White Horses and Grape Vines

Wednesday September 30th 2009:

What a lovely day I've had!

I took the morning bus to Lunel. The first thing that I did was walk up the sketchy street that I took a picture of yesterday. There were no creepy old men to harass me. Then I went sightseeing for an hour and a half through downtown Lunel. I noticed a shop that had stringed instruments in the window. I found out that they custom make and repair stringed instruments. There was a miniature cello in the window, and I thought it was so adorable, so I took a picture of it.

I went on an expedition to find yarn and was successful! A small shop named "Phildar" sells nice modern clothes way out of my price range, and in the back of the shop there was a colorful selection of yarn and magazines and books and knitting an crocheting supplies. The lady who runs the store was a sweetie and let me try out different kinds of yarn and different sized crochet hooks. I purchased 3 balls (for now), a hook and threading needles.

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I went to talk to my French instructor, Sandrine at school to see about changing my class schedule. I am not attending classes on Wednesday mornings instead of Tuesday afternoons and Friday afternoon stays the same. Now, I'll be able to do whatever I want with my Wednesday afternoons! At 11:30, I wasn't ready to go home yet, so I called Gillian and told her I was taking the 5:30 bus instead.

I ended up staying at school for an hour and earned myself some new French knowledge. After the lesson was over, Sandrine and I went to her house to pick up her daughter, Joanna. We went to the Creperie D'Emilie. I got an Italian Crepe without black olives for lunch, and for desert I had a Nutella crepe. It was SOO good!

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Next, Sandrine took me and her daughter to the new shopping complex, Odysseum. HOLY COW it was AMAZING! The architecture and the stores was incredible! I didn't want to spend a lot of money there, but I did buy a shirt from H&M for 5euros. *makes happy face*

Sandrine took me sightseeing around the complex because her daughter spent most of the time with her boyfriend. I found a Subway and almost started crying I was so excited! Sandrine took a picture of me with Subway, and then we went in. I bought 2 macadamia nut cookies and one triple chocolate chip cookie. It was the first familiar smell that I've smelled in 3 weeks. Subway = <3

(MAN! I'VE BEEN HERE 3 WEEKS!)

(nom nom noim....Subway cookies!!)

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We went back to Sandrine's house after our shopping expedition. She has two wall length fish tanks in her house. They house warm water African fish. I told her that my dad would LOVE them. There were so many colored shaped and sized fish. Unfortunately, I did not take pictures of them, because I found out on Finding Nemo that that was a mean thing to do.

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I had 45 minutes to kill before I had to catch the bus, so I went to Cafe D'Amelie and got some Earl Grey tea and wrote in my journal.

On my way home in the bus I saw two white horses in a field of grape vines. It was magical looking.

I also noticed a cemetery in the village next to this one, and there were tombs that look like stone baby barns. They are probably thousands of years old. ( :S )

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Today was a great day. Hopefully, there will be more 'today's'.

<3

p.s: We ate grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and Greek salad for supper. It was quite delicious.

Tuesday September 29th 2009

29-09-09:

This morning Gillian and I went grocery shopping. The rain boots that they had at the supermarket were so ugly. I bought an opaque/pastel/cream colored nail polish today, and remover. No luck with finding yarn or cream of tarter.

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Ham sandwiches for lunch

I am half finished of my meds (!)

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This afternoon, I went to french classes this afternoon. More conversation practice and verb conjugation. My teacher bought a book for the school called French Grammar for English Speakers. It's pretty much the greatest thing written since Shakespeare.

I showed the older French ladies who are taking English courses where PEI is on the globe. They were all in awe.

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We had chicken and broccoli casserole tonight for supper with rice. It was delicious. :)

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I had a meeting with Gillian tonight about my work schedule and my free time and such over vanilla ice cream with banana and M&M's. Best staff meeting I've had in a while.

(The communal Nutella tub and Peanut Butter Fudge Crunch ice cream have got to be the best though.)

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I took a few pictures today. They are now up on Crackbook. While I was on the bus on my way home from school, I noticed a telephone booth in Boisseron, but couldn't stop to take a picture of it because I was in a fast moving vehicle.

Last night I rented Picture Perfect from iTunes, so I'll watch that in a bit.

Tomorrow, I'm going to Lunel in the morning on the 9:15 bus. I'm going to go to my school and see about class time changes and to shop and dine. mmm.:)

NOTE: ALSO, TOMORROW WILL BE A PICTURE EXPLORATION DAY! Be prepared to see lots of photographs of Lunel and area!

ok, Sweet Dreams!

