Updates

Groetjes van uit Nederland!

Well boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen, it's almost time for this 'world-traveler' (as my father calls me) to come HOME to CANADA!! It all happens in 21 days from today!

Here's the low-down: On Tuesday July 27th 2004 at 11pm at Ottawa International Airport I'll arrive on Northwest flight #5876 from Detroit. And I expect, no I'd LOVE, to see you ALL there to welcome me HOME! Back to Canada, back to an English speaking area, back to forests, animals, friends, family, km's between towns and cities, driving, space, nature, Wal-Mart, Tim Horton's, O'Canada, Glad Tidings Church, Perth, Lombardy, Smiths Falls, Ottawa, Kingston, Bath, Nappanee, and all the places and things which feel like and are my home!

In the past 2 months since my last update (May 17th/18th according to my records) naturally SO much has happened. So for the last time I'll tell you about my adventures:

May 18th & 21st - My friends Meryem & Meike and myself were busy at school painting our English classroom. When I arrived in September 2003 and attending English class for the first time I was appalled to see the British flag and map, and the American flag and map including Alaska with just a big white area in between where Canada was. So finally nearing the end of my year we'd arranged with our teacher and with the principal to first do 3-4 coats of latex over the whole wall and then begin painting the maps and flags of Britain, America AND CANADA there! Finally we all dipped our hands in different colours of paint and left a handprint and signature on the wall, I happened to also write "Canadian" and the year beside mine! It was such an amazing way to leave my mark on the school, literally.
May 19th - Everyone in my grade went to Lile, France for a day trip. Lile is the cultural capital of the European Union, and lies in the north of France it's a beautiful old city, with many new buildings as well, a few designed by Dutch architects.
May 24th - I met a friend Anouk whom I'd had contact with since before I left Canada. She came on exchange to Canada in 1999-2000 and loves Canada so much she's gone back twice! Anyways we finally met up and went to The Efteling, a theme park here in The Netherlands, and it was great fun!
May 28th & 29th - I went to Leeuwarden, Friseland, it's in the North of The Netherlands, and slept over at my friend Vicky's house with 9 other students. We even had a campfire and explained what smores are. The next day we met up with 8 other students and we all went WADDENLOPEN! Basically walking through deep mud and clay and water for 11km+ 5 hours and stuff it was exaughsting but really fun. Of course there were many mud fights and stuff, we even saw a little seal.
May 30th - I went with my current host-family (Janet, Frans & Maaike) and another Rotarian's family, whom I'd babysat for before to a castle at the point of 2 rivers and three provinces, I love seeing castles and so far have been inside 2 Dutch ones, and seen many more from a distance.
May 31st - I went with my host-mother for a 20km+ hiking day with a group of her friends, and it was beautiful. Along the way we found a memorial from WWII where the Nazis executed a huge group of people right at the end of the war.
June 1st - I taught my gym class how to play soft-ball, and then we had a mini-tournament.
June 4th - I went with Rita my 1st host-mother to Amsterdam by train, and then to the Anne Frank house, which was well displayed and surprisingly bigger than I thought having many rooms and 2 floors in their hiding area, but many large windows, which would have been torture looking outside but never going outside for 2 years! Then we went to the Jewish Museum and then to the local market.
June 5th & 6th - Tyson (best-exchange friend from Australia) came over for supper then Kit(American exchange student), Maaike(4th and current host-sister), Deirdre (Dutch friend), Meryem (best Dutch friend), and myself went to the theater together in Rotterdam,and they made me watch the stupid 3rd Harry Potter movie. I hadn't seen the first 2, but this actually wasn't that bad. Then Tyson slept over until Sunday afternoon.
June 7th - I did some grocery shopping really having to search for many ingredients and substitute things. Then I spent 3+ hours baking cookies and squares for my orchestra members Radboud.
June 8th - This was it my last time to play with Radboud, my orchestra. I'd cried the week before saying a few goodbyes, I didn't think I'd be able to hold it together this week. I served them M&M cookies, and Rice crispy squares and Peanut Butter Cookies, and they must have been good because everyone was complimenting me and the trays were empty. They gave much a nice bouquet of flowers and several gifts chocolates, drop, souvenirs, and stuff. Plus individual speeches, and a book about the history of the orchestra with many signatures inside the cover.
During this week I was everyday for a few hours at Janet's (my host-mother's) office working on the yearbook for my exchange student friends who are all leaving now. It was a LOT of work, especially for one person in one week, but turned out really nice, and everyone was pleased with it.
June 11th - Was my last day of school, and I thought I went prepared, but I had no way of being prepared for this day. Upon arriving at school I saw immediately everywhere tons of huge posters saying "Als je dit mesije zien: (my photo a blown up version!) wens haar en prettige treuge reis!" And that means "If you see this girl, wish her a good trip back!" with my photo there. My two best Dutch girlfriends Meike & Meryem (shortened to M&M by me) had done all this for me. the whole day I had people coming up to me at school saying goodbye and stuff. Then in 6th period Spanish class my last class of the day, all of a sudden I was instructed to obey without question as I had a tea-towel tied around my head and face, and was lead down two flights of stairs and into a room where the tea-towel was finally removed. In this auditorium was my whole class, my whole grade! Then the musical girls, all friends of mine from the choir, music class and school concerts and stuff began singing and playing a song I'd song at the last Easter Assembly "Let Your Love Shine" by Sister Hazel They had the Canadian flag hanging and all my teachers and dean was there as well. Furthermore one time back in October 2003 or so M&M and I had watched the movie "Patch Adams" together and there's a scene where for one girls birthday all her friends fill her room to the ceiling with balloons and I said something like 'oh I'd love someone to do that for me' So in this room students had spent the whole day blowing up over 300 balloons and they'd managed to cover the floor. Furthermore, the school had provided trays of stroopwafels and fanta and Coke-a-Cola for people to freely eat and drink. Glancing around the room, as I was serenaded I began immediately to cry and I couldn't stop myself, as much as I didn't want to. There was also a huge table of gifts they'd all individually and in little groups bought for me. I'd brought my Dutch flag to school and several permanent markers and M&M had it on a huge table and got everyone to sign it, they also managed to get one of my Rotary Youth Exchange business cards to everyone. I was so overwhelmed. I knew the whole year I'd enjoyed my time there very much, but I hadn't realized how much the school: teachers, custodians, staff, deans, principal, and students had enjoyed me as well! The teachers all made speeches explaining about how their perspective of exchange students had changed 180 degrees with me. From in September when I started and they all thought "Oh great, here comes another one of those exchange students" To the end of the year laughing with me asking me to do more presentations and truly having enjoyed having me here. Apparently this school had had continually bad experiences with exchange students for the last 10 years or longer, and I managed to leave them excited for next-years student. I was so touched, and honoured. All I'd ever done was be myself, and given everything my best effort. That evening I thought the surprises were over when all of a sudden I was kidnapped by M&M and Judith another friend of mine and my host-parents were in on the plot this time. We biked to Meryems house where I was left to wait with her mother while they went to run errands. It turns out they'd arranged to have a good friend of mine Sander from another city, come by train and we had a small relaxed movie evening with the 5 of us.
June 12th - After that busy and overwhelmingly exciting day I still was left packing for my 3 week euro tour at 3am. I still got up early finished packing and Tyson came and we went with my counsellor, host-mother, Tyson and myself together to Gemert the town where my language course was way back in August 2003, where my exchange year began in The Netherlands. There all us 23 students returning home shortly celebrated our official Rotary Farewell Party watching a powerpoint presentation, singing songs together "Closing Time" "Heb je even voor mij?" and making small speeches. At this moment also was our departure for our euro tour for 18 days with 43 students and 4 guides and a bus driver. That very afternoon we left and traveled in the bus 9+ hours to Berlin, Germany. We checked-in to our hotel and crashed in sleep.
June 12th-29th Was the Euro Tour, and to explain everyday in details would take pages so I'll do it in short point form:
- June 13th 2004 Day #2 - Berlin, Germany - City tour, free-time, Berlin wall found, amoungst many other buildings and churches, arches, statues etc... Boat tour of the city. That evening we went to an IMAX theater and saw a 3D movie.
