Waiting, Waiting, Waiting on the world to Change

Right now, I am sitting in the dining room at the Dap house, waiting. I'm not really sure what I am waiting for though. The obvious answer would probably be waiting to leave to go and see Madagascar 2 in like, 20 minutes but, I'm not positive if that's really what I am waiting for. Other answers that would explain my immediate doings would have to be waiting to go to a girlfriends house tonight to party in the new year , or waiting for someone to try the cookies that Pauline and I baked this morning, or waiting for Friday morning when  I will take the train to go to Paris with my host family or waiting to find out when my skype date with Madame is. I could be waiting for the end of Vacations,  waiting to go to the Alps in Feburary, waiting for the Eurotrip in April, or even just waiting to go back home in the summer. There are so many things that I could be waiting for. I feel as if life is just a really long game of waiting. 

While thinking about the fact that another year has ended and a new one is beginning, I have decided to make a new resolution. I am going to try and live every day as if everything makes me happy. I am going to try not to wait for things anymore.  I would like to think that I already do this a little bit but, I'm not too sure.

Happy New Year's everyone. I love you all. While I would like to see you all again soon, I am not going to say that I can't wait to see you ...

Rantings at Christmastime

When I decided to leave my maternal nation and venture out into the great unknown; Europe, I didn't realize that it would so hard to keep my two halves running together smoothly. I mean, on one hand, I love and miss everyone back home a lot. I did live and coexist with everyone there for the good part of 17 years. They are always near in my thoughts and prayers. There isn't really anything that I do where their thoughts of me and their opinions don't cross my mind. Sometimes, I have to remind myself that I really am on the other side of the Ocean. My life is literally separated into two worlds. While I have so many people who I care for back "home", there are so many people here who mean so much to me too. Why is life so complicated??? Actually, why does my life always end up being so complicated???

Sometimes, okay so a lot of times, I feel really guilty when start to enjoy life here or I learn to love someone here because, maybe all of them back there will think that I am trying to replace them. That just is simply not the case. There is nothing in the workd that could replace you all. I have the greatest family in the world. While logically, we're kinda weird, I love them all so much. I know that I am really blessed in life because I am surrounded by the most amazing people in the world. My mom is one of the most beautiful, smartest, and most wonderful women in the entire world. I can't ever imagine not having her in my life. My dad is great too. He is sooo funny. I describe him as a huge teddy bear. *Dad, before you object, think back to that day in the movie theater way back during the rugrat's movie. Remember Spike?? Haha. It's not your fault that you are just super sensitive =) Kaley Jo, I love you so much that words can't even describe it. It's so weird to be away from you. You make my life happy =) Don't worry, I'll be back before you know it. In addition to my lovely immediate family, I have a crazy/incredible extended family too. I am really going to miss the family Christmas party this year. I love going and seeing all of my family that actually means something to me. Aunt Joyce, I miss you sooo much too. I miss going to the Flea Market with you and to the Hartville Kitchen. In the first few weeks that I return, we have a date.. Okay?? I also miss sitting with you in church =) Everyone else, Uncle John, Aunt Mel and Uncle Rod, Betty Thorpe, Dani and Logan and Amber and Kay and Mike and all the rest that I'm forgetting, you guys are so great. I am so lucky that I have you. And I can't forget Aunt Lo Ann and Uncle Jack either, you guys are super cool too =) I'll see y'all in August.

In addition to my family, there are so many other great people that make being away at Christmas hard. Here's to you all; My wonderful church family. Dave and Jan, Doug and Ann, George and Shirley, Mary Ebert, Pudge, Katya and Dan, Nancy and Alan, Sandy and her girls, Shari and all the Ted's and Dane (and Odie too), Betsy, Eleanor, Lois, Lisa and Seth, Brian and Gail, and everyone else that I am in the process of forgetting. I am sorry that I can't name everyone. It's not that you're forgotten, just that I don't have enough room =)
Also, everyone who had a part with my life. Madame... There is just too much to say. I'm not sure if I will ever be able to explain in words my thanks and gratitude to you. You are such an amazing woman. I'm sorry that these few phrases are not even enough to cover anything. I love you so much. Leslie, you changed my life this summer. I had such a great time with you and your two girls. You will always stay in my heart =)

To all of my friends, you are crazy and I miss your guts. Leigh Ann, I know that you're busy with college. I hope that it is going well. Not a day goes by when I don't think of you and all of the craziness and great times that we've had *haha. madonna video. enough said =P
Ruby, haha. I tell everyone that I have one of the coolest best friends ever. Hehe. Desk Girl forever. Tamara, BFF's since day one (okay, more like since kindergarten but, who's counting anyways???) Haha. I'm so glad that we don't fight like cats and dogs anymore. I think that that is how I know that we were meant to be best friends forever. Adèle, my crazy french sister. I don't ask questions. Bry, it's weird and I miss you and can't wait to see you. Chas, haha. lemon wedding cake =P Rachie, you're so pretty. Tennis. Summer. Kay? Kimmie, don't waste a single second of your senior year. It's already halfway gone!! Aleta, DI rules =), And to all of the rest, Casey (dweeb), Betsy Boop, Sarah M. Sarah F. Mary, Tyler and Rachel, haha Jason (loser), the cirones, Lindsay Lou, Kacy, Melinda, Sarah B. (we're partying it up this summer chez toi!!) Jill (haha. GEMS girls all of the way!) Christine (we go way way way back girlie!!) I think that I have forgotten so many people but, I need to be done. Thinking about all of you is too hard.

