Vendredi 20ieme Novembre

Il y a 2Am et je suis plus un peu sou et aussi fatigue. Mais aujourd hui c'est pas de tout un mal journée. Interro de Histoire, soirée de Rheto. Je crois Amour pour Colleen. Boire suffisamment et depanse beaucoup. Une parfait jour et soir.

Jeudi 19th Novembre

Oui, et maintenant je commence vraiment d'etre une membre de le famille. C'est bizarre mais quelche-chose a changé entre moi et Emilie et je suis donc plus comme normal. Peut etre ce just le majic 3 moi point? Mais j'aime bien. Aujourd-hui, test de All, lire Mappelthorp- faire un peu de la photo et parlez avec Mml. Van Loo (Peut etre on a faire une voyage en Allemand?) Et après je trouve que j'ai une place dans cette famille. On a argue de qui Emilie aimeraiz et c'est vraiment cool.

Mecredi 18th

Alors, ajourd-hui commencé une heure plus-tard donc cette matin je preperé pour ecole dans 5 mins. Bien. J'arrive a l'ecole avec une gros sens que emilie n'm'aimer pas parceque on a jamais parles. Mais après une peau d'ecole je revien et etudie pour Allemand - pour tout le apresmiddy. Academy c'eté sueet. Et après je ete convincé que Emilie m n'aime pas. Donc je revien dans ma chambre 5 second avant je desand encore et tout est bonne avec moi et Mimé. Cool. La vie est belle.

Lundi 16th Nov

Une Journée typique de la follie de echange! J'arrivé à l'ecole et puis pas de prof.
Bon, mais en fait çe le 1/2 congé aujourd huis, et donc avec pas de course pour la matin les exchange etudiants (sans Rod) part pour Bruxelles pour trouvent des caddeux pour Noël. (Aprés quelches discutek de la place de devoir pour nous). Je trouve la 'a la becasse' et boire beaucoup de le bon lambic. Aussi ecrire dans la livre d'or. Aprés - une peu sou on a parti - et entre une eglise. Après un peau quelches adolescents approach et parleont avec nour. Incroyable! On a 'Kicked out' où bien degagé de la eglise. Donc ce était suette.
Apres on a jouer une blag dans 'le petite tomate' et cherch une livre et mon sac pour le appareille.
On a tout d'accord, un de la meilleur journée jus'que maintenant en Belgique.
Après je Rendevous chez Gaëtan et je voir ses photos d'Australie - et puisse il etudie (il est trop diligent)
-en fait je touché un peu de truc - encore je trouve que ç'est pas trop positif apres pour moi. En fait je preffer pas et pour la prochaine fois je vais dit, Pas pour moi, merci! Bonne nuit.
et rappel toujour la legende.

Dim 15 Nov

DIM-(BuNumNum!)
Oui! Bonne Journée! En fait je ai lever trop fatigue, est reste comme ça pour tout le journée. Ecrire un peu. Marche une peu est TV. C'est une balance aujourdhui avec tout ma negativity de plus tôt- Je suis trés content avec mon famille. Communication est bien est on a comprend le change neccesare. Rappel "le pigeon que est peur dans le parc".

Sam 13th Novembre

Aujourd hui, photos - tres bien + AFS selection camp. aussi cool.

Vend 13th Nov.

Vraiment content maintenant après une bonne journée. Je crois que je faire un bonne attempt pour Aujourd Hui's interro de français. Aussi je trouve plaisir en Education physique. Je trouve que c'est pas trop mal comme je ai pensée. Après ça - le bière (bon) et le course de photo. Ça j'aime bien et je trouve avec ma 4ieme + 3ieme film je suis mieux. Aprés ça je mange à la Grand Place L-L-N dans une fantastic restauration avec JC, MM + Emilie (Fis de J-C).
Et maintenant je suis content aprés quelches bonnes conversations avec Maman que dissiper ma doubts sur mon performance.

Jeudi 12th Nov

Comme journée, Trés bien. En fait je trouve qu avec travail mon Allémand fait improver (mais comme maintenant mon français descend!) Je été chez coiffure et aussie a'achet un nouvelle apariel (TRES BIEN). Je suis aussi content parce-que ma soeur et mamon ma aime- ça c'est important pour moi à sais ça sans doubt.

