Only one more week? The only reason this doesn’t depress me is because I’ve loved this experience so much (a far cry from the first few weeks, I know) and I’m so thankful for it that I can’t possibly be upset about it now. I've already said goodbye to Aubagne, and I'll say goodbye to Aix in one week. I'll spend a few days Paris because that's where I fly out of on Wednesday. It’s been awhile since I’ve written because I’ve been quite busy. And happy, as I briefly wrote in the last entry. I’ve been spending my time drawing [View Full Entry]

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I'm so happy these past few weeks! I hope it keeps up. Today I took pictures all day, some near a cemetery and most of small streets. A few are good, but most are shit. I'll post some soon. Just know I'm happy, and that's why I'm not writing as much. Can't wait to see you all in a month (exactly)! [View Full Entry]

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the little cuties and their accents! incidentally, i do not know this kid. [View Full Entry]

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This blog is due for a bit of positivity, n’est-ce pas? The title is a quote from my student. We were discussing the importance of proverbs and idioms, and she enthusiastically wanted to share some French ones with me. I loved this the most, and to be honest I’m not exactly sure I understand the meaning but I THINK it means you have to really search for happiness in life and help bring it into existence; it doesn’t just ‘happen’. Whether or not that is the real meaning (after all, giddy 17-year old French teenage girls aren’t the best French teachers), [View Full Entry]

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These are all scenes that I have actually seen, not just random shots, so pretend I took them. My camera settings sure are diverse, huh? ;) [View Full Entry]

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Japanese rust was my beloved muse for a year; now it’s French doors. They take my breath away. The peeling paint, the worn wood near the bottom where thousands of feet have bumped them, the centrally-placed ornate doorknobs, the wrought iron occasionally serving as the appetizer to the main dish, the graffiti so often decorating them… The symbolism of both my international muses is not lost on me either, in case you were wondering. And what a shame that I cannot photograph them. Almost on par with the fact that I’ve been here one month, and I have not been able [View Full Entry]

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I leave tomorrow for Aix and I’m a little relieved for things to go back to ‘normal.’ This week has been good though, I’ve spent a lot more time in Myself than I usually do. I’ve meditated every day, written out and focused on my goals for the future, and tried very consciously - all day long - to rid my brain of unhealthy thoughts. I’ve also studied my ass off, which is always a treat. Hopefully I can continue this pattern when I merge it with my life back in Marseille/Aix as well as my next life in America. [View Full Entry]

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This week I am in Toulouse with the children at their grandparents. Muriele’s brother, his wife, and children are here also; it’s kind of like a week-long vacation with the family in the countryside except the family isn’t mine and they speak a language only semi-comprehensible to me. So then, you can understand my hesitation to assume that this would be a good time, right? It hasn’t been too bad as of yet. The house is, after all, in a gorgeous, isolated location with the same idyllic sunshine as everywhere else in the south of France (it’s about 4 hours west [View Full Entry]

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Things I love: - Learning to be fabulous at cooking. Today it is Gateau des Courgettes (a zucchini flan with crème frais, gruyere, couscous, eggs, mint and other yummy stuff). Many of you will be surprised to know that I’ve cooked a whole chicken on 2 occasions since being here, and hear they were pretty good! - Friends who send a well-timed package to me. Today I had breakdown #2 and even left school because of it…I slept it off and awoke to a book from Suzy that I can’t wait to read (thank you!!!) - The fact that very [View Full Entry]

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I’ve been trying not to use a lot of French when I write because frankly, I know it’s annoying to read if you don’t speak it. Like, ‘oh, look at me, I can speak another language and I’m going to display it all over you.’ But sometimes, things just sound a lot better and come out before the English equivalent comes out. I mean, the title of this sounds a lot more interesting than ‘my daily life’, right? So my typical day in Aix begins at 6 or 6:30am when I wake up, leave the house by 7, walk 25 minutes [View Full Entry]

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