The End Is in Sight

This photo is from our "niewjaarsreceptie" New Year Reception held last Saturday. It was a nice gathering and I met some more of my neighbors.
I had two more exams today and they seemed to go well I had my first oral exam, and was pretty satisfied with how that went. So now the newness of it is a little less. One person described it as a friendly chat with the professor. That is sort of how it went, and I wasn't nervous or anything, so it was fine. Tomorrow and Friday are also oral, but with a different professor. Thanks for all your prayers and support....so far so good.
I'm glad that I'm finished with 3 out of five exams. Now just two more and I have a week off. I'll be going to Le Puy on Feb 6th. I have my ticket and have communicated with the staff there, so it seems everything is ready. I'll definitely have pictures from there.
I put in my application for Theology, and am planning to take a few classes this semester. But so far, we only have a tentative schedule from the Canon Law faculty and there is still one class missing from that. But that's still nearly two weeks off, so no sense in rushing it.
Peace,
Amy

UPDATE: All exams complete - I'm pretty happy with the outcome. I came home and I have nothing on my plate - oh yes, then I remembered the things I've been delaying - I'll get some of that done. But this evening, the Choir from Church is going to have a celebration after we practice. Yay!!! Thanks again for all your prayers, notes and support.

Exam Update

I figured I would keep folks posted on the exam here with running results - at least on how I feel about them.

LATIN - I think it went well. I was pretty satisfied when I walked out. But I have to get on to other things. Once it's all over, I'll look up the text on the internet. The first sentence was pretty tricky, several of the words could be translated several ways, but after that it was okay.

Upcoming:

HUMAN RIGHTS
FOUNDATIONS OF CANON LAW
GENERAL NORMS
LAW & RELIGION

--Amy

Back to School

What a wonderful 4 weeks of celebration, chapter, gatherings with family, friends and community. Oh, and I should also mention some study and a little legal work. It made for a wonderful visit back home.
The Chapter was a really great experience - so many wonderful people and great discussions, and open and honest sharing. I did a little breakfast presentation on my experience in Belgium for any sisters who wanted to hear about it. That was fun - I shared with a lot of folks on an informal basis, and also met with the sisters at St. Joseph's Academy. It has been great to share by Belgian experience and to feel the support of so many wonderful sisters.
I'm back in Leuven - it was a good trip - a tail wind made up for the delayed takeoff in Chicago. I got off the plane to balmy 50 degree weather. As I arrived at the airport, I remembered my last time through customs, etc when I first came. Everything is so much more familiar now, and it did fell a little like coming home.
I slept on the flight and managed to get in a few naps on Monday. That put me in pretty good shape for my Latin exam - but it turns out that I wrote down Tuesday and they wrote down Wednesday - so I'll be doing that tomorrow. I have started studying for my other classes though, since I need to start on them.
I've met up with a few friends - the folks at the coffee shop are my regulars - so we've connected. Then I'll see others later on.
We're having a block party - or is it a street party. This Saturday there is a barbecue, etc behind my place. Raf told me about it - but there had been an invitation in my mailbox - in Dutch. Then there is a Greek student (from the coffee shop) who will be leaving after exams and she said she is having a party of Feb 2, before she heads back. So looks like people are doing what they can to enjoy themselves, even in the dark.
It is actually noticeably lighter, we are up to eight and a half hours of daylight - and things are getting better by about 3 minutes of extra light each day - Yay!!!
Good to hear from you all.
Peace,
Amy

Greetings from St. Louis

I came home for to St. Louis for Christmas and have enjoyed connecting with community, family and friends over the last few weeks. By the time this article goes to press (in the province newsletter), I'll be on my way back to Belgium for my first round of exams. Truth to tell, I'm writing now so that as I head into exams, you'll be reading this article and send some prayers, positive energy and wisdom my way.
Exam time in Leuven is the second half of January. I managed to get some of my exams moved so that I could stay for the last session of Chapter in January 2008. When I arrive back, I'll still be battling jet lag when I have my first exam: Latin. We were warned before that class that if you don't already know latin, don't take the class. Hmm....
Then I have some time to study and adjust before my last four exams which are Jan 30, 31 and Feb 1. Those will be in Human Rights Law, General Norms (Canon Law), Foundations of Canon Law and Law and Religion. The last three will be oral exams of 10 to 15 minutes each. So prayers for a spark of brilliance at the proper moment would be appreciated.
After the exams we have a week off and I'm heading down to Le Puy (about 6 hours from Leuven) for a few days. That should be awesome. Everyone who's been there speaks very highly of it. It should also be sunnier than Belgium, so that will be nice as well.
I know the classes that I will have second semester - there will be 7 canon law classes and 2 theology classes and a thesis. So I should be busy. My dutch class will end in mid-february, about the time the other classes are getting into full swing. We will have two weeks off at easter time as well. I'll see how busy things are at that time before I decide whether I'll stay and study or get out and see things.
As I have shared with many of you, the experience has been wonderful - the academics are good, and quite a different experience from the US. My colleagues in the English program come from all over the world, adding to the richness of the experience. And finally, even though I'm in western Europe, the culture is quite different from the US, so there are lots of new experiences that range from charming to frustrating. A lot depends on the attitude I bring to it, so I'm usually choosing to be charmed.
I would like to thank everyone for expressions of love and support both in person and by email and on this blog. It has meant a lot to me.
--Amy