Like A Kid Again

Today was a good day. I've become much more comfortable with the area around my house so I decided to take a jog around the park with our little dog. It was amazing. No one uses leashes here so I was free to jog as fast and far as I liked, knowing that if Russie decided sniffing was more important she could catch up in a moment or so. Much less stressful than having my feet yanked from under me like the few times I had my dog on a leash back home.

Anyway, back to the amazing run. The wind here is quite strong due to a valley just north of us that condenses it, and was perfectly at my back. I felt as though if I only dared to jump as high and far as I possibly could, that I would then remember how to fly and be carried away like in the dreams I had when I was a kid. I don't think I've ever run so fast! I've been in such a good mood from the experience that I couldn't resist writing about it here.

This adventure has been full of firsts (mostly food related) and I'm glad to say there's been another. I've found a tea that I like, or rather, a tisane! I was never fond of tea back home, even the sweet tea that my family adores so much. I know, I'm a poor excuse of a southerner. But Catherine has a huge collection of teas made right here in Provence! I'm greatly enjoying testing a new one every few days or so. My favorite is a homemade tisane that Antonia's mother sent over from Germany. It's beautiful and made of meadow flowers. Spring is so close and I cannot wait.

Yesterday morning, our whole house went out to see War Horse in french. I understood less than half of the words, but the film was simply magnificent. We loved it. It showed wonderful insight to the people involved in world war I on both sides, a real humanitarian piece. Intensely thought-provoking though. See it if you can.

On an unrelated note, I had my first test this morning. Encompassing a little of everything, I found it both challenging and long. I feel good, though. We'll see!

My class schedule has changed a bit. I'll no longer have my precious three day weekend for traveling. My adventures will have to be mostly limited to southern France, which is beautiful anyway. I do have a four day weekend in April, though, along with spring break so I'll try to plan as much as I can for then.

I want to see Belgium very desperately. Home to the U.N. and one of the most unique modern political party systems in the world. In fact, Belgium is one of very few nations whose parties' affiliates directly correspond to a region. The country is very divided and infinitely entertaining.

Finally, I made another friend, well a few more friends, but this one wrote the following first impression of my character:

"The other new American, Carly, seems very nice, too, but shy, and she already lives with another American that she came with, so, the way I see it, she's not as desperate for friends as Theresa and I are. She seems content to mingle with the other students without the need to bond with any of them."

I do tend to observe more than engage, like my father and grandfather before me. It's a good thing. I miss very little :)

And so, I have little other news to tell. I won't be in Paris for couple more weeks, March 9th, but I'll be sure to take too many pictures per usual.