Keeping a Promise...

Wowzers. I'm really bad at updating this thing... But I promised a friend that I would write today, so here I am. Seeing as it's been nearly a month since my last post, quite a lot has happened. During the fall holiday (at the end of October), Marijke came to visit me. She is living in Lyon right now, so it seemed a waste for us not to see each other during our time here. She was only here for a few days, but they were pretty great. She arrived on Friday, and I got out of school early to meet her. We then went to Louvain-la-Neuve, where we ate some great food, walked around, I bought a coat, she bought some Oreos (some as in three boxes), and I got a hairctu (my hair is now the shortest it's been since the eighth grade). Saturday was spent in Bruxelles. I showed her the sites that I know, like the Grand Place, Mannekin Pis, etc. and we explored some that I didn't, mainly huge, old churches. Our last adventure took us to Bruges, also known as the Venice of the North. It really is a beautiful city, full

of canals and Dutch architecture. We visited some cool old buildings, museums, shops, and of course, a friterie. This weekend was really great in a few ways. Not only did I get to see my sister again, which is always great, but I got to visit a new city, and my comfort level in French grew exponentially. It turns out, I knew a lot more than I thought I did, it just helped to have Marijke there. Firstly, I kind of wanted to show off for my big sister, you know. And secondly, it was actually kind of fun, instead of scary like it can be around people at school. So my French is coming along quite well, I was able to ask my French teacher if instead of "learning" (if you can call it that) about absurd theater or what, I could read Harry Potter (in French). She said yes, and needless to say, it's become one of my favorite classes. Speaking of classes, since my last post, I also received my first report card. I passed! Hahahahaha. I didn't do too well in Chemistry, but I almost got an A- in that in English three years ago, so I forgive myself. I also wasn't graded in French, Geography, or History, but I either, 1) go less than 1 hour a week, or 2) read Harry Potter. It's all good. 

With the holidays approaching, I have had to do some explaining of certain things to the citizens of Belgium. Namely: Thanksgiving. For those of you who don't know, in my [American] family, we have a tradition we like to call "The Thankful Turkey".

TADA!!!!

Basically, my mom made this turkey out of felt, styrofoam, and googly eyes, and every  night in November, every member of the family writes something they are thankful for on a posterboard feather and pins it to the turkey. My mom, awesome lady that she is, sent me a package a few weeks back that included a photo of the turykey, a block of styrofoam, about 60 feathers, and a bunch of pins. Also my favorite British tea, but back to Thanksiving. I have my make shift turkey up in my room, which has caused some inquiry. FYI, there is no word for thankful, grateful, etc. in French. Fun. I have also been sharing my extra feathers with any friends that want to join in. It's also fun to explain how the pilgrims and the Native Americans had a feast. Especially when I actually can't remember the explanation that doesn't come from Magic Treehouse... Yeah. 

Soooooo. That does it for me for the past almost month. See you soon I hope!! Byeeeeeeeee.

In other news, my best friend at school and I have decided to buy an old cafe and start a bar. So if I

Isn't it lovely? We're so proud.

don't come back to America next year, you can find me in Court-Saint-Etienne. That is all.