Two Weeks Left? You're Joking.

Your questions first! No, I haven't  been to church. This weekend will be the first that I'll be home on a Sunday since my first weekend here. I miss it so much! If anyone is free the week I get back, can we have a worship session? I'd love to catch up on all God has been doing in the States! And Haiti, and China,... But time with Jesus has been sweet. I love having time alone with the Word; I don't get much alone time! Neighbors stop by often (one is here now!) and Monique and Dominique's children all live close and are here most days with their children. And Monique takes care of children at our house while their parents are at work. My time alone is a refresher for both my body and my soul. I've been in the Psalms for the most part. Yesterday I read Psalm 14. God is our refuge! Seek the Lord while he may be found!

Thank you all for your letters and your comments on my blog. I'm always so excited to read them!! Can you believe I only have two weeks left? I can't. That went way too quickly. I'm not ready to leave either! I've met so many people that I love, and who knows when I'll see them again? Monique and Dominique said I can stay here the next time I come to France. Mom and Dad, they said if my parents are anything like me, they are welcome here too. I didn't make any jokes but accepted that offer graciously : )  You would really like them! They remind me a lot of you both.

I haven't seen much of France, but I've seen a lot of Brittany! I've been to the coast on each side of Brittany and spent time in Normandy with school. Then in eleven days we leave for Paris! It isn't much of France, but I don't mind. I satisfied with my corner of France.

Hey, happy Independence Day! We celebrated here too! I woke up and wished my mom and happy Independence Day, and she said, "Oh, yeah... Thanks." No problem! The night before I was talking with Dominique about our war for independence and the French Revolution. He didn't believe me when I said Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration, and he made me prove it with the Internet. Dominique was upset that I didn't know much about Lafayette, the great French general who aided the Americans. He had me read up on him...  Yesterday we had dinner with friends (which is a story in itself), and Dominique asked "What are they talking about at that end of the table?" I told him they were talking about the differences between French and English (the languages). Dominique said, "The English are imbeciles" because their food is awful and they're unnattractive. He told me they eat too much pudding, which causes indigestion. "You could eat two McDonald's, or you could eat one pudding." Then he started praising the French, and his two arguments were their food and Lafayette.

We celebrated our independence day by having no classes! It was a good suprise. Instead we watched a movie, learned about French comics, and took a field trip into town to the bookstore to read some comics for ourselves. That evening, we had a reception at city hall with the mayor of St-Brieuc. We all dressed up for the occasion! All our families were there, and there were some speakers and our choir sang. Oh, I forgot to tell you! I decided to join choir. It was fun and we did really well! We sang in French and in Breton. The Breton song was to the tune of "Amazing Grace, " and was so pretty when sung with a choir. Then our professors told us they had a surprise: we were going to sing our national anthem for our parents! In English! As we sang, with the sound reverberating and filling the room, my pride of country rivaled what I felt in Normandy. You should look up the lyrics and read them aloud. It's a beautiful song.

I thought by now the French culture would be second-nature, and certain aspects are! I'll try to remember not to kiss your cheeks when I see you all again. I'm still learning here though! During my communication class last week, we were sharing things that our families do that surprised us. There were many exclamations of "Oh! I thought only my family did that!" Nope, it's just France. Par example, during dinner, it is common for people to reach across the table for something they want. When we ask for something to be passed during dinner, our parents say, "Comme chez toi!" They want us to act like we would at our house, because they want us to be comfortable in their home. I've learned that cultural differences like that are good to know, since my politeness was taken for timidity.

I hope this is all making sense; there are kids playing under the table I'm sitting at, and it's a little hard to think. But it isn't a big deal! I love them dearly. The older one has sat next to me several times to watch me type this post. And right now they are giggling under the table and saying, "An American! An American!" The older one has poked my shin once or twice under the table, very gently...

Thursday night we were at our neighbors' house for dinner, and there was a group of seven teenagers my age or a little older. I sat with the teenagers and talked with them! It was scary at first, but they were really  cool! They asked lots of questions and laughed at my accent, but I laughed at theirs when they tried to speak English. One of the kids told me speaking English was as hard for them as French is for me, which made me feel much better. They expected me to not like the weather here, but I prefer it to Indiana's summer heat and humidity, which I hear is pretty bad this year. When I told them how hot it is there, one kid asked if we fry eggs on the top of our cars. Do you?

