Day 117-119 - X-Mas Shopping Is Done and Chez Pauline

I was supposed to go to Pauline's on Monday, but I ended up having to cancel, once again, for whatever reason. I played being a geek for most of the day and loved it. It's what I do pretty much every day.

On Tuesday I actually made it to Pauline's! Finally. We had fun, doing nothing really. Michou was there too. I think he's cut his hair and it feels awsome to stroke it. Seriously, I have an obsession with guys' hair... Especially short hair. It feels so nice just to run your fingers through them. He didn't seem to mind, luckily. ^^

The way home, I though, would be a nightmare because of the strikes, but turns out it's really easy even with the strikes. A bit of waiting, though.. Not that I mind too much. I'm still not enjoying the strikes as it's hard enough trying to go to Pauline's as it is! She lives so far from me! :(

Today (well, yesterday) I finished my x-mas shopping!!!

I went with Camille to shop for the last items for x-mas and we did a little shopping, too. I have, finally, all my gifts taken care of!

For lunch we had fondue (<3)>

The rest of the day I've been on my computer. I also Skyped my family to wish them a merry x-mas and a happy new year, yadda-yadda-yadda... It was a good few hours spent talking Finnish. Bad Finnish, mind you! I'm not gonna be able to talk any when I get back! It's a little worrying. Maby I'll learn it again... Or then not. We'll have to wait and see.

For x-mas we're staying at home, but for the weekend we're going to Danièle's sister's house for a few days. They live further in the South I believe. They have slow internet and no telly...! I will have nothing to do!I may just die of boredom...... :S I'll download a lot of music and movies before I go so I'll have something to do! They do have a SAUNA, though! I'm not sure what kind, but I'm looking forward to it!

Day 115-116 - B-Day de Danièle and La Soirée

One thing I forgot to mention in my last blog was that we had a soirée on Thursday evening at school. The evening started at 1930 with a spectacle. Marie and I were still at home at this point and were told about it when we got to school a little later on, after 2100 for the dancing.

The school had arranged a disco/club -type of scenario with students DJing. It was sympa. The music didn't have enough of a beat for my liking, but it was nice enough. I hardly recognised any of them as they were, comme d'habitude, French.

I had a great time, although it was missing something. Marie and I had to leave at 2300 as Danièle was coming to pick us up. I was sad, but what can you do. The soirée lasted until after midnight I believe and it would've been great to stay until the end, but that's life.

We saw Joachim as we were leaving and he ended up, unfortunately, walking us all the way to the car. I'm not a fan of his, along with a number of other people in my class I've noticed. He's just... I dunno. He just is. Nobody really likes him I don't think..

Tomorrow is Danièle's birthday so she held a party last night. Marie and I spent the evening at Émilie and Boris' apartment, watching telly and in my case sleeping. I fell asleep on the couch for some strange reason. I wasn't at all tired before but I ended up asleep in front of the telly.. First time in a LONG time I believe. We returned around midnight and I hit the sack as soon as I got in.

Today we had a birthday lunch for Danièle. Émilie and Boris came over and we spent an hour eating. It was delicious, though. We had Pina Coladas with appetisers. It was a bit on the strong side, but good all the same.

I was supposed to go and see Pauline today, but the damn RER is still on strike! In the words of Pauline : " les francais sont tres lazy donc ils ont inventer la greve -_-'''' ". This was a direct quote from her reply to me saying I'd not be able to make it. I agree with her in a sense. But that's life. You can't always get what you want. :(

Day 111-115 - Umm.. Nothing's Happened.. Oh, Wait, It SNOWS In FRNACE

Tuesday evening's sports class was different to the one we usually have, especially towards the enf. For one thing there was practically no-one there! I think it's because the holiday's are so near that people aren't bothered any more. Or are sick.

