tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65289863334755503572024-03-13T06:05:23.362-07:00525, 600 Minutes1 year of French, struggles, growing and loving.Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714275444664800083noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528986333475550357.post-77020820520164647182010-12-15T04:47:00.000-08:002010-12-15T05:16:10.796-08:00It's over.It's taken me a while to get up the guts to write this post. It seemed as though every time I went to write it, it made it real... the fact that my exchange has finished.<div><br /></div><div>I was about to write 'my life in France is over,' except it's not, really. It's only just begun. I spoke with my host mummy today (I love her) and Mimi (I love her too) and I realised that there are some people that you will never be able to part ways with.</div><div><br /></div><div>Leaving was hard. Very hard. I cried a lot and denied it was happening, until we were sitting on the plane, about to leave Paris, and I burst into tears because <i>it was finally over.</i> And so Bree, Millie and I all cried and phoned our friends and parents to let them know that we loved them, to thank them, to just spend those last few minutes with them.</div><div><br /></div><div>By the way, I finished packing my bags literally just before we left.</div><div><br /></div><div>Being back is weird. It's like nothing has changed, but at the same time, everything has changed. I am a completely different person to whom I was when I left, and this makes me extremely happy. This makes it somewhat hard with regards to friends and family, but I guess that you just have to wait and see. And in the end, things will be ok. That's probably the main thing that I learnt over there:</div><div><br /></div><div>"<b>Don't worry about a thing, 'cause every little thing's gonna be alright</b>" (Bob Marley)</div><div><br /></div><div>I <i>miss </i>France. People say it's hard leaving your home country, but I don't think people ever really talk about what it's like to leave. Leaving France was harder for me, because I knew that this time, I wasn't going to be back in a year. It was for good.</div><div><br /></div><div>I miss my friends. I miss my family. I miss the food (OH MY GOSH I HATE AUSSIE FOOD). I miss my room. I miss my double bed. I miss Mazeres. I miss high school. I miss philosophy class. I miss giving la bise to everyone. I miss the culture. I miss my <i>life.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Exchange was incredible, without a doubt THE best experience of my rather short (so far!) life. I met some wonderful people, learnt a lot about myself and came away from the experience as someone a lot more mature and soft hearted. It was the best, but also the worst. Exchange is the hardest thing I have ever done and I can't recommend it for everyone, but it's something that I will never have any regrets about doing.</div><div><br /></div><div>"<b>They never said it would be easy. They just said it would be worth it.</b>"</div><div><br /></div><div>And <i>that, </i>dear readers, it the truth.</div>Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714275444664800083noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528986333475550357.post-60145634263052693842010-11-24T13:21:00.000-08:002010-11-24T13:26:13.765-08:00My last nightI'm currently sitting in my room, with half an apple tart and a bottle of cider (yes, I love apples).<div>It's my last night and my luggage still isn't ready (I procrastinate a lot) and I'm not ready. I don't know how to say goodbye to my host family...how can I say goodbye? I think I'm probably going to cry a lot, but I don't want to set my host sister off too, so I'm going to try and keep as strong as possible (it's going to be hard).</div><div>I can't believe it's really over.</div>Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714275444664800083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528986333475550357.post-36634691663034656242010-11-23T12:05:00.000-08:002010-11-23T12:08:59.614-08:00Voila.I have now finished school.<div>And.<br /><div>I hate goodbyes.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm never going to be the same.</div><div>Thanks.</div><div>You mean more to me than you'll ever know.</div><div><br /></div><div>TERMINAL L 2010-2011.</div>Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714275444664800083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528986333475550357.post-87015865598561368092010-11-22T12:03:00.001-08:002010-11-22T12:15:42.279-08:00I love my host mum"Yeah, so, I smoked shisha."<div>"And weed? Come on, I know you did."</div><div>"No! I promise."</div><div>"Yeah..."</div><div><br /></div><div>She's pretty freaking awesome. We've had ups and downs, but I think in the end, she's one of the coolest most amazing awesomest people I know, and I'm really glad she's my host mum. What I love about her is that I know that I can tell her anything, no matter what.</div>Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714275444664800083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528986333475550357.post-3919352120594037032010-11-14T10:54:00.000-08:002010-11-14T10:55:08.115-08:00I HATE APPLYING FOR JOBS.<div>That is all.</div>Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714275444664800083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528986333475550357.post-36039498792742700502010-11-10T11:17:00.000-08:002010-11-10T12:12:01.668-08:00Pour ceux que j'aime.<div>This is a song that I've been listening to a lot lately, thinking about my depart. It's from the musical Wicked and I think it manages to convey what I'm feeling about saying good bye here. It's been translated into French (by me) for the people here. Go to youtube and type wicked + for good if you want to listen to it. Not all of it has been written here, just the parts I found really spoke to me. Basically the song talks about two best friends who are leaving each other and they don't know when they'll see each other again, so they're saying thank you for what the other has done for them.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Ici, c'est un chanson a qui j'ai beaucoup ecoute cette semaine en pensant de mon depart. C'est de la comedie musical Wicked et ca parle beaucoup de mes sentiments de dire au revoir a tout le monde ici. Je l'ai traduit en Francais pour vous qui parlent francais, mais je suis desole pour tous les fauts- c'etait vraiment vite-fait et je n'ai pas d'accents sur mon clavier. Aussi, j'ai traduit 'you' a 'tu' parce que c'est comme ca dans le chanson, mais c'est plutot 'vous' pour moi, parce qu'il y a plusiers qui vont me manquer. Si tu as envie d'ecouter a ce chanson, aller sur youtube et tapper wicked + for good. Je n'ai pas tout ecrit ici, seulement ce que j'ai trouve vraiment bien. En bref, le chanson parle de deux meilleurs amies qui se separent et elles savent pas quand ells vont se voir encore, donc elles disent merci pour ce que l'aute a fait pour eux-meme.</i></div><div><br /></div>I've heard it said<div><i>J'ai entendu dit</i></div><div>That people come into our lives for a reason</div><div><i>Que des gens viennent dans notre vies pour un raison</i></div><div>Bringing something we must learn</div><div><i>En apportant quelquechose qu'on a besoin d'apprendre</i></div><div>And we are led</div><div><i>Et on est coinduit (?)