Simple Pleasures in Privas

These past few days have been a little slow, but I'm sure things are going to pick right up when school starts tomorrow! I'm mostly looking forward to school, even if it means waking up early and going back on a strict schedule. In a way, I do feel like I'm way beyond high school; that I should be doing something else with my time, but going to high school was part of the guarantee I made with Rotary. I'm just feeling so relieved that good grades aren't super important this year. I've got my high school diploma, and I'm into a good school (Boston College). Not that would ever slack off tons anyway...

Today was a really surprisingly slow, nice, fun day. I woke up at 8:30 and went into Privas with Anne to do a few errands. We went to the city hall where Anne had to do some paperwork, and I got a phone to use while I'm overseas. It seems as though everyone except for me has gone back to school and work today, so the streets were empty, and most of the shops were closed (I'm starting to wonder if I actually should have been in school today). When we returned, I helped Anne make lunch (we ate salad, eggs, a Provence tomato dish, cheese, bread, and ice cream). We ate on the patio soaking up the sun, and everything seemed to hit the right spot.

This afternoon, I spent a lot of time in my room; I brushed up on all my countries and capitals, skyped my good friend, and watched a couple shows on youtube. I must say, even though it's slightly embarrassing, that my new guilty pleasure is watching old Lizzie McGuire shows. All of them are on youtube, so I'm making my way through a couple seasons. And while the show is about all this middle-school drama, it gives my brain a little break from French, French, and more French. I was also really excited today when I found out that one of my favorite mini-series is on youtube: the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. That show will put anyone in a good mood, and I plan on watching them over again while I'm here.

Besides that, not much else is going on here. I took out my violin for the first time since I've been here, and played for a while. It actually made me really happy. I mostly just fooled around and played through a Suzuki book and my old violin NYSSMA solos, but it was enough to put me in a good mood. I've really enjoyed having a few laid-back days after a hectic first week in France and before the start of school. I'll let you know soon how my first day goes, and I wish all of you back at home luck on the beginning of the new school year tomorrow!