Beautiful Day

I spent most of the day yesterday caring for Brad and writing my field trip report while he slept. He was only able to eat some chicken soup broth for lunch and drank sports drinks most of the day. I washed clothes from the field trip which smelled like manure (yuck) and washed our sheets since we had been throwing up so much. I also did a lot of cleaning up from the night before which was so rough for us. I had some tomato soup for lunch and was able to ride my bike to Subway to get a sandwich for dinner. My stomach still hurt pretty bad but luckily I didn't throw up or have diarrhea yesterday. Around 10:00 most of our friends went out to the bars to have drinks. Brad and I opted to stay in bed and watch a movie. We watched "Waterworld" on Brad's laptop. Our friend Jaime had brought a couple DVDs with him on the trip so we borrowed it from him. We went to sleep around 1:00 AM.

Today has been a great day so far. Nearly everyone has gone to Brussels or Ghent for the day since it is our last day to travel in Europe. Adam, Ryan, Sierra, Lindsey, Ann, Liz, and Derek didn't go. I would have loved to go to Brussels for the day, especially because it is nice weather, but because of our stomach virus I thought it would be best to stay here. I slept in and then went upstairs to check on Brad. He was already dressed, shaved, and ready to start the day but complaining that he was hungry! He ate a couple waffles. I finished my field trip report and then emailed it to the professors. Then I organized and rearranged my souvenir suitcase which isn't nearly as full as I expected it to be. Then around 1:00 PM, I went to Pizza Hut with Brad. We had the pizza buffet, although he only ate 2 pieces. Then we went shopping for a gift for Brad's sister Megan. We got her a very nice gift, but we hope it fits! Then we stopped by the Leuven souvenir shop for me to get a few more shot glasses and gifts for friends. I'm not sure what I will do the rest of the day. Maybe I will relax and read a book or maybe I will go for a bike ride through the forest to see the abbey. I'm not sure yet.

I have to fill out a form and send in the receipt from my doctor's visit to HTH, my international health insurance to get reimbursed for the doctor's visit. It only cost me 34 euros, but I guess that is almost $50 in US money so it is probably worth the trouble of filling out all the paperwork and sending it in. I will get Dr. Munster and my parents to help me figure it out when we get back home on Friday.

So, only four more days left! Tomorrow is our last day of regular school. Wednesday we have both of our final exams, eek! But we should get out of school on Wednesday relatively early I think; maybe even by lunch time. Thursday is a packing and cleaning day. We have room and kitchen checks before we leave the student house. We also have to take our bikes back to Velo and get our deposit back. Then Friday we fly out of Brussels. My group will make it back to San Antonio around 8:15 PM on Friday since have such a long layover in Chicago. I can't wait to see my parents!!!! I miss everyone so much. But I am very sad that our trip is almost over. It has been some of the best 5 weeks of my life. I have learned SOOOO much about myself and other cultures and the world in general. I have learned to appreciate the small things and life and to not take things for granted in America. I have learned what it truly means to reuse and recycle and preserve natural resources. I have learned how to get along with others that are much different than myself. I have seen lots of beautiful places and backpacked around Europe. But most of all, I have fufilled a dream of mine. I am so thankful to everyone that have helped me make this trip a reality. I will forever remember it! Love from Leuven! Sabrina :)