L'ecole

School is in full swing. Full. Swing. Mondays I get up at 5:30 to catch the 6:45 bus and begin the day with my favorite teacher, Fabien (I call him Fabio). He refuses to use any English (even though he was a professor in Wherensburg, Missouri- weird I know, he's french I swear.. but speaks perfect English) and I would never compete against him in a game of charades because he is a pro at getting the point across through actions. 

Unfortunately, as it is with all great teachers, I have to actually be awake and alert for his classes. 

He is bald. 

Then I have phonetics, dear lord, I simultaneously appreciate and despise that class. 

Our teacher is like "that English teacher" that every student has at some point. You know the one I'm talking about. All work, no play. High strung. Anyways, it's trés difficile. It's like a music class because it's all about rhythm and pronunciation. 

I hate geography, that hasn't changed. Our teacher is quite the character. 100% French. She has probably has a million different facial expressions- most of which are quite comical. Her whole persona just reminds me of some bizarre Disney character. 

Our class seems to get along pretty well and it's been fun getting to know everyone's personalities. 

The cafeteria is a zoo. A zoo that I can't communicate with. After I push my way around the food and grab whatever is most convenient (pointing and smiling in place of French), I go through the check out line (another smile), then pick up my silverware, sauce, and glass without breaking and/or spilling anything on or around the people bumping into me (smiles), I have to find a seat for (at least two) in a European lunchroom in which everyone sits right next to each other. 

Rant out. 

lol

At my attempt at a good run yesterday. I woke up at seven and saw that it was dark, rainy, and so windy my window had opened. I said to myself, "I don't care. No excuses today, you've probably gained twenty pounds in bread." So I went back to sleep and woke up at ten. And, thank you Jesus, it was a sunny day. It was also the windiest day of the year. I don't think I can describe to you just how windy. It was blowing in straight from the ocean (channel) and was so strong that Jacob and I couldn't hear each other talk. Nevertheless, we set out on that wild blackberry trail with intention to run to a lifeguard building we thought we remembered seeing. 

Yeah, we never found it. I'll give myself credit for maybe a mile. A good, fastish mile, but a mile. Then we were a tad turned around. 

So instead of turning around and coming back the way we came, we took a different trail (logic). And that trail didn't go anywhere so we took another..and another.. And kinda gave up and ended up on the beach. 

If it was windy before, it was a hurricane on that beach. But it was so beautiful. Yesterday was one of those days that are memorable for beauty. Those mental snapshots will forever stay in my head. The usually flat water was churning, white caps as far as you could see. The sun was bright and there were random large fluffy white clouds that flew by at shocking speed. Up and down the coast were kite surfers with their wetsuits and bright-colored contraptions. 

(Kite surfing looks like a blast by the way, but it also looks impossible so)

There was a deep row of seashells lining the beach that had washed up during the night and actual seafoam. I love seafoam for those who didn't know. Of course there will be pictures to follow. 

Unfortunately, I can't post videos. I have quite a few of those as well. 

Today we shall attempt to run again. In theory. 

Je suis froid.

I am cold. Most of the time while at home, I'll wear layer upon layer of unmatching fuzzy articles of clothing. I also have a lot of nightmares here, for whatever reason. For this reason, I fall asleep on the bus every morning. 

These are the only two difficulties I face, so I'd say life is pretty good. 

I love being here and being, just, away. It is relaxing where I thought it would be energizing. I feel as though I have room to breathe. The food is good too. I'll be mentioning that a lot. Like a lot, a lot. In fact, here is a picture of my newly found favorite dessert ever that I eat (by myself) every day at lunch. It is the best thing ever and it comes from a SCHOOL CAFETERIA. AMERICA YOU ARE SLACKING. 

This week has been one of those weeks that stretches the boundaries of time. Because, although it has technically been only 5 (cinq) days, it has actually been a month. this week=a month. If this is how every week of school will feel, my mind will have been in France for twelve months instead of four. This thought is upsetting yet satisfactory (definitely getting more for my money). 

Today a guy in my class, he is from Nebraska (wow Claira I'm so glad you've travelled the world to make friends with people who live a state away-I know), helped me to put my phone in French-mode. Very fun, very fun times. 

 

An Exact Representation of Me Right Now

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lz0IT4Uk2xQ

This is me. Every class. This is my life now. 

I wish I was kidding. 

Camera-Happy

       

La Galette des Rois

"The King's Cake", in English is basically the most delicious and entertaining cake there is. 

For the taste, imagine almonds. It's a "nut cake" as Elvira put it. It's not a cake like we think. More like a pastry. A really large pastry. And the dough is really flaky. Like phyllo dough. And the texture of the inside.. I don't know what to compare that to. Heaven? 

However, we have not even gotten to the fun stuff yet. 