The point of this blog wasn't at all to do what I ended up doing. I wanted to make you all understand that while I miss you all and think of you, I still end up having a good time here in France. I absolutely love everyone here. They are all soo cute. I am sad that I'm spending Christmas away from everyone but, at the same time, I am excited about discovering a french Christmas. I feel really selfish sometimes when I realize that I'm not really homesick and haven't really been yet. I feel a little torn. It's not that I don't love you all, it's just that I want to be open minded. I hope that you all understand. It's really important that you do. I'm not replacing you, I'm just expanding.

Une Seule Solution...

So, I have become a little more french the past two days. lol. My school is officially striking the new reforms of the government. Haha. Gotta love La France. Actually, if I am not mistaken, the entire city is striking against the government. Well, the students at least.

Yesterday upon arriving at school, there were people everywhere. Students, teachers, police. It was super crazy! I walked up to the doors of the school to find students blocking the entrance. It was literally impossible to get into the school building! So, I decided, ah tant pis (too bad). I'm going SHOPPING!!! So, I walked first to the post office to send my box of christmas presents =) and then went all the way into town. I saw a huge mass of people in town and decided, what the heck? I'll join them! So, I mingled my way around the crowd, saw two girls fighting (haha, one of the funniest things ever. picture this... two french girls. high heels. and hair pulling. hahahahahaha) and then I found some other exchange students. We chilled out for a while. Then, I saw all of the students of my school marching down the road in a parade like mass. It was very impressionant. After standing around a little more and acquiring more students, the crowd started to march. We marched around finally arriving at the place Stanislas. By this time, I had acquired a metal can and a drumstick that I had been tapping for about, one mile of the march lol. After chilling at the place Stan and getting more students to join "our" cause, we started to march again. This time, to the building that is in charge of all of the education things in Nancy. After the mob arrived, they started chanting even louder and got restless. The police were there blocking the doors so that noone could get in. I was now with my friend Madeline from L.A. and we were kinda just observing. After people started standing on the cars and throwing hub caps, we decided that maybe, it was time for us to go. lol. I found some friends, Léa, Mattias (Bonhomme) and Capucine and said goodbye to Madeline to eat with them. We went to a kebab (really hard to describe. i don't think that i can do it without becoming sick lol) and chilled for a while. After lunch, I went into town and actually did my shopping. Hello new dress and skirt. =)*

After finishing my "errands" in town, I headed home to find my host mom on the route. She told me that I may have school in the afternoon so, I went to school lol. Sadly, I did have school.

Today, the same thing happenned except that I didn't go to the Manifestation today. I decided to come back here and just chill out. This morning, the blockade was a little violent. There were people pushing and shoving. And, the worst part is that the blockade is supposed to go on all week! While it was kinda cool yesterday, now, it's just kinda annoying =P

Okay, I had better get going back to school. I am going to see if I can get in now so that I can eat lunch!

à +

My families

So I don't really have a lot of time. Tonight, I am going out with a friend. So, instead of using words, I am going to leave a photo blog with some comments on some photos. I miss you all and can't wait for you to recieve your gifts =)

The last picture with all of the Famille Baran

Rotary girls =)

Us exchange students in Nancy - Valentin, Anna y

Melissa

Denis and I at the club Christmas Party

Prune and I =)

François, my new host dad

Geraldine, my new host mom and I

Lucky

So. I am now sitting in my new house. Last night, I slept in my new bed and today, i unpacked my suitcases in my new room. It is absolutely crazy how fast the time passes chez les Barans. I have been in France for 102 days now. Three and a half months away from my family and friends. I'm not saying that it hasn't been amazing. Actually, to the contrary, I have had such a wonderful time here in France. Everyone with the Rotary is soooo nice. I don't think that there is a single person in our Rotary club of Toul who I don't really care for. They are all super super nice. I feel like one of the luckiest people on the Earth.

I have had a great first three months here in France. TO give the credit to someone, I would have to say that Marie, my first host sister, is one of the coolest/craziest/hottest/smartest/ nicest french people that I have ever met. I am really going to miss eating applesauce (Andros Rocks!!) with her and getting dressed up with her and staying out till 5 AM =)
Marie, je t'aime =)

I have to go now. I am super super tired. I will elaborate on my amazing holiday escapade of a weekend later on this week. Sweet Dreams...

I'm so lucky, I'm a star

Les Betises

Haha. I love my host mom. She is one of the funniest women that I have met here. I am very very sad that I have to change families already. I love my second family but, I'm really going to miss Prune.

Today, we spent all day together. I had two doctor's appointments for some technicalities (the french government is crazy!) So, we went to the hospital and I had to have a lung x-ray. After waiting and undressing and waiting and getting the x-ray and waiting, we recieved the x-ray and then, we went to a different place to, yep you guessed it, wait some more. So, we were in the waiting room and she decided to look at my x-rays. She pulled it out and put it up to the light. Haha. Through the x-rays, you could totally see the outline of my chest and she kept it there for like, 15 seconds. With everyone in the waiting room!

