My Second Day

Today was a pleasure to live.

Things that made me incredibely happy:

1. Le Physique, or chemistry. I actually understood what was going on! So, rather than spending an hour feeling lost beyond all belief and stuck reading my book, I kept pace as the class reluctantly worked ICE tables to find molarities. It is probably one of the nerdiest things I have ever said, but for that hour I felt so much closer to home! Thank Goodness chemical formulas are the same in every language. I was also amused by the mandaztory lab coats and goggles, both of which were near extinct in Woon's class...

2. Having real conversations with people. There is nothing to explain for this one except that it is a wonderful thing to actually have a response to a question. You have no idea the relief it brings!

3. Boys who play the guitar, everywhere.

4. COLMAR. This town is gorgeous! After school today, Maelle and I, along with a bunch of her other friends, walked around Colmar for a couple hours. I could do that for days! There are so many little shops, so much character packed into such a small place. All of the buildings are painted bright colors, with shutters and flower boxes. fantastique!

5. NOT feeling like a tourist. While we were in Colmar today, I realized that I didnt stick out like a sore thumb, but rather belonged to a group. Which, I dont actually feel completely estranged from.

6. Getting the sausage and sauerkraut meal out of the way. That is one Alsatian dish I dont think my arteries could manage again.

7. The fact that my host father takes Argentinian Tango classes every Tuesday night.

8. PARA-SAILING!!! My host father goes para-sailing in the Vosges mountains a couple times a month, and he wants to take me (Mom and Dad: I will email you shortly..) !!!

9. The Cherry trees in our backyard. I am delighted that I will not be fruit starved for the next 6 weeks.

10. And Finally, having 10 things to be happy for. Because I miss everyone a lot. Sometimes, I forget that I am here, because the world is so similar, but then I remember and realize who is missing.

p.s. I will get pictures up soon. Turns out that Maelle loves to take photos... of everything, so I will use a lot of those.

p.p.s. Maelle is pronounced like MI ( like in the name Maya) + elle (like the feminine pronoun, or restaurant, whichever you are familiar with)