Friday, September 27, 2013

September Rotary Weekend (really sorry it's so late)

Bonjour!

Last weekend was amazing. Words cannot completely describe it, but I'll try my best. Sorry this post is late, but I've been sick and I wanted my writing to be as positive as possible! First off, I didn't go with my host family, I went with my third host family. I spent the night with them on Friday and we left on Saturday around 2 pm. The car ride was long and uncomfortably warm. I was also coughing, which didn't help my mood.

When we finally arrived, I did a 180. As soon as I stepped out of the car and put on my blazer I was overcome with emotions. All happy, of course. I couldn't wait to find everyone and get some HUGS. First, we checked in and I got my room number. (By the way I had the best roomie ever). As I was walking up the hill to the room, I saw them. My perfect exchange family was taking a picture. I basically dropped all my things and ran. Everyone was telling me to hurry, but there was no American flag, so I had to run back to everything I dropped and grabbed mine. After the picture, I got a few very important hugs. The first one was from my best Brazilian friend and the second was from my best Canadian friend. They both live on the opposite side of the district, but I finally got to meet them. Now, my Canadian friend basically tackled me. She warned me that it would happen, but that didn't mean I was prepared.

Eventually, we all made our way down to the information session. It was long, and I'll admit it- a little boring. I just wanted to talk to people! When it finally finished, we all went outside and met each other. There were so many wonderful people, including a hilarious Aussie. No wait, make that two hilarious Aussies. We also met the Rotex, who are all super nice. We then went to dinner and I sat with a hilarious group. We literally laughed the entire time. After dinner we had a dance party. Everyone ended up getting all gross and sweaty, but no one cared. Also, I'm just going to say, that all the South Americans can dance and I can't and that was kind of annoying. They were all like perfect without trying. But anyway, it was a lot of fun, and it was really easy to find your place, because your place was anywhere.

When the music stopped, people pulled out guitars and we continued outside. I took out my mandolin and finally sang with my Brazilian best friend! We had skyped so much before, but it was way better in person. A few people went to sleep relatively early, but most of us were scattered in groups talking. I ended up in a wonderful group of people. I talked with two of the Rotex guys, the two Canadians, the only Finnish girl, a couple Brazilians, an Aussie, and a few others who were inconsistently present. We talked until past three in the morning. I finally went to sleep around 4:30 am.

I woke up the same day at 7:30 am. I sat with a nice group for breakfast. Everyone was seriously so awesome and I honestly miss them so much. After breakfast, we waited for a bus that would take us to where we were going to hike down to Lake Annecy and then eat. The bus was near 3 hours late I think, but we got to stand around and talk more. I got to know so many people in such a short amount of time. On the ride to the lunch spot (we weren't going to hike anymore), I was bus sick because the universe does that. Thankfully, the Aussie I was sitting next to let me borrow his shoulder. People are wonderful, aren't they?

When we finally got to the lunch spot, everyone talked more and took more pictures, and it was just perfect. Words cannot describe it. After lunch, we took the bus down to the Lake. I sat next to one of the Rotex, and once again, borrowed a shoulder. I hate busses, and yet every trip is one a bus. Yikes. Our arrival at the Lake did not go unnoticed. We were all wearing flags and being super foreign. The thing is, we didn't care. We were all finally together. We hardly noticed the beautiful landscape surrounding us because we were to busy talking, talking, and talking some more.

I could not have asked for a better group of people. Everyone was so nice and no one was out of place. I wish I could relive the weekend, but I can't and that sucks. I just want to be with my new family. I feel like I'm in a box now. As soon as we all realized that we were a family, we got ripped away from each other mid-hug. It has been really difficult to not be around everyone. Nevertheless, I get to see them in a week! I can't wait for October 6th! Au revoir!

Amelia

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Thursday

Bonjour!

Today, I was sick. I do not like being sick, nor do I wish to continue being sick. It's your everyday cold, but I would really appreciate it if it LEFT. Mostly because I have orientation this weekend! YAY. Tomorrow, I will stay with my third host family for the night and will drive with them and the Brazilian to the conference, which is a two and a half hour trip by car. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone and hope they're all even better in person than they are over the internet! I'm sure they will be, but you never know :P

At school, I had history, English, SVT, French, and... NOT SPANISH.

