December

I can't believe it is already December and I have been in France for nearly 4 months. Sometimes it feels like I just got here a few weeks ago, and sometimes it feels like I have been here an eternity. I am starting to feel more comfortable here and realizing that I'm here for awhile. My language has improved drastically and I feel that I can pretty much communicate whatever I need to. I can't say everything exactly as I would say it in English, but I can make it work. I have found a church that I really enjoy. I am hoping to get to know some people there and feel a part of it. I am making some good friends that are from all over the world. I am learning a lot about myself and my faith. I'm really happy to be here.

Christmas is just around the corner, yet it really doesn't seem like it. I rarely hear Christmas music when I'm out shopping or walking around. I have literally seen less than 10 houses with lights or decorations. The stores are not full out decorated and pushing sales onto customers. I have realized that maybe America makes Christmas into a bigger deal than most places. I guess it also feels weird because since my host family is going to Egypt and wont be here, they dont think it's necessary to have a tree. No decorations in the house, no tree, no piles of wrapping paper and tags. it's just different. it's kind of sad. The one thing that I have noticed that I love is the way the individual towns decorate their main streets. Each town puts up lights on all the lamp posts as well as lights going across the streets. It is really cute and quite festive. Also, the Champs Elysees is beautiful. The trees lining the road have pretty blue lights on them and it lights up all the way down. At the end opposite the Arc de Triomphe is a big lit up Ferris Wheel. Its really pretty and magical. Heres a few pictures.



Also, it did snow the other day for a little while. That was absolutely beautiful. It really was only for about 45 minutes, but i still enjoyed it. It started as Manon and I were arriving back to the house for lunch and I got to watch it all the while preparing lunch. I even took a picture, but I dont know if the snow will really show up. no it didnt, but oh well. you can imagine. :)The weather in general is so cold! It has been quite a change from what I have grown accustomed to. Granted, I did grow up in Arkansas and that was cold. But after living in Southern California for 4 years, I got used to warm weather and flip flops year round. I am not used to wearing so many layers at once. It is kind of fun though. My house is really cold though. I'm not so sure how heating works here. I dont think they really have central heat. Each room has a heater in it, but when you leave that room it is cold. My room is usually pretty warm because my heater is on all the time. But as for the rest of the house, it's really really really cold. We also have a very limited amount of hot water for each day, so I can't even take a long hot shower to warm up. It's a little frustrating. I have learned to make it work, but still it's tough.

Well, I have been sitting here trying to figure out what else to write. I am stumped, yet again. So i will just close with a few fun facts:

• Did you know that in France milk is sold non-refrigerated? You buy it in bulk (like bottled water) and it sits in your pantry until you need it. After that you put it in the fridge. But only one bottle at a time. The rest stays in the pantry. It kind of weirds me out.
• Families who have 3 children get 30 % off of a lot of stuff. If you have 4 kids, it's 40%, and 5 it's 50%.
  
• 35 hours is a normal work week. And typically, they are not allowed to work overtime. Thus, everything is always closed at the most inconvenient times. (ie, 2 hours for lunch every day!)

okay well thats all for now. Hope everyone has a merry christmas.