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!!!!!!!!!