</i></div><div>To those that help us most to grow if we let them</div><div><i> A ceux qui nous aident le plus si on les laisse faire</i></div><div>And we help them in return</div><div><i>Et en echange, on les aide</i></div><div><i>Well I don't know if I believe that's true</i></div><div><i>Alors, je ne sais pas si je crois que c'est vrai</i></div><div><i>But I know I'm who I am today</i></div><div><i>Mais je sais que je suis qui je suis aujourd'hui</i></div><div><i>Because I knew you</i></div><div><i>Parce que je te connais</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Like a comet pulled from orbit</div><div><i>Comme une comete tire de l'orbite</i></div><div>As it passes the sun</div><div><i>En passant le soleil</i></div><div>Like a stream that meets a boulder</div><div><i>Comme un ruisseau qui fait face a un rocher</i></div><div>Halfway through the woods</div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i>A mi-chemin a travers les bois</i></span></i></div><div>Who can say if I've been changed for the better?</div><div><i>Qui peut dire si j'ai change pour du bien?</i></div><div>But because I knew you</div><div><i>Mais parce que je te connais</i></div><div>I have been changed</div><div><i>J'ai ete change</i></div><div>For good</div><div><i>Pour du bien, toujours</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>It well may be</div><div><i>Peut etre</i></div><div>That we will never meet again</div><div><i>On ne se jamais rencontrai encore</i></div><div>In this lifetime</div><div><i>Dans ce vie</i></div><div>So let me say before we part</div><div><i>Donc laisse-moi dis avant qu'on se separe</i></div><div>So much of me</div><div><i>Que beaucoup de moi</i></div><div>Is made of what I learned from you</div><div><i>Est fait de ce que j'ai appris de toi</i></div><div>You'll be with me</div><div><i>Tu seras avec moi</i></div><div>Like a handprint on my heart</div><div><i>Comme une empreinte de main sur mon coeur</i></div><div>And now whatever way our stories end</div><div><i>Et maintenant n'importe quelle facon que notre histoires fini</i></div><div>I know you have re-written mine</div><div><i>Je sais que tu as re-ecrit le mien</i></div><div>By being my friend</div><div><i>En etant mon ami</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Like a ship blown from its mooring</div><div><i>Comme un bateau souffle de son amarrage</i></div><div>By a wind off the sea</div><div><i>Par un vent de la mer</i></div><div>Like a seed dropped by a skybird</div><div><i>Comme une graine fait tombe par un oiseau-du-ciel</i></div><div>In a distant wood</div><div><i>Dans des bois eloingnes</i></div><div>Who can say if I've been changed for the better?</div><div><i>Qui peut dire si j'ai change pour du bien?</i></div><div>But because I knew you</div><div><i>Mais parce que je te connais</i></div><div>I have been changed</div><div><i>J'ai ete change</i></div><div><i>For good</i></div><div><i>Pour du bien, toujours</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Who can say if I've been changed for the better?</div><div><i>Qui peut dire si j'ai change pour le bien?</i></div><div>I do believe that I have changed for the better</div><div><i>Moi, je crois que j'ai change pour du bien</i></div><div>Because I knew you</div><div><i>Parce que je te connais</i></div><div>I have been changed</div><div><i>J'ai ete change</i></div><div>For good</div><div><i>Pour du bien, toujours</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Je vous aime!</b></i></div>Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714275444664800083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528986333475550357.post-19552400953680680862010-11-08T11:35:00.000-08:002010-11-08T11:41:09.564-08:00Heart.<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>These people mean the world to me.</i></b></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6alKw9N5O6SgvPyWdhJAtsrqX_5jeEthb2m2rJWHicsDyITZrKUmkF9g3dCOwX_HmR7klqCO4SUHqifNzDaI1e4-21Sre_peN3ltFyYDCFHN6iCcldggJYON_lhrU4ZCemF3-DT-IDLV/s1600/2010_1024Fete0070.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6alKw9N5O6SgvPyWdhJAtsrqX_5jeEthb2m2rJWHicsDyITZrKUmkF9g3dCOwX_HmR7klqCO4SUHqifNzDaI1e4-21Sre_peN3ltFyYDCFHN6iCcldggJYON_lhrU4ZCemF3-DT-IDLV/s320/2010_1024Fete0070.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537265540291519378" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Mon petit poney Fizzle Pie (cherches pas...)</b></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0z7Qvn3aggpCpkCA6vTcJujLT4vdbY95xPPBoC9ofTlaOSsqPaty7AsGAa2snpSHGYDo8-CwCfxxSNnAAYxU1LGzO9a1aN687Vyow2wqNEilwaqkrHJpxDOXisYNOTKO5aL17i4I-AqlI/s1600/2010_1024Fete0037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0z7Qvn3aggpCpkCA6vTcJujLT4vdbY95xPPBoC9ofTlaOSsqPaty7AsGAa2snpSHGYDo8-CwCfxxSNnAAYxU1LGzO9a1aN687Vyow2wqNEilwaqkrHJpxDOXisYNOTKO5aL17i4I-AqlI/s320/2010_1024Fete0037.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537265534710929714" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Titi, Mimi et Kiki</b></div>Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714275444664800083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528986333475550357.post-91352677484382603752010-11-07T09:08:00.001-08:002010-11-07T11:41:47.949-08:00Pour KikiSo, I told Kiki to go look at my blog the other day but she wasn't happy because it was all in ENGLISH! Haha. So this post is for Marie-Anne.<div><br /></div><div>Il me reste 18 jours jusqu'a je parte de Toulouse, mais je n'arrive pas a le croire. En plus, il me reste que 16 jours jusqu'a je parte du lycee... et ca veut dire jusqu'a je dis au revoir aux mes amis. Je n'aime pas penser de ca car je me mets en pleurant chaque fois.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cet annee m'a apporte plus de choses que je peux exprimer, et beaucoup de ca est grace aux mes amis. En Australie, j'ai eu en peu de mal avec des amis pendant lycee... les gens m'ont jete comme j'etais rien et je me demandais pourquoi c'etait toujours moi. Par contre, cet annee j'ai rencontre des gens supers. Ils m'ont pris comme je suis et ils etaient gentils avec moi (bon, il y en a qui ne sont pas trop, mais je m'en fou d'eux). Peut etre ce n'est pas bien mais il y en a a qui je suis tres attache et ca me fait enormement de plaisir de passer du temps avec eux, et ca va etre trop bizarre de les laisser, de ne le voir pas chaque jour et de ne pas etre capable de les parler quand je veux. C'est sur qu'il y a toujours Skype et Facebook, mais ce n'est pas pareil. Par contre, je sais que quand je revien un jour, ca va etre comme je ne suis jamais partais. Des vrais amis sont toujours amis et c'est sur que cet annee, j'ai appris qu'est ce que un vrai ami. ( La je peux sortir un truc de philo mais non...)</div><div><br /></div><div>Il y a des choses qui me hate de voir en Australie, c'est sur... ma soeur et ma mere me manquent et cet annee ma appris qu'elles sont vraiment geniales. Le soleil, le chocolat 'Cadbury', les maisons grands et tous qui est grand la-bas. Moi, je suis tres fier d'etre australienne alors je suis contente que un peu pres un mois apres que j'arriverai, c'est le jour national d'Australie. Ca va etre super =)</div><div><br /></div><div>Je pense que la campagne va me manquer... c'est bizarre je sais! C'est sur que ca va etre plus facile de sortir et tout, mais les champs et les petits villages mignons vont me manquer beaucoup. Quand j'ai voyage cet ete, les grandes villes etaient trop grandes et trop vites pour moi. Ici, c'est calme et pendant le nuit, il n'y a pas de bruit. Les fetes vont me manquer aussi... les fetes de villages cet ete etaient vraiment super et a Mazeres, il y a beaucoup d'animation, surtout pendant ete.