Things have changed for me! But that's okay. I feel the same. I'm on my way...

I've been watching this video like it's my job.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XBE49k3zzM

Her cover videos and my pile of peanut butter that I brought with me have been satisfying my needs for American/English-speaking things. Though there's a lot of English around here.

I feel sad when people try to speak to us in English! I try in French, and I don't even use any English words, but they always know that I'm American! It discourages me a little bit, but I haven't broken my pact yet. Every French person I've talked to, I've spoken French to, or waited until the French explanation of what I meant to say popped into my head. I have been letting myself be more lenient around the other Smithies though. I've found that there are three types of Smith JYA Paris students.

They are the following:
1. Pretends to know what's going on in class and muddles through French conversation only with the Smith administration, until it's time to leave the classroom and it's English all the way.
2. Generally directly translates from English to French without adhering to French conversation rules. These are the folk who don't know what I'm saying when I try to speak like a French person, and I instead need to refrain from any colloquial language and speak more slowly.
3. Speaks and tries to think in French all the time, and only breaks from French to complain to others about our director.

^ That last one is me (among others, who are the ones I'm closest to in the program). I just don't get a good vibe from him.

My host mom isn't here tonight, so my host dad, sister, and I are left to fend for ourselves dinner-wise. We usually eat in a half hour, so I'm going to go outside after I finish posting this to see if I can help with dinner.

Right now, I hear classical music outside my door. Before, I heard dad and sister next door playing something on the computer. I kept hearing "Strike!" I'll have to ask her later what she was playing.

About my family:
Host dad:
Is adorable. I feel that he's awkward like me, which makes our interactions easier to understand. However, I always feel like we're never really done with our conversations when one of us leaves awkwardly. I learned from him "Beuh.. ben, voila." I expect to perfect this phrase before I leave.

Host mom:
She's about half my height and reminds me of every cute mom I've ever known. She always makes sure that I tell her when I need something, and she wants me to feel like a part of the family. She makes THE best food ever.

Host sister:
She's 10 years old and really bitty. I always hear her through the house, which I like. She is super-witty and makes me laugh out loud quite often. I usually ask her about the words I don't know. Yesterday, when I asked her what "moquette" meant, she grabbed my hand and we ran to her room. She showed me the carpet on the floor, since that was the easiest way for her to explain it. Now, she's playing one of her father's dozen recorders.

That's what else I love! There's always music in the house. They all sing wonderfully, and they know their "do my sol"s by heart. My host sister plays the cello and the recorder. Yesterday, she and her dad played a beautiful duet. It was THE cutest thing I've seen in a long time.



It should be about time for dinner, so until next time!


FUN FACT OF THE DAY: The metro in Paris doesn't have all of the doors automatically open at stops like in New York. If you want the doors to open, you have to push down on a little lever on the door!