The end of the class was so much fun, though. We paired up and gave a massage to our partner, using a ball as a tool. It felt SO good! I didn't want to get up at the end of it! After we stretched a little, which was also nice, but my muscles were a sore from the day before! It felt so good to stretch them! I had been walking a bit funny all day, and every time anyone touched my shoulders I would protest with a cry of "Ca fait mal!". Kevin seemed to enjoy showing people how sore people's muscles were, especially if they hadn't been in class or had been in the other group. I was test subject numero uno. I did live through it. It wasn't too bad unless someone forgot and gave me a hug! (Read Pauline/Clémentine)

Right before I left school we saw a fire in the kitchen! They had been making fries for dinner that night, but had ended up burning the kitchen down instead! The fire alarm system, of course, didn't work! Luckily everyone went outside of their own accord and didn't panic. Marie and I left before the fire brigade got there, but we heard them driving past as we walked to the bus stop.

Wednesday was yet again worse than the day before. I had double the pain, as my muscles were hurting all over, not just my arms and legs, but also my abs, back and arse. Thankfully it was a short day!

After a not-so-filling lunch of salad I went in search of Kevin as I'd promised to hang out with him after school. We went up to his room where we played poker, pretty much all the way up until 1730 when I left, with his friends. (I didn't want to get in too late.)

I had so much fun, but Kevin did point out that I wasn't too talkative and I agree, but the thing is I understand, but to answer I have to think about my response a bit more than when I'm just listening. I will try to be more talkative, though. He is completely right. (P.S. one word : squat)

That morning the fire brigade had been called in, yet again, as one of the kitchen staff had decided it would be and interesting week to give himself a huge cut on his hand. In France the fire brigade is called in first, before anything else. I find it strange and wonderful at the same time. It's fascinating and I don't understand it.

I was extremely tired after returning home and I hit the sack pretty much right after having eaten dinner. I slept SOOO well that night for some reason.

On Thursday my muscles had almost completely healed, so all was well. I was still tired, although well rested.

We had an Agro. Équipement exam, which I totally failed. I believe I will get three points or so max, as I answered none of the questions on the paper. On the other hand I did label the little schéma that we had. I feel that went pretty well.

We had no sports as it had snowed during the night! I mean, really snowed. It had snowed all day, pretty much and there was a food five cm of snow on the ground. And there still is! There were snow fights all around and some went sledging (including Kevin who got a cut that runs down the side of his nose all the way to his chin. It doesn't look too bad, but it has a scab now and looks worse than it is.

On Friday we had practically no lessons. We only had an hour of History in the morning and we watched the end of a film for an hour and a half right after lunch. It was a very chill day. I was glad as it was the last day of school for crying out loud!

Today has been really uneventful. I was chatting with a friend online but that's all. I WAS supposed to do something with Kevin but he had a bad hangover so we're going to take a rain check on that some other, better suited time.

I'm still panicking about what to get Marie. I have no idea. On the other hand Danièle told me exactly what she wants, a plant for the garden. It's not too expensive so that'll be my Christmas present for her!

Day 103-110 - Kevin and It's Almost Christmas, Panic!

Last Monday ports was cancelled as the teacher was away. I still find it slightly odd that there is no lesson if the teacher is absent. I'm used to having a substitute come in to do the lesson. But I do love perm (read skips), so I'm a happy gal!

On Tuesday both Émilie and I were too tired to do sport, so we skipped. I was about to leave, when I realised the time. It was too late to make it.. Not that I'm too bothered! It would've been long jump, which I'm not too keen on as a general rule.

On Wednesday we had no basketball practice, but I stayed in school after lunch non-the-less. I like hanging out at school.. It's more entertaining than at home. I like living here and everything, but it's so much more fun to be around friends than by yourself. I don't enjoy watching telly too much, unlike Marie, so I generally stay in my room, on the computer or then I'm in the living room, on the computer. It depends.

I don't think anything happened on Thursday, really. We had no sports again. I was kinda sad as I love basketball. But then again perm isn't too bad either! Plus Kevin was skipping rugby, so that was fun.

Friday was a short day as there were parent-teacher meetings after school. Well, we ended at 1120, so not really after school.. 