Monday Monday

28-09-09

Monday's "To-Do" List:

1/2 - Be Happy

1 - Do Laundry

2 - Get Dressed Up

3 - Have "Me" Time

4 - Buy Something

5 - Read

6 - Give Myself a Pedicure

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This morning I got the boys up and ready for school, then I walked them to and from school I did my laundry while they were gone. I made pasta salad with leftovers for lunch. Alex and Ben played outside for a bit, then had a nap. While they did so, I did more laundry and designed my own dream home. (I guess you could call this "me" time) Gillian got back from work at 4:30 ish. She is taking the boys to the park. I will go after, but I am going to buy something first. I don't know what it will be, yet, but I'm assuming it'll be candy or something. I'm just ganna go with my iPod.

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I walked to the bakery bit it was closed, so I went to the TOBAC. It's basically a smoke/magazine shop. They had candy there also, I bought 3 chupa chumps. One for each of the boys, and one for myself. I asked the clerk if they had any English magazines, but they didn't. The boy's enjoyed their lollipops very much!

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So, I walked up and down the hill 6 times today. I think I've got enough exercise for one day. Basically, I walked for an hour and a half today.

Alex went to the hardware store with Fred, and Ben and I are watching Veggie Tales Sing Along.

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I'm going shopping tomorrow. My objective: camera, nail polish, nail polish remover, yarn, crochet hook, cream of tarter, and rain boots. (random, eh?)

Gillian is cooking tortellini stuffed with ham for dinner...I've already eaten pasta today, but I guess I can handle it from all the walking I did today.

(hey, I'll have a nice set of legs when I get home, tho!)

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OH! While I was out for my stroll to buy something I found a statue of Jesus on the side of the street, and also noticed a tour bus full of sleepy people. One man was sucking his thumb. It made me giggle. A lot.

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I am happy with the way my day went. :)

ok. Sleep tight everyone.

(All I have to do now is read...)

The day of eating WAYY too much food...

Sunday, September 27 2009: This morning I woke up, had a shower, ate breakfast and then we were off to church. Worship was good, but I still have a hard time understanding the sermon. It will take time. I know that it was taken from Matthew 23. After church I rode the tram-way to Ted and Christina's. It was quite the adventure! very interesting. It was really smooth, actually. I stood up on the tram because there were no seats.

When we got to Ted and Christina's apartment I helped make a salad, and then everyone seemed to show up at once. I met two French students from Ireland. Their names are Laura and Sandra. (I WILL GO TO IRELAND SOMEDAY, GOSH DARN-IT!) There were 18 of us at the potluck. I didn't get to try my bread, but I heard it was good. This will give me an excuse to make more.

I am literally exhausted from trying to carry on a conversation(s) in French. I am zzzzzzzzzzzZZZZ.

I now understand why Esther told me to fast from eating food before church potlucks. I AM SO FULL :S .

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I was having a lonesome moment for home when I got back, and so I talked to mom and dad on the phone for 2 hours and 1 minute. I also got mt package in the mail while I was talking to them! (SO EXCITING!) My foot file, tea and Advil cold and sinus have arrived safely to me. I am now drinking honey bush tea (I have become kind of addicted to it, thanks to Andrew Campbell), and also I am eating breakfast cracker. It is kind of like a grown-up baby cracker. (!) I am feeling a bit better today, besides the occasional feverish feeling. OK, that's all.

Friday Not-So Fun Day: and Saturday.

Yesterday, I woke up to horrible stomach pains.

I ate cereal for breakfast.

got sick.

Stayed in bed for the rest of the day.

I didn't go to french class.

So, I'm not too happy that my day off was spent sleeping and watching movies and occasional trips to visit Ralph, but ohh well.

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Saturday:

This morning Gillian took me to the doctor. I have an infection in my stomach and so now I'm on three different meds. Hopefully I'll be better soon! I do feel a bit better today, so that is good. I am up and about, and I'm going to make mom's homemade bread to take with me to the potluck dinner at Ted and Christina's tomorrow (they are the youth ministers at the church).

ok. well That's pretty much it...

Sometimes we roll, sometimes we run....

24-09-09:

This morning I walked the boys to school and then power walked back up the hill. It felt good.

I've sat and gawked over recipes on The Joy of Baking.com Ugghh. I could bake till the cows come home! ... (speaking of cows, I haven't seen one cow since I've been here..so weird....They're left right and center at home)

I'm planning on making grilled cheese for lunch for the boys. I still haven't had a grilled cheese since camp. I got so tired of them, so I'll eat leftover panzeratti! When the boys go down for their nap, I'll make Hannah's Apple Loaf...

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I've put the boys down for their nap. They took the cheese out of their grilled cheeses and ate the toasty bit... I had a shower and am making an attempt of letting my hair dry in a way that it'll curl...we'll see.

I'll make apple loaf now...