In history, we're studying economics. I think. I'm pretty sure at this point, but I could still be wrong. I actually attempted to fully understand the teacher today. He talks very quickly, so I couldn't keep up the whole time, but I did understand most of it. Sadly, I can't remember what he said, I only know that I understood it at the time. It has been like that for most of my classes. I understand, but I don't remember.

In English, the teacher gave us an article. We have been learning about.... GAP YEARS. How funny. I wonder what people do for gap years. Oh! They can work, volunteer, and go on a foreign exchange. That sounds really cool, maybe I should--- oh wait. Anyway, she gave us an article to read (in English, obviously). As part of her lessons, students go up in front of the class and present what the class learned last time. Plot twist: I'm going to do one... in French. Now, it's only a few sentences, but it's not as easy as it sounds. It's a year 5 or 6 English class, so my French is not at the level their English is at. Also, I have to translate everything I would like to say. Usually, students can pull words from the article and save their butts if they need to. I, however, cannot. This will be interesting, but I think I can make it happen... sort of.

In SVT, the teacher gives me the notes beforehand so I can just listen. Today, she said (in French, of course) "Since you have the answers I'd like you to read them to the class." I'm sorry... WHAT? You want me to read biological words that I've never said? Out loud? To this class of people who I don't really know very well? Alright. It went better than I thought it would, but I felt really American and I struggled with a few words. I really did appreciate it though. My teachers want me to learn, and if it can't be the subject they teach, it might as well be the language they teach it in. Also, no one laughed... which was surprising. I would have been okay with it if they did. I mean I was awkwardly laughing at myself, so I wouldn't have cared.

In French, I didn't follow the lesson, but I didn't fall asleep, so that was nice. I think we're supposed to write paragraphs on something...? I'm really not sure. My French teacher speaks very (VERY VERY VERY) fast. Oh well, I can't understand the literature anyway.

My NOT SPANISH went very well today. I waited for the bus for an hour and a half. Now, normally I just take a break by listening to music. However, today I took a break by talking with the Brazilian. We get along very well and we both have similar, if not the same, struggles. It's comforting to know that other people are going through it.

I probably won't be posting again until Monday (after orientation), so until then, au revoir!

Amelia

Wednesday

Bonjour,

Once again, I will inform you that I was busy, so I couldn't write this when I wanted to. Pretend the date above is Wednesday, September 18th, 2013 :)

Today, like all other Wednesdays, was my shortest day of school at only 4 hours, but it always feels like the longest. I began with math. Now, I understand it when she writes on the board, but as soon as she stops writing and just speaks, I can't follow. It's difficult when you don't know the math terms. Once again, I will say that cognates save my life. Every. Single. Day. I think math is the easiest class for me at this point (and I don't count English because I don't actually learn English in the class). The teacher doesn't talk too quickly. Not to say that she doesn't speak fast, because she does, she's just one of the slower speaking teachers.

After math, I had two hours of French. I was so tired that I fell asleep. Not deeply, but I was half asleep for the entire class. It's very difficult to concentrate when you're that tired. Especially when the teacher is explaining something you didn't understand in the first place in a language you don't fully understand. Her speech turned into white noise for me. Not because she was boring. I actually don't know if she was boring or not... But sometimes I struggle with not tuning out all the French.

The fact that I can't understand the language yet frustrates me so much. It's not that I miss home or English. I miss being able to communicate with people. It's so hard to remember everything and at this point I'm not sure how to continue a conversation. This is definitely a new experience for me, as I talk a lot back home and love meeting people. I wish it was easier to express what I want to say in the manner that I want to say it in, but it isn't. I'm becoming more confident with my French, but it has been rough.

Au revoir!

Amelia

Tuesday

Bonjour!