The teenagers here aren't much different from American teenagers. We had lots of snacks and listened to music. There was a lot of laughing, and we kicked a soccer ball around in the backyard. In France, kids are allowed to drink at home whenever their parents think they are old enough. It was strange for me when the teenagers had bottles of wine, champagne, and whiskey out on the porch with us. I was talking with one of my professors about how teenagers have the right to drink alcohol, and he said he prefers it that way. Kids learn how to drink from their parents in their home, so there isn't much irresponsible drinking. They offered me both alcohol and cigarettes, but I politely declined. You're welcome, Mom.

Last night we went to friends' for dinner, and it was crazy! The dinner was a celebration, but I'm not quite sure how to explain what we were celebrating. The couple had signed an agreement, like a marriage. But it wasn't a marriage, just a legal document. But there was a big party! There were at least thirty people, and we didn't start dinner until 10:45! We had moules-frites (mussels and fries), porc, bread, and lots of wonderful pastries. There was an incredible amount of mussels and fries!!! There were enough for LEFTOVERS after 30 Frenchmen finished eating. That's unbelievable. I met lots of people and talked about so many things! I explained why I am here and what I'm learning in school, and I talked a lot about places in the US that the other guests have visited. One woman (a Parisian whose accent was so easy to understand! Finally!) talked to me about a lot of movies. We talked about "The Blues Brothers" after she asked if I had dogs (ours are named after the main characters of the movie). Her son and his friend love "Remember the Titans" (He said, "Ah, that is an excellent film. Excellent."). The woman couldn't believe I've never seen "Armageddon," and insisted I watch it when I get home. My favorite conversation was with one of Monique's daughters. Her name is Gislaine, and she is a lot like me! She came over to see if I was okay while everyone was talking and eating BEFORE THE DINNER. I was fine! I don't talk very loudly and wasn't asking for much, so she came to check on me. We talked about my family and my time in France, and how little time I have left! I told her I'm the first one in my family who has traveled to France, but I'd like to return with them someday! She told me that she thinks I'm brave for being here without my family for so long. It was so nice to talk with her! She is very kind and a good listener, and I spoke very openly with her.

Today was the first day all summer I was able to sleep in as long as I wanted! I didn't get up until 10:30, which isn't bad considering we left the party at two this morning. Today is Gislaine's birthday, and we'll be at their house this evening. Then tomorrow we have another birthday party: one of the children that Monique watches is turning 1! Then I have my last full week of school! The weekend that will follow will be spent in Brest for Bastille Day- awesome! We're taking the RV there for a festival. Michaela, whenever I tell people your birthday is July 14, they say, "Oh, for France's national holiday!" Yep : )

Monique says bonjour, Mom and Dad! She is slicing apples in the kitchen for her apple tarte, whose recipe I'd like to get...

That's all for right now! Love you all, and I'll see you soon!!

Proud to be an American. Most of the time.

First, I'm not so sure about the stereotypes about the French. Yesterday Dominique wore both a beret and a blue and white striped shirt. Maybe at the end of the summer I'll have a better idea of the true French.

I still believe that the stereotype that says the French are rude is a lie, although I did talk with a woman who  wasn't super polite after she found out I'm American. Pas grave. I think that is the only time that's happened. Usually, the people we meet are hospitable and friendly. We all have funny stories about meeting new people, but a common reaction is, "American? Cool!!" They are often curious about the United States. Much of our films, music, and television has made its way to France, and many French people think Americans eat a lot of pizza, party hard in Mexico during spring break, and live luxurious lives like the people in movies and music videos. Today, a girl in my communication class said, "I'm not proud to come from the same country as 'Jersey Shore,'" since it impacted her family's idea of a typical American.

While we were visiting Mont St Michel, there were American tourists, and- my word! English is much harsher on the ears. We all discreetly smiled at one another and laughed to ourselves when we heard an English speaker. I thought, "These Americans are irritating," before remembering that I too am American. Then I felt embarrassed, because these tourists were verifying many unfortunate stereotypes.

Although I speak softly in the bus so my accent doesn't blow my cover, there have been several times that I have been fiercely proud to be an American. The strongest was when I was walking through the American cemetary in Normandy, then on Omaha Beach. I have thought more about the differences between the two cemetaries that we visited, and I also asked several people for their opinions. The prof that I asked answered so well. His response was the puzzle piece I felt missing in my understanding of the cemetaries. He said that the American cemetary has an ambiance of heroism. That's what sparked my pride and patriotism in Normandy. The German soldiers fought by obligation. Both cemetaries, however, are the final resting places of many young men who gave themselves for their country. Both are solemn and heartbreaking when you consider the.... I truly can't remember how to spell the word I wanted to use next. I recognize more and more the atrophy of my English muscle. I'm sure you can imagine where I was headed with that sentence. The war devastated everyone involved. I asked my host dad why he thought the cemetaries are different, since he has been to both. He sees it in a different way. He said that the Gerrman cemetary is la mort and darkness. It is sad because it is a cemetary, but the American cemetary is vivant. It is full of life.

