Day 9 - Hobbies

Waking up at 9.30 a.m. is unusual for me, so when I woke up at the time indicated, I was feeling overly tired (caused by too much sleep). I groaned and headed for the shower and then to breakfast.

Around 11 a.m. Daniéle, Marie and I went to look at possible hobbies for myself and Marie.

We arrived at a large hall, much like that of a Comic-Con convention, with stands, not filled with comic books and figurines, but with brochures and leaflets letting you know about all the different options on offer. Picking wasn't a very hard choice for Marie or myself, as she already knew exactly what she wanted, archery, and I had a pretty good idea as well, pilates and/or stretching. We found the stalls and signed up. Simple pimple (though pimples are NOT simple. Won't go into that right now..).

In the evening we watched WarGames, a movie about computers and stuff. It was a really good movie, I thought. Well made and touching in a way.

The End.

Not the most interesting day, but what can you do. Not every day of one's life can be fascinating.

Day 8 - School (yet again!) and Introductions

Today was the first real day of school. It was pretty laid back and we only had two real lessons. For one, we have no French teacher to speak of, so we have skips during those times. Also, the History-Geography teacher was absent from school today so the class was cancelled and we got to go home early.

We have to take teo busses to get to school. First the S (they have letters insteadf of numbers! how cool is that?!) to the centre of the town, then the B, th C or the BC to the school. The second bus (the BC) was packed and you could hardly move! It got humid fast and I was eager to get off as soon as we arrived at our stop. Most of the people got iff, too. Some to our school (say a 5-10 minute walk from the stop), and some to the International School right in front of the bus stop.

We arrived 30 minutes early so we had time to chat to people.

For the first lesson we were split in to two groups. Our group (consisting of five students..?!) didn't have a teacher so we got to do nothing/whatever (listen to music in my case) for an hour.

I spent most of the day with John again, who introduced me to about 50 new people. It was insanely awsome! I remember a few of the more common names like Marion, Theo, Sara and Antoine, and a few less common (e.g. Joakim). I think I can recall all the faces I was introduced to, but not even close to half the names. Connecting the two is close to impossible.

l€unch today was better. Rice. It had some veggies mixed with it, which I liked. I also had a yoghurt for dessert and a nectarine to go (nectarines FTW!!).

Tomorrow we'ew going to see if we can find a(n inexpensive) hobby for Marie and I. I'm thinking pilates and/or stretching.

I CAN DO THE SPLITS!! I found that out today while stretching. When I did the splits, Daniéle ran out of the room complaining it hurt to watch, which I found hilarious. It was sweet, really. I'm proud of myself as I haven't been stretching regularly lately.. Will start doing so every night from now on!

Bisous!

Day 7 - School

I woke up, hit the snooze button and woke up again, eight minutes later. I got up, sighing, having dreamt a great dream. I head for the shower where I awake fully. I head back to my room after the shower, but end up having to head back soon after to dry my hair, as I have no mirror (with the exception of the tiny one I brought with me) in my room.

When I arrive at teh kitchen, at five to eight, I find Marie and Daniéle there, both having breakfast. The talk turns to insurance cards and papers. Daniéle asks for mine, and I have no idea about any of it. I go to find the GOUDA insurance papers from my room and hand them over to Daniéle. She reads them over and takes some photocopies to take to the school. We leave for school straight after.

We arrive at school 15 minutes early and have to wait to be let in. We  find some of Marie's friends along the way and I get introduced to a number of people, all of whose names I forget the instant I hear a new name, with the exceptions of names I'm already familiar with.

We get our books for the year (like five books for biology and related subjects!!) and head out to find me a cantine card. Eventually I get one and we can head for the class orientation thing. I understand none of it but thankfully Daniéle is there and is able to simplify and translate some important things for me.

We ahve 33 students in our class, mostly girls (no surprise there!). I find the pronounciation of my surname hilarious. It seems so difficult to everyone! So does my first name, but that can be altered. It's almost like a new nickname!

Daniéle leaves before lunch and we head for the cantine with a group of people. We get in line and I make observations of my surroundings. The walls are a cool mint green colour with the top and the ceilig white; the chairs look uncomfortable to sit in and the tables a solid white. Once we get to the beginnig of the line, where the food substances begin, I realise I have to sweep my card in order to be able to pass and get me some grub! We are served chips (!) and green beans with the option of bread (baguette), fruit, cheese and yoghurt for dessert. I take a baguette and cheese, but end up eating neither. I also throw away almost half my (HUGE) plate of chips (I ate the beans, because they were somewhat healthy, soaked in butter.. :S). All in all not that much better than in Finland (where the school food is free!!).

