So now that I am back (it's been about a month and a half), I would like to recount a little bit of my life back in Bordeaux, my other home town. But first I would like to turn this into a concluding thanks to all the people I love back there.

To Ornella: My sister and girl I shared everything with, you taught me how to talk, in all ways and be the person that I want to be. I loved our conversations because a lot of them went a lot deeper than with close American friends. There is something to be said for speaking your second language and not having to worry about hidden meanings. Ma fille, I can't wait until you come on down here to san diego the summer of 2011, you'll get to see the gorgeous beach, sun, and boys. Not to mention all that shopping we're gonna do. I miss you like my arm and you are always in my heart!

To Francoise: My other mother, thank you for giving me freedom to express myself and let me try new things. Thanks for not filling out that rule sheet and instead, trusting me. Our conversation was unforgettable, not to mention the laughs. You, too I think of.

Mary Emmanuelle: I wish you all the best in finding your destiny and following your heart. I know the feeling. Thank you for giving me advice and being so kind. (That is not an understatement).

Of course, there are many others, but these women were my back and bones. I could not have survived without them.

One month after and remembering...

Hello, this is not going to be a record of my experiences as it is easier to record in hindsight... I will connect soon! :) Thank you to my good friend Tyler Walling for inspiration!

Presque 2010!

Day before New Years and I am so excited for tomorrow! Going out with some friends and getting super dressed up. We are going to party like it's 11 years after 1999!! I've been pretty sick the past two days, but with some good rest and medicine, I'll be ready for tomorrow.

I feel savvy about pretty much everything here - and really different in fact. When I first arrived I thought a lot of things wouldn't surprise me but that is not the case at all. Things still surprise me all the time. Not nearly as much as when I first arrived - but little everyday things that don't happen in the U.S.

I don't know if a lot of people read this blog (above all because I haven't made a lot of entries) , but it's a little difficult for me to write about things that right now are completely normal. It's hard to discern now between the things that would be completely foreign to Americans or not too different. There is so much to say!

Because of this, I would love if anyone who reads this blog to respond with things that strike them as strange or just strikes their interest, by asking questions - any question! If you have a questions regarding cultural differences, mentalities, diversity, stereotypes... It doesn't matter what the topic, nothing should be taboo in this world because everything is of importance, whether it is good or bad.

I wish everyone out there a Happy New Year and would love to respond to things that cross your mind!

A Wonderful Christmas

This month has been the best one yet. Bordeaux during the holiday season is absolutely beautiful and the vacation and the last two days have been wonderful. Christmas Eve, we had a huge meal at Mami and Papi's (grandparents) home and afterward opened all of the presents. Aunt Geneviève and Guy were there from Paris and Hélène and her boyfriend, Yanic.

For dinner, we had a 9 course meal. For the aperatif, there were small pretzel and chip snacks with and du vins blanc d'oranges done by Mami and flavored with oranges from the garden or another more savory, less acidic flavored wine which I forgot the name of 1. a savory vegatable soup 2. a small salmon entrée on a miniscule crépe with a smigdon of orange on top 3. a mixture of beef, potatos, garbanzo beans, and vegatables as main dish 4. 4 cheese plate 5. fruit 6. 2 cakes (home made lemon meringue) with coffee or tea 7. chocolates 8. and of course bread always

After dinner, we opened all of the presents and I recieved some lovely jewelry, a book, and a bag and beatiful things from my parents (Thanks everyone!). Olivier adored his hat and Laurent his shirt. Yanic and Helene loved their teapot.

The next morning, Oliver departed for Paris to see his cousin Francois and he is coming back Tuesday. Christmas also was lovely. We had the meal at our house and we had an enormous turkey with stuffing inside. Francoise cooked it with olives and chestnuts. There was also a gratin of carrots and celery and other vegatables, fried potato balls (addictive), foie gras (from the turkey), a quiche of tomatoes and a fish called red mullet or chigger. Haha I have never had that fish before, but that's what I got from the translation for rouget. Cheese or yogurt later, then a dessert of two chocolate bouches de noel, or yule logs. The meal lasted roughly 4 hours, but it was worth it. Later that evening, I went to Mami and Papi's place by myself. I listened to the record player and found JULIAN LENNON - Valotte is the best album I've heard in a while. I listened to the whole thing and loved it. Halfway through, Papi came in and showed me some pictures of his family's old 'ranch' before Algeria gained its independence in 1960 and all French people were forced to leave - or killed. The Algerian government seized all of the French peoples' property and familys basically fleed to Southern France.
He had told me many stories before about Algeria and it's all very fascinating. There's too much to explain in this blog. Later we talked about the immigration of Muslim Algerians to France and now I feel I have a complete comprehension of the situation regarding this very touchy controversy that is taking place in France.

Yesterday was so fun - we went to Arcachon - a beachside village/city resembling very much the beach at home - Torrey pines everywhere and pretty appartments.
Arcachon is famous for its natural phenomenon La Dune de Pyla, the tallest sand dune in Europe. We had a great lunch (third time I've been out to eat in France!) because it is not common for people to go out. Later we hiked the dune that was much like hiking through snow and was just as difficult. Here are some photos of our really fun outing and later when we had a some hot drinks and crepes.

Friends...

Hey Everyone,
I think I'm at the point of not being afraid to talk, which is a good feeling. Today, I talked a little with some girls in line for lunch and I ended up eating lunch with all of them. It's good to get to know more people.
I'm eating dinner in an hour or so - and have been back to eating carrots like I always do :) The weather has been kind of miserable, but I suppose that's winter for you. Christmas is completely different here. People don't really 'get ready' for Christmas. I mean there are some decorations and things like that - but not nearly as commercialized and idealized like in the States. I miss commercialization - it's such a beautiful illusion. I don't think we're even going to put up Christmas lights because the boys don't really feel like it. But I suppose it's not a big deal because we have such a long driveway, it's not like anyone would see them anyway.
This weekend I think I am going to go out a little with some friends and since I don't have school tomorrow I'm going to try to do some shopping in Bordeaux. We'll see...