Mercredi 11th Nov

Evidament J'arrive chez moi un peu tard - allors je commence ma do do à 6H, A 9h30 je mange ma petite dejeuner et après dor jus'que 12h00. Bien. Pour le aprés middy je repairé un cassette et etudied le photo chez Jean-claude.

Mardi 10th Nov

Nuit de le Publivores, et quelle nuit. Maintenant 5.45 AM, Amusant, et beaucoup le pub Aussie. Je rappele bien le 'I still call Australia Home'. But outragously overpriced for what was simply a brute demo of commercial influence. Bonne journée aussie.

Lundi 9th Nov

Oui! Encore le ecole, cest scheon après le cong" mais ques-que-un fait? Excitement pour mon nouvelle apariels de photo demain et orginisé Autrische et aussi the Pub thing (900BEF)

DIMANCHE 8ieme Novembre

Wah! Regarde combien de temps est déjà passé! Anotre journée pour quelle je peux dire quelle journée!! Terrible (ça c'est positive!) Je travail dans le jardin et après JC-MM et moi été Charleroi pour le musée de la photo. Incroyable. Je suis tres motive.

Samedi 7th Nov

Très excité. Je vien à Bruxelles avec JC+MM pour cherchons mon appareil - Je trouve un bon Nikon, Neuveau pour 13000 avec un bon obj (zoom). Après je prend beaucoup de beau photos de la region Louise- et je attende pour JC+MM (pas content). Je appris pourquoi l'art et important et ecrire ma premier mauvais humour lettre pour Aus.
J'ai des grandes choses de apprend.

Vendredi 6th Nov

Quelle Vacance! Aujourd'hui j'experience le sens que cette place c'est tellement ma place! J'arrange ma chambre, Etudie ma photo, ecrire une peu. Promenade Aedofix et voir l'empire d'soleil avec JC et Mamon (et petit Tisan!) C'est bonne, C'est Belge! Cette chambre est maintenant Ma Chambre! - THIS NIGHT WAS MY FIRST DREAM IN FRENCH! En fait je rêvé que je revenir en Australie et je parlez Français avec unotre etudiand et la vender à KFC!

Jeudi 5th Nov

Alors, Maintenant il y a un temps où je pense ici c'est ma place, et ma famille! Jn'ai pas le instability je trouve j'été. Aujourd'hui je voir 'Shine' 2 fois et j'aime bien. Surtout a fantastique journée. Et demain...?

Mercredi 4th Nov

Writing this at 11 the next day after sleeping a bit. Lazy day - tv + film, helped Mum - Soirée chez Martin. Got maybe 2hrs sleep. Cool dance with Emily + walking to the gare 6am.

Mardi 3° Nov

-Peutain, c'est une bonne journée mais maintenant je suis sou! Today I worked on Nics english. Recieve a letter from Iris + AFS, Watched the visitors + got completely pissed + walked home. Good writing huh? Nic, + Halloween party.

2° Novembre-Lundi

-Great day, Rise w/- 2dmonde pour pet.Dej. Rend. Avec Kahan pour un Journée à Bruxelles - Il cherchent pour un magasin de Magazines - mais il a pas d'idée. Eventualmont on a prend le Metro pour le esp. de cinquant-neuf. Super-Bonne monument de Belgique et beaucoup le musée mais seulemant le musée de la voiture est ourire. Ça est interessant pour moi. Revenir chez moi pour une grande dinêr avec mumée - de la chinois. El parlé de Egypt et on a montre les photos. Sur tout une bonne journee. Eh! cest bizarre! Je automatiquemont commence a ecrire en français - Celebre! Peut etre il signifie que je suis a la étage de la beux rêvés?

1/11/98-DIMANCHE

Rose leasurely, once more traditional breakfast. Never forget my times with Gaëtan. Sun. Returned but no-one was doing anything and I was a bit restless. Walked with Nic+ Aedofix. Laundry. Largo, Diner, Tisan then great Belg film which reminded me of Ruth. So I wrote to her. Now in bed feeling happy after a wonderful weekend.

