Surprise! Early Post!



One of my professors asked us, "When people ask you, 'How was your time in France?' how are you going to respond?" Uh.... Good question. Stories are easy enough to share, but it isn't the same as sharing the experience. I hope these posts have helped, as I wrote them with the memories still fresh in my mind. Also, the unbelievable amount of photos I have should help explain what I've been up to the past few weeks! Let's see if it works!

Last weekend, Dominique tried to teach me how to make crepes! And man, were they delicious. He called me into the back room of the house that hasa window, some cabinets, and a stove in the corner. We told me to watch as he made a crepe, then said, "Vas-y," because it was my turn. Excusez-moi?! The first time (and the second, and the third,...) was a failure. I took a picture of my burnt heap of crepe lying next to the stove as Dominique continued. I burned my fingers a lot and never really made a crepe, but I promised I would practice when I got home.

The picture below is of Zoe, who turned 1 on Saturday! The party was long (but what French party isn't?) and there were so many people! I knew most of the people already, but I made a new friend, and I think so highly of her. Her name is Amelia, and she is a Spanish student staying with Gislaine for a few weeks. It was Amelia's first day in France, and she had been in a bus for 24 hours as she traveled herefrom the south of Spain. I could understand how exhausted and disoriented she was. The party was a little rough for her, but I got to spend some time talking and laughing with her. She told me a lot about her home: what the houses look like, how Spanish people greet one another, what types of flowers they have, what she likes to eat,... I think I would like Spain.

The picture below is a veggie dish we had with dinner this week. I think it was zucchini, but I'm not sure. I don't understand how all the food here is so much better. It isn't like good American food; it's just...different. The first time I tried strawberries here was embarrassing. We were having lunch outside of the camping car, and I had run errands with Monique earlier that day and I had picked out the strawberries. After lunch (since fruit is considered dessert here-guess what I'll be eating a TON of whenever I want when I get home?), I picked out a strawberry and took a bite and-- my eyes got huge and my mouth fell open. Oh. My. Gosh. Truly, it was like candy. It was soft, but not mushy, and oh so sweet. I ate almost all the strawberries in one sitting.

This is who I've been hanging out with. The étagiares are like a family, but there is a group of girls I often spend my time with. We are all very different, but we get along so well and laugh often (usually at each other). Two of  these girls are continuing your work, Emily, by trying to get me to be louder. One has an almost generous approach, as though she is making me a better person by her lessons. She encourages me to say at least one thing loudy each day. The other girl teases me during class, because she sits next to me and can hear me call the teacher when he can't. After a few seconds of me calling, "Larry? Larry? Larry?" she calls his name once and he looks up. I am so grateful to know these girls, and I love them a ton.

We had an excursion yesterday! Our first stop was Dinan, which is in the photo below. It's perfect. It is a quiet town with lots of little shops and narrow streets, though I think that describes much of France. We were put in groups and sent out on a treasure hunt for major sights of the town. There were sights that would be awarded bonus points, and the boy in my group was a little disappointed when we decided to forfeit those points and buy macarons instead.

After Dinan, we went to the beach at Dinard, which is the favorite beach of Alfred Hitchcock. There is a statue of him there, and you can see the house that overlooks the ocean from a cliff and that inspired "Psycho." There were lots of photos taken, then we headed to St. Malo. We were again in groups, and we had three hours in the city! It is a fortified city next to the ocean, and the picture below was taken on the ramparts. One of the girls in my group took many pictures of me, and we ended up with lots of goofy ones... My group was walking together on the ramparts and finishing our ice cream (which was THE BEST ice cream I've ever had. The next time I'm in France, I may go to St Malo just for the 'scream). The weather was gorgeous! And that's rare in Bretagne. It was warm with a light breeze. We could see the little people and hear the sounds of shops and cafes over the wall on our left and see the sea with her ships and rocks on our right. I said, "Oh, I'm so content," and someone in my group asked me why. Because I'm in France!

This is the apple tart I ate today at lunch.

So I guess you could say I'm still having fun. I'm comfortable in the culture and my routine here is second-nature. I miss you all like crazy though. I've been reflecting on how I can mix my two lives, Indiana and Bretagne. It doesn't seem difficult now; I am just one person who has loved ones in two different countries. We'll see in the months to come how I handle it. Today one of my professors told us that the return is often more difficult than leaving home. There will be culture shock for sure.And I'll have a lot of catching up to do!

I am developping a slight obsession with Edith Piaf. I liked her a lot before this summer, but now I KNOW WHAT SHE'S SAYING. (You know, kind of.) I didn't understand why "La Vie En Rose" is so popular, but now I get it!!

Persévérez dans la prière, veillez-y avec actions de grâce. Priez également pour nous: que Dieu ouvre une porte à notre parole, afin que je puisse annoncer le mystère du Christ, pour lequel je suis dan les châines, et en parler clairement clairement comme je suis dois. Conduisez-vous avec sagesse envers ceux du dehors. Rachetez le temps. Que votre parole soit toujours accompagnée de grâce, assaisonnée de sel, afin que vous sachiez comment vous devez répondre à chacun.

Colossiens 4:2-6

 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.  And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Colossians 4:2-6

My time in the Bible has been like eating lobster. It's delicious but a lot of work. Much time and effort go into prying a piece out, but when I do- ah, it's worth the effort. My time with the Word (even in French!) is rich and wonderful. It is satisfying, but I always want more. I am anxious to get my hands on my English Bible. It will be like being handed a platter of lobster meat. Oh, how I will feast!

Before this trip and even at its start, I asked questions like "Why does the past participle have to agree with the direct object?" "Why can't the past participle ALWAYS agree with the direct object?" "Why are there so many verb tenses?" "Why can't the French just speak English?" Now I have truly begun to love this language. Ah, that last question is taboo. No, we have to have French! Its complexity is beautiful and its elegance captivating. No, we have to have French.

This weekend we will be celebrating your birthday, Micky, in Brest with many other people. Every four years Brest has a big fête as a "celebration of maritime history." I think that just means there will be lots of boats and fireworks. And food, of course. This IS France. François Hollande will be there too. Maybe he'll see me... I don't think we'll have fireworks either because of the rain. Vive la Bretagne.

After class tomorrow I am going to the movies with a group of étagiares, then I'm headed to Brest with Monique and Dominique tomorrow night! I'm posting today because I'm not sure when I'll have time again before my last Monday in Bretagne. Sigh.

Love you all!