As much as what I said for my graduation ‘speech’ was true, there is so much more I wanted to say. There is so much that had been going through my head when I thought I was still going to be able to give a speech. People have asked me before if I feel like I have been ‘screwed over’ by having to come to Goodland, of all places. I told them no, which is probably the hardest thing for you guys to understand.

            The truth is I signed up for this. I wanted to do something different, something opposite to what I was used to, and I believe this is as close to the opposite I could get in xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />America. Of course it hasn’t always been easy. I went to New York during spring break and that made me realize just how different Kansas is from Belgium, because New York reminded me of Belgium so much. I had never really thought of the differences until I went back to things I was used to.

            I actually remember when I was in my senior year in Belgium and we had an exchange student from Venezuela. Our school has about 1600 students (over 6 years of high school). I never understood why he would have wanted to come to Belgium, to live the life I was wanting to get away from. Now I understand. Coming here has thought me so much more about Belgium then anything else could have.

            I remember the first days I was here. Everything was so awkward! I still felt like my only life was the one I had back home, and I felt like I couldn’t give that up. Eventually everything got so much better. I especially want to thank Renea Reasoner for that. Ever since I first met her at subways she’s been there for me. Renea is the kind of person who doesn’t want anyone to feel left out, and as much as I realize she probably only talked my ears off because of that, it made my first couple of weeks and months here so much easier. Ever since, she’s been an awesome friend.

            Another person I obviously need to thank is Tehnee Ridder, my sister. She’s not the same talker as Renea is, but I knew she would always be there for me. And she was. I remember exactly when I felt really close to her for the first time. We went to watch tennis in Goodland because another AFS student was managing a team that was going to be there. Tehnee never hesitated in taking me anywhere. I knew she would do anything to make my year here as good as possible from then on. We had such a great time, and by the time we were about to leave I ran up to her to give her a hug. I never hugged friends in Belgium.

            I looked up the exact date of when me and Erica Fenner started to hang out. The only reason I found it was because it was a really weird way of starting a friendship (and because I keep a journal I guess). I was hanging out with Shaun Cubie when Tehnee was off to work. She works from 3.30-7.30. I found out later I could only stay until 6 at Shaun’s house. For some reason we went to walmart. I was so happy when I saw Erica was working there. I must have already liked her by that time, because I just figured I would hang out at walmart until Tehnee could come pick me up. Erica later told me that she didn’t know what to do with me at all! It’s funny because I never noticed, and it was probably one of the best times I had had that far. This was September 16 2007.

            I had never thought that I would get used to this life so fast. I remember writing in August I would probably need a couple of months to be able to be really happy. It’s amazing how fast it really went. I remember being terribly upset because the Kansas Laws wouldn’t allow me to play any sports. I was devastated. I am really happy I later decided to be cross country manager. It could never compare to actually being allowed to compete, but it made me feel like I was a part of something. I think being manager of softball has even been better. Tess and Joy gave me a lot of freedom. I never had to come to practice but I could still go to the games. I am sad I haven’t been able to play and didn’t get as close to the girls as possible, but I am happy to have been a part somehow.

            As slow as everything went at first is as fast as it is going now. It seems like everything has been going double as fast after Christmas. There were so many things to look forward to. Another foreign exchange student! Margo, Martin and Maria. I will always love you guys! I don’t remember exactly when I started to get really close to Martin, but now it seems as if we have been friends for years! We know literally everything about each other. Since one of my best friends was hosting Maria, I created a bond with her faster, even though I am sure she thought I was a freak at first. When both Renea and Erica weren’t going to be at home I decided I would still go to Erica’s house to get to know Maria. I figured it couldn’t be too difficult since she was foreign too! For some reason I thought about the tv show friends, and asked her if she had friends in Chile. I will never forget the look she gave me when she said yes, however I didn’t quite understand why she gave me that look, so I asked her if she liked them too… So much for first impression.

            I seem to have trouble giving people a good first impression. When I first saw Tehnee and her family, I must have looked like I was a retard because I was so shocked. I wasn’t supposed to see them yet. Who knew I was going to run into my family looking for the restroom! Then when I first met Erica’s parents I just walk in the house, say “Hi, I’m from Belgium!” put something in the fridge and walk back out. I like to believe I have gotten better at it now. However, if I haven’t it will still be okay because America has taught me not to give up after one meeting. It seems as if Americans could talk to anyone about anything. I have always admired that, and I am sure I will take some of that home.

            I never let myself have expectations before I came, because I was scared I would be disappointed. I know most of you guys just want to get out of here as fast as possible. To me Goodland has meant the best year of my life so far. I still can’t believe how random Americans are, and I can’t believe how random I’ve become. Maybe it is true what AFS always told me. Place doesn’t matter, people do.

            I want to thank my host family for everything they have done for me. People ask me if it’s difficult to live in the country, and it is, but when I thought about how it must be to host someone in the country; I realized that must be difficult as well. They have always done everything they possibly could to let me do the things I wanted to, and I am really thankful for that. I love them very much. I also want to thank the 2 families in town who always took me in when I needed a place to stay.

            I just want to thank everyone. The truth is that even when you just said “hi” to me in the hallway it has meant something to me. When you are foreign every little bit is something. All of you have proven to me that I can change my life back in Belgium. I already changed a lot, I just have to find the strength to change the patterns I had been following for 18 years in Belgium.

Vele groetjes!!
Margo
xxx

Ik zie jullie graag!!

04-06-2008 om 00:24 geschreven door Steven

21-05-2008 om 09:38 geschreven door Eva

20-05-2008 om 16:20 geschreven door Veerle