The pieces are cut. Then all of the kids go under the table. They have a specific saying and word that everyone here knows to use but I don't know them very well. Basically, the person cutting the cake asks the youngest kid under the table who gets each piece. Once these are distributed everyone feasts! But carefully, because in one slice is a small plastic something-or-other (in our case a woman who looked a tad like Mickey Mouse). Whoever gets this is King for the day- voila! 

(I apologize the really rough pictures of me in Facebook I will not post them again here- I will post an embarrassing picture of Jacob though for you all's entertainment)

Sadly, he didn't wear this to town. He said he "commanded himself not to wear it."

Likin' this Whole Kissing Thing

I'm not going to lie, I am really starting to like the French greeting. Two loud smacks on both cheeks. It just makes more sense. 

Today while in town we ran into our neighbor. We had never met. (Well, I mean not formally. These houses are really close together so when both windows are open we see all that goes on. And I am constantly opening and closing my shutters and the little old man is always watching tv. And the tv is right next to the window. The first night I was a little creeped out. But then it was okay). However, he knew Danielle very well because they have been neighbors for a long time. So he greeted us all with a traditional French greeting. It's just... I don't know.. It's not awkward, it actually dissipates the existing awkwardness. 

Therefore for this reason I will try my best to start the trend when I get back home (DO NOT TO BE ALARMED). 

Tomorrow I believe I will try to attempt to compensate for the amount of food I have engulfed. Maybe a two miler.. Or a one miler... Or the half mile to the bakery, we will see. 

Bonne nuit! 

 

Impossible to Explain

I don't think, no I know, that it is impossible for a person to fully appreciate the amazing country we live in until they have experienced another. We have our flaws. That I definitely know and am fully aware of. That is the problem. Everyone is aware of the flaws. Everyone knows the beauty but are not always "aware" of it. 

The news and media focus on the negative, what needs to be fixed, and shows little of the good of our nation, what has improved our lifestyle. 

The reason for this short rant comes from the recent concern of mine for my own safety. I have never, not once, had to ever worry about my life being threatened by a power outside my country. We have such a beautifully strong nation that others do not dare mess with us. We are fortified by expansive oceans and powerful weapons. We have minimal enemies (albeit those enemies are to the extreme). My family and I can go to sleep at night and not have a single worry of an attack on our city, state, or even country, cross our minds. 

I realize, here, that is such a big deal. That is very unique and a blessing that goes unnoticed by the average American  (I am one of those average Americans). 

I go to bed here and although rationally I know it is not realistic to consider that I am constantly in danger where I am at, that is not a gauruntee. The sheer terror of this realization opened my eyes to the fortune we hold for this reason alone. I now hold more appreciation for my country and who protects it. 

really bad pictures of my daily walks

Wasted

Not of the alcoholic sort. I have 0% physical strength left. 0% brain left. And 0% sanity left. I mean, what can you expect from a first day of college in another country where you take a test the first day on three, yes THREE, hours of sleep. 

Tonight I'm giving up on hope that nature will right itself. I am going to take a Benadryl, allergies or not. 

I honest to goodness can not form a thought. So in short, we navigated campus, met people (one of which from Missouri), ate in a hectic cafeteria (I fell asleep at the lunch table) (and the car) (and during presentations), found that our teachers are actually really nice and not judgmental on our lack of knowledge, and discovered that, it's not just the US, every college has those weird kids.  

Jacob

May this mark the day that Jacob and I officially became friends. We had held minimal conversations before. Mostly about Lord of the Rings and the anxieties we held for school. And he had always been very nice, very polite. Not with overwhelming gentlemanliness, but with enough to know his momma raised him right. But TODAY oh man. I guess it started when we were shopping at the equivalent of Walmart in the states. 

I could not find shampoo to save my life. (Don't you dare judge, it was all in French). So I set off for Jacob, the only person in our group who knows anything in this language. We found it of course (one aisle over, oops). Then we ended up on a search for running shoes so we could workout in the mornings. There are not many "sneakers" in France. We find them, checkout, wallah. Next Robin and I find the awesome store that had my little black dress. Only I didn't know exactly how "little" it was. Robin and I were trying to figure out what the size would be in America when Jacob shows up. 

He literally took my black dress by himself up to a lady and asked what the size would be converted. I cannot tell you the enjoyment I found in that. 

And to wrap up the day, after dinner, he taught me the easy part to the only piano duet he knows. We are going the be pros and perform live for you all by the end of this semester. 

Smiles and Sorry's

Many smiles and sorry's to the locals here. One day I about run over an elderly couple. The next day, heaven forbid, I don't give the exact change which earned me an eye roll and an English "have a nice day". Okay, I know I'm American, I try my best to embrace that here. However, when you don't even say anything at all and their French foreigner radar goes off, you know it is bad. 

I had the closest I have come to a mental breakdown while here this morning. We had our weekly meeting and I was suddenly given so much information. It was too many responsibilities and a lot of scheduled guarantee for embarrassment for a girl who slept in and missed breakfast and coffee. 

