Bittersweet.

Okay so once again I have failed to update when I said I would but a lot has been going on lately. I also wasn’t in the happiest state and I decided it would be best to wait until things were better to update. Anyway…



I can’t believe a month ago I was stepping off the plane into the Charles De Gaulle airport jetlagged, trying to remember all of my French verb conjugations, and with no idea what I was walking into. Here I am a month later, still trying to remember all those French Verb tests (thanks Sophie), but the jet lag is now completely gone and I have experienced so much, both good and bad.



I have definitely had some hard days here and the adjustment has been hard. However things have gotten much better and those bad days have just turned into learning experiences. It’s only been a month but I have learned so many things that I could never have learned in school. I have always thought of myself as an independent person, here I am learning what it truly means to be independent. Honestly, it’s hard as hell. Independence isn’t just being able to go to the other side of the world alone. It’s a lot more. It’s something I might never have learned if I hadn’t embarked on this journey.



I can’t believe how fast this month has flown by. In some ways it seems like I have known this place for a really long time but in other ways it seems like I just got here yesterday. I can tell my French is improving and other people are noticing it too. It’s making everything a lot easier to get my point across.



This week was Carnaval, which is a huge deal here! On Tuesday almost everybody went to school dressed up. I dressed up as LMFAO with some of the girls in my class. Then school ended early and there was something similar to a talent show! It was really fun and interesting to see all of the costumes. There was everything from Spongebob to Danon yogurt. Most people put a lot of effort into their costumes and they were really cool!



Then on Wednesday I went into town to go shopping with the other American (Bri) here! It was the first time I saw the city of Macon, besides school and the bowling alley, and it’s soo beautiful! There’s a huge river running through the middle of it and the shopping is pretty good! I had a ton of fun with Bri and really love the city! However I know there is a lot more in it that I didn’t get to see!



One thing about France’s school system that I love is the amount of vacation they have. Starting today we have the next two weeks off! To celebrate during one of our open period some kids in my class and I ate candy and chips, took tons of pictures and listened to music. It was a ton of fun! These kids in my class have been so nice to me and I really like them! They are hilarious and so much fun to hang out with! They also always explain everything to me and talk slower so I can understand. They are all really great!



On vacation we are going skiing in the Alps. Although I live near a mountain back in Bend I am pretty excited to go to the Alps! It’ll also be fun to see another part of France! I love discovering all of the different parts of France! They all have something different to offer and it’s really beautiful here! Also during vacation I am hopefully going to see a movie with a friend, maybe go to Chalon to visit another AFS student, and make peanut butter cookies! Also tomorrow night there is a big celebration in my town that lasts for most of the day and night! Everybody says it’s a ton of fun and I’m really excited for it!



Well that’s about it for now!
Bisous!