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...There was a lot of trouble involved in making the apple loaf! First of all, I didn't have baking soda. Second of all, i didn't have bran (but substituted it for Quaker oats). Third of all, I didn't have allspice, but just put extra cinnamon and ginger in it. Fourth, I used slivered almonds instead of pecans...Basically, Hannah's modified version of Apple Loaf has become even more modified by my lack of looking through cupboards. (hopefully it'll still taste good...it smells good..?)

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While my loaf was cooling, the boys and I watched Blue's Clues...This one is about reading.

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My loaf is now being renamed loaf/cake/crisp. I have no clue what to classify it as... It is tasty though...which is a relief.

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I made stir fry and rice for supper. It was good, but I used too much soy sauce and now my fingers are swelling from salt overload. I've been drinking water like a madman!

Also, I just found out that I basically have the whole day off tomorrow (besides school). Gillian is taking the boys to school on her way to a meeting and picking them up on her way home. Fred has also spontaneously taken the day off to do house and yard work, since the cold season is apparently fastly...(uggh..fastly still isn't a word!...QUICKLY) approaching...I don't understand...It was 26 degrees out today...whatever!...I'm not complaining! :D

...I actually wouldn't mind it get a bit colder, then I can wear some of my nicer clothes...

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I talked to Mom and Leah and Ella this evening on web cam. I had a tea to settle my belly and then Gillian and I decided we were going to watch a movie. She chose Airplane, which is a funny/stupid movie. The DVD player broke 15 minutes into the film, so we ended up talking for an hour while folding laundry.

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I am sleepy and itchy. I think my foot may have taken an allergic reaction to something...Ohh well...

I'm sleepy...

OK. goodnight.

<3

ohh.. and my hair went straight...

Week #2 in the life of the live-in babysitter

23-09-09

Last night I was sad and homesick and didn't sleep till 2:45(ish)am. Now I am tired and hot and cranky. (....somebody play me a Dm....)

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I've introduced the boys to French toast. They love it. I topped mine with Nutella and bananas. They just had syrup with bananas on the side.

We colored letters of the alphabet this morning.

I made parmesan chicken and pasta for lunch. It was yummy.

I put the boys down for a nap, but they're being noisy and aren't cooperating. Ben was screaming at me and slammed doors...

I think I need a nap too...No Lunel for me today.

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I was on my way for a nap, and when I turned off my light and closed my shutters, the room got pretty dark. I wasn't adjusted to the darkness, and landed ribcage first into the corner of my dresser. This resulted in a full glass of water to splatter and shatter on the floor. There was glass and water everywhere. It took 45 minutes to clean up...

Today is NOT my day.

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I napped for an hour and a half after i chatted with Mom for a bit.

It is so hot here...I'm not sure if I have a fever, or if it actually IS hot.

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Gillian, the boys and I went to get my photo I.D taken, then got some groceries for supper. The boys have been really rambunctious and whiny today. It could be because of their lack-of-nap.

Supper was really good tonight.. It is called goat cheese salad. It was lettuce, tomatoes, bacon bits, corn and vinaigrette sauce. Then Gillian toasted some baguette with goat cheese and a mixture of spices on top. Tasty!

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I am going to relax, take a bath or read, then go to bed early ( i hope) tonight....

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...the sun..has gone...to bed and so must I. Good night. Good night. Good night...

<3

Monday & Tuesday

21-09-09 ~ 22-09-09 :

TUESDAY

This morning I woke up at 7:30, helped with the boys, ate cereal and hot chocolate (our of a mug like a normal person). Gillian took the boys to school, and I had an extremely long hot shower and put some nice makeup on.

My cold still hasn't gone away :(

I am going to do homework now...

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I finished my homework and the boy's slept straight from 1-4. Big nap, but they didn't get a whole lot of sleep this weekend.

They walked all the way home from school. We ate sandwiched for lunch.

When the boys woke up from their nap they ate a snack (well Alex did, Ben sat and sulked and then wet himself)... We began coloring, but Gillian arrived home with a new Blue's Clues DVD, so we watched that instead. Then colored.

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We ate yummy potatoes with cheese and salad and beef tonight.

The kids are asleep and I'm talking to Mom and Dad and drinking vanilla tea with breakfast crackers...

I get to sleep in tomorrow, and then Gillian and I are going grocery shopping while the boys are at PreK.

I have school tomorrow afternoon...

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WEDNESDAY:

This morning I got to sleep in! Then Gillian and I went to the supermarket. I think she underestimates how large these 'grocery stores' are! The food bit of the place was larger than Cosco in Moncton. Then there were clothes and kitchen appliances and electronics, and etc...Then there was a small shopping mall attached to that (clothes, shoes, jewelry, etc)...Let's just say it is massive.

