Dumpit to Crumpit

So the other day I was walking around and I noticed this playground :

I couldn't help but realize that this....whatever it is belongs in the Grinch or in the least a Dr. Seuss book!

Well today is a Thursday, which means that I did not have class.  I got an e-mail at 9.30 this morning asking me to be at the office at 9.50 so that I could go to my place of internship.  As hard as I tried, this simply was not possible as it takes at least an hour to get there:)  But I got there as soon as I could!  We headed off to "Artisans du Monde", which is not too far from Place de la Comédie, the center of downtown.  It is a small, almost a hole in the wall store that sells fair trade items.  I was exited!!  We went into the tiny back office and I talked with the owner and she explained what I would do, and that I would actually have to talk to french people....as I suspected.  All of the middle aged women working there were absolutely thrilled when they found that an "anglophone" (english speaker) would be working there!  Then as soon as they were excited they were disappointed to find that I must only speak french!  Regardless, they seemed glad that I would be starting next week and seem to be a lovely group of women.  More moms:)  I always seem to get myself into those jobs, but I enjoy it!After this I decided to take advantage of the "winter sales" here in France.  They really only have them twice a year.  Didn't get much except for a beret for my friend Laramie a light jacket for myself :

After that I had a sandwich : ham and butter on wheat american bread. Apparently they use butter instead of mayonnaise. 

There are different stages of culture shock.  The first being the honeymoon phase where everything is new and exciting and sparkly.  Once that phase ends, there is what I would call the "loathing" phase.  That is not actually what it is called, but that is how I feel sometimes.  The other night, some neighbors came over just for an "apéritif."  This quickly turned into them staying throughout dinner and then some.  They were very sweet, and spoke slowly enough so that I could understand.  After a long day, a long night of hearing french people talking loudly and at the same time is just overwhelming, and different than what I am used to.  They were all asking me questions at the same time and expecting logical responses.  At that moment, I wanted to be anywhere but in France.  After the 3 hour meal, I was finally able to crawl up to my room and call Chris and just cry.  I feel better now, but am certainly seeing the differences between my culture and the french culture. 

I know it seems that all I talk about is food, but that is one of the biggest changes personally.   Last night was a night were most french people eat Crèpes.  I asked the significance, and got a response, but all I can remember is that it is some sort of religious holiday.  Anyway, they had a neat little device that cooked the crèpes.  

I ate one with nutella, and one with homemade blueberry jam.  Both were Amazing!!!

Oh, congratulations to all of my friends and family in the United States.  The winter storm made it on the French news!  Looked miserable, though I don't feel too bad because there were many snow days involved  :)