My Dutch Family -

I made it to Zwolle! We arrived at airport in Schipol around 9:50 AM this morning. We were greeted by many students and Professors by the GH (Gereformeerde Hogeschool). The students are our SPICE buddies and they helped us get all of our luggage on the train to Zwolle because many of us took too much ;)
I am very grateful for how smoothly things have gone since arriving here. We had no problems on the flight - it was long but I got to watch a Dolphin Tale and get to know the wonderful people that will be on this adventure with me. We were lucky to get out of Chicago in time last night to Amsterdam. The weather was getting worse and worse.
I really enjoyed flying over Ireland this morning and my absolute favorite was flying into Amsterdam. We enjoyed a view that we may never get to have again. It is absolutely beautiful here.
I have enjoyed meeting everyone so far. I was picked up by Rutger, my hostdad. We went to the GH to get my brand new bike. It is very nice. Lets hope I do not crash.
I was able to see the house I will be living in, settle in, and then go on my first ever bike ride in Europe.
The bike is a tad bit wider up top than mine at home and the brakes aren't exactly in the same place either. Needless to say, I think my hostdad wishes he could have gotten my attempt at riding out of their driveway on video. I think he was very nervous but I made it just fine the rest of the way to down town Stadshagen. It is a suburb of Zwolle and it is quite precious. I really like the shops and how it has a city feel yet it is very small.
Gera (my hostsister) and my hostdad took me to a restaurant where she used to work. I ate what is called a Kroket.
I had to look this one up,
A croquette is a small fried food roll containing, usually as main ingredients, mashed potatoes, and/or ground meat (veal, beef, chicken, or turkey), shellfish, fish, vegetables, and soaked white bread, egg, onion, spices and herbs, wine, milk, beer or any of the combination thereof, sometimes with a filling, often encased in breadcrumbs.^[1] The croquette is usually shaped into a cylinder or disk, and then deep-fried.
Tonight I met my hostmom and ate Boerenkool. It was delicious. You can look it up if you wish. I watched a little Dutch TV after with a cup of delicious coffee and then I felt ready to wind down for the night. My hostdad got me an adapter for my plug ins and I am very thankful for it. I had a dead computer and ipod touch since we landed :/

I will include a picture of my host mom, dad, and family.
Their names are very difficult for me to say but I promise them that in four months I will be much better. We read the Bible in Dutch and English after dinner. Their goal for me is to be able to read it in Dutch by the end of the four months. I am up for the challenge.

:)
Its time to sleep!
Good night!
welterusten