I had lunch with Kevin and some of his friends instead of the "usual" crowd. Kevin isn't in my class, but he may as well be as he hangs out there during half the breaks. We've gotten pretty close in the past few weeks and I enjoy spending time with him. He's really laid back and chill about everything. Figures, since he listens to reggae and all.

He has long hair, roughly to his shoulders, brown eyes, a little lighter than mine, a beard (which I love, btw, its nice and kinda prickly and when he gives me a hug/bisous it tickles just the slightest) and he's a head taller than me. He's really nice and cuddly and friendly.

After lunch I met up with Pauline and we arranged it so that I went to her house instead of going home.

We didn't actually do very much at her house. We watched telly and that's about it. But we had fun! I love it hat her house. It's really cosy (her dad's, but her mum's is kinda chic and I love it too!). We did go shopping for something for the school disco-thing we have on Thursday. The theme is flashy et fluo. I have nothing flashy, or neon! So I get to buy something.. We found nothing, so we returned empty handed. Not that it matters much, neither of us had any money!

I was texting with Kevin all the while. He was bored at the parent-teacher conference. The teachers were running an hour late..

I got home really late that night, around nine as the RER A line (to our house) is on strike. I hate strikes. The French, on the other had seem to like them! So I sat on a figging bus for an hour and a half just to get home for fuck's sake! But I got there in the end, tired but happy enough.

On Saturday we were supposed to go and see a movie, but it was cancelled. So Pauline, Michou and I went shopping. For something for la soirée. We found a bunch of neon jewellery at Claire's. I got neon yellow laces and neon earrings. Kevin found a neon pink and a neon yellow bandanna that he gave to me this afternoon after lunch. They're friggin awsome. Perfect for the soirée!

Around nine or so we went to get Saara from an RER station a little further away form us. I've mentioned Saara before. She's one of the other exchange students form Finland. She slept over and we had so much fun just chatting (in Finnish for a change!). We stayed up until one in the morning before we got tired and went to bed.

We had to wake up pretty early (for a Sunday!) as Saara was meeting her dad in Paris around midday. He's here on a business trip and they'd arranged to meet up. I think it was a good idea, especially as she's changing families as soon as possible. She needs her parents' support.

The rest of the day I just did whatever. I couldn't go to the movies with Pauline as there were no buses or trains to Cergy!! It was so annoying!

Today we had musculation for sport. I was happy as we were inside and we weren't doing any running, with the exception of the "run around the rugby field", which five people did while the rest of us watched. I thought it hilarious that Kevin managed to smoke a cigarette and run at the same time. He did soon stop, but all the same. It just goes against all that sports is for, health! But it was kind of comical. We walked back most of the way, but ran the last fifty/hundred meters (down hill!) back inside. It was cheating but it was COLD outside! Plus we've done enough running in my opinion!

We had this exercise where we had to do a lot of jumping (I assume it was a warm-up) over benches and obstacles. It's pretty tiring but quite fun. After we had some exercises with the weight lifting bar with 5 kg on both ends. So altogether it was about 18-20 kg we were lifting.

There were a few insane guys in our group (Kevin, Julian, Charles and Joachim) who lifted the bar with 20 kg on both ends - that makes almost 50 kg! Insane I tell you! I didn't even bother to try as I was struggling with the five on both ends!I just watched in awe.

I'm starting to panic about buying the last gifts for people! And sending the last package to Finland!! I hate Christmas! Well, just the panicking about what to get people. I still need gifts for Marie and her mum, Christelle,  Kevin, Clémentine and Chloé. We're splitting the gifts for Émilie and Boris and Camille.  It's much better as I have no idea about what to get them! So that's sorted. (:

I'll do some last minute shopping this week after school or something. But I have no ideas, really! Wish me luck!

