:)

Hey everyone!

So I'll pick you where I last left off at Christmas.

December 27 my host family left to Curacao for two weeks, so I am currently staying at my first host families house.

Everyone here buys firecrackers and set them off day and night for two straight days before New Years, symbolizing "shooting the last year away". New Years eve I went to my friends Sophieke's house. At 12 o'clock, people start shooting off the fireworks that I imagine cost them a small fortune, and I don't mean 40 mile roman candle fireworks, I mean real, Canada Day fireworks, so any way you turn the sky it being lit up by the fireworks. It is soo cool, and very loud! On New Years the Dutch eat something called Oliebollen, which is flour, eggs, yeast, milk, and baking powder put in a deep fryer and covered in powdered sugar. So tasty, and soo bad for you, I was feeling a bit sick by the end though!

New Years day I went skating with Sophieke and her family. It wasn't on a canal, but it was outdoors, so close enough. Skates in Holland at different from the ones in Canada, they are very short, only reaching to below your ankle, providing NO support, with a very long blade, not to mention that no one owns new pairs of skates, the box mine came in said, "Made in Czechoslovakia." So I know by now all my friends are laughing, thinking I must have been a disaster on ice, considering I can't right side up on ice without skates on. I'll have you know however, that I was skating a total of 4 hours, did not fall once! That’s right, be proud.

A couple days ago, my departure date was set, July 5, which I am having mixed feelings about. On one hand, I get to see all you guys again! On the other, I have to leave Holland. It is really scary to think that I am already 5 months in, and if these 5 months have gone as fast as they have, I can imagine that the last six are going to go even faster! But, I cant let that bug me, I just need to savour every moment!

That’s All For Now
I hope everyone had a good New Years and I wish you the best for 2009!
Doei!

Jayden

p.s. remember! i love comments, so if you have something to say, or just to say hi, let me know your reading and post it!