Waffles and Dark Chocolate

I visited Belgium this last week, and though missing four days of school has me incredibly stressed out, one should always make time to reflect, huh? Or maybe, I'm just a prolific procrastinator.

I have to admit I absolutely loved it there. Europe certainly has a zesty appeal to it, and with spring right around the corner the weather, flowers and traditional houses definitely helped make the landscape all the more beautiful. We spent the first three days visiting houses to rent. It is funny to me that after looking at thirteen different homes my mother settled with renting the very first one we looked at, the one she didn't like originally though I had pointed out all the benefits. It is a three story home, with six bedrooms, and more importantly is located within walking distance of my new school. I can't imagine having to live thirty minutes driving distance away ever again, not after the last nine years of being late every day. Maybe I'll finally be on time everyday, or even early. Maybe. 

I was terrified about next year's schedule, I thought it would be utterly destroyed. Though half of my classes are with Juniors, my schedule is almost exactly what it would have been here, except for French instead of Chinese and the convenient absence of U.S. History. I even had a day to shadow a girl that had been there since eighth grade, by the name of Anna. Her boyfriend, Zach is a boy I met when I was seven, and he still looks almost exactly the same, albeit more muscular and less childlike but that was to be expected after ten years. It was strange meeting the people I hadn't seen since I was seven, like deja vu, except I had actually been in their presence before. I even met my kindergarten teacher who let me know, after hardly recognizing me, that she still drank her tea out of a mug I handcrafted for her when I was five. My first grade teacher only recognized me because my little sister reminded her of my older sister when she was five. 

Every location we passed, the tiny deli in the corner on our way to the school where we bought freshly squeezed orange juice, the playground I played in when I was six (though the seesaw, and wooden crocodile beam have been replaced) and even the hidden path that took us directly to school, were intensely familiar. My little sister had to remind me not to freak out every time I recognized a new location. The waffles were amazing and who could forget the delicious chocolate! I even brought some back for my friends here to enjoy. I'll certainly miss my friends from Ohio, but the promise of a great batch of friends has made me leave half of my heart there already. I'm anxious to leave now.