I'm going to do three blog posts in one day because I've been really busy, so just pretend that the date above this is Tuesday, September 17, 2013 :)

I began my day as I begin most: annoyed and racing to shut off my alarm at 6 am. But that's not important. On Tuesday, I had my dreaded double double-hour science schedule. First SVT for two hours and then Physique-Chimie for two hours. Surprisingly enough, I enjoyed these four hours. My science teachers are wonderful. In SVT, we did experiments with vision and the eye. No dissecting of baby cow eye this week, but it was still interesting. In Physique-Chimie I pretended to understand what I was doing, when in reality, I have no idea. I had a nice conversation about 'MURICA with the teacher. Which was nice. All my teachers seem to understand that I CAN'T PROPERLY FUNCTION YET.

Later on Tuesday I had English class. Now, my English teacher is wonderful. She has offered to take time out of her life to make French lessons for me. She is one of the kindest people I have met here. Also, she asked if she could keep me and I said sure... Sorry Mom and Dad <3 But today, she used me as the internet, because I can pronounce words on the spot.

Done with Tuesday... au revoir!

Amelia

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Full Weekend.

Bonjour!

Yesterday, my host mom took me and my siblings to two event things. In the morning, we went to "la maison de la tour" in Valaurie for an art/music expo. We walked around this house, following a woman who would sing and play instruments while we looked at the art installations. The music was not something I could really categorize. It was a mix between swing, folk, opera, and jazz. I'm not really sure. It sounded really interesting and she was very talented. It opened with this- well I'm actually not sure at all what it was. It was like an upright flute thing and that's about as success that I can be at describing it. She then took us into another room where she sang while pushing rocks around, then sang and played guitar, and then she sang to these maracas. We then went into the next room where she sang while playing water goblets. That was so awesome. I have no idea how she did all of it. She then led us with a piece on the trombone into the garden down the road. There, she did another piece with small rocks and was finished.

In the evening, we went to a circus-type act. It was a duo who hoisted each other around, showing off their insane strength and balance. There had a storyline woven in, but I couldn't really follow, as they spoke very quickly (oh theater). It was all very classically circus. The man lifted the woman onto his shoulders and did most of the bulk work. However, at the end, the woman held up the man on her shoulders and her back. It was crazy! This man was so much bigger than her and she could hold his weight on herself. Needless to say, it was a nice plot twist at the end.

Today, we went to visit the Chateau in Grignan again, but today we got to go inside. There's a weekend in France (this weekend), where all the private castles and gardens are open to the public. At least I think that's what my host mom said... I could be wrong. It was inside this Chateau that I admitted to being obsessed with photographing every single chandelier. Every. Single. Chandelier. They're just so pretty and intricate and beautiful and photogenic. I love them. I don't care how weird that sounds. Also fireplaces. Fireplaces are really cool. Don't judge me. I can feel you judging me, so stop it. 

After Grignan, we went to Le musée de la soie. Now I had no idea what a "soie" was when I agreed to go to this museum. It's a silkworm and the museum was really cool. The first portion was about the life cycle of silkworms and how the silk thread is retrieved. The second part was about the industrialization of the silk manufacturing. It was really interesting to see yet another thing that I didn't know this region is famous for. I assumed that it was just wine, but it's much more than that. So far I've seen lavender, crickets, and now silk. There really is more to this place than I thought. 

Update on school: I DON'T HAVE SPANISH CLASS ANYMORE AND THAT MAKES ME REALLY HAPPY. My host mom talked to the principal about it and we have found an alternative! Rather than Spanish, I will be taking a literature course (in English). It is taught by my English teacher (who is amazing, by the way) and I start it tomorrow! Hopefully, if this class is rigorous enough, I can convince my school counselor to accept it as credit when I return... But I doubt she will. 

Update on life: I talked with my (real) family that lives in Montpellier! I was so nervous at first for French over the phone, but I actually understood it very well! Just as long as they speak clearly (and preferably slowly) then I can understand. It was a pretty big step in me realizing my improvement. Lately I've felt as though I understand less every day, but now I realize that is not the case at all. I need to be more positive about my language skills and acknowledge that I am getting better each day. Back to my family. I might get to spend a week with them in October! My host parents are going on a hiking trip (?) and are dropping their kids with my host mother's mother, so I have to go somewhere. Hopefully, Rotary will approve this and I can finally travel a bit! My family has also expressed interest in coming up from Montpellier to visit Montélimar for a day, which I hope will happen soon!