Haha. We have had a really crazy weekend! I don't want to leave them!!!!!!!!!

Don't Forget to Remember Me

I am sorry for the lack of blog entries. While you may be a little annoyed, look on the bright side, I am becoming more French every day that I don't have enough time to write downall of my little adventures or my witticisms. Well, I have a cute little story for you all now. I'm not promising that it will be very long(o contraire....) We are going to Nathalie's house today (my older host sister with the two adorable kids) and we're going to eat homemade lasagna mmmmmmmm!



Well, last night, Eléa and Claire had their first guitar recital (can you use recital with guitar???) Denis and I went after collecting food for a food bank at a grocery store. The guitar teacher is an american who is living here in St Dizier. He's really cool and funny. Claire is super super super amazing at the guitar. She is really really talented. Eléa is just starting out but is so absolutely cute. After the recital, we went to Amélia's house for dinner. Her family is so adorable. I wish that I lived here in St Dizier all of the time so that I could see them more. We ate dinner (an amazing thing that I can't remember the name of. we melted cheese and then drenched it over potatoes and lunch meat kinda things and then ice cream sundaes) Then, Amélia and Claire and I watced Back to the Future (in french) We had to leave before it was over (Claire spent the night) and I went downstairs to say my goodbyes. I am changing families on Saturday and I said goodbye to Amélia and her parents. They are sooooo sweet! I started to cry and we are hugged and were mushy and eerything. Then, I walked out the door to see both of the cars of my host parents leaving. Haha. My host parents left without me. Haha. Luckily, I went into the house and Prune realized that I wasn't in Denis's car. Thank God for Mom's.

Handprint on my heart

I've heard it said, that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn and we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them and we help them in return.







Life in France is absolutely amazing. I have so many people here who care about me that I don't know what to do. I have started to make some friends and don't really want to switch families. Now don't get me wrong please, I love my second host family. It's just that I am really confortable here with Marie and Prune and Denis and Claire. I love them all so much. I know that in the long run of life, three months isn't very long but, they have had such an impact on my life that I don't want to leave them at all. I wish that I had so much more time with them. I feel like I just got really comfortable here. I love coming home to the house to myself and just chilling. I love when Marie arrives and we chill together in the kitchen while she drops the tomato batter and splits her pants. I love riding to school on Saturday morning with Denis in his pimped out b-ball cap. I love it when Claire plays the guitar (she is super good!) And I especially love Prune in general. She is such a great person.





I am one of those lucky people who have it all right now. There are so many great people here. I love the Rotary. It's only been a great experience for me so far. I am so thankful to the Rotary. Everyone and I mean everyone is so amazing. I have 13 days left with the Baran's and I don't want to waste a single second of it.











So let me say before we part so much of me , is made from what I learned from you. You'll be with me, like a handprint on my heart.

La pâté

I have such an adorable family here. They really surprise me sometimes. I really enjoy my life here in Nancy with them. Last night, after arriving home after a pretty great but long day of school (9 hours of school), I found Prune in the kitchen working away. When everyone arrived back at our humble abode, we ate dinner together. Then, we all went for a walk. Well, all of us except for Claire who was back here in Ste Marie du Lac. We just walked around the city . It was so great. I think that it was one of my favorite things that we've all done together so far. Marie and I were walking/singing/skipping/pushing each other into walls and Denis and Prune were walking behind us. It was a very pleasant way to spend the evening.

And tonight, I am going to hang out with Claire and some of her friends (I think). I'm pretty excited. Tomorrow, we have a birthday party too! I can't wait to see the whole family. They are all so cute together.

I must go and actually do something productively french. haha. french kids work on school all of the time. I must look really really lazy here. The teachers lecture and talk and talk and talk and talk. The students have to have perfect notes. It's actually quite annoying (says the girls who never takes notes lol). I think that I may do my french homework (who am I kidding? Have I ever done my french homework???)

I can go the Distance

I will find my way, I can go the Distance

I know that it may seem a little cliché, actually a lot cliché but, quoting Disney songs actually makes me feel better. Not even so much better, it's just that I feel like they can really describe my situation lol. I know that there are some days when I may be a little down but, overall, I really love life here in France.

I am starting to make some friends here. I know that for sure, I definately have people with whom I have a bond at school. School is hard, I'm not going to lie. Especially now that it's becoming winter. On certain days, I go to school in the morning around 8 (which means that I leave the house around 730) and then get done with school around 6. Now, with it almost being winter and all, it's dark at 6. I head back home where I find Marie whistling while she works. Okay, so usually she's not whistling. It's more like singing. =) She is in the "Prépa" where she is forced to work all of the time. She is really super super cool though. I am really lucky to have her as a host sister. While we don't get along every single second of the day, I wouldn't have chosen a different first host sister ever. (P.S. Claire is my other first host sister and she is as equally as cool as Marie but, we just don't see each other often enough to fight like sisters. But, it needs to be said that she is just as cool)

I really love the way that everything in my exchange is going right now. The Rotary is great. I am so lucky that they have given me this opportunity to do this. This amazing and wonderful year has had an amazing start. Everyone involved in the Rotary is thoroughly pleasant and just great to be around. My host family right now is great. I know that they don't realize how much I appreciate them. I love the time that I spend with Prune in the car debating/probably crying. I also really love having a serious discussion with Marie and being interupted by a shout of excitement from Denis from the living room while watching the basketball game. It really is great. I am so proud that they are my family and I talk about them all of the time.

