Last night, I bought a train ticket from Lunel to Montpellier. I am planning on meeting Laura there. I bought the ticket for 12:53, because I thought that I still had school.

So, this morning I woke up, got ready, went down to the bus stop, waited. ... ... The bus rolled the stop sign, right by me and left me. ... ... I became furious, and so I marched up the road. Gillian would have to drive me to school. Gillian was just as pleased over this whole situation as I was. She called the bus company and got angry with them, then went to get dressed to take me to school. I felt so bad for doing this to her because it is her day off, and her week away from the boys, and now she has to take her personal 'me time' to drive me to Lunel. So, the bus driver showed up at our house as we were leaving, being all appologetic and such. I guess his boss called him and got mad and made him turn around. Hey, I got a free bus ride out of the whole ordeal. I felt even worse about making Gillian get out of her jammies.

Anywho, I get to Lunel, power walked-er to school, because I was EXTREMELY late. I get to school to find it dark and locked up. I texted Sandrine wondering if she'd forgotten, as I am her only Wednesday morning student. Nope, school for me is on holidays too! URRGGG. I went through a lot of trouble this morning for absolutely nothing.

Now, I am sitting in the Cafe D'Amelie drinking a Cafe-Frappe-Latte, which is SO GOOD! It is iced and sweet and there is froth on the top, and it is basically the best thing that I've ever tasted coffe-wise. I see many more of these being consumed in my future.

Now, I have to wait for two hours for the train. I could catch an earlier train to Montpellier, but I don't want to. Now, I will give myself lots of time to find the train station. There are always travellers that I might be able to aquaint myself with.
This place has WiFi, which is like my dream. I will be back tomorrow afternoon, computer in hand.
I have run out of things to write about....pooop..

(I drew this while drinking my coffee. It is my house, so that I may never forget what it looks like..)

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I am happy for vacations and cute French cafes that serve coffee. There are also crepes here. When I get to Montpellier, I am going with Laura for lunch somewhere...

I'd like to go to the Polygone and shop and look for a bit. I need to find something, but can't say it on here, because then it will ruin the suprise.
After I finish my coffee I am going to go for a walk through the park and then wander around and try to find the train station. This should be fun.. ha..ha..
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I got lost in Lunel (or so I thought...) My being lost led me to the train station. I ordered, or retrieved my ticket and then walked atound some more, now that I knew where I was. Lunel really is the sketchiest place I've ever been. A bunch of boys in a cubevan made horrible faces at me. ( Oh, the maturity!) Now, I am sitting on the steps to the train station basking in the sun, and writing some more. I still have 20 minutes until my train arrives. I saw some backpackers. The girl had dreads and they looked all rebellious and independant and ..like they hadn't showered in days...
It is really warm sitting here. I bought a chupa chump...and now am eating it...
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So, Montpellier train station = much more hectic than Lunel.
I walked around for a bit while waiting for Laura. When we did meet up, we went to a salad bar for lunch. I got chicken and she had tuna...it was yummy. Then we walked back to La Comedie and got McFlurrys (Gillian said, "Bend my rubber arm!" when I told her that.) After, there was a million people gathered in the center to watch some impersonation of Michael Jackson. We couldn't get close enough to see what was going on. We went to the massive Virgin Mobile store. It was massive. 3 floors! I found what I was looking for in there for my suprise!

Laura and I are sharing a lot of the same issues I think. Which is strange and ironic. We both don't speak enough French, we both don't have friends that speak French (well, I don't have friends at all, except her)....yah...
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So, I took the orange(flower) tram from the Corum(Montpellier) to Castineau le Lez and waited there for 40 minutes for my bus to arrive. While there, I witnessed a drug deal, some immature teenage girls who exploded a 2L bottle of Coke, and lots of strange stares (in my direction)....I don't think that I look THAT different.

So, todayI have travelled many different kinds of transportation. I walked, took a shuttle bus, a train, a tram way, and a big bus. Heck, I even time traveled because I didn't realize that I hadn't set my clock on my iPod back an hour. If you can call it that....

Now, I am going to eat supper (Stir fry and rice) Ta ta!

Twooo can be as bad as one.

Tuesday, October 27th 2009:

This morning I went to Carrefour with Gillain. I bought some markers and slippers. Then I went in to the mall bit and bought two sweaters from a store called Camaieu. One if them is a deep pink color, and the other is mustard yellow (but is a turtleneck). It is the first yellow article of clothing that I have purchased in a LONG time.

Mom, I failed to buy a beret. I tried one on in the store and it looked goofy. I am not a person who looks good with material on my head. Just like my Momma. :)

After shopping, we went to Marie and Lez's place for lunch. Oh my goodness, Noah is the cutest baby I have ever met I think. He laughed and giggled and cooed the whole time.

