The Weekend

School…Saturday…what? Who invented this anyways? You think they could find a couple extra hours during the week for P.E…like maybe take away some of the 8 HOURS OF MATH I HAVE DURING THE WEEK…but this is France so they don’t think of stuff like that. Anyways, it wasn’t that bad. I just want you to think it was bad so I can gain your sympathy. We just went to the gym, which is in the basement of the school (oh and no bleachers) and listened to someone talk about who knows what then we got in groups for P.E. I chose Athleticisme (like track and field stuff I think), Handball, and Badminton. So it should be pretty fun, I could have taken basically Dance Volleyball Fitness, but I realized I need my friends to make that at all exciting. I went to the Café with my “friends” who didn’t really talk to me or actually acknowledge my presence in any way. So I left school feeling kind of down, but it was great to go to the country home for the weekend.

I slept and read a lot, so it was very relaxing to be in Normandy. We went to another one of those Flea Market things, although this one was freaking massive and more commercialized I felt. I was proud of myself though, because I saw a Haribo candy stand with a whole bunch of good looking candy (kind of like a mini Bulk Barn) and I walked by a couple that were like 2+ Euros per 100 grams while stifling my urge to buy candy. Then I found one for 1 Euro per 100 grams, and I indulged in the sweet goodness of candy. Oh, what presents patience brings. I had a lot of personal reflection time over the weekend, and I decided that it really didn’t matter what my “friends” did in regards to me. It was I who had to make the effort and branch out to people that I could actually have a conversation with, and who I could work on my French with. So I left feeling pretty content with life…there was a beautiful sunset and I listened to Newcomer’s Home while driving at dusk (which is my favorite) through pretty Norman towns.

Today at school was much, much better. I just told myself that I was going to be in a good mood and try to talk to as many people as I could. I could definitely feel the difference in my attitude from Thursday or Friday…it made it a lot easier to concentrate in class and school wasn’t as boring. I took a hint from Kyle and made the effort whenever I could to speak about whatever I could, while trying not to hate the fact that I sounded stupid or couldn’t pronounce some words. It worked out very well, and I spoke today in French more than I have probably since I’ve been here. It was also good thing this weekend because I realized this year needs to be more about me learning French, and that God’s laying little things down that I need to pick up, so I’m trying to find little lessons throughout the day that God’s trying to teach me. So right now, I’m pretty content, and doing a lot better than Friday, which I think was just the day that I realized this isn’t a vacation any more, and that I need to make the most of the time I have here. Love you all.

Brent