Update on Rotary (I guess): Next weekend is Inbound Orientation! I finally get to meet all the other exchange students in person! I am going to stay with my third host mother on Friday night and she will take me and the Brazilian in my city to the event near Annecy, a mere 2 and a half hour drive (.... not mere). The only event that I'm sure will take place is this talent show thing they're having. Now, I brought my mandolin and one of my friends and I are going to hopefully sing a song and hopefully not be completely awful... Just kidding, we won't be. I hope. 

Well that's all for now! I know, I know, my posts are way too short ;) Au revoir!

Amelia

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Other exchange students!

Bonjour!

This week, I have met more exchange students! These ones aren't with Rotary, but they are still here for the year. The cue has been English (or an accent) each time. While waiting in line for lunch, my friend overheard English and so I butted into the conversation because I'm lovely. The girl is from Slovakia, but she communicates here in French and English. She was so sweet. It's really comforting to know that you aren't alone in your struggles. 

Today, I met another American. Again, I overheard a conversation, but this time the girl sounded like I do when I attempt French. My other friend (not the same one) yelled to her: "Your French is so good!" Then, I asked "Es-tu américaine?" And after she said yes and I said me too, she and I both kind of had a hugging session. I didn't even know her name, but we both missed hugs, so we hugged it out. It was interesting..... Of course I found out her name later, so don't worry. She told me there was also a Danish girl and my Brazilian friend (with Rotary) told me there was an Italian girl. At this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if there are more than that.

Also, my Spanish teacher told me I should try to get into an English class or a class in French that occurs during the Spanish periods. All I do in her class is doodle or zone out. I'm not disrespectful about it or anything, but I'm not learning anything. I'm happy she realized this and is more than willing to get my Spanish-less mind out of her class. Hopefully I can do something different. 

Tonight, my Rotary counselor came by. He reminds me a lot of my uncle, not only because he's super tall, but just the way he interacts with people. I didn't realize how ill-prepared I was.... My parents and I didn't realize that I needed to bring the emergency fund in cash, so that isn't done. Also, I never printed out my itinerary to prove that I have a ticket back. OOPS. Sadly, he is holding my spending money hostage. </3 I understand why, but come on, that's a little harsh. 

My host dad loves to be SUPER funny. When my counselor asked how my family liked me my host dad expounded on how terrible I am and how I talk way too much. I was laughing the whole time to make sure that my counselor knew it was a JOKE. Hahahahaha I don't talk a lot here. I might be terrible, but I definitely don't talk a lot. This wasn't an unusual event for me, because my dad does that all the time back in the States. Sometimes it's comforting to see the similarities between the two. Other times........................ Only joking. Sort of.

That's all for today, au revoir!

Amelia

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Cultural Differences

Bonjour!

Here is a list of some of the main differences I've come across between my life in France and my life in the States. I'll limit it to six for now.

- Kisses, not hugs. At first, this was a little difficult to get used to. I still don't fully understand the social cues yet. I mean I know that when you see someone you know for the first time that day you greet each other with the cheek kisses, but other than that, I don't know when else. Also, I miss hugs. 

- Consistently distinct courses, not just a big meal. When my family eats a lunch or dinner, there is a premier plate (sort of like an appetizer, except it's a consistent course), a main meal, fruit and/or cheese, and dessert. I think it's better than just piling everything on the plate because you can pace your eating better. 

- Silverware in the cafeteria (finally). Back in the States, students are given plastic forks, knives, and spoons and eat off styrofoam trays. In France, we have real silverware, a plastic tray, and an actual plate or plates. Also there are pitchers for each group of people, so you don't have to pay to get something to drink. The only option is water. Last year, I usually only drank water at lunch, so I like the system here.

