Accent Goggles

I am currently sitting in what will be my classroom for the entire week. I feel like a child.

What might make things easier (or should I say, who) is Shay. I have met my first Brit, and I fancy him if I do say so myself. It might make this week slightly more bearable sitting next to him. With each other's help, we managed to make it through a "petite quiz" on France that wasn't so "petite".

Yesterday, I had the most amazing glass of beer and chocolate ice cream at an outdoor cafe. Simply perfection. I then proceeded to flirt with a restaurant employee to get him to help me get on the internet using the free Wi-Fi (it wasn't working at first). It wasn't necessary to flirt, I know, but I figured if it helped in getting my internet to work then I was all for it.

It's quite odd using the term "boyfriend". I haven't had one in so long, it almost felt wrong saying it. I had a conversation with a fellow American about how her boyfriend was back stateside as well and the story evolved into us telling each other cute things that the boyfriends had done, so of course I had to relay the story about my hike to Shadow Falls. I received an "awwwwwwwwww" every 5 sentences or so.

Postcards sent yesterday. While Mathis was showing me where to mail them, I had to ask if his mom was annoyed by my computer use (what else are younger, more impressionable host siblings for than to get inside information?). I ended up finding out that she was discussing me with a friend on the phone (where I heard from upstairs "Samantha" "l'internet" "l'ordinateur" and "wi-fi" but not much else) about possibly installing wi-fi so I could use my computer in my bedroom. Apparently she doesn't hate me after all, that's a relief.

Last night, during dinner, I had to take a step back and think "holy crap, I must look super badass talking so fast with this French family". Of course, that would appear so to only those who are rusty with their French, or have no skills in that department whatsoever. Although, I have to admit that for how long I have been here, my French has improved quite a bit. I was having a solid conversation at the dinner table with my host family. I even managed to get in a few funny one-liners that made everyone laugh.

I now know where I can access wi-fi, so Skyping (or as my father so eloquently puts it: "syping") is now a must with anyone who is available. This week, I can skype after 4:30 pm my time, or I can get up early and head to the school around 7am-ish my time. For Oregon residents, that would be roughly 7:30am or 10pm, not ideal, but doable if you really miss me :)

I am just waiting on my USB cable to come in the mail, and then photos will pop up like daisies.