Trial of Faith: Talk in French

Louvre Pyramid

     WOW! All of you out there who have been following what I’m doing, you are great. My blog passed 1,000 viewers last week and I am thrilled. I really didn’t think many would follow my silly blog. I started it to keep family informed, keep a record (journal) of my adventures while living in Paris, and to help others who might want to become an Au Pair. I did want to clarify something. The poll on the right of your screen is not what I will only write on. It is what I should write about NEXT! I want to know what you want to hear about! After that topic is written about I will take it out and replace it with a new one. 

     This week I realized how small Europe really is. I’ve always known that the countries were close together, but living in the United States I didn’t realize that visiting another country in Europe was similar to visiting another state in the United States. This week Cecile went to Italy for the day. It amazed me that she would be able to just visit for a day, as if someone were spending the day on the other-side of town. Now I know that a trip to a surrounding country is just a cheap (if you plan right) plane ticket away.

I realized this week that I can see the spotlight
on the Eiffel Tower from my window.

     Right now I’m establishing a schedule for myself. I have certain days that I meet up with friends, certain days that I study French and days that work with the family. I feel so lucky to have met such wonderful people while living here. These girls are so friendly and caring.

   
     I have been struggling with my French Classes. I’m not getting the kind of practice that I would like. I wondered who picks the topics in French teaching books and why they chose to teach them in the order they do. With this book, I feel we are spending too much time on simple things I could study on my own and not enough on the complicated topics. I can go home and memorize my numbers and colors and various words, I can't figure out how to conjugate verbs on my own. It is all very backward for me. Thank goodness I will now have Emily (from my class) to work with. Not to mention Sara and Britney. What would I do without them? 

     I have loved getting to know new friends from all over the world and even across the United States like Florida and Texas. Not to mention becoming friends with Sara who is from my home town. I go shopping with them, study French and visit markets. I can’t believe how blessed I am to have met these amazing people.

Card from my Grandma :)

     Aimée likes to ask me what I’m learning in school. Then she will test me on various topics. I think she likes being a teacher. While learning numbers, she got all excited and began naming numbers to me. It turned into a game with the kids. They would tell me either a number in French or English, and then I would need to tell them the opposite language. I think I have my numbers down now.

     One of my favorite things from the week was getting a Halloween Card from my Grandma. She sent me a card and stickers for the kids. I don't know who was more excited the kids or me. I loved that! Does anyone want a postcard from Paris? Write me a letter and you will get one. :)

      I had a very interesting thing happen to me on the Metro this week. I was bringing the kids home from school, and there was a tall man who started trying to talk to me as soon as I got on the train. Of course I didn't understand anything and looked to Aimée. She didn't see that anyone was talking to me, so I just smiled and shook my head saying "No, sorry" in French. Well he kept talking and sort of acting silly. Daniel realized what was happening and told the man that I didn't speak any French. He then went on to tell me all about how I didn't speak French in French. Well, his talking and laughing scared the kids and the hung on to me very closely. Aimée was whispering "Crazy" in my ear.

Flowers at the Market 

     We were toward the front of the train, the very front actually, and when the train stopped a man popped out of the conductor box and got mad at the "Crazy" guy. The man obeyed quickly and moved to sit in a different seat. We were almost to the end of the line (which is where we get off), and Aimée turns to tell me that he was still laughing at us.

     The whole situation seemed very familiar to me. At that moment I connected the dots and realize this man had a disability, most likely Autism. I realized the man running the train was his brother (they looked very similar).

     Everything that I felt in that moment changed. Here was this grown man, tall, dark skinned, and normal looking. He was chatting on the train and singing so much that the other passengers avoided him and treated him like a drunken scum. He wasn't hurting anyone, he was just asking questions. Yet, he scared most everyone on the train. It made me very sad how I misinterpreted the man, and how everyone on the train was misinterpreting him. They didn't understand.

Candy at the Market 

     For those who don’t know, my brother is Autistic, and it was very hard for me to leave him. He is going through a very hard phase and I know my family could really use my help, but I also know that I am meant to be here. I thought of my brother and the struggles he goes through. He is also usually misunderstood and scary to those who don’t understand his situation. I know that my brother shaped me into the person that I am today. This experience has also shaped me.

     I have been working closely with Aimée and Daniel, trying to understand why they feel a certain way instead of just getting mad at them. This works better than anything I have ever done in the past. I have been working with Aimée to explain that why some of the things she is saying is not nice, and she is getting better. The biggest problem that I have when talking to her and trying to explain something she always tells me that that's how they say it in England. That has been her excuse for poor English, but sometimes it's hard to tell since they do speak differently. She has been saying SHUT UP a lot, and although it is not a bad thing to say, I still get really offended. I realize that this is a cultural difference and a language difference. It’s not a bad thing to say, it’s just not a very nice way to say it.

     I have been watching all of the Presidential Debates, and keeping up with all the happenings of America. I got my Absentee Ballot in the mail, and I am very excited to vote for the first time. Cecile was also excited to see the Ballot.

     This week I baked cookies with Aimée. She wanted to make something, and since her mom said it was OK we decided to make cookies. They were not the best cookies I have ever made (it’s hard baking in a kitchen you’re not use too), but the kids loved them!

     The biggest challenge of the week was giving my talk in Church. My family heard all week about the stress I was having over giving this talk. For those of you who know me well, you know that I love giving talks. So for me to be this nervous was bad. Usually if I’m nervous I talk more, well when your talk in is a language you can barely speak… It gets a little harder. Thank you to Sara for helping and coaching me all week. It wasn’t the best talk ever, and I’m sure I messed up half the words, but the message was understood. It feels so good to have that done! 

     I have had a good week, and I’m excited for next week. Thank you for reading, and please let me know if you have any questions.