- June 14th 2004 Day #3 - Berlin, Germany > Prague, Czech. Republic We were in the bus for about 5 hours when we arrived at a Nazi Concentration Camp from WWII, luckily it wasn't a death camp, although people did die there and lived in terrible circumstances. Then it was 2 more hours in the bus and we arrived in Prague. And had a free evening, I naturally rested and unpacked.
- June 15th 2004 Day #4 - Prague, Czech. Republic, We had a city tour with a English speaking guide of Castles, Churches, Parliamentary Buildings, Bridges, etc... I walked over the same bridge that sections from Mission Impossible were filmed from. Then we had free time that afternoon and I toured the city with friends and went shopping in all the souvenir shops, and stuff. That evening we all got dolled up and went to an opera house and to a real opera. It was fantastic! I loved it, though not everyone in the group shared my enthusiasm. It was so beautiful the orchestra, the music, the dancing, the entire atmosphere.
- June 16th 2004 Day #5 - Prague, Czech Rep. > Vienna, Austria We spent about 6 hours in the bus this day and then had free time to relax together and chill out talk, etc... it was a nice bonding time.
- June 17th 2004 Day #6 - Vienna, Austria We had a city tour led by Rotex Students, former exchange students, and again buildings statues, churches, all beautiful but I'm not going into further detail. it was lovely. That evening again free time and I went touring the city with friends, and we took pictures of nice churches and stuff at night. This evening was our first evening sleeping in the bus instead of a hostel or hotel.
- June 18th 2004 Day #7 - Lido di Jesolo, Italy After a whole evening 10 hours+ traveling in the bus we needed a day like this, today was "Beach Day" It was wonderful! I got a great tan, like everyone, a few people burnt. We all chipped in €2 and bought a ton of grapes, watermelon, nectarines and fruit and shared them all. We also all broke off into groups of 4 and rented huge paddle-boats with slides and decks and went out into the sea. We swam, saw HUGE jellyfish, and someone says there was a stingray, but I'm not sure. I saw lots of jellyfish, HUGE ones dead and alive, and little crabs as well. I rotated between tanning, swimming, and walking the beach collecting shells cleaning and saving them, just little ones. This evening the girls in my room decided to beautify me doing my hair and make-up, which I don't normally wear, and loaning me nice clothes, jeans and more fitted tops, and even shoes. Well when I went down to supper, everyone was impressed, including myself. It was fun being pretty, if only for one night.
- June 19th 2004 Day #8 - Lido di Jesolo, Italy & Venice, Italy Today we took a boat over to Venice, and spent the day there, it was so beautiful!! the gondolas, the masks, the little streets and little canals, and bridges, like an apart dream world.
- June 20th 2004 Day # 9 - Lido di Jesolo, Italy > Rome, Italy We traveled 9+ hours again in the bus this day, and got to Rome just in time to eat and go to bed, and rest up. This was a Laundromat evening a group of 7 of us 4 girls and 3 guys put all our laundry together and made 3 large and 2 medium loads and headed off to the Laundromat together.
- June 21st 2004 Day #10 - Rome, Italy Today we had a guided city tour, went to The Vatican City and St.Peter's Church, naturally amoungst many other well known places. It was a long hot day with LOTS of walking, but when you're walking through Rome, you don't mind!
- June 22nd 2004 Day #11 - Rome, Italy Today we went again with our guide and saw everything else in Rome that we hadn't seen the day before, one special thing this day amoungst the many was the coliseum! That evening we all got dressed up and went out on the town. We saw the coliseum by night all lit up, it made it look bigger, it is big to begin with. Anyways I met someone famous and we spent the whole evening with this famous person as our personal guide around Rome. We actually met 4 famous people, but I only personally met 2 of them, and only one hung out with us for hours! Hint: 2/4 lead singers from the Pop group ATC "...it's all around the world like la la la la la..."
- June 23rd 2004 Day #12 - Rome, Italy > Florence, Italy We stopped here along the way at a castle and old village built altogether with long walk ways and stairs and a wall around the whole thing, we spent the afternoon there, and climbed these REALLY high towers and took beautiful landscape photos of vineyards and rolling hills.
- June 24th 2004 Day # 13 - Florence, Italy Here again we had a guided tour of the city, museums, churches, etc... I saw the statue from marble of "David" by Michelangelo, and much of his other mostly unfinished work. We had free time so the girls and I hit the market and they went shopping, ok ok I bought a shirt too for €3 eventually, but they bought purses, skirts, earrings, rings, necklaces, belts, dresses, shirts, etc... everything, but it was so fun together the whole afternoon. This night was now our second and last night to be sleeping in the bus, as well traveled to France. We stopped around mid-night in Pisa, by the tower, and all wandered out mostly in out pj's taking pictures of the leaning tower of pisa at mid-night, it was a sight to be seen.
- June 25th 2004 Day #14 - Les Alps, France Breathtaking, simple breathtaking I was home in this landscape! Beautiful mountains forest, rocks, trees, waterfalls, nature, animals! We first hiked down a section of the Alps and that took 45mins to go down, and was also a work out using different muscles for such a period of time. Then we went to a forest were there was a rope/tree adventure park world. You got all suited up with levers and pulleys and ropes and clips and went through these courses, it was really really cool and sometimes really high up swinging from trees and walking along cables and stuff. Afterwards a small group of 5 guys and myself hiked over to a nearby waterfall and back in about 1 hour up a mountain, through the forest over the river to some rocks in the middle as the rushing water flew by took our pictures and then hiked back, we were standing right at the foot of this gigantic waterfall. Once back we decided to be bold and hike/climb our way back up the alps, it took 2 hours and we all almost died, not really but it was a mental struggle as well as physical to keep putting one foot in front of the other to hold on and often pull yourself up. It's safe to say I wasn't the only one who was early to bed this evening!
- June 26th 2004 Day #15 - Les Alps, France Here we weren't staying in the bus, hostels or hotels but rather little apartments with kitchens and everything. This day I spent stocking the fridge, cleaning up and other misc. things. Then that evening we had not a party but a huge group of people in our apartment all sharing stories and stuff, just hanging out talking for hours. :)
- June 27th 2004 Day #16 - Les Alps, France > Paris, France 10 hours the whole day in the bus. Upon arrival in Paris, we went that evening to the Eifle tower taking tons of pictures, then eventually going up, then waiting again in line this time 1 1/2 hours and going all the way up but only for 5 mins or less because it was after midnight and we were missing our subway train back to our hotel, we ended up just walking a little while then catching another one further on up a few streets.
- June 28th 2004 Day #17 - Paris, France This day involved a city tour to Jim Morrison's grave, from The Doors, and The Louvre amoungst yet again MANY well known things, and places. We had free time and I went with some friends to see the city, all I found was more stench and more dirt. Paris didn't impress me at all. I did buy 2 English books at a old bookstore for €1 each and 2 shirts for €2 each. So spending less than €5 I managed to get 2 novels and 2 shirts and you thought Paris was expensive. This was our last evening altogether as a group all 43 of us, ever. for half of the group they come from the southern half of the world and are called southies, they come from Jan-Jan and the northies from the northern half of the world come from Aug-Jul. Anyways the southies made a little presentation for us northie saying goodbye to us all saying little things about us all, and wrote us a song and sang it to us, everyone was in tears. Also this evening a friend of mine from Brazil straightened my hair totally with her fantastic hair straightener! I've never seen myself or my hair look like that before ever. Straightened it was SO LONG and light! Then we all got dressed up and partied and danced the night away, it was almost 5am when I finally went to bed, and there were many others still up.
- June 29th 2004 Day #18 - Paris, France > The Netherlands Do you know the song "Goodbye's the hardest Word" by Celine Dion, well it's SO TRUE! I've never seen so many people in hysterics, guys too bawling their eyes out howling, not just shedding a tear but right out red/purple in the face bawling. For most of us that was the last time we'll every see one another again. Of course there'll be the few at the most 5 from the group you'll see again, but probably never all 43 together. We all said our few words of advice, sang our songs, hugged, hugged, and hugged and said goodbye to our yearlong friends, who many of us are closer too than our lifelong friends back home. When I finally arrived "home" at 9pm I quickly changed my clothes grabbed my cell phone and hopped on my bike to go to the end of the year party from my orchestra. I hadn't promised that I'd come because I didn't know if I'd be back in time, but I did promise that if I was back that I would come and see them all again one last time, so I was there from 10pm-1am
July 1st - Happy Canada Day #137 I spent the day explaining to everyone what it was all about, then my two best Dutch friends M&M came over and sleptover and we played Dutch Blitz. A GREAT card game I've gotten half of the Dutch people I've met addicted to!
July 2nd-5th - I went to Texel an island in the north of The Netherlands for vacation with my host-family.

