Amazing people. Amazing experiences. Amazing life. What can I say, J’adore la France. Everyday I find something new that makes me fall in love with France more and more each day. Whether it is the mild winters, the good food, the fashionable styles, the lack of school or in other words, the increasing of strikes, France has made me discover a whole different culture from the one I’m used to. And for that, I am so thankful for this incredible experience.

Last weekend, from Friday night to Sunday night, was filled with Rotary events. Friday night was the inauguration of the new Rotex group created by my club. Rotex is the same thing as Rotary but for teenagers and young adults to take apart of. It was a huge event with about 120 people from all the surrounding Rotary clubs of Toulouse. We had a huge dinner and celebration which didn’t finish until about 1 in the morning. However, the next morning I had to be up early because there was a Rotary weekend with all the exchange students. And this time, it was with all the Frenchies who will be outbounds next year! So there were about 40 kids between us all and it was tons of fun. We first went to a town called Foix to see an old, important chateau of France and then headed off to a tiny, tiny village called Suc to spend the night. We probably doubled the size of the village which was quite funny. We were up until really late just talking and getting to know eachother. And then the next morning, instead of going skiing which was planned for, we went for a 6hr hike in the mountains instead because there was no snow and it was about 65 degrees… ahh I love the winters here!! =] And we stopped along the way for a 2 hr lunch break to sleep and enjoy the views of the Spanish border and the province of Andorra. What the life, huh?

Striking and the lack of substitute teachers here is also one of my favorite things I’ve discovered since I’ve been here. France is the country known for striking, and they definitely live up to their name. There is something always bothering them with the government and they feel need to strike each time something doesn’t go their way. That being said, sometimes teachers just don’t show up for class, meaning no classes for us. It’s great. Also, last week my history teacher left to go to Italy for 2 weeks, and because they don’t have substitute teachers here, we don’t have class. So between the striking and no history class, I had probably about 15hrs of class last week. Why can’t we have that in the US?

Still on the subject of school, next week starts my 2 and a half week winter break too which will be nice. The first week, I’m still not sure if I’m going to northern France or not, but during the second week, my family is coming to visit me in Toulouse and then were going to Paris. I cannot wait to see them as it has been almost 6 months since I last saw them!!! And I can’t wait to show them around and introduce them to some of my friends and my host families.

Anndddddddddd, in April I’m going to LONDONNN for 5 days with one of my friends here!!!! It has been my dream to get there ever since I was young so I cannot waitt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On a sadder note, my plane ticket home is officially booked. I leave here on the 18th of July. =[ I wish I could stay longer, but I have a lot of school work to catch up on for next year… should be tons of fun… hahaha.

Ok, more to come later!

Bonne semaine tout le monde!