Samedi 31th Oct

Rise, cool music - BD the bonne pain + 8's ets. Brugge - unreal though it rained all day, the conversation, the Dejeuner - Mussels in white wine followed by French Coffee - the conversation, singing, Visiting - taking photos, talking, walking in the rain, lacy underwear. Good, long, French conversations and ending up Feeding the Chickens in front of a distorted Canal+ at 2am in the morning.

Vend 30th Oct

Good day but with its overall share of ups and downs. I got worked up about 2 little tiny things mainly my school hours. Recieved my bulletin-it was good. The soirée with GO + GP's was great - I really enjoyed wine and beer (After before sleep). It was great.

Jeudi 29 Oct

Good/ Allemand - I understand!! Talked with French Prof. Studied photo, Allemand, wrote home. Missed my history course. And felt bad. Emily feels responsable for me not being such a good scholare + feels that Mmn is wrong.

Mecredi 28 Oct

Very very good day - Woke up before Mum - I made coffee. On my way to school the post arrived - 3 post packs - a map - Driza-bone, watch calculator, Street Machine + PHOTOS + letters. This was great - and I was excited all morning - I opened it all in English class! My French is always on the up. This feels great. It also feels great to dream - to create the photos.
After school I had academy where I am really starting to learn a lot about tirage. Made great photos.

Mardi 27th Oct

Another good day. Decided to make an Exposition de photo when I return to Aus. Thats one goal. Also to do the NT Trip with Mum + make a report. Beer at school for 5th hour - Paid for by the director - that was unreal, but not really funny to watch a girl pissed in class. My French is constantly improving and I find myself wanting to talk- Organised things for London helped Nic. Catching up on sleep.

Lundi 26th oct

-wow-Genié en Herbe, tv game show like university challenge. I went off like an aussie Yobbo and everyone including me was responsible for us winning both the first rounds. It was cool to tour the studios of RTBF + Radio, Tonight - BIG PARTY@LLN, and tomorrow the directeur has suspended school for us till 5th hour! Recieved AFS Newsletters. The Fête - cold but Ok, I waited 20 mins for G.O. Now am tired.

Dimanche 25th OCT

Another great day.
I realised that it is important not to always let yourself feel tired - then you are actually tired + satisfied at the end of the day. G.O. phoned - we go to london next weekend. I phoned Mum for the address. Walked in the sun and a few hours later in the rain - Wrote some post cards, got a lot closer to Nicolas and studied a bit of photography. Worked about my budget as it couldn't cope with buying a camera. Tea, infusion bed.

SAMEDI 24 OCT - PARIS!

Woke up very early. Fun on bus - really making friends at the academy. Saw the eiffel tower, Place de concorce, Arc de triumph, champs-elysee etc. It felt good not being an absolute tourist. It rained all day - enjoying walking in the rain. Beautiful city - everything in harmony. I saw 2 expos with 4 different photographers - great and some where inspiring. It seem you have to have a personal photography and 'make a living' photography. I want to go back and walk the streets + take the photos. Ben made a photo reportage of Australian in Paris. Everyone went out of their way to help me see Paris. My language is so much better.
A GOOD DAY ÇA.

Vendredi 23 Oct

Another Great day. School-intero, talked with Rod, French - Meeting with an international projects org. Home - I wrote a please cheer up mum letter and worked on my photos. Photography. A brief history - then I tried to make good photos - but not my day - too rushed with no thought. Dinner, talked a lot to maman in French - I feel so good about my French. Paris demain!! Woohoo.

Jeudi 22 October

Good day. Worked on subjects for my photos - read more Largo Winch. History. Bank with Emily for French money. More Largo. Shopping with Maman. Letter from Ruth. Worried a bit about Mum & Seb. Helped with dinner. Ate-Infusion and talked with maman.

Mercredi 21th Oct

Ecole was cool. Good to see everyone again. My French is impressing so much I wrote home about it. I felt so happy after going to 2 shops - talking at both using Vous. Photo was great. Dinner & Infusion. A good day. Oh yes - went to hospital - I had 3rd degree salmonella poisoning!