Marie made quiche with chicken and zuccini and curry in it. It was yummmooo. I never got to see Naomi, because she went to visit her grandparents for th eafternoon.

So, I decided not to go to Montpellier. I really should go live in some Amish villiage. I can't afford to go out, nor do I have social skills anymore. I did go to Sommieres and looked in stores, and was very tempted to buy some homemade chocolate for way too much money. Plus, Montpellier is too big to walk around by myself.

I have been listening to 'A Man From Argenina' on repeat for a long time. I miss my friends.

I saw a man wearing skinny slacks, a printed blouse and socks pulled over the pants up to his knees. If I ever see him again, I might have to ask him if we can be friends. (joking) He sure was sexy....
I also saw a... I dont' know if it was a man or a woman, actually. I think it was a woman...anywho, sporting a dark mullet and Elton John-style shades. Also, very sexy...

I wish I could afford nice classy French clothes...

I realized on my way back a sign for a nice restaurant in Boisseron. Humm... Maybe they have good food...and coffee....hmm..

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Monday, October 26 2009:

So, this morning I woke up at 9:30-ish (I think), then had a shower and but on some tights and a skirt and a shirt. Then made myself some homemade pancakes with Nutella and bananas and icing sugar. Then, I went back upstairs, and decided that my room was dirty, so I vaccumed, mopped, dusted and organized my clothes.... (ocd, much :S )... my room looks good, though.

I downloaded limewire today, and went a bit crazy.... :S
I went for a walk which turned into a run this evening.
Gillian prepared salad and pasta for supper. It was good.
Today was a pretty uneventful day. Tomorrow might be better...

a weekend of eating..nomnomnom

Friday October 23 2009:

I have officially been here for more than one month and two weeks.
I woke up at 8ish this morning but didn't get out of bed till almost 9. I showered, got ready, ate a bowl of cheerios while reading an aricle in a magazine. Then I went to blow-dry my hair. I couldn't figure out why I had such a bad headache, but then realized that it was 10:30 and I hadn't had a coffee yet.
I turned on my computer, but it had 38 updates to install, so now it is doing that.
I will walk down to get the boys, firstly, because it is a lovely day today, and secondly, I have no vehicle.
It is a lovely day! The rain has stopped, the sun is shining and it is 10.5 degrees at this moment.
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"Be present in all things and thankful for all things" - Maya Angelou.
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We left the house at 2:30ish and got to Fred's parent's place at around 6:30. The drive was long and painless. The boys slept half the way there and only started acting up at the end of the trip. I don't blame them. I remember long car trips in the back seat with two other people.
The scenery was amazing. I don't think that I've seen so many mountains before. It was neat.

When we got there, we chatted in the kitchen and got aquainted with the family, and then moved into the livng room area for drinks and snacks. I showed everyone on Google Maps where I live and they all saw the pool and stuff. That was cool. They did not really understand how we can swim in it, becasue to them, it is cold in Canada...Just because it snows for five months of the year............
People asking me about home, and if I miss it, and about my family really makes me think too much...Like now for instnace...
For supper (oh, man am I ever full!) we had:
1st: Some sort of loaf with ham and olives in it, and salad. (I picked the olives out as I really do not like them)
2nd:Potato pie (t'was really yummy)
3rd:Meat of some sort (I found out later that it was pork) (I chose not to eat it)
4th: Cheese (3 more kinds to add to my list!), and bread.
5th: Desert (I chose coffee flavored pudding) and Gillian's cookies.

I am tired and lonesome. This is usually how I feel after being around a lot of people who do not speak English. AT ALL.

Hopefully I can sleep in tomorrow.

Fred's sister Celine is very pretty. His younger brother could pass for his twin, and his parents are both nice. Alex and Ben haven't spoken English since we got here.
They ate supper so late here! I am just getting into bed now and it is 11:00 pm. I think we started eating at around 9...
There is a painting in the dining room here that looks like the one that mom and dad have in their room. It made me miss my house.

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Saturday October 24th 2009:

Today I woke up at 9:38am.
It is raining. I feel sick-ish. I kinda would like to be in my bed in the basement of a house labeled 159 Campbell Drive... That'd be nice.
So, Lunch....More food!
1st:Quiche with leek and salmon (I picked the salmon out)
2nd:Roast beef with green beans (Yes, I ate red meat...My belly is hating me right now.)
3rd:Cheese and bread (Brie this time, it was yummy)
4th:Tiramisou. It was also yummy. I ate two pieces.