- Sneezes. No, people don't sneeze differently. When someone sneezes, the French say "à tes/vos souhaits" (I think that literally translates to "to your wishes", but they rarely say it. Back in the States, when someone sneezed, multiple people would reactively say "bless you". Here only really close friends say it to each other, and even then it's pretty rare. 

- Lunch/Breaks. As you (probably) read in my "Classes" post, students (usually) have a very long lunch time. Last year, I had half an hour to eat. There wasn't any time to actually take a break. Now, every other week I have a four hour break in between my first class and my second class on thursdays. It's so different. 

- School Schedule. In addition to the longer lunch times, the class schedule is structured differently. It's kind of annoying, because I actually have to remember what day it is. Last year, sometimes I wouldn't know the day of the week until Friday. But I still never know the date, because I don't have to write it on EVERY PAPER, which is nice. 

That's all for now. Au revoir!

Amelia

Monday, September 9, 2013

A Real English Class!

Bonjour!

Today, I had my first real English class. Let me tell you, this class is so weird for me. I never thought I'd be able to even imagine properly learning English, and yet now it's a reality. I'm not exactly sure how much to participate in this class. I feel like I shouldn't answer every question, but I should still participate because it will help them to hear an American accent... unless they want to learn an English accent, then I will have to fake one. Which is no problem, but still. It's difficult to find the balance in this class. 

Accents are difficult. Now I know that my French accent is terrible, but it's not like their English accents are rocking. I couldn't understand a lot of the English with a French accent, but I understand the struggle. And let me tell you, this struggle is very real. Because I want them to speak slowly with me, when I speak in the English class, I talk slowly. Now, they might think I'm stupid, but it's for their benefit. I could speak like lightning in English class, but that wouldn't help anyone learn, now would it? Hopefully, they'll learn that I'm still learning. Maybe they'll even slow down their speech! Just kidding. No they won't. 

For a majority of the day, I felt like an English teacher. My new friends (yes, that's right, friends) kept asking me what certain things are in English. At first I was slightly annoyed, because I wanted to stay in French mode, but I realized that their interest in learning my language meant that they care. With that in mind, I happily taught them a few words in exchange for their French meanings. It wasn't deep, philosophical vocabulary, but it's still learning more of the language.

Until next time, au revoir!
Amelia

Friday, September 6, 2013

Classes!

Bonjour!

My Schedule is:

Lundi
8h: Mathmatiques
9h: Anglais
10h: Français
11h: Lunch/Break (for 3 hours)
14h: Physique-Chimie
15h: Fin.

Mardi
8h: SVT (Biology) 
10h: Physique-Chimie 
12h: Lunch/Break (for 3 hours)
15h: Anglais
16h: Fin.

Mercredi
8h: Mathmatiques
10h: Français
12h: Fin.

Jeudi
8h: Histoire & Géographie
10h: Anglais (every other week)
11h: Civiques (every other week)
12h: Lunch/Break
14h: SVT (Biology)
15h: Français
16h: Espagnol
17h: Fin.

Vendredi
9h: Histoire & Geographie
10h: Mathematiques
11h: Espagnol
12h: Lunch/Break (for 1 hour)
13h: Sport
15h: Fin.

At this point I have had at least one session of each of my classes, so I will give a brief description of each I guess.

Physique-Chimie
I first lesson in this class was a physics lesson on what I believe was light diffraction. It was on the first day and I could not comprehend practically all that the teacher said. So at this point, I am very lost in the class. I hope that I begin to understand more as the year progresses.

Mathematiques
This is the only class I completely understand, besides English. The first lesson was covering parabolas, which I studied last year, so at this point, I can follow it pretty well. I even did the homework for this class, and that's saying something.

Français
I am so utterly lost in this class. I cannot understand the texts we have been given and I just don't see this class getting any easier. It might, but at this point I am dubious of that. Français here is the equivalent of English class back home. It's more of a literature course.

Histoire & Géographie
I follow what happens in this class fairly well. By that I mean I at least now what we're studying at this point: the industrial revolution. It is still very likely that I am wrong about that, but for now I will pretend that I know what I'm doing.