</div><div><br /></div><div>Le lycee va me manquer. Au Notre-Dame, c'est un peu comme une famille et il y a des cours qui m'interesse beaucoup... le philo! On a huit heures de philo par semaine et les jours quand on a trois heures de philo sont mes jours prefere. Il y a aussi les cours de francais. Les profs de philo et francais sont des profs genials qui m'ont beaucoup aide cet annee avec mon francais, et ils sont les matieres en qui j'ai eu les meilleurs notes (sauf anglais, mais bon... je parle anglais deja).</div><div><br /></div><div>Ma famille d'acceuil va me manquer aussi. C'est grace a eux quand j'ai tellement change cet annee et ca va etre bizarre d'etre plus avec eux. Ils sont vraiment des gens supers et meme s'ils m'embettent tout le temps, ca va me manquer beaucoup.</div><div><br /></div><div>Alors pour rentrer...</div><div>Toulouse - Paris : 25 Novembre, 13h - 14h30.</div><div>Je reste le nuit a Paris dans un hotel.</div><div>Paris - Abu Dhabi : 26 Novembre, 11h - 20h50</div><div>Abu Dhabi - Sydney : 26/27 Novembre, 22h25 - 19h35</div><div>Je passe le nuit dans l'aeroport de Sydney.</div><div>Sydney - Melbourne : 28 Novembre, 6h40 - 8h10</div><div>Alors ca me fait... euh...60 heures de voyage je crois... putain je vais etre completement caisse... au moins j'ai des escales. </div><div>Je passe une semaine a Melbourne avec ma soeur et je rentre le 3 Decembre a Perth.</div><div><br /></div><div>Biiiisous.</div>Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714275444664800083noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528986333475550357.post-6411439192818143232010-11-01T13:17:00.000-07:002010-11-01T13:41:10.719-07:00So little time, so much to do.This is it.<br />I'm almost done.<br />Less than a month left.<br /><br />I don't know how I feel about this- half happy, half sad. It's going to be incredibly difficult leaving here, that's for sure. But I'm going to be glad to see my sunburnt country...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/my-country">www.poemhunter.com/poem/my-country</a><br /><br />^^This manages to explain everything that I love about Australia in one poem.<br /><br />I spent the past week (the last holidays) venturing out quite a lot. Friday and Saturday nights were spent chez Michele as Sat we partied the night away for my departure, Mimi, Kiki and Henri's birthdays. It was pretty freaking awesome. Monday to Thursday were spent in Brive at Bryani's house (another Aussie) with the immortal gang of Aussies- Gemma, Georgia, Bree and myself. I love these girls more than I can possibly describe and was actually extremely upset to leave them. We spent an awesome couple of days together- some of the best this year. I then went down to my IC's house- Evelyne- who is my exchange contact basically. There's no tv or internet at her house but it was lovely to get away for a while and spend time with her. The past few days were spent horse riding at a course. I love riding, but there are certain people that I just cannot stand due to their obsession with what level you have- it annoys the hell out of me that they don't seem to understand that the point of riding is not how good you are. I love to go out riding on a trail ride and that's it for me- that's what really makes me happy. But each to his own, I guess.<br /><br />Peace out.Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714275444664800083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528986333475550357.post-77141444104467447342010-10-18T11:32:00.000-07:002010-10-18T11:36:14.530-07:00Errr...GEORGIA : You commented on my last post with some questions. Would you mind letting me know your email please? That way we can communicate directly =) I'm excited to hear about your exchange aspirations!! Yay =)<br /><br />France is currently filled with people protesting in the streets and striking over the retirement age which has just augumented. Some petrol stations are no longer open and trains and planes are not circulating too often. If this keeps on going then food is going to be hard to get and I won't be able to get home. Being a foreigner will not be a good thing. Am hoping this stops soon.<br /><br />VIVE LA FRANCE!Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714275444664800083noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528986333475550357.post-5222490515917563002010-10-16T06:00:00.000-07:002010-10-16T06:14:45.079-07:00Ladeda.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QOXIgkFZ7KhQ-Rba39tJFuqqubWrzcoDWqkwlJf7hDcBHgnRWnHQFElIe0pnXdAbqY1CiCWQJSA8jfKc5b2PtYaNZoulyqAV1Xl_QDfYYx-VaeqarFIKGB0wuLKyIoJ7agZgEZg0QAZt/s1600/2010_1008School0076.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528630108180877762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QOXIgkFZ7KhQ-Rba39tJFuqqubWrzcoDWqkwlJf7hDcBHgnRWnHQFElIe0pnXdAbqY1CiCWQJSA8jfKc5b2PtYaNZoulyqAV1Xl_QDfYYx-VaeqarFIKGB0wuLKyIoJ7agZgEZg0QAZt/s320/2010_1008School0076.JPG" /></a><br /><div>It's just occured to me that I write a lot of random posts but not a lot about what I'm actually doing, activity wise. This is pretty much due to the fact that I'm really quite lazy and can't be bothered writing detailed posts.</div><br /><div>I don't really care though. But in ten years time I'm going to regret it because of all the memories lost.</div><br /><div>Took a heap of photos the other day with the girls... I am going to MISS them.</div><div>FETE! Next week.</div><div>I sent home my first box of summer clothes today...</div><div>...But I keep on seeing clothes I really want to buy (and probably will. I'm in FRANCE, after all!)</div><div>It's cold.</div><div>Holidays next week (and seeing Breeeeeeeee! Yay!)</div><div>Constantly in French mode.</div><div>Got 6.5/10 in Philo. I am awesome.</div><div>My Philo teacher is insane...but a good teacher, nonetheless.</div><div>I will never look good in school photos, even if I am made up and my hair is how I want it and I'm wearing what I want. FML.</div><div>Twenty million strikes and protests going on at the moment because of the retirement age going up. Kinda worrying because soon the planes are going to be striking...</div><div>It's going to be interesting being back in Australia.</div><div> </div><div>Bis.</div>Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714275444664800083noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528986333475550357.post-26371961719153488652010-10-09T12:15:00.000-07:002010-10-09T12:18:11.860-07:00Currently...Applying for jobs for summer...<br />Myer<br />Crabtree and Evelyne<br />Smiggle<br /><br />and to come...<br />everywhere else that lets me apply over the internet...<br /><br />It's weird to think that I'll be coming home soon.<br />I packed a box today to send.<br /><br />Marie-Anne died my hair on Thursday. I slept over at hair house and slept in the middle of her bed (sorry). And now I'm getting sick thanks to her.<br /><br />Going to see my host niece next Sunday... this exictes me. A lot.<br /><br />I love Philosophy.Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714275444664800083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528986333475550357.post-2972823683491615482010-10-05T11:41:00.000-07:002010-10-05T11:53:38.262-07:00Reasons for exchange...If you want to go through way too much crap, go on exchange.<br />If you want a year of crying, anger, depression, miscommunication and anxiousness, go on exchange.<br />If you want to be yelled at, go on exchange.<br />If you want to understand nothing, go on exchange.<br />If you want to sit in your room alone, go on exchange.<br />If you want to be frustrated, go on exchange.<br />If you want people angry with you, go on exchange.<br />If you want to not be able to express yourself, go on exchange.<br />If you want to sit there and wonder what you did wrong, go on exchange.