I've had a really great and busy past couple of weeks. Two weekends ago I was in a gorgeous city called Annecy 2 hours north from where I live.. I was there for my Rotary integration weekend and got to meet all the other exchange students for the first time. They're all so special and interesting and kind so it was such an enjoyable weekend with them. I got pretty close to some of the other exchange students and I miss them already because I won't see them again until January! and Sami who juuust haaas to be Australian and leave in January.. :'( That weekend we went over the rules and danced and talked a lot and took a ridiculous amount of pictures and toured the Lac d'Annecy and hugged a lot so I loved it! Also, I've noticed the support system within Rotary and just exchange students in general is incredible. I have so many people I can talk to if I ever have a problem or if I'm ever sad and they all help so much and are usually dealing with something similar.
Language is going okay, It could be going better if I tried to listen to conversations more but my brain does this thing where if it hears French it automatically blocks it out and daydreams instead. That's bad!! I need to focus so hard to follow a conversation in French but I always remind myself that I know more now than I did a week ago and if I keep trying I'll keep improving. Then I usually take a nap.
Last weekend I had another Rotary event in another city about 2 hours north from here called Chambery. I didn't get to see much of the city because we were only there for a few hours and I just slept in the car (an art I am beginning to master) but it was wonderful seeing all my exchange friends again. The Rotary thing was for the potential outbounds for next year, so we were there to represent our countries and help people decide where they want to go, pretty much. It's crazy cool thinking they'll all be on exchange next year. Exchange is still like the coolest idea in the world for me...
But school and social stuff is getting better and better, I'm meeting new people every day and I'm continuing to adapt to my life here and appreciate everything I get to experience. The really good things like coffee, the warmth, good company, Katia and Maëlys' made up songs, understanding whole conversations if I try hard enough, and mostly the kindness from people. It's seriously so cool how there are really nice people everywhere. So weird. Thanks guys.
I hope all my Alaskan pals are having a good time <3
Love, Grace