Joyeuses Fêtes!

Bonjour!

I just got back from the Rotary Christmas meal here in Montélimar. It's midnight now and I'm very tired, but I can't sleep, so here goes nothing. Before the meal, my Rotary counselor took me and the Brazilian to see where he works. He works in a nougat factory. I know understand why candy/chocolate factories are so cool. I got to learn the science behind how the nougat is made (yes, I'm a dork for liking science, leave me alone). It was really interesting to hear about the process and the actual amount of all the ingredients are integrated. I can now say that I've seen over 100 tons of almonds in one room. All in all, the factory was something new that I didn't expect to be fascinated by. 

After the factory, we made our way to the Rotary Montélimar headquarters. The meal was delicious (obviously, because this is France we're talking about). I was told four times that I have a good French accent (which was awesome because I've been feeling as though it isn't very good). It was nice to hear that from people who don't listen to me everyday. I met my "Rotary godmother" tonight too. She isn't a fairy (which is just too bad), but she is very sweet and she will live very close to me when I'm in my second family. She'll be my help line if I need it, or even if I just want to speak some more French. It's really good to have someone like that, but I just wish I had known about her sooner! But it'll be nice to have her along with my second family.

Speaking of my second family, I change in the beginning of January. Instead of living south of Montélimar, I will be living northeast (I think) of the city. Along with the change in family lifestyle, my bus schedule will also change. Hopefully it will be a little easier than the one I have now (particularly in the morning).While I love my first family, I'm looking forward to seeing a different lifestyle. Maybe it will be very similar and maybe it will be completely different. I don't know, and I won't until I'm living it. So with a new year I will have another family to add. 

For Christmas, I'm going to stay with some family in Montpellier. On friday, my dad's cousin will pick me up from Montélimar and we'll drive south for the winter (literally). Some people have been telling me that it isn't really good to spend Christmas with my family, but I disagree. It's not like I'm going to see my parents. I'm going to stay with people who I've met once before this year. They're like another host family, but they're actual relatives, which means that I will probably be able to bake random things without asking. :) The last time I stayed with them (when my host parents went on a hike), my French improved immensely. I'm hoping the same thing will happen again. 

I've really been working hard to learn French. Of course some of it is coming naturally with the immersion, but I've had to work at other things. I've studied a couple new verbs tenses and I'm working constantly on irregular verbs. I spent last weekend putting together a reference notebook full of verbs, tenses, vocabulary, and things like that (I was sick so it was the only thing I could do, don't judge me too harshly). I've definitely seen a change in my French. At this point, I understand almost everything. I won't say everything because at this point that is still impossible. I've gotten so accustomed to the accents that sometimes I forget whether someone told me something in French or in English. It's one of the weirdest mental trips I've experienced. It's even more bizarre than when I was on pain killers after my surgeries earlier this year (and I saw deformed spiders out of nowhere, so that's saying something). I don't really believe people if they tell me my accent has gotten better. I still feel as though I'm obviously foreign when I talk, but it's definitely not SUPER American anymore. 

On the topic of feeling super American (or rather not feeling American), I don't really feel the need to hug anymore. It's so strange because in the beginning I hated the whole French bisous thing, but now it's normal. Of course, I still hug people who merit hugs, but I no longer find it necessary. I feel like that's going to be the thing that throws me off the most when I have to go back. I'm going to want to kiss everyone's faces, but it will no longer be normal. I'm not even sure if I understand the word "normal" anymore. My life isn't normal... but I don't need it to be.

I may not post again until after the new year begins, but I wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season. Joyeuses Fêtes! 

Amelia

PS: I forgot the word "rather" in English and literally had to Google translate "plutôt" in order to figure it out. Just a warning, but my English may be really weird when I get back :P