Anglais
Obviously, I understand this class. The first day for the last half of the hour long class, the teacher told the class to ask me questions in English. In the first half she did her introduction, introduced me, and then gushed about how lucky they were to have a native English speaker with them. They were all a bit shy at first to be asking the questions, but they started eventually. It was the same 5 or 6 people, as well as the teacher. And there was probably a total of 10 minutes of awkward silence while they processed English. I hope they now have a better understanding of the struggles I face with speaking French nearly 24/7. And I must include the best part of this class. I said that I'm from Seattle and it is cold there. The teacher then asked the class, "And why is Seattle cold?" Their response: "Because it's near Canada." Made my day.

Civiques
This class is every other week and it appears to consist purely of discussion and response to questions. It may change later on but it seems like a sort of Socratic Seminar of a class. I sort of follow what's happening in this class, but not on a consistent basis. At all.

SVT (Biology)
Now my first experience in this class was interesting. First off, the teacher spoke like lightning. LIGHTNING. She seemed to be pretty funny, because the other students laughed a lot. I mean I would have, but I didn't even catch one word of what she said. I was able to answer most of the questions she posed, but it was making the answers sound French that was difficult. For example, she showed a picture of a karyotype and asked what it was. I knew it was a karyotype, but I had no idea how to pronounce it. I'll catch on eventually.... I hope.

Espagnol
I do not enjoy this class. It is year four Spanish. I have not even taken a minute of Spanish. The teacher just lets me sit there and do nothing for the hour. It's not the highlight of my day, but I tend to just tune out. I can barely handle all French, so I sure don't need Spanish piled with it.

Sport
I think sport is going to be alright. I talked with more people in those two hours than I did the days before that. I'm not sure if the teacher knows that I'm American, and I don't care at this point. I'd rather he treat me the same. Just to feel like I'm not so obviously foreign (even though I know, deep down, that it's really obvious and I cannot avoid that).

Generally, my comprehension of what's going on is alright in classes such as Mathematiques, SVT, and Histoire. COGNATES LITERALLY SAVE MY SANITY AND FALSE COGNATES TAKE IT AWAY. Cognates are words that are the same or similar in a language. English/French cognates include: motivation, equation, karyotype, mitosis, etc. Some false cognates are: attendre (not to attend, but to wait) and assister (not to assist, but to attend).

One of the things that gets me is the handwriting and abbreviations. I am very dependent on what they write on the boards, so when my history teacher threw in his abbreviations, I was so confused. And their handwriting is a mix between print and cursive. It drives me crazy. Mostly because my handwriting is starting to turn into a weird mixture of cursive and print. I don't like it, but it's happening.

Also, I don't understand the whole kisses system yet. It varied from pairing to pairing. Some did the casual three face touches with sound effects. Others did two where one person kisses the cheek for real and vice versa. Some did just one. It confuses me. I like hugs. No one really hugs here. I tried to explain to one of my new friends that we hug and she just seemed really confused by the concept.

Oh boy this post is getting far too long! Au revoir!

Amelia

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

First Day of School

Bonjour!

I had my first "school day" today. I'm not even sure if it deserves to be called a day, since it was a mere hour and a half. This morning I woke up, attempted to look presentable, and even ate breakfast (which I I rarely do, so I've obviously become a whole new person). We first dropped off my little host sister at her school and then headed into Montélimar. Due to the fact that my host mother works for the school, we went into administration and I guess I just kind of stood there awkwardly. 

Hold on I'm getting ahead of myself. My first thoughts when we drove up to the school:
- Oh my, that's a lot of people.
- Welp. There goes my sanity.
- I'm scared.
- Why do they all look so French?
- Why do so many guys have some mohawk hairdo?
- Why are people wearing high heels? Are they crazy?
- How am I going to talk to them? 
- Okay, time for a new rule: I will talk to someone different in my class (or at least attempt to) until there is no one left.
- That's going to be difficult. 

