Spring is on its way! Its been 2 weeks since les vacances and they have passed really quickly.
The Wednesday of the first week my 3rd host mom, Anne, who I will be moving in with the 28th of August works at a University in Marseille ad invited me to go with her to check out University a bit. She teaches an International Finance type of class. I wasn't really going to be sitting in on a class but more so on a group meeting. What was happening was in her class there were groups that each had a project they were working on and they were presenting to Anne what they had done so far and where they were at. And since I was there they started by explaining to me what they were doing. It was actually really interesting some of the projects they were working on. There was one group that was working to sell Italian custom made products in France. So they had to find a market and buyers and set up a website and all that. There was another group that was selling cosmetics in China, India, Africa. One that was setting up a spa/houseboat business There was another with electric bikes, one with sports gear and even one that was helping a couple move to Canada and set up an optometry business! It really was very interesting and I even ended up looking over and correcting some letters they had written in english that were to be sent out. After we had seen all the groups Anne and I went out to lunch in a café over looking the vieux port. It was a really cool day and Anne is super nice and is super excited to host me which only makes me more excited to live with her! And she even invited me to come back the next week to sit in on a more proper class.
The rest of my week past more or less normally and Saturday was dubbed baking day! I baked a batch of coconut cookies, which turned out really well and are almost gone, and a batch of cinnamon buns, which are also almost gone! Since being here I've learn that I actually really enjoy cooking specially because it allows me to share a little what I love with my families here.
Sunday I was invited by one of the students that I met when I went to the University with Anne to go and see an art show! I was so excited but of course when I went to catch the bus the bus didn't come and I didn't end up going :( Instead I walked around the neighbouring town and found this castle that had a very nice little park behind it! And when I walked by home and walked in the door to be greeted by Fabienne how said, "Want to go for a hike?" I said yes, of course, and all four of us went to Mimet a neighbouring village. The weather was awesome, not too hot and not too cold with sunshine, blue sky and a couple of clouds. At the very top it was great because off one side you could see Marseille and off the other you could see Aix, Gardanne and a couple other little villages.
On Thursday I returned to the Marseille University with Anne (3rd h.mom) to sit in on her class that was giving video presentations. it was actually really awesome and reminded me a lot more of my classes back in Canada. They would show their video and the the class would kind of have a discussion about it. Asking questions and sharing opinions etc. One of the groups did a presentation on Organic food from China, one on the concept of free city transportation, one on the idea of future technology and how it can affect classes and how we learn. It was a great class and I really enjoyed being there for it.
The following week on Friday was the bal du lycée (the school dance) it was chic avec détail choc. So I went in a black dress with a pink flower in my hair as the detail shock. It was a super fun evening and I danced my butt off with all of my friends from school.
That weekend was my last weekend with the Calsat family. I was moving Sunday evening. So Saturday I made a cheese cake because it has to sit in the fridge over night and then Sunday I finished the dinner off my making perogies again since they went over so well last time. The meal turned out AWESOME and everybody really liked it. And I think my perogie making skills have improved because they turned out much more pretty this time. After the meal we played some card games and soon enough Marielle came by to pick me up to take me to my next family. I said goodbye and thank you to everyone and it was super touching because my host sister Clementine actually cried when I had to go. We packed up the car and it was for sure much more full then when I changed families last time. But I think I packed less well and more organized which did make unpacking much easier. We made it to Anne's (next and current h.mom 3rd family) just fine and unloaded my growing possessions from the car.
I have no idea how I'm going to get all my stuff home at the end of the year but I think maybe I'll surface ship some stuff if I have to.
Talk to you soon! à bientot,
Rebecca