Perhaps it was just lack of coffee that jump started this free fall of impending doom. 

I thought I was done with jet lag. Nope. Woke up four o'clock bright and early, my brain and muscles not to relax. 

My day did not turn out as awful as I have painted it to be. I quick shopping trip resulting in the following cured me pretty quickly. Mom, I could've spent all my money today. I showed ENORMOUS amounts of restraint. All these French stores are my style and all 50-70% off this time of year. I died a little inside walking away. (the beautiful perfectly form-fitting little black dress you see there was only 10€) 

A nice hour-long walk with the crew ended my day and dinner is in twenty minutes- au revior. (Oh-vwa)

Handsome Doesn't Even Begin to Describe

I have yet to see an unattractive French man. They are all so very sexy. I do not understand how this is possible- but just trust me on this one, it is possible. Just walking around I see policemen and construction workers alike who are so dapper and cool. I had the pleasure of witnessing a local surfer fresh out of the ocean change clothes (insert creepy smile here). I am not getting any funny ideas *directed towards you dad*. However I will not deny myself a pretty picture. 

Such a Happy Girl

My heart is so full right now. I am overwhelmed with joy. God is so good. I could not have done better for myself. I know he loves me by the way he takes care of me. 

Every time I spend any amount of time with Brett and Robin I am reminded of this. They radiate his love which brings me such happiness. 

We just got back from a good long walk on the beach and through the wild blackberry trails. 

Again, I want so badly to speak the language. I wish the matrix was real and I could just download knowledge. 

I am in the right place. 

Mom, I know you are crying. Quit. 

At Last

At last I have arrived! The plane ride was torture to my poor legs (as usual) but surprisingly fast (considering my television didn't work). When the plane touched pavement I was overwhelmed by the oddest sensation. I have discovered it is physically possible to feel utter joy, pure excitement, sheer terror and sick to your stomach all at the same time. I focus on every second and take things as they come. That is how to live. I really do feel like I am living for the first time. 

Elvira, precious as always, greeted us with hugs, smiles, and witty comments. I'm sure I was quite the sight struggling to appear as though I wasn't strugjng with all of my luggage. Once in the van I had no chance. My eyes closed by their own will. Elvira had to keep stopping to wake us up so we could sleep tonight. 

Once at the institute (home) we were greeted by a very enthusiastic Danielle who greeted us with hugs AND kisses. After a quick tour I got a chance to nest. It's like living in my own dorm and I've quite enjoyed it (for the past four hours that it has been mine). I do miss my Chloekins. I didn't realize how much she heated up our room with her weird little heat factory of a body or how her presence was comforting. But oh well, I have bigger fish to fry. Speaking of which for dinner we had a delicious lentil soup of some kind with baguette, cheese platter, salad, and yogurt. Oh I forgot for lunch we had my favorite because it was the first thing I ate in France in fourth grade. It's like our regular sandwiches but in a baguette, covered in butter only, and so cold that there are ice crystals on the turkey and fresh cheese. 

Danielle speaks only French. It is so difficult to communicate and makes me want to work even harder to learn the language. Our languages may differ but talking to people is the same anywhere you go. 

Besides the power constantly shutting down on us I'd say we've had a pretty successful day and will now finally allow myself to sleeeep. 

Just a Waitin

I'm in the calm before the storm. Airports are always stop and go, stop and go. Right now I am at a "stop". I feel so alive though. I am thoroughly enjoying this adrenaline. In other news, I always seem to attract the weirdest, most ridiculous people. The burly man laying- yes laying- next to me on this bench is the loudest human being I have yet to encounter. He's either drunk or, well for his sake I hope he is drunk. I think he is trying to communicate with me but maybe if I pretend to be deaf he will leave me alone. I apologize for this pedestrian account, I have no exciting life-changing details yet and lots of time to kill. To set the story for all my faithful readers (shoutout to all two of you) I will introduce you to all of its characters. Main character- me. Ha. Just kidding, God is the main character here because I have no idea what I'm doing. There is Brett and Robin who will basically become my family for the upcoming months. I already feel very comfortable and at ease in their presence. There is Steve, I will just describe him here as head honcho and a favorite of mine. Elvira is second-in-command and sister to Pia whom I love dearly. There is another student, Jacob, who's character I know zilch about yet. And lastly, Danielle, whom I also love dearly and makes me food and, according to everyone at the institute, "will adopt me". Next time I write, I will be on another continent. 

The Nerves Are Real

The nerves are real. I am confident that it will turn into excitement as soon as my brain catches up with the plane. Mother is rushing around complaining about her inability to not cry. The tears are also real, unnecessary, but real. This morning I realized how much family and friends I actually have and how many people are praying for me. I AM ON MY WAY. Let it begin..