C'est La Vie

Well, it had been about a month now with my new host family. The Archambeau's are a whole new flavor then the De Lannoy family. During my first week here, my host mother asked me "Why do you think that Rotary makes kids change families? Don't you think it would be better to have one family for the whole year?". I answered like this "I think it is because for many reasons, but the two most important being that some kids end up with "bad families", who don't particularly have the same personality as the exchange student and the other reason being it is good for us exchange students to learn a different culture". After being with my new family for a month now, I am perfectly sure we have to change families (even the most perfect ones like mine), because we have to learn a different culture. Each family speaks and uses different words and phrases. They have different traditions, recipes, and entire rhythm of life.

The Archambeau family has lots and lots of energy. We actually just got back from a weekend at Disneyland Paris. The kids are always asking me questions and telling me stories. They like to play board games, play on their tablets, and talk. Laurence, my mother, always asks us how our days are, the new drama at school, and how are friends (and my family are). She is a "power mom" with lots of energy, I love it :). Christophe, my father, is very organized, keeping our family afloat :).  Oh and we have a little dog named 'Google', very cute. We have a modern 2 story house that Christophe and Laurence built a few years back. My room is really cool because it has a door leading to nowhere, just like in Twilight (where for art thou Edward!!)!! The only downside is that it is 20 minutes away from Huy.

I can't explain the feeling I had, but changing families was hard. It was harder for me, then leaving my family back in Wyoming. Before my exchange I thought it would be hard for me to think of people other then my real family as family. I was so wrong. My host families are the greatest and I love them just as I love my real family. I have done a lot of thinking lately and I know it took a lot of courage for me to want to explore another country, but I think host families have to have a lot of courage to want to host a student from another country. It is not only me that has had to adapt to the families, but the families have also adapted to my lifestyle.

I have now officially been here for 5 months! Sadly, that means my exchange is half over. Looking back, I have realised the opportunity I have had. I have been so many places and met so many people.   I have been able to a different view of life; and understand my American life better. And what I think is truly amazing:I have been able to learn a language from scratch (and I am still in progress).

School has been better for me this month. I have stopped worrying about trying to be friends with people who won't reciprocate and have decided to focus on keeping myself happy and spending more time with my host family. Last week another exchange student arrived here in Huy from Argentina (Nico!!), which makes me an 'oldie' :'). His arrival has made me remember what it felt like to be here for the first time, which is just what I need right now.

6 things I am surrently missing:

1. Hugs
2. Rootbeer
3. Driving my car
4. Excersice ( I love food too much)
5. My brother Reese
6. Seeing the stars

Grous Bisous!!

Skye