I really need to go and do something french now. I am thinking about traveling downstairs and watching some TV. I just wanted to let you in on the fact that I know that this year was one of the best decisions that I have ever made. Every road has bumps. If there were no bumps, it would be a waste of time. You can only learn by making mistakes. (which by the way, I have made plenty. FYI, do not, I repeat, DO NOT MAKE THE NAZI SIGN IN PUBLIC. Also, don't ask lol)

I know every mile, will be worth my while

Invisible

"I am now in a world where I have to hide my heart and what I believe in but somehowe I will show the world what's inside my heart and be loved for who I am."

Sometimes, I feel like I'm in my own little world here. Noone really knows me, not the real me anyways. Sometimes, I just want to be able to be with someone who understands me. who knows when I'm joking and knows when I'm not. Is it too hard to ask for someone here to want to be my friend. I want someone here to know that I'm deathly afraid of fish and styrofoam. I want them to know that I hate wearing socks and that I love to paint the nails of only one hand. To know that I love to sing loudly and all of the time. That I'm way too sensitive and can't handle the thought of dissappointing someone. That I get way too attched especially to people who aren't very email savvy. That I stole my sister's mascara and 2 shirts. That I have my father's eyes and my mother's smile. That when I am tired, I have a lazy eye and a voice that gets lower. That I never brush my hair. And that I pretend to not care what anyone else says or thinks but, in reality, it means so much more to me than I am willing to admit. I just want one person, a single person, to love me for me. Is that too hard to ask?

"I won't pretend that I'm someone else for all time. When will my reflection show who I am inside?"

Photos de l'Ecole

Here are some pictures of my french high school for ma petite soeur...
Pictures of Paris will be posted soon.
Muah!




the school


random fire drill haha. actually it wasnt even a drill, a guy working on the building made his piece of machinery overheat and set off the alarms. He ran away while we waited for 30 minutes for the firemen to come haha.


the coutryard/ square (i have no idea what its called in english lol)


again, the thing

C'est la Vie

Well friends, the time for being laid back and partying it up is almost over. Soon, soon as in 40 hours soon, I will be back at Chopin, my lovely high school (ha) for the next 7 to 8 months. I am so not ready to leave Meudon. I love it here. I love being a 20 to 30 minute train ride from the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. I love waking up and eating breakfast in my pajamas next to Adèle. I love walking from one end of Paris to the other just because I decided that I wanted to see the Eiffel Tower at night; while at the Bastille. I love sitting around doing nothing while we find almost everything absolutely hilarious. I love the fact that I am with Adèle. Right now.


I know that I have to go back to Nancy. I actually really like Nancy. It's a great city. There are some great people there like my host families and host friends lol. I am just a little sad that I have to leave la petite Adèle. I love being here with her family. They are so great. I've had such an amazing time. Now, I have to wake up from this dream and go back to the real world.

The only problem with that last statement is that I am not really sure what the real world is. I'm not quite postive if that is what this year is. I kinda feel like I'm living in a box. Not really in reality. Don't get me wrong, I love it here in France. France, no Europe is amazing. I just kinda feel like it isn't my real life. I am going to become fluent in french. Okay. But other than that, what am I doing here while everyone else is back home. It's like a yearlong vacation. The only problem is that I haven't ever really liked vacations...

Cow tongue and Minnie Mouse

I have had such an amazing time with Adèle and her family over these holidays and I still have until Wednesday with them. So much has happenned that I have no idea where to begin.

Thursday...

Adèle and I had a very busy day on Thursday. We went into Paris to eat lunch with
Adèle's mom and see her office. It was pretty cool. Then, we walked around and saw
the pyramid of the Louvre and walked to the Musée D'Orsay to take our train. Then,
we came back here and chilled and got ready for our Halloween party? Then we went
to the movies with our friend Thomas and saw Vicky Christina Barcelona. It was
pretty good. Then we rushed home and ate and everyone came for our party. I wore
a costume of Minnie Mouse. Tiphanie (Leigh Ann's french friend) came dressed as
i dont know what (a mad scientist or someone who was electricuted). Haha. It was
a pretty fun time. Everyone either wore a costume or put some makeup on. We
partied into the wee hours of the morning.


Friday...

After eating a fulfilling lunch of chinese, Adèle and I headed into Paris to go and see
a movie. HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3 was freaking amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you haven't
seen it yet, you are missing out. Then we headed back here and we packed to go to
Normandy. We left with Mama and Papa Duffaure and traveled for 2 hours to the city
of Le Havre where the parents of Isabelle live. Their house is so adorable! We arrived
around 9:15 and we got settled in and ate dinner.

Saturday...