Apart from these experiences of patriotism, I am trying to conform to the culture (sans the smoking and drinking). Another aspect of la culture française that I haven't conformed to is how short French women wear their hair. My host parents explained to me that long hair is for young girls. When girls reach fourteen or fifteen years old, they often cut and keep their hair short. If it is kept long, it is usually pulled up into a bun. I've opted for the bun.

I've had a few people think I'm French! But it's only when I don't talk a lot. The first time probably doesn't count, because it wasn't with a French speaker. We were in Normandy, and some girls and I were returning from the beach to the hostel where we were staying, and an English girl was following behind us. When we reached the hostel, I held the door open for her out of la politesse and said, "Après toi." She responded with a "merci" that sounded very English. A severe R like ours doesn't exist in French. French Rs sound like a purring cat that has a mouth full of spit. It's hard to imagine that French is known for its beauty and elegance after that description, but it really is a lovely language.

During the weekend, I went with my host mom to a jewelry store to pick out a watch. Both my mom and the woman helping us asked me my opinion and preferences, which don't require lengthy responses. When the woman referred to me as Monique's daughter, Monique said, "Oh, she isn't my daughter! She's an American." And the woman was surprised! Gagné! Score!  Then she asked me questions about Indiana and my time in France, and she told me that I spoke well. Ah, merci beaucoup.

I think I speak well when I'm at ease. The woman working at the jewelry store was warm and friendly, and I was comfortable talking with her. There have been several times when I've been nervous while talking with people, and my communication skills are horrendous. Was that last word spelled correctly? I'm beginning to spell things phonetically when I'm not sure.

Les soldes have started! Every store participates, especially clothing stores, but I've seen furniture stores and a travel agency also advertise their sales. More than the clothes, I love the time I've spent with the other students in town. There are many jokes and laughs, usually shared over ice cream or pain au chocolat. I'm here with a really cool group of kids! Two students are only 15. Another is my age but just graduated, having finished high school in only three years. There are at least four students who are fluent in a language other than English or French (at least Spanish, Korean, and Lithuanian). There is a student who attends boarding school. One has been an exchange student to Japan before, since he also studies Japanese. One plays the accordian. One fences. Another joined the Air Force right before our departure from the US.

I was talking with another American on the bus today after class, and she said she thinks she sees people that she knows! Phew, I'm not the only one. I thought I may be losing it...

Happy late birthday, Lindsay! And happy early birthday, Blake and Austin! It'll be your birthday here in just a few hours... Linds, your birthday was an eventful day for me. It was the first day that I woke up without being ravenously hungry. Finally, my hunger is slowing down! I mean, sort of... At school, we have three choices of entrees, and it was the first day that an entree was repeated. I think the cafeteria food is better than the food I have at home here. Crazy. And there are so many choices! I usually have fish, actual French fries or rice, fruit, a dessert, and a petit baguette. Always a baguette. At the start of the line are the trays, glasses, silverware, and baguettes. C'est la France. It was also the first day that my family didn't have bread at dinner- une cambriolage! Actually, it wasn't a huge deal; that's just a great word that I don't get to use often. I hope the weather wasn't too hot for you!! It has to be rough in  a wigwam...

Is there anything you all would like to know that I haven't written about or that wasn't clear? I'd love to tell you whatever you'd like to know.

Oh, hey! Friday we learned several traditional breton dances!! It was so fun. The dances weren't complicated and are done as a group. Dancing tete-à-tete (one boy and one girl) is naughty in the traditional breton culture, and of course even their dancing shows the importance of the community! There aren't as many guys as girls in my group, so I got to dance the guy's part and dance with all my friends for several songs. C'est la vie. Dominique came with me to the dance, and as we were walking in he was explaining how the French wave. When they say bonjour, they can wave, but the hand is stiff, not moving back and forth or curling the fingers. He said that the waves with bending fingers are for little girls and when you see an attractive boy. "If you wave like that, oh! Look out!" I've stopped waving altogether to avoid attracting unwanted attention. On the way home, he was saying ridiculous tongue twisters and having me repeat them. When I'd get lost in the sounds and start laughing, he'd urge, "Come on, say it..." He would also say old French proverbs and want me to explain them to him. Jamie (my communication prof) does this with us, and I never get them right...