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Jill, the boys and I, along with Fred's mother and sister went to downtown Clermont-Ferrand today. It was neat to see another town. It is a lot more hill-y (meaning NOT flat) than Montpellier. We went into a huge cathedral made out of volcanic rock, which spooked me out more than it interested me. The stain glass was pretty and colorful, but the rest was dark and gloomy. People were in there praying and lighing candles...
We walked around some more. On our way back to Fred's parent's place, we stopped at a discount store. I tried on a winter jacket but I didn't like it enough, so I left it there. I did buy some Smarties, because I hadn't seen them in one month and 16 days.

Day light savings is tonight. We all gain an hour of sleep. Horray!
It is 7:44pm and supper hasn't even been dreampt of by people here. I am hungry. I also can't wait to get back to Gillian and Fred's. We will leave tomorrow after lunch, which means that we will leave at around 3 or 4pm...

We had to wait for Fred's brother and sister-in-law to attend for supper. We didn't start eating until around 9 and finished at 10:30. I don't think that I've eaten so much in one weekend..EVER...
1st:Pizza (with goat cheese) and more quiche (I just had pizza)
2nd:Leftover pork and beef (Yes, I ate beef again) and carrots and peas.
3rd:Bread and cheese (another new kind to add to my list. This one I did not like though. It is called Roquefort.
4th: Cookies and an apple.

I got an internet connection, and so I am talking to mom on msn.

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Sunday October 25 2009:

I didn't go to sleep until like 2:30am. I will justify that by saying it was actually 1:30am because of the time change.
I woke up and ate breakfast and then just chilled out for the morning. I showered and then chilled out some more. Fred and Gillian and the boys went for a walk.

Lunch:
1st: Pate and bread. (This brought back memories of sitting in Mr.Vallees french class with his pate breath. I opted out of eating it in fear that I'd never eat meat again.)
2nd:Pigeon, Chicken and some other kind of wild bird. (ew) I ate chicken...green beans and potato fry things.
3rd:Cheese and bread
4th: Ice cream with homemade apple pie.

We left at around 4pm. I has been a peaceful, yet boring drive home..
I need to find something to do for the week.

When we got back to Montpellier, we stopped at a Quick, which is a Belgium food chain. I got chicken dips and fries. My first time eating fast food in over a month.

Scuttlebutt

Thursday, Oct.22:

Gillian woke me up at 8am because she wanted me to drive the boys to school.
On the way back, I decided that I would treat myself to a croissant from the bakery. I got back to the house and ate it with a cup of coffee...mmm :)
Then I had a shower. Now I feel like pooey because for the millionth time today I have realized that my computer is out of remission. I think Future Shop should just give me a new one. That is what I think.

This afternoon I am going to make homemade play-doh, because I am a fun nanny...

The boys now think that I have been adopted by Fred and Jill. They call me 'my Laura' when reciting the names of people in their family. I don't think that they realize that someday I am going to leave...

I am excited now, because this week the boys are going to be staying at their grandparent's house, so I will be able to do lots of things. Tourist-y things... Maybe I will go make some friends...

I went to pick the boys up from school. Gillian is working from home all morning. I did some laundry, but I will finish it later. The boys ate sandwitches and I had leftover quiche for lunch. They are now in their room coloring Thomas the Tank Engine coloring pages, and singing. They are cute...most of the time.

Last night before I went to sleep, I took a gravol, because I was not feeling superb. I must not have shut my door tight, because I woke up at midnight to Nelly's green eyes staring at me. Then, I kicked her out of my room, as she knows very well by now, that she is not welcome to share my afghan with me.

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Wednesday, Oct.21:

Uggh, I just got Burt's Bees in my eye!!

anywho:
This morning, I woke up with the mindset that I was going to be happy, no matter what. It was raining pretty hard. I had some toast with Nutella and banana for breakfast, then I straightened my hair and was off to school. I was chilled to the bone, but when I got there my teacher, Sandrine, had tea and croissants and pain au chocolat waiting for me. It was so nice of her. We ate and warmed up, and then talked for most of my class. Gaining some communication skills. This is good!

I got home and basically spent the remainder of the day in my bedroom. I got the movie I'd rented from iTunes back, and watched it, and crocheted and listened to music, as it was raining cats and dogs and I wasn't feeling swell.

My computer crashed again. I called Dad almost in tears, and then talked to Mom for a bit after that. My computer is frustrating me to the max.

Took a gravol and an advil. Cold is starting again, and belly feels upset.

Oh, and my teacher also gave me a nice pen, and refillable ink cartilages in all sorts of colors, and a white out pen, and a case to hold it all! She is so nice to me :)

Right now, I am feeling discouraged and frustrated and sick.
I feel like God is telling me, "You should have bought the HP instead."
But no, what he is really saying is that this is just yet ANOTHER test of my patience.
...I just don't feel like being patient anymore....