I slept in yesterday. Not too much but a little later than normal. Then, after eating
breakfast, Adèle and her parents and I headed into town. We spent the morning at a
little bookstore and art gallery. I bought 2 books which I am looking forward to reading
Then, after drinking some coffee, we went back to the house and ate lunch. After lunch,
the 4 of us went to discover Etretat. I did nothing illegal here ( no i did not take a galet)
lol. The view from the top of the cliff was amazing. I got a call from Denis who told me
that a journalist from the regional paper of Lorraine wanted to talk to me about the
elections. After returning to the house, the journalist called me and I talked to him for
about 15 minutes. My opinions and photo will be in the Est Republicain. It's pretty cool.
Then, all of the family came (aunts and cousins and great aunts and such) and we had
a french family style dinner. We ate coquilles st jacques and cow tongue. Needless to
say, it was a pretty interesting night. lol





Etretat (no i did not steal a galet)


la langue de boeuf

Well, that is pretty much my life here so far. I love being here with Adèle. I am going to be sad when I have to leave her on Wednesday. Oh well, I still have 3 more days here!

Surprise! You're Going to EuroDisney!!!

So I have one of the greatest best friends in the entire world. Well, actually, I have the greatest best friends (plural) in the world but, at this time, most of them are on the other side of the world. On Wednesday, Adèle took me to DisneyLand Resort in Paris. It was so amazing! I absolutley loved it!!! It seriously is a place where all of your dreams come true (so I know that that is really cliché and all but, I'm being completely serious.



The castle is amazing! For some reason, I can't include pictures with my blog here at Adèle's house but, next Thursday, when I get back to Nancy, I will return and put pictures up.


I saw Mickey and Minnie and Donald and Daisy and Pluto and all of the princesses. But, I think that the best part of the whole day was seeing Mary Poppins.

It was so great. I think that at that moment, I stopped breathing and started to cry lol. But no seriously, it was absolutley amazing! I had such a great time with Adèle. She doesn't have a clue how happy she made me =)

(Yes Aurore went to Disney. You got a problem?)



Mathou et Minnie

So I guess that I pooped out my little Adèle.

Paris = Amazing

So for the past two days (and three nights), I have made Meudon ( a little town just outside of Paris) my home. In this town, lives one of my best friends in the whole world, Adèle. I am so lucky that she wants to be my friend because she is so cool! I get to spend the next week with her too!

Here, we've already done a bunch of really cool things. Yesterday, we went into Paris in the Afternoon and we walked around Notre Dame eating ice cream. Then, we went to the Mosque of Paris and drank some green mint tea. It was so amazing! Then we chilled around the house with her sisters and some of their friends. Clarisse also came over. She's really cool too.







Today, We ate breakfast and then left for Paris. We got of the train at the Musée D'Orsay and then we walked around on a gorgeous, brisk fall day. We walked around (a lot) and met Marie (Adèle's sister) for lunch. We bought some Macaron's and then ate lunch at a little café/ bakery/ Then, we left her and we walked along the Champs Elysées and it was amazing! I love Paris in the autumn!!!!! It's so gorgeous. I think that it is even better than the summer. The Eiffel Tower was beautiful. When KJ gets a little older (and I save my money), I am going to bring her here in October. The leaves are so gorgeous.




I have to go now. I love you all =)

Let the Vacations Begin

While I look like crap, here is the beginning of the
transistion to becoming French.




Well. The Vacations are here! Thank the Lord!!! I know that it's only been 8 weeks in school but, I'm exhausted lol.

So, for the 10 day break, I am going to spend them with Adèle in Paris! I have no idea what we are going to do yet lol but, it doesn't matter anyways. I am just really excited to see Adèle!

While I can't wait to see Adèle, I am also a little nervous because my baby sister has to have surgery on Monday. To find a little humour in this, She can't raise her arm above her shoulder for 6 weeks. Haha. This means that her hair will look crazy haha (like mine) and she will have one hairy armpit. Hahahahahahahahaha.


Okay. When there is more things to tell you about the Vacations, I will let you know =)

I did it!!!

I am going to try to recollect my story of my 25 mile bike ride yesterday in 2 hours but, I'm not sure if I will get through it because of ...
1. the exhaustion of the fact that I rode a bicycle for 2 (plus some) hours yesterday
2. I rode the above mentioned bicycle for a total of 38 kilometers
3. I went to school today for 7 hours
4. My butt hurts



But seriously though, I biked 25 miles in 2 hours. I have the need to say it again...

I BIKED 25 MILES IN 2 HOURS!!!!!!

It actually wasn't that bad in reality. Up until the last 5 miles, it was completely flat. I hung out with Pauline almost all day long. She is really cute. I am looking forward to hanging out with her more. We talked a lot during the ride. After the bike ride, (where we were at the front the entire time!!) We just cam eback to the house and chilled. We had a potluck type of thing. It was great. Everyone from our local Rotary club was there (I was the only exchange student). Pauline and I went upstairs at one point of the dinner to look at an amazing package that one special lady sent to me from the States with a bunch of Halloween things in it. The hardest part was climbing the stairs, it was going back down!!! We played fooseball and the wii. It was great. I love spending time with the Rotarians. They are all crazy and nice and lovely to be around.

In the beginning of the ride, the funniest thing happenned. Denis's (my host dad) bike tire exploded. It doesnt really sound that funny but, at the time, it was hilarious. I couldn't stop laughing.

Here are some photos of my extravaganza...

Ciao.

la petite pauline

40 hours of my life

It has been brought to my attention that there are a few important things that I haven't written about here. One of these things that I am going to analyze now is...

