So it would appear that my blogs are becoming more and more weekend-centric, mostly because it’s the only time I have to blog. Which means that I’m back to the same recap-the-week format that I’ve used before.
Monday was Monday. Mondays may seem to you to be particularly boring days for me, but I’m almost certain that it’s just because I can’t remember anything about them by the time I get around to blogging.
Tuesday I had joined Physics/Earth Science test which actually passed pretty well; my French is good enough now that I’m regularly getting above the average, which in the French system is 10 out of 20. Getting over 10 is every French student’s goal as that is the passing grade. After the mind numbing but ultimately successful test, I went to the Rotarian’s house as per usual before the meeting, when I learned that it was not in fact the regular Tuesday Rotary meeting but rather a conference which the Rotary had been invited to, in which a former rugby player for the French national team spoke, both about rugby and about things like teamwork and leadership. Since I couldn’t remember his name and can in no way decipher the signature I got from him, I can’t tell you who the player was, but I was assured that he was famous, which added a pleasant feeling of exclusiveness, since the conference didn’t have that many people, all things considered. In any case I enjoyed the conference, or what of it I was able to follow. I was also able to introduce my club president to the some of the people who organize my rugby team. It was nice to be in the place of making introductions, especially between people who have both done so much for me. (The secretary of the Rugby club, I recently learned, has had to sort through some complicated paper work to register me with the team, thanks to my nationality. She has not only made the extra effort for me without even mentioning it, but also regularly gives me rides home after practice.)
Wednesday for me passed rapidly from class, to volleyball practice, to home (where I finished my essay on tragic heroes), to rugby practice (where I now appreciate that I brought my ski polypro pants and shirt), to dinner and bed.
Thursday, as you all know, was Thanksgiving. I will admit that it was a homesick day for me as can be expected. What I didn’t expect was how understanding and supportive my classmates were. It’s nice to know that I have friends here who care about how I’m feeling. During a break during the day, I took the time for myself to walk along the canal which is about a block away from my school. I was alone and it was totally quiet and still. Leaves were falling with silent, poetic regularity from the sycamores which line the canal, and they made ripples in the water were they landed. Church bells were sounding far away, possibly from the Cathedral. Even as I missed home in that moment, I was missing home in a very, very beautiful place.
Friday on the bus on my way to school I was struck by the continuing development of Christmas lights which the city has been putting up for the last two or three weeks. They have yet to be illuminated but each day there are more and more. On Friday I saw that a canopy of strands of tiny white lights had appeared, seemingly overnight, over one of the main squares in town. When the turn the lights on, the whole city will be sparkling. I suppose that without Halloween or Thanksgiving that gives both the freedom and willingness to really start building up early for a spectacular Christmas season.
Today I had a test on a text by Rabelais, which not the most preferable of ways to start a Saturday but was at least an interesting text. I came home for lunch as usual, we had homemade French fries with steak, which are eaten with Dijon mustard. I also tried fois gras for the first time, which was very good. This afternoon I went with my host parents, Laurie, Coralie and little Noha to see a range of artisanal products (glass jewelry, nice household ceramics, jam) which was next to the Cathedral. We didn’t get anything but it nice to look around and admire the artistry. When we got home I biked to the library quickly before it close to renew the book I checked out. It’s a historical fiction for my Literature class about an Italian noblewoman during the Renaissance, and I actually really enjoyed it. At the moment I’m slogged through Dans la solitude des champs du coton (In the Solitude of Cotton Fields) which, while an excellent book, is difficult to read as it’s not too far away from the theater of the absurd. The theater of the absurd is, well, absurd. Enough that even harder to follow in a second language than the 16th century texts we were working on before! After I spent the rest of the afternoon taking it easy because it’s looking like I won’t have another free weekend until mid-January. It’s nice to be busy and I have some really cool things coming up, but I’ll take advantage of a quiet two days while I can. Tonight is a nice at-home night anyway since Noha is spending the night with us and is bigger and more alert with every passing day it seems. His grandparents and aunt are gaga over him, and I won’t pretend to be entirely immune either.
Since it is the week of Thanksgiving, and I wasn’t there to spend it with you I’ll make a list here of all the things I’m thankful for this year:
For a family who is worth being away from for a year, just to learn how much I appreciate them. love you guys!
For my sponsoring Rotary in California who sent me on this amazing year and will be there to share the stories with when I come home. Thanks to every member of the youth exchange team of 5160.
For a host Rotary club who is so incredibly welcoming, and has already given me opportunities above and beyond this year. Especially for a counselor and president who are always willing if I need anything.
For a host family who has taken me into their home and lives so wholly and that I have two equally wonderful host families waiting for me for the rest of the year.
For every single person who has helped me, explained something to me, and shown me such kindness and hospitality.
For being (pretty much almost) bilingual.
For my friends at home still being the best friends in the world, even so far away and all apart.
For my friends here being open enough that I can’t walk down a hallway without stopping to faire les bises, which is how you say ‘hi’.
For now having friends who come from Taiwan to Costa Rica, and who are currently living from Strasbourg to Brazil.
-Pause to apologize to whoever or whatever I’m forgetting, who I have an annoying feeling is really important-
I think that’s it… Happy Thanksgiving weekend, everyone!
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