24Oh the weather outside is frightful
It is getting cold, and that only reminds me that it is getting around to that time of the year… CHRISTMAS!!!! Or should I say, Nöel!!!
The other day I had a small fortune worth of macarons and chocolate and did not eat any of it. Instead I packed it all up in a box to send off to my family. I am not kidding though, 300g of La Truffe chocolates costs 17£60. And 16 macarons cost 16£.
So it may not be a fortune, or even a small one, but it is still a tad over the normal price limit I am used to for chocolates and tasty morsals.
Hold Up
Rewind, scratch that, did I hear myself right, am I actually speaking French?
Am I actually participating in class? Am I really getting stopped for directions, and able to actually give them? Am I actually funny in two languages? Am I 100 percent in love with this country?
The answer to all of the above, is yes. I had only ever hoped I would progress this fast, and now that I am at this point I cannot believe it. I am vraiment happy right now.
Just the usual
It is raining here in La Couronne, like it has non-stop for the past 2 weeks. This is keeping me inside instead of out taking my usual mid-day run. Speaking of which, my runs have taken me to different corners of this litttle town, and recently completely out of town. Here is the kicker, I run through trees, along side farms, I mean in real hardcore, beautiful, raw, nature. Call me nerdy, but it is like a spiritual awakening every step I take down the road. Hard to believe I have already spent half of my five months already. Time really is like money, spend it wisely. Ya’ know what, who cares if it is raining? I am going for my mid-day run.
Ocean in Winter
Went to La Rochelle today, spur of the moment and had nothing planned to do, but I ate some good seafood, and my hair smells of salty sea air.
Peut-on rechercher le bonheur sans passer par une prise de conscience de soi?
Can one seek happiness without passing by an awakening of oneself?
That is my essay question for Philosophie. I cannot even answer that in English. I have a long night ahead of me.
Grades are in
Well, I am doing outstanding at English, teehee I wonder how. The only downer is the other five classes I have are not working out so well. I mean I participate in class and I do the homework, but come test time let’s just say I don’t do the best.
Can you say 3 out of 20? Yeah, math in French is not my strong point.
It is funny being a straight A student from where I come from, and entering a world of bad grades.
Au Revoir La Couronne
I am going to Toulouse and Les Pyrénées for 8 days. So that means no blog posts, but do not worry I will be keeping a diary while I am away so I can write a bunch when I get back.
Woohoo vacation in France (as if my life here wasn’t already one)!
No school AGAIN
Today there was another blocus (students blocking the doors) at school. Meaning I stayed at home and studied. Studied french, and studied for the four upcoming tests I have. Something tells me my grades are about to suffer just a bit.
American Morning
I made my host parents pancakes, and huge omelettes. I don’t think I made the pancakes as good as I could have, but I did what I could with what I had. Story of my life.
Sales!!!!
So today in Angoulême there was a huge sale for all the stores, so of course I went, and barely bought anything. Actually that is a lie. While everyone was hustling and bustling around me trying to grab the cheapest pair of shoes or purses (all made in China by the way, it was so hard to find anything actually made in France), I was going for the food…AGAIN. Crêpes from vendors, macarons the size of your fist, raspberry mousse… I mean I deserved it for walking around in the rain all day. And of course I took all this glorious food to my favorite bench, under my favorite tree, by my favorite statue, overlooking my beloved city, Angoulême.
Then I came home and filled out my application for College (That’s for you Mama & Papa).
Walking
I love walking around here. I want to say it is my favorite thing, but everyday I find a new favorite thing. The other day I walked so much my shins were aching throughout the whole day. Then today I walked around Angoulême from 1-5. I mean I also ate some pastries (Paris Brest, and a raspberry thing, so good). I sat on a park bench eating good french food with a close friend after a long day of window shopping and every bone in my body said:
“I’m so happy I live in France”