<br />If you want to be accused of doing something wrong, go on exchange.<br />If you want to attach yourself to someone, only to have them reject you, go on exchange.<br />If you want people to hate you, go on exchange.<br />If you want the hardest year of your life, go on exchange.<br /><br />One wonders why I did this year.<br />At this point in time, I do too.<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>When the ground falls out from under you, learn how to <em>fly.</em></strong></div>Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714275444664800083noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528986333475550357.post-40174686394518370412010-10-03T08:10:00.000-07:002010-10-03T08:13:26.531-07:00I love my host family because :They are amazing.<br />I can tell them anything.<br />They have changed me.Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714275444664800083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528986333475550357.post-50807409443193637902010-09-22T11:25:00.000-07:002010-09-22T11:39:34.930-07:00Life<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCk45OxglwBQjjdZew73U-rzr7d039ARX0mWhxvzQ7k-2cGlvpwhFW6hptuESGpoJnxW2Ad5e2DxotAjE8i5c6U97TWnUM0NqEhgMda_lbyLk9CbXTbwXDWAvENWcl8yxQ0LjTdo4EmV8J/s1600/2010_0611EndofSchoolYear0033.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519808866025409474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCk45OxglwBQjjdZew73U-rzr7d039ARX0mWhxvzQ7k-2cGlvpwhFW6hptuESGpoJnxW2Ad5e2DxotAjE8i5c6U97TWnUM0NqEhgMda_lbyLk9CbXTbwXDWAvENWcl8yxQ0LjTdo4EmV8J/s320/2010_0611EndofSchoolYear0033.JPG" /></a><strong>I love these girls.</strong> </div><br /><br />Life currently consists of:<br />Waking up at 6am then staying in bed until 6.40, when I jump out of bed and begin racing to be ready.<br />Getting to the school bus ten minutes early so I'm not one of the unlucky few that arrive last that have to squash up three to a seat or have to wait for another bus to come. (This happened twice in my first week. This will not happen again).<br />Arriving at school dead tired although super excited to see my amazing friends, and listening intentively until 10am, break, where I eat Speculoos with Mimi and Kiki.<br />More intense concentration until 12, where I eat some postively disgusting canteen food.<br />And yet again we get some concentration from 13.45 until 15.35... where I once again eat Speculoos with Mimi and Kiki during break.<br />More work! Until 16.45.<br />Bumming around/studying, depending on my mood, with whoever is there, usually the epic Florian.<br />Bus time.<br />Dinner/being annoyed by my host parents (lovingly).<br />Study for about three hours.<br />Bed.<br />And occasionally some horse riding and dancing.<br /><br />In other words, my life consists of school work.<br />And for the first time, this makes me happy.<br />I love school here.<br /><br />First EF meeting this weekend with the new exchangers... YAY!<br />Oral exam tomorrow for my work experience. No yay.<br />15 on my exam? Belly button done with the host mummy. YAY! For having a super cool mum.Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714275444664800083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528986333475550357.post-27152119112481751052010-09-20T11:51:00.000-07:002010-09-20T11:53:05.392-07:0012,5One very short post to say:<br /> TWELVE POINT FIVE, BITCHES!<br /><br />This week I had my first ever test in which I was marked equally to the other students (not just on the way I wrote, but on what I wrote). And I got 12,5. Which was better than a fair lot of the class.<br /><br />My life is now complete.<br /><br />=)Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714275444664800083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528986333475550357.post-92224360490525094122010-09-17T12:25:00.000-07:002010-09-22T11:25:52.446-07:00AmisWhat I love in French is the way we speak about friends. There are two words for 'friend' : copain(copine) and ami(amie). Well, there are technically four words due to the masculine and feminine versions of both, mais bon. Two words. Copains are the people you know, you like, your friends, but they don't play a particularly huge part in your life. But they're great to have. Amis are the people close to you, the people around you that you love very strongly. I guess you'd describe them as your 'best' friends, but more as the group of best friends that you have... in Australia, I'd say that my dance family, or my clarity group, are some of my 'amies', for example. But there are also your 'meilleur(e)(s) ami(e)(s)', or 'best friends'. (The 'e' and 's' are there because of the whole male/female/plural thing). This are the people that you could never let go, ever, and they are an integral part of you that you couldn't stand to lose.<br /><br /><br /><br />I find it hard to have meilleur(e)s ami(e)s in Australia. I have ami(e)s, that is for sure, but most of them have a meilleur(e) ami(e), who is not me. I guess my sister is my meilleure amie over there.<br /><br /><br /><br />Over here, however, I have somehow managed to find three people that make my life amazing (and my host family, but I'll talk about them another time). These are Marie-Anne, Michele, and Florian.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Marie-Anne</strong> (otherwise known as <strong>Kiki</strong>)<br />This girl is INSANE. She is unique and special and I absolutely love her. I don't care what anyone says, she's amazing. Kiki has this joy for life that just shines out of her and it definately shows when she laughs. When she laughs, you do too- it's contagious- and also very... interesting... you start off my laughing at her (in a loving way) but end up laughing with her. Apparently when I first met her I had an expression on my face as if to say... oh crap... she's MAD! But we talked and she wowed me with her amazing flute-playing skills, and I'm proud to say that she is without a doubt a meilleure amie.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Michele</strong> (<strong>Mimi</strong>)<br />Oh Michele, what can I say about you? You always bring a smile to my face and you always let me hug you. Your explanations when I don't understand a word can be highly amusing but always make sense. She's the one ready to help me when I'm about to kill myself because I don't understand l'Odysee or philo or maths or Spanish or or or... Mimi was one of the first people in my class to really be friendly to me, not to her gain, but because she's just adorable like that. And she is always there to discuss our nutty philo teacher (Devil: Do that! It's good! Angel: Don't do that! It's not good!) or to hurry up Marie-Anne and Henri and discuss the possibility of throwing water/mashed potato on them. Je t'aime TROP FORTE Mimi.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Florian</strong><br />When I first met him, I didn't know what to think. He was the dark silent one that never said a word in class, but I got to know him because of the ever-awesome Flora and Salome, and we both took the bus which meant that there was someone that I was able to hang with and annoy =) As I got to know him though, I realised that Florian is one of the most awesome people I have ever met in my life and my year wouldn't be the same without him.<br /><br />And I have a lot of other awesome amis that I've made, French, Kiwi, Aussie... from everywhere. Thanks. You guys made my year.<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>Closeness has nothing to do with distance.