Mardi 20th October

Liégé avec 5ieme, Exhibition de Chagrin, incredible the colour and expression and symbolism. Liege is beautiful and very industrial. After - science lectures and stuff. Watch Basquiat. Very strong - I could relate to a lot. Strongly provocative. Dinner (really learning what to do with the shy-shy paradox comme Em&Moi&Jemima). JC, Fun and infusion now bed. Very excited about PARIS!!

Lundi 19th 10th

Great, Rise, eat study, everyone is locked out. Post some letters, Budget a bit - check my email, watch les 3 freres + Forest Gump.

Dimanche 18ieme

Even better. Sun all day. Rose late- pistolets + fromage, + Nutella pour P.D. Helped in garden. Wrote to Mum. Went with David to see some theatre in LLN, returned and studied a bit of All. Ate, TV, Bed. Great day.

Samedi 17th

BEST DAY SINCE I GOT SICK! Arose not tired - ate with my family, went to the tip with Mamon. Developed my film and realised how many friends I am making at the academy. Helped make dinner. Infusion while we watched an art film and then a silly film which I understood!!!

Mec/Jeu/ven 14/15/16th

A fairly quiet time, always tired + weak. Started to eat a bit more like normal jeudi soir. My French hasn't improved much-I have just been watching nothing worth watching all day on TV and sleeping. I feel a bit guilty.
*My day improved once I put on my clothes- tidied a bit, wrote a bit to Mum. Especially felt better after reading Caitlayns letters- It is important to relate your experience to others. So I wrote a bit to her. Went to photography and then out for dinner with Mmn&J.C. Italian. Bellisemo. I am once again on the roundabout. That was my small depression/ and what felt good was knowing that many people at school - my friends - were interested and sent salutations.

Mardi 13th

A little better, for the first time ate a little toast. Phoned Mum, she was so happy - it was nice. Still feel pretty rotten but enjoying it. This is really bonding me with mamon ici.

Lundi 12th

Sick, doctor visits, he thinks appendicitis, that night @ hospital for 4hrs while it is diagnosed a bit. Echographie, blood scan. We think it is severe gastro, 5 days of school. Water & toast.

Dimanche 11th

Sick

Samedi 10th

Kahan calls me 19m before the train leaves so I chuck on clothes and run. It was a bit interesting & good to see others, but too long and it ran too late. When I returned I was very late, very very sick & tired.

Vendredi 9th

A great day, very tired, returned to the real world- photography - Kahans Birthday and it was good. No Alcohol and a great time with music + dance. Now bed early for France 2morrow (after a lot of indecision).

Jeudi 8/10

Great day, really enjoying knowing handicapped people and not seeing their handicaps. Good soiree - a down to up day.

7/10/98

Retreat, a little drunk. Interesting working here with mentally ill. Also cracking onto a girl.

6/10/98

A big up down day - mostly balanced. French improving. Letter from Mum. I can't find the reasons but little tiny things would make me depressed.

Lundi 5th

An important day, where I learnt a lot of lessons and enjoyed learning them. I arose, + school was good - mixing more with François, speaking more French + learning that I have to look out for myself more, eg with the notices. After school I return with David then go to Rods. Dinner was good, I am learning the importance of clear communication. After dinner over an infusion with mamon and Nicolas (he didn't drink an i.f.) 2 absolutely important issues were raised. 1) I have spent nearly 20,000 Francs in little more than a month!!! I have to budget - record what I spend and pick and choose my excursions. The second is where for the first time I start to see under the iceberg. The kiss culture. I have been doing some very strange things. It seems the kiss is not for everyone. It is for friends & family NOT for people you have just met - Girls yes. This is particularly interesting. I had no idea the mistakes I was making. It is not so very normal for a guy to kiss a guy. Also a day with a lot of ups and downs.

Dimanche 4th

Rose early, prepared + left for kayak - freezing + a bit of rain.: NO KAYAK. So we visit the citidel at Dinans where the castle had incredible history, a cockateil and a slanting room. And a Cave. After a beer. Pretty good day. After I finished my photos - watched TV. Wrote a reference for Em, wrote a letter and now I sleep.