WOW! Now I'm finally back on today. I have so much to say, yet so few words. I thank God for this year, for all my experiences the good and the bad, I've had 99.9% good, and have been extremely lucky with everything, but regardless every experience is a learning experience. To those who haven't experienced this year - don't feel bad, but you can't and won't understand me, what I've been though (positively speaking)! It's the year of a lifetime, really! I couldn't imagine myself without this year now, and I'm so excited for my future wherever God takes me, He's got my best interests at heart!

I truly love you all, you're my support, my friends and my family. Without you, I wouldn't be who I am today!

With the sincerest of hearts and thanks.

~Tracy~

Canada > The Netherlands 2003-2004

August 16th 2003 - July 27th 2004 = 348 days

Update #9

May 17th 2004

To my family & friends,

Well after recently celebrating my 9th month anniversary here on May 16th 2004, I thought... 'Hey! It's just about that time again...' That time when you all become either extremely enlightened or bored from reading my long, jam-packed e-mails, and I'm hoping that you read them with great interest hanging on every word almost, while at the same time over looking my English mistakes (spelling, grammar, typo's, etc...)!

Don't forget about my website, which has been feeling a little neglected lately: http://plinkospage.tripod.com

Since April 28th 2004 the date of my late update, a lot has transpired, so all begin my point form system chronologically otherwise I'm sure to forget or repeat things:

April 29th = I went to the Keukenhof (http://www.keukenhof.nl) which has been described in at least one Dutch book I've read as 'the pride' of the Dutch. It's a large flower area, like a forest of flowers, it's huge, and full of colours and different assortments and combinations of all types of flowers especially tulips, naturally. I went there with my counsellor Peter, and afterwards his wife Janny joined us and we all went out to dinner together in Rotterdam.

April 30th = This day I saw The Netherlands as I'd never seen it before, everyone in orange costumes and festive clothing. It's Koninginnedag the ONLY patriotic or nationalistic day and everyone goes all out! It's like Canada Day (July 1st) only 15 X's bigger, and everyone from all ages participates. I had a small concert in Schiedam by the Dorps Kerk where one of my Christmas Concerts was, the church was built in the middle ages! Anyways this small concert was with the student/children's orchestra I help to teach. Then that afternoon I made my way to Amsterdam with some friends, and just walked around the transformed city in AWE! There were thousands and thousands of people in Amsterdam,f rom all over the world! I've also never seen so much orange, and the Dutch flag was out everywhere, and that's also something that you never see here only on official days such as this or if something happens in the Royal Family like a birth or death. I spent the afternoon/evening in a boat going through the canals of Amersterdam which was busy enough, it was almost impossible to walk the streets they were so jam packed with people. At one point I ended up waiting 40minutes at a McDonalds to pay to use the washroom (another small difference here, everywhere you HAVE to pay 50 euro cents to use the washroom, and you're lucky if you can even find a public washroom where you can pay to use!) Well this days was blessed with beautiful 24 degree weather, and I was soaking up the sun in the boat the whole day, it was so overwhelmingly tiring. In past years they've had to stop all trains incoming to Amsterdam because the city was too full with people they simply couldn't fit anymore anywhere in the city every street, cafe, etc... were packed.