</strong></div>Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714275444664800083noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528986333475550357.post-5916293486230304602010-09-12T10:52:00.000-07:002010-09-12T11:12:59.713-07:00Carpe DiemYAY! For people actually reading this thing =) And a shout out to the best sister in existence because she never stopped reading and waiting.<br /><br />I have a host niece! Eight weeks early and born by caesarean, she's in the neo-natal clinic but going well. Sarah Geraud, 11-09-2010.<br /><br />Time is getting on. I've been here for eight months and nine days. I leave on November 26, which means that I have no desire to count the number of days left. Why? Because it is too short.<br /><br />In our philosophy classes, we've been discussing time and existence. We ask WHY, not how. Why do humans try to contol time? Notions noted : Time is one of the only things that humans can't control. We live either in the past or the future- by dreading or looking forward to things in the future, or by looking back to the past, with regret, or holding onto it and refusing to let go because it was better then. But it's kind of stupid of us, because we can't change the past, and it's not sure that we'll be around for the future. You could die. Tomorrow. Today. In two seconds. You don't know. I don't know. And we never live in the present.<br /><br />This year, I lived in the past for a long while, constantly thinking of Australia, holding on, refusing to let go or change. My host family picked me out of this, shook me off, and changed my life. I lived in the present. But now, stupidly, I can't stop thinking of the future. Why? Because I can't control it.<br /><br />I've changed. Let me just put this out to everyone in Australia, right now : I am not the same girl I was when I left. This means I refuse to put up with all the shit that goes on. And if you annoy me, you'll know it. Things like saying hello and goodbye are important. I am my own person and I do not apologise for who I am. I hate being told what to do if it's not in a respectful way. I live my life the way I want and I don't make any apologies for it. I know that I'm slightly repeating myself, but exchange involves a lot of repeating. What I'm trying to say is that I don't think many people are going to like the new me. I think I'm going to lose a lot of the people that I was once close to. I don't know how I feel about this. All I know is that I'm a better person than I was when I left Australia. I hate who I used to be. I'm finally good in my skin. I owe everything to my host family. They gave me my life back and I don't know how I will ever be able to thank them. And I wouldn't change that for everything.<br /><br />So I'm trying not to think about saying goodbye. I'm trying not to think about the fact that my year is slowly drawing to a close. I'm just making the most of each day. I'm dancing through life with some of the best, most amazing, wonderful, incredible people I have ever met.<br /><br />Carpe diem. It'll change you forever.Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714275444664800083noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528986333475550357.post-76125839290363255322010-09-04T02:21:00.000-07:002010-09-04T02:39:21.709-07:00La RentreeApparently I have two people reading this... Sweet... Oh well. I shall keep on writing for you two =)<br /><br />Sorry if my English is a bit crappy at the moment, I'm definately in French mode at the moment. But I'll try!<br /><br />All of the exchange students have arrived. It's great to see their excitement, their smiles and happiness as they realise that their lives here are only just beginning. I keep on telling them, make the most of your time here and value every second, because before you know it, your time will be up.<br /><br />I only have three months left here. Time passes quickly and I don't know how I'm going to handle it the day that I return to Australia. I'm good here. I'm not stressed, I have an amazing family, wonderful friends... life is good. I've grown a lot. No longer am I the shy baby that wouldn't speak her mind and lived to make everyone else happy that I was when I left Australia. I live differently. I'll tell you what I think, what I like, what I hate, I'll speak to everyone and everyone, make my own decisions... and most importantly, I don't live for other people anymore. I live for myself. Does this sound selfish? Perhaps. Maybe it is. But I need to be good in myself first, and then if it brings me pleasure, I can make other people happy. So I made the concious choice- my life is mine, and it's me that chooses what I want to do with it. And that is why I think that upon going back, people will not be impressed by me. But do I care? No.<br /><br />La rentree de classe was yesterday- in other words the return of the school year. I'm in Terminale, or in other words, senior year, and my timetable is really quite insane...<br /><ul><li>Eight hours of philosophy</li><li>Four hours of history-geography</li><li>Two hours of English literature</li><li>Two hours of exams (per week)</li><li>Four hours of French literature</li><li>Three hours of Spanish</li><li>Four hours of English</li><li>Two hours of sport</li><li>German classes when ever I can fit them in (which needs to be discussed with the teacher)</li></ul><p>What exchange has taught me is to NEVER complain about the work in Australia... My mindset is now, think Aussie work is hard? Try doing senior year in another language, where you are at school for at least ten hours a day. Now that's hard. By senior year in Australia was a breeze compared to this.</p><p>It was great to see all my friends again, and surprising to see who out of them I was excited to see the most. I think I have got the most amazing school ever and really will be sad to say goodbye. But for now I'm just going to value the time I have with them.</p><p> </p><p>Biz.</p>Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714275444664800083noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528986333475550357.post-48113341246022798852010-08-19T11:15:00.000-07:002010-08-19T12:02:08.872-07:00About TimeSo... I figure it was about time to update my blog...who's still out there, following me? It doesn't seem like anyone really is, so am just writing this for myself, but you know... If you're following, drop me a line =)<br /><br />So, what's happened since my last post? Well, MAJOR Culture Shock. Ha. That's fun. Not. But I got over it with a kick up the bum and major help from the best host family ever.<br /><br />I finished off the school year by dressing up as a cowgirl and dancing YMCA, Bet On It and doing the Haka in front of the entire school, because I'm totally cool like that. I love small private schools... I actually think that Notre Dame is the best school I've ever been too. We might not have all the facilities and it may be old and whatever, but it's MY school, and damn, I love it there. Some of those people are incredible.<br /><br />Then I did work experience at SNCF, the rail company here. I did it because everyone else in my class were on exams, but I didn't do them, so work experience was suggested for me. It was actually quite cool. I learnt a lot of things and talked to heaps of people =) i also had to do a <em>rapport de stage</em>, or a report, on it. This is not work experience Aussie-style. It's work experience French-style. Which means a report detailing everything that you've learnt and how the company works and the history and everything. Which ended up being 23 pages long. I spent hours and hours on it and I have to say, that I'm damn proud of what I've done. And if I don't get at least 10 I will cry, which is no joke. I also got a deal with my host mum, being that if I got 15 then she would come and get her belly button pierced with me, because she's scared of needles but I really wanted her to come with me. I love her! Coolest host mum EVER. So now we are playing the waiting game.