it off and was about to leave when I heard voices outside the house. Lo and behold... THE POLICE HAD COME. I was extremely embarrassed as I explained to them my situation. They were cool with it but took down my information. I am so embarrassed.... Amanda forgive me for making a fool of myself!!!??!?!?!

ode to hillarie

Check out this link, it's interesting and funny.
>http://www.city-data.com/forum/other-topics/39556-15-things-took-me-my-whole.html<

To my dear friend Hillarie...
Don't worry, I will miss you terribly...
much love,
Alison

My Hectic Weekend

I was pretty busy this weekend. First, I had to go shopping with my friends (A new store opened in the mall, it's cute but cheap!). Then I had to attend my brother's high school graduation. It was fun seeing all my favorite seniors but sad too. I will miss them sooo much. Then as soon as I had dinner at Ironstar (yum, cobb salad) with family and friends I was carted off to my uncle's house to spend the night. The next day I got up a little after 5 a.m. to go to the airport. Houston, there I came! I spent the day with Callie. Texans drive a little more raucously I came to find out. (Don't worry Aunt Tammie, Callie is a great driver) My cousin Casey's wedding started at 6:30. It was beautiful and the reception was so much fun. Casey's dress was amazing! I reassured myself that I can't dance but I did it anyway. I kept my heels on the whole night... SCORE! Then I left the wedding place and went to bed at about midnight.
The next morning I woke up and had some food before driving eight hours with my grandparents back home. Overall I very busy day. At least the car ride wasn't unbearable!

My Host Sister and I

"an other question is it true that you can't drink alcohol in US? what do you do during your weekend ?"
An interesting question I received as I corresponded with my future host sister. Although she will be exchanging in America (Kansas/Oklahoma region) while I am in Belgium so we won't be hanging out next year. I told her that some people have parties and drink, but that it is illegal. Then I asked her what the drinking laws in Belgium were. An interesting response, eye opening really... "for the alcohol you have to know that we can drink at every age ( if you are twelve you can go in a café and ask a beer). but every weekend there are parties near the school with music and so on but I don't go at each of them and we can drink."
Overall, a funny experience showing how much countries can differ.

I am severely agitated... I don't think that I will be capable of obtaining my visa this weekend while I am in Houston. I emailed the person in charge of everything and she said she doesn't have my final papers back from my host family and that I had to wait until then to apply for a visa. She seemed agitated herself. You don't know how many times I have emailed her about that question. :)

Andrew is back in Oklahoma. I cannot wait to give him a enormous bear hug. I love my brother.

Oh, and I have to perform in a talent show at outbound camp (The camp I MUST attend in order to go abroad, preparing me for the unexpected, I feel like a boy scout). Any ideas? Send me a comment...
Au Revoir
Alison

In The Beginning

Hello everyone!
This is Alison with my first blog post to document my adventures abroad. Although many of you know that I have not yet arrived in Belgium, I thought it imperative to begin my blog now, in May. My reasoning being that maybe some of you are interested in all the paperwork and proceedings going on right now. I don't know if I would be though. :) Anywho... Next post will contain some pictures of my host family and some conversations I have held with them.

Uber Excited!
Alison