May 1st I left Rotterdam airport with my host-sister Amy for London, England! My departure and arrival time were exactly the same with the time difference.
May 2nd Was spend in Reading, England with family of my 3rd host-family playing with their children and they took us to a site of an ancient Roman village, and we played soccer in the park with the children.
May 3rd Amy & I went into the city of London by train. We went to Piccadilly Circus, which is really just an intersection of streets more famous for it's historical value then present state. We went to the British Visitors Centre and picked up our London Passes which allowed us free entry into over 50 popular tourist places and many discounts at others, and included our travel costs within the city of London, train, bus, and tube (subway). Monday included seeing the following things:

Westminster Abbey

Big Ben (actually the name of the bell inside the clock, rather than the clock itself.)
The London Eye (Largest ferris wheel in the whole world)
The Parliamentary Estates
Windsor Castle

May 4th Included another trip into inner London, and the following stops:
- The Tower of London

The Tower Bridge
The British Museum

The Britain at War Experience
Bowling

May 5th this was our last trip into London, and we did and saw a LOT this day :
- St.Paul's Cathedral
- The Millennium Bridge
- The Globe Theater (Shakespeare worked from here)
- Chislehurst Caves (from 10-150 feet under the ground chalk caves under London!)

Buckingham Palace
St.James Park (of the Royal Family)
Kensington Palace, Gardens and Tea house (The Orangey - for high tea!)
The musical "Chicago"

May 1st-6th I was in England, having a super great time on my vacation. You may or may not have noticed but in many of the photo's it grey and rainy, that's because it poured rain everyday, and then we also got hail on the last day, but it was still all in all a super great trip.
May 7th I went with my friend Tyson from Australia to a Casino for fun for the 1st time for both of us. There was a nice lady working there who showed us how everything worked because we obviously didn't know what we were doing. Tyson and I both took a certain amount of money, and pledged not to spend a penny more. We both walked in with 20 to spend, and I walked out with 0, and Tyson left with 41. Oh well that's the way the cookie crumbles, it was still a fun evening, and I'm glad that I've been at least once now, not that I ever need to go again, it was an one-time experience. I then spent the night at Tyson's at his new host-family.
May 8th I went with Tyson to Maastricht, to meet all the exchange students for a Rotary meeting about our European Tour, I then had to leave early, and hurry back to catch the last half of my orchestra rehearsal. Following that I went with some friends to the theater and saw "Strasky and Hutch" it was pretty funny.
May 9th I went with a Rotarian to the Kuntshal in Rotterdam to see an exhibition about Rem Koolhaas a famous Dutch architect. That evening, obliviously I called my mother, being as it was mothers day
May10-12 were normal school days only with orchestra rehearsals for 4 hours Tues and Wed evenings.
May 13th I moved to my 4th and last host-family. They are very warm nd have made me really feel loved and welcome since my first day. I'm very happy here to say the least. Then had a 6 hour rehearsal with my orchestra this evening
May 14th & 15th I had my huge 2 evening concert the Schiedams Proms http://schiedamproms.nl/ It was huge, with a 50+ person choir, a children's choir, professional dancers, soloists, and naturally the orchestra from 50+ persons as well. There was professional lighting, and sound, and a crowd of 1200 the Friday night and 1500 the Saturday night which has been sold-out for months! It was the biggest concert of my life! Every musician and singer had a microphone on their instrument or themselves, we played 20 numbers, and the concert was 4 hours long. It's been recorded on digital video and I'll be getting the DVD and CD of it for you all to see later. It was obviously definitely a high point of my year. I'd been practicing 1 hour EVERYdAY for months, and I've definitely improved from he intensity of this event that only takes place every two years!
May 16th I talked for a few hours with a girl (naturally in Dutch) who's interested in going to Japan, and really seems like a strong candidate. She asked great questions and it's great doing things like that, sharing my experiences both positive and negative and encouraging someone else to take this leap because it's worth every moment and memory!

Well I've come to the end of events for the past month, and I hope this has been as pleasant for you to read as it has been for me to write. Next month you may not hear anything as I'll be gone for quite sometime on my European Tour of Berlin, Paris, Pisa, Florence, Rome, Vienna, Venice, Prague, and the Alps in France. And then I return to The Netherlands to go directly on 2 weeks vacation with my host-family to a summer house they've rented. After that (the middle of July) you'll probably hear from me again. And I'll naturally have LOADS to tell you about including a project I'm starting tomorrow here at school with some friends, painting a wall at school! Talk about leaving my mark here!

Well I love you all and am keeping you close in my prayers, my reading hasn't decreased, I'm still eating through books, and loving the summer weather. I have 70 more days here in The Netherlands and they're shaping up to be some of the best days of my year.

Don't forget about my website, which has been feeling a little neglected lately: http://plinkospage.tripod.com

See you all back in Canada, at the Ottawa airport the evening of Tuesday July 27th 2004

God bless,

~Tracy~

Update #7 & #8 April 28th 2004

Family & Friends,
I'll begin with my apologies, my monthly update has for the last 4 months been done twice, now three times. So consider this March & April in one #7 + #8