<br /><br />July was spent travelling Europe... I love the casual manner in which I say that! I flew out of Toulouse to London on July 2, to meet my mum and sister. The UK Border was very scary with the whole interrogation thing going on, but two hours later I was through and jumped on my sister in greeting. We went straight to Becky and Mike's house- my mum's friends who live near Gloucester. They live in a tiny little typically English village and it was lots of fun to see that =) Then it was off to London to be typically tourist. Truth be told, I think London could have been a lot better, but there you go. We also visited places Harry Potter was filmed and walked in amongst the rocks at Stonehenge... and I saw Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Chicago and Legally Blonde on West End. i heart Legally Blonde, talk about AMAZEMENT. And I met the main actors/actresses, which was pretty cool. (THE PACKAGE GUY! ...If you don't get this, get yourself to London or New York and watch the show). Then it was off to Paris, which was once again pretty awesome, especially EURODISNEY! We were really lucky because on the day we went there, it looked like it was going to pour down with rain, so there was no one there, but it didn't rain, not one drop. YAY! It was amazing, I love Disney. After that it was direction: Barcelona. This was my favourite place on the whole trip. I loved it there... the people, the culture, everything, and I can't wait to go back to Spain one day (hopefully) and be able to explore of the beauiful country. There were also some interesting experiences with the language, like when I mooed at the shop assisstant to try and find out of the meat was beef... it worked though! Kind of... After Spain, we returned to my house for a little so Mum and Sam could meet my incredible host family. It was really weird seeing them together and I think my mum and Evelyne got on really well, which was great. Then we headed over to the Cote d'Azur for a couple of days. We based ourselves in Nice and visited Cannes, Grasse and Monaco. This meant awesome times on the beach, lots of photos and an epic cactus garden. I cried a lot when I said goodbye to them at the airport, the blubbered in the train, but got over it after two or three days. So all in all, the best July ever.<br /><br />In July it was also my 18th birthday, yay! I had a small party with my family, with pink, purple and pirate balloons, a pink tablecloth, pink glasses, pink and white napkins and flowery pink plates. It was awesome =) Two days later, the village party started up, which last for five days, and on the first night I had my two best friends here, Marie-Anne and Michele (better known as Kiki and Mimi) over to party the night away. And party we did.<br /><br />August has been relatively calm... lots of work on my report and lots of going to the pool with the host mum and sis. And I'm not scared of water anymore which is pretty cool... It's actually the main way I've exercised in the past month. Yes, I did laps. Of a pool. Voluntarily. And I bought myself some pinkn goggles which are uber sexy, because the chlorine was killing my eyes. Weirdest thing ever here though... you're not allowed to wear board shorts in the pool because apparently it's "unclean"...<br /><br />About four days were spent at Nini's house, who is my host mum's friend. She's absolutely adorable, Spanish and has a dog that waddles... I kid you not. It was incredibly relaxing just spending time there and sleeping, and I even got to hold a frog that we caught =)<br /><br />Bryani from Sydney came and passed three days with me, which was quite epic to see and hear another Aussie =) Had lots of fun cruising Toulouse and Carcassone and watching A Very Potter Musical- only the best youtube thing ever. Watch it. Seriously. You will not be dissappointed.<br /><br />And so now I'm on holidays at the beach =) My host family found another host family through EF for a week or so, so I could see how another family lives, so I'm here for about 10 days, and it looks to be great, they're incredibly nice =)<br /><br />And that about sums up the last three months... waiting excitedly for the next exchangers to arrive (August 28!)<br /><br />I LOVE my host family.Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714275444664800083noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528986333475550357.post-58718682065790857552010-05-05T07:29:00.000-07:002010-05-05T08:19:33.263-07:00Culture Shock......is a gay piece of crap that I never want to see again. Go away please. I hate you. You're a bitch.<br /><br />In case you can't tell, I'm well and truly into the 'culture shock phase'. Please someone... tell me that it gets better! I can't do anything in this country without wanting to cry or being anxious or stressing. Fuuuuck that.<br /><br />Okay, rant over. Let's see what good things there are now... I guess it's been a while since I've blogged, hey? =S<br /><br />I'll start with Easter. We (being my host family) went to this tiny little random country town called Boule D'Amont in the middle of no where (actually, near Perpignon) where my host dad's family have been for years and years. At the moment though, all that's left there is Claude, my host uncle, and his five year old daughter, Any (Annie). We left the Sunday at about midday day, taking two hours to drive down. It was gorgeous, really different to where I live, and like a mini holiday =) We walked around the village (taking us like, five minutes, tops... I'm not exxagerating) and met some old family friends. It was truly one of those French country towns, except there wasn't even a boulangerie (and you know that in France, a town is miniscule when there's not even a boulangerie!) The night was spent playing cards and Trivial Pursuit with my host family, equally more bonding with these amazing people and a very late lights out. At nine am on the Monday, we were up and searching for Easter eggs... in the garden, that the Easter Bell bought for us. Yes, Easter Bell. Not Bunny. I thought it was weird too haha. Then it was off to the village for the fete, as in celebration. Basically we ate, drank and talked a lot... I had my first Easter Omelette ever (a tradition in Ariege) and took a heap of photos so I would never forget.<br /><br />I also recently had school holidays... again =) We have them every five weeks, once again leading to my love of France. These ones I spent in Strasbourg. I left on the Sunday early morning with my host dad taking me off to Toulouse because there were no trains going from Saverdun (the closest train station) to Toulouse... of course, SNCF were striking. Praying that this wouldn't cause any problems, I got on my train to Montpellier with no problems. I had a three hour stop in Montpellier, which I spent by getting lost, interrogated by a random drunk, getting really hot, finding where I wanted to go, trying to find a toilet (I love you Macca's) and then waiting and the train station paranoid someone would steal my luggage. All in all, three hours well spent (I'm not actually joking- it was beautiful and an awesome adventure). Then, my train to Lyon was packed- people were even standing in the isles... Thanks SNCF. I did have a seat though, luckily and wasn't too badly affected. The train station at Lyon was horrible... people EVERYWHERE. I simply walked out and sat outside for fifteen minutes, before going inside and finding my next train to Strasbourg. This one was luckily quite empty which meant quite a relaxing ride until 10.20 pm, where I reached Strasbourg and was met by Isabelle, by host cousin.