| Hallo,
Alles is nu goed met mij. November has past really fast. Today I am one month with my 2nd host family. This month,I swam in a swim meet here in Maastricht. I couldn't say that everything went fantastic but I was proud of myself. I'm still training but its often hard to find the time. I'm still trying to get my 3 times a week in but usually only end up getting 2. I've bonded with my host family and things are alot better in that aspect. I'm still managing to keep some contact with my other host family. Alot of people told me that they didn't recommend it but I can't toally destroy something that I worked hard to build. I've joined the Scouts.We've gone into the woods at 8 pm and played a game. It was so scary. It was so dark you coulnd't see your hand in front of your face but you knew it was there because it was protecting you from being wacked by the trees that you couldn't see. I've taken Myra (15) out for the first time in her life. We went to the METAMARPHOSE. Thats a pub where alot of kids in my class go. She was so nervous and she wanted to have everything perfect. Monique played in a violin concert. I've gone to a Rotaract meeting. Rotary for younger people (18-30). I went to a hockey match. Its not on ice its field hockey here. It was 8C outside and they are running around in shorts. I think they are nuts. I've had 2 days off this week because its test week and I didn't have those exams. I went the first day into the city with Jose (my last host mother) the next day I went into the city with Martine(my current host mother). I've really enjoyed seeing the change of the seasons. The trees are all pretty bald and the sun doesn't come up until 8:15 or so and it goes down around 4:30/5. I've done alot of Christmas shopping. I've sent all my packets already. I've also recieved alot of packages from family at home and have had to use alot of self restraint not to open them as they sit in my closet. Next week is Sinter Klaus. Thats the feest of St. Nicholas. It was really populair but not its faded. No one has the time to give presents so they wait until Christmas when the KERSTMAN comes. He's been in Nederland for 2 weeks already I think. Sometimes when you set out your shoes you find a note and choclate or some other interesting thing in the morning. All the kids in this house have already found out that he wasn't real but they are doing it for me so I can see how the custom is. I've had 2 dreams in Dutch which is kinda really scary. The first one I didn't say much but how are you? Hows life? etc. the second one I had I was talking to some guy and I was explaining what I was doing here in Nederland etc. I've been emailing about once or twice a week in Dutch with Felice for a month now and I'm doing better with writing. My speaking skills are also coming along. I can talk on the phone for a half an hour non stop in Dutch. I understand almost everything and its going really good. This month I'm going to a farewell party for the
exchange students from the southern hemisphere. I haven't gotten to know them really really
well. Its only been 4 months and they are on their way out the door. I think that has to do because
I'm isolated down here. The nearest person to me is 25 minutes. I have vacation for 2 weeks for
last week of Dec and the frist week of Jan. I couldn't be more thrilled. They
are building a winter wonderland on the Vrijthof ( a main square). Theres a huge Christmas tree in the
middle and its real. Theres going to be an outside iceskating rink and a Ferris wheel. I can't wait. I
think its going to be really fun. They've finished a McDonalds here that you get your Food on a plate. Its
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