Time flys! And that's more than just a figure of speech, seriously I'm not sure what happens, but all of a sudden not only weeks, but whole months are flying by me before my eyes. I'm doing my very best to make the most of them desptie this pace.
Every weekend is full, and I love it. If I have a day free I think I must be missing something, I've made a scheduling mistake in my agenda. Here comes the point form summary:
March 5th - Went to a concert/theater production in an old church in the centre of Schiedam, my city. It was about a miracle witha young girl that happened here hundreds of years ago.
March 6th - I went touring Rotterdam with some exchange student friends: Tyson, Melanie, Sean, and my formed host-sister Ruth. Then later Hilary & Rory came over and we went out to a disco (Hollywood) in Rotterdam, and they all slept over. (2 Canadians, 2 Americans, and 2 Australians in one room! crazy!haha)
March 7th - I cleaned up after my exchange student sleepover, and that afternoon went to the horse barns with my host-sister, and watched some friends of here's in competition. Then on the way home got my 3rd and final flat tire on my ancient bike!
March 10th - I moved to my 4rd host-family and I can't believe how much stuff I have! I've gone threw and thrown and given a lot away, because I simply don't have room to bring it all home.
In my new (3rd) host-family I have a host-mother (Owns a specitality chocolate company) and host-father(doctor & University hostpital adminitrator), and host-brother, and host-sister. It's a nice family, and I've began running again and I run about 4 times a week now.
March 13th - Tyson a good exchange student friend of mine from Australia and I went to Den Haag. Then that evening I went to a dinner theater, and it was great. The preformers were really good and hillarious. I went there with my host-mother and her employees.
March 14th - I went to the province of Zeeland, it's on the west coast and consists of all islands, that are being more and mroe reclaimed from the ocean. It's also the province which in 1953 was totally flooded!! I went with a Rotarian touring and I've never seen SO many dijks and dams in one day!!! Every island had a three dijk system, so if one broke through there was another one a few meters up etc.. etc... The water system here is very complete, but also very safe and thourogh. No one want to see 1953 ever repeated.
March 18th - I went with a Rotarian again to learn about the water system, the polder model, and the bogs, areas of land where the farmers stip the peat away and now there's no land. It may not sound so interesting, but to see it and understand how and why it works, it very interesting.
March 19th - I had a school concert, where I played saxophone.
March 20th - I had an orchestra rehersal, and then I went to Tyson's house and we went out to Zoetermeer to the disco Locomotion, and I stayed over there.
March 21st - I returned to Rotterdam and with Tyson, Meryem, Amy (my host-sister), Connor (my host-brother), and Danielle (my host-brother's girlfriend) we went to the theater and saw Älong Came Polly" Then Tyson came back here and I dyed his hair dark brown.
March 25th - My 2nd host-family took me to The Lion King the musical in Scheveningen. It was AMAZING!! Absolutely super!
March 26th - I went to Den Haag again with Tyson and hist host-mother to the wake from the former queen Julianna. She was Queen during the 2nd world war and had to flee to England, and then to Canada. She stayed in Canada for a few years and her daughter Maragriet (now princess maragriet, sister to the current queen Beatrix) was born in Ottawa. As a thank you gift Julianna gave hundreds of thousands of tulips bulbs to Ottawa, and every year as a result we have the Tulip Festival in Ottawa. Well the queen mother passed away, she was 94 and had been dillusional for several years. I stood in line for 2 hours to pay my respects, amoungst the other 9000 that day. Then Tyson and I went and toured Delft, yes where Delft blue pottery comes from, I've been there several times now but it's still a beautiful old village and Tyson loves it.
April 3rd - I played klooschieten with the Rotary it's like lawn bowling, but was surprisingly more fun that it may sound. Then I had a orchestra rehersal and concert. And then came home and of course watched Idols, yes they have it here as well. It's the only television prgram I follow every Saturday night, and only since the top 10 or 8 people. It's now the finals next week.
April 4th - I went into Rotterdam and watched the Rotterdam Marathon, there were thousands and thousands of people there, there were more people running than watching, but were still a lot!
Then I went back to Tyson's house hung out and played on the trampoline!
April 7th - A group of friends (Sander, Meike, and Meryem all Dutch friends) and I went on a tour of a windmill in schiedam, then had supper together and rented a movie. I do things like this more often, in the afternoons after school, just touring the city, or going to a friends house for a movie or dinner etc... I take every opprotunity presented to me.
April 8th - I went to the Blijdorp (literally translated in the "happy village") it's actually a huge zoo in Rotterdam. I obviously had been to a zoo before, but I was like 5-6 and I think it was the African Lion Safari, anyways I was so astonished and impressed in an almost childlike way, with the magnificience of the animals. There are some great photo's from this on my website.
April 9th - I had an Easter Assembly at school where I sang, then I went to Tyson's and we went to church and I slept over there.
April 10th - I went with Tyson to Zaandam, to the Zaanse Schans with a group of about 15 other exchange students. It's a very typically Dutch old fashioned village, like Upper Canada Village or something. Old buildings, Cheese factories, and Clog factories, windmills, etc... it was very cute.
Then we all went to Amsterdam and there was a poltical protest going on about the refugees which are being deported about 20,000 people some who have lived here 10-12 years. It's a very difficult situation for many people.
April 11th - I biked with my host-family to Kinderdijk a place where there are 19 windmills all in one area of land ( a polder = which is like a watery lowland) We then biked to a cafe got something to drink and biked home a total of 40km.
April 12th+13th - Well it came, everyone said it would, homesickness. It wasn't really terrible, and nothing brought it on, and after 8 months I'm entitled to a little I guess. It was just excessive thinking about home, and friends, and planning and thinking about July 27th my return date. I still liked it here, I was just overcome with this longing to be home in Lombardy/Perth, Ontario, CANADA. It passed, but nevertheless it came. People always ask me about homesickness, and up until now I've felt so brave and strong haven't not experienced any, however now it happened. I'm just glad and lucky that it wasn't that bad, and that it passed.
April 16th - I went to the city of Leiden with Meike & Meryem (shortened to M&M by me) they're my two best Dutch friends. And we went to the University there and then just enjoied a day in the city with 20-21 degree weather.
April 17th - This weekend was Musuem Weekend and 530 of the more than 600 musuems in The Netherlands were not only open, but FREE. As an exchange student this is like a dream come true (now if only the train would do something similar a day of free travel!!! ;) ) Anyways I went to Den Haag with Tyson and saw the works of van Meer, Rembrandt, van Gogh, and many more. I went to Leiden again, as it's so beautiful and to a museum there. Then I spontaneously hoped on a train and traveled hours to Leeuwaarden way up North in Freisland.
April 23rd - I went to the wedding of one of my former host-sisters (Judith & Gretjan) and it was very beautiful, but also different from a Canadian wedding. There's no wedding party, and the ceremony MUST take place officially at the town hall, afterwards you may repeat the ceremony for religious purposes in the church, but it's not necessary or often done. Then I slept over at a Rotarian's family's house, because I babysat their children that weekend April 24-25.
April 25th - This afternoon I went to the TULIP FIELDS!! There were so huge and beautiful. Red, white, yellow, orange, purple, pink, dark purple, mixed colours, orange/yellow, pink/white, etc...
My last (2nd) host-parents took me there, it was really really GREAT! and of course the pictures can also be found on my website: http://plinkospage.tripod.com

Now I'm on school vacation for two-weeks, and am going to LONDON, ENGLAND with my host-family, then very shortly is my huge concert which is about 2000 people each night and is sold out for the one night. http://schiedamproms.nl I love playing with the orchestra I play with here, and will miss that very very much!!