Day 96-102 - Basketball and Breaking

Monday morning we had the last running lesson/class for sport! FINALLY! We had this test where we ran, in 45 seconds, to a cone 100m away, walked, in 15 secs, to a cone 5 meters away, ran back to the starting line, waited 15 secs and ran to the third cone, another 5 meters away. This is a test to see how fit you are or something. I made it to the eighth cone. I was second to stop. Almost all the other girls stopped at the ninth cone, but the guys continued for another ten or so cones! It's insane the amount the guys can run. Tomorrow we have long jump.. Not looking forward to it, but it is better than running! :D

That evening Émilie and I had muscle training and stretching. I wasn't too tired, luckily, as it wasn't the easiest session we've had! I loved it, though. I was knackered afterwards and pretty much went straight to bed.

Tuesday morning was hell getting up. I was sore all over, but I managed to make it to school and survive just fine. I'd soon forgot about the muscle pain when I got to chatting with friends and during classes when I had to listen. Unless I had to walk up/down stairs.

When I got home I found Danièle's sister, Nichole, was visiting. She's very kind and fun to be around. They don't look too much alike, but there is a certain resemblance. 

The same evening Émilie called to day she was too tired to come to sports with me, so I went alone. There was practically no one there! Only a few others, say 10, the teacher and I. I was surprised as usually the room is packed with people.

This week it was muscle training. I found it not as tiring as I would have before. It was hard, but I could manage to do all the exercises, with the exception of two, the side plank and something that resembled it, that I don't recall the name of. Next time I will do all of them, and even better. You also have to note that my muscles were still sore form the previous night, so I thought I did really well, even without considering. I slept well that night.

On Wednesday, after school we had a basketball match and oh, my God was it tiring! We played for about 30-40 mins each, so that was tiring. Plus I haven't played a real game in God knows how long! I loved it though, and I'm going to start going to the practices on Wednesdays.

After the match I walked home. It took less than 20 mins from the place to my house. But it started raining, and I got wet. Not that it mattered anyway, I hit the shower as soon as I walked in the door. After the shower it was a drag trying to stay awake. I was so tired. It was only 4 p.m.! Imagine. I still had 3-4 hours until dinner!

I literally hit the sack right after dinner, a bit after eight! First time since I was say 8/9.I slept a good 9 hours that night. I was tired on Thursday morning, though, waking up. I could so easily have stayed in bed.

On Thursday we had basketball for sport! I was still aching from Monday and Tuesday, plus add the match the day before I was ready to die! But I held on and I managed to make a few shots during the games.

I've realised, with the help of Marion L., that I'm not very good at shooting hoops during practice, but I can take a shot during a game. I really suck during practices half the time! It's so annoying and frustrating. I hate it and I'm determined to get better! I wish we had a hoop and a ball in our backyard. I mean a swimming pool is pretty useless during the winter! In the summer/spring/autumn even it's heaven and everything, but I still wish we had a hoop..

Friday went by. We watched a video in Agronomy, which was cool. We were supposed to take notes during it, but I gave up after the first two minutes. It's still not easy, French!

On Saturday I found out that Camille had come over for a visit. We went shopping with her and Émilie. I got a few presents (for myself and two others). I still have no idea about a present for Danièle or Marie. I have an idea for Émilie and Boris (they both like chocolate and Nutella..) along with Camille (who also loves chocolate!). I have some gift ideas for friends, but I have no idea how many to get! I'm thinking I'm only getting for the closest people I know, so that makes it three I believe. I also need presents for my parents, a sister and five friends.. Oh my god this is HARD! I hate Christmas! Noël, c'est de la merde! But before Christmas there is Danièle's birthday! Plus after Christmas there is the birthday of Marie. Oh my God, I may as well curl up under a rock and die!

Yesterday there was a concert I really wanted to go to, but Danièle wouldn't let me as it wasn't in the best part of town. I'd had it all planned out (as she'd told me the day before that I could go) that I was going to hang out with Antoine V. and his friends, as Pauline was too sick to come with me. :( Next time!

Today, Sunday, I've been trying to do some freezes, but not exactly succeeding. I've killed my wrists and feet though, trying to do them, so all's good! I will keep practising and I will succeed in doing the baby freeze today! For real.

Day 89-95 - Only the interesting bits

So this week went by pretty uneventfully. Tuesday was school, Wednesday went by uneventfully as we had no basketball practice. It starts this coming week, so I'm looking forward to that.