I bought a small wicker basket to house things in my room. It is cute. I also bought a pencil for school and some toiletries. There was no yarn...

I got to pick out food that I like. Yop comes in huge 1.5L bottles, and so I got a strawberry/banana one that is fiber and calcium enriched....MMM FIBRE.

We ate P.B&J and leftover potatoes for lunch. I have to catch my bus to Lunel soon. I'll be there till 5:30 and then I'll be back home at 6. I'm going to find the Cafe D'Amelie that Esther was talking about.

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I am at school right now. David (my retired English conductor friend) and my teacher and I went next door to a coffee shop and had a coffee after my lesson. I learned about passe compose and imparfait, and also worked on vocabulary. It confused me a lot so I'm going to find an explication of french grammar, in English, and also, I'll ask Gillian, as she is also a teacher.

David has told me about some coffee shops that I can take my 'ordinateur portable' to that have good food and wifi, and an art gallery.

I'll have to come in an afternoon and explore.

Lunel is such a cute little town. I'd live here, except for the creepy men on the streets.

I found Cafe D'Amelie, but didn't go in...next time. :)

I need a haircut.

Also, if I order a coffee again, i need to say "Grand Cafe Creme" which means large coffee with milk. otherwise, you get some black espresso in a small glass like a shot glass.. Their 'large' cups are about the size of Timmy's small cup.

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Gillian is making calzones for supper. They smell so good.

They taste as good as they smell! They were SOO GOOD!

Gillian sauteed onions, garlic, mushrooms and zucchini in a pan and added cream (and I suggested red sauce, so she put that in too!) sauce. She made homemade whole wheat crust and stuffed it with the toppings and goat cheese and emmental (it's kind of like mozza cheese).

SO GOOD!

They boys are having a bath and then they're off to bed.

I work from 8 am till noon tomorrow. I'd like to go back to Lunel in the afternoon.

Now I am off for the night.

Au revoir!

Lara...<3

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today's coffee count : 3

This is the marina for sailboats that was right beside the retreat center. It was gorgeous there.

Weekend Retreat

Saturday, September 19 ~ Sunday, September 20, 2009:

> Right now, I am sitting along the seaside on a bench surrounded by children's toys. I am helping at the nursery this morning at the weekend retreat. Noah (who is a tiny baby) is sleeping in his carrier beside me. Odette (my Canadian friend who is a worship leader) is taking the little kids on an exploration walk. It is so peaceful right now. We are at a retreat center which is right on the water. Hopefully, I'll take lots of pictures!

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I've taken lots of pictures and met some friends. Sarah is from Vancouver, and has been living and working in France for two years. She lived in Montpellier last year and attended this church, and so she's visiting. She's now living in Paris, so now I'll have an excise to travel.

Esther is from England. She is Rachelle and David's former Au pair. She has been visiting for the last week.

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Esther, Sarah and I didn't go to the chocolate soiree. First of all, it didn't start till 10:30 pm. The other girls were tired, also. Second of all, I ate WAY too much cake at the cake festival. It was all so yummy, but my heart was actually hurting afterwards from all of the sugar.

Last night, supper wasn't good at all. It was calamari (like a processed canned kind) in a cream sauce on top of white rice. I TRIED the squid, and then ate the rice around it. Packaged coffee flavoured ice cream for desert... Let's just say that a lot of people were glad they filled up on cake.

Sarah says that anytime that I need a weekend away, to just let her know and I can come to Pairs.

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I'm very glad that Deanna gave me this book. My blog would be non-existent without it.

Now, I am going to go eat breakfast...

The view from out bedroom window is AMAZING.

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Breakfast: Cereal, hot chocolate (in a bowl...They don't use mugs in France), bread with jam, and orange juice.

Lunch: Gross mystery meat (which I did not eat), green beans, avocado, apple pie and bread, and gross processed cheese. (I still have to add it to my list though.)

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Esther, Sarah, Christina and I went onto a stranger's sailboat and chilled and talked. There was no sign that said that we couldn't, and there was no one around. It was fun.

We played activities with the kids- Worship was good this morning, I knew most of the songs, and sang along in French. The words were different, but got the same message across. I guess the only way to learn french is to be completely submerged into a crowd of people who speak french. I fell asleep at 10:30 last night because I was SO tired. It REALLY does take all of your energy from you. We're on our way home now. Each boy is sleeping beside me. They are tired too...

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When we got home, I ate a bowl of cheerios and I had a nap for about an hour. When I woke up, I went and had crackers and a decaf coffee. Gillian is thinking of something to make for supper.

I opened my shutters and my eyes gazed out at a lovely gray/blue sky and clouds and a rainbow. I invited Ben to come see it too and it put him into a better mood.

Fred put some new 'big boy' swings up in the backyard, so the boys are out playing on them.