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Tuesday, Oct.20:

Alex stayed home from school again today. I don't feel well either, actually. Alex watched Blue's Clues and Veggie Tales, again, and I cought up on my blog postings.
We ate leftover rice and chicken for lunch.
The neighbour kindly offered to pick Ben up from school so I didn't have to take Alex out in the rain.

I talked to mom and then had a quick shower.
Right now, I am listening to my ipod on shuffle while drinking chai tea and breakfast crackers. (Trying to ease my belly)

I read a bit from C.S.Lewis, and then Gillian came up and told me she would take me to a computer tech. We ended up calling Acer headquarters in Paris, and talked to a lady who took me through the process of putting my computer back to factory standards. She said a technician would have done the same thing, and that I would save myself money. So, now I am basically dealing with a brand new computer. It is annoying having to re-install everything, and my 3000 & some odd library of songs is gone. That is a huge bummer, since I really can't get it all back.

My computer is stupid, so you are getting a week-in-one:

Monday, October 19:

This morning Fred took the day off work so that he could take Alex to the doctor. I got a hairchut. It was 27 euros, which is quite expensive, but the lady massaged my scalp for like five minutes, so was worth it. So, umm wash, (massage) cut and style for that. she did cut my bangs a bit shorter than i wanted, but in a week, no one will notice.

Alex and I watched Blues Clues all morning. he was all wrapped up in blankets and pillows. Cozy. Fred has baan doing housework around the yard for most of the day. We ate leftovers for lunch. I did nothing productive all afternoon, but I did call Mom and Dad.

Fred, Alex, Ben and I went to meet Gillian at the supermarket. I brought my computer, but, of course, the store sells computers, but does not fix them. Tomorrow, I will have to take it to Lunel.

I bought six pairs of long socks (they were 2.70 euros for three pairs), and five pairs of tights in an array of colors. I'm excited to wear skirts again.

Soup, roast chicken, rice, bread and cheese for supper... I am SO full now.

...Ben is now running around the house naked because he doesn't want to put his p.j's on.

So I need to get a new pen..The one that I bought today is actually a permenant marker...

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Sunday, October 18:

This morning I woke up to Alex coughing and breathing funny. Last night when I put him to sleep he was fine, but when Jill and Fred got home from the movies, he was not. They were up all night with him. He has a puffer.

Fred stayed home with Alex, and Jill, Ben and I went to church. It was a good service. Laura and Sandra were there, so I sat with them. It was freezing in there. I think that they must have forgotten to turn the heat on.

After church we got home and Fred had prepared spaghetti for lunch. When I walked in the door, it smelled like Nanny Mary's house at lunch time. That made me happy.

After lunch, we chilled for a bit, and then Fred tried to fix my computer. He didn't know what was wrong with it.

I went for an afternoon stroll with the family. Even Nelly tagged along! We walked just until a car scared Nelly off into the bushes, then Fred and Jill tried to get her out. T'was a time and a half.

I colored with Alex until super was ready... Soup again.

I have to cancel my hair appointment for tomorrow because I will have to stay home with Alex, unless he hasn't gotten any better, then Fred will be taking him to the doctor. I think that they should take him to the doctor, because he sounds like he has a furry animal in his lungs.

It definately is hard to write on a blog when you don't have your own personal computer!

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Saturday, October 17:

Todat, I went to the market in Sommieres with Gillian, the boys and Ezna (a lady from church) and her little girl Elise. I bought myself the jacket that I had seen the previous week. It fits nice, and I can wear a sweater under it.

In the afternoon, I was invited to go mountain hiking with the young people from church. It was an interesting drive thre, as Gillian and I got lost trying to find the meeting place. Finally, after a few phone calls, we got there. The hike was good, and the view from the top was great! You could see Montpellier, and straiht to the ocean.
I was so cold waiting for the bus home from Castineau. I was glad to get back, beause Gillian had hot soup for supper. Fred also installed the radiators and so the house is no longer like a refridgerator on the inside!

........my computer is still broken......

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~The longest way round, is the shortest way home~
- C.S. Lewis

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Friday, October 16:

This morning I slept in until 8:20, then I had a shower, got ready and went downstairs to find a large man at the door wanting to fix the shutters. ( heh... :s )
While he did that, I made some French Toast and topped it with Nutella and bananas. It was pretty yummy. Thanks to Katie Stewart, since last night, that's all I have wanted!

(this is where my pen started running out of ink)

Rachel came over with her little girl, Maryanna to visit Gillian. She is so cute (Maryanna)...