Thursday I played Traot with some new people. It was fun, but I can't remember their names. I think one was Marie, but the other girl I have no idea..

On Friday morning these two girls I've seen around school came up to me in the first hour (we had a skip..) and asked me to correct one of their English homeworks. I agreed, naturally. The couldn't find John, they told me, so they asked me instead. It was pretty good already, no major mistakes and a few missing words, but that's ok.

We had three hours (altogether) of Agronomy that day. I was talking with Antoine V. and Chloé who both sit behind me. We had and interesting conversation about vegetarianism. Chloé is extremely vegetarian and finds even the smell/sight of it disgusting. I, on the other hand, don't find it disgusting at all. I just choose not to eat it. Ethical and tastual (not a word, but now it is! It means the taste..) reasons. 

I also played sudoku all three hours. Antoine threatened to tell on me but he never did. I guessed he wouldn't. He's nice that way.

The last lesson, after lunch, I stole his scarf. And I almost walked out with it but he made me give it back. He had my bag (looking very, uh, sexy(?) with it. Not really. It's way too girly for any guy to pull it off) and walked out the room with it. Then he came back looking for his scarf. I was sad because it was so warm! Plus, even though he smokes, it doesn't smell! Surprising, but in a good way!

This weekend we had no homework. So I've done nothing for the past two days. I have read, downloaded music and been on the net all weekend. I'm sad as it's a bit boring.

I did watch a French film, La Haine (Hate), last night. Well, it was 23:30 when I started and two hours later I was getting ready for bed. Antoine had it in school on Thursday and he mentioned it was the best French movie ever. And Olivier confirmed. I do have to agree it was very good. Somewhat like Kidulthood. It tells about a day in the life of three guys living in the ghettos of Paris. It was very good and I recommend seeing it. I wish I could download it or something. It's on YouTube, but it's in parts sand I don't want to download it in parts.

Tomorrow we have sports and I hope we're done with running. I'm not convinced, though.. :(

Day 87-88 - Ciné (encore) and Skips

I woke up on Sunday morning thinking it'd be just another lazy Sunday. It was until after lunch when I was on the computer chatting to Pauline. She mentioned she was going to see New Moon later that day. I said, (more or less) jokingly, "moi aussi", expecting an mdr or xD. Instead I got a time and place.

After confirming with Danièle I pretty much headed out the door so I would make it in time. I did and we had to wait for over an hour for the doors to open so we could get in.

I was laughing at inappropriate parts in the film. The acting was extremely bad, but that made it funny. Plus Taylor Lautner had his shirt off for half the movie. Along with the rest of the "wolf pack".

I found the first movie a good interpretation of the film, but the second to be a complete and utter mess. I wasn't loving it.

Today I would normally have had sports, but I had to go to the nurse as I had a really bad stomach ache. The nurse is really chatty and kind. She chatted a lot. I was just there for medicine and I thought I would go to sports after, but she kept chatting and I didn't make it by a mile. The bus had left over 15 mins before I got out of her office. So I had a double skip.

There were some others who'd missed the bus and I joined them.

We played Tarot for a change after lunch. xD

We'd normally have had Information, but the teacher wasn't in, so I had another skip. Plus we got to go home an hour earlier than normal, as he's also the Maths teacher.

For English (we) had the rest of the presentations on the CIA of FBI, etc. (I didn't have one as the teacher didn't ask me to prepare one..)

While the others were working I had a chat with Olivier. He said he was ok but clearly he wasn't. So I demanded why not. After hesitating for a while he told me he was tired form working all weekend and that the other reason was to do with his gf. I didn't pressure him any more (can be very annoying, let me tell you, when people do that!).

Today I'd normally have sports but Émilie was too tired and I have a head ache, so no sports for me today. I may do some sit ups or something to "make up" for missing all sport today, but we'll see.

Tomorrow we have Step in the evening and I have no "school". Instead I'll be helping out in the stables... Um, yay?