Samedi 3rd

Felt good, a bit tired, Reefer song grouse, making mates. Photo course - my first print of Aedofix being brushed with a broom. After I try to fill the film p/c JC wants the camera tomorrow. Tomorrow I kiak after a freezing cold, hard day. In bed, Just had a really good cry for Dad. Remembering what was happenning this time last year. Want to write some things down. Confusion. Got closer to Bree. The arriving home from school to find him on morphine - feeling the cancer like a gigantic rock plateau, his hickups. His confusion, My confusion, he fell off the tractor, he was trying to work but his body wouldn't let him - falling off his tractor. Falling over at the bottom of the hill - I want a smoke now with Mum, - "Where were you, Why couldn't you help me? I fell over."
"Don't let me stop you, you just keep on going - "
And here I am, writing and trying to cry quietly because I don't want my maman to worry - wishing I could just go and have a smoke with my Mum and a cup of tea. I will phone her on the tenth and tell her this. I wish there was something I could do like talk to GO. I think I will try to organise to be with him on the 10th. Je ne sais pas, I am a bit scared that my dear little mum will die on me, but I know that whatever happens it is the will of the lord, and we will be never taken away from each other - we will see each other again.

Ven 2nd

Rose fucked-school 1 hre then sleep. Then find out Oyens party 2nite. Drink a little. Im OK, guitare. Sleep. Cool night.

Jeudi 1st

Pissed. School, tired for All, test, then watch TV, then histoire, then drunk with Aussie av Rotary, then pub, now so fucking drunk bonne nuit.

Mecredi 30th

Arose early for school. Rain - everyones mood a bit darker, then it brightened up. I help a lot with english - my teacher has invited me to her place. French 1984, it is interesting in French. Then II eat, go to Brussels with Swedish chick, she will do photography av me. 7th hole - what fun: Beer - mates, music. Then after I go home with Kaghan and his father. Learn some French, organise tomorrow. Infusion/sleep. It is so cool now I am becoming part of fam and can talk to Emilie.

Mardi 29th

Rose late, School boring but some parts cool - French test. After visited GO which was unreal. Eat, talk - Infusion, sleep.

Lundi 28th

Arose so tired, Geo, test which all exchange students missed. CAFE, I learnt that to be happy, you have to smile and be open to a good time - be interested. After that I had a fantastic day. Anglais- je suis l'assistant prof. All- I am trying to learn. After I play av David. I finish Pelican B - help Nicolas, eat talk, dance and listen to music with the family - a happy day.

Dimanche 27th

Arose, Bfast W/- JC - Bon Pains. Relaxed morn, photos - view my negatives- JCs photos of portugal. Write home, reflecting on Dad. Went to JCs, viewed with light table + picked photos. He is so generous - proposing Dark Room. Lent also the motor drive. Watched Golden eye + Ghost. Went to a crusty exhibition. Dor.

Sam 26th

Rose to Mamy for Pain Breakfast took heaps of photos. Went to Acad + developed them. After dinner out with J.C. and Mamon, très bien.

Vendredi 25th

School was cool, le journalist d'un jour, reminded me of last day year twelve. Dressed up and sat outside in the sun listening to music. PE - blah - it was hot for football and I couldn't swim after. Returned to Rods for Email. Nothing incredible, asked for my phone. Went to my course - was good I am proud with my level of comprehension now. After went to Brussels with Em + Friends to a shit Jam. Dance Nite, but instead had a good night. Cool by night.

Jeudi 24th

Arose @ GOs - 7h - Inst caught train got home with 10mins so changed and left. After all I bought pain + had a cup with Austrian chick. Then returned home, shower eat then playstation av Nicolas before he takes me to school. After I read. Go to LLN av Mum + Em pour Part I. Plays. With N. Pick up appareil + learn from JC-awkward because there is a breakdown in com. between him and Mum. Dinner fusion, Bed tired.