Well there's little much else to say, I'll remind you all I LOVE receiving mail, and certainly haven't received enough considering my 8 months here!! :) For those of you who have written, thank you.
I'm in my last 90 days, and have been counting down since 100, making the absolute most of my last 100 days! It's been very beautiful weather here 17-25 everyday for about a week, I've been tanning twice! Also I've been reading a lot, thanks to my having to travel by metro (subway) everyday for 1 hour (30minsX2) I've managed to read 4 books in the last two months, and am on my 5th now!

I care very much about you all, and can't describe what this exchange has meant to me, it's simply wonderful.

UPDATE #6 March 8^th 2004

Update#5: Christmas, Happy New Year, 60s Party January 11^th 2004

Well friends, family members, Rotarians, lend me your...eye's (brains, and sense of humour preferably)

We've got a lot to cover, and naturally a limited amount of text and time to review everything in. My last update was 1 month and 1 day prior to now. It was also my last day with my first host family. Since then I've moved host-families, celebrated Christmas, New Years, the 1st snow, a few birthdays, some parties, my Christmas holidays, and normal life.

December 10th - I went to school had a normal day. Returned to Wim & Rita van der Eijk's home, worked on finishing packing up my things. Helped clean the house and prepare supper, played a board game with my host mother. Following supper there were the extended goodbyes. I left on my bike, and Rita & Wim took my things in their car to my next host family about 1,5km away in the same town and the same general area of town. I've settled in with my new host family quickly. I already knew them, as my new host-father Willem is the pastor for the church I attend, and I've gone out twice with my host-sister Rachel. Once in August and once in October, and have kept in contact with her.

My 2nd, and current, host family consists of:

-Willem & Henny van Wieren (my host-parents) Willem is a pastor of the Dutch Reform Church, and Henny is a social worker for homeless people. They are very kind, compassionate, and giving people.

-Rachel van Wieren my 20 year-old host-sister & her boyfriend Jasper. Their ALWAYS together, if he's not eating and sleeping here, then she's eating and sleeping there. So he's pretty much a part of the family as well. Rachel is studying social work in Rotterdam, while living at home, and she's gone for 4 months to Peru with another sort of exchange program, and she can't wait to go back.

-Ruth van Wieren my 23 year-old host-sister who lives in Amstelven, which is pretty much Amsterdam, just the northern section. She goes to University in Amsterdam, and is studying for her master's degree; she's already completed a BA Communications program in Rotterdam. 5 years ago she went with Rotary to Indonesia for a yearlong exchange as well, and the year influenced her life in so many ways. So now she's taking Asian studies for her master, and will work in International Asian Communications.

-Judith van Wieren my 27 year-old host-sister & her fiancé Gertjan live near Hillversum, and their wedding, which I too have been invited too, is in April 2004.

-Simon van Wieren my 29 year-old host-brother & his girlfriend Karin live also in Hillversum.

So that's my new host family. Great eh? Oh yeah and on top of everything they're vegetarians!! YAY! Everything here, every meal is so delicious, my host parents are both equally skilled in the kitchen always turning out delicious meals. My first night here I went through the "Rotary First Night Questions". Which for those of you who don't know, are about 30 questions Rotary recommends you go over on your first night, about household patterns and rules etc... Mealtimes, laundry procedure, what rooms may I enter/use, computer/telephone/piano usage, asking before doing things (using phone, computer, eating, etc..), bedtimes/waking times etc... chores. Before I came here I translated and learned all the first night questions in Dutch so that I could ask them in Dutch.

December 13th -I went by tram-train-bus& walking to Nijmegen (the very east of The Netherlands) for the Rotary Farewell Party to the southies returning home. That night when I returned to Schiedam my host-sister Rachel, her boyfriend Jasper, and I (and a few more of their friends) went out to Rotterdam naturally to a Disco for a fun night of dancing.

December 14th - I went with Willem (my host-father) to Hillversum, to meet the other children and see Simon, their oldest child's, new house.

December 15-20 First I was sick. What happened was I simply lost my voice, I couldn't speak Dutch or English, or anything. I didn't have a cold or flu, only my voice even speaking, was literally impossible at times. It was quite a disappointment as that week I have many choir practices and two concerts with the school choir which I couldnt be in, and I'd been practicing since October for these concerts. Also during this Henny's (my host-mother) mother went into the hospital, so they went all the way to Zwolle (North-East of The Netherlands) to see her then returned. Then the next day they got word that she was worse so they packed some bags and went again, and then her mother died. The whole family was naturally quite disheartened having lost their oma, and mother. Henny (my host-mother) being the oldest of 8 children was responsible for planning the wake, and funeral, and invitations/announcements, etc... it was a sombre time to say the least!

December 18th I had a Christmas Concert with the student orchestra from Radboud. I play with two orchestras. Once is called Radboud, and has a long history, and is very professional, and amazing; the other is the student's orchestra from Radboud (the future Radbouder's). the conductor from the students orchestra asked for a strong player from each instrument section he had in the student orchestra. So I volunteered and I help the students learning saxophone. It's really fun and I like it. It's such and extreme playing with the student orchestra which is really in it's beginning stages and the students, well they're young students, so no one expects them to be good, which is lucky for them. And then playing with Radboud, where I'm barely keeping up the music is so challenging, but wonderful for my playing development. So anyways, the concert was a success.

December 19th - I made a vegetarian lasagne, which everyone enjoyed. Later that evening my friends, Meryem, and Meike came over and we watched the movie "Serendipity" -it's so good!December 20th - I went and helped a group of Rotarians from my club pack Christmas presents for less fortunate people. Each package contained 11 delicious grocery items, and good stuff too not old beans, and things people didn't want, but 11 of the same items. Rotary bought 220 of all 11 items and we made 220 presents. It was really fun, and felt good to be giving back, and helping. there was also a 4 year-old daughter from one of the Rotarians there, who quickly decided I was her new best friend. She was SOOO cute, and was eager to speak with me, and was very patient with my broken Dutch, and poor pronunciation. She even insisted on impressing me by telling me her name and age in English!!! Pretty good for a four year-old eh?

