Weekiversary

A week ago, I was waking up in America for the last time in 6 months.  A week ago, I was crying and giving hugs before I hopped on a plane.  Now, just one week later, I am already beginning to adjust to day to day life in France.  One part of that day to day life is lunch in the park.  Every day, my friends and I go to the market, buy some bread, fruit, cheese and maybe some wine and walk to the park where we catch up and relax.  On one of our trips to the park, we all said a rose, a thorn and a rosebud for our experience thusfar.  So after one week here in France, here's mine:

My rose: Although everything has been wonderful, I'd say my rose has been getting to know my host family.  I (of course) was terrified I wouldn't like my host family or they wouldn't like me, and it turns out I had no reason to worry.  They are all so kind and loud and goofy, just like my family at home.  I love jumping on the trampoline or picking raspberries in the garden with my host siblings Alyette and Edmond.  I love having conversations with my extremely kind host parents and I love eating delicious meals with all 8 members of my huge family.  Not only do I get to learn and improve my French everyday, I get to do so with wonderful people.

My thorn: My actual family.  Though its been great to continue being in a family atmosphere, I of course miss my family every day.  I feel so blessed to be having these great experiences, I just wish they could share them with me.

My rosebud: So far, I haven't done to much in terms of adventuring. Just adjusting to a host family and the city and school has been overwhelming.  But my rosebud is that pretty soon I will be taking some amazing trips with awesome people and I will get to see even more of this beautiful continent!  Tomorrow I am going with Natalie's host family to a volcanic lake (?) and next week (I think) I am going to Normandie for the four day weekend!  It would be easy to spend 6 months just exploring the beautiful city of Clermont, but I CAN'T WAIT to see and do even more.