MERCREDI 23rd

I am actually writing this on Thursday because it turned out that last night I ended up in LLN for the baptism of the blues. In the morning I made my speech for English, a fair few people are now desperate to visit Australia as a result. After school I went AV Rod to Brx, we split up at the Gare, then I walked around for a long time trying to find someone I knew, Just when I was returning I met the Am+Bra girls from Liege, we went to the 7th Hole where I met 4 other Aussies which was cool. After it was bad PC I made Emily miss her appointement at the dentists. Then it turned out I couldn't do photography without a film, I had the wrong money etc. etc. After dinner I went to LLN, and found the Rotaries, also GO with whom I stayed the night. A toke but not a lot of drink - This time I was on the floor in GOs room. What was interesting was that he told me he hated all the dirty life at LLN. The toke did very little to me.

MARDI 22nd

Its good that I can always find something to feel good about at the end of the day. School was OK. Geo a bit boring. But after went and saw VH's 'Angelo' It was good, and I understood particularly well because of my studies of Dramas-Tragedy etc. A great evening with friends. Have finished cigarettes - a purposefully vague moment.

Lundi 21st

Official 1 month. Lever then ecole with good classes. Volleyball, lunch, then more classes - talk with Al prof, visit David, then he visits me, we walk in the forest then he goes home. Dinner then we visit Janique (with Coralie, she had Jap) about camera + phone card. After a fusion with Mamon. Talking about JC, Bed.

DIMANCHE 20th

One month down, two to go till I speak perfect French. A good day - arose at 10am, and enjoyed a quiet morning- clearing my room, finishing and posting my letters. Helping Mamon in the Garden. After I took Aedofix for a long walk in the forest to visit the monastry + think + write poetry. It wasn't what I expected, it was a chapel. After tea with Em- Mm returned, a fusion + now bed. I also put my photos with the other family ones downstairs.

Samedi 19th

It's actually Dimanche morning. In B. was good-met some Americans. Practiced my French finding Fotoguy + buying my stuff, spent so much money - bought jeans but not shoes because the price scared me. After I met other AFSers at Gare Cent, but I caught my train- missed my stop. Anzac buisuits for the BBQ - TDM loved them, it took me ages to find them. Good fun night but David the CAN Tagged onto us and is now sleeping here (finally at 3AM!!) because he wants to crack onto my beautiful sister.

Vendredi 18th

Have been in Belg for 4 weeks, can converse confidently in French and am happy av. school and fam. School-cool, after Em has heaps of mates over. It felt a bit awkward, then the exposition which was pretty big av. rich boy. After we ate- I am so tired.

Jeudi 17th

Woke, Allemagne A test. The class is so confusing av. a headache apres. Then 3 depressing hours by myself at home. Then histoire - pretty cool. After TV, drop Em off, then tea.

Mercredi 16th

Woke - School was good avec friends now - c'est mon ecole maintenant. Time with Rod then he had time at my place. Course d'photographé, making new friends + learning the art. Recieved my APS prints. Dinner av. JC, tea + Verdi. Bed. A wonderful day.

Mardi 15th

School, hard - photos. Don't feel any real friendships - then again tired + talking is an effort. So exhausted. One class I had french but my TT said I didn't so I sat in the park for an hour while my class thought I was wagging. After school I watch TV with Em, eat then deliver some paintings to Edward with Mon. He gives me a trilobite : after a day of feeling really -ive about my French I am really +ive, talking. A Good - But late evening.

Lundi 14th

So tired now in bed - Arose + walked to school in hard rain - my Aussie hat was soaked through and I dreamt of driza-bone. Had a few fantastic conversations. Cold. Finally return to TV then go crazy at the SM with Maman. So tired now. It is a mental drain and French is prodding my brain.

Dimanche 13th

A fantastic day, meet GO in Brux, then he shows me his view of the Grand-place, the Beer festival is there - Incredible, the respect there is for beer - GO made a religious analogy. Lunch with Grandparents, Fantastic, I am part of 3 families. Then his bro, me and him return but the GP is packed so first we visit 'à la becasse' and drink an incredible beer, a pub with only Belgians - very popular but tourists don't see it.
Then we visited 'the coffin' - small & wierd. Coffins for tables + red lights. Beer with coke in skull mug - Then home. I speak good French. A great day. The legend continues. So I will sell Belg Beer, GO Aus. We will be rich - GO with 12 or so pipelines for aus beers, me with 600 or so for Belg.

