A Blog Concerning the Happenings and Circumstances during the interval of [Return from Bus Trip; Return to School]

The reason I haven’t written in so long is twofold: first to give all of you who dared to read my epic (concerning it’s length, not exactly it’s amazing content) recantation of my week in Spain, and second because my internet chez moi has not been working L. I’ll keep this recap of what I’ve been up to since getting back from Spain as short as I can. In fact, I am going to take the format of Tyler’s blog and give it to you in easy, numbered points.

1. Got home, then directly had to pack back up and leave as my host parents were leaving for the weekend and I was staying at a friend’s then going to Brussels from Monday to Wednesday.

2. Stayed at Paul from my church’s house Friday night, wanted to sleep, but it was a bit difficult with the party that his roommates threw going on at full boar.

3. Saturday an exchange student Colleen who I met on the aeroplane coming here was in Paris with her host parents before she went on her bus trip, so I got my second of three free meals provided by the (host) parents of exchange student friends visiting Paris. Although it was weird talking to Colleen in French through lunch (I have an aversion to speaking to people who’s first language is English in French), we got our English time in on the walk to the Louvre. It was so great to talk to her, as it is to all exchange students. Thanks Colleen! Lets hope this trend continues. Love it. Stayed at Victor’s house Sat night. We went to a club on a boat with some friends. We did speed dating. Let’s just say I never thought I’d ever go speed dating, let alone in French. Although I didn’t find my true love and soul mate, it did provide a good laugh and good story (it’s all about the story).

4. Sunday caught up on some needed rest, then met Victor and co. for a Chinese dinner. Went to bed, and got up at 5ish to catch my train for Brussels.

5. Brussels does not have the best weather, but is a beautiful city. Kelsey (an exchange student from Vermont) kindly showed me around town and let me stay at his house. It was great to have some more exchange student contact. Exchange students=my favorite people. Thanks for a great time Kelsey!

6. Came home Wednesday to the sweet present of candy brought by Aunt Esther, Uncle Bruce, and cousin Lyndzi, who were visiting me, and were a present in themselves. It was so great to see family again, I forgot how comforting it feels to be around those that are related to you. We went on a bike tour with Bike About Tours provided by Christian, a guy at the church who started the company with Paul. Paris by bike is such an escape after spending so much time walking. If you come to Paris, go on their bike tours, I promise you’ll love it.

7. This week I’ve had the Bac Blancs at school (equivalent of massive mid terms) so I’ve been spending my nights semi studying and finding other ways besides the internet to procrastinate (Solitaire, listening to Rob Bell sermons, etc). But today (Wednesday) was awesome because I went out to lunch with an exchange student Katherine who I met on the bus trip, who is in Paris with her mom. Basically the statement by exchange student friends “Hey Brent, me and my (host) parents are going to be in Paris, and they want to take you out to lunch” has become one of my cherished treasures (as mentioned earlier, really hope that continues). As I get to 1. Hang out with exchange students. 2. Get to meet new people and have great conversation. And last but not least 3. I get a free meal. We were extremely loud at lunch to the enjoyment of the semi-creepy guy eating alone next to us and listening to our entire conversation. We laughed a lot. Merriment ensued. Thanks Becky and Katherine, I had an amazing time!

All I have to say is…life is good.

Oh, and Evan comes in a week. After spending 9 years together without being away from each other for more than a couple weeks apart, I could say I’m excited but that would be a vast understatement.

And to share a quote that randomly caught my attention from C.S Lewis, “Those who have nothing can share nothing; those who are going nowhere can have no fellow-travelers.”

I hope you all have something and are going somewhere.

Brent