Last night, Gillian made a squash soup, so we ate it for lunch. It was really good, and tasted like Mom's. I left for school at 2:10 and got back here at 6ish. Gillian ordered us a pizza. The boys don't like pizza, so they're eating leftover pasta.

Tonight, I talked to Mom and Dad on the phone for an hour and a bit, as I have no computer...

My computer is completely bonkers! It does not work at all. I need to get it fixed pronto, because I have no privacy without it.

My teacher gave me some cute highlighters today. (If you could see this page in my journal, you would see that I got bored (probably from lack of computer) and colored around the words with them)

..I also have to go buy a new pen...The one that I bought for this is out of ink already...

I am reading my C.S. Lewis book..Maybe this time without my computer will inspire me to read more..

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Thursday, October 15:

This morning it was so cold! I really didn't expect a 20° drop in temperature overnight. Brr!
So, I took the boys to school, then came back and talked to mom on MSN. Yes, she was up at 4:30am, again.

The boys ate potatoes shaped like circles and hot dogs and cucumber for lunch. I made myself a grilled cheese and ham sandwich.

Then, my computer began to be stupid. For the last little while it has been rebooting randolmy, so today, Dad got me to install security for it. After that prcess was done, my computer froze and would not restart. I spent most of the afternoon on the phone with dad trying to fix it.

I made a turkey dinner for supper (well, turkey breasts, potatoes, carrots and corn)..Haven't done that since camp.. no gravy though.. or fun friends to eat it with...

Gillian is making a homenade squash soup. It smells good.

I dropped my glass nail file on the floor and it shattered... My nais were just getting nice!! (Mom says that Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat...)

I am now reading m journal from the beginning. It is neat.

...Kinder Suprises are just NO FUN anymore! I got a little Egyptian girl holding a bucket. No fun at all...

I called Camp Keir tonight, because Youth Group is having their weekend retreat there. I talked to Amy and Bryanne (for the longest. It was so nice to talk to her, when I heard her voice I started to cry), and that crazy girl, Hannah Buell...

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Wednesday, Oct 14: ( Happy 20th Anniverary Mom & Dad)

So, this morning I woke up and got ready for school. I went to the bus stop at 9:15 and waited there for 25 minutes, then walked back up the street. I sent my teachher a text asking if I could come in the afternoon instead...

So, I made beads out of magazines and straws with Ben and crocheted, and basically waited for the 2:15 bus. The boys and Gillian went to see Franklin and Friends in concert in Montpellier.

School was school. I did French work, most days, I end up helping people with their English homework too. Cheese tortellini for supper, and then called home for a bit.

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I have written in my Journal, I assure to you that. But. I do have very little access to internet because my computer is being stupid and broke down. Hopefully,Wednesday - Sunday post will be up tomorrow.

Tuesday, Monday, Sunday

Tuesday-oosday: (13-10-09)

Windows are going into the house across the street today! (As far as I know, the people moving in are a young couple with a daughter who looks to be about 5 or 6 years old...humm)

Went back to Sommiers this morning. Bought some more yarn...

I'm going to make homemade pancakes for lunch!!!

Recipe: Dad's Homemade Pancakes:

1 c. flour

1 tbsp. baking powder

1/2tsp. baking soda

2 tbsp. vegetable oil

3 tbsp. sugar

1 c. milk

1 egg

1/2 tsp. salt

Combine all the dry ingredients, then add wet ingredients and mix till well combined and smooth. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat until water beads. Do not grease pan. Pour batter in 1/4 cup amounts.

Homemade Syrup:

1 c. water

1/2 tsp. maple flavoring

2 c. sugar

Bring water to a boil. Add sugar and flavoring. Stir to dissolve. Cook 1-2 minutes stirring constantly.

(BON APETIT!)

I basically did nothing for the rest of the day....

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Lundi, le 12 octobre, 2009: (HAPPY TURKEY DAY!)

This morning after I dropped the boys off to school, I went to Sommieres. The streets were vacant, and most of the shops were closed I walked up this mountainous road, to find at the top an old castle-like structure high above the town. It was pretty! The shops are closed Mondays, because they are open on weekends.

Then, I went to a few of the supermarket type stores, and bought a blue cardigan, a scarf and a head band. All for a decent price!e

I got back from Sommieres and made a picnic lunch for the boys and I to eat at the park. It was VERY windy, so we ate lunch, played for a bit then left because it was cold and the leaves were blowing in every direction.

The boys played in their room for a while this afternoon, then we read some books. Ben pooped himself (JOY) and then played with toys some more. I watched FRIENDS season 10, the last two episodes in French on TV this afternoon. It was un peut etrange not hearing all of the friends' real voices. They make Rachel sound like a complete airhead...