2 Months left

Hey all,
I have two months left; it's gone fast but kind of slow too. School is going alright - trying to study harder because the classes are getting more difficult. I completed two of my college applications!!!!! So now we'll just have to see what happens with CSU San Marcos and University of California Berkeley.
I've got a big cancor sore from chocolate and pastries; and it covers my entire mouth - (warning to those who spend more than 2 weeks in France! :) It kind of feels like a weeklong halloween.
My English teacher has been helping me with French somedays. We go over grammar and she has given me some sheets to study. It's really nice of her to stay after and help me. Everyone hates her because when they don't get things in class she kind of yells at them - I'm just glad I'm not the one learning English...
I just remembered - it's Thanksgiving today - so Happy Thanksgiving to all of you lucky Americans who get yet another holiday.

It's getting harder to think of things to write about now because life is so normal now. I need to go Christmas shopping soon. In the mean time, the weather has been windy, cold, sunny once in a while, but still cold. I have finished those apps and essays that were my main focus for so long, so now, my senior project is going to be my next big project and this afternoon I'm going to outline it. Next weekend, I'm hanging out with friends on Saturday, :)

My Communication teacher spent a year as a senior in high school in Wisconsin (go figure, right). It's kind of funny to imagine her with lots of cows and cheese - my impression of Wisconsin. At least she wasn't deprived of cheese. She said the hardest/strangest part was adjusting once she got back home - I don't think that will be very hard for me. I mean of course I will miss speaking French because I really do love speaking now. It really is exactly like how I described it in my college essay - it's just so pretty and rich. Unfortunately - so is the food. Ok ha no more complaining. Also, going back to PHS with its rigorous curriculum and intense homework nights and swim team will be very difficult. I hope that lots of friends will be willing to help me catch up on the material. Swim whew I'm out of breath just thinking about it.

Other than that, I will be so happy to see my family - not to mention my friends! It will be so strange sleeping in my own bed again and watching the news all the time like usual and just joking around without having to think! I also wonder how much I will realize that I'm changed. Will it be like I havn't missed a beat and I've been gone for a week or so or will it be super obvious that I am changed.
One thing for sure is I know I will miss my host mom, Francoise. She is so fun to laugh and talk with and she really takes care of me - always making sure I'm alright. I hope I get the opportunity to see her again in the future after I have returned to California.
I'll try to write again next week - I think once December starts things will get more lively with Christmas and all.

I'm going to write more!!

Hey everyone, so I've made a resolution to write more on my blog because I know that you all want to know all about what's happening while im on the other side of the world eating cheese, cake, bread, going to school, trying to learn a lot... etc.
The past few weeks I was impossibly homesick. I was eating nutella practically out of the jar after dinner and def comfort eating - not healthy. The problem with that is that afterwards, you really dont feel that much better - just kind of sick and round. So then I realized if I want to turn my feelings and life and attitude around, I've got to do the things that I usually do at home - stay in shape, exerice, don't eat dessert every time it's offered to me...
Exericise is not a priority here in France like it is in the U.S. People ride their bike (not lately cause it's so rainy) but for the life of me, I don't understand how so many people are so skinny. Neither does my host mother. It's like they eat a meal and a good sized dessert and still have stick arms and legs. NOT the case with me.
But, something that made me feel a lot better - and also inspired me to write more for you guys is my friend Melissa's friend Melanie, who spent a year in Germany last year all her junior year. Apparently, there are a lot of exchange students who feel like they gain a lot of weight cause the food is so delicious, so fresh and you don't move around a lot. I thought when I came to France I would walk around everywhere, but I just have a short walk from the bus stop to and from school. When I get home from school I don't have the gusto to exercise - run, lift weights, like I usually do cause it's either 1:00 in the afternoon (starving!!!), 4:30 (tired in general) or 6:20 at night (dark - and a little hungry)
But seriously NOW im turning my lifestyle around. Eating slower - (savor that french food, Genevieve!!) and jogging/running more regularly. I meant jogging for 20 minutes each the past few days and I'm feeling more ready to face the world than before.

I think my host parents worry about me -well not worry, but want me to have more girlfriends, but it's really hard to have my friends over casue my good friends board at the school - so they go home during the weekend. I made a really good friend named Nour and her sister Nehja, but they are in Algeria right now. I hung out with them a lot last week - hopefully we can all hang out next week. They are super nice - funny, laugh it off when things get confused and I can be myself around them - which is a GREAT thing. Some people are really unsure when they start talking to me and I can sense it - so it's just uncomfortalbe and awkward.

School is going pretty well - I got a 12/20 on a fable I wrote in French class - Olivier got a 13 and a bunch of kids got 11s. Remember what I said before about the grading system - 12 is DECENTLY GOOD!! My other classes are also going well. In French the other day, my teacher gave us all a prompt for an essay and in the prompt there were the words utile (useful) and indisponsable (indispensable) and she wanted to know the nuance between the two words. Only me and one other kid knew the answer, but she picked me and I explained the meaning of the word indispensable to the class. It was funny, she was like "it is completley formidable that the American of the class can define a word that no one else here knows". I participated twice that class - I want to participate MORE in French class because I understand so much of what she is talking about than befoer - but I am not proficient enough in the language to fully articulate myself. Grrrrrrr - so frustrating sometimes. I feel like Ariel in the Little Mermaid sometimes - mute.
I will write more next week, in the mean time I need to do some work and lunch soon!