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We ate pureed broccoli, rice and hot dogs for supper. It was interesting, but I ate all of it. We had drumstick ice cream cones for desert.

I talked to Dad and Mom on the phone for over an hour tonight. It was nice to hear them.

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I was too tired last night to write this then, so at least you'll have it for when you wake up this morning.

Laura <3

We'll be the heroes of the sidewalk in our town....

18-09-09 :

This morning I drove the boys to school. What an adventure! Ben cried the whole way there. When they arrived home I found out that my cake was a huge success amongst the little children.

I watched Across The Universe special features this morning because I still wasn't feeling well.

We ate chicken with potatoes shaped like letters of the alphabet. The French bring learning to the dining room table!.

I've just spent the last three hours in French language class. My teacher is very nice. I basically had a revision and practiced what I already knew in french. Verbs! (funnn!!!!!..................) She gave me tea while i was waiting for my bus home.

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I stopped at the pastry shop and bought Chupa Cumps. (Raspberry and cream and banana; I think that those are Ellen's favourite kinds...)

Pizza and Salad and Chocolate pudding for supper.

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I am now listening to Two Hours Traffic. I miss Charlottetown :(

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My thought for today:

"Their fields of grapes trump our fields of potatoes. Sorry, P.E.I., but you can go drink your sorrows away with nice French wine"....

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love always, <3

day #8

17-09-09 :

Does anyone have any idea how to (fastly...apparently fastly isn't a word. I'll use 'quickly") cure a sinus infection? This is just going way too far!

Currently drinking coffee and eating Nutella and bananas by the spoonful. It is 9:30am. Yes, I know it isn't good for me, but I'm 4000 miles away from home, and it's comforting. So THERE.

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I cleaned and did my laundry this morning. I picked up the boys from preschool and made lunch. Sandwiches. I had ham and cheese, the boys had peanut butter.

They are napping now, and I'm baking a cake.

The cake is chocolate cake batter (from scratch), and you put a 1/2 cup of plain yogurt in it...and then so you put half of the batter into the cake pan, and then separately, you mix a 1/2 cup of peanut butter with 2tbsp of brown sugar, and then you kind of dollop that into the cake batter in the pan, then you top it with the rest of the chocolate stuff. It looks really good. I didn't put icing on it or anything because it is for infant 3 year olds. You can also make them in cupcake form.

Chocolate Surprise Cake/Cupcakes:

Ingredients:

* 3/4 cup brown sugar

* 1/4 cup cooking oil (such as canola)

* 1 egg

* 1/4 cup cocoa

* 1 & 1/2 cup flour

* 1/2 tsp baking powder

* 1/2 tsp baking soda

* 1/2 cup boiling water

* 1/2 cup low fat yogurt

* 1/2 cup peanut butter

* 2 tbsp brown sugar

Directions:

*Mix brown sugar, oil and egg. Beat well. Combine flour, cocoa baking powder and baking soda. Add dry ingredients to wet. Add boiling water, and mix in. Mix in yogurt. Combine well.

* In separate bowl combine peanut butter and 2 tbsp of brown sugar.

*Spray a cake pan, or line muffin tins with cake cups. Fill with half of the chocolate cake batter. Divide the peanut butter mixture putting about 1/2 tsp dollops in random places in cake (or one in each cupcake). Cover with remaining batter.

*Bake at 350 degrees for 16-20 minutes.

If you're making cupcakes, it'll make approximately 16, or one delicious cake.

Frost it with whatever (i didn't even put icing on it, because the peanut butter is gooey).

~ in the words of Julia Child, "BON APPETIT"! ~

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For supper i sauteed some red peppers in onion, garlic and olive oil before I added the spaghetti sauce to it. It tasted really good. It smelled like home for about an hour. (it was nice :D )

I'm going to walk the boys to school tomorrow, and Gillian will pick them up. I've got language course tomorrow afternoon in Lunel. I spotted a candy store down the street from school, so maybe I'll stop in and purchase a treat...

Apparently, there is an IKEA here. I'd like to go, since I've never been to an IKEA...just for kicks.

OK

that's all for today.

Au revoir.

Laura <3

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I know, I'm a day behind. Please don't get mad at me.

Tuesday Sept. 15 2009:

I woke up at 8:20ish. Had a shower and made myself a Canadian breakfast. Egg and toast (minus the bacon).

There is construction going on across the street. Now, there is a hole in the ground where there will soon be a house. Maybe someone my age will move in...maybe... Jill took the boys to school, so I have the morning to do as i please. I will go pick them up, and then Gillian is taking me and the boys to Lunel to see my school. She doesn't have class today.

I think that my tastebuds have gone funny because of my cold. Everything is tasting wierd.

