Cat Tongue

Well, today I didn't really do much. I'll tell you that right off the bat, but it was still a day full of new lessons and interesting conversation.

I got up rather late and got ready for the day. Then headed down for a lunch of a peanut butter sandwich. After I finished lunch, Grace took me out for my first grocery shopping experience. We went to the cheaper of the two closest stores. However, the cheaper one is farther away, a good fifteen minutes more. I say it took us about 25 minutes to get there. The shopping experience wasn't anything special. French have pretty much everything Americans do (even some American brands). One interesting thing is that their milk is ultra-pasteurized and therefore doesn't have to be refrigerated. I found that a bit unsettling so I think I will be on a milk fast for the remainder of the semester. Which is actually quite tragic since I love milk. Another interesting thing of note is that grocery stores do not have plastic bags, if they do you have to pay for them. It's the French way of saving the planet I guess.

On our way back from the grocery store. Two people asked me for directions. They could not have asked a worst person for directions. Not only is my French terrible, but I don't know where ANYTHING is yet. I deferred the questions to Grace, who wasn't much help either. I asked Grace how often that happens to her and she said hardly ever. I just found it interesting that both people specifically asked me and not Grace. I must look like I know what I am doing or perhaps I even have a French air about me?

When we got back I put away my groceries and decided to hang around in the common room since the internet is best there and I figured I would get to talk to some people who came passing through. I was able to catch up with some friends back home and chatted (very briefly) with Daniel and Celine. Celine was kind enough to give me a piece of chocolate. It was delicious! I also met a girl who came in to meet with Yasmine.

Then I had to meet with Jean-Paul the director of the seminary. He went over some rules with me. Interestingly enough, they allow smoking on the property, just not indoors. They also allow candles in our rooms. He told me to just make sure I blow them out before I leave...yeah that wouldn't happen at Gordon. Also, every student has a different job during the semester and you have to do 14 hours of that job before the semester is over. We think that my job will be helping Jean-Paul but we aren't sure yet since the person who assigns the tasks is not around right now.

I then helped Grace make le repas, which is dinner for everyone staying at the seminary. Every Monday someone cooks dinner for everyone and then everyone eats together. Again Grace made pasta...I wonder if she ever gets sick of pasta. While I was helping her, Adalan came in and asked me if I smoked. I found this question odd, since in the US that isn't exactly a question that you ask people. He offered Grace and I tobacco anyways, which we graciously declined.

Dinner was a fun experience, though a bit overwhelming since everyone was talking at once. I had a hard time hearing and understanding. I did okay though. I was even able to understand some of the jokes. Adalan asked me at one point "Are you boring" I knew he meant "Are you bored"  so I just said no. However, some of the other English speakers at the table started laughing. I felt terrible! He attempts to include me and he gets laughed at. This is exactly how I feel when I speak French. I don't want people to laugh at me and my poor grammar! For dessert we had sorbet (le glace) and langues des chats (literally translated to cat tongues) but they are actually just oval Nilla Wafers.

After dinner Grace, Daniel and I talked about different accents in France, England and the United States. It was actually a very interesting conversation. One thing I like about conversations like that is how easily everyone just flows from English to French and then back again. I find that really cool. Tomorrow I am going exploring on my own. It will be my first day without Grace by my side, but I have no doubt I will be fine! I've got God by my side guiding me every step of the way!