<br /><br />I had a fantastic time at Strasbourg... I stayed with Isabelle and her boyfriend, Jeremy, two of the nicest people ever. I was also taken out around Strasbourg by Elodie, Isa's friend, who was incredibly kind =) Strasbourg was so different to Toulouse. I saw the most amazing cathedrale ever, Alsacian-style houses, 'La Petite France," rode around on trams and learnt that it's actually not too hard to get around a city I don't know by myself. I even went to Germany one day =) Lots of shopping was done (read: WAY too much shopping was done), as well as lots of sleeping in and lazing around. Basically I had an awesome break and a wonderful time... I love Strasbourg and was so glad to get the chance to go. I was meant to come back on the Friday or Sunday, but due to the lovely SNCF strikes (still going!), I decided to wait until they died down a little to come home without a problem... so got back on the last Friday of the holidays. I didn't realise how much I missed my host family until I saw them again, and was incredibly happy... I love them.<br /><br />The last weekend of the holidays was the first village festival. Basically it was a mini version of the Royal Show spread out around the village. They even roasted a cow on a spit (yes, a cow. I'm not exagerating). I rode around on a tractor for like two hours and there was lots of liveliness and music and talking and food. There was even a black swan (yeah Perth!!). And probably the best part of the entire weekend? It was warm enough for me to wear a dress =)<br /><br />School was back to usual, with the only change being that I've actually understood French lit for the past two weeks.<br /><br />May 1st was the 'fete du travaille.' I'm not exactly sure what it was for, but basically 'mugeut,' a type of flower, was sold and we ate and drank a lot at my host brother's house. We were up at 5.30am the Saturday morning to drive to Toulouse and catch the train to Bordeux, then to Angouleme, where Sebastian picked us up and drove us to his house. We spent the day talking around the table with the family which was great. I was freezing cold that night though so slept really badly... then got called silly in the morning for not waking someone up that night for a blanket... I was trying to be nice... oh well. Sunday we recommenced the eating, then at midday it was back to Angouleme, Bordeux, Toulouse and Mazeres . All in all an extremely tiring but fun weekend.<br /><br />Next weekend it's off to Chambery to see Mini, a fellow Perthian on exchange... I can't wait =)<br /><br />BisoussssssKirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714275444664800083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528986333475550357.post-29089718756851373932010-04-19T10:37:00.000-07:002010-04-22T10:43:36.115-07:00Some days...Occasionally, as exchangers, there are days where things just don't go well. We can't communicate, have cultural misunderstandings, make mistakes, don't realise things, offend people... a lot of the time without realising it.<br /><br />What we have to remember is that there is always something good that comes out of it. Take my worst day so far. Something great that came out it was realising how much my host family actually care about me. And maybe I really am starting to become a part of my family.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">"Every day may not be good, but there is some good in every day."<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>A shout out to the ever lovely Lizz. She's probably my best friend that I've met over here...she's wonderful and funny and my twin and I love her, but unfortunately her exchange adventure finished up after three months. I miss her an incredible amount, but it sounds like she's having an awesome time back home in New Zealand. My next holiday destination...most definately Kiwi Land to see her.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div>Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714275444664800083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528986333475550357.post-83076974782007642842010-03-15T13:05:00.000-07:002010-03-22T14:21:37.429-07:00YayI love exchange. Long live "the honeymoon period." I'm meant to get into my Culture Shock stage in two weeks time, officially. Screw that, I say. I'm not going to expect it- because if I do, then that'll be my excuse always, and I won't try and be happy. I'm planning on keeping a positive attitude, talk to my friends, host family, and express how I feel as best as I can in French. Every day is a new day. Just because I'm in the time period of culture shock, doesn't mean I have to always be sad and upset and homesick. I'm expecting it, of course I am. But I want to be as positive as possible.<br /><br /><br />What else is there to say? Let's see.<br /><br />My last week of the holidays was pretty good- mostly staying at home in pyjamas! But nice to have a break. Then it was back to school...oh joy, school. But yeah it was ok, I guess. I'm really starting to figure out who are my friends here and who aren't, and as well as that, I'm beginning to have closer relationships with people- they are 'amis' rather than 'copains'. I got my first ever 'bulletin', with and average of 14. 14!! Yay! People who don't know the French school system, 14 is good. Very good. I also got 19 in one of my English tests (which means FREAKING AMAZING work, like 120%), but then got 10 in another. But I did pretty damn well. It was a vocab test on all the words they had learnt from the beginning of the year (like over 600), then we were given 200 words to translate. They had to be the perfect word that the teacher wanted as well, he didn't want any synonyms...loser. And I was only given like, a week's notice to study. So yeah, I think I did pretty damn well.<br /><br />Last weekend was awesome. I started off my singing in Spanish at my school's open day... yeah now that was interesting... We sang La Bamba and danced, and luckily I didn't make a total fool of myself. I think. My IC (as in the person in charge of me), Evelyne, came to the open day and afterwards, we all (as in her and her husband and me and my family) went to eat lunch, then I went home with her to wait at her house for Lily, her exchange student, Chelsea and Anna (two other exchange students). At Evelyne's house, there is no tv or internet and no phone signal either. It's actually really interesting to see the way that they live and how they entertain themselves...but still, I don't think I could stand it for a year, so here's to you, Lily. I was the only Aussie against three New Zealanders, which was an interesting experience! Haha. Oh, and Vegemite totally wins over Marmite. Anyway, we all bonded very quickly, as most exchange students do, because we understand what we are going through, I guess. Sunday we slept in... a lot! And then we went off to these gorgeous castle ruins on top of a hill, from the 13th century, I think it was! It was incredible. We took lots of photos and fell over in the mud and snow a heap. One of the best parts of tyhe weekend though, was when my host family came to pick me up and my sister ran over to me and gave me a huge hug... maybe she doesn't hate me after all! I think we are getting to have a real sister relationship now haha.