SCHOOL

Firstly, I am going to elaborate on the school day. In the middle and high school, the school day depends on what classes one has and when they have them. None of this nonsense of having to come in at 7:30 for a study hall. Haha. Also, this logic is the same for the teachers. The first "period" (i hvae no idea what its called in french) starts at 8:15. Each class last for about an hour (unless in your schedule the class is 2 or 3 hours long) with about 5 minutes between classes. While those of you from Marlington may think that I am luky with 5 minutes between classes, it is necessary that you realize that my school has 5 stories (in english) and sometimes I have to climb 3 flights to go from one class to another. At 10 and 4 there are breaks called "recreation" or "des pauses". These breaks last for 15 minutes and everyone goes out the front door of the school to smoke. It is unbelieveable for me that they do this right outside the front door! Smoking is one of the grossest things ever! I know that I will never be able to start smoking. Depending on the day, the final class (for me) ends at 6 o'clock.

For me, in the mornings, tuesday wednesday and thursday, I start at 8 and friday and saturday I start at 9. Mondays are a little more complicated. Every other Monday I start at 9 and the pther week, I start at 11. IN the afternoons, on Mon. Tues. and Fri, I finish at 6 and Wed. Thurs. and Sat. I finish at noon. I'm actually pretty lucky lol. I have the normal classes for a junior who is in the Litterature truack. Each week, I have french litterature (6 hours), history/geography (4 hours), spanish level 2 (1 less than the highest level)(2hours), math (2 hours), english (highest level lol)( 3 or 4 hours depending on the week) music (2 hours), science (1.5 hours), theater (5 hours) , PE (2 hours and we're working out now. next we'll rock climb then do rythmic gymnastics and then softbal) and TPE ( a type of group research project for 2 hours). That means that depending on the week, I have between 31.5 or 32.5 hours of class. That doesn't even include lunch or the holes in my schedule. after looking at my schedule, I am at school between 39 and 41 hours (depending on whether or not I eat lunch at school Wed and Thurs. I belive that at Marlington, including everything, one is at school for less than 35 hours each week. And, believe it or not, there is soooooo much more homework here!

My classes are a mixture of very interesting, mildly interesting, rather boring, and complete waste of my time lol. But, I think that everyone has that problem wherever in the world they are. Theater class is really really interesting. We are in the process of reading/doing a play by Bertlot Brecht which in french is called "La bon âme de Se Tchoun" I love going to this class. Another interesting class is surprisingly english. While it is very easy for me, the teacher makes me do all of the homework and tests in french. I love it. It's a little difficult because I don't have the same chance to learn the vocab as the rest of the clas but, it's a great chance to expand my vocabulary. French Lit. is interesting but very hard. The actual french isn't the hard part, it's the way of doing it. There is a certain way to do the homework that is very tricky. Also, there is a cerain way to take notes and write the tests. It's a little hard for an outsider to understand all of the rituals but, slowly but surely I'm learning. the other classes are pretty much the pits lol. Music is fine and so is PE (super easy). Spanish is hard. My level isn't where it needs to be. It's not really my fault or the fault of past teachers. In reality, my level is really good for only 2 years of spanish. The problem is that for my 2 years, everyone else has 5. There is just a slight difference there. HIstory is not fun because the teacher doesn't really like me and yells at me all of the time. Hopefully it gets better. And last but not least, math. wow. It really is quite horrid. We have been working on the same worksheet with the same 7 problems for the last 6 weeks now. It's not even hard. For goodness sake it's percentages. I think that it is even easier than OGT math class lol.

Lunch is crazy! Most days, I have a 2 hour hole in my schedule to eat. To accomodate the crazy amount of students who need to eat in the little cafeteria, there are 2 lines: priority and not. If you only have an hour to eat, you get to go first. Then all of the middle schoolers eat and then the high schoolers with more than an hour. ON average, it takes a little more than 45 minutes to go through the lunch line. The food is relatively good though. You get a lot. FOr example, last week, I ate 2 pieces of nice, french bread, a salad, a kiwi, a chunk of brie (cheese) and a huge plate of spaghetti and meatballs. There are also a lot of choices. When I change families in Dec though, I think that I will probably go home for lunch every day.

All in all, school is fine. It's something to do. It's interesting enough and, I get the chance to socialize.

If you have any questions ever about anything, don't hesitate to ask.

Gotta bounce. Kisses!

Cimb Ev'ry Mountain

My life has completely changed here in France. I thought that I was active before in the US of A. Haha. I have the need to say that again. Haha. Boy was I wrong. Really. Here in France, my lifestyle has changed completely. So, firstly, I walk everywhere. Well I walk to the tram or the bus stop to get anywhere. It's absoluetly amazing. Also, I can take a bicycle anytime that I want. I feel like I have so much lore energie here in Europe. maybe it's the air. I guess that we'll never know.

This past weekend, my newfound athleticism/europeanism showed itself very prominently. I climbed a mountain. Let me say it again.

I CLIMBED A MOUNTAIN!!!!!!!

It was my first (and maybe last mountain). There was a meeting with all of the exchange students in St. Dié. St. Dié is a really cool city. It is actually the place that gave the America's their name. The first map with the name "America" is hanging in the office of the mayor. We explored the city together and then headed to our hostel to party the night away. I've made some good friends here. Kate (from Jersey), Heather (from Jersey), Jacqui (from Missouri° and Cecilia (from Taiwan). They are all really cool.