Continuing on. Once it hit 10:00 the students started flooding the halls, and the administration woman was like "Les deux viennent avec moi" (I think). Rugged translation: "Hey you two that are so obviously out of place that it's painful, follow me". She showed me to the classroom and I took a seat (in the front, but in the corner, because hey, I DON'T KNOW ANYONE. The teacher said she would find me a friend (a girl so I would be more comfortable I guess...?), but some other guy like sat down and she had to ask him to move. That was rather uncomfortable for me. 

So on that awkward note, I made a new friend (not the person who had to move, but the girl that the teacher basically told to be nice to me). She was very nice and explained the introductory form that I didn't understand at all. The two girls behind us overheard that I am American and started to talk to me. It was actually pretty cool knowing that they didn't HAVE to be nice, but they were anyway. One of the girls loves Seattle. She literally said "C'est ma ville" (That's my city). So she likes me (or at least where I come from). 

I understood a surprising amount today, but I'm still unable to remember French on a consistent basis once something has been said to me. So I know that I understood, but I don't remember a lot of it. That amount today only being during the orientation portion, because once the teacher started her Physics lesson, I was completely lost. My new friend (at least I hope we're friends, only time will tell) kept asking me if I understood, so naturally I just sat there shaking my head. It was a lot of French and a lot of Physics. Two things I have yet to master. 

Now during these classes, I had no idea if anyone was staring at me because I chose not to look around the room like a lost puppy. I mean I did notice a few people looking at me funny, but I just decided to ignore that. Also I think someone asked how to spell my last name...? The "H" throws them off. It's actually hilarious to hear the French say my last name. It's something like "AIR-VAY" and I have to try super hard not to laugh, and I'm /usually/ successful in that. It concerned me a little that they were asking, but hey I wasn't about to get up and tell them it was none of their business. 

Also, I forgot to mention that when she introduced me to the class, I just kinda stood there awkwardly. I had made up my mind earlier that I would attempt eye contact. I ended up doing a quick glance and then turned away and just stood there until she finished. Then I sat down. Then people obviously whispered and stuff, but hey it's whatever. You definitely have to embrace being awkward when you're on exchange. You also have to be crazy strong.

Moving on to what happened after the hour and a half of school! (Sorrynotsorry this is such a long post)

My host mother found me and we went to eat lunch at this café. I had a croque monsieur. For those of you who don't know what that is, it's basically an epic grilled cheese. It's bread, cheese, ham, cheese, bread, cheese. Basically perfection. We then went to the local Church and I lit a candle in honor of my friend. I'm not religious really, but he was, so I thought he'd appreciate it. My host mother suggested it the night I found out and it was really touching. The support system I have here is already magnificent. 

After the Church was retail therapy. I don't normally do retail therapy, but I'll just say that wandering down the streets of Montélimar and going in and out of shops full of beautiful (and mostly expensive) clothing was actually very relaxing. I did buy a few things and I am looking forward to pretending that I might fit in. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Just kidding. If I wanted to fit in I would be back home, and I barely blend in there anyway. 

I think it was a good day today. Hopefully even better days will follow. 
Au revoir!

Amelia

PHOTO BLOG

Monday, September 2, 2013

Sad news

Bonjour,

Sadly, my friend did not make it. I will still be continuing my exchange, but rather than just be for me, it will be for me and for him. He wanted to do this next year, and sadly he is unable to. I know that this is not the most happy thing to be reading, but it's my reality, and this is my blog, so please keep it together and continue reading.

Through all of this, I have realized two things:
1) I cannot stop this from being a part of my exchange experience.
2) But I can stop this from preventing my experiences.

This is not easy, nor is it what I signed up for, but giving up the rest of my year is not an option. With that, I will continue on.

I start school tomorrow (no, I will NOT be skipping due to recent events). I am very nervous, scared, and basically every emotion ever right now at this point. I just want to get it over with. Break the ice with these French people. Be more foreign than I will ever be in my life. Have no idea what's going on. Get an idea of what's going on. Talk to people. Listen to people. All of it. I will update tomorrow on how my first day went, so stay tuned.

Au revoir,

Amelia