I picked the boys up from school. We ate pizza and cucumber and yogurt for lunch.

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Just got back from Lunel. It is a nice town. There is lots to do there. My school teacher seems very nice. We went and met her. We also walked around and explored our surroundings. Then we found a park for the boys to play at. We got some pastries from a pastry place and they were delicious. (nom nom nom nom) I also met an old English man who is a retired conductor, and is apparently famous in England. I don't remember his name though. :(

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Gillian and I went to see Julie and Julia (in french, of course) with some of her church friends. It was fun to get out, and to be with new people. We went to a pub for hot chocolate after....

I walked so much today and now I'm so tired.

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16-09-09 (wow. it's been a week. It feels like a month)

I have the morning (ish) off, and I'm supposed to be on duty whenever needed. The boys are going to inroductary music lessons. I don't know what I will do. Maybe go for a walk to the bakery and buy a Chupa Chump. Since I first saw them here, I've been craving them. We're all going into Montpellier later.

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I'm sorry I never wrote on here yesterday. It was late and I was so tired. I also didn't write much, so I've combined it with today's entry...

11:27am -> Scratch the whole 'going for a walk' bit. It's raining and i don't own rain gear. I had left my window open and it was raining in my room...:S oops.

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"If I were a gummy man, I'd stretch my arms over for a hug".

I miss my daddy.

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I made sugar cookies today with blue icing.

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Gillian took me and the boys to Montpellier for the afternoon. It's a beautiful city. There are so many nice shops, boutiques and restaurants. So many people, and the buildings are all so old, but it's also very modern. I can't wait to go back sometime. (maybe with a friend?)

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I want to find my French Cafe where I can talk to my mom on Skype and drink coffee with her.

OK, goodnight.

Laura <3

14-09-09

This morning Gillian and I walked the boys to school. Then we went to the town hall to get information about my carte du sejour. then we went to get medication for my cold from the Pharmacy. Then we went to the bakery and I got a croissant stuffed with chocolate. It was yummy :). Guess what else they had at the bakery? ... ... Chuppa Chump lolli pops! I got excited, but didn't buy one. I'll get one tomorrow.

Jill's going to ride the bus with the boys and I tomorrow to visit my school. I got some cookie recipes that i might try out later. Also, I'm getting Mom to e-mail me some recipes.

After the boys woke from their nap, they ate a snack while listening to Veggie Tunes. We went for a walk to the park, but the only park that I knew how to get to, the gate was closed, so I hiked back up the hill with Ben and Alex in the stroller. I got my exercise, I suppose, and the boys got fresh air. Now, the boy's are watching Pinocchio, and are giggling along, and yelling at the 'big fishy' to stop eating the family.

It was very nice today. About 24 degrees Celsius.

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Fred made hamburgers and fries for supper tonight. It was yummy. I also had some chocolate pudding later.

Gillian got some groceries, and I helped put them away.

Wednesday afternoon Jill, the boys and I will go to Montpelier for exploring and visiting.

Tomorrow, a friend of Jill's is planning a movie night, and I am invited to go along too. They're going to see 'The Proposal" in theatre. Of course, it'll be in French, but I understand French, I just can't speak it well..or so I think.

I get to sleep in the morning, and then I will go for a walk through the village on my way to get the boys from school. It's a pretty small, but quaint place. I'm beginning to warm up to it. I'll take my camera along so that you all can see the village.

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Tonight I talked to Dad,Mom,Ellen,Ella, Mary (sort of), Issaac, Nanny and Amy for a bit. Dad and Mom were on the phone with me fir a while, which was nice, because Dad really can't hear me over Skype.

I have my cell phone charging, so I'll be able to buy a calling card tomorrow for it. Which is exciting!

That's all for today. I'll probably fall asleep watching FRIENDS again. (Ellen, I've adopted your ways of falling asleep, and I like it.)

Love you all.

Laura <3

today was a better day :)

13-09-09

We just got back from church. I didn't know some of the worship songs, but some of the tunes I recognized. They did play 'open the eyes of my heart', and i just sang along in English.

I met the youth pastor (or he and his wife works with missions and youth...) and they have a group go over to their house once a month for the afternoon on Sunday. It sounds cool. I also met a girl my age, and exchanged e-mails. She speaks french and English fluently, so that is good.

We ate lasagna for lunch and then I talked to mom, Shannon and Lindsay on msn for a bit while the boys were napping. Fred installed curtains in all of the rooms, and mine are purple. The rod has cool spirals on it. It looks quite nice with my mint green walls. We ate snack when the boys woke up and watched Dumbo. I was tired and am currently experiencing sinus troubles, so I had a half-hour nap. It was raining quite hard when I woke up. It was quite pretty to watch. I told Fred about my hurricane camping extravaganza with Camp Keir staff. The rain reminded me of it.

