Pictures of course

Passing through Switzerland on our way to St. Tropez

The view from our room in St.Tropez


The pool...which I swam in almost every day


Port Grimaud, I think it's absolutely beautiful there


La Gendarmerie Nationale!


Hiking...eating lunch on the steps of a chapel....hiking


Grimaud again, I love the flowers! I love how there are so many flowers growing in France in general, it's wonderful.


Bowling for my birthday! (the bowling ball never made it to the end, so we used another one)


The two most amazing cakes I have ever seen. They tasted good too! I still can't believe my (host) mom isn't a professional cake maker. I guess French people just know how to cook, which makes sense, seeing as they're known for their cuisine.

Ok now my measly pumkin pie is dwarfing in comparison.....If only there was a way for everyone to know what it smelled like fresh out of the oven!

November, the month des anniversaires!

Month of Birthdays a very fitting title, I think.

First up, me, of course.

November 7th.
I recieved so many wonderful gifts too! I was honestly very surprised at so many birthday wishes and presents.

I got presents from both families (in the U.S. and France), presents from friends in Premiére and Terminale at school, presents from the neighbors, and so many happy birthday wishes! I am glad to know so many people care about me. I'm also glad that it didn't make me homesick, because I realize something like that really has the potential to bring on thoughts of family and friends who are currently far away.

I think everyone for making my birthday such a special event here in France.

Following were the birthdays of Clémence, my host sister, now 7 years old. The brithday of Fred, my host father, and the birthday of the great grandmother.
The weekend after my birthday there was a party for Clémence, Fred, and I. Lots of family members showed up. Muriel, my host mom, made two absolutely gorgeous and absolutely delicious cakes!

November 19th
I made a pumpkin pie!!!!!!!!
In honor of Thanksgiving and for my English class with the assisstant I made a pumpkin pie. I've got to admit that it wasn't very easy. I had to convert mesurements and temperature, and make some other alterations to the two recipes I was using to male the pumpkin pie. After taking most Wednesday night to make it I finally finished. It smelled so good and I was very tempted to eat a slice right then! Luckily, I have good self-control.

I brought it to class that Friday and shared it with my class. I think they all enjoyed it. Personally I found it a little watery, the taste wasn't as strong as usual, but I think this is for the better. I've discovered that sometimes it's better when foreign food has a mild taste than a strong one, because it's something new and eating something new with a strong taste can be a bit shocking.

Overall I was very proud of myself.
Also I got to explain the history of Thanksgiving, including the fact that my ancestor, Constance Hopkins, was one of the very first pilgrims, one of the people who ate the very first Thanksgiving dinner with the Native Americans.

I know that there is more that I want to say, but I can't exactly remember what right now...

So for now the end of yet another post.