December19-January 5th

During my two-weeks of Christmas holidays I did a lot of sleeping-in!! YAY! (but also a lot of other things) I had orchestra practices on December 21st, 22nd, then two concerts with Radboud on December 23rd, one at 7-8pm followed by warm refreshments, and carolling outside, then another concert from 9-10pm yet again followed by warm refreshments, and carolling outside. Both concerts were completely sold out. The concerts were in a local church which is from the middle ages (1500-1600) For me sometimes I forget how spectacular it is, because I can go there whenever I want, and the brick roads I ride my bike on everyday to school, church, the store, orchestra practice, the gym, etc... are too thousands of years old, crazy!!

December 24th Christmas Eve I was finally permitted to put up the Christmas tree and decorate it. Because of Henny's mother passing away there were no Christmas lights, no tree, no carols, no Christmas joy, which definitely put an additional damper on the season, but it was understandable! Later that evening I played again in the Dorps Church, (the church from the middle ages) but this time with a small ensemble 5 of us. I had a few solo numbers, and several duet pieces with a violinist.

December 25th First Christmas Day - still no snow, I sang with the church choir in de Ark, the church Willem (my host-father) is the pastor of. Then in the afternoon I went with my host-sister Ruth to her friends house, and there was a small group of her friends and family for a little buffet. It was nice, but definitely not the Christmas I was used to for 18 years.

December 26th - The whole van Wieren family came here and we had a family Christmas day/ evening dinner.

December 28th - We went to a Pancake Boat with a mentally handicapped friend of the family who was celebrating his 80th birthday. Here Pancakes are a special dinnertime meal, where you put, cheese, meat, haggelslag (chocolate sprinkles), fruit(apples pineapple, pears, peaches, mandarins ,etc...), sugar, chocolate spread, honey, butter, peanut butter, stroop, and all kinds of odd combinations of things on your pancake, which is really thin and not fluffy, and eat it. But NO Maple Syrup!! It's just not the same! haha It was a nice adventure though.

December 29th - I went by bike-then train to Amsterdam, to Schipol the airport to buy a mobile phone from Tayla Sharp a 'southie' exchange student heading home to Australia, and to see her off. It was weird being in Schipol, my memories of arriving, and thinking how quickly the time is going. Later I met up with my host-sister Ruth and ate Thai's with her. We then saw Lord of The Rings: Return of the King in the theatre, and it was GREAT! And I stayed over at her student house, returning home the following day by bus-then train- then bike.

December 30th -I chatted on MSN with my Aunt Bonnie, which was REALLY great. One thing I've definitely developed here is a further appreciation and love for my whole family! Later that evening I played some Dutch Blitz with Rachel & Jasper. Oh yes I continue to teach people about it, and everyone LOVES the game!

December 31st- I went with Rachel to Jasper's parents house for supper and then a game of Risk. Then at the stroke of 12 HAPPY NEW YEAR, quick put your coat and shoes on and run outside, it's FIREWORKS TIME! I remember my friend Hanna from Germany, who was in Perth, Ontario, Canada, last year, saying that New Years in Canada was dead. I now understand what she means. Here every individual and family spends hundreds on fireworks and every yard, every street everywhere there are fireworks going off. People just do it themselves, and some people burn their Christmas trees in the streets. I read the history behind the Christmas tree burning thing was to scare away the evil spirits of the old year. Following the fireworks, and congratulating everyone on the New Year we went to a small Disco in Schiedam, and with a small group of friends, and danced the New Year in.

January 1st 2004 - I awoke to REALSNOW snow the first snow, and it was wonderful! I ran outside in my pj's taking picture and running around all the windows in awe! Even though it was only 5-7cm, and only lasted 2.5 days, it was still wonderful.

January 5th - My host-father Willem's 57th birthday. We went together to Rotterdam to an Independent Film theatre, and watched naturally an independent film called "Good Bye Lenin!". The film was over Germany and the fighting between the West and East culture, and eventual fall of the Berlin wall. The film was in German, with Dutch sub-titles, but luckily enough I was able to follow and understand everything, I wasn't the only one who was surprised!

January 10th -The big surprise party day! Since early November the van Wieren family (minus Henny) have been planning a 60th surprise birthday party for her. She made it really difficult for us, we had to call her work, and make all kinds of stories and excuses up but in the end it worked out and was a WONDERFUL surprise! It was a 60's party and everyone dressed in 60's clothing, you can check out the photo's by going to my website and then to the appropriate link. I made a pretty good hippy!

All in all everything's going great. I agree with Virgine that the inevitable exchange student weight gain is pure evil which cannot be battled or destroyed. I bike EVERYWHERE everyday, I also work out twice or three times a week. Yet because I'm an exchange student the weight remains. Oh well it's a small sacrifice for such a great year, and in the grand scheme of thing really not that significant.

School's going well generally. I mean I had a disheartening incident last week. Getting teased in school when I was in Canada, my whole life, was one thing, but getting repeatedly teased in another country, another continent really makes you think there's something profoundly wrong with you. I mean, I must have a big sign saying I'm not popular, pick on me on my back or forehead or something. My friends stood by me though. It wasn't a big deal, it just after ignoring it day in and out it finally hurts. It's not everyone; it's not even the majority. Its always the "popular" group, and by popular I mean NOT nearly as cool as they think they are, and find being cruel to other's fun. I've got great friends, and I'm thankful for that because they helped me put things back into perspective and not let the insignificant teasing of some immature students 1-3 years younger than me bother me. I hesitated sharing this experience with you all, but I may as well, it helps everyone realize that as much as the majority of things are great and wonderful, there are some things which are disheartening, but that's life, no matter what country you're in. (Gotta love that run on sentence!!)

Sorry for the length, but I hope you enjoy reading about my life.

Thank you all for your lovely Christmas cards, and prayers.

I'm truly blessed to have such wonderful friends.

I can't believe I only have 7 months left!!!

Look forward to my next update as in February I'm going wandeling (backpacking) with Henny (my host-mother), and Rachel (my host-sister) for 5 days you walk traveling little villages in The Netherlands and staying at bed & breakfasts. Wonderful!!

Keeping you in my prayers,

~Tracy~

UPDATE #4 December 9th 2003

Update #3 Nov 8th 2003

"There is only one thing in the world worst than being talked about, and that's not being talked about."~Oscar Wilde

With that opening quote in mind, I certainly hope you are all talking about me! :)

Well the last time you all heard from me was Sept 7th, and it is now November 8th and SOOOO much more has happened since then.

