As far as language goes, I've finally started to think in French (which I wanted to do the first week here!) and make mistakes in English... this is a good thing! I can't tell you how weird it is to be in the middle of writing an essay for English class and ask myself "How do you say that in English!?". The two Canadian exchange students in my class told me today that I speak English with a French accent. I am very happy.
I couldn't have predicted before coming here that I would be force-feeding a sick guinea pig, trying to convince people that I wasn't a werewolf or developping a growing interest in swing music. On one hand I feel like I've grown up a lot since I've been here and that I see things in a new way, but on the other hand, life is still life. I still have good days and bad days, and I'm recognizing now how much my culture is a part of who I am. It takes a lot more than changing your location to integrate into another culture- I relate to the world in an American way, and even if I were to stay in France for a long time, my background would remain a part of my identity. So I now see my goal to "become française" in a new light.
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My grandmother very kindly sent me a list of questions that she has about France and my life here, since I was experiencing a severe case of writer's block. Here I will try to answer them.
1. What do you have for breakfast?
That depends how I feel. The typical French breakfast (what my host dad eats and what is suggested as a "balanced meal" on the butter, the cookies, etc.) is a big bowl of warm liquid such as milk or tea with a fruit and a piece of buttered bread and a yogurt. I usually opt for cereal and/or yogurt and tea. I'm not to big on the giant bowl thing...
2. Who cooks in the family?
Marie-Armelle, my host mom. I made Palak Paneer yesterday...
3. How are the teenagers in France different from those in America?
To start off, French teenagers dress better. They're also better-looking in general in MY opinion, but taste is subjective. In France, there isn't the same emphasis on individuality as there is in the U.S., so there isn't the same clique hierarchy. I feel like teenagers here are also more mature... but it's hard to say. Maybe it's just that the immature teens aren't as loud as in America.
4. Do kids wear jeans? Are they more covered than some of the American girls?
Okay. Here is what you need to dress like a French girl:
- A scarf.
- A black leather jacket
- Skinny jeans
- Wedge boots
- A leather bag
5. Do you take your lunch to school or eat there?
No one takes their lunch to school. We either eat at the cafeteria, at home, or at the "Dépot de Pain" across the street.
6. Is your family musical?
Not especially. It's okay. I sing everywhere I go.
7. Do you have many AFS functions?
There are three big meetings throughout the year, and then a few parties here and there. We always take lots of pictures together and dance a lot and share our experiences and thoughts. Have you noticed that the French people always say this? That they never do that? And we all agree that we're getting fat from eating too much cheese.
Next time I'll do a sondage of French opinion on the U.S!