After lunch we hace some classes. We ahve no French, as we have no teacher, so we sit around talking for the hour. A guy comes over to talk to me and it turns out he speaks English! I'm relieced someone understands me and I them! His name is John. He's from sonewhere in Africa (I forget) and we have an insightful (to me, he does most of the talking) conversation about trust, school and why he won't share anything about himself with anyone else. I assured him I wouldn't say a word about what he told me about him to anyone (planning to keep my word, people!), as he said he'd "told me too much already". So if I understanc correctly, I know more about him than most people.

John had a piece of paper on his bag that read "Better than Usain Bolt" on it. I laughed in disbelief, but he assured me he's the fastest person i nthe school and could breat Usain Bolt, no question. I just laughed, but he seemed to really believe it so I just ended up going along with it. We'll see as we both have optional sport (not my choice!!) tomorrow. I'm intrigued to find out if he really is as fast as he says he is.

After "French" we had Economics of some kind. I got none pf the lesson, so I have no idea what's going on.. After that we had maths, of which I actually understood some of! The teacher was interesting in my oppinion as he is in a wheelchair. He was very nice and I thought a good teacher.

John was actually the only person to really even attempt to talk to me today, apart from Marie, who is obliged to do so.. I was disappointed no one really tried.

After dinner we watched Bones on telly IN ENGLISH!! I was so happy to actually understand a program for once! It may never happen again, as the next episode changed to French automatically and Daniéle couldn't "fix" it. It was a little piece of heaven for me!

Day 6 - Paris and Shopping

Today we went shopping in la belle Paris. The palce was called La Vallée Village, Outlet Shopping Village. La Vallée Village is near Disneyland Paris, which I thought was pretty cool.  Designer stuff for way less. Heaven for a fashion junkie strapped for cash.

We spent most of the day there, walking around, in and out of shops. I had a wonderful time! I bought nothing from the designer shops, but a bag (Promod) and a cardigan (Zara) from the mall right next door.

Lunch was interesting. I'm not sure if it's normal here in France, but it felt like a school cafeteria to me. You took a tray, utensils and went in search for food. There was a lot on offer (typical French) and you chose what you wanted and payed for it at the cashiere. I was glad Daniéle insisted on paying because I've already spent over half my allowence for this month (!) on school supplys and a few presents (which I need to send soon)! Back to lunch. I had cauliflower, carrots and half a grilled tomato (yummy) and (most of) a chocolate moussé. 

The rest of the day went by.

Dinner was an unusually interestin for me, too. I understood bits of canversations from here and there. And I got a few jokes!! I was so proud of myself!

Tomorrow's the first day of school and I'm psyched about making new friends and talking to new people.

 bientot!

Day 5 - Banks and Quarrels

I wake up, not to the usual sunshine, but to the gentle drumming of rain. I instantly feel depressed. But not for long. As I stumble into the shower, the relief is instantaneous. It's not so bad that it's raining. Almost feelis like Finland, like home. Then I relise this is my home now. To my relief the depression doesn't come flooding back. I feel... happy.

Later, after a lunch of leftovers, Camille, Daniéle and I drive to the centre of town to get me an account o' me own. Turns out they're really strict about handing out accounts. No-can-do if you don't have a steady income (meaning a job). I'm not allowed to get a job while here, so it's a Bye bye Mr. Account for me. I later find out, when the representative of the program calls to check up on me, that no exchange student in the history of France has ever gotten an account here. Bizarre.

We go to a book/record shop instead. I check out soem DVDs, but most of them don't even have English subtitles! I'm horrorfied! How can I watch a movie now?! We meet up with Camille there, who went to the pharmacie meanwhile.

Driving back Camille and Daniéle seem to have an argument about something. I just kind of stare out the window, listening. At some stage it's about some "idiots" and I hear the name Boris thrown about quite a few times.