In the morning, we woke up (with like 5 hours of sleep lol and we slept a lot more than the others lol) and ate breakfast. Then we headed out to climb the mountain! I still can't believe that I climbed a mountain. It was one of the hardest things that I have ever done in my entire life, but also one of the most satisfying. It felt like it just kept going on and on forever. We kept getting closer to the top but it just felt like it would never end. When finally at the top, it was so amazing to look out and see the world below. I saw the cliche that the whole world is on my hands in the form of beautiful, God created nature.

This blog wouldn't be complete without a bêtise (joke/funny anecdote). At the start of the climb, I brushed up against a branch that I was allergic to and had a funny allergic reaction. Haha. Then, when coming back down, in almost the same spot, I tripped and landed in a mud puddle. Haha. I swear that it was like, 15 feet to the end of the hike too! While annoying, it was hilariously funny. Attached are some photos of the experience.

Enjoy!

mud puddle.

Heather, Moi, Jacqui being superwomen!!!

Partying it up with Adèle

So I know that my blogging skills are a little lax. It was so easy in the beginning to blog but now, it just keeps getting harder and harder. I have so many things to do and so little time. I am really tired all of the time and I really have so much stuff to do.

Last weekend, I was very fortunate to to have the opportunity to spend the weekend with one of my best friends (and her parents) in the entire world. Haha. No pun intended (i am on the other side of the world hehe) Yes, Adèle and Isabelle and François came to the country and spent Saturday afternoon and evening and Sunday until about 5 o'clock with us. It was so AMAZING!!! They are all so funny and crazy and cool that I can't even describe it. We had a great time. After spending the afternoon walking in the woods and meeting the most beautiful male being that I have ever seen (see below) and then we partied it up at Claire's first concert! She did such a good job. We had a great time! We slept in the same room and it was so cool. I loved having her here! I can't wait to spend the October Vacations with her in Paris!

I have to go. Again, sorry for sucking at blogging. I will really try harder.

Peace.
Claire and I rocking it out.

two crazy girls


my new french boyfriend!

The proudest moment of my life

I need to make a blog about this past weekend with Adèle but, I promise to do that in the next couple of days. But first, I need to explain to you the proudest moment of my life.

Today, well actually like, 10 minutes ago, Kaley Jo had her first real french conversation with a real french person. She spoke with my Papa here for like, 5 or 10 minutes and while the most of it was in english, she told him all of the words that she knew and he, started to talk to her. She understood what he said he told her and she talked back to her.

I am so proud of my little Kaley. She is so intelligent and smart. I am very sad that I have to be seperated from her for the next 9 months but, I love talking with her on the webcam. Every day, she becomes more beautiful than the day before. I couldn't have asked for a better sister in the entire world.

I love you soooo much Kaley Jo. Don't ever forget that!

The rantings of a Nanyéen

I have been a little sick this past week. I am sorry for the lack of blogs this week but, given the option to sleep or try to write a creative, witty, and informative summary/analysis of my life on the other side of the world, I have chosen the option to recooperate. Thinking, eating, breathing, and just functioning in french is absolutely exhausting. Having a runny nose and a fever also do not help the exhaustion at all either. I am feeling better now though. My nose has stopped excercising (i think that it is the only body part that likes to run lol) and I have started to become me again.

This past weekend was absolutely amazing! I have to go to school on Saturday mornings (ick!) so my weekend doesn't officially start until 12:05. I have two classes in the morning, math and history/geography. Math is sooooo stupid. We are learning percentages. I think that percentage is one word butI could be wrong? It is really easy. We have been working on the same worksheet (that only has 6 questions) for 2 weeks now. It is absolutely pathetic.

So after my completly wasted morning of school, I took the bus home and ate some lunch with Prune and Marie (who is now sick thanks to me!). Then, I packed my carpet bag and we left the city. We headed to St.-Marie-du-Lac and picked up Amélia, Claire, and Johan and we went to an obstacle course park in the middle of the woods. We harnessed up and started our adventure. It was really really fun! "Acrobranche" consists of rope ladders and swings, tight ropes, ziplines, and tarzan ropes that are between 25 and 35 feet off the ground. It was a little intimidating at first but, after almost falling like, 3 times, it was so amazing! I guess that acrobranche is all the rage here in France. Keeping in mind the size of the country of France, There are over 500 acrobranche courses here! I wish that we had more things like that in the US.

I feel a little bad and I need to get something off my chest. I have started to kinda make fun of Americans with some of my friends and my host family. I know, I know, it's horrible. It all started with the acrobranche and how there really isn't very many things like that in Ohio. Then, I made the horrible, horrible joke with Prune that the only way that we would have something like this in the US was if everyone could ride in recliners and have a tv remote to say stop. While I am ashamed to make fun of the American culture, it was a little exhilerating to be able to make fun of it at the same time. Every day I become a little more french.

After the acrobranche(at 7 pm), We raced home to change into some party clothes and we headed to Amélia's house to party it up! It was a lot of fun. This party wasn't really a "party party" due to the fact that I was there with my host parents and a bunch of adults. It was fun though. We arrived around 8 and we left about 2:30 AM. I was exhausted but it was great.

