Everytime I think about this I can't help but smile. Yesterday at dinner (I have no idea how this came up) but Antonin told me that Vivi would talk to the American students about food and they would always smirk when she said "peanut butter." Someone finally told her that she was pronouncing it wrong and saying something a little different. I won't go into details, but use your imagination and you can figure it out. I was laughing so hard that I started crying. My other favorite mispronounciation is bear and beer. Someone said to me that there were no beers in France. Dommage! We had a good laugh about it afterward though. That's the fun part about learning another language.

Yesterday night I also got to drive a stick for the first time! I only stalled it once, but it was a very jerky ride to say the least. Don't worry--I was on a backroad so no one was in danger. By the time I leave, I want to be a pro so I'm sure there will be lots of driving stories in the future.

Today I went into town with Sabrina (Nana) because she was getting her hair done. Honestly, I was really scared to walk in the door because the hairdressers all had mohawks, there was a tranvestite getting his hair bleached in one of the chairs, and there were pictures of naked women covering all the walls, but it turned out to be a really cool salon. I didn't have an appointment, but one of the guys came over to me and said, "OK, sweetie, vat do you vant?" in the cutest accent. I didn't have anything done today because of technical issues, but I will have a surprise in about a week and a half and I am so excited! I left after about a hour and a half to eat lunch with a friend, but Nana was there for almost 5 hours-and that was just for a cut and color. Getting your hair done is an experience in France because les coiffures are extremely proud of their work and really know their stuff. It was only 80 euro (~120 USD) for her hair today. I say only because the appointment took FIVE hours and her hair was a work of art at the end.

Another upcoming event that I am super excited for is the soccer game tomorrow at 7! I bought the ticket today and it was only 9 euro because we are in the nosebleed section. The team is horrible this year, but it's all about the aura!

A plus tard

I miss my car!

If I could put my finger on one thing that I miss the most about the US, it is the freedom of movement. I am completely dependent on the buses, trams, and kindness of my family. While it is liberating to not have to worry about the ever-present mechanical problems that I face with my car, I can't go where I want to go when I want to go. For example, tonight when go out with friends in the city, I have to take a taxi back because the buses stop running at midnight on the weekends and 10:00 on the weekdays-extremely, extremely inconvenient. It's about 30 euros one-way, which is about 45 bucks. Luckily I am reimbursed for travel expenses by the school because this would definitely put a dent in the bank otherwise. Vivi suggested looking into getting an international permit and then renting a scooter or something so we shall see if I do that or not.

Anyway, on the way to the bus stop today there was a peasant that was just 50 feet in front of me. I was behind him for quite a ways and he just kept walking right along. It was really cool because it was the first time I have seen one up close and personal, but I could help but feel sorry for him because he will probably end up in a stew in a couple days. Hunting season "le chasse" is right now and the French love them some peasant for dinner.

Also, saw Julie and Julia this weekend and I highly recommend it!