We ate penne pasta with a cream sauce what had chicken and lait fraiche and lemon and parsley in it. It was tasty. .... .... I think i would rather have had turkey dinner though.

Tonight, I watched the Sound of Music, cried, and crocheted. then I called all of my other family (the Cousins' side) and talked to them because they were all together celebrating eating too much at Nanny and Grampy's.

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Sunday Oct 11 2009:

This morning we went to church (Gillian , the boy's and I). Fred went away for work to South Africa.

After church, Gillian took the boys to a circus in a nearby town. I opted out, because something about circuses freaks me out a little bit. Instead, I rested, fixed my nails, then went for a walk. I'd realized that I've been here for over a month and haven't taken any pictures of a vineyard. There's plenty around here, so I walked to the closest one. I stayed until I heard gunfire, then booted-er back to the main road, because I suppose I was in hunting territory.

Supper was self service, so I just ate leftovers.

After supper, I chilled out on the sofa for a few hours trying to find a good French TV show to watch. I ended up watching the life story of Elizabeth Taylor. I did find some shows that I like to watch back home in the TV guide like FRIENDS, Extreme Home Makeover, and Two and a Half Men. I've highlighted them so I can watch them tomorrow. I also filled out some Sudoku puzzles in the back of the TV guide.

I called the Waddell's who were eating turkey and other foods at Ross and Elaine's. I talked for quite a while, then got sleepy. not I am still awake. CRAP!...ok...going to sleep now..!!...

Agghh, Life is good :)

Saturday, October 10th 2009:

Today, I went on an expedition of the city of Nîmes with the family.

The train was a cool experience! On the way to Nîmes, there were no seats left, so we all had to stand. Luckily, the train ride was only 14 minutes.

The first thing that we did today was visit the Cathérale Notre-Dame-et-St.Castor. It was a large Catholic church. It was gorgeous inside. It is one of the only medieval buildings in Nîmes left standing after a huge dispute between religions in 1567. In 1702, Nîmes became (and still is today) a primarily Protestant practicing city. This church is a place of very little interest. There are approximately 20 attendees per service.

The second sight we went to see was a first-century Roman arena called Les Arénas. It seats over 24,000 spectators. It was used for gladiator's combats. It is one of the best preserved arenas in Europe. It is 3 stories tall. There is sand that was put out after every battle because it soaked up the blood and it's stench. Many Christians were prosecuted here, which lead to many Christian conversions. (p.s: it smelled bad there, but it was so cool to learn about). It was a self-guided tour. At the entrance they give you a headset and you listen to the commentator talk about all of the events that happened and the history of the arena.

We went to an exhibition of the history of the Bible. It was quite interesting to see all of the old artifacts and the first. original writing of it. Most of it was in Hebrew..So cool :)

There was an artifact found in Egypt and it is believed to be two letters from Peter.

We went to Subway for lunch. I got a wrap with chicken and veggies in it, a coke and a macadamia nut cookie. So GOOD!

Le Maison Carrée was next on our list of things to see. It is a temple in the center of Nîmes. It was built in 5 A.D. It used to be a large market place, but has been restored and now shows videos about famous gladiators in 3D. It was pretty neat to watch, except I'd just eaten Subway, and then whole movement of objects flying at my face started to make me feel really woozie.

I saw an art museum that displayed objects from Medieval Nîmes, and the Maison Carrée. I didn't have a chance to go in. (next time!)

I saw a pink Vespa and chuckled. It had stickers of fruit all over it.

There were SO MANY squares and parks and cafés. Holy crap, what a beautiful place! There were fountains and statues everywhere. The most common square is the Jardin de la Fontaine. (the gardens of the fountains).

Next, we climbed up a very large hill to the Mange Tower (La Tour Mange). It was the beginning of climbing A LOT of stairs, but it was a gorgeous day, the gardens were spectacular and the end result was SO WORTH IT! At the top (only Fred and I climbed up), you could see the entire city of Nîmes! It was originally built so that guards could know if invaders were entering the city. Now it is an observation look-out.

A funny moment: Alex decided that he'd push Fred back down the hill in the stroller, since he wanted to walk. It was so funny, I had to take a picture.

We passed one of many ponds, but this one was better than the others. It was way cooler, because it contained goldfish a frog and a rainbow... Can't beat that!

On the train ride home , there was hardly anyone on the train, so we got to sit in first class! We went from standing to first class! haha... But boy, was I ever glad because my feet were SO SORE!

I have blisters on my feet, but I say that it is proof of accomplishment, and living a very cool life.