After sleeping in on Sunday, I was woken by the voices of little children. My host half-sister and her kids came over. Eléa is absolutely adorable. She's 8 years old and a doll. Antoine is 4 and cute as a button too. I played the wii with Antoine. He's actually pretty good. I am the master at wii tennis though. So what if a 4 year old beat me at baseball and bowling. I still won at tennis. Then, I went outside to see what Eléa was doing and ended up picking raspberries with her in the gorgeous automn sunshine.



Then, we ate lunch (a yummy homemade lasgana) and Eléa insisted to sit beside me. After lunch, the two of us went for a walk along the lake. We ended up becoming explorers and models at the same time. It was a really great afternoon. I love spending time with her. She's absolutely adorable. Prune and Nathalie (my half host sister) kept apologizing about her following me but I told them that I love kids and that it's not a chore for me at all to be around them. Actually, I love being around kids and that's one of the things I miss most here. I talk to my family a lot and am not very homesick for them yet (believe me, I know it's coming though) but, I don't get to talk to my girls or see them on the webcam. It's sad for me. I miss Syd.



***Don't worry Syd, I'll be back before you know it and we'll have a date to go and feed the ducks =)

Included in this blog is a few pictures of my adventures. Again, sorry for the limited number of blogs. I will try not to let it happen again.

15 heures

I have officially been in La France for a month now. Actually, it's been four weeks and two days now but, who's counting. This has been the fastest month of my life! I can't believe that it is already almost October! Sometimes, in some classes, it seems as if time is moving soooo slowly but, I guess that altogether, it moves so fast. Soon, it will be the end of my exchange and the start of my real life.

Yesterday, I finished school at noon and I went home and piddled around on the computer. I did some of my french homework and talked to my mom for a while. Then, around four o'clock, I became exhausted and I decided to take a nap. Well, the nap turned into a humongous nap because, I woke up around 10 PM lol. I decided to go back to sleep and, I woke up at 7:30 this morning. For all of you who are counting on your fingers, that makes 15 and a half hours of sleep! It was pretty exciting.

I have to go to lunch now before the line gets too long. This weekend I will post another blog with all of the cool exciting things that I will do. Until then,

Gros Bisous

My unbiological sister

I have decided to dedicate this post to one of my best friends. She is vachement cool and I miss her a lot. She is hilarious and makes me laugh all of the time. I know that I can count on her to always be here for me even if the Eiffel Tower is off. We are crazy together and always have a good time.

Of course I am talking about the one, the only, Adèle. She is the cutest, parisienne that I know. I can't wait to see her. The weekend of the 4th, she is going to come to Saint-Marie-du-Lac to see me with her parents. I can't wait to see them all. If that wasn't exciting enough, I got permission today from the Rotary to go and stay with Adèle and her family for the 10 day holiday in October. I'm really excited!!! Her family is really really cool.

When Adèle was visiting us in the States, we had so much fun. I loved the night where the mixer decided to have an accident. It really wasn't me I swear. haha. These things happen.

I love her and can't wait to see her. She is just like another sister to me, only french.






one of the craziest and stressful and best nights of
my life

haha. I don't ask questions.

11 paragraphs of evil

I really love Nancy. It's such a great city. There are so many things to do here. Everything is so different from Alliance. I love the life in the city. Everything is so new and fresh. Our appartement is located in the Centre-Ville which is so amazing. I have a 5 minute walk to the tram where i can get a ride up the road to the bus depot. There, I can take a bus to literally anywhere in the city. I love being able to go and do anything that I want.

Today, with my new friend Juliette, I went to the movie theater and watched Mamma Mia. It was really really cute. I love Christine Baranski. She is such a good actress. While watching it, Juliette pointed out to me that our french teacher (not madame) looks like Meryl Streep. Haha. It was so funny that I could'nt stop laughing.

Both today and yesterday, I decided to skip the tram and take the long way home. I walked through the Place Stanislas (absolutely gorgeous) and then through the Parc Pepinière. Today, in the parc, I noticed that there is a zoo with actual animals lol. There were random peacocks roaming around the parc. In one cage, there are monkeys! I love the parc. It's so peaceful.

On a little different note, today at lunch, the cantine was serving french fries. With the middle schoolers, there was literally a stampede. Haha. It was really really really funny. They were all pushing each other and literally squishing people up against the glass of the doors. While noone was hurt (i believe) it was the funniest thing that I have seen in a while.

I have to go and "study" now. I don't have any books yet so I have no idea how this is going to work out. Tomorrow I have a controle in both French and English but the French one is going to be hard. Actually, it will probably be the hardest thing that I have ever done in my life. I have to read and analyze a french poem (I believe by Baudelaire but don't quote me) and respond to a "problematique." Don't ask me what a problematique is because I don't have a clue lol. Then, I have to introduce the poet and peom and give a little backround on the time period and stuff like that. Then, I have to find three subtopics to discuss and throughly develop them with three paragraphs for each. Then, I have to bring them all together and conclude them. All of this has to be done in 2 hours in class. Also, if you've been zoning out for the past three weeks, I have to do all of this in a language other than my own. The english one will be a little easier but teh teacher is making me do all of the work in french. The only problem is that she never gave me the voacb to learn. Oh well, tomorrow will just be a really long day.

Here are some pictures of the parc and the stampede. Love and kisses.


haha. funniest thing ever!



my lovely parc


random french peacock


i love roses!