Day 95: or The Day I Read Mouse Soup

For some reason, I couldn't fall asleep last night and ended up with a grand total of about 4 hours. I have a hard time getting up after a full 8, so today wasn't starting off so good. I had class in the morning and it was a good one. I managed to understand whatever was going on, even if I won't be able to apply to my day to day conversations. I was able to explain my upcoming trips and everyone seemed mildly jealous, which I appreciated. After class I came home to rest my eyes for a bit before I had to get the Kid for lunch.


After I dropped him back at school, I spent the afternoon finalizing accommodations for Spain. Hopefully everything is done now, barring any unforeseen complications. I read the Kid stories every night and the story lately has been "Mouse Soup". I remember this book from when I was little but hadn't seen it in years. I apparently do a voice while reading and after a couple of times, I heard the Kid copying me. It cracks me up every time, the other family members don't get it. It's an inside joke obviously, but I think they're just a hard audience to sell. The rest of the night was spent jumping on the trampoline and picking flowers. After a rough day like today, I need a vacation.

Day 94: or The Day I Explained Wal-Mart

Back to the grind. Today went by quickly and before I knew it, I was at school picking up the Kid. He got a new toy this weekend and was all he talked about on the walk home. I was just happy because he walked at a   normal pace. His usual pace is somewhere between snail and tortoise. I  can't tell you how many times on a walk I have to ask him to walk faster. He does it out of rebellion partly, but mostly it's because he looks at flowers and bugs and picks up every little thing he finds in the street. 

We get home and he went to play outside with the neighbor kids. After dinner, the 13 year old asked me some very serious questions. The family will be spending the next 2 weeks in California and he needed to know where he could find items such as Gushers and Fruit Roll-Ups. These kids have put American candy on some sort of pedestal. They rave about it. I've been thinking if there is anything I miss from home seeing as how I'll have visitors soon. But what I miss is crawfish boils and football parties. Anyone know how to ship a crawfish boil? Anyways, I had to explain Wal-Mart to the boy. It was a very serious, 10 minute conversation about candy. These kids crack me up.

I also snapped a few pictures of the garden, just for the hell of it.

Day 93: or The Day I Tried To Explain Politics

At dinner tonight, the girls and I were eating quiche and someone mentioned the Chinese. The 17 year old is going on a school trip for April break and that led to communism. Being the "wise" one at the table, the girls asked me about the left vs right, socialist vs communist issues. I did as best I could, but the 14 year old called me out by saying, "the way you explain it, the left is good". Oops. So I tried to explain things from a conservative point of you, just to even things out. The Dad sat down for a bit, but I'm not sure he was listening. I'm sure half of what I said was simplified beyond any meaning, but what else could I do.


The rest of the day was uneventful. Today was the last bad day of weather for the week, supposedly. Soon, I'll beginning packing at prepping for my trip, but for know, it's all still in my head. 5 more days, then Spain and Greece. It's going to be a long week.

Day 92: or The Day I Missed The Train

I had planned to go on a little country outing today but was thwarted by the lines at the ticket counter. The machines only take chip credit cards, which I of course don't have. Since I was already in the city, I decided to spend some time. It was a beautiful day with a high of 72'. Amazing. I started by going to Montmarte, to see the artists and street performers. I grabbed a crepe and walked around. I went through the Sacre Couer again, just because going through beautiful churches has a calming effect. When leaving I was harassed worse than I've ever been by the solicitors. The way they actually grab you is unnerving. I can walk out of any situation without feeling awkward about not giving money, but when I'm physically stopped, it puts me on edge. Instead of the usual, "pardon" or "no, merci", I end up saying a pretty strong "don't touch me". I even know how to say it in French, but it of course comes out English, which creates more unwanted attention. One small moment in an otherwise pleasant day.


When I was walking around, a man selling silhouettes made one of me before I could say no. It was cheap and he was friendly, so I bought it. It's hard to buy anything here without worrying about getting it home. First you have to carry it around Paris, then you have to get in on a plane home. I figured a small paper silhouette shouldn't be a problem.


I walked around a bit more, enjoying the sun. When it started to cool off, I stopped and saw a movie. The man at the window asked if I had a student I.D. card. I showed him my UT on with a picture taken in 2004. He accepted it for God knows what reason. I'm not sure many of you remember what I looked like 7 years ago. To say the least, I look different. But a discount is a discount. Thank you kind sir.


I made it home before sun down and made my self an omelet. I've decided to work on my omelet technique. As tasty as they already are, I'd like to perfect them. Just a small side goal I've set for myself. All in all, it was a good day spent in the sun.

Day 91: or The Day I Started "The Wire"

I love Fridays. If I need to catch up on a little sleep, I can. If I want to go into town, I have enough time. It's just nice to feel like I have a choice in the matter. This Friday I decided to spend time around the village and the house. I've been avoiding spending money, trying to save up for my big 2 week trip. The weather turned chilly again so walking just to walk wasn't really in the cards. Everybody came home early, just to leave again. Tonight was a babysitting night for me, which consists of nothing out of the ordinary. The only difference is that a night I might have spent at home anyways will definitely be spent at home. The Kid still goes to sleep at 8:00pm, so I'm free, I just can't leave him totally alone. I curled up with a glass of wine and started watching "The Wire". Anyone I've ever met who has watched the show proceeds to tell me about how it's the greatest show ever. And these people aren't using a hyperbole. They believe that it actually is the greatest. I thought it was about high time I saw what all the fuss was about.

Day 90: or The Day I Reached The Halfway Mark

I'm not sure exactly when I'm flying home, but the plan is the end of June. Since I arrived I've been counting up, and now I'm counting down. It seems like yesterday I got here, I can't believe I'm already on the other side.


Today was a day filled with planning and research. Seeing that I am in fact halfway through with my time here, I need to make sure I'm not wasting weekends laying in bed. I have 13 weekends left, 4 of which are already spoken for. I'll have a Eurail pass through May, so I need to make sure I take advantage. I realize that this is a lucky problem to have and I'm not complaining. But it is a stress inducing situation. At the same time, I'm very happy to be able to see so many people from home in the next month. I'm sure before I know it, it will be June and I'll be wondering where the time has gone.

Day 89: or The Day I Was Reminded Not To Complain

After a long Wednesday at home, I was ready to hole up in my room and take a break. But, I had already made plans to grab a drink after work with some of the other girls and so I made the preparations to be seen in public. There were just 3 of us and the bar was fairly empty for a change, which was nice. The other girls had had pretty awful days and when I compared them to mine, I felt like I'd won the lottery. Sometimes I need to vent and sometimes I'll have a hard day, but liking the family you live with seems to be a non-negotiable. I can't imagine not getting along with them. Sure, I need a break every once in a while, but I do actually enjoy them. Some of these girls have it rough, and I was reminded of that today.


The 16 year old's birthday was today and we made Mexican food. Obviously by we I mean me. I also decided to try refried beans. We don't have pinto beans, so I made it with red beans and they ended up purple somehow. They turned out quite good and definitely improved the burritos. We finished up with chocolate cupcakes and everyone seemed to enjoy it.