September 4, 2003

We went out to my host parent’s cottage the other day. It is in a small village. Unfortunately it is hard to find work in the country and many people are unemployed. They grow their own food so they don’t need much money. I met one of my host parent’s friends. She was really nice and she made the best vegetable soup. It was the best thing I have tasted since I’ve been here.

My first day of school was ok. It was extremely nerve-racking!!! Today was better I am starting to understand a lot more. The sooner I can communicate the sooner I will make friends. It was also my birthday. My parents sent me the most awesome card! It had a turtle that got a speed shell for his birthday and then they called later that night. I was a bit homesick but my host family made it all better.

The students stay in the same room for most of their classes unless it is computer or a language and then the class splits up. I don’t know how their schedules work, I just know when I have which classes and that’s enough for me! They also learn more than one language. The class I am in has several lessons in English but also goes to either German or French class twice a week. They don’t do anything the first 2 days of school. We have been done by noon but tomorrow lessons start. I was glad to see today that people weren’t so dressed up as yesterday! I was worried I would be severely underdressed all year! But they wear jeans to school too. On Friday I have gym class at 7:00 in the morning which means I have to catch the bus at 6:30 which means I have to leave the house at 6:15 which means I have to wake up wayyy tooo early. I never seem to be able to escape gym. On other days school doesn’t start till 8 so that is good. And at least I won’t have to walk to breakfast in the dark cold snow like I did the last 3 yrs!

PS I’ll be happy to accept fan mail! LOL (laughing out loud) And I’m working on pictures. They will be here soon!

Christina