...I miss my camp friends... a lot...

Apparently there are not many places to talk to in this village. Boisserons contains a bakery, a smoke shop, and a butcher shop...And then there is the elementary school and a small library.

Gillian is going to take me to the town where I'll go to school on Monday morning after we drop the boy's off at school. Right now, we're going to the Beach.

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We went to the beach . the whole way there we played Veggie Tales songs and it made me really happy.

I got to go up to my calves in the Mediterranean Sea :)

(There are lots of people at the beaches who are EXTREMELY comfortable with their bodies, if you know what I mean)

Gillian bought us some really yummy homemade gelato. I chose the brownie kind. It was my first real gelato experience.

Quite a few firsts today....

Saturday September 12 (I'm Up To Date!!)

I fell asleep last night at 1:30am after a washroom break and a half a gravol.

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Today I woke up at 8:30 am, got dressed and ready. I went downstairs to get breakfast. I ate homemade bread with Nutella and fruit jam. And coffee. NUTELLA has found me in France, praise the Lord!.

I've also revised my bucket list and I might post it later to see how many things I accomplish while here. Or, I'll post my list of French cheese on my blog, and check them off as I try each one.

(The ring for the phone here is very cool...It's like a jingle...)

I'm going to the market with Gillian soon...

Nelly Belly (the cat) is terrified of me. I love cat's and get to live with one for 9 months, and it's scared of me... :s

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Gill and I just returned from the market.

The market is about the size of Downtown Charlottetown. No Joke. It is beautiful. They're all old buildings and very narrow streets, that weren't built for cars. There was amazing fresh food and produce, jewelry, shoes and clothes. I took a few pictures and had a 'tourist-y' moment. There will hopefully be many more times that I can visit the market so that I can show you all how beautiful this world is. I also got to try TWO different kinds of cheese...one was a cheese that comes from sheep milk and the other was a variation of goat cheese. They were both delicious. I have 2 to mark off my list!

For lunch we had: Roasted Potatoes with onions, red bell pepper, garlic, and olive oil.

Chicken (bought at the market)

Baguette (still warm from the market) with two more kinds of cheese to mark off!!

Cantaloupe and more cheese.

I'm putting pictures up with this post from the market. And we're planning on going to the beach this afternoon, so I'll post about that later.

OK. I'm off for now.

Laura <3

September 11, 2009 (I know, I'm a day behind...)

Today, I woke up at 11:30, France time (6:30am PEI time). I am still tired, but that will go away. I am also sore, but hopefully that will go away too.

Last night for supper, Gillian made vegetable quiche. It had carrots, zucchini and cheese in it. It was very yummy.

Today when I woke up I ate leftovers from last night and had some dark chocolate pudding. Right now, I am writing my first post on blogger and drinking some coffee. the boys are napping and Gill and Fred are at work. I'm going to go shower and clean up in a bit.

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The boys have woken up from their nap. We ate some coffee cake and banana for snack. Now we are watching a French television version of Teletubies meet Oompa Loompas; then shrunk into cartoon form.

My computer isn't being cooperative. While the boys were napping I got to have a shower, and I blowed dry my hair, and then straightened it. I even put on some makeup!

These guys on the TV can form into any shape that they want. It is a family of blobs that go on adventures together and can shape form. Right now they're shaving alpacas and are making scarves out of it's fur. (C'était très excitant!!)

(p.s: I'm planning on taking pictures and posting them soon!)

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When Gill got home from work, her the boys and I went for a walk through the town to order a pizza. Some of the houses looked like they popped right out of movies or magazines. It is very pretty here. We're living on the top of a hill (a very large hill) :P The pizza camper, as I will call it, is an old renovated camper that has a large pop-out window. the man showed us a menu, and we ordered two pizzas. I couldn't tell you how to get back there for the roads are very random and twisty. On our way back to the house, Gill showed me where the corner store is, the butcher (won't likely be back there:P), a small bakery (mm breakfast?) and a small supermarket. Gill says that tomorrow we'll go to the market in the next town. Fred's going to go pick up the pizzas when he's home from work. Gill is giving the boys a bath and I'm chilling out in my room.

Au Revoir pour maintenant....ganna go eat me some French pizza. :)

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Right now it's 8:30 and we've just finished supper. The boys are in bed, though not asleep yet. My computer is still not working at all right now. Windows is trying to 'fix the problem'... I have a feeling that Dad will be sending me those recovery discs. Silly Acer.

**I have just made a pact to myself that I will STOP chewing my nails. The poor things were almost non-existent before I left PEI...You should see them now! Mom didn't buy me that glass nail file for it to sit unused in my makeup bad for 9 months. **

My poor computer...Get better soon...You are too young to be sick. :(

8:45- my computer is completely frozen.