Samedi 12th

AFS Exc to Bockrick or something. Tired but happy to see everyone. It was interesting and a good opportunity to talk - walk + learn. I am talking better French + can travel independantly, petite à petite I improve. Many good photo ideas. Today I felt a bit sick of drinking ) so I had a hot choc.

Vendridi 11th

A wonderful day. Once again drunk. I wake late, then histoire, a free - I talk with Rod & play basketball with autres. Then lunch - making friends. Sport - exhausting but in comp. I am fit. Soccer - AFL is in my blood - I am too rough and wish it was AFL. Absolutely buggered. Bruised & sore. Not Gentle. Then Em& ami to SuperM for Vodka. Home before the Academy - Fotography w/- Maryanne, then party. So cool- Belgians are the best party animals. Return with Mamon & talk a lot. We are very open. She is starting to love vegemite. Now pissed a bit & happy - M. commented that everyone loves me - my big head. I am learning heaps.

Jeudi 10th

All, All- pretty cool Teacher Gorgeous, still felt a bit rooted. Walk home - cleaning my room + study a bit. TV, talk avec N. History - I know we are discussing WW1 aussi the Frame - but not the details. Dictation sux. Apres I go with David + Mary Anne (Canadian Belge), to her place. OK then a good evening av Mum&Em&JC. We discuss Mums letter and relax.

Mercredi 9th

School, Double Anglais- I present Aus. Then Français. I missed physics and went w/- Rodrgz to LLN. Meet GO- Had a strong beer. The first time I feel the legend. G.O. gets his results while R&I stumble around tipsy. HE PASSED. We returned to his flat with his friend. He has a joint (the friend). I am the idiot who tries some. I had no idea it would make so much difficulty. It was awful. I looked stupid because I said it was because I tried MS. Never again - mul sux.

Jeudi 8th

A bit later I visit the commune with N, where there is a huge q. Rodriguez DanCanMan and Sue de AFSER XCHANGERS Make most of it. N goes home I stay with R & host bro. After I return to their place receive revealing email from Bree & wait for Mum to come with her Card. Machine d'Manger. Rotarians are cool. I return to school - to a blank class where the teachers ill so I meet classmates, then 2hrs Geo. Apres the Can visits me. Kahn calls from LLN gare so we must pick him up from the Ott Gare. Wait for ages in Rain- D leaves, I find K. Then after he leaves we have wonderful tea then visit the art exhibition avec Monique. I am now speaking only French and they say it is as good as the Japs at 3 moi. BONNE NUIT. School Geo is hard.

Lundi 7

Early rise, fatigue. Ecole- told to attend language school for the morning for 3 moi, doesn't eventuate. @13h I meet with Emilie, lunch - meet some kids. Choose subjects - Easy timetable with heaps of breaks and late mornings. A few minutes avec Allermain then fini. To the café with the other students for a beer then I return home to a new nite.
Introduced myself to the wrong class!

Sunday 6th

Awake late, bfast then I wrote to Mum. Really settling in. Lunch (Vmite&Cheese) then visited Nicolas at the horse place. He is incredible, he offered to teach me. I rode his horse 'KINKY'. Just now tired. SCHOOL TOMORROW!!!!!merde

Samedi 5th

Bfast then exploring the bush. Talent show - Tres bien.
Retourne avec mon famille & Tegan. Dinner then talk. I speak much more French. A bit tired from last night. Strange being home, school on lundi.

Friday 4th

French - Beaut movie, Goerge Am Pissed. Avec 16 beer - je spew @11. Cool Night 4:30 pissed. Must sleep. Bon chancce.