<br /><br /><br /><br />Then the weekend past was pretty cool as well. On Saturday, I went to Toulouse with a bunch of French and German people, as at the moment there are Germans at school doing a mini exchange. Didn't buy anything but had fun looking at clothes and being in the city again. That afternoon, I met my host brother, Gary, who's twenty five, at the train station and we went to Atyka... where I got the cartilage in my ear pierced =) Hopefully there'll be more to come! That night Gary, Stephenie, his girlfriend, her family and me went to see Holiday on Ice, and ice skating show, which was awesome- I love watching skating! It's so pretty. Then I slept over at his house, and on Sunday we drove back home and they had lunch at our place. All in all an epic weekend.<br /><br />Cartilage in my hurt hurts like a bitch but so worth it =) Actually it wasn't too bad at the time, it's just the fact that I am a tool and keep on hitting it accidently when I'm doing things. Nice one Kirsty. I'm paranoid about getting an infection as well.<br /><br />Basically life is pretty epic. Fracne is amazing, God is great.Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714275444664800083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528986333475550357.post-52800041414024920882010-03-11T13:03:00.000-08:002010-03-11T13:16:09.405-08:00...Holy shit.<br /><br />I just had one of those moments. I'm having one of those moments.<br /><br />I'm in France. I'm doing an exchange. I have friends. I have a host family. I'm speaking French. I live in Europe. I'm living my dream. I get homesick. I get tired. But I'm here. And I'm gonna get through this year and come out with memories to last a life time. I can't believe that I've been given this chance.<br /><br />I'm gonna give it everything I've got.<br />I have one year. That's it.<br />Why waste it?<br />Embrace it.<br /><br />Exchange.<br /><em>They never said it would be easy.</em><br /><em>Just that it would be worth it.</em>Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714275444664800083noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528986333475550357.post-60027767697630700462010-03-09T01:59:00.000-08:002010-03-09T03:11:38.987-08:00Holiday Photos<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBMkJX_0IU5QsGxngXYr7UKhK3IONAc_ku_wCdzhEZo8U2lXyQ36qY9fD5PQKtvV1cnhnvQhWd9sNX1d3d0ku14aIyr-u4KN3xDn-8nvPAZtzLKZaCu0BiqQPxDW2j5C1Gi0sRKiGHK69/s1600-h/PICT0008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446573827543269986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBMkJX_0IU5QsGxngXYr7UKhK3IONAc_ku_wCdzhEZo8U2lXyQ36qY9fD5PQKtvV1cnhnvQhWd9sNX1d3d0ku14aIyr-u4KN3xDn-8nvPAZtzLKZaCu0BiqQPxDW2j5C1Gi0sRKiGHK69/s320/PICT0008.JPG" /></a> You're never too old to play on Macca's playgrounds</div><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFc2nKZljazeq826OV3Jt0Wl27-1wtuCQ4qGwOYr213oSsryS92P7wTg4Iod7NLWDYGetSEbIjZ2N8E3jtfpm2x338-RVReUobQ4BeDlajNzBne9FjswML7tjwSjDDDA8uSJq0kLJdz7mo/s1600-h/DSCF3337.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446573815426632146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFc2nKZljazeq826OV3Jt0Wl27-1wtuCQ4qGwOYr213oSsryS92P7wTg4Iod7NLWDYGetSEbIjZ2N8E3jtfpm2x338-RVReUobQ4BeDlajNzBne9FjswML7tjwSjDDDA8uSJq0kLJdz7mo/s320/DSCF3337.JPG" /></a> Will I never be able to escape it??? And it's in French!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwDMakcsn9IHBG0V-fFliHxFttvCPQEYXNXiu6xWQnRSzrdO9rPX-lSVnNQz0km4bx5eyphEmbf2LFqjPsyg_9BjJUXvZ_ebL_8MlFZuc2500d33cELy3VxX178ozGFVTsRmbCgCAz1QW/s1600-h/PICT0013+(2).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446573807855578226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwDMakcsn9IHBG0V-fFliHxFttvCPQEYXNXiu6xWQnRSzrdO9rPX-lSVnNQz0km4bx5eyphEmbf2LFqjPsyg_9BjJUXvZ_ebL_8MlFZuc2500d33cELy3VxX178ozGFVTsRmbCgCAz1QW/s320/PICT0013+(2).JPG" /></a> Host 'Mami's' house for Sandy's birthday<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNN-t8XT2r3fCZs0XlvEvuXwtXJ65syn8ZcZXeZ6UTxG9ZBGiDRrTFceYFI9VFR-8ziAmfZVZofU-0n0pkA-74HTozuTN4CaNZRNKJ5i2Jn9TML6uVtslNUWXXkhe5TClZOwaGd9lt_BvB/s1600-h/Photo0096.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446573804738690178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNN-t8XT2r3fCZs0XlvEvuXwtXJ65syn8ZcZXeZ6UTxG9ZBGiDRrTFceYFI9VFR-8ziAmfZVZofU-0n0pkA-74HTozuTN4CaNZRNKJ5i2Jn9TML6uVtslNUWXXkhe5TClZOwaGd9lt_BvB/s320/Photo0096.jpg" /></a> I love playgrounds<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixH4FW9poMfqFI1AbyHTSpjShBH3vAgDJnxoZlYDffvnfrjNAsdsEHCYa-3WMv1o-dssJgJ6XlmsXlKWfKNPrP-BR_jzMimkraVlvfdKfRlfI4eYQ-E9eFPP9M7yadmnOHttTlcQuZ0TOW/s1600-h/PICT0005.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446573795773014962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixH4FW9poMfqFI1AbyHTSpjShBH3vAgDJnxoZlYDffvnfrjNAsdsEHCYa-3WMv1o-dssJgJ6XlmsXlKWfKNPrP-BR_jzMimkraVlvfdKfRlfI4eYQ-E9eFPP9M7yadmnOHttTlcQuZ0TOW/s320/PICT0005.JPG" /></a>Apple pie! Yum<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtsXFdyubbcv5febcC3YbxLrTY1SC7-aA9j6ISK1pblTRQ4b0syNa1z9-mzPXUF1jpVh9euPkBsdwWMQCZdRoYt7qAC9gejFtssaGgatDhTL5dJxBQaQrws40L4wGbz07IRs5jNNveccB/s1600-h/PICT0002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446572503271625586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtsXFdyubbcv5febcC3YbxLrTY1SC7-aA9j6ISK1pblTRQ4b0syNa1z9-mzPXUF1jpVh9euPkBsdwWMQCZdRoYt7qAC9gejFtssaGgatDhTL5dJxBQaQrws40L4wGbz07IRs5jNNveccB/s320/PICT0002.JPG" /></a>Yes, I am actually cooking =) Pasta =)<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSl50kdrt0dfBaXh_5YAKCDaNkuYKdhyphenhyphenGdB73ybbqJDbxvw1gS_EkpjIbhJ4flpupMkC76O6og1ukAFBaabPWPgH6zrPAqUsyCYorErWGLrgWrSXYwc_LVfkJzJoM5MVh2Z6oUOcu4Q9n_/s1600-h/PICT0028.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446572496942830034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSl50kdrt0dfBaXh_5YAKCDaNkuYKdhyphenhyphenGdB73ybbqJDbxvw1gS_EkpjIbhJ4flpupMkC76O6og1ukAFBaabPWPgH6zrPAqUsyCYorErWGLrgWrSXYwc_LVfkJzJoM5MVh2Z6oUOcu4Q9n_/s320/PICT0028.JPG" /></a> Where I spent most of snowboarding...on the ground =)<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKOT2ENvsqQpg8WZZwuOjAL8ewO32wUtou9Ol_AQS2B6ivpaXkJfG9lcA0QeJFCi3BW2KllFizWoV66wFmeYSWrWYN-VlFbsx-7PMqw0PP0cV99z63TJGktxu1CiYW9qrF-yaDXcxVQdm/s1600-h/PICT0020.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446572493261203410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKOT2ENvsqQpg8WZZwuOjAL8ewO32wUtou9Ol_AQS2B6ivpaXkJfG9lcA0QeJFCi3BW2KllFizWoV66wFmeYSWrWYN-VlFbsx-7PMqw0PP0cV99z63TJGktxu1CiYW9qrF-yaDXcxVQdm/s320/PICT0020.JPG" /></a>Still there!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYqDQ4SwLSL_Zv0aKeuRLeZw0d3J83-k_Ae4HeQWbTQRnsbVjxA5kJa_T4TmG0gsznFQVLGHXVpT4RcKQxnNee1o8sAJVW6He7UDpC8i_dzF5C0Q3FdavQRmpsXqugD9FKOyo1RZpfCbS/s1600-h/PICT0015.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446572486268821090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYqDQ4SwLSL_Zv0aKeuRLeZw0d3J83-k_Ae4HeQWbTQRnsbVjxA5kJa_T4TmG0gsznFQVLGHXVpT4RcKQxnNee1o8sAJVW6He7UDpC8i_dzF5C0Q3FdavQRmpsXqugD9FKOyo1RZpfCbS/s320/PICT0015.JPG" /></a> Comfortable<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcIuV_cbmBC7SCVo-AWuy_e7HD5MR-dJn4ZMerCEP6GWRwmuynr6BpLDEx45WychI3H5YMLXTPtO3qTMjKqam0a1zYycho-XL0zWhsDJt0tt9FcD-HOB-W6KjtsuXvwLQ0walhX8g1loY/s1600-h/PICT0008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446572478889320290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcIuV_cbmBC7SCVo-AWuy_e7HD5MR-dJn4ZMerCEP6GWRwmuynr6BpLDEx45WychI3H5YMLXTPtO3qTMjKqam0a1zYycho-XL0zWhsDJt0tt9FcD-HOB-W6KjtsuXvwLQ0walhX8g1loY/s320/PICT0008.JPG" /></a> I made it... finally.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12714275444664800083noreply@blogger.com1