ChipIn

Just a quick post to say that I've added "ChipIn" to my blog, so you can help me raise money to go to France. The application is almost done now, so we'll be sending that off ASAP, and hopefully I'll have more information once I turn that in.

Interview and Sending Orientartion

Last Friday I had my AFS interview. A volunteer from AFS came to our house and talked to me about myself and what kind of family I was a part of and what kind of family I would like to be a part of in France. She was very kind and helpful, and I think she convinced my mom, who still wasn't sure, that going abroad would a good experience. :-) I just have to finish my application now and then we can send it off and hopefully get a host family.

Last Saturday I went to sending orientation for AFS. We got to sit in a meeting for six hours while the volunteers told me and other future exchange students about all the scary stuff about being an exchange student and how to deal with it. We talked about our hopes and fears and some fun stuff too, and we got to talk to other people from Ohio who would be going abroad at the same time. I met a girl from Shaker who will also be going to France next year and we were really excited. Maybe we'll meet up, but the best part is that we'll have our own host families and friends and make new connections. It's still a while until I leave, but I'm starting to get excited. I couldn't wait to leave for France after the meeting was over, especially since some of the students already had host families. We learned some really useful things and heard stories from former exchange students and I'm glad I met the people I did. We'll have a lot of fun.

Le petit triangle

On Sunday I went to Le Petit Triangle Cafe with my family for brunch. We ate crepes and I had a chocolat chaud and it reminded me of eating in my favorite cafe in Paris, Cafe Charlot. I remembered listening to the people speaking French, which I hardly understood at all (eavesdropping on others' conversations, I couldn't get past "Bonjour, ca va?") and eating delicious food. Best was the chocolat chaud. Being in Le Petit Triangle brought back the memories.
The crepes also reminded me of an experience everyone should have when they go to Paris. It was a cold, rainy day and we had been walking around all morning and all afternoon. We'd walked past Notre Dame a few times, trying to decide if it would be worth it to pack inside with everyone else. Our shoes and socks were soaked and we were about to just go home, when Maggie spotted a small, steaming crepe stand with nutella jars on display. We stopped to buy some and they brightened our rainy afternoon. They were the most delicious thing in the world just then.

Paris '08

So it's been about two years since my trip to Paris with my family. We had a great time and it was one of the things that inspired me to go back to France--even just the short amount of time we spent there showed me a whole new culture that I fell in love with.

I absolutely loved the entire trip, but probably the best part was the chocolat chaud at Café Charlot, which might be the best café in Paris.

Of course, we did all the Paris-y things, like the Tour Eiffel and the Louvre, too

All in all, it was a great experience and I can't wait to go back. Even if I'm not placed with a family in Paris I'll visit because it's a beautiful city and I adore it.

Almost Forgot!

...one of my *favorite* French songs, which reminded me of one of my best friends. I shared it with her, she changed her Facebook name, and suddenly everyone is calling her Lola. (She thinks she is comme un garçon.) Enjoy the song!

Et bien sur, la musique!

Another reason I really want to go to France is the culture--and, of course, the music. I love French music, whether it's Erik Satie, or something a little more modern, or something kinda strange.

Learning about other cultures is something I like to do. I like music especially because, even if I can't understand everything the singer is saying, I can sing along and enjoy myself. It's something you don't need to know a lot about to have fun. Violà! Appréciez!

Pourquoi?

So I haven't written in a while, mostly because not much is happening right now. I can start filling out an application, but I can't actually do much for a few months, when AFS will be ready for me. In this post, I'll talk about why I'd like to study in France.

I decided to take French in sixth grade, and, after starting in seventh, I've managed to make it to Third Year French with Madame Staron. Despite the amount of work (and grammar!) I've had to get through, it's been very enjoyable, especially learning about the French culture. My dad took me to Paris when I was in eighth grade and it was an unforgettable experience. Even though I was only half through First Year French, I loved seeing words and knowing what they meant. I also loved seeing the sights, the people, and the food. I've always enjoyed learning about other countries and cultures. For a while, I wanted to go to Japan. However, I decided that it might be better to go halfway around the world to a language I knew a little bit about. And good chocolate. :-)