Boris is Émilie's boyfriend. Hilarious I tells ya. Like a brother to the rest of the family. He made fun of me eatign so "little", calling me "the Camille of Finland" (this had to be explained to me.. :S), because Camille "doesn't eat much". I personally think she eats plenty. I mean she's VERY petite and eats quite a lot for such a small person, in my oppinion. But like I mentioned before, they have secondsies and thirdsies every meal. I eat half a plate (which are enormous, btw!) and I'm stuffed. They eat two full plates at least and still have cheese and dessert!

Nothing else happened today. Going to the centre of Paris tomorrow!! <3>

Day 4 - Birthdays and "Fruit and Veg School"

Before lunch we went in search for a bank so I could get an account here in France. Didn't happen. Everything here is closed on Mondays! Ce n'est pas vrai I thought while still in Finland, but oh, let me tell you, it IS true! Very few shops were open for business : the teeny, the tiny and the enormous.

Daniéle took me to the St.-Germain castle's garden. It was beautiful, although very dry. French gardens are very neat and tidy, nothing out of palce. Being new to that I found it odd, but oddly it made sense to me. I like symmetry (excl. maths), so I thought it was beautiful and well presented. Again, très Français. Most things here are. They seem to be pretty conservative here. I quite like it!

Today I saw my school for the first time. I am now officiall enrolled at the school. Marie drove us there. She did all right.

Our school specialises in agriculture, so we have green houses and a "shop". It sells fruit, veg and flowers. They have horses, too. NOT for sale. But you can ride them I think. Pretty cool.

After the school visit we went to the near by town of Chambourcy to a HUGE supermarket. I bought school stuffs from the supermarket and some toiletries. Just some essentials. And I got time for my phone so I can call people. Which is pretty useful. I just don't understand the system here.. I THINK I have 15 days to speak 10€ worth. Never gonna happen unless I make calls back to Finland. We'll see how that goes.

I had to get my photo taken for a bus ID card thing.. I was trying to take it seriously, but Daniéle kept making faces from behind the photographer. I kept bursting out laughing while the photographer was taking the pictures. I got a pretty good picture out of the whole experience in the end.

Today was Émilie's birthday. I had no idea until I was told last night, so I didn't have a present for her. :( She didn't seem to mind. We had a great time at the dinner table, though. I'm even starting to understand some of the jokes they make at the dinner table! YAY me! We had waffles for dessert. We always have proper food, la fromage et du pain and dessert. It's refershing and awsome, me being used to having a meal and then running off to do whaqtever, but here I sit through the fromage and dessert (sometimes skipping one or the other or both if I'm full, to the horreur of the rest of the family). They eat seconds and thirds EVERY MEAL! BUT THEY'RE SKINNY as hell! They have fantastique genes, these French people have. Be jealous everyone!

Grease was on tonight. It was the weirdest experience to see John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John speaking en Français. Never again, I say!

All in all a tiring but fun day. The tiring part may be because of the bubbly I had, but that's another story.

Day 3 - French Markets and Pretty Woman

I wake up to the sound of my alarm clock, still tired. I head out of my room and find the house empty. I'm bewildered. The past few days there's always been someone in the house when I wake up.

After having a shower I make my way to the kitchen to hunt down food. As I walk past teh living room I find Marie ther, readin. Once in the kitchen I find some cereals and a tub of youghurt. I get stuck in.

Soon after Marie asks if I want to go to the market in teh town centre. I give the nod and we leave soon after.

We walk to the market, up and down the hills of St.-Germain. When we get there we walk around the stalls. There is a certain feel to the whole thing. I think it's very French to go to the market on a Sunday morning in search of fruit and veg.

Most of the market consists of fruit and veg stands, but among them are clothes stands and jewelry stalls. I am mesmorised. The variety in jewelry all in one place amazes me. I could walk around the booths for hours on end, but we have to get back home for lunch. But not before a bit of shopping! I buy a green scarf that I've been longing for for a while now. I also get some jewelry (read earrings!).

After the shopping spree it's a lazy day in comparison. We eat some potatos with fromage and salad. Très yummy. Again, a traditional dish form somewhere.

Tonight after dinner we watch telly again. Pretty Woman is on. Havign never seen it it wasn't too odd to see it in French. I attempt to not think about the actors being American. Richard Gere looks great in the film! A little old but all the same! I'm not usually a fan of Julia Roberts, but in Pretty Woman, I have to admit, she did an excellent job. I believe I got the main gist of the film even though 't was dubbed.

School starts on Thursday and I'm feeling really good about it!