Love Always,

Me <3

(P.S: Ellen, I am taking you here. It's amazing.)

Wednesday Thursday Friday (Ocober 7-9)

07-10-09: I've put some new shoes on and suddenly everything is right...

My missions for today: Find a coffee shop that has take-out mugs!!!

Today, I was walking to school and I could SMELL the coffee from all of the shops. All I wanted was to be able to take one with me instead of having to stay and drink from their miniature cups.

.... I did not find the coffee shop with the take-out mugs, nor did I remember to ask anyone tonight.... oops. :S

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So, I met Laura at La Place de La Comédie. Then I bought some new shoes for 8 euros. ...

I also found a 1965 Pentax Asahi SLR S1 camera in a camera shop today, and nearly died. I wanted it so bad...(I know, Dad, you've told me to shut up, but I just can't!)

Laura and I sat at a cafe in La Place de La Comédie and drank Coca Cola's while listening to the busy hum of the city. In the background, there were two men playing French music on an accordion and a violin....Typical French city setting, I suppose.

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The young people's group was fun. I got to meet new people, and I understood most of the message but the discussions, I was completely lost in. the supper provided was very good. There were an assortment of quiche. There was a chicken and broccoli quiche, an eggplant and red pepper quiche and a ham and onion quiche. There was also garden salad, baguette, cheese and grapes. A very typical French meal...

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08-10-09: Rain Rain Go Away...

Typical Thursday, here. I took the boys to school (well drove them, actually). Alex had forgotten his little kit bag, so I had to go return it to him...

I would have liked to go to Sommieres, and there was something very appealing about the thought of walking through an old French town in the rain, but the reality was...it was raining...

So I got back here and studied and talked to mom. (Yes, it was 4:30am there. I told her to get to sleep, right now, missy!)

Then, I got the boys from school, and we had an indoor fun day(afternoon). We watched movies, and read books and colored Veggie Tales print-outs, and ate snacks. It was fun!

I made chicken curry and rice and homemade pitas for supper. It was good, except I didn't let the curry sauce heat up enough and it went kind of clumpy....(still, not as good as Churchill's..)

It is now pouring buckets and thundering and the lights keep flickering...

I need to do laundry...yepp...I need clean clothes...

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09-10-09: I have nothing clever to write for the title of today's entry...

This morning I slept till 10:50, when Gillian came into my room to make sure that I was still alive...I could have slept longer. All I've wanted since I woke up were mom's cinnamon rolls and french toast. Gillian hasn't made bread yet today, so I have to make cinnamon rolls...

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The cinnamon rolls weren't ready on time for me to eat before I left for school, so I took two (very gooey) buns with me to eat. They were really good. Didn't taste quite like mom's, but Gillian and the boys and Fred enjoyed them.

When I got home from school, I rested (because I was TIRED) and then drank some coffee and had a slice of the boy's pizza, then went to LIVE. It was a worship service. It was a very neat experience! Gillian went to the movies with her American friend while I was there, so she picked me up after it was over. On the way home, we were both discussing our hunger issues, so Gillian called Fred to fire up the oven and put the other pizza in. Fred's reply was, "I have eaten all of the pizza, cinnamon rolls and watermelon." ... then Gillian shot back with, "We didn't HAVE watermelon." ... It was quite funny, but you had to have been there. When we got home, I looked at Fred, and with a shocking expression said, "WOW! I'm surprised you're not this huge (and made gestures with my arms to express the hugeness), from eating all of those cinnamon buns!" He had a good chuckle over that...

The pizza was good.

I called Grampy and talked to him for all of 4 minutes...

Tuesday, first; Monday second

TUESDAY:

This morning Gill took the boys to school and then we went to Lunel to drop off some paperwork. On our way back, I drove :)

She got me to drive to Sommieres (where the Saturday markets are) to show me some stores and shops that I can go to on days that I have the car...(Thursday...) and in the evenings.

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Homework time, hurrah.

...I have made arrangements to go to Montpellier early tomorrow. I am going to meet Laura at 5.

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Today was likely the last day for a long time that I will eat a strawberry. :(

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Monday:

This morning I got the boys dressed and ready for school, then took them to school.

I cleaned up the house a bit, and then showered. By the time I was finished it was 11:20 and I had to go get the boys.

They are really sweet. They held hands with a boy in their class named Fabio on the way home until we had to go up a different street.

I prepared peanut butter sandwiches with ham slices and apples on the side for lunch today while the boys began to watch Veggie Tales. It was gloomy today, so they didn't to be outside in wet muggy weather. After their lunch, they finished watching their Veggie Tales film and then took a nap.