Jeudi 3rd

Awesome day, woke up to rain and huge storm- power&water cut. Bfast then French. Feeling much more confident. The days are so full and go so fast, it feels like yesterday - And this matin were years ago. Lunch- I speak with my teacher. More&more confidence. I am speaking too much. PM I swim, awesome ball game- this camp is so full. After dinner and study I have our chapter meeting - BRAMAN. I go to London - Italy - Rome etc etc! Something every night. GO IS MY COUNCILLER!! Spoke with Yuri. Maybe I do social sciences? Then unreal party. Tomorrow will be as fun- no classes on SAT. Must organise Talent thing.

Mecredi 2nd Sep

Awoke to Guit. Bfast early w/- Robert -German. French-feel positive. Students back@ecole. Orientation cool. Corine sends me a note in Eng- I send one in French. Learnt a lot in study. Met Turkish people. Most int. in beliefs-Muslim. Spent night explaining some of fund. Christianity&Luther. V annoyed about NZs not accepting him not having a shower - teasing ridiculing and invading his room to be funny. Must write to Pastor&Fra. Hope to get to know Corine.

Mardi 1st Sept

Awoke to accordian. French class - I am learning. Happy to be having a good, stable time. Making friends. I feel happy - but not too high. Must force myself to learn French by speaking. School talk. Free time. Wierd- crackony camp American Good Aus. Mates, germ, Span, Turk, Bel, Am, Can, etc. Etc. Everyone is special.

Lundi 31st Aûot

Today I woke early. Enourmous Board. Sch. Then went back to sleep. When finally woken by noisy returnees arose - bfast. Discover I am in group 7 for Fr. - The lowest. Social group mainly english speaking. Work hard all day. Swim then orient. Dinner then Free- Goodnite with SA's dancing - as always. One Am girl seems to like me. Cool friends I make. Unreal atmosphere. Everything is Grand and old.

Sunday 30th

Sleep is much more reg in that I sleep worse and wake later. I pack, watch tv. Eventually off to Tegans place in Brx. I am so proud of my family. We leave for camp. Arrive & have French Test after dinner. (crap) Good to see aussies, I can't wait to speak French. Seem not to have experienced the same language barrier - homesickness & depression as others.

Samedi 29th

Sleep in then visit supermarket then frites for lunch (Pommes de terre). Waterloo so Mily can visit Aunt. Climb the lion hill. I am starting to eat all the time - 3kg! Tommorow I go to Ferrier.

Vendredi 28th

Have been here 1 week!!!
This morning N took me to LLN - for my Identity Card. Then I wrote letters & watched TV till we went to Wavre for E's appt. with dentist. I walked around while N studied. Then return - TV, sleep ) Bruxelles w/- Mamon & E for Exhibition-Home, Waterworld. I am part of the family, I just need French. Bonne nuit.

Jeudi 27th

Walk to banque w/- E&Edix. Try to write to Ray. Clip toenails. Go to Brux w/- E and her friend who has been to Am so speaks En. They show me the Grande Place, Chocolate, Mannekin Pis and all the boring clothes shops. Then saw 'Sex Crimes' in French. I can't wait till I know French.

Mecredi 26th

Bfast. Then everyone left me - I watched MTV, & Breakers & BBC. Then Pizza, then I went to Wavre with N&E. Lazy afternoon then G.O & Bro, Mo, &Sis for tea at LLN. Tres Bien, but Momon was worried - I must tell her if I am late. Wish I could see more of G.O. It is hard to write 1 letter let alone letters to everyone!!!

Mardi 25th.

Must post a letter for Ray Williams in 3 days + it must be good. Slept Best yet. Awoke, showered happily while Nicolas was in the room. Went to le Banque w/- N. & opened an account. I can't wait to speak French. Then we went to the shops & got a house key cut. I bought a chocolate cigar. The chocolate is exquisite. I ate a lot today. We all lunched at home together then Nicolas studied & I watched & watched MTV. N&I took Edofix for a walk and I tried Belgian Icecream. Exquisite. L8tr I went to JC's and he & his daughter Emily took me out to dinner in a nearby town. The atmosphere was wonderful & though Em. cannot speal En she is beaut. A wonderful evening of Indian & friends & beer & real tea. Tomorrow Emily & JC take me to get an Av.NP. They are way too kind. B.P.