The first day of school (followed, quite unexpectedly, by the second day)

Well, I lived through the first day of school! It was extremely difficult and quite exhausting - not just because everything was in French and my mind was overloading trying to comprehend even a sliver of it, but also because it is slightly discouraging when you are overwhelmed by tons of people who have their group of friends and are happy as they are, and you can't try to join their conversation because you don't know what they are saying.
So basically, I was drained, exhausted, and at least slightly discouraged.
But I forgot that it was the first day, and the first day is followed by the second day. At the end of the second day I am sitting here writing this feel not hardly discouraged or stress, only slightly drained and in an overall better mood. The classes were more comprehendable today, I felt like I actually made some progress with making friends - all sorts of positive things. And of course the free period I had first thing this morning certainly helped.
Classes here are not like those at Rio Rico High School - a classroomfull of students are each in what is called a class - mine is 5b - and they have a bunch of their subjects, what are called courses together - they see eachother a lot basically, sticking together through many of the courses. And each day has different courses - my first hour Monday is not the same as my first hour Tuesday or Wednesday.
There are 8 hours worth of classes each day plus a lunch period and two ten minute breaks during the day. Monday I started with Geographie, and we spent mot of the period on the basic introduction to the rules of the classroom, the basics of the course, the usual first day in most classes. It almost all went over my head, but I didn't sweat it because it was just the usually pretty common-sense rules.
Next was Complementaire de Francais - basically extra French classes. This class was the hardest I've had so far - we started writing in French basically immeadiately. I was confused and lost, and my poor neighbor was stuck with a partner (we wrote our stories in pairs) who was basically of no help. This class was a big part of why I felt so tired and discouraged at the end of the day.
However, after that hour, I had two hours of Spanish - i should remark that an hour is actually just a 50 minute class period. I understood the most in that class that I had all day because the professor spoke almost solely in Spanish. But more than that, because we were all not fluent in Spanish, I think it was the fact that she spoke slowly. Anyway, I was pleased with myself - I understood a lot and as this is a first level class, I'll be keeping Spanish in my mind without having to worry about getting lost trying to learn a hard level of Spanish in French. Lunch was followed by my second hour of Complementaire de Francais. Again discouraging and tiring, though I am determined to make it not that way next week. I next had my easiest class of all, English. This is more advanced English than the Spanish class - they read articles and have discussions basically trying to get the students to think, speak, read and write fluently. I just enjoy the break, breeze through the homework and am used as a prop by the teacher as needed, for example when no one else in the class can answer the question.
Two hours of religion followed but it was more of the basic intro that I didn't understand and didn't sweat.
Because this is so much longer than I'd hoped it would be, I'm just going to say that today my free period was great, my classes weren't quite as hard, and I had a couple Belgian students to hang out with during class. I'm feeling much more positive about the year than I was and am ready to tackle dreaded Gym tomorrow (especially since tomorrow, like every Wednesday, is a half day).

Anyone heard the phrase "It's a small world"?

17h09
Today my two other host siblings - Erika and Alexis - arrived. Amaury, Benedicte - my host arents - and I woke up nice and early to go get them. Afterwards we stopped for breakfast at le Pain Quotidien, in Jambes - a town not too far from Arbre, my current town. I hadroissant with a chocolate filling, as well as regular bread with a white chocolate spread, as well as yogurt with fresh fruit, as well as a huge cup full of delicious hot chocolate. Fate being fateful, our server was none other than Carole-Ann, the Belgian inbound student to southern Arizona last year, who I had met at one of the Rotary meetings. It was crazy to just run into her on accident. The food was great and I ate more than I should have.
Anyway, Erika and I hit it off. She's my age, just having turned sixteen. According to Benedicte, I will be in the cinquième grade with Erika. I had it in my head that school started the first of September – this coming Wednesday. It starts the 6th, the Monday after tomorrow. Apparently I go to register this coming Friday. So I still have a solid week of vacation before school starts!

Driving's never been so fun

22h03
Going backwards in time a little bit, the plane ride over was extremely uneventful. The most exciting moment was probably when I was offered wine with my dinner on the overnight flight from Dallas to London.
Today we went to Ikea. I would explain how different or similar it is to those in the US had I ever been to an Ikea in the US. However, I do have to mention a couple differences – the roads!! They not only have smaller lanes, which I remember from being in Europe before, but they have roads that seem basically like one lane roads, but are not. I remember the first day driving home from the airport to pick up my host brother from where he was sailing, driving on this tiny road wondering where the road was that took cars in the other direction until I figured out that was the only road. Also, Belgians construct their roads to be obstacle courses – they are full to twists and sharp turns, blind spots, but also random speed bump type things and fences that stick into the road to make it less wide – to remind Belgians to drive slowly, my host dad told me. From my limited experience so far, it doesn’t work. At all. You don't drive in Belgium if you aren't willing to Claim and Capture your Place on the road. (capital letters on purpose.) If I get a chance to take a picture of the obstacle course, I’ll post it here. Forgot my camera again.

Cats are just as important as anything else

So far, so great. I enjoy being here – everything is still new and different and I am enjoying it. The Bronchart/Dewulf/Thomas family is extremely friendly and welcoming. I have yet to meet the two older children of the five, but the three younger children are so excited to tell me things and see me that it makes me feel really welcome. I was afraid they would all be afraid of the strange American living in their home, but that’s not the case.
As one might expect, everything here is green. I think I’ve only seen the sun once since I’ve been here, and that was this morning. It wasn’t even really seeing the sun, it was just sunlight peeking through the clouds. It rains almost continuously, but so far I rather like it.
The family has two cats – Grosschat and Blabla. Grosschat is sleeping on the couch across from me. He’s well suited to his name (it means fat cat) – his large nature reminds me of Garg. Blabla, a totally black cat, resembles my cat Grillo not only in color but in coordination as well. He fell into the small pond they have outside their house as he was drinking.
I promise pictures are to come soon - can you believe I left my camera at home on my first trip to Brussels? All the exchange students in Beligium met for an official welcoming and tour of the Royal Palace, the Grand Place, and the House and Senate. A tiring day, but interesting.

I'm here! ...Right?

8h57
I'm here! (And it's still raining). I just looked out the window and saw the pouring rain. I had a strange feeling this morning – this is my second morning here. I woke up and as I woke up I had a semi-subconcious thought. Wow, that was weird; I dreamt I was in Belgium. I opened my eyes and was almost slightly surprised to discover that I wasn’t in my bed in Rio Rico. I almost said home, but this is my home as well, now.