Sorry for being MIA these past few weeks. Will update on fall break shortly! Been busy with traveling the world and work. Any who, today was a great day. I woke up in a fantastic mood! It was gorgeous outside. Sunny and mid 60's!!
Today, I had a moment of insane nostalgia and it was very refreshing. I walked ALL over Aix, north, south, east, west and everything in between. Went to the market bought some fresh produce. I gave the vender the exact change and he was very content. We exchanged smiles and seemed to make each other's day. It's true that a genuine smile really does goes a long way. Next, I looked around at the clothing sales and couldn't help but smile to myself. It felt like my first week all over again. It was an amazing feeling to rediscover and renew an experience. I was becoming too complacent and fortunately today revitalized all the feelings I felt the first week! My curiosity and appreciation towards Aix returned, all my problems and worries temporarily froze and were forgotten.
In addition to this beautiful day, I literally laughed out loud because I saw some dude trip on the stairs. He wasn't very graceful and the good thing is he started laughing too. I couldn't help but laugh. I appreciate those small funny moments.
At dinner tonight, my host brother was a devil and an angel. As the french say, "il faisait des betises". He was causing all sorts of havoc, getting into everything. First it started with throwing his toys, then pulling the curtains, then splashing water all over the place, then putting food in his water. It never stops. After dinner, he was an angel and his charming little self. He began singing this song called "les poissons dans l'eau". Of course, he sang the chorus but then sung these random tunes and unrecognizable french sounds. I now know he can sing the vocal scales as evidenced by tonight. The cutest part was when he started doing the motions to his made up words! To end this great day, Elliot called me "Bet ta num", he said "bonne soirée be ta num". Both my host family and laughed at that!
As I said, what a great day. Nostalgia is a good thing and I hope I can continue to feel these same sentiments for my last month here. What an unbelievable experience I've had so far. Despite the bad, good, ugly, sad, happy and everything in between. Je t'adore Aix. You're my home away from home.
Today, I had a moment of insane nostalgia and it was very refreshing. I walked ALL over Aix, north, south, east, west and everything in between. Went to the market bought some fresh produce. I gave the vender the exact change and he was very content. We exchanged smiles and seemed to make each other's day. It's true that a genuine smile really does goes a long way. Next, I looked around at the clothing sales and couldn't help but smile to myself. It felt like my first week all over again. It was an amazing feeling to rediscover and renew an experience. I was becoming too complacent and fortunately today revitalized all the feelings I felt the first week! My curiosity and appreciation towards Aix returned, all my problems and worries temporarily froze and were forgotten.
In addition to this beautiful day, I literally laughed out loud because I saw some dude trip on the stairs. He wasn't very graceful and the good thing is he started laughing too. I couldn't help but laugh. I appreciate those small funny moments.
At dinner tonight, my host brother was a devil and an angel. As the french say, "il faisait des betises". He was causing all sorts of havoc, getting into everything. First it started with throwing his toys, then pulling the curtains, then splashing water all over the place, then putting food in his water. It never stops. After dinner, he was an angel and his charming little self. He began singing this song called "les poissons dans l'eau". Of course, he sang the chorus but then sung these random tunes and unrecognizable french sounds. I now know he can sing the vocal scales as evidenced by tonight. The cutest part was when he started doing the motions to his made up words! To end this great day, Elliot called me "Bet ta num", he said "bonne soirée be ta num". Both my host family and laughed at that!
As I said, what a great day. Nostalgia is a good thing and I hope I can continue to feel these same sentiments for my last month here. What an unbelievable experience I've had so far. Despite the bad, good, ugly, sad, happy and everything in between. Je t'adore Aix. You're my home away from home.