...I've been finding myself thinking in French a lot more, but then I go to speak it, and it comes out in English...

I wonder what the families of 9,11 are feeling right now? I'll pray for them. ... ... Amen.

8:54- My computer has unfroze and is in the process of restarting itself.

The boys went to 'sleep' 40 minutes ago, but I still hear them talking. They're probably playing with their 'twains'.

My little computer is working bless it's..hard drive.

I had coffee(decaf) with Gill and Fred before it was time to go to bed. We also watched a show in French about African women who illegally sell sand...

Jesus is yet testing my patience. My computer is slow and Internet isn't working. Mom,Dad,Ellen and Mary are probably wondering what happened to me.

11:00pm- I talked to Mom,Dad,Mary,Becca,Isaac,Kelly,Willy and Maggie tonight. I miss them so much!

Hopefully I'll sleep tonight...

I still do not have my laptop hooked up :s

Hello to everyone from Montpellier, France!

I am going to write a bit from the last 78 hours of my life.

09-09-09
I am on the plane! Terrified, but surviving. I am listening to Don't Panic by Coldplay.
"We life in a beautiful world. Yes we do!"
Leaving that airport was likely one of the hardest things that I'll ever have to do this year. Having a webcam really makes me appreciate technology and people smarter than me. Louis Daguerre, you are a genius.

Mom, I clenched onto the comfort cross you gave me the whole time i was taking off...and I've only cried once, so far...

"I'LL SEE YOU SOOONNNN" :)

Oh, and Twin Shores is absolutely the coolest to see from the sky... So is all of PEI.

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Montreal Airport is very annoying and boring.
The internet wont work. I really want to talk to my mommy. The food here isnt great. i had a very bland turkey sandwich.
I have to get checked into AirCanada departing for Paris (!!) I really can't wait to see everything. It will be a very long night. Very long.

I am watching Just For Laughs-Gags to pass the time...There is a huge line up that I am not going to stand in...

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10-09-09
Arrival to Paris: 8:30 am (that's 2:30am PEI time)
I had a cup of crappy airplane coffee, the sun is shining, and right now we're flying over Ireland. I got a sudden feeling of gratification when I realised this. Some day, I'll walk the streets of Dublin...Some day.
Right now it is 7;53am (in France time). This plane ride was painless and boring. Quite a bit turbulence.
I have nothing to complain about. Apparently there is a baby in the rear of the plane who is NOT happy...thank God for earplugs :)

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Airport in Paris:

Boys and Girls of Camp Keir: You will be delighted to know that I took some advice from Tim and tore a hold in the bottom of a vomit bag while on the plane. It was 2am, and I was bored. God bless the poor soul that gets sick in it. -Amen.

Note to The World (mostly Men) from Paris, France: Choosing a seat in an airport terminal is like choosing a urinal; DON'T CHOOSE THE WRONG ONE! Otherwise, you end up sitting beside a creepy man who downloads photos of breeds of dogs from Google onto his laptop. He also talked to himself quite a bit. At least you men in urinals only have to experience this awkward feeling for aaproximately 40 seconds. Try 48 frikkin" minutes.

Oh, and the reason why I haven't been on the internet is because the lovely airports want me to pay by the hour for WIFI...which just wasn't ganna happen.

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I am now aboard my plane headed for Montpellier!
I am very tired, and I smell bad...and I need coffee.
Also, I can't wait to finally meet Alex and Ben.

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I am here! The house is tiny cmpared to mine, but cute. My room has mint green walls and my bedspread is flowery. I have a desk, a bookshelf and a dresser/closet. I got my woek schedule and it doesn't seem bad at all.

I'll (hopefully) get my lapotp hooked up to internet soon.
I got here, got all my stuff upstairs to ly room, had a shower, cried A LOT. Then called Mom and Dad and cried some more.

Alex sat on my bed with me and I showed him pictures of my family with Winnie the Pooh and Tigger. Then, I told him he'd likely be bored with me soon, so he left to go play with Ben.

-Now, I'm still writing in this thing (this thing is the jorunal book that Deanna gave me. It has been very useful. Thanks!)

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Fred arrived home from work and tried to get my internet hooked up, but there are complications, so I will be patient and wait for it to be resolved. I REALLY can't wait to get onto skype and see all of you, though.

xoxoxoxo
Laura <3

I'll write more about today later, once it is almost finshed

Bonjour!

Hello all!

I have created this blog as a public journal so that you all may know about my travels and experiences and so on and so forth. I'll try and upload it twice a week, maybe even more with posts and pictures.

That is all for now. Two more sleeps. I am filled with anticipation and fear.

Laura <3