I never doubted when Rotary said that this year would be "an experience of a lifetime", but I never REALLY knew what it meant until I got here. In the past 11 weeks I've learned more about myself, people, culture and life, and I've seen and experience more than in the first 18 years of my life!

To tell you ALL the wonderful events and activities I've been doing and attending would not only be a gross amount of text, but it would be too overwhelming. So here's the point form version:

-I've been playing with and orchestra which has existed since 1889 called Radboud, after Saint Radboud, as this orchestra was originally affiliated only with a nearby Catholic church. www.sintradboud.nl For the past 8 weeks every Tuesday evening I go and practice with them for 2 hours, minus the week I was in Barcelona Spain. This orchestra has loaned me an alto saxophone to play (as mine is in Canada) for free. All the members have been extremely welcoming, as I've discovered most Dutch people are!

Special Events:

· Sept 13th The van der Eijk family (my current host family) had a reunion here and we went on a day long bike trip. I made carrot cake for them, none of the had ever heard of it or had it. They all thought I was crazy but after some persuasion tried it and they all agreed it was delicious. Especially with the cream-cheese icing I used. I then had to spend the next month trying to translate the recipe into Dutch, and finally did and sent it to all of them.

· Sept 20-26th Trip to Barcelona Spain swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, shopping, touring museums of Gaudi and Dali, the market, mountain climbing and a Monastery, beautiful weather, and many old churches.

· Sept 28th Impressive invitation-only, red-carpet entrance concert of The Rosenberg Trio (gypsy swing style/jazz/classical guitar) featuring Denise Jannah on vocals.

· Sept 29th Dinner with a Rotarian's family at their home.

· Oct 2nd Eating dinner at a classy Italian restaurant then observing The Philharmonic Orchestra play Bram's, and Beethoven's music, in Rotterdam at The Doelen (a very impressive theater/concert hall which hangs suspended in the air above the lobby/entrance) http://www.doelen.nl

· Oct 3rd Concert at De Ark a local church featuring a pianist. she played so dramatically and sonatas for 30 minutes non-stop with no music!

· Oct 4-5th Rotex weekend for all the inbound exchange students and the former outbounds who've just returned and other Rotex members. I naturally went to and from by train, by myself. Impressive I know.

· Oct 8th Toured a church from the 1400's which is in restoration, with a Rotarian then had dinner with his family.

· Oct 9th Went to the south of Holland with a Rotarian and his wife to an antique exhibit of clocks and barometers ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands of Euro's!! To say the least I didn't touch ANYTHING! Than I had dinner with them at their home in Schiedam.

· Oct 11th Went to the 20th birthday party of one of my host-sisters (Rachel) from my next host-family. Then we all went out to Rotterdam to some Disco's, and had a blast dancing the night away.

· Oct 12-18th was a week of holidays from school! :)

· Oct 13-14th I went with my other host-sister (Ruth) from my next host family to Amsterdam to her student house and slept over there. The next day we toured Amsterdam, the capital. I walked on the very street were Anne Frank's father's shop used to be, and saw the home where they hid in the attic. The homes are SOO tall and narrow, most having 4 or more levels, but are so narrow!

· Oct 16-17th I went by train with Arnoud's (my current host-brother) girlfriend, to Den Haag, the place of the government, and the monarchy, but NOT the capital, to meet Arnoud. We then ate supper together at his student house then went to a private party of his student association, a member's only disco. The next day we toured Den Haag, and I saw the palace of the Queen, and the home of the prince.

· Oct 17th A friend from school Marlieke came over and we made Ananas (Pineapple) Jam for school.

· Oct 18th A Rotary member took me to Delft to eat poofitijes, and we toured an old church. the "official" church of the Royal family, they attend here and are married here, their funerals are here etc... They are actually buried inside (underneath) the church in a vault. Walking through the church I couldn't help but think of Indiana Jones: The Last Crusade, hahaha. Then I went to his home met his family, and went with them to his son's football (soccer) game.

· Oct 27th A Rotarian took me out to eat at a fancy sea-food restaurant in Rotterdam. The owner personally came over and sat with us. He left and then returned and gave me a real silver necklace, because he was honoured to have a Canadian in his restaurant! WOW, I was honoured to be there, and to be Canadian!

· Nov 1st Went to the musical "Jona" in Rotterdam http://www.jona-muziektheater.nl/pers.htm Naturally I've done more, but those were the more interesting events. I've had girls movie nights, played board games with my host family, ate more special meals, played basketball with a club, have gone rollerblading to Delft (12+km), etc...

School:

-Some of you know about my talent (annoying to some people I'm sure), but I can flip my pen, pencil, marker, whatever writing instrument around my thumb. It's a little trend that spread through St. John's (the high school I attended), and I made it my goal for grade 12 to learn this trick. With the patient help of my friend Paul Dagenais I mastered this little trick, and it's now an unconscious habit of mine. Anyways EVERYONE here finds it simply fascinating. My first few weeks here students would be completely mesmerized studying me flipping my pen, when I didn't even realize I was doing it. So far one friend has managed to copy me, and many others are attempting to learn the trick as well. By the end of the year I think the teachers will have banned pen flipping from an in class activity! Their amusement with it is really funny though.

-Two questions I used to always mix up were "Hoe heet je?" =What's you're name? and "Hoe gaat het met jou?= How are you?/How's life? During my first week of school (which was a long time ago now). One of the students asked me "How heet je?" to which I replied confidently "Prima!"=Excellent. Everyone laughed naturally because my name is not, 'excellent'.

In school the courses I'm taking are:

Nederlands=Dutch

Engels=English

Spaans=Spanish

Frans=French

Geschiedenis=History

Aadrijkskunde=Geography

Maatschappijleer=Law & Society

Psychologie=Psychology

ANW=General Sciences

L.O. = P.E. (Phys.Ed, Gym)

CKV 1 = Culture (Art, photography, music, drama)

CKV 3m = Music

Unlike in Canada though everyday is not the same. In fact every day is completely different, every week is the same. Some days I have school from 8:15-16:00 (4pm), other day's only until 2pm or so.

I have a concert coming up Nov 14 with the orchestra and so have been having more practices, we are accompanied by a choir of over 50 people for some songs.

Today is my 85th day here!! Time goes too quickly!

Well I'm so thankful for everything in my life, everyone in my life and for the life I've been blessed with. Thank you to everyone who's influenced my life, and if you're reading this then you must have in someway or another, and for this I thank you!

With love and prayers your friend, daughter, granddaughter, exchange student, relative, etc...

~Tracy~

To go back to the main page click the above link! :)