I made chocolate chip cookies and read some of my Julia Child book, and talked to mom.

Gillian got back from work at 4:30ish and I was off for the rest of the evening. Basically, I hid in my room because there is nowhere else to go in Boisseron.

We ate these potato thinks shaped like pasta for supper with a cream sauce and parsley. It was good, but now is expanding in my belly.

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If I ever live in a small town like this one ever again, it is required to have a coffee shop and a small restaurant...

I know there must be people my age here, but WHERE?

...Wednesday Thursday and Friday should be eventful I'll keep you posted.

Le Weekend

Saturday, October 3 /09:

This morning I woke up at 8 and ate breakfast with the family.

Gillian went for a run and I got dressed, then crocheted. then we both went to to the market in Sommieres while the boys planted grass with Fred.

I looked at a nice jacket for fall and rain and it was 25 euros, so a good deal, but didn't buy it. (I'm being FRUGAL)...If it is still there next week, mom has given me permission to buy the jacket. I DID buy strawberries and made a jam out of them. MMMMM :) I've spread it over top of a piece of Gillian's chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream and coffee for an afternoon snack.

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FUN FACT OF THE DAY:

Denim was invented in Nimes, a large city about a half hour north of here. It's original pronunciation was DeNime (de-nime)....DENIM!

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After the boys had their 'non-nap', we went to a park by a lake with people and their children from church. It was fun!

We went to a cafeteria (like a food court) for supper. I got pasta and we all ate ice cream for desert. I got chocolate with espresso sauce on it. So Yummy!

Tomorrow, we're going to have a pot luck lunch after church, so I'm going to make a chocolate surprise cake to bring.

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Sunday, October 4 /09:

In efforts of curing my poor feet (that are all blistered) I put Sea Buckthorn on them before I went to sleep with fuzzy socks. I really hate wearing socks to bed...

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It is October 4th and I'm wearing shorts and a t-shirt! (yippee!)

The boys didn't nap today, and Gillian was getting tired, i could tell, and so I'm going to take them to the park down the street to get them out of the house. Maybe It'll tire them out.

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I just got back from the park. The boys got to play with a little girl from their school named Madeline. We left because Ben started throwing rocks.

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The leaves are starting to fall from the trees and turn pretty colors. That makes me happy, because it was like 24 degrees Celsius today.

...I want to go apple picking.....

.....I also want friends who aren't three years old.....

Two for One

01-10-09: (Thursday)

I worked from 7:30 this morning until 8:15 tonight.

It was a pretty good day. The boys didn't want to ride the stroller to school, so they walked the whole way :) .

I got my exercise on the way back though. When I got back to the house, I started to make bread, and crocheted while drinking coffee and listening to music. Then, I quickly showered and left to get the boys from school.

I called Nanny Judy when the boys went down for their nap. The house across the street magically grew walls today...

The boys were really good for me today. They started getting a bit rambunctious around dinner time, but that's because they were hungry.

Gillian and Fred went to this children's clothing sale after work, so they didn't get home till after 8pm. I'm so tired now.

For supper I made a roast chicken, sauteed veggies and guacamole (random,I know, but the avocados were ripe!), and my homemade bread. It was pretty good.

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Friday, October second, two thousand and nine:

This morning I woke up at 9, and went for a power walk around the village of Boisseron, then took a shower. I had to pick the boys up from school because Gillian wasn't finished of her worship practice.

After lunch, I asked Gillian if she could take me into Lunel early. So now I am sitting in a cute cafe beside Lunel-School (because Cafe D'Amelie was a madhouse). Everyone gets to be on their lunch breaks at 1 or 2pm here. I went to the pastry place and got an apple danish first. It is good and sugary.

There is no internet access here, sorry, Mom. :(

This coffee is really good though.

"un grand cafe du lait"

This place reminds me of Lady Baker's Tea Trolley at the market.

The milk is frothy and frothy and the coffee is strong (and it's bigger than a shot glass)!

Sandrine called me and said she'd be at school by 2. I have to buy more yarn for my blanket too..

It's now 1:55. I came to Lunel early to sit. Here I am sitting, and I have to go to class soon:(. Hopefully, that means I'll get to leave class early:)

I just remembered about the time that M.C taught me how to order a glass of water in French. i was reminded of this, because I just ordered a glass of water..in French...I'm almost certain that the woman who runs this shop speaks English well, but oh well, more practice for me!

Humm. I don't want to leave here. It is so quiet and cute. I brought my laptop thinking that 'd have WiFi somewhere, so now I have extra heavy baggage. I have my school books with me too.

Gillian made a really yummy chocolate cake tonight while I was talking to mom and dad on the phone.

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