Is this really happening?: Week Eleven

First weeks back to school after a vacation are always rough. This week however was not bad.

Monday was not that bad, I wasn’t really tired and I was ready to tackle the day. I didn’t really do anything Monday except wish I had done more homework. Up until now my teachers have been totally fine with me not doing the work. Which is good because up until now it would have been really hard for me to do the work. The only teacher who really cares if I do nothing is my French teacher. The other day in class she called me out on not having done the homework. In some classes I don’t really feel bad for not doing the homework. I know that it would be extremely difficult for me to do and would just take a ridiculous amount of time. In other classes, for example, math I do feel bad for not doing the homework because I know that I capable of doing it if I tried. Altogether I am going to put in a greater effort to do the homework.

To show this newfound resolution to try harder I started the book that we are reading in French class. It’s called, Le Supplement au Voyage du Bougainville, it’s written by Diderot. I’m sure it’s an interesting book and I was interested in it but it is so complicated it takes me a very long time to read. It took me almost an hour to read eight pages of this book. I have to look up words very often and read over the stuff a couple times to really get the sense. I was a little upset the next day however when the homework that I actually did was not checked by the teacher. I’m just hoping that I don’t have to give an oral because that would be very hard. I don’t want to give the sense that I’m discouraged because I’m not really and I think that the challenge is good for me. I’m just saying that it is difficult.

Wednesday I did an oral in English class. The subject was the referendum for Scottish independence. We had to choose a side and express our happiness or sadness over the result of the referendum. I prepared pretty well and had at least five people ask me to check over their orals for them. I did pretty well but I talked a little too fast and no one but the teacher understood what I was saying. I maybe could have talked a little slower but it’s nice for them to see what I am going through with them. I say that as if I’m not understanding what they are saying but really I understand probably 95% of what is said, sometimes I get lost and my vocabulary hasn’t caught up to my comprehension but it’s still great.

Thursday morning meant a two-hour of science test. I didn’t understand everything but I managed to make enough stuff up to take up about an hour of my time. The rest was spent drawing or thinking.

Thursday night I went to the gym with my district coordinator. It was really the first time I’d ever really worked out with weights. It wasn’t so bad and I left feeling pretty good. Didn’t puke this time! Woke up Friday morning feeling a little disappointed because I wasn’t really sore, but I needn’t have worried because it set in as the day wore on. Woke up on Saturday and was more sore than I had ever been in my entire life. Despite all this, I think I am going to keep it up.

Saturday during the day I went to Nantes with my host family. We did some shopping despite that it was pouring outside. My host mom was right when she told me before I came that it rains a lot. I don’t mind the rain though; it’s just a change. I’m glad I bought a waterproof coat before I came though. In Nantes there are all these passage type things that have little stores on both sides. We saw the biggest one there and did some shopping there. I didn’t end up buying anything but a postcard but it was a good day nonetheless and I tried a new pastry, which is always a good thing.

Saturday the other exchange student in La Roche invited Cecile and me over for dinner. Öykü had come over to La Roche earlier and she cooked a Turkish meal for us. It was delicious. We watched a movie after eating. It was simple but fun and my French felt very strong. I’m sad that Felipe is leaving so soon. He leaves on the 22^nd of November, which is quickly approaching.

I think that it is important for me to remember the reasons why I’m here. These reasons are what help me push through the occasional moments of homesickness and help me thrive again. I need to remember that I’m happy to be here and that this has been one of the best decisions of my life. I also need to stay grateful. It wasn’t just because of me that I’m here. It is because of a big effort by a lot of people and I feel like I need to take more time to thank them.