Home

I've been waiting for four months to use this title. 'Home'. It's got a good ring to it, don't you think?

As a result of the snow, I wasn't able to do everything that I was planning to do while I was in the states. I had wanted to go to church to play in the orchestra and see friends. That didn't happen. I'd also wanted to spend the night in Tennessee visiting college friends. That too did not happen.

But, everything else was perfect. I spent many days just relaxing with my family at home. We talked, ate Mom's food (the best in the world), ate a French meal that I made, played Wii Fit, laughed at my Dad playing Wii Fit (one of the funniest moments of my life), and watched movies. I got to wrap everyone's presents (which I love to do) and go sledding with Lyne Burke and our neighbor. I had actually boycotted the snow as a result of my annoyance with my flight but in the end I forgave it and enjoyed it.

I was also able to visit with old family and school friends and with newer college friends, if only for brief moments. I love how when you spend most of your life in one town, you have so many shared memories with the people around you.

My favorite times were, of course, visiting extended family. On Christmas Day, after waking up early to open presents, we first made our way to my mom's family's house and later to my dad's.

It was a little hard at my Grandma's house this year since my Granddad died this October. Fortunately though, everyone handled it well and it was a great chance to see everyone and catch up on each other's lives, and of course, eat so much incredible food.

Then we were able to spend three days with my dad's family. I got to go shopping with my cousin/best friend, go to church with her and my Papa, exchange stories and pictures with the whole family, eat too much of Grammie's yummy food, eat an elaborate log cake, and just have a marvelous time. I love family!

And then it was time to kiss my sweet dog goodbye and leave my family behind to cross back over the ocean. I was quite grouchy the day I left. I think I just didn't want to say goodbye. But once I was back on French soil, my spirits lifted. I love this place. I love the land, the people, my friends, the food, my school, and the language.

After realizing that home is still where I left it and that it will be mostly the same when I get back, I feel comforted and much more ready to embrace everything about my time here. I've been studying French on my own and planning exciting adventures with my friends. As much as I love my home, I am so happy to be back!

Une Fete Merveilleuse!

I love loving lovely days! Today was fantastic, fun, and full of friends and food.

We had our school Christmas party this morning and it made me so happy. We laughed so much that I still have a headache and my cheeks hurt but it was so worth it. We all sang together in seven different languages. We gleefully watched a sultry tango demonstration by two members of my class. We giggled through three fantastic skits. And we ate a lot of food.

I love being a part of this group of international students of all ages. I love the French teachers and faculty. I love that I can be my own version of me, rather than the version I've grown myself into all these years. I love that I can find some of my identity in being American. I love that I can hang out with other Americans and dress in red and green for Christmas parties and take cheesy Christmas pictures. And I love that we can all understand each other despite language barriers if we try.

And I really, really love Christmas!

Alliance Francaise

This week has been fantastic! One of the best weeks ever!

It started on Monday with the beginning of language school. Many of you know that I was concerned about the scheduling because I was told I had to go to school Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday but I have to work Wednesdays. It turns out I go to school Mondays and Tuesdays from 9-1 and that is perfect. It means I have to wake up at 6:30 to get a parking place at the train station, ride the train, eat breakfast in the station, take the Metro, and walk to the school. But it's really kind of fun. I was able to show someone else how to do it the other day and it made me feel like a pro.

I love the class, even though it's a little over my head. The teacher, Sandrine, is great. She only speaks French in class but she rephrases things if you don't understand. She laughs a lot and I feel like we'll learn a lot with her.

There are about 12 people in my class. 4 are German, 2 American, 1 Canadian, 1 Indonesian, 1 Russian, 1 Czech, 1 Columbian, and 1 Italian. Only the Czech one is a boy. We outnumber him greatly but I don't know that he minds. I feel I got lucky with this class. We all work together really well and I like everyone in there. I had made two friends by the end of the first day and we added one to our group on the second. The four of us have spent most of the week together. Luise I met first. She's German, 20, and really funny. Camilla next. She's also German, 19, and also really funny. Finally, Hannah, 22, who's from Lynchburg, VA. Not only is she from Lynchburg, but she went to school in Charleston, SC (where I almost went to school) and she was born in Johnson City, TN (where I did go to school). Weird how small this world is. The four of us speak English most of the time but we're trying to speak more in French.

After school, we eat lunch and shop some before catching our trains back to wherever we have to go to pick the kids up from school. On Thursday, Luise, Hannah, and I went to la plage (the beach) in Marseille. It was amazing! Hardly anyone there and it was really warm and beautiful. The water was cold and clear and so salty I could just float forever. Fantastic. So the view in the direction of the water is beautiful. The view on the beach just makes me laugh. Men wear speedos, women go topless, and everyone just changes clothes on the beach, sometimes hidden by towels. It is definitely a different life here.

Friday night was the best. The four of us girls spent the night at Camilla's house in Cassis. We dressed up and went out to the harbor for dinner at 11:30pm. Unfortunately, everything was closing but a nice man told us of an outdoor cafe where we could go for some good pizza. We went and spent probably two hours there. We flirted a bit with some French boys (including a waiter) and the restaurant gave us free wine and lollipops. Then we made our way up the forever long, uphill driveway and fell into bed.

*In the photo, Camilla (purple), me (green), Luise (gray), and Hannah (black). Those are the colors we're wearing, by the way, not the colors we are.

This weekend was spent relaxing and doing mostly nothing. We had friends over for lunch today and spent hours by the pool. Each time we have people over, I recognize more and more of what they're saying. I'm not ready to have conversations with people but I like to listen. I don't want to do anything halfway. When I start talking, I want to be good at it. I'm not sure how that'll work out for me but it's what I want